Thanksgiving 2016

25 Friday Nov 2016

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Apple, Bacon, Baking, Captain's Shack, Carrots, Celebrations, Comfort Food, Corn, Dessert, Dinner At The Captains Shack, Dinner With Family, Dried Corn, Food Photos, Green Salad, Heirloom Carrots, Heirloom Onions, Heirloom Parsnips, Holiday Gatherings, Holiday Menu, Idaho Vegetables, Idaho Wine, Local Farmers Markets, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Snake River AVA, What's For Dinner?, Wines - Idaho

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Dried Corn, heirloom vegetables, Spatchcock, wilted lettuce

And a great day it was! Dinner finished almost on time. Marnie, Chris and Anna joined us. The turkey tuned out fantastic – the first time I have done a spatchcock turkey and it was awesome. Veggies roasted great. Turkey was moist, tender and delicious. I took several pictures on my phone – 3 – of the dinner plated, Marnie and Robin and Chris and Anna, but they never appeared on my phone. They’re out in La-La land somewhere. Here, though, are some photos of preparing the dinner and maybe I’ll make a photo of the plated dinner – at least close to it. Cheers – This was really fun to do!

Getting the Bacon Wrapped Dates ready. Stuffed with Chopped Almond.

Dates ready for the oven.

Mushroom Stuffed Puff Pastry.

Finished product.

Turkey has been spatchcocked (backbone removed) and sitting on heirloom root vegetables – carrot, parsnips and onion – to keep the turkey off the bottom of the pan.

Cooking in the oven at 400 degrees F. This after 1 hour. One more hour to go for a 14 lbs turkey.

Plated

Spatchcock Turkey
Robin’s Cranberry Sauce
Dried Corn
Wilted Lettuce Salad
Roasted Heirloom Vegetables
Stuffing Cups
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy throughout
2006 and a 2008 Indian Creek Winery (ID) Pinot Noir

Skillet Apple Pie

These wines were available for dinner. We only had the oldest one on the left.

These wines were available for dinner. We only had the oldest two on the left. Super paring and wines.

In order to do a dinner like this, one needs to make a “schedule of events”. Thursday, I also made a schedule like this hour-by-hour.

Sakana Boise Revisited

06 Saturday Aug 2016

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Ahi Tuna, Alaskan Salmon, Avocado, Classic Cuisines, Cooking Styles, Dicon Radish, Dinner at Sakana Sushi, Dinner With Family, Dinner With Robin, Food Prep, Fruit, Photos By: Bob Young, Pickled Ginger, Salad, Salmon, Seafood, Special Dinners, Sushi, Things To Do, Tuna, Vegetables, Wasabi, What's For Dinner?

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Sakana Sushi Boise, sashimi, sushi

Second time we have been here, not counting take-out, and we are still very happy with the food, the Sushi Chefs and the Waite Staff. Definitely 5-Stars for Boise. Superb.They are located at 7107 W State Street (at Glenwood). (208) 853-4993. Look for their webpage at Sakana Sushi Boise. They also have an Extensive Menu, which might be wise to look at before going, to see what they have to offer. Thanks Marnie for joining us!
From their website, “In far Eastern countries, such as China, Japan and Korea, fish have always been used to symbolize for harmony, wealth and the freedom to live as one wishes.
Over here, it is known that healthy eating and the art of the oriental cuisine have been extended to the fullest. Our restaurant, Sakana, is using the finest raw material, as well as an exquisite way of cooking. Please experience the essence of a mysterious world of oriental food while you are enjoying your time here at Sakana. It will bring you a great amount of surprise and happiness.” Here is what we had. Enjoy!

House Salad
Saki
Appetizer

Miso

Seafood Appetizer

Mango Sushi

Robin had this. Sweet and spicy. You may have to ask for this one. We had to show them a picture of it and they made it.

Sashimi Delux

If you like sashimi, and I do, this is a delicious medley of salmon, octopus, tuna, mackerel, diacon, cucumber, ginger and wasabi.

