if I do say so myself

Monday found me still feeling the celebratory effect of my weekend with Carol Corn. I just didn't want it to end! That translated into a special Monday night meal: Niman Ranch Pork Roast marinated in a ginger and soy marinade, gravy, accordion potatoes, and fresh charred broccoli with lemon. Yum!

I was so excited when these came out of the oven. Notice my little Old Salem tile? Had that for 25 years and here I am!

The dinner platter...minus the gravy.

These little potatoes are so much fun to make with little effort!  I am including a link to the recipe I used. I tucked fresh rosemary in the potatoes. You really do need a fresh herb to make the potatoes sing.
http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/laura-calder/accordion-potatoes.html

Love you all!

Favorite Find and a Quiz

Today I am sharing a "favorite find" from Trader Joe's. These chips are the perfectly sublime blend of crunchy, sweet, salty and it's COCONUT! Also, vaguely healthy. Works for me.  My sympathies to you who do not have access to a Trader Joe's...Warning. These chips are highly addictive.

Now, can you guess where in our house this photo was taken??

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have been baking this Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe for over 25 years and included it in my cookbook A Taste of the Teagues. Today, for the very first time, I had no light brown sugar in the house so substituted dark brown sugar.  I also did not have an entire bag of semisweet chocolate chips so used half bittersweet and half semisweet. The result was a cookie that is a bit chewier and richer. Actually - delicious! I do not have my baking mojo quite together here at Tanners Run yet...but am making progress! I wish you all could taste and give a review. David (aka The Cookie Monster) isn't complaining...

The recipe from my well worn copy of Taste of the Teagues   

A few may make a trip to San Francisco.

"Souperbowl"

We shared an evening of good food and fun with our neighbors for Superbowl Sunday - with no intention of actually watching the game. We were intent on wrapping things up so that David and I could watch Downton Abbey. The menu included skewers of marinated mozzarella, cherry tomatoes and fresh basil as an appetizer. This was followed by a flavorful minestrone garnished with olive oil, red wine vinegar and fresh parmesan. Grilled bread rounded out the main course.

Ah, but dessert. So simple but magical flavor. Take really good vanilla ice cream and drizzle with the best olive oil and a sprinkle of fleur de sel. I am blessed to have a Tuscan olive oil given to me by my friend Martha Brown. She and her husband Robert vacationed in a little Tuscan village last year and the owner shipped this phenomenal olive oil to her. She was so very generous to share a bottle with me. Then, just to gild the lily, I have French fleur de sel that Mary Alice brought me from her travels in Provence several years ago. I use it with such discretion because it is that special. A few toasted almonds make it perfect. Umami!

Apologies if this all sounds hoity toity but it is just simple food with special ingredients - remembering treasured old friends and celebrating new ones. So, how was your game night?

I Love You All!