November 7, 2007
Cold, damp, gray.
We are sitting in fog. Thick, pea soup stuff. Last week there was a nasty 100 car pileup in the Central Valley. I grew up in the Central Valley and remember how awful the fog can be. It hangs on the ground and never seems to leave. Sometimes you wonder if you are ever going to see the sun again. Of course it is great if you are into the Gothic/Romantic aesthetic: stark branches lost in a wash of gray, with the only birds visible on the branches the crows and ravens.
Of course the solution to the fog is to stay indoors, but that is not always possible. You have to go out for this or for that, and when you come back in you are ready for something to take the chill out.
Now, fortunately for you, Erik's Rants and Recipes has two entries that will help tremendously in this department. Not only will they help, but they are two of the three most commonly viewed of all my entries:
AND
Both things will warm the body and spirit.
Also, Nouveau Beaujolais is only a week away, so you might want to dust off your cassoulet recipe. I recommend the recipe in Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking. I know some people who sniff at nouveay beaujolais, but I don't. It has its place in the world of wine.
If I think of other really good cold weather recipes, I will let you know.
Posted by erik at November 7, 2007 8:39 AMYes, the great trio of good food, good alcohol and good coffee is a wonderful thing. In fact, as I get older, this triad tends to take a more central part in a ski outing. Sure, a day on the slopes is a good thing in and of itself, but the goodies afterwards, enjoyed around a roaring fire are even better.
Anyway, thank you for the kind words.
Are you on the West Coast? Which mountains do you like?
Posted by: Registered User at April 11, 2008 1:14 AMErik,
Popped back over to proclaim the virtues of your oxtail soup recipe. Well-received, not only by my European friend, but also my chef mother, I wished to thank you profusely, though the matter of your hostility towards we who choose the board rather than the "blade" still lies between us.
I would like to hope that if we met on the slopes we should have no cause to hate one another. My skill is such that I do not mar the hill for other sportsmen, nor do I sit on my duff to watch others enjoy the day, reaping merely a greater appetite for good coffee, good alcohol, and good food--commonality enough to make us friends, I should think. So, friend, if I may be so bold, I plan to do much more reading here in the future. You have excellent things to say and I have some readers I'd like to send your way....Thanks for your words.
Posted by: kelsey at April 10, 2008 7:13 PMYour eggplant parmigiana would go well with the cold weather. Although I recall eating it when it was 40C outside. Christmas in Brazil.
We made cassoulet a few weeks back. My recipe calls for half a shoulder of pork; half a shoulder of lamb, etc. So I make two lots at the same time, stick one in the freezer, just add beans - easy dinner for a busy weekend.
Like the one ahead.
Posted by: Stephen at November 9, 2007 2:36 AM