Orange slices to counter the spiciness.

Making sushi. It’s an art form!

Finishing touches.

Sushi plated

Types of seafood used in sushi and sashimi.

Saki goes extremely well with sashimi or sushi.

Wonderful 40th Birthday Party for Ravenswood Winery

21 Tuesday Jun 2016

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Anniversary, Avocado, BBQ Chicken, BBQ Pork, BBQ Veggies, Birthdays, Breakfast, Celebrations, Ceviche, Chicken, Classic Herb Blends, Comfort Food, Corn Bread, Dinner Reviews with Robin, Dinner With Family, Eggs Omelets, Ethnic Foods, Green Salad, Greens, Grilled Pork, Grilled Vegetables, Herbs, Herbs and Spices, Photos By: Bob Young, Pinot Noir, Ravenswood Winery Zinfandel, Salads, Special Dinners, Special Events, Vegetables, What's For Dessert?, What's For Dinner?, Whats For Breakfast?, Whats For Lunch?, Wine and Food, Wine Dinners, Wines - California

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And such a great party it was! 80 people plus attended and we felt quite honored to be included. Robin did help start the winery back in the early to mid 1970’s. From their web page, “On a fall day in 1976, as ravens taunted from tree branches above, Joel Peterson worked doggedly to bring in four tons of grapes before a looming thunderstorm hit. The fruit he crushed that night was used for one of two single-vineyard Sonoma County Zins – the first wines to bear Ravenswood’s signature ring of ravens. The fledgling winery got off to a great start when those wines came in #1 and #2 at a prestigious San Francisco tasting in 1979. With the critical thumbs-up, Joel was able to gather a few wine-loving investors to help get his winery off the ground. He still didn’t have enough money to buy property, so he looked around for more grapes.” Ravenswood Winery, web page.
But before we get there, we had to travel. Here are some of the places we stopped. Donner Summit is the high pass before we hit the Sacramento Valley.

Here we are. See the snow?

And in case it snows too deep, one can always find the fire hydrant.

Robin enjoys some fried chicken.

And so does a chipmunk.

Such a great market to re-stock your supplies. Corti Brothers web page. If in Sacramento well worth the stop. But you can order online, also.

How about some really wonderful prosciutto?

Lunch. and Corti Brothers Red Potato Salad, melon and Verner's Ginger Ale.

Lunch. Prosciutto and Corti Brothers Red Potato Salad, melon and Verner’s Ginger Ale.

Mango ice cream and fresh mango. Slightly spicy.

How about a pork tamale?

Our motel in Sonoma.

Beautiful flowers.

Love the gardens in the motel atrium.

And the gargoyle.

Cat fountain.

And the night before the super Ravenswood birthday, we must eat dinner. Here’s what we had at the Sonoma Grille. Super patio eating, if you wish. Awesome meal!!

Patio area.

This dip was delicious. Garlic-Pesto-Butter. The two wines wwere piniot noirs. (L)

This dip was delicious. Garlic-Pesto-Butter. The two wines were pinot noirs. (L) 2013 Cline Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast and (R) 2013 Trecini Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. I liked the Trecini best. Bigger, fuller. Wonderful.

Fresh oysters. They were delicious!

Robin had these

Lamb Chops in Curry Sauce
with
Crispy Polenta and Fresh Vegetables

I had

NY Steak
with
Pinot Noir Reduction
Potato Fingerlings and Fresh Vegetables

And to go with chocolate, (L) Riesates and (R) Sauterne

And to go with chocolate, (L) Rivessaltes, historic sweet wines of eastern Roussillon and (R) Sauterne

Awesome Chocolate Torte

Chocolate Mousse

And now to Ravenswood Winery. Happy 40th Birthday!!

The menu for the party and 80+ guests.

Library wines for dinner.

Light wines with the appetizers.

The special birthday wine. Very limited. At least were able to get 1 case.

