Who wouldn't want one of these???

Yes, that is a bowl of my green Thai curry, but that is not what I am asking about...

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What I want to know is who out there wouldn't mind one of these??

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Sure it looks like a gas burner, right? Look closer, notice how perfect the blue flame is? There is no glowing orange fire, as so happens when I turn on my stove. Here the gas flow is just right...creating this perfectly even beautiful blue flame.

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So I'll ask you yet again, who wouldn't want one of THESE?!?!?

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That is right, your very own Viking Professional Series Gas Range!

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Now how about if your super duper fancy Viking Professional Range was in something like this??

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Yes, an extremely large marble topped island in the middle of...

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a kitchen just like this!!
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This is the much gloated about kitchen of my Adventures in House Sitting. The design is based on an Inn the couple stayed at in Napa during their early years together.
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Can you imagine coming home each day to cook in one of these?!?! I mean, don't get me wrong, I LOVE my kitchen at home. It's the best kitchen I've ever had the pleasure to call home...but really look at this one, just amazing!!!
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Having house-sat for these folks for a few years now, I know just what items I have to make during my stay. You see their son LOVES food and even more so, is WILD about spicy food!!

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On the menu for this episode of Adventures in House Sitting is Thai Green Curry made with coconut cream (remember, according to my fabulous half-Thai sister in law, it's better than coconut milk...more rich and greater flavor!)

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I had some pork in the fridge at my house, so as I packed up my Asian cupboards (somethings you just can't find or buy elsewhere) and I threw the pork into the mix.

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I also had some green beans, sweet baby peppers, vidalia, and a lime to use up.

The baby carrots came from their fridge.

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A true melting pot for all things needing to be cleaned out of the fridge!

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As the simmering pot begins to meld on this gray day, the sun decided to show itself in the evening...so many windows in this place, but at this time of night standing next to the stove is the place to be. Just outside those french doors is their stone patio where during the summer fresh herbs and tomato plants are grown from within the patio floor...literally steps from the kitchen, yum!

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A splash of evening sun is added to the pot.
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Delicious and a huge hit!!

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Now I must ask you one final time, who wouldn't want one of these?

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Next to one of these...
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And not just the bowl of comforting, sun kissed curry...

or the beautiful patio with a view...

But something to cook on just like one of these...

ah, yes for now I'll keep dreaming...

Welcome to a new year of life...

I'm here, really! A person does need to eat after all...

My recent efforts in the kitchen have been more on the level of 'arranging.' There has been very little, if any actual cooking. I arrange mixed greens on a plate, sprinkle on some matchstick carrots, red onion, sugar snap peas and call that my salad. On the side I've heated up pre-made frozen turkey burgers. Awful, I know!

Well yesterday was my birthday and if you know me at all that is a big day. In my mind every one's birthday should be treated as a personal holiday. My Hubs is the best about my birthday and lets me be the self-proclaimed Princess I want to be. As usual, I was scheduled to take the day off from work with ambitions to treat myself even with him gone.

May 3, 2010 - The weather was pretty threatening, making for a very gray morning. Beginning with our daily walk, Pups and I tried some new sections of the town's bike path. The walk was very enjoyable and nicely different, it happened to include views of my most favorite golf course!

As we walked parallel to the long 16th fairway, my phone rang. It was Hubs, up early to be my first birthday call!! It was great timing, the 16th hole is his favorite hole on the course and it was nice to be out there sharing the morning with him.

As we neared the end of our walk we passed by a run down vacant house. Perched in each of the two second story windows were enormous vultures! Their red heads looked at each other then turn and stared me. This was one of those instances, you wished you had a camera on you. Darn!!

The giant birds perfectly filled the window frames and intimidated me the observant passer by...who was then stopped dead in my tracks. I've never seen such beastly birds in town/the city...but there they were, it was pretty amazing and I couldn't help but think what a great shot that would be for a book cover. Anyway...

After our walk, I decided to head to the grocery store to find me some bday brunch!

This is how my 2010 bday 'arrangement' went...

Atop freshly sliced seeded baguette we have...

triple cream cheese & fig sauce

some of the store's specially made chicken liver mousse

(acquired taste I know...)

and smoked salmon with onions, capers and crème fraiche.

So another year of life begins...
Happy Birthday Brunch to Me!

