Best Day Ever!

Kind readers I will be brief, but there is some good news that must be passed along to you kind folks.

I have had a wonderful day:
- My Tiger got a job offer (hurray!!!! so proud of him)
- I didn't get cold called in class
- Rainy gross weather did not get the best of me and my spirits
- and when I walked into Starbucks today Dino was playing and Cranberry bliss bars are out again.

SO suffice to say I indulged. And heaven help me if that bar didn't taste like victory.

Lesson hear: your favorite noms are always improved when they are seasoned with Boyfriend pride

PS. not my image, got it off of living artfully...was too busy inhaling my own to take a picture....sowwy ...bad blogger

The Spice of Life

The Martha Pie Spread, Evil Holiday Merchandising, Apple Crisp Pillow Talk Edition
Blog, I am sorry I have neglected you, Please forgive me with a double post, the Spice of Life and a Week in undisclosed adventures.
To start, let me say that the menu for the Alexandra/P-nut super Thanks-noming gastro-venture is complete. Turkeys will be herbed and roasted, homemade stock made for artisnly crafted stuffing and gravy. Pies will be made so perfect, Martha Stewarts annual pie spread (dirty description sorry) will look in envy upon them. For lack of a more artistic turn of phrase…shits going to be off the chain.

Example:

here is our thanksgiving: here is the chain:

Thanksgiving

><><><><><><><><><><><><><

notice they are not together....yeah


So anyway, planning is complete.

In other news, I am having a holiday crisis. Now I understand in our current economic climate it is important for retailers to maximize their potential sales for the holidays, and that they may do so by putting out their decorations, gift items, etc for Christmas now. I am not as offended as some of my peers at this with some important limitations: early display of these items is permitted provided:
(a) Thanksgiving is not directly overshadowed by the holiday
(b) no Christmas music, for any purpose, shall be played before the date 11/25
(c) no major Christmas decorations, excepting small posters and table displays, shall be placed in stores before 11/23

Technical? yes. I'm in law school so don't judge me. I sleep like 6 hours a night and spend almost every other waking moment of it studying the law *drolls on self*
Now seemingly all is well with your humble author, and it was until a little blog called Decorista ruined everything for me. I enjoy this blog. A lot. I love interior design. But today when my searches lead me to stylish holiday decorating, I found myself excited at the prospect of decoration, wanting to buy wrapping paper and package tags, problematically two weeks before my own morally acceptable Holiday commencement date. I am in a philosophical quagmire.

On to cooking, I recently (and by recently I mean yesterday) had a much needed girls night with my friend Kate, and I should share that for the first time ever I had acorn squash with brown sugar. I’ve always seen it done that way but never had it myself. And it is delicious. This was served with some chicken with wine sauce (me) and broccoli (her). It was served with a Big House White wine, and let me just say, Big House may be my new favorite, cheaper wine producers. Now I am no sommelier, nor am I in any way shape or form wealthy (insert angry comment about politics here) so I am a fan of decent, go to, cheap wines for your every day drinking. I was previously quite a fan of Big House Red, a wine blend with about 18,000 grapes in it. It’s not sophisticated by any means, but its great for “hey I’m coming to dinner…let me bring the wine” evenings with friends. But I wouldn’t bring it to Martha’s house…in fact I would likely bring a human sacrifice but that’s a different story for a different day. But over all, a good wine for less the fancy dinners. (ps the review link is a great website for finding such wino choices)
I should also add she made me Apple Crisp…let me say this (because I am apparently Richard Nixon) thank God (pun intended) she is a Christian, because she probably could have had her way with me…I looooove apple crisp. And it was banging

Enough of me rambling. Here are your links for the week
OK everyone is freaked out by the Turkey dinner cake but I want to make it. 6 Turkey Recipes

Just put an order if for yAbsolut Brookln, Ill let you know

Not sure what to wear to Thanksgiving, here is some help

and finally, I loved this post from the aforementioned evil blog Decorista about proper table setting. Things my generation need to know to out manner our predecessors

Ween

SO I have next to nothing to write about this week because I wrote a paper, and that encompassed my almost every waking minute.

However, I did try something different this week with the conclusion that I hate it and am being unduly influenced by Top Chef: Just Desserts.

I tried to make my own Almond Joys for Halloween.

The first attempt (sans recipe with "how hard could this be" being my famous last words). I tempered the chocolate, but it was not getting to the consistency I wanted, so I added a touch of cream. FAIL. This turned my chocolate into a unhardened mush.

The second time around (after reading a recipe..."ahhh...that's how they do it") I didn't add cream, but non-the-less could not get the texture I wanted. As a result, my Almond joys looked more like little poops then anything else, though that being said they were delicious.

