by Krista | Feb 2, 2011 | Compatriot Wednesday
When our dear friend Don announced his engagement to his fabulous girlfriend Jen, our cooking club was delighted! We were even more excited when we found out we were going to get to make the Rehearsal Dinner.
This week was our trial run and we had such fun experimenting, tasting, making notes, and giving each other tips on how to make everything just right for the big night. While we cooked, Don and Jen entertained us and kept us supplied with red wine and Brandy Alexander’s. Before long it was time to eat.
We started out with Selwyn’s fabulously fresh salad filled with all sorts of yummy bits: crispy bacon, toasted sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries.
Then it was time for the main course: Cameron’s savory Smoked Pork Tenderloin, Darren’s melt-in-your-mouth Smoked Prosciutto-wrapped Scallops, and his succulent Lemon Risotto. Deeelectable! For the real deal we’re also adding grilled and roasted vegetables.
We rounded off the meal with my Coffee Rum Creme Brulees. They tasted marvelous but melting the sugar properly didn’t quite work out. We have a plan of attack for next time to ensure smooth, glossy tops.
We’ll do everything we can to make Don and Jen’s rehearsal dinner scrumptious and beautiful.
If you’ve had a wedding, what did you eat at your rehearsal dinner?
Darren’s Lemon Risotto
(From Epicurious)
Ingredients:
6 cups canned low-salt chicken broth
3 1/2 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
2 large shallots, chopped
2 cups arborio rice or medium-grain white rice
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 3 ounces)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
4 teaspoons grated lemon peel
Directions:
- Bring broth to simmer in large saucepan over medium heat. Reduce heat to low; cover to keep warm.
- Melt 1 1/2 tablespoons butter with oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat.
- Add shallots and sauté until tender, about 6 minutes.
- Add rice; stir 1 minute. Add wine and stir until evaporated, about 30 seconds. Add 1 1/2 cups hot broth; simmer until absorbed, stirring frequently.
- Add remaining broth 1/2 cup at a time, allowing broth to be absorbed before adding more and stirring frequently until rice is creamy and tender, about 35 minutes.
- Stir in cheese and remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Stir in parsley, lemon juice, and lemon peel.
- Season risotto with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl and serve.
Krista’s Coffee Rum Creme Brulee
Ingredients:
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp instant coffee granules, ground fine (or coffee ground fine)
4 large egg yolks
1 tsp rum
1 tsp vanilla
brown sugar
boiling water
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Arrange 6 ramekins in 9 x 13 metal baking pan. (MUST be metal or will not bake properly.)
- In saucepan combine cream and sugar over medium heat. Bring almost to simmer, stirring to dissolve sugar.
- Remove from heat, add coffee and whisk to dissolve.
- Whisk egg yolks in medium bowl until just blended. Gradually stir in warm cream, then rum and vanilla.
- Using large measuring cup with spout, pour equal amounts of cream mixture into ramekins.
- Pour enough hot water into pan to reach halfway up ramekins.
- Bake about 35 minutes then chill until cold, about 3 hours.
- An hour before serving, preheat broiler.
- Arrange brulees on baking sheet and gently press 1/2 Tbsp brown sugar evenly over each one.
- Broil 6 inches from heat until sugar melts, bubbles and caramelizes. Watch carefully so it doesn’t burn.
- Chill 30 minutes to one hour and serve.
by Krista | Jan 18, 2011 | Compatriot Wednesday
With all the flooding and constant rain in Australia, my first several days here were spent stranded at my friends beautiful property near Allora. It’s a gorgeous spot to be stuck, with stunning views of wildflower-filled fields and gum trees.
Although being stranded was a grand adventure, by the time the flood waters receded and rains stopped, we were more than happy to escape the farm and head out to visit my friends Joe and Shirley who run a fabulous goat farm.
First we had to ford this raging stream that was still flooded (yikes!!). We made it through the water OK then sunk down into mud on the other side and couldn’t budge. Thankfully Joe was able to haul us out and ferry us back over the water. My friends car is now missing the bumper, but at least we’re all safe and sound. 🙂
Joe and Shirley’s place is beautiful! Goats of varying ages ambling all over the property, the babies looking cute as can be with their long floppy ears and short little horns.
We took a walk down to the creek, once an idyllic park-like setting with gum trees and rich green grass. Now it’s all torn up from the floods, masses of mud, silt, and uprooted trees marring the landscape.
Shirley and I surveying the damage and listening to Joe’s plans for clean-up.
It’s going to be a massive job, but these Aussies are amazing. There’s no whinging or complaining, just a shrug of the shoulders, a good ol’ chinwag about the adventure and then they’re hard at work, making everything beautiful again. They inspire me.
by Krista | Jan 11, 2011 | Compatriot Wednesday
Good morning, luvs! Much to my delight I awoke to SUNSHINE streaming in my window!! It is gone now and black storm clouds are billowing ever closer, but I had it for a few minutes and loved it. 🙂
Things are rather dire in much of Queensland right now with massive flooding just down the road from me. I’m safe and sound at a friends ranch atop a plateau, well out of reach of the raging flood waters, but we have been stranded, unable to get to any towns because the roads and bridges are awash. We’re going to venture out today though, see if we can get to town.
