Category Archives: Main Dish

Lamb Curry

18 Sunday Oct 2009

Posted by in Food, Food Prep, Main Dish, Recipe By: Bob Young

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I have had several requests for Indian Curry. Since we do love lamb, I have found two. (1) Lamb Curry and (2) South Indian Curry. Be careful. These can be very spicy. Instead of lamb, you can go very nontraditional and use beef. These were gathered from the RecipeLion.

Lamb Curry

Ingredients
3 lbs Boneless Leg of Lamb (no fat), cut in 1-inch cubes
¼ c Butter
2 lg Red Onions, chopped
1 T Curry Powder
1 t Salt
¼ t Red Pepper, to taste!!
1 c Plain Yogurt
1 t Turmeric
2 T Fresh Garlic diced fine
1 T Ginger, fresh and diced fine

Instructions
Pat lamb dry with paper towels. Brown thoroughly in corn oil in large pot with chopped onions until brown.

Add all spices, curry powder, salt, red pepper (depend on how hot you want it), turmeric, garlic, ginger and any of your favorite spices as you wish. Simmer slowly for 15 minutes; then add yogurt, blend into lamb. Cook until flavor comes out. Taste the gravy; add more salt and hot pepper, if you need to.

Serve with hot rice. Makes 5 to 6 servings.

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South Indian Curry

Ingredients
For the dry spice mixture:
1 T Coriander seeds
1 T Black peppercorns
1 T Fennel seeds
5 dried hot chilies (the small ones) – add a little at a time!

For the spice paste:
2 T Vegetable oil
2 med Onions, peeled and chopped
6 Garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
½ in piece of Fresh Ginger, peeled and chopped
4-5 fresh Green Chilies (small Indian ones – or one and a half jalapeno), coarsely chopped
1 c Coconut, freshly grated or 2/3 cup desiccated coconut left for one hour barely covered in warm water

Instructions
You also need: 4 tbs. vegetable oil 1 inch cinnamon stick 1 large onion, sliced into very fine half-rings, 2 lb. boned lamb from the shoulder, cut into 1 inch cubes, 2 large tomatoes, chopped and 1½ t salt.

Set a small, cast-iron frying pan over medium heat. When hot, put in all the ingredients for the dry -spice mixture. Stir and fry for 2-3 minutes or until they turn a few shades darker and smell roasted. Cool a bit and then grind in a clean coffee grinder.

Heat the 2 T oil for the spice paste in a large, preferably non-stick, frying pan over medium-high heat. When hot, put in the onions, garlic, ginger and green chilies. Stir and fry until the onions brown a bit. Put in the coconut. Continue to stir and fry until the coconut browns as well. Empty the contents of the pan into the container of a food processor. Add ½ cup water and blend to a paste. Set aside.

Heat the 4 Tbs. oil in a large, preferably non-stick pan over medium-high heat. When hot, put in the cinnamon. Stir once and put in the large onion cut into half-rings. Stir and fry until the onion is browned. Add the meat. Stir and fry for 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes, the dry spice mixture, the spice paste and the salt. Stir and cook for five minutes. Add 2 cups water and bring to the boil. Cover, turn the heat down to low and simmer gently for 60-70 minutes or until the lamb is tender. Uncover and boil away most of the liquid over high heat. The sauce should cling to the meat.

Serve with plain or seasoned rice.

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So there you have the curries. Let me repeat – These Can Be Very Spicy, but very good. Enjoy. Cheers!

Oktoberfest Dinner

11 Sunday Oct 2009

Posted by in Food, Main Dish, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Things To Do

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Well, it really was a good dinner. Our friends, Debra and Geno, joined us and it was delightful. If you missed the previous post, here is the menu –

Fall Root Soup

Sauerbratten with Cabbage and Special Sauce

Hot German Potato Salad
Fresh Baked New York Rye Bread

Lemon Bars

2008 St Regulus Reserve Riesling (Weiser, ID)

And here is the dinner plated. From left to right – Cabbage in Apple Cider and Clove, Hot Potato Salad, Fresh Baked New York Rye Bread and the Sauerbratten with Special Sauce. Loads of fun to prepare and especially to share with friends. Cheers!

