Grilled Meatloaf

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03Aug2013_1_Captains-Shack_Grilled-Meatloaf_On-GrillThe late Joe Swan, winemaker Swan Vineyards, Forestville, CA in the Russian River Valley, once said that you can not get a good meatloaf away from home or in a restaurant. (The Orchard House in Marsing, ID makes an awesome meatloaf!!) After I made this meatloaf, Robin said, “Joe would have loved this!” That is the greatest compliment I could ever receive. The photo above, is the meatloaf on the grill cooking. It was not wrapped in the aluminium foil. The foil was just laid there to reduce the flare ups. It worked. First hour at 350 degrees F – low heat. The second 45 minutes to an hour, raise the temperature to 450 degrees F. Look for a probe temperature of 165 – 175 degrees F. Let rest before cutting. Here is the menu. Enjoy!

Grilled Meatloaf
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Green Salad with Fresh Garden Tomatoes
Lyonnaise Sauce
Fresh Acme Bake Shop Sourdough Bread
2009 Ravenswood Winery (Sonoma, CA), Old Hill Vineyards, Zinfandel

03Aug2013_1a_Captains-Shack_Grilled-Meatloaf_Plated-Best
Yum-O!! If you would like the recipe, look here for Grilled Meatloaf. Cheers and enjoy!

Breakfast At Crooked Fence Barrelhouse

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04Aug2013_1_Crooked-Fence-Barrelhouse_FrontThought we would give this a try. Plus we signed up to be with the Meet-Up Group, but did not really see them. I think they were in another room. But we did have Marnie and Mac with us. Mac was a little upset that they did not honor his Idaho Brewers Association Passport Program. Can’t say that I really blame him because the program is supposed to cover all Idaho breweries. Can’t say that the visit was all that great either with service being somewhat slow and the food was not up to the standards of 10 Barrel Brew Pub in downtown Boise or Table Rock Brew Pub. (10 Barrel is the best of all three of these places in my opinion.) Here are some photos of our visit. I will rank this visit as a 2 1/2 Stars out of 5. Not a good showing.

The beer flight was good. Just the right size. Robin liked the Picket Porter best and I liked the Bonneville Brown best.  Robin liked the Bonneville least and I liked the porter least.

The beer flight was good. Just the right size. Robin liked the Picket Porter best and I liked the Bonneville Brown best. Robin liked the Bonneville least and I liked the porter least. That’s not a real surprise. But we did rate the Rye Sing IPA even at 3rd place.

Bacon and eggs. This probably would have been good had the "toast" had more ofv a brown color to it. It was more like dried out bread. I didn't know that you had to request butter on the toast either. Not good and cost them serious points.

Bacon and eggs. This probably would have been good had the “toast” been a little more brown. It was more like dried out bread. I didn’t know that you had to request butter on the toast either. Not good and cost them serious points.

Eggs Benedict. The Hollandaise was pasty and the eggs probably should have been done a little more. The whites were close to being transparent.

Eggs Benedict. The Hollandaise was pasty and the eggs probably should have been done a little more. The whites were close to being transparent. The English Muffin should have been toasted a little more, too. They seem to have a problem making toast and the food had an abundance of salt on it! We probably will not be back for another meal here.

Crooked Fence Barrelhouse on Urbanspoon

Maggie’s Dinner – #3

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Maggie's Summer Salmon Salad - Grilled Cedar Plank Copper River Salmon, Sweet Pepper Slices, Celery Slices, Grilled Pineapple, Grilled Apricot, Crab Dip - East Coast Style and Chopped Lettuce. Next week - probably stuffed peppers one day. Hope Maggie and Trish enjoy this plate. Cheers!

Maggie’s Summer Salmon Salad –

Grilled Cedar Plank Copper River Salmon
Sweet Red and Yellow Pepper Slices
Celery Slices
Grilled Pineapple and Grilled Apricot
Crab Dip – East Coast Style
Chopped Lettuce

Next week – probably stuffed peppers one day. Hope Maggie and Trish enjoy this plate. Cheers!

