Here is a sequence of photos in about an 8 minute time frame. These photos were all gathered 21 April 2010 at the times noted. Cheers!
Showing posts with label Seasonal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Seasonal. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Asparagus Soup with Lemon-Herb Crème Fraîche
On 13 April we went to the Buzz for a wine dinner. Debbie made this awesome asparagus soup. I just had to post the recipe here. If you like asparagus, then you really have to try this. It is awesome and comparatively easy to do. If you want the original recipe, Click HereAsparagus Soup with Lemon-Herb Crème Fraîche
Ingredients:
½ c Crème Fraîche
1 T Parsley, chopped
2 t Chives, chopped
1 t Tarragon, chopped
1 t Lemon Zest, finely grated
1 t Lemon juice, fresh
Sea Salt and fresh ground Pepper
2 lbs medium Asparagus, tough ends discarded, tips reserved and stalks coarsely chopped
2 T Butter, unsalted
1 med Onion, finely chopped
1 qt Chicken stock
2 c Water
Directions:
In a bowl, blend the crème fraîche with the parsley, chives, tarragon and the lemon zest and juice. Season with salt and pepper, then cover and refrigerate. In a small saucepan of boiling salted water, cook the asparagus tips until tender; drain and transfer to a plate.
Melt the butter in a large saucepan. Add the onion and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until softened, 4 minutes. Add the stock and water and bring to a boil. Add the chopped asparagus and season with 1½ teaspoons of salt and a few grindings of pepper. Boil over moderately high heat until the asparagus are tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand for 5 minutes.
Working in batches, puree the soup in a blender and pour it into a clean saucepan. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the asparagus tips and bring to a simmer over moderate heat. Ladle the soup into warmed shallow bowls. Top with large dollops of the lemon-herb crème fraîche and serve.
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Labels:
Food,
Seasonal,
Soup,
Vegies,
Wine and Food Pairings
Friday, April 16, 2010
Boise Peregrine Lays First Egg!

At 0946 MDT Mom was sitting on the scrape as pictured above. Does she have an egg or two under her? Weather: 69 degrees F, 12% RH, wind N@10 (the front of the box opens to the North). Keep watching to see what, if anything, develops! Cheers!
Update: She had an egg at 0919 MDT this morning, 16 April 2010!
Labels:
Boise Peregrine Family,
Seasonal,
Things To Do
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Irish Soda Bread
Nope! I'm not done yet! It is springtime warm outside and my BBQ is saying, "Pulled Pork!". (Is that a gauntlet Mr Joe?) But that will have to wait, and I have been working on that too this morning. But today is St Patrick's Day and here to go with your Corned Beef and Cabbage, Green Wine, Guinness Stout and some good Scotch Whisky, is my rendition of an Irish Soda Bread.
Author: Bob and Robin Young
Web Page: http://www.rockinrs.com
Degree of Difficulty: Easy
Oven Temperature: 375°F
Servings: 20
Ingredients:
3 c All-Purpose flour
1 c Whole wheat flour
1 t Baking Soda
1 T Baking Powder
4 T Honey, use a light, floral honey. Tupelo is good.
½ t Salt
½ c Butter, room temperature
1 c Butter milk
1 Egg
¼ c Butter, melted
¼ c Buttermilk
Directions:
1.) Pre-heat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a large baking sheet.
2.) In a large bowl, mix together the flour, honey, baking soda, baking powder, salt and butter. Stir in 1 cup Buttermilk and egg.
3.) Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead lightly. Form dough into a round and place on a prepared baking sheet.
4.) In a small bowl, combine the melted butter with ¼ cup of buttermilk; brush the loaf with this mixture. Use a sharp knife and cut an "X" into the top of the loaf.
5.) Bake in a pre heated oven for 40 - 50 minutes or until a tooth pick inserted into the loaf comes out clean (190°F). You can continue to brush the loaf with the butter mixture while it bakes.
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour and 5 minutes
Do enjoy the day!!