Ceviche for an appetizer. A little spicy but good.

Some barrel storage.

A small barrel. That’s Chris standing there. He is 6′ tall.

Robin, Chris, Marnie and Joel Peterson, winemaker and known as the “God Father of Zinfandel”.

Winemaker Joel Peterson

Some of the crowd.

Winemaker in training Gary Sitton and Chris.

Also sitting at our table.

BBQ Pork. Yum.

BBQ Chicken

Grilled Cauliflower

Dinner plated

breakfast the next morning before departing at the Sunflower Caffe in Sonoma.

Joel was gracious enough to join us.

The patio.

California Breakfast Sandwich.

California Omelet

And now ………….. Back to Boise!!

Awesome Mother’s Day Weekend in the Kitchen

08 Sunday May 2016

Posted by Bob and Robin in Bacon, Baking, Blue Crab, Boise Farmers Market, Boise Food Adventures, Breakfast At The Captains Shack, Breakfast With Robin, Buy Idaho, Captain's Shack, Cast Iron, Chicken, Comfort Food, Cooking Styles, Crab Cakes, Creamed Spinach, Dessert, Dinner At The Captains Shack, Dinner For Robin, Dinner With Family, Food Photos, French Foods, Green Salad, Herbs and Spices, Housemade Sauces, Housemade Tartar Sauce, Idaho Eggs, Idaho Greens, Idaho Vegetables, Idaho Wine, Indian Creek Winery, Local Markets, Morels, Mother's Day, Mushrooms, Party Time, Peaceful Belly Farms, Photos By: Bob Young, Pinot Noir, Popovers, Recipe: Bob and Robin Young, Recipes - Breakfast, Recipes - Dinner, Recipes - French, Recipes - Seafood, Salad, Special Events, Spring Vegies, What's For Dinner?

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coq au vin, crab cakes, Pinot Noir, popover

Just a super fun and good weekend celebrating Mother’s Day with Robin. Exciting coming up with meals that were different and surprisingly good. Fun to make. Easy to make, although some were rather involved. Great to have Marnie over for Sunday dinner. Even Ray, her Golden Lab, had a good time with Buddy.
Some of the photos that follow of the dishes I prepared, have the recipe hotlinked in the article. Please feel free to use the recipe if you would like. The Coq au Vin – Chicken in Wine – is not difficult to do, but it does take some time. The Popovers are quick and easy. The Crab Cakes are different. We had these for both dinner a breakfast! the remoulade is a pretty basic sauce and can vary widely. “… Rémoulade (English pronunciation: /reɪməˈlɑːd/; French: [ʁemulad]) is a condiment invented in France that is usually aioli- or mayonnaise-based. Although similar to tartar sauce, it is often more yellowish (or reddish in Louisiana), sometimes flavored with curry, and sometimes contains chopped pickles or piccalilli. It can also contain horseradish, paprika, anchovies, capers and a host of other items. While its original purpose was possibly for serving with meats, it is now more often used as an accompaniment to seafood dishes, especially pan-fried breaded fish fillets (primarily sole and plaice) and seafood cakes (such as crab or salmon cakes).” Ours is mayo, chilli sauce, ketchup and green tomato relish. And a touch of horseradish.

Crab Cakes on Biscuits with Strawberry Fan and Rumalade

Crab Cakes on Biscuits
with
Strawberry Fan and Remoulade

Here is the recipe for the Old Bay Crab Cakes. They are differently good.

Strawberry Pie

After the Crab Cakes, we just had to have this Strawberry Pie Recipe. I’m not a baker, but this is wonderful!

Crab Cakes and Eggs

This was an awesome breakfast! Nothing better than seafood for breakfast.

Popovers

Fresh from the oven. Great with butter and jam, too!

Popovers
with
Creamed Spinach Filling

Another suprisingly easy recipe. Popover with Creamed Spinach Recipe

Coq au Vin – Chicken in Wine – getting happy!

