Thanksgiving shorties
Sometime about 5 years ago, I got this new software called Manila, and did a silly logo in the gimp. Started a website that turned into a weblog, and started flipping the home page in early December. It was an intense time, as the WTO came into town right at the end of November.
A few years ago, Rose and I observed buy nothing day as an invitation to do a create something day. 3 years go that involved several dozen hand dipped candles. This year it involved writing documentation and amusing a baby. Times do change.
Thanksgiving has always been a cooking holiday, this year one of the starters will probably come back in a slightly different form — spicy thai pumpkin soup. It’s identifiably pumpkin, but it’s not the sweet cinnamon taste that pumpkni seems to always have this time of year.
This goes quickly, so have everything ready to go.
1/2 tbsp cumin seeds, ground
1/2 tbsp coriander seed, ground
1/4 tsp tumeric
Cayenne pepper, to taste. This year, I put in one whole dried one, next year I’m going to cut that way back.
1 can coconut milk
Guts from 1 smallish pumpkin, blended smooth. 2 cups or so.
1 tbsp fresh ginger, blend with pumpkin.
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup or so brown sugar
Heat some oil, when it’s hot put in the spices. They should sizzle for 30 sec or so, then pour in the coconut milk. Let simmer for a minute, stirring, then add the pumpkin guts. Add a cup of water or so to thin out, and add the soy sauce and brown sugar, and cayenne pepper. Stir in till everything is smooth, simmer, then reduce to low for 10 minutes or so. Cool for a few hours for the flavors to mingle, then reheat just prior to serving. Drizzle in a bit of cream into the serving bowls for that gourmet chef look.
Dogfish Head Worldwide stout is good, but not ‘Oh my, that’s the best beer I’ve ever tasted’ good. It’s deep, has wonderful flavor and a long finish, tastes like a good imperial stout should, and you don’t really taste the 20% alcohol. I think all in all, I prefer the Fish Tail and Stone brewing imperial stouts, especially since they’re each less than half the price of Dogfish Head.
Finally, at the risk of officially becoming a catblog:
