Asian Salad Dressing Inspired By "Sushi Joy"

26 Tuesday Apr 2011

Posted by Bob and Robin in Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Recipe: Bob and Robin Young, Salads, Sushi Joy

We found this salad dressing at Sushi Joy – Chinese and Japanese Cuisine in Boise, and we do really like it. It is a pretty easy dressing and gives a salad a unique Asian or Japanese – Chinese flavor. I have arbitrarily named it Asian Salad Dressing and you can get a copy of it by following the link. We made a seafood salad – salad shrimp, crab, Romaine lettuce and tomato – and then used this dressing. The restaurant also uses a very similar dressing on their House Salad, which is simply lettuce and tomatoes. When we asked for the recipe they smiled, and said “Mayonnaise and lemon juice.” We said, “And sesame oil and ginger?” The owner just smiled and nodded. I love it when they do that. Now we have to figure out the amounts. It took three tries, and the third time, “Eureka! We found it!” Give it a try and see what you think. Cheers!

Easter Party 2011

25 Monday Apr 2011

Posted by Bob and Robin in Easter Dinner, Food, Lamb, Main Dish, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?

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It does not seem like Easter without a White Lily. So here is one that Robin got. It is so fragrant and the blooms are very large.

And too, it does not seem like Spring without the Tulips. So to celebrate the seasons, we had our family, and extended family, gathering around the dinner table. Robin, Marnie, Mac, Sophie, Chris, Maddy and Margaret , who stopped in to say hello. So with that, here are some photos of the event. And here is the Wine List and the Menu. Do enjoy the wines, the menu and the photos. Cheers!

Chris, Maddy and Sophie.
Chris and Sophie: I want to see the photos you took!
Maddy: We are looking forward to your Birthday Dinner on Friday!

I guess the Rabbit was here. Look what it left. Is that a chocolate egg in there?

The Magnificent Egg Race!

Chocolate Egg being guarded! Mac and Sophie made these. Beautiful, solid, chocolate egg!

Dinner started with a Shrimp Dip.
Then the First Course was a delightful Lamb and Barley Soup.

Here is the Easter Roasted Leg of Lamb with Mint Sauce on a bed of Braised Spinach with Pine Nuts and Craisins. I did not get a photo of the Creamy Cauliflower Purée. The Green Salad was replaced with the spinach and the Minted Carrots did not appear. I don’t think anyone went away hungry. The 7 pounds of butterflied lamb is gone!!

Robin’s awesome
Easter Ricotta Tart
(Torta di Pasqua)

There is not much else to say except it is always a great and beautiful day when you are surrounded by a loving family and friends. Thanks to all who were there and participated. I think that Sophie really like the WII experience. And Chris and Maddy and Mac and Marnie were all surprised at what the Wii Fitness told them. Cheers!

Easter Dinner Wine List

22 Friday Apr 2011

Posted by Bob and Robin in Lamb, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?, Wine Dinners

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I said in the post, Easter 2011 Roasted Lamb with Mint Sauce that we would be selecting the wines to accompany the dinner later. It is later! Below you will find the list. They probably will not be served in this order. These are all from our cellar. Cheers!

1970 Château Moulin du Cadet
$97.50

2007 Cinder Rosé
$25.00

1971 Petrus Pomerol Grand Vin
$2,398.00

2002 Estancia Paso Robles Meritage
86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot
$28.00

2000 Royal Tokayi
Hungary. “…The worlds first great sweet wine, famous in the courts of Europe as ‘the king of wines and the wine of kings.” Produced from the Aszu grapes of the varietals Furmint, Hiarleveli and Muscat de Lumel.
$68.00

Le Café de Paris – Dinner in Champagne

22 Friday Apr 2011

Posted by Bob and Robin in Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food

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The Le Café de Paris’s original post said that, “April brings us to the northeast for a tour through Champagne, France for “French Region Night”. Known in particular for the sparkling white wines it produces, which also bear it’s name, it is one of the most fascinating and beautiful areas of France to visit. To celebrate this region we [hosted] a four-course dinner on Thursday, April 21 utilizing champagne in almost every course. This very decadent menu [was only] $39/person … Pop open a bottle of bubbly, and join us…” Now look at the following photos and see what constitutes a “… decadent menu”. Mathieu and his crew have done it again! No wonder we keep going back. This was a super special dinner. Salut!

