Shepherd’s Pie

27 Wednesday Mar 2024

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Aleppo pepper, Baking, Buy Idaho, Buy Local, Carrots, Classics, Cooking Styles, Corn, Dinner At The Captains Shack, Dinner With Friends, Dinner With Robin, Ethnic Foods, Food - Make Your Own Meals, Food Photos, Garlic, Green Peas, Herbs, Herbs and Spices, History of Food, Idaho Lamb, Idaho Potatoes, Idaho's Bounty, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Potatoes, Recipe: Bob and Robin Young, Recipes - Dinner, Shepherd's Pie, Support Local Businesses, What's For Dinner?, Wines - Idaho

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beef, cooking, Cottage Pie, recipes, shepards pie, Shepherd's Pie

I love a good Shepard’s (Shepherd’s) Pie! Much better than a Cottage Pie. Maybe that’s because I do like good lamb. And as a side point, lamb is one year old or younger, while mutton is older than a year, just in case you were wondering. But also, it intrigues me as to the origin of these dishes. I always thought it originated in the Basque country of Spain. But after researching for this article, I am wrong!

Shepherd’s Pie: This dish is believed to have originated in Scotland or northern England (Ireland) during the late 1700s to early 1800s. It was initially made with leftover roasted lamb or mutton, and the term “shepherd” in its name reflects the traditional use of lamb meat.

Cottage Pie is thought to have originated in England, particularly in the Midlands or northern regions, around the same time period as shepherd’s pie. It traditionally uses minced beef, and the term “cottage” likely refers to the modest dwellings of the rural working class, who would have commonly prepared this dish. The cottage pie was the precursor to shepherd’s pie, which was coined in the middle of the 19th century. For a while it was used interchangeably with cottage pie. However, as time went on, a distinction was made: shepherd’s pie referred to a dish made with lamb (because sheep are tended to by shepherds!), and cottage pie referred to a dish made with beef.

This is a Shepherd’s Pie that I made this past week. And I think it was really good. Good robust herb and vegetable flavors. And the ground lamb was awesome with no “wild” taste that you can get with mutton. And it was from a very local farmer. Meadowlark Farms in Nampa, Idaho to be exact. The crust was a combination of Russet (Idaho) potato and Red Potato. I did not have and Harvest Gold potatoes so I made my own! The browning on the top was from a combination of the potatoes and Parmesan cheese. So, if you are interested, here is the recipe I came up with. Feel free to try it. Just let me know how it came out and how much you loved it! https://www.rockinrs.com/CS-Shepards-Pie.pdf

3 Fun Dinners

10 Friday Nov 2023

Posted by Bob and Robin in Android Photos, Beef, Boise Farmers Market, Boise Food Adventures, Buy Local, Chicken, Cooking Styles, Dinner At The Captains Shack, Dinner For Robin, Dinner With Friends, Food - Gravy, Food Prep, Herbs and Spices, Housemade Sauces, Idaho Chicken, Idaho Greens, Idaho Potatoes, Idaho Vegetables, Local Markets, Mushrooms, Mushrooms - Local, Photos By: Bob Young, Potatoes, Spinach, What's For Dinner?

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asparagus and lardons, Creamed Spinach, Hash browns, Jasmin rice, pan gravy

There are times when one feels really challenged in the kitchen, whether it is perfecting a dish, Creamed Spinach for example, where something just does not come out as you had planned or pictured. And at other times you want to create something kind of different with pan drippings. Or you want to create a dish that can be daunting or challenging. Well here are 3 that did just that. Let’s take a look. (Click on the images to see them enlarged)

This one was, I thought, just a basic baked chicken and rice dish. But then I thought, plain Jasmin rice with a good baked chicken can be sort of mundane, so why not add some green onion – a very Oriental twist – and fresh spinach? That spinach was a surprise to some who ate it. And the pan drippings of the rosemary and sage can create a differently good gravy. It did! Even added a little to the rice, which gave it a whole new twist. I think, and use it quite often, that it is sinful to “dump the pan drippings” in the trash, so I used it. Not many in the household would do such a thing. Use those drippings!

Potatoes. They are good, but if it were up to some other cooks that need potatoes at every meal – you know who you are – at least change them up from peeled, water logged piles of something that resembles pablum, to maybe some good, crispy hash browns that don’t need to be only served at breakfast. And to, add something green, like the creamed spinach pictured here. Add some mushrooms to the pan dripping gravy from the seared pork chop. Don’t be afraid to be creative and adventuresome in preparing a meal. If nothing else, it’s fun!

