Category Archives: Party Time

Seafood For the Preakness Stakes Race

20 Sunday May 2012

Posted by in Oysters, Party Time, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Seafood, Shell Fish, What's For Dinner?

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Seeing as how the Preakness Stakes are in Baltimore, it is only fitting to have seafood for the party. (Thank-You Margaret for joining us!) I bought 8 nice and fresh medium oysters from Reel Foods here in town. After shucking them without leaving my DNA all over the place, we had them with a wonderful Champagne vinegar, cracked Tellicherry Pepper and Green Onion. Wonderful! Then we also had some fine diced cucumber, too. These turned out really great.

The crab cakes, on the other hand, tasted great, but they fell apart. The mayo, chili sauce, green tomato relish and Cholula  pepper sauce was good and made the crab cakes awesome. The party went fine and we all enjoyed ourselves. We even opened some of our 1995, well aged, dark beer that we made. Now for the Belmont. Can we get Coneys? and grill them? with sauerkraut and mustard? Hmmmm.

Baked Salmon and Cumin Sour Cream Sauce

19 Saturday May 2012

Posted by in Party Time, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Salmon, What's For Dinner?

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They may be calling for snow in the mountains tonight, but we had this awesome salmon for dinner.

Baked Copper River Salmon
with
cumin/sour cream sauce, capers, sauteed crimini mushrooms and spring onions

Buttered Corn

Spinach and Romaine Salad
with
sliced strawberries and pear/gorganzola dressing

2010 Shy Chenin Chennin Blanc

You just can not go wrong with a dinner like this. Fun to prep, cook, serve and especially eat. Can’t beat that salmon. Cheers!

Taste208, Boise

13 Sunday May 2012

Posted by in Party Time, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?

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While I was slaving away at Taste208 and at Shawn’s graduation party, Robin, Marnie and Brenda were “slaving away” at Maysara Saki in McMinnville, OR. It appears that they are enjoying themselves immensely. I hope so … they deserve it. Shawn’s party was awesome. Good company and good food. Wonderful steaks, salmon and chicken. Several salads and a wonderful cake that Donna made. (See below)

Taste208, on the other hand, was a let down. For the $25 entry fee, you would have thought that the food would have been sample size and no charge. Instead, most of the food was full serving size and a pretty standard fee. Here are some photos of the two events. Enjoy and Cheers!

Shawn Carman’s graduation cake by Donna Scrivner. While at Boise State University he played and coached the Lacrosse team.

Donna Scrivner and Granddaughter Quinn Carman.

Terry Knivila grills the steaks.

Some of the displays. Beer, wine and vodka were the spirits. Nepalese food, Mexican food and soups were there to eat, among some others.

Bakon Vodka

Great Easter Dinner

09 Monday Apr 2012

Posted by in Celebrations, Ethnic Foods, Holiday Gatherings, Holiday Menu, Party Time, Passover Foods, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?

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I can’t say that everyone had a fantastic Easter dinner, but we certainly did! It was great having Mac and Marnie, Sophia, Chris and Madison, Margaret and Robin. Family and friends always make for a great day. And Robin talked to her close friend, Nancy Bonney Chrissman in Florida and a nursing friend , Geisla, in Germany. Who can ask for more? The photo to the left is of our table center piece. I did not get the beautiful flowers Margaret brought, though.

Easter Menu
Roasted Gremolata of Boneless Leg of Lamb
Roasted Rosemary and Herbed Potatoes
Haroset Salad
Asparagus Mousse
Minted Carrots
Challah
Marnie’s Cake

Our table before “the gang” arrived.

Challah bread

Gremolata Roasted Lamb

Asparagus Mousse

Marnie’s Cake

So there you are. And I repeat. Who could ask for anything more? Thank-You one and all for making this day so very special. Cheers!

