Thanksgiving 2009

I had decided weeks ago that I was not going to plan anything for today, except maybe some volunteering at St. Anthony's Dining Room where they feed about 3,000 people a day. But they were all filled up with volunteers. So I could just take it easy.

I woke up thinking about making sweet potato pie, something I've never done before, but seeing as how I had lots of sweet potatoes around lately, and since Eden had obviously decided to sleep in, that was what I did. I looked around the internet at vegan and non vegan options and came up with a combo. I did not want to use any actual sugar sugar, so I made it with the following ingredients. All measurements are approximate.

About 2 cups of boiled, peeled, then smashed sweet potatoes/yams, whatever they are, mixed with a very large beaten egg, 1/4 cup of half and half, 2 Tbs. maple syrup, 1 Tbs. unsulphured blackstrap molasses, 1/2 tsp. Bourbon vanilla extract, a pinch of cinnamon, a pinch of nutmeg, and the grated zest of half an orange. Poured it into a vegan whole wheat crust and baked at 360o for 60 min.

It was good. I had two slices.                                                                                    

I also wanted to use some of the radicchio I had in the refrigerator. It's so expensive, I certainly didn't want it to spoil. I also had more already cooked sweet potatoes, so while the pie was baking I concocted a Radicchio and Sweet Potato Risotto, which went like this.

Put some water in a kettle to boil. Cook about 1/3 of a thinly sliced medium yellow onion in a some (3 Tbs. ?) EVOO until soft and translucent. Add 3/4 c. of Arborio Rice Superfino (do not rinse first) and stir around to coat with oil. Add 1 and 1/2 packed cups of sliced, then chopped radicchio (the one in the pretty reddish-purple ball). Stir to mix for a couple of minutes. Start adding the hot water in increments. At first add enough to reach top of rice mixture. Stir. As the rice

absorbs the water add more. Stir. I don't stand there and stir non stop. I leave for a few minutes and come back, hoping it hasn't stuck. About midway add 1/2 cube of Vegetable Bouillon, or a whole one, and a tiny pinch of turmeric. Stir. As the rice starts to cook begin adding a lot less hot water each time, but keep stirring. When the rice is just about done add 1 tsp. orange zest and 1/2 of a chopped, cooked, peeled sweet potato. Stir some. Add 1 Tbs. half and half, salt and pepper to taste. I tasted it, I liked it, but later this evening I will also add some grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. A little nutmeg might have been good in this too.

It's now 1:30 pm. I'm still in my pajamas and Eden has moved from the (her) sofa to the (her) armchair. She has awakened long enough to make a very quick trip to the backyard and to occasionally lift her head to bark at the sounds of strangers with children and dogs in tow, coming to visit the neighbors.
Maybe a little walk is next. Time to wake up. No, really. I'm serious.