Monday, December 28, 2009

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Christmas Day

I gave Cullen an "Easy-Bake Oven" for Christmas...


Crazy house in NOHO- what ever must their electric bill be like?


Ok- it's Christmas Day- whola wholay! the important thing is- Cullen and I saw "It's Complicated" ( I LOVED IT SO VERY MUCH) and I discovered that unripe, green gooseberries are a thing to be treasured. More on this tomorrow. Or sometime in the near future. Just note- Gooseberries.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Dinner Party Finalized!

Ok- so- Here is my menure for my holiday dinner party:

STARTERS
peppery greens served with a soft goats cheese, toped with a quince vinaigrette and flure de sel

MAIN
bistro chicken served with a cracked black pepper and maple sauce

SIDES
potato and parsnip mash
french green beans

AFTERS
dark chocolate and grand marnier soufflé's
earl grey tea with cream and sugar
or
espresso

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Holiday Dinner Party

Last year, I cooked a dinner for some friends and this year, I plan on doing the same. With all that I have gone through this year, I feel that cooking for those that I love is the best way to express my undying gratitude for their support and friendship. Last year, I cooked with the help of a one Miss Donna Hay, the brilliant Aussie whose cookbooks and magazines bring little bursts of joy into my house- and this year, I plan on employing her knowledge again. My menu last year looked something like this:

STARTERS
roasted tomato, basil and goat's cheese tart: served and baked in handmade puff pastry, with red onion, seal salt, olive oil and toped with fresh, organic, peppery rocket.

MAIN
roasted lamb rack with rosemary, sea salt and coarsely ground pepper

SIDES
potato mash with garlic-basil oil
and
wilted spinach with cream and lemon

AFTERS
sweetened ricotta served with almond paste ovals, a swedish lace cookie and toped with a sprig of red currents

So, after that , what can I do to top myself? This is going to take some thinking.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Winter Rain


The other day, the Los Angeles area experienced the most fabulous rain! It was cold, wet and grey- -the perfect mixture for creativaty. All one needs is a lovely cupp'a tes, a wharm blanket and a fire and your off!

I was lucky enough to be working from home that day, that is,m after my clas ended, and I was so happy to find that the hjeat was having a dificulty climbing above 60º- so I shut it off, and let it drop way down low- oh how wonderful the cold was!