Sunday, April 24, 2005
Here Fishy Fishy Fishy...
The Food:
We were coming down to the wire on food selection again as we drove around on Saturday afternoon looking for a Honey Baked Ham. Much to TS's chagrin, they were closed for the weekend. I was still thinking pork of some sort when we realized that with MS's supposed absence, we could do fish. Salmon it was. I always love the conversation with the butchers:
Many kudos were given and deserved for the honey soy sauce reduction. It was the perfect complement to the jasmine rice, and was more complex and tasty than straight soy.
The white asparagus was an experiment because (once again) the only green asparagus the store had was the big, thick stalks (we prefer pencil thin). I swear the stuff they had was better suited to clubbing someone to death than eating. The white was ok, but I still prefer the green.
The sponge cake was as good as always. Although MS quite enjoyed her bowl of strawberries as well. I think Felix particularly enjoyed his piece the next day. (Stupid dog getting on the table...)
- Cedar plank grilled salmon with lemon-garlic & olive oil
- Jasmine rice with a honey soy sauce reduction
- Grilled white asparagus in butter
- Leafy green and tomato salad
- Mixed berry and whipped cream adorned sponge cake
We were coming down to the wire on food selection again as we drove around on Saturday afternoon looking for a Honey Baked Ham. Much to TS's chagrin, they were closed for the weekend. I was still thinking pork of some sort when we realized that with MS's supposed absence, we could do fish. Salmon it was. I always love the conversation with the butchers:
We'll take the salmon.The six pounds of salmon was a little difficult to grille properly. It took three planks, and since it's cooked over indirect heat, getting the middle plank to cook all the way through took some inventive maneuvering (or throwing the last piece over the direct heat for a few minutes). But it came out exactly as it should, light and flaky without too much chew, yet cooked evenly through. The glaze did well, but next time I think I'll use the Spanish smoked sea salt to punch up the smoky a little.
"How much?"
We're not sure yet.
"Well how many people are you feeding?"
We don't know.
"You don't know?"
Not really. It's however many show up.
"Well about how many?"
We don't know. Let's say ten, well, maybe twelve.
"Twelve?!?!"
Many kudos were given and deserved for the honey soy sauce reduction. It was the perfect complement to the jasmine rice, and was more complex and tasty than straight soy.
The white asparagus was an experiment because (once again) the only green asparagus the store had was the big, thick stalks (we prefer pencil thin). I swear the stuff they had was better suited to clubbing someone to death than eating. The white was ok, but I still prefer the green.
The sponge cake was as good as always. Although MS quite enjoyed her bowl of strawberries as well. I think Felix particularly enjoyed his piece the next day. (Stupid dog getting on the table...)
Sunday, April 17, 2005
Italian Tacos?
The odd flavor combination:
This week may not have been the most gourmet meal we've done, but it was yummy, fast, easy, and doable even considering the mountains of boxes waiting to be unpacked. The joy of grilling and eating in the back yard, while Felix pranced around free of his collar, was pretty cool too.
Obviously Robin and I dearly thank everyone that helped with the move. If we didn't have so many people helping, we would have never gotten the truck unpacked before the rain stopped.
- Grilled chicken, spinach, and mozzarella tacos
- Oaxacan grilled flank steak, onion, and pepper fajitas
- Mexican style rice with corn
- Ice Cream + sauces galore
This week may not have been the most gourmet meal we've done, but it was yummy, fast, easy, and doable even considering the mountains of boxes waiting to be unpacked. The joy of grilling and eating in the back yard, while Felix pranced around free of his collar, was pretty cool too.
Obviously Robin and I dearly thank everyone that helped with the move. If we didn't have so many people helping, we would have never gotten the truck unpacked before the rain stopped.
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Grilled Chicken and Prosciutto in Farfalle with Asiago Cream Sauce
The Meal:
It always amuses me when people go nuts over the simplest stuff. Everyone loved the chicken, and other then being blinded by the smoke, it was probably one of the easiest things we make. I love those little "family secret" methods that seem so obvious when you grew up with it, yet no one else thinks of.
The bread, good God, the bread. Of course it's nice when folks rave about home made bread, as opposed to going nuts over bread that came out of a tube!
There were going to be peas. Ooops.
This was indeed the last Family Dinner at the house on Dayton. Beginning next week, come to the new Fairview location (call or email Brian or Robin if you need directions).
