Tag Archives: cooking

Holiday Traditions

Posted on December 15, 2010 | Leave a comment

I think now that my family always fought with them. We never knew when to get the tree. Lights went up by our mother and father. We each got our own ornament each year so got to hang them, and I was the oldest so always got two more than my younger sister. tee hee.

Dinner used to be turkey with all the trimmings, which changed I don’t know when, as Mom went to a traditional British dinner with prime rib, potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and sides. I did the “sides,” changing them every year.

Everyone discussed presents and the routine was changed every year, even though everyone said it was “routine.” Opening Christmas morning vs. Christmas Eve. After we were adults, we each picked a stocking and stuffed it for less than $20. I think our parents got each of us four a gift or two, and we got them and each other something. Hopefully my siblings don’t read this blog (unless it mentions mincemeat) otherwise the debate will start anew.

One thing we did agree on was that breakfast started early morning with Hungarian pull-apart coffee cake made by my sisters from brioche with cinnamon, sugar and nuts. We had that with coffee or tea. Early afternoon was the dinner. Then, desserts were mainly predictable, added over the years.

There were always mincemeat tarts, Scandinavians, Snickerdoodles, date squares, gingerbreads and lebkuchen. This year we are flying to my Dad’s for Christmas eve and day. Mom is gone now. My husband and I have been together for ten years and we don’t get each other Christmas gifts. But I was born in November and he in December and we don’t give gifts for those occasions either. That may be why we flew to see his family for Thanksgiving and mine for Christmas. Happy holidays! Cheers, Dee

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Quiet Country Morning

Posted on December 15, 2010 | Leave a comment

Sleeping nearly soundly because the dog had begun her early morning waking pattern, which ends with a paw on my leg or arm to GET UP! It was still dark, even though it was seven o’clock. Beep beep beep beep.

The snow came quietly overnight, a few inches that mostly melted during the day. Yeah, the ski resorts don’t like that melting stuff! I pulled up the shades as it’s always warmer when the snow falls, and it looked like Christmas. Then I heard what Jim calls the “articulated tractor,” a huge piece of machinery that can plow an entire neighborhood street in one fell swoop. If you’re on the street when that thing comes around, stay clear. It’s huge and seems to be going a good 30 m.p.h.

We went out before the driveway/walkway was plowed and it was slippery. Shortly afterwards, the skid loaders did the driveways with scraping snow and BEEP BEEP BEEP on back-up. Then the ski resorts started setting off mortars for avalanche control in the back country.

Interestingly, a number of ducks have decided to winter here, at least before it gets too cold for them. They may be stragglers, who knows. All I know is looking out at 14′ piles of snow placed by huge machines, my husband came home from work at eleven this morning with what I thought would be a cold, so I’m cooking a gorgeous stew, but now turns out to be a stomach bug. Guess I’ll be eating alone. Here’s to those quiet country moments, which we do actually get a lot of out here in nowheresville. Cheers, Dee

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Posted in Editorial, Utah

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Music in Your Heart

Posted on December 8, 2009 | 1 comment

I took a few weeks off lessons, a good thing as the lack of humidity up here is shredding my fingers. But I miss it. Not the pressure of practice, the sound of music. I just pick up the guitar and ask my husband to name a song and I try to play it. Without the pressure of having to learn a song or try a technique, my mind is free to imagine the music and play at least chords.

Yes, I am definitely a work in progress and need many more lessons. Today, I stopped by the shop for a couple of items for a holiday gift. I gave greetings to some of the Conservatory staff and as I headed out I heard my teacher’s voice. I went into the office, gave him a hug and he asked what I was doing there. I told him and he said “You’re giving the gift of music.”

As I thought about it I said to myself what I did not say to Korky. My teachers, over the past six months, have given me the gift of music that I’ve missed for decades. While I’ve a lot of work ahead of me before I even play for family, it is incumbent upon me to share that gift of music with our family so that’s our gift this year.