Here is another adventure. Steak with Mushroom and Onion Pan Gravy, Asparagus with Lardons and Green Onion and Smashed Potatoes and Gravy. (I used an hand masher and left the potatoes a little lumpy and as always, left the peels on.)

I guess I like to “mix things up” in the kitchen and try different variations of a given dish. Have fun when preparing and use your imagination. And, I might add, most of the products here came from the Boise Farmers Market.

Great Birthday Sunday at Parma Ridge and Elsewhere

16 Monday Sep 2019

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Acme Bake Shop, Acme Bake Shop Breads, Acme Bake Shop Red Wheat Bread, AirFryer, Bistro - Parma Ridge Winery, Boise Food Adventures, Boise Foodie Guild, Breakfast At The Captains Shack, Brunch at Parma Ridge Winery, Captain's Shack, Chef Storm Hodge, Comfort Food, Cooking Styles, Dessert, Dinner At Parma Ridge Restaurant, Dinner at Parma Ridge Winery and Bistro, Dinner For Robin, Dinner With Family, Dinner With Friends, Eggs, Eggs Omelets, Food Photos, Idaho Chefs, Mushrooms, Parma Ridge Specials, Parma Ridge Winery, Parma Ridge Winery Bistro, Party Time, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?

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Captain's Shack, Parma Ridge

Happy Birthdays –

Myra

Chris

Robin

And to Robin – we have some feeders attracting the hummingbirds – Happy Birthday!

And here are some things that Stephanie and Chef Storm Hodge made for us. Delicious! Thank-You!

The Bomb. 2016 Big Red

Coconut Shrimp

Romaine Caesar Salad

Mushroom Omelet

Wine Lovers Chocolate Cake

And earlier this week, I made Robin –

AirFryer Shredded Wheat with Caramelized Sugar and Fruit

Avocado Sandwich on Toasted Acme Bakeshop Whole Wheat, Garlic, Avocado and Heirloom Tomato Slice

And this, too!

Chicken Potpie

Chicken Potpie. And all from Scratch!

Awesome Meal at Parma Ridge Bistro, Again!

20 Monday May 2019

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Alaskan Salmon, Asian Food, Asparagus, BBQ Chicken, Beef, Bistro - Parma Ridge Winery, Brunch at Parma Ridge Winery, Chef Storm Hodge, Chocolate, Dinner at Parma Ridge Winery and Bistro, Dinner With Family, Dinner With Friends, Food Photos, Friends, Parma Ridge Specials, Parma Ridge Winery Bistro, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Photos By: Parma Ridge Winery, What's For Dinner?

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great friends, Parma Ridge Bistro

Yes! It certainly was a great 2 hours spent in the Barrel Room eating with friends and family. Our neighbor Craig and his Mom and Dad, Craig’s girlfriend Jessica and her son and Mom, Marnie and Eric and Robin. Such a good group who all thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Definitely a 5-Star Bistro! We highly recommend them – they are open Wednesday thru Sunday and reservations are highly suggested. (24509 Rudd Road Parma ID 83660, 208.946.5187 and info@parmaridge.wine) Here is their Bistro Menu. Here is what we had! Enjoy! Left-Click any of the photos to see them enlarged.

There is always wine and beer is available, too.

House Salad. Delicious!

Robin had the beef!

Marnie had the Mushroom Omelet

Eric had the Biscuits and Gravy

Craig had the Rutherford Burger

Jessica had the Korean Chicken

Trey had the Parma Ridge Burger and Fries

Jessica’s Mom had a Poutine Bowl

Bob had Storm’s Salmon

We all had some Wine Lovers Chocolate Cake

Awesome Special Meal at Parma Ridge Bistro

07 Sunday Apr 2019

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, BBQ Pork, Beef, Beef - Braised, Bistro - Parma Ridge Winery, Carrots, Celebrations, Chef Storm Hodge, Classic Sauces, Dinner At Parma Ridge Restaurant, Dinner at Parma Ridge Winery and Bistro, Dinner With Friends, Dinner With Robin, Eggs, Eggs Omelets, Fennel, Idaho Wine, Mushrooms, Mushrooms - Local, Parma Ridge Specials, Parma Ridge Winery Bistro, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Photos By: Parma Ridge Winery, Restaurants To Try, Special Events, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food

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braised beef, brisket

Oh yes. And some awesome new wines! Chef Storm and his friend Chef John Mercer (see This Post) did a super, awesome job preparing these goodies. This was a special dinner put on by these two very talented Chefs. It will not be available at all times. Their Prime Rib, though, is just as good. Look at what we enjoyed today. (Left Click any of these photos to see them enlarged!)

Chef John and Chef Storm

2016 Reserve Merlot was awesome and went very well with the pork and brisket.

Omelet with Local Mushrooms was terrific!

Double Cut Pork Chop Mostarda $24.95
A Smoked and Seared Double Cut Pork Chop with House made Green Grape Mostarda
(a savory Italian Jelly made with fruit, sugar and horseradish),
Sweet Potato with Gnochetti in a Brown Butter Sauce and Sautéed Carrots and Fennel

Even the leftover pork chop was great!

Wine Braised Brisket alla Giudia $24.95
8-oz Cut of Brisket Slow Braised in Sweet Red Wine with a Crown of Fried Artichoke, Sweet Roasted Garlic and Sautéed Carrots and Fennel

Buffalo Roast for Friends and Dinner

11 Monday Jun 2018

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Acme Bake Shop, Apple, Boise Farmers Market, Brown's Buffalo Ranch, Buffalo, Buy Idaho, Captain's Shack, Dessert, Dinner At The Captains Shack, Dinner With Friends, Eggs Benedict, Garlic Scapes, Herbs and Spices, Hollandaise Sauce, Housemade Sauces, Idaho Buffalo, Idaho Eggs, Idaho Greens, Idaho Vegetables, Local Farmers Markets, Local Harvests, Local Markets, Peaceful Belly Farms, Photos By: Bob Young, Pinot Noir, Purple Sage Farms, Recipes, Roasted Vegetables, Rutabaga, Salads, Special Dinners, Spring Vegies, True Roots Produce, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food

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Brown's Buffalo Ranch, buffalo hump roast

This was such a delightful meal to make for friends Krista and Jess – Krista helps weed the flower beds. And she even gave us a beautiful White Daisy plant for the front bed. – A couple of weeks ago, we made breakfast for Donna who also helps us in the garden. The breakfast was Eggs Benedict! – The buffalo was local from Brown’s Buffalo Ranch in Nyssa, Oregon. Phone: 1-(541)-372-5588 or 208-741-5449, 720 Stephens Blvd., Nyssa, OR 97913. Hump roasts can be tough. But this one cooked for 6 hours on low in the crockpot 1/2 cup bone stock and 1 cup sherry and it was awesome! Spring vegetables – baby carrots, baby turnips, spring onions and rutabaga – were placed in the broth at different times. Here are some photos. Enjoy!

Eggs Benedict

Fresh Beet Salad

Buffalo Hump Roast and Fresh Garden Vegetables. Served with Acme Bakeshop Garlic Scapes and Rosemary Bread.

Skillet Apple Pie with Cinnamon Fresh Whipped Cream (Recipe – Skillet Apple Pie)

The dinner

Wonderful Brunch at Parma Ridge Winery Bistro

22 Monday May 2017

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Asian - Spices, Asian Food, BBQ Chicken, BBQ Sauce, Biscuits and Gravy, Bistro, Bistro - Parma Ridge Winery, Brunch, Brunch at Parma Ridge Winery, Brunch with Friends, Brunch with Robin, Chef Storm Hodge, Coconut Rice, Comfort Food, Dinner At Parma Ridge Restaurant, Dinner With Friends, Dinner With Robin, Dinner With The Winemaker, Green Salad, Korean BBQ, Photos By: Bob Young, Photos By: Parma Ridge Winery, Pizza, Sausage, Shrimp, Snake River AVA, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Wines - Idaho

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BBQ, bistro, Parma Ridge

Thank you so much Artist Stephanie and Chef Storm Hodge for another delightful brunch! These brunches are superb! 5-Star! (Bistro Weekend Menu – subject to change – or Parma Ridge Winery and Bistro) And many thanks to Garry and Donna for meeting us at the bistro for lunch, despite the highway detours! Here is what we had along with our 2016 Parma Ridge Winery Tre Bianchi and a 2015 Parma Ridge Winery Carmenere. Cheers! Left-Click any of these photos to see them enlarged.

Coconut Breaded Deep-Fried Shrimp
over
Coconut Lime Rice
with
Korean Barbeque and Sweet Chili Dipping Sauces
They were that good! Started out with 6 shrimp.

Korean Barbeque Chicken Skewers
with
Coconut Lime Rice and a Korean Barbeque Sauce

Grilled Flat-Bread
with
Italian Sausage, Pepperoni and Mushroom with Homemade Red Sauce

Parma Ridge Pear Salad
Mixed greens with apple cider vinaigrette, Bleu Cheese and Poached Pear with Grilled Bread

Parma Ridge Cream of Mushroom Soup

Brunch Burger – Quarter-Pound Black Angus Burger
with
Melted Double Cream Brie, Apple-wood Smoked Bacon, and Sunny-side up Egg
with
Lemon-Tarragon Aioli and Rosemary Garlic Truffle Fries

Best Ever Biscuits and Gravy
Sausage Gravy
over
Fresh Bacon Cheddar Biscuit topped with a Sunny Side Up Egg

And to follow-up from the Parma Ridge Winery web page,

Savor the Flavor
Offering both an in-house menu in the Tasting Room and custom menus for your scheduled event, Storm is looking forward to making your day special. From appetizers to full course meals, Parma Ridge offers both the taste and the view. Come by during tasting room hours to enjoy one of his delicious menu items, or contact us today to plan your special event!

I did mention to Stephanie that Robin and I have probably had close to all of the items offered on the menu. We have never had a bad selection, but there are some we prefer! The Parma Ridge Bistro is definitely a 5-Star winery bistro in the Snake River AVA.

Love this photo by Stephanie Hodge! So dramatic!

Happy Hour at Parma Ridge Winery and Restaurant

23 Saturday Jul 2016

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Beef, Bistro - Parma Ridge Winery, Boise Adventures, Boise Area Food Adventures, Buy Idaho, Chardonnay, Chef Storm Hodge, Chicken, Comfort Food, Dinner At Parma Ridge Restaurant, Dinner With Friends, Dinner With Robin, Dinner With The Winemaker, Green Salad, Idaho Chefs, Idaho Chicken, Idaho Greens, Idaho Wine, Locavore, Parma Ridge Specials, Parma Ridge Winery Bistro, Photos By: Bob Young, Restaurants, Restaurants To Try, Rib-Eye, Salmon, Snake River AVA, Special Dinners, Special Information, What's For Dinner?

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Parma Ridge Restaurant, Parma Ridge Winery

We’ve not been out to Parma Ridge Winery and Restaurant for their Friday Happy Hour until last night. Glad we went. They are very busy, so if you have a crowd of more than four, it’s best to call ahead. The patio is open and a large part of it is covered.The menu may also be somewhat different than the Saturday or Sunday Brunch menus. Check the link above for the available menus or look at This Weekend at Parma Ridge to see the menu varieties for at least one of the weekends. Whenever you go, and I highly suggest this 5-Star winery and restaurant, you will be treated to some awesome wines and definitely some awesome food as prepared by Chef Storm and Sous Chef Megan. The Staff in the restaurant has grown! They have added Sous Chef Megan and service Staff. Our server Tammy was excellent. Thank-You! Here is some of the Happy Hour food that was at our table. We did not eat all of this as Fred and Dottie Christensen joined us. Good to see friends there. Enjoy! We did.

Chicken Pesto Sandwich – $9.95
Grilled Chicken and Homemade Pesto with Prosciutto and melted Swiss Cheese on a Toasted Ciabatta Bun with Fresh Cut Truffle Fries

Fred had this.

Parma Ridge Pear Salad – $8.95, with Grilled Chicken $11.95
Mixed greens with apple cider vinaigrette, Bleu Cheese and Poached Pear with Grilled Bread

Dottie had this. The salad is huge!

One-Inch Cut Char-Grilled Ribeye Steak – $16.95
Topped with Bleu Cheese Butter and accompanied by Rosemary Truffle Mashed Potatoes with Cabernet Beef Demi-Glace, Grilled Asparagus and Storm’s Homemade Grilled Bread

Robin had this and took half of it home! It is a large portion.

Storm’s Famous Salmon – $16.95
Brined, Lightly Smoked and Pan Fried with Rosemary Truffle Butter and Rosemary Truffle Mashed Potatoes accompanied by Grilled Asparagus Storm’s Homemade Grilled Bread

This is what I had. Delicious and moist!

We did have wine. A wonderful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that paired wonderfully with asparagus. (Robin tried the newest rage of vanilla ice cream in red wine. She tried it with this blend. Wasn’t bad! If you like Guinness and Ice Cream you will probably like this.) And then we had some –

2015 Chardonnay, $16.50
Fargo Farms – Snake River Valley
Everything you would expect from the terroir of the area, this dry Chardonnay is made with Chardonnay grapes from Fargo Farms and a touch of Gewürztraminer from Parma Ridge Vineyards. This wine has been created to preserve the intense flavors and aromas without any manipulation. Hints of grapefruit and rosemary compliment the tart finish to be enjoyed any time of the year.

2015 Dry Riesling, $16.50
Fargo Farms – Snake River Valley
Made with 100% Riesling, this dry wine features melon with citrus notes and touches of honey crisp apple. This smooth wine is a perfect complement creamy pasta and sharp cheeses. This also pared very well with asparagus. Hard to find a wine that pares well with asparagus or artichoke and maybe avocado.

Such a great evening at the winery and restaurant. Definitely 5-Stars!!!

Clearwater Canyon Cellars Wine Dinner at Richard’s Vicino’s

10 Friday Jun 2016

Posted by Bob and Robin in Boise Farmers Market, Boise Food Adventures, Boise Restaurants, Brocolli, Caviar, Chef Richard Langston, Clearwater Canyon Cellars, Dinner With Friends, Dinner With Robin, Idaho Chefs, Idaho Greens, Idaho Lamb, Idaho Polenta Floriani, Idaho Pork, Idaho Sturgeon, Idaho Vegetables, Idaho Wine, Local Farmers Markets, Local Markets, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?

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A really great wine dinner at Richard’s Vicino’s with Winemaker Coco Umiker from Clearwater Canyon Cellars. Superb wines and an awesome dinner that was perfectly paired with the wines. These dinners always create a fantastic dinner atmosphere and we got to meet new friends, too! Below are some photos of the evening and also the menu that Chef Richard Langston created for our enjoyment. And as a note: Chef Richard uses local produce and products whenever possible. Tonight’s dinner is an example of that philosophy.

The Menu for the evening and the wines that were paired with dinner.

Chef Richard Langston

Coco Umiker, Winemaker at Clearwater Canyon Cellars

Smoked Idaho Sturgeon
lemon gastrique, Idaho caviar cream

2015 “Lochsa”, Umiker Vineyard, Lewis-Clark Valley

Local Greens
La Quercia coppa
Local Cherries
with
Goat Cheese Dressing

2014 Merlot, Lewis-Clark Valley

Coriander Spiced Lamb Meatballs
Local Heirloom Polenta
Salsa Verde

2014 Carmenere, Phinny Hill Vineyaqrd, Horse Heaven Hills

Soy and Brown Sugar-Glazed Pork Belly Roasted Sesame Brocolli 2014 Petit Sirahm Columbia Valley

Soy and Brown Sugar-Glazed Pork Belly
Roasted Sesame Broccoli
Broccoli-Carrot Slaw

2014 Columbia Valley Petit Syrah

Prosecco Zabaglione
Fresh Berries

2014 Verhey Vineyard, Rattlessnake Hills Merlot

The wines tonight were all made in Idaho by Clearwater Canyon Cellars, even though some of the grapes are from the state of Washington. For that reason, I am including an AVA map of Washington. You will be able to locate these different grape producing areas. Because the wine was produced in Idaho and in the Lewis-Clark AVA (Idaho’s newest AVA), the wines are considered Idaho wine.

Washington state AVA’s

St Patrick’s Day Party

20 Sunday Mar 2016

Posted by Bob and Robin in Appetizers, Boise Food Adventures, Bread, Buy Idaho, Cabbage, Comfort Food, Corned Beef, Dinner With Friends, Ethnic Foods, Food Photos, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Raisins, Recipe by: Robin and Bob Young, Recipes, Recipes - Dinner, Roasted Vegetables, St Patrick's Day, Turnips, Vegetables, What's For Dinner?

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cabbage, Corned Beef, irish soda bread, scotch whisky, whisky

Although it was not actually St Patrick’s Day on Saturday, we still had a wonderful party and meal. Thanks to Tom and Leanne Felzien for inviting us and for opening your home to all of us. It was delightful. Our task this year was to make the Irish Soda Bread, and that we did, after a little research and combining of recipes from Chef Michael Symon and The Chew, Ina Garten and the Tasting Table Test Kitchen. Here is the recipe I used for our Irish Soda Bread. And even if I do say so myself, it is by far some of the best soda bread I/we have EVER eaten! Bar none! Try it and let us know what you think. We also had a wonderful dip that Heather brought. I think this is the recipe: Guinness and Mustard Cheese Dip! Here are some photos from the party. And, by the way, this is the farm where we get our lamb. Never had a bad piece of lamb in almost 10 years from them. We are on the list again this year for 1/2 a spring lamb! Yum.