Small Plates - March 28, 2008

PUFF PASTRY SHELL DESSERT - My post about Creamed Chipped Beef seemed to strike memories in a lot of my family and friends. Some of you even e-mailed that you were going to make the chipped beef over pastry shells soon.

Though I really enjoyed the chipped beef, another round of the stuff just seemed a bit heavy. But I still had a couple of the pastry shells left, so dessert was born. I baked the puff pastries, heated up some fruit (it was either Trader Joe's or Whole Foods frozen berries, I can't remember which) in the microwave and added some powdered sugar. It was a very tasty way to use up the leftover pastry! If you made the chipped beef and have some of the shells left, give this dessert a try.

PAELLA - Yesterday was National Paella Day and it brought back some interesting memories for me. Many years ago my Cousin was crewing for the band Group 87. He and the band were kind enough to invite me along for dinner at a Spanish restaurant before one of their concerts in San Francisco. Being that Paella had fish and mussels and other things I didn't eat, I opted to order beef. Only I really didn't pay attention to what kind of beef I was ordering (not sure I could actually read the menu, I just knew it was beef and everyone said it was the only non-fishy thing listed). When it came. OH MY GOD. It was the biggest tongue I've ever seen. Seriously, it had to be at least six inches wide and a foot long. It came served whole on a platter and they kind of curled it up on itself. Nobody batted any eye, they all seemed to think this dish looked very tasty. I, on the other hand, was horrified. I'd been privileged to be brought along with the band for dinner, they were paying for my meal, but it was a giant tongue! No way was I going to eat that. I remember putting some on my plate, having another (or two) margarita and then my memory goes blank. I have no idea if I tried some, if it was just moved around the plate or if it ended up discreetly in my napkin. Luckily I must not have offended the members of the band or my cousin because I was allowed to hang around them at future concerts and my cousin still speaks to me.

Comments

[a. grace]

if i were forced to choose between a puff pastry shell filled with creamed chipped beef or with fruit, my head would explode. it's too tough to call.

and tongue? that would have to be drenched in something in order for me to even consider eating it. something like super hot salsa to numb my tastebuds. or perhaps some creamed chipped beef. :)

[Emiline]

Nice prsentation missy. Looks like it came from a restaurant.
I'll have to check out the chipped beef. My mom makes that.