Journal

2017 - Week 19 Cooking Results

White Park Steak (Lucky George) with Asparagus with Crumbled Bacon (or seared Prosciutto) and Balsamic Vinegar (or not)

Remember, Shannon doesn't particularly like steak, even strip steak.  Certainly a nice buttery flavor of the steak, clearly Lucky George is trying to find the right breed for their farm.  I liked how the roasted asparagus turned out as well.  I ended up just using crumbled bacon.

Roasted Green Garlic pesto w/ toast and and egg on it (stealing from Brett right here)

Salt + green garlic tossed in olive oil, roasted, then pureed with olive oil.  Then I took a side path, and decided to make burgers instead.  Pretzel buns + 15 Fields Irish Cheddar + bacon + hamburger fried in bacon fat + Green Garlic Pesto.  Good stuffs.  That turned out great.  Admittedly I was thinking about it for a good chunk of the day.

Ramp & Sausage Risotto

Ramps!  Yay!  I made extra so Shannon could have risotto leftovers, cause I almost never make risotto anymore.

Quinoa Pilaf with Scallions and Saucisson Sec (reference)

I made it to spicy.  I used jalepeno pepper powder, and just added to much.  My apologies to my wife.  That being said, I'm enoying the leftovers.  I like how filling Quinoa is.

2017 - Week 19 Cooking

So I thought about writing something before the first farmers market of the season, because I do have mixed emotions about it.  I want to see all the people that I see.  I like the ritual of it.  But things have changed and I have to accept that.  Larry has retired from the market (semi-forcibly, FU Iowa DOT), Lois changed her focus (completely understandable, but still going to miss her and her cheese).  As part of the ritual of it, the parking garage I normally would park, is boarded up, changing my path through the market.  I still enjoyed it, but it indicates a clear change.  On the positive side, Jordan at Grade A has seemed to take over the ideas and spot from his mentor Larry.  Brett (Cheese Bar / Cheese Shop) was down there making some delicious samples to give people ideas of what to do the products.

I picked up 3 types of basil from Wabi Sabi (lemon, sacred and Italian) and planted them in the side yard and watered them.  We'll see if I can keep them alive (I don't have a good record with basil).

So I'm going to be a bit excessive this week in celebration of DTFM finds and the opening of the market.

  • White Park Steak (Lucky George) with Asparagus with Crumbled Bacon (or seared Prosciutto) and Balsamic Vinegar (or not)
  • Roasted Green Garlic pesto w/ toast and and egg on it (stealing from Brett right here)
  • Ramp & Sausage Risotto
  • Quinoa Pilaf with Scallions and Saucisson Sec (reference)

2017 - Week 18 Cooking Results

Skillet Tamale Pie

Used the rest of the beef from the CostCo package.  Comes together pretty well, a bit of effort.

Hamburgers

Used some grass fed beef.  I like heritage + grass fed.  But that may just me being picky.  This was mass market from CostCo, it was fine...

Bratwursts

yep.

Ham Steak with Duck Fast Mashed Potatoes

I like duck fat...yes I do.  I like it on things and in things and this was good.  Also added parmigiano reggiano.  Good Stuffs.

Grilled Cheese

Om nom nom

2017 - Week 17 Cooking - Results

Stressful week, good resolution.  As a Side note, there is a clear need for an upgrade to the underlaying monetary system.  It shouldn't a. cost $40 ($20 to initiate and $20 to receive) to do a same day transfer and b. take so damn long.  that being said, Thanks to my current banking institution for not-recharging me for the cashiers check re-addressing.

Anyways, food.

Italian Sausage and Potato Frittata

After not feeling the desire to do this last week, it was really easy.  And pretty good.

Ham Steak with Rhubarb Sauce

With guests, had to buy more ham steaks, ended up being pretty good with the rhubarb, sugar and pan drippings.

Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs with Parmesan & Red Pepper flakes

Oh oven...it's hard to know how much you miss something until it's easy to use ones again.  I used olive oil, some parmigiano reggiano, and a few red pepper flakes and salt and pepper and tossed, and baked in the oven.  Not bad for the ease of work. 

Bratwursts

s'right.

Chorizo Tacos

With guests, these became taco salad, and because I didn't plan enough for guests, I added rice to expand the amount to make good sized salads.  Good stuffs.

On Friday night, after Shannon and I got back from Who's Live is it Anyway?, My brothers, father and I shared most of a bag of Paqui Haunted Ghost Pepper Chips, it left more then one of us with upset stomachs, though, they were quite good.

Saturday, my brothers made dinner for my father's birthday.  Quite the meal.

2017 - Week 16 Cooking Results

Easter:  Chocapocalypse Cookie (p204-205 EveryDayCook) or here

So uh...holy crap those are good.

Pork burgers on pretzel buns

Local pork, defrosted costco pretzel buns, easy, quick

Sloppy Sammys

easy, quick (get a theme here)

Italian Sausage and Potato Frittata

I adjusted this to be just bread, sausage patty, eggs on top.  I've been a bit mentally exhausted and just couldn't bring myself to follow a recipe.

Mustard chicken thighs

Olive Oil, dijon mustard, salt, pepper, tossed, baked, ate.

Grilled Ham & Cheese with Strawberry Jam

I used some 1655 Gruyere, some medicore ham and had a delicous meal.

2017 - Week 15 Cooking Results

Sausage and Cabbage Stir Fry

Relatively easy to put together and cook, and nice to eat.  Quick, tasty and easy.

Grilled Cheese (quick dinner tonight, we have tickets to Fun Home)

Pulled out one of the few loaves of Wild Yeast Bakery (SPQR) frozen in deep freeze to make the grilled cheese.  It was still very good.  Made for a great grilled cheese sandwich.

Crispy Tomato & Butter Bean Skillet

Vegetarian dish, nice flavor.

Bratwurst Reuben

I really liked these, my dad really liked these.  They're kind of messy, though.

Chicken Thighs with Green Beans and Mustard Sauce

Skipped, took the thighs and dusted them with various spices and made tacos instead.