Kinfolk Magazine

I am absolutely in love with this magazine/journal. They had me at 'hello.' It is about simplicity. About savoring the moment that you are in, whether that be alone, with another, or with a group. The experience of preparing the meal, the experience of sharing the meal, the experience of consuming the meal. It is so human. It is so true. Plump full of essays, interviews, and beautiful photos that give you a glimpse into these experiences.

After reading through their first volume, I couldn't wait for this one to come out. Be sure to snatch up a copy asap as they sold out quickly of their first volume upon initial publication.

It is best enjoyed from cover to cover with a large cup of tea in hand. It is one of the few things that has truly given me a sense of rest and relaxation over this past month of holiday preparations and wedding planning.

And don't miss their online journal with frequent postings.

100 Foods to Eat Before You Die

56 of these foods have crossed my lips, most of which I've been happy to be acquianted with. The remainder I hope to try someday with a few exceptions. It is a great spread for challenging your palate. I will definitely add a few of these to the list of foods to try this year.

100 Foods to Eat Before You Die

1. Venison ~ Yes, I do believe I had this a few times in Italy.

2. Nettle tea ~

3. Huevos rancheros ~ The best Mexican breakfast dish which I have a recipe for here.

4. Steak tartare ~

5. Crocodile ~

6. Black pudding ~

7. Cheese fondue ~ Yes, please! The Melting Pot knows how to do this right.

8. Carp ~

9. Borscht ~ Yes, at a Ukranian friend's funeral reception. His mama made a huge pot of this delicious soup.

10. Baba ghanoush ~ Love this dish with a big hunk of pita bread!

11. Calamari ~ Yes, but I'm a bit squeamish about its stringiness

12. Pho ~

13. PB&J sandwich ~ Yes, at least a million times...and it still one of my favorite lunchtime meals.

14. Aloo gobi ~ Yes, although I didn't remember at first. I'm not so great with the names of Indian foods but I've had many of the dishes.

15. Hot dog from a street cart ~ Yes, most certainly. Although it has been a really long time...

16. Epoisses ~ Yes, one of the best French cheeses.

17. Black truffle ~ Yes, I've had it quite a few times in Italian dishes, especially at Il Fornaio.

18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes ~ Yes, pineapple wine is a favorite. Super sweet.

19. Steamed pork buns ~ Yes, at a dim sum restaurant.

20. Pistachio ice cream ~ Yes, one of my favorite flavors, particularly as gelato.

21. Heirloom tomatoes ~ Yes, and I prefer these over the plain ol' red ones. The flavors are so diverse!

22. Fresh wild berries ~ Yes, numerous times, but my favorite memory of them is walking along the bike trail and eating them straight from the bush.

23. Foie gras ~ Yes, but not as gourmet tasting as it is claimed to be.

24. Rice and beans ~ Yes, do cows 'moo'?

25. Brawn, or head cheese ~

26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper ~

27. Dulce de leche ~ Yes, and Safeway's store brand makes a delicious ice cream of this flavor.

28. Oysters ~ Yes, at Mont St Michel in France, when I was feeling a bit adventurous.

29. Baklava ~ Yes, would love to make it some day...

30. Bagna cauda ~ Yes, sometime while I was travelling in Italy.

31. Wasabi peas ~

32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl ~ Yes. Hello, Boudin in SF!

33. Salted lassi ~ Yes, sort of. I don't think it was salted but I've also had a version with rum.

34. Sauerkraut ~ Yes. The perfect accompaniment to a big German sausage.

35. Root beer float ~ Yes, some of my best summer memories include this tasty treat.

36. Cognac with a fat cigar ~  Yes, to the cognac but I will never have a cigar. That's not even food.

37. Clotted cream tea - Yes, but prefer the clotted cream on my scones.

38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O shot ~ Yes...but not a fan.

39. Gumbo ~ Yes, in New Orleans.

40. Oxtail ~

41. Curried goat ~

42. Whole insects ~

43. Phaal ~

44. Goat’s milk ~ I'm going to say yes because I eat goat's milk cheese and yogurt on a regular basis.

45. Single malt whisky ~ Aye. Stephen made me do it. Don't like it straight up...burns.

46. Fugu ~

47. Chicken tikka masala ~ Yes, learned how to make it once at a cooking class but haven't had it since.

48. Eel ~ Yes, but it is too slimy for me.

49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut ~ Yes, but it has been a while. They are kind of like cotton candy, melting upon contact with your mouth.

50. Sea urchin ~

51. Prickly pear ~ Yes, but it didn't have much flavor.

52. Umeboshi ~

53. Abalone ~

54. Paneer ~ Yes, mixed with a bit of spinach.

55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal ~ Yes, but never again.

56. Spaetzle ~ Yes, another German favorite.

57. Dirty gin martini ~ Yes, I've tasted one, but I wouldn't order one myself.

58. Beer above 8% ABV ~ Yes, definitely. Love the strong Belgian brews.

59. Poutine ~

60. Carob chips ~ Yes, but not a fan.

61. S’mores ~ Yes, I especially like them wrapped in foil over the coals after the marshmallows initial toasting.

62. Sweetbreads ~

63. Kaolin ~

64. Currywurst ~

65. Durian ~

66. Frogs’ legs ~

67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake ~ Yes to all of the above.

68. Haggis ~

69. Fried plantain ~ Yes, as a dessert covered in chocolate sauce at a Mexican restaurant.

70. Chitterlings, or andouillette  ~

71. Gazpacho ~ Yes, my own that I made from fresh tomatoes once.

72. Caviar and blini ~

73. Louche absinthe ~

74. Gjetost ~

75. Roadkill ~

76. Baijiu ~

77. Hostess Fruit Pie ~ Yes, when I was little, but prefer to make my own now.

78. Snail ~ Yes, I finally had my first experience with escargot a few months ago.

79. Lapsang souchong ~ Yes, but it isn't one of my favorite teas.

80. Bellini ~

81. Tom yum ~

82. Eggs Benedict ~ Yes, but I'm not the biggest fan of hollaindaise sauce.

83. Pocky ~ Oh, yes. Used to buy these from World Market frequently when I was younger.

84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant ~

85. Kobe beef ~

86. Hare ~

87. Goulash ~ Yes, my father liked to make this with leftover spaghetti.

88. Flowers ~ Yes, love lavender!

89. Horse ~

90. Criollo ~

91. Spam ~

92. Soft shell crab ~ Yes, but I don't remember it being anything spectacular.

93. Rose harissa ~

94. Catfish ~

95. Mole poblano ~

96. Bagel and lox ~ Yes, cream cheese included.

97. Lobster Thermidor ~

98. Polenta ~ Yes, I like it with a lot of added cheese. Yum.

99. Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee ~

100. Snake ~

*****************
 

How many have you tried? Any favorites or ones that cause complete disgust?

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Holy Guacamole!

The college football season is winding down. This past Monday we watched the Nebraska Huskers get pummeled by the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Capital One Bowl. (Not exactly the outcome we wanted but....)

I can't keep track of all the college Bowls that take place nowadays. The Tostitos Bowl, the Rose Bowl, the Chick-Fil-A Bowl, the Gator Bowl, the Music City Bowl, the Armed Forces Bowl, the Pinstripe Bowl.... There is literally a Bowl now for every company and occasion. I remember the days of perhaps four or five Bowls, when only the best teams of that year were worthy of competing. As someone remarked to me the other day, they've arranged it now so that not one college football team will be left out of playing a Bowl. Wouldn't want to make anyone feel bad.

 

However, the biggest football Bowl and party of the year has yet to arrive. NFL is still in full swing, and Superbowl Sunday is only one month away. I wonder who will go head-to-head this year?? In any case, it's high-time we begin getting ready for those tailgating parties. My interest, in truth, really is in the preparation of a feast for the outdoor picnic....

This guacamole dip is a solid addition to the spread of Game Day appetizers. It is fantastic for dippin' chips or to wrap up in your favorite burrito or taco. What really makes it is the lime and cilantro combination. Don't skimp on the juice!

Zesty Guacamole

2 avocados

juice of one lime

1/4 c. chopped cilantro

1/4 c. chunky salsa (I use Pace Picante Medium)

Choose avocados on the softer side. It is easier to make this guacamole with ones that will easily mash. Cut your avocados into sections. This will help with the mashing process too. Pop sections into a bowl and mash with a fork. Add lime juice and continue until completely mashed.

Sprinkle in cilantro and mix well into the avocado mixture. Do the same with the salsa. You can add a little more or a little less depending on your taste and tolerance of spiciness.

Grab a bag of your favorite tortilla chips and enjoy! (The Tostitos Lime are a great choice.)

Happy New Year to you too!

Steve and I stopped in at a Buffalo Wild Wings Sunday night for a quick dinner in between moving loads to his new apartment. The line was out the door due to the televised game inside between the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys.

A rather intoxicated woman ready to make her exit, came stumbling down the hallway boldly stating to each passerby, "Happy New Year," to which she received few replies as most were too intent upon watching the game to pay her any mind. She was rather flustered with the unresponsive types. Because it was New Year's Day and a time for celebration, she felt people should make an effort to reply accordingly.

Steve and I were standing in the breezeway waiting for a vacant seat to fill in the waiting area. As she approached us, we were at the ready, sure to answer loudly and proudly. We did so on cue. She replied without batting an eyelash, "Hey, you guys should get married this year!" Well, thanks, stranger. We plan on doing just that.... :)

I've been a bit absent the past few days because we are in process of moving as I mentioned above. Barely time for eating, let alone cooking...will get back on the ball here shortly! :)

Hope the new year is off to a great, fresh start for each and every one of you!

Sunday Sightings: Bubbly

Happy New Year!!!