Category Archives: Wine and Food

Sweet Mustard Chicken Thighs

09 Wednesday Apr 2014

Posted by in Bacon, Beet Greens, Beets, Boise Farmers Market, Buy Idaho, Captain's Shack, Chicken, Ice Cream, Local Farmers Markets, Onion, Photos By: Bob Young, Recipe: Bob and Robin Young, Strawberries, Vegetables, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Wines - Idaho

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This was a great alternative to fried or the basic baked chicken. A little sweet from the brown sugar and a little tangy from the mustard, without the strong mustard presence. I did tweak the recipe a little since the cayenne made it a little to hot for us. Changed it to red pepper flakes. Plus the sauce was not thick enough and just a little bland. You can see the recipe here: Sweet Mustard Chicken Thighs. It is in PDF format. I suppose that if you don’t like chicken thighs – second joints – you can use legs or breasts but make sure they still have the skin on and bone-in. And the wine went extremely well with the dinner. The wine is from Idaho as were the beets, beet greens and strawberries. Enjoy!

Sweet Mustard Chicken Thighs Fresh Beet Greens with Bacon Fresh Sliced Beets with Balsamic 2008 Vale Wine Co Merlot

Sweet Mustard Chicken Thighs
Fresh Beet Greens with Bacon
Fresh Sliced Beets with Balsamic
2008 Vale Wine Co Merlot

Pound Cake Fresh Strawberries Ice Cream

Pound Cake
Fresh Strawberries
Ice Cream

Yummy Grilled Idaho Beef

07 Monday Apr 2014

Posted by in Acme Bake Shop, Acme Bake Shop Breads, Acme Bake Shop Sourdough, Bitner Vineyards, Boise Artisan Bakery's, Boise Farmers Market, Buy Idaho, Cabbage, Captain's Shack, Comfort Food, Cuts of Beef, Food Photos, Grilled Vegetables, Grillin' and Chillin', Grilling, Idaho Wine, Indian Creek Winery, Local Farmers Markets, Local Harvests, Local Markets, Locavore, Main Dish, Photos By: Bob Young, Salads, Sourdough, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Wines - Idaho

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You might say that this was the “First of the Season” grilling, although I have grilled this past winter. This was a great change for dinner for one night. Loved the Beef Rib Steak from Homestead Farms. Medium rare, and tender. And of the two wines we had, we much prefered the Indian Creek Cabernet over the Bitner Vineyards Cab. The Indian Creek had a lot of fruit forward and went extremely well with the grilled beef. The Bitner Cab is probably on the “downhill side” of perfection.
The beef was from the Farmers Market, the sourdough was from the Farmers Market and the lettuce was from the Farmers Market. The potatoes were Idaho potatoes and the wines were from the Snake River AVA, Idaho. Eat Local! Enjoy!

Homestead Farms Beef Rib Steak Idaho Grilled Potato Wedges Slaw on Purple Sage Lettuce 2004 Bitner Vineyards Reserve Caberbet Sauvignon 2008 Indian Creek Cabernet Sauvignon

Homestead Farms Grilled Beef Rib Steak
Idaho Grilled Potato Wedges
Slaw on Purple Sage Lettuce
Acme Bake Shop Toasted Sourdough
2004 Bitner Vineyards Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
2008 Indian Creek Winery Cabernet Sauvignon

Scallops Alfredo

04 Friday Apr 2014

Posted by in Acme Bake Shop, Acme Bake Shop Sourdough, Captain's Shack, Classic Sauces, Classis Sauces, Comfort Food, Cooking Styles, Food Photos, Italian Food, Joseph Swan Vineyards, Pasta, Photos By: Bob Young, Recipe: Bob and Robin Young, Recipes, Scallops, Sourdough Bread, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food

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We just had to come up with something for dinner and we were in “one of those quandaries”. Nothing really sounded good. Then I looked in the freezer and saw some bay scallops – the little ones – and thought, “Maybe a nice Scallop Alfredo.” I passed it by Robin and she said yes. So here is our dinner. And here too is our recipe for Alfredo Sauce. It’s not for the faint of heart – one must be quite heart healthy. (In her book “Easy Tasty Italian”, Laura Santtini says that an Alfredo Sauce is “.. the king of the fresh pasta sauces … and is described as a ‘heart attack on a plate'”) But also know that an Alfredo Sauce is one of the Classic Italian sauces that was designed to complement fettuccini pasta. Enjoy the sauce!

Oh, and yes, don’t forget the Boise Farmers Market at 10th and Grove starts tomorrow, Saturday April 5.
It runs from 9:00am – 1:00pm.
Support Your Local Farmers!!
See you there!
Scallop Alfredo Acme Bake Shop Toasted Sourdough 2012 Joseph Swan Vineyards Gewurztraminer

Scallops Alfredo
Acme Bake Shop Toasted Sourdough
2012 Joseph Swan Vineyards Gewurztraminer

Thank-You Chris For Dinner

31 Monday Mar 2014

Posted by in Bread, Comfort Food, Dinner At Marnies, Dinner By Chris, Dinner With Family, Main Dish, Party Time, Pasta, Photos By: Bob Young, Salad, Special Dinners, Special Events, Traditional Food, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Wines - Italian

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30Mar2014_1_Chris-Makes-Dinner_Chris-With-Ray-CricketBefore Chris made dinner for Marnie, Mac, Robin and myself, he was seen out in the yard playing ball with Ray, the Golden Retriever and Cricket, a German Short Hair. Both dogs like to play with each other, although Cricket is the oldest at about 12. Two delightful animals. With loving care like this, Cricket will do fine. But now for dinner. I knew Chris had a kitchen talent. He made the main course of Chicken Pasta and it was very good. I am sorry the Maddy and Sophia missed it. But Chris did make plate for Maddy. Enjoy these photos and Left-Click any of them to see enlarged. Cheers!

Chicken Pasta with Herbs Fresh Green Salad Fresh Homemade Rolls and a good Italian wine.

Chicken Pasta with Herbs
Fresh Green Salad
Fresh Homemade Rolls
and a good
2005 Barbaresco Red Italian wine

Robin made this Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake Dump it all together and bake it. Delicious!

Robin made this

Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake

Dump it all together and bake it. Delicious!

Cricket wants more!

Cricket wants more!

Thyank-You everyone for a delightful Birthday dinner. Until next year ……………….

Bone-In Pork Chops with Montmorency Sauce

23 Sunday Mar 2014

Posted by in 5 Hour Duck, Acme Bake Shop Sourdough, Bone-In Pork Chops, Butternut Squash, Captain's Shack, Classic Sauces, Fruit, Main Dish, Montmorency Sauce, Photos By: Bob Young, Pork, Recipe by: Robin and Bob Young, Sourdough Bread, Squash, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Wines - Italian

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This was another one of those dinners. The last time we had a Montmorency Sauce – recipe below – Chef James Grimes made it for the Treasure Valley Wine Society. An awesome sauce that goes very well with pork, but one of these days we will try it with the 5 Hour Roasted Duck.

Braised Bone-In Pork Chops with Montmorency Sauce Mashed Squash with Nutmeg Acme Bake Shop Toasted Sourdough Bread

Braised Bone-In Pork Chops
with
Montmorency Sauce
Mashed Butternut Squash
with
Nutmeg
Acme Bake Shop Toasted Sourdough Bread
2004 Collazzi Toscana Red Wine

Here is the recipe for the Montmorency Sauce.

Montmorency Sauce

“The sweetness makes it suitable for sautéed chicken breasts or roast duckling, as well as more robustly flavored meats such as pork chops.” (Yankee Magazine) “Montmorency cherries get their name from the Montmorency Valley of France, where they originated.” (Product Oasis)

Ingredients:
12 oz Bing cherries, Hood-Crest Dark Sweet Cherries or Montmorency Cherries if you can find them.
1 c Tawny Port
1 large Sugar Cube
2 med Oranges
2 T Cornstarch

Directions:
Drain the Bing cherries and place cherries in a medium bowl. Reserve liquid.

Add 1 cup tawny port to the reserved liquid. Cover the cherries and let stand at room temperature 3 to 4 hours (preferably overnight).

Rub the sugar cube firmly over the oranges to remove zest and aromatic oils from skin. Squeeze orange and measure 1/4 cup juice. Add juice to 2 tablespoons cornstarch and stir until smooth.

In a saucepan, or to deglaze a braised pork pan, combine cherries, juice and port with cornstarch mixture. Cook, stirring constantly, until liquid is thick and clear. Add the sugar cube and stir to dissolve.

Baked Salmon and Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce

21 Friday Mar 2014

Posted by in Bedrock Wine Company, Captain's Shack, Classic Sauces, Dessert, Herbs, Photos By: Bob Young, Recipe By: Russ Terrell, Recipes, Salad, Salmon, Seafood, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food

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This was, by far, one of the better dinners we have made in a while. It was almost comfort food. I would easily pay $15 -$20 for this meal. It was scrumptious. To the Hollandaise Sauce I added a little lemon zest to “liven it up” just a little more without adding a lot of cayenne. The Extravagonzo Infused Oil and the Cold Springs Winery wine are both Idaho products.

