If You Stay With It, You Learn Something New Every Day..

Saturday, my wife and I decided it would be a beautiful day to head North... Michigan, this time of year, can be fantastic or nasty...Forecast looked good, so we took a road trip. Casino in Manistee was busy, but not lucrative for us! Wild life sighted was one turkey, one deer, a hawk feasting on a rodent, and sundry animals being made into part of the road bed(road kill!).
When we got home, a hardy bean dip with tortilla chips was a good snack...I use refried beans, red salsa, browned,ground burger, cheese, and extra ground cumin-filling, warming and easy!
The next day, I'm scrounging for a Sunday meal, as shopping will happen later that day. I had some huge bone-in chicken breasts(3=3lbs.!)and my wife wanted chicken salad for sandwiches during the week... I decided to simmer the chicken in chicken broth,water, poultry seasoning, and Balsamic vinegar.. Deboned and chopped 2 of the breasts into pieces to be used in a red sauce over pasta.. For years we have eaten chicken spaghetti-but this time, I did something different! I kept the broth and did the pasta in that flavored liquid... The result was stunning! The sauce was great, but the pasta had taken on a flavor that was a stand alone treat! The chicken/Marinara topped with grated Parmesan was good, mind you- but I could have eaten the pasta alone and been pleased...It was kind of like "dirty" rice, only it was pasta!
Later that day, I made the chicken salad with the remaining breast, which with hard cooked eggs, celery and onions chopped, mayo,mustard,lemon pepper, and dill- came out zippy and good.. Balsamic vinegar is to be used sparingly, but done right- is a fantastic ingredient! I also made some sour cream fudge brownies that came out cake-like and perfect with vanilla ice cream...
Have a good week, everyone!

Kind Of A Funky Friday Nite Supper

We've been eating a lot of pork lately, but haven't had pork chops in quite a while. I looked for a baked recipe, and came up with this...
1. 4 pork chops, bone in, browned in olive oil. Place in dish, large enough to hold them.
2. Top with sliced apples, and onion slices.
3. Pour a mixture of strong mustard, brown sugar, and a touch of water to make a sauce.
4. Pour over chops, apples and onions.
5. Bake at 350F for 50 minutes, occasionally basting with rendered juices/sauce.
It wasn't bad, but next time I'd leave it right in the fry pan and cover tightly!

Stuffed Bell Peppers, The Forgotten Meal..

Well, at least around here it had been forgotten! Still suffering from Sam's Club overload, where I bought a six- pack of bell peppers for my chili, I had three left..
Orange, yellow, and red, they were large, fresh and attractive. For filling, I used white rice, simmered in tomato juice until absorbed and tender. I browned ground beef with a chopped onion, and other seasonings until done. Mixing the two into a filling, they were placed in the hollowed out peppers and baked for about 60 minutes at 325F- basting the top every 20 minutes with extra tomato juice to keep moist. When done, they were sprinkled with cheese and served.
A pleasant change for us- but maybe you have them a lot!

UFO's You Can Eat!

When I finished the Brie recipe, I was left with three UFO- sized Portobello mushrooms. That's what happens when you shop at Sam's Club! I gave one to my son, along with numerous other food items we overstocked on(He helped me shop that day!), so I had two left for a meal yet to be determined.. I like the darn things. They have an uncanny ability to absorb whatever flavor marinade or seasoning you put on them. They also are dense and firm to a point of an almost meat-like consistency.
I chose to marinade shortly with soy sauce and Worcester sauce, sprinkled with garlic and onion powder. I trimmed the loose sides, and scraped what I call the gills(the dark brown underside of the mushroom)off. I then placed a very thin pattie of ground beef on it, that had been seasoned with salt and pepper only. Broiled until pattie was medium rare, I removed from broiler and topped with a mild cheese. Broiled until melted, out they came... Portobello pattie melt, awaiting your favorite condiment! It could easily made into a sandwich, as you can imagine...

Of Brie Cheese And White Chili..

A month or so back, Doggy Bloggy put me on to get a chance at some free cheese... Two of my favorite words are "free" and "cheese"! I sent away for it and received a package of ILE de France brand Brie cheese. Brie is a delightful soft cheese, with a slight mushroomy flavor and scent...
This company was running a recipe contest using ILE de France cheeses... At the coaxing of DogB, I made up a recipe, took a photo of the dish, and sent it in.. To describe what I made really won't take very long, as it isn't complicated to make!
1. 16oz. of ILE de France Brie (room temp), scooped out of outside rind, placed in bowl.
2. Fry (6) thin, lean bacon strips until you can crumble it after cooling.
3. Take one large Portobello mushroom, clean and trim outside edge, then carefully scrape brown underside of mushroom until it is one trimmed clean piece.
4. Mince the mushroom into small bits, saute in rendered bacon fat, until almost dry. Drain and pat dry mushroom pieces.
5. Add the crumbled bacon, minced mushroom to cheese, mixing by hand thoroughly.
6. Place in serving dish, top with freshly chopped chives.
7. Serve with fresh, tart apple slices, or an herb flavored hard bread..

