Culinary Adventures with Camilla

We are kicking off 2021 in our online Lit Happens book group with Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore.* And though it's not a cook-from-the-book kinda group, I am almost always inspired into the kitchen after reading a book or watching a movie.  On the Page image from amazon.com I honestly can't even remember what made me pick up this book, or choose it for the group, but it was a diversion for an evening or two. The ensuing online discussion with the other readers has been much more interesting in my opinion. The premise of this book - that Oona time-travel every year on her birthday and lives her life out of order - is intriguing. And having seen the rave reviews, I was excited to read it. But I struggled through this story because I didn't care for the protagonist.  Oona is selfish and though she’s aware she’s living her life in random, one-year segments, she’s remarkably uninterested in any kind of introspection. Her main goal in life seems to be having fun, rega...

If ever there was a cocktail that was no-fail, the Bloody Mary - and all its variations - would be it, for me. I don't think I've ever had a bad Bloody Mary; I mean, I've had some that are phenomenal and, obviously some are better than others. But it's pretty tough to screw up spiked spicy tomato juice, right? So when I saw a listing for a Bloody Mary event later in the year, I decided to see how else I could use those flavors that I love in something other than a drink. Don't get me wrong, I will use this event as an excuse to try my hand at making a Bloody Geisha (swapping in sake for vodka), a Brown Mary (whiskey instead of vodka), a Green Mary (using tomatillo juice instead of tomato), and so much more! But I started with a meatball variation because we had gone to a party and two of mine didn't get to try any of the meatballs I brought. I had some ground pork from my friends at  California Kurobuta Pork . You can read the article about Jack Kim...

Smoky and charred. This cocktail somehow reminded me of Smoke, a poem by Henry David Thoreau. Melted wings and light-choking smoke. I don't know...my mind works in mysterious ways sometimes. Light-winged smoke, Icarian bird, Melting thy pinions in thy upward flight, Lark without song, and messenger of dawn, Circling above the hamlets as thy nest; Or else, departing dream, and shadowy form Of midnight vision, gathering up thy skirts; By night star-veiling, and by day Darkening the light blotting out the sun; Go thou my incense upward from this hearth, And ask the Gods to pardon this clear flame. When I received Not Ketchup 's Smoky Date*, I knew that I wanted to incorporate it into a cocktail for #10DaysofTailgate. I've long been intrigued by charred cocktails; I opted to go that route. Then, I garnished it with a slider. I used the Smoky Date in both. Yum. And cheers! This isn't really a complicated recipe. It's a cocktail + a slide...