Irish Soda Bread
Author: Bob and Robin Young
Web Page: http://www.rockinrs.com
Degree of Difficulty: Easy
Oven Temperature: 375°F
Servings: 20
Ingredients:
3 c All-Purpose flour
1 c Whole wheat flour
1 t Baking Soda
1 T Baking Powder
4 T Honey, use a light, floral honey. Tupelo is good.
½ t Salt
½ c Butter, room temperature
1 c Butter milk
1 Egg
¼ c Butter, melted
¼ c Buttermilk
Directions:
1.) Pre-heat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a large baking sheet.
2.) In a large bowl, mix together the flour, honey, baking soda, baking powder, salt and butter. Stir in 1 cup Buttermilk and egg.
3.) Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead lightly. Form dough into a round and place on a prepared baking sheet.
4.) In a small bowl, combine the melted butter with ¼ cup of buttermilk; brush the loaf with this mixture. Use a sharp knife and cut an "X" into the top of the loaf.
5.) Bake in a pre heated oven for 40 - 50 minutes or until a tooth pick inserted into the loaf comes out clean (190°F). You can continue to brush the loaf with the butter mixture while it bakes.
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour and 5 minutes
------------------------------
Do enjoy the day!!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
09 March 2010 - Boise Peregrine Falcons!
I will eventually put some of these into a slide show - I took almost 70 photos today. No ..... Not all 70. Maybe 20 - 25? Here's a sample. Enjoy!







The season is young yet, there will be more .... many more. Check out that blue Idaho sky!! Be sure t5o folow us on the Boise Peregrine Falcon Blog. Cheers!







The season is young yet, there will be more .... many more. Check out that blue Idaho sky!! Be sure t5o folow us on the Boise Peregrine Falcon Blog. Cheers!
------------------------------
Labels:
Boise Peregrine Family,
Photos,
Photos By: Bob Young,
Seasonal
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Christmas 2009 Dinner Recipes
From our house to yours:
We Wish You A Very Merry Holiday Season!
We Wish You A Very Merry Holiday Season!
And with that said, here are the recipes for two of the dishes we are having for Christmas Dinner. First is a Wine Marinated Stuffed Leg of Lamb and the second is an awesome Bob's Peppermint Pie that refers to the brand of peppermint candy, not me! Those two links are for a version of the recipe that we have on our web site. If you want to print them out, that is probably the best way. The photograph was taken this afternoon from 19th Street in Boise, looking 15 miles NNE to the ski area and 3500 feet higher. The snows were just outstanding.
------------------------------
Wine Marinated Stuffed Leg of Lamb
Author: Bob and Robin Young
Web Page: http://www.rockinrs.com
Degree of Difficulty: Moderately difficult
Oven Temperature: 375°F
Ingredients:
750 ml Dry Red Wine
¾ t Allspice, ground
¾ t Nutmeg, ground
4½ lbs Leg of Lamb, boned
1 Bay Leaf
1/3 c Pine Nuts
½ lbs Mushrooms, rinsed
2 T Butter
½ c Onions, finely chopped
½ c Sweet Red Pepper, finely diced
1/3 c Pitted Dates, finely Chopped
2 T Chives, minced
2 T Parsley, minced
1½ c Beef stock
1 T Sugar
Salt and Fresh Pepper to taste
Directions:
1). In an 11x17" roasting pan, combine the wine, allspice, nutmeg and bay leaf.
2). Trim excess fat from lamb. Rinse meat and lay flat, boned side up. Make cuts about halfway through all the thickest parts of the meat. Push cuts open to make meat as evenly thick as possible. Lay lamb flat in the pan. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours, turning meat as needed.
3). In a 10 - 12 inch frying pan over med-high heat, stir in pine nuts until golden brown, 3 - 4 minutes. Remove to a bowl.
4). Trim mushrooms and finely chop. Add the mushrooms, butter, onion and red pepper to the frying pan. Stir often over high heat until vegetables are well browned, 8 - 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in pine nuts, dates, chives and parsley.
5). Lift lamb from roasting pan and lay flat; boned side up. Reserve 1½ cups marinade; discard the rest of the marinade and the bay leaf. Spread the mushroom mixture over the lamb to within 1" of the edges. Starting at the narrow edge, roll the lamb into a tight roll, about 5 x 11". Tie at 2" intervals with bakers string. Set in roasting pan.
