I had a pecan baclava at the office Halloween party today.
Where I live, we pronounce them

PIH-KAWNS (emphasis on last syllable)

OK artichoke fans, here's the recipe:

It was in Bon Appetit, and was originally from Downcity Food & Cocktails, Providence Rhode Island:
(slightly modified by my husband, the chef)

<b>Artichoke-Prosciutto Gratin</b>

1 jar marinated artichokes, quartered
4 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto
1 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup toasted pine nuts (about 2 ounces)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon chopped fresh sage

Wrap each artichoke heart with half a slice of prosciutto. Place in single layer in glass baking dish. Pour cream over top. Sprinkle with gorgonzola , pine nuts, parmesan, and sage. Bake until gratin is bubbling and sauce thickens- about 25 minutes.

Serve warm with crusty bread to sop up the sauce.

<font color="red">Delicious!! </font> :p

What I am doing right now is mourning the passing of my dear Godfather. He was 94 years of age, so I feel blessed that he had a long and interesting life. But I will miss him

And I am feeling sad and have lighted a candle for the loss of OneWanderingJew's baby.

And I am celebrating life. The neighbor who came over awhile ago, to help me figure out how to get the filter part of my new coffee pot to open. Thank goodness for wonderful neighbors.

And I enjoyed the hug from her dear little grandson who is spending the weekend with her. Great little guy whom I have known since he was a toddler.

And smiling about the wonderful day I spent with my beautiful daughter, spending 3 hours at the outdoor cafe having coffee and enjoying the blue sky and warm but not hot sun. And the special barrista who would not charge us for all of the coffee we drank because &quot;they always love too see us&quot;.

Enjoying carrying and funny posters on Fodors.

And cringing over rude and obnoxious posters on Fodors.

And hoping that the election results, however they turn out, will not drag on for weeks and weeks.

And being glad another weekend is here.

Happy and &quot;spooky&quot; Halloween everyone!

Trying to figure out a vacation for the summer of 2005. Can't decide between Greece, Africa, or staying in US this year. Last year traveled to Italy. Sitting and drinking a glass of Merlot.

Scarlett, 13-year-old asleep on the sofa in our room as I write. still waiting up for almost 18-year-old, yawn.

Sitting in an internet cafe in the cellar of a 800 yr old building in Sighisoara Romania, checking emails. What a short strange trip this one has been. It's been a blast so far.

One of the last Saxons in Harmann showing us the old church; the handyman at a monastary in the mountains trying to explain in Romanian the age of the faded chapel we were in (500 yrs this year) despite our language gap; seeing the Chain Bridge in Budapest lit in purple and walking with the mayor and hundreds of others across the roadway in a re-opening ceremony; seeing the rituals in the Orthodox Cathedral in Timisoara where the '89 revolution executed protestors on the steps; the view of the Cathedral from our room in Sibiu; so many things...

Thanks, Marcy -sounds so good I think I'll have it for breakfast!

Sitting, escaping from life, trying to sort reality from dreams in my foggy brain. I saw LoveItaly's post so guess my reality and dreams, or should I say nighmares, are one and the same right now.

I think maybe I'll focus on the getaway that my husband plans to take me on next weekend but first we have to figure out where we're going. Any suggestions? We're in Atlanta--need a place w/an airfare deal or in reasonable driving distance from here.

Marcy--
Thank you for the wonderful-sounding reciper. I just printed it out.

Scarlett, I have a wonderful &quot;Black Bottom Pecan Pie&quot; recipe. It has chocolate chips that sink to the bottom of the pan, and also has about a quarter cup of bourbon in it!

Anne, I'm with you--don't see how any pecan pie could be called &quot;light&quot;!

Yes, we need a reecipe thread!
Byrd

OneWanderingJew, this is the first I have heard of your loss. I am so very sorry!! I am also sorry for LoveItaly's loss as well. My heart breaks for both of you, and I will be thinking of you.

OneWanderingJew - So sorry for your difficult times. I would suggest a trip to Savannah for the weekend. Not a bad drive from Atlant and there is a wonderful little place that has great gelato (can't remember the name but not hard to miss).
LoveItaly - I am very sorry for your loss as well. My thoughts are with you.

P_M and jdraper. Thank you for your thoughts. He had a good bountiful life and so I will remember that. Every letter or phone call started with &quot;Hi, Goddaughter&quot;.

I think the hardest part is that he was the last one to remember me from the time I was born until now. Everyone else is gone. A strange feeling.

May we all celebrate life and be good to each.

And DWJ, I am happy your husband and you are getting away next weekend. That is good. Take good care.

Happy weekend everyone!

JDraper--Gelato?! Savannah!? I'm there!!!! We ate our way through Italy comparing that wonderful, frozen delight! Did you know there is a gelato place here in Atlanta owned by a native Italian? He doesn't have the variety they have in Italy but it'll work.

(Thanks for the the thoughtful comments...you too P-M!)

Thanks Gardyloo, my wife and I have just begun to noodle on the idea.

OneWanderingJew - Yes, very good gelato in Savannah. I remembered the name and it is at Cafe Gelatohhh and they are located at 224 W. Saint Julian St. in Savannah. Very good gelato and reminded me a great deal of the wonderful gelato in Italy. Enjoy. Where is the good gelato in Atlanta? I am in Columbia, SC but we get to Atlanta quite often and would love to check out your gelato place.

OneWanderingJew, I am so sorry for your loss, deepest condolences to you and your husband. LoveItaly, my condolences to you also.

Just finished making Monica Pileggi's limoncello so our house smells wonderful.
Tonight we're going to dinner to celebrate my sister-in-law's 33rd birthday (I can't wait to give her the garnet ring I got her two weeks ago in Prague).

Have a great weekend everyone~

OneWanderingJew, I am so sorry about the loss of your baby.

We, too, live in the Atlanta area (in Gwinnett County). Have you considered Charleston? It's about a 5-hour drive for us. We love walking around the town.

LoveItaly, I'm also sorry to hear of your loss.

Sherry

Marcy

Thanks for sharing that recipe.... it makes my mouth water.

I've been working out in the yard all morning planting flowers and tomatoes and pulling weeds. I know... everyone else is clearing up the yard for winter and I'm getting ready for our growing season.

Life in the Southern California Desert.

Marcy,
Thanks for the delcious recipe. It looks easy and good!! I look forward to trying it!
Anne

My wife and I are painting a bathroom. Isn't life in the fast lane great?