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This is a real old family treat and one my Mom made every summer. And we are still treating ourselves whenever the beets are ready in the garden and they are ready now. A smooth vinegar and full of spices, sugar,vinegar, cinnamon and clove. here is the recipe https://www.rockinrs.com/CS-Pickled-Eggs.pdf
The Pickled Eggs and Beets as a salad
And as a side note the red on the eggs comes from the beets. If you leave everything in the brine long enough – good luck – the yolk of the eggs will turn red. Happy eating!
Here isw an old family recipe, and others I would guess, that my Mother made on a regular basis. I believe that she got the recipe from her mother. Nothing was written down, but it was good and still is, It is an easy recipe; quick and fast. All it takes is hard cooked eggs, whole milk, roux and fresh grated nutmeg, salt and pepper. I do hope you try it as written or with your own versions. ie, try adding chopped spinach or corn to the white sauce.
Creamed Eggs on Toast
Ingredients: 1 T unsalted Butter, 1 T All Purpose Flour, 1 c whole Milk, 4 Hard Cooked Eggs, chopped – 1 Yolk reserved, 1 t fresh grated Nutmeg, Salt and Pepper to taste, 6 slices Bread toasted, Thyme
Directions: Add butter to a medium pan and melt, but do not brown. Add the flour and mix well. Add the milk, chopped eggs, fresh grated nutmeg, salt and pepper and mix well. If the sauce gets to thick, add a little milk. Serve on the toast. Grate the egg yolk over each serving along with a pinch of the thyme. Serves about 3.
Note: When you add the eggs to the white sauce, you can also add chopped spinach or corn or anything you like. Great on toasted sourdough toast or toasted English Muffins.
I must apologize for the delay in posting. It’s been a while. However, I lost the internet connection and it took CenturyLink a while to determine the problem was in their modem. They let me know it was working on Labor Day at 9:30pm, but at least now it is working.
I was lucky enough to work on two recipes that are really good. One is for Instant Pot (IP) BBQ Ribs. Don’t fret. You can adjust it to your own liking. Make it more “smoky” or BBQ’d if you want. The other one came from a good friend, Scot Beseman, RN (Ret). It is for a Potato Salad that is really terrific.
These are the BBQ Ribs done in an IP. They are spare ribs, which I do not prefer but were all I could get.(https://www.rockinrs.com/CS-IP-Ribs.pdf) The recipe is rather easy, although you should really try to follow the it pretty closely. Feel free to adjust to your liking. I served it for Labor Day with Orange Jello with Carrots and Beseman Potato Salad, recipe to follow.
This is the Beseman Potato Salad (https://www.rockinrs.com/CS-Beseman-Potato-Salad.pdf) and it is really good. Love to add flowers to a salad like this for presentation. I used red potatoes, or you can use Yukon Gold potatoes, but I would not use Russet potatoes. Their water content is high and you can end up with mashed potato salad. Also, I did not peel the potatoes.. I also added some Dijon mustard to the recipe, I like the subtle flavor it gives dishes. Be sure, too, to use sweet pickles to add another flavor level.
If you have any questions or comments, please let us know.Hope you enjoy these recipes. Most of the products used in both recipes came from the Boise Farmers Market (BFM).
Every once in a while, one comes across a variation to a classic recipe or style. This one I was dubious of. Who wants to tamper with a classic Eggs Benedict? It took me about a week to build up the courage to do so and I was pleasantly surprised. This really isn’t bad. A change.
Using a basic and classic Hollandaise Sauce (https://www.rockinrs.com/CIA-Basic-Hollandaise.pdf ) some lightly toasted Jewish Rye or Marbled Rye can be used also, some ham – I used a thin sliced Black Forest Ham – poached eggs and asparagus with diced caramelized spring onions and their greens (put uncooked diced green onion and greens on the Hollandaise, which I forgot to do, so I put them with the asparagus).
Just a note on making a Hollandaise Sauce – Use fresh eggs, the fresher the better from your local farmer – and I used large or jumbos, which ever is available. But most important is to keep the temperature in your double boiler to 130 degrees F or lower!!! The sauce is likely to break making scrambled eggs if you don’t watch the temperature.
Have a good time with this if you make it. You can vary your Eggs Benedict anyway you want.
Sorry it has been so long since the last post. But things have been hectic. So now here are some meals that we have been working on. Some are using leftovers and therefore no real recipe. Others have recipes and posted with the photo of the meal. Hope you enjoy these. Let’s start with breakfast.
We had some Idaho produced polenta in the refrigerator so why not some Fried Polenta, Sausage Linjks and Basted eggs? That’s what we had. All very basic, except you might want to prepare the polenta on medium low heat to prevent burning. The eggs were basted – fry until whites are set then add water and a clear lid to steam the eggs. Only takes a minute or too. Found it works best with butter in the pan and not an oil.
Then there were what we like to call Eggs on Pillows. Basted eggs on “pillows” of fresh made hash browns. And then served with sausage links. Again, not difficult to make.
Now. Let’s move to dinners.
Nothing says one can not have a salad for dinner. Try this modified Caprice Salad, for example. Basically, a Caprice Salad -tomato, mozzarella cheese and lots of fresh basil. Then I added black olives and I had to use mozzarella string cheese – all I had. Then added celery and hard cooked eggs. and olive oil for a dressing. It worked. Different, but yummy!
And for dinner, a Tuscan Fried Chicken using Italian herb mix and some of our Herbs de Provence, http://www.rockinrs.com/CS-Herbs.pdf Topped each piece with some fresh basil. It was really good.
And then how about a Native American dish I called Totanka Stew. Totanka is Sioux for buffalo. The stew is a great one and we like it better than a beef stew. The buffalo was a sliced hump roast and the cut to bite sized pieces. http://www.rockinrs.com/CS-Totanka-Stew.pdf Not difficult to make, just takes a little time.
I think this week we really hit the Jackpot with some meals that we made. These are a real surprise and delicious. We liked them all! But then too, Shepard’s Pie is a favorite of every ones. I don’t particularly like yogurt, but the Mango Lassi that I had at a local Indian restaurant, the Bombay Grill in Boise, was absolutely delicious. And the Shrimp Omelet for dinner was a treat. Look at these. Enjoy.
The Breakfast for Dinner was simply a Shrimp Omelet with Campfire Potatoes, Toasted CROW Bread from Acme Bakeshop here in Boise and some Mandarin Orange sections. A standard 2 egg omelet, some 16-20 count shrimp cut into fourths and sauteed in butter with garlic powder and Old Bay seasoning and Eric’s Campfire Potatoes. No particular recipe. Play Chopped of the Kitchen and make do with what you have. I use an 8″ porcelain skillet for mine and clean the pan between omelets. (We have been on 5 cruises and I always watched the Line Chef make omelets to see how it is done. They always used a fresh skillet between omelets!)
Mango Lassi
I do not like yogurt. But now, I can’t really say that anymore. This was delicious and I was introduced to it at the Bombay Grill, an Indian restaurant, here in Boise. The recipe, Mango Lassi, is really easy and the ingredients are probably available at your local grocery store. You can use either fresh mango or you can use mango pulp. Just remember that mango pulp has sugar added, so taste the pulp before adding sugar in the blender. Chill the drink and enjoy! It’s delicious!.
Celery, Candied Pecan and Apple Spring Mix Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Now this salad is absolutely delicious. The celery is cut super thin on the bias and the apple is sliced thin also. Not a difficult recipe and including getting everything prepped, it it takes about 30 minutes to make. Love the Spring Mix greens. Different flavor levels and textures. The recipe, Celery, Pecan, Apple Salad. And the recipe calls for Candied Pecans, so make your own Candied Pecansf. Not hard to do. You will love this salad. We have pared it with a Classic Shepard’s Pie as pictured above.
Classic Shepard’s Pie
And this Classic Shepard’s Pie was fantastic! Here is the recipe Classic Shepard’s Pie Such a classic meal and one that we all like. Easy to do. Traditionally it was made with lamb, but some folks mix 50/50 lamb and beef. They also use 100% beef. But we prefer the traditional lamb way. The potatoes are not peeled and are cut into small chunks to cook. Makes them easier to mash when they are smaller pieces. Just make them creamy smooth so they spread on the top easily.
I pretty much failed to list my sources in the Boise area for beef, pork, eggs and lamb. Some of them will even ship to you. Check the links.
For beef I am using 2 different sources. The newest source for some awesome beef products is Van Lith Ranch, http://vanlithranch.com 200 S Pennsylvania Ave, Fruitland, Idaho 83619. (208) 452-3826. We had a fabulous standing prime rib from them. “At Van Lith Ranch, we raise ultra-premium grass-fed, grain-finished beef here in Idaho. Our family ranch is located on the banks of the Payette River where three generations of Van Liths have been raising beef cattle for over 70 years. We use that generational knowledge and experience to hand-select only the highest of quality animals for our Van Lith Ranch line of meat and that personal attention and dedication shows in every mouthwatering bite.”
Another fabulous source for beef and pork is Malheur River Meats, http://malheurrivermeats.com 4276 John Day Hwy, Vale, OR 97918.(208) 573-1058. Awesome beef, but fantastic thick cut, bone in pork chops. They even have pork chops for stuffing which are cut even thicker. They carry eggs, too, in season. And, you can get a change in red meat by eating buffalo from Browns Buffalo Ranch in Nyssa, https://cunninghampasturedmeats.com/vendors/browns-buffalo-ranch. Great meat, especially the steaks and hump roast.
For eggs and lamb, awesome lamb chops, we use Meadowlark Farms Idaho, https://www.meadowlarkfarmidaho.com/ 9904 Southside Blvd, Nampa, Idaho. 83686 (208) 466-4806. A superb source for outstanding lamb products.
And speaking of eggs, Meadowlark Farms eggs make an awesome Hollandaise sauce and Eggs Benedict. Just look at these. This was delicious! Even went so far as to try Jacque Pepin’s style. Think I will use it again and again and again!
Not local by any means. Braised Scallops on a bed of Spinach and Chard with a light Béchamel and a Cucumber and Radish Salad with Sour Cream. Such a yum dinner. Served with a wonderful and well pared 2020 Parma Ridge Winery Chardonnay, http://www.parmaridge.wine/. They also have an awesome bistro at the winery. Superb food along with the superb wine. But make a reservation first. Check the link. Happy cooking! (BP-MJ)
This potato salad,the recipe is located here Chef Lou’s Potato Salad, is full of vegetables. (Pictured above) You can use veggies, or not, or choose your own. The salad has an awesome dressing of mayo, apple cider vinegar and Dejon mustard. I also added some fresh lovage to add to the “celery” flavor. Try it. Easy to make. I chilled the cooked potatoes before adding them to the sauce/vegetable mix. I also cut the potatoes in “bite sized” pieces before cooking them. Try using new potatoes and quarter them.
The second wonderful dish we made was a Shrimp Salad. (Pictured above) This was a great, summer salad and it can be made ahead of time and refrigerated. Full of vegetables and shrimp and with a creamy sauce. I added frozen peas and corn to this salad which gave a a nice texture and flavor. I also used some fresh lovage in this, too. You could probably use lobster instead of shrimp, if you are so inclined. We served it with baked Orange Kokanee – salmon – (7 min at 375 degrees F) for 7 minutes. Toasted Sourdough Wedges with butter and garlic.
Well there are two meals you can play with. Have fun and enjoy! Just don’t forget: If it is on a plate, it is edible! Don’t ever put something on a plate that is not edible.
I have been asked how do I make Blueberry Bacon Waffles and the answer is rather straight forward. For the bacon I use Falls Brand Thick Sliced and for the waffles I use Krusteaz but with a twist. I add 1 egg and I use 1/2 cup whole milk and 1/2 cup water in the batter. This is not really necessary but I think it makes the waffles better. Light and delicious. Here is how it is done. Enjoy!
Cut 1 strip if bacon per waffle into quarters.
Fry the bacon on the waffle iron to your doneness level.
While the bacon is cooking, place the egg and jam – it can be any and I use either Huckleberry or Blueberry for these waffles.
Add the flour, milk and water to the egg/blueberry mixture and mix well, but don’t over mix. There can be some lumps.
Pour the batter over the bacon in the waffle iron. Add blueberries, close the lid and cook.
Serve with blueberries on the waffle, syrup and basted eggs. A hearty breakfast.
It isn’t often that we stop and think where our dinner tables would be without our local farmers! No. Produce and meats do not magically appear on our grocery store shelves. It must be produced and cared for by farmers. And in Boise, we are very lucky and honored to have some fantastic local farmers that bring their wears each week to us for our enjoyment and health. To you – Thank-You! Now to go into withdrawal until April 4, 2020. Here are some of the vendors who provided Robin and I with some awesome products.
Overall Market.
Available vegetables
Available Vegetables
Thank-You to-
Malheur River Meats
Eggs and Pork
Meadowlark Farms Eggs and Lamb
Acme Bakeshop Bread – Sourdough, Old World Rye, Whole Grain – Danish, Pantone
Gaston’s Bakery Ham and Cheese Croissant
Brown’s Buffalo Ranch Buffalo
Desert Mountain Grass Fed Beef Beef
Purple Sage Farms Vegetables, Greens and Herbs
The Jelly Lady Wide variety of jelly including Huckleberry and Orange Marmalade
Kelly Canyon Orchards Fresh fruits and jelly Marmalade