Bob (this one) wrote:

> This is what the group (3 of us) decided on.
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> Oyster stew
> Artichokes
> Rock Cornish, um, tiny turkeys
> Dressing (cornbread, chicken and duck giblets)
> Roasted veggies (3 kinds spuds, hard squash, onion, peppers, jicama)
> Romano beans balsamic
> Boston cream pie
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> Sounds good to me.
> Easy stuff, not a lot of leftovers.
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> Pastorio

Here's one of those weenie things: replying to your own post.

Dinner was spectacular.

The oyster stew was a bit of a blemish on it. They were West Coast=20
smalls and very, very strongly flavored. The stew lost all subtlety=20
because of them. No big deal, though. The rule is, "Don't like it;=20
stop eating it." Next...

The artichokes were wonderful My daughter made a pourable mayo with a=20
lot of garlic and fresh herbs to dress the artichokes and it was=20
wonderful. Full-flavored but still quiet enough to let the sweetness=20
of the vegetable come through.

The Cornish hens were perfect. Brined for a few hours in the sink at=20
some cooler than room temp. Convection oven at 300=B0F to a temp of 160=B0=
=20
in the thigh. I roasted the birds on a rack over the veggies so the=20
juices would drip on them. Cutting the meat released torrents of tasty=20
juices.

Decided not to do the dressing and it was ok because of how much other=20
food there was.

Veggies were cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces and tossed with an oil and=20
balsamic vinaigrette seasoned with fresh herbs, garlic and such, and=20
sea salt. I started them 1/2 hour early in the oven to cook a bit and=20
then put the birds in on a rack over them to drip their goodness.

Took the veggies out of the pan, reserving the juices and thickened=20
them with a milk-cornstarch slurry. Added a splash of cream to smooth=20
it. Pleasantly quiet but rich gravy for the birds.


Added a homemade cranberry jelly that took all of 20 minutes to make.=20
A bag of berries, 2/3 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water, cinnamon stick,=20
teaspoon ground ginger, tablespoon raspberry extract (homemade).=20
Simmer, covered, on low heat until the berries disintegrate. Stir now=20
and again. Tart-sweet with the overtones of all those other flavors=20
coming one after another across the tongue.

Cancelled the beans. Too much food.

Yes, Boston cream pie. And decided to make a bread pudding from half a=20
panettone that was sitting on the counter. Cut it into cubes and=20
soaked it in 2 cups milk, one cup egg nog, 3 egg yolks, 1/3 cup sugar,=20
teaspoon vanilla, 1/4 teaspoon almond extract. Let the stuff all soak=20
together. Whipped the 3 egg whites to a shiny meringue and folded it=20
into the bread mixture. Baked it at 350=B0 for about 45 minutes. Top=20
lightly browned, internal texture stunningly smooth and sensuous. A=20
dribble of cream made it perfect.

We drank some riesling because I didn't feel like raising my pinkie=20
and I'm introducing my teen to different wines and I want her to know=20
some basic flavors and differences. We haven't tasted many German=20
wines before. Seemed appropriate with the other foods. She liked it=20
and drank maybe 4 ounces through the dinner.

I was full but not ot the point of explosion. Wonderful, richly=20
flavored and splendidly textured foods. It was a wonderful meal with=20
great food, grand and good humor and rich company. I'm very fortunate.

Pastorio