Random Acts of Blogness

Jan 22nd, 2010 by Marilyn

Here’s what they don’t tell you about blogging: it’s random. Crazy random. Unless you have a mission – you wish to share model railroad layouts, or describe one cloud shape per day – blogging is ebb and flow. What to say, what to cook – and why? One answer came from What Would Katharine Hepburn Do? where the wonderful Susan Champlin recently tagged me to reveal things. Random things. Oh, luck! A randomness mandate. I thought it would be fun, free-association yammer with no tale, no recipe, no point. But no. I made a list, and then lists. I listed by food, by year, by feeling; I struggled to shape those bits until it became clear they were no longer random at all.

This is not new. If given a deliberately vague task I freeze and wait for purpose, which often doesn’t show but finally did, when I carved a mission from this meme-me-me: I’d share seven foods from my past, each with a small story. You, dear reader, pick the one you like – or the least boring, whichever comes first – and the most-voted food gets cooked and blogged here on Simmer, recipe, story and all. Thank you, Susan for your too-kind words and, indirectly, the gift of one blogging day made a little less random.

S’mores Tarts Baking at an upscale Chicago pastry shop, I was expected to devise new desserts for the case. New desserts that would please both customers and our novelty-driven boss who, if he sensed a trend, would have sold chocolate-dipped pig ears and motorized cake. I came up with S’mores tarts, novel in 1995, composed of graham tart shells, milk chocolate ganache and fluffy house-made marshmallows which we would – big finish – set ablaze in front of the crowd. Seemed like a winner, and all went great until we actually blew out flames, and a lady in the window shrieked heavenward that she’d seen our spit hit the tarts. So much for blaze theater.

Curried Mushroom Soup In high school Behavioral Science class, we had a semester-long project in which we’d be pretend-married to another student, and live on a budget, and work out issues, and all types of situations designed for maximum teen discomfort. One assignment required hosting a dinner party with other “couples,” and after planting my pink Converse Hi-Tops at mom’s stove to make Curried Mushroom Soup – a mature-sounding dish from her files – I served it in our dining room to twitchy, bickering pairs who’d rather be somewhere else. Dabbing soup off my ripped jeans, I considered that this might be how adults spent their days.

Stuffed Leg of Lamb In a combined young-bride and young-chef disaster, I once pounded, stuffed and rolled a boneless leg of lamb to entertain Greg’s law firm colleagues. The evening started with our crotch-sniffing Dalmatian and a clogged sink, continued with undercooked, untied lamb and finished with a wailing fire alarm. In truth, the mustard-garlic-whatever stuffing was delicious – but who among you would ask me to do it again?

Tortelloni with Gorgonzola Sauce In the post-college summer of 1990, Greg and I backpacked around Italy. One night in Bologna we splurged on a real restaurant, a place called The Black Cat, set on a square with flickering jar candles, wrought-iron tables and people in clean clothes. After slurping cheap red wine we ate carpaccio with parmigiana, lemon and capers, fat cheese-filled tortelloni in Gorgonzola sauce, and tiramisu. It may be the wine, the summer or the fact that an argument caused me to leave, walk away and come back, but it is still, many dinners later, the best I ever had.

Linzer Torte The classic Austrian dessert is just fruit jam under latticed almond crust, but the buttery dough is tricky, melting, fragile. Especially if you’re rolling dough in a small city bakery in July, and daft owner lady won’t pay for air conditioning, and still takes orders for Linzer Torte. You might get heat stroke and threaten to quit, right there over the breaking dough. Yes you might. But you’d never blame a torte this good.

Marjolaine When I ran a catering company, The Happy Ending, I supplied restaurants with Valentine’s Day desserts. One year I filled an order for 300 pieces of Marjolaine, a labor-intensive classic made with hazelnut meringue, genoise, and two buttercreams. At the time I worked out of my house, and with no catering staff and a sleeping toddler, it was just me and Marjolaine in the all-night kitchen. For hours I baked, whipped, stirred, threw spatulas and wept. All the while I Love Lucy played on my tiny kitchen TV, the Scotland episode where Lucy dreams it all. I know this because I saw it three times; I was at my table so long that Nick at Nite ran it three full times before sunrise. Three. If you vote for Marjolaine, rest assured it will be well-planned. One cake, no Lucy and Simmer off to bed.

