Food !!!

Since we are in the holiday spirit and traditionally eat a lot of stuff during this time of year, I thought I should dedicate my next picture diary to food .. needless to add that both my travel destinations are well known for food. Although as a comparison, I dont think any city in the world would really come close to Paris.

Boqueria Market in Barcelona - a very large fresh produce meat fish cheese and candy market in the heart of Barcelona's city center ... the fruits in Barcelona at this time of the year were exceptionally good :D. This market also has two very crowded (and hence very good) tapas bars flocked by locals and tourists alike.

I see this fruit stall at the market and think of Miss IQ ... and I had to take the pic. (For the people that are confused this fruit is called Dragonfruit)

A wine and charcuterie/cheese bar in Barcelona with a variety of sausages as well as Serrano and Iberico Jamon (Ham) hung out to dry .... dont forget the wines LOL ... for the vegetarians among us, a cheese plate with the variety of Spanish cheeses usually available is enough to fill you up :D

Like I said .. nothing can beat Paris ... a standard patisserie(pastry)and boulangerie(bread) store ... in the city proper every street corner literally has one of these .. how can you look at this and not drool or feel hungry .. if there is a heaven I'm sure it has patisseries :D

Finally, a macaroon display at Laduree ... not surprisingly the display is shaped like the Eiffel Tower .. and the macaroons are heavenly and literally to die for :D

Hope everyone has a wonderful new years celebration :D

Sandcastles

Here is a nice start to all my pictures from my travels ... Miss HMKs post Deconstructing Happiness made me think about these two pictures I took in Barcelona Spain

Barcelona's iconic Sagrada Familia (this is the nativity facade) - Gaudis unfinished masterpiece (work is still going on - hence the cranes - it is schduled to be completed in 2026 - Gaudis 100th death anniversary) and it is truly breathtaking - no picture can do justice to it.

Here is a guy building a sandcastle of the Sagrada Familia on the Mediterranean coast of Barcelona (this is the Barcelonata neighborhood) .... yeah someone or the sea may destroy the sandcastle but the guy is happy in the knowledge that he created such a beautiful work of art ... and he'll do it again the next day. Happiness is indeed fleeting but the next day and the day after also give us an opportunity to build newer and better fleeting moments of happiness :D

Hugs as always :P

:) :)

Merry Christmas Everyone   :)

lots of love!!

Random Lolz

RooI am never here when everyone else is, and everyone else is never here when I am :(

12/13/12 @ 2:34 am

Advert [ShoutJax]Do you like this Shoutbox? Get your own for free at ShoutJax.com!

GuestRoo, you're not alone.... Same with me.

12/13/12 @ 4:38 am

GuestSame with me.

12/13/12 @ 10:31 am

GuestAnd me.

12/13/12 @ 10:34 am

GuestAnd me

12/13/12 @ 10:35 am

GuestGuest Uncles and Aunties looking here and there for Help Lolz

12/13/12 @ 12:27 pm

GuestGuest Uncle Crying in Mah Pvt Lolz

12/13/12 @ 12:28 p

Decisions

 "Good decisions come from experience. Experience comes from making bad decisions."


  Author: MISS IQ

12.12.12

tan tan taaaaaa bruahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

... the twelfth and last time in our lifetimes that we well see this happen .. a local bar in my neighborhood is having a vertical tasting of twelve special beers that came out from a specific brewery in twelve different years :D

ENJOYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY MATEYSSSSSSS :D

CC

Herbs

Long overdue picture .. taken in early fall - late october or early november:

dhuan bhaiyya ...  you can use some of these herbs :D

Poulet Roti (Roast Chicken)

Ingredients:

1. 1 3-4 pounds whole chicken (defrosted :D)
2. 1 stick of butter
3. some sprigs of thyme, marjoram, lavender and tarragon - thyme is the necessary one, the rest add a nice fragrance
4. 4 large carrots
5. one whole garlic
6. 4-6 celery stalks
7. 3-4 medium onions quartered
8. 1 lemon cut into wedges
9. Salt and pepper

Defrost chicken and pat it dry with paper towels. You have to leave the skin on. Reach under the skin and season the chicken all around (even the cavity). Be careful not to tear the skin. Also crush a couple of cloves of garlic and spread it under the skin evenly around the chicken.

Let the butter come to room temp - then mix the chopped herbs in the butter and spread it on the skin and in the cavity. Place a few garlic cloves in the cavity and some lemon wedges. Tie chicken legs together with string/twine.

In the roasting pan, place the veggies(including onions), chopped into large pieces, at the bottom of the pan with the remainder of the garlic cloves. It is better if you have a rack in which to cook the chicken, so the juices are separate from the chicken. You can put half cup of water in the bottom of the pan to prevent the veggies from burning when the pan gets hot. (If you dont have a rack, skip the water step)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (you have to do the C conversion). Place chicken on the rack on the pan in the middle of the oven. Roast for 1.5 hours ... and check thermometer inserted in the middle of thigh meat at 160 F.

Prepare mashed potatoes and gravy, and enjoy with already roasted veggies.

(this recipe is a pretty direct copy of Patricia Wells recipe - ive cooked this - its very good)

World's End

IQ: The earth is losing its spin
all connections are weakening
storms and thunder and lightning
and then no more internet
then all the lights start flickering
and electricity will die
people will start bonfires to keep warm
winter is going to spread over even equator
planes rust and cannot fly
all fuel is used for heat to warm ourselves

IS:  Oi you're scaring me

IQ: the oceans are rough
IS:  lol
IQ: and no boats can travel
the birds have all disappeared
the world has begun to end
IS: you think so?
IQ: yes pls
see its happening
IS: It's just a connection
IQ: thats what they all said
little did they know
IS: so 12th ko?
IQ: no
IS: then?
IQ: December 35th
IS: O_o
IQ: the earth lost its spin remember
the calender is screwed up
IS: ki aa with this depressing talk
IQ: days aren't 24 hours anymore
IS:  So tell me more about what else is gonna happen. Birds have disappeared.....then..
IQ: No food. People start fighting over what's left
IS: cannabalism
IQ: They resort to violence
IS: Theyre already doing that
IQ: Greed, anger, and selfishness has never been seen in such intensity and frequency
IS: Hmm
IQ: People are left to die in streets
diseases are spreading
everyone thought the world would end with natural disasters
IS: We should stock up then
IQ: Earthquakes, tsunamis, fires, tornados, volcanoes
mother nature didnt need to do all that
mankind kills itself
IS: You should make a post with all this
IQ: You can post it in memories
IS: Its not something I will forget
IQ: No but you said i should post
so may as well just have it there
IS: I was serious about that
IQ: I know
but its not something i can rewrite
im not even thinking what im writing
its just coming
IS: And u think im gonna copy paste.. change names and wat not
IQ: Why not. Too much to do right
IS: Yes
IQ: Ok

Gol

IS: What are you doing making that noise? What is that?
IQ: its Chai gol
IS: Gol *blinks*
IQ: GOLD!

*ten minutes of laughter*

IS: I was wondering what kinda chai you drink

E-Nerdy

IQ: Ok. Eat something and give your body enerdy
IS: Enerdy?
IQ: Energy oops
IS: My body doesn't need nerdy :O

Turkey Gravy for Mashed Potatoes

This gravy has the best flavor if it is made with pan drippings from a roasted turkey (or chicken). You can enhance the flavor by putting cut up veggies like carrots, celery, onions and garlic cloves in the bottom of the pan while the turkey or chicken is roasting

Ingredients:

1. Pan Drippings (including juices) from a roasted turkey or chicken - without the veggies (If there is too much oil/grease in the juices, you can separate the excess grease out by pouring into a cup or bowl and skimming the top off)
2. 2 cans chicken stock
3. about half cup of all purpose flour
4. A whisk

Transfer the pan drippings into a sauce pan and place over high heat. Add two cups of chicken broth and bring to a boil. Let the liquid boil and concentrate. Lower heat to simmer and add the flour slowly, while adding the flour start whisking the liquid to avoid clumps. Keep whisking after adding the flour while the liquid simmers and cooks the flour. This is the important process of making the gravy - whisking to avoid lumps.

After simmering for about ten minutes, when the gravy has thickened to your satisfaction, transfer gravy to a sauce boat and pour over previously cooked mashed potatoes and enjoy :D

I have avoided adding giblets (liver, heart, neck etc) to the gravy knowing that Miss HMK will probably not eat it with those ingredients :P