Belly Up to the Bar With Bendy and Her Friendies!!! Button Pics & New Thread Started!

[cntkg1]

Oh I see it now. But why are the bottles plugged in?

(psssst Bendy, they don't really reproduce that way).

 

[TigerKat]

Too funny, I too, looked for Frangelico, LOVE the stuff.! Bendy, sorry if it's already been posted, do you have a special Brandy Milk Punch recipe? Happy New Year everyone!

 

[oybolshoi]

Too funny, I too, looked for Frangelico, LOVE the stuff.! Bendy, sorry if it's already been posted, do you have a special Brandy Milk Punch recipe? Happy New Year everyone!

I didn't post it here yet, but because you asked Miss Kathy ... I will post it now.

FANFARE PLEASE ...

Brandy Milk Punch

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
12 ounces of brandy*
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup very cold water
1 tablespoon vanilla

*some recipes call for bourbon but we think that's too strong for this drink*

Directions:

Combine the milk, cream, brandy, sugar, water, and vanilla in a large pitcher. Stir well and chill. Serve beverage in short tumblers (whiskey glasses) over ice; sprinkle each drink with nutmeg.

Drink...go on, bottoms up!

Now go back for some more. Feel that funny tingling sensation along your forehead and cheekbones? That's called getting a buzz! Isn't it fun? And doesn't it make your family gatherings more relaxing and enjoyable!

 

[TigerKat]

Thanks, you aim to please, don't cha?

 

[oybolshoi]

Thanks, you aim to please, don't cha?

For my friendies ... anything within reason.

 

[travelmel]

HAPPY NEW YEAR

TO YOU ALL!!!​

​

 

[oybolshoi]

Where was I before I had to get some sleep last night?

Oh yeah ... food porn!

Here's our snacking table that we always set up in the kitchen since that's where everyone wants to gather ...

Eat! Grow large with food!

Cakes and breads and chocolates and cheese and stuff ... pardon me while I wipe the drool from my chin. And now allow me to share some close ups ..

Kerrygold Irish Cheddar

This cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk and it is usually aged for a year. I thought it had a rich flavor and it was certainly creamier than many cheddars that are made here in the US, but it just didn't do much for me. Truth be told I thought it was kind of bland compared with our other cheeses.


Malvarosa

This was one of those impulse buys I made while doing some on-line shopping at Dean & Deluca. They were selling the whole cheese for nine dollars ... I'm willing to risk a Hamilton on a knobby wheel of sheep's milk cheese that we've never tried before. And it was sooooo worth it!

Malvarosa is made from the milk of Guirra sheep in Valencia, Spain. It's considered very unique - cured in cheesecloth, it has a sweet flavor and a firm, almost buttery texture. The funky shape is due to the cheesecloth. According to people who are supposed to know about these kind of things ... Malvarosa is very delicate for a sheep's milk cheese and is incredibly smooth.

All I know is that we all thought it was terrific ... even Grimace who is not known for venturing past Kraft American Singles very often.

European Cheese Collection from Williams Sonoma

Pardon my denseness, but I can't remember any longer which of these cheeses is which, so I'm just going tell you the names and descriptions that were provided with them.

Riesling Sylvaner, cow's milk, Switzerland - A soft-ripened, bloomy-rind cow's milk cheese made in western Switzerland. While aging, these small rounds are washed with Riesling Sylvaner, imparting a light apple flavor.

Ubriaco Prosecco, cow's milk, Italy - This raw cow's milk cheese is from the Veneto region in Northeast Italy, home to the Prosecco growing region and several sparkling and still wines. During the maturing process it is covered by Prosecco grape must (skins), giving the cheese a sweet, delicate aroma and complex finish. The cheese is seasonally produced.

Los Beyos, cow's milk, Spain - This is a dense, compact, "peasant" style artisan cow's milk cheese from the Asturias region of Spain. It has a unique flinty texture and flavor and the first bite's chalkiness melts into a big, buttery creamy texture with a well-balanced and tangy finish.

