Awesome Dinner For The Boise Farmers Market

06 Monday Oct 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Acme Bake Shop, Appetizers, Beef, Beets, Boise Adventures, Boise Farmers Market, Bread, Butternut Squash, Buy Idaho, Cheese, Classic Cuisines, Coffee, Dinner With Friends, Dinner With Robin, Healthy Eating, Heirloom Squash, Heirloom Tomatoes, Idaho Beef, Idaho Breweries, Idaho Chefs, Idaho Wine, Interesting Information, Local Farmers Markets, Local Harvests, Local Markets, Locavore, Organic Foods, Party Time, Peaceful Belly Farms, Photos By: Bob Young, Purple Sage Farms, Restaurants, Restaurants To Try, Rice Family Farms, Saint Lawrence Gridiron, Salad, Soup, Special Information, Vegetables, What's For Dessert?, What's For Dinner?, Wines - Idaho

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beef short ribs, eat local, micro greens, neckar coffee

Yes it was! And many thanks to all of the Boise Farmers Market producers for supplying the awesome meal items and the Saint Lawrence Gridiron, at 703 W Bannock in Boise (208) 433-5598, for supplying the space, the Waite Staff and an awesome Chef! Just a super, super night!
I do believe that this was the first of dinners like this to raise funds for the Boise Farmers Market. And I do hope that they continue to do this Fund Raising Dinner next year and many years to follow. When you look at the menu and photos below, you will see the superb meal that we had. Congratulations to all who worked so hard to make this a success! Left-Click any of these photos to see them enlarged.

The flyer for this year’s event.

Delightful table center pieces added to the Fall theme.

The wonderful menu!

Butternut Agnolotti with Sage Beurre Monté

Fraiche Tartine open faced gougere chipotle fraiche cucumber

Fraîche Tartine
open faced gougére, chipotle fraîche and cucumber

Yellow Tomato Gazpacho heirloom tomatoes brown butter crouton

Yellow Tomato Gazpacho
heirloom tomatoes and brown butter crouton

Harvest Vegetable Salad seasonal root vegetables candied walnuts local greens

Harvest Vegetable Salad
seasonal root vegetables, candied walnuts and local greens

Short Ribs
smoked and braised short ribs, Carolina grits, salt roasted carrots, braised leeks and pan jus

Apple Galette cinnamon custard brulee with fresh grated nutmeg whipped cream

Apple Galette
cinnamon custard brûlée with fresh grated nutmeg whipped cream

Neckar Coffee added some delightful coffee to our dinner. Thank-You!

Snake River Winery offered wines with the dinner and beer was also available from Woodland Empire Brewery.

The Check-In table

The Chef for the meal and on the right owner Brian Garrett. Thank-You both for this delightful evening.

Robin enjoys some Neckar Coffee.

Thank-You everyone for this event. It takes a lot of hard work to arrange this. Karen Ellis – Thank-You!

Lamb Dinner with Chris

03 Friday Oct 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Apple, Brussels Sprouts, Buy Idaho, Captain's Shack, Celebrations, Dinner At The Captains Shack, Dinner With Chris, Dinner With Family, Dinner With Robin, Herbs and Spices, Idaho Lamb, Lamb, Local Farmers Markets, Local Harvests, Local Markets, Main Dish, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Recipes, Special Dinners, Vegetables, What's For Dessert?, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Wines - Italian

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Boise Farmers Market, Boneless Leg of Lamb, brussels sprouts, heirloom carrots, lamb

Yes, a full and complete Lamb Dinner with Chris. The occasion? I don’t know. Maybe “Just Because”. Here Oma Robin holds him the day after(?) he was born. Or is she still holding him after delivery? Anyway, a cute baby boy! And his birthday is just past. 24 years! So it makes this photo 24 years old! So on with the dinner. Enjoy the photos as much as we enjoyed the dinner. Everything Chris – and us – like! Left-Click any of these photos to see them enlarged. Cheers! Oh! And Yes. Most of the ingredients of this meal were grown or raised locally. The lamb was a Felzien Farms lamb. Veggies from the Boise Farmers Market. Etc.

Rolled and Stuffed Bonelessx Leg of Lamg Orange Balsamic Brussels Sprouts Oven Roasted Rosemary and Thyme New Potatoes Oven Roasted Heirloom Carrots

Rolled and Stuffed Boneless Leg of Lamb
Oven Roasted Rosemary and Thyme New Potatoes
Orange Infused Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
Oven Roasted Heirloom Carrots

I boned the lamb and then rolled it with fresh oregano, fresh mint, salt and pepper and spinach. Then on the outside I dusted it lightly with Greek Spice. It was so yummy!

The dinner plated. We served this with a 2013 Honor Vera Garnacha. And believe it or not, it was just a little light with the Brussels sprouts. Other than that, it was a good match.

Skillet Apple Pie
with
Cinnamon Fresh Whipped Cream

This is so easy to make and so delicious. The only other thing, outside of the butter and brown sugar, to make this slightly better would be the addition of lattice designed bacon on top! Here is the recipe if you want it. Skillet Apple Pie recipe. (We added some fresh vanilla seeds to the mix too. Scrapped the bean to get the seeds.)

Sqlaw and Wonderful Appetizers!

23 Tuesday Sep 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Acme Bake Shop, Acme Bake Shop Rye, Acme Bakery, Anchovy, Appetizers, Boise Artisan Bakery's, Boise Farmers Market, Buy Idaho, Capers, Captain's Shack, Garlic, Herbs and Spices, Local Farmers Markets, Meatless Monday, Panini Sandwiches, Pastrami, Photos By: Bob Young, Salad, Seafood, Spinach, Tapas, Tomatoes, Vegetables, What's For Dinner?

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anchovy, pissaladiere, sqlaw, tomato tart

Sqlaw? What is that? Acually it is a roasted spaghetti squash slaw, thus Sqlaw. Here is the recipe for the Sqlaw. It is also in the recipe file above.
But, before you can have a sandwich or a full meal, one must have some type of appetizer. Here are two that Robin found online and the recipe link is posted with the photo. Which one do we like best? Well, maybe if you come to maybe the November Treasure Valley Wine Society tasting in November, you just may have the opportunity to try our favorite. We really did enjoy and like all of these offerings. Try them. Let us know what you think. Cheers!

Hot Turkey Pastrami and Sqlaw on Acme Bake Shop Toasted Rye Garden Fresh Tomato and Basil Salad with Fresh Arugula

Hot Turkey Pastrami and Sqlaw on Acme Bake Shop Toasted Rye
Garden Fresh Tomato and Basil Salad on Fresh Baby Spinach

Pissaladiere

Don’t be frightened by the title. Here is the link to the recipe. Cheers! Pissaladiere Recipe

Herbed Tomato and Roasted Garlic Tart

A really very good tomato tart. Almost like a pizza on puff pastry. Here is The Recipe.

“Tailgating” with Gumbo

21 Sunday Sep 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Acme Bake Shop, Acme Bake Shop Breads, Birthdays, Boise Farmers Market, Buy Idaho, Captain's Shack, Chicken, Classic Cuisines, Corn, Corn Bread, Dinner With Robin, Ethnic Foods, Local Farmers Markets, Main Dish, Photos By: Bob Young, Recipe by: Robin and Bob Young, Sausage, Seafood, Shrimp, Tailgate Party, Traditional Food, Vegetables, What's For Dinner?

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Acme Bake Shop, corn bread, Guatemalan Corn Bread, gumbo, tailgate party

You can not have a successful Tailgate Feast without Acme Bake Shop bread. We had some of their Baguette with our own Gumbo and Corn Bread. If you would like a good corn bread recipe, here is the one we use, Guatemalan Corn Bread. I just adapt it and put the corn from 1 ear in the batter without chopping the kernels. I still use the 3 ears mixed with the eggs. This reduces the amount of sugar I add to the batter. I only used 1/4 cup of sugar instead of 1 cup. See the recipe.
As for the gumbo, we use our “stand-by” recipe that we used for Robin’s 70th Birthday. I just reduced the ingredient amounts to satisfy our needs. Robin’s 70th Birthday Gumbo. Do enjoy the recipes and these photos. It made for a great Tailgate adventure. And, BSU won the game with Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns, 34-9. That makes BSU 3-1 for the season, their only loss to Ole Miss.

The gumbo is getting very, very happy!

The Guatemalan Corn Bread cooling down.

Acme Bake Shop Baguette Guatemalan Corn Bread Gumbo

Acme Bake Shop Baguette
Guatemalan Corn Bread
Robin’s Gumbo

Chicken Dinner and Cowboy Eggs

19 Friday Sep 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Acme Bake Shop Breads, Acme Bake Shop Red Wheat, Acme Bake Shop Sourdough, Arugula, Birthdays, Boise Artisan Bakery's, Boise Farmers Market, Breakfast, Breakfast With Robin, Brussels Sprouts, Buy Idaho, Captain's Shack, Classic Sauces, Cod, Cowboy Eggs, Dinner With Robin, Eggs, Food Prep, Fruit, Gumbo, Heirloom Tomatoes, Herbs and Spices, Local Farmers Markets, Local Harvests, Meadowlark Farms, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Purple Sage Farms, Recipe by: Robin and Bob Young, Recipe By: Robin Young, Recipes, Red Wheat, Salad, Seafood, Shell Fish, Shrimp, Sourdough Bread, Vegetables, Vinegars, What's For Dinner?

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Brussel sprouts, Cajun recipes, Cowboy Eggs, gumbo, heirloom tomato, mustard cream sauce, recipes

Robin at Flatbread.

I really like this photo of Robin. I’m biased! Ah yes. Chicken Dinner and Cowboy Eggs, but not at the same time. I hope our Nutritionist sees this.
The Chicken Dinner is one that Robin has wanted to try, so last night was a perfect chance to make it. The Cowboy Eggs, also known by many different names, is at least once a week around here. I made Robin’s with Acme Bake Shop Turkey Bread – made with Red Wheat. It is super! Mine I made with Acme’s Sourdough, also super. So take a look at these meals. Give them a try. But, as a lot of our meals, there is not a measured recipe. I will try to document the chicken dinner as much as possible. Enjoy!

Braised Skinless Chicken Breast
with
mustard cream sauce

Steamed Brussel Sprouts
with
balsamic vinegar and blood orange reduction

Heirloom Tomatoes
with
fresh basil threads

This may sound involved and confusing. (1) Chicken Breasts – egg wash and Panko. Braise over med-low heat until golden brown. Remove from heat and turn heat off. Add 1/2 cup cream and 2 Tablespoons of a good stone ground mustard. We like Plochman’s. Work fast and stir constantly. The brown bits from the chicken will be absorbed into the sauce. When combined, pour over the chicken.
(2) Brussel Sprouts – Don’t curl your nose up, these are fantastic cooked this way. Trim off the ends of 2 cups of sprouts and cut lengthwise. Steam until tender and green. Please don’t boil! When green and tender, remove from heat. In a skillet add 3 Tablespoons of balsamic vinegar and 1 Tablespoon of Blood Orange infused Olive oil. (You can also use the zest and juice from one blood orange.) Reduce to 1/2. Add the sprouts and toss to coat the sprouts. Serve immediately.
(3) Heirloom Tomato Salad – Coarse chop about 1 cup of Arugula greens. Dice an heirloom tomato and place on top of the greens. Using fresh basil, julienne about 1 cup of the leaves. (Cut into thin strips) Generously sprinkle the basil on top of the salad.

That’s all there is to it. Use a boneless, skinless chicken breast. The balsamic reduction for the Brussel sprouts eliminates that strong, cabbage taste of the sprouts. The blood orange adds a little sweetness. Notice that there is no liquid salad dressing. If your basil is fresh and the tomatoes are fresh, you won’t need any dressing.

So for dinner tonight, I made a parsley, lemon zest and garlic gremolata to go with some baked cod and a green salad. While prepping that, I started the gumbo for the BSU game tomorrow night. They play Louisiana, so I thought gumbo would be appropriate. But first, breakfast this morning.

Cowboy Eggs (Eggs in Toast)
Fresh Cantaloupe and Blueberries

How easier can you get? Simple. Quick. Wholesome. And the gumbo is doing fine. Here is the recipe for Robin’s 70th Birthday Gumbo. The recipe is for 60. Just reduce the size for however many you are serving. But for a tailgate party, this would be great. Try using bowls from sourdough bread. We’re making Colombian Corn Bread with ours tomorrow. Cheers!

Great Breakfast and Lunch

26 Tuesday Aug 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Acme Bake Shop, Acme Bake Shop Sourdough, Boise Farmers Market, Breakfast, Breakfast At The Captains Shack, Breakfast With Robin, Captain's Shack, Classic Herb Blends, Classic Sauces, Cooking Styles, East Indian Food, Ethnic Foods, Housemade Hollandaise Sauce, Indian Food, Local Farmers Markets, Local Harvests, Local Markets, Lox, Mushrooms, Photos By: Bob Young, Recipe by: Robin and Bob Young, Salmon, Seafood, Soup, Spices of India, Spinach, Vegetables, Vegetarian Foods, What's For Dinner?

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Cream of Mushroom Soup, fenugreek, India foods, portabella mushroom, turmeric

Here are two meals that we have had this week. Very vegetable based, but not entirely vegetarian. I think both were superb and well worth repeating. What do you think?

