9 days and counting

Nine days to go.  There are a few more details to be done, including our welcome speech for the reception, but I am sure we will have something for Adam to read, while I cry tears of happiness.

Tonight he has another rehearsal at the synagogue.  He is confident that he will do well, and I am confident in his skills.  The synagogue is like his second home.  We have brought him there since he was born, and he feels at home there.

For now, our menus have been picked; the photo montage is complete; the clothes are hanging in our closet waiting for the big day.  Hair appointments have been made.  The centerpieces are complete. 

We are waiting for friends and family to join us from near and far.  All who come will make this day very special.

Nine days and counting.

Seventeen Days and Counting

The event that has been on my mind for 13 years (okay, maybe not all 13) will be in 17 days.  We are in the last details. . . . and I mean the last details, such as:

1.  Place cards - confirming that every body has a table!
2.  Making sure each vendor has a meal for Saturday night.
3.  Making hair appointments
4.  Emailing directions to the museum to local people; and preparing directions for the hotel bags.
5.  Making sure I know all the allergies for each guest. 
6.  Choosing the perfect song for each special guest to light a candle.
7.  Final meal counts!
8.  Suit fitting this weekend for the men.
9.  My dining room can be called the Bar Mitzvah room.  The Bar Mitzvah room holds the kippot for Saturday morning, the socks for Saturday night, the centerpieces for Saturday night, the hospitality bags for the hotel guests and my binder with all Bar Mitzvah related stuff. 

The other thing I am thinking about is the Hora.  I hate that chair.  I know I need to sit on the chair, and smile for the photographer.  But, I hate the chair.  I won't let it mar the event.

In a few weeks I will be posting photos of the event!  And the event will be in the past.  However, in May 2016 we get the date for Naomi's Bat Mitzvah!  Stay tuned!

Stir Fried Portebellos, Carrots and Snow Pieas with Soy Maple Sauce

I heard about  America's Test Kitchen's new cookbook, "The Complete Vegetarian Cookbook" from multiple sources.  I had to order it from the New England Book Fair, and I waited, and it arrived, during Passover!!!!

The first recipe I made from it was amazing!!!!!

GLAZE
3 T maple syrup
2 T mirin
1 T soy sauce

SAUCE
1/2 cup vegetable broth
2 T soy sauce
1 1/2 T mirin
2 t rice vinegar
2 t corn starch
2 t toasted sesame oil

VEGETABLES
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 t grated fresh ginger
a few flakes of red pepper flakes
3 T oil
2 pounds of portobello mushrooms, sliced  - NOTE - I used 1.5 pounds
8 oz snow peas, strings removed
2 carrots, peeled and cut into two inch long match sticks

GLAZE - whisk all together and keep in a small bowl

SAUCE - place all ingredients in a bowl, and whisk.

VEGETABLES  - Combine garlic, ginger, pepper and 1 t oil in a small bowl.  Heat 1 T oil in skillet over high heat.  Add mushrooms and cook without stirring for 3 minutes.  Stir.  Reduce heat to medium and cook for 5 minutes.  Add glaze and cook over medium high heat, stirring, until glaze is thickened, 1-2 minutes.  Transfer to bowl.

Wipe skillet clean carefully.  Add 2 t oil and place over high heat.  Add snow peas and carrots and cook 5 minutes.  Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.  Stir.  Add mushrooms.  Whisk sauce, and then add to skillet.  Cook for 1-2 minutes.  Transfer to platter and serve over rice.