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An Instant Pot is diverse and fun to use. It cooks many styles and methods. I love ribs done on a grill, but this method is quick and somewhat easy. The recipe is a little involved, but if you follow it, your ribs will come out great. Especially at the end where you caramelize them under a broiler. Here is the recipe we use. I like Baby Back Rib, but you can use any ribs. A good gameday treat. https://www.rockinrs.com/CS-IP-Ribs.pdf . In the photo below, we served them with fresh off the cob corn, or you can leave it on the cob, and doctored Bush’s Beans.
Just watch your time in the Instant Pot. 23 minutes should be enough. I went 25 minutes and that was a little long. The ribs fell off the bone when I got them out to go under the broiler. Let us know what you think and if you liked them.
Over the past several weeks, we have made some really good meals. Potato Latkes for one (https://www.rockinrs.com/CS-Latkes.pdf), Hopping John, aka Hoppin’ John, (http://www.rockinrs.com/CS-Hopping-John.pdf) and an East Coast style Crab Dip (http://www.rockinrs.com/Marges-Crab-Dip.pdf). Potato latkes are a traditional Chanukah dish,Hoppin’ John is a traditional southern, New Year’s Day meal with ham hocks and black eyed peas (cow peas) and a superb East coast style crab dip. I do hope you enjoy these.
From Chabad.com we learn that,
“Latke (pronounced LOT-keh, LOT-kah or LOT-kee) is Yiddish for “pancake.” On Chanukah, it is traditional to serve latkes (most often potato)fried in oil to celebrate the Chanukah miracle, which involved the oil of the Templemenorah lasting for eight days instead of just one. Those of the Jewish faith, eat foods that reflect the significance of a holiday—such as matzah on Passover and apples dipped in honey on Rosh Hashanah and Chanukah is no exception. For at least the last thousand years, Jews have traditionally eaten oily foods on Chanukah.” In other words, it’s tradition.
Hoppin’ John, on the other hand, is a traditional southern United States dish that is usually eaten on New Year’s Day to bring good luck. The recipe, although not totally like this one, dates back to the early 1800s and is made with ham, or ham hocks, black eyed peas (cow peas), rice, bacon and collard greens, or if you want spinach or rainbow chard. The first written recipe appeared in “the Carolina Housewife” in 1847. It was written by Charlestonian Sarah Rutledge.
This third dish is actually an appetizer. We originally had it at the home of my brother and his wife. I love it! Full of blue crab and I have added the salad shrimp and green onion. It is probably best to make it and then refrigerate it for a while so as to let all the flavors “marry”. Chilling after making, brings out the sweetness and flavor of the blue crab. Chilling brings out the Taste of The Sea, Goût de la mer.
I hope you try some, or all, of these recipes. All are good and fun to prepare, even though the Hoppin’ John is a little involved to make, but not impossible.
We had a great time this past week, developing some recipes and grilling. Never have done a Tri-Tip, so it is time to dive in! And this one was superb. Great grill taste and smoke that did not overpower the beef, as smoking does. Good smoke ring and cooked, I think, to perfection. Juicy and succulent and medium rare. Here is the recipe we came up with. Enjoy! http://www.rockinrs.com/CS-Grilled-Tri-Tip.pdf And to go along with the BBQ, one needs to have a good BBQ Sauce. I prefer a KC Style sauce and here is what I came up with. Enjoy with your BBQ. http://www.rockinrs.com/CS-BBQ-Sauce.pdf
Here is the Tri-Tip on the grill with some roasted corn.
This is the sliced Tri-Tip. Good color and smoke ring.
Dinner is plated with the Roasted Corn and the BBQ Sauce.
I know from our FB page and from the emails I have received, that folks are interested in some information about a Tri-Tip. So here is some. From steakschool.com,
Tri tip is a triangular cut of beef cut from the bottom of the sirloin. Named after its triangular shape with a tapered “tip”, tri tip might just be one of the most flavourful cuts of meat that you’ve never heard of.
Often confused with brisket or picanha, tri tip is most popular in southern California, so you can be forgiven if you’ve never come across it before. It is also called a California cut, a bottom sirloin butt, a Newport steak, a Santa Maria steak or even referred to as a “poor man’s brisket”. But unlike brisket – which comes from the front of the cow, below the chuck – tri tip is actually considered a steak.
Tri tip dates back to early 19th century America, where it was a write-off and ground up to be used in hamburger meat. It wasn’t until the 1950s when Bob Schutz, the then-owner of Santa Maria Market, upon receiving an excess of hamburger meat, decided to prepare and eat it like a steak. The result was well received and the rest, as they say, is history.
First of all. I made it to 80 the first of April and I thank all who helped me make it an awesome day! Parma Ridge Bistro and Winery for a super great dinner as always and the German Chocolate Cake! And Marnie and Eric for opening their house and the Open House. Thank you one and all!
The kitchen has been slow and moderately successful. If I must throw away “leftovers” then that tells me that it was not especially liked. But that’s just my opinion. So lets start with the German Chocolate Cake and homemade Cupcakes. Thank you Stephanie and Michelle. And a very special thank you to the Love of My Life, Robin – you always make these time so special!
Special Occasion Sweets by Michelle Smith, our Granddaughter-In-law Anna Shanner’s sister.