Non-Traditional Eggs Benedict Grilled Prtabella Mushroom Spinach 2 Meadowlark Farms Poached Eggs Housemade Hollandaise Sauce

Non-Traditional Eggs Benedict
Grilled Portabella Mushroom
Steamed Spinach
Robin’s Housemade Lox
Two Meadowlark Farms Poached Eggs
Housemade Hollandaise Sauce

The portabella mushroom takes the place of the traditional toasted English muffin and we also added steamed spinach, to give the dish that Florentine look. This was really delicious. Then we had this wonderful soup.

Cream of Mushroom Soup
with
Fenugreek and Turmeric

Acme Bake Shop Toasted Sourdough

For a thickener we used steamed cauliflower florets that were emulsified in chicken or vegetable bouillon. The fenugreek gave the soup and very East Indian aroma and flavor and the turmeric gave it a wonderful soft, spiciness. The recipe for the soup is in the recipe file above or you can view it here: Cream of Mushroom Soup with Fenugreek and Turmeric. Enjoy!

Cruise Night At The Buzz

13 Wednesday Aug 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Classic Cuisines, Dessert, Dinner With Friends, Dinner With Robin, Ethnic Foods, French Foods, Greens, Grilled Vegetables, Italian Food, New Zealand Food, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Salads, Spanish Food, Vegetables, What's For Dinner?, Wines - French, Wines - Italian, Wines - New Zealand, Wines - Spanish, Wines - Tuscan

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Buzz, Cruise Food, The Buzz Coffee and Wine, Wine, Wine Dinner Buzz Bistro

The wines tonight came from around the world with stops in Italy, Spain, New Zealand, Tuscany and France. The food came from different cruise lines and indeed was Cruise Food. And if you have ever been on a cruise and have eaten onboard, you know what a dedicated support team the kitchen Exec Chef has.
When Cristi prepares these tastings, she also has a dedicated support team and it is about time that I recognize them and tell them publically how much we appreciate their time and effort.
Tommy, Cristi’s husband, keeps the dinner plates moving and remembers that I like bread with my meals.
Austin and Bailey, Cristi’s children, help by serving, bussing the tables and setting the tables up.
Peggy Hand-Behrens researches the menu, sits down with Cristi and pairs the wines with the food, and then prepares some of the entrées. She also helps to pour the wine and prepare the dishes. She is one busy Lady!
Joseph Geist, when he is available, helps to pour the wines.
To all of these folks a BIG Thank-You! Your efforts are really appreciated and without your support, the program may not exist. So if you participate and enjoy these dinners, please let these folks know how much you appreciate them and the service they give.

Beef Carpaccio (Celebrity Lines), Italy
2011 Zonin Valpolicella
14% alc a good wine with this salad [16]

Chilled Peach Soup (Royal Caribbean) Spain
2011 Tierras Guindas
13.5% alc. a super good wine with this super good soup [17]

BBQ Sweet Potato Salad (Carnival) New Zealand 2013 Wild South Sauvignon Blanc 1.5% alc really6 a super good wine particularly with this entree. [18]

BBQ Sweet Potato Salad (Carnival) New Zealand
2013 Wild South Sauvignon Blanc
12.5% alc really a super good wine particularly with this entrée. [18]

Jamaican Jerk Chicken (Princess) Spanish
2001 LAN Rioja
13.5% alc. another superb wine paired well with the spiciness of the chicken. [18]
(notice the bread?)

Cream Brule (Royal Caribbean) France 2013 Bila-Haut 13.5% alc. a good match with the Cream Brule [18]

Crème Brûlée (Royal Caribbean) France
2013 Bila-Haut
13.5% alc. a good match with the Crème Brûlée [18]

Zucchini Pancakes and Eggplant Pizza For Dinner

28 Monday Jul 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Basil, Boise Farmers Market, Buy Idaho, Captain's Shack, Dinner With Robin, Eggplant, Italian Food, Local Farmers Markets, Local Markets, Main Dish, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Pizza, Purple Sage Farms, Recipe By: Robin Young, Recipes, Rice Family Farms, Special Dinners, Vegetables, Vegetarian Foods, What's For Dinner?, Zebra Tomatoes, Zucchini

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Burrata, eggplant, Eggplant Pizza, feta, limoncello, Roma tomatoes, Zucchini Pancakes

Wow! This was really a great change and it was Good! Take a look.

