super weekend happiness
There is much to be happy about this weekend. First off, I am done with my baking and candy making hell. I gave all of the goodies out to folks on my distribution list. And most of all, my buddy is visiting from out of town! She just finished one hell of a semester (she is a young superstar professor), as did Jeremy – so we are celebrating by pampering the hell out of her.
i picked up some succulent scallops from whole foods
we had awesome sushi for lunch
We took Kaweah for a walk this afternoon as the sun was going down, catching up on many things and watching the dog plow her face into the snow every five feet. My friend is awesome. Despite her incredibly busy schedule, she has been so supportive of me and Jeremy this past year.
someone didn’t care to have her picture taken
Tonight, we started the evening with lychee martinis. My god, martinis are really strong. My head was spinning after two sips. I do much better with martinis that are diluted with fruity juices. I whipped up a few appetizers so the alcohol wouldn’t go straight to our heads.
potent lychee martini
grilled prosciutto-wrapped white asparagus with balsamic reduction
We eventually made our way through dinner with lots and lots of conversation and wine(s). I planned a menu based on things my pal loves to eat. Here’s what I served up tonight:
lychee martinis
grilled prosciutto-wrapped white asparagus with balsamic reduction
pan seared scallops with white wine pan sauce
green citrus almond salad
potatoes au gratin
filet mignon with port reduction sauce
flourless chocolate cake, whipped almond cream, pomegranate seeds
No recipe today. I’ll try to post one tomorrow – I have one more “holiday” style cookie to share that Jeremy really likes.
December 14th, 2008 at 1:25 am
Where are you getting asparagus from at this time of the year?
December 14th, 2008 at 2:33 am
Whatta meal! You really “spoiled” you Professor-Friend with the scallops, potatoes au gratin, and filet mignon. I think if I ate a meal like that in one sitting, I’d be spoiled for life. And the smiley Whole Foods seafood man looks like quite a friendly guy! Not like the supermarket people here. :\
December 14th, 2008 at 2:33 am
What gorgeous food! Everything looks beautiful and scrumptious!
Cheers,
Rosa
December 14th, 2008 at 2:37 am
Mmmmmmmmm, what a menu! I’m chewing my toast and trappista cheese, ok, it’s a good morning food, but it’s almost turning to sawdust in my mind (the toast, not the cheese), as i read about all the yumminess. How long did it take you to prepare it all? Will there be a recipe for a whipped almond cream? Just the name sounds heavenly. :) You have one lucky friend (Jeremy is the luckies guy, that goes without saying!)!
December 14th, 2008 at 2:37 am
(luckiesT)
December 14th, 2008 at 4:16 am
mmm everything looks so beautiful! please invite me to your next dinner party, thank you :)
December 14th, 2008 at 4:32 am
Hi Jen: I’d like to see your recipe for potatoes au gratin. Thanks for sharing. You have an awesome blog!!!
December 14th, 2008 at 6:08 am
Lucky friend!!
December 14th, 2008 at 6:42 am
Yum! I had a hard semester, too. I need to call up my best friend Miriam and say, “So over at Use Real Butter there’s this meal for overworked professors…”
December 14th, 2008 at 7:17 am
Yummy scallops from the yummy scallop man! And that is read (yummy scallop) man, not yummy (scallop man). Har har har. (Just trying to be weird/clever…) I find it so cool that they’re given clothes that are actually wearable, even if it is a strange orange color. As you know I’m a massive scallop fan (so massive that I’ve never actually cooked them before, yipes), so I can’t wait to see that recipe!
Have a great week Jen! :)
December 14th, 2008 at 8:07 am
Looks like you served up quite a feast. Lucky friend! Everything looks fab! I can’t wait to get some lychees growing on my tree. That martini is calling my name! ;)
December 14th, 2008 at 9:22 am
Oh yum to lyche martinis!
I made your espresso shortbread last night. It was FABULOUS. Thanks for posting the recipe on your blog!
December 14th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Lyche Martini sounds yummy, I eat olives from the martini but never tried lyche. Do you dip the lyche in the martini? Have a good time with your friend.
December 14th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Holy Moses, that menu was amazing, what a lucky gal!