Now for the dinners. One of the better ones was a Salmon Papillote. Eric caught the Kokanee 2 days prior ton the meal and it was delicious! Moist and succulent.
Salmon Papillote right from the oven.
Salmon Papillote plated with a Green Salad and Carrots and Broccoli cooked in the papillote
And finally, we had some boneless, skinless chicken thighs leftover from the Butter Chicken, so I made some Chicken Rice Soup and I really liked it.
Homemade Chicken Rice Soup
So there you have some of the menus we had in the past week or so. The “not so popular” ones are not included. But enjoy these. I did. There is no recipe for the papillote. From Wikipedia, “En papillote (French pronunciation: [ɑ̃ papijɔt]; French for “enveloped in paper”), or al cartoccio in Italian, is a method of cooking in which the food is put into a folded pouch or parcel and then baked. This method is most often used to cook fish or vegetables, but lamb and poultry can also be cooked en papillote. It is a combination cooking method of baking and steaming.
The parcel is typically made from folded parchment paper but other material, such as a paper bag or aluminum foil, may be used. The parcel holds in moisture to steam the food. The pocket is created by overlapping circles of paper or foil and folding them tightly around the food to create a seal.
The moisture may be from the food itself or from an added moisture source, such as water, wine or stock. The choice of herbs, seasonings and spices depend on the particular e being prepared.
The parcel can be opened at the table to allow people to smell the aroma when it opens.”
Always good food! And good wine! And good visits. But then, I am extremely biased. Definitely a solid 5-Star restaurant and superb Wait Staff. You can always see what they are doing by looking at – and following – Snake River AVA Happenings and their page Parma Ridge Winery and Bistro Information. It is a good idea, and sometimes extremely necessary, Sunday brunch for example, to make reservations. Parma Ridge Winery, 24509 Rudd Road, Parma ID, 83660. 208-946-5187. Here is their website: www.parmaridge.wine. So what did we have for dinner? (Left-Click any of these photos to see them enlarged.)
Robin enjoys the Bistro
Wonderful, fresh made Cream of Mushroom Soup. They also have Storm’s Northwest Clam Chowder which is super!
We also tried Chicken Tortilla Soup, which is not on the menu yet.
Robin had the Filet Mignon, which was awesome.
I had the Ribeye Steak,which is also superb.
Avielle Rosé of Merlot, a good breakfast wine
Late Harvest Riesling. These are both new releases.
Chocolate Bread Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream. Oh yum!
Wow! Just a superb meal. You really need to go sometime. Just Call First!
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.
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
It’s been a while since we were here last. But just to let you know, this is still a superb, 5-Star bistro. Superb food. Superb wines. Superb staff. Our many thanks to Chef Storm and Sous Chef Megan and their staff for a great dinner. Stephanie and her servers were awesome and service and friendliness was super. Chef Storm made a post on FaceBook that shows you how dedicated Storm and Stephanie are. “It’s always exciting when you get a surprise visit from the health inspector. It’s even more exciting when you get 100% and they say they’re going to come back and have dinner with their spouse!!!”
And if you are planning to go to the Parma Ridge Winery and Bistro tomorrow for Easter, and you do not have reservations, I was told yesterday that they are sold out! But if you are going to visit them – and I sincerely hope you will – here is some information that you will need: “We are open Friday,12-9 p.m., Saturday 12-5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. with wine tasting and our regular menu all weekend long. You can now text us at 208-946-5187 to make a reservation.” And if you still need information, here is their blog post (it changes weekly) on the Snake River AVA Happenings Blog: AVA Happenings at Parma Ridge.
OK. Here is what we had. Enjoy! We did! (Left-Click any of these photos to see them enlarged.)
Oh my! Such a great weekend. And such a great 34 years with the Apple of My Eye! Thank you Robin for those years. Here is a little bit of how we spent – ate – our way through the anniversary days.
On Friday, July 14th, we went to Parma Ridge Winery and Bistro. And once again, we were not disappointed! This is still a 5-Star bistro! This is their new sign along Hiway 95.
The Love of My Life and 34 wonderful years!
And for dinner, we both had a superb
Prime Rib
Garlic Potatoes
Grilled Asparagus
Storm’s Grilled Bread
And a full flight of wonderful wine. Robin and I both agree that Chef Storm’s Prime Rib is the best in the Boise area. Even better than Chandler’s in Boise. And that is not an easy task to accomplish.
And then, Saturday morning, after coming home from the Boise Farmers Market at 10th and Grove, we were watching Chef Rick Baylis on PBS and he made what looked like a fantastic Huevos con Salsa de Mango y Aquacate. I thought that I could duplicate that. I did. Here it is and all from scratch!
Shackmade Salsa de Mango
Huevos con Salsa de Mango
Aguacate y Carne de Res Rebanada
This is what I made for Robin. Had to use some of her left-over Prime Rib!
Huevos con Salsa de Mango y Aguacate
This is what I made for myself. Really yummy and very easy to do. One could very easily make this for a breakfast party.
So there you have it. Eating our way through our anniversary weekend. And it’s only Saturday!
Over the past several weeks, we have made some really good meals. Potato Latkes for one (
Boise Foodie Guild 