MickeyRay’s BBQ Opens Second Restaurant In Boise

05 Wednesday Dec 2012

Posted by Bob and Robin in BBQ Restaurants, Boise, Buy Idaho, Ethnic Foods, Grillin' and Chillin', Locavore, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Restaurants, Special Information, What's For Dinner?

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lb beef brisket, lb catfish, prime rib dinner, restaurants, texas smoker

Yes, another BBQ restaurant in Boise. This one is locally owned and operated with two locations in Boise and one in Eagle. (See the graphic) I had a short, but very interesting, visit while I was there and I was impressed by the operation. This new Boise location is located where the Macaroni Grille was, at 980 Milwaukee by Staples. You can see their website at MickeyRay’s BBQ. There is also a link in the sidebar. Be sure to check these links for complete menus and the like. Let them know you saw the information here on the Boise Foodie Blog.
It was interesting to hear that they use only local maple for their smoking process in a Texas made smoker, one of only two of this type located in Idaho. There is a photo below. They try very hard to use only locally produced products, the smoker being one exception. The menu is extensive and complete, with specials on Thursday – MickeyRay’s Big Ol’ Beef Rib ($16), Friday – 3/4 lb. Catfish Fillet and Hush Puppies ($15) and Saturday – Complete Prime Rib Dinner ($18, $23 and $29) and I believe an everyday special, it takes that long to eat it, The Trough – 1 lb. Chopped Pork, 1 lb. Beef Brisket, 1 Full Rack of Ribs, 1 quart Beans and 1 lb Fries. And all for $60! That’s over 4 pounds of vittles! They have kid’s menus, sandwiches, rib plates and much, much more. (I’m getting hungry!)

MickeyRay’s BBQ on Milwaukee in Boise

They were kind enough to let me photograph their Texas Smoker – it is BIG!

Let’s have a party some evening and meet at MickeyRay’s BBQ and try their fare out. Dutch, of course. Let us know. And if you get there before we do, let them know that we suggested it to you and let us know how you like it. Cheers!

Awesome Swordfish Dinner

30 Friday Nov 2012

Posted by Bob and Robin in Buy Idaho, Locavore, Meatless Monday, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Seafood, What's For Dinner?

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brussels sprouts, dinner, fingerling potatoes, food, rice family

The other day, while my computer was at CastleRock Computers here in Boise getting a severe upgrade, I came across swordfish at a good price and the quality was superb. The photo here is the swordfish getting ready to be placed under the broiler. Here is what me made.

Broiled Lime/Orange Swordfish
Herb Roasted Fingerling Potatoes (Rice Family Farms, ID)
Balsamic and Current Reduction with Brussels Sprouts

Idaho Fingerling Potatoes getting ready to be roasted. The herbs were all fresh ones from our garden.

Dinner is plated!
Broiled Lime and Orange Swordfish
Herb Roasted Idaho Fingerling Potatoes
Balsamic and Current Juice Reduction with Brussels Sprouts

Whole Foods Media Tour, Boise

13 Tuesday Nov 2012

Posted by Bob and Robin in Buy Idaho, Celebrations, Food, GMOs, Hard To Find Foods, Organic Foods, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?, Whole Foods

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Tags

ballard family, chevre cheese, food, kitchen pantry, zeppoles

On November 12, Robin and I were invited to attend the Whole Foods Media Tour by Glenda Catron. Thank you, Glenda, it was informative and interesting. The public tour, also held on the 12th, was well attended and filled up quickly. The “Ribbon Cutting”. also know by Whole Foods fans as the “Break Bread Ceremony” where a giant loaf of bread will be shared, will be at 9:30 am on Wednesday, November 14. Here are some interesting facts that Ben Friedland, District Manager of Whole Foods, pointed out to us. There are 342 stores in the US, Canada and United Kingdom and all of them are designed differently to reflect the community where they are located. As he said, “When you walk through the doors, it’s like walking into your kitchen pantry. We want you to feel at home.”
It is really great to see all of the local, Idaho Produced and Grown items. Some of the Idaho businesses represented are: Gaston’s Bakery, Zeppoles Bakery, Rollingstone Chevre Cheese, Ballard Family Cheese, and Homestead Natural Foods. All of the meats at this store are 30-40% locally produced. This is by no means the total list.
And Idaho wineries are also represented and I think the Idaho breweries are too.
Non-GMO products and quality products will be found here. Read the labels and be familiar with the PLU codes. (GMO products start with an 8. 80000 would be a GMO. 90000 products are organic.) Here are some photos of the tour. You can pause the slideshow at any time and you can go back or forwards. Enjoy!

