Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Robert's Executive Staff


Thanksgiving break came to an end all too soon, signaling a transition into Christmas holiday preparations. Robert left town on business the week after Thanksgiving, giving me ample time to clean, decorate and bake for parties we would host upon his return.





Chocolate Covered Akmak
I made several homemade food gifts for  Christmas this year: Coconut Jam (otherwise known as KAYA, a very popular treat in Malaysia and Singapore); Lentil Soup Mix; Sweet & Spicy Pretzel and Nut Mix; Cinnamon and Rye Shortbread; and probably our favorite of all - Chocolate Covered Akmak Crackers (as pictured at right). Though utterly delicious in nature, this treat is rather innocent in nutritional profile. Spread an Akmak cracker with a layer of peanut butter, cover the peanut butter with melted dark chocolate and sprinkle with chopped peanuts and slivers of crystallized ginger. Sprinkle tops with coarse sea salt. 

 
Tennis in December? YES!
With Christmas preparations well under way and Christmas not quite here, it was time for an unexpected work out on the tennis courts. Daniel took several vacation days over the holidays, giving us a week of fun together. When the temperatures rose above 40 degrees one sunny day, we decided it was warm enough to practice our swings. Little did I know I would soon be using a brand new racket when it next gets warm enough to swing it outdoors. At this point, it is still wrapped and under the Christmas tree! Other activities Christmas week included "gaming" together from great distances (thanks to internet play in IA, WI and NY); brewing beer; watching movies and going on long walks. Yes, Daniel even showed us new Ab exercises!


Aprons for everyone, thanks to Grandma Kay










Ready for Christmas
A new Jolly Ball for Asia













What has Daniel made? Marzipan!







As is evidenced by the surrounding pictures, it's easy to see we had a wonderful time together over our Christmas holiday. Technology enabled us to open each others gifts together with Tristan and Kate Christmas morning via Face Time. It wasn't quite the same as being together, but far better than nothing at all. Grandma's aprons are beautiful and fit perfectly. The pups, large and small, seemed to enjoy their gifts - Jolly Balls (thanks for the idea, Joy Graveline!).
Lucien enjoying his new Jolly Ball toy


 Boathouse Brewery Label




















And the first Boat House Brewery artistic rendering has been completed and is hanging proudly on our living room wall.

Daniel tried his hand at making homemade Marzipan. Now we wait to hear what Sarah and Trevor decide to do with this delectable treat.

We ate a lot of delicious food: Spaghetti Bolognese; Potstickers and Edamame; African Peanut Stew with Anadama Bread; and Shrimp, Scallops and Salmon, to name a few of the main dishes and perhaps a Christmas cookie or two. The weather cooperated for everyone's drive and even turned out nice enough to allow a walk each and every day. Thanks to Daniel's new Fit Bit, we were able to track our steps, making sure no extra pounds were acquired unnecessarily!



Walking off Christmas Dinner
New Year, new snow!
Many a memory was made during our time together, making parting difficult for all of us. But the hope and promise of things to come in 2015 is ever on our minds. Robert and Tristan are teaching classes this semester; Sarah starts new rotations; Kate continues her command of Quality Control; Trevor begins new responsibilities at work and begins to narrow his ideas for future career aspirations; Daniel accepts new responsibilities of the "In Charge" associate, continues learning in his role of Board Treasurer for Miracles in Motion and survives yet another "BUSY SEASON"; and I keep the household running, plan upcoming trips, cook/bake healthy, delicious food, work on my drawing and water color skills and get a varied and fun amount of exercise with friends and family. God has looked over this family for a good, many years and I pray he continues to do so in the coming year and beyond.



















Thanksgiving 2014

The holidays have come and gone, allowing time to document the memories we made. Cooking, baking and much MERRY MAKING have been the family's theme for the past month and a half. I am pleased to say that almost every single effort in the kitchen turned out well and EVERY moment shared together was pure joy!


Almond Paste Brioche Buns  

I have enjoyed watching Julia Child videos while riding my bike trainer these cold, dark evenings. During one of these sessions I was inspired to make Brioche. This recipe included a basic Brioche dough and a homemade Almond Paste. It was assembled like traditional cinnamon rolls, but on an individual basis and then baked in special Pannetone wrappers. 


Thanksgiving Centerpiece & a $15 Candy Bar!