Baked Copper River Salmon with Myers Lemon Infused Olive Oil Tarragon Steamed Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce Ben and Jerry's Penut Butter Fudge Ice Cream and Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia Ice Cream

Crisp Fresh Green Salad
Baked Copper River Salmon
with
Extravagonzo Myers Lemon Infused Grapeseed and Olive Oil Blend and Tarragon
Steamed Asparagus with Easy Blender Hollandaise Sauce

Choice Of
Ben and Jerry’s Peanut Butter Fudge Ice Cream
or
Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia Ice Cream

Choice Of
2013 Bedrock Wine Company Grenache
or
2011 Cold Springs Merlot

Fresh Made Chicken Pot Pies

10 Monday Mar 2014

Posted by in Carrots, Chicken, Classics, Comfort Food, Healthy Eating, Onion, Pastries, Photos By: Bob Young, Things To Do, Vegetables, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food

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09Mar2014_1_Captains-Shack_Chix-Pot-Pie_OvenOur $7.95 whole chicken, just gave us 7 meals. That’s $1.11 per meal. Or, if you figure per person for the chicken, that’s $0.56 per plate. Guess we can get our meds this month! The chicken was a little over 6 pounds. Not one of Frank Purdue’s chickens (“It takes a tough man to make a tender chicken”) but it was good. The final meal was these Chicken Pot Pies that Robin made. The pies are ready to be placed in the oven in this photo. We use both round and rectangular bowls to make the dinner. Add to this a good Tuscan wine, and we had a good dinner. Here are photos of the final dish. Enjoy!

Robin's Chicken Pot Pie

Robin’s Chicken Pot Pie


Chicken Pot Pie in a rectangular dish. Works any way you want to make them. Delicious!

Chicken Pot Pie in a rectangular dish. Works any way you want to make them. Delicious!

Trader Joe’s Boise Finally Open

28 Friday Feb 2014

Posted by in Comfort Food, GMOs, Photos By: Bob Young, Special Events, Trader Joe's, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food

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28Feb2014_1_Trader-Joes-Opens_Store-Window_OpenerYes! Finally the store is open! Not as big a crowd as I expected though. Weather was good … slightly cool but no rain. I am sorry that my request to attend the Media Day was rejected, Whole Foods was more than happy to have us and even went out of their way when they first opened here in Boise. But at least I got to attend the Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting. It was good. Here are some photos of the event, Trader Joe’s Opens.

Would you believe we started out as a small chain of convenience stores? It’s true. Way back in 1958. We were called Pronto Markets. In ’67, our founder, the original Trader Joe, changed our name (yes, to Trader Joe’s) and the way we do business.
1967 – The first Trader Joe’s opened its doors in Pasadena, California. Still there today – same spot, same parking lot.
If you were into wine – especially California wines – Trader Joe’s was the place to go. Still is. But back in the late 1960s, we sold every California wine there was.

Do enjoy the photos and Left-Click to see them enlarged. Cheers! The above quote is from the Trader Joe’s website.

The 6:30am group. Not yet a crowd but still very congenial.

The 6:30am group. Not yet a crowd but still very congenial.

As the morning awakened, the group became a small crowd.

As the morning awakened, the group became a small crowd.

"Trader Joer's"

“Trader Joer’s”

The rising sun brings activity to the store.

The rising sun brings activity to the store.

Boise's Mayor Dave Bieter opens the store. Thank-You Mr Mayor for taking time from your busy schedule and attending.

Boise’s Mayor Dave Bieter opens the store. Thank-You Mr Mayor for taking time from your busy schedule and attending.

Inside the store. Just one of many products. I like Lemon Curd. So does Robin.

Inside the store. Just one of many products. I like Lemon Curd. So does Robin.

I checked many of the produce items and most were 3000, 4000 and 9000 PLU series. That;'s good .... No 8000 series that I saw.

I checked many of the produce items and most were 3000, 4000 and 9000 PLU series. That’s good …. No 8000 series that I saw.

And of course, there is always a good wine selection.

And of course, there is always a good wine selection.

This is just one of the worldwide wine types available. All of the wines have a good price on them.

This is just one of the worldwide wine types available. All of the wines have a good price on them.

So that’s it for the Opening Ceremony. Short. Sweet. And Boise was ready for this to happen. A different type of grocery store from Whole Foods or Albertsons. I wish them great success.

