Heidi, Ken and the kids joined the Phoenix party tonight. We are now 10 adults and 4 kids. Nothing better for a big crowd of eaters than a pizza dinner. We started with make your own pizzas for the kids. We then had three adult pizzas. They are all knavisknitchen favorites. Onion, fennel and Gouda. Tomato and mozzarella. Potato, arugula and fontina. A great party. Many are looking forward to Santa coming tonight!
A great day of climbing on Pinacle Peak. The climber knowler clan had a great, cold day. Back home I cooked up another knavisknitchen favorite from the fall. The photos of this dish were taken by the newest photographer in the Knowler family, Orion. He is a rocking cool kindergarten student and stellar drummer.
Robin and I are now in Phoenix for Christmas with the Knowler Family. I am honored to be allowed to cook for the family and love the job. Robin and I sat down with Kathy and set the menu, all knavisknitchen favorites. Tonight we also cooked for Russ and Sharon Ewers, Knowler family friends.
The menu was grilled salmon, Spanish white beans with spinach, green salad. All the recipes are on the recipes page.
Thanks to Russ for a great Sauvignon Blanc and Kathy for her lemon cream pie.
Good times dancing with Isa and Orion after dinner.
Erin and Joe (or Jor as he is known by his close friends) added a new “signature cocktail” to the Solstice party this year.
The Solstice Sparkler
Inspired by an amazing dinner at Locanda, recipes from Mario Batali’s cookbooks, and a conversation with our friend Taylor Black, we decided to go on with an Italian menu.
I saw a reference to the Ikea Tekla Dish Cloth on a design blog and these classic red striped dish towels felt Italian became our napkins. The red stripe was repeated on the menu and seating cards.
Yes, seating cards. With 27 people seated for dinner in three separate rooms, we wanted everyone to have a chance to mingle. After each course we changed seats. Robin and Erin puzzled over the seating and Joe chimed in best he could.
Solstizio d’Inverno 2011
Antipasti
Insalata Caprese Invernale (Winter Caprese Salad)
Olive con Pomodoro (Warmed Olives in Tomato Sauce)
Pizza Bianca con Cavolfiore (Pizza Bianca with Cauliflower)
Insalata
Aden/Meredith
Rucola, Mirtillo Rosso, e Pecorino (Arugula, Cranberries and Pecorino)
Main
Tre Polpette sulla Pasta al Forno (Three Meatballs and Baked Pasta)
o
Melanzane della Nonna (Grandmother’s Eggplant)
Dolce
Crostata di Mele (Apple Pie)
o
Rustica Torta di Pere (Rustic Pear Torte)
o
Amaretto e Cioccolato (Chocalate Mouse)
Last night Robin and I hosted our fourth Winter Solstice dinner. It was a great party with twenty seven guests. Here are a few shots of us getting ready. The menu and more photos to come.
This is one of our favorite winter recipes. I have been waiting to make it! Very easy always good when it is cold out. The red wine and rosemary really make the dish.
Jack Bishop’s Penne with Portobello Mushroom Ragu
Inspired by a recipe for beet chip sandwiches, I kept the main ingredients and made tasty open-faced vegetarian sandwiches.
Served with some soup from Whole Foods. I must admit the only reason we eat at home tonight was this blog. I was in my office from 7:20 AM until around 6:20 PM. Eleven hours with kids is a long day. Robin suggested eating out but I wanted to make it to the blog. Hence, a dinner! Now, can I apply the saved money to something I want?
A staple, go-to recipe in the Knitchen. I was buying groceries last night with only the Pizza Bianca on my mind and realized that if I did not buy Monday’s groceries that would be five trips to Whole Foods in about three days. Not allowed. I can buy all these ingredients without even thinking about it.
The recipe:
While pasta is cooking, sautee the garlic and red pepper flakes in olive oil. Add kale and toss to coat kale in oil. Add white wine and cover. When green are wilted turn heat to low and add white beans. Mix with cooked pasta and add parmesan.
Robin and I had a wonderful dinner at Locanda in San Francisco with my parents during Thanksgiving Week. It was a truly remarkable meal. One of the first yummy things we had was a Pizza Bianca w/ Cauliflower and Calabrian Chile. Tonight, looking for a Solstice appetizer, I attempted to repeat that dish.
The elements
Good for sure. Not even close to Locanda. The difference? Their bread. More spice. Will work on it, though. A funny dinner to cook.
knavisknitchen 