We were in a chili cook-off today- during a rather cold thunderstorm... The awning protected us from the rain, but when the wind gusted, not so well! My wife and I made our white chili, which has never lost at that contest. We didn't win, mainly because they weren't going to let the same team win 3 years in a row- but compliments abounded! It was some of the worst weather I've ever cooked in!

Something I've Talked About, And Finally Did- Mexican Pizza..

I had that left over chunk of Southwestern flavored pot roast, and was planning on soft shell shredded beef tacos, but when I checked the fridge- we didn't have any soft shells.. Hard shell didn't seem a good fit, so I finally made my version of a Mexican pizza.
I made my normal from "scratch" pizza crust (which is lighter than most I've had!)with my 6 quart Kitchen-Aid mixer, using the dough hook.. While the dough rose, I chopped up the beef, some onion, shredded cheese, made a sauce from taco sauce, tomato juice, and spices, and chopped some fresh lettuce. Sliced black olives went on it also...
After dough had risen once, I spread it out on a cookie sheet, and let it rise a bit more... The sauce had simmered/thickened to a good consistency, and was spread on dough.. Next a layer of cheese, then onions, then olives... Baked at 450F for 15 minutes and served. The pizza was then topped per piece by the uncooked lettuce, extra shredded cheese and taco sauce(if wanted). Pretty darn tasty, if I do say so myself!
We got the Tex-Mex flavor we had been craving, in a pretty neat and easy meal..

Friday, Saturday, Sunday- Food And Happenings..

Friday night the request from my wife was a chef salad, our larders were a little low, but had enough stuff to make a pretty good one!
Saturday was a big chili cook-off- which I didn't participate in for the first time in at least 10 years! The reason was simple- we had a "must go to" wedding and reception.. The reception served what I refer to as Polish Wedding food- meatballs, baked ham, baked chicken, etc... We've all been there and done that! Wasn't bad..
Sunday, I made a pot roast... we've been having this more than I want, so I tried something new with it- a Southwestern flavored one! A beef roast(thick!), diced tomatoes(drained), sliced onion, garlic, taco seasonings, all wrapped tightly in leak-proof aluminum foil, I baked at 325F for 3 hrs. Came out OK (better than the photo!)..tender enough, but actually could have used more spice..Nice chunk left over for a couple of Mexican shredded beef soft tacos!

When We Were First Married....

This is a post about our early living conditions when we first got married. Every once in awhile I like to write a post that helps me document days I may not remember clearly later in life...
My wife and I married young(20 and 19)but did't live with parents after our marriage- ever! I moved into an apartment a week before the wedding, and started painting, carpeting, and moving. The day of the move, I was let go from my job. I was a draftsman, and the project ended... I'll never forget the feeling of being jobless a week before I was to provide for a wife, and moving out of my parent's home in the rain.
I wasn't out of work for two weeks when I got a new job, which taught me good things happen too!
The apartment we were in had four units, built after WWII for the housing shortage.. The doors were steel, no attempt at acoustics in hallways- every time someone came in or left the building, it felt like you lived in the bells of Notre Dame... I had never seen a roach before I moved in there- I thought they were June bugs... The heat came on in September and went off in May.. No air conditioning, just uninsulated steel crank windows- which about half worked...No parking spot- first come first served..
That apartment was the single largest motivator to get a house ASAP! We were there two years, saving for a down payment on a place smaller than a mobile home(Single wide!), but that's another post...
Tell me about your first place, I think this will be interesting!

The Inevitable Post About Turkey Leftovers..

The white meat and dark meat of the turkey were separated into two containers.. I normally would have boiled bones for stock- but didn't this time, I was too whipped! Monday night was an easy one...it's what we lovingly call a "Truck Driver Special" Sliced dark turkey(you can use beef or pork too!) simmered in leftover gravy, and placed on either toasted slices of bread, or mashed potatoes.. Simple straight-forward, and hearty! Tuesday I made a dish I hadn't in a while- Turkey Tetrazzini! Egg noodles cooked per directions, laid in a casserole dish.. Sauteed sliced mushrooms(in a half a stick of butter!), add sour cream and chopped cooked white meat from turkey. Season with your favorites- I used crushed garlic, minced onion, and Italian seasonings.. Pour over noodles, and cover with a layer of grated Parmesan cheese. Put uncovered casserole into 325F oven, heat through until cheese is bubbly-1/2 hour is plenty- and you have a rich, filling meal, from leftvers!
Tonight will be a chef's salad, utilizing yet more turkey...

I Finally Did It! I Got Too Big A Bird...

We had a roast turkey for Easter. Every time I get a turkey, I seem to go a little larger- bigger is better, right? Wrong! At 22lbs, it caused problems... I had to use a different pot to brine it in, it barely fit in a double lasagna pan, took up the whole oven, and even after I made every guest take some home, I have leftover turkey up the wazoo.. Remember that commercial where the woman is wrestling her turkey all over the kitchen, finally turkey slips goes flying out the window, knocking a guy flat? That was sort of what I looked like Sunday... It was tasty, and pretty moist, but a smaller bird would have been better..
The dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, and bean casserole were good. The spice cake never got cut- everybody too full! That little gizmo next to the cake is sometimes called a Brulee torch- a small torch, with an adjustable flame which can be used to smooth out frostings, glazes, and of course finish the top of brulees..
By the time I get a meal like that done, I'm usually not even hungry!
Hope you all had good ones!

Mini-Meme! Two Questions About Easter Food...

Easter is a feast day... The day the sacrifices of Lent are over.. I don't practice Lent, as my personal beliefs didn't include it- but it did become a largely celebrated day, which usually includes a big meal! Ours this year, looks like a replay of Thanksgiving...(Brined!) Roast turkey(22lbs.) dressing(sage sausage stuffing) the famous(or infamous!) green bean casserole, Yukon gold mashed potatoes, gravy.. and a spice cake for dessert!
Last year I did boneless leg of lamb over charcoal, but this year we have two guests that aren't open to new treats- so turkey it is!
Back to the two questions...
1. What do you consider your traditional Easter meal?
2. What was your oddest Easter meal?
Me first! 1. Generally in these parts, the norm is a baked ham... I like ham a lot, but more in sandwiches and salads...
2. Sunrise Service breakfast- as a kid, our town held a huge service at the civic auditorium- not enough, and not good....
Answer honestly, and have a good Easter this year...
P.S.- Brining poultry is the single thing you can do to make your bird the best it can be! 1 cup of non-iodized salt per one gallon of water, soaked 1 hr. per pound of bird, will make it the best you ever made!

Steelhead... Think Of A Rainbow Trout Only Bigger!

Steelhead were successfully planted in the Great Lakes quite a while ago. They are actually a sea going trout, that comes to fresh water rivers and swims upstream to spawn. Michigan found our Great Lakes(fresh water) worked just fine... The flavor of the flesh could be described as a cross between salmon and a lake trout- salmon being best, Lake trout(isn't bad)least flavorful..
At $3.99 a lb. we bought a big fillet and treated it much as I would a salmon fillet.First i rinsed it, then cut into three equal portions. Sprayed with olive oil, sprinkled with lemon pepper, dill weed, and Old Bay seasoning, I broiled it, skin side down for about 12 minutes. Came out as you see in photo.... The brown rice/wild rice mix takes about 45 minutes to cook, with a rest time of 5-10 minutes..
I have a left over portion, which will be made into steelhead spread- but that's another post!

Some Good Tasting Stuff Just Ain't Pretty!

As we had quite a bit of leftover steak, and I had been screwed out of my really good onion soup- I decided Monday to make a no-fail soup, steak and potato! Trimmed and cut steak into spoon sized bites, potatoes diced to about the same size, with beef broth, diced celery, diced onion, and sliced mushrooms- crock pot time! The seasonings added were minced garlic, black pepper, a bit of Canadian steak seasonings- on high for three hours... Then mixed in a flour/brown gravy mix/milk slurry that thickened it nicely! Served with rolls, we ate the heck out of it! Potatoes were not mushy, and steak was tender...a warming meal, even though it didn't snow like they said it would here!
Tonight, I have a steelhead fillet I plan to broil- post will be next!
Visited DogB's last post... Makes me feel like George Gobels- an old comedian once on Johnny Carson's show, between two famous icons in the entertainment business... He says; "Did you ever feel you were surrounded by people in tuxedos, and you were a pair of old brown shoes?" That's what my soup looks like against his fabulous meal!

Sunday Steak- Been A While..

I had a couple of hand trimmed steaks left in the freezer- all vac packed by me! They were huge! Photo is a half a steak- medium rare... Asparagus was fresh and sweet- not bitter at all. Dinner rolls and a white frosted brownie was quite enough today... Looking forward to doing nothing for rest of the day- as I had to make that meal twice- first for wife and I, then a to go plate for son- kind of a pain, but it's become the habit again..
Never made a potato kugel, but I think I'm going to try this week... I had it once, and thought it pretty good!
They are predicting 2-4" inches of snow for Monday, so if you hear faint screaming- that would be me...

A Short Overview of Communications...Could We?

The human race has been separated, and at other times joined though the ability/inability to communicate..
Jungle drums, smoke signals, imitation animal sounds, etc.. Then came the written word- sometimes symbols, then symbols that stood for what we think of as "letters". The written word was, and still is the baseline for communicating. Telegraphs, telephones, fax, cell phones, text messaging, computers, etc.- has given us more ways to communicate than ever! Yet, the daily misunderstandings are getting greater..
I remember when Esperanza(SP)was being promoted as a world language- didn't work.. I always thought "signing"(how deaf people communicate) is something everyone could learn and be universal..Imagine going anywhere and be understood- how cool would that be!
Made some from scratch French onion soup last night- that got thrown out.. Wife didn't get in contact about a hair cut appointment after work, she had dinner with girlfriend.. Communication- did it used to be simpler, or is it just me?

The "I Can't Wait For Spring" Supper...

Winter just won't let go this year! Craving something light, and to remind us that warmer days are coming- I made a batch of chicken salad, placed in a muskmelon for supper... Cooked chicken breast-cubed, a couple of hard boiled eggs-chopped, chopped celery and onions, mayo, mustard, and lemon pepper- all mixed thoroughly and chilled. Melon cleaned, cut in half- ready for salad...Simple but refreshing!
I also jumped on the banana wagon we all seem to be on, and made a straight banana bread-moist and rich.. I nice addition to the light meal. There is only two of us- kids are grown and gone...I look forward to an opportunity to cook a big meal- Easter is coming!

A Week-end Of Food, Nothing Fancy!

Since we had pizza Thursday, a simple scrambled egg, ham , mushroom, and cheese concoction sounded about right.. too messy to call an omelette! Saturday was even simpler- toasted cheese sammiches on rye- good cheddar though.. Sat. night I took the last of my venison, ground it- along with three pork steaks, to make either meatloaf or meatballs for Sunday.. Seasoned the night before eating, but added oatmeal and egg as a binder Sunday morning, it became meatloaf! Venison can be a bit stronger than beef, but is dead lean! Texture was firm and good- flavor was pronounced, nothing a little catsup and mustard couldn't cure! Had egg noodles on the side- we're kind of potato and riced out around here...
I'll probably make some treat later today, as I have all afternoon- wife went to a play!

The Blog, Opinions and Rectums Strikes Back!

Lately I've noticed a trend of people who blog, ask for answers, and if the answers don't fit their ears- get mad or offended. If you don't want a different point of view, don't invite one! You grow through input, not sympathy.. Sympathy is given when needed, not when asked for.. I admit to being a bit snarky lately, but I take umbrage when a woman that doesn't know me tells me "I don't understand".. Of course I don't see it your way all the time, but it doesn't mean I don't understand.. I want everyone to have an opinion, and I want everyone be prepared to defend it! Free speech is a Constitutional Right- one I defend at all times. Speak your mind- don't just sympathize- one is enabling, the other might be real help.. This is my Bi-yearly rant, hope you liked it..

Food Lately..

Saturday night we had a simple fish sandwich- broiled tilapia seasoned with lemon pepper and dill, on a bun with lettuce and mayo... I had a photo, but must have deleted it!
Sunday, a beef pot roast, along with cauliflower topped with aurora sauce.. This sauce is essentially a white sauce, with tomato paste added. My version involves tomato sauce, cheese, and sour cream, with herbs.. delightful change from just cheese sauce! Having a smooth sauce that is not too tomatoey and not too rich, is a pleasant change- try it!

Buffalo Dick, The Junkyard Dog Of Leftovers..

I had about 8oz. of corned beef left from two briskets I did.. just about the same amount of baby Swiss. Chopped into small bits, mixed with 8oz. of cream cheese, flavored with horseradish, thousand island dressing, chili sauce and a bit of onion, it became a rather tasty spread for crackers- a Reuben dip! 30 years ago, I had my first Reuben sandwich- and loved it! 25 years ago I tried Reuben soup, and it became one of my faorite soups! I have played with a spread made from this flavor meld before, and this one works...
I believe the true secret of being a decent cook is to think about how flavors go together- as simply as possible... You don't need quail's eyeballs to make it tasty! Simple things done well, don't go home as leftovers...

Mini-Meme- Blog Version Of An Opinion...

I have tried to tailor these Mini-Memes, so that they don't require a lot of time to answer.. It also gives any visitors to this blog to say their Opinion on the given subject- with no reprisals! Today's subject occured to me as it is St. Patricks Day!
Simply put:
1. What is your favorite Holiday? Why?
2. What is your least favorite Holiday? Why?
Me first!
1. I used to love Halloween the best, but more and more- Thanksgiving. I like to cook(Anyone picked up on that?) and I guess Thanksgiving is turning into the forgotten Holiday- they put out Christmas crap right after Halloween now!
2. Any Holiday promoted by Hallmark, Russell Stover, Florists, etc... Get my drift? Making millions off of people on Bosses Day, Secretaries Day, etc. makes my ass tired!
Let's see what you folks got on these questions!

If It's Friday, It Must Be Pizza...