I gave Korky a holiday gift and he said he had nothing for me. That’s not true. Today I pass on a gift of music that was instilled by my grandfather, my father, my music teachers in grade school (one just sent me a cookbook about grapes) and is present in me. Throughout life, my music teachers have been my salvation – I just gave them up for thirty years! Giving the gift of music encourages a budding musician and encourages the giver when s/he sees the gift grow.

Do I have a food analogy? Of course I can find one. Most cooking schools teach amateurs a dish or meal to serve for Valentine’s Day or whatever. They don’t teach techniques. If you know how to braise and what to braise, you can braise any appropriate ingredient. Learn the basics (see my cookbooks list) then do your own thing. Same with music. Know the rules then when, and how, to break them.

Yeah, I’m a dangerous gal now. Politics, cooking, music. PDXknitterati, do you REALLY want me to take up knitting and have sharp objects in both hands? Think about it. Happy holidays, Dee

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Posted in Editorial, Utah

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Guests

Posted on August 30, 2009 | 2 comments

No, I’m not ready for it. But Jim has been offered and has accepted a full-time job in Utah, effective immediately. We don’t yet know where we’ll be living but are definitely here until at least October 15 if not longer.

We have a special guest staying this weekend and it’s been fun to cook and tour a bit and do some Park Silly shopping. I had to throw away one of Jim’s four year-old “Utah formal” shirts last week so we bought him another and I got a couple of belts.

Last night I made: ribeye steaks on the grill, simply rubbed with cut garlic, rubbed with olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper; roasted red potatoes with garlic and rosemary; and sauteed zucchini with a few panko crumbs tossed in at the end. We followed with Whole Foods raspberry sorbet with fresh berries and herbal tea.

Breakfast was a mini-feast from our organic sources out here with eggs, toast, maple breakfast sausages and applewood smoked bacon. With organic orange juice or fresh-squeezed apple juice.

A chicken is in the oven tonight stuffed with rosemary and clementines. I’m making risotto with chanterelle mushrooms, and will saute a few red and yellow cherry tomatoes for color on the plate. Our guest “checks out” tomorrow and I’m tasked with getting ready for Jim’s folks to arrive on Wednesday. I’m going to try to pack up my desk and make it livable as what it was intended to be, a dining table. I also have to come up with menus for a week and place an appropriate order for organic items that doesn’t overwhelm frig or freezer.

So, it’s back to work tomorrow but the weekend has been fun. I saw one of the cranes flying early this morning, that’s an unusual and precious sight as their wingspan is so great and they do land gracefully unlike the ducks who splash-land in the creeks when they’re flowing.

Hope y’all had a great weekend and are enjoying some time now that the kiddos are back in school. Cheers! Dee

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Posted in Editorial, Utah

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Varied Interests

Posted on July 27, 2009 | Leave a comment

One grandfather was a carpenter, the other was a bridge-builder. I don’t know what their interests were early in life, except my mom’s dad taught me copper tooling and that was the only time I ever got an A in art class. Most kids were doing a daisy or something simple and I did a jaguar in a forest. Then in fifteen minutes I did a daisy for extra credit (had to make up for soap carving).

Interests change and are certainly moulded by parents. I started violin at age six, along with ballet and piano a year later. Those were not my choices but I kept with them for several years.

At age 12, “Santa” bought me a cheap guitar and I taught myself a few chords and we even performed. Amazing. Day is Done, and Teach Your Children. That didn’t last either. But at age 50, I’m back! Real guitar this time. I’d love to be able to play well enough for family and friends to sing along.

Cooking started early and has lasted for more than 40 years. It is such an honor to be able to cook for friends and loved ones and share with you my recollections and recipes. At times I’ve tried knitting and needlepoint, even took a class in basket weaving that made me a basket-case in one afternoon!

