Category Archives: Photos By: Bob Young

Wapiti Meadows Ranch

22 Tuesday Sep 2009

Posted by in Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Recipes, Things To Do

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On 17 September through 20 September, Robin and I took some time to celebrate her birthday, celebrate her recovery from surgery and leave the TV, radio, computer and telephone in Boise while we traveled north. It was an awesome time at Wapiti Meadows Ranch – see the sidebar for a link. Diana and Barry Bryant are gracious hosts and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. However, due to the destruction of the habitat and environment for the elk in a 650000 acres fire in 2007 and the introduction of Canis lupius canadensis (Canadian wolf), the elk were heard but not seen. Too bad. I was there in 1994 and the elk were extremely plentiful. (I found a cache of 15 biface ceremonial blades dated at between 6000 and 8000 years). Here are some photos of the trip. Do enjoy!

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!

Labor Day Dinner

07 Monday Sep 2009

Posted by in Dessert, Food, Main Dish, Photos By: Bob Young, Recipe By: Robin Young

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The recipe for the Broccoli Bacon Salad is listed below. But here is the Rib-Eye steaks that I made with a super special marinade.

Super Special Marinade
1/4 c Grapeseed Oil
1/2 c Olive Oil
2 T Balsamic Vinegar
2 Lg Garlic cloves minced
Salt and Pepper to taste
1/4 c Huckleberry Vodka

Mix all thoroughly to emulsify. Pour over the Rib-Eyes and marinate for 2 hours, turning twice. Grill over low heat. Remove from heat and let set for 15 minutes. Serve with the Broccoli Bacon Salad and for dessert try Frozen Lemonade Squares. Try this dinner with a fabulous 2008 Dry Rose of Pinot Noir by Indian Creek Winery. You won’t be disappointed! Cheers!

Broccoli Bacon Salad

07 Monday Sep 2009

Posted by in Food, Food Prep, Photos By: Bob Young, Recipe By: Bob Young, Recipes

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OK, so it’s late summer headed for fall and the cabbage family of vegetables is in. That includes broccoli. A great vegetable, but one that I must have at the very least, lightly blanched. So here is a good little recipe from WEcooks, an area of Wildearth. (If you are in to wild life and touring the African bush in real time but from home, this is the site for you!!). So with that said, there is an area on that site for recipes and this is just one of many. Enjoy it and Cheers!!

Broccoli Bacon Salad
Source: Adapted from KimJ on WEcooks, WEcooks

1 med Head of Broccoli- cut up in small pieces
½ Red Onion, cut in small pieces
4 strips Bacon, fried to crisp, crumbled
1 lg Carrot, diced in ¼” rounds
6 med Button Mushrooms sliced
½ c Craisins
Optional- raisins, sunflower seeds, nuts

Blanch the broccoli and set aside to cool. Boil the carrots in salt and pepper and brown sugar until tender. Set aside to cool. Sauté the mushrooms until golden brown. Set aside to cool.

When everything is cool, dice the onion. Place all vegetables, bacon and mushrooms in a bowl and toss lightly to combine. Add the Craisins and toss. Serve as a cold vegetable salad.

"Quiet on the set, please"! "QUIET!"

14 Friday Aug 2009

Posted by in Beer and Ale, Food, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Pizza and Brew, Things To Do

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Yea! Right! Good luck! “No pictures, please”! Yea! Right! Good luck! On 14 August 2009 at the Flying Pie Pizzeria here in Boise, they held a filming for an upcoming episode on the Travel TV channel. There were close to 100+ people there and it was elbow-to-elbow crowded, noisy and exciting. The pizza was still great, although – and understanding the “feeding frenzy” that was going on – the service was sloooooow. Here are some photos. I changed the background music to portray a more soothing tone, than the busy, hurry up “rhythm” of the pizzeria this afternoon. Enjoy and don’t forget to view these in full screen mode. You will have the opportunity to select Full Screen.

Boise Beer Fest, August 2009

09 Sunday Aug 2009

Posted by in Beer and Ale, Bread, Photos By: Bob Young, Things To Do

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Well really, it does have something to do with food! Beer does have grain in it. And vegetables. And it is cooked. And it is persevered. I guess that makes it a “one pot meal”. So, this afternoon, Mac calls me and asks, “Do you want to go to the Beer Festival at Ann Morrison Park this afternoon?” Who am I to turn down a crafted beer. But, I had to explain to him that I had an Apple Honey Challah to bake – pictured here – and that I probably could not go before early afternoon. He said that was Ok. I had to hurry to get the second and third rises done; the bread baked and cooled and coated with a honey/butter mixture. (I never said it was low calorie) OK, I made it! The bread was complete and 8 minutes before I was to meet him, I was on the way. I should have taken some with me … it would have gone quite well with some of the beers, and there were a lot of them. Here are some photos. Enjoy!

Cheers!