As I have mentioned before, more often than not, Friday night is pizza night! Sometimes we buy one and have it delivered, but often- I make one from scratch.. When I make a "home made" pizza, I make a big one! As you can see, it fills a cookie sheet... I have a pizza stone, pizza peel, and occasionally use them- when I'm in the mood. The crust I use is Giada DeLaurentis'(The pretty woman with the big noggin on The Food Channel! Probably misspelled her name..) version which is simple and comes out every time! The key to decent pizza crust is to be patient and let it rise! Use your favorite toppings sparingly, then bake quickly at 450F for about 15 minutes. The pros have ovens that run far hotter, with shorter cooking times- which is why theirs is always a little better than ours!
It's corned beef and cabbage next, followed by Reuben sandwiches! I'm not Irish, but I do enjoy good corned beef! Fun fact to know and yell... Ireland does not consider this a traditional meal for St. Paddys! Irish immigrants were looking for an inexpensive replacement for Irish style bacon, and their Jewish neighbors introduced them to Kosher corned beef as a substitute!

Arroz con Pollo- Chicken And Rice, With A Tweak..

Breaking out of a rut requires one major step.. You have to want to! I page through my cookbooks occasionally, just looking for inspiration when my imagination isn't up to it! Haven't had Tex-Mex in a while, and the flavor of chili, tomato, and spices was sounding good... I had some boneless, skinless chicken breasts- and then it hit me! Why not try to make a casserole with the flavor print of Arroz con Pollo ( chicken and rice)? I used V-8 juice as the liquid, infused with taco sauce to cook the white rice in. Cubed, seasoned cooked chicken simmered right along in it.. spices were; garlic, onion, taco seasoning, ground Jalapenos, and Mexican oregano. Into a casserole dish, cooking the rice normally would take 20 min.- plan for about an hour this way! 400F is a good temp... After rice has absorbed all the liquid, top with 8oz. of shredded co-jack cheese, and bake for another 10 minutes, until melted.
This was really good! I believe even making a well known dish- in a new way, is worth a gamble! This is simpler, and just as tasty as the traditional way this is made- go with your instincts once in a while, you may be creating a new award winning recipe!
Oh yeah, the side with this was homemade cole slaw- a wonderful foil to the spice and richness of the dish..

From Retro Man To Gizmo Guy, And The "V" Story..

Thursday, an older friend of mine brought in a little espresso machine to our buffet. He didn't use it, and wanted more storage space at his place- and wanted to give it to me free! It's an older model, but I couldn't just "take" it for nothing! I was playing a Keno ticket at the time, and when I turned it in- I had won $20 bucks! I gave my friend the $20, and we were both happy! I hadn't bought a gizmo for the kitchen for a year, then in the span of one month, a new dehydrator, a slow cooker, and now an espresso machine! I would have taken a photo of the unit, but it still needs a little cleaning up...
In a totally unrelated subject, last week K (Interstitial Life Feb. 27th post) Commented on a doctor that was running a special on vasectomies during March Madness.. Smart doctor! Good marketing! I just made me reminisce about the time I made that decision... Funny story, but you be the judge..
My wife and I decided two boys were enough, and we decided it was a lot simpler for me than her to get the square knot tied. As we were both in our late 20's, my doctor had a rule that he counsel us, and make sure this is what we wanted. After that, we set a date for the out-patient surgery. I showed up from a 1/2 day of work, and said "Let's do it!" He asked if I had driven myself to his office, I said yep. Local anesthetic only, no knock out drugs.. He did the deed, then said "Jump off the table".. I informed him I wasn't "jumping" anywhere! To my surprise, there was no pain! I asked him about that and he answered;"That's because the twins are still numb" He looked at his watch and told me to get moving, as I would not be feeling too spiff in about 20 minutes...His last instructions were to take it easy, use a lot of ice, AND DON'T GO ANYWHERE! I pulled into my driveway hitting both gas and brakes like they were unstable high explosives. I poured myself a gin and tonic the size of a fish bowl and drank it faster than the gold fish would have.. I then informed my wife I was going to the gun club's poker/raffle night. Talking to me when my manhood to endure pain is questioned is a bad idea. Played cards all night, caught a few hours sleep, and got ready for my bosses Wedding Anniversary party- of which I was the photographer. Got home. By now I am hurting, as you would expect!
Because of my total disregard of doctor's orders, I had to wear a jock for a month. Taking a shower meant holding them up with one hand while I washed with the other. Walk? Yes. Jog? No! I won't go into detail how embarassing it is to stand in a clinic with a "sample" while a good looking nurse asks how old it is.. I won't into how a month later my youngest kicked me in the groin while we were playing on the floor, and they turned black and blue.. I won't say a lot about going back to the doctor about this, just to be told what I had was a good, swift kick in the Ba*ls!
Other than that, I must give you one Opinion, and we all are not the same so don't take this wrong... Mother Earth only can support "X" amount of people, let's not find out what that number is the hard way...

New Kitchen Toy, And That Retro Bologna Spread..

