When Worlds Collide!

My second job out of college was in product management at the Danbury Mint, a purveyor of fine collectibles. I was telling someone at work today the story about my first assignment marketing our German porcelain dolls, where I shared an office with someone who marketed our assault rifle replicas. One thing led to another and we ended up with a number of lederhosen-wearing dolls who were armed to the teeth.

When I browsed to the Mint's website to look for some photographic evidence of our masterpiece, I was very surprised to find that they are selling a replica of the Compuware Corvette C5-R. I would love to know if this is a big seller.

Sadly, I was unable to find any pictures of the German toddler dolls, Karl and Gretel.

Cassoulet for Dinner!

Keeping with today's French theme, I made cassoulet for dinner - one of my all-time favorite dishes. I try to make this once every winter, but this season almost got away from me - I actually broke out the grill before I had the chance to cook this! Thank goodness it was cold and rainy today - it still feels like winter.

The recipe I use is Simplified Cassoulet with Lamb and Andouille Sausage from the January 2000 issue of Cooks Illustrated. I started brining the chicken around 2:30 this afternoon and sat down to eat around 6:15. It continues to amaze me that a "simplified" recipe can take almost four hours to get to the table. You're working for nearly 3 of those hours, there is a lot of prep.

Any meal that contains chicken, lamb, sausage and bacon is all right with me. I am happy to know what I'm going to have for dinner the next couple of nights.

Bon Appetit!

Beignets for Breakfast!

I forgot to buy eggs yesterday.  What's a guy to do for breakfast?  Break out the Beignet Mix from New Orleans' own Cafe Du Monde, of course.

I didn't have any of their chicory-laced coffee, but it was a good treat nonetheless.

I would have posted a picture of the ones I made, but they didn't last very long.