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

Pulled Pork Sliders 2010 Renwood Clarion a blend of Syrah and Zin [17]

Pulled Pork Sliders
2010 Renwood Clarion
a blend of Syrah and Zin [19]

Peggy made the sauce for these and it was good. Almost a Carolina style with a hint of vinegar.

Grilled Romaine Salad
2012 Basal Cellars Estate Semillion [17]

Roasted Vegetable Soup
2009 MontGras Antu Ninquen Syrah [18]

This wine went very well with the soup. A good paring.

Chicken and Beef Skewers with Corn On-The-Cob 2011 If You See Kay [20]

Chicken and Beef Skewers with Corn On-The-Cob
2011 If You See Kay Blend [20]

A superb wine offering tonight and a great paring with the skewers and corn.

S’mores Cake
NV Fratelli Casa Rosa [18]

Cannelloni For Dinner

09 Monday Jun 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Acme Bake Shop, Acme Bake Shop Breads, Acme Bake Shop Sourdough, Acme Bakery, Avocado, Boise Farmers Market, Brocolli, Buy Idaho, Captain's Shack, Cheese, Cooking Styles, Dinner At The Captains Shack, Dinner With Robin, Italian Food, Local Farmers Markets, Local Harvests, Local Markets, Pasta, Photos By: Bob Young, Salad, Sourdough Bread, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Wines - Italian

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cannelloni, chianti, classico chianti

Another really good dinner tonight. We really try to observe the Meatless Monday, along with seafood on Friday. The wine went so very well with the cannelloni and the cheese. It is fun to try to keep the dinners inline with what day of the week it is. We are not always successful. But tonight, we were. Enjoy!

Ricotta and Spinach Cannelloni

Acme Bake Shop Toasted Sourdough

Fresh Green Salad
with
avocado and garlic dressing

2009 Santa Margherita Chianti Classico Riserva

Two Awesome Dinners

09 Monday Jun 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Acme Bake Shop, Acme Bake Shop Breads, Acme Bake Shop Red Wheat Bread, Avocado, Boise Artisan Bakery's, Boise Farmers Market, Bruchetta, Captain's Shack, Classic Cuisines, Dinner At The Captains Shack, Dinner With Robin, Grillin' and Chillin', Grilling, Idaho Lamb, Local Farmers Markets, Local Harvests, Local Markets, Locavore, Main Dish, Photos By: Bob Young, Recipe by: Robin and Bob Young, Recipes, Red Wheat, Salad, Seafood, Shrimp, Soup, Tapas, Things To Do, What's For Dinner?

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bruschetta, hollandaise, lamb, recipes, shrimp, tapas

We had two awesome dinners over the weekend. Grilled Lamb Chops marinated in fresh rosemary, fresh mint and fresh oregano, olive oil and salt and pepper. (That’s pretty much our standard marinade for lamb chops!) They were awesome. And then we made a bruschetta with an avocado and garlic spread. (The bruschetta was toasted Acme Bake Shop Red Wheat bread) Mash two cloves of garlic and mix with 1/2 avocado mashed. This makes a great tapas selection. Served that with a wonderful bowl of Coconut Shrimp Soup. Great dinners! Here, look at the photos. Enjoy!

Avocado and Garlic Bruschetta Green Salad Shrimp Soup

Avocado and Garlic Bruschetta

Fresh Green Salad

Coconut Shrimp Soup

Grilled Marinated Lamb Chop

Steamed Cauliflower and Broccoli
with
special hollandaise sauce

Fresh Green Salad

Great Coconut Shrimp Soup for Dinner

07 Saturday Jun 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Acme Bake Shop, Acme Bake Shop Breads, Acme Bake Shop Red Wheat Bread, Acme Bakery, Bread, Captain's Shack, Chowder, Cooking Styles, Dinner At The Captains Shack, Dinner With Robin, Main Dish, Photos By: Bob Young, Recipe by: Robin and Bob Young, Recipes, Red Wheat, Seafood, Shrimp, Soup, What's For Dessert?, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food

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bread, chowder, coconut shrimp, Coconut Shrimp Soup, recipe, seafood soup, soup

This soup, or chowder, Coconut Shrimp Soup really makes an awesome dinner. Rich and smooth with a slight hint of spice. If you like it hotter, just add more cayenne or paprika. I have also placed a link to the recipe in the recipe file above. Enjoy!

Coconut Shrimp Soup
Acme Bake Shop Red Wheat Toast
Pinot Grigio

Then for dessert –

Chocolate Ice Cream
with
Fresh Queen Anne Cherries

June at the Buzz

06 Friday Jun 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Bistro, Comfort Food, Dinner With Friends, Party Time, Special Dinners, Special Events, Things To Do, What's For Dinner?, Wine Dinners

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the Buzz, The Buzz Coffee and Wine, Wine, Wine Dinners

This month at the Buzz really sounds interesting.This is probably the best and most affordable complete 5 course dinner and 5 or 6 wines that you will find in Boise. Just a mere $20 per person! But do make reservations – (208) 344-4321. Here is the latest from Cristi.

Just a quick reminder of some of the fun at the Buzz this June. We continue with live music and wine tasting on Friday Nights. This month featured artists will be:

6/6 Pat Foulkner
6/13 Carter Freeman
6/20 Wayne White
6/27 Johnny Shoes

Starting 6/13 we will have some wines to go along with the world cup events.
Our wine club this month is 6/10 and 6/11. We will be talking about cooking outside. Make your reservations, buzzwine@cableone.net or (208) 344-4321. It will be a fun event. The cost is only $20 a person including food and wine.

Keep on the lookout for updates about some new things coming to the Buzz. Hope to see everyone soon.

Sincerely,
Cristi and Tom Takeda
Buzz Coffee and Wine

Really ….. I do think you will enjoy this. Bring your friends and have a relaxing, fun and educational evening. Learn about wine. Learn about the paring of wine and food. And this month, learn about what wine to serve over the hot summer months. Cheers and hope to see you there. Here is a little information about the Buzz from their website.

Buzz Coffee and Cafe has been owned and operated by Cristi and Tom Takeda since 2007 and is one the finest coffee houses and wine bars in the Treasure Valley. Buzz prides itself on presenting a “family friendly” atmosphere for all it’s patrons and is always happy to adjust to the needs of whoever walks thru the door. Our menu features great breakfast items to start your day along with the finest coffee and beverage choices. Lunch or dinner is always available, or a quick snack after visiting the Idaho Athletic Club right next door. Almost all our food is made to order when you order it, so changes are not a problem. Great sandwiches and wraps as well as very tasty healthy salads are all on the menu, and if you don’t see something just ask and we can try and make something to your liking.

Buzz uses Full Circle Exchange coffee roasted locally in Eagle.

In the mood for a glass of fine wine or a beer after work or workout? Cristi holds her level I Sommelier certification and is always on the lookout for new and exciting wines to stock the shelves with. She has personally selected all the wines on our shelves and is always ready and willing to answer any questions one may have about wines. Need to find a great wine to go with your dinner or just to drink? Cristi can help you pair a great wine to whatever you may be fixing for dinner, or help you find the perfect wine to just relax and enjoy with friends. Her schedule can be a bit varied and you may not always catch her here at Buzz, but Tom can always help out as well. Be assured that no matter who is here to help you, Cristi has tasted all of the wines we stock and as she likes to say, “All the wines we carry are wines I would share with friends.”

Here at Buzz we want everyone to feel as comfortable and relaxed as they would in their own living room. Music is always kept to a comfortable level so you almost don’t even notice that its playing. Our big screen TV is most often set to a 24 hour news channel, but for special events such as BSU football game we always try to watch our Broncos as they march up and down the gridiron. If asked, we will always turn the TV off to make your stay more enjoyable.

400 Companies That Are GMO Free

05 Thursday Jun 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Buy Idaho, Cooking Safety, Food Prep, Food Trivia, Gardens, GMOs, Interesting Information, Local Farmers Markets, Local Harvests, Local Markets, Special Information, What's For Dinner?

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GMO, GMO free, Organic products, PLU, The Free Thought Program, Whole Foods

Here is an article from The Free Thought Program that lists 400 companies that are GM free, at least some of their products. They do not use GMO’s in their products. Whole Foods is just one of them.

All too often we rely on the state to tell us what to eat and which companies are ethical. And all too often the companies that the state deems ethical and safe are proven to be quite the opposite. The giant agricultural companies that produce GMOs and use millions of tons of chemicals are able to do so because of monetary support. As long as we continue to purchase their products they will continue to pollute the environment and our bodies.

