What's in the fridge? and Julia Julia dinner party!

I am often amazed with what I am able to create out of nothing. I am not that creative with food. And a baker? Yikes. I was afraid of the caramel chocolate tarts that actually turned out. The caramel wasn't quite the color I wanted but I had to use a thermometer so it got to the stage I wanted. I was afraid the amber color would have been way past the right stage for making caramel. But I have made some wonderful pasta dishes with just bacon, pasta and cheese, cream and any kind of tomato product in my pantry. I have so much ricotta in my fridge, I made a simpler version of baked ziti. But I have to admit, the encouragement came from friend Carrie. She's a great cook. I remember there was a time during one of my pregnancies where I couldn't eat chicken. In recent years, I can't get enough of it. Lemons and capers and chicken broth is an extreme favorite for me. And so are eggs- I love poached eggs: over asparagus, over broccoli. The best way to make it is in a skillet of boiling water to which a tsp. of vinegar has been added.








Susan Vance and her husband Mark Spencer had a fun Julia, Julia dinner party over the weekend. Susan served a Beef Bourgioune. Friend Lynn made a delicious salad ( many of us had seconds!) and dinner guest Surgit Rajpal made a panna cotte with marinated fruit. Susan appetizer was a presentation hit: wrapped asparagus nestled in a bouquet of kale~

Friend Lynn made a salad that beckoned most to have seconds~
Dinner guest Surjit made a delicious panne cotte with marinated fruit~



Susan's table was very pretty complete with tulips in the kitchen! The evening was cozy, warm, happy and just plain fun- fun to be with friends and delicious, from scratch, food!