My Thoughtful Spot

Christmas dinner

It seems like months and months ago, but I'd like to list our menu for Christmas dinner. Well, truth be told, it was Daniel's menu. He planned and executed the entire thing flawlessly. I'll provide the list, Dawn is providing the photos; check out her blog for the "complete" blog post about Christmas 2009!

I was very trepidacious about the goose; we had goose about 8 years ago when we lived in Boston. But, being the poor students we were back then, Daniel lacked the proper cooking implements needed to drain sufficient fat to prevent a week's worth of digestive nightmares for me. So in recent years, I have begged him to stick to lean, but equally gamey pheasant. This year, he promised that he could cook the goose so that I could tolerate it. It was just as he predicted.

Appetizers
Holiday champagne punch (brandy, white rum, cointreau, champagne)
Caprese bites (chosen because of red, white, and green coloring)
Holiday caviar toasts (chosen for the same reason listed above). Caviar bought specially, in person by the chef, in heathenistic San Francisco

First Course
Bigos - Polish venison stew taken with ice cold vodka shots (a Polish tradidion, I promise!)

Second Course
Poached Pear with Champagne Viniagrette

Trio of Sorbets

Main Event
Gala Goose with Cherry Armnagnac Sauce
Braised Spinach with Pine Nuts
Rye Bread and Chestnut Stuffing
Sweet Potato Hazelnut Gratin
Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon
some Chardonnay (? the note-taking broke down a bit here.)

Dessert
Pomegranate Creme Brulee

While we weren't able to share the holiday with any family or close friends, we did adopt two "Christmas orphans" I had met at the yoga studio. They were both alone and I knew they were both cool, and it was wonderful to be able to share such a great meal with them. The following day (Boxing Day), we had two more people join us for "Christmas dinner, part two," which was a repeat performance of the official event, done for Dawn and Renee. So I got two Christmases!

christmas candy selection

Despite my best efforts at being healthy, there is one thing I have never been able to kick for any length of time: candy. That would make me a candy connoisseur of sorts.

As such, one of the things I enjoy about Christmas is the unique candies that come out just for the season. The start stocking these delectable goodies before Thanksgiving and while I agree that is generally too early for Christmas in general, it is not too early for Christmas candies. My favorites are: 

• Mint M & M's
• Cadbury (the same folks who make the Cadbury eggs around Easter) takes their chocolate and makes them into bite sized balls and covers them with the same shell as their Mini-Eggs. I don't know the name, but they're delish.
• Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses
• Reese's peanut butter trees
• Russell Stover caramel Santas

I can find most things. But except for one bag of Mint M & M's, I haven't been able to find those and the Cadbury chocolates are no where to be found. I'm not sure why I can't find them; I've looked high and low, believe me. CVS, Target, Ralph's, Walgreens, Rite-Aid... no luck. I've also noticed that the amount of candy at each of these respective stores is substantially less than in previous years and is now replaced by more toys, seasonal plates, and wrapping stuff.

I suppose I should be happy. Less candy means that fewer people are buying candy, which means that they're being healthier. Which is good.

But it's terrible that I can't find the candies I looked forward too all year!

i baked!

Sometime last week, as I was bemoaning my desire to bake as being inconsistent with my desire to be thinner, the solution came to me. I'll bake for my family. No, not just Daniel (although he loves it when I bake), but my family up north. Let me explain.

At this time of year, every year, we try to go see my family to coincide with the local county fair. This year there will be even more family than before; my dad and my adopted sister recently moved back to my home town. So living in relative close proximity we have mom, dad, sister, bro-in-law, niece, nephew, sister. Add me, Daniel, my brother (who lives in the Southland, too,) and a friend who wants to check out the fair and that's a lot of people!

Then I had to decide what to bake. I didn't want to make four kind of cookies... that's just too much for two and a half days. Breakfasts are always tough to handle with that many people and I've always wanted to try my hand at scones...

Here's what ended up coming out of my kitchen:

New Hampshire Maple Walnut Scones

Curried Pumpkin and Ginger Scones

Harvest Spice Cookies

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies 

I'm not sure the kids will like the scones (they can have cereal if they don't like them :-P ), but I hope my creations are mostly well received! Have a great weekend, everyone!

zombieland

With all my talk about zombies, I'm sure I left the impression that I love to watch those freaky zombie movies. While I'm fascinated with zombie culture and preparing for the zombie apocalypse, I actually really dislike scary movies of any kind. Gore is fine. Shit, I deal with gore almost every day of my life. But don't make me jump in my seat, please.

Which is one of the reasons I really enjoyed "Zombieland." This is the second zombie comedy in recent memory (maybe ever?), the other one being "Shaun of the Dead." Also, it had a very unlikely troupe of likeable characters; people who have no logical reason for working together. There were great quotable lines and even a cameo by someone who has been funny for decades. (I won't spoil the surprise.) I wonder if he's a zombie freak? He must be to be in this movie. Or he could just realize that this is pretty much an instant cult classic and wants some of those royalties...

One of the characters had a list of rules for surviving in the zombie-infested world. There are over thiry of them, but as a strict follower of rules (I did not color outside the lines, thankyouverymuch), I wonder what they all are. We saw many during the movie, but never a whole list. My favorite rule is rule number 1: cardio. Who dies first in the beginning days of the infestation? Yep. Fatties. Like the old addage says, you don't need to outrun the bear, just your friend. But your fat freinds will only satiate the undead for so long, so make sure you stay in shape.

Don't let the fact that this is a comedy make you want to bring little ones or squeamish buddies. There is gore and plenty of it. Right from the opening sequence, as a matter of fact. It is a zombie movie, after all.

So go ahead. Give a zombie movie a chance. Time to nut up or shut up.

itching to bake

They say you are either a chef or a baker. I don't know who "they" are, but they're right. I love baking and can't cook to save my life. I hate it. It completely stresses me out to have that many things going on at once, all expected to be done at the same time. I'm much better at focusing on one thing, or at least doing alternating things like letting something bake while I mix another dough. It makes sense if you look at what I do, also. When I operate, I have one thing to worry about -- the person right in front of me. I shouldn't be distracted by other things and need to be honed in on the task at hand. I'm apparently the same way in the kitchen.

Daniel has actually banished me from the kitchen when he's in there and if he needs help stirring something, he draws a square with his toe where I'm supposed to stand. Or makes me stir in the living room. I am also forbidden to use the knives. (Yes, I am aware of the irony.) I don't really even need to cook, anyway. It's been a while since I've documented it, but I have written about a few of Daniel's now-legendary holiday feasts. (I'll be sure to post his menus this year. Pictures might be pushing it, but I'll try.)

Because of residency, up to now, I would only be able to bake around Christmas time, and sometimes not even thn. I have a standard set of Christmas cookies that I like to do every year. The crowd favorite is the almond-raspberry biscotti dipped in chocolate. I'm hoping that my culinary adventures will become legendary, as Daniel's feasts have.

Recently, I have been dying to get back into my kitchen and just bake something already. I don't really know why, but I find myself going to my favorite baking site at least once a day, browsing recipies, mixes, bakeware, everything. And I'm making lists in my head about what I need. Which is a lot. heh.

Part of the problem is that most of the things that one bakes are inherently unhealthy. So I've resisted. But I don't know how much longer I can! I suppose I can give my creations away... anyone wanna spend some calories on cookies? Or brownies? Or cobbler?

anniversary follow-up

What with the holidays and everything, I'm not sure if I ever made a post about what my eventual anniversary present was. Back in the fall, I was contemplating jewelry. Pretty standard for a 10 year anniversary. After the fact, Daniel mentioned that he was considering buying a car.

In the end, though, we decided to get something that we could both enjoy on a continuing basis: membership to an exclusive social club in the area. They have dining (fine and casual), member events, a gym with a spa, and frequent speakers. There are also reciprocal club memberships throughout the country at places like the Quinnipiac Club in New Haven, the Algonquin Club in Manhattan, and scores of clubs throughout the country.

Sounds kind of weird, I know. But when we lived in Boston, Daniel's education gave us the opportunity to belong to the Harvard Club. I was hesitant at first: Who needs a stuffy club membership where a jacket is required? But then we enjoyed some really cool events offered by the club. Wine tasting classes, Mother's and New Year's Day brunches, dinner and play packages, Valentine's Day dances, just to name a few. They also had a limited number of rooms that members could use for lodging if they wanted to stay overnight in the city. Once you started going there a lot, the people who worked there would learn your name. The drinks you liked. And they would say hi to you. It started to feel... comfortable.

When we moved to California, I figured I knew that clubs like this were an East Coast phenomenon only. Turns out the larger cities have social clubs just like the Harvard Club. Most of them don't have lodging, but they have everything else. They even usually have a dress code, but instead of "jacket required" it's more like "denim, shorts, and t-shirts are not permitted." Daniel used his reciprocal membership to stay at a club in San Francisco and in the course of a four day business day trip, he knew the staff there by name, just as they knew his.

