Finally

Today was a rare occasion - I had nothing scheduled and was home by noon.  This was after a meeting, a trip to DiBrunos, Reading Terminal, and Trader Joe's. I was so tickled that I came home, brewed a cup of coffee then got started on dinner. 

I had a chuck roast and wasn't using a crock pot nor a pressure cooker...I was going old fashioned with the range.

I seared the meat, sauteed onions and celery, then added tomatoes carrots and potatoes.  I cooked it in the oven for 3 hours and the gravy was absolutely delicious...the brie ciabattini was perfect for sopping it up.

Back on the block

It felt good to step into DiBruno's today...its like being transported back in time.  Zeke was there so of course I received top notch customer service.  I suppose I could easily go to Suburban Square but I like the feel of 9th Street.

I wanted a brie because that last fiasco I bought just didn't cut it and its' still in the fridge. He suggested that I melt it on garlic bread...an excellent plan for unwanted cheese. I bought some ciabattini so that I can serve it with tonight's dinner. 

He had the moses sleeper in stock but upgraded me to harbison @ $30/lb and it's the best brie I've ever tasted.  Of course I bought primadonna...he said its a chemical in the packaging that is the source of controversy for naturalists. 

I went all out with the $40/lb aged pleasant ridge reserve, a Wisconsin gruyere that continues to win awards...of course I bought just a sliver. He recommended that I read about it in the Mastering Cheese text.

Finally I purchased a New York aged cheddar for the kids, @ $10/lb, it beats seaside hands down.
I hit the jackpot with the family blend decaf that I didn't know existed and have brewed two cups this afternoon.

An excellent shopping experience as always.

Crabtastic

I enjoy Maryland blue crabs but I have never cooked them.  My husband was offered a deal on crabs so I thought it might be nice to get a bushel and share them with friends.  I was never able to set anything up but he ordered a half bushel anyway for me. 

Of course I went into a panic because that's a lot of crabs for one person; so I phoned a friend but I wasn't convinced we could finish them.  I was definitely laboring under a misapprehension. 

I found several recipes online and decided to compare methods - I did a vinegar-beer steam and a water-beer-garlic-cayenne steam...the vinegar produced a superior flavor. 

We ate, I refilled the pan...2 hours later we were cleaning up saying next time we need a full bushel.

Black Friday Special

Thanksgiving seems to be all about indulgence - indulging on good eats on Thursday and indulging on consumer goods on Friday.  The excess is almost counter intuitive to the premise of giving thanks, but these are the times in which we live. 

I had sweet potato pie for breakfast, leftovers for lunch, another piece of pie after lunch...but I wasn't satisfied...I wanted poultry.  I thought about roasting a duck but I was hesitant because of the oven door glass fiasco. 

At 4pm I decided to brave the crowds and head to Godshall's...I was pleasantly surprised to find Reading Terminal navigable.  I placed my order and the kids were pressuring me to buy a turkey, which of course we don't need, so they suggested a turkey breast.  I went with a boneless turkey thigh because I didn't want leftovers.

I was home by 5pm, seasoned the turkey and put it in the marinator.  I had some miscellaneous veggies in the fridge so I put the sweet potatoes in the oven then made a medley of kale, cabbage, and carrots.  I browned the thighs, sauteed onions and celery, then I cooked the thighs under pressure for 25 minutes.  The gravy was delicious...I followed that up with a slice of sweet potato pie. 

Delicious simplicity

I'm finally beginning to realize that food doesn't have to be complicated to be appreciated...it just has to be fresh.  Slow food doesn't necessarily require a lot of preparation time; all you need is a stove, pots, and simple ingredients that can be found on supermarket shelves.

Today I had a quick impromptu lunch with my friend.  The majority of our time was spent standing in the Falafel Nazi's line.  We didn't mind because it gave us a chance to talk and we enjoyed the food. 

Today's offering was essentially the same as last week but the cart was slightly different:  most of the garlic had been replaced with red pummelos that proved to be quite a curiosity for the folks standing in line and there was a box of potted sakura mixed cress which made me wonder if he grows the greens that act as a bedding for the platter.  Despite the lack of interaction with the chef, it is clear that he takes pride in the food that he serves and that goes a long way. 

Once we received our platters we scurried off to eat as we only has 10 minutes before her next meeting but both agreed that the food was plentiful and worth the wait. 

A piece of Persia

Wednesday my cousin forced me to take a 6lb can of apricots.  We eat lots of dried apricots and I've had some decent desserts but 6lbs of apricots, that had essentially been cooked and dropped into a sweetened liquid, was foreign territory. 

Since Eid was approaching, I decided to figure out a dessert, so yesterday I made an apricot pie and a batch of apricot sorbet.  We fasted yesterday so the sorbet turned out to be a nice treat; and the pie ended up being dessert for eid lunch.

I wanted to make a lunch that complimented apricot pie so I made an interpretation of a chicken couscous.  Between fajr & salatul eid, I set up my crockpot of sauteed onions, garlic, and ginger; seared chicken; carrots and haricots verts.  When we returned from the Gazillion Bubble Show, I made the couscous and served the lunch followed by the pie and chai tea lattes.  The only thing missing was friends to share with.  We're dashing out to Universoul but hoping to connect with friends for dinner. 

Falafel Nazi

I was way too excited when I drove past 20th & Market and noticed a short line at the food cart.  I pulled over and called my friend to confirm the location and price and then scoured my wallet for $8. 

The aroma of grilled food filled the air as I walked back to the intersection.  I stood in line and nervously awaited my turn as I watched people receive their food, almost in lockstep.  Everything that my friend had told me about the standardized service was true:  no talking in line, no special requests, you hand him the money and he hands you the food, anything else could send him on a rant.

The cart was clean and lined with potted mums and fresh heads of garlic, the arrangement was anchored by a cinderella pumpkin and a ginger plant served as the centerpiece.  The "falafel nazi" whistled and bobbed his head to the Arabic music that was blaring.  No one said a word. 

I approached with trepidation when it was my turn, my heart was pounding as I watched him put the food on the platter.  I was shocked when he smiled at me; when he smiled again, the guy behind me looked confused.  He smiled once more as we exchanged the food for the money and that's when the coins dropped.  I was afraid that perhaps he wouldn't give me the food because I had broken protocol with loose change.  I muttered an apology and the salaams and he mumbled a response.  I scurried away with my skin in tact. 

I couldn't wait to get home to unwrap my purchase.  Everything had slid around a bit but it was very delicious.  A bed of greens (maybe oakleaf lettuce) was topped with yogurt sauce and hummus; a side of chick peas & pearled couscous; a grilled piece of baguette; with grilled chicken, grapes, and something akin to falafel. There was also pita and a plum in the bag.  For a minute I thought I was back in Al Ain.