All Black Everything .....(Black Friday at home)

    I typically spend Black Friday in one of two ways. The first is harassing my co-workers by pointing out that they forgot to get me anything. It never seems to work, I can’t even get those people to buy me a Schwarzbier. The longest tradition for me has been hitting the shopping areas. I have zero interest in shopping, but I do like to play a little game with the sheep who get up so early to shop for bargains. My game is played in the parking lots. I have always been extremely annoyed when people follow me and wait for my parking spot. I am especially annoyed when there is another just ten feet away. So in past years on Black Friday I slowly stroll through parking lots at busy store and wait until people follow me to my spot. I then like to get into the car and pretend like I am going to start it only to then get out and walk back toward the store. A jackass move I know, but I like to think I am helping the president in his battle against obesity by making people park further away and walk.  

  After several warnings from a friend that I will eventually get shot, I decided it was time for new tradition. This years tradition was inspired by pasta month and the color black. A special dinner at home I call “All Black Everything”. I started my dinner with a home made Black Kale and Ricotta Ravioli which i cooked in a Black Garlic Cream Sauce. And then posed the age old question WWJD? (What Would Jigga Do?) . I realized that after scoring even more cash with a new book release, Jay-Z would head down to Di Bruno’s for some fresh Black Truffle to finish this pasta. I started off dinner in a wonderful way and cannot wait to make this dish again. 

   Second course continued the pasta theme but this time with a store brought product. I had initially wanted to make my own squid ink pasta, but had difficulty finding a place to buy squid ink. This pasta I did in a simple sauce of olive oil and garlic( AGLIO E OLIO)  with shrimp, spinach. and confit tomato. Simple but delicious. The slight difference in the flavor of the squid ink pasta brought a great contrast to the spinach and tomatoes while heightening the flavor of the shrimp. A great option for a quick dinner. maybe next time I will add some toasted pine nuts for a texture difference.

   Third course brought a Blackberry-Marscarpone Ravioli with Whipped Cream and Lemon Zest. I stuffed the ravioli with a blackberry, roasted apple and marscarpone cheese filling. I cooked them like I would any other pasta after I froze them for a few hours to set. I finished it with some powdered sugar, whipped cream, lemon zest and a blackberry syrup.
    I finished with a blackberry custard. I cooked the custard in ramekins in a water bath. I garnished the dish with a black garlic-honey tuile. All in all I think it was a successful attempt on all dishes. I had hoped to do a 5th course but was pretty tired after a long night at work. I think I have started a new Black Friday tradition and I look forward to next year.

The Skinny Fat Kid