Vidalia Salad Onions & Turmeric Chicken

Okay, house sitting has been good so far, the weekend hockey tourney was tons of fun and the new routine is keeping my spirits up. HOWEVER, I am on the verge of overloading my poor little camera due to my lack of off loading.
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Since I can't share something new, I decided to take a look through my photo library for anything I missed. What I discovered was this oldie meal to share -
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To recap, I've been interested in learning de-boning technique. My trials thus far have been on chicken thighs. Seasoned and grilled with the skin on, make this my top pick for ways to eat chicken pieces.
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Feeling like I needed to mix things up, I used Alaea Sea Salt, pepper and then proceeded to rummage through the spice drawer! Shoved all the way in the back, just under where the counter overlaps the open drawer, I found a little bottle of turmeric. To be honest we never use this spice and I can't even recall what past dinner item brought this spice into our home.

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Also while at the grocery store this particular late winter/early spring evening, I noticed bunches of 'Vidalia Salad Onions.' Never having seen these before, I figured 'hey, we love vidalias! Let's give these a whirl.'

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I boiled up some red skinned potatoes and added sauteed vidalia, cheddar cheese, sour cream salt/pepper and of course butter.

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The softened potato pieces and added deliciousness all mixed together beautifully! Definitely falling into that category of 'MUST make again!'

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So here is our finished product. We did have a side salad as well, but you've all seen my basic dinner salad before, so I'll save you the salad boredom.

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The turmeric was a great spice for these grilled chicken thighs. Very little was done differently from my paprika chicken...just a swapping of color and mild flavor.

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Being from my Hubs happy dinner collection, he did enjoy the chicken and really liked the potatoes...and how could you not with all that cheesy, creamy, buttery goodness!

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The 'Vidalia Salad Onion' had a nice-mild-sweet onion flavor and was a great addition to the potatoes. I think next time, it'll be worth cooking something up, perhaps a side dish (?), where they can take center stage.

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That's all folks!

Back on the wagon...

Last night I finally cooked my first complete meal since the Hubs has departed. Baby steps...
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As part of my house sitting duties, I am responsible for providing dinner and supervision of a high school senior. At that age I was always a busy one keeping my parents running around, but this poor kid's schedule is really something. It amazes me the number of activities, in addition to school, these kids have now a days.
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Yesterday after school there was his school's team ultimate Frisbee game, homework, a hockey game and then some more homework. The demands left little time for cooking up anything really special for dinner.
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We ended up with grilled steak tips, sauteed broccoli and grilled baguette with my go-to garlic, hot pepper, EVOO dipping oil concoction. A bit out of my element in the grand kitchen of their house, I did alright and was able to get it all done in just about 30 minutes. The pressure of preparing dinner in a timely manner meant I did not photograph the finished product, or process. You'll just have to trust me that it looked and tasted great haha!
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Grilled Steak Tips
Keep it simple stupid...
just some Salt & Pepper and then grilled to a perfect medium rare.
And I do mean perfect too! These folks have the best, super duper fancy grill...cooked to perfection, just how I like it :O)
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Grilled Baguette
Slice a fresh crusty baguette lengthwise, drizzle on a touch of olive oil and grill until you've reach the desired toasty goodness. Can't get much easier!
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Go-To Dipping Oil
Lots of freshly chopped garlic, extra virgin olive oil, crushed red pepper flake, salt and pepper.
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Sauteed Broccoli
Broccoli florets, olive oil, more garlic, soy sauce, and pepper.
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Dinner was good and efficient.
It felt nice to cook and was enjoyable to have some company to share dinner with. Now having the first official dinner cooked up since Hubs left, it's onward and upwards for me!
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So today is Friday...what is most notable about this particular Friday is that it is Day 1 of our weekend long annual hometown hockey tourney!!!
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Our team for this tourney gets together just for this annual weekend and is a combination of good' old Canadians and Big (VT) City players.

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Being the 3rd year we've done this, the team has established some bonds. It's wonderful to see these 'international' teammates each year and hear of their amazing lives and experiences since we last saw them...as well as some great ones from before we knew them.
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We sport the 'vintage' local University's uniforms, which are this bright yellow. It's such a great weekend, with some really great teams and hockey played!
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Did I mention this combo of players makes for much fun and many beers...eh?

Post St Patty's Deal

Missing Hubs a ton, so much so that I have lost my blogging groove. I am desperately trying to get it back...