One year during Holy Week, Daniel had a trial; the judge refused to move it. Which meant that he could not plan his usual holiday spread of decadence. We had heard of a "club" in the area, but didn't know much about it. On a whim, Daniel decided to check and see if they had an Easter brunch like the Harvard Club did. Yes! He used our reciprocal membership to get us a table at the local club and it blew our minds. Well, it was very similar to the brunch we had in Boston but it blew our minds because we didn't think something like that could exist in a region that eschews tradition.

After that, I decided that we had to be members. Daniel knew someone who would sponsor my application and he easily got three of his friends to provide the four members need to sponsor a new membership. I met with a someone from the Membership Committee and the formal introduction to the committee was waived because one of my sponsors was a member of the committee. Approved!

We've been members for about 2 1/2 months now and we're enjoying it immensely. Every Thursday is wine tasting with the sommelier on the terrace, there are great happy hour specials, and Daniel has taken several clients there for lunch. I don't use the gym (simply because my gym rocks), but it's nice to know there is a spa there. (P.S. I could live in the locker room. "Locker" room.)

Yesterday, I was lucky enough to convince a business colleague to make the trek away from the hospital for lunch and she was definitely impressed. That's a good thing... she's part of the hospital's administration. The staff were calling me "Dr. M" and it was great.

I'm glad we chose to get an anniversary present that we could both use and enjoy for the next ten years and beyond...

as if i needed more proof

6 oz of wine = 150 calories

Sam Adams light 12 oz = 116 calories

Beck's Ultra Premium Light 12 oz = 64 calories

The above demonstrates, once again, that the things that taste better are worse for you. Yes, I know that wine is good for your heart, but I don't have any issues in that department. My department is calories.

I can do this.

new year's eve... napa rose style

We spent our New Year's Eve as we have for the last five years; at the Napa Rose Restaurant in the Grand Californian Hotel at the Disneyland Resort. I can already see some of you rolling your eyes, but by the end of this post, you'll very easily see why we keep returning.

Earlier in the week Daniel and I donated blood at a blood-mobile thingy. Unfortunately, we had to wait a while and they made us wait outside. It was chilly (by Southern California standards) and we had no jackets. Ever since then, Daniel has been fighting a cold. I felt terrible; I basically dragged him (and Dawn) out to give blood (and hang out). But he had slept a lot the night before NYE and took a nap in the afternoon. When we were on our way out the door at 8:00, he was feeling pretty good. 

The evening started off with passed appetizers and champagne while a live band played in the background.  This gave the staff enough time to reset the dining room from the early seating. As we sipped and texted friends on the east coast, we saw a somewhat familiar face. It was the only other guy wearing a tux from last year! We all decided that our goal was to make the New Year's Eve event at Napa Rose a black tie only affair by ponzi scheme. Give us about three years. Well, maybe four. He brought a friend who wore a tux; we were alone. Funny thing... this couple lives right around the corner. Literally! I think we have found new friends.

We were escorted to our table and I realized there had been a mix-up; we were not in Wendy's section. Whenever we go to this restaurant for our special occasion dinners, we always ask to sit with Wendy, our official server and a really sweet person. She knows we appreciate good food and wine and is very generous with extra pours or will give free pours of other wines she think we may like. When we were there for our 10 year anniversary, she poured a fascinating dessert wine made with the chardonnay grape. But I digest...

Wendy apologized and promised to visit us a lot. Our substitue server was good, but was just that... a substitute.

Right. Onto the menu. Waiting for us at the table was an

Amuse Bouche Trio (from back to front in the photo)

Artichoke Lemon Tapenade with Sun-dried Tomato Confit

Cauliflower Silk topped with Black Caviar and Potato Chive Cracker

Dried Cherry Chicken Liver mousseline with Port Cherry Gelee

Daniel had recently made a sauternes gelee to go with fois gras for Thanskgiving, so he was especially appreciative of the port gelee.

First course

Roasted New Zealand "Blue Abalone"

California Meyer Lemon - White Miso Hollandaise

Domain Drouhin, "Les Clos" Chablis Grand Cru 2006

I'm not sure why the blue abalone is in quotes. This was my favorite dish. I asked them to rinse out the shell so I could take it home. It was really beautiful... and blue!

Second course

Chilled Lobster, Kampachi and Avocado Salad

Baby Watercress and creamy Red Jalapeno & Tangerine Vinaigrette

Alban Estate Vineyard, Viognier, Edna Valley 2005

I blew it on this one. Forgot to take a picture. :-/

Third course

Fennel & Celery Root Ravioli with Shaved Black Perigord Truffles

Pheasant Confit, Prosciutto Wraped White Asparagus and Pheasant Consomme

Flowers, Pinot Noir, Andreen Gale Cuvee, Sonoa Coast 2002 1.5L

This course wins for best presentation. The dish came out dry, and before we could pick up our silverware, someone else followed with the pheasant consomme and poured it on top. This was my second favorite dish... the asparagus in prosciutto was fantastic. Prosciutto makes everything taste better.

