Duck - Three Ways

My excitement for cooking, eating and having dinner parties is shared by my good friend Normand. Over the winter holidays Normand-the-gourmand and I cooked up a memorable meal: Duck, 3 ways.

We started out deciding to making a "simple" French country dinner - something that included onion soup and potatoes but, it morphed under Normand's enthusiasm into a 5 course meal with incredible wine that accompanied the menu.....

Champagne

(the French know how to start a celebration!)

Fois Gras & truffle

~ Sauterne

(duck first way)

Salad with duck sausage and Armonac preserved cherries

~ Pinot Noir

(duck second way)

French onion soup

~ Syrah

(a break from duck)

Sliced duck served on duck fat fried potatoes

~ Burgundy

(duck the third way)

creme caramel ~ Sauterne

We shared the meal between four friends - perfect.

After course five, I passed out. Lucky for me, Normand-the-gormand has a comfortable carpeted floor and lots of water...... ahhhh, over indulgence during the holidays is such a tradition. I am sure this is where those extra 10 pounds of December fat around my belly came from.

Winter Break: Hanukah, Solstice and Christmas

Stephen and Emily are off to their father in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands (tough life for those two kids!) for the winter break.

In this household we try to cover all the winter holidays. Saturday I cooked latkes and served them with red chili, apple sauce and sour cream - a tradition here at "me casa suz casa" for Hanukah and Winter Solstice. For those who don't know about red chili - well a dash of cumin and a clove of crushed garlic adds just the right touch of nice to the spicy sauce.

Sunday was the Winter Solstice and Christmas celebration at my mom's house. Christmas tends to be a low key affair these days now that my kids are grown up and Santa no longer is stopping in with bags of toys. We all enjoy good food and wine and the holidays tend to be served up with our favorite foods and wines. Typically lamb and a full-bodied red wine are our favorites. This Solstice/Christmas celebration was no exception with a rack of lamb and malbec.

I get a long 3-week break before the endurance training begins again with my studies in Physical Therapy - Spring 2010. I am so excited about my first clinical rotation in May where I will have real patients. But, for now I am happy and relieved it is Winter Break and the light will be returning.

It is the time for me to be grateful to all the blessings and love I have in my life.