Birdwatching is contagious here staying on a nature preserve. If I keep my mind open there may be opportunities to expand the interests and talents I have with new ones. I’ve always believed that one should learn something new every day. Hoping we’ll learn something today. Cheers, Dee.

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Balance

Posted on June 29, 2009 | 1 comment

Our families are involved in different things.  Retired and in his seventies, my father is working to create a new ballet company.  Jim’s father owns a cattle ranch.  Jim majored in physics but is a software engineer and inventor.

Lately, I take care of the home.  It has been a year since Jim created this blog for me.  I was so scared at first, now some of my friends don’t email anymore and do facebook and I feel OK on the blog but facebook is something I want no part of.

Recipes.  I’d like to do a book about family recipes and may have received that box a few days before our temporary move.  It remains unopened, in storage, so you’ll have to wait as will I.  If I do a really complicated recipe, I like to have it in front of me while cooking, otherwise, unless it’s baking, that’s not my interest, I’ll guess-timate after the first  couple of times.

With a solid background in French cooking I skew towards southern France, Italy, Greece and the Mediterranean for ideas. Otherwise for Jim it’s some version of meat and potatoes, as he’s allergic to fish.

His technical books are about numerical recipes, mine are about food.  But I didn’t bring one book with me on this short-term journey.  I love my cookbooks and hope you’ll take a look because I chose the ones I feature judiciously.  They’re in air-conditioned storage right now.

The balance is between us, physics and cooking, science and art, software and being a dog’s “mom” and taking care of a household.  No, I never thought I’d be here, but living in the mountains for a couple of months isn’t a bad thing.  As for boiling water for tea at high altitude, I chose Overstock’s electric Kaloric kettle, that comes with placemats and two mugs.  It boils water in 1/4 the time it takes the gas stove to do so.  Again, we’re living at high altitude so your results will differ.

I’m looking forward to my first surprise organic basket Wednesday morning so will do minimal shopping tomorrow.  Will let you know how it goes….  Take care, Dee

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Posted in Cook Books, Editorial, Greece, Italy, Recipe Ideas

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Pizza, Pizza

Posted on March 5, 2009 | Leave a comment

I know what happened to my crust last night – I didn’t use 1/3 wheat flour! I used it all up and did what my brother did – instead of checking the cupboard I bought another five lbs. so by December (pre-end-of-contract) I probably had 30# flour.

Whole wheat flour makes the dough crustier and more resilient in rolling out. And it’s healthier, too, how about that. We ate leftovers, reheated for lunch and have one measly slice left that I may eat cold for breakfast. I used to love cold pizza for breakfast!

Sorry I’ve not been in touch for the past few days. Things have been busy here and the job market seems to be heating up. More info when I have something concrete to report.

It’s the same-old saving money thing. I made meat loaf tonight because I got a great deal on the meat. With it I served boiled red potatoes with butter, salt and pepper, and my grandmother’s Cuke Salad (on this site).

For tomorrow I ran into the butcher and he had a cart full of meat I got first dibs from. I chose two relatively thin lamb arm chops. I was advised to braise them but found a recipe that would have me marinate them in lemon and herbs et al then quickly grill them. I’ll think more about that in the morning. Today was a busy day.

Yesterday I stopped up the garbage disposal with 1.5 cups of cooked rice. The first half went down OK. Turns out our drain from the disposal was made too small (to save $$$) so I was advised to only place liquids in the garbage disposal. Why do we need a disposal if we can’t use it? Granted, I put no fat down it, or citrus peels. But two eggshells should go down in a few seconds with a little cold water and a pulse. We pay too much to live here for them to have put in 3/4 HP disposals with a pipe that can’t handle any use whatsoever!

And tomorrow is Friday. I haven’t yet checked out the movies coming out this weekend. We haven’t seen one in weeks and it may be time to go to a matinee, but only if something good is out. I wouldn’t mind going to one of our two favorite theaters and playing Jurassic Park with Jim for 15 minutes for five dollars. Forget lunch or a movie! It’s the only two-person arcade game I’ll play with him. Gave up on air hockey because he won every time and gloated about it.

