new years eve

After trying to herd the escaped rooster out of our back yard


we headed over to Berkeley, where Kenji was making the traditional (albeit at a non-traditional time) new years Ozoni soup.
Kombu broth:

Daikon:

Gobo




It was a beautiful clear day, and the sunset was dramatic



I was the grill man, which turned out to be a little dangerous on one of the windiest nights of the month. Periodically, a big gust would blow across the patio, acting like a giant bellows and scattering sparks everywhere. I guess the good news is that I didn't have to fan the flames at all.



Kenji honored me by putting the fish head in my bowl


but I graciously declined and gave it back to him