Sunshine Vinaigrette

Peel and quarter (lengthwise) a large shallot

Drop in in a saucepan with a mix of half olive oil and half canola, heat until just before the shallot burns, then strain it

After the oil cools whisk it with a dash of balsamic vinegar, a larger dash of apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper, a small glump of smooth dijon mustard, and the juice from an orange and a lemon. This will keep for a few days in a jar in the fridge, shake if it separates.

I had a lot of fun with Gabe turning this stuff into the pictures below.







The bread is Sally Lunn bread- and old family favorite. It's made with eggs and butter; oh yeah. I used half white whole wheat flour to inject a little nutrition. The tarts were a test run for a dinner I am putting on to benefit Haiti.



Curried Sweet Potato Tarts


large sweet potato
ginger root
garlic
shallots
curry powder
sirracha
1 egg

4 cups flour
1 stick butter
dash of salt
ice water


Make the dough by cutting in the butter with a pastry knife. Add the ice water, between a quarter and half cup, little by little till it holds together. Wrap the dough in saran wrap and stick in the fridge.

Peel and chop the sweet potato, steam it.

While it is steaming dice peel and mince the ginger, garlic, and shallots.

Heat a small amount of canola oil and sautee the shallots and ginger, adding the garlic when they're almost done. Add the curry. When it is all melded together, add the sweet potatoes and a squirt of sirracha. Transfer to a bowl and throw the egg in. Blend with the immersion blender or a mixer. Take the crust out and roll it. They always say never touch the dough but I find this to be a crock. You can mush it up a little with your hands and it will still be tender. Cut the dough with a sharp knife into squares and lay them in the muffin tin. Spoon in the filling and bake at 350 for 20-25 mins. Yum!

I made a scarf

I just am learning how to knit and completed my first project,a small scarf in garter stitch for Gabriel. I tried to get him to stand still for a pic which led to a rather silly fashion show:

Belated Christmas

This year I had zero budget for Christmas decorations but I still really wanted to celebrate the season with Gabriel. Here are a few of the ways we made our home merry:








The tree was a hand-me-down that one of my brother's roommates left behind when she moved out. I did have some ornaments from previous years which I augmented with Chinese lanterns and small doo-dads I had around the house. It was a triumph of kitch.

I wrapped presents in Gabriel's art. I expect this to do this for years to come.

I hung a star on a skeleton's foot.

Gabe and I made some snowflakes out of some of his artwork, then strung them in the window on twine with some clothespins.

I filled up a bowl with ornaments for a centerpiece.

I filled up a basket with some pine needles and wrapped a fancy ribbon around it.

My creche was a hand-me-down from my parents.

The garland is a chain made with red and green fabrics. We had a lot of fun decorating and Gabe was sad to take it down. Next year I plan to be more prepared and do a few wreaths or kissing balls.