“Chopped” In the Kitchen

31 Thursday Mar 2022

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, AirFryer, Beef, Beets, Cabbage, Chicken, Eggs, Greens, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?

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airfried chicken, beets, cabbage, chicken fried steak, Martin's Swiss Dressing, meatloaf, seafood alfredo

It is always fun to see what is in the refrigerator or in the kitchen, in general. This week was no different. No particular recipe, “Just Do-It!”. And I don’t usually post an advertisement within a post. But there are exceptions. This is one of them. “Oma & Popies” is very local to Boise, and is very good. But, Swiss Hibiscus, https://swisshibiscus.com/made-in-portland-oregon is a superb dressing and is totally produced in Portland, Oregon. You can call them at (503) 477-9224 and place an order, or use the link. If you are in Portland, or in the area, their address is 4950 NE 14th Ave, Portland, OR, 97211. This dressing is great on salads, but I like to dip French Fries in it or use it on baked salmon. Yum-O! OK. Enough of the ads (They don’t know I have this blogged!)

BP_30Mar2022_1d_Captains Shack_AF Fried Chix and Cabbage

Daughter Marnie, said she had some chicken and would make dinner. There was some cabbage that needed to be used so she made this delicious AirFryer Chicken with steamed cabbage. It was delicious!

There was some sea scallops – those are the big ones – and large, 16-20 count, shrimp, parsley and parmigiano that was begging to be used. So how about making a Scallop and Shrimp Alfredo. Easy one pot meal. Made it with fettuccini and and some white wine and served with chopped parsley.

Wife Robin asked for Chicken Fried Steak one night. Had some steak that needed to be used and some crushed saltines (won’t use saltines twice for this!), but they did not adhere to the steak like I wanted. Served with baked potato and peas and carrots. Good, but not Earth shattering.

And finally, meatloaf. Hard to find a good meatloaf. This was good, but a little too loose. This is what the crushed saltines were originally used for. A cup of milk in the mix is a little to much. Need to cut back to a half cup. Flavors were good. The salad was some canned beets from last summer, spinach and lettuce blend and had cooked eggs. All-In-All, a good, flavorful dinner. http://www.rockinrs.com/CS-Meatloaf.pdf

Alyonka Russian Cuisine

08 Saturday Feb 2020

Posted by Bob and Robin in 4-Stars, Alyonka Russian Cuisine, Beer and Food, Beets, Blinz, Buy Local, Comfort Food, Cultural Differences, Dessert, Dinner at Alyonka Russian Cuisine, Dinner with Marnie, What's For Dinner?

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borscht, Russian cuisine

A very good and exciting visit to Alyonka Russian Cuisine at 2870 W State St., Boise. (208) 344-8996, and it’s a good idea to call ahead for reservations.

From their website, “Born and raised in the former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan, Elena DeYoung is the event coordinator for Boise’s popular Russian Food Festival. She’s organized the fundraiser at St. Seraphim of Sarov Orthodox Church since its humble beginnings 14 years ago. Back then, church volunteers baked in her Meridian home. Nowadays, the annual event serves between 3,500 and 4,000 people over two days, and she keeps hearing the same request: “Where is the place we can eat food like this?” As owner and chef, Elena created a familiar menu at Alyonka Russian Cuisine now open at 2870 West State Street in Boise, Idaho.”

As for their menu – you can view it on their website linked above – “We offer all the comfort foods that make the Russian Food Festival a hit: shish kebab, beef stroganoff, Russian crepes, piroshki, lots of desserts …”.
Their food that we had, was delicious. And the service was delightful. The restaurant is small and cozy, and can be somewhat noisy. Seating is open and all seats are near a window. There is a large area in the back for groups. Overall, a 4 Star restaurant, bordering o0n 5 Stars. Here are some photos I took. Enjoy!

The exterior from the parking lot.

A variety of beers are available along with teas and lemonade.

Vegetarian Borscht

Stuffed Pepper, which I love.

Blini with Caviar

Blini with Vegetables

Royal Poppy Seed Ganache

Thanks Marnie. It was super! We’ll go back.