Louis Pedrier Brut

cinnamon, light, not bold like the vouvray

Sparkling Vouvray (Not pictured)
Grassy, bold, vanilla, straw, slightly tart

We had both of these and they went very, very well with the meal!

Huîtres Sur La Demi-Coquilles
(Oysters on the Half Shell)
with
Champagne Gelee

These were awesome. Such a delightful “taste of the sea”. Fresh and succulent.

Flamiche
(Leek tart)
puff pastry crust, gruyere

Salad Greens
oil and vinegar vinaigrette

Coq au Champagne
(Champagne Marinated Chicken)
fava beans, pearl onions, morel mushrooms

Moroccan “style” sauce. It had those unique flavors. A Grenache wine would go great with this chicken.

Financier
(Raspberry Almond Cake)
fig compote, housemade chantilly

Easter at Le Café de Paris

21 Thursday Apr 2011

Posted by Bob and Robin in Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Restaurants, What's For Dinner?

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Yes, it looks like spring is really here with the blooming of our Bleeding Hearts. And with Spring, comes the Easter Dinner at Le Café de Paris in Boise. Here is what Matheau is preparing and serving.

EASTER BRUNCH

Sunday, April 24th
Bonjour Mes Amis!
Easter Brunch at Le Café de Paris
features our
regular brunch menu as well as a few delicious special additions.
Make your reservations early as space fills up very quickly.
To make reservations please call (208)336-0889.
Bon Appetit!
Mathieu

Bottomless Mimosas
$5-

Peach Champagne
$5-

Les Specialities du Jour

Lobster Benedict
lobster and scallop cake, local duck eggs, citrus buerre blanc, served with fresh fruit
$18-

Rib-eye Steak and Duck Eggs
8 oz ribeye steak, local duck eggs, peppercorn hollandaise, roasted potatoes
$16-

Roasted Lamb Loin
framboise demi-glace, potato gratin,served with fresh asparagus
$16-

Don’t miss this one. Call for your reservations! Cheers!

Day One: Capitol City Market

16 Saturday Apr 2011

Posted by Bob and Robin in Boise Adventures, Local Harvests, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Things To Do

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For being the first day and a slightly overcast sky and threats of rain, this was a busy day at the Capitol City Public Market! Look at some of these photos. And the local produce is starting.

There was this troupe of dancers performing and several instrumentalists and small singing groups. Lots of fun for everyone.

Here are some of the crowds of people.

How about some sausage?

Or some BBQ sauce?

If you look at the previous post, you can read some information about the history of the market and future plans. Cheers!

Sushi Joy – Chinese and Japanese Cuisine, Boise

15 Friday Apr 2011

Posted by Bob and Robin in Chinese Food, Japanese Food, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Restaurant Reviews, Sushi Joy, What's For Dinner?

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We are always so extremely happy to write about new restaurants in Boise that are outstanding. We have found one! Sushi Joy – Chinese and Japanese Cuisine, 2275 W Main Street, Boise. (208) 433-8888. Every bit of a 5-Star rating and it is so well deserved. Everything that Robin and I had was outstanding! You can find a complete review at Sushi Joy Review which is located on our Restaurant Review page on our web page. We really encourage you to go and to take some friends with you. The Japanese food is scrumptious. In all fairness, we have not tried their Chinese food but will do so on our return visit. We had some really great sake with our dinners. The only drawback was that our green tea came in a ceramic cup with no handles. The cup was too hot to pick up and we had to ask for a little ice to cool it down. Please do visit them. Cheers! Just look at these photos.

Tiger prepares a Sashimi dish.

Sake
We had this Ozeki Sake Dry which is very dry and delicious. We also had a more traditional sake Ozeki Classic Junmai which also hit the spot. Both went very well with our meals.

Green Tea

(SU) Green Salad
Ozeki Classic Junmai Sake
I’d go back just for the salad. They make their own awesome dressing.

(A11) Soft Shelled Crab
soft shelled crab deep fried tempura flour, ponzo sauce for dipping
It has been so long since I have had Soft Shelled Crab. What a delight!! This is delicious.

