Night before last, we were going to a place i’m reviewing, but it was closed (supposed to be open). soooo… so instead, we went to a local fresh/farm-to-table/local/blah-blah-blah place that I loved my first time a couple years ago. first was a melon salad with pickled red onions over a beet puree, wonderfully light, fresh, sweet, and the onions were pickled with 5 spice, among other things - really gave them a nice kick. the server made a mistake and ordered the wrong entree for me, so they just gave us that entree and the one i ordered. the “mistake” was a very light tomato water broth, slightly spicy, tart from anchovies, with tomatoes, smoky eggplant, basil, and farfalle. The broth was fabulous. The BF had flank steak with charred cabbage and taters, and it was good, but nowhere near as good as my main: salt cold, fresh, only slightly salted and then seared, with super-crispy skin, and the most amazing butter, creamy potatoes (like a deconstructed brandade morue). incredibly delicious, rich and creamy, with super crispy dragon tongue beans for contrast.
And last night - the BF made his famous puris, and this time they turned out just like our local indian/pakistani restaurant. Super puffy and diaphanous, and light as could be. alongside, he made hummus, his keftes (with ground beef), a cuke salad with his own za’atar, and a green salad. but nothing was as good as those puris.
You too Linda? Mine was chopping cilantro a few years back. My teeth-gritted request to my wife for some ice produced the perfect reply “Isn’t it a bit early for a whiskey?”
The real jumping around took place when the ER Docs applied silver nitrate to stop the bleeding! The removal of the stitches a few weeks later was also great fun.
This struck me as a good fall supper, despite the Indian Summer we’re experiencing (a blazing 79 degrees today!). I used a cut-up chicken rather than just the breast so it needed a longer cook than the recipe calls for, but it didn’t hurt the apples a bit.
Bob and I must be the only people on the planet who just don’t care for salmon. We don’t DISlike it and will of course eat it if served. Now lox - that’s another thing. At least we found each other
WWFD: >> Sausages with Lentils (Cotechino con Lenticchie). A recipe from the Emilia Romagna region, typically served on the first day of a new year, but good any time during cool weather. Ingredients: olive oil; onion; carrot; celery; garlic; dried red pepper flakes; brown lentils; chopped fresh tomatoes; stock; Italian spicy pork sausages; S & P.
Of course G had to steam some corn on the cob to take up the slack. As if the lentils et al wouldn’t fill us up.
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meatn3
(equal opportunity eater in the NC Triangle)
229
After our 12 days of rain we got some cooler weather. I took a break from building my ark and turned on the oven! First day was a vanilla bread pudding to use up half a loaf of French bread. Then an asparagus/leek quiche and meatloaf for lunches.
Tonight was kabocha squash baked with a rosemary/vanilla roasted plum sauce, roasted asparagus with lemon salt and a beautiful boneless pork loin chop browned in a pan and finished in the oven. I love fall!
I hate to admit it, but that cooktop mess keeps me from making a number of dishes I really enjoy, especially those that call for pan searing duck or chicken. Those splatter screens don’t help much. It’s usually when the cooktop really needs a take-it-all-apart-and-scour-thoroughly cleaning that I add to the greasy mess with one of those dishes.
Recently when I do things in the oven that would usually make a huge mess from oil splatter I’ve been covering with parchment. Doesn’t seem to impair browning, top or bottom and keeps the splatter in the pan. I would try it on the stove top
When I recently did it with food in a cast iron pan and sheet tray I just place a big piece on top. Even used convection and it moved a little but stayed in place
My sister wanted to meet for a drink after work so we went out. Started with soft pretzel bites that came with a super hot jalapeno mustard (so good) and some cheese sauce. We also had some cauliflower. Then DH joined us and we ordered dinner; one hamburger with super crispy fries, a burrata flat bread with pesto, and a mushroom flat bread. Everything was very good (except of the mushroom dish which I can’t comment on since I don’t like or eat mushrooms…I know, I know, but I just can’t do it). Tonight dinner will be out again since will be trekking into the city for a game.
WFD: >> Mushroom and Potato Soup (Minestra di funghi e patate) from the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy. Ingredients: chicken broth; olive oil; pancetta; onion; celery; carrot; mushrooms; parsley; potatoes; garlic; pearl barley. Freshly grated Pecorino Romano over top. Crusty Italian bread.
Earlier today I was going to call this evening’s meal IDK Soup because I really had no idea what to cook tonight. On second and third thoughts I decided on these ingredients which I think will be good tonight since it’s getting blustery here right now, plus it’s raining soon. I can feel my bones reacting to this cooler weather. Simple, nourishing, and hearty ought to make me feel better. Good thing my husband loves soup.
A day off, with several appts. to attend to, with a trip to Trader Joe’s in between both and a trip to Wegmans after the last one, and then a very long ride home due to the Columbus Day traffic as everyone headed out of Dodge. Oh yeah - the rain didn’t help any.
A half cup of apple cider and a half cup of chicken stock were boiled, then simmered and reduced by half. It then had some apricot preserves, coarse mustard with seeds, ground ginger, and a 1/2 tsp. of cornstarch whisked in and the sauce was simmered until it thickened.
Meanwhile, the thin tail-end of a pork tenderloin was seasoned with salt and pepper and pan-seared in butter and olive oil. A sploosh of white wine was added, and it was covered to finish cooking.
A big-ass sweet potato was peeled and cubed and boiled in hot water, then mashed with butter and a bit of cognac (should have been Calvados, but I forgot I ran out awhile back). Peas cooked.
Dessert will be something I picked up at TJs or Wegmans. Depends on what strikes my fancy when I get my sweet craving.
Let’s see… had a very late lunch at 4 pm at a local seafood place with a $1 a shuck happy hour, so a dozen oysters were the ticket, along with 2 very delish crab cake sliders.
After that, we were hoping to catch some fried pig tails at a local German place, but they’re not on the menu anymore. Whatttttt??? So a side of their tastalicious Bratkartoffeln had to do.
The plan at this point is to grab a mess o’mussels at a pub nearby. Great draught selection there as well.
