Our 18th valentines day…at pommes frites in palm springs 
A favorite flemish ale:
Prix fixe vday dinner
Beets napolean:
A yummy new beer:
Potato croquettes, filet, shrimp
Jims gluten free version with mashed instead of croquettes (the mashed has nutmeg…tasty)
Grand marnier creme brulee:
🙂
Im so so so behind…busy and sick and here i am (plus then i managed to clog the sink in the kitchen and that had to wait for the plumber since i failed at non invasive treatments!)
So with a counter full of goo and my sink back in operation i went simple.. Grilled cheese.
I didnt catch pics of the bread label or the cheese (its my usual from northern california)…the bread is a new brand ive been trying out—this week the long cut was on sale.
Mushrooms sautee with some olive oil, tamari, and worcesthire
Nice hydroponic lettice leaves
Butter beans with penzeys greek blend and olive oil with red wine vinegar
I havent even tried this yet…i ordered it online and then it showed up with the picture which immediately made me think of how unhappy she looks to be eating vegan jerky…i said it must be named after his mother or grandmother or something…nope. The back just has a message from the owner about how he started making it with no mention of Paulette.
while at the farmers market and out and about we found a few fun things to try or think about trying.
Root veggies are the spotlight at the farmers market this week 
I bought some pretty pink and blue potatoes…these are colored clear through so they lose their color less than those with just a colored skin
It’s been cold so the avocado su ply train is getting a bit week. 
Tiny iceberg lettuces!
Assorted cute little lettuces
And a Penzeys trip
My penzeys haul this week… The Turkish oregano was free (coupon)
Macaron for Jim at lemonade
Buffalo milk butter at whole foods
Cognac barrels! I already have the bourbon barrel version at home waiting to be savored
Needed to try my Singapore spice from penzeys so made a sort of Singapore noodle
And some tofu lettuce cups
i was reading the new zingermans catalog today and saw the cheese of the month, olive oils of the month, sausage of the month, etc clubs…and I thought OMG we could have an ingredient of the month club! Everyone could join a “of the month club,” or rotate choosing ingredients, or if they are local ingredients we can set a price limit and the chooser could ship to everyone and we take turns or whatever!
Being internet based, we could share pics and recipes each month in a yahoo group or blog or something…and if people live near each other they can do mini potlucks and share with each other and share pics and recipes!
I’m sure I am not the first person to think of it, but it’s totally knew to me and I’m excited and the first friend I told, Zinna, said “I’m in!”
We could theme a quarter like grains or brassicas , cakes, etc. or whatever we decided!
Who thinks it’s worth exploring!?!? Maybe we call it “food friends” or “friends in food”
We really like Nomura Sushi but it’s a little farther away than some other places.. But it’s very good.
Sapporo Draft
They have Echigo which is nice rice beer that is gluten free–you have to ask, it’s not on the menu
You are always welcomed with a bowl of miso which we believe is not gluten free which means I get two.
It’s always pleasant at the sushi bar and we have always had great sushi chefs
Cucumber salad
Sunomono
Shishito made with tamari with the finest wiggly bonito flakes on top
Amberjack, sea breem, and octopus with shiso in that order. The breem and octopus were really outstanding today.
This roll is yellowtail on top and yellowtail inside with shiso inside too!
Halibut
Uni
Avocado roll to wind down
They always give you oranges with the check
One day we will Uber it there so we can really check out the house made pineapple infused sake.
i just crossed a line.
I only ordered a heritage turkey for the first time in life..:not just free range, not heirloom, but a free range heritage bird which is something I’ve wanted to do for a few years
This bird cost as a much as a whole thanksgiving dinner.
When did I become the person that doesn’t flinch at an expensive turkey yet drives a car nearly 11 years old?
I will let you all know how it turns out because I will be posting my annual grilled turkey process and product as usual…
About a week after beginning to bring oatmeal for us for breakfast In our sistema microwave bowls, with the tiny condiment containers for honey and yogurt (I’ve fallen in love with trader joes low fat vanilla yogurt….it’s so yummy), I made the plunge and added breakfast bowls and salad things
Built in dressing container 
Here is yogurt and dried cranberries and granola packed for tomorrow
I also have the tiny squeeze bottles which I loaded one with tamari so we have it handy in the car for when we hit a sushi restaurant that doesn’t have one.
I don’t think I will add more pieces….unless like an all purpose lunch container that’s not for salad….
Friends coming for Game of Thrones Risk! Snacks needed! So obviously I chose to try out gluten free finger sandwiches…duh
It’s been years since I slaves over finger sandwiches slowly to ensure perfect shapes and filling and slicing without glopping, etc
Not Saturday…this was all about efficiency and flavor…not beauty (I and I swear I’m missing pics..,) 
The sandwiches picture here were made using 1 loaf of Udi’a bread (the small 6 dollar loaf not the big 12 dollar loaf)…but the bread has a very uneven top crust making cutting the sandwiches without too much waste difficult so the shapes are not uniform.
Above is pictured the grated carrot, curry, and some hot Indian spices…I loved it!
Also involved was cucumber dill, and my favorite-olive. The loaf of Udi’s made precisely 6 sandwiches…two of each type which were cut into thirds
The typical veggie tray with an appearance by some Tokyo turnips
Creamy peppercorn dressing with penzeys spice base…and some cream cheese stuffed celery with a penzeys chipotle sprinkle
Yup…an attempt at pinwheels with Mission gluten free tortillas….garlic spinach cream cheese, and avocado/onion sprout/cream cheese…
Maria and Ryan brought a nice Espelon blanco tequila and Bloody Mary mix for a nice bloody Maria
Sometime in the middle I broke free of the bloody Maria and Ryan and I shared my Stone vertical epic 12-12-12 that I have been clutching.
Jim and Maria were well and truly into the game even though Jim won..
Ryan was the first man out and spent time with his secret Ryan notebook.
i knew this would happen…someone I follow posted about a buckwheat chia flour great for crusts and hand pies etc….but now that I bought buckwheat flour and chia seeds I cannot find the blog:-/
Help
Brian and Jim Eat 