December 14th, 2008 at 11:58 am
I love whole foods! I spend so much time there. best seafood around and I live in a seaside town! ha!
your friend was very lucky to be spoiled.
December 14th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Wonderful menu! Enjoy the rest of the weekend =)
December 14th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
jen, you are so awesome, i want to be just like you when i grow up!
i love the idea of making yummy things to express your affection for those close to you. an incredible meal, cookies, candies, cakes, etc. etc. etc. (and you sure have the guts to take on all 3 etc.’s!) made with love means so much more than random stuff purchased from a store.
December 14th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
How nice to be able to spend time with a good friend.
Paz
December 14th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Maybe Kaweah is cold. Hell, our dogs are freezing in today’s 55 degree weather. She still looks so purty there!
Glad to know you’ve got such great friends for support. She’s awesome!
We’re coming over for dinner…
December 14th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
That proscuitto wrapped asparagus looks amazing. I will have to recreate that at home. If only white asparagus was as accessible as the green! Looking forward to the rest of your recipes!
December 14th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
How did you cook while you were under the infuence???
Once I have a cocktail, I am finished!
Your photos are so crisp and clear, what camera do you use?
Thanks,
Stacey Snacks
December 14th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Oh– your sushi looks so good!
December 14th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Oh, pigging out on good food is a blessing! I love to catch up with friends when they are in town! I just sent a whole bunch of them off yesterday!
December 15th, 2008 at 3:37 am
A lychee martini for me, please! I *love* them strong! (hic)
December 15th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
So awesome that you were able to pamper her! I know how excited she was to visit you, and wow, the menu is amazing! Hope you had a great time all around :) And sometime we should all get together for a ski weekend.
December 16th, 2008 at 8:59 am
What a great weekend! Finally I see the lychee martinis!! Wonderful idea!
December 16th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Wow those photos of your sushi are killing me! I love love LOVE sushi, and that looks fantastic!
December 16th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Your sushi looks delicious! So fresh…and I’m not even a big sushi fan :)
December 16th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Nate – Whole Paycheck – err…. Whole Foods!
Passionate Eater – my boys at the seafood counter in Whole Foods are SO GOOD TO ME. I love them :)
Rosa – thank you :)
Maja – took about an hour or so to get dinner ready. We sort of made food and grazed as I made more. I would cook for her every night like this if she lived near me (but I don’t want to kill her, so I’d make healthier food).
Pearl – :)
Kathy – oh, it’s on my recipes page. I’ll link to it from this post for ya.
Maya – no, I’m lucky to have her for a friend!
Fiona – oh, you never fail to make me laugh. Yes, overworked profs need lots of tlc!
Mark – you are such a goofball! That was so funny. oh, the scallops are already on my recipes page. I’ll link it from the menu on this post.
Susan – you have a tree?!? *jealous*
Karen – you’re welcome :)
Lisa – Hi Mom :) I pureed and strained half of the lychees from the can, then added vermouth and gin and some lychee syrup (the stuff the canned lychees come in). Not too bad. The lychees just sit in or on the drink. I think it’s very strong. Jeremy likes it.
Lezel – :)
Dawn – she deserves it. She works *really* hard.
Christina – thank you! So sweet of you :)
Diana – oh, you probably don’t. I am hyper and I hate to sleep :) xxoo
Paz – absolutely!!
WoRC – yeah, where were you guys? If you are ever in town, I’m putting on the dawg (not Kaweah) for you two!
Kasey – thanks!
Stacey – I only took a few sips, then had to stop and drink a lot of water :) Right now I shoot with a Nikon D200. If I can sell enough landscape photography, I will upgrade!
Asianmommy – :)
Mrs. E – oh, I hope you had a great time with them.
Manisha – ha ha! I will *definitely* keep that in mind, my dear!
Liz – yes. Keep in mind, if you come out to visit, I’ll pamper the hell out of you too! :) xxoo We would have loved to have you out.
Tartelette – uh, so strong! If you visit me, I’ll make some for us to drink, but then you’ll have to prop me up!
Howtoeatacupcake – Sushi Tora in Boulder ROCKS!
Maris – thanks, that’s the restaurant, not me! :)
December 16th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
So jealous of the sushi and martinis and fun! Must get to CO… :)
December 18th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Mollie – damn straight, girlfriend! GIT over here! :)