Happy New Year

Dinner is free, parking is a problem. I already had two calls asking if I would consider parking on the street so they could use my spot. City living is great, as long as you've got a parking permit or an actual parking spot. I've got both, so I'll take one for the team.

Jewish Standard Time, when you get here grab a drink and start eating appetizers until everyone arrives.

Careful... Philly's not that far of a drive for me, and I'm startin' to get hungry!!

Sure, and bring one for me.

Everyone loves dessert

I did notice you had blueberry pie on the menu; that's not very Jewish.

Is your son cooking this feast or is it a family effort?

Btw, I may be a goyim, but I make a mean, mean matzo ball soup.  It'll cure what ails you.

Easy for you to say, you're in Israel

It looks like you cut and pasted something in Hebrew that didn't take.

No, blueberry pie isn't a very traditional Jewish dessert, but it's blueberry season and my all-time favorite food, so it's on the menu. It's good to be king.

He just got home from school so I did a ton of prep this morning. I just got booted from the kitchen and he's making the apple cakes. I can't bake. We'll do the rest as a team. Also, a late addition to the menu, fresh figs were on sale so I'm making roasted figs with gorgonzola and honey instead of stuffed mushrooms. You know from the garden thread I loves me fresh figs.

Can't bake?  Aren't you a scientist?

I love me some figs too, and figs and gorgonzola would be pretty hard to beat.  Here's a little gift from me to you:

Fig Tart:

500g puff pastry (1.1 lb)

1 egg yolk beaten

100g unsalted butter (3.5 oz)

100g ground almonds (3.5.oz)

100g caster sugar (3.5 oz)

2 tbspns plain flour

1 tbspn amaretto

1 large egg

8-10 ripe figs cut into wedges

runny honey to drizzle

Heat oven to 200C and roll out pastry to large rectangle.  Score a border around the pastry, glaze it with beaten egg yolk and chill 15mins.

Combine rest of ingredients in a bowl (except figs) and spread over the inside pastry rectangle.

Arrange figs on top and bake 20 mins.

Drizzle with honey when warm.

A little creme fraiche or vanilla bean ice cream, some turkish coffee, and a brandy.  Finis!

5744!  Are there flying cars yet??

Ha, but seriously, happy new year hope it brings the best for you and your family.

That meal sounds delicious.

Cool. I'd love to hear what he thinks of it after he makes it, especially if he has anything he'd want to tweak or try with it.

What was your favorite part of your dinner this evening?

L'shana tovah, my amazing friend.

Leftovers?

Thanks Yanti! Hope you're feeling good today. Very little leftovers. I sent some food home with people. There was some couscous that my son ate for breakfast and one piece of salmon (the extra portion just in case!). The pistachio basil butter was incredibly good.

I'm cooking again tonight, but it's just for three people.

All the best to you, you adorable and oh-so-strong Yantiness