Saturday Day

Woke up at 7:30, still limping... Made coffee, and then got to doing prep work for today's Christmas dinner. I am going to my Mom's and making her and my brother Carl dinner.

Taking two of Carla's tried and true recipes: Brussel sprouts with bacon and Potato-Fennel gratin. So, I did the prep work on both. Trimmed the ends off of two pounds of Brussel sprouts, pulled off the outer leaves, cut then in half and boiled them for 6 minutes. Then rinsed them in cold water and when they were completely cool, bagged them up.

Next, cut up an onion and the fennel and sauteed them for about 15 minutes. While that was happening, I used my mandolin to cut 4 large pealed russett potatoes into thin slices. Mixed the potatoes and cooled onion/fennel mixture together, then added heavy cream and 1/2 pound shredded Gruyere cheese. Put that in the car to go along with everything else.

Next, I baked dessert: Gingerbread mix, made into cupcakes. Frosting was a pumpkin puree/cream cheese mix.

Drove out to Mom's got there about 1:00 PM. Put the potato-fennel gratin in the oven. It has to bake 1 1/2 hours so, I have time to visit with Mom and give her my gift: a picture of me! The ultimate egotistical gift! But, she loved it. Thanks, B___!

Carl showed up, and we shared family updates. Then I had to get busy in the kitchen. Along with the potato-fennel gratin, and making the brussel sprouts with bacon, I heated up some Honey-baked ham, made creamed pearl onions and heated up some of my Cream of Chicken soup (I made this before and froze it - check the Blog).

I served the soup as the first course, then the rest. I had made two sauces for the ham: maple-mustard (1/2 cup Dijon mustard mixed with 1/4 cup maple syrup) - served at room temp - and a horseradish sauce (1 pint sour cream, 1/2 cup prepared horse radish, salt pepper and 2 tablespoons of chives). Last came the gingerbread cupcakes, which, of course, as a diabetic, I could not taste, but just hoped were good.

Everyone seemed to like the food (I am waiting with bated breath for my brother's review). Carl graciously did all the dishes. We visited a bit and I left around 4:00 PM to try and get home before dark. Please note, Brother Joe: I took the garbage with me, as per your note on the wall!

I am now busy cleaning the house (finally) for the rest of the Holiday festivities. But, I took a break to post this (and more pictures of the stupid cabinets) while it was all fresh in my mind. Tomorrow will be my 58 year birthday, and I fear the little memory I still have will depart at midnight...