Commenting and Combating

So first things first - it sounds like some of you have been having a tad bit of trouble posting your candy house selections in our comment box.  (That and most people have real lives and don't have as much time as me to squander fooling around on the interweb.) 

Anyway, due to that lack of enthusiasm we haven't gotten a peep out of our Judge Dickie Boy, so until you all get your voting on, the owner of each candy house side and this year's competition winner will be kept in secrecy.  (Come on guys!  You're cutting into my year of glory - I need to be crowned ASAP!)

First: click here to get the post.

Then, scroll to the bottom until you see this box:

Next, type your comment in the box and where it says Comment as select the Name/URL or Anonymous option.

Finally, click Post Comment to submit!  HOORAY! 



In other news, I just bid adieu to Stefan as he heads off to Swiss military duty for the month of December. 

Yes, you read that correctly. 
Despite its seemingly peaceful nature, Switzerland DOES have a fully functioning military. 
And yes, being a country of only ~8 million, every male citizen MUST serve. 
And no, serving does NOT just entail waving a white flag with a Swiss army knife in pocket; they have real guns with real bullets that they keep hidden away in their little Swiss huts waiting for target testing each year.
 
And yes, my 31-year-old boyfriend is required to fulfill his Swiss obligation 3-4 weeks every single year.

So since he'll be eating 5000-calorie chocolate bars and nothing else for the next month (except for perhaps that pizza he'll find while "lost" driving the equipment truck from barrack to barrack),

 

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I figured I'd cook him one last good one with some of his favorites.

So I brainstormed a list of all the things he loves to devour:

Horseradish, Gummy Bears, Salmon

Cheese, Paprika, Fine Wine

And then I thought about some things I adore:

Stone Ground Mustard, Brussels Sprouts, Pickles, Anything sweet



So for dinner, I did a mini-combo of all of the above:

A delicious bottle of Ridge Zinfandel from Paso Robles

paired with a cheese, meat, pear, and pickle plate to start

Some fresh, steamed Brussels sprouts...

...tossed in a creamy horseradish and bacon

sauce as a side

(steam the sprouts and then mix them with sour cream,

prepared horseradish, chopped bacon bits (or in this case, extra dry coppa from your cheese and meat plate), salt and pepper)

And then some smoky maple-mustard

salmon as the main

(simply mix pure maple syrup, smoked paprika,

stone ground mustard, salt and pepper,

then spread a thick layer over the fillet,

and broil it at 450 for 7-8 minutes: D - lish!)

And finally, some gummy bears for dessert!

It was a delicious, but doleful, dinner. 

Good luck my soldier!  Don't forget to bring me back some of that chocolate (and more importantly, comment on my previous post)!

xoxo

KK

Competition: Candy

If you know a Krieg or a Gallun, you know competition runs deep within our veins.  You probably don't know too many grandparents who will take on their 4-year-old grandchild in Connect 4 and demolish them to pieces guilt free, but where I'm from, that's not only commonplace but expected.  We live for the win, regardless of how it is earned. While teaching me the tricks of the trade in Scrabble, my grandpa Dickie Boy once showed me how by flipping over a lettered piece, I could get myself an extra blank one.  Oh what fabulous values.

One of the many Krieg family traditions is our annual decoration of The Candy House.  While many would find connection, companionship, and cheer in this seemingly friendly act, our family takes it hostile - divvying up each side and turning sibling against sibling for a full-out battle in culinary confection.

The rules are simple:
Each child (Gretchen, Sam, Me) gets one of the four sides with one rotating guest artist landing the fourth.  We are each allowed to join Mom at the store to make our candy selections - any confectionery sweet is fair game with other commonly found kitchen extras available for assistance on game night (think: toothpicks, aluminium foil, knives).  Before frost-off, we arrange all the goods around The House and take our seats. 

When Mom gives the signal (popping open that first jar of Betty Crocker glaze), we attack - spreading on that white sugar coating and slapping on our first bonbons.

Each architect is given as long as needed to complete their side, but most grow weary after a few hours or so.  Once fully furnished, the house is placed at the center of our dining room table on display for the participants to argue over whose side will reign supreme - but no debate can determine a victor.  The gold medalist isn't determined until The House is judged by a cardinal family authority. The winner then receives complete and full adoration and bragging rights until the following year.

Post competition 2009

This year, the competition rules were no different. 

The teams were:

• Me and Stefan
• Sam
• Gretchen
• Mom and Dad

Our grandfather Dickie Boy was crowned JUDGE.  Since he was sadly unable to attend the joyous, albeit cutthroat, event due to some previous family obligations in Aspen (tough life I know), he has not yet determined what side will bring home the trophy. 

