Breakfast Follows Dinner

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Anyone for a waffle?

Anyone for a waffle?

Well, maybe not this luscious Strawberry Waffle with Whipped Cream at the Boise Farmers Market, but then again ……. Maybe so! The dinner below, mixed some very good Chicken Meatballs with rice and the side of coconut oil sauteed Shiitake Mushrooms and Fiddlehead Ferns.
Breakfast then was a bechamel made with coconut milk and steamed spinach. The coconut milk added a rich and a little sweet component that went very well with the astringency of the spinach. Add some sourdough toast and a mock fried egg, and your breakfast will stick to your ribs. Enjoy these photos!

Housemade Maranara with Chicken Meatballs Acme Bake Shop Garlic Rubbed Sourdough Toast Coconut Milk Sauteed Shiitake Mushrooms and Fiddlehead Ferns

Housemade Marinara with Chicken Meatballs
Organic Pasta
Acme Bake Shop Garlic Rubbed Sourdough Toast
Coconut Oil Sauteed Shiitake Mushrooms and Fiddlehead Ferns

Coconut Milk Bechamel with Spinach Sourdough Toast Mock Fried Eggs

Coconut Milk Bechamel with Steamed Spinach
Sourdough Toast
Mock Fried Eggs

Sorry about the poor quality of this photo of the eggs as above. But it shows the layers of the breakfast.

Sorry about the poor quality of this photo of the eggs as above. But it shows the layers of the breakfast.

Drizzly Farmers Market in Boise

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11Apr2015_1_Boise-Farmers-Market_SignMaybe drizzly and somewhat blustery, but at least no snow or tornadoes or other such weather offerings! The crowd seemed to be down a little. Probably because of the stormy weather. Just the “die hards” ventured out to the market. We did get our fresh eggs from Meadowlark Farms, stock bones and fresh sliced pork belly from Homestead Farms, our weekly fix of sourdough bread from Acme Bake Shop – there are hot links to all of these venders in the sidebar. We also bought mushrooms, sorrel, watercress and fiddlehead ferns from The Mushroom Ranch. Enjoy these photos of the market this morning. Left-Click any of them to see enlarged. Cheers!

The Mushroom Man. Fresh mushrooms,  fiddlehead ferns, sorrel and watercress is available from them.

The Mushroom Ranch. Fresh mushrooms, fiddlehead ferns, sorrel and watercress is available from them.

Those who braved the cold drizzle loved the market experience.

Those who braved the cold drizzle loved the market experience.

Even the "Little Ones" in their own Surry!

Even the “Little Ones” in their own Surry!

And the waffles were great also!

And the waffles were great also!

Banjo pickin' and singin'!

Banjo pickin’ and singin’!

Need for coffee. Neckar Coffee makes a good cup of coffee!

Need for coffee. Neckar Coffee makes a good cup of coffee!

Anyone for a waffle?

Anyone for a waffle?

Mine.

Mine.

Awesome bread from the Acme Bake Shop!

Awesome bread from the Acme Bake Shop!

How about some fresh beets?

How about some fresh beets?

Such a great source to find some deliciously fresh local produce and foods. Hope to see you at the Boise Farmers Market at 10th and Grove next week. If you see me, say “Hi”. Cheers!

Diet and “The Heartbreak of Psoriasis”

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21sept2013_2_robins-bday-captains-shack_gumbo_getting-happyAnd Robin has it and the infection drives her “nuts” sometimes! But she located this interesting article from Embrel, Psoriasis – Your Condition. “Plaque Psoriasis Is an Immune Disease; Treat It From Within.” In other words, modify your diet. Key word: Modify, Not eliminate. And do it slowly; One food group at a time or item within the food group; Not all at once. Looks like we will return to our high seafood diet and chicken diet, at least for a while. The last paragraph in this article is important and something to remember. And to let you know, we do not eat a lot of “Junk Food”. Maybe a burger once a month – Maybe! Here is part of an article from Embrel Do enjoy the information. If you have psoriasis, it might be worth a try. Good luck and Stop Scratching! (My Dad always said, “Home is where you can scratch where it itches!”)

