Short and Sweet

Last night, some of my very favorite people were over to dinner. This is what we ate:

Cheese! We had the Juliet again, from Salt Spring Island, in B.C. It's finally back in stock at Cook's, and well worth every cent. Also on deck, Le Douanier, a semi-soft cheese from Quebec, with a thread of ash (the burnt stuff, not the tree) running through it; Mona Lisa, an extra-aged Gouda from Holland; Wishing Tree, a hard sheep's milk cheese from Fifth Town Artisan Cheese, in Prince Edward County; and finally, one of my favorites, Figaro, a soft, bloomy rind cheese from Glengarry Fine Cheese near Cornwall. This cheese is delightful - soft and creamy, with a distinct horseradish aftertaste. This nutty spiciness doesn't appear in any of the tasting notes I've read about this cheese, so it may well be just me, but worth a try anyhow.

Also, a pomegranate/blood orange/spinach salad, with a lemon-shallot dressing.

Then, duck confit with parsnips and brussels sprouts sautéed in duck fat.

And a poached pear and frangipane tart with brown sugar ice cream.

But enough about food for now: the Knitting Olympics have started, and I'm competing. With a cardigan that likely will shorten my life.

Citius, Altius, Fortius, yo.