Future vacations

It has been a while since I had a chance to update you on what's been happening. This is what I've been up to as of late.

I've been prepping for a family gathering the day after Christmas. Things are still in the planning stages. My wife, through a friend suggested Turducken. But I rejected that notion since a dish of that sort does not lend itself to a setting of finger foods, drinks, and card games among a slew of relatives and friends just hanging out. I suggested smoked pork loin with some sort of cranberry mustard, grilled chicken wings, a salmon roll, and other "nibble" type foods and condiments that can be easily stored and discared. For drinks, we'll serve wine, and mixed beverages for adults, and non-alcoholic frozen drinks for the youngsters. I'm sure there will be more discussion on this as we get closer to the actual event.

I've successfully created two dishes my family likes that consist of chopped garlic, onions, and sundried tomatoes sauteed in olive oil, lemon or lime juice marinated chicken or shrimp, topped with broccoli, served in a cream sauce over pasta. My hardest critics - my wife and kids loved it!

I'm trying to generate interest in visiting Germany or France with my immediate family members and a few close friends and relatives. Several times over the last eight years I've had the pleasure of visiting Northern Italy (Venice, Trieste, Cortina), France (from Paris west to Normany and east to Reims and Epernay), Belgium, Luxembourg, the Rhineland of Germany, Spain and Turkey. Most of my time was spent along the Mosel and Rhine River region of Germany, so the bulk of my familiarity lies within that area. Nevertheless, I find the history of Europe facinating; the landscapes breathtaking; the cuisines superb and diverse; and the wine variety is ... well outstanding! On many occasions I've cooked from memory dishes I've had while in Europe.

Check out these photos:
1) Taittinger Champagne Caves, in Reims, France
2) Piesport, Germany from a hill over looking the Mosel River
3) The 1933 World's Fair Site in Brussels, Belgium
4) Notre Dame & Statue of Joan of Arc - Reims, France