Spaghetti Carbonara When I returned home on college breaks and my sister was in high school, we liked to whip up this spaghetti-bacon-egg bonanza late at night – and for a short obsessive time, every night. When I picture the bubbling cream and parmigiana and yolks it boggles my mind, a mystery how I made it through those snack years without total stomach collapse, or gaining 500 pounds. Because that would surely happen now if, at 42, I began lounging with midnight TV, two-liter Diet Cokes and pasta straight-from the-pot. Iris was my Carbonara ringleader, insisting the more cheese, more spaghetti, more talk shows the better. Our parents were asleep, we had metabolism on our side and to flop down and share one blue bowl again, even a few strands, my stomach would gladly say yes.

So. One of these memories gets cooked. If it’s Marjolaine or lamb, please give me plenty of notice so I can prepare, respectively, with extra sleep and string.

———-

Update 1/28: WINNER! S’mores Tarts it is, announced here. Voting over, but if you wish to leave a request – like lamb, oh you people – feel free. And thanks for playing along.

Tags: Chicago, meme, pasta, sisters, tarts, what would katharine hepburn do?

Posted in blogging, cake and cupcakes, chef days, Chicagoland, family, pie, tarts, cobblers & crisps, soups

50 Responses to “Random Acts of Blogness”

on 22 Jan 2010 at 6:00 pm1Wendy R

What a tantalizing septet of stories. I hope sometime you’ll blog all of them…!!! but right now, the one that really strikes my fancy is the lamb. Do I get in trouble for saying that? Ask Greg first.
on 22 Jan 2010 at 6:03 pm2RenovationTherapy

I can’t decide between the Smore Tart and Spaghetti Carbonara! Oh man. I’m going with Spaghetti Carbonara because frankly, I need to learn how to make that instead of being a daft chick who only orders it in restaurants.
on 22 Jan 2010 at 7:02 pm3Jenni

My vote is the Leg of Lamb. I am a trouble maker.

(I just know I will need tissues to read the Spaghetti post.)
on 22 Jan 2010 at 7:15 pm4Melanie

First-time commenter but long-time lurker. I was going to pick spaghetti carbonara, too, until I saw Jenni’s post. Me, too, on the tissue part.

Okay, then I would like to vote for the marjolaine. Though I’m intrigued by the tortelloni story, too. (Mainly because as a young newlywed I did the same thing, but it was from a pancake restaurant, and it was decidely not one of the best meals I ever had.)

Final answer: Marjolaine.
on 22 Jan 2010 at 8:11 pm5Elyse Tager

I’ll vote for either the Marjolaine or the tortelloni. But I’m easy and will go with whatever the flow decides.
on 22 Jan 2010 at 8:18 pm6shayma

i absolutely adored reading each and every single one of them. you write so, so beautifully, we crave for more, we do we do we do. xo shayma
on 22 Jan 2010 at 10:56 pm7Susan Champlin

Oh, I couldn’t be more delighted to have helped elicit these wonderful stories—and then to discover the stories behind them, like the beautiful piece about your sister Iris. You’re a miraculous gift.

I’m going to pick the S’mores Tart, in honor of my daughter’s and my outing this afternoon to Max Brenner: Chocolate by the Bald Man in NYC, where in the past we’ve enjoyed making ultra-decadent s’mores at our own table, which is so odd. (Today we went for the profiteroles fondue—because we have no shame.) S’mores have become a symbol of togetherness for me. Plus I love the spit story.
on 23 Jan 2010 at 5:09 am8niki

Can I vote for two… Please?! Smore’s Tart & the Curried Mushroom Soup.
on 23 Jan 2010 at 5:51 am9theresa/t does wool

decisions,decisions…love them all…
I’ll go with the linzer torte…I like sweets,marilyn;)
on 23 Jan 2010 at 5:53 am10Nella

I will vote, but under duress. It is hard for me to choose a favorite anything in life. However, Marjolaine and Carbonara would be my vote. Actually, anything you choose to make would be wonderful. I’ll be anxiously waiting!!!!! N
on 23 Jan 2010 at 7:18 am11word_lover

I will, I will. I’ll ask you to do it again. The lamb, please.
on 23 Jan 2010 at 8:13 am12Adrienne

I think the curried mushroom soup story sounds pretty good, but I’d most want to eat the tortelloni with gorgonzola sauce.
on 23 Jan 2010 at 8:21 am13Miss Whistle

It is not wise to read your blog, dear M, early in the morning before breakfast. I’m now dreaming of lamb and spaghetti carbonara and marjolaine (anything with hazlenut meringue — mmm!) and linzer torte. But in honor of my own crotch-sniffing dalmatians (they are the official dinner party greeters) I will have to choose the lamb. And I do apologize in advance.
on 23 Jan 2010 at 8:25 am14TexasDeb

Tortelloni with gorgonzola sauce. Combination of both impulses – I would love to know how to make something that sounds that delicious, and I love a story with an argument that somehow resolves with a reunion.

