When I finished my dissertation in May 2006, I decided that my next task would be to learn how to cook. What better way to learn than to test out my culinary experiences on my family and friends? A year and a half later (& only 1 "almost" fire), I'm ready to share the fun of my dinner parties!
I supply girl scout cookies to Peanut's entire office, so instead of bringing home 30+ boxes of cookies on the metro (again), I organized a pick up on Sunday with my supplier. In exchange for the cookies (and along with a check) I brought a treat I'd been dying to make for a while: Whoopie Pies (click on the link for a fun history). My recipe was from Zingerman's in Ann Arbor (one of the best things about the summer I spent there).
You know things are serious when I bust out the candy thermometer:
The perfect consistency for the stuffing:
Halfway there:
WHOOPIE!
And the reward (or at least, what we got to keep):
Attendees: Peanut, Ferris, Domingo Cocktails: Raspberry Royale Hors D'Oeurves: Cheese, Crackers, and Salami Salad: Prosciutto, Fennel, and Pomegranate Salad Main Course: Braised Short Ribs Sides: Massed Potatoes and Sauteed Swiss Chard Dessert: Milk Chocolate Souffle
Dinner on Saturday was actually scheduled about a month ago by Peanut and Ferris. I mean, what is that? I have a hard time planning social activities for tomorrow! Which is probably why the menu wasn't finalized until Friday and nothing was purchased until Saturday morning. Still, Peanut and I managed to pull off an amazing dinner, which started with hors d'oeuvres from our new local market opened by the same owners of one of our favorite restaurants, CORK.
The first course of salad was a bed of arugula with some mint, green onions, and tossed lightly in olive oil. This was topped with thinly sliced fennel, draped in proscuitto, and scattered with pomegranate seeds.
The main course were braised short ribs, care of one of my favorites, Suzanne Goin. The recipe is truly delicious and EASY- it just takes a while: About an hour or so of prepping, three hours of braising, and another 20 minutes of final touches, including sauteing the swiss chard upon which the ribs were served.
And served with a simple sauce made of some horseradish and creme fraiche and alongside some mashed potatoes.
If you really like to cook, there is nothing more rewarding in my experience than successfully making a soufle. There's a certain excitement that occurs when you turn the light on in the oven and see that your soufle has successfully risen. This recipe for milk chocolate soufles was care of this month's Bon Appetit.
And I can't forget the perfect nougat whipped topping (egg white, honey, amaretto, and heavy whipping cream) that accompanied the soufles (be sure to serve extra in a bowl for passing)!
My favorite kitchen utensil is my zester but
my favorite dish to make is meringue but
my favorite cuisine is southern but
my favorite restaurant in DC is Central but
my favorite bar in DC is Stoney’s but
my favorite cookbook is Barefoot in Paris but
my favorite dish to eat is my mom’s barbecued spicy peanut butter chicken skewers but
my favorite course is dessert.
I will never attempt to make matchstick potatoes… again and I don’t enjoy eating olives or raw peppers (though I make exceptions for the spicy ones) and
I’m still getting the hang of using a pastry bag and
I’m also working on pie crust.
Oh yeah… Who’s my favorite dinner party guest?
It doesn’t matter, as long as Peanut’s there with me.