About a year ago, I was in a small chili cook-off, where you made the chili at home, and brought it in a crock-pot... Slow cooker is now the politically accepted term, I believe.. Anywho, I saw the latest and greatest version of one of these puppies- and lusted for one until now. What was the catalyst for this great leap into the 21st century? My wife wanted one- finally! She had to bring our published-in a cookbook recipe for Danish meatballs to a party at her office, and wanted to look good! I talked her into the biggest one(6 quart!) as is in the long run, smart. This thing holds 5lbs. of meatballs, with sauce! Toggle clamps for lid to pot seal for transportation.. A carrying case that Velcros in three spots for ease of placing, and removing the cooking vessel without spillage. There are slits in the carrying case to allow the handles to be exposed, aiding in transporting without mishap. Three heat settings, and removable crock for ease of cleaning or even reheating in a Microwave! It even comes with a snap in serving spoon... all this for $37 bucks! Get one, if yours is on it's last legs- a versatile kitchen appliance for sure!
I made that bologna spread I've been talking about... the original was ground bologna, pickle relish, and mayo.... I did that, then added sharp cheddar, shredded, minced green olives(pimento too!), chopped onion, and a dab of brown mustard... It is delicious! A little rich, but an excellent spread for crackers, crostini, or even as a sandwich spread, with a leaf of lettuce.. Fun to try what you think might work and have it come out tasty!

Retro Food, Next Chapter..

Sunday found us in an unusual dilemma- lots of food in the house, but: A.- What sounds good? B.- What would go together? C.- What would be easy? By discussing the merits of what we had, we came up with a menu... Had to do some grocery shopping first, as something is always missing!
Dinner became ham steak, home made mac n cheese, and fresh, steamed broccoli- followed by a subtly dolled up brownie..
What made the ham special? Nothing, beyond not being too salty..
What made the Mac n cheese special? Evaporated milk, and two kinds of extra sharp cheddar, shredded into the cheese sauce. Old timers used the evaporated milk far more than we do today, and I swear it made it creamier!
What made the brownie special? Fudge brownie mix, out of a box.BUT(that's me and my big but!)I added white chocolate chips for contrast, a touch of almond extract(because it goes with chocolate- ask Peter&Paul!)and a touch of cinnamon, because it works with chocolate, too..
A lot of the retro stuff I'm finding- I never had as a kid... My dad didn't like casseroles, sandwich spreads, trash veggies.. He lived through the Depression and WWII, and had to eat some pretty low budget meals...He swore when the war was over, his family would eat a best as he could afford- and that's what he did...
Next try will be bologna sandwich spread! A 50s staple in brown bags! but of course I'm going to change a few things.....

A Good Gift For Your Photography Fiend, And Retro Food.

I have said before, when I am sold on a product, I spread the word! A few years back, I decided to join the Digital Camera Age... Up until then, I had a Canon AE-1 with a fair amount of lenses. I gave that equipment away to my eldest, who learned on it and surpassed me in photography like I was standing still!
I never argue the benefits of one camera brand over the other, it's like debating who makes the best chili- which always leads to fist fights! I will, however, let you know about the best camera case in the world- made by Pelican.
Simply put, it is indestructible. It's waterproof. It floats. It "burps" itself during altitude changes. You could throw it off a 5 story building, and nothing in the case would be injured. It is guaranteed for life- period! The case comes in many sizes, to fit your need. Originally developed for sea faring types, photographers quickly found how perfect this case was for their valuable equipment! My case isn't big, but holds extra batteries, chip, battery recharger, with car adaptor, my wide angle and telescopic add on lenses, with adapter mount- and of course, the camera(Canon Power Shot A-80)! I think I paid about 50-60 bucks for mine, and gave my son one that was much bigger for $120.. Good investment, great gift!
My cooking lately has a retro feel to it.. sloppy joes, yesterday some Bisquick/sausage/cheese ball appetizers, and tuna melts(as shown) I am rediscovering the dishes we ate after WWII, when a little money was finally getting into the middle classes pockets.. Have good week-ends, everybody!

Untidy Joseph's- So Much Tastier Than Sloppy Joes..

Elevating a simple dish into something special isn't hard, it just requires your caring about the difference between edible and elegant! If you use ground round, instead of hamburger, if you use apple vinegar instead of white, if you use fresh onion chopped when you simmer the sauce... If you add premium Ketchup, the best Worcester sauce, celery seed, a high quality brown sugar, and simmer for an hour -instead of 10 minutes.. little, subtle differences(called details!) can take a belly filler sandwich, and change into a delicious hand held delight! Sloppy Joe's indeed! It is now an Untidy Joseph, so much further up the food chain!

Sunday Dinner And A treat Not Done Lately...