I managed to get conjunctivitis in both eyes this week – eeesh – but thankfully we were able to get to the doctor and the chemist just before the roads flooded. The water was literally only a few inches from covering the bridge as we crossed over! I loved going to the doctor in Allora. I felt like I was in a western movie, wide streets lined with buildings that look straight out of the Old West. I fully expected the office to have a spittoon in the corner, but was disappointed. 🙂
Yesterday my friend and I had enough of being housebound and decided to brave the elements for a trek through the ranch. We donned Wellies, overalls and raincoats, called for the dogs – Fletcher and Whombat – and headed out.
The ground is positively saturated, with several inches of standing water over most of it. Any depression in the ground is now a lake or pond and streams are gushing along through once dry fields.
The animals are happy though. Whombat and Fletcher frolicked wildly, utterly delighted to get themselves sopping wet. The horses are devouring the abundance of green grass, and birds are flitting about eating the mosquitoes and other bugs that are flourishing in this new boggy environment.
It was such a fun hike. I couldn’t stop smiling as we sloshed through endless water, taking pictures of Scotch Thistle and prickly pear, burnt out logs and wildflowers. Even in the rain this is beautiful country.
Tomorrow I’ll tell you more about Fiji, but today I thought you’d like to see a bit of the soggy world I’m in right now. 🙂
by Krista | Jan 5, 2011 | Compatriot Wednesday
Good morning, dear ones! After getting home late Monday night from Amsterdam, I am now nearly packed and ready to leave for Fiji and Australia in a few hours. Phew. I’m SO excited to see my dear, dear friends over there, but I’m one tired girl I tell ya.
My first stop will be a long layover in Fiji. I’m hoping for blazing hot sunshine to warm my bones, but since it’s the rainy season…
…I’ll probably get skies like this. I don’t mind a bit though. I’m just so grateful for this trip, for the chance to rest, be warm, and visit with people I love so dearly – even if it’s to the sound of torrential tropical downpours. 🙂
It’s going to be a long two days of travel from Vancouver, Canada to Los Angeles, CA then Nadi, Fiji and finally, Brisbane, Australia. I can’t wait to hug my friends SO tight then settle in for good, long talks and jolly adventures as we go camping, hiking, and exploring in beautiful Queensland.
I’ve got my camera and extra batteries and am all set to chronicle it all for you. 🙂
Now I MUST get packed!!! Love you all dearly and am so glad I get to share this adventure with you. Big hugs!!
by Krista | Dec 28, 2010 | Compatriot Wednesday
Good morning, luvs! It was a full-blown blizzard the night we went to the Maastricht Christmas Market, yet that didn’t keep the Dutch (or us!) from enjoying the music, lights and delights of the market.
Situated in the town square, the nearby church towers provide a magnificent backdrop for Christmas trees and brightly lit stalls filled with gifts and local food specialties.
Heavily bundled children can ride the carousel and Santa’s reindeer before choosing their favorite treats at the enticing candy cart across the way.
There’s something about old-fashioned candies that draw me in every time. Especially those long, swirled candy sticks in odd flavors like horehound. They make me smile.
Now I must hustle and finish getting ready! It’s another snowy day in Germany and we’re heading to Ulm to visit the Medieval Christmas Market and dig into some amazing Ethiopian food.
Hope you have a beautiful day! 🙂
by Krista | Dec 21, 2010 | Compatriot Wednesday
Yesterday morning we were delighted to open the curtains and see a sunshiny Amsterdam. It was wicked cold but so beautiful with snow glistening on tree branches and sidewalks, and the canals covered with sheets of crackling ice glittering in the sunshine.
It was the perfect day to stay inside with hot cups of tea reading and watching old movies like “Shop Around the Corner” with Jimmy Stewart. Early afternoon we bundled ourselves from head to toe then carefully walked the snowy streets, popping into charming shops to warm our bones and peruse the wares.
Before too long we were ravenous and freezing and returned to one of our favorite haunts: Singel 404.
Singel 404HS
1016AK Amsterdam
Netherlands
Telephone: (+31) 0204280154
This place has some of the best sandwiches any of us have ever had. My brother Evan brought two of his Army friends here for lunch and they loved the food so much that they said all future sandwiches had been ruined for them.
I like to think that all future sandwiches will be INSPIRED by them.
First take thick slabs of bakery fresh brown bread, spread liberally with pesto or guacamole and add toppings of your choice.
Evan and Ryan chose the tuna melt, Dad had smoked chicken with olives and Brie, and Kendra had ham, roasted sweet peppers and Brie.
I had guacamole topped with smoked chicken, sundried tomatoes, Brie and fresh herbs.
…and Mums had a luscious BLT topped with thick slices of creamy avocado and a sprinkling of chives.
What is your favorite thing to eat on a cold shopping day?
PS – Thank you SO much for all your wonderful notes and comments. 🙂 You make opening my computer each morning so delightful. I will get back to you all as soon as I can. Much love!!
