At twilight I found myself wandering around Publix with an empty shopping cart. Everyone around me seemed to have a purpose. They didn't stare gloomily into the bakery case or pick through the deli chickens. I had a shopping list, too, which makes this story even weirder, but I flat didn't want to buy the things on my list.
Emotionally speaking, I could pick between the Sads and Wildness, so I picked Wildness. I bought puff pastry, marinated chick peas, romaine, brie.
I made supper while I talked to Dr. Gollum about his day. I wrapped the brie in two sheets of puff pastry (thawed, rolled/flattened, egg washed) and popped it into a 400degree oven.
While the brie baked (20 minutes), I gathered a few leftovers, including bacon, tomatoes, thyme, chives, and cornbread, then I made a salad.
While the brie baked (20 minutes), I gathered a few leftovers, including bacon, tomatoes, thyme, chives, and cornbread, then I made a salad.
I wish I'd toasted (or grilled) the cornbread because it didn't stand up to the pomegranate vinaigrette, but it was still soothing and tasty--a comfort salad for people who haven't put away the Christmas stuff and for people who are lonesome for family members who've gone back home.
Sugar is a quick fix for holiday angst, too.
After supper, we ate the rest of the Christmas igloo cake,except for the fondant polar bear. He went into the deep freeze, where he will live happily ever after--well, at least for another year.
Winter Menu:
Brie en croute
Bacon-cornbread-chick pea salad with pomegranate vinaigrette
Fondant igloo cake
Pino noir
Sad...I understand sad...same way I felt when Chip and Nancy pulled out of the driveway and I stood watching their car slowly head up the street. :-(
ReplyDeleteI'm better now. But still miss them. Love your comfort food...it all sounds exotic to me. Mine is more like a trip through McDonalds for a Coke and chicken fingers or a Big Mac. ;-}
Susan
I won't start my sad till EARLY Thursday morning, when Alida (daughter) flies back to California; I am not sure when we will see her next.
ReplyDeleteAnne doesn't return to grad school till Jan. 4th or so; I have a little more time with at least one chick in the nest.
But I think a lot of us understand "sad" in this glad season -- my mother is losing her grip on life, and watching that whilst trying to celebrate is difficult.
The supper looks lovely -- although in these Northern climes we'll opt for homemade soup or stew or at least takeout Chinese for comfort!
Happy New Year! I miss Mister in the header.
Cass
What a great supper for not knowing what you were going to make.
ReplyDeleteI'm still good here - sad starts next Monday when Andy goes back to his base in Colorado, and then probably soon to Afghanistan.
What a pretty salad. This is a great meal. Very refined I think! Would never thought to put cornbread in a salad but I will give that a try....sounds so delicious. I also love the new strawberry header photo!!
ReplyDeleteI'm all about the comfort foods when the darkness comes so early and the coldness chills us. I'm preparing to stock up on the soups - always my winter favorite -- I was gathering the favorite recipes Sunday and I'll be simmering soon.
ReplyDeleteNow can we really trust that your igloo was edible? Not another iced styrofoam concoction?
Happy New Year!
That was an excellent meal that you put together.....it all looks great! I can eat that Brie all by myself. Love the cake and thats cute that Bear you are hybernating till next year.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year~!
I am having Baked Brie and salad, among other things, for New Year's Eve! Your Blog is Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteMartha, it's edible. A wee, 2-inch cake is hiding inside the fondant.
ReplyDeleteI bought it at Publix, $12.99.
Now THAT is a cute cake!!
ReplyDeleteYum Yum Yum.
Happy New Year!
Yes, I am been known to wander thru the store looking for something different, but easy to fix. Your dinner sounds good, except for the baked brie - I have tried to eat it, but I just don't care for a strong cheese.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Without a list and without a plan, I, too, wander and pick up the oddest things! Your dinner sounds yummy and I may have to copy it soon -- accompanied by a glass of champagne!
ReplyDeleteLove the igloo -- what a great cake!
{{{HUGS}}} Michael. I can so completely relate & share your sadness of missing family!
ReplyDeleteYour version of comfort food is my idea of heaven & has given me some new ideas to serve my sister's when they visit on Thurs. I recently had brie baked in puff pastry at a party & it had Rothschild's Raspberry Chipotle sauce on top....outstanding!
Sending ~~Peace & Comfort~~vibes your way, Honey. Thanks for sharing your beautiful world with us. Mine is better for it.
fondly,
Rett
It is sad...mine started on Saturday! Thank goodness for FB and email!