I like fish. Almost any kind. Around here, fish has been scarce and expensive! I'm not Catholic, but I love Lent! Lent means cheaper, more plentiful fish to eat!
Today, we got some Tilapia, frozen fillets, but good stuff! I made a Parmesan, mayo, fresh lemon, spiced topping goo that was the whoop! Along with fresh asparagus, and fresh rolls- we were OK!
Later, I made home made caramel corn- sin with a crunch! Hope you all had good food sometime this week- we deserve it!

Mini-meme Time! Two Simple Questions...

This could be very funny today! We all have had kitchen disasters, and we've all had funny moment in a restaurant... What I ask today is two questions;
1. What was your biggest home cooking disaster?
2. What was your funniest out of the house dining experience?

I get to go first!
1. When we first got married, like all newly wedded young people, we were finding out our roles in our marriage. Division of labor, etc. My wife was a wall papering fool, as was her sister! Having no money to speak of when we got our first house, a lot of do it yourself was involved in fixing it up. Her sister and husband were to help us wall paper a kitchen.. We got out one of our fancy new wedding presents- a Crockpot! My wife made spaghetti in it, following the instructions to a tee- except the part where you boiled the pasta in another pot, adding it on the end. She threw everything into that miracle of technology, and let 'er go for about 6 hrs...
After working all day, we got to feed out helpers and guests a version of Italian Poi... It was a goo that compared nicely to the wallpaper paste we had been using all day! This is about the time I thought; "I gotta learn to cook!"..


2. My wife's 50th birthday, she can go anywhere in town for dinner- my treat. She chooses a Chili's that just opened not too far from our house... I'm like "you're kiddin"... she says nope, that's where I want to go. We arrive, and it's obvious these people weren't ready to serve anybody anything! They put us in a quiet booth, and it was quiet- for about 1 minute... That's when an entire Little League team descended on our non- smoking section! During the ensuing chaos, the restaurant's smoke alarm went off.. Apparently the rookie cooks were using it as a timer for the food.. The food was late and horrible, the atmosphere was as described- and my wife was informed she would go where I take her next year, as choosing privileges were revoked!
I have many stories about similar incidences, I hope you share some of yours today!

Where The Magic Starts.. Ingredients!

Today, I took a leisurely cruise North, to Birds... Nothing to do with fowl, it's an out of the way meat market/store, some 40 miles up from where I live! It is an old IGA store so far off the beaten path, directions to the place are like finding Treasure Island! They have an old time meat counter.. take a number and God help you if you don't know what you want when they ask! Today, I came away with 6 thin cut pork steaks($1.19lb.!) Two English cut roasts(1.89lb.!) Round roast($2.99 and perfect!), 6lbs. of ground lean round(1.99lb.), a Williams Pinnconning Cheese X-sharp for $8.00 a lb.! Bologna, pepperoni, and a couple of other items made it a trip well worth while!
I get my hands dirty once in a while.. buying food like this puts me in closer touch with the people who bring goods to the markets we attend. It is primal, when marketing types aren't needed- just good plain food, waiting a caring person's attention to turn it into an elegant meal.. Good ingredients aren't exspensive- having some one else do the work is!
Going to a restaurant is not about eating, it's about someone else doing all that work

Valentines Day 2009

I went out Friday for some quick shopping.. a small family owned specialty store where I could get a card, candy, fresh meat, and bread (Ciabatta). This store also carries a wide selection of cheeses, with one on sale nearly every week(Baby Swiss!)
Originally the meal was going to be simple ground sirloin on the buns, with onions and Swiss cheese, but neither of us had much appetite, so I held off cooking until Valentines Day.
Remember the Christmas present my wife got from my son in Kansas City? The Aero Garden? Well, the fresh basil she grew was ready for harvest- which changed our menu completely! I made a red Italian sauce from fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, and ground sirloin, with a red pasta sauce base. Spices and herbs were dried basil, dried oregano, celery seed, salt, pepper, crushed garlic- with a little red pepper and sugar thrown in.. Simmered for quite a while, we topped fettucini with the meat sauce, fresh grated Parmsean cheese, and of course, the fresh cut Basil. With a pieces of the Ciabatta bread made into toast, it was a little prettier than the last food post I did- Even though the photo of it was crappier! I made a banana bread in there somewhere for later...

Slob Cook...Sometimes!

The meals this week have been simple and frankly, I've made prettier.. An omelette, sausage, white Australian cheddar, mushroom, and ham.. looked like a car crash, ate like Heaven... Frank-Cheesies- a hot dog, fried bacon, same cheddar, with condiments- a mess with flavor! Chicken thighs, seasoned, roasted with Yukon gold potatoes- nothing special, just pretty good eating again!
I admit.. cooking can become a chore sometimes, instead of the labor of love I'd like it to be... When the weather really improves, so does my cooking!

A Little Food Update, And A Little Life Thrown In!

