an arugula update to L.B.T.

3-15-2015 Sun. mild, sunny.  


WEEKEND BREAKFAST --- ( at Jan's) French dripped coffee | homemade orange bread | apple 
LUNCH --- ( at Rads tavern ) arugula and Italian bacon  L.B.T. | beer
AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- tea
DINNER --- asparagus pasta | wine 

• a spin through Jan's kingdom.

tis the season

12-25-2014 Thu. chilly, sunny. 


BREAKFAST --- coffee | apple | cheese | homemade orange bread 
AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- tea | dim sum
DINNER ---  ( at Inger's )  eggnog | sweet potato with marshmallow | stuffing | mashed potato | steamed Brussels sprouts | ham | pecan pie | pumpkin pie | wine 

Christmas moon 

Turkey run, homemade everything

11-27-2014  Thu. cold, cloudy.



BREAKFAST --- coffee with Irish cream | scallion pancake | grape fruit | apple
DINNER --- ( at Inger's, by Patricia)  cheese and olives | wine | Thanksgiving turkey | mashed potatoes | yam | Brussels sprouts | homemade cranberry sauce | homemade pecan pie | homemade pumpkin pie

 

• a story-book Thanksgiving dinner, three-day preparation and cooking.

July 4th BBQ

7-04-2013 Thu. hot, sunny.  


WEEKEND BREAKFAST --- coffee | croissant | watermelon | raspberries | bread and cheese | grapes
AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- tea
DINNER --- American BBQ : hot dog | shrimp on skewers | chicken wings | fresh corn | beer 

 

• hot dog rocks with real BBQ

steak with mushroom sauce

10-04-2012 Thu. warm, rainy clouds.  


BREAKFAST --- coffee
LUNCH --- potato with sour cream chicken 
AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- pear
DINNER --- garlic bread | steamed and fried Brussels sprouts | pan-fried steak with red wine mushroom sauce | rice | fennel salad | wine 

 

• dinner is getting heartier

sour cream chicken

10-03-2012 Wed. warm, rain.  


BREAKFAST --- coffee
LUNCH --- rice with spiced cabbage
AFTERNOON-TEATIME ---tea
DINNER --- pan-fried potatoes | sour cream chicken with white wine and fresh thyme | sauteed asparagus | white wine 

 

• the old-time favorite sour cream chicken is well received

the ultimate American meal

4-01-2011 Fri. chilly, rain.


BREAKFAST --- coffee
LUNCH --- apple
AFTERNOON-TEATIME --- Japanese green tea
DINNER --- ( at Drew's ) toasted bread with broad bean puree and chicken liver pate | vegetable dip with Southern pickled shrimp butter | champagne || asparagus with pistachio sauce | grilled bread | classic American roast chicken with gravy, mustard sauce and cranberry sauce | green salad with walnut citrus dressing | rice | California wine || angel food cake with custard and fruit

• a survey of Americana by Drew, roast chicken was executed with precision.
  

New England Fantan bread

these traditional New England fantail rolls are festive and fun, great for party or Thanksgiving dinner



makes 9 rolls

• 1/2 ounce fresh yeast
• 5 tbs buttermilk, room temperature
• 2 tsp sugar
• 5 tbs milk
• 5 tbs butter
• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
  

1. grease 1 or 2 muffin pan with 3 inch cups, 9 cups total.
   
2. mix the yeast with the buttermilk and sugar and let stand for 15 minutes
   
3. in a sauce pan, heat the milk with 3 tbs of the butter until the butter is melted, cool until lukewarm
   
4. sift the flour and salt together into a large bowl. add the yeast mixture, milk mixture and egg, mix into a soft dough.
5. move the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 8 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
6. place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rise for about 1 hour, until doubled in size.
7. turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface, punch down and knead until smooth and elastic. Roll into an oblong sheet about 1/4 inch thick. melt the remaining butter and brush over the dough sheet.
   
8. cut the dough sheet lengthwise into 5 equal strips, stack on top of each other and cut across into 9 equal 2-inch strips
   
9. pinch one side of each layered strip together, then place pinched side down into a prepared muffin cup. cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 30-40 minutes or until the fantans have almost doubled size. meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 F.
10. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden, turn out onto a wire rack to cool