Eggplant Pizza
Zucchini Pancakes
Sliced Garden Fresh Green Zebra Tomatoes
Housemade Limoncello

Here is the recipe for the Zucchini Pancakes. Another tasty way to use up all of those zucchini you either have now or will shortly. They could make a great party appetizer/finger food treat if you eat them cold with a dipping sauce. Then there is the Eggplant Pizza. Here is a recipe that is close, Eggplant Pizza, but we altered it. Instead of using a tomato sauce, we used fresh sliced Roma tomatoes. And for the cheese we used Burrata and some Feta. I sauteed the eggplant on one side, turned it and placed the tomato slice(s) on the eggplant, then the cheese and fresh basil. When the eggplant was browned, I placed a lid on the pan and let the cheese melt. These were really yummy!

The zucchini, eggplant, onions and Roma tomatoes all came from the Boise Farmers Market. The basil and the green Zebra tomato came from our garden. Cheers!

Fish Sticks – Not Mrs. Pauls!

13 Friday Jun 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Beer and Food, Boise Farmers Market, Captain's Shack, Carrots, Cheese, Dinner At The Captains Shack, Dinner With Robin, Garlic, Herbs and Spices, Italian Food, Local Farmers Markets, Local Harvests, Local Markets, Main Dish, Photos By: Bob Young, Recipes, Salad, Salmon, Seafood, Spices, Vegetables, What's For Dinner?

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Beer, Carrot Threads, copper river salmon, Fish Sticks, salmon, sweet potato

In fact, these are made from some fresh salmon. Breading is totally different from the store bought “things”. The recipe follows the photo. Enjoy! We did. This is an awesome way to make salmon.

Housemade Salmon Fish Sticks

Special Dipping Sauce

Fanned Baked Sweet Potato
with
garlic butter

Fresh Green Garden Salad
with
carrot threads and “peachy” peach vinaigrette

Full Sail LTD Lager

And the recipe for both the salmon and the dipping sauce.

Parmesan Fish Sticks and Special Dipping Sauce

Recipe courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis

Total Time: 21 min Prep: 4 min Cook: 17 min Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Level: Easy

Ingredients:
1 (18-ounce) center-cut Salmon Fillet, about 9 by 4 inches, skinned
1/2 c All-Purpose Flour
1/2 t fine Sea Salt
1/4 t freshly ground Black Pepper
3 Egg Whites
1 c grated Parmesan
1 c seasoned Bread Crumbs
Olive oil, for drizzling
1/3 c Mayonnaise
1/3 c Plain Yogurt
1 T Dijon Mustard
1 T chopped fresh Parsley or Chives

Directions: For the Fish Sticks:
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Rinse the salmon fillet and pat dry with paper towels. Cut the fish in half to make 2 fillets each about 4 by 4 1/2-inches in size. Starting on the longest edge, slice the fillets into 1/2-inch pieces. Lay the widest pieces, from the center, cut side down, and slice in half lengthways so all the pieces are equally about 1/2 by 1/2 by 4 1/2-inches in size.

Place the flour in a medium bowl and season with the salt and pepper. Place the egg whites in another bowl and beat until frothy, about 30 seconds. Combine the Parmesan and bread crumbs in a third bowl.

Coat the salmon pieces in the seasoned flour and pat to remove any excess flour. Dip the floured salmon in the egg whites and then into the Parmesan mixture, gently pressing the mixture into the fish. Place the breaded salmon pieces on a liberally oiled baking sheet. Drizzle lightly with the olive oil. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown.

Directions: Dipping Sauce:
Mix the mayonnaise, yogurt, Dijon mustard, and parsley (or chives, if using) in a small dipping bowl.
Arrange the fish sticks on a serving platter and serve with the dipping sauce.

Grilled Foods and Wine

11 Wednesday Jun 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Beef, Chicken, Dinner With Friends, Dinner With Robin, Grilled Vegetables, Grillin' and Chillin', Grilling, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Restaurants, Salad, Sliders, Special Dinners, Vegetables, What's For Dinner?, Wine Dinners

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grilling, the Buzz, The Buzz Coffee and Wine, wine dinner

Another interesting night and wine dinner at the Buzz in Boise. And just in time for the summer season – Grilled foods and selecting the right wine to go with the food. Cristi also let everyone know that they are putting a a beer tap system for local beers and she wants our suggestions. My suggestion is (1) Cloud 9 Nano Brewery in the Albertson’s Shopping Center on State Street and (2) 10 Barrel Brewery in downtown Boise. Here are some photos from tonight’s dinner and my wine ratings. A perfect score is [20]. Enjoy and Cheers!

Peggy is grilling skewers for dinner.

Wines prior to dinner. I did not particularly like the white one [11] and the red was just a little better [12]. I have had much better wines from both these wineries.

The best wine of the night was this one. I scored it a perfect [20]. Full bodied and went extremely well with the beef and chicken skewers and the corn on the cob. 2011 If You See Kay