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PS: As a late post from Glenda Catron,
“About Whole Foods Market^®
Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market ( www.wholefoodsmarket.com ) is the leading retailer of natural and organic foods and America’s first national “Certified Organic” grocer. In fiscal year 2012, the Company had sales of approximately $12 billion and currently has 342 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Whole Foods Market employs approximately 73,000 Team Members and has been ranked for 15 consecutive years as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by Fortune magazine.”

Broiled Felzien Lamb Chops

14 Sunday Oct 2012

Posted by Bob and Robin in Buy Idaho, Lamb, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?

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Tags

baby spinach, brussels sprouts, dinner, indian creek winery

Oh yes! Great lamb chops with all the side dishes. Here’s the full menu. Enjoy!

Broiled Felzien Lamb Chops

Steamed Brussels Sprouts
with balsamic vinegar and blood orange olive oil reduction

Fresh Green salad
tomatoes, carrot strings and baby spinach with Homemade 1000 Island Dressing

2009 Indian Creek Winery Tempranillo

City Market – Boise Saturday Market #2

28 Saturday Apr 2012

Posted by Bob and Robin in Boise Adventures, Buy Idaho, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?

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It’s 9:30! Ring the bell. And she did and the second week of the Saturday market was opened! I talked for a short while with Garrett Goldberg, Square Companies, a wine storage company, and he said the Guy was supposed to be coming to the Market. Guy Hand from NPR. I told him I know Guy and to tell him he is late and that I had already been here and gotten some great photos. Here are just some of the vegies that are available. The new header photo was taken at the Market just this morning. I also get our eggs here from Meadow Lark Farms, Janie Burns. Great source for local eggs, lamb and chicken. Cheers!

Radishes and carrots from the City Market. This is also the new header photo.

Wow! Tomatoes that are not “hard as rocks”. That smell like tomatoes and best yet: They Taste Like Tomatoes!

Boise Food Truck Rally – April 2012

14 Saturday Apr 2012

Posted by Bob and Robin in Buy Idaho, Food, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Things To Do

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It was another great Boise Food Truck Rally at the MK Nature Center on Walnut Street. A good place with lots of room. The crowd looked like another big one. Maybe 1000+? Everyone looked like they were enjoying their selves. Here are some photos I took. Oh. The BBQ pictured here was a brisket, pulled pork and sausage sandwich. Sorry for the bite(s) out of the sandwich. Just couldn’t wait. The Golden Nectar of the Gods is an IPA from Payette Brewery in Garden City. Enjoy!

The BBQ pictured above was made by Big Daddy’s.

The Brown Shuga Soul Food truck. Am sorry Yvonne, I did not make it back. The line was long and you looked very busy. Thank-You, though. Next time!

My friend Yvonne, Owner/Chef of Brown Shuga Soul Food, warning me to stay away from the turkey legs! Oh my, but they sure did smell good!

Some of the crowd who was there.

More of the crowd.

Even the little ones were having a good time.

And then the Gray Goose tried to make a landing in the parking lot. I don’t think it did, though. I love the diffused sunlight through the clouds lighting the Canada Goose. It was trying to be a stormy, spring night.

Old Folks Dinner – Not What You’d Expect!

11 Sunday Mar 2012

Posted by Bob and Robin in Buy Idaho, Lamb, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?

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OK, I know. It’s not the standard Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes and Peas. Margaret came over earlier today for some coffee and conversation. Well into the conversation, I asked her what she was going to have for dinner. She said, “I have not eaten today.” Enough said. I told her that if she came back around 3:00 or so, we would like to share dinner. She came back and look at what we had. It was scrumptious, but not your standard “Old Folks” Sunday dinner. The average age for dinner being 68.7 years, this will serve well for our Sunday dinner. Thank-You Margaret for joining us. You are always welcome at our table. And thank you for the dip. Enjoy this photo. Cheers!

Sunday Dinner

Garlic Oil and Fresh Rosemary Braised Felzien Farms Lamb Chops
mustard cream sauce

Mustard Cream Sauce
3 T Stone Ground Mustard
1 T Dijon Mustard
1/4 c Heavy Cream
Place all in a small skillet over low heat. Stir until blended and thickened
(This is great with rabbit, too!)

Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
reduced balsamic vinegar, Grand Marnier, butter

I have had folks ask how to do the Brussels Sprouts. Here’s how we do them. Let us know how you like them. Serves 4.
1 lbs Brussels Sprouts, trimmed and steamed. Cut the large ones in half lengthwise if necessary.
3 T Balsamic Vinegar reduced to 3/4. The older the vinegar the better it is but the more expensive it is, too.
2 T Grand Marnier
1 T Butter
When the balsamic is reduced, add the Grand Marnier and stir. Add the butter and melt and let it thicken a little. Don’t let it scorch. Remove from the heat if necessary, but keep stirring. Add the Brussels Sprouts and toss to coat. Serve hot.

Rosemary Oven Roasted Potatoes
blood orange infused olive oil and fresh rosemary

2009 Fraser Vineyards Petit Verdot
(Always have to have a good Idaho wine with dinner! This went extremely well with the Brussels Sprouts and the Mustard Cream Sauce.)

Idaho Farmers Markets

05 Monday Sep 2011

Posted by Bob and Robin in Boise Adventures, Buy Idaho, Food, Special Information, Things To Do

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I’d like to say that the Boise Saturday Market is the only one in Idaho. But in fact, it is not. At last count, there are about 28 different farmer’s markets in Idaho. Here is, at best, a partial listing for Idaho Farmers Markets. If you know of others, please go to the site listed and update or add to the listing. I have no control over how markets get listed or if the list is even up-to-date. Cheers!

First Annaul Harvest Under The Stars

25 Monday Oct 2010

Posted by Bob and Robin in Buy Idaho, Local Farmers Markets, Local Harvests, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Special Events, Special Information, Things To Do, Wine and Food

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It is just great when a community comes together to support a local, but far reaching, organization. A New Beginning Adoption Agency in Boise is one such organization. On October 23, Boise came together, under the direction of Wes Malvini,to support this organization with the First Annual Harvest Under The Stars. As Wes said it,

“With our delicious array of harvest foods and hot beverages (Hot apple cider, butternut squash soup, cocoa, coffee, beer, wine, beef stew, plus lamb chicken and vegan sliders), a rockin’ concert by Finn Riggins, Quartertons Boise, comedian Heath Harmison, and magician Weseley Hanna– October 23rd at 6:00 p.m will be the only place to be (rain or shine)!

Bring a jacket and enjoy our GIGANTIC covered tent and heaters!

A New Beginning Adoption Agency (and meet who you’re supporting):
208-939-3865
9703 W Ustick Rd, Ste 101
Boise, Idaho
A New Beginning“

If you would like to know more about A New Beginning, their phone number, web site and mailing address are listed. They would be more than happy to talk to you about their services. Everyone was told to wear a costume if they wished to. Some of us did. Others came as themselves. Here are some photos from the event. Hope to see you there next year. This is a family oriented event and during the day there are some “Kid Approved” events and activities.

With “A Wink and a Smile” Wes Malvini leads the evening as MC

Robin in costume.

Cristi and Debbie from the Buzz Bistro in Boise.

Here are some of the food items supplied by the Buzz Bistro

Lamb Patties
Oat Patties
Butternut Squash Soup
Chicken Skewers with Fresh Vegetables

The food dishes prepared and distributed by the Buzz Bistro were made from all Idaho products.

Idaho’s Bounty vegetable display

One of the several bands and acts that performed.

Some other participants in the evening were Davis Creek Cellars, Woodriver Cellars, the Boise Coop and Ballard Cheeses. All of their help and products were greatly appreciated. Thank-You.

Shrimp Stuffed Cod

04 Saturday Sep 2010

Posted by Bob and Robin in Buy Idaho, Food, Food Prep, Local Harvests, Photos By: Bob Young, Recipe: Bob and Robin Young, Things To Do, What's For Dinner?

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I finished getting the pork ready for Monday – Pulled Pork, Roasted Corn, Baked Beans and Potato Salad. Maybe one of MJ’s cakes (Hope so!) So now it’s dinnertime! Watching how the weather blew in from the west and kept Earl out to sea. That was the onslaught of BSU coming to VA Tech for the game(?) on Monday. And all 10000+ BSU fans headed to FedEx Field to show VA Tech how to yell for their team. Listen for, “BOISE …….. STATE …… BOISE …… STATE!”
But tonight, we need dinner. I remember a Lobster Stuffed Whitefish from somewhere. No lobster in our refrig. But we have Prawns! And we have Cod! So make a shrimp paste – shrimp, bread crumbs, lemon thyme, cream and salt and pepper. Run through a food processor until in paste form. Cut a pocket in the fish and stuff with the shrimp paste. Bake at 375 degrees F until browned on top. And a fresh and local vegetable saute – tomato, Zebra tomato, summer squash, kohlrabi, leek. Here was the menu: