Hi.

Who are you? If you read my blog, can you leave a message? I'd love to know who is out there on the internets having a look. Thanks! and more to come in the new year.

Twas the night...

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night.

Coq au vin

My cooking obsession has progressed to the point where I now cook things I cannot pronounce.



I think it shows I'm no longer intimidated by recipes with long ingredient lists or multiple hours of prep time. I knew this recipe is called "chicken in red wine" and that is considered a classic, popular French dish. However, I wasn't sure how it was pronounced as I took Spanish in school, and cannot "parle vu francais."


Fortunately speaking the language isnt a requirement for making the dish, and though I bastardized the recipe name all evening while it was prepared, it turned out quite nice.



It's quite a time muncher this dish. The chicken is easy enough to get cooking- and the le cruset dutch oven was a dream to cook with. But getting the red wine/stock broth to reduce took a bit longer than expected. Adding the mushrooms reduced the broth quite a bit.



I made some green peas, cooked in bacon fat, and some roasted fingerling potatoes smothered in garlic butter as side dishes. Husband was a bit concerned about the purple-ness of the chicken, but it was quite delicious.

no rest for the wicked.

So here is a photo summary of what's the happs round these parts. (Click on the photo for info).

As of late

I've been super busy with work, and life and haven't had much time to cook or craft, let alone write.



Thanksgiving was good. The food was all delicious and there was plenty to go around. We had crab dip, and cheese appetizers. Dinner included a pear and Roquefort salad (i forgot to photograph), scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole (forgot too) and of course the bird. Desert was a traditional New York cheesecake which turned out beautiful, only a little cracking.







Other adventures included a dinner here. It was divine.

And I am 2 months behind on a birthday scarf for a friend. Here it is in progress: