Server down all day, eggplant, carrots, Meatless Monday cheers

Boy did I feel disconnected today! After my pansteak post, our server crashed because the battery went out in something in the cabinet where there are lots of wires, fans and components, blah, blah, blah. Needless to say, I had to wait until T got home to fix everything. We're back! I had a lovely lunch of leftover buff mozz and fresh tomatoes and did indeed go the Yotam burned eggplant route.

I also wanted to use these beautiful carrots so whipped up Claudia Roden's Moroccan carrot salad which is so easy and so flavorful and saves really well, if you can prevent yourself from eating it all in one sitting.

As I neared trimming the end of the bunch of carrots, look at these darlings I found; they were dating underground. Aren't they too cute?! Jack loved them, and I cannot yet bring myself to decouple them.

We're off to eat but I will post all recipes + a pic of the end-result burned eggplant dish in the near future. In anticipation of our pilgrimage to the Willamette, we've just opened the 2007 Adelsheim Pinot Noir. It is so good; pick up a bottle if you see one while you're out.

Old, special wine, take-out, T

Feeling slightly defeated by having been up since 5:10a and my terrine needing to chill until tomorrow, I suggested that we order in Indian. Tom agreed and suggested that we open a 2003 Riesling Auslese we bought in Germany during a weekend visit to the Mosel while we lived in Amsterdam in 2004. We stayed at this vineyard -S.A. Prum- as they had a beautiful guest house on the property, and loved the vintner/owner, Red, a huge bear of a guy. This Auslese was one of his prized wines, and we’ve been letting it age and waiting for a night to appreciate it. So, why not a random Thursday in July?! This is one reason I love Tom. We’re both type-A people, but as a couple we both calm and bring out the best in each other. We also have a blast together, and I feel so lucky. So, T (who is kindly editing my new site’s HTML; thank god he is SO handy), cheers to you and your knowing so early on that we were a great pair.

Chicken with mustard cream sauce, Fume' Blanc, red nails

How fabulous is mani/pedi Friday?! Yes, indeed. A friend and I headed to G’town Nails today and had a lovely afternoon. Afterwards, she suggested we stop in a shoe boutique- who left with new heels? Me. However, they were 70% off and are absolutely gorgeous, so c’est la vie. I also opted to go nuts and have my fingernails painted a lovely shade of red. Not maroon, not burgundy, not “hey, pick me up”, just a wonderful, happy shade of red. I’m not sure it’s me. In fact, I feel like if I put on my new blue and white gingham apron with red trim right now, I might as well fix a martini and put my hair in rollers. Nonetheless, if, at this point in my life, crazy means painting my nails red for what will surely challenge the paint’s durability soon (the boys, more cherry pitting, etc), well, I think I’m still in the safe zone.

Naturally, now, at 6:50, the question is: what to eat?! I have some fresh chicken and I don’t want to do anything hard. A quick look around found a winning mustard cream sauce for chicken. Sounds delightful to me! Not sure about a side yet, but I did put a bottle of Grgich Fume’ Blanc in the old fridge.

TGIF!