Roasted Red Pepper Pizza with Chanterelles Olives Kale Parmesan and Eggs

Chili Braised Pulled Pork Tacos with Pickled Onions and Radish

Osso Buco with Creamy Polenta and Gremolata

Yes, yes, I know it has been forever since I posted anything (actually over a year).  I have been trying to follow the idea of less talking more doing. For the most part, this has been a very productive approach.  Now I am kind of swinging the other direction. More talking, more relaxing...

Easy Shrimp Paella

So I Sautéed 10oz chopped spanish Chorizo until it was lightly golden, set aside. Sautéed 1lb. peeled shrimp about half way, set aside. Sautéed sliced shallot and crushed garlic with 2 cups Arborio rice in 2 tbsp e.v.o.o. about 2 minutes. Added a pinch of Saffron and 1 can chicken stock. Brought to a boil, reduced to a simmer and covered. simmered about 14 minutes. Added a can of fire roasted tomatoes including juice and more stock. Returned to simmer and when most of the liquid was absorbed added 6 clams (they were out of mussels) and the shrimp. The dish finished absorbing the liquid, cooking the shrimp and steaming the clams in the last say 5 minutes. Topped with chopped parsley and green onions I served it with lemon wedges, Rosemary olive oil bread, balsamic and e.v.o.o. for dipping the bread and a nice Pinot Noir.

Dinner

Marinated Black Green and Kalamata Olives, Goat Cheese, Roasted Garlic, Smoke Roasted Pepper Pork Loin, Crusty Baguette, Fresh Thyme and a little white...

Home made Banh Mi

I know, I know, the seedy baguette isn't right but it was what I could find. I made home-made Spicy Lime Mayo, Do Chua and Black Pepper Marinade Pork Loin. Incredibly delicious. In the future I am hoping I can get the "right" bread at the best asian market.

Finally, Foraging Success!

I have been looking for several years... Finally I found one. Knelt down to take a photo and saw three more. Like my brain finally clicked and made the connection. I spent 3 hours traipsing thru the woods on a wonderfull hike and on my way out these were all found within feet of the trail...

Seven black Morels and the solitary Yellow. Not a major score but enough for dinner.

So I grilled a Flat Iron steak & baby Bok Choy, Steamed assorted baby potatoes all just to keep those delicious Morels company. I sauted them in evoo with a pat of goat milk butter and a light touch of salt & pepper. absolutely delicious.

Ceviche

This Ceviche was very delicious. So I cut some Tilapia (1/2lb), Pollock (1/2lb) and Scallops(1/4lb) into bite sized peices then marinated them in a combination of the juice of Limes, Lemons, Meyer lemons and Oranges with chopped Red onion (1 large), chopped Serrano peppers (2), minced Garlic (2) and some salt (3tsp). After about 8 hours (in the fridge) I tossed in some salad shrimp (1/2lb) chopped Tomatoes (3) and Cilantro. Then let the flavours blend for 10-15 minutes, topped it with some fresh cracked pepper and served it with chips.

home made coconut ice cream

Oh yeeeeeeeeeea

Steamed Mussels, Vegetable Stirfry and Israeli Couscous

I scrubbed and debearded the Mussels then steamed them with finely chopped Lemon grass, 2 cloves Garlic, 1 Seranno chile, shallots, a little fish sauce and the juice of 1 lime for 5-7 minutes in a skillet with a tight fitting lid. Then topped them with fresh cilantro and green onions.

For the stirfry I used 2 Tbs each Sunflower seeds, Pumpkin seeds and Sesame seeds toasted in a skillet. Then I added minced garlic and a 1" piece ginger very finely minced. cooked til aromatic. then added Oyster mushrooms, Zucchini and carrots. To this I tossed in 1 bunch coarsely chopped Mint and 1 bunch coarsely chopped Watercress. topped it all with a sauce made from Black bean paste, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar and brown sugar since I was unable to find Jaggery. The contrast between the seeds and veg was wonderful. The sauce was nice and rich.

The Couscous I just cooked in mushroom stock...

The meal as a whole was fresh, crisp, earthy, rich and spicy. All in all quite delicious.

Adventure Eating - Alpine Deli

My concept of adventure eating is going somewhere you have never been before and eating something you have not tried before. This qualifies in the new place instance but not in the meal... So I was walking along on my lunch break trying to find a place to eat and I stumbled on the Alpine Deli. Thinking I would check it out I found they have all sorts of imported foods, fresh baked breads, meats, cheeses, beers, wines etc. and, they serve lunch. I settled on a couple of Brautwurst with Kraut and Warm German Potatoe Salad. Delicious I tell you. Oh yeah, I just had to pick up a Wendler Schicht Nougat Barren. It was creamy, smooth and all around amazing!

Passion Fruit

Yum Yum

Morrocan Chicken Israeli Couscous and Beet Salad

Let me say that I have hated beets with a passion since I was a child. I am sure it has something to do with those nasty pickled things from a can that tasted like sour dirt and somehow grew in size once you put them in your mouth. Now that I am older and have more discerning tastes I thought I should try them again.

Ok so I boiled them rubbed the skins off under cold running water and threw them in the fridge to chill. Then I sliced them, tossed a sprinkle of some nice kosher salt, some minced garlic, a little minced fresh Mint and Thyme, added a little olive oil and balsamic and then topped it with a nice Gorganzola. I must say this is nothing like that nasty stuff I remember from my youth. I might even be willing to taper off all the other stuff and let the beets show thru a little more in the future.

So I finally found Israeli Couscous and did it up in chicken stock with Tomatoes, fresh sliced sweet peppers, olives, green onions, minced parsley and a sprinkle of Black Lava Salt

A nice 2003 Syrah kept it all company.

Rounded out by a little grilled Chicken with a nice morrocan rub.

Kicking steamed chicken

I have not posted a real home cooked meal in a while so I figured I had better...

Ok this was real easy. I took a frozen chicken breast sprinkled a little water on it (so the rub would stick) and the rub of my choice. "Kickin chicken". put it in the steamer for 40 min. I added the Swiss chard for the last ten minutes. For the Couscous I used Chicken stock, Salt, pepper Goat milk butter, Green onions and Banana Peppers. The Couscous takes about 6 min and the steamer is a set it and forget it situation. It was simple and delicious

Adventure Eating - The Monte Cristo

So, I never had one before. It sounded interesting. It was delicious. The fresh fruit was wonderful and the sorbet toped it all off delightfully.

classic pizza with awesome-sauce

Pizza is always the right decision for dinner. I'm sure I've posted the dough recipe before, if you want it.

Bearing gifts II

You know, I love to cook...

That said, it can be very nice when someone else does all the cooking and just sets it in front of you. I am not really sure what this is, other than delicious. I guess it was sort of a cross between a seafood curry and a seafood chowder. It had lots of good stuff in it too like Crab legs, Scallops, Shrimp, Bacon, Potatoes etc.

Just a snack

Nothing like the tasty goodness of Horseradish Cheddar Pub Cheese and Smoked Oysters on an airy buttery cracker...

Bandilleras and vegetable plate

Proscutto wrapped cantaloupe

Cherry tomatoes & Black Olives, Pimento stuffed Green Olives with Capers & Cheddar

Lemon juice dipped Avacado with Smoked Gouda

Carrots, Snap Peas, Broccoli and sliced red peppers.
There was also a wonderful barbqued pizza but it didn't survive long enough for photos.

Neighbors bearing gifts

are always welcome at my door. More so if its bar-b-que pork ribs and twice baked potatoes.