Hello, 2011. I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Before I fully get settled in ’11, here’s a recap of my festivities, beverages and eats this last weekend of ’10. I spent New Year’s eve with a handful of great people, a plate full of great food and many glasses full of great wine in the fine city of Pasadena.
Upon arriving, I popped open some Oltrepo Pavese pinot nero brut to get us in an Italian state of mind as Rachel was cooking up a delicious meal of tutto mare. Just pasta, yummy seafood, a simple sauce and herbs. So good. I brought a 2009 Valli Unite Bianchino and this 100% cortese wine was a great little pairing with the pasta. We ended the meal with a sweet bite and this was one of those moments when slight buzz + creativity = delicious. Take a Trader Joe’s chocolate covered caramel, cover it in merlot salt (from the amazing Spice Station) and press in a roasted almond. I think I ate, like, 6 of these.
At about 11:50, it was high time to finally bring out the champagne. Bubbles! I really can’t help myself. When writing or saying that word it must end with exclamations as the thought of drinking it excites me so.
We also consumed grapes in their original form. 12 for each of us and for good luck and good fortune all 12 months of the year ahead. After the countdown, toasting, maybe some loud karaoke style singing, more chocolate, possibly some tequila – we called it a night and had an old school style sleepover. But the fun times didn’t stop for long. Because as soon as we all pulled ourselves out of bed….
Brunch! We scarfed down some eggs, potatoes and toast- once again courtesy of Rachel.
Dear Rach,
We promise some day to let you rest and take over some of the cooking duties, but it’s just so hard when your food is better than any of ours could ever hope to be.
Thank you,
All your friends
The New Year’s Day brunch wouldn’t have been complete without some bloody maria’s, because why not keep this booze bus chugging right along? Patron silver, vegetable stock, pureed tomatoes, horseradish, worcestershire, whole grain dijon, lemon juice, Cajun hot sauce, citrus salt, pepper and topped with fresh fennel, a pickle and a banana pepper.
And to end this great weekend of celebration (and to get some form of exercise) we waited out the Rose Bowl parade crowds and then headed to Eaton Canyon for a truly glorious adventure hike. I say adventure because we most definitely ventured from the path and my water logged boots and jeans are evidence.
Sunset, cool air, mountain tops and friends. A superb way to begin another year. A year hopefully filled to the brim with all of the above. Tenfold.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
This is such a sweet post! I welled up a little…
{ 1 trackback }