Gaseous
Yes. That is a hand-made mosaic of San Francisco hanging on our wall outside. It was made by my great-aunt Dolores circa 1963.
Under the mosaic is a new gas grill. Brand-spankin' new. On sale and free money new.
About six weeks ago, my cousin Marcy sent me an email saying she saw my name listed on the unclaimed money list out in California. She wasn't positive it was me, but sent me the link.
It was me.
Somewhere along the line, I was owed $360.00 from someone and they couldn't get a hold of me and I never claimed it. The State didn't have the money yet, a private firm still did, so - not expecting anything but thinking "nothing ventured, nothing gained" I sent them an email.
A couple of days later I got an email back telling me to write them a letter telling them who I was and what I was claiming. Still not thinking much, I mailed it off.
Today, a check arrived for $360.00.
We went down and bought a gas grill after dinner! $199. On sale and assembled.
I know how much I talked about charcoal grilling and I still believe it is superior to propane. But I'm also not grilling as much. And it kinda defeats the purpose if we're not using it, right?!? Right.
So we now have both. The gas grill has taken the place of honor under Auntie's picture and the charcoal grill has been relegated to the corner by the shed, but it's still there for special occasions.
In the meantime, we have a new gas grill that is just begging to be broken in.
Maybe I'll do hot dogs.
Burgers and Peppers
Tonight's dinner is brought to you by the hot Italian peppers Victor fried up Monday.
We picked up some hot and some sweet peppers Monday with the intention of frying them in olive oil and garlic. They are one of the best condiments to have in the 'fridge - they go with so many things and have a shelf-life just short of plutonium. Not that we ever keep them around long, but they will last.
Did I mention hot?!?
They were so hot cooking that when I walked into the kitchen - with windows open and fan blowing - my eyes immediately started burning and I started coughing.
I knew we were onto something good!
I wanted some of them for dinner tonight and thought an open-faced burger was just the ticket. I toasted a couple of thick slices of Italian bread and spread it with mayo mixed with some mixed shredded cheese left from last night's dinner. On top of that went the peppers - and then the burger topped with more cheese.
The fresh fruit was perfect with the hothot peppers, and the leftover-from-Monday potato salad and baked beans added to the goodness (and helped clean out the 'fridge).
It's currently 85° outside with climbing humidity ((I will never get used to living in a place where it can actually get hotter when the sun goes down!) so we're having homemade ice cream for dessert tonight.
Really rich chocolate ice cream with mini peanut butter cups.
Stay tuned.
Burgers on the Barbie
I was recently asked when I plan dinner. The answer, of course, is "It Depends".
There are no set rules. Sometimes it's a few days in advance, sometimes the night before, sometimes that morning, and sometimes an hour before we're going to eat.
I know folks who plan out their meals a week in advance and know exactly what they're going to have on Thursday of any given week. Not me. I just can't say on Monday what I'm going to be in the mood for on Thursday. Or what mood I'm going to be in to cook whatever it was I thought I was going to be in the mood for.
I usually prefer to wing it a bit.
This morning, however, I knew I wanted burgers on the barbie - even at 0-dark-thirty.
I thought about them all day long. Bacon and cheese and lettuce and tomatoes and avocados and pickles and mayo and mustard and catsup and potato chips and homemade hamburger buns. All day long.
I got home and made the buns right away. I used the no-knead dough that is almost a regular feature in our 'fridge. It was hot and muggy outside. A perfect proofing room. In a mere 30 minutes they were ready for the oven. 15 minutes later, they were cooling.
I added juuuuust a little bit of Memphis BBQ Sauce to the beef for a bit of added flavor. I mean, bacon, cheese, and all that other stuff was just crying out for more.
And all of that savory goodness was screaming for sweet fresh fruit.
I obliged.
In the meantime, the temperature has dropped 20 degrees and were under a severe thunderstorm alert. The alert warns of the obligatory golf ball-sized hail and 75 mph winds.
Whatever.
I need to figure out dessert.