Your Personal Elimination Psoriasis Diet
Here are eight foods and beverages that get mentioned often by people as possibly causing their psoriasis flare-ups. You might consider cutting them out of your diet one at a time to see if any have an effect on your symptoms:
Alcohol. “First and foremost, stop drinking,” Bagel says. Here’s why: Alcohol opens the blood vessels in the skin. When your blood vessels are dilated, white blood cells, including the T cells that are believed to be responsible for psoriasis, can sneak into the outer layers of your skin more easily — and you don’t need to be inviting more T cells. “Your psoriasis symptoms may worsen even if you’re a light-to-moderate alcohol user,” warns Chelsea Marie Warren, RD, a dietitian and certified wellness coach in Portland, Ore.
Junk foods. Psoriasis is an inflammatory condition. Junk foods tend to be high in saturated and trans fats and refined starches and sugars, all of which can promote inflammation. Another reason to avoid junk foods is that that they are high in calories with little nutritional value, and people with psoriasis often have weight problems. “If you have psoriasis, you have an increased risk of heart and vascular diseases,” Bagel says. “Being overweight adds to that risk.”
Red meat. Red meats contain a polyunsaturated fat called arachidonic acid. “This type of fat can worsen psoriasis symptoms because it can easily be converted into inflammatory compounds,” Warren says. Also include on your foods-to-avoid list: processed meats such as sausage and bacon.
Dairy products. Like red meat, dairy products contain the natural inflammatory arachidonic acid. “Cow’s milk is one of the biggest culprits,” Bagel says, because it also contains the protein casein, which has been linked to inflammation. Egg yolks, too, are high in arachidonic acid, so consider nixing them from your diet.
Nightshade plants. Some people report that consuming plants from the “nightshade family” — which includes peppers, white potatoes, eggplant, and tomatoes — exacerbates their psoriasis. These vegetables contain solanine, a chemical compound that has been shown to trigger pain in some people. “Certain patients believe that if you avoid these vegetables, you decrease your symptoms,” Bagel says. “I’m not so sure about that, but I’m not opposed to people trying it.”
Citrus fruits. Sometimes, an allergic reaction can cause psoriasis to flare. Citrus fruits, such as grapefruit, oranges, lemons, and limes, are a common allergen. See if eliminating them from your diet improves your skin. This prohibition includes their derivatives as well, such as lemonade or grapefruit juice.
Gluten. Gluten is a protein found in some grass-related grains, including rye, wheat, and barley. Researchers in Portugal found that psoriasis symptoms in some people with a gluten sensitivity improved after they avoided gluten in their diets. Studies are ongoing, but the idea of psoriasis patients benefitting from a gluten-free diet is still controversial, Bagel says. Even if it works, he adds, it’s not an easy diet to follow.
Condiments. Some people with psoriasis find condiments and spices to be their enemy. The ones that seem to cause the most trouble for people with psoriasis are pimento, cinnamon, curry, vinegar, mayo, paprika, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and ketchup. They’re on the no-no list because substances in these condiments can increase inflammation.
Although research has yet to confirm a direct link between what you eat and psoriasis flare-ups, you might find that your condition improves when you avoid one or more of these foods. Be sure to share what you discover with your doctor so you don’t miss out on any important nutrients

Stained Glass Potatoes

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21sept2013_2_robins-bday-captains-shack_gumbo_getting-happyThere must be 100 recipes for Stained Glass Potatoes or Stained Glass Potato Chips. But basically, most of them just use parsley. We like the addition of other herbs and edible flowers – pansy, viola, violets, etc. These flowers and herbs add some color to the “window”. Much less, flavor to the chips. Fun to do, but somewhat time consuming – it takes a while to place the herbs and flowers just in the right place. We baked ours at 400 ºF for 6 minutes and then turned the baking sheet 180º for another 6 minutes. All of the recipes that we looked at said to line a baking sheet with parchment, place the potato slices on the parchment, add a second sheet of parchment and then a second baking pan. Weigh this all down with bricks. We used a cast iron skillet for weight. One source for the recipe is from Martha Stewart at Parsley Potato Chips. She uses parsley, but we like the flowers and herbs better. The preparation and cooking process is the same. Here is a pictorial journey through the process. Enjoy and remember, if you want to, Left-Click any of these photos to enlarge. Cheers!

Some of the herbs we used. Thyme, violas, chives, taragon and baby sage.

Some of the herbs we used. Thyme, violas, chives, tarragon and baby sage. Use your imagination and use any colorful EDIBLE flower or herb you can fine. Remember – If you put it on a plate, one MUST be able to eat it. In other words, Poison Ivy is not a good selection to put in these chips!

Brush unsalted butter on the parchment paper.

Brush unsalted butter on the parchment paper.

Dust the buttered parchment paper with sea salt. fresh ground black pepper and cayenne pepper.

Dust the buttered parchment paper with sea salt, fresh ground black pepper and cayenne pepper.

Slice a potato thin enough to be transparent. Lay on the buttered parchment and place the herbs and flowers. Butter the herbs/flowers.

Slice a potato thin enough to be transparent. Lay on the buttered parchment and place the herbs and flowers. Butter the herbs/flowers.

Herbs and flowers placed to "paint" a picture.

Herbs and flowers placed to “paint” a picture.

Creating the "picture".

Creating the “picture”.

Thin sliced potatoes and "stained glass" being made.

Thin sliced potatoes and “stained glass” being made.

The finished product.

The finished product.

