Bring on the Food!

Well I know I'm a little behind, sorry about that!  I came home yesterday from work with the worst headache!  I had to skip my dinner plans because it hurt so bad.  So I'm going to catch up now.  Let's back up a little...

Wednesday night (Dinner and getting ready for my work holiday lunch)

I spent many, many hours in the kitchen that night.  Chris and I made dinner together ( I told him this was my dream come true!) and I made latkes for my coworkers the next day.  

The menu:  

• Farfalle with 4-cheese marinara sauce
• garlic bread
• chicken (for Chris) 
• roasted green beans (leftovers reheated)

Chris's chicken: 

Chris stirring the pasta: 

My plate: 

Then because I got a new baking sheet (Thanks Chris!)....

We made these... 

The Making of the Latkes

I have never made these before.  It was quite the laborious process!  

• First I had to use a grater and shred 4 potatoes ... by hand, because I don't have a food processor!  
• Then I combined the potatoes with a finely chopped onion.  
  
• You have to drain as much excess liquid from the mixture as possible in a strainer
• Mixed in 2 eggs, 3 T of flour, and salt and pepper
• Then I just covered the two pans (to save time) with a little oil (this is different than the usual 2 inches to deep fry)
• Then just pan fry little flattened scoops of the mixture, and then let them cool on a paper towel 

The frying: 

The cooling: 

Look a heart!

I think they were a hit!  People seemed to like them at lunch.  I brought the traditional applesauce, and Irene brought some avocado so I tried that combo out.  It was excellent of course!

Here's my plate: 

And dessert!  Evelyn made this AMAZING cheesecake!  I have no idea why it was so good, but good work Evelyn!  

We also exchanged presents.  We did secret santas.  Look what my secret santa got me :

How perfect is this!  Thanks sooo much Evelyn!  This was so thoughtful! I'm really excited to dig into this!  And thanks Vivian for the coffee mug!!