- Grilled chicken
- Asiago cream sauce over farfalle and prosciutto
- Homemade ciabatta loaves
- Black Forest Cake (an early BDay treat for TK)
It always amuses me when people go nuts over the simplest stuff. Everyone loved the chicken, and other then being blinded by the smoke, it was probably one of the easiest things we make. I love those little "family secret" methods that seem so obvious when you grew up with it, yet no one else thinks of.
The bread, good God, the bread. Of course it's nice when folks rave about home made bread, as opposed to going nuts over bread that came out of a tube!
There were going to be peas. Ooops.
This was indeed the last Family Dinner at the house on Dayton. Beginning next week, come to the new Fairview location (call or email Brian or Robin if you need directions).
Sunday, April 03, 2005
Burger, Burger, Burger?
No, Juicy Lucy!
The meal:
My God has grilling season arrived! I tried to stress to TS, that just because I wanted to hearken in the Charcoal Days with a nice stack of burgers didn't mean we were going full out picnic style. There's been an issue of Food & Wine floating around the apartment that was probably causing me to think this, but I wanted high-end burgers with crazy good toppings. And nothing says "mmm-mmm" like a burger stuffed with cheese. If you're not from here, or you've never had the Juicy Lucy, I don't know if I can explain the true magic with just words.
I admit it, ten pounds of french fries was too much. They came out great, there's just no way to cook that many fries without industrial sized friars. And they're not that great left over. I must remember that just because people eat ten pounds of heart attack mashed potatoes doesn't mean they eat ten pounds of other kinds of potatoes. There were too many fired onions as well, and the sad thing was that they didn't turn out nearly as yummy as the ones on St. Patrick's Day. I think there were two problems: 1. Use the stronger white onions. The yellow ones didn't seem to have enough strength to stand up to the friar. 2. Cut them a little thicker. A lot of them seemed to completely fry away.
The pasta salad was a nice light compliment to the rest of the heavier fried foods. I do wish the fire roasted peppers had been added the night, but too many other packing related activities took precedent.
It's funny how people go nuts over the simpler desserts. There is always a certain amount of "ooohing" and "ahhhing" over Robin's more elaborate desserts, but the brownies and ice cream had people (ok, mostly MS) perched at the counter waiting for them to be cut.
All in all, a great night. Being warm enough to use the deck made the apartment feel just a little less crowded. (So much so that I think we miss-counted how many plates we needed like three times.) I'm so looking forward to having more room in the new place, and a whole little yard rather then just the creaky deck.
The meal:
- Seasoned and cheese stuffed hamburgers
- Too many handcut french fries
- Onion straws
- Pasta salad
- Various sundries for the burgers (bacon, guacamole, more cheese, etc.)
- Made from scratch peanut butter/white chocolate chip brownies with toffee chips and ice cream
My God has grilling season arrived! I tried to stress to TS, that just because I wanted to hearken in the Charcoal Days with a nice stack of burgers didn't mean we were going full out picnic style. There's been an issue of Food & Wine floating around the apartment that was probably causing me to think this, but I wanted high-end burgers with crazy good toppings. And nothing says "mmm-mmm" like a burger stuffed with cheese. If you're not from here, or you've never had the Juicy Lucy, I don't know if I can explain the true magic with just words.
I admit it, ten pounds of french fries was too much. They came out great, there's just no way to cook that many fries without industrial sized friars. And they're not that great left over. I must remember that just because people eat ten pounds of heart attack mashed potatoes doesn't mean they eat ten pounds of other kinds of potatoes. There were too many fired onions as well, and the sad thing was that they didn't turn out nearly as yummy as the ones on St. Patrick's Day. I think there were two problems: 1. Use the stronger white onions. The yellow ones didn't seem to have enough strength to stand up to the friar. 2. Cut them a little thicker. A lot of them seemed to completely fry away.
The pasta salad was a nice light compliment to the rest of the heavier fried foods. I do wish the fire roasted peppers had been added the night, but too many other packing related activities took precedent.
It's funny how people go nuts over the simpler desserts. There is always a certain amount of "ooohing" and "ahhhing" over Robin's more elaborate desserts, but the brownies and ice cream had people (ok, mostly MS) perched at the counter waiting for them to be cut.
All in all, a great night. Being warm enough to use the deck made the apartment feel just a little less crowded. (So much so that I think we miss-counted how many plates we needed like three times.) I'm so looking forward to having more room in the new place, and a whole little yard rather then just the creaky deck.
