Sunday's Supper: Summer Zabaglione

This recipe isn't big or fancy, though it sounds it. I didn't eat a big supper today, as Mr. Radar is traveling. With no one to feed, I decided to make a simple dessert, ideal for a single person.

Zabaglione is a very simple egg custard, containing only three ingredients. Pour it over fruit and you have a simple, satisfying summer treat. Marsala wine is traditional; I prefer the taste of Vin Santo. It's sweeter and has a fruitier flavor.

Ingredients
2 egg yolks
2 tablespoons Vin Santo
1-2 tablespoons of sugar, depending on taste. I prefer less sugar, but the traditional ratio is 2-2-2.
Berries of your choice (I used the berries procured yesterday at the market).

Preparation

Whisk the yolks, sugar, and Vin Santo in a glass bowl. (Yes, it must be a glass bowl). Place the glass bowl over a pot with 2 inches of simmering water. Do not allow the bowl to touch the water. Whisk vigorously until the mixture has doubled or tripled in volume. This takes 3-4 minutes. Do not overcook, or the egg yolks will scramble. You can chill this mixture, but I recommend eating it immediately. If you're feeling fancy, top the Zabaglione with toasted almond slices or pistachios. Mangia!

Market Marvels: 2nd Street Market finds!

Every Saturday, I go to the 2nd Street Market. I like to go early- as they say, the early bird gets the worm. I certainly hit the jackpot this morning! Let's have a look:

Great stuff, huh? It's no secret that I'm passionate about local produce. I'm downright tyrannical. I will often go to 3-4 different markets a week. Mr. Radar, being the ever patient husband, obliges me. This week, though, I found everything that I wanted at 2nd Street.
There were quite a few surprises this week, including these delightful tart cherries from Flying Mouse Farms of Yellow Springs:

This is Flying Mouse's first appearance at 2nd Street. What a splash! I love, love tart cherries. Other shoppers scoffed at the cherries, because they "take too much work." I think that most Ohioans do not have a thorough appreciation of the tart cherry. As a Michigander, I was thrilled. I had tears in my eyes, my mind filled with fond Michigan Memories.

These beauties are from Hungry Toad farms. Mike Malone is delightful, and his produce is top notch. I've frequented his stand for about four years. Mike's farm is being encroached upon by suburban sprawl. Mike's been farming organically for over 30 years, and is resolved to keep his farm and fight the sprawl. Keep fighting, Mike!

Arugula and snap peas from Ben and Emily Jackle of Mile Creek Farms Mr. Radar and I befriended Ben and Emily several years ago. We love to support their business. They have fantastic produce and flowers. I especially like their Arugula in my pesto!

Lastly, the pork lady of KJB Farm. I know, those are eggs. I'm devoted to these eggs; they are consistently fresh and delicious. I don't recall ever getting a bad egg from KJB.

If you, like me, love food, check out your local market. Daytonians, make sure to check out the offerings at 2nd Street today. It's good, local fun.

London Neighborhood Spotlight: Balham

We were told not to look South of the Thames. We were advised to look at the flashier neighborhoods near Mr. Radar's work, like Islington and Angel. Unfortunately, those flashier neighborhoods are competitive, expensive, and less flexible about dogs.

I rarely do what I'm told anyway, so I started looking in Southwest London, figuring it would be less expensive and less competitive. And of course, I have found a delightful neighborhood south of the Thames. Balham and Clapham are just south of the Thames, and full of delightful parks (five in a 1.5 mile radius!!!), Victorian mansions, and charming private gardens. Mr. Radar likes to work at home a lot- and having a larger space in a quieter neighborhood sounds nice to both of us.

The John Walter's House, Clapham Common


King George's Park


Charming Terrace House

The Bucket List

Who doesn't have a bucket list? I figure our move to London gives me a legitimate excuse to cross a few places off of my list. Here are the places I think we can accomplish during our time in London.

1. Dubrovnik & Greece- I'm hoping we might be able to go to Dubrovnik & Greece to celebrate our anniversary (maybe in 2012).

*image courtesy of Croatian National Tourist Board

2. Prague
3. Budapest
4. Spain-om nom nom (ham! tapas! sangria!)
5. Scotland- I especially want to ride the Jacobite steam train, aka The Hogwarts express! I hope we can take several weekend trips, but not too many to distract Mr. Radar from his mound of research.

*image from my favorite obsessive fan site, The Leaky Cauldron.

6. Ireland- Mr. Radar's parents are coming in July 2012, and the in-laws want to see Ireland. I think we might go on a cruise, which might be easier on the in-laws, who have never been overseas before.
7. Naples & the Amalfi Coast- In October, we are going to Naples (a work trip for Mr. Radar, more vacation for me!!)
8. British Coast- I would also like to take Buddy to the ocean. There are lots of pet friendly cottages along the coast, and I think it would be fun to take Buddy on a nice coastal vacation.

