Dinner 2018

[Kim Shook]

8 hours ago, JoNorvelleWalker said:

 

One mushroom is missing.

 

That would have been my plate.  But, the asparagus would have been passed off, too.  

[robirdstx]

8 minutes ago, gfweb said:

 Still looks like a bird. 

 

That looks like an Anhinga, also called a snakebird.

[liuzhou]

12 minutes ago, JoNorvelleWalker said:

Can you comment on Cantonese snake wine?

 

I've had it only once, 18 years ago, but see it regularly. Foul stuff.

 

As the quote you give implies, it isn't 'wine' at all but a distilled spirit (usually made from rice or sorghum) and very strong. You don't normally see it in liquor stores, but in pharmacies and drug stores. It is considered to be medicine rather than a recreational drink. You wouldn't wash down you stir fried snake with it, that's for sure.

 

In 2000, I was sick here and a friend insisted that a glass or two was the only possible way to cure me. It didn't and I eventually I had to return to the UK for delicate surgery which did cure me.

 

It isn't only Cantonese. There are versions all over China. In fact, it isn't even only Chinese. Italy bottles snakes in grappa, for example

[Kim Shook]

7 hours ago, chefmd said:

It was very curious.  Just before we sat down, my MIL announced loudly (slightly slurring her words) that she does not understand the joke.  Why is there a steak in her bedroom?  I quickly counted the steaks and they were all on the plates.  Turns out it was a SNAKE.  I quickly barricaded the door.  There were suggestions of calling animal control and police but after dinner I threw a towel over the sneak and grabbed it over the towel with grill tongs and got it out of the house.  Celebratory drinking ensued.

The sad emoji was not enough.  We need a screaming and running emoji.  Mr. Kim understands that if a snake ever makes it into our house, I will burn it to the ground.

[Duvel]

Long weekend trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand. Had to get an emergency root canal treatment on the first day, so mostly liquid food until Saturday night.

 

 

My first meal out was the last meal of the trip: Grilled fish, grilled squid, some potstickers, fried chicken and smoothies. All from a busy night market at the south gate of the old city.

 

 

Pictures don't do the meal justice - it was heaven. Maybe because I was super hungry, maybe because of the relief after a successful treatment or maybe the combination of Leo beer and my meds ... It was a fantastic evening !

 

[liuzhou]

17 minutes ago, Duvel said:

Pictures don't do the meal justice - it was heaven.

 

I've eaten in that market, too. Great food!

 

Thanks for the reminder. The pictures work for me.

[JoNorvelleWalker]

1 hour ago, Kim Shook said:

That would have been my plate.  But, the asparagus would have been passed off, too.  

 

My younger son does not eat mushrooms -- and after one sad experience of canned asparagus* in my youth I did not assay asparagus again till I was 21.  Hollandaise is the answer.

 

 

*I can still see it, partially digested, on the floor.

 

[JoNorvelleWalker]

Since the topic of convenience food has recently come up:  Talluto's frozen ravioli:

 

 

 

I am not ashamed.

 

 

[Tropicalsenior]

7 hours ago, gfweb said:

Still looks like a bird.

Nope, Loch Ness Monster!

[Tropicalsenior]

6 hours ago, JoNorvelleWalker said:

I did not assay asparagus again till I was 21.

My grandmother had a huge asparagus patch under an elm tree. As the asparaagus emerged it looked first like worms then like small snakes. I wasn't about to touch that stuff. I really regret all that I missed out on for so many years especially when I look at the $12 bundles of wood that they sell here as asparagus.

[weinoo]

Been on a bit of an Italian kick lately, since returning from vacation.  In Florence, I had what may have been the best sugo di carne I've ever tasted.  

 

 

Attempted to recreate it.  Along with some ciccoria, blanched then "fried" in olive oil, with garlic and chili flakes.

 

While it was nowhere near as fantastic as that sugo mentioned above, it wasn't bad at all...

 

[liuzhou]

Pig's kidney and mushrooms in a red wine and mustard sauce.

 

Served with the rest of the bottle, of course.

 

[kayb]

9 hours ago, chefmd said:

We were in Port St Lucie, FL.  Snake came back to say hi this morning.  I know it kinda looks like a bird but it is a snake in the water.  

Looks like a cottonmouth. I hate a cottonmouth. Only snake out there that's aggressive. Mean bastards all need to be killed.

 

I ate rattlesnake once. Was not impressed. Don't think I'd be impressed with snake wine, either.

 

The steak dinner, though....

 

[Dejah]

With balmy temperatures of -7C yesterday, we finally took down all the outdoor Xmas decorations now that CNY's Day has been celebrated!

Supper was also a "take down" of leftovers and the vegetable crisper:

 

The leftover strip loin au poivre over sauteed yu choy 

 

                                                                        

 

 

And tofu, eggplant, green bell pepper in Toban sauce (Sechuan spicy bean sauce)

 

                                                            

 

Dessert was cherry pie - without ice-cream 'cos we're on a diet!

 

                                                           

                              

 

 

[Tropicalsenior]

5 minutes ago, Dejah said:

leftovers and the vegetable crisper:

Gorgeous! Even your leftovers are fit for the Emperor.

[ElsieD]

@Dejah  Is Toban sauce something you make or buy?

[Shelby]

Salads and homemade tomato soup last night

 

[ProfessionalHobbit]

 

 

 

 

 

We had veal and pork meatballs last night:

1 lb. ground veal
1 lb. ground pork
1 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1/3 cup minced Italian parsley
1 tsp. finely grated Meyer lemon zest
3/4 cup breadcrumbs soaked in 1/2 cup milk
salt and pepper
3-4 garlic cloves, crushed
1 28-oz. can crushed tomatoes

And I made a batch of pesto di ortica (stinging nettle pesto):

 

 

 

 

 

2/3 cup stinging nettles that have been blanched, then coarsely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp. toasted pine nuts
2 tbsp. grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
salt to taste
extra-virgin olive oil

[Tropicalsenior]

1 hour ago, ElsieD said:

 Is Toban sauce something you make or buy?

This is a pretty good description of toban sauce.

[ElsieD]

9 minutes ago, Tropicalsenior said:

This is a pretty good description of toban sauce.

 

I'm embarrassed.  I didn't know it by It's other name.  This is the one in my fridge.

 

Edited to add:  only after I posted this did I realize it says Toban on the label.

 

Edited February 26, 2018 by ElsieD (log)

[liuzhou]

2 hours ago, ElsieD said:

Is Toban sauce something you make or buy?

 

You my also see it labelled as Doubanjiang which is the Mandarin.

 

豆瓣酱 or 豆瓣醬 dòu bàn jiàng

Edited February 26, 2018 by liuzhou (log)

[Ann_T]

On 25/02/2018 at 12:35 AM, Dejah said:

Well seasoned with grinds of black pepper - Strip loin grilled on top of stove and finished in oven. Made some green peppercorn gravy for dipping. Eaten with stir-fried snap peas, asparagus, and bell pepper and carrot fries.

                                                               

Dejah,  that looks so good.  Green Peppercorn sauce is a favourite.  

 

Quail is on the menu tonight.  One of Moe's favourites.

Preview.

 

Marinated Greek style, with olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, oregano, minced garlic and salt and pepper. Will be cooked on the grill. I'm thinking just some roasted potatoes and Greek Salad on the side.

 

We had pasta two nights in a row. Both simple.

Last nights. 
Pasta served with grilled Italian Sausage.

 

Saturday night's a simple pasta based on Lidia Bastianich's recipe for Cacio e Pepe,

If you love lots of black pepper like I do than you will enjoy this pasta dish.

Had a craving for hard shell tacos last week.

[ninagluck]

meatless monday today: baked beets with creme fraiche, dill and bottarga 

[Doofa]

Had cravings for Oysters last week, and this, and next. Pre snack and fresh Citrus juice, home pressed, home shucked. And I cant for the life of me remember how to post a pic. I'll try again later but it's 10pm here and I've a large load of just bought Nosebag to put away, an Ox-tail stew to get going................And more Oysters which is going to be first. All the above dinners are wonderful. Apart from snakes in booze. D 

[Anna N]

 

 Had a small piece of pork tenderloin left over from a meal the other day. Made a couple of open faced sandwiches of pork, onion and apple. One of my favourite ways to enjoy tenderloin.