Today, the entire Nombomb clan was dressed in our pajamas until the late afternoon, and all of us had a bad case of bedhead. When you come back from vacation, you get a free pass on looking slovenly.
Lil-O was embarrassed to be related to us, so he went incognito…
…trying on several different guises.
The kitty-cat PJs were a dead giveaway, though.
Despite my ghastly physical appearance, I was super-productive in the kitchen today. For breakfast this Christmas Eve, I fried up a frittata with grizzled, wrinkly veggies I found languishing in our crisper. I stir-fried some Brussels sprouts, onions, and mushrooms, and seasoned them with homemade Tabil…
…before binding it all together with some eggs.
I also made a quick guacamole and spooned some on my slice.
Afterwards, I blitzed up a bowl of salsa roja asada (fire-roasted salsa)…
…fried some crispy smashed chicken breasts…
…and started a batch of haupia.
As is customary on days we’re doing recipe development, we didn’t really eat lunch; instead, we just scarfed down everything we cooked.
My pants are getting TIGHT.
As the sun was setting, we all changed into street clothes and combed our scraggly hair. We were celebrating Christmas early at my parents’ place tonight and had to look somewhat presentable.
My mom, who also happens to be my culinary idol, made us a delicious Paleo-friendly spread. For starters, we had smoked salmon, roasted marinated bell peppers, avocado, nuts, and cheese.
At dinnertime, we were served a hearty soup filled with veggies, dried scallops, tender pork shoulder, and shrimp balls….
…roasted lamb chops…
…sautéed mushrooms, steamed Japanese yams, and roasted marinated bell peppers.
Here’s my dinner plate:
When we got home, I downed half a dark chocolate bar because I’m a hopeless cacao addict. I had more discipline when I was on vacation because I was thousands of miles away from all the macadamia nuts and dark chocolate in my pantry. That stuff is dangerous, yo!
I’m planning to kick off another Whole30 on January 1st and will definitely be working my way through Melicious’s Well-Fed cookbook. Who’s with me?