Steaks on the Barbie
it was 81° today. That's BBQ'n weather.
I've gotten a couple of good deals on whole eyes of round, so knife in hand, I've cut up some steaks, cubes, roasts... The freezer is looking good, right now...
These were simple salt-and-pepper steaks over charcoal. Irish steak sauce on the side.
The potatoes were cubed sweets with a drizzle of honey, butter, dill, walnuts, and raisins. Baked, covered, at 350° for about 45 minutes. And baby broccoli.
Simplicity.
The weather is getting hotter this weekend - up to 90° Saturday and Sunday. Not my idea of pleasant weather. I'll probably be grilling all weekend...
And for those of you keeping track... at today's weigh-in, I lost three pounds! I am now exactly where I started 8 weeks ago.
My mantra really does have to start being *moderation*moderation*moderation*.
Next week.
The Last Supper
Well, not exactly, because I rather doubt that pork was on the menu at The Last Supper, but this is our last meal at home for a few days. We're heading west for my niece Jessica's wedding.
Early. Really, really, ungodly early.
To add insult to injury, we're flying into Sacramento, so we can't even get a non-stop flight. Leaving in the dark and having to change planes. Thank gawd for my iPod and Kindle. Besides, Jessie's worth it.
So... last meal at home was grilled pork tenderloins. My dear friend Debbie over at Words to Eat By is writing an article on pork tenderloins and she got me thinking about how much I really do like them. I almost always have a couple in the freezer. They are quick to thaw and totally versatile - pork cutlets, pork scallopine, grilled, broiled, baked, and fried. You name it, you can do it with a tenderloin.
It was also a good choice because we didn't want any leftovers. Our dog-sitter, Donna (Pals For Pets) is a vegetarian, so leftover pork would be waiting for us when we got home. Ugh.
I'm not bringing the lap top, so there won't be any blog posts until next week, but I'll try and sneak a few pictures of fun food onto facebook with the phone.
Have fun!
We're going to!
Sunday Dinner
Sunday Dinner. The perfect excuse to eat a big meal early in the day. I picked up an on-sale-buck-a-pound ham yesterday and called Victor's brother as soon as I got home to invite them over for dinner. A 9-pound ham needs more than two people. A lot more. We ended up with seven. (Well, six. One is a vegetarian.)
I was actually a good boy. I didn't go crazy like I usually do. One appetizer. A simple bruschetta for starters. One. I amazed myself. I resisted. And won.
Besides the ham, we had sweet potatoes, broccoli, a big salad and dinner rolls. I made some croutons from a loaf of old bread... Cubed the bread and drizzled it with olive oil, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Baked about 20 minutes at 350°.
The sweets were good. I steamed them a bit and then put them in a covered casserole with a splash of maple syrup, a splash of sherry, and a bit of salt and pepper. Baked about 40 minutes. Steamed broccoli with a bit of butter. Simple and basic. And really good.
Marie made dessert. A Rum Cake that really was good. We snagged a hunk for a second dessert later on tonight while watching the Olympics. After ham sandwiches, of course.
My stomach is smiling.
Repurposing Mexican-Style
That really good Empanada Filling from a couple of days ago made a super-yummy hot taco dip tonight! I mixed in a bit of enchilada sauce, a can of pinto beans, and lots of cheese and baked it at the ever-popular 350° for about 45 minutes. Blue corn tortilla chips were the perfect vehicle to get it from bowl to mouth. Corona's on the deck, sunshine and blue skies. Summer has been pretty good, thus far.
But it was back inside for the main course - build-your-own-burritos.
Ground beef with onions, peppers, chipotles, cumin, tomato sauce... sliced avocados, chopped tomatoes, refried black beans, rice, corn, nectarine salsa, sour cream, manchego cheese, and handmade tortillas (not handmade by me...) We stuffed ourselves and Victor is still going to have leftovers for lunch for a week. Yum.
And there's a nectarine clafouti in the oven right now...
