Mushroom Risotto

The only risotto I’ve eaten was made in fine restaurants. Although I always loved eating it. I’d never made it myself.

I’ve been binge watching lots of cooking shows. One episode of Master Chef Junior had Joe Bastianich demonstrating how to make risotto. Then I found a video of his mother Lidia Bastianich at Harvard demonstrating the science behind the cooking of risotto at a public lecture on Science and Cooking. I watched them and felt confident but upon a second look I heard that you use 1/4 c of wine not the one cup I thought I heard. Good thing I watched again.

You need the Arborio rice to begin with so I bought the correct ingredients (except I did not have a hunk of Grana Padano cheese and used some Parmesan to finish it) cook with wine you would drink, no cooking wine.

The best 22 minutes I’ve spent in a long time, and standing at the stove stirring constantly wasn’t difficult. Can’t wait to make it again.

Peter Celebrates the Big Five O (+)

Stuffed grape leaves, and fancy cheeses.  Goat cheese and fig jam on bruschetta.   Green grapes.  Some bubbly to toast.   M and D brought the most drinkable wine.  A secret in the carafe, a blind test.  Carlo Rossi. No kidding. Beat out the pricey Portuguese wine.  What do we know?

Dates and nuts in a chocolate South African pudding recipe, topped with whiskey whipped cream, created by his wife Janice.  Happy Birthday to Peter.  Live music at a party makes the evening rhyme. Marc on harmonica and Peter and Doug on guitar.  Kim sang a number with the lyrics on her cell phone.

A fun surprise party.  Well done, J.

 

 

Snowy Friday Afternoon in the City

It was snowing and really cold.  I actually pulled over,got out of the car and took this pictureI.  I  was headed home from school on Friday.

The idea of going to the regular grocery store was out of the question although the larder was fairly empty.  Had to stop somewhere.

I was in the Bloomfield neighborhood and decided to shop at Groceria Italiana and pick up some essentials.

When I got home I cooked the sweet and hot sausage and added the house sauce I had purchased.  (Chicago John avert your eyes- if you click his name you get a recipe for homemade meat sauce)

A little fresh grated cheese and a glass of organic wine. Glad to be in a warm house and it tasted just fine!  City Street in Snow

Snow in Doormat

Snow in the door mat!

Sausage

spaghetti

Guest Blogger/Photographer Rob Finds His Own Eye

I received the loveliest email and photo from a family friend in northern Illinois.  He graciously consented to be guest blogger today.  You might have read his comments on blog posts of mine.  He collects MGs and is a certified pie judge.  A dear friend.  What I always remember is how Rob and his wife Mary drove to Rockford, Illinois for my mother’s funeral service and also came to have lunch in Milwaukee  and offer friendship and support when I took Laura to college at Marquette.  Here is Rob’s note and photo-

I love following your blogs and the interesting subjects that you always seem to capture at the right moment.  You also inspire me as I sit and think deep thoughts about what is around me and look at things differently.  Today I finished up some yard work getting ready for the cold weather that is expected in the near future.  The temperature was around 64 degrees and it was a little cloudy.  As I sat on the patio enjoying a nice glass of wine, i took out my iphone and captured this photo that just seemed to be something unusual about it.  The reflection of the homes on the other side of the lake, the cloudy sky, the metal patio table, the branches of the tree and of course the glass of wine. Do I have an eye or should I go back to go?  Thanks.  Rob

 Do not go back to GO, Rob.  Keep finding moments and catch them.  Thanks for being such a great blog follower.

love,

Ruth