Coq au Vin Popover with Creamed Spinach Fresh Green Salad

Coq au Vin
Popover with Creamed Spinach Filling
Fresh Green Salad

One awesome and fun to make dinner. Here is the recipe for Coq au Vin, Chicken in Wine. Enjoy this one. It is a superb French classic!

Add to this dinner a very good

2008 Indian Creek Pinot Noir

and we had a fantastic experience. Plus the Coq au Vin had some in it too!

Wonderful Easter Ham Dinner

27 Sunday Mar 2016

Posted by Bob and Robin in Buy Idaho, Cakes, Captain's Shack, Carrots, Dessert, Dinner At The Captains Shack, Dinner For Robin, Dinner With Family, Easter Dinner, Holiday Gatherings, Holiday Menu, Idaho Greens, Idaho Potatoes, Idaho Vegetables, Local Harvests, Photos By: Bob Young, Pork, Purple Sage Farms, Vinegars, What's For Dinner?, Wines - NW

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Easter ham, minted peas, The Chew, upside down cake

Such a great time having a meal with family. Robin, Marnie and Mac. We did miss Christopher and Sophia, but they got a “Care Package”. Hope they enjoy it. The photos below are what we had and some of the recipes are with the photos. Mac made some wonderful rolls and there are some left-over for ham sandwiches. A word about the recipes, especially the Holiday Ham recipe by Chef Michael Symon. When we watched him make the ham on the ABC program The Chew, he used a ham steak. I altered that somewhat and use a Shank Portion Smoked Ham. The same technique that Chef Symon used for browning the ham was used so I would have some pan “grameles” for the gravy. I roasted the ham in the oven at 350 degrees F but first, after cross hatching the skin and fat layer and rubbing it with some ground clove and ground allspice and then some good maple syrup. Not much, but enough to give the ham some sweetness. The recipe for the Holiday Ham and the Parsley Salad are permanently located in the recipe file above. It turned out superb. Here are some photos of the dinner. Enjoy!

Parsley Salad with Shaved Radish and Fresh Miners Lettuce

Again, another recipe adapted from Chef Michael Symon. We did alter it by adding honey, radish and miners lettuce. Enjoy the recipe – easy to do and so refreshing. Parsley Salad

Oven Roasted Shank Portion Smoked Ham
Ham Gravy
Smashed Garlic Blue Potatoes
Steamed and Minted Sugar Snap Peas

Mac made some awesome rolls to go with the ham. We also had a 2014 Estancia Pinot Grigio that went very well with the dinner.

Pineapple Carrot Upside Down Cake Marnie made this. She found these individual "cake pans" that worked very well for her. Basically, sliced pineapple on the bottom with brown sugar and then carrot cake batter on top and baked. It was super! Thanks Marnie.

Pineapple Carrot Cake Upside Down Cake

Marnie made this. She found these individual “cake pans” that worked very well for her. Basically, sliced pineapple on the bottom with brown sugar and then carrot cake batter on top and baked. Iced with the standard Carrot Cake Icing. It was super! Thanks Marnie.

Pineapple Carrot Cake Upside Down Cake

Icing is on the bottom! Told you it was an upside down!

Special Food – Special Family

18 Monday Jan 2016

Posted by Bob and Robin in 4-Stars, Boise Restaurants, Breakfast With Robin, Buy Idaho, Captain's Shack, Comfort Food, Dinner With Family, Eggs, Eggs Poached, Flying Pie Pizza, Idaho Bacon, Idaho Eggs, Idaho Grains, Idaho Polenta Floriani, Idaho Pork, Italian Food, Local Farmers Markets, Meadowlark Farms, Next Generation produce, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Pizza, Pizza and Brew, Restaurants, Salad, Special Dinners, Special Events, What's For Dinner?

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Flying Pie Pizza

Well, tomorrow at this time who knows where I’ll be. Open heart surgery to start at 0530. Do people actually move around at that hour? But I am so thankful for Marnie, Mac, Carlynne – Robin’s sister who came to help all the way from Delaware – Chris and my Super RN’s who are always in my thoughts – Robin, Roli and Cristi. They will hold my hand as will my sister Peggy and my brother Alex, although they will be long distance.
But one must eat first. Carlynne took us all out for pizza last night at Flying Pie Pizza and it was super, although I think the service is really getting slooooooow. The pizza is still great; The service is not. Thanks Carlynne for this treat. I also came across this chart which helps to figure out recipes if you must change the size and servings. A conversion chart of sorts. Enjoy and I will see you all in about a week. Cheers! Left-Click any of these photos to see them enlarged.

Idaho Breakfast
Next Generation Polenta
with
Meadowlark Farms Poached Eggs
Falls Brand Bacon
(Twin Falls)
Blueberries
(not from Idaho)

Flying Pie Pizza
White Pizza
with
Artichoke and Cheese Variety

Flying Pie
Meat and Vegetable Pizza

Tonight? Seafood dinner by Marnie, Mac and Carlynne. Homemade and good! Cheers!

Yummy Beef Short Rib Borscht

12 Tuesday Jan 2016

Posted by Bob and Robin in Acme Bake Shop, Acme Bakery, Beef, Captain's Shack, Classic Cuisines, Dinner At The Captains Shack, Dinner With Family, Idaho Beef, Idaho Potatoes, Idaho Vegetables, Local Farmers Markets, Main Dish, Photos By: Bob Young, Recipe by: Robin and Bob Young, Recipes, Recipes - Dinner, Recipes - Russian, Russian Food - Borscht, Stew, Traditional Food, Vegetables, What's For Dinner?

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beets, borscht, Carrots

You say you don’t like borscht? Or beets? The addition of the beef short ribs and the carrots, sure does sweeten the flavor of the shredded beets. The red color is still there for the soup, but the beet flavor is very mild. Robin and I think it is a superb alternative to an “official” borscht. Here is the recipe, if you want to try this – Beef Short Rib Borscht. Print one out. It takes a while to cook, we use the CrockPot, but it is well worth the effort. Left-Click any of the following photos to see them enlarged. Enjoy and let us know how you liked it. Notice that there is no cabbage in this borscht. Cheers!

Onions are caramelizing in the beef fat.

Braised – caramelized – beef short ribs, beet stems and potatoes are waiting for the beet cooking liquid.

Oh my. The finished product! And as the recipe says, “Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with the scallions, dill and a dollop of crème fraîche [or sour cream]. Serve with spicy mustard and slices of dark bread.” The diced scallions and dill or fennel will really add to the flavors.

A Thankful and Traditional Thanksgiving!

27 Friday Nov 2015

Posted by Bob and Robin in Acme Bake Shop, Apple, Boise Farmers Market, Classic Cuisines, Comfort Food, Dessert, Dinner At The Captains Shack, Dinner With Family, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Photos By: Robin Young, Recipes, Recipes - Dessert, Turkey, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Zhou Zhou Winery

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cranberry, pecan pie recipe, stuffing, traditional dinners, turkey

Yes it was! A very good Thanksgiving with family. (Sorry you had to work, Chris. There’s a platter waiting for you.) Mac, Marnie, Sophia, Robin, Buddy and me. That made a good group. Mac may have a new Holiday Dinner job – The “Making of the Rolls“. They were super! The stuffing did not turn out so good. (Pictured here to the left) I think next time I will leave it in the turkey. It dried out too much. Crunchy. Difficult to eat. The turkey, though, was delicious and there is some leftover. Yea!! Dried corn was off, for some reason. Even with those drawbacks, we had a good time. Here are some photos. Enjoy! To see any of these photos enlarged, Left-Click the picture.

The wines for dinner.

Good start to the stuffing – making our own – just a not so good ending.

Tried to make individual Stuffing Cakes. I will work on this.

