Thanksgiving Eats - Aftermath

So everything turned out delicious! We burned the stuffing a little, but it was still a thousand times better than any store bought box. Definitely something worth making from scratch. The gratin came out perfect, crispy on top and creamy in the middle. I think the gruyere cheese combined with the fennel gave it a really rich taste.

The ham came out great, not too sweet yet juicy. We had some glaze leftover (cherry preserves, orange juice, and Grand Marnier), I think we're going to use it as cheesecake topping.

It's always fun to cook new things, and even better when they come out tasty!

Thanksgiving Eats

Instead of turkey, we're going to make ham tonight! The menu:

* Ham baked in Dr. Pepper with cherry/orange glaze

* Potato and Fennel gratin

* Bacon, Apple, Onion, and Fennel stuffing

* Roasted vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots)

There's a rustic vibe to the meal, and these are all dishes we haven't cooked before, so it should be interesting. It's the first time we've used fennel - I'm not really a licorice fan, but I think it'll add a tasty twist.

And now, back to the cookery!

Book Review - The Graveyard Book

The Graveyard Book
By Neil Gaiman
Published September 2008

See synopsis and editorial opinions on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

As Neil Gaiman stories go, this one is pretty typical. A bit macabre yet light hearted, inventive and whimsical, and a main character with simple roots who grows into something more over the course of his adventures. I don't think it's his best work, but it's enjoyable, written with his usual concise, beautiful language and practical handling of fantasy. The Dave McKean pen and ink illustrations are lovely; it's nice to see his work in another medium.

The plot is relatively simple: a baby orphan of a murdered family is adopted and raised by a graveyard's inhabitants. As he tries to figure out his place between the living and dead, he makes many discoveries, including the friendship of a live girl and the need to avenge his family's deaths. But what makes Neil Gaiman a genius is how he reinvents werewolves and ghouls and tombs and haunts into interesting scenarios and personalities. Overall, it was a fun and short read, good for curling up in the couch on a fall afternoon.

Bringing Sci-Fi to the Masses

I'm deeply saddened by the death of Michael Crichton. He was a great bridge between the science fiction masters of old and the modern reader. His execution of the genre was spot on, exploring the impact of science gone awry, of how technology reveals the essence of the human spirit. I always liked his ideas and his writing had just enough technical jargon balanced with swift and interesting plot. With the popularity of Jurassic Park and The Andromeda Strain, I view him as crucial to bringing serious sci-fi to mass media, along the lines of Alien and The Terminator. His gift for suspense and story were evident in some of my favorites, like Sphere and Congo.

His non-sci-fi novels were enjoyable too. I really liked Rising Sun (my first real exposure to Japanese culture) and Disclosure, and though I was never a fan of ER, the long term success of that show is more evidence of his talent.

I have dog-eared copies of many of his novels. He left behind few published works compared to other authors of his stature. But the quality of his legacy is simply amazing and he will definitely be missed. Rest in Peace, Mr. Crichton, and may all your writings stay fiction and never come to pass!

President Obama

There's not much to say that hasn't been said already. So I will only add one little personal statement: I do not envy Obama. He just got one of the toughest, most stressful jobs in the world, with woes lining every corner and a whole lot of high expectations. I hope he's ready!