I started this blog in September 2008 when I moved to downtown St. Petersburg, with the comment, “This is just a random, occasionally updated, collection of my musings about what is going on in my world and my new city.” There are probably fewer posts about my “new” city, now. However you can count on a continuation of food, restaurant and travel posts. I hope you enjoy this little journey in my world.
Frank and I had another successful Christmas Eve dinner. We again prepared the "Feast of 7 Fishes", an Italian tradition. We started at 3PM and finished eating the last dish about 8 PM, We took a leisure approach with the preparation and consumption of one dish at a time.We also took a couple of short cuts to keep it simple and relaxed. In my understanding of the feast you have to use 7 different sea foods (not just swimming little fishes). We had a great fun time with good food. So here is the menu, in the order of preparation and consumption.
Anchovies and Sardines on crostini (counts as two fishes)
Clam Chowder (prepared by Fresh Market)
Crab Meat Salad
Sauteed shrimp served over spaghetti
Seared Sea Bass served on a bed if wilted radicchio with Yukon Gold potatoes
and finally, Seared Sea Scallops
We served smaller portions of each item so we could get through all 7 dishes. But even with our best effort, we never made it to the non-fish cheese course which we had planned for our dessert. After 5 hours of cooking and eating we were full, and tired. But it was worth it.
As Frank pointed out and I would agree: We will fix the "Feast of 7 Fishes" again, but neither of us are ready to attempt the alternate Italian Christmas Eve tradition, the "Feast of 13 Fishes"
Here is a set of pictures from our November 2011 journey to the L.A area. You have read the script (my blog) and now you can see the movie (OK, a set of 26 photographs). I hope you enjoy the album. Just click Mickey's Ferris Wheel to view.