Outside of that debacle though, I have to give a shout out to my mom who hosted a bangin party for my friends and family The spread included: cheese fondue (OK it makes me sound like less of a girl to say this but so much better then chocolate fondue), with roasted veggies, garlic bread (courtesy of Marilou) Spaghetti and Meatballs, Black bean guacamole (or Frankenstein Guacamole) and bleeding heart martini's. Dessert was handled by my aunt, who made mini caramel apples (With Lady apples) truffle lollipops, and pumpkin cupcakes. Delicious.


It was epic...we drank....we ate....we scared some kids...all around an awesome time.I went dressed as Daria and Lauren was Jane (we are awesome)

I should also mention another important lesson I learned this Halloween:
Chris and I had a party to go to Saturday, and I wasn't sure what I wanted to go as. I had it narrowed down to a few choices (hipster, Coco Chanel, lumberjack) and then I realized if I went as a Hipster I could just a case of PBR as a prop.AMAZING
lesson here: if you can use booze as a prop it wins automatically

and remember, it's not a drinking problem; it's method acting

Foodie Film

Big Night

So I promised I would start watching Food Movies listed in Epicurious's list of Top Ten Foodie Movies.

The first one is Big Night.

Basic Plot:
Primo and Secundo are two Italian brothers who own an italian resterant on the Pre-situation Jersey Shore. Their business is failing so, in a last ditch effort to save their business, they host a party for a famous Jazz musician, arranged by a rival resteraunt owner who is trying to get his hands on Primo and his talents. The brothers put all of their money into creating the feast of a lifetime.

This movie was awesome! Defintely dragged me in, and I enjoyed it a lot. It was funny, a big tragic at times, and heartfelt without being Cheesy crap. Stanley Tucci and Tony Shaloup were both really great as the two brothers. Their relationship is very real and beleivable. Just a great film

I should add that this film had an interesting scene where the brothers made a dish called TImpano, which can be described as epic, and had fro better or worse inspired me to make my very own.

Here is a recipe for this masterpiece

Over all Alexandra Rating: I'm hungry

The Spice of Life

Ween Edition
Foodies out and Proud!!! Apparently there is already a foodie backlash. Chow offers us some kind words on why we shouldn't take this abuse.

And now that this injustice is addressed, let's move on to the really important things in life: Halloween.

Arguably my favorite holiday,do not be surprised if after I finish blogging about the Pumpkin Tart I made last night, all entries for the remainder of the week are didicated to this most glorious of holidays.

Lets start with a foundation of the celebrations; costume.

First, I should note this past weekend I attended my first costume party of the season, and to this gala I went dressed as Daria. My sister also plans to wear a sister outfit of Jane to select 'Ween festivities.

If you love food and haven't thought of a costume yet try a food icon, via Chow.

Still stuck? How about uber-fab super-bitch Anna Wintour? College Fashion outlines some great easy costumes that are actually just an excuse to add cute things to your wardrobe.


Of course there have been a bunch of great ideas for hosting Halloween parties (which we do and will be reported on). And provided you don't just turn to the ultimate guidence of that demi-God among homemakers, Martha Stewart, like I do, then here are some fun ideas:

full on guide at Epicurious

Martha's creepy eats

And while we are on the work of the Dame of the Domicile I should mention she has created the first Halloween cocktail that my family is truly excited about. The Bleeding Heart Martini. Why are we so excited?! because it is the first such cocktail that is both cute and festive, but not sweet or in any way less potent then the Pollack Libations we are used to....hurray!!!!

Don't want to just feast on regular pre-packaged snack size Halloween treats (why I don't know...you're probably not well) here is a fun article on making your own.

And finally: confused about our current financial crisis, love Halloween candy, willing to engage in trade. Chow offers us a comprehensive study of the exchange rate and market value of each Halloween candy. Very useful

Happy Turkey-flavored Nut Loaf Day

So I have to post about this because I think it is an interesting topic:
Should Vegans Host Thanksgiving and not serve their meat-eating family members turkey?

I have to admit, all liberalness aside, I don't think so.
A. I think in the instant case the vegan family in question was being a bunch of D-bags responding to their family's lack of sensitivity with...well...a lack of sensitivity. Believe it or not, vegan's of the world, some people do not think a tofu, nut loaf is as satisfying as Turkey on a holiday. Should vegans be forced to eat dead bird on Thanksgiving, no. should they have to prepare a dead bird for this holiday even though it is opposition to their beliefs, no. But should their family members have to choose between them and a staple of their holiday, don't think so.
B. that being said, I hate to be a jerk here, but I feel like this letter speaks to the overall preechy nature of veganism as a whole. I know, I know; meat is murder. I applaud those that stick to their guns and choose to not eat it. However, I get really annoyed when people demand that others make such demands asking for their loved ones to conform to their personal moral beliefs. I mean they wanted to bring the Turkey and everything....lighten up.