Awesome Birthday Wine Dinner At the Buzz

02 Monday Apr 2012

Posted by in Celebrations, Party Time, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Special Events, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food

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This was a great birthday for me. Michelle Larson also had a birthday and Cristie and Tommy, owners of the Buzz, did a superb job creating a party atmosphere! Both Michelle and I thank them sincerely for allowing this party to happen. Look at the menu we had. See anything “strange”? The dinner was served backwards – that is, dessert first! Cristie is so creative. I want to thank our friends and family who joined us and the many cards and gifts they gave: Ed and Mary, Jan (Maize), Margaret, Robin, Bob and Gail, Marnie and Mac, Sophia, Madison and Chris and Barbara and Patrick. Thank you all so very much for making this a fantastic day.

Brunch at Berryhill and Co. Hard to see the cake with the candle.

Some of the gifts received at the Buzz.

70 Beers!!!

Ed and Mary, Jan, Margaret and Robin.

Bob and Gail, Marnie and Mac, Madison and Chris. Sophia was not in the photo.

An awesome TBA that Robin and I offered to all of our friends who were there. It’s a sweet wine so there were some who did not like it. But not many. We are happy that we could share this fantastic wine with everyone. Auction value? $425.00

One beer for every year – 70 different beers!

Dessert
Donauweller Cake
NV Zonin Lambrusco
8.5% alc, not my favorite, light on bouquet and balance [12] $10.00
NV Fonseca Porto
20% alc, it was a good port, good balance and bouquet [16] $20.00 (750 ml)

Chicken Rollatini
Baked Tomatoes
2010 Poggio Sangiovese
13.5% alc, weak on body but overall a good wine. [17] $17.00
2010 Bolla Bardolino
12.0% alc, week on body and finish. [14] $10.00

Salad
Asparagus and Edamame
(Interesting and good salad)
2010 D’Aguino Pinot Grigio
12.0% alc, really a good wine. [17] $10.00
2010 Tabali Sauvignon Blanc
13.5% alc, weak on color and balance. [14] $13.00

Soup
Sopa Poblano
Awesome soup!
2010 Arenal Carmenere
14.0% alc, a little weak on the bouquet but went well with this soup. [17] $13.00
2010 Montes Malbec
14.0% alc, a good strong malbec. did not over power the soup [ 18] $13.00

Appetizer
Salmon Bites
Worstenbroodjes
Chiles en Nogada
2009 Luna Merlot
14.9% alc, a big and bold merlot. [19] $22.00 
2008 Yellowtail Reserve Merlot
14.0% alc, another big merlot [18] $11.00

Again, I thank everyone for making this a great Birthday Party! Cheers.

TBA For When?

24 Saturday Mar 2012

Posted by in Party Time, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Things To Do, What's For Dinner?

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Most people, if they are extremely lucky, will have 3 TBA’s (Trockenbeeren Auslese) in their lifetime. This will be my 6th! This is an Austrian wine. A rich gold color and awesome! Each grape is picked by hand and each grape has sugar concentrated in it. This particular wine has an alcohol level of 10.0%. Question is – When will be a good time to open this?

Margaret’s Irish Soda Bread

20 Tuesday Mar 2012

Posted by in Bread, Party Time, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?

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Great to have these small cooking/baking classes for those interested. This one was particularly nice because Margaret requested it. Well ……. Sort of! Fun to make this Irish Soda Bread – it only has 3 ingredients in it – and quick. Total time about an hour. And look at what she made. (Do I hear applause for her?) Left-Click for a larger view of the photos.

But before baking this morning, we had to have some dinner last night. How about

Broiled Talapia
with
Fresh Made Tartar Sauce

Braised Asparagus and Mushrooms
with
Montmorency Cherry Sauce

Wow! This was super! And serve it all with a 2010 Indian Creek Winery Mountain Syringa and you have an awesome and delicious dinner!

Now …… Back to baking!

Margaret. Ready to learn how to make the Irish Soda Bread. She did a great job!

Look at what she made! So easy and so good. Great Job Margaret!

But wait! Here are two loaves. We’ll make one additional loaf at no additional cost! Sucha deal. Spread a little butter on and maybe some honey. Oh my!

Original White or Dark Irish Soda Bread

18 Sunday Mar 2012

Posted by in Bread, Irish Soda Bread, Party Time, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?

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Well … It was a super St Patrick’s Day dinner! There were 20+ people there and everyone pitched in to help either by preparing something, or setting the table or prepping. It was great. Thank-You Leanne and Tom!
The photo to the left is a White Irish Soda Bread that I made. (The link takes you to the recipe) This comes from an original recipe from the Preservation of the Irish Soda Bread web site. (There is also an article of the Irish soda bread below.)





I had to make two loaves, and I am glad I did. I made one as a White Soda Bread, above. Here is the Dark Soda Bread, to the back of the pan, and the White Soda Bread to the front of the pan. The only difference between the two are the ingredients. Both are mixed and baked off precisely the same way. I have them both in the same recipe as listed above. These are really very easy and quick to make. Do try them and let us know what you think. Cheers!

Traditional Irish Soda Bread ….. The debate Continues!

15 Thursday Mar 2012

Posted by in Bread, Ethnic Foods, Food Prep, Food Trivia, Irish Soda Bread, Party Time

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So it looks like the debate continues about Irish Soda Bread. Actually, I really don’t know that you can call it a debate. Maybe a “misunderstanding” about what “real” Irish Soda Bread is. Maybe from the Irish Soda Bread Web Site we can get some information. Here is some information that may help.

The Un-Bread
If your “soda bread” has raisins, it’s not “soda bread! It’s called “Spotted Dog” or “Railway Cake”! If it contains raisins, eggs, baking powder, sugar or shortening, it’s called “cake”, not “bread.” All are tasty, but not traditional Irish Soda Bread!

Traditional Irish Soda Bread
If one searches the internet using the term “Traditional Irish Soda Bread” about 63,500 sites are listed. 98% of them aren’t even close to being traditional. Google “Irish Soda Bread” and you will find 126,000 sites.

Would “French Bread” (15th century) still be “French Bread” if whiskey, raisins, or other random ingredients were added to the mix? Would Jewish Matzo (unleavened bread) used to remember the passage of the Israelites out of Egypt still be Matzo if we add raisins, butter, sugar, eggs, and even orange zest? So why is traditional “Irish Soda Bread” (19th century) turned into a dessert and labeled “Traditional Irish Soda Bread?” OK, maybe you don’t like the analogy, but you get the point!

So there’s a start on the debate, or maybe the finish. Have a good glass of Belhaven Ale or a Guinness Stout and look at the web site for more detailed information and maybe even a recipe or two. Be sure to look at the White Soda Bread Recipe that is on the site.

But for the time being, the Traditional Irish Soda Bread has “… wheat flour, white flour (do not use self-rising as it already contains baking powder and salt), buttermilk (pour in a bit at a time until the dough is moist), salt, bicarbonate of soda and butter if you want to deviate a bit … The best flour to use is “soft wheat” which is called “pastry flour” or “cake flour” today in the US. If you want to try using Irish flour, may I suggest Odlums.” (www.sodabread.info) Enjoy and thanks Joe Levitch for the reference to this site!!!

Food Truck Rally Boise – March 2012

10 Saturday Mar 2012

Posted by in Party Time, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?

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Actually, this all is connected. The seams are cemented by food and information about food. Here is a link to Food Carts Boise which has, and keeps a listing of, the Food Trucks that are operating in Boise. According to the site owner, Daniel Foster, “… I love Boise and street food! I created Food Carts Boise! in 2012 after returning from a trip to Portland and joyfully noticing that Boise food carts are organized and becoming passionate about their awesomeness.

My aim is to celebrate and support Boise street food vendors as best I can, and to help others learn to love our local street food vendors … The website lists every food cart I can know of, and each detail page links to their social networks, menu, map, reviews, and whatever else I can find.” And by the size of this early crowd, he has helped “… others to love our local food vendors.” I would like to think that this blog has also “Spread The Word”. The food that I had tonight was awesome. You must try the Smoked Turkey Legs from Brown Shuga Soul Food. Their Pulled Pork is also very good! From Daniel Foster’s site we also find a little history of the rally. “Started in

September 2011 by Sheila Francis of Payette Brewing, Boise’s Food Truck Rally is a popular gathering of several of Boise’s mobile food vendors, and it’s growing rapidly!
On the 2nd Friday of every month, from 5:00pm to 9:00pm, you can meet several of Boise’s awesomest food cart vendors at the Food Truck Rally! The location changes, but you can keep up on the fun by following the group on Facebook …” or on this blog. You can also keep track on Daniel’s web page. I will place a link to his page in the sidebar of this blog. In the meantime, here are some of the food trucks that were represented tonight. Enjoy these photos and keep these businesses in mind when you get hungry! As you can see, there is a large variety to choose from.

