For the attempt at making the traditional Green Bean Casserole a little special and organic, we picked up some really nice mushrooms. And a few cremini too. I'd like to think my grandmother, an excellent cook would have considered this version "gourmet".
I haven't deep fried anything for a long time. I was dubious, but the process came out much like a delicate tempura. I used really small onions, for strong taste, some fresh organic canola oil (stands for "Canadian oil, low acid" and is related to the cabbage family) and I enjoyed frying these puppies very much.
Safety first. Yes, I did bring out the fire extinguinsher just in case.
Mushrooms and butter...how can you go wrong?
The dreaded Green Bean Casserole, finished.
Little Guido and Stagg. Notice how almost no one ate the corn. Yep, I was a goodsport and served corn...Stagg said we had to have corn. I also agreed to buy Pilsbury almost instant bisquits. I had no idea how to follow the directions on the package but Marty ran over and deciphered the procedure for me. Bisquits are one of the easiest things to make, but I was crunched for time as it was...and Stagg said everyone will love the Pilsbury. He was absolutely correct, they were very popular. Really...I had already put all the food on the table and forgot about the bisquits...Joe said we have everything except bisquits where I shouted...oh wait we do I forgot them in the fridge!
Yep, three pies and a ginormous bowl of organic whipping cream. Pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie and nut's about fudge pie.
Danny and Little Guido. Um, here is an article with Danny's clothes. And here is an interview with Danny.
Okay, a 25 pound turkey. took about 5 hours to cook. We hauled it home in a cart. It was way too huge but we love leftovers. I am not sure how we managed to keep lifting it in and out of the oven. We had to though because the first pan we used leaked wine and butter all over the floor of the oven...and I had to wash out the oven...while Stagg ran to the store and bought another pan.
Dishes in the sink. A low priority. In fact zero.
Stagg, Marty and Joe. Marty has several videos of interviews with some Chicago artists on his YouTube page.
Joe knits during dessert...cool socks!
I gots to post this pic, so as you all understand what part of the conversation is about...the phenomenon of American Girl Doll.
We have these pictures bside our dining room table. The pencil drawing is from a real life model on one of "life drawing" classes of Stagg's, 20 years ago, the models in front of tipi's are pics I love because a tipi is my dream home. The doll pic is an advert and a Native American version of the American Doll series. Stagg bought a doll and put Guadelupe, gang and tear drop tats on her and gave it to Marty and Little Guido, who live in Pilsen, the mostly hispanic neighbourhood were the controversial doll "escaped from". An American Girl doll named Marisol Luna has caused a bit of a flap because her back story has her yearning to escape a Chicago neighborhood she deems dangerous for the suburbs. Some children who actually live in that largely Mexican neighborhood, Pilsen, found Marisol's tale demeaning. A group from a Pilsen high school marched earlier this week in front of American Girl's North Side store to demand an apology from American Girl owner Mattel. They also want scholarships and money from the company. Mattel so far has said no dice, perhaps hardened to such protests by past complaints like those over Barbie's tiny waist and full bust, which some literalists said represented an unfair model of womanhood for little girls. A doll would seem to be the epitome of childhood innocence, a tool for fantasy. But the real world butts in everywhere, it seems. Marisol Luna, with the book telling her story, continues to sell for $84 on americangirl.com.From Ad Freak blog