Homemade dinner rolls, pies, cookies and breads were made for Thanksgiving days with family, leaving very little time for sophisticated table decorations. Always a fan of simplicity, a centerpiece was created using pears and the most expensive candy bar I have ever bought. I thought the Zingerman's Original was a little pricey at $5.00 a bar, but feeling the holiday spirit I bought it anyway.Younger eyes soon discovered the actual price was $15.00. Oh my - each $1bite was well savored!

Thanksgiving Dinner - YUM!

Daniel was able to join us for the entire week of Thanksgiving, while Trevor, Sarah and Asia got to Ames Wednesday evening after a hard day at work. Once we were all together we finalized plans for the big meal the next day. Each of us chose a recipe to be in charge of resulting in a delicious and stress-free Thanksgiving dinner. A dry rub was applied to the 14 pound turkey with good effect (requiring less effort than brining). 

Cornbread baked the day before the holiday was used to make Chorizo, Cherry and 
Pecan Stuffing. (Bon Appetit, 11/14, p. 106)
Close-up of Meal

One of our favorite vegetables, Brussels Sprouts, was turned into a delectable side dish when combined with bacon and candied cranberries. (Evernote/Thanksgiving)

A new recipe, Caramelized Butternut Squash Wedges with Sage Pesto, might have been the best dish of the meal and will surely be repeated in future years.(Evernote/Thanksgiving)

Basic Roasted Cauliflower rounded out
a colorful plate with Homemade Dinner 
Rolls on the side.
Homemade Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream

But what is Thanksgiving Dinner without dessert? Buttermilk Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream was churned Thanksgiving morning, resulting in a most memorable bowl of goodness. The buttermilk gave the ice cream a delightful zing and half of a freshly baked pumpkin pie churned into the ice cream at the last minute resulted in unexpected mouthfuls of bliss. (Evernote/Thanksgiving) 


Buttermilk-Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream

  • Yield: Serves 12 (serving size: 3/4 cup)
  • Hands-on: 20 Minutes
  • Total: 3 Hours, 50 Minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sugar, divided
  • 6 large egg yolks
  • 1 1/2 cups half-and-half
  • 1 cup evaporated fat-free milk
  • 1 cup low-fat buttermilk
  • 12 ounces leftover pumpkin pie (about [1/2] 9-inch pie), chilled and cut into small slices

Preparation

1. Combine 1/2 cup sugar and egg yolks in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk until mixture is pale.
2. Combine half-and-half, evaporated milk, and remaining 1/2 cup sugar in a medium saucepan; bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved. Gradually add half of hot milk mixture to egg mixture, stirring constantly with a whisk; return milk-egg mixture to pan. Cook over medium-low heat 6 minutes or until mixture thickens and coats a rubber spatula, stirring constantly with spatula. Strain through a sieve into a large bowl set over a larger ice-filled bowl. Let stand until cool, stirring occasionally. Add buttermilk, stirring with a whisk. Pour into an airtight container; cover and chill 30 minutes.
3. Pour mixture into the freezer can of an ice-cream freezer; freeze according to manufacturer's instructions. Add pie just before removing ice cream and while machine is still churning. Remove ice cream to an airtight container; freeze 3 hours or until firm.



Afternoon Entertainment - Still life
Our Renditions
Trevor graciously gave Sarah and me drawing and watercolor lessons while he was home. A quick still life was set up on 
the dining room table and instruction began. 

Trevor proved to be a kind and patient teacher, both characteristics Sarah and I greatly appreciated. The fruit was hard enough to draw and paint, but Sarah and I became a bit frustrated at our attempt to draw/paint a partially eaten cinnamon roll.





Trevor insists daily practice is important in mastering these techniques. It is time to get serious about drawing and painting. Baby steps!                                                                        
Topped with Wine Braised Apples and Vanilla Sabayon

The activity we love most when spending time together is working in the kitchen. Julia Child inspired another joint project, a Custard-filled Brioche topped with Wine Braised Apples garnished with a dollop of Sabayon. It turned out beautifully and tasted delicious - quite French, indeed!






Holiday Breakfast: Oats, Cinnamon Roll & Bee Pollen
Just so no one thinks we eat rich food all day long I post a picture of our "balanced" breakfast enjoyed most mornings together. Yes, there are a couple of cinnamon roll nibbles in the foreground, but please notice a nice bowl of porridge topped with peanut butter, bananas, yogurt and bee pollen (for good measure). A carefully brewed cup of coffee gave us a lively step the rest of the day!