Valentines Day Breakfast

14 Friday Feb 2014

Posted by in Beef, Breakfast, Captain's Shack, Classic Sauces, French Foods, Homemade Pasta, Idaho Wine, Local Harvests, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?, Whats For Breakfast?, Wine and Food

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Oh yum! This is going to be a delicious day! Robin made these

Red Velvet Pancakes
with
Coeur à la Crème, Caramelized Strawberries and Red Raspberries

 
Add some delicious Honey Blueberry Sausage and it’s a wonderful breakfast. What did you have?
14Feb2014_1_Valentines-Day-Breakfast_Red-Velvet-Pancakes

Filet-Mignon-Glazed
 
 
And then for dinner tonight I am making this Filet Mignon with Rich Balsamic Glaze. The recipe suggests the wines to have with the dinner and a side.

Valentines Wine Dinner at the Buzz

12 Wednesday Feb 2014

Posted by in Chocolate, Chocolate and Food, Dinner With Friends, Healthy Eating, Idaho Chefs, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Special Dinners, Special Events, Things To Do, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Wine Dinners

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11Feb2014_1f_The-Buzz-Valentines_Two-Angels_Pitite-SyrahAnother superb wine dinner at the Buzz in Boise! So far this year, the dinners have been great. Tommy’s Asian Dinner last month and now this dinner for Valentines Day. And then too, it is Cristi’s birthday at the end of the month. Oh yes. I forgot. She was born on February 29th. But I bet she will have something. As for the dinner tonight, most of the wines were pretty good. Out of 7 wines, 3 were scored [19], 2 were [17], 1 at [16] and one at [15]. Thanks to Michelle and Cristi for this great dinner. Here are some photos from the dinner. The wine above, 2008 Two Angels Petite Sirah, was probably my favorite of the night with a score of [19]. Enjoy and see you at the next dinner! Cheers!

Assorted Chocolates

Assorted Chocolates

Caponata Crostini reall a good appetizer. Too bad the wine was not up to the spiciness. 2012 Heritage Cote du Rhone 14% alc. definitely not the best wine of the evening. not enough body and finish to go with the appetizer [15] $14.00

Caponata Crostini
really a good appetizer. Too bad the wine was not up to the spiciness.
2012 Heritage Cote du Rhone
14% alc. definitely not the best wine of the evening. not enough body and finish to go with the appetizer [15] $14.00

Tomato and Chocolate Soup such a good soup! 2012 Heritage Cote du Rhone 14% alc. not my favorite. [15] $14.00

Tomato and Chocolate Soup
such a good soup!
2011 Tomero Cabernet Sauvignon
15% alc. went very well with the soup. good body and finish. [17] $16.00

Pear and Spinach Salad truly a great salad that went extremely well with the wine. 2011 Jack Cabernet Sauvignon 13.8% alc. This wine went superbly with the salad! great body and finish. [19] $18.00

Pear and Spinach Salad
truly a great salad that went extremely well with the wine.
2011 Jack Cabernet Sauvignon 13.8% alc. This wine went superbly with the salad! great body and finish. [19] $18.00

Pasta Marinara and Beef Kabob I really enjoyed this entree. Great sauce on the kabobs made with beer. 2008 Two Angels Petite Sirah 14.1% alc a superb wine with this plate. great taste, body and a good finish. [19] $21.00

Pasta Marinara and Beef Kabob
I really enjoyed this entree. Great sauce on the kabobs made with beer.
2008 Two Angels Petite Sirah
14.1% alc a superb wine with this plate. great taste, body and a good finish. [19] $21.00

Brownie Tiramisu Such a delight to end the dinner with this. Great ending! 2011 Renwood Zinfandel 14.5% alc. just OK with the dessert. Almost to big for the chocolate. [17] $15.00

Brownie Tiramisu
Such a delight to end the dinner with this. Great choice!
2011 Renwood Zinfandel
14.5% alc. just OK with the dessert. Almost to big for the chocolate. [17] $15.00

And as a side note and information that Cristi presented last night, the Thursday before Labor Day is known as Cabernet Day and Cristi said she might think of a wine dinner that goes along with this event. And another, Zinfandel is a great partner with curry and hard cheeses. And as for a Petite Sirah, which is not by any means a small grape or wine, “… goes well with any food with which you would normally pair a big red wine: grilled meats, roast duck, lamb, pot roast, rabbit in mustard sauce (ed note: I have a great recipe for this), mushrooms and chocolate. Petite Sirah can age for years. Even decades.” (Cristi Takeda, the Buzz) Hope you make the next wine dinner. They are really fun and informative. Cheers!