6). Bake lamb in a 375°F oven until a thermometer inserted in the center of the thickest part reaches 145°F, 1¼ to 1½ hours.
7). Transfer lamb to a rimmed platter and keeping warm, let rest for 10 minutes. Add the reserved marinade, beef stock and sugar to the pan. Stir over high heat, scraping the browned bits (grameels) until reduced to 2 cups, about 10 minutes. Add the accumulated lamb juices and pour into a bowl.
8). Cut lamb crosswise into 1" thick slices. Serve with the sauce. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Inactive Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 10 hours
------------------------------
Bob's Peppermint Pie
Bob's Peppermint Pie
Author: Bob and Robin Young
Web Page: http://boisefoodieguild.blogspot.com
Author Notes: This pie has nothing to do with me. It derives its name from the brand of peppermint candy, "Bob's".
Degree of Difficulty: Moderately difficult
Servings: 12
Ingredients:
1 env Plain Gelatin
¼ c Cold Water
½ c Whipping cream, plus 1½ cups whipping cream whipped
8 oz Peppermint candy, soft type (Bob's)
1 Pie Crust, chocolate cookie crust
Directions:
1). Soften gelatin in water and set aside.
2). Place ½ cup whipping cream in a small saucepan with candy and cook over low heat until candy melts.
3). Add gelatin and mix well. Let cool and fold in the whipped cream. Pour into the pie shell and let cool.
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Inactive Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours and 40 minutes
------------------------------
Find some good wine to go with dinner. We're having a NV Virginia Thibaut Janisson Sparkling Wine, the White House Wine ($25.00) and a 1969 Clos de Hermitage E. Guigal, a French Rhone wine ($140.00). Then for the dessert wine a 1979 Chateau Suduiraut ($65.00). So there you have the recipes for two of our dishes for Christmas Day. The rest of the menu has been posted earlier on this blog or on the Boise Foodie Blog. Cheers and have a Great Christmas Dinner!
------------------------------
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Winter Games In Boise
We may be in what's called The Banana Belt - it is usually a warm winter down here - but we have been known to have Winter Games here in town. We are very fortunate here in Boise. The City Fathers were futuristic enough to plan for many, many parks in town. Some big. Some small. Some flat. Some very steep and high. Camels Back Park is one of the steep and high ones. It's a great sledding hill for young and old. Check these photos out! Cheers!
Labels:
Adventures,
Natural Images,
Photos By: Bob Young,
Seasonal,
Things To Do
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Double Delight Peanut Butter Cookies
I just made some. They are really very, very good! But, you have to like peanut butter! Looks like these are just in time for the Holidays!
Recipe created by Carolyn Gurtz, winner of the 2008 Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest
It's a twist on the classic peanut butter cookie! Crunchy outside, creamy inside, with just a hint of cinnamon. A real winner.
Yield: 24 cookies
Ingredients:
1/4 cup Fisher dry-roasted peanuts , finely chopped
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 cup JIF creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 roll (16.5 ounces) Pillsbury refrigerated peanut butter cookies , well chilled
Crisco original no-stick cooking spray
Directions:
Heat oven to 375°.
In small bowl, mix chopped peanuts, granulated sugar and cinnamon; set aside.
In another small bowl, stir peanut butter and powdered sugar until completely blended. Shape mixture into 24 balls, about 1 inch each.
Cut roll of cookie dough into 12 slices. Cut each slice in half crosswise to make 24 pieces; flatten slightly. Shape 1 cookie dough piece around 1 peanut butter ball, covering completely. Repeat with remaining dough and balls.
Roll each covered ball in peanut mixture; gently pat mixture completely onto balls. On ungreased large cookie sheets, place balls 2 inches apart. Spray bottom of drinking glass with Crisco original no-stick cooking spray; press into remaining peanut mixture. Flatten each ball to 1/2-inch thickness with bottom of glass. Sprinkle any remaining peanut mixture evenly on tops of cookies; gently press into dough.
Bake 7 to 12 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets to cooling rack. Store tightly covered.
When I made these, I also added 1 roasted almond to the top. A chocolate chip would be good also. (Chocolate is great in almost anything!) Do enjoy these. Cheers!