Salad For Dinner
'Tis the season to eat salads! I love 'em!
Tonight was a clean-out-the-refrigerator-salad. My favorite kind.
I started off with the greens and then added two types of plums, peaches, and strawberries. Then there were the blue cheese and/or garlic-stuffed olives... avocados... tomatoes... grilled chicken breasts... and a creamy dressing...
It was a definite stomach-smiler!
Chipotle Chicken Sandwiches
I was in the mood for a sandwich tonight.
Last week I picked up about a dozen chicken breasts at the farmers market. I brought 'em home and - in packs of two - marinated, sealed, and froze them. I did several different marinades... Apple Cinnamon BBQ, White Wine, Lemon and French Herbs, Marsala and Italian Herbs, a Spicy Chili paste Asian, and a spicy Tequila Chipotle.
Tonight was Spicy Chipotle!
I brought home some rolls from work and toasted them slightly. I made a spicy mayo with mayonnaise, chipotle powder and lime zest and juice. A sliced up a ripe tomato and separated some lettuce leaves... Grilled the chicken breasts and added a couple of slices of havarti cheese. (It may be 10 degrees outside but that doesn't stop me from firing up the grill!)
In the meantime, I sliced up one big potato, slathered it in olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic and placed them on the grill.
In 20 minutes I had dinner on the table. The flavors worked great together. It was spicy hot, but the lime really helped to cool it down. They were also nice and sloppy. The last few bites, especially, were finger-lickers with everything sliding around just as it should.
I'm looking forward to trying the others.....
Chicken Soup for the Soul
I was at the farmer's market Wednesday to order my 32+ pound Thanksgiving Turkey, and picked up a stewing hen while I was there. There is just nothing more flavorful than soup or stew made with a stewing hen.
Into the pot the bird went with carrots, celery, onions, garlic, bay leaves, and about 3/4 bottle of white wine I've been using for cooking. I simmered it all day Wednesday and Wednesday evening, strained the broth and removed the chicken. After cooling, they both went into the 'fridge.
Yesterday afternoon, the fun began - clean out the 'fridge! The broth went into the pot along with celery, carrots, fresh peas, green beans, 2 different leftover cooked brown rices, chopped up mustard greens, and a bag of tortolini - and a goodly amount of chicken. (There's at least one - if not two - other meals from the chicken!)
It was sooooo good! Really rich, chicken flavor and lots of good vegetables. I almost licked the bowl. And the garlic bread was the perfect accompaniment.
Pumpkin Done Right
I just got home from a Pumpkin Recipe Contest at work. OMG! I am stuffed - but more than stuffed, I am impressed! What an unbelievable collection of foods in one place! Each employee came up with their own recipes and without prior consultation, we had no duplicates. Each item was totally unique with its own distinct style and flavor. I didn't even think to bring a camera. I guess I just wasn't expecting to have my socks knocked off - but knocked off, they were!
We had:
Pumpkin Ravioli with a Brown Sage Butter
Pumpkin Apple Almond Potstickers with a Ginger Honey Scallion Sauce
Pumpkin Cheese Cannelloni with a Cranberry Sage Butter Sauce
Pumpkin Soup
Pumpkin Lasagne
Puff Pastry filled with Fresh Pumpkin Chunks and Sour Cream topped with India Relish
Pumpkin Bars
Pumpkin Muffins topped with a Cream Cheese and Pumpkin Icing
Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Toffee Sauce
Pumpkin Pancakes
Pumpkin Smoothies, and
Pumpkin Crème Brûlée
I'll start at the top with my own observations...
The Pumpkin Ravioli were something you would find at a fine-dining establishment. A pumpkin dough filled with a delicate pumpkin and cheese mixture. Light, yet substantial. And the browned butter sage sauce was the perfect accompaniment. You could actually make a meal of them adding nothing more than a glass of wine (and bread to sop up the sauce, of course!). Just divine.
The Pumpkin Potstickers were an OMG! surprise. Totally unexpected and totally delicious. I had more than one and could see a tray of them disappearing quickly. The flavors in the filling were perfectly matched, and the dipping sauce worked great with them.
