baked oats green chile chicken enchiladas chow mein bakery-style butter cookies


copyright jennifer yu © 2004-2023 all rights reserved: no photos or content may be reproduced without prior written consent

archive for December 24th, 2008

ready

Wednesday, December 24th, 2008

We went into Boulder this morning as Jeremy had some work to do and I needed to ship a few packages out (New Year’s and birthday packages) and then swing by Whole Foods to visit my boys. Everywhere I went, people asked if my holiday shopping was done. I don’t want to get into the whole “we don’t celebrate Christmas, we celebrate Gravity and Water in its solid state” discussion with every person I meet… [I’ve had someone ask me if I’m Jewish before! ha ha ha!] I just told folks that I made my gifts and so got several verbal pats on the head for being frugal in these dire economic times. It’s not about being frugal so much as saying, “I like you” with something specially handmade. Feeding is an act of love in my family and so my baking and cooking are my small gifts of love.

When I say my boys I mean the fellas at the Whole Foods seafood counter, of course. Christmas Eve is their busiest day of the year – their highest volume day. Boulderites love their seafood. I perused the entire display of gorgeous sea critters on ice while dodging shoppers, random children, and the ever oblivious friends who just ran into each other and are blocking foot traffic with their poorly oriented shopping carts and yammering selves. It was a zoo, but a seriously festive zoo. A young woman from another department passed by and shouted, “Hey Seafood!” and all eight of the gentlemen behind the counter raised their hands and roared hello. James knows by now that when I ask for scallops or clams or fish or sashimi, to select not only the best quality, but also the best looking since I photograph the food. Such a sweetheart. Shaun, another favorite of mine, leaned over to say hi and asked what my dinner plans were. I answered and he said, “Ah, seafood… because you’re unique!” He smiled and jerked his head in the direction of a dozen customers to his right, “…just like everyone else.” These guys always go out of their way to give me the very best seafood. To me, that’s a gift of love right there.

I decided we would have an indulgent, yet simple dinner this evening: Alaskan King Crab (they had a special). Oh My God. I love crab – all kinds. My hands down favorite: Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab. I love crab more than lobster. Crab crab crab crab crab. I grew up catching crabs in the summer days and eating steamed crabs in the summer evenings. We enjoyed 2 pounds of steamed crab with a nice Spanish wine that my dad recommended and a refreshingly light salad of greens, jicama, cara cara oranges, and pomegranate. I think I’ll repeat that salad with tomorrow’s dinner too – it was terrific.


don olegario albariño rias baixas 2006

**Jump for more butter**