ReplyDeleteThat igloo is just precious. It's a guaranteed spirit lifter. I love the little polar bear figure! :-)
ReplyDeleteYou know how I don't cook. Well, I decided I had mass amounts of leftover turkey and had to do something with it. So I went online and found a recipe and modified it. It actually was pretty good and better the next day. I did it with ingredidents I had on hand, and I added some pepper to it after I heated it again the next day, and that helped. It was pretty bland the first time around. I'm trying!!!
XO,
Sheila :-)
That is some cake, ML!
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a wonderful Christmas, and best wishes for a happy, healthy 2010!
Your dinner looks wonderful. The little polar bear is cute. You find the cutest things at Publix. Sorry you're missing your loved ones. My parents are staying until early next week, so I'm sure I'll be sad then too.
ReplyDeleteAs I read your post this morning, my eyes focused on a new word in your header... at least I think it's new... EXHAUSTED. Yep, that's me! Everyone's gone home and it's way too quiet here. Yesterday I forced myself to unload the dishwasher, put away the Christmas china, and take down the tree. The longer I wait, the more I hate it. Today I may decide to cook some normal everyday food. Too much holiday fare!
ReplyDeleteThings are looking different over here. I like it and it loaded very quickly.
ReplyDeleteI am eating leftovers from our Boxing Day party while my husband is at our cabin. I haven't had to make anything new at all or go to a store. Works for me.
I am good to go right through New Years.
I still have one son at home and my other son lives 10 minutes away. I am lucky aren't I. No SAD for me.
Now you can look forward to the next get together.
I love Brie ~ and baked in this way especially! Wish I had been there for dinner. The cake is cute!
ReplyDeleteThere's so much build-up and excitement prior to Christmas and then it's like, poof! and it's all over.
The new header is great! I hope you have a wonder*filled New Year of laughter, good health and abundance.
Yes, I'm sad that the little feet that followed me around for days is gone and all the other 5 grandkids are at home enjoying their christmas presents. Mr Blossom and I took down the christmas stuff yesterday and today took the final three trees down. The outside tree, snowman and door wreaths will stay up until tomorrow. Mr Blossom has started on the down stairs man cave, the bar room and the kitchen. Maybe these rooms will be completed by next christmas. The youngest daughter is coming today with a surprise of crockpot dinner for all of us. He husband is working on Hubby's vette doors today. Your quick meal sounds delicious. Enjoy; Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteRight now I am sad that I don't have a Publix in Pa.!!!!!!!!!!! I want an igloo cake!!!!! I am so fortunate to have both my children KINDA close by. My daughter is only 30 mins., and my son an hour and a half. Just got home from my daughters in fact:) HAPPY, happy new year to you, Dr. and Bandy!!!!!! XO, Pinky
ReplyDeleteYes me too!! Exhausted!! I have put away the Christmas decorations, stripped the tree and am grilling turkey burgers on the grill with all the fixings!! Pickled red onions, lettuce, dills, and anything else I can find in my fridge. That should keep the boys happy for about 1/2 hour!!
ReplyDeletehehe, The polar bear will love it in your freezer and I too want the igloo cake followed by the Brie and the Pinot Noir (my son is back across the pond now and I am depressed and lonely lol. Happy New Year my friend, wanna meet up in London at the end of Jan?? :-). Kathy.
ReplyDeleteOh that cake and polar bear are just too cute! Your dinner looks delicious! I hope you and your family have a wonderful 2010! laurie
ReplyDeleteEverything looks delightful! I have a weakness for brie and pinot noir.
ReplyDeleteThe igloo cake is simply adorable. My children would be thrilled so see this on our dining room table for dessert! I will need to make one for them soon.
This is quite a spread without any idea of what it was going to be before hitting the local market! You've got an incredible foodie mind. Good luck with the winter blues. Hope you get lots of phone calls and emails from those you love.
ReplyDeleteHi Michael! I've spent lots of time today reading past posts of yours. You are SOOOO my kind of girl, making easy elegance! I aspire to be like YOU! Love the igloo, REALLY love the faux candle topped cake with the covered cherries!
ReplyDeleteHope you and your family are having a wonderful holiday!
Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents
I guess I am lucky I see my children and Grandchildren on a daily or weekly basics. I love the igloo and the polar bear!
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is, YUM!
ReplyDeleteJustine :o )
Keep posting stuff like this i really like it.
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