Deli Days – June 15 & 16

04 Sunday Jun 2017

Posted by Bob and Robin in Acme Bake Shop, Acme Bake Shop Rye, Acme Bake Shop Sourdough, Deli Days Boise, Food Photos, Food Prep, Party Time, Pastrami, Pastries, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?

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Ahavath Beth Israel

The Deli Days will be held June 15 and 16, 2017 at Ahavath Beth Israel, 11 N Latah St, Boise, Idaho. Today was a trial run and tasting for the sandwiches and some pastries. It was a yum day! If you don’t go and enjoy the food and traditions, your summer adventures will be incomplete. You can find them on FB at Deli Days Boise or CABI-Boise. Left-Click any of these photos to see enlarged.

Deli Days is Idaho’s Jewish Festival and happens every year on the 3rd Thursday and Friday of June. The event features traditional Jewish Kosher Deli Food, Homemade Desserts, Beer, Wine, Music, Dancing & More!

Products
2017 Menu Includes HOT Kosher Pastrami and Corned Beef sandwiches,, hot dogs.
We also serve sandwiches and dogs on locally baked rye bread and buns. We have knishes, home made desserts, and local beer and wine… what more you could you want?

Slicing pastrami for the trial run!

Keeping the pastrami warm.

Reuben Sandwiches will be available on Acme Bakedshop Old World Rye or on their Sourdough. Condiments and dressings will be available.

Wondferful pastries are being created.

Pastries fresh from the oven.

Richard’s Re-Opens in Boise!

11 Saturday Feb 2017

Posted by Bob and Robin in Boise Farmers Market, Boise Food Adventures, Boise Restaurants, Buy Idaho, Celebrations, Chef Richard Langston, Classic Cuisines, Comfort Food, Cooking Styles, Dinner At Richard's, Food Photos, Idaho Chefs, Idaho Greens, Idaho Trout, Idaho Vegetables, Idaho Wine, Inn At 500 Capitol, Local Markets, Party Time, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Richard's, What's For Dinner?

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Chef Richard Langston, Inn At 500 Capitol, Richard's

Yes! Chef Richard Langston has re-opened his restaurant at the Inn At 500 Capitol, Richard’s Restaurant. We were lucky enough to attend the grand opening and it was fantastic. The Inn At 500 Capitol is a superb hotel, and you can get information about it by following this link Inn At 500 Capitol. It is located at 500 South Capitol Boulevard, Boise, Idaho, 83702 USA. (208) 227-0500. (Left Click any of these photos to see them enlarged.

Wines that were offered

Conference room. Notice the lighting. Made in Boise. Art Glass.

Tables and flowers.

Table centerpiece and wines!

The balcony looking at Boise.

Richard’s bar.

An open kitchen in the dinning area is always interesting.

Appetizers – Squash Bruschetta

Ham and Cheese on Rosemary Focaccia.

Trout on Endive Leaves.

Caprese

New Years Eve and 2017, Day Two

03 Tuesday Jan 2017

Posted by Bob and Robin in Appetizers, Bacon, Basil, Buddy, Buy Idaho, Captain's Shack, Celebrations, Dinner At The Captains Shack, Dinner For Robin, Eggs, Falls Brand Bacon, Food Photos, Heirloom Onions, Herbs, Herbs and Spices, Idaho Eggs, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Scallops, Sea Scallops, Seafood, Shell Fish, Shrimp, What's For Dinner?

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Snow! Cold! Great time to stay inside by the fireplace. Snow keeps falling. Lots of food. Seafood mostly for New Years Eve. Then vegetarian – roasted spaghetti squash. Look. And look, too, at the wonderful Beef Wellington that Chris and Anna made. Awesome!

New Years Eve

Shrimp
Bacon Wrapped Scallops
Rice and Cheese Balls
Deviled Eggs
Variety of Wines

2017 Day Two

Baked Spaghetti Squash
Steamed Cabbage and Onion
Roasted Herbed Tomatoes

And then, check this out! Chris and Anna made this beautiful – absolutely beautiful – Beef Wellington. Look at this.

Beef Wellington
Note the Brussels Sprouts in the background! Wow! Looks like a super dinner. You and Anna should really be proud, Chris.

Beautiful!

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.

Parma Ridge Winery is One Year Old!