I know I sound intolerant but the bottom line is this:

It's really great you don't eat meat! really! good for you!

But if everyone you know is willing to make concessions for you (ie, put out some tofu on Thanksgiving ) why can't you make that same concessions back and save the nut loaf for a day without sentimental value for us sinners that like eating dead birds.
Kthanksbye

Philly!

Or A Kate and Alex Magical Mystery Tour

So this past weekend I went on an Epic adventure to Philadelphia to visit my dear friend Kate. And I would be remiss to exclude from this blag all of the exciting food adventures we went on in the process.

So first some food:
Reading Terminal Market:


after taking a brief trip on a tour bus (you know...scope the place out) we stopped at Reading Terminal Market for some grub:
the delicious pic you see here was our final choices which could be summed up as a pregnant women special: Philly cheese with hot pepper (never had it that way...really good), Veggie Crepe, Pickles, and for dessert I had a cupcake from the Flying Monkey (you'll be proud of me not walking up to the bake case and pointing to my cupcake and say "I'll get you my pretty"...it was hard because this is my favorite movie people) and Ms. Kate had a mint Brownie (that was soooo pretty)


Max Brenner:

So this place is a virtual heaven for menstruating Ladies and their man-child Other Half's (or menstruating other half's)
Virtually every other thing on the menu has chocolate on it. It is used as liberally as EVOO in an Olive Garden. (Note: all mention of EVOO herein and forthwith shall not be considered a Rachael Ray reference but merely a manifestation of one Blog writers Carpel Tunnel and corresponding desire to not have to type out Extra-virgin Olive Oil every time she wants to mention it) This place is beyond belief. In fact, we decided that if the restaurant was staffed by the cast of 300 in costume, then we were not actually in a restaurant but rather floating around in one of Kate's Dreams.


For actual meal portion of this trip, I had a Turkey Burger, and Kate had a Panini. Both were fabulous. Though for me the best part of this meal (yes better then dessert even) was the fries. They were waffle fries, dusted with chili and cocoa powder and served with a spicy aioli. I was in fry heaven.

Dessert was also a thing to behold. Kate got a Sunday that was bigger then her head. I got a salted caramel "concoction" that came in a jar, on a note book paper plate, and with a beaker of white chocolate. And it was really good, though 5 stars for presentation.

Another note about Max Brenner is that they have the cutest mugs. I got the Mexican Hot chocolate after learning they could make it with soy (hurray) and got it in a "Hug Mug". It was cute and inspired you to "hug" your drink...HOWEVER....I, as a devote to the culinary arts have developed near asbestos hands as a result of constant heat exposure, but Ms. Kate said it was a little hard to pick up. Also, while the design is cute and new and adorable and the concept is brilliant, at some point mid beverage I realized that what I was drinking out of also looked a bit like a urinal. This was an issue for me. I did however end up investing in an "Alice Mug" ...soooo cute

Capogiro Gelato Artisans:

We also made a quick pit-stop at Capogiro's and enjoyed a delicious cup of gelato. I got the Chocolate Hazelnut and the dolche de Lece...both were fabulous!!


Tria


So Kate took me to Tria on my last day and I'm glad she did because I would have gone there for every meal otherwise. It was AMAZING!!! I totally had multiple-foodgasms; it changed my life...soooo good. We had a slew of goodies including the goat cheese with truffle and honey, Olive Oil and Rosemerry Potato chips, and Artichoke sandwich to name a few....I am in love!




Another Important aspect of this trip:

Drinking

We did a lot of it.
Among our libation pit-stops was Swanky Bubbles, where Kate and I enjoyed champagne, and champagne cocktails until we were sloshed at 8pm and wandered home in our inebriated state to watch "Twilight" (I know). PS. trying to adjust the white-balance on a VCR while drunk is an interesting challenge

Also, the next day we watched the sequel "New Moon", enjoyed some AK47s and invented an interesting drinking game to go with it:
Take a drink when:
Jacob looks like he is going to cry
Edward says something that is supposed to be sweet but is actually really creepy (ie. I like sneaking in your room at night to watch you sleep)
When ever the characters say something that is clearly about sex and abstinence (ie: yes Bella I will make you into a Vampire but I want to get married first)

AK47:
Take a shot (I leave this actual quantity to your specifications) and add to glass of iced peach tea and ice. drink. goes well with teeny-bopper movies with pasty stars

Then we ventured out to Rum Bar, then a Speak easy, then finally ending up back at swankys

ouch

All in all, the trip was a lot of fun, and catching up with Kate of course was the most important thing. I can't wait to go back!