Shoestring Gourmet: Ho, Ho, Burp!


by Alan Gore

In November we gathered at the Brazelton home for the theme of ‘Anything but Turkey”. We began with an assortment of wines, red and white, and servings of Ursula Gore’s ribbon brie. This rich and creamy layering of French brie with roasted walnuts, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and parsley was served on crackers with roasted red pepper strips. Ursula also prepared the mixed green salad that followed; the dressing was vinaigrette with herbs de Provence. Hosts Linda and Gerry Brazelton dished up stuffed cabbage rolls with kidney bean salad, to go with Nedra and Glenn Case’s long-simmered brisket served with sourdough bread, all accompanied by Ursula’s steaming risotto.   Talk about filling!

As a light palate-clearing interlude, Joice and Chuck Braden served Jell-O with cottage cheese, preparing the way for Joice’s pickled beans, onions and mushrooms on lettuce. For dessert, Kebba Buckley baked up a festive holiday hazelnut and green apple cake.  Joice served the final dessert, strawberry creamcheese ice cream with cream cheese sauce and whipped cream.  If I counted right, that’s quadruple cream. I don’t think any of us had to eat the next day.

For December, we’re going to have our annual holiday-season Sunday brunch. We’re going to move it one week earlier than normal, so you can join us before going away for the holidays. And that’s brunch, as in 11 am and on Sunday, not our usual Saturday. We’ll be meeting pool-side at the midtown condo of Joice and Chuck Braden at 11 am Sunday, December 2. Please call Joice at 602-955-1166 by Friday, November 30 to coordinate dishes.  Hope you can take some time off your patriotic shopping duties and dine with us!