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While Hubs has officially hit the road on his ever-so important adventure, I am here...I am in this place we call 'home.' How strange that 'home' does not feel like 'home' without him. There is an emptiness, a stillness...a silence that makes the heart heavy and eyes watery. So as I said in the last post...'this is what it is going to be like.'
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I've left his used coffee spoon balancing just on the edge of the kitchen sink and the pile of comfy sweats by the couch. I explain to inquiring folks that it makes me feel better. It tricks me into believing that he is still here. One BFF so thoughtfully supported my need for these things and said I should feel free to leave those marks of Hubs until I am good and ready to move them...which is exactly what I plan to do.
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A planner by nature, I've realized this is actually one of my problems at the moment. In this first week I've realized that planning and pondering the days, months, and seasons ahead are not helping my 'grieving.' I've turned over a newish leaf. I'm now a person who is attempting to take it 'one thing at a time.'
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As part of my dealing I have been creating a routine of distractions for myself and the Pups. Trying to keep them positive activities, Pups and I are walking 2-3 x a day, I'm drinking herbal teas (rather than copious amounts of alcohol), and taking time each day to get lost in a book. Not to mention our extensive group of family, friends and even blogging friends have been great supports and always around! Thank you all!!!
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While having taken some days off from cooking, I did dabble a bit - 1) accompaniments for a delightful Hockey Chili Party and 2) for an omelet one night. Nothing major yet, as it has been hard to find the energy and desire to cook. My hope is that this will all change beginning today.
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Today is the day I begin my annual house sitting duties, which includes access to the most amazing kitchen I've ever had the pleasure of cooking in. I just cannot wait to show you all!!!!
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Hubs & Ms. Homemaker's

2010 Post St. Patty's Day Feast

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Just after St. Patty's Day I buy the Manager's Special...corned beef.

Like how so many who eat Boiled Dinners for the Irish Holiday, Hubs and I wait until Post St. Patty's Day for our enjoyment of the feast.
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Peppercorns (fancy ones courtesy of B&A and their trip out west!) and bay leaves.

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Corned Beef, water and spices are added to a LARGE pot. Next year, I think I will attempt to brine my own. In fact that sounds like a great technique to practice while Hubs is gone...to brine meat!
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Cabbage, potatoes and some onion.

Our Boiled Dinner...yum!
* The corned beef is great...the cabbage and other components for the boiled dinner are just as gosh darn awesome!!

We tend to keep it simple. The final dish is served up with spicy mustard.

There never seems to be as many leftovers as I would like. At Thanksgiving you end up eating turkey for a week. Me...well I'd love to have enough leftover corned beef to eat for that for a week! Instead we made do with two days worth...but boy is it all worth it :O)

I will have to look through the library of pics, but I do think this is it for Hubs-happy meals...at least for the time being. I hope to find my groove in the coming days when faced with access to one of the most amazing kitchens I've spent time in. In addition to the commercial size burners, double ovens, top of the line tools, pans etc...did I mention they have a huge subzero fridge/freezer AND pantry always fully stocked!?!?!

Fingers crossed this will be a little slice of heaven as we transition into this new routine! Not to mention it is the season ending hockey tournament this weekend!! Some quality time with my team and good old competitive exercise should also hit the spot!!!