Double Delight Peanut Butter Cookies
Recipe created by Carolyn Gurtz, winner of the 2008 Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest
It's a twist on the classic peanut butter cookie! Crunchy outside, creamy inside, with just a hint of cinnamon. A real winner.
Yield: 24 cookies
Ingredients:
1/4 cup Fisher dry-roasted peanuts , finely chopped
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 cup JIF creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 roll (16.5 ounces) Pillsbury refrigerated peanut butter cookies , well chilled
Crisco original no-stick cooking spray
Directions:
Heat oven to 375°.
In small bowl, mix chopped peanuts, granulated sugar and cinnamon; set aside.
In another small bowl, stir peanut butter and powdered sugar until completely blended. Shape mixture into 24 balls, about 1 inch each.
Cut roll of cookie dough into 12 slices. Cut each slice in half crosswise to make 24 pieces; flatten slightly. Shape 1 cookie dough piece around 1 peanut butter ball, covering completely. Repeat with remaining dough and balls.
Roll each covered ball in peanut mixture; gently pat mixture completely onto balls. On ungreased large cookie sheets, place balls 2 inches apart. Spray bottom of drinking glass with Crisco original no-stick cooking spray; press into remaining peanut mixture. Flatten each ball to 1/2-inch thickness with bottom of glass. Sprinkle any remaining peanut mixture evenly on tops of cookies; gently press into dough.
Bake 7 to 12 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets to cooling rack. Store tightly covered.
------------------------------
When I made these, I also added 1 roasted almond to the top. A chocolate chip would be good also. (Chocolate is great in almost anything!) Do enjoy these. Cheers!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Halloween Eve!
I can almost see Miss Itchy Witchy flying on her whisk broom. You know, for short hops! But really, its time for dinner. Try this salmon. It's great!
Salmon in Beurre Rouge Sauce
Fresh Asparagus
Twice Baked Idaho Potato
Homemade Biscuits
2007 Cinder Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Blend
Fresh Asparagus
Twice Baked Idaho Potato
Homemade Biscuits
2007 Cinder Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Blend
And it was very good! Had to have this tonight because tomorrow Boise State University has a football game and that might insist that there be "football junk food"! Pizza, Nachos, Brats, Hot Dogs, Beer. Who knows! Hope you enjoy the photos. Guess we need "Smell-A-Vision" or something. Cheers! Go Broncos!!!
Labels:
Classic Sauces,
Food,
Seasonal,
Things To Do,
Wine and Food Pairings
Thursday, October 29, 2009
It's Not Even All Saints Day!
I was standing at the kitchen sink window looking out. "Looks like rain", I said. So I took Buddy outside - to guard me - to see what was happening. Guess what? It's "White Rain"!! And it's not even All Saints Day (Halloween). Temperature outside is 38 degrees and no wind to speak of.
Buddy was having dreams of last years' snow, when he could play in it. Right now, "things" were "flying" in front of him. White things. He is alarmed and snaps at them. When he catches one, it disappears and there is nothing there. He is puzzled and barks at the "White Things". But they keep coming and they tickle his eyes. He rolls his eyes and looks up at me as to say, "I don't understand." And a "White Thing" lands on his black nose and he goes crossed-eyed trying to look at it and when he tries to lick it off, it is not there. He rolls his eyes and looks up at me as to say, "I don't understand. I know it was there!" Guess I should take him in before he goes completely bananas! Cheers! It's not even Halloween.
Buddy was having dreams of last years' snow, when he could play in it. Right now, "things" were "flying" in front of him. White things. He is alarmed and snaps at them. When he catches one, it disappears and there is nothing there. He is puzzled and barks at the "White Things". But they keep coming and they tickle his eyes. He rolls his eyes and looks up at me as to say, "I don't understand." And a "White Thing" lands on his black nose and he goes crossed-eyed trying to look at it and when he tries to lick it off, it is not there. He rolls his eyes and looks up at me as to say, "I don't understand. I know it was there!" Guess I should take him in before he goes completely bananas! Cheers! It's not even Halloween.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Beef and Lamb Stew
So it is a cold and blustery day here in Boise. Heavy snows are forecast for the 5000 foot level in the mountains, rain and high winds here in the valley. What a good day for a stew!! A good hardy stew - full of vegies, beef and lamb. So, I guess I'd best list the recipe. It calls for a combination of beef and lamb, but, if you don't like lamb you can add more beef. And if you want a straight lamb stew, just add more lamb.