Close up photo of the Copper River salmon.

Close up photo of the Copper River salmon.

Copper River salmon on the cedar planks and ready for the grill. Salt, pepper and fresh tarragon and that's all!

Copper River salmon on the cedar planks and ready for the grill. Salt, pepper and fresh tarragon and that’s all!

Hot off the grill.

Hot off the grill.

Crab Dip – East Coast Style

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01Aug2013_1_Captains-Shack_Crab-Salad_Yellow-Tomato_Scene-ModeAh yes! Costco does carry Blue Crab and it is pretty good. Robin wanted me to make some of this dip. I did, but it must rest a while before eating. She waited long enough. So I made her a small green salad with yellow tomato and the crab dip.


Crab Dip – East Coast Style

Author: Bob and Robin Young
Source: Marge Young, Annapolis, MD
Servings: 20
Cooking Times
Preparation Time:
20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Comments: The Blue Crab can be bought from Charleston Seafood Company, http://www.charlestonseafood.com or use Phillips canned Blue Crab.
Author Notes: This recipe comes from Bob’s sister-in-law, Marge Young.

Ingredients:
1 lbs Crab Meat (Blue Crab)
1 lg Package (8oz) Cream Cheese, softened (No fat works fine)
½ cup Mayonaise …. more or less to taste
1 Tbs Horseradish …. more or less to taste (We like more. Like double the amount.)
½ Lemon, juiced

Procedure:
1. Beat the last four ingredients together …. fold in the crab meat. Hide the dip in the refrigerator until ready to use. (This is the hardest part.) Serve with crackers or small breads.

2. As you can see, this is not an exact science and the tasting part is important and the most fun.

One can really get hooked on this dip. It is that good!! Cheers and enjoy! Thanks Marge for sharing this so many years ago.

Maggie’s Dinner, II

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Sunday we made Baked Chicken for Maggie and Trish. (See below) I asked her what she was hungry for4 and she said, "Liver and onions and a Stella Artois and/or a Chiant." Well, her is what we made for Trish and Maggie: Liver and Onions Green Salad Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes Trish is a friend of Maggie's that is staying with her a lot of the time and cooking for her. Three of us decided that Trish does enough. We can make some dinners. We love doing this for those two!

Sunday we made Baked Chicken for Maggie and Trish. (See below) I asked her what she was hungry for and she said, “Liver and onions and a Stella Artois and/or a Chianti.” Well, here is what we made for Trish and Maggie:

Liver and Onions with Bacon
Green Salad with Fresh Tomato Cubes
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Trish is a friend of Maggie’s that is staying with her a lot of the time and cooking for her. Three of us decided that Trish does enough. We can make some dinners. We love doing this for those two! And yes, she was resupplied with Stella and some new Chianti.

Maggie’s Dinner

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Miss Mggie's Dinner Baked Chicken Thighs with Fresh Sage and Fresh Thyme Roasted Potatoes and Onion

Miss Mggie’s Dinner

Baked Chicken Thighs
with
fresh sage and fresh thyme
Roasted Potatoes and Onion

Miss Maggie is a dear, sweet friend of our who is very sick. So we, and others, are doing some cooking for her and Trish, her friend who stays with her most of the time. This dish we made today. Hope she enjoys it. Sure did make the house smell wonderful. Cheers! Left-Click the photo to see enlarged.

Chicken Tagine and Mushrooms with Moroccan Green Olives Revisited

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28July2013_1d_Captains-Shack_Chix-Tagine_EnlargedYup! Here it is. We tweaked it a little. Added some carrots and green beans. But that is all. The recipe was adjusted a little too, from the original, but only a little more turmeric and ginger. See what you think.
To the left, is the plated tagine. As you can see, we served it on a bed of lemon infused rice. Probably not traditional, but it added another dimension. We really liked it this way. Overall – We would grade it probably a 4 out of 5. But I think with the additional turmeric, it will be better, possible that 5 out of 5 elusive rating. Also, there is a lot of garlic in here, but it seems to be hidden. Just some of our comments. Try it and see what you think and please let us know. Just remember if you use Spanish olives, rinse them well to remove the vinegar. The preserved lemon may also need to be rinsed. There is a lot of salt in both of these ingredients. Left-Click any of these photos to see enlarged. Cheers.