And, considering all the travels and amazing meals you’ve been part of in the years since, if you remember that dish, it must indeed be something amazing and I’d be honored to read about the evening you shared it.

That said? I will read your carbonara stories under any circumstances. Any day. Any time. I have LOTS of tissues.
on 23 Jan 2010 at 8:49 am15Summer

I’d love to hear about the best dinner you ever had (in Italy). I know you know good food – that must have been spectacular!
on 23 Jan 2010 at 10:29 am16Kate

Well, I think the Marjolaine would be beautiful and all; I’ve seen Linzers up close and personal (like crumbling all over my shirt as I devour) and a leg of lamb? That’s just some meat. Cooked. Carbonara? Midnight forays? Ah, perfect after bar food on the cheap for a college student. Been there and it’s grand. I really miss carbonara and my college metabolism. Mushrooms- no, not for me. And Italy dinners? I’m following an US expat living for a year in Florence Italy. I read about those daily.

So that leaves the S’Mores Tart, which from the start sounded captivating and unique and altogether wonderful.
on 23 Jan 2010 at 12:00 pm17Debbie From Illinois

Spaghetti Carbonara is such a wonderful lover. I learned how to make it and I was smitten. I do so struggle with my weight so I am on the prowl for a lower fat version. None appease my lust for carbonara so I think I will stick with the full fat version even if is only a couple times a year.

Now S’mores is another story! We eat them a lot at our summer place in Door County. We have a campfire most nights, dark chocolate please!!!!
on 23 Jan 2010 at 12:01 pm18Carol

Tortelloni with Gorgonzola Sauce, please.
on 23 Jan 2010 at 2:35 pm19dahlila

Choose? Just one? Oh my. Dessert, of course. S’mores Tart complete with shrieking in the background, please.

dahlila xxoo
on 23 Jan 2010 at 3:22 pm20city hen

I love them ALL…but just thinking of that awkward S’mores moment makes me want to vote – S’MORES! You gotta love that story.
on 23 Jan 2010 at 3:37 pm21modernemama

Marjolaine please – but without the tears
on 23 Jan 2010 at 10:11 pm22Kian

M, I vote for the lamb… but only if the dish comes with “undercooked, untied lamb and finished with a wailing fire alarm.”
on 23 Jan 2010 at 10:46 pm23Paige Orloff

Pasta carbonara, please, you sweet sister. xx
on 24 Jan 2010 at 6:13 am24Kathy from NJ

Please do them all, maybe one a month? But if only one, I have to vote for the pasta carbonara.
on 24 Jan 2010 at 7:43 am25Karen@Mignardise

I vote for the s’mores tart. It would be fun to learn how to set my food on fire – purposely.
on 24 Jan 2010 at 8:20 am26Vanessa

I say cook them all again, but vote for curried mushroom soup first.
on 24 Jan 2010 at 11:53 am27shayma

btw, m, i vote for Tortelloni with Gorgonzola Sauce, bec i lived in italy and bec i can totally picture you and your husb sitting there together, having this wonderful plate.
on 24 Jan 2010 at 12:54 pm28Valkyrie

I can’t wait to hear the stories behind the Tortelloni with Gorgonzola Sauce and the Linzer Torte. It’s a toss-up between the two: the pasta must be amazing to stand out so clearly among such a myriad of amazing culinary adventures, but I’m a sucker for anything of Germanic derivation or full of tradition (2 for 2)!

