Train to the Top

Cooking Travel

Good morrow to ya.

Sooo, I’m traveling to Portland, Maine today via Amtrak because Matt’s friend Jeff invited us skiing!!!! Jeff grew up in Portland, so we’re going to be spending tonight at his house and then skiing at Shawnee Peak on Sunday. Tomorrow will only be my fourth ski trip ever, so wish me luck! Growing up in the south, I didn’t ski for the first time until college, so I still get nervous when I get to the top.

I obviously stayed in last night, and had the luxury of relaxing with a glass of wine while Matt cooked! I provided consultation from the couch:)

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I found a unique recipe for carrot mac + cheese in our new Food & Wine Cookbook, and decided to give it a try since we loove mac + cheese (who doesn’t?). Unfortunately, this recipe was complicated and I think we did something wrong:( It involved simmering carrots for a really long time and then adding lots of cheese to make a sauce.

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We baked the whole thing for 20 minutes, and although it looked like some kind of heavenly buffalo chicken dip, it was on the bland side. Matt declared it was simply too healthy/carrot tasting to qualify as mac + cheese.
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Day old cornbread tasted fabuloso.

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Matt brought home this totally awesome barley wine made by Red Hook. I’m not too knowledgeable about barley wine’s, but I’d say it tasted thick and sweet with low bitters?

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Matt went out with friends, so the rest of my night was spent preparing for the trip by doing important things such as packing lunches and digging my skis out from the back of the closet.

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I hear this is a big ski weekend.  Is anyone else hittin the slopes?

Adios bloggies.

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  • Liz
    January 15, 2011 at 7:05 am

    I’m from Maine and used to live in Portland. It’s a great food and beer town. I’ll be curious to see what beers you try. Enjoy!

  • Lacey @ Lake Life
    January 15, 2011 at 11:00 am

    Brrrrr, I’m even freezing inside with a sweatshirt on, so no skiing for me 🙂 Good luck on the slopes tomorrow!

  • Stacy @ Every Little Thing
    January 15, 2011 at 11:20 am

    I recently tried a few barley wines and they’re so strange. They can vary in taste so much! The first one I was wayyyy too “alcohol” tasting, but the second tasted just like an amber sort of ale! So strange.

    Have fun skiing!

  • Amanda(RunningOnCoffee)
    January 15, 2011 at 10:14 pm

    Not familiar with barley wines, actually I don’t know if I’ve ever had one. I love skiing! We went over Christmas break while in Western NY. We’ve been to Stowe, VT a couple times. Need to plan our next trip! Have a great time!

  • Ned
    January 16, 2011 at 5:27 am

    I wish I was hitting the slopes, but unfortunately, not.
    We’ve hit a spot of warm weather and rain (last week or two) and so the slopes aren’t exactly in perfect condition 🙁

  • Kath
    January 16, 2011 at 9:58 am

    How have you skied only 5 times but own your own skies!?

    • Laura
      January 16, 2011 at 4:27 pm

      because it was cheaper to buy used skis then to rent when I went out to Vail for a week back in college….

  • Kath
    January 16, 2011 at 9:59 am

    Skis!?