Jamie and Allie with the before pie…
and after
With help from my nieces Jamie and Allie, the “Modern Mince Pie” turned out quite good! It was difficult to tell if I really liked it or not being so disgustingly stuffed after dinner, so I tried it for breakfast the next morning and gave it a thumb’s up (not my favorite pie, but happy the old man liked it.)
“Run for the Hungry” race at J and 47th
We started the day with what has become my favorite Thanksgiving tradition – a bloody mary and gin fizz from Club2Me while cheering on the participants of “Run to Feed the Hungry” race. We were thrilled to see fellow FHer Vanessa Smith with her husband Lance among the runners, and they are a couple after my own heart – both had a mimosa in hand – cheers!
FHer Vanessa Smith with her husband Lance
Since this was the first year hosting Thanksgiving, it was also the first year of leftovers. We had the traditional “leftover” dinner on Friday night; made broccoli soup from the hardly touched side dish along with turkey paninis Saturday night; simmered stock and made meatballs by putting leftover turkey in the food processor, then rolled with egg and bread crumbs for a delicious twist on Mexican albondigas soup (recipe from the “Two Hot Tamales”) on Sunday night. It was so yummy we’re having it again for dinner and as my husband said, ‘after tonight, we’re finished with Thanksgiving!’ Yep, we’ve got a tree to decorate tonight so bring on Christmas and all the festive food we look forward to making and eating!
Archives for November 2007
Mid-Thanksgiving-week Morsels
With Thanksgiving tomorrow (already?!), this week’s morsels include some Turkey Day tid-bits from a smattering of the SacFoodies and fellow FHers (those who are in the office today). . .
Aside from spending time with friends and family tomorrow, what are you looking forward to most?
Ali: A morning bike ride around the Lodi vineyards before Bob and I put the turkey in the oven and begin preparing the big meal!
Gayla: Shopping on Black Friday. It has become a tradition that my sister-in-law and I have done for 3 years now.We don’t get up too terribly early but do go to at least 3 different major shopping malls, then meet up with the more family in the evening for dinner and drinks. Most people think we are crazy for tackling the crowds but we have a great time.
Vanessa: My mother-in-law’s cranberry sauce made from scratch with a hint of orange zest! I put it on everything…well, except her deviled eggs — another holiday favorite that competes for a first place spot on the list every year. 😉
Jacqueline: Helping my parents put up their outdoor Christmas lights before eating dinner. It starts out as a project for my step-dad and I to work on together, but it always ends up being me laboring alone while he stands back to admire “our” work! I love it though because Christmas is my favorite time of year, so hanging the lights signifies the beginning of the holiday spirit. After hanging the lights we turn them on, open the front window blinds, and enjoy the twinkling icicles while we eat our yummy food!
Brittany: Eating Yorkshire Pudding. For me, it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without Yorkshire Pudding on the table. But, this year I’m especially looking forward to making my first Thanksgiving contribution – the Pumpkin Pie. Check back next week and I’ll let you know how it went!
Christine: Going for a pre-meal walk. My family always goes for a walk before the big meal, so I look forward to that because it makes me feel much less guilty when I indulge in all the great food later. Top on my list of indulgences is fried baby artichokes.
Kim: Sharing my nephew Jack’s first Thanksgiving with him. 🙂
Melinda: Making “modern” Mince Pie for the first time ever. It’s my husband Johnnie Beer‘s favorite and I really want it to be good. (Here’s the recipe.) I also picked up a Pumpkin Pie from the Real Pie Company so I know that will be delicious, but my Mince Pie needs to impress! I’m also excited because it’s the first time that Johnnie and I have hosted Thanksgiving… below is the menu I created for our meal.
Kris: Kris is in the Big Apple this week, providing support for client the United States Potato Board, whose spokes-spud Healthy Mr. Potato Head is a featured balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!
Me: Eating crescent dinner rolls. For some reason, I’ve become completely obsessed with crescent dinner rolls on Thanksgiving, probably because it’s the only day of the year that I have them. The simple, flakey, buttery dough out of a tubular cannister will always hold a special place in my heart, and a spot on my plate, on Turkey Day.
Check back next week, when we will update you on our Thanksgiving happenings.
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Article One-Year Anniversary Party – Eat, Drink and Dance in Style
This Saturday, Article salon, spa & boutique is celebrating its one-year anniversary and as usual, is doing it in good taste. Festivities will start at 7:30 pm and will include a fashion show at 9:30 pm with hors d’oeuvres and small plates from Supper Club and Fran’s Café.