You and I have the power to stop this madness. We can choose to support those companies that do not use GMOs. The best way is to buy from a local organic farmer, or to grow your own; however there are plenty of ethical companies out there that you can support who practice sustainable methods and source from farmers that do not use GMO. [The Free Thought Project]

Another good informational social media site is on Facebook at GMO Awareness USA, which also has some good information on GMO free and resources. And if you are following the PLU numbers, that little 4 or 5 digit number that is on a sticker on most produce, then be aware anything that begins with an “8” is a GMO product. Organic products start with a “9” and conventional growing practices run the gamut from “2” – “7”. Stated another way, organic produce has a 5 digit PLU number that begins with the number 9. Conventional produce has a 4 digit PLU number that begins with the number 4. Genetically modified (GMO) produce has a 5 digit PLU number that begins with the number 8.

Great Lunch At “Sushi Joy”

03 Tuesday Jun 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Asian - Sushi Joy, BBQ Fish, Dinner With Family, Grilling, Japanese Food, Locavore, Main Dish, Photos By: Bob Young, Salad, Seafood, Soup, Sushi Joy, Traditional Food, What's For Dinner?, Whats For Lunch?

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sashimi, Sushi Joy, yellowtail

I have yet to have anything bad here at Sushi Joy. It is still the finest Chinese/Japanese restaurant in Boise. Bar none! I by far prefer the Japanese cuisine over the Chinese and that is not because one is better than the other. It is just a preference. The Samurai Yellowtail, as listed on the first photo below, was awesome. A great ying-yang of sweet and biting flavors. The Yellowtail is somewhat sweet. The House Sauce was pleasingly biting. If I could give them a rating of more than 5-Stars, I certainly would. But just be assured, this restaurant is a solid, very solid, 5-Stars. Left-Click any of these photos to see them enlarged. Cheers!

Samurai Yellowtail

This was so good that I even wrote on the bill, “Loved it!”. And it was that good. Yellowtail neck? Surprised me too and very delicious. I will have it again.

Avocado Crab Salad

This is the salad that Robin really likes. I may have to try this one. I normally take the small house salad.

Sushmi Plate Robin and Marnie each had one of these.

Sashimi Plate

Robin and Marnie each had one of these. It was good to have Marnie and Mac with us for lunch.

Bento Box

Mac had this “stand-by”.

Good Nutrition Guide

03 Tuesday Jun 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Baking, Captain's Shack, Cooking Programs, Dinner At The Captains Shack, Dinner With Robin, Happy Forks, Nutrition Label, Photos By: Bob Young, Report By Robin, Salmon, Seafood, What's For Dinner?

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copper river salmon, Happy Forks Nutrition, nutrition, nutrition label, nutrition labels

Robin came across this interesting Nutrition Guide where online, you can make your own nutrition labels or just check to see the nutritional value of your meal. Look at Happy Forks Nutrition. Here is the nutrition label for Baked Salmon II, found in the recipes above. (This is not the recipe for the dish shown here.) I have also added a nutrition to our Green Tomato Relish to see how the program works with a large list of ingredients.

Nutrition label for Baked Salmon II made at Happy Foods.

Nutrition label for Baked Salmon II made at Happy Forks.

This is the nutrition label to our Green Tomato Relish.

Dinner Tonight: Truite au four en Papillote

02 Monday Jun 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Alley Gardens, Baking, Baking - Papillote, Brocolli, Captain's Shack, Cooking Styles, Dinner At The Captains Shack, Dinner With Robin, French Foods, Fruit, Idaho Trout, Main Dish, Photos By: Bob Young, Recipe by: Robin and Bob Young, Seafood, Trout, What's For Dinner?

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fresh water fish, Papillote, pinot grigio, pinot gris, trout

On my! This was so good. The trout, Idaho trout from Hagerman, ID, was so light and sweet and good. And for me, that is saying something. I grew up on the East Coast eating Atlantic seafood. We never had much fresh water fish. But this trout was awesome. Loved it and would do it again. Not hard or difficult to do at all. Don’t be intimidated by the name. Basically, Truite au four en Papillote implies Steamed Trout in Parchment. If you follow the photos, you should have not problems. Give it a try. Use any seafood, in this case, that you like. Good luck! If you try this, let us know how it turned out for you. Cheers.

$Stuff the trout with 5 sprigs of Lemon Thyme and 2 sprigs of French Thyme. Add 1 slice of orange. For generating the steam, we used a\ 2011 Dusted Valley Vineyards Pinot Gris. About 2 Tablespoons.$

Stuff the trout with 5 sprigs of Lemon Thyme and 2 sprigs of French Thyme. Add 1 slice of orange. Sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste. For generating the steam, we used a 2011 Dusted Valley Vineyards Pinot Gris, Washington State. About 2 Tablespoons.