This morning I went to the farmers market with exactly two objectives: buy more of that amazing balsamic vinegar because I gave mine away, and get my knives sharpened so my cooking process is less of a hack job. I was in a big hurry but I had to kill time while the knife sharpening dude did his thing, and during that brief wait I managed to acquire fragrant strawberries, sweet limes, a bag of juicy Page tangerines (the Satsumas with the zippy loose skin are past their prime now), a quart of turkey albondigas (Mexican meatball soup), a chunk of artisanal Gruyere, and some basil, onions and cherry tomatoes to turn that Gruyere into a nice savory tart tomorrow. So much for only buying vinegar...
I was in a big hurry because I had a party to go to in the afternoon, and I still wanted to bake something for the Valentines potluck. I made two batches of Grandma Johnson's Scones (google it, it's worth it), one batch with dried blueberries and lime zest, and the other with dried cranberries, orange zest and pecans. I am not usually a scone person, because most scones I have eaten could be used as building material or compact weapons. But this recipe produces the lightest, most tender pastries I have ever tasted. (Thanks for the recipe, Jennifer!) Not too sweet, and perfectly crumbly. I forgot to take a photo. Next batch. I don't have another party to attend, but my imagination is dancing around the notion of scones punctuated with dried cherries and white chocolate chips...or apricots and almonds...
The Valentines tea party was at Carol Parks' home/studio in NoHo. I have had the pleasure of taking a couple art workshops at Carol's place and was delighted to be invited to the party, which I learned is a 23-year tradition. Great group of women, wonderful food, colorful belly dancers as the surprise entertainment, and out on the patio Carol would write an impromptu poem inspired by the word of one's choice for $5. Then we all lined up our decorated shoe boxes and passed out handmade valentines, just like back in the second grade. I am saving mine to look at on the 14th, but what I glimpsed makes it hard to stick to that resolution! Good thing I am all about delayed gratification.
In case you are wondering, yes of course I commissioned a poem. On the long drive up to NoHo my mind was wandering, and I decided that while "lozenge" has been my favorite word for quite a long time now, my new favorite word is "relish." I like words that function as multiple parts of speech, and I like the way "relish" sounds and feels in my mouth -- that lascivious "rrrrrr!" at the beginning, the lilting "li" in the middle and the conspiratorial "ssshhhh" at the end. Here is the poem Carol Parks composed for me:
glad you enjoyed them!
Posted by: jenn | February 10, 2008 at 07:35 PM