25 Thursday Aug 2016

Posted by Bob and Robin in Parma Ridge Specials, Parma Ridge Winery, Party Time, Photos By: Parma Ridge Winery, Photos By: Robin Young

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Such a wonderful and exciting year! Such a pleasure to know and meet Chef Storm and Artist Stephanie Hodge. They are doing a terrific job at the winery and in the restaurant. If you have not been there on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday for some wine and an awesome meal, you need to do so. Stephanie has been sending me these articles on a regular basis and it is a good way for our readers to find out what is happening in the wine country of Idaho, especially at Parma Ridge. Happy Birthday to the Winery! Keep up the great work Chef Storm and Stephanie!

Come Celebrate One Year at Parma Ridge Winery and Bistro this weekend!

It’s our 1st Birthday and we want you to be here to help us celebrate! This weekend we are offering up some extra special items — Try Our Fresh Parma Ridge Peach Sangria, Storm’s Famous Ribs and enter to win a Parma Ridge Gift Basket! We are open Friday, 12-9 p.m., Saturday 12-5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. with our regular menu all weekend long. We are offering both our Happy Hour menu on Friday evening from 4-7p.m. and Sunday Brunch Specials. Reservations are recommended for parties of 4 or more if dining on the patio or in the tasting room on Friday Evening.

Delicious Weekend Specials

Peach Sangria – Made with Fresh Parma Ridge Peaches, LaRea Dolce Sweet Riesling, Tre Bianchi and San Pellegrino Orange Italian Soda for only $7.00. Sure to quench anyone’s thirst!
Storm’s Famous Smoked Baby-back Competition Ribs with Bacon Truffle Macaroni and Cheese and Fresh Coleslaw for $11.95…my mouth is already watering!

For Each Bottle of Parma Ridge Wine Purchased this weekend, customers can enter to win our Giveaway of our Parma Ridge Gift Basket! This is a one-of-a-kind basket Featuring one Bottle of 2014 Parma Ridge Merlot Zinfandel, One Bottle of 2015 Parma Ridge Dry Riesling, Two Logo Parma Ridge Wine Glasses, One Custom Embroidered Parma Ridge Jacket (available in both Mens and Women’s Sizes S-L), and One Custom Embroidered Parma Ridge Fitted Hat (available in 3 sizes). Retail Value:$127.50 Drawing will be held on Sunday at 4:30 p.m., participants do not need to be present to win.

In the News:
We had a fabulous turnout at the Sunnyslope Wine Trail Festival Last Weekend! Thank you to all of our customers who joined us there. Be sure to read the follow-up article that the Idaho Press Tribune Published: http://www.idahopress.com/nampa/sunnyslope-wine-trail-festival-celebrates-seven-years/article_9c7f5e68-f5a6-5fe0-ad58-a327e17d5a0d.html.

Mark your Calendar for these upcoming Events:
Live Music on the Patio with The Lucky Tongue Band Friday, September 16 from 5-9 p.m.
Join us for one final show before the end of Summer with The Lucky Tongue Band! It’s sure to be a fun night.

Stay Tuned for another show with Bad Dog Lou on the Parma Ridge Patio in October!

We look forward to seeing you this weekend to celebrate!
Cheers,
Steph & Storm
Parma Ridge Winery
208-946-5187
info@parmaridge.wine

For Each Bottle of Wine you purchase this weekend, you can enter to win this Custom Parma Ridge Gift Basket!

Breakfast Crepes or Blintzes

17 Wednesday Aug 2016

Posted by Bob and Robin in Blinz, Breakfast, Breakfast At The Captains Shack, Breakfast With Robin, Captain's Shack, Cheese, Classic Cuisines, Crepe, Ethnic Foods, Party Time, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?

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blinzes, cheese, crepes, fruit

I have never made crepes. Robin has and they are super. This morning she said for breakfast she wanted Ricotta and Fruit Crepes. Here is what I came up with …. under her direction! The filling: 1c Ricotta Cheese, 1/2 c fresh Blueberries, 1/2 c currents soaked in Elderflower Liquor and Lemon Zest. Mix altogether and let set for 15 minutes. Here is what the cooking process looked like. The recipe is attached to each photo.

