For our PM friend PC – Happy St. Patrick’s Day and Happy Birthday.
Categories: photo
Tagged: Birthdays, photography
project mimi
live willing to try new things
Posts from the “photo” Category
Categories: photo
Tagged: brothers and sisters, family, photography
I think the trick to a Christmas morning brunch is throw open your front doors to the warm California sunshine first. Not sure Mimi would have felt that way. As I recall she was a big fan of the New England White Christmas. So, if opening your doors to warm sun isn’t an option for you, the second and third most important tricks are to keep the food good and simple, and to keep it super casual. Such was the case at Shelley and Kelly’s Christmas morning. Spirits were high, everyone was smiling and you can’t ask for anything better than a beautiful green vintage stove, some red Le Creuset pans and a cook that is about as darling as they come. Eggs Benedict, Bloody Mary’s and good chatter filled the morning as kids ran in and out and adults regaled one another with stories. It was a perfect start to the day and reminded me of why I call this special place home.
Categories: photo
My friend PC considers tablescaping an art and I have to agree with him. One of the best parts of a weekly dinner is figuring out how you can make each evening a unique experience outside of the food and environment. Afterall, it is your house.
Over the course of the last year, I have found that I think as much about the way the meal is being presented, as I do about the food and company. For each of our PMs I think about color and texture of the food and the presentation. If simple fare, I go for a bit more ornate or daring table. If a complicated meal, a simpler presentation seems best. And each dinner involves a color story. Conversely – it is great fun to plan a meal around new dishes or linens. Last year I was charmed by some bistro dishes that reminded me of trips to Paris. I have had great fun with these – serving menus on them that are simple one dish classics. Seasonal flowers are good too. Nothing says spring like fresh tulips on a table – or sunflowers in the summer.
I have to confess, I am not generally inspired by home magazines or cooking shows but I do love to look at vintage and antique shops for color and pattern direction. A unique salt and pepper shaker, a table of white porcelain, cut glass… Featured here are a few shots from a recent visit to a favorite collectibles store mixed with a few of my own pieces. I aspire to be as good as my friend PC and as they say…. practice makes perfect. Looking forward to more dinners in 2013.
Tagged: cooking, photography, table
While The Prisoner was the perfect addition to the meal, I had originally thought about a nice hearty beer. My hopes dashed when I remembered that on Sundays in Texas alcohol isn’t sold until the afternoon. Disheartening as I found myself in Wholefoods early that morning. PD and I have begun many a night after work with a beer, at this very spot , as we steel ourselves for the task of grocery shopping. Hence the moniker “grocery beer”. It is a part of a ritual on Monday evenings that speaks of needing to fill the larder and have a laugh while doing so. Grocery Beer… the only way to shop!
Tagged: beer, grocery, photography, Wholefoods
High-res version
And then before you knew it, it was Half Time…. Frankly we went into dinner with a somber yet hopeful DD and other than the occasional jumping up to check status we had a lovely dinner. This was a great choice. It is super easy to make. It fit all my criterion, simplicity, flexibility, ease and tastiness. I served it with a simple green salad and a nice hearty wine…The Prisoner – long a favorite for any PM meal. But don’t just believe me… watch this video to see how people describe this wine using one word…
My one word (and ironically a word that wasn’t chosen)…GOOD. As was the dinner and the company.
Beef Stew
4 lbs bottom round well trimmed and cut into 2 inch pieces
1 cup all purpose flour
1/3 cup olive oil (more if needed)
2 large onions diced (approximately 2 cups)
1 6 ounce can tomato Paste
1 cup dry red wine
1 pound potatoes cut into 2 inch pieces (about 4 cups)
1/2 pound baby carrots (about 2 cups)
2 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 bay leaf
1 cup frozen peas thawed
- Dredge the beef in the flour. Heat a few tablespoons of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Brown the meat, a few pieces at a time, adding more oil as necessary. Transfer to a 4-6 quart slow cooker.
- Add the onions to the skillet and cook over medium heat until tender – about 10 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and coat the onions. Transfer to the slow cooker.
- Pour the wine into the skillet and scrape up any browned bits and add to the cooker. Stir in the potatoes, carrots, broth, salt, thyme and bay leaf.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 71/2 hours or on high for four hours. Add the peas and heat through.
Tagged: Beef, Football, halftime, photography, prisoner, slow cooker, stew
It’s Super Bowl Sunday and your dearest friend texts and asks – “are we still on to watch the game?”… What do you do? Not being much of a Football fan, this was the quandary I faced last Sunday afternoon as I wrecked my brain thinking of what to pull together. Now, my friend and his lovely wife, are HUGE (and I mean HUGE) football aficionados. It is a mystery to me – though I must confess that watching the two of them watch the game on pins and needles was kinda fun. I got a thrill as DD went through the paces as though she was a member of the San Francisco 49ers, sporting her jersey and quite literally cheering on her team. A memory of the day will be her organizing space on the corner of the couch so she could jump in the air when her team scored. In the spirit of Project Mimi, I learned the true measure of a fan and the fun that goes in investing in their pleasure and sharing in their fun. And so it was, that I found myself planning the meal of the day. I presumed it needed to be simple… and flexible enough to serve at a moment’s notice … (And, quite fortunately, given the power outage during half time). My requirements were that it needed to also be somewhat non traditional… no nachos, guacamole or onion dip. This was especially important as PD has long believed (operative word) that he had an allergy to onions and doesn’t like avocado. And so I was challenged with what to serve for snacking during the game… I reverted to my favorites… a great saga blue, an aged gouda, mixed olives, marcona almonds and a goat cheese smothered in pistachios and cranberries (available at Wholefoods). This worked well with whatever anyone chose to drink – I drank a lovely red wine, PD – scotch (which doesn’t seem a drink that naturally goes with football – but I guess the same could be said for wine) and DD – greyhounds (vodka and grapefruit juice). It all seemed to work and other than the tense moments – particularly during the first half – a good time was had by all.
Tagged: appetizers, Football, photography, San Francisco 49ers
I bought my Breville Risotto Plus on sale at Williams and Sonoma and after reading the recipes that are included (the Mushroom Risotto is one of them) I learned just how many other totally cool things I can make. I am personally committed to a better lifestyle this year and I think the steaming function will come in very handy. Look for some up and coming ideas as we interpret some of Mimi’s finest….
Mushroom Risotto
2 Tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
6 to 8 shallots, finely chopped
14 ounces assorted mushrooms sliced
13/4 cup Arborio Rice
1/2 cup dry white wine
6 cups vegetable or chicken stock
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 Tablespoon fresh chopped sage
Salt and freshly ground pepper
- Heat the pan. Remove lid, add oil and butter and heat until all is melted.
- Saute the shallots in the butter and oil until tender.
- Add mushrooms and sauté until tender.
- Add rice and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the wine and cook until the wine is absorbed – about 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the beef stock and hit the risotto button.
Follow the PM crew as we take on 2013 with adventure, friendship and food
Tagged: food, photography, recipe, risotto
1 cup soft butter or margarine
1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon almond
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups sifted flour
1-2 cups nuts (put through grinder/blender)
“Mix butter and sugar till creamy. Add salt, extracts, flour and nuts. Mix well. Chill. Make into 1” balls . Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake till light brown. Roll in confectioner’s sugar while warm. Place on platter.
Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minute. That’s debatable. Sometime if they’re a little larger, its more like 20 minutes. Keep them small. Just don’t burn bottoms. They don’t get very brown on top.
Real delicious.”
On November 24 2012 on a post titled “Finally” I wrote the following…..
“And then a familiar song came on and my Dad reached over and grabbed my Mom’s hand and asked her to dance. Both Chuck and I watched as they gently danced in our hallway in front of the Christmas tree. And while the memory is strong I have regretted not having the moment captured anywhere other than my mind.”
While sorting through old photos for the blog I happened upon this. Frankly, I didn’t know I had it. I love what I wrote in November and all that it conjures. More so, I love that the details in my memory are as crisp as are represented in this photograph. Now, I have two to treasure.
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