Reflections and Resolutions

Reflections on 2007.

I will remember 2007 as a year for changes and transitions in relationships. From saying goodbye to some and saying hello to others. It was a year of growth, sometimes painful, but always for the good. I gladly leave 2007 and enter 2008 with hope for better days.

I have a philosophy about resolutions... I feel they are best made in August when it is easier to keep them but I will make an exception this year because I am ready for a new start.

Resolutions... lose the weight I gained in 2007 (a resolution I have never made before, ugh)... get out of debt... be more positive, especially at work... make a decision about grad school... be more honest with people.... to not ponder the past but to move on and embrace something new.

So long '07... welcome '08!

Cheers!

Roast Beef

Today we did a late lunch at the legendary Schwabl's Restaurant in West Seneca. They have been serving roast beef for over 170 years! No joke, not much has changed over time, think classic supper club. Their menu is consistent with good homemade food with German undertones. The specialty a hand carved roast beef and gravy or roast beef on a kummelwick roll, rarely found outside of Western New York. Something about the fact that the place never changes from the quality of the food, to the white haired waitress in white dresses and nurses shoes. The same man has been carving roast beef behind the long wood bar for my entire life. And we always order the same thing, roast beef.



Service is a bit on the slow but that's just because it takes a minute to make homemade food and quarters are tight so be prepared to rub elbows with the people next to you... remember it's all about family.



Overall it was a good day. I am getting a bit anxious to return home but in the mean time I'll enjoy watching football, making popcorn, playing cards and eating cherry pie with my family.

Celebrate

Our family doesn't really need a reason to celebrate but we pretend like we do and therefore appreciate the simple things in life. Like my niece turning 6 months old today. So we made chocolate lava cakes. She couldn't eat them but we sure enjoyed them.



Chocolate Lava Cakes

4 ounces bittersweet chocolate
4 ounces semisweet chocolate
10 tbsp butter
1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 cup 10X sugar
3 eggs
3 egg yolks
1 tsp vanilla

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Grease 8 small ramekins with butter.
2. Melt chocolate, butter over a double boiler or microwave until melted and smooth. Next add flour and sugar. Then stir in eggs and yolks until smooth.
3. Pour evenly into ramekins and bake for 14 minutes. The inside will remain gooey like lava!

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream. Batter can be made in advance but they are best when served fresh out of the oven.



It was a good day, cold and rainy but being on vacation I had no reason to leave my parents' house. I will be happy to be back in Pittsburgh in a few days but in the mean time I'll enjoy the family. Mom and I are working on felting wool into purses and I am reading a few books, Overdo$ed America and Blood Makes the Grass Grow Green. I think I am mostly a creature of habit and enjoy my daily routine but time off is always good. I didn't even realize that today was Friday.

Make Lava Cakes before you make a New Year Resolution!!!!

Cranberry Vodka

One of my favorite things about the holidays is homemade cranberry vodka. It has been a family tradition for a few years and there is something fantastic about sitting down with a glass of red vodka at the end of a busy festive day.

It takes some advance prep. The ingredients are simple 16 oz. organic cranberries, 1 cup evaporated cane sugar, 2 tsp. vanilla, vodka, club soda and lime. Also a fine mesh strainer, sauce pan, funnel and 2 quart mason jars are needed.

Rinse and dry cranberries ( I prefer organic because of the infusion process).
Put cranberries, sugar and vanilla over medium low heat and stir. Once cranberries burst and sugar liquifies remove from heat and let cool slightly. Divide cranberries in half and place in two mason jars. Fill jars with vodka and let sit on the counter for 1 week. Strain vodka and store in refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

My favorite way to drink it: 2 shots over ice, fill glass with club soda and garnish with a slice of lime.

Christmas

So I am not good at this blogging thing... I mean we just finished the busiest baking/ cooking season of the year and I have no posts! I am going to work on it. I got Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking Volume 1 for Christmas and a new digital camera so the outlook is good.


Christmas Eve Menu

Green Salad
Strip Steaks
King Crab Legs
Twice Baked Potatoes
Fresh Bread
Chocolate Lava Cakes A La Mode
Cranberry Vodka


Christmas Morning Brunch Menu

Ham, Egg, Broccoli and Cheese Breakfast Strata
Puff Pastry
Pineapple Squares
Blueberry Muffins
Banana Bread
Potato Pancakes
Ham
Warm Sweet Rolls
Fruit Salad with Strawberry Cream Dip
Poinsettas- Cranberry Juice mixed with Champagne