Pumpkin Cheese Cannelloni was yet another fantastic taste sensation. Very similar to a blintz in texture, it's another item that could be found at an upscale eatery. Also light and delicate - yet substantial. Two of these on a plate with a salad would be a perfect meal.
The Pumpkin Soup was a vegan entry (full disclosure here - I made it!) that took its cue from the Caribbean. Pumpkin, coconut milk, rum, hot peppers - plus tomatoes, hominy, black beans and black rice. Sweet with just enough kick to be interesting. It was hearty and thick. Definitely a full meal during the cold months.
The Pumpkin Lasagne was layers and layers of tantilizing pumpkin, cheeses, greens, and pasta. It was the type of dish that if set on a table would be empty in minutes with people clamoring for more. Warm crusty bread, a mixed green salad, a bottle (or two) of a good red wine. Heaven.
The Puff Pastry was the only entry that used fresh pumpkin! The sweetness of the pumpkin worked perfectly with the spiciness of the India Relish. It also made a great presentation - and would be a great addition to any appetizer table. Come to think of it, they could also make a great plated first course.
The Pumpkin Bars were another (last minute) entry of mine. A fairly traditional pumpkin pie filling topped with a basic cake mixture and walnuts. It would be better served cold with whipped cream, but I took them out of the oven minutes before heading off to work, so they were served warm. They were pretty darn good warm, too!
The Pumpkin Muffins were good enough for dessert! They were a perfect balance of moist and sweet and the icing was another perfect balance of flavor. These were any-time-of-the-day muffins, for sure!
Bread pudding is one of my all-time favorite desserts, and the Pumpkin Bread Pudding exceeded every one of my expectations. It was just perfect. The texture of the bread, the lightness of the custard, the wonderful sauce... Just perfect. I ate lots.
The Pumpkin Pancakes were light as a feather! They were perfectly puffed up and airy - unusual for a pancake with something as dense as pumpkin added to it. (The secret is the yogurt!) And they were really decadent with some of the Toffee Sauce poured on top!
Pumpkin Smoothies - who wouldda thunk?!? But what a great taste sensation. I could definitely see these with a float of dark rum and a little paper umbrella. Too good just for breakfast!
And Pumpkin Crème Brûlée. Yes - Crème Brûlée! Talk about another show-stopper! Light, creamy, rich, flavorful - all at the same time! The sugar topping was perfectly crisp and crunchy, contrasting superbly with the silken pumpkin custard beneath. One would not be enough.
Everything was superb in its own right. The tastes and textures were as varied as the individuals who brought them in. Everything was over the top. There wasn't a single "ordinary" item in the bunch. I can't even imagine trying to actually judge them. It's a 12-way tie for first place in my not-so-humble opinion!
And the variety of items really illustrates just how versatile the humble pumpkin is. From sweet to savory and everything in between.
And another great benefit of today is that I now have some great ideas for Thanksgiving! I did a ham and gorgonzola won ton one year, but I'm thinking potstickers might work this time around, I could do a large creme brulee instead of individuals... Ravioli as a first course?!?
It's gonna be fun - thanks to some great people today!
Leftovers
I think I mentioned I cooked a LOT of food this past weekend. A lot. Granted, we ate a lot, but there have been a few leftovers...
I can handle leftovers as well as the next guy, but after a while, I just don't want to see them anymore - at least not in their original state.
Tonight I took leftover sausage with peppers and onions and the leftover beef and put them in a pot with some beef broth. I had a couple of really ripe tomatoes, so they were chopped up, as well. And a bit of celery and a can of black-eyed peas. Stir in some hot chile pepper, and dinner was born.
I also made my own version of Rice-A-Roni to go along with it. I used some orzo and white rice, sauteed in butter with a bit of minced onion and garlic. Then added vegetable broth and let it simmer for about 20 minutes.
Who says leftovers have to be boring?!?