Interesting Meals To Contemplate

27 Friday Oct 2017

Posted by Bob and Robin in Acme Bake Shop, Asian - Spices, Asian - Sushi Joy, Asian Stir Fry, Atlantic Salmon, Avocado, Bacon, Bagel, Beets, Boise Food Adventures, Breakfast At The Captains Shack, Buy Idaho, Captain's Shack, Carrots, Cheese, Chicken, Cooking Styles, Cream Sauces, Creamed Spinach, Curry, Eggs, Eggs Fried, Fruit, Greens, Heirloom Beets, Heirloom Carrots, Heirloom Tomatoes, Herbs and Spices, Housemade Pasta, Housemade Sauerkraut, Idaho Bacon, Idaho Eggs, Idaho Greens, Idaho Sturgeon, Idaho Vegetables, Local Farmers Markets, Lox, Lunch For Robin, Mushrooms, Pasta, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?

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sturgeon

So much fun in the past month or two. Fun in the kitchen. No particular recipe, just a game of “Chopped”. We have these items, now make something edible. Mostly I did.
Hopefully I found something from breakfast, lunch and dinner. To see any of these photos enlarged, Left-Click them. Lets start with Breakfast. I do hope this stimulates you to prepare something different. Good luck! Most of these ingredients, are available at the Boise Farmers Market at 10th and Grove.

Poached Eggs on a Potato Raft
Fresh Fruit
Bacon
Acme Bakeshop Toasted Sourdough

Alia’s Manhattan Morning
Fresh Everything Bagel
Cream Cheese
Tomato
Capers
Onion
Lettuce
Lox

Strawberry Waffle

Bagel
Salmon
Spinach
Fried Egg
Pico de Gallo

Biscuits and Gravy
Poached Egg
Fresh Honeydew

How about some lunch?

Curry Chicken Salad Sandwich on Ciabatta
Avocado
Heirloom Tomato

Huevos con Salsa
Tomato
Avocado

Deconstructed BLT

And now, Dinner!

Salmon Yakitori
Jasmine Rice
Spinach Salad
Yellow Beets
Heirloom Tomato
White Carrot Threads

Note: Yakitori is mostly a form of skewered chicken. But if you take the sauce, called “… tare, a special sauce consisting of mirin, sake, Japanese soy sauce (Shoyu. Prefered dark but white is also fine), and sugar …” and add it to something like this salmon, you get something completely different and good. No need to skewer the salmon, just marinate it for about 30 minutes and then slowly cook it on top of the stove or bake it in the oven. I do like this sauce and usually have some on hand. Easy to make.

Scallops
Fig Jam Marinated Shrimp
Celeriac Thread Salad
Celeriac, also called turnip-rooted celery, celery root or knob celery, is a variety of celery cultivated for its edible roots, hypocotyl, and shoots.

Lobster Ravioli
Fresh Green Salad
with
Heirloom Tomatoes and Rose Turnip Threads

Braised Sturgeon
mushroom sauce
Heirloom Carrot Thread Salad
Creamed Spinach

From Sushi Joy in Boise
Playboy Sushi Roll
House Salad

Captains’s Shack Housemade Pasta with Prosciutto
Prosciutto is an Italian dry-cured ham that is usually thinly sliced and served uncooked; this style is called prosciutto crudo in Italian (or simply crudo) and is distinguished from cooked ham, prosciutto cotto.

Wild Root Cafe and Market at the JUMP in Boise

22 Sunday Jan 2017

Posted by Bob and Robin in 4-Stars, Beans, Beef, Beets, Boise Adventures, Buffalo, Buy Idaho, Cheese, Cooking Programs, Dessert, Dinner With Robin, Green Salad, Idaho Buffalo, Idaho Greens, Idaho Vegetables, Malbec, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?

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JUMP, Wild Root Cafe

A good evening. Thanks to the JUMP Staff (Jack’s Urban Meeting Place – named for Jack Simplot) for their assistance in having a wheel chair available for Robin and handicap parking available for the car. Security was extremely helpful as was the Staff. Here is a link to their site: JUMP Boise.
I believe that this was the first time that Wild Root Cafe and Market was at the JUMP. They are located at 276 N 8th Street, Boise, ID 83702, Call. (208) 856-8956 Their hours are: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM – Monday – Wednesday; 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM – Thursday-Saturday; Brunch served until 3:00 PM on Saturday; Closed Sunday. Kitchen closes 15 minutes prior to closing. Here is what was on the program tonight.

