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@dbcurrie -I've been hit with kitchen gadget envy after seeing your grille and those appealing cheese flowers. It may take a lot of dark chocolate to ease my pain.

Did you rinse the salt off the fennel after it's salt sit, before squeezing it and adding the orange slices and pepper?

@Burger365: is that a heat and run suggestion?
The cream might make a difference, maybe, sorta... but I'm sticking with my vow to never make fish head soup indoors again.
http://otm-inthegalley.blogspot.com/2010/07/fish-stock-fiasco.html

A grocery-store rosemary plant grew into a 3-foot diameter shrub planted outside and has survived several winters . Its cuttings sprout roots in water, send out new branches and thrive transplanted into pots in a north window bay. Ditto for a couple of different mints.

@C.Mac - sumac (and sumac-based za'atar as well) are available online from penzeys.com.

Gotta love anything that tasty and healthy all in one dish! I love a BonAppetit recipe with raisins, pine nuts, shaved parmesan and an occasional bacon chunk... not as healthy but really good.
http://otm-inthegalley.blogspot.com/2011/01/kale-salad-with-pinenuts-raisins-and.html

You sound convincing, but I'm afraid it might mess with my love of dark chocolate and avocado separately. Nope, not willing to risk it.

Fuggedaboutit!

Leftover roast chicken morphed into barbecued chicken on buns at lunch and chorizo and chicken enchiladas for supper. I'm still working my way through a fridge stuffed with odds and ends after the weeklong houseguest went home.

@dbcurrie Terrific presentation, definitely too cute to pass up this week. Does your photo show a doubled recipe to shape enough rolls for one tree?

Both Zardetto Brut and Cupcake Proseccos have been perfectly adequate, but I'd love more recommendations for under-$20 bottles that are really good. I haven't found Sara's labels locally.

Meanwhile I'll distract myself by adding a few pomegranate seeds to a filled flute and watching them travel with the bubbles.

Cookies in decorative tins for the neighbors, plus jellies, chutneys and pickled spiced nuts for friends and relatives. It's been a challenge to do the baking before the husband finds the various hidden stashes of chocolate, dried cherries and nuts!

Mmmmmmm, love that gumbo but try some preplanning next week; prepare your gumbo the day before and you can head straight for that hangover comfort food immediately when you need it the next morning. I think gumbo mellows and improves after resting a day, and then you don't have to deal with any splatters from a dark roux when you're not feeling sharp.