Varietals of the World

14 Wednesday Apr 2010

Posted by Bob and Robin in Main Dish, Photos By: Bob Young, Wine and Food, Wine Dinners

April 13, 2010. Another great evening at The Buzz in Boise tasting and eating; eating and tasting. Varietals of the World: Nebbiolo and other Piedmont Favorites and Muscato. Debbie did another great job and the wines matched and pared extremely well with what Debbie chose. But lets look at the wines and the meal! Cheers.

(Sorry for the lousy photo!) We started with a 2004 Villa Felici Classico Orvieto, 12% (17). This was a grassy, vanilla and sea shore nose. This would age another 4 years or so. Then we had a 2006 Masked Rider Syrah, 13.5% (16). A very light red that is easy to drink. Both of these wines were the preliminary wines. Then with the Wine and Cheese Strata, we had a wonderful NV Risata Moscato D’Asti, 5.5% (19). Very drinkable and clean. A wonderful wedding wine. Robin and I both enjoyed this blue bottle, wine.

And with the Stuffed Zucchini, we had a good 2005 Mezzacorona Moscato, 11.5% (17). A dry and still wine that really goes well with the light spicyness and herby stuffing of the zucchini. Yet, the zucchini, usually a very mild squash, was not overpowered by the Moscato.

The Asparagus Soup with Lemon Crème Fraîche. What can I say. It was delicious! Cristi did a wonderful thing: she served a 2008 Muscadet, 12% (19) as a comparison. Nice touch! And the 2006 Prunotto Barbera D’Asti, 13% (18) went quite well with the asparagus. But, so did the 2008 Muscadet. We saved a little to try with the asparagus. And, in my opinion, the Muscadet went best with the soup.

This White Bean Salad was different. Lots of green pepper. But surprising, the 2007 Marchesi Di Barbera Monferrato Maraia, 13.5% (18) went very well with the salad. The green pepper did not interfere with the wine. But just to let you know, this is not one of our more favorite varietals.

With the Nick and Toni’s Pasta ala Vecchia Bettola, we had a good, but not exceptional, 2003 Travaglini Gattinara, 12% (16). This wine would go well with a spicy Veal Parmigiana or Lasagna. It did go very well with this pasta.

And to top the dinner off, a wonderfully, refreshing Tripple Orange Soup. The wine that was chosen was a NV Zonin Moscato D’Asti,(18). Such a good meal with a wonderful selection of wines to go with it. If you missed this one, don’t fret!! You can redeem yourself on Tuesday May 12, or May 16 for the Quarterly Dinner, on July 25 for a BBQ or on Mother’s Day! Your choice. Hope to see you at the next event. Contact the Buzz for more specific information and to make reservations. Cheers!

April In Paris …….

08 Thursday Apr 2010

Posted by Bob and Robin in Food, Pizza, Things To Do, Wine and Food

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Ahhhh. At least at the Le Cafe de Paris in Boise. Here is their April schedule. Left-Click on the graphic and get a Full Screen view. Enjoy!!

Check out these specials!!

The 39th Anniversary of My 29th Birthday!

02 Friday Apr 2010

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

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Such an awesome dinner at Le Cafe de Paris here in Boise for my birthday dinner. Thank-You Robin for being here and there and everywhere. Here’s what we had for dinner. Enjoy, we did!

What’s For Dinner? 30 March

31 Wednesday Mar 2010

Posted by Bob and Robin in Food, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Things To Do, Wine and Food

≈ 2 Comments

What’s for dinner?

Sauteed Halibut with Bearnaise Sauce

Steamed Asparagus

Slow Boiled New Buttered Potatoes

2007 Rancho Sisquoc Chardonnay

Oh my, Robin made an awesome breakfast, so I had to try this. Actually it turned out pretty good for a SOP recipe. Easy to do, just takes a little pre-thought. Now I know that Geno and Debra would like this, but they are not in the area for a while. So, we had to eat it all by ourselves. We need to have a Circulating Dinner Party sometime! That would be fun. Cheers!

"Seasons" April Schedule

28 Sunday Mar 2010

Posted by Bob and Robin in Celebrations, Seasons Bistro, Things To Do, Wine and Food

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Here is the April schedule of events at the Seasons in Eagle.

Subject: April Events

Friday April 2, 2010 :: 6:00pm The Bodo Brothers hail from Boise, Idaho, but their music was born in Mississippi’s hill country, Chicago’s blues clubs, and the juke joints, railyards and work farms of the Deep South. They have been awarded the ”People’s Choice Award” as favorite blues band at “Blues, Brews and BBQs”
Michael Laky

Saturday April 3, 2010 :: 6:00pm With Dinner Specials

Easter Brunch Sunday April 4, 2010 :: 10:00am 3-Seatings: 10:00am/12:00pm/2:00pm

Stuffed French Toast, Apple-Sour Cream Coffee Cake, Soft Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, Fruit, Smoked Salmon with mini Bagels and Mini Easter cupcakes. Mimosas will be available.

2:00pm
Spring Mix with Apples, Candied Walnuts and warm Bacon Dressing, Swedish Poached Ham with Dijon Mustard and Breadcrumbs, Scalloped Potatoes, Chilled Asparagus Salad with grated Egg & Vinaigrette

Women and Wine
Monday April 5, 2010 :: 6:00pm Every Monday at Seasons we will be featuring Women and Wine. Come alone and meet your neighbors or bring a friend and learn about different featured wine and cheese pairings. Cost-$15.00 per person

Blaze & Kelly LIVE
Friday April 9th 6:00pm
New York Strip & Snapper with Lemon Dill Sauce

Steve Eaton Live
Saturday April 10, 2010 :: 6:00pm New York Strip & Snapper with Lemon Dill Sauce
Reservations recommended

Women and Wine
Monday April 12, 2010 :: 6:00pm Every Monday at Seasons we will be featuring Women and Wine. Come alone or bring a friend and learn about different featured wine and cheese pairings. Cost-$15.00 per person

Van Paepeghem Quartet
Tuesday April 13, 2010 :: 6:00pm Seafood Gumbo, Shrimp Creole, Fried Catfish, Hushpuppies & Coleslaw

Women and Wine
Monday April 19, 2010 :: 6:00pm Every Monday at Seasons we will be featuring women and wine. Come alone or bring a friend and learn about different featured wine and cheese pairings. Cost-$15.00 per person

Single Car Garage Band
Friday April 23, 2010 :: 12:00pm With Dinner Specials

Flamenco Night with Riccardo
Saturday April 24, 2010 :: 6:00pm Dinner Specials

Women and Wine
Monday April 26, 2010 :: 6:00pm Every Monday at Seasons we will be featuring Women and Wine. Come alone or bring a friend and learn about different featured wine and cheese pairings. Cost-$15.00 per person

Jazz with Van Paepeghem Quartet
Tuesday April 27, 2010 :: 6:00pm Lamb Tagine, Moroccan Chicken, Cous Cous

Seasons Wineauxs Dinner Club
Wednesday April 28, 2010 :: 6:00pm 6:00-7:00pm/Happy Hour
7:00-9:00PM-Seasons Wineauxs paired dinner
$35.00- members $40.00-non-members

Live Music with Will Bell
Friday April 30, 2010 :: 6:00pm
Dinner Special: Seared Ahi Tuna Salad

InfoHours: 11 AM – 8 PM Mon – Thu
11 AM – 9 PM Fri – Sat
Phone: http://www.facebook.com/l/a762f;208.939.6680
Fax: http://www.facebook.com/l/a762f;208.938.1553
E-Mail: rachel@seasonsdelicatering.com

The Buzz – Zonin Dinner

28 Sunday Mar 2010

Posted by Bob and Robin in Things To Do, Wine and Food, Wine Dinners

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On March 27, Robin and I and Marnie and Mac all went to the Buzz for another in their series of quarterly Wine Dinners. This time the wines were presented by Zonin Winery direct from Italy. Christie, Debbie and Tom did a fantastic job in paring the wines and preparing the 7 course dinner. Look what we had. My wine scores are in parenthesis. 20 points possible.

On Table

Salami Carpaccio
Breads and Dipping Oils

Antipasti

Mozzarella Puffs
Funghi Marinati
Perreroni Marinati

2006 Zonin Sasseo Primitivo Masseria Altemura
13.5% (16)

Pasti

Pasta with Lentil Sauce

2004 Zonin Chianti Classico Reserva Castello D’albola
13.0% (18)

Salad

Grilled Onion Salad

2008 Zonin Insola Principi di Byuera
13.5% (18)

It was good to have Mac and Marnie with us for dinner.

La Dolce Vita

Shrimp Scampi

2008 Zonin Le Focaie Rocca di Montemassi
13.5% (18)

Entrèe

Chicken with Lemon and Wine
Oven Fries
Steamed Asparagus with Lemon

2005 Zonin Sassabruna Rocca di Montemassi
13.0% (19)

Dessert

Granita de Caffe
Blackberry Pound Cake with Moscato Ctream

NV Zonin Proseco NL
11% (17)

So there you have another exciting quarterly wine dinner at the Buzz. Remember, there is also a monthly wine dinner held on the 2nd Tuesday and Wednesday of each month. Seating is limited to 40 people, so call for reservations. The quarterly dinners are special so they cost $25 per person. The monthly dinners are $15 per person. Cheers and hope to see you at the next event.

Rhone Night In Boise

26 Friday Mar 2010

Posted by Bob and Robin in Celebrations, Food, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Wine and Food, Wine Dinners

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Oh yes!! Once again Le Cafe de Paris did an awesome job!! Dinner in the Rhone Valley. With all the trimmings. But don’t just take my word for it, look at the photos. And then, if you missed this one, you have another chance on Thursday, April 1, 2010 at the Tapas Night. See you there?

Lamb Chop Curry

22 Monday Mar 2010

Posted by Bob and Robin in Lamb, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food

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Don’t touch that dial!! It’s really very good. Try it with eggplant sometime. Making it with beef would be a cultural faux pas. Maybe pork. Start by making an Indian Raita. Both recipes are hot linked.

Indian Raita

A raita is a liquid salad – yogurt, cucumber, some spices, even the Greeks make it. But a memorable raita needs precise balance of the right ingredients.

Ingredients:
2 c liquid unsweetened Plain Yogurt
2 fresh Scallions
1 lg Jalapeno Chili Pepper, seeds and ribs removed, diced
1 thumb-sized Ginger root
1 Garlic clove
1 Cucumber
Juice of 1 lime
Salt
1 T Cumin seeds
1 T Black pepper corns

Directions:Peel the cucumber then remove the seeds with spoon. Pour the yogurt into a bowl and coarsely grate the cucumber. Use a knife to cut any pieces that break off into small strips.

Purée ginger and garlic and mix in. Chop the chili and scallions. Reserve some for the decor and mix the rest in. They will provide crunchiness.

Heat cumin seeds in a dry saucepan until they smoke, then reduce to a powder with the peppercorns and salt. Add to the raita.

Leave at least one hour in the fridge before serving so that the flavors combine.

This is an extraordinary accompaniment with a curry or tandori-roasted meats. It provides an explosion of freshness – ginger, garlic, scallions, peppers on a soft, liquid yogurt-cucumber base. Always a success!

——————————

Here is the completed and plated Lamb Chop Curry. From Left to Right: Rice with Curried Onions, Raita, Lamb Chop Curry and Diced Tomato. And really, it is not difficult to do. It just takes some time. Give yourself about 20 minutes to prep and another hour or so to do the curry. You will really like it!

Rajasthan Lamb Chop Curry

Ingredients:
6 Lamb Chops
1 T Cumin seeds
1 T Coriander seeds
1 T Fennel seeds
1 lg Jalapeno Chili Pepper, ribs and seeds removed, diced
2 med Onions, thinly sliced
1 t Salt
8 cloves Garlic, chopped
1 med Tomato, chopped
Handful coriander leaves roughly chopped for garnish

Directions:
Dry roast the cumin seeds, coriander seeds, fennel seeds in a frying pan until aromatic and just starting to change colour. Remove from the heat and grind using a spice grinder or pestle & mortar into a fine powder. Set aside.

In a large pan, add the chops in one layer if possible. Cover them with water by about 5 cm, gently bring this to the boil and cook for 10 minutes.

Reduce the heat, add the spices and garlic and stir well. Let this gently simmer again for 30 minutes. Now add the onions and the Jalapeno peppers and stir in well. Let it simmer again for 25 minutes until the lamb is tender and the sauce has reduced considerably.

Serving:
Transfer to a serving platter, sprinkle with fresh coriander and tomatoes. Serve with naan breads, rice, Indian pickles and raita. Pour a nice glass of 2004 Amisfield Pinot Noir and you have a superb dinner. And it didn’t cost you $50.00 per plate either!! Cheers!

"Seasons Bistro" Special!!

20 Saturday Mar 2010

Posted by Bob and Robin in Food, Main Dish, Seasons Bistro, Things To Do, Wine and Food

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Friday & Saturday Night Menu:

Slow Roasted Coffee & Herb Crusted Prime Rib with Pesto Mashed Potatoes and Blanched Asparagus
$21.99

Winter Scallop Salad
$16.99

Soups:
-White Bean with Ham
-Moroccan Bean
-Free Range Turkey Pot Pie
-Gumbo

Bloggers Note: Robin and I will vouch for the exquisitness of the Moroccan Soup, the Gumbo, the Chocolate Raspberry Cake (if there is any left) and the pot pie!

Desserts include:

New York Cheesecake
(caramel sauce optional)

Chocolate Mousse Bars

Raspberry filled Almond Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Assorted Fresh Fruit Pies

Wine to pair with dinner?

