May The Stars Light Your Way
Tonight was the second night of my GARDE MANGER class, so I went directly from work to the kitchens at Cincinnati State. We sliced our chicken galentines, made duck confit, and worked on duck terrines in addition to slicing & tasting foie gras. It was…
Rolling right along through F. Paul Wilson’s Repairman Jack series. I am currently reading CONSPIRACIES.
It’s the third Tuesday of the month, and that usually means the WINE DINNER at the IRON HORSE INN. I met up with David & Chie and we enjoyed the following menu, celebrating the Graziano Family Vineyards. Jen from Tramonte & Sