Monday, December 21, 2009

'twas the week before Christmas

Ugh. As in, that was one ugly week.

After the dessert-for-40 morning came the day of prep for the lunch-for-40. Everything was smooth sailing, because, hey, I just did this two days ago! That is, until I drove to the site...I wasn't even driving quickly--hey, I had plenty of time!--and I heard something knock over in the back of the van. Hmm. Then I heard dripping liquid. Sheer panic gripped my insides like I have never felt before, and I have panicked plenty in my life. As I was only 2 blocks from my destination, I figured I may as well see what happened when I got there.

No big deal, as knives and utensils clattered to the icy driveway! The turkey roaster managed to tip itself into the proper insert that held the rest of the turkey. If only the rest of the day went that smoothly.

Lost gravy (there are no words right now), chafing dish Sternos that refuse to stay lit (" Umm, the vegetables are getting cold"), worried looks from the hosting principal, a "Dr." one, no less, and the assistant that was supposed to help me did not get back to me, so I was relying on the kindness of strangers to make the punch.

I am looking forward to Christmas dinner when it is only 13 of us.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

...now it's dessert for 40 people

So pardon me as I speak in incomplete sentences.Like that last one.

On tomorrow's menu (to be delivered at 9:30...silly, prompt teachers!) :lemon meringue tartlets in a puff pastry shell, red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing and chocolate shavings, dark chocolate cake with raspberry drizzle and carrot cake muffins with dulce de leche icing.

For those of you that appreciate hypnotic, thoughtful music: Radiohead's latest "In Rainbows" is what is keeping me going.

Photos of the desserts will follow as soon as my dear 8 year old will show me how to figure that out!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Imagine Christmas dinner for 45 people...

...it's catering hell! I know, I know, I wanted to do this, but after a pretty soft roll-out of pizza, pasta, soup and no-knead bread, this turkey-with-all-the-trimmings plus ham and dessert is a bit much!

The logistics alone have almost required a spreadsheet (I definitely need a second fridge, since the garage is not reliable) and a second slow cooker or an induction element (for the stockpot alone!) could be in the picture. I can see a trip to Crown restaurant supply in my future.

Pictures may follow, if I remember the camera!

ps--Now that I am not employed at a certain cookware store, I can tell you that I just picked up a 5 qt. cast iron enameled dutch oven (oval, so I can do 2 batches of NK bread at once) for $90. Substantial savings and made in France, so it is all good.