I didn't take a close-up of my favorite cheese, the Fromager d'Affinois, but you can see it lurking on the table off to the left if you go back and look at the first picture I posted in this installment.

And ... because it's just not a holiday cheese-fest without some accompaniments ...

I now present stuff for dipping and smearing the cheesy goodness!

Freshly sliced French country loaf from the Bread Company

Lingonberry Preserves and Raspberry Preserves

Lavender Honey

Basil Infused Olive Oil

Chili Infused Olive Oil

Balsamic Vinegar

And in my family it's also not Christmas without artery-clogging greasy beef-pork sausage. Nothing says "I love you" like three pounds of beef log.

Mmmmm, processed meat product!

Look what Jon showed up with, surprise surprise!

A double-batch of bird rolls? You shouldn't have!

I ordered a box of Arancini from Williams Sonoma ... because I could (gift card bliss!) and because it sounded really good. Here's a picture while they were thawing in their box ...

... and now ready to bake up just right in the oven ...

... and here they are jumbled on a serving platter waiting to be inhaled!

There were 24 arancini in the package - 12 stuffed with Mozzarella & Basil and 12 stuffed with Fontina, Thyme, and Lemon. These were absolutely delicious although Grimmie turned her nose up at them because they were weird.

I asked her, "Do you like white rice?"

"Yes."

"Do you like mozzarella cheese?"

"Yes."

"Do you like lightly breaded, oven-baked foods?"

"Yes."

"So what's the problem???"

"I've never heard of this before and it's strange and I feel like being difficult."

At least she's honest!

After that kind of conversation it's best to have another drink, so Jay and I both reached for the cranberry-amaretto kiss mixture and poured ourselves a shot.

Ever notice how much I like to color-coordinate with my booze?

As an aside ... can you guys tell how much weight I've put on since October when the sciatica effectively lamed me up for six weeks? I've been afraid to step on the scale but let me just say ... my weight loss goal for 2009 has crept back up to about 20 pounds.

Even Jay is starting to do it ...

Yep ... that's my Grimmie ... but she doesn't drink ... much

 

[Tink rules]

Makes you feel like you're sittin at the Poly...

Make sure you see it in high quality and full screen!!!

(ok... so it's last years... but it's still the same!!!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krUFmTVHphw&feature=related

 

[Tatania]

Was just catching up on the posts before heading to bed when my tired eyes sprung open at the sight of all that booze! My goodness, I thought my collection was large (because I love to experiment with cocktails) but yours is something else!
BTW, I bought some X-Fusion Liqueur yesterday so I could make the Magical Star Cocktail (from the Lost Bar in Disneyland) and it's outstanding. All I'm missing is the Rainblow Glow cube.

Paris ... Ireland ... sigh. You can be envious of our booze stash and I'll be envious of your ability to travel to places I'm likely never to visit.

Is this due to your health issues? I know you and Jay are card-carrying foodies and would love all the different treats Europe has to offer. I lived in Germany for 9 years and put on some serious weight thanks to the amazing dairy products, breads and fabulous pastries. Now I go back to Europe almost every year for a visit and to be honest, it's not much more expensive than going to Disney World - especially if you get a cheap flight to London. As much as I love Disney, once you've seen the real Neuschwanstein (or Ludwig's other castles at Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee) it makes the Disney castle look like a cheap imitation. *Puts flame retardant suit on.* And as much as I love the Epcot World Showcase, it's not even close to seeing the real countries. Of course, in an ideal world we'd have the time and money to do it all!

 

[Briarmom]

Is this due to your health issues? I know you and Jay are card-carrying foodies and would love all the different treats Europe has to offer. I lived in Germany for 9 years and put on some serious weight thanks to the amazing dairy products, breads and fabulous pastries. Now I go back to Europe almost every year for a visit and to be honest, it's not much more expensive than going to Disney World - especially if you get a cheap flight to London. As much as I love Disney, once you've seen the real Neuschwanstein (or Ludwig's other castles at Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee) it makes the Disney castle look like a cheap imitation. *Puts flame retardant suit on.* And as much as I love the Epcot World Showcase, it's not even close to seeing the real countries. Of course, in an ideal world we'd have the time and money to do it all!

Great post. C'mon Bendy! Come to Europe!

Oh, and I have a bit of a headache this morning.

 

[chrisw127]

Great, you're over here now! I've enjoyed all your food reports--they are the best-- and your blog is so funny.

 

[whogirl'smom]

We had a bottle of Frangelico but neither Jay nor I liked it ... it was sooooo strong, even when we used it for mixed drinks.

Did you try it in coffee? Just wondering because I am have Frangelico flavored coffee right now and it's wonderful! I found little bags of it at Target and got one for a stocking stuffer for dh. I'd like to find full size bags b/c it's really, really good. I got Jack Daniels, Southern Comfort and Ghirardelli flavored, too.

And yes, I need to go get some brandy for our house. All that was left was at my mom's and who knew she would guard it with her life (woman that has a 20 year old bottle of creme de menthe and 5 year old kahlua. ) My parents just get more and more laid back the older they get!

Christmas food spread looks very delectable and no, I can't tell that you've gained any weight!

 

[oybolshoi]

Was just catching up on the posts before heading to bed when my tired eyes sprung open at the sight of all that booze! My goodness, I thought my collection was large (because I love to experiment with cocktails) but yours is something else!
BTW, I bought some X-Fusion Liqueur yesterday so I could make the Magical Star Cocktail (from the Lost Bar in Disneyland) and it's outstanding. All I'm missing is the Rainblow Glow cube.

We like to experiement, too. And since we don't have one place to store it all we had to get a little creative. I kind of like the way it makes the kitchen look ... and it's a great talking point when we have people over.

Is this due to your health issues? I know you and Jay are card-carrying foodies and would love all the different treats Europe has to offer. I lived in Germany for 9 years and put on some serious weight thanks to the amazing dairy products, breads and fabulous pastries. Now I go back to Europe almost every year for a visit and to be honest, it's not much more expensive than going to Disney World - especially if you get a cheap flight to London. As much as I love Disney, once you've seen the real Neuschwanstein (or Ludwig's other castles at Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee) it makes the Disney castle look like a cheap imitation. *Puts flame retardant suit on.* And as much as I love the Epcot World Showcase, it's not even close to seeing the real countries. Of course, in an ideal world we'd have the time and money to do it all!

When we first were married it was due to money and then a year after we were married my brother was diagnosed with lung cancer ... I spent two years totally tied up in that ... first as his medical PoA and then clearing up his estate after he died.

By 2003 when things had calmed down enough for us to consider that visit to the continent that we've both always wanted to take, the Crohn Goblin made a rather ugly reappearance. Once that was smacked down and until control agaain all the other stuff started popping up ... every year it's been something different. Not having a pity party or asking for sympathy ... it's just been how things worked out. Having DVC has at least allowed us to spend a lot of time at Disney until we're really ready financially and physically to do Europe the way we we'd like.

A long answer, but since this is a place where we can really talk I thought I'd try to be forthright (I love that word!) without getting into excruciating detail. We'll get there ... it just may take a little longer than we'd like.

Great post. C'mon Bendy! Come to Europe!

Oh, and I have a bit of a headache this morning.

We're actually booked on the 2010 Transatlantic ... the Disney Magic leaves from Barcelona in September 2010 so we will finally get to see a teeeeeny little bit. Barcelona, Madeira, and Gibralter ... it's a start!

Hope that headache goes away soon. We're both a little bleary but otherwise OK. We shared a bottle of barleywine with dinner and then had two glasses of Rosa Regale about an hour before midnight. It was all we could do to keep our eyes open until 12AM. Of course, when we were both up at 6AM for work that does make for a long day.

Great, you're over here now! I've enjoyed all your food reports--they are the best-- and your blog is so funny.

Hiya! Glad to have you here and thanks for the kind words!