Herb butter is getting “Happy”. Dried corn is soaking.

Robin made this super good appetizer dish from fresh veggies and dips and roll-ups. Delicious and fun!

Mac’s new job – Making of the Rolls!

Buddy watches and waits for any tidbits that may end up on the floor. He was patient!!

The table is set and full!

Sophia brought the delicious ham.

The turkey was worth waiting for. The drippings made super gravy! Smooth, rich and wonderful.

Plated meal: Green Bean Casserole, Dried Corn, Stuffing, Cranberry, turkey and mashed potatoes with gravy.

Plated meal: Green Bean Casserole, Dried Corn, Apple Stuffing, Cranberry, turkey and mashed potatoes with gravy.

And finish off dinner with Bourbon Ginger Pecan Pie that Marnie made. Here is the Recipe. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Sophia!

09 Saturday May 2015

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Anthropology of Food, Boise Restaurants, Caesar Salad, Chardonnay, Classic Sauces, Coffee, Dinner With Family, Dinner With Robin, Herbs, Herbs and Spices, Ice Cream, Italian foods, Local Markets, Luciano's Italian Restaurant, Mother's Day, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Restaurant Reviews, Restaurants, Restaurants To Try, Salads, What's For Dessert?, What's For Dinner?

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Lucianos Italian

What a wonderful place to celebrate a birthday – Luciano’s Italian Restaurant in Boise. Every bit a 5-Star restaurant. Good and accurate service. Great and varied menu and a really super Waite staff. Asiago’s – Look out! We hope, Sophia, that you enjoyed your Birthday Meal as much as we enjoyed celebrating with you. Here are some photos that I took of the dinner. Sorry we missed you, Chris. This was also Robin’s Mothers Day dinner, but we’ll see what happens tomorrow.

Happy birthday, Sophia!!

The bar area that is also a waiting area. There is a shelter outside that the over flow can congregate.

The bar area that is also a waiting area. There is a shelter outside where the over flow can congregate.

The daily special board.

Wonderfully different light in the main dining room. Unique.

Table centerpiece.

Caesar Salad – Really good. “Chopped romaine lettuce, classic house made Caesar dressing, and croutons with fresh parmesan, lemon and anchovies.”

Pesto Pasta

Fettuccini Alfredo

Seafood Fettuccini “Prawns, sea scallops, clams, mussels and crab in our seafood alfredo sauce with garlic and fresh parmesan.”

Spumonti - Chocolate, Pistachio and Strawberry ice cream. Maraschino cherry juice in the bottom.

Spumone – Chocolate, Pistachio and Strawberry ice cream. Maraschino cherry juice in the bottom. “Rich cherry, pistachio, and chocolate ice cream, mixed with candied fruit and pistachios garnished with home made whipped cream, silvered almonds and a maraschino cherry”

Lemon Pudding

Tiramisu – “A classic Italian dessert with rum and espresso soaked lady fingers layered with sweet mascarpone cheese, cocoa then topped with rum sauce.”

Chocolate Cake – “Four layers of decadent moist chocolate cake filled with chocolate cream and a bittersweet chocolate ganache icing.”

Just a super party!!

Birthday Dinner

06 Monday Apr 2015

Posted by Bob and Robin in Birthdays, Buy Idaho, Dinner At Marnies, Dinner With Family, Dinner With Friends, Green Beans, Ham, Idaho Lamb, Idaho Wine, Lamb, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?, Wines - Idaho

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American lamb, ham

Marnie and Mac gave me this wonderful birthday dinner. Thank-You! Delicious. Thank-You Chris for being there. Sorry we missed you Sophia.
The flowers here are from their front garden. Absolutely beautiful. Spring must be here, even tho\ugh there is snow in the mountains and there is a cold drizzly rain falling. April showers bring May flowers, or so it is said. There is even water in the irrigation canals, almost 15 days early! Hope there is enough water to last the season.
Do enjoy these photos of the dinner. Really wonderful.