Day 38: Saucy

I almost bought a blowtorch today.

This all started when I stayed late at work for a flight.  It was a good deal.  I would get to fly and experience some Mondo magic, and Swervin got to go home earlier for his birthday.  Of course, it also meant I needed some quick food for dinner, so Subway was in the cards instead of the planned rockfish dish with creamy garlic polenta.

When I got home and was still a bit hungry, I thought, "that's okay, I can run by the store to grab some chocolate for this weekend, then I'll make that polenta as a snack."  I ran by the store, found the chocolate quickly, and ran over to the hardware section just to see if they had a blowtorch for the creme brulee that I would like to make properly at some point.  They did.  However, I already had enough in my basket with the triple sec and sherry that I was buying also that I decided against spending another $30 on a needless appliance.  I'll probably end up getting one at some point anyway.  I'm almost positive I will.  Because after all; a specialized, potentially explosive, fire-making device seems like exactly the sort of thing I should own.

Then I got home and discovered that I have no cornmeal.  There went my dreams of a delightful fried polenta snack.  That just meant it was time to start early on Q's present.  Tonight became a tale of two sauces:

The first was a White Chocolate Sauce with triple sec and cream.  And the second was a Dark Chocolate Sauce with coffee, cream, and triple sec and brandy pretending to be Grand Marnier.  That's right, I actually drew a line and said no to buying something for Patrick tonight!  I feel a little bad about not following the letter of the law, but it's chocolate so of course it's good anyway.

Plus, I got to put the sauces in my new (cheap) plastic squeeze bottles that I finally found at the store tonight.  Trade a not super-productive night of cooking for a great night at the store and some good prep for this weekend.

Go Navy!  Beat Georgia Southern!

Day 37: Chilled Grilled and Nothing Spilled

Ah! Finally, my blog is sort of working (if random formatting occurs, I promise it's not my fault) and I can post something about what I've been up to.

I spent most of last night with a massive ham in the oven.  I believe it's 13 lbs.  This seems like a lot for one person, and it is.  However, Patrick likes to use Virginia country ham quite a bit, so I'm confident I can get through it.  Plus, I have to build up my repertoire of recipes and ideas for the 2010 International Ham Day.  What's this?  You've never heard of Ham Day?  Well, I'll have a guest blogger on in a bit to share the history and lore of Ham Day, but go ahead and prepare yourself for this September 20th (it's a Monday) when you too can celebrate a little bit of ham in all your meals.

Tonight was another cold starter for dinner night:  Chilled Grilled Black Mission Figs with Virginia Country Ham and Lime Cream.  Now, these weren't fresh black mission figs.  I don't think I've ever even seen figs in the store, but I was able to buy some when I was in the Burgh a bit ago.  However, even things that aren't quite fresh, when sprinkled with enough cinnamon and sugar, become delicious.  The ham is too salty, and I was pretty sure that it was going to be, but I don't know that there is anything I can do about that now.  The lime cream is good (I got to whip more cream tonight), and at first I didn't pipe on enough--yeah, I got to use my new pastry bag tonight!--but I though I actually did pipe on too much for the visual effect given.    So, if I were serving this again, I think I would have to make a compromise and (shocking that I'm putting presentation over taste) probably leave just enough cream on for effect, but not overpower it for the sake of taste.  I could always have the cream on the side for a little extra flavor if folks want.  At any rate, the dish tasted okay.  I definitely think some things could be done differently, but I don't think it was by any means a failure dish...just not a huge success.

p.s.  I also just found out that tomorrow is Swervin's birthday.  I wish I had figured that out a little earlier or I could have made a birthday something for him and his family.  I'm not sure if there is anything I can whip together tonight or tomorrow.  I don't even have any pie dough made.  Blast.