“Hog Wild” is also known as “B29 StrEATry”.

If you want to read more about this ongoing event – at least monthly – look at Idahostatesman. Here is the menu, as such, for the rally tonight as printed in the Statesman and written by Alex Kiesig.

EAT THIS STUFF AT TONIGHT’S RALLY
Here are some of our favorite eats at trucks scheduled to be at Fourth and Grove streets in Boise from 5 to 9 p.m. March 9:

RICEWORKS ASIAN STREET FOOD
Theme: Stir fries, homemade egg rolls and fusion items like Vietnamese tacos or Hawaiian Spam sliders.
Price range: $1-$7.50
Online: http://www.facebook.com/RiceWorksAsianFood, http://www.riceworks.blogspot.com
Try: The teriyaki chicken ($5.25) is this place’s bread and butter — sticky, not too sweet, loaded with broccoli, on steaming hot white rice.

B29 STREATERY
Theme: Brick 29’s high-end kitchen on wheels makes fancy but approachable sandwiches and sides.
Price range: $3-$9
Online: Twitter: @B29Streatery, http://www.facebook.com/B29-Streatery, http://www.b29streatery.com
Try: The Kobe beef patty melt ($7) on sourdough with caramelized onions and your choice of cheese. (Go with the cheddar fondue. It’s a memorably delicious mess.) You can add candied bacon for $2 extra.

BROWN SHUGA SOUL FOOD
Theme: Simple, slow-cooked, authentic Southern food with a menu that changes every day.
Price range: $3-$7
Online: Twitter: @boisesoulfood, http://www.facebook.com/Brownshugasoulfood, http://www.brownshugasoulfood.com
Try: Whatever’s cooking. Because the menu rotates, go for one of the daily specials. Also, look for the simple and creamy mac and cheese ($3) or the core-warming sweet potato souffle ($3).

A CUPCAKE PARADISE
Theme: A “full-line cupcakery” with a huge range of filled and regular cupcakes.
Price range: $2-$2.50Online: http://www.facebook.com/A-Cupcake-Paradise, http://www.acupcakeparadise.com
Try: A filled cupcake ($2.50) such as the Peanut Butter Cup with peanut butter frosting and yellow cake with a chocolate center. It has just the right frosting-to-cake balance.

ARCHIE’S PLACE
Theme: Wagyu beef, Korobuta pork, and “unicorn” (vegan) sloppy joe sliders, grilled cheese sandwiches, and from-scratch soups with cornbread.
Price range: $3-$8
Online: Twitter: @archies_place, http://www.facebook.com/Archiesplaceboise, http://www.archies-place.com
Try: The House Joe will convert anyone who wonders if you can base a business around a sloppy joe. It’s savory, rich, tomatoey and exactly the right consistency ($3 for one slider or $5 for two.) You will want two … or three.
Other trucks scheduled (that we haven’t sampled yet):

BOISE FRY COMPANY
Theme: Fancy french fries with unique salts, “spritzers,” and dipping sauces such as blueberry ketchup, served with “burgers on the side.”
Price range: $3 fries, $6-$9 burgers
Online: Twitter: @BoiseFryCo, http://www.boisefrycompany.com
Try: They’re serving russet and purple fries, but we hope to see the recently unveiled “Classic” burger topping, too.

CALLE 75 STREET TACOS
Theme: tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and tortas made with local ingredients — plus intriguing items like lettuce cups.
Online: http://www.facebook.com/ Calle75Streettacos

A very exciting and good time at the rally tonight. If you would like to contact Daniel Foster at Food Carts Boise, Click Here. The food trucks at the rally have contact information listed. Cheers and Good Eating!