Since he is an avid reader of this blog (or so I like to think even though he recently called my past potty humor sophomoric and told me to get an editor: him), I thought I could introduce you all to each of the sides so you can help him make his final decision. 

SIDE 1:

Note the Christmas tree, bubbling brook, door side lanterns, and...

...Harley Davidson motorcycle.

SIDE 2:

Note the sheer blitzkrieg of color, the black

smoke pouring from the chimney,

the pink shutters, and wooden fence.

SIDE 3:

Note the small skating pond, wooden water-side bench,

Christmas colored wreath, brick roof, and stone walkway.

 SIDE 4:

Note the ceremoniously decorated roof (WE <3 DICK),

yellow brick road, flower boxes...

...gravestone for the dog, roaring fire pit,

and small little vineyard not yet blossomed.

CAST YOUR VOTE BY VISITING THIS BLOG POST ONLINE AND POSTING A COMMENT WITH YOUR SELECTION!  Additional comments and guesses at whose side is whose are welcomed and appreciated!

As soon as the winner is determined (Dickie - we're counting on you!), I'll be back to reveal who lays claim to each side of this fine edifice and unveil our CANDY CHAMPION!

xoxo
KK

PS. I know you're all uber curious about where to get yourself one of these fine structures so you can start the battle roaring in your household.  Unfortunately, this wooden antique was inherited by my mom from her grandmother and the Krieg children have already called dibs on acquiring it - we've agreed that whoever ends up having the first of the next generation (yes, a child) gets it.  BRING IT ON SAM!

Tie me a bow

My earliest memories of Thanksgiving dinner were all at the lovely River Hills home of my grandma Kaka and her charming husband Normie.  Since their marriage was a second for both, the holiday brought together their two families making an already joyous jubilee even more jolly.  Gretters, Sam and I spent months anticipating the event and its fixings - it was always a real celebration.

Sadly, Normie passed away of ALS, or Lou Gehrig's Disease, a few years ago.

Sam and Normie - always one to get down

on the ground to play with us kids

The legend showing us

how it's done at Eaton's Ranch

With the kids having more kids (and we're talking a LOT of kids - more on that later), the grandkids going off to college, and the increasing cost of transcountry airfare, the Thanksgiving tradition of always getting together as a big bubbly bunch began to fall apart.  

But this year, Kaka brought it back with some serious style. 

While I don't have a picture to prove it, Normie was a notorious wearer of the bow tie, and a fabulous one at that; he wore it better than anyone I know.  To honor him and his high-class wardrobe, Kaka requested that all the boys dress up in the celebratory costume this past Thursday evening.

Sadly I was having too much fun to snap

more shots than this, but please note the ridiculously cute

nature of small little boys in bow ties

Now while that was all fab and wonderful for the majority of the males in my entourage (my dad - who loves to throw a black tie event like no other - could tie one in his sleep while my little bro - after inheriting Normie's top-notch collection - wore one every day to high school), my European half wasn't quite as well prepared. 

To his credit, he had successfully tied a bow tie once before: September 10th, 2011 to be exact.  We had been invited to a Swiss wedding reception with a black tie dress code (or "smoking" as they like to call it over there - don't ask, I don't get it either).  I had tried to convince him to go for the easy pre-tied bow, but he was determined to do it the old school way.  Unfortunately, we both forgot that he might need a little extra assistance in getting dressed in that particular outfit until a measly fifteen minutes before we were scheduled to head down to the party.  We spent those final few minutes in a full and utter panic madly searching for the best youtube videos on the feat (inquire within if your dress code deems a lesson necessary).  Eventually, he pulled it off only to learn that of the ~100 males in attendance, only 2 didn't take the pre-tied route.  Oh well.

Anyway, given that it was nearly 2.5 months later (and I'd taken the liberty of pouring him a few delicious glasses of the below), Stefan had forgotten much of his sophisticated stuff. 

Some unreal wine from the friendliest family

vineyards that we visited while on a Krieg family tour

of California wine country this past August -

more of that to come.  

So we kindly asked my sweet brother Sam to help out:

"Oh you need my help now do you?"

"Now listen up here mister..."

"...if you ever hurt my sis, I know where you live.

And let me remind you, I can benchpress two of

you for dinner and dead lift four of you for dessert."

"But seriously, you're a great guy.

But seriously, I am watching you."