And if you over-indulge in all the amazing food as I did last Boulevard Bash when I ate a plate of Kobe Sliders with Shaft Blue Cheese, Guajillo Maui Onion Jam, Blackened Tomato & Micro Arugala on Old Soul Mini Buns and Sushi (I know, what a combo!) you can burn off the remorse by dancing to music from DJ Riggatony. Below is a picture of my friends Talia, Julia and me, at the Boulevard Bash in September. . .
In proper PR style, see below for all the info!
WHAT:
Article One-Year Anniversary Party / Boulevard Bash
WHEN:
Saturday, November 24
Doors open at 7:30 pm
Fashion show starts at 9:30 pm
WHO:
Article salon, spa & boutique
Supper Club
Fran’s Cafe
WHERE:
1616 Del Paso Boulevard
Sacramento, CA 95815
COST: Cover is $5 and the event is open to those 21 years and older.
For more information, call (916) 921-7400
Thursday at the Shack ~ 11/15/07
Cho! Co! ~ It’s Cajun Night at the Shack!
*Catfish & Hushpuppies
*Chicken & Andouille Gumbo
*Dirty Rice
*Shrimp salad w/ Cajun Remoulade
Open at 6 p.m., food and music around 7 p.m.
The Shack
5201 Folsom Blvd 457-5997
Holy Tamale!
Tamale-making is an important ritual in the Mexican culture during the holidays. Women traditionally gather in the kitchen during the holidays to make dozens and even hundreds of tamales to be shared with family and friends at Christmastime. As Mexican immigrants brought their customs to the United States, many Americans have become interested in exploring this particular custom, especially because of the association of holidays and families.
Chef and culinary educator Carolyn Kumpe will discuss the significance of tamale making during the holidays as well as lead a hands-on demonstration of savory with meat, savory vegetarian, and sweet tamales. Two will be demonstrated and one will be created collectively to take home.
Slow Food Sacramento is partnering with the East Bay Culinary Center to hold the tamale-making seminar in the Center’s beautiful new demonstration kitchen on Saturday Dec. 1 from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Cost for participation is $25 for adults, $10 for children, and a discounted rate of $20 Slow Food members. Space is limited. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/24160 by Nov. 27th, 3:00 p.m.
East Bay Culinary Center‘s Demonstration Kitchen
522 North 12th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
My Cravin’, Jonesin’, Hankerin’ Life
Do food cravings ever seize you in a vise-like grip, not letting go until you’ve indulged them? In our house, I’m somewhat embarrassed to report, this is a weekly occurrence. My husband craves Dos Coyotes, my son loves an In ‘n Out cheeseburger, and my daughter is a huge fan of California Raisins (and I’m not saying that because they are a client!).
I took a quick office survey to determine whether we are typical or atypical, and I was pleasantly relieved with the results! All of those surveyed knew exactly the type of jonesin’ I was describing: Ali occasionally craves pasta; Joey answered without a moment’s hesitation, Chipotle; Jacqueline is moved by tuna salad sandwiches; Melinda’s weakness is pizza; and both sushi and scrambled eggs have a hold on Brittany (though not together, she is quick to point out).
I’ll admit to a few cravings of my own: Chocolate anything tops the list, a perfect nonfat latte, a bleu cheese burger. This past weekend I indulged in my most recent craving – Mediterranean cuisine. I simply had to have hummus and pita bread, and the marinated chicken with house sauce at The Kabob House. Nothing else would do. I could see it, smell it; if I could have conjured it, I would have. Instead, I hopped into my car and drove over to see Rocky, the owner of The Kabob House.
Located at 648 East Bidwell in Folsom, everything I’ve ever tasted at The Kabob House is just mouth wateringly delicious. We ordered chicken and beef shish kabobs, Greek salads, hummus and pita bread. As usual, our food was cooked to perfection. The chicken was flavorful and, when combined with their special house sauce, unbelievably scrumptious.
We don’t usually treat ourselves to dessert, but Rocky talked us into sampling the baklava this time. Heaven. Crisp layers of phyllo dough drenched in honey and layered with nuts. A perfect end to a perfect craving. (And it’s no surprise that I can hardly wait for the next one.)
Tell us what you’re craving. And, if you’ve got a yen for a great dessert, try my mom’s baklava recipe, which we’ll post tomorrow. Happy hankering!