Obama's Official Inaugural Luncheon by the Home Cook

I'm really bad at making family traditions. Sometimes I wonder what memories Braeden will have when he grows up. I have a hard time making a big fuss over Holidays when honestly I'd rather just go on a trip and skip the whole thing.

I want Braeden to have fond memories of growing up even though maybe they are strange memories and aren't the same kind every other child in the world has of Christmas morning (well hopefully there are a couple of those too). I've always thought it important that he knows where he came from--that Ryan and I are more that just "Braeden's Parents" so I make a big deal of him knowing who we are as individuals as well.

Today was an important day to me. More important than the spelling and arithmetic that Braeden should have sat through. I kept him home from school and we had an amazing day together. We watched the entire festivities of the Inauguration and then made the official Inauguration Luncheon. You can download all of the recipes here:

http://inaugural.senate.gov/luncheon/index.cfm

(Although I would say making it all in one day was quite exhausting. I would probably break it up into a few different meals next time.)

Seafood Stew

"A Brace of American Birds" Duck served with Sour Cherry Chutney and Molasses Sweet Potatoes and "Winter Vegetables" (although I don't consider Asparagus or beans winter vegetables).

Apple Cinnamon Sponge Cake and Sweet Cream Glace




We had a great time cooking together and talking about what an important day in history this is. After everything was finished we talked about what he learned today. He said "not much" but then proceeded to tell me for a good half an hour more than I ever would have thought he could have absorbed in one day (who was there, what they said, what they did, what it looked like, the musical numbers, etc.) from George Bush to "President-elect Obama who is now President Obama and Michelle" to "Vice President Joe Biden."

To sum it up, here is to hoping he remembers it. If not that's ok because I am happy.

Salt Lake City Downtown Farmer's Market

We finally got to go back to the Downtown Farmer's Market today. The assortment is great during this time of year. We picked up some delicious heirloom tomatoes ($3/lb), basil ($1/bag), thyme ($1/bag), a cucumber (2/$1), an eggplant ($1), and another bag of our favorite Wild Flour pancake mix ($12/5lb. bag). You can find this local favorite pancake mix at some Utah grocery stores including Harmons. It is made without any white flour, white sugar, or trans fats.

Today was a very nice day at the farmer's market. The place was packed, but there was still plenty of parking. In case you go, we have found the best place to park is a parking garage (free!) about a block north of pioneer park on 4th west.

We came home and made delicious BLT's with a light rye bread (browned in a pan with a little butter), the heirloom tomatoes, light mayo mixed with just a little lemon juice, freshly ground black pepper, and chopped fresh basil, and crunchy bacon. It was a great end of summer meal.

We also picked up a delicious individual fresh fruit pie with Strawberries, Blackberries, Raspberries, and Peaches. The ladies were sitting behind the table cutting the fresh fruit as we watched on. It was in a nice homemade basic pie shell (that reminded me of the kind my parents made growing up). A little cream topped it off ($5). Our son picked up a double scoop of ice-cream (I think it was called Scoop Dog) in chocolate and baklava ($3.75) that was really good put on the pricey side.

If you get the chance before year end the Downtown Farmer's Market makes for a fun Saturday morning or a lazy Saturday afternoon (they also have lots of food vendors serving lunch).