(SA2) Sashimi Morawase Deluxe
the Chef’s choice of 18 pieces
This was an awesome dish. The diakon radish and mint leaves really added to it. The white fish is a white tuna. Delicious!

Cooked Sushi Combination
Kanikama unagi, shrimp, crab sticks
Another awesome dish!

Banana Boat Ice Cream
green tea ice cream, lichee ice cream, tempura fried banana

So there you go. A great meal. Let me add that although some of you may object to tempura fried anything, this tempura is light and not greasy. It does not lay in your stomach like a brick! It’s all in knowing how to prepare it. Try Sushi Joy …. I think you will be pleased. Total bill for the two of us – $64.70 plus tip. Plenty of food for the two of us and we shared the platters.

Seghesio Wine Dinner at The Buzz

13 Wednesday Apr 2011

Posted by Bob and Robin in Main Dish, Party Time, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Things To Do, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food

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On April 12, 2011, The Buzz held another of their Wine Dinners. This year, they are featuring Family Wineries. The winery this month was the Seghesio Family Winery, located near Healdsburg, California in Sonoma. These wines were awesome and I think Robin and I found another benchmark Pinot Grigio. I will state my opinion of the wines and rate them, [20] being the highest score.

A beautiful smile.

Edd Lopez, District Sales Manager for the Seghesio Family Winery and Bob.

Here are the wines we had with our dinner.

Buzz’s Seghesio Sausage Bruschetta
2009 Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel
15% alc, [19], $23.00 Would be great with any pasta dish. If you are in a quandry of what wine to have with dinner, try this one. I don’t think you’ll go wrong. Purchased 4 bottles.

Cold Summer Soup
2009 Seghesio Pinot Grigio
13% alc, [19] $20.00 This is a New Benchmark for us. Full of ripe fruit and pear. Lingering pear Would be great with an Avacado and Spinach Salad. The wine went extremely well with this soup. Purchased 4 bottles.

Chicken Marsala
Grilled Asparagus and Melon
Pasta Ponza
Popovers
2008 Seghesio Rockpile Zinfandel
15.6% alc, [19] $35.00 This wine went quite well with the chicken and all. Purchased 2 bottles.

Mixed Greens with Pickled Cauliflower and Pickled Red Onions
2010 Seghesio Arneis
13.3% alc, [15], $20.00. Sorry. I was not inpressed in comparison to the other wines we had tonight.

Chocolate Honey Almond Tart with Strawberry and Balsamic Vinegar
2008 Seghesio Homeranch Zinfandel
15.5% alc, [16], $35.00. One-half ton of juice per acre. Intense falvor. Hot wine. Even though it was a fairly low score, we did purchase 2 bottles.

The comment was made that, “… In California, you would pay $100.00 per plate for an event like this!” Believe me, we didn’t. $15.00 per plate! See what you missed? See you at the next Wine Dinner. Cheers!

Robin’s Biscuits and Dried Beef

10 Sunday Apr 2011

Posted by Bob and Robin in Baking, Main Dish, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?

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Last nights dinner and dessert, see Robin’s Apple Tarte Tartin, was really good. But breakfast this morning, topped it off. She made a variation on Martha Stewart’s Biscuits by adding flax seed and whole wheat flour. Then we added Creamed Chipped Beef to the biscuits. A good breakfast! Now to go and work it off by riding on the Greenbelt! Wish me luck and cheers!

Robin’s Apple Tarte Tatin

10 Sunday Apr 2011

Posted by Bob and Robin in Dessert, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Things To Do

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After I made a somewhat so-so goulash – hamburger, buckwheat ziti, green onion, caramelized sweet onion, garlic and tomatoes – Robin made this very awesome Apple Tarte Tatin that she got from the Smitten Kitchen. There is also a link in the sidebar to the site. I suppose that you could go to that site and search for the dessert. I’d say come by here for some, but there is not enough left. We should have done away with the goulash and just had the dessert! The pansy’s are from our flower garden out front and I think add something to the photo. Left Click the photo for a larger image. But the main emphasis is on the Apple Tarte Tatin and not the flowers. Cheers!