Birthday Dinner

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05April2015_1_My-BDay_Table-FlowersMarnie and Mac gave me this wonderful birthday dinner. Thank-You! Delicious. Thank-You Chris for being there. Sorry we missed you Sophia.
The flowers here are from their front garden. Absolutely beautiful. Spring must be here, even tho\ugh there is snow in the mountains and there is a cold drizzly rain falling. April showers bring May flowers, or so it is said. There is even water in the irrigation canals, almost 15 days early! Hope there is enough water to last the season.
Do enjoy these photos of the dinner. Really wonderful.

Green Beans with Candied Walnuts

Green Beans with Candied Walnuts

Stained Glass Potatoes - Robin made these.

Stained Glass Potatoes – Robin made these.

Ham and Lamb

Sliced Ham and Sliced Lamb

The meal plated. Mac made the rolls - delicious!

The meal plated. Mac made the rolls – delicious!

Rabbit Cookies

Rabbit Cookies

Inside Out German Chocolate Cake by Marnie.

Inside Out German Chocolate Cake by Marnie. (I think it took her two days to make this.)

Oh yum!!!

Oh yum!!!

Breakfast At “The Shack”

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1-Tuscan-Kitchen

Ah yes. And a different one it was. When the Chef arrived, Robin ordered his black bean and fried polenta cake special. This plate comes with fried polenta cake, black beans with turmeric and cumin, pico de gallo and bean sprouts. Bob ordered the Chefs’ special fried polenta cake and jasmine tea mock fried eggs. Oh yum!! Here. Take a look and enjoy!

Robin ordered -Black Beans Pico de Gallo Guacamole Fried Polenta Cakes

Robin ordered

Black Beans
Pico de Gallo
Guacamole
Fried Polenta Cakes

I ordered Black Beans Fried Polenta Cake Jasmine Mock Fried Eggs Pico de Gallo

I ordered

Black Beans
Fried Polenta Cake
Jasmine Tea Mock Fried Eggs
Pico de Gallo

Flowers You Can Eat

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20Mar2015_1c_Garden-Spring-Flowers_Purple-ViolaThere are several – if not many – flowers that you can grow at home and use in your culinary explorations. A Word Of Caution: Make Sure You Know What You Are Eating! Some flowers are toxic! Here is one resource for flowers that are edible from About(dot)com – Edible Flowers. And yes, the pansy pictured here is edible. Below, too, is a photo of some Violas that I planted. Hope this article is informative for you and be sure to printout a copy of the Edible Flower List. And remember – Never use non-edible flowers as a garnish. You must assume that if guests find a flower on a plate of food, they will think it edible. Read these links before you use flowers in you menus. With that in mind, here is a link to Edible Flowers Tips and Hints. Cheers!

Violas  that were just planted. Edible and pretty.

Violas that were just planted. Edible and pretty.

Scrapple – What?

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Tango-Corte-Window-FloridaScrapple is an acquired taste. It has been described as “everything from the pig except the oink!” We have our scrapple shipped in from Ralph and Paul Adams, Rapa Brand Scrapple in Philadelphia. I’m a purist. I like the original scrapple and will probably leave the turkey scrapple alone. Wikipedia says,

Scrapple, also known by the Pennsylvania Dutch name panhaas or “pan rabbit,” is traditionally a mush of pork scraps and trimmings combined with cornmeal and wheat flour, often buckwheat flour, and spices. The mush is formed into a semi-solid congealed loaf, and slices of the scrapple are then pan-fried before serving. Scraps of meat left over from butchering, not used or sold elsewhere, were made into scrapple to avoid waste. Scrapple is best known as a rural American food of the Mid-Atlantic states (Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia). Scrapple and panhaas are commonly considered an ethnic food of the Pennsylvania Dutch, including the Mennonites and Amish. Scrapple is found in supermarkets throughout the region in both fresh and frozen refrigerated cases.
Preparation
Scrapple is typically cut into quarter-inch to three-quarter-inch slices and pan-fried until brown to form a crust. It is sometimes first coated with flour. It may be fried in butter or oil and is sometimes deep-fried. Scrapple can also be broiled; this is a good cooking method for those who like their scrapple crisp. Scrapple is usually eaten as a breakfast side dish. It can be served plain or with either sweet or savory condiments: apple butter, ketchup, jelly, maple syrup, honey, or mustard. The state of Maryland is particularly in favor of scrapple topped with grape jelly. In some regions, such as New England, scrapple is mixed with scrambled eggs and served with toast. In the Philadelphia area, scrapple is sometimes fried and then mashed with fried eggs, horseradish, and ketchup.
History and regional popularity
The roots of the culinary traditions that led to the development of scrapple in America have been traced back to pre-Roman Europe. The more immediate culinary ancestor of scrapple was the Low German dish called panhas, which was adapted to make use of locally available ingredients, and it is still called “Pannhaas,” “panhoss,” “ponhoss,” or “pannhas” in parts of Pennsylvania. The first recipes were created by German colonists who settled near Philadelphia and Chester County, Pennsylvania in the 17th and 18th centuries. As a result, scrapple is strongly associated with rural areas surrounding Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, eastern Virginia, and the Delmarva Peninsula. Its popularity on the Delmarva Peninsula is celebrated the second weekend of October during the annual “Apple Scrapple Festival” in Bridgeville, Delaware. In composition, preparation, and taste, scrapple is similar to the white pudding popular in Ireland, Scotland, and parts of England and the spicier Hog’s pudding of the West Country of England.