Chermoula - Marinade

Chermoula – Marinade. See recipe below.

Ready for the oven.

Ready for the oven.

Adding the mushrooms and the preserved lemon. See recipe below.

Adding the mushrooms and the preserved lemon. See recipe below.

The completed chicken tagine.

The completed chicken tagine.

Here is the adjusted recipe. Thank you Roni Spilios-Kinane for the recipe. Enjoy. This could be used as a basic taagine recipe. Try it, for instance, with lamb shanks.

Chicken Tagine with Mushrooms and Moroccan Green Olives

Source: Roni Spilios-Kinane, Morocco
Oven Temp: 325°F
Cooking Time: 2+ hour
Serves: 3
Note: It really is good! It is my Moroccan Mother-in-Law’s recipe..

Ingredients:
1 lemon cut into wedges
Kosher Salt
¾ c Olive Oil
1 T White Pepper
5 cloves Garlic, chopped
1 preserved lemon, sliced
1½ t ground Ginger
2 t Turmeric
2 T Parsley, chopped
2 T Cilantro, chopped
5 Chicken Thighs, or any chicken parts you want to use
3 med Red Onion
Moroccan Green Olives
Mushrooms

Directions:
First you make your chermoula (marinade) olive oil, salt, white pepper, garlic (to your liking) 3-5 cloves, cilantro, parsley, ground ginger, and turmeric. Mix that all together.

Place your cleaned (with lemon wedges and salt) chicken and let it absorb the chermoula as you massage it into and under the skin (some people use smin (ghee, clarified butter) I sometimes do)

Chop finely about 3 medium onions (or more if you have a lot of chicken pieces or a large chicken) let the onions sweat a bit and then add your chermoula drenched chicken and pour any remaining chermoula over the top. Place the tagine cover.

After about 30 minutes, add some preserved lemon slices and the mushrooms.
When you have about 10 minutes left to cook, add the green olives and let all the flavors incorporate.

You CAN!
a) remove the chicken from the tagine and place it in the oven to get crispy if you like!
b) and/or
c) stuff your chicken with a stuffing of chopped mushrooms, cilantro, parley and vermicelli! This is absolutely delicious!

Activism At The New Boise Farmer’s Market

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27July2013_1f_New-Farmers-Market_Sign_Cut-CarbonWell it’s about time! Considering that Idaho imports 95% of the farm products sold statewide, it’s time that we look seriously on the support of our local farmers and control the carbon footprint that we leave. That’s what this gathering was today at the New Boise Farmer’s Market. It was good too, to see some of the political dignitaries, market dignitaries and Idaho farmers who participated in the event. Below are some photos from the morning and from the New Boise Farmer’s Market. Enjoy the following photos. Cheers!

The New Boise Farmer's Market

The New Boise Farmer’s Market this morning.

All living creatures love the market and the products that are available here.

All creatures great and small love the market and the products that are available here.

Live music with Ned Evett, world reknown glass guitar player and performer. Check out the neck on his guitar. It is glass and there are no frets.

Live music with Ned Evett, world reknown glass guitar player and performer. Check out the neck on his guitar. It is glass and there are no frets. Boise is so lucky to have such talent!!!

Former Senator, Brian Cronin on the left, was one of the organizers of this event. Thanks, Brian! Another fantastic job!

Former Senator, Brian Cronin on the left, was one of the organizers of this event. Thanks, Brian! Another fantastic job!

Some of the speakers are chatting among themselves before they take the stage.

Some of the speakers are chatting among themselves before they take the stage.

Janie Burns, Meadow Lark Farms, and Greg Koenig, Koenig Vineyards and Distillery, are discussing problems with the carbon footprints.

Janie Burns, Meadow Lark Farms, and Greg Koenig, Koenig Vineyards and Distillery, are discussing problems with the carbon footprints.

