They were reposted in the next reply.
Went back to the place on the first night (friday) because the pub I wanted to check out is right next to it.
Sat outside this time but the smokers arrived shortly, unfortunately. Can’t escape them anywhere. It was so hot today, over 30C/90F. I lost all interest in eating, only wanted to drink and sleep.
Ox tongue must have been SV’ed. The texture is much too soft.
The jerk sauce is not “agressive” enough for me. My favourites are still the goose breast and cured beef cheeks eaten on the first evening.
We fled inside when the smokers lit up. Nothing like the first time here, when it was full of people.
Employee called out to me that my order was ready.
Gratuitous photo in the pub taken shortly after. Almost on every trip someone asks “what kind of camera is that?”. They think it’s an analog camera and/or a Leica. Well, it’s not and it’s far cheaper than a Leica. (Fujifilm X100s. I paid full price when it came out so it was a bit expensive for a simple camera.)
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Uncooked chicken that was kept chilled and vacuumed sealed last week went into the SV bath at 165 for 3 hrs then finished in the oven. Lined the cast iron pan with a garlic loaf bread that our local Publix has been making after pulling the chicken. Studded with whole roasted garlic cloves inside and out. The chicken drippings added just the right amount of fat and crunch.
A romain salad with tomatos and cubed up toasted bread was a fine side along with some rendered chicken skins chips to nosh on. Scrapping out most of the fat before roasting really makes them light and not too greasy
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Mapo tofu over steamed broccoli. I haven’t made this for a while and I had forgotten how much I love it - even without rice, it is SOOOOOOOOOOO satisfying. I happened to have a couple of really nice leeks in the fridge that I used in it, too, which made it that much more enjoyable.
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I met visiting friends for lunch today at a vegetarian dim sum restaurant!! I was SO excited since i love dim sum but veg options can be limited. We totally over ordered (no carts there) and then they insisted i take home leftovers since they have dinner reservations and leave in the morning.
So for dinner i needed greens and made some sautéed chard with garlic and sesame oil. Leftover turnip cake, mushroom bun, and “shrimp” rice roll which maybe my favorite. All dipped in mix of black vinegar with soy sauce. Still enough leftovers for at least two lunches too! 
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Tonight’s dinner is Moo Shu chicken and tofu. Served in tortillas rather than mandarin pancakes.
Weather has been really warm with no a/c. Have been bbq’ing quite a bit but just ran out of propane the other night.
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had that for lunch over rice with guava paste from brazil for dessert.
Cheers .
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Yum! Like a lot cassoulet! I seldom eat this in summer as I consider it a quite heavy dish. I never tried it with calamari though, looks interesting the combination. Needs red wine with it, I agree!
Summer in Santa Cruz is 64 degrees and foggy . LOL .
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Grilled flank steak with pesto; pan-roasted cherry tomatoes topped with ricotta alongside. One of our favorite easy summer meals, and looks like the Italian flag to boot!
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It’s good to be home again! Air travel is so much of a hassle now, I hate it! When we have American style TSA at all European airports then I would go with plans B or C.
We brought with us Polish sausages and ate them at the airport whilst waiting to board the plane home. There was 1 left in the cabin bag and when I had to open it a couple of times everyone got a strong whiff of garlic in their general direction.
Last 2 beers at the airport.
Wherever I go I always make photos of medieval doors or their beautiful handles.
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love this medieval handles
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Amen.
In Europe, if it’s less than 4 hours, I like trains.
Overnight ferries are good too.
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The “magic” freezer has provided the past few nights of foods. Last night, I pulled out a short rib chili. Very Southwestern, and I bet it was a Bobby Flay recipe. I could have sworn I made it two summers ago, but the date on the bag stated 2012. Love vacuum seals. It was in perfect condition! Eaten with some refried black beans that I made with some onion and garlic.
Tonight, the farmer’s market tomatoes were close to ripe so I made a Pico de Gallo to accompany our Carnitas Tacos. Made a cabbage and carrot salad, with pickled some red onion and serranos that I quick pickled.
Tomorrow’s food is a mystery. I have some eggplant and lettuce that need to be eaten. That isn’t a meal just yet.
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I decided to celebrate Ripe Avocado Day with socca! I found the part of a bag of chickpea flour in the freezer this morning while looking for batteries (dumb wireless computer trackpad) and i just made it stovetop like pancakes with salt/pepper and olive oil.
Topped with some mashed avocado, slices of smoked tofu, cilantro, and arugala. The cherry tomatoes wouldn’t fit! Pile of lightly dressed arugala on the side with more cilantro and the tomatoes. I tried to pick up and eat like a taco but that just made a big mess…!
Nice quick and easy dinner. I have one leftover pancake that will probably be breakfast with the other half of the avocado.
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New August edition is here, let’s move over!
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Did you ever use chayote more? I have never had it but on a cooking show it was julienned in a salad. The flavor was described as a combo of pear, green apple, and cuke, which appeals to me. I could use some advice in what to look for when selecting them in the produce aisle.
I’m not meatn3, but chayotes are perfect for salads- i find the flavor very mild. Just look for one with smooth skin (no wrinkles or discoloring) and firm like a cucumber, soft spots are no good. You can eat the skin, it’s pretty thin and not tough. I’m lazy so i just wash it well and don’t bother peeling.
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I slice it thin, cook it with ground pork, lots of garlic and sometimes shrimp paste and or fish sauce and hot pepper
Good with rice
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