late yesterday afternoon my lovely friend allison invited me to one of the more amazing hi/low culture events i've been to in a while: watching the bachelorette finale (oof) and cooking from thomas keller's ad hoc at home (wow).
i don't watch reality tv, except for so you think you can dance?! and that's really more of a dance class/challenge than anything. for me, sports can provide the best "real" drama and delight. i watch a lot of sports. but i'm not against a ridiculous tv spectacle--i figured i'd have a few laughs.
and then there'd be the food.
allison would make the summer vegetable gratin and chocolate chip cookies...
her roommate mike would make the leek bread pudding...another friend, the beef stroganoff...
her boyfriend richard would supply the wine.
i sort of panicked about what i'd be able to make, based on my skill level (average) and time (not much). i went with the potato scallion pancakes.
the potato pancakes were not pretty--dishes rarely are when i make them, especially the first time. and considering i had to tweak the preparation a bit (i don't have a food processor and couldn't grate them in my crappy blender, so i julienned the potatoes with my barely-used mandoline) they were delicious--crispy on the outside, tender in the middle, modestly salty and with a scallion punch. i am most pleased that i survived the session with the sharp mandoline blades without mortal injury. major minor miracle, there.
everything else that they prepared was--perfect. i am very impressed by allison's crew.
leek pudding was rich with cheese and cream, mildly sweet.
their friend, alliyah, made a cream of cauliflower soup, with roasted beet chips and croutons that was fine-dining caliber. i thought we had a professional in our midst...
and allison's/thomas keller's chocolate cookies might be my favorite chocolate chip cookies. e-ver. buttery, chewy, with melty chocolate chips --and discernible salt. very, very important.
i don't know what to say about the bachelorette. all that kissing? so weird. who knew i was such a prude? i was glad when that was over. and yet...i would gladly endure it all again next year for the very fun company and the very fine food.
