Bad (Really Just Bittersweet) Day Bitter Martini

I decided the Bad Day Bitter Martini was an occasion drink. In this case the occasion was my leaving a job I've held for a little over 3 years. It's not a sad thing, I'm excited for the new job, but it is a big change and bittersweet on the last day. My original plan was to give myself a bitter martini toast after getting home from the last day in the office. The glass I'd picked up for the occasion (90 cents from a thrift store) had other plans. It slipped from hands and broke before I could make the drink...

Goodbye 1st Martini Glass, You Failed Me

One more thrift store run later I had a replacement glass, and take two did not involve shattered glass. Could be some deep lesson in persistence and rolling with the punches, could just be a decent cocktail.

Good Job 2nd Martini Glass, Welcome To The Family

The recipe is on Mr. Browns blog should you wish to make it yourself.

Difficulty Level: Easy (as long as you don't break the glassware)
Will It Get Made Again? My taste in drinks runs more sweet than bitter. This is a heavily botanical martini with only Amaro Montengro cutting the gin and a grapefruit peel garnish. Too bitter to become a favorite of mine, but good for this one time event.

Merry Doctor Who Day (Fish Sticks and Custard)

Doctor Who Christmas specials are a thing. I hadn't been following the adventures of the 12th doctor (the 10th is my doctor), but when they announced that the 13th doctor would be the first woman in the role my attention spiked. I went to a watch party with some friends that got me caught up enough with the most recent season to be ready for the new one, and made a plan for the menu that would go with the 2017 Christmas special where the 13th Doctor would be introduced. Granted, the Fish Sticks & Custard are an 11th doctor reference, but that wasn't going to stop me.
Homemade fish sticks are kind of a pain to make. Once you've chopped, mixed, and shaped everything you still need to chill them and then send them through 3 different breading stations before pan frying. At least the custard dip is a quick, simple one.
I don't normally theme my plating, but in this case, there was only one set of plates I possibly use for serving this dish. Worth it for the occasion.

My Tardis plate has never been so well themed.

Difficulty Level: Complex
Will It Get Made Again? These are without question the best fish sticks I've ever eaten. However, unless I have another Doctor Who themed occasion that genuinely demands them, I cannot see it being worth the effort to repeat them.

Mr. Crunchy (AKA Croque Monsieur)

The French are not afraid of rich foods, and the croque monsieur (rebranded Mr. Crunchy for EveryDayCook) is no exception. This is the kind of sandwich that makes a hedonist smile.With a sourdough bread base, a smear of mustard, a tower of ham, a layer of homemade bechamel, and a mountain of cheese only make this if you're in the mood to indulge.

Bechamel

I realize bechamel is one of the "mother sauces" in French cooking, but I've never been its biggest fan. I usually find making roux based sauces a pain, and they rarely turn out to be my favorites (I have yet to find a great mac & cheese recipe that has a roux based sauce). I was pleasantly surprised by the bechamel on this sandwich; so either I'm getting better at making them or it just fits really well with this dish. Whatever the case the sandwich will deliver a next level version of ham & cheese.

Somewhere underneath all the cheese & sauce is a little bread.

Difficulty Level: Medium
Will It Get Made Again? Probably not. Even though I liked this it falls into the more work than reward category. I grated a half pound of cheese for this and made bechamel, for that much effort I have to be completely in love to repeat it. I'm impressed by the results, but I don't crave it.

Just Wing It (Chili Glazed Wings)

Some weekends just call for wings. Enter Alton's Chili Glazed Wings. Be forewarned, they aren't fast. First you're going to steam them, then they need at least an hour chilling in the fridge.

Steamed Drumettes

As always, it takes me forever to reduce anything to glaze consistency, and I'm pretty sure I could have made the sauce for these thicker if I hadn't run out of patience with it. Maybe next time.
The baking process is two staged; first plain, then finished with the sauce.

Let's Just Call It One Serving

I may have eaten more than what is described as one serving of these. I regret nothing.

Difficulty Level: Medium
Will It Get Made Again? Yes, not often because they're a bit of work, but definitely making these again.