frozen
so, in a further attempt at Christmas cheer Z took me to ride the Jingle (formerly Jungle) Cruise. It was ok but Disney, this was a miss in the world of could have been. I had visions of Santa hats on the natives, lights in the jungle and a dance party in the temple. A miss. But the castle lights for the evening? A charming and magical win. (if you read this blog in a reader please go to my site today for a bit of winter cheer! Thanks Z for the technical support.)
bombay cafe
While we were in San Francisco a few months ago we ate at Dosa. Naturally we had a dosa. Kind of a no-brainer. A fermented rice (or lentil flour) crepe like pancake filled with masala potatoes and you dip it in sambar, a lentil dipping soup. Love at first bite with chewy crispy comfort food. I haven’t had it since and have been looking for a recipe online when it dawned on me to use my resources. I have a co-worker who was born in India and it occurred to me that very possibly she could recommend one here in town. She offered up Bombay Cafe in Laxmi Plaza right off of Orange Blossom Trail. So, we put it on our short list and headed there last night for dinner. Like most restaurants in Orlando it is located in a strip mall. I have no idea how people find these things. The hall heading into the building was redolent of incense and we passed an Indian Grocery (House of Spice), Video Store and a shop selling beautiful Indian garments. The restaurant was fairly empty and we sat down right away. We were offered help with the menu but quickly ordered chili pakora for a starter. We weren’t sure if we’d handle the spice but they were lovely. Mild to medium hot chili dunked in chickpea batter and fried. A trio of chutneys was offered and I mixed a little of the tamarind with a spicy hot chili chutney and was off to the races. Z ordered Gobi Aloo (Cauliflower and Potato Curry) and I a masala dosa. I devoured that dosa with it’s little bowl of sambar and coconut chutney. It was so good-like the best Indian comfort food. I don’t know what it passes for there but I really love it. This isn’t high end dining but complex and flavor filled. I love the warming spices. After supper we wound our way through the House of Spice looking at all the ground spices, curry sauces and huge bags of basmati rice. A man in the store was super friendly and walked us around telling us about items in the shop. We picked up a packet of paneer butter sauce-so we’ll see how that goes. I am certain we will be back.
epic
I don’t really use the word epic other than in a judging way. But the truth will come out. I love to make epic meals. Here is a way way late image of our Thanksgiving meal. It was truly epic. You will notice the lack of turkey, stuffing or gravy. Maybe next year.
Clock wise from bottom left
1. Pimiento Cheese Devilled Eggs
2. Bacon-wrapped cream cheese stuffed jalapenos
3. My mom’s awesome macaroni salad
4. Brisket baked Beans (4Rivers)
5. My Grandma James Recipe Twice Baked Potatoes
6. John Rivers Recipe Sweet Potato Casserole
7. Brisket with Hot 4Rivers BBQ sauce
We happily ate leftovers for a week. Would I do it again? HeckyesIwould.
silent night
I guess after blogging every day for a month straight I just fell off the wagon. I’ve thought about blogging in the last month and have had some adventures (good ones!) and opened up my trusty wordpress account but published nothing. Now we are hurtling headlong into Christmas. The gifts are bought (mostly) and the stockings hung (green velvet on a hook over the closet door since a fireplace would be folly in Orlando.) No tree though. I have a closet full of trees (8? 9?) and ornaments and haven’t managed to do it. I did put up a tree or three at work but haven’t done it at home. Kind of sad really. I have been missing cool weather this year. It was 80 degrees plus yesterday. I miss my sister too. I can likely plan my way out of that with a trip for later in the winter. It has been a season of terrible news. Does it come in threes? Quite a few people in and about my life have been struck down over the last year. Yesterday was filled to the brim at work with an office parade of lights and with joy from Santa’s Marketing Department. Everyone should work with a team like this and it is a privilege. Last night Z and I wrapped carefully chosen gifts that will fly to Colorado today while the sun shines. Yesterday I billed a project started 9 months ago for the 2014 Wycliffe Calendar. (If you like beautiful global images and amazingly matched Scripture you should order one-they are stunning and they support the work of Bible translation worldwide!) I feel like somewhere yesterday I turned a corner and got my cheer back. I was waiting for it.
My Urban Pantry 