People have asked if there is a difference between blintzes and crepes and if so, what is the difference. There isn’t much if a discrepancy as both items use the same ingredients and the cooking process and techniques are very similar. Crepes are generally cooked through on both sides whereas blintzes are only cooked on one side; reserving the uncooked side for fillings. Crepes and blintzes have the consistency of thin pancakes. Crepes originated from France. The word “Crepe” is derived from the Latin word “crispa” which means “curled”. The common ingredients used in crepes are wheat flour, eggs, milk, butter, and a pinch of salt. [challahmaidel.wordpress.com]

3 Eggs,m 1/2 c whole Milk and 1/2 c AP Flour. Mix all together and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Place 3 T of batter in a med hot crepe pan.

Cook until bubbles appear or edges are brown.

Gently flip crepe and cook for another 30 seconds. Remove from pan. Cool. Fill with the fruit filling, or anything you wish. Envelope fold to seal crepe. Place in well buttered pan and cook until slightly brown. About 2 minutes on each side at most.

Gently flip crepe and cook for another 30 seconds. Remove from pan. Cool. Fill with about 2 T of the fruit filling, or anything you wish. Envelope fold to seal crepe. Place in well buttered pan and cook until slightly brown. About 2 minutes on each side at most.

Plate and top with some fresh berries and some of the filling. Dust with powdered sugar.

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

Soft Cheeses Visited

24 Tuesday May 2016

Posted by Bob and Robin in Boise Food Adventures, Cheese, Food, Food Photos, French Foods, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Report By Robin, Soft Cheese, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Cheese

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Soft Cheese

Robin wrote this wonderful explanation particularly for the TVWS (Treasure Valley Wine Society) Board, but I think it needs to be read by a wider audience. And, she is certified in cheese knowledge. There is a photo at the end of the article of the cheeses she is talking about. Enjoy!

“Triple Cream Cheeses
for
TVWS Board mtg. May 24

USA Cowgirl Creamery Petaluma and Pt. Reyes station – Organic Mt. Tam
$29.99/ lb Cows milk

French St. Andre Triple Cream Brie from near Burgundy, France
$14.99/lb…. Cows milk

La Tur Caseificio dell Alta Langa, Italy
Pasteurized Cow, Goat and Sheep 3 milk Soft ripened cheese.
$25.99/lb

Bread $2.49 Grapes $8.50 @$3.99/lb

Broadbent Selection NV Vino Verde $8.99

Macedon 2015 Pinot Noir – Macedonia north of Greece. $14.99

Americans consume 33lbs of cheese/year
There are 2000 varieties of Cheese first made ~ 8000 BC. Some Milk was stored in the stomach of an animal which added rennet and by jostling the milk separated into curds and whey. Animal sources of milk include not only cows and goats, but also sheep, water buffalo, yaks, camels, horses and reindeer.

Styles:
FRESH: cream cheese, ricotta, mozzarella, feta, chevre.
SEMI SOFT: provolone, gouda, port salut, havarti, fontina, raclette, comte.
SEMI HARD: cheddar, edam, swiss, gruyere, emmental, parmesan, asiago? Pecorino Romano.
WASHED RIND: munster, limburger, tallegio, salt brined and bloomed rind – Brie, Camembert.
BLUE: Maytag, Gorgonzola, Stilton, Roquefort.
Accompaniments: grapes, dates, nuts, figs, herbs and pepper. ”

“A meal without some cheese, is like a beautiful woman with only one eye.” (Brillat-Savarin 1700’s)
“The moon is made of a greene cheese.” (John Heywood 1546) But in 1546 greene meant unaged, not green in color.

And here’s Robin’s information on Cheese Tasting –

“

CHEESE TASTING BASICS

Observe: color, texture, shape, condition. Descriptors: smooth, rough, sticky, downy, soft, hard, creamy, grainy, cylindrical, wedge, crumbs, slices, moist, dry.

Olfactory: smell the aroma: fresh, milky, fruity, mushroomy, earthy, floral, toasted, spicy, nutty, cauliflower-like.

Taste-slowly sample to release flavors. Consider flavors, textures and any lingering aftertaste. Descriptors:acidic/sharp/ tart, sweet, sharp, salty, bitter, creamy, yeasty, malty, fruity, robust, caramel, custardy, toasty, peppery, zesty, spicy, tangy. Texture: open or closed, soft, hard, firm, gritty, grainy, crumbly, chalky, springy, smooth, meaty.

Take notes: use a simple point rating score system. ie: 0-4 for poor, ok, good, great, sensational.

With wines look for a: compliment – Brie with sparkling , contrast – Blue with dessert wines, or clash – Blue with red table wines may leave a metallic aftertaste.”

