Sunday, July 26, 2009

Lamb Shanks - Osso Buco

OK, so you say you like lamb and you don't really know what to do with the shanks? (You could use pork for this, too.) Shanks are just a big hunk of fat and bone? Not exactly if your butcher has cut the leg correctly. Look here for a recipe for Lamb Shanks - Osso Buco. This recipe is a little Middle Eastern and Italian; A blend of the two. It does take a while to prepare: 30 minutes plus for the prep and 2-3 hours at a low simmer to cook. But well worth the wait. Serve with a good red wine (Dusted Valley [WA] Cabernet Sauvignon is suggested) and a mix of steamed Green Beans and Yellow Wax Beans. The preparation has a multitude of other things in it including tomatoes, onion, fennel bulb and herbs and spices. Try it and let us know how you like it. Cheers!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Kokanee Fishing

What a great day! On 22 July 2009, I went Kokanee fishing at Lucky Peak Reservoir - outside of Boise - with Helen and Paul Sudmeier. Slow fishing, but a great time. And no, we did not get "skunked"! We caught 5 and 7 got away. (Bob - 3 [the first]; Paul - 2 [the largest]; Kate - 0) Helen (Kate) says the reason that so many got away is because the fish have "thin lips". We talked to some folks on shore and they came home with empty ice chests. Oh well, we feel good about this one. Enjoy the photos.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

A Little Food Trivia

And from this weeks newsletter from Rudy's, in Twin Falls, Idaho, we have these wee bits of trivia! Enjoy them.

This Week in the History of Food & Drink:

July 21: Today is national Junk Food Day… This could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on what you deem as junk food.

July 22, 1993: Rudy’s own Christmas Cheese Elf was born. A title many aspire to but rarely attain. Happy 16th birthday Audrey!

July 23, 1894: Arthur Treacher, actor, announcer was born. He played the quitessentail English butler in many a movie and later founded Arthur Treacher's Fish & Chips restaurant franchise.

July 24, 1938: Nestle introduced Nescafe Instant Coffee in Switzerland.

July 25, 2008: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation that will ban trans fats in restaurants and retail food establishments. The ban goes into effect on January 1, 2010. California is the first state to ban trans fats in restaurants. There are several cities that have banned them, and California and Oregon have previously banned trans fats in school meals.

July 26, 1926: Roquefort cheese is the first cheese designated with an appellation d'origine controlee. Only cheese that is processed in Roquefort, France and aged in the caves there may be called 'Roquefort Cheese.'

July 27: National Scotch Day… Get your kilt on!

Just some interesting tidbits!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Bird Sushi

This morning - 19 July - at around 12:15pm and after breakfast at Hotel 43, we were sitting on the porch and the falcons began flying on the south side of the One Capital Center. Screaming! Diving! Practicing their hunting skills! Such fun to watch. At about 1:20pm I was on the Eastman Garage and saw this exchange between Wall-E and Columbia. Columbia got the kill! Here are the photos. Enjoy!

Good exchange to see. Cheers!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

The Wanderer

Early shift this morning watching the falcons - 0630. But a beautiful morning. Clear, moderately cool, no breeze and the falcons doing some flying. I took some really good photos of Wall-E flying, so do enjoy them.

Cheers!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Our 26th Anniversary Dinner

For our 26th Wedding Anniversary, we went to Le Cafe de Paris in Boise and, as usual, it was fantastic. For starters, the Foie Gras with Brioche Croutons and Pickled Cherries was fantastic as was the Buttered Poached Lobster Tail with Local Field Greens and a Tarragon Vinaigrette. The 1983 Chateau de Sales bordeaux, from our cellar was big, dark and hot - high alcohol. Good acidity but the fruit was fading somewhat. Dark cherry with mushroom and tobacco overtones. It went quite well with the Halibut Papillotte with Roasted Morrel Mushroom Consomme, Saffron Potatoes and Petit Pois. It also went extremely well with the Filet Mignon with Potato Puree, Haricut Verts and Truffle Compound Butter. Well, you be the judge. Watch the slides. Cheers!

Monday, July 13, 2009

Boise Falcons Fly

Sunday, 12 July 2009, saw some very good flying from the juveniles. Great high soaring and combative interactions. Here are some of the moves captured in photography. Enjoy!

Did you like that? Hope so. Cheers!

Saturday, July 11, 2009

26th Anniversary Menu

Yes, it really is a celebration! Here is the menu from Cafe de Paris on 9th Street in Boise. Anyone who would like to join us for dinner must make a reservation. We are also bringing a 1983 Chateau de Sales Pomerol to share. Auction price $162.00. Did I mention this is a magnum? Well, it is! Here is the menu:


First Course
Foie Gras
brioche crouton, pickled cherries


Butter Poached Lobster Tail
local field greens, tarragon vinaigrette


Two Course Dinner
Champagne Aperitif
Main Course
choice between
First Course or Dessert
$29/person


Three Course Dinner
Champagne Aperitif
First Course
Main Course
Dessert
$35/person


Main Course
Filet Mignon
potato puree, haricot verts,
truffle compound butter


Halibut Papillotte
roasted mushroom consomme,
saffron potatoes, petits pois
Dessert


Chocolate Soufflé
berry jus, white
chocolate sauce


For Reservations
Call 208-336-0889


Hope to see you there and to share some fantastic wine with you! Let's celebrate!! Cheers.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Rhubarb Custard Pie

Here is a good recipe for a rhubarb pie. Not made with strawberries as are most rhubarb pies, but rather with apple - Pink Lady apples, to be exact. Robin makes an awesome Whole Wheat Pastry Flour crust with cinnamon that simply goes extremely well with the filling. You can find the recipe at AFMom's Rhubarb Custard Pie. We got this recipe from an acquaintance of ours from American Falls, Idaho, thus the name of the recipe. Enjoy this rhubarb pie. Cheers!

Friday, July 3, 2009

Food Watch


Ah! Many thanks to Paul and Helen (Kate) for bringing us these beautiful trout! Awesome and just look how they prep out? A nice brine with tarragon, basil and English thyme.




And then after smoking at 225 degrees F for 4 hours over hickory with some alder added in ..... fit for a King!




But wait, can't have these delicious morsels without some fresh bread and Strawberry/Rhubarb Jam! Such a treat!!




A dinner such as this makes one dream of rich, blue skies with whipped cream clouds and a sprig of mint or basil.







So there you have an awesome meal! So much fun to do. So many thanks to friends Kate and Paul! Cheers!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Fledgling Accidental Encounters

It's not often that a fledgling falcon can encounter the side of a building with great impact and survive. Columbia did just that. She spent the night clinging to the ledge to her left. She was not injured!



Wall-E, on the other hand, was out chasing a small bird. The bird went left and Wall-E hit the window. Stunned and confused, he walked about a block where he was "captured". He was also not injured. He hit that window with a lot of force to leave such a n impression.



Both birds spent the night with Fish and Game biologist, Bruce Haak in a flight cage. Neither bird received any injuries and were replaced on the One Capital Center building and are doing fine.

A flounder by John caught in the surf and a Striper by Matt Hamilton (which we ate) caught at the Inlet. Yummy