The menu was really interesting. Mignardises are: Small sweet tid-bits served at the end of the meal (after dessert), usually with coffee. It’s derived from the old French word, “Mignard” which means either small child, or graceful, pretty and delicate.

Salad –
Endive, citrus, shallots, pistachio cracker, cheese cake, pomegranate vinaigrette

Main Course - Coffee bison short rib, beet gnocchi, celery root, fava, winter vgreens, dmi and micros

Main Course –
Coffee bison short rib, beet gnocchi, celery root, fava, winter greens, demi and micros

Dessert –
Orange hazelnut mignardises, passionfruit puree, goat caramel, meringue, chocolate and citrus oil

2013 Tikal Malbec and Bonarda

2015 Moscado d’Asti

Preparing dessert

Three rows of tables were setup. This was our table.

Two rows of tables were setup. This was our table.

All in all, a good night. The food was good, although Robin and I both thought a little salty. We really watch our salt intake and use very little at home. The room tended to be a little noisy and could use some sound baffles – tapestry on walls, etc. Wild Root Cafe uses as many local products as possible. Not much grows around here in the winter – especially this winter.

Wonderful 5-Hour Roasted Duck

13 Tuesday Dec 2016

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5 Hour Duck, Apple, Beets, Captain's Shack, Dessert, Dinner At The Captains Shack, Dinner For Robin, Dinner With Family, Duck, Food Photos, Heirloom Beets, Heirloom Carrots, Heirloom Onions, heirloom vegetables, Idaho Vegetables, Idaho Wine, Local Farmers Markets, Local Harvests, Onion, Petit Verdot, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Prep Work, Raspberries, Recipe By: Bob Young, Recipe By: Captain's Shack, Recipe by: Robin and Bob Young, Recipes - Dinner, Recipes - Sauces, Roasted Vegetables, Snake River AVA, Special Dinners, Vegetables, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Wine Dinners, Wines - Idaho

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5 hour roasted duck, duck, duck sauce, Petit Verdot

Love to make this and it really is so easy. 5 Hour Roasted Duck and add to that some Roasted Root Vegetables and 5 Hour Roasted Duck Sauce, also really good with ham, and you will have a superb and wonderful dinner. A good 2013 Indian Creek Petit Verdot goes extremely well with it.

Several people have asked how to make the duck. Basically – season with Celtic sea salt and fresh ground Tellicherry Black Pepper, stuff with sweet apple and pear, prick the skin all over and cook in a 300°F oven and turn every hour for 5 hours. Last hour raise temperature to 350°F. Do not cover throughout the cooking process.

First of all, the moon must be full. If not, the recipe may not work.

Duck has been salt and peppered and stuffed with Braeburn Apple and Bosch Pear. Oven is preheated to 300°F

After each hour, turn the duck and prick the skin. This is after 1 hour. Pricking the skin at each turn, keeps the duck fat basting the duck.

At 3 hours, things happen. Starting to brown nicely.

Root vegetables are large cut and put into the bottom of the baking pan. This roasts the vegetables and keeps the duck off of the pan surface. The vegetables here are heirloom carrot, heirloom beet, local onion, parsnips and turnips.

Make stock from the vegetable pieces and the duck neck and parts. Simmer low and slow!

Lay the duck directly onto the vegetables and return to the 300°F oven. Cook for another hour.

At 4 hours last turn. It is smelling yummy now.

At 5 hours, remove from the oven and let cool, somewhat.

Yummy slices.

Here is the Cranberry/Cherry sauce for the duck.

Oh yes. Dessert – Pound Cake with Fresh Raspberries and Fresh Whipped Cream.

