On our 2nd day in Istanbul we visited Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, the Underground Cistern and the Grand Bazaar.
Topkapi Palace
The Blue Mosque
(Jeff’s wide angle camera lens was worth every penny)
An Egyptian Obelisk in the Hippodrome
The Underground Cistern
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After arriving in Istanbul on Sat evening and enjoying a great dinner at Cezayir Restaurant in Beyoglu, we spent our first full day visiting the Spice Market, taking a boat ride along the Bosphorus, and touring Dolmabahce Palace and Hagia Sophia.
Spice Market in Old Istanbul
Boat Ride along the Bosphorus…
Egyptian Embassey
Rumeli Fortress from the Bosphorus
Dolmabahce Palace
Hagia Sophia
View of the Blue Mosque from Hagia Sophia
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This year we spent Christmas with Jeff’s family in Cleveland - and Jeff spent most of Christmas Day (and part of the day prior) prepping and cooking up a meal that was greatly enjoyed by family and friends. And it’s a good thing we enjoyed ourselves on Saturday because the next day we spent 12 hours driving back to NYC in the blizzard.
Christmas Dinner:
Spinach and Goat Cheese Salad (me)
Au Gratin Potatoes (Jeff)
Sweet Potatoes (Alma)
Beef Wellington with Red Wine Reduction and Cognac Peppercorn Sauces (Jeff, of course)
Christmas Cookies (Alma)
Spinach and Goat Cheese Salad
Jeff prepares the Au Gratin Potatoes
Prosciutto that will be wrapped around the beef tenderloin
Beef Wellington ready to go in the oven
Cognac Peppercorn Sauce
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I think Jeff has perfected the Braised Short Rib. Period.
Dinner at our place always starts with a cheese plate.
But before the cheese, Jeff spent hours in the kitchen preparing the short ribs…
Step 1 – season short ribs with salt and pepper
Step 2 – sear short ribs
Step 3 – sautee carrots, onions, celery, garlic and thyme
Step 4 – add wine then stock and braise the short ribs
Step 5 – reduce, strain, and reduce liquid further
Step 6 – Add short ribs back to the sauce
Jeff also prepared cheesy polenta, baby onions, and roasted brussels sprouts.
Sooooo delicious – a perfect winter dish.
Oh, and we might have opened a bottle of Peter Michael.
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This year we spent Thanksgiving with my mom and family in Wisconsin – and my cousin, amazing cook that she is, treated us to a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner that left us stuffed yet wanting to eat more….here are a few highlights….
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