As we talk about places that use real quality ingredients, this is a good reminder of what separates the good stuff from the conventional. Tilldale Farm really goes that extra mile. At the very end of the post are some Capital Region restaurants where you can find it on the menu.
Birthday Custard
The impact of Thanksgiving seems to have been about five pounds. But it wasn’t just Thanksgiving. There were really two Thanksgivings. And right before that was a surprise birthday party planned by my adoring daughter and her grandmother. I have to admit being surprised because it was sprung on me over a week before my actual birthday. Naturally, there was cake and ice cream.
After second Thanksgiving, there was the feast of the Pepe’s. We got four large pies, from this New Haven institution: cheese, sausage, white broccoli and their famous white clam. Let’s just say that not only did I eat a lot of that, but I also took home most of the leftovers and consumed it for breakfast and lunch yesterday.
I also took home some a container of my favorite stuffing ever. Speaking of which, Aunt N. read the comments from Mr. Dave and Burnt My Fingers, and let’s just say that she was not amused. Personally, I say let those who don’t appreciate this stuffing miss out on its buttery succulence.
It was great to see the family and to eat so much tasty food. But now I’m done.
That, of course, is going to make the observance of my actual birthday this Friday a bit more tricky. Seriously, at this point, I couldn’t possibly even think about putting another forkful of cake or pie into my mouth. At least now I finally have an idea about how to celebrate.
Stocking Stuffers
Let’s remember for a moment that I know nothing about Christmas.
There’s a Christmas dinner, which if you are very lucky involves a goose and chestnuts. There’s the tree, the lights and the caroling. And then there are the presents. What I’ve always been fuzzy about is the delineation between the presents under the tree and the presents in the stockings.
But I know that the stockings require a copious number of small thoughtful gifts. That, combined with the package I received from City Dining Cards, gave me a terrific idea.
The Stuffing
Shopocalypse
If I didn’t have lunch plans today, I would absolutely be participating in Buy Nothing Day. That would be the lesser known holiday that was created in protest of Black Friday. And hopefully it is just one more incentive to keep you out of the malls until Small Business Saturday.
Although, actually I’m not so sure I can support that either. Not because I don’t love small businesses, I do. It’s just that the rampant consumerism of November and December makes my head spin. And I’m not the only one, perhaps you’ve heard about Reverend Billy?
Mostly I try to stay away from crowds. I’ll go to popular places, but I’ll make sure to drop in at off times. I’ll never stand in line to get into a bar (although I will wait in line for a cup of exquisite coffee). And this is from someone who happens to enjoy being around people.
Perhaps the worst part is the parking lots.
Happy Thanksgiving, Again
Did I ever tell you I’m my mother’s hippy lovechild? Well, that may be a bit of an exaggeration. My mother was a hippy and my father played folk songs on the guitar. But they were married.
As much as I am no hippy, I still have a bit of a soft spot for the movement. And today, I play folk songs on my father’s old guitar.
Thanksgiving is the perfect time for this song. And every year at this time it is played on the radio, but there may be some of you out there who have never heard it. Or people who may have heard a little bit of it, but never really listened to the whole song.
Plus I have no idea what station might play it in Princeton, if it is even played at all. So today I am continuing a little FLB holiday tradition of our own.
Tasting the Flavors of India
Today we cook. Tomorrow we feast. On Friday, some will enjoy leftover turkey sandwiches. Others will just want to get the heck out of the house and never look back at Thanksgiving dinner until next year.
It’s no wonder that people shop so aggressively on Friday. They are hopped up on carbs and have gone stir crazy from spending an entire day with relatives.
This Friday, there is a brand new restaurant opening in Albany. It’s an Indian place, and there are a few things on the extensive menu that are pretty special. Last week, Flavors of India hosted a preview party for the media.
While I wasn’t able to go, Ellie Burhans stepped in and stepped up to cover the story for the FLB. She filed the following report:
Winging Thanksgiving
I’m in no position to be handing out advice about Thanksgiving. My inlaws are arriving today, and we’ll be having dinner at our place on Thursday.
Officially, I have no idea what I’ll be serving.
The only thing to which I’ve even given a passing thought is a fresh cranberry relish, for which I have some locally grown organic cranberries and an organic valencia orange.
Most likely, with only four adults and two children, we’ll be eating my favorite roast chicken and saving the turkey for the big family gathering Sunday in Connecticut. This year my cousin will bring the cheese, and maybe I can still find a few exciting bottles of wine for the festivities.
But if I didn’t have any last minute ideas that could help you out in your holiday preparations, what kind of food blogger would I be?
Oh Snow You Don’t
Sorry, I can’t resist a good pun. This press release just came across my desk, and even though it’s not Sunday, I thought I would share for your commenting / eating / drinking pleasure.
You know what has been missing in the Capital Region, great four season outdoor dining. Maybe there is something I’m forgetting or a place that hasn’t made it onto my radar. But I’ve often lamented the short season for our seasonal soft serve ice cream and fish fry stands. Why can’t we be a four season ice cream market like much of Massachusetts and Vermont?
Some will say it’s the snow and the freezing cold. Well, that’s not going to stop Vic and Heather over at the Lucas Confectionery and Wine Bar from enjoying the great outdoors. Here are the details:
24 Hours in Jersey
With almost three months under my belt, I feel like I’m capable of playing Princeton tour guide to some of my food-loving friends from around the country. This last weekend I got a chance to practice as Albany Jane saw fit to make the drive down from upstate NY.
I think she is what we sometimes like to call an enabler. So much so, that even after she left, I found it hard to put on the brakes.
Today the madcap eating escapade stops and I climb back up on the horse of aerobic exercise and clean living. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t live vicariously through the tale of excess that was my weekend. Just promise not to read any further if you have a weak heart or a fair constitution (or if you happen to be my mother).
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