Meals for Robin

02 Tuesday Aug 2016

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Acme Bake Shop, Acme Bake Shop Breads, Acme Bake Shop Red Wheat, Acme Bake Shop Sourdough, Alaskan Salmon, Appetizers, Asian Food, Asparagus, Avocado, Bacon, Basil, Beets, BFM, Boise Farmers Market, Braising, Breakfast, Breakfast At The Captains Shack, Breakfast With Robin, Buy Idaho, Captain's Shack, Carrots, Cheese, Chicken, Comfort Food, Cream Sauces, Dinner At The Captains Shack, Dinner For Robin, Eggs, Eggs Omelets, Eggs Over Easy, Eggs Sunnyside Up, Greens, Housemade Sauces, Housemade Soup, Idaho Bacon, Idaho Chicken, Idaho Dairy, Idaho Eggs, Idaho Grains, Idaho Polenta Floriani, Idaho Vegetables, Local Markets, Lunch For Robin, Omelet, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?

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Love the beaming smile she has in this photo! After she got home from the hospital, I had to change the meal plans, somewhat. Watch the sugars, not totally eliminate them. Keep the carbs to 60 or so a day, which is not hard to do. Keep the calorie count to a max of 2000 per day. That’s harder, but not impossible. Here are some of the dishes I came up with. Enjoy! All made from scratch with mostly local products from the Boise Farmers Market – eggs, sausage, Acme Bake Shop Breads, Fruit, Salsa, Pico de Gallo. We’ll start with breakfast.

2-Egg Cheese Omelet with Pico de Gallo
Bacon
Acme Whole Wheat Toast
Fresh Canteloupe

Sausage Gravy on Acme Sourdough Toast
Over-Easy Eggs

Strrawberry Waffles with Strawberry Sour Cream Topping Sunnyside Up Egg

Strawberry Waffles with Strawberry Sour Cream Topping
Sunnyside Up Egg

Idaho Polenta Acme Bake Shop Toasted Whole Wheat BFM Strawberries Pico de Gallo Soft Scrambled Eggs

Idaho Polenta
Acme Bake Shop Toasted Whole Wheat
BFM Fresh Strawberries
Pico de Gallo
Soft Scrambled Eggs

Lunch and “Tea Time”

Grilled Spam and Cheese on Acme Sourdough Toast
Housemade Cream of Tomato Soup with Basil

Bacon Wrapped Avocado
Oven Fried Chicken

Salsa
Sour Cream
Canteloupe Cubes
Blue Corn Chips
Corn Chips

Dinner

Braised Scallops in Garlic Butter Zucchini and Baby Turnip with Rainbow Chard Medley Braised Salmon and Halibut in a Tarragon Cream Sauce

Braised Sea Scallops in Garlic Butter
Zucchini and Baby Turnip with Rainbow Chard Medley
Braised Salmon and Halibut in a Tarragon Cream Sauce

Fresh Tamale with Pico de Gallo and Shaved Red Onion
Cauliflower with Cheese Sauce
Baby Beets and Cauliflower in Brown Butter Sauce

Steamed Asparagus Halibut with Tarragon Cream Sauce

Steamed Asparagus
Braised Halibut with Tarragon Cream Sauce

Braised Sea Scallops on Jasamine Rice
Steamed Baby Carrots and Turnips

Salmon Scewers
Asian Salad
Idaho Polenta

“State and Lemp” – Awesome

17 Friday Jul 2015

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Acme Bake Shop, Anniversary, Appetizers, Apricots, Beets, Boise Adventures, Boise Restaurants, Bread, Buy Idaho, Carrots, Celebrations, Chardonnay, Classic Cuisines, Dinner Reviews with Robin, Dinner With Robin, Food Photos, Friends, Heirloom Carrots, Heirloom Squash, Idaho Greens, Idaho Potatoes, Local Harvests, Local Markets, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Restaurant Reviews, Restaurants, Restaurants To Try, Salads, Special Dinners, Special Events, Special Information, Things To Do, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Wine Dinners

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State and Lemp

I could, and probably should, fill up this page with the word awesome, but that would be boring! If you are in Boise and have been here for awhile, do you remember Andrae’s? That definitely was a 5-Star restaurant. And so is State and Lemp. It is every bit as good as Andrea’s was; If not better. But I can only give 5-Stars and State and Lemp earned every one of those stars. From the local art on the wall, as pictured here, to the outstanding service. Also outstanding was the plating of the different food offerings. We eat with our eyes first, and as you will see, the presentations were super good! The seating is limited to about 28 people, so call for a reservation. We did like the way they have the tables set, it gave us time to chat with our table “neighbors”. Here are some photos from the evening. Enjoy! We will return for another special celebration, whatever that may be!