St Lawrence Gridiron Visit

23 Monday May 2016

Posted by Bob and Robin in 4-Stars, Beef, Beer and Food, Bistro, Bistro - St Lawrence Gridiron, Boise, Boise Area Food Adventures, Boise Artisan Bakery's, Boise Food Adventures, Boise Restaurants, Brunch with Robin, Burger and Brew, Buy Idaho, Grilling, Idaho Chefs, Lunch With Robin, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, St Lawrence Gridiron Bistro, What's For Dinner?

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bistro, St Lawrence Gridiron

Really a good visit. Good burgers, some of the best succotash I have ever eaten, some of the best shrimp and grits and good selection of beers and wines. Nice interior – different but friendly. Great interior design and artwork, including the lighting. Ww would definitely go back. Here is their inportant information – St Lawrence Gridiron Boise Website, Downtown Boise, ID, 705 W Bannock St,(208) 433-5598. Monday – Thursday, 11 – 11, Friday 11 – Midnight, Saturday 9:30am – 12am, Sunday, 9:30am – 9pm, Brunch On Weekends 9:30am-2pm. A great patio area weather permitting. They do their own smoking of brisket and turkey and I hear it is outstanding. They also try very hard to source their products locally. Definitely a really good bistro in downtown Boise. 4-Stars and well wworth the trip. Here are some photos of our visit. Enjoy!

Happy Hour information.

Smoking brisket for 9 – 12 hours, and turkey.

Part of the interior.

I do like these lights. Interesting.

Exciting time in Boise!

Time for a Barley Brown’s Headshake IPA and a dark and rich Full Nitro. It was 5:00 somewhere!

Shrimp and Grits

Rebellion Burger and Succotash. Some of the best succotash I have ever eaten.

Rebellion Burger and a side of Succotash.
Some of the best succotash I have ever eaten.

The Rebellion Burger
is fantastic. Their own dill pickles, onion, lettuce and tomato. Well woth the $11.00 price tag. There is a lot here.

A Little More On Spice and Herb Blends

19 Thursday May 2016

Posted by Bob and Robin in BBQ Class, BBQ Rubs, Buy Idaho, Captain's Shack, Char-Broil Grill, Dinner At The Captains Shack, Grillin' and Chillin', Herbs and Spices, Housemade Rubs, Housemade Sauces, Kitchen Adventures, Local Farmers Markets, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Smoking and Grilling, Spice Blends, What's For Dinner?

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BBQ, herbs and spices

There is a huge volume of information and suggestions and personal “likes” out there on spices, herbs and spices from around the world, herb and spice blends, grilling and BBQ herb and spice mixes. Here, for instance, is information – including recipes for making your own – on spices from around the world from TheKitchn. Spice Mixes From Around The World. (There are some really good ones listed there.)
This is interesting from the FoodNetwork, “Bottled grill seasoning blends are often expensive, heavy on the salt and preservatives and lacking in the flavor department. When you make your own, you control the ingredients and the flavor. Basic blends include salt, red and black peppers and additional flavor from garlic salt or onion powder.” To me the really interesting statement is “…heavy on the salt”. We really try to watch our intake of salt. And here is more information on how to make your own special herb and spice blends – Creating Flavors from Cooksmarts.
Here are some recipes for BBQ Dry Runs. You can print these out if you want.

Here are three rubs that we like to use. They are also located in the Recipe File above. Cheers.
BBQ Rub – [April 2016] Captain’s Shack KC Style Rub – This is a very versitile BBQ rub. Will make a grilled or smoked pork product awesome. [PDF format]
BBQ Rub – [April 2016] Captain’s Shack Memphis Rub – This is a very versitile BBQ rub in the Mempohis Style. Will make a grilled or smoked beef or chicken product awesome. [PDF format]
BBQ Rub – [April 2016] Captain’s Shack Montreal Rub – This is a very versitile BBQ rub in the familiar Montreal Style. Will make a grilled or smoked beef or chicken product awesome. [PDF format]

Please note that there is very little – if any – cayanne or red pepper flakes in these rubs. If you use these, adjust to suit your needs.We are not blazin’ hot spicy folks. Habanero and Ghost peppers won’t be used as one of our spices. Just sayin’!

And after this delicious and adventursome food, how about some ice cream? Homemade? Differently good and vegan! Spiced and with coconut milk.