 

[oybolshoi]

Did you try it in coffee? Just wondering because I am have Frangelico flavored coffee right now and it's wonderful! I found little bags of it at Target and got one for a stocking stuffer for dh. I'd like to find full size bags b/c it's really, really good. I got Jack Daniels, Southern Comfort and Ghirardelli flavored, too.

We tried it in a multitude of things and every time it seemed like all we could taste was nut. And we're just not big nut fans ... so we gave it away to someone who could enjoy it.

And yes, I need to go get some brandy for our house. All that was left was at my mom's and who knew she would guard it with her life (woman that has a 20 year old bottle of creme de menthe and 5 year old kahlua. ) My parents just get more and more laid back the older they get!

Christmas food spread looks very delectable and no, I can't tell that you've gained any weight!

We buy Napoleon brandy at the grocery store for $10 per bottle and it's very tasty. It's good in coffee, too.

I still have more Christmas pics to post but I got tired after that second glass of Rosa last night. I'll probably get them up today. And you're very sweet ... I look at that picture and think look at that fatface!

 

[ibouncetoo]

We had a bottle of Frangelico but neither Jay nor I liked it ... it was sooooo strong, even when we used it for mixed drinks.

I gave the bottle more than 2/3 full to my step-dad over the summer because he likes hazelnut. My mom drank the bottle within the week ... he never even got to have any.

But she doesn't drink.

It is one of my favorites, straight up in a brandy snifter (warmed), over crushed ice, over ice cream and in coffee...it's all good to me.

Sounds like your mom doesn't drink in the same way my dear brother-in-law doesn't eat chocolate. Sis got a big bar of Cadbury milk chocolate from a fellow DISer in the UK and big hunks of it kept mysteriously vanishing.

.

 

[oybolshoi]

It is one of my favorites, straight up in a brandy snifter (warmed), over crushed ice, over ice cream and in coffee...it's all good to me.

Sounds like your mom doesn't drink in the same way my dear brother-in-law doesn't eat chocolate. Sis got a big bar of Cadbury milk chocolate from a fellow DISer in the UK and big hunks of it kept mysteriously vanishing.

.

Aren't people funny? I see nothing wrong with enjoying a good drink or six as long as it doesn't get out of hand.

And yummmmm ... I love Cadbury chocolate.

 

[oybolshoi]

We're going to the civilized world for dinner tonight over at Jay's parents. They're serving up a mess of snow crab.

They're going to make the scary trek to our house on Saturday for brunch, so that's when we'll have the crab bennies and asparagoose bundles and cream cheese fruit and I think creme brulee for dessert.

Today I'm making a cream cheese pound cake with amaretto glaze. If it turns out I'll take a picture!

 

[ibouncetoo]

Today I'm making a cream cheese pound cake with amaretto glaze. If it turns out I'll take a picture!

Oh, I want the details on this one, please!

I just got an e-mail about a receipe exchange, so I might be sharing one of these. Lately at my house it's been "take a BistroMD meal out of the freezer and put it in the microwave" or "jump in the car and drive to the closest eating establishment". Hoping this thread will inspire some cooking!

 

[TigerKat]

I don't see that you've gained weight Bendy. Enjoy the snow crab, that's one of my favorite things.

 

[DisneyMom5]

Your spread sounds lovely! Those rice cheese breaded puffs look awesome!

I had those in NYC when I went on a college trip there.
At Mama Leone's restaurant.
It was the fanciest foo foo place us hick college students had ever been. They were delicious!

You'd probably have liked our NYE party last night.
Even though the food was pretty basic, we had a cheese theme going.
You know, one of those times where everyone decides to bring the same type of thing?
Not a lot of variety, but probably about 50 lbs of cheese?
(Most of it in some sort of ball form?)

My best friend remembered my comment about the cool looking white cheddar cranberry cheese at the store, and bought me some as a gift!

It looks beautiful. It tastes a little tangy-er than I like, BUT, I can tell it's better cheese than I am used to, as it is sooooo smooth.

I'm thinking of making a little open face sandwich of it on some toasted baguette for lunch.

Hope you and yours have a Happy New Year!