Robin at our seating.

The seating arrangements.

The menu and our place card. Yes, it is that formal!

It is great to see that they use as much local products as possible. Here is Acme Bake Shop Sourdough Bread. For a complete list of their farmer suppliers, check their web site.

It is great to see that they use as much local products as possible. Here is Acme Bake Shop Sourdough Bread. For a complete list of their local farmer suppliers, check their web site.

Sardine
with
Micro Greens and Flowers

Strawberry & Cucumber Scallop. Cilantro. Shiso Patrick Bottex – “La Cueille” Gamay / Poulsard

Strawberry and Cucumber
Scallop. Cilantro. Shiso
Patrick Bottex – “La Cueille” Gamay / Poulsard

Summer Squash & Fava Beans Black Cod. Sea Beans Nasturtium Taft Street – Chardonnay

Summer Squash and Fava Beans
Black Cod. Sea Beans. Nasturtium
Taft Street Chardonnay

Carrot & Apricot Goat. Sesame. Fried Rice Maxime Magnon – “La Démarrante” Carignan / Cinsault

Carrot and Apricot
Goat. Sesame. Fried Rice
Maxime Magnon – “La Démarrante” Carignan/Cinsault

Intermezzo – Huckleberry Sorbet

Beets & New Potato
Pork. Gooseberry. Sorrel
Domaine Gayda – “Flying Solo” Grenache/Syrah

Currants & Cherry Ginger Ale. Vanilla Cream. Mochi Taylor Fladgate – “LBV” Port

Currants and Cherry
Ginger Ale. Vanilla Cream. Mochi
Taylor Fladgate – “LBV” Port

Those little ginger ale “balloons” just “popped” flavor in your mouth. I intentionally did not pick a “favorite” dish – they were all superior. The wines also were paired perfectly. Here is a little more about State and Lemp from their web site.

In our effort to showcase local and regional farmers, ranchers, and artisans we have utilized the following…
Purple Sage Farms /purplesagefarms.com – Waterwheel Gardens /waterwheelgardens.com – Rice Family Farms / ricefamilyfarms.com – Sweet Valley Organics / sweetvalleyorganics.com – Peaceful Belly / peacefulbelly.com – Dawson Taylor Coffee Roasters / dawsontaylor.com – Malheur River Meats / malheurrivermeats.com – Ohana Farm Inc. Frostenson Farms – Acme Bread Co. – Double R Honey Farm – Cloverleaf Creamery …. Ownership and management will maintain a constant presence on the floor as we interact with guests to ensure an unforgettable experience. We provide continuing education and training for all team members in order to better enable them as they assist guests with decisions. Additionally, we seek to advance all team members and enable their growth as hospitality professionals.

Awesome Dinner For The Boise Farmers Market

06 Monday Oct 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Acme Bake Shop, Appetizers, Beef, Beets, Boise Adventures, Boise Farmers Market, Bread, Butternut Squash, Buy Idaho, Cheese, Classic Cuisines, Coffee, Dinner With Friends, Dinner With Robin, Healthy Eating, Heirloom Squash, Heirloom Tomatoes, Idaho Beef, Idaho Breweries, Idaho Chefs, Idaho Wine, Interesting Information, Local Farmers Markets, Local Harvests, Local Markets, Locavore, Organic Foods, Party Time, Peaceful Belly Farms, Photos By: Bob Young, Purple Sage Farms, Restaurants, Restaurants To Try, Rice Family Farms, Saint Lawrence Gridiron, Salad, Soup, Special Information, Vegetables, What's For Dessert?, What's For Dinner?, Wines - Idaho

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beef short ribs, eat local, micro greens, neckar coffee

Yes it was! And many thanks to all of the Boise Farmers Market producers for supplying the awesome meal items and the Saint Lawrence Gridiron, at 703 W Bannock in Boise (208) 433-5598, for supplying the space, the Waite Staff and an awesome Chef! Just a super, super night!
I do believe that this was the first of dinners like this to raise funds for the Boise Farmers Market. And I do hope that they continue to do this Fund Raising Dinner next year and many years to follow. When you look at the menu and photos below, you will see the superb meal that we had. Congratulations to all who worked so hard to make this a success! Left-Click any of these photos to see them enlarged.