Entree

Your choice of:

Pan Roasted "Prime 45-Day Aged" New York Steak

Braised Beef Short Rib, Shallots and Black Trumpet Mushrooms (Daniel)

As you can see, I almost forgot to take a picture of this course as well!

or

Sauteed Wild Virginia Black Bass

Butter Poached King Crab, Chanterelles and Yukon Gold Potato Gnocchi (me)

Jospeh Phelps, Backus Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 1985

Dessert

"La Pinata"

Scharffen Berger Chocolate Pate with "Magicale" Brachetto Liquid Center

in a Hand Crafted Sugar "Pinata"

Borghi, Vin Santo del Chianti DOC, Tuscany 2002

  

I love new years... all fresh, full of promise and free of mistakes! I hope you all have a very safe, healthy, and Happy New Year.

cheers

thanksgiving weekend recap

We had a really busy, but amazingly fun Thanksgiving weekend. It all started Wednesday when my mom arrived. The poor thing got stuck in traffic over the grapevine and a 4 hour drive turned into a 6 hour one in the middle of southern California rush hour. I got her all settled into her hotel room and then she hung out at our place for the rest of the evening. Daniel had already started cooking for Thursday, but he had to suspend his efforts to pick up Dawn from the airport.

All of us had been practically fasting in preparation for the insane amount of food Daniel was serving. We had little to no breakfast, no lunch, and were good and hungry by the time the appetizers rolled out at 2:00. Daniel does something different every year with perhaps one or two dishes held over from previous years because they are favorites. Here is the menu, entitled "Over the Top":

• Foie gras toasts with sauternes gelee
• Pecan and goat-cheese marbles
• Raspberry vodka cocktails

• Roast turkey with black-truffle butter and white-wine gravy
• Chestnut, leek and apple stuffing 
• Cranberry, quince, and pearl onion compote
• Parsnip puree with sauteed brussels sprouts leaves
• Roasted sweet-potato rounds with garlic oil and fried sage

• Pumpkin and brown sugar creme brulee

I was in such a food coma after that... my memories of the day are pretty sketchy. I do remember that Dawn and I narrowly squeaked out a win in Cranium. The rest is a blur.

Friday was pretty full. I really wanted to go see what awesome deals I could get in the malls, but our only car was in serious need of brake work. Daniel got up early and took in to the mechanic for new brakes, shocks, etc. Then we had to take the ottoman Athalia's scratching post in to get re-upholstered. By the time Dawn, Steven, and I braved the stores, it was after noon. But there were still some great deals! The best deals of the day was a $30 wreath for $10 and a 7" portable DVD player for $50. I was also pretty insistent on getting our Christmas tree, so after we had Thanksgiving dinner redeux, we went out and picked the tree, brought it home, and put it in the stand.

Saturday Dawn, Daniel and I went to Disneyland. Dawn has been here for several Christmases, but we've always been too busy doing homey Christmas things that we never got out to the park. So we managed to get out there this past weekend so she could see all the decorations, the parade, and the fireworks. See her blog for photos (but later, she got sick).

By the time Sunday morning rolled around, Dawn was feeling horrible and in bed. We had only planned to decorate the tree (only the lights got up) and go to church, but Daniel and I felt so bad for her. And yet she managed to fly the red-eye back home and get through most of a day at work. I'm so glad she came out, but wish she hadn't gotten sick!

Just that one long weekend demonstrated so much of what I have to be thankful for. 

wednesdays

My hump days are amazing. Because I work for like a quarter of a regular day usually. I get up a little before 5:00, run for 6 miles, then cool down enough to do an hour of yoga at 6:30. I realize this sounds insane, but consider the source.

After my well-earned shower, I head into work. See the folks I have to see in the hospital, pop my head into the office to see if there is anything to take care of, then head back home. I'm getting all kinds of errands done. And today, because there is the last presidential debate, I spent a lot of time watching the news and contemplating the debate. Because people who don't work during the week watch tv. We all know that. I just don't watch Jerry Springer. (Is he still on anymore?)

I also usually catch up on computer stuff. Emails, blogs, stuff like that. In my catching up, I ran across this post, which inspired a fascinating email between Daniel, my brother Steven, and several friends. The topic? a drinking game for the debates. Steven, clever as usual, came up with an abbreviated albeit effective drinking game for tonight's event.

So, as a team effort, here is your official Debate Drinking Game:

• My friends
• Maverick 
• Straight talk 
• Change 
• Hope 
• Middle class (double if said by McCain) 
• "That was an excellent question" 

GO!