Lady Ford's Blog About Everything!

The only good thing about cold nights in winter, are they are the perfect reason to have a fondue dinner! Here are a couple of fondue ideas. There are millions of renditions on broth, cheese, sauces, etc. One word of advice - use a good fondue pot. Beef & Red Wine Broth: - 4 cups beef broth - 1 - 1 1/2 cups red wine - Chopped garlic cloves (4-5) - 2 bay leaves - Diced Shallot about 1/4 cup - Pepper - Any additional seasonings you might like, we use a tiny bit of hickory salt and garlic pepper, just a little or it gets to salty. - Simmer in fondue pot at least 20-30 min before serving. This allows the broth to thicken slightly. - Beef, mushrooms, broccoli, bell peppers, etc. are great dipped in this. Cheese Fondue: - Gruyere Cheese (depending on the # of people estimate about 1/2 to 1 cup of loosely grated cheese per person) - 1/2 - 1 cup dry white wine (generally use a sauvignon blanc ) - add more or less depending on amount of cheese - 1/4 cup diced shallot - Chopped garlic cloves...

Oh man, my blood is boiling. Seriously. Nothing irritates me more in the wee early days of January than those "fine" people who come out of the woodwork to show up at the gym for their New Years resolution. I hate it. Good for you working out, but why do YOU need all the good machines? I have been coming to this gym for years, and here you are, all new and bushy-tailed, taking the best equipment...85% of you ready to sink in a matter of days. I just needed to vent. It happens every year, nothing new. Just one of the many things I hate about January. I am SOOOO ready for spring!

Celebrating the last night of 2010, we went out like we roll all year - enjoying great food! Dinner: Lobster Tail, Alaskan King Crab & Lemon Chive Pasta with Tomato Mushroom Cream Sauce Dessert: Coconut Creme Brulee Drink: Champagne, of course! Brad was on the meat task, as usual! We figured out a great way to prepare the tail & legs so its much easier to eat! Use crab claws to slice open the crab legs before simmering in a pan with butter. The meat can be easily picked out with a fork, once ready to eat. Lemon Chive Pasta with Tomato Mushroom Cream Sauce: - 1 Package of Papardelle's Lemon Chive Pasta (City Market or online) - For the sauce: - 10 cloves garlic, diced - 1 large shallot, sliced into small sections - 4-6 Roma Tomatoes, cut into large sections - 1 can diced tomatoes (can sub an additional can for the fresh Roma's if necessary) - 2 packages sliced mushrooms 1/2 cup heavy cream Add 3-4 T EVOO to a large pot, add garlic & shallots. Simmer till tender on me...