The flyer for this year’s event.

Delightful table center pieces added to the Fall theme.

The wonderful menu!

Butternut Agnolotti with Sage Beurre Monté

Fraiche Tartine open faced gougere chipotle fraiche cucumber

Fraîche Tartine
open faced gougére, chipotle fraîche and cucumber

Yellow Tomato Gazpacho heirloom tomatoes brown butter crouton

Yellow Tomato Gazpacho
heirloom tomatoes and brown butter crouton

Harvest Vegetable Salad seasonal root vegetables candied walnuts local greens

Harvest Vegetable Salad
seasonal root vegetables, candied walnuts and local greens

Short Ribs
smoked and braised short ribs, Carolina grits, salt roasted carrots, braised leeks and pan jus

Apple Galette cinnamon custard brulee with fresh grated nutmeg whipped cream

Apple Galette
cinnamon custard brûlée with fresh grated nutmeg whipped cream

Neckar Coffee added some delightful coffee to our dinner. Thank-You!

Snake River Winery offered wines with the dinner and beer was also available from Woodland Empire Brewery.

The Check-In table

The Chef for the meal and on the right owner Brian Garrett. Thank-You both for this delightful evening.

Robin enjoys some Neckar Coffee.

Thank-You everyone for this event. It takes a lot of hard work to arrange this. Karen Ellis – Thank-You!

Sweet Mustard Chicken Thighs

09 Wednesday Apr 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Bacon, Beet Greens, Beets, Boise Farmers Market, Buy Idaho, Captain's Shack, Chicken, Ice Cream, Local Farmers Markets, Onion, Photos By: Bob Young, Recipe: Bob and Robin Young, Strawberries, Vegetables, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Wines - Idaho

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beet greens, beets, chicken, chicken thighs, Idaho wine, red pepper flakes, Sweet Mustard Chicken

This was a great alternative to fried or the basic baked chicken. A little sweet from the brown sugar and a little tangy from the mustard, without the strong mustard presence. I did tweak the recipe a little since the cayenne made it a little to hot for us. Changed it to red pepper flakes. Plus the sauce was not thick enough and just a little bland. You can see the recipe here: Sweet Mustard Chicken Thighs. It is in PDF format. I suppose that if you don’t like chicken thighs – second joints – you can use legs or breasts but make sure they still have the skin on and bone-in. And the wine went extremely well with the dinner. The wine is from Idaho as were the beets, beet greens and strawberries. Enjoy!

Sweet Mustard Chicken Thighs
Fresh Beet Greens with Bacon
Fresh Sliced Beets with Balsamic
2008 Vale Wine Co Merlot

Pound Cake
Fresh Strawberries
Ice Cream

Fried Chicken and Steamed Fresh Turnips and Beets

24 Saturday Aug 2013

Posted by Bob and Robin in Acme Bake Shop Breads, Banana Bread, Beet Greens, Beets, Boise Artisan Bakery's, Boise Farmers Market, Captain's Shack, Chicken, Local Farmers Markets, Local Harvests, Local Markets, Locavore, Main Dish, Photos By: Bob Young, Sourdough Bread, Turnip Greens, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food

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cup cakes, lemon curd, red wine vinegar, rosemont estate, turnips and beets

This was such a good and different dinner tonight. Fresh young turnips and beets from the Boise Farmer’s Market this morning. Save the greens and steam them too. Add a little red wine vinegar to the steam water and you’ve got a good vegetable dish. And for dessert. Use up those bananas that were almost “gone”. Robin made great Banana Cup Cakes and topped them with some awesome lemon curd. Here. Look at this dinner. Enjoy …. We did!