Why do I like it? Because I come from Delaware, about 15 miles south of Philadelphia, and my Dad was Pennsylvania Dutch. Here is how I make it. Remember – Use a good, non-stick pan to cook the scrapple and over high heat and about 2 Tablespoons of vegetable oil, Crisco. Form a brown crust before trying to turn the scrapple over. If not, it may all fall apart. Here are some photos of scrapple preparation. Cheers!

Slice the scrapple with a very sharp knife about 1/4 to 1/2" thick. Work carefully.

Slice the scrapple with a very sharp knife about 1/4 to 1/2″ thick. Work carefully.

Starting to fry in a hot pan. It is sizzling. Do not disturb until the crust is formed! If you do, it may all fall apart.

Starting to fry in a hot pan. It is sizzling. Do not disturb until the crust is formed! If you do, it may all fall apart.

The brown crust has formed and the scrapple is turned to brown the second side. The one piece on the right, may have been turned a little early. It came out OK though.

The brown crust has formed and the scrapple is turned to brown the second side. The one piece on the right, may have been turned a little early. It came out OK though.

Scrapple with Ketchup Scrambled Idaho Fresh Eggs Fresh Idaho Polenta (Grits) Toast

Scrapple with Ketchup
Scrambled Meadowlark Farms Fresh Eggs
Fresh Idaho Polenta (Grits)
Hawaiian Toast

Seafood Potpie For Dinner

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21sept2013_2_robins-bday-captains-shack_gumbo_getting-happyThis was an awesome recipe from Ina Garten for Seafood Potpie. Although I did alter it slightly. I could not find lobster meat – my seafood shop, Reel Foods Fish Market here in Boise was out of it – I used three small lobster tails. (We are really lucky here in Boise to have such an outstanding seafood market that brings in some really fresh product.) I removed the lobster meat from the shell and then stewed down the lobster shells and shrimp shells to make my own seafood stock. It made a fine rich stock. I also used a small jar of clam juice with the stock. Add to this dinner a wonderful glass of 2012 Williamson Vineyards Blossom, 100% Sangiovese Rosè, and we had a great dinner. Try the recipe. Let us know how you liked it and/or if you altered it at any step. Enjoy these photos. Cheers!

Seafood Potpie This was really very good and we did like the housemade seafood stock.

Seafood Potpie

This was really very good and we did like the housemade seafood stock.

Break open that luscious crust and one exposes peas, pearl onions, shrimp, scallops and lobster.

Break open that luscious crust and one exposes peas, pearl onions, shrimp, scallops and lobster.

Two Different Meals

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03Sept2014_1c_Wine-MeetUp_Flatbread_Robin_GoodWell, I’m sure Robin liked these two meals – her plate was empty and clean! Buddy was with me. Wonderful dinner of pork, mashed potatoes and housemade sauerkraut. A Philly Breakfast of scrapple, scrambled eggs and sourdough toast. And now you are asking, “What is scrapple?” A Philadelphia area treat and staple. If you have never had it, think pork. Crispy fried. With a little ketchup. The “Scrapple Purist” like it thick sliced and no ketchup. Which ever way, it gets a crispy outside. Delicious! Yummy! It’s traditional! We have it shipped in from Bridgeville, Delaware. I know, that’s not Philly. The dish was originally from Philly and has since spread. But it has not traveled far. Enjoy these photos. Cheers! But first, dinner. Left-Click any of these photos to see them enlarged. Tonight’s dinner? Seafood Pot Pie with our Grandson Chris. He likes seafood. ‘Specially lobster.

Roasted Pork Medallions Green Salad with Carrot Strings and Pickled Beets Mashed Potatoes and Housemade Sauerkraut

Roasted Pork Medallions
Green Salad with Carrot Strings and Pickled Beets
Mashed Potatoes and Housemade Sauerkraut

Scramble Meadowlark Farms Eggs Acme Bake Shop Toasted Sourdough Scrapple

Scrambled Meadowlark Farms Eggs
Acme Bake Shop Toasted Sourdough
Rappa Brand Fried Scrapple