Sunday Treasures

Major forward motion yesterday in my mission to master a few key Japanese dishes, namely Tonkotsu Ramen. Jen, my partner in food porn crime, and I were walking around chatting after coffee and she dragged me to the Meathook. (Ok, so I really wanted to go, but there was a lot of snow and puddled sludge along the way.) We each selected 2 sausages from the case, resisting the temptation to buy one of every beautiful red hunk of meat in the place. Then I remembered that I needed pork knuckles to boil with the ribs for making the tonkotsu broth.

When I asked for them, the butcher brought out 3 gorgeous joint pieces with some leg meat still attached. Excited at the thought of making my yummy broth, I asked question up on question about the meat until he finally introduced me to the Japanese guy working behind the counter who just so happened to have worked in a restaurant that made Tonkotsu. Drat that I can't remember his name (Tichi? Kiti? Chiki?)! But he thinks my name is Jim so we're even for now.

Anyway, he scoffed at my knuckles so I told him I'd be back with my recipe and he can help me fix it up. I also offered to bring in a sample of the outcome if he'll critique it for me.

I was almost beside myself with delight at the thought of what synchronicity had brought this person not only into my life, but into my meat market. So after Jen and I said our good-byes, I scuttled home to make brunch for my very grouchy, but very sick husband - Weekend Eggs (recipe to follow), With fresh rosemary focaccia and one of the sausages. For myself, I also whipped up a blood orange and gin gimlet (recipe below as well) and a big pot of chili - half for later in the week and the other half for freezing until the making of my chili mac for a friend's Superbowl party. I'll be sure to type that recipe up later this week and share.

We ended the day with this recipe  for Braised Leeks and Pappardelle from Jaime Oliver. It was magical!