End to Winter Hockey Night

This is a time for the end and the beginning...
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While the winter hockey season has ended, the official start to Spring has begun.
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Among other things we are in the midst of Ms. Homemaker's preparations to become self sufficient and independent...
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Hubs' trip is just around the corner (literally hours at this point). We've been attached at the hip. When someone asks if we can do dinner, go out for a drink, etc, so that they may bid him farewell, I can't help but be selfish and think to myself 'NO! I want him all to myself.' The truth is, I've been letting him call the shots...we do what he wants or needs, when he wants or needs.
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Each moment I have with him I try to further burn into my mind the images and memories of us being...well us. This week when the sox began the season, I was right there beside him...him, me, us and only us! I want to further ingrain in my head and heart what it feels like to sit here alone with him...even now as he plays xbox to relax and release some anxiety, I write my blog. It's comfortable and comforting.
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I am feeling guilty of being selfish with what time we have, but I really am trying to share him. We've been touring the state bidding goodbye to family and friends, checking things off the to-do list as we go. We've been shopping to purchase a stock supply of daily necessities, worrying whether we'll get it all to fit in the minimal luggage he's allowed.
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The other night I couldn't sleep. We went to bed together and as his breath grew deep and he entered well into his REM cycle, I laid there wide awake. I watched him sleep. This is something I almost never do, since I am usually the first one to pass out and call it a day. There is just something about the timing of things.
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Each moment I have alone in the house I try to acknowledge the silence and say to myself, 'this is what it is going to be like.' I try to prepare myself and imagine what it will be like with no used coffee spoon sitting just on the edge of the sink. No pile of comfy sweats sitting by the couch, with which Hubs will change into upon returning from work. I think of Pups, who will not have his fellow male companion for so long and how I will try to be more for him so that he may not feel the emptiness of the house...
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I am worried that things will be different. I mean after so much time apart, they almost have to be right? We never stop growing as individuals. Even though we will be apart, we will be changing as a couple. Is this the last time it will feel exactly this way?!?!
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Is this the end of how we are...just the way we are now? Will things change so much that we're forced to face a new chapter of life??
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I don't know if I am ready for things to change...or at least not yet. Fighting against things out of my control, I try to enjoy what is now and see that darned glass half full. While I am comfortable and comforted by the way we are and who we are now, I can't help but ask myslef what will happen? How will this go??
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As we count down the hours and prepare, everything is a last. This is the last Wednesday we have, yesterday was the last Tuesday....you get what I mean?!?!
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Since cooking and food are just one way I express myself, I've been bugging Hubs with 'what is it you really want to eat before you leave?!?" To be honest he's had a worrisome appetite. He's hungry, but sick to his stomach. He's up for anything, but really only concentrating on the ETD just ahead.
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To mark the end of March Madness and the winter Wednesday night hockey season last week, I made California Style BLTs. You can never go wrong with bacon after all!
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I started with a find VT beverage to get warmed up...

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You gotta love that the name of this blend is the lone area code of the state!
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With no Hubs around, I've been trying to use up what we have in the fridge...

and bought a ton of bacon!

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Piled high, we have California BLTs!

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I gave Hubs extra bacon on his :O)

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We also enjoyed some spicy sweet potato fries that I baked up in the oven.

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BLTs - Toasted potato bread, mayo, dulce gorgonzola, bacon (lots of it!), iceberg lettuce, vine ripe tomato and avocado.

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Spicy Sweet Potato Fries - Slice sweet potato, canola oil, garlic powder, cayenne, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper.

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Cooler Full-o-Lisai's: Part III

Another Quality Evening with B&A...
1) Good Food
2) Great Conversation
3) Many Laughs
4) One too many drinks
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Lisai's steak tips are very special. Being separated by a couple hour drive, we have limited access to their beefy goodness. When we do pick some up we either hog them all to ourselves or very carefully choose others to share them with - you have to pass the test!
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I believe the last time we shared our prized taste of the hometown butcher was with my brother and sister (-in-laws) at least a year ago. Making the cut this time (i.e. being hand selected to partake in the enjoyment of these glorious steak tips) were B&A.

Although I felt rather guilty for the lazy APP-PLATTS and low maintenance dinner menu, the Lisai's Treasure would be enough.

B (of B&A) brought this delicious loaf of Irish something bread. It was another experimental, yet delicious creation from his no knead bread book.

A success for sure, we enjoyed the rest of the loaf for breakfast each morning after!

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Working on the fly he also created this spicy cinnamon butter. I am not kidding when I say spicy either...B used enough cayenne to tickle the tongue into hysterics!
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I do have to say that it went pretty well with the bread!
* A (B's better half haha!) created these wonderful roasted potatoes!
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Now here are the famous Lisai's House Marinated Steak Tips.

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Though I overcooked them just a bit, these suckers hit the spot!

How can you possibly go wrong with quality beef and that secret marinade?!?

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Here is the 1st runner up of the night. The initial idea for a spinach salad was from the one and only Hubs.

He's such a great menu planner!

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Our salad consisted of baby spinach, Maytag blue cheese, bacon, mushrooms, toasted pecans, dried cherries, vidalia spring onion and a homemade maple dressing done by yours truly and A.

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While probably not the healthiest, this dressing was fantastic!!

It was whipped up using bacon fat, maple syrup, lemon, rice vinegar, salt and pepper.

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Do note, since using the bacon fat, the dressing needs to be warm enough to prevent the fat from solidifying.

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Yum, yum, YUM!!!

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The evening was great, company absolutely fabulous, and all in all another priceless dinner party with B&A!!!