More of the same, plus cheese

Dinner, just so you know, was oysters on the half shell (extra small Hog Islands and kumamotos); cheese souffle (using roccolo, an Italian cow's milk cheese that was new to me) with a chanterelle mushroom sauce, and a salad with arugula, Asian pears, and pecans. For dessert, we had tarts from Miette: one lemon, one banana cream. The birthday boy claimed it was "better than going out." The liquor was definitely cheaper.

I've got several projects working now at CUESA, but the mood is so holidayish that it's hard to concentrate on anything other than menu planning and grocery list writing. I made my second trip to Cowgirl Creamery in as many days, and came home with mascarpone, camembert, and another triple-cream called Fougerus, all of which I'm going to use in a cheese spread called
obatzda that I had a couple of years ago in Munich. It's perfect on rye crackers and seems like just the thing to have around the house for Christmas Eve and other more spontaneous eating opportunities. I picked up some gruyere to use in paninis with roasted pork and fig jam, and some mozzarella di bufala. I asked the saleswoman if the mozzarella was "too good" for pizza, and she looked at me like I was daft. "It's a match made in heaven!"