gulfporter

I like the old fashioned turkey dinner. Mi esposo detests it. We have made non-traditional meals at home when we don't have guests or go to someone else's place. I said this year I might make a traditional 🦃Day dinner since I have a hankering for it. Mi esposo offered to make a non-traditional meal and I happily agreed to stay out of the kitchen. I have no idea what his meal will be. When I nagged asked him yesterday he said he didn't either 🤨 I put the Domino's app on my phone.

White bean chicken chili. Pretty much it all came out of one can or another. Used a frozen piece of Costco rotis chicken breast. I did caramelize some onions and garlic before throwing in the canned and jarred items. Topped with sour cream and cilantro. For fast food, quite satisfying on a chilly day.

I appreciate that coming from the Expert. Your comments, recipe and instructions were very helpful. They are bit light colored, but the sides and top have a crunch and the right chew while the inside is custardy even after fully cooled. I doubt I'll get as lucky next time!

First attempt at canalés, beginner's luck as they are pretty darn tasty.

Finished product. Oh so good! Maybe could have been darker??? Beginner's luck. @ElsieD To make ghee just melt butter in micro. Set aside and wait 30 minutes or more. Skim off butter fat on top, then pour the rest carefully and leave the watery part behind.

@JeffGC I used your recipe though I also made a few changes based on my experience with my Viking oven and its convection settings. I also did not use beeswax, instead I saw a hack for that by making my own ghee to increase the smoking point of regular butter. Here are pics. In oven at point where I turned it down from 525 to 375. In pan after baking was done (I hope!). Cooling rack.

Is it this one?

It wouldn't open.

@JeffGC Thanks for the measurement. Next q: My oven has convection features....are they helpful or a hindrance?

Oh no, I am considering entering this rabbit hole 🐰 Ok, the most basic of q's....there appear to be at least 3 sizes of caneles molds. And with a rather finicky baking time, size does matter a lot perhaps. Where do I measure the canele mold---top or bottom?? My pan indentations measure 45mm at the bottom of mold (which I realize will be the top after baking) and 55mm at the top of mold (which will become the bottom). This is the pan, (eG-friendly Amazon.com link)

Rack of lamb. The grill at our Tucson house is new to me and its rack is too close to the burners IMO. I had to watch it like a hawk. It got a little past medium rare, but remained tender. Kudos to Costco and their NZ lamb. Side was pearl couscous salad with persiana cukes and grape tomatoes over arugula. Dipping sauce of chipotle molido mixed with cherry preserves.

Mi esposo isn't a fan of turkey or carb heavy meals. Last T-Day I made individual Chicken Wellingtons with grilled veg on the side and some cranberry sauce. If you can buy sheets or chunks of puff pastry, it's a fun meal.

Forecast called for a chilly (60F) and rainy day. Hasn't panned out as it's 70F and partly cloudy. Made a hearty 30 Minute Coq Au Vin as I thought our uncovered grill wouldn't be a good choice today. Recipe here (the only change I made is to throw the onions and mushrooms into the pot with the bacon and all-important bacon fat. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/30-minute-coq-au-vin-3362586 It's the 2nd time I made it and it's as good a Coq au Vin I've ever eaten. I serve over a bit of stiff mashed potatoes so it soaks up the sauce.

Safeway had 6 oz fresh blueberries (from Peru) for 99 cents each this week. Without a sale the 6 oz. containers have been running 4 to 5 bucks this fall in AZ. I bought 8 packs so far this week! Mi esposo eats them fresh daily and I used almost 3 packs in this Blueberry Polenta Cake.

Been at least 12 years since my last trip to a US Costco and I forgot how big (and cheap) their rotisserie chickens are!! This is our 4th meal from one and I still have a bit more left. Salad of chicken, apple, green onion, cranberries and toasted pecans. Over arugula and dressed with my usual lemon-dijon-garlic vinaigrette.

I'm going to butt in to say we have owned one of these for 20+ years and they are so simple in design and work every time. Removes the shell and the vein in one easy slick motion. No sharp points or blades. Watch the video at Amazon. (eG-friendly Amazon.com link)

Eggplant and Lamb with Yogurt topping thanks to Yotam Ottolenghi. This one's a keeper! My convection oven here in AZ gives us those 'crispy bits' we crave. Recipe said serves 4 to 6. I'd say more like a dinner party for 8. Not complaining.....happy to eat this every night for a week! I ended up making it in a toss-away turkey roasting pan which are ubiquitous now in US. EZ clean-up/ https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020154-eggplant-lamb-and-yogurt-casserole

@FrogPrincesse Muchisimas Gracias! We are looking forward to these places; the 23rd of October is our anniversary; and mi esposo's BD is the 26th and mine is the 27th.

I'm a sucker for a funny or unique label. Never had this variety before and must say it is excellent! From Spain bought near my home in Mexico. Mexico and Spain (and much of EU) have a very good import agreement; I pay way less here than in US for Spanish wines. OTH, US wines carry a big premium here. Luckily I prefer Spanish, Chilean, Argentine, Italian and MXN wines 🍷🍷

Grilled hot Italian sausage topped with goat cheese.

We will be in San Diego the last week of October. Looking for recommendations for the following ethnic restaurants which aren't available in our village in Mexico or (to some extent) in Tucson. Doesn't have to be high-end or posh; holes in wall are fine too. Want eat-in seating (no food trucks or delivery only). Gracias in advance! Jamaican (goat in particular) Afghani Indian Pakistani Persian Moroccan New Mexican (ala Santa Fe; Hatch chilies and sopapillas a plus!)

I think it's like Kleenex and Jello.....both a brand name as well as part of common nomenclature no matter the maker. For you DIY'ers out there, here's a website with instructions to build your own. https://www.instructables.com/Build-a-Caja-China-Roast-a-Pig-in-a-Box/

I heard about a pop-up of sorts and drove over to it (12 minute drive from village home). It's a Mexican family set up on side of the road, Sat. and Sun. only. Opens at 11:30 and was told they sell out by 1 or 2. They smoke borrego (sheep), lechón (suckling pig), chickens, chorizo, spareribs in a metal box. Years ago a Cuban told me the box is called La Caja China (a China Box). Sells the meat by the kilo, boneless---he takes it out of pit, hacks it off the bone and weighs it as you watch. He asked if I wanted the sheep bone and he threw it in for free. Crispy skin, tender meats. I went overboard and bought 1/2 a kilo of lechón and 1/4 kilo borrego. After dinner we have enough leftover for a week of lunches!

Tasted better than the pic. Chicken salad in chipotle mayo over arugula.