Kimchi Hot Pot - Guys' Dinner

A holiday present of Sukiyaki hot pot led to a creative meal on a cold rainy day with friend/family for this Kimchi hot pot.  Good job guys!

Snow Covered Yule Log

Per Grandson's request, for 2010 Christmas dinner party, we made a snow covered yule log with rice crispie owl friends.

The cake is chiffon coconut cake filled with custard cream with raspberries.  Covered with creme chantilly sprinkled with powdered sugar.  The grandchildren made the rice crispie owls based on the Legend of the Guardians: Owls of Ga'Hoole.

Sauted Fresh Baby Pumpkin with Mixed Mushrooms

Prepare Mushrooms first
Ingredients
1 C Mushrooms, button and shiitake, chopped
2 Tb clarified butter
1/8 tsp salt
pinch of black pepper
2 Tb Chicken stock
1 Tb extra dry vermouth

Saute mushrooms in the heated butter.  

Add all ingredients. Cook to evaporate liquid from mushrooms. Cook till they are slightly golden brown. Remove from heat. 

Set aside.  (You can always have two saute pan going.)

Sauted Baby Pumpkin Ingredients
1 6" Fresh baby pumpkin off the vine, washed, peeled, Julienned

2 Tb clarified butter 

Pinch of salt

Pinch of white peppper

Julienne pumpkin.

Saute pumpkin in clarified butter for 1 minute. (Taste for tenderness - Check every 15 to 30 seconds.) 

Add less than half of the cooked mushrooms.  Heat through.  Remove from heat.

Arrange on individual serving plate.  Top with mushrooms.

Or, Serve as family style on a platter and top with the mushrooms.