Sunday's Supper: Lemon and Rhubarb Cake

This cake is sooo delicious. The first time I made it, I ate nearly half the cake in one day. I had to make a few changes to the recipe, so obviously, I ate more cake to perfect my adaptation! Dear readers, bake this deliciousness with caution. But do bake it! and share it with the people you love. They will thank you.



Hannah, at Honey & Jam made this cake, and I saw it on her blog. I had to try it- with a twist of my own. This is one of many rhubarb recipes I have tried and hacked recently. I think this one is truly the best. I made some changes, adding some vanilla to enhance the flavor of the rhubarb. I also wanted more rhubarb! There just weren't enough of the tart jewels in the original recipe for my taste.




Adapted from http://www.honeyandjam.com and Rustic Fruit Desserts by Schrieber and Richardson.

Luscious Cake

2 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 cup unsalted butter
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
zest of 1 lemon
3 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract (I used 1 teaspoon of fiore di sicilia- use it if you have it!)
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 pound rhubarb, trimmed and very thinly sliced (4 cups when sliced)

Creamy Lemon Frosting

2 cups confectioners sugar, more as needed
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon melted butter

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350. Butter or spray a standard (10 cup) Bundt pan. In a bowl, mix the 2 1/2 cups flour, baking powder and sea salt together. Make sure there are no lumps and that the salt and baking powder are fully incorporated. Set aside. Using a stand mixer or beaters, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the lemon zest and the eggs, one at a time. Scrape down the sides. Add the vanilla and lemon extracts. Incorporate the flour, alternating between flour and buttermilk. Begin and end with the flour. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl, just in case! This batter is very thick and stiff.

Toss the sliced rhubarb in the remaining 2 tablespoons of flour until coated. Fold 3/4 of the rhubarb into the batter, leaving about 1 cup of rhubarb. Pour or spoon the batter into the bundt pan. Top the batter with the remaining rhubarb.

Bake for 30 minutes. Check the cake, turn it, and bake for another 20-30 minutes. The cake should be fully set, and spring back when you touch it. While the cake is cooling, make the frosting. Place a small saucepan on low heat. Add the confectioners sugar, lemon zest and juice, and melted butter. Whisk until incorporated. Pour over cake immediately and serve!

The Big Purge

Things are at a stand still for right now. I've packed all of the boxes I can- but I continue to parse down unnecessary stuff. I've given away appliances, furniture (two huge 7 foot tall wardrobes!!), clothes, bags, and a childhood toys. Nothing pained me more than seeing our cats go to a new home.
Scout and Louise, our two lovebirds, have gone to live with Mr. Radar's parents for the next three years. We've visited them quite a few times since dropping them off in suburbia, and frankly, they don't seem to miss us at all!


Scout pictured above. Louise is elusive, and frankly a bit scared of the camera. There are no known photographs of the two of them together- so just revel in the cuteness that is scout. Photo creds to Mary in STL.

Long day of Immigration details

There are so many intricacies to immigrating to a new country- even if it is temporary. Our visa process is progressing, though there are many more steps to complete.

Poor Buddy's European Union passport, otherwise known as the Pet Travel Scheme, is not going so well. Our vet has never processed an international pet passport and basically refused to help us. After 3 hours on the phone with USDA, I found the APHIS veterinarian in Ohio. I spent nearly an hour on hold just to talk to a representative for Ohio APHIS. After all that, she did not tell me anything that I didn't already know.

In short, Buddy will be very confused, but unharmed. We are assured that the microchipping and blood tests are harmless, and are considered routine veterinary processes. Buddy will stay with his grandparents for three months, but remain with us in England for the other 2 years and 6 months.



For anyone else going through this, your cat, dog or ferret needs:

A special ISO compliant microchip
A new Rabies shot, done after he/she is microchipped
THEN a TITER Rabies test. The test can only be processed at the Kansas State Rabies Laboratory.

IF there is enough antibodies in the pets system, she begins her six month wait to enter the UK. Pets could go to the UK after the above steps are completed, BUT they will sit in quarantine for up to 180 months.

Also:
Need a letter from the veterinarian
Need to take a special form (EU 998) to the USDA APHIS facility. The nearest one to Dayton is in Pickerington, OH near Columbus. Hopefully, they certify our paperwork.

Lastly, the pet needs to be treated for fleas and ticks 24-48 hours prior to departure.

THEN the pet has to go to a certified airport, using a certified route (non-stop to London via Gatwick or Heathrow only).

It's all worth it to have Buddy with us. He'll get to spend time with the British mutts, play in British fields, and maybe even chase a pheasant or two.