Dinner with Judy

Yes.  I named her.  In honor of my sister who names everyone Judy.  This Judy was good company ... for such a short time. 

I dragged all three kids, my youngest in a cast, to Wholefoods in order to fulfill what my son calls, Battle Adult vs Adult.  When I say tonight is my Iron Chef night, he likes to point out that I am not a chef but merely an adult.  Point taken.

But tonight, VICTORY.  I just made my first whole fish and it was delicious.  The boys had a good time with this battle, seeing as this is the closest they have ever come to having a pet.  I even thought Adam would actually try it.  But he didn't.  They basically spent the entire night talking about what we could use to poke Judy's eye out.

Anyway, I roasted her with lemons, garlic and an herb bundle inserted inside the cavity.  Then she set on a bed of the same and like any good host, I offered her a glass of wine.  She graciously accepted.  It was cooked perfectly and was completely infused with the herb flavors.  I served it alongside a mystery wilted bitter green salad.  We got the baby arugala and raddichio right, but missed the endive.  Chris picked up what was under the 'endive' sign at the grocery store, but it clearly wasn't.  I wilted it, and we ate it and still don't know what it was.  The salad was topped with pecan-crusted goat cheese disks that were fried and fabulous.

I needed this win.  Not from the judges (there weren't any), not from my kids (again they wouldn't try it), not from Judy herself (I think she is pretty mad at me).  But from me.  I completely enjoyed it from start to finish.  Although I feel like I've lost a friend.  Goodbye Judy.  Thanks for the memories.