New Boise Farmer's Market President, Karen Ellis, introduces the speakers.

New Boise Farmer’s Market President, Karen Ellis, introduces the speakers.

Chance Requa owner of Requa Farms in Twin Falls, Idaho, speakers to the crowd.  He emphasized the fact that he produces a product, we buy the product and he must then produce more product. It's an endless cycle.

Chance Requa owner of Requa Farms in Twin Falls, Idaho, speaks to the crowd. He emphasized the fact that he produces a product, we buy the product and he must then produce more product. It’s an endless cycle.

Greg Koenig, Koenig Vineyards and Distillery, discusses the changing growing seasons and weather conditions that effect grape growing. "Wine is bottled sunshine" is one of his credos.

Greg Koenig, Koenig Vineyards and Distillery, discusses the changing growing seasons and weather conditions that effect grape growing. “Wine is bottled sunshine” is one of his credos.

Janie Burns, owner of Meadow Lark Farms in Nampa, Idaho, and on the Bord of Directors of the market, addresses the crowd. She states that, "95% of the produce sold statewide is shipped in." Let's change that .... let's support the Saturday Farmer's Markets that are sprouting up (pun intended!) statewide and nationwide. Think Local

Janie Burns, owner of Meadow Lark Farms in Nampa, Idaho, and on the Board of Directors of the market, addresses the crowd. She states that, “95% of the produce sold statewide is shipped in.” Let’s change that …. let’s support the Saturday Farmer’s Markets that are sprouting up (pun intended!) statewide and nationwide and our local farmers. Think Local – Buy Local

Dave Krick, Red Feather Lounge and Bitter Creek Ale House owner. All local products are used at his eaterys.

Dave Krick, Red Feather Lounge and Bitter Creek Ale House owner. All local products are used at his eatery’s.

Cheri Buckner-Webb, District 19 Senator, addresses the crowd on the effects of climate change on agriculture within the state. She is on the State Agriculture Committee.

Cheri Buckner-Webb, District 19 Senator, addresses the crowd on the effects of climate change on agriculture within the state. She is on the State Agriculture Committee.

So there you have a little different post about the New Boise Farmer’s Market. Robin and I are avid supporters of Think Local – Buy Local, as I have stated many times in the past. Everyone, regardless of where you live or what city or state you reside in, need to put more emphasis on local farmers and purchasing their products. Food is essential to everyone of us, so whenever possible, support your local farmer! Buy local in the summer when vegetable products are available and then can them or freeze them and eat your local products year around. Local meats – beef, elk, lamb, chicken, pork – are usually available all year, as are local eggs. Use that local resource. Support your local agriculture industry. No need to go “out-of-country” to stay nourished. And when you go out for a meal, choose those restaurants that use only local products. Here are some suggestions: Red Feather Lounge, Bitter Creek Ale House, The Buzz, Le Cafe de Paris, 10 Barrel Brew Pub or The Orchard House are just a few. There are more. Search them out and enjoy some great local food. Look in the Sidebar. There are many businesses there that buy, sell or produce products locally. Cheers!!

Chicken Tagine with Mushrooms and Moroccan Green Olives

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The completed chicken tagine.

The completed chicken tagine.

This Chicken Tagine with Mushrooms and Moroccan Green Olives just looks so good! We do like the tagine style of cooking as it concentrates flavors and makes items so very tender. I got this from a Facebook group, Moroccan Cooking. Now I need the recipe. I have requested it, and we’ll see if I get it. At the very least, we can “wing it”. (No pun intended!) There is also a well recommended cookbook on Moroccan food called The Food of Morocco by Paula Wolfert. It is available on Amazon for about $39.00. You can also find it on her webpage at Paula Wolfert. Can’t wait to try this!! Enjoy!!

Apple Uses

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Apple-PosterHere is a good poster and suggestions of how to use apples. The poster, though, is missing Courtland and Ruby Red, good eating apples, and Criterion which, in my opinion, makes some really great cider. Have fun.