This elegantly balanced Chardonnay shows robust acidity and purity of fruit with subdued tropical fruit, orange blossom and Asian pear flavors and subtle mineral nuances that gain complexity on a long, robust finish. $26.99

There are few places better suited for Cabernet Sauvignon than the Alexander Valley, which is why it’s become our signature wine. Warm summer days tempered by morning coastal fogs combine to help create a refined Cabernet that is at once approachable upon release, yet with the fortitude to develop with time. In the glass, the 2007 Estate Cabernet displays big aromas of black cherry, cassis, cocoa powder and plum and flavors of cassis, black cherry and plum along with soft, integrated tannins. This is certainly a great wine to serve with beef, whether braised short ribs or a Tuscan steak rubbed with olive oil and rosemary.
$23.99

Seasons Bistro
Friday, March 19th
6:30PM
Live on SEASONS New Stage

WILL BELL
Will Bell has been playing as a professional musician for most of his life. Growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma , Will’s musical influences naturally come from a mixture of southern rock, country, and a strong connection to the blues. He has been the opening act for bands such as Jefferson Starship , Bruce Willis, Coco Montoya and the Paul Delay Blues Band just to name a few. Will’s dynamic solo act has been entertaining audiences in the Boise and Sun Valley areas as well as venues and vineyards throughout the Northwest. Will released a CD titled “Once In A Blue Moon” that has been selling locally and internationally to rave reviews.

In the summer of 09′ Will was featured at Boise’s ” Alive After Five” and his band ” The SwampKats” was invited to play at the Boise Blues Society Corner Club’s summer bash . Will’s song “Missin Home” is also featured on Boise “On Hold” throughout the city . Currently you can find Will playing at Season’s Bistro in Eagle, Id. Call 939-6680 for reservations Seasons Bistro

“Welcome to the Boise Foodie Guild Blog. There’s not a degreed Chef among us, but we sure do like to try different foods, whether it is at a restaurant or in our own kitchens. You will find some recipes here. If not, look at Recipes From Bob and Robin. There are 100’s there! So sit back and enjoy our wonderings.”

This is a quote from the dynamic food duo Bob & Robin Young. If you haven’t been to their website or facebook page check them out at: http://boisefoodieguild.blogspot.com/
or Bob or Robin Young on facebook.

Boise Foodie Guild Recent Post:

The Reuben Sandwich Challenge Scoring
Rated on 1 to 5-Stars, here is how we rate the several places in Boise that serve a Reuben Sandwich. 1-Star is enough for this year and a 5-Star is one that meets the criteria.

4. Seasons Bistro – Wow!! We’ve got a foot race. Homemade Russian Dressing, as was Cucina di Paolo. Good pastrami as was Cucina di Paolo. Great kraut that is special ordered and, in my opinion, better than Cucina di Paolo. Grilled onions. Good rye, that I actually tasted the caraway seed, although it was the Marbled Rye!!! I told Rachel Hurn, Owner, that I really would like to give her the 5-Stars for this sandwich, but I couldn’t. She asked, “Why?” And I told her, “No Jewish Kosher deli pickle.” She said she would go get me one. Too late. But, Rachael does know – as did Paul at Cucina di Paolo – the difference between a Reuben and a Rachael Sandwich. She has both on the menu!!!
Rating: 4½

Are we really closing in on “The Perfect Reuben Sandwich in Boise”? It looks like a difficult job, but someone has to find Boise’s Best. Or am I being a traditionalist? To coin a phrase, “It’s tradition!”, or so it’s been said. If I had a fiddle and if I could play it, I’d shout “It’s Tradition!” from the roof top. At this point in time, the Seasons Bistro (Eagle) and Cucina di Paolo (Boise) are taking the lead. They have set the bar pretty high. Cheers

Sun Valley Harvest Festival September 2010

10 Wednesday Mar 2010

Posted by Bob and Robin in Local Harvests, Wine and Food, Wine and Food Festivals

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I just received this information about the Sun Valley Food and Wine event in September 2010.

Bob.
Let me introduce ourselves. Heidi Ottley and myself – Ed Sinnott – have recently taken over and rebranded the Sun Valley Food and Wine Festival. We now call it the Sun Valley Harvest Festival. As an avid foodie in the Treasure Valley, we thought you would be interested in our event. If so, we will provide you updates and information as we get nearer to the Harvest Festival.

Ed Sinnott

Here is a link to our web site: Sun Valley Harvest Festival.

This could be a lot of fun, especially if they keep the harvest local. Get on their email list for updates by going to their web site. Cheers!