Dec 17 2010
Thursday Dinner: A Catered Affair
A winter scene: fallen leaves, sprouting mushrooms beside my house
Mushrooms are as much a sign of winter around here as the advent of robins. Most of them are not as scenic as this one, which is rumored to be poisonous or possibly merely hallucinogenic. I left it alone after I took its picture. We’re slated to get five inches of rain this weekend, so the stage is set for winter, even though it technically isn’t here yet.
We may get rain from today through Christmas. Does Santa have a jet ski? Or at least a pair of really cute rain shoes?
But you don’t need Santa Claus when you have Santa Paul. I think I speak for many girls when I say I’d much prefer a white-haired, blue-eyed gent sweeping into my kitchen and making me a fabulous dinner than some degenerate old housebreaker leaving me tatty gifts and expecting me to make him cookies.
Since Paul lived here before me, he knew that he was up against in my kitchenette: three feet of counter space, a petite ovenette with one shelf, and no dishwasher. Still, he was able to produce the following:
- He boned a turkey breast, glazed it with maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and crushed black peppercorms, and roasted it on a bed of celery, onions, carrots, and fresh tarragon. The “bed” was later strained and the pan juices used to make gravy.
- Oven-roasted potatoes, parsnips, and sweet potatoes.
- Zucchini fritters, as requested by Megan. Secret ingredient: matzo meal!
- Green beans.
- Pear and apple galette, served with fresh blueberries.
Santa Paul also has a well-trained elf who made sure I didn’t end up with a sink full of dishes.
It was the best Thursday night dinner ever!