tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post2105507920502761788..comments2024-03-15T01:47:09.194-04:00Comments on ben and birdy: Total Decadence (aka Potato-Fennel Gratin)BenBirdy1http://www.blogger.com/profile/13328557199418095755noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-2368928688848359492012-12-30T15:15:51.230-05:002012-12-30T15:15:51.230-05:00I made this for Christmas dinner and it was wonder...I made this for Christmas dinner and it was wonderful. I used the slicing attachment thing on the Cuisinart and the potatoes were done in 2 minutes flat. (Don't have a mandolin and would kill myself attempting to slice that thinly). Such a great recipe-- we keep jokingly calling it a "fennel dish" and talking about preparing all vegetables in this way. Cream, potatoes and cheese makes everything more delicious!ELN5noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-23210195984591214222012-12-30T14:21:48.390-05:002012-12-30T14:21:48.390-05:00Oh man. This recipe was the BEST Christmas present...Oh man. This recipe was the BEST Christmas present ever. THANKYOU. It was insanely good with our Christmas dinner. jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12408935691535028803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-47943312881615697292012-12-26T12:24:19.123-05:002012-12-26T12:24:19.123-05:00Made this for guests for Christmas dinner. Had a ...Made this for guests for Christmas dinner. Had a brief panic when I looked at my 2 fennel bulbs and didn't think they could possibly chop into 4 cups worth; made an emergency run to the (surprisingly open on Christmas) grocery store for 5 more bulbs. Of course, when I got home and actually started chopping, I realized that my 2 bulbs actually made 3.5 cups. sigh. Oh well. Now we can make this dish again with all our extra fennel....which is great because everyone LOVED the potatoes! This recipe is a keeper!Amynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-9721624572509316582012-12-24T14:06:19.962-05:002012-12-24T14:06:19.962-05:00I've just slid this dish in the oven, waiting ...I've just slid this dish in the oven, waiting for the alchemy to transform mere vegetables and dairy products into something wondrous. Thank you, Catherine! It's part of our Christmas Eve feast. For everyone round your table, 1/2 Jews, lapsed Catholics, crazy Aunt Mable...to each I wish you joy and good food shared with folks you love. ~SandraLee ZAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-15718877658036495952012-12-19T16:27:38.566-05:002012-12-19T16:27:38.566-05:00I made it last night! Divine sweet onion and fenn...I made it last night! Divine sweet onion and fennel wreathed the cream-soaked potatoes. I didn't have 4 cups of fennel but I made it anyway. And it was delish! How can you go wrong with butter and cream? Comfort food at its finest. And this week we all need a little comfort!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-17736294249998718642012-12-19T10:09:39.421-05:002012-12-19T10:09:39.421-05:00I made this last night, amazing. Try it with smoke...I made this last night, amazing. Try it with smoked gouda, it made my house smell awesome! Your fennel bulbs must be huge, I had a big one and it only made 2.5 cups chopped. But it was still wonderful, thanks for all of your recipes, we could not make it through the holidays w/o you!Kimberlynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-81230213367176149212012-12-18T09:09:05.558-05:002012-12-18T09:09:05.558-05:00I made this recipe on Saturday for my husband as a...I made this recipe on Saturday for my husband as a test run for Christmas. He loved them (and so did I) so it is on the menu. For what it is worth, I didn't peel the potatoes because I'm too lazy but because they're so thinly sliced it didn't seem to matter. Thanks for posting this. I hadn't had au gratin potatoes in years and years because I hated how my mom's tasted. These definitely aren't "your mother's au gratin potatoes".Shellynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-52123719237490220382012-12-16T11:13:18.021-05:002012-12-16T11:13:18.021-05:00That looks like a Benriner with "Wonderful sh...That looks like a Benriner with "Wonderful sharpness, speed and Completion!" It will also slice your fingers like the most delicate strips of Chateaubriand given the opportunity. I just finished Caitlin Moran's "How to Be a Woman." Loved it! Teafortwohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07983497572578153064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-65902620791376507542012-12-15T18:51:47.754-05:002012-12-15T18:51:47.754-05:00I talked to my kids (9 and 12) about what happened...I talked to my kids (9 and 12) about what happened. We haven't yet delved into the "why" of it all. Since my nine-year-old is quite politically aware, I know we will be addressing gun control and mental health care eventually; he just didn't seem ready yet. All he wanted yesterday was to sit on my lap and know he was safe. My 12-year-old is dealing with it by discussing it with her friends, which is ok. I told her I'm here if she wants to talk. Newtown is not very far from here (we're in Westchester County, NY), and it sounds so eerily similar to our little town that it makes it even harder to deal with this.Allysonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-28131004041269989782012-12-15T11:25:50.855-05:002012-12-15T11:25:50.855-05:00I am wondering what some of you are saying to your...I am wondering what some of you are saying to your kids about the tragedy. I see the Catherine-followers as (usually) like-minded parents, and was interested in hearing people's perspective. Maybe some of you want to stay focused on cheesy potatoes (which I can TOTALLY understand! :-) ) but I am having a hard time reconciling my reactions to this and am reaching out in a variety of ways to hear people's ideas. <br />I am torn between sheltering/protecting my 13 and 9 year old sons from this and helping them see that beyond compassion, sorrow and empathy for the people involved, we can help them - and ourselves by demanding policy change. I know some people think it should "not be politicized." But isn't it also a form of "politicizing" to ignore or avoid the issues of gun control and mental health care? (The personal IS political, right??) I understand the desire to shield and the desire to join in vigils....but this feels incomplete to me... Any thoughts???? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-9251088195243155102012-12-15T11:05:56.068-05:002012-12-15T11:05:56.068-05:00This sounds absolutely DELISH. I think it could ev...This sounds absolutely DELISH. I think it could even be lightened and still be delish, (this from the weight watchers girl). <br /><br />Your writing is always a satisfying meal in and of itself, one that does not mean ANY POINTS on my points tracker. :O) Thank you for that. <br /><br />Please eat a large plate of this for me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-56267555316056267022012-12-13T16:40:40.390-05:002012-12-13T16:40:40.390-05:00Yum. Even though my thighs didn't need this, ...Yum. Even though my thighs didn't need this, my dear husband made this for my birthday dinner last night. When it came out of the oven I exclaimed, it looks just like Catherine's photo! It was delicious. I am a convert--having grown up eating "fancy" potatoes au gratin from a box...Linda WLnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-81950119208312881372012-12-12T22:54:04.042-05:002012-12-12T22:54:04.042-05:00Oh, this sounds good. We don't have a lot of ...Oh, this sounds good. We don't have a lot of traditional family Christmas dishes since we were the people eating at the Chinese restaurant. I may have to add it to my own list though.<br />I also want you to know that you inspired me to buy a pressure cooker. I bought an electric one, but the promise of beans in under an hour was like a siren song. I will report back about how I feel after using it. I'm still a little afraid of it. lastdogzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10718509254914982478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-54126906476054592252012-12-12T21:24:56.644-05:002012-12-12T21:24:56.644-05:00I only meandered by to let you know that I picked ...I only meandered by to let you know that I picked up How to Be a Woman and have spent my free moments the last two days guffawing like a frat boy, but now I'm rather growly-bellied.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15175574184082527493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-16860871131253891552012-12-12T13:09:19.696-05:002012-12-12T13:09:19.696-05:00A couple of comedians and...CATHERINE NEWMAN make ...A couple of comedians and...CATHERINE NEWMAN make me laugh out loud. Thank you Catherine!Emilyhttp://tolstoyandme.blogger.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-53978109182405711862012-12-12T08:02:34.315-05:002012-12-12T08:02:34.315-05:00My friend john makes this but with kale in it, whi...My friend john makes this but with kale in it, which he swears is part of the 'recipe', but I am certain he added to make us all feel just ever so slightly better about the cup o' cream and pound of cheese...but I do not even care, it is so extremely deeeelicious I can barely keep from shouting at the table!!!!!! People, loves, make and eat! this potato dishmegan renehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12786147076832790516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-59192990819796366752012-12-11T22:32:23.216-05:002012-12-11T22:32:23.216-05:00My mom has taken to making this same dish for almo...My mom has taken to making this same dish for almost every occasion, and we never stop her.Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10582201341470474856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-3911747550018086382012-12-11T14:59:40.093-05:002012-12-11T14:59:40.093-05:00This looks aaaaaaaamazing. Thank you! This looks aaaaaaaamazing. Thank you! Carolinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128106166012206494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-25126806129521272942012-12-11T12:09:45.452-05:002012-12-11T12:09:45.452-05:00I had to laugh - that's exactly what we do wit...I had to laugh - that's exactly what we do with the Robusto in our Whole Foods. I'm always a little worried I'll get a raised eyebrow when we return for the "just to be sure" taste...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-91616007949927186692012-12-10T21:34:38.347-05:002012-12-10T21:34:38.347-05:00Ohhhhhh.... May I brag, please? Please?
I make my...Ohhhhhh.... May I brag, please? Please?<br />I make my own Gouda cheese out of my own goat milk (that I squeeze every single morning from the teets of my lovely goats). I age it in my cheese cave (aka crawl space underneath the bath room, but cheese cave sounds more sophisticated), and sometimes, I have one year aged gouda in there. So I shall make your dish with this cheese of mine, and I am sure my family of five will loooooooove it. Thanks for posting!Marblemount Homesteadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10591217272029541556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-64150112932178074232012-12-10T20:27:17.572-05:002012-12-10T20:27:17.572-05:00I'm drooling on my chin's chin.I'm drooling on my chin's chin. Meganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17990806588804086952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-12594830600742625012012-12-10T19:44:32.886-05:002012-12-10T19:44:32.886-05:00I am in love with your Japanese mandoline, as well...I am in love with your Japanese mandoline, as well! Is it really that color? It's beautiful! Sigh... (Says the woman who forms emotional attachments to inanimate objects more often than she'd like to admit, even to herself.) <3Melanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-75911448223121260522012-12-10T19:07:37.860-05:002012-12-10T19:07:37.860-05:00You've made me a believer...in all of it (dirt...You've made me a believer...in all of it (dirt-basted ham, 10 servings of fat with a side of "veggies," feeding the thighs)6512 and growinghttp://6512andgrowing.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-89018262711813843042012-12-10T17:14:46.913-05:002012-12-10T17:14:46.913-05:00Hello lovah....Oh my word...I am going to make the...Hello lovah....Oh my word...I am going to make the SNACK out of this dish.Hallyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08262964301960374946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31773345.post-34100192893918217322012-12-10T16:23:25.788-05:002012-12-10T16:23:25.788-05:00Hmmm... this seems like a good contender for the C...Hmmm... this seems like a good contender for the Christmas Eve potluck brunch we attend every year. Does it still taste fantastic once it cools down a little? (And yes, I am starving now, thank you very much!)Erinnoreply@blogger.com