One happy bow-tied (and slightly tipsy) camper

The event was filled with a plethora of divine dishes, free-flowing Veuve, delightful conversation, and a good helping of overindulgence - all in all a fabulous evening.

Tune back in tomorrow for one of the finest Krieg family traditions: the Candy House.

xoxo

KK

  

Cinnamon Cow Droppings and Brunsli Patties

So I know I told you all I might not say hello this week, but my weekend was just too good not to share.  I'm making today's post extra long as it will need to hold you over until NEXT Monday - we're taking the red-eye to Milwaukee tonight - so indulge accordingly!

Sadly, my boyfriend was in Peru all last week.  I mourned his absence by going to see the new Twilight movie: Breaking Dawn Part 1.  For years, I've avoided these sissy scifi screenplays (vampires, wolves, blood - what could be more UN-enticing), but for some reason Friday afternoon, I decided to roll the dice.  And now, I am 100% OBSESSED.  Post movie, I went home to rent the rest of the series on On Demand, download the full soundtrack, and dream about being injected with vampire venom.

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After picking Stefan up at SFO Saturday morning, I dragged him to my fav SF spot - the Saturday farmers' market - for some free fruit and smoked salmon sandwiches.  In addition to about $30 worth of persimmons, we picked up some Happy Girl Kitchen Pickles, a few beautifully brown pears, a lovely bouquet of flowers for the front hall...

...AND, FINALLY, the best little secret the farmers' market has to offer: the freshly baked apple crumble tarts at Hidden Star Orchards.

  

Hidden Star doesn't actually "sell" these fine treats (apparently, they're only licensed to market apples in the raw), but if you know who to ask, they may have a little something - baked just that morning - hidden away under the counter just for you.

 

We were having two of our favorite friends over for an aperitif that evening, so we thought this divine little dessert could be shared as a special post-snack treat among the bunch.  Since Ward and Dan have UNREAL taste in wine, we agreed to let them bring the beverages while we'd supply the cheese.  We made a quick trip to Cheese Plus for our favorites: Appenzeller Extra, Roquefort Blue, Italian tartufo (oh TRUFFLE!), and then one new guy - some creamy goodness from Vermont whose name I forget.  (While Stefan has a severe affinity for cheese, his taste lies primarily in European creations of the stuff.  Recently, however, he has decided to gain some appreciation for the US cheesemongers among us.  A smart man.)

Dan and Ward did not let us down when it came to the wine.  Last time, we wined with them Stefan described his ideal glass and they nailed it to a tee with their selections on Saturday.  They brought two positively blissful bottles:

A Papapietro Perry 2009 Pinot Noir

for Zinfandel lovers (which we most certainly are) 

and a David Coffaro 2010 Zin

(Oh, how they spoil us.)

After finishing both bottles by 7, Stefan and I had a quick date at Chouquet's and then passed out. 

The next morning, we were up early for brunch at the lovely new home of a former boss of both of ours.  We drolled over their gorgeous house, their two beautiful and extremely well-behaved little girls, and the delicious cheesy mushroom and ham egg souffle we dined on.

You'd think we'd had enough food by the time we were done there, but no, not us.  We decided to embark on an afternoon of traditional Swiss Christmas cookie making.  And since both of us are just a tad bit overachievers, we absolutely couldn't stop with only one variety - we'd have to do four, three of which would fall into the EXTRA challenging category. 

When our $13.99 ($9.99 with the $4 mail-in rebate) Walgreens hand mixer blew out on batch #1, I began to get a bit nervous that we had gotten ourselves in just a bit over our heads.  But we maintained focus and forged ahead strong.  (But only after making a quick trip to the hardware store to upgrade to the Kitchen Aid variety of course.  No, not a stand mixer, although I did beg and plead for one for a good twenty minutes.  Christmas present idea, anyone?) 

Seven hours later, our cookies were complete - only they didn't look exactly like they were supposed to:

Mailanderli

The original:

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Ours:

Spitzbuebe

The original:

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Ours:

Zimsterne

The original:

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Ours: 

Brunsli

The original:

Ours: 

Stefan renamed our final two:

Instead of Zimsterne - Zimthuefe (Cinnamon Cow Droppings)

And instead of just plain old Brunsli - Brunsliflaede (Brunsli Patties)

Yummy.

Around these parts, most people don't know what these little guys are supposed to look like, so we'll get away with dishing these out but still avoiding the sharp Swiss scrunity we would have been forced to face had we baked in Zurich.

And it's a good thing - because we made a lot.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Until next week,

xoxo

KK