No matter which of the seven “wins,” I know we’ll all be delighted by the recipes and your generous sharing of the stories behind them.
on 24 Jan 2010 at 4:31 pm29E

Carbonara! I want to know how to make it!
on 24 Jan 2010 at 7:48 pm30Bria

I am very torn, as I would like to read all of these stories in full. It’s a three-way tie between the S’mores tart, the carbonara, and the tortelloni. For helpfulness sake, I’ll give the carbonara my first place vote for the recipe/post that should come next, but can the other two follow in short order? Lovely stories, all. I can’t wait.
on 24 Jan 2010 at 7:57 pm31Meg Rosenberg

Leg of lamb– one of my youthful recipes was a boned stuffed shoulder of lamb stuffed with spinach and mushroom duxelles– Julia Child– the blog post reminded me and I’d love to see your recipe and story.
The s’more tart because I love chocolate and marshmallow.
on 24 Jan 2010 at 8:08 pm32Dani H

I had to leave and come back before commenting – it’s so hard to choose just one! And do we choose based on the story (love them!) or the dish? I’m going with the S’mores Tarts, even if they do involve spit. I want to make homemade marshmallows with my grandkids for Valentine’s Day. I also agree with Kathy from NJ and Vanessa that it would be great if you eventually post them all!
on 25 Jan 2010 at 3:44 am33Corrie

I vote for the S’mores Tart, because I wanted to bake something like that for months.
on 25 Jan 2010 at 10:06 am34Chef Gwen

Tortelloni with Gorgonzola. You don’t know how difficult that was to choose. I don’t even LIKE blue cheese all that much but the story behind the meal is intriguing. It involves mystery (what was that argument about?); travel, romance, and cheap red wine…a few of my favorite things.
on 25 Jan 2010 at 1:42 pm35chelsea

Ha – what a great idea! I have to vote for the marjolaine out of my own similar memories of all-night Nick at Nite evenings. (Though for me, it was Hitchcock – which made it even harder to sleep…)
on 25 Jan 2010 at 3:52 pm36Josie

I’m voting for the mushroom soup. For the sake of those awesome-sounding hi-tops.
on 25 Jan 2010 at 8:13 pm37Marilyn

Thanks for all these delicious votes. As of now (Monday 1/25) S’mores Tart leads, with Stuffed Leg of Lamb close behind. I’ll keep comments open until Wednesday (1/27) morning. What will it be?
on 25 Jan 2010 at 9:46 pm38Kathleen aka readwritecook

Tortelloni with gorgonzola sauce gets my vote. It sounds like my kind of meal and I would love to learn how to make it. I also want to hear about those two young romantic souls in Italy and about the fight. I’m nosy.
on 26 Jan 2010 at 5:01 am39christina

But can’t you make them all? Pahleez! First would be the Smores (of course!) and a close second would be the ‘shroom soup – Yum.
on 26 Jan 2010 at 8:04 am40mike

… The mushroom soup. No, scratch that, the Smores. Er, um, no, the mushroom soup… Can’t you do both?!
on 26 Jan 2010 at 9:23 am41Mary

First time visitor, but I’m not shy. I SO want to hear the spaghetti story about you and your sis. But I want to EAT the s’more tarts!
on 26 Jan 2010 at 1:09 pm42Kate @ Savour Fare

Tortellini, Gorgonzola. Or mushroom soup. Love the idea that a dinner party is essential adulthood skill.
on 26 Jan 2010 at 4:48 pm43Cathy

Tortellini with the Gorgonzola sauce. Does the tiramisu come with it too?
on 27 Jan 2010 at 7:11 am44Lisa Adams

tortellini/gorgonzola for me too!
on 27 Jan 2010 at 11:14 am45Julie

Voting for the tortelloni. Cuz it sounds like going to Italy again, young and volatile and wide-eyed.
on 27 Jan 2010 at 12:42 pm46averagebetty

I may be too late… but I vote for the Spaghetti Carbonara! That photo is drool-worthy and the vision of you and your sis… priceless!
on 27 Jan 2010 at 6:02 pm47Deb

I found you and love your sense of humor, especially your story about the “amber line” in Munich or Munchen. My vote is Curry Mushroom Soup. Thrilled to find another blog to read. thank you.
on 28 Jan 2010 at 12:03 pm48TheKitchenWitch

I’m an evil little minx, so I’m chiming in for lamb!
on 30 Jan 2010 at 6:41 am49Jamie

Funny, endearing and mouthwatering. That’s why I love your blog. (I am adding it to my Favorite Food Blogs on my sidebar). Thanks for the good read!
on 06 Feb 2010 at 5:54 pm50smilinggreenmom

Sooo weird! I just found pasta carbonara last week and our family tried it for the first time and loved it! I would love to try yours though for a really good comparison. The one I made was good but alot of work for a busy mama! We love Kamut khorasan wheat pasta and I think it would be fabulous for carbonara! Thanks!!