The most beautiful sight I've ever seen!

Having been without a fridge since last Sunday's pork fest (and let me tell you, few things are as smelly as warm 'kraut leftovers!), I almost kissed the Maytag men who brought our new, gleaming black monolith yesterday. Some people may spend their money on designer clothes, fancy electronics, or fast sports cars -- me, I want the kitchen appliances. Don't need no stainless steel finish (and was shocked at the premium $ it commands), but bring on the features, baby! It has french doors, a full width deli drawer, and a big ol' pull out freezer at the bottom. It's indescribably beautiful (name that movie) and I can hardly wait to go shopping at Costco, and Whole Foods, and Target to restock it.

Annual Pork Fest - with improv

Mmm, mmm, good! It seems like around this time every year -- even when it's over 70 outside; Texas weather is just too weird -- I get a craving for pork and sauerkraut. And last Sunday, we finally had the whole little Sunday supper gang together (Elsa, Ron and Bill) and I made:

• Choucroute Garnie (love Anthony Bourdain - in his Les Halles Cookbook, he gives this recipe with encouragement to substitute other meats at will, even duck confit, not that I have a source for that)
• Cucumber Salad (not the best part of the meal, to me; non-fat Greek yogurt was not much of a substitute for sour cream)
  
• Apple-Raisin Strudel with chopped toasted hazelnuts added (again, recipe provided the bones, then I changed up a bit)
  

A Delicious, Delightful Dinner

To finish up January, we had a nice dinner with another family from our church, whose little girl is the same age as Juj. Nothing too fancy, just good food, good friends, and good conversation. I do have to say the chicken (from Saveur) was a great find by Gilster. Basically, a round up of favorites:

• Shrimp Bisque (from Ina Garten)
• Guido's Garlic Bread (from Mario Batali)
• Butter Lettuce, Fennel & Avocado Salad
  
• Roasted Herbed Chicken & Vegetables (from Saveur)
  
• Aztec Chocolate Cake (from Nigella Lawson) with Vanilla Ice Cream (from our guests)