Long day. Dinner wasn’t anything planned, but when I picked up some duck breasts at Wegmans and I knew I wouldn’t be home at a reasonable hour, one of them became dinner.
Scored, seasoned with salt and pepper, seared starting in a cold pan, finished in the oven to 130° for medium rare and then rested for 10 minutes before slicing and serving with some warmed Plum Ketchup.
Tonight was the fabulous Mrs. P’s birthday and we had an awesome dinner at Cafe Panache in Ramsey, NJ. We started off with seared shrimp in paprika lemon butter sauce with heirloom tomatoes and fried sage. We also shared handmade pumpkin agnolotti with butter and parmesan. For entrees I had outstanding imported venison chops in aromatic madeira wine sauce with buttered spaetzle and sweet potato puree. Mrs. P had excellent diver scallops with cauliflower flan, pickled chanterelles, in a lobster sauce. For dessert we had melt in your mouth coconut cake and caramel gelato (not pictured). It all went great with 2011 Domaine Lafond Chateauneuf Du Pape
Homemade pizza with friend’s kiddos to close out girls’ weekend.
Kids & I started the dough yesterday, and they helped pat out and top their pizzas today.
Simple toppings - plain cheese for one kid, pepperoni & mushrooms (yep, they have a food garden at school and he eats adventurously as a side benefit - ate half my mini pot pie at lunch after his kid meal ) for the other, mushrooms & fresh mozz for the “girls” (plus wine and arugula salad).
I par-baked the rest of the dough into pizza bases and froze them for my friend for future pizza fridays, and am sending a pizza stone as a thank you gift for hosting us.
Please wish Mrs. P a happy birthday @paryzer! You’re killing me with the food porn. OMG, can’t tell you how good that venison looks, and is sheer perfection in doneness; exactly how I like my beef steaks.
Hope the birthday week continues with more fab food.
Nice looking pizzas @Saregama! How thoughtful of you to provision her with pizza crusts and a stone. I’m sure you’re a very appreciated friend and guest!
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meatn3
(equal opportunity eater in the NC Triangle)
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Thank you @Lambchop! I will convey your well wishes to Mrs. P.
Yes, the venison had a beautiful char on the outside with a peppercorn crust and was cooked perfectly medium rare on the inside.
Thank you very much @LindaWhit , @ChristinaM, and @RedJim for your birthday wishes for Mrs. P, and a very happy and healthy birthday to @ChristinaM! I hope you have something special planned.