Long time cookin

It's been a long time since I've blogged here. I almost forgot it existed.

The feast put together by Lady Elsa, Ros and myself was wonderful. The part I hated was actually the shopping. It wouldn't have been bad except no one had space so many items were brought the week of. Luckily I was off sick and though I should have been resting I was shopping. Needless to say, it all went well and people were well fed. There was a number of issues that I personally won't allow if I ever do it again, but that's not to be broached at this point. I took charge of the dessert buffet which was good but not as good as I had originally planned. Mainly because I decided to do a children's feast in order to stretch the other feast foods. Cream puffs, spiced italian fruit cake, pizzelle, Angel's Food (ricotta with honey and orange), lemon cake, mini cheesecake, lemon tarts, and spiced nuts were on the table. It really looked pretty and tasty.

That said, this weekend saw some great sales on pork and I already had apples so the crock pot was put into use. I made pork with wine sweetened sauerkraut and apples. It was wonderful. The wine takes the bitterness out of the sauerkraut mellowing it and giving it another layer of flavor. I was taught long ago by a friend from Germany to add good wine to the sauerkraut to take the bitter edge off it. I used about 1/4 cup of Fetzer's Gewürztraminer which has an almost honey taste to it.

I love the flavors, smell and color of fall. This week I'm going to make a carmel apple cheesecake in a phyllo crust with crunchies from the spiced nuts I made for the event for my boss's birthday this week. It will be yummy.

This week will be filled with class, work, homework and the weekend will be spent in VA so I won't be cooking. I'll have leftover pork, ravioli & sauce with meatballs, and chicken and brie wraps for dinner. I have all the stuff on hand, no grocery shopping at all for me this week. I have all of the meals covered. With no children or husband at home I spend very little on food. I think I throw away more then I use. A few weeks ago I hadn't been home for dinner for 9 days. I was either at a friends or out to dinner.