No, that's not the name of a fabulous new dessert, styled on an old-fashioned cobbler and recreated with fresh, thrillingly seasonal ingredients. Instead, it's the way I've been feeling lately. I haven't cooked, written or posted much, and I do apologize. Blame it on the usual yadda-yadda -- too much work, too little playtime, etc. Part of the reason why I barely cooked last week had to do with the prior week's trip to DC -- I never got around to our weekly shopping much less any real cooking, so we ended up eating some freezer staples and relying more on take-out than we usually do. And this week, somehow I just seemed to have a taste for things that I've already written about here. I made this again last night. Despite having cooked it only two weeks ago, I found myself craving it. I therefore intentionally made a huge batch. It went well with swordfish and greens, and there's plenty for another dinner and a few lunch boxes as well.
This morning before running off to tutor one of my weekend pupils, I whipped up the apple beauties from this post, because a) my darling guy deserves them -- but then, he always does, b) I wanted us to have something nice and weekendy for breakfast, and c) he has to go down to Baltimore tomorrow at the crack of dawn due to an unfortunate family occurrence, and I figured he would enjoy having muffins on the train.
I did have some nice moments in DC week before last -- laughs with friends from around the country whom I get to see a few times a year at these conferences, a remarkable keynote address by a truly great educator, and some good meals. I had wanted to try to go to one of Molly's brother's restaurants, but since we were only there two nights, I had to take into account the wishes of others.
Among memorable tastes were: a glass of Sonoma Valley Sebastiani Pinot Noir at Bistro Bis, their Salade Marché de Toulon, which turned out to be a plate of little bouquets of perfectly cooked cold vegetables with dabs of rosemary aioli, and their Pear Tatin. The following evening brought dinner at the Tabard Inn, a gorgeous and tiny old hotel that's a perpetual Washington hang for me, although I've never actually stayed there. We were four women at the table, just come from a cocktail party, so we had plates of appetizers, salads and desserts -- one of my favorite ways to eat. These included brilliantly briny oysters, a fabulous paté, good wine, and a vanilla malted milk crème brûlée (note to self: try that at home). I'm determined that one of these days, the guy and I are going to spend a Washington weekend in that lovely place.
The biggest surprise was breakfast in our hotel. Having left things to the last minute, my colleague and I didn't end up staying at the Washington Court, where most of our group was housed. No great loss, honestly. Instead, we were around the corner at the Phoenix Park, a much smaller, slightly boutique-y hotel that has a consciously Irish flavor, although no-one Irish actually seems to work there (the staff came from every other nation you can imagine, and were just wonderful). Even the complimentary toiletries in the rooms were made in Ireland. Their hotel restaurant is a hopping pub called the Dubliner, with live Irish music. Best of all was breakfast, in a little room right off the restaurant. On these trips, I've grown sadly accustomed to dreary, hugely overpriced hotel breakfast buffets, replete with steam-table eggs, tired bacon, cold pastries and burn-your-own toast. At the Dubliner I ordered and received perfectly (and I mean exemplary) poached eggs, crisp, sagey sausage and toasted brown soda bread. Yum. Give that one a spin if you're in DC.
Slump will be over soon, as it must be. I've already made my entry for the upcoming Sugar High Friday, an ode to sticky molasses sweetness. I've got my thoughts on an orangey entry for Is My Blog Burning #14 as well. All this must be done in advance due to the advent of Passover next weeekend. Despite the fact that I come from the most pagan of families, and my brother and I have have proceeded to bring ever more cultures to the mix, we celebrate lots and lots of holidays. In fact, we probably celebrate more holidays, since we get to dabble in everything. And how do we celebrate, since we're not particularly religious? With food, of course! I'll be cooking for two seders -- one at a friend's house, and one up at my dad's. Then, since it's finally spring break week here in NYC, G and I will take off for the wilds of Vermont, where there will doubtless be eating and shopping adventures. These may include but are not limited to the following: Quechee Inn restaurant, The Baker's Store at King Arthur Flour, and the mind-boggling food co-op in Lebanon, NH. Stay tuned.
Sounds like a lovely DC weekend! That malted milk creme brulee sounds absolutely delicious, as does that Irish breakfast! Yum. Looking forward to hearing about your Vermont travels...
Posted by: Molly | April 18, 2005 at 10:13 PM
Ha! Speaking of slumps... I am prepared for those times when I just don't want to write about what the heck I made/ate last night! I've a few pre-drafted posts that I keep on hand for such occasions. That way I can sneak off some time to do other things like reading (just finished Da Vinci Code), crafting, and trying an attempt at watercolors. (I'm such a cheater!)
Regarding your comment about the tropea onions though, I think my husband fell more for the Buffalo Wings. He's never had them in his life and is ever so grateful that his wife likes to put all sorts of dishes on the table! :-D
Posted by: rowena | April 19, 2005 at 05:42 AM
Don't eat mercury-laden swordfish! That's an order.
Posted by: Joe C | April 20, 2005 at 11:55 AM
Molly, I'll keep you posted. I hope to get back to the Pacific Northwest one of these days, too. And you absolutely have to go to Levenworth -- it's Bavarian Disneyland!
Rowena, I've tried to keep a few posts in my back pocket as well -- sometimes I just get into a mood where if I don't use them when they're "fresh" for me, it loses the thrill...I can just imagine your husband -- how a classically trained Italian palate responds to the joy of Buffalo wings...
Ooohhh...Big Brother really IS watching me! Okay, JC, we'll switch back to salmon, catfish and our other regularly programmed water-going friends. We only eat swordfish about twice a year, but if it's crazy harmful, we'll stop.
Posted by: Julie | April 20, 2005 at 12:05 PM
I know your "twice a year." If it were *really* twice a year it would probably be ok. Watch out for that nasty farmed salmon, too. You're better off eating canned salmon cakes or organic chicken.
Posted by: Joe C | April 23, 2005 at 03:04 PM