Feliz Navidad: Morgan’s Damn Good Tamales (Dec. 25, 2011)

15 ingredients for the greatest Christmas:

1. a jar of foie gras, from France, with day-old baguette
2. a bottle of Saarloos & Sons “Solo,” 2008 Syrah
3. two dogs named Ellsworth (pictured above) and Palmer
4. Jessica’s farmers’ market forage of ceviche; in a bowl
5. Morgan’s hand-crafted tamales, stuffed with pork — both moist
6. Morgan’s Espolon Blanco margaritas — salted rim
7. More of Morgan’s Espolon Blanco margaritas — salted rim
8. More of Morgan’s hand-crafted tamales; tomatillo salsa
9. Rob’s bottle of cava; plus, Facebook open-mic
10. animal heads, panda and monkey
11. the hunt for a bag of chocolate chips
12. the baking of the chocolate chip cookies
13. the pairing of the chocolate chip cookies with adult egg nog
14. departure time: 8:34AM, 12/26/11
15. a text message from Jessica: she locates carnation message from Rob, circa 1999: “I don’t have time. The bell just rang.”

above: Morgan’s assembly of tamales

above: Morgan’s presents