Whew

Anyone who has been, or is, or knows anything about pregnancy will tell you that in addition to having to steer clear of some key culinary delights that you never think you would really miss but really DO in order to give a growing chitlin inside a healthy fighting chance, also will remind you to steer clear from your (my in this case) favorite tasty beverages.

I get it, I know why, I follow it but honestly - I would have given my right arm (and maybe part of my left) for a glass of Cab last night at the ‘spill the beans dinner’… heck I’d take one right now. Why, oh WHY can’t someone come up with a fantastic alternative to cocktails for those of us craving but not able to indulge?

I have searched for “mock”tails for 2 days online (yes, MOCK tails, everything has a catchy name these days) and NOTHING…. I see loads of fruit juice based fizzy drinks that because they are poured into a specialty glass with a stem fall under the ‘tails’ category- WRONG. these drinks couldn't be farther from a real cocktail.  

Show me a fake Manhattan that actually TASTES like a Manhattan or a martini flavored water that you can throw in a couple of olives into and call it a Friday night , Non Alcoholic wine that actually TASTES like wine and not bastardization of grape juice and I will actually come to your house and mow your lawn. No Joke. Back it up with something to take the edge off that falls under my doctor’s approved pregnancy items list, and I’ll give you first right of refusal on the bragging rights to owning the worlds largest orange cat named Russell. (Seriously, it’s worth it, he is easily 25 lbs. - he could have a chance at a Guinness record).   


Aside from the lack of hot and cold spirit warming spirits that we usually delve into now that the thermostat is going up and the outside temp going down, things are good. The “spill the beans” dinner went great, moms and dads all very excited of course, Giddy in fact I think might be a better description, very cool. The small taste of that sparkling nectar of the gods on my lips and tongue was, as expected, all at once pure ecstasy and torture wrapped up nicely in a brown paper package and tied with a raffia bow by Martha Stewart herself. And despite the fact that only our immediate family currently know that T’s boys can swim it feels great just knowing we are not harboring intel that feels like a dirty little secret until the cat is out of the bag. (Shameless reference to the cat again as I really could use that drink and the offer for Russell still stands.) 

The Beef Bourguignon was good; the combo of the rainstorm and early evening chill, family, fireplace and something to celebrate worked out nicely in my favor. Crusty French bread… mmmm… and the homemade sweet apple compote I made the other day with the apples from the farm over ice cream, yes thank you, I WILL have some more, it was fall flavors at their best.

In my innate desire to surround this growing baby with the warmth of a kitchen and the sweet smells of homemade, home baked, and even home fried delights I wildly searched the other day to dig up a decent Beignet recipe- I found of course hundreds that all made my mouth water and I think maybe my knees weak. While I have never been to New Orleans, I have long been a lover and dreamer of the beignet. Any size, any flavor, savory, sweet, you name it. To me they are the ultimate piece of angelic fluff, little clouds of dough with breezes of powdered sugar – perfection. 

Although, the last time we (okay-I) made beignets, I cheated. It was one of those things that seemed like a great idea at the time but turned out more appropriate for the 101 items that could also be used as a home construction material list (oh and, remind me to tell you about the fact that we have only a semi operating, mid-construction master bath at some point as well and how I got us in this pickle). 

I used the Café du Monde mix that Peter and Bonnie brought back from NOLA – gasp – I know, I know… it was in a test, I was super curious to see if it actually worked, and it failed me miserably. 

Therefore, tomorrow, after a semi good night rest (and prayers that the dogs do not decide fake me out of bed at 7:30 only to go outside briefly then snake my spot with muddy paws) and before a planned afternoon of pumpkin picking followed by an evening of making homemade gnocchi, I plan on arising early to make homemade, from scratch, Beignets… I can’t resist. I can’t do very much it feels like these days but I am allowed to cook, and I am allowed to eat. So, as I settle a little deeper into nesting mode, Beignets, a little CBS Sunday Morning, pick ‘em yourself pumpkins, and homemade pasta all sounds ridiculously good. Maybe I’ll throw in a brief nap to put it all over the edge. 

Wow, a girl could get used to this pregnant thing.