Ingredients:
1 T Orange infused oil
2 T Garlic infused oil
. . Salt and Pepper to taste
1 lg Onion, cut into chunks
2 lg Leeks, cut into ¼" rounds
2 lg Carrots, cut into ¼" thick rounds
¾ lbs Mushrooms, thick sliced
1 lg Parsnip. cut into ¼" thick rounds
1 Rutabaga, sliced and cut into ¼" thick pieces
½ c Celery, diced
1 Turnip, sliced and cut into ¼" pieces
1 lbs Lamb Stew meat
¾ lbs Beef Stew meat
32 oz Chicken stock
32 oz Beef stock
½ c Red wine
3 T Worcestershire sauce
1 T Kitchen Bouquet
6 sprigs Thyme, fresh
1 T Sage, fresh and chopped
3 T Parsley, fresh and chopped
2 T Cornstarch
½ c Red Wine
Directions:
1). Add the oil and salt and pepper to a large stock pot. Heat until hot. Add the onion and leeks and sauté until translucent.
2). Add the meats and sauté until browned.
3). Add the beef stock, chicken stock, Worcestershire sauce, Kitchen Bouquet and wine. Bring up to a low simmer. Add the thyme, sage and parsley. Mix to combine. Cover the pot and simmer for 2 hours or longer. Taste and adjust as necessary.
4). 15 minutes before serving, mix 2 T cornstarch and ½ cup of red wine. Add to the pot to thicken the sauce into a gravy. Serve piping hot.
Cooking Times:
Preparation Time: 45 minutes
Cooking Time: 3 hours
Inactive Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours
So there you have it. If you want a better copy of the recipe, either click on the page title above or Click Here.
------------------------------
Beef and Lamb Stew
Ingredients:
1 T Orange infused oil
2 T Garlic infused oil
. . Salt and Pepper to taste
1 lg Onion, cut into chunks
2 lg Leeks, cut into ¼" rounds
2 lg Carrots, cut into ¼" thick rounds
¾ lbs Mushrooms, thick sliced
1 lg Parsnip. cut into ¼" thick rounds
1 Rutabaga, sliced and cut into ¼" thick pieces
½ c Celery, diced
1 Turnip, sliced and cut into ¼" pieces
1 lbs Lamb Stew meat
¾ lbs Beef Stew meat
32 oz Chicken stock
32 oz Beef stock
½ c Red wine
3 T Worcestershire sauce
1 T Kitchen Bouquet
6 sprigs Thyme, fresh
1 T Sage, fresh and chopped
3 T Parsley, fresh and chopped
2 T Cornstarch
½ c Red Wine
Directions:
1). Add the oil and salt and pepper to a large stock pot. Heat until hot. Add the onion and leeks and sauté until translucent.
2). Add the meats and sauté until browned.
3). Add the beef stock, chicken stock, Worcestershire sauce, Kitchen Bouquet and wine. Bring up to a low simmer. Add the thyme, sage and parsley. Mix to combine. Cover the pot and simmer for 2 hours or longer. Taste and adjust as necessary.
4). 15 minutes before serving, mix 2 T cornstarch and ½ cup of red wine. Add to the pot to thicken the sauce into a gravy. Serve piping hot.
Cooking Times:
Preparation Time: 45 minutes
Cooking Time: 3 hours
Inactive Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours
------------------------------
So there you have it. If you want a better copy of the recipe, either click on the page title above or Click Here.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Autumn In Boise
You know, there probably is Moonlight In Vermont, but Boise, Les Bois, The City of Trees, has a spectacular Autumn. And yes, we are on the high desert at 2900 feet. But the fall colors this year have been breath taking. Look at this slide show and see for yourselves. Don't forget to go Full Screen when prompted. Turn your volume up and listen to Tom Jones singing "Autumn Leaves". All of these photos were taken on 21 October 2009 in Boise. Hope you enjoy these.
Labels:
Adventures,
Natural Images,
Natural Photos,
Seasonal
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