Walking outside, I can’t help but think how similar the cool, crispy clean air and bright blue cloudless sky is strangely similar to the way it was in New Jersey this same morning 11 years ago; moments before the inconceivable vastly shattered so many innocent lives, bored a hole in our country, and left the entire world in a sense of disbelief and shock. 

We watched a movie on HBO the other night.  Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close .  It came out in January this year but we hadn’t seen it yet.  I highly recommend it.  The story begins in NYC on September 10, 2001, the day before what 9-year old lead character, Oskar Schell (Thomas Horn), calls “the worst day.”  After his father (Tom Hanks) is killed in the World Trade Center, a heavy gloom hangs between him and his mother (Sandra Bullock), until one day Oskar peeked in his dad’s closet (still left exactly as it was on 9-11) and accidentally finds a blue vase containing an envelope with the single word “Black” on it.  It contains a key, similar to one fitting a safe-deposit box. Oskar is determined to find out who or what the key belongs to.  This obsession finds him having to work through his personal obstacle, borderline autism/Asberger syndrome, to become friendly with his grandmother’s border, an elderly man (Max Von Snydow) who cannot speak but wishes to help him on his quest.  We follow their journey through the 5 boroughs of NY as they locate and call on all the people named Black to see if anyone can shed light on the mysterious key.  While some parts of the story tip toward ‘fantasy,’ (for instance, Oskar still finds hidden messages to him from his father around Central Park, etc. from a game they used to play) overall it is a very captivating and heartwarming story.  And if you’re prone to a tear or 2, have a box of kleenex at hand ;-) 

By the way, for a newbie actor, Thomas Horn did an outstanding job playing Oskar!  I understand his only prior TV experience was winning Kids Week on Jeopardy once and acting experience limited to playing Grasshopper in his school play, James & The Giant Peach.  He’s pretty amazing! 

Trifling with Lamb Chops

Yesterday I was in the mood to prepare Lamb Chops.  I don't know why since it's probably been 5 years since last I served them.  My husband has never cared for them so that's probably been my overall reason not to add them to my shopping list.  The last thing I enjoy is spending time in the kitchen, carefully cultivating a gourmet meal complete with a pared wine and dessert, then having him sit down at the table with that 'look' that says he'd rather have had burritos and beer! Again!  But since it was Saturday, I decided to serve dinner earlier than we normally have it on a work night.  If he didn't like or want it, there would be time for him to order up some burritos from the Mexican restaurant close by.  Ha! 

The aroma of the chops as they baked in the oven was very enticing, even to Bob.  He decided to give my efforts a try and sat down to dinner, eagerly sinking his chops into a lamb chop.  His expression quickly became one of delight, much to mine!  He actually loved them and asked that I prepare them more often, at least once a month.  Wow!  They were delicious, if I do say so myself.  I served them with steamed broccoli, buttered ciabato bread, and a malbec wine from Argentina (which pares quite well with duck, roast beef, & lamb). 

I didn't forget dessert either!  It was a fruit trifle easily made with layers of fresh mixed blueberries, strawberries, raspberries & blackberries,  alternated in a tall crystal glass with french vanilla yogurt and granola.  And of course more malbec wine!  The fruit finished off the lamb chops perfectly!  Of course I could have added bits of pound cake or other sweet roll to the trifle and upped the calorie intake, but chose to keep this one simple.  The recipe for the chops is below, and I just gave you instructions for the trifle.  Please excuse my bad photography of the main dish & dessert.  I had a hungry husband with a growling tummy waiting to sample the goods!  ;-)  

Breaded Lamb Chops

with Rosemary & Maple Glaze

3/4 C Plain bread crumbs

1 Tbsp fresh rosemary (or 1 tsp dried)

1 Clove Garlic finely chopped

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

1 1/4 lbs. boneless lamb

1/3 C ham glaze*

2 Tbsp Olive Oil

1.  Preheat oven to 450

2.  Combine bread crumbs, rosemary, garlic, & black pepper in shallow dish.  Brush lamb with ham glaze on both sides.  Coat both sides with breadcrumb mixture.

3.  Heat olive oil in large, non-stick skillet over med-high heat.  Add lamb.  Sear on both sides for 1 or 2 minutes or until coating is golden.  Transfer to baking sheet.

4.  Bake 15 - 20 minutes or until lamb is no longer pink in center.  Serves 4

*Ham Glaze (This is my personal recipe.  You can also add a pinch of cloves if you like)
Melt 1 to 1 1/2 Tbsp  unsalted butter in small saucepan.  Add 1 or 2 Tbsp brown sugar, just enough to make it a little thick.  Add 2 Tbsp pure maple syrup and stir while mixture comes to a boil.  (It's important to stir to keep from scorching).  Remove from heat & let cool enough to thicken down.  Use basting brush to  glaze lamb.