denouement
Sep. 29th, 2007 10:17 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
verbicideGod. Jeff's parents are such lovely, lovely people. He comes by his goodness honestly.
It was such a nice evening. They all had seconds, which is my gauge for culinary success. I was pretty sure the Coq au Vin would be fine. But, I was especially delighted that Jeff loved his cassoulet so much.
I'd found this recipe online ages ago and bookmarked it because Jeff loved cassoulet before he became vegetarian.
I varied it a bit. I thought it was strange not to have garlic, so I added it. I seasoned the veggies while saute-ing them. I doubled the carrots. I couldn't find fresh savory, so I substituted tarragon. And since the recipe is just a crock pot of beans, I wanted to make it more like the cassoulets I've had for a more interesting presentation. So, I pan-fried some apple-sage Fieldroast sausage and sliced it. Then I layered it with the stew in the Le Creuset oval baking dish I bought for the occasion. Finally, I topped it with some panko crumbs and butter and stuck it under the broiler.
I think this was such a big deal for me because I'm usually too cowardly to edit recipes. I think watching Top Chef is paying off in that I've started to think about food and its preparation in a broader sense.
The tarte aux pommes came out much better than the tarte tatin, but as pretty as it was, I think it was just okay for the amount of work it required. It was a decent apple tart. but nothing to write home about. Though, Chris did threaten to steal the rest, which I thought was adorable. I will say that my knife skills have improved, and that makes me very happy. I think now that I've made this tart, I could knock out a second one much faster. I so desperately want a Roul'pat or marble pastry slab!
Regardless, next time, I want to try the almond cream/raspberry/chocolate one.
Also, I can't wait to get to Sarah's tomorrow to earnestly begin our day of lounging around. I'm either going to go over in my pjs or bring them with me. And writing about it just reminded me of my glorious red flannel pjs, which I love, and will be spending most of tomorrow in.
I think that's all I've got for now.
It was such a nice evening. They all had seconds, which is my gauge for culinary success. I was pretty sure the Coq au Vin would be fine. But, I was especially delighted that Jeff loved his cassoulet so much.
I'd found this recipe online ages ago and bookmarked it because Jeff loved cassoulet before he became vegetarian.
I varied it a bit. I thought it was strange not to have garlic, so I added it. I seasoned the veggies while saute-ing them. I doubled the carrots. I couldn't find fresh savory, so I substituted tarragon. And since the recipe is just a crock pot of beans, I wanted to make it more like the cassoulets I've had for a more interesting presentation. So, I pan-fried some apple-sage Fieldroast sausage and sliced it. Then I layered it with the stew in the Le Creuset oval baking dish I bought for the occasion. Finally, I topped it with some panko crumbs and butter and stuck it under the broiler.
I think this was such a big deal for me because I'm usually too cowardly to edit recipes. I think watching Top Chef is paying off in that I've started to think about food and its preparation in a broader sense.
The tarte aux pommes came out much better than the tarte tatin, but as pretty as it was, I think it was just okay for the amount of work it required. It was a decent apple tart. but nothing to write home about. Though, Chris did threaten to steal the rest, which I thought was adorable. I will say that my knife skills have improved, and that makes me very happy. I think now that I've made this tart, I could knock out a second one much faster. I so desperately want a Roul'pat or marble pastry slab!
Regardless, next time, I want to try the almond cream/raspberry/chocolate one.
Also, I can't wait to get to Sarah's tomorrow to earnestly begin our day of lounging around. I'm either going to go over in my pjs or bring them with me. And writing about it just reminded me of my glorious red flannel pjs, which I love, and will be spending most of tomorrow in.
I think that's all I've got for now.
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no subject
Date: 2007-09-30 03:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-30 03:54 pm (UTC)(The Hershey's one is hilarious.)
I've done so much pastry work this year, it would be a worthwhile investment.
no subject
Date: 2007-09-30 06:05 pm (UTC)I meant to tell you - I made those enchiladas last night. I didn't have salsa makings and was too lazy to go to the store (I just use regular enchilada sauce), but I still made the little chicken sauce for the inside. They came out really good - thanks for the recipe.
no subject
Date: 2007-10-01 05:32 am (UTC)