Now I get to start on the freezer. I’m sure there are some treasures buried there to thaw and try. I know that frozen raw dog food used to take up a lot of it, 12# at a time, but she’s now on dry food with extras to save and give me some space.

I’ll let you know how it’s going! Hope all’s well and that you’ve planned a pleasant weekend. Cheers! Dee

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AL&J

Posted on February 4, 2009 | Leave a comment

Two of my culinary mentors are English teachers. I’ve learned a lot from them about language, good books, food and life.

As friends go, we never see each other enough. When we visit they know how to treat a guest. Last time we were there we brought Jim’s parents and they were thoughtful to place them in the Civil War room in a local B&B. I’ve never met more considerate hosts and have learned a great deal from them.

L collects things, especially linens. I am lucky to be the recipient of a few of these treasures, but won’t let anyone put their hands on them! Every couple of months I take down the decorative towels, wash and iron them assiduously. Jim’s mom gave me another linen towel so that has joined the brace I had before, that are beautifully embroidered.

Both cook with love and abandon, and share recipes. When I was young I had to try something before I could ask the ingredients. That philosophy shaped my life and my cooking. I ate things, tried things I never would have thought of trying, especially in a small town.

I love you both, and ML and hope to see you all soon. You’re always in our hearts and minds. Love, Dee

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The Cold That Keeps on Giving

Posted on December 18, 2008 | 1 comment

Jim left for work this morning, only to come back seconds later for his dress coat (why, when it was 77 degrees today?) Then he came back again in a minute, only to get undressed and back in bed, where he’s been for the day. I’ve got it too, have had some version of this cold since Thanksgiving weekend.

I made lunch and took a trip to the store, checked up on a neighbor, RSVP’d to a holiday invitation and ran laundry, and also brushed out the dog, who looks very fluffy and clean. Jim just ordered pizza so I wouldn’t have to make it myself. Hopefully after a good night’s sleep we’ll be better tomorrow.

Top Chef should be on (missed it last night) shortly and I’ll check it out. I’ve been missing it more often than not this season. Delivery pizza overlooking the city, which we haven’t been able to see for the past couple of days due to round-the-clock fog.

Between the Big Three bailout and choice of religious leader to provide the inauguration invocation, it’s been a very political day. Jim’s watching Jim Lehrer in bed and I’m overlooking the lights and putting my random thoughts together on your behalf.

Nanny says it’s going to take much longer than two hours to peruse her books and notes regarding becoming a great cook. If she has the time, I’ll make the time. Don’t worry, you’ll hear about it! Keep that stove and oven working! Dee

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Posted in Editorial, Pet

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Celebrity Culture

Posted on September 4, 2008 | Leave a comment

I’ve been concerned at the recent lack of talent at Food Network, for good reason. If I want inspiration to cook something (not by recipe) or seek regional cuisines I’ll check out Bourdain, Batali et al on other networks.

Lately Food TV has focused on personality, not talent or ability to do the job.

Unfortunately politics has gone the same way, swayed by the television lights and may the best personality win.

I don’t want a chef with the best personality to win in his/her restaurant kitchen. The best food and service should win, and hold the personalities in check.

Same with our soon-to-be President and Vice-President of either party. We should demand more than a pretty face and good on-camera personality. Where is the meat? The substance? The veg and starch? We need to know about our economy, the environment, global wars and much more.

We have questioned Food Network’s choices for how to run the network (money vs. quality shows) so why don’t we question our presidential choices and their run with a Food Network mentality?

Is Barack Obama Sandra Lee, Dems Lite? Is John McCain Guy Fieri? Who knows. I know you want the Veeps so I’ll wait until you ask before the others are revealed. Let’s hope they’re not the party boys or Paula’s sons.

But in serious cooking and politics, it comes down to what you can deliver. And that’s not just a pretty face.

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