Fancy things!
This afternoon brought the triple crown of fancy things. First was a trip up to the city for a client meeting and a stop at the little deli in the Ferry Market. The fellow behind the counter confirmed that they are owned by the Molinari Sausage people, and the hot sandwich I had for lunch proved it. (Molinari Sicilian sausage, with sauteed onions and peppers and provolone cheese. Yum!)
Then, arriving home, two packages awaited me: a "Big Magpie" box of lovely beads from elisem, and a huge box of spicy goodness from Penzeys. The teenager and I ogled the lovely beads for a while, then opened the box and started inhaling deeply while unpacking. :) The spices are of Penzeys' usual astonishing quality, and the smells of each opened bag and bottle are amazingly rich.
(While the spices are what we use in general cooking -- black and white peppercorns, two kinds of cinnamon, ginger, allspice, etc. -- there's also a gift box for my mom and special spices to make Frost Flowers. We still need Szechwan peppercorns for that, which are proving elusive and Penzeys didn't carry them. In the meantime, I may just go make a batch of molasses spice cookies.)
...and K just came home from the market with dried Hibiscus leaves for homemade Agua de Jamaica. Fancy cooking should ensue... :)
Then, arriving home, two packages awaited me: a "Big Magpie" box of lovely beads from elisem, and a huge box of spicy goodness from Penzeys. The teenager and I ogled the lovely beads for a while, then opened the box and started inhaling deeply while unpacking. :) The spices are of Penzeys' usual astonishing quality, and the smells of each opened bag and bottle are amazingly rich.
(While the spices are what we use in general cooking -- black and white peppercorns, two kinds of cinnamon, ginger, allspice, etc. -- there's also a gift box for my mom and special spices to make Frost Flowers. We still need Szechwan peppercorns for that, which are proving elusive and Penzeys didn't carry them. In the meantime, I may just go make a batch of molasses spice cookies.)
...and K just came home from the market with dried Hibiscus leaves for homemade Agua de Jamaica. Fancy cooking should ensue... :)