Sunday, we weren't that hungry, and I wasn't in Cooking Mode, like I get sometimes..
I made a Chicken, mushroom, Fettucini Alfredo- the sauce was garlicky, extra Parmesan, and quite tame(and good!) by my standards.. We ate it and enjoyed..
Monday, I made my wife's favorite- pan fried seasoned pork steak, with those crappy out-of-the-tube-dinner rolls, that everyone one eats and no one admits to.. Creative juices do not flow every day.. Sometimes simple "go to" foods fill the need better than haute cuisine! "Gourmet" doesn't mean fancy and bad, but neither does "Simple" mean plain and bad... If you eat without speaking, if you go "mmmmm", if you smile and keep chewing... any of those signs would let a knowing good cook they have succeeded! Appreciate good food, at all levels- and avoid being a snob about any food... it shows you know more than you should be simply feeling..
Son's girlfriend is having car troubles in the form of a battery that doensn't work... Son calls to let me know he needs some of my car equipment STAT! Fine, but you can do it yourself, unless you need advice! My days of crawling under a car are over!

Remembrances From My Kids In Scouting...

Like a lot of parents, we made sure our children(both boys) were exposed to many activities, to make sure they were well rounded and accepted by society... My wife was a stay at home mom for a number of years when the kids were small, as we thought that would be a good idea. She got involved with other mommies in the neighborhood, helping at school, church, etc... One of the activities that we became involved with was Cub/Boy Scouts. Her and a girlfriend with boys my sons ages were Den Mothers one year- and naturally I got sucked in to help whenever needed... I'm going to do this as a numbered list to give you the full entertainment value for the least amount of reading!
1. Pinewood Derby- Where the Dads build the toy car that the kid is supposed to do.
With my background as an engineer, we always made it to Regionals. I would let the kid pick out the color of the car, though..
2. Nature hike, put on by a person that would have died horribly in the wilderness after 3 hours.. I taught the kids how to make a whistle out of an acorn top- hit of the day, except for the lady in charge..
3. Stayed overnight on the Silversides, a submarine anchored in Muskegon Michigan.. Spent most of the night on deck, as the interior of the boat smelled like little kids feet, and stale pizza we had delivered for dinner..
4. Camped overnight on a gun clubs property. I had brought a pellet rifle to teach the kids a little gun safety. Teenagers were harassing us, so I volunteered to guard the camp with a pellet gun- just so all the dads would quit runnning around in the woods! These guys were nerds...
5. The biggie- We had a Rendezvous, an every other year gathering of scouts at St. Ignace State Park.(view of Mackinaw Bridge!) Tents. It snowed. The big news was it was the same day the only car in the history of the Mackinaw bridge blew off the bridge! Next morning ice on the picinic tables, Natl. Guard serving powdered eggs and spam for breakfast... I left with kid, went into town and ate at McDonalds. Felt sorry for all the dummies stuck at the park, and cleaned off the donut shelf at a local store. I went through the line they were still in, handing out donuts like I was the Red Cross at a disaster site..
Many other tales to tell about their scouting experiences- but not today!

Christmas In February- Cool!

Last night, during supper- a green chicken enchilada topping, on corn chips(sprinkled with Colby shredded cheese!) the door bell rang... It was UPS, delivering my Christmas present from my son in Kansas City- finally! A new food dehydrator, with the latest technology! My old American Harvest is still working fine, but nothing lasts forever, and for a while- I'll have doubled capacity for dehydrated goodies! American Harvest was apparently absorbed by Nesco- a fine company as far as electric roasters go- as I have one.. The price was in line for the quality of the product, and look forward to trying it out soon. If you do not have one of these versatile products, I recommend you get one and start saving big bucks on jerky, dried herbs and spices, dried fruit, and veggies! The fan unit dehydrators make time less of a factor- and the preservation factor is undeniable. I know I sound like an infomercial, but I get behind a good idea when I see one!
DoggieBloggie struck a cord on his post with me on a one ingredient making a difference.. we had thinly cut pork tenderloin, in BB-Q sauce, with onion sliced finely on buns Monday night. Sliced hamburger dill chips on those sandwiches made an extraordinary difference.. small things are not to be ignored!

Good Soups In Contest And Sunday Dinner..

Saturday, I participated in a small soup cook-off. Literally, all the soups were good, and different from each other! My Mac-N-Cheeseburger soup finished middle of the pack- even though it was the only one that was eaten down to the bottom of the pot! A couple of bar regulars won 1st and 2nd.. go figure! Still, a decent turn-out, with all enjoying hot soup on a cold day..
Today, I marinated a couple of pork tenderloins in an Oriental flavor, and served with what has become our favorite rice- organic brown! Marinate was rice vinegar, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, garlic, onion, and sesame oil. Also in the marinate was my "go to" out of the bottle sauce- Tiger sauce! This stuff is good as a shrimp dipping sauce, chicken BB-Q sauce, or great with pork also.. try some, you'll like it! Plain old chocolate brownies for dessert.. I wish Super Bowl would start earlier...