Jujyfruits and Poppers

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This weekend I found myself on some misadventures in Raleigh, NC with two good friends who live down that way. After entering a bar where I was branded with the over enthusiastic "BEST OF LUCK!" I hunkered down for a night of fun. 

Things I Learned This Weekend Traveling In The South: 

1. There is a gay bar with carpet, urinals that literally put you face to face with your future maybe baby daddy, and a gift shop specializing in underwear, leather goods and sells Jujyfruits nexts to the poppers. Giving you the opportunity to chow down while you bear down. 

2. In the span of 7 hours you can experience the roasted chicken at the James Beard Award winning Poole's Diner (here for information), and the fried chicken at Burger King. Both are excellent. 

3. A larger than life drag queen sporting a cheeseburger pill box hat and corresponding cheeseburger printed peplum blouse further validated my theory that no one ever looks bad in a peplum top.  

Salted Caramel Ricotta Pancakes

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Salted Caramel Ricotta Pancakes

It was a busy week down here in The South. The factory was abuzz all week long with socks flying everywhere. The town was bustling with Pride and homecoming this weekend. And naturally my mind turned to Thanksgiving.

As the Queer community and its allies descended upon our tiny town I hunkered down with friends to watch the parade while sipping mimosas out of well worn insurance themed coffee mugs. There was a heated game of spoons happening. Where you throw a spoon into the street and drink every time a car hits it. Shots were taken whenever a car with a Drag Queen hit a spoon. And there was a revealing moment when I realized my back up back up back up hairdresser was once on tv's Survivor. She later proved her alliance to me as she put some fellow gays in their place after they felt it was okay to talk shit about my hometown, despite my just stating where I was from. 

I am sure you are wondering how Thanksgiving comes into play. Well as it should happen I packed my man handbag for the day with all possible outcomes considered. The contents were as follows: 

1. One bottle of Trader Joe's Blanc de Blancs

2. One box of water crackers. You never know when you need a snack. 

3. Two apples

4. My passport

5. Floss (in case of apple consumption)

6. Two cans of La Croix to stay hydrated

7. Food and Wine November 2016 edition (in case the parade got boring...it didn't)

During the slow moments of the parade I started making lists of potential foods to serve for Thanksgiving this year. As I will be dining alone on this most sacred of food holidays I have had to alter my menu so as to not drown in a sea of left overs. With the holiday still over a month away I have the opportunity to test a few recipes before letting them get to the final elimination round. 

This year I have also decided to include a Black Friday Breakfast. I will not be at the malls, but I will be in my nap jeans having a nice breakfast watching the fools on tv at the malls. This talk of breakfast had started earlier in the week while having a chat with another food enabler friend of mine. He posited the idea of using our favorite coffee creamer in a waffle or french toast. 

Not having a waffle maker or bread in the house, but having a large container of ricotta cheese I landed on Salted Caramel Ricotta Pancakes. Needless to say I am bloated and full on some damn tasty pancakes while hoping those Drag Queens from yesterday knew we were cheering for them as well as the spoons.  

Salted Caramel Ricotta Pancakes

RECIPE INSPIRED BY THE KITCHN (WITH SOME CHANGES BY ME)

Russian Spice Cookies, Roast Chickens and Rumors of Hugh Jackman

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That's Hugh Jackman clutching his pearls because I told him he could eat my cookies. Also, my Russian Spice Cookie and my Tony's Roasted Chicken.



Hello Fan(s). Apologies for the late post. It's been a busy day. Not sure if you know it but today is a High Holiday for the same sex inclined. At least for the same sex inclined that have a penchant for show tunes. 

Tonight is the 68th Annual Tony Awards. 

Even the burliest of gays have found themselves begging for Argentina to not cry for them. Even the lightest of loafers has defended Maria's honor with a finger snapping gang fight. And The Gods accepted our annual sacrifice, putting our current CGO (Chief Gay Officer) Neil Patrick Harris in the classic gender-bending role of Hedwig. This year will prove to be a doozy in the Inter-Office Fantasy Tony League. You don't get off as easy as you do with Fantasy Football. If you lose at this we make your next brunch a living hell.  

So what does one serve for a casual evening in watching highlights of all the songs you sing in the shower or when you go just a titch too far on the XM dial when alone in the car?

Roast Chicken. That's what. 

Dinner tonight is Roast Chicken with an herb butter sauce. Roasted vegetables and a herb mashed potato. It's all cooking right now while I type and plan out next weeks work outfits because the damn Tony's run so friggin' late there is no way in hell I am going to be able to pick out a shirt after. 

More importantly what is for dessert? 


It just so happens that yesterday I found myself sauntering down the aisles of my local Asian market with my old food styling buddy Work Wife. She was looking for steamed buns and any dipping sauce made in China. Oddly not a lot of dipping sauces made in China. Anyway...well there I nearly plotzed myself when we turned down the spice aisle. Who knew you could buy a sofa pillows worth of ground ginger for the cost of a happy hour beer? So I stocked up. 


Later that night I found myself falling down the dangerous internet shame spiral that is Pinterest. Yes, Pinterest is still a thing I guess. Naturally I found "food featured on shows". Which lead me to Russian Spice Cookies that Carrie Bradshaw may or may not have eaten when she totally f'ed up and started dating Aleksandr Petrovsky on Sex and The City. I'm still a little upset about that storyline.  

Russian Spice Cookies (adapted from saltandstyled.com)
 

Ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
pinch of allspice
1 teaspoon baking soda
pinch of salt
2 large egg yolks (I used 6T of Hellmans - no eggs in the house)
1 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla paste
3/4 cup sugar


Directions: 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. 

In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, allspice, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, add the egg yolks, honey, vanilla paste and sugar. Beat on medium until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low and gradually add in the flour mixture, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed (dough will be stiff). Refrigerate for 1 hour. 

Using a #30 portion scoop (2 tablespoons), scoop the dough onto the prepared baking sheets leaving 1-inch between each mound. Bake until lightly golden (about 14-18 minutes).

So please have a wonderfully filled Broadway musical night. Personally Aida is the only show that speaks to me. Because deep down I am a Nubian Princess willing to die for my people.  

What show gets you all hot and bothered?