Johnny Cat has already turned in for the night but if you're going to stay up for the new year, remember to keep it classy San Francisco. Let's leave the bus burning to 2012.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Not for dogs
After driving some friends home I returned to a crime scene: caprese skewer on the floor... puff pastry bits in the hallway... did Soleil lap up some rum punch?
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
the results
As I pondered aloud over the dinner table, it was as if I had nudged someone through a doorway but they had barely crossed it and the tip of their buttocks was still in the threshold. I needed to just kick that beef clear across the other side.
No biggie, that's what microwaves are for!
The ribeye roast dinner was supported by green bean casserole, shrimp pasta (which also needed to be heated up a bit more,) roasted potatoes with bacon, and s'mores whoopie pies. Not bad for my first Christmas dinner as captain of the kitchen.
The good thing about slightly undercooking the food is that your reheated leftovers are fantastic!
Monday, December 24, 2012
just checking
Judging by the color revealed by my gaping slash, the beef could use another 20 minutes or so in the oven. More time to think of a potato dish!
don't waste that hour
the easy part
When it's about 2 hours before your estimated eating time, drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil on top and pop the roast into a 400 degree oven. Set the timer for one hour... and pop open some wine to celebrate your hard work.
Emeril would call this "getting happy"
Now that the beef is trimmed and resting ever so nicely on a pan with aluminum foil, rub the beast with a mixture of salt and freshly ground pepper. Let it sit until about 2 hours before dinner.
enlist help
begin test
Since this year Mumsy is catsitting her "grandcats" in LA, I'm cooking Christmas dinner on my own.
Well, Mumsy left directions for the prime rib, and I'm sure my brother will help trim the fat.
Still, I am the captain of this unsettled ship sailing for tasty waters. Step 1: defrost the whole beef ribeye in a pot of water because we didn't start last night and it is huge. It is now soaking in the huge pot we use for clam bakes.
Friday, December 21, 2012
A bit of a mixup
Sorry fellow customer, I have your order! |
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Wassail!
Soleil models her crazy couture. Strut! |
Lulu is too happy to sit still! |
Soleil indulges my desire to deck myself in Christmas ornaments... Light-up Christmas lights necklace? Check. Glitter bird ornament borrowed from our tree? Check. Happy dog? Check! |
But there's no mistletoe! |
Saturday, December 15, 2012
the best restaurant in the world
This is arguably the best reason for moving back: Mumsy's home cookin'!
the rainbow strikes again
I've moved back in to Mumsy's house and I have come to the colorful process of sorting through my t-shirts... colorful indeed.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
fancy schmancy
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
packing it up
It's finally started. I'm packing my things in preparation for my big move on Friday. And where are Soleil and I relocating? Back to Mumsy's house. I am her Christmas present.
Freedom and independence aside, I'm going to miss living here. Sure there are a few shady neighbors in the Sunset but it's so nice being just 2 blocks from the beach instead of 4 blocks and a hill. Instead of a Walgreens, I'm just a block away from a freshly stocked greengrocer and bakery. And my landlords are awesome people.
There are plenty of pluses to returning to the Richmond... I'm looking forward to a speedier and more reliable commute, a guaranteed parking slot on the driveway, and the beauty of ocean views with the tsunami-resistant quality of being at tbe top of a hill. Soleil will be thrilled to return to such a large playspace, though Johnny Cat will not be pleased. Poor Johnny Cat.
Soon I won't be able to stockpile my much-loved vinho verde without risking a reprimand...
the tree looks different this year
Instead of our ancient angel, Mumsy decided to change things up by toppong our Christmas tree with doves from her Easter floral arrangement. Merry Birdsesque Christmas!
Saturday, December 8, 2012
the architect of chicken
New food truck! (As alerted to me by Speedy...)
I love fried chicken as much as the next girl but sometimes, you ache for something different. Chicken & mashed potatoes, chicken and red beans & rice, chicken & waffles...
But your fried chicken odyssey cannot continue until you have tried fried chicken & donuts from ArKi (the Architect's Kitchen!)
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
overpriced fancy lunch battle
gold like Au
I do love eating sandwiches from Sentinel on New Montgomery... so when Speedy told me about Au (Golden West,) a take-out window in Trinity Alley from the same man behind Sentinel, I had to try it. After all, it's only a few steps (or a jump out the window, whatever) away.
This is their crown jewel, a short rib sandwich smothered in caramelized onions on their deliciously buttery bread.The price point and taste are about the same... the sandwich has good flavor and the beef is very tender. I do question whether or not these sandwiches are hot enough... after all, it is a short elevator ride back up to the office to enjoy my sandwich but it was not as piping hot as say, Sentinel's iconic corned beef sandwich. But the short rib lunch was still tasty and you can tell that the same guy writes the menu for both places.
Twinkie time
The recipe is from this imitation expert who experiments to create the best doppelganger recipes. I started by beating the eggs whites for a long time... maybe 8 minutes with my hand mixer. You want to get the stiff peaks out of the egg whites.
Pound cake mix and water are blended...
then the egg whites are gently folded in.
Molds are crafted out of aluminum foil.
Bake! For about 30 minutes.
While baking, I made the marshmallow filling. It's similar to a whoopie pie's filling and is based on marshmallow fluff.
I don't have any decorating tips or the patience to fill the twinkies properly so I made twinkie sandwiches instead. Cut them in half lengthwise and spread that cream!
These are pretty good and everyone who had one loved it. But I am always pushing for twinkie excellence. Though spongy, these homemade twinkies still felt dense. Should I beat the eggs longer next time?
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Soleil woke me up...
... just in time for the outer Sunset blackout!
The view from my bed. I'll be seeing a lot of this today.
Oh yeah, time to turn off the 4G to save power.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
I am a grammar nazi
But honestly, teachers organized this fundraiser! I just hope - for the sake of the children! - that the author of this flyer meant to use the football definition.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Guilty
Muni strands Sunset-bound passengers at Church and Duboce by conducting not one, not two, but three switchbacks. Will I ever get home?
Friday, November 23, 2012
my Friday after Thanksgiving
This is what Black Friday is all about: extra-long dog walks!
Both Soleil and Lulu got spooked by this miniature lawn cow... much more entertaining than navigating the hordes on Black Friday.