A Good Dinner

10 Saturday Oct 2009

Posted by in Beer and Ale, Food, Local Farmers Markets, Main Dish, Photos By: Bob Young, Things To Do

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Looks like it might be a seafood type week – except for Saturday which will be Sauerbraten with Cabbage and Potatoes, the beef is getting happy right now. But for tonight, what shall I make. How about a Lemon Spaghetti with Lime Butter Halibut? This was very good! The pasta was not made with fresh cream – I used sour cream, onions, garlic, lemon oil, spinach (peas would be better), chives and fresh parsley. And the halibut was flash grilled with lime oil, butter and French tarragon. YUM-O! Robin had a Spaten Oktoberfest Ur-Marzen and I had a glass of a 2006 Davis Creek Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon. Buh Bye McDonalds, we’re eating dinner here!

Kokanee Florentine

09 Friday Oct 2009

Posted by in Food, Main Dish, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Things To Do

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So I asked Robin tonight hat she wanted for dinner. I told her I was going to have a Johnsonville Cheese Brot and some soup from the other night. She did not want that, but instead she wanted some of the Kokanee I caught last summer. She wanted Kokanee Florentine with Mint Garlic Sauce (she made it earlier) and an Idaho CC Cookie, or two.


Yo! Her wish is my command! There is a photo of what she had. Fun to make these things “on the fly”. Actually, it looked good! She ate it all and didn’t ask if I wanted a taste. (Sould have tried it right from the pan!!) Oh, well!

Fall Root Soup

07 Wednesday Oct 2009

Posted by in Food, Food Prep, Main Dish, Recipes, Things To Do

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Lots of fall root crops are in now – carrots, rutabaga, parsnips, leeks, etc. And from The Splendid Table and Lynne Rossetto Kasper, we get the following statement –

“A trio of fall root vegetables — carrots, leeks, and a rutabaga — forms the savory foundation of this soup. Puréed and enriched with Crème Fraîche, this potage, with its velvety, smooth texture and glorious orange hue, is always a hit — whether it’s a first course or the main attraction.

Rutabaga is an often-overlooked root vegetable member of the cabbage family. Its pale yellow flesh is slightly sweet. Choose ones with smooth skin and firm flesh that are heavy for their size.”

Fall Root Soup

Makes 8 servings
Adapted From: The Splendid Table

Ingredients:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2½ c Leeks, chopped, white and light green parts only (3 to 4 medium leeks)
1½ lbs Carrots, peeled and diced
1 lg Rutabaga, peeled and diced
2 lg Parsnips. Peeled and diced
10 c Chicken Stock
Kosher salt
1¼ c Crème Fraîche
3 T Flat-Leaf Parsley, fresh and finely chopped

Procedure:
1. Toss the chopped vegetables with a little olive oil, spread them out on a shallow pan and roast at 425 degrees F until they begin to soften and caramelize. Flavors will be more intense. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
2. Heat butter in a large, heavy pot (with a lid) over medium-high heat. When melted and hot, add roasted vegetables and mix until the veggies are warmed through. Add stock and bring mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until vegetables are very tender, for about 30 minutes.
3. Purée the soup in batches in a food processor, blender, or food mill, and return soup to the pot. (Or use an immersion blender to puree the soup in the pot.) Whisk in ¾ cup of the Crème Fraîche. Taste soup and season with salt, as needed. (The soup can be prepared 2 days ahead. Cool, cover, and refrigerate. Reheat over medium heat.)
4. To serve, ladle soup into shallow soup bowls. Garnish each serving with a generous dollop of the remaining ½ cup Crème Fraîche and a sprinkling of parsley.

We have a pot going now. It should go good with a Sauerbraten I am making. Cheers!

Beer-Simmered Bratwurst with Onions and Red Cabbage Sauerkraut

28 Monday Sep 2009

Posted by in Celebrations, Food, Main Dish, Party Time

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OK, I know I said I would not add any more Oktoberfest recipes, but this one from Bobby Flay and the FoodNetwork, looks intriguing. There’s even a recipe for Sauerkraut and German Potato Salad. Cheers and enjoy!!

Bobby serves up a traditional German meal of beer and brats. With recipes for Beer-Simmered Bratwurst with Onions and Red Cabbage Sauerkraut, German Potato Salad & pickles of all kinds.

Beer-Simmered Bratwurst with Onions and Red Cabbage Sauerkraut

Ingredients:
3 large onions, peeled and thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, smashed
3 pounds precooked bratwurst, pricked with a fork
6 bottles dark beer
2 cups water
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
1 teaspoon caraway seeds
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 (1-inch) piece of fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
Hot dog buns, brown bread, or hoagie buns
Sweet and hot German mustard, optional, for garnish
Spicy brown mustard, optional, for garnish
Red Cabbage Sauerkraut, recipe follows
Pickles, optional, for garnish
Pickled beets, optional, for garnish
Pickled eggs, optional, for garnish

Directions:Preheat the grill to high. Arrange the onion slices and garlic along the bottom of a medium stockpot. Place the bratwurst on top and then add the beer, water, coriander, caraway, mustard seeds, and ginger. Bring to a simmer over the grill grates or on a burner. Simmer the sausages in the mixture for about 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let the bratwurst sit in the liquid for 10 minutes.

Remove the sausages with a pair of tongs onto a platter. Remove the onions with a slotted spoon and place in a bowl. Grill the sausages until the casings are crisp and golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Serve the bratwurst on the buns with the onions, mustard and sauerkraut, if desired. Garnish with pickles, pickled beets, and pickled eggs, if desired.

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Red Cabbage Sauerkraut

1/4 cup olive oil
2 cups red wine vinegar
1 cup water
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon whole mustard seeds
2 cloves garlic, peeled and thinly sliced
1 large head red cabbage, thinly shredded
Salt and freshly ground pepper

Preheat grill to high. In a medium saucepan, combine the oil, vinegar, water, and sugar over medium heat, and cook until the sugar has melted. Add the mustard seeds, garlic, and cabbage, and cook until the cabbage is soft, about 15 to 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

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German Potato Salad

Ingredients:
3 pounds new potatoes
1 yellow onion, quartered
1/2 pound bacon, diced
1 large red onion, diced
3/4 cup cider vinegar
1 tablespoon mustard seeds
1/4 cup canola oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
8 green onions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves

Directions:
Preheat the grill to high. Place potatoes in a large pot with the onion and cover with cold water. Cook, on the grates of the grill, or on a burner, until tender. Drain, discard the onion, and cut the potatoes into cubes when cool enough to handle. Place the potatoes in a large bowl and cover to keep warm.

Place a large saute pan on the grates of the grill. Add the bacon and cook until crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Add the onions to the rendered bacon fat and cook until soft, about 3 to 4 minutes. Carefully add the vinegar and mustard seeds and cook for 2 more minutes. Whisk in the canola oil and season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Add the hot dressing to the potatoes and toss gently to coat. Fold in the green onions and parsley. Season again with salt and pepper, to taste.

Oktoberfest Recipe – Schnitzel

24 Thursday Sep 2009

Posted by in Beer and Ale, Food, Food Prep, Main Dish, Party Time, Recipes

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Here is an Oktoberfest Recipe from All Recipes. Have fun with these!!

Schnitzel is the German word for cutlet, usually describing meat that is dipped in egg, breaded and fried. Wiener Schnitzel is a veal cutlet prepared in this manner. Translation of the name: ‘Wiener’ this word comes from the word ‘Wien’, which is the Austrian city called Vienna. ‘Schnitzel’ means basically meat in a crust…Serve the schnitzels with salad, ketchup and French fries.

Wiener Schnitzel

Ingredients:
2 pounds veal
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 eggs
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
salt and pepper to taste
4 cups bread crumbs
1/8 cup oil for frying

Procedure:
Cut the veal into steaks, about as thick as your finger. Dredge in flour.

In a shallow dish, beat the eggs with 1 tablespoon oil, salt and pepper. Coat the veal with egg mixture, then with bread crumbs.

Heat 1/4 cup oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Fry veal until golden brown, about 5 minutes on each side.

What to Drink: Riesling or a good Lager

PREP TIME – 20 Min
COOK TIME – 15 Min
READY IN – 35 Min

Serves: 8

So there you go for today! How about German Spaetzle Dumplings for tomorrow! Cheers.

Lamb with Currant Mint Sauce

14 Monday Sep 2009

Posted by in Food, Lamb, Main Dish, Recipe By: Bob Young

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WE Like lamb – almost any way you prepare it. Thanks to Afrimoo (Caroline on http://www.wildearth.tv), we received this recipe. I have left the Metric measurements on for those who use that system and have only adjusted it slightly.

Lamb with Currant Mint Sauce

Ingredients:
1/4 cup (50 mL) red wine vinegar
3 tbsp (50 mL) extra-virgin olive oil
1 T Lemon juice
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp (15 mL) chopped fresh rosemary (or 1 T thyme) (or 1 tsp/5 mL dried)
1 butterflied boneless leg of lamb (about 3 lb/1.5 kg)
1/2 tsp (2 mL) each salt and pepper

Red Currant Mint Sauce:
1/2 cup (125 mL) red currant jelly
1/3 cup (75 mL) chopped packed fresh mint leaves
2 tbsp (25 mL) port wine (optional)
2 tbsp (25 mL) red wine vinegar
Pinch each sea salt and fresh cracked pepper

Procedure:
In large glass bowl, combine vinegar, oil, lemon juice, garlic and rosemary, or thyme; add lamb, turning to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours. (Make-ahead: Refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Or freeze in freezer bag for up to 2 weeks; thaw in refrigerator.)

Red Currant Mint Sauce:
In food processor, blend jelly, mint, port (if using), vinegar, salt and pepper. (Make-ahead: Refrigerate in airtight container for up to 3 days; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.)

Remove lamb from marinade, discarding any excess; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on greased grill over medium-high heat; close lid and grill, turning once, until meat thermometer registers 145°C (63°C) for medium-rare, 25 to 35 minutes, or until desired doneness.

Transfer to cutting board; tent with foil and let stand for 10 minutes before slicing thinly across the grain. Serve with sauce.

And this really looks good!!! I have not tried it, but will soon. If anyone tries this, please let u know what you thing. I suppose too, that you could use some Lamb Shanks instead of the Butterflied Leg of Lamb. Just some thoughts.

Idaho Salmon and Steelhead Days

11 Friday Sep 2009

Posted by in Celebrations, Food, Main Dish, Party Time, Photos, Things To Do

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OK, so really, it’s not all wine and wine parties. Idaho is so lucky – we have Salmon! Fresh, wonderful, succulent salmon. Twice a year in the Boise area, there is a salmon feast: One in Meridian to support the Burn-Out Fund and then this one to help with the costs of the MK Nature Center. A beautiful natural center in the middle of Boise. Well, you be the judge. Look at these photos. And don’t be afraid to go full screen at the prompt.

See what you missed? Good salmon! Cheers!

"The Buzz" – French Wines Part II

09 Wednesday Sep 2009

Posted by in Appetizers, Classic Sauces, Dessert, Food, Main Dish, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Wine and Food, Wine Dinners

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Once again, we were treated to some fantastic food and wines at The Buzz! On 8 September they presented their French Wines part II, and, as usual, it was an awesome presentation. And this bears repeating: If you have never been to one of their tastings/dinners, you really do need to go!! For $10.00 per person, it is one of the best deals going in Boise. Here is a link to their web site, The Buzz. They are located at 2999 N Lakeharbor Lane, Boise, ID 83702. (208) 344-4321. (Next to Idaho Fitness on West State Street) I can not do much more, except maybe pay your way – but that probably won’t happen.
OK, so what did we have. The numbers in parenthesis () are my scores out of 20. For wines, we started with a 2008 Collula Pinot Greigo Blanco (16). Not French. To me, it had an Ivory Flakes taste. Not good. We also had a 2007 Chateau de LaRoach Touraine, a sparkling wine (18). Sparkling wines are not my favorites. Sorry. But the Cucumber Salad, made with white wine vinegar, cucumber slices, sugar and dill was extremely good and went well with the Chateau de LaRoach.
Now, the Main Event! Boeuf Bourguignon in a Sourdough Bread Bowl. WOW! This was totally awesome! Rich. Tender. Juicy. Delicious! And the wines. A Gassier Sables D’Azur Rose that was pretty good – a (17). A 2007 Scarlet of Paris Vin de Pays (19), a Lurton Les Fumes Blanches (17). And then the heavy hitters! a 2004 Chateau Greysac Modoc (20) that was so well balanced, it was amazing. But really not to out done by a Cotes du Reussillon (20). These two wines took the show – Best of Show, Best Red, Best French, Best Wine of the Night. You name the award!

But wait! There is more! More you say? What ever could top this? Try a Creme de Menthe Bar. And which of the above listed wines went with this heavenly delight? I would have to say the Cotes du Reussillon. So perfectly balanced with the chocolate and the mint. Sooooooo lucious! An organoleptic delight!

If you are lucky and you want to try one of these tastings, you have the opportunity in October. On 4 October you will be treated to an evening with BRJ Distributors and a special dinner. And on 13 October, you will be treated to an All Idaho Wine evening and we are told that the dinner will be fabulous with Idaho products. But, and there is always a “but”, you must make reservations and soon. These tastings/dinners sell out quickly. The telephone and web link are listed above. Call now!!

I just have to mention this. If you make a reservation – and the staff of The Buzz hopes you do – please have the courtesy to cancel if you find you will not be able to be there. How would you feel if you had a big dinner and party planned for 40 guests and they all said they would be there and then no one showed up? You would have a lot of left-overs! Great for Hunters and Gatherers, but not especially for everyone else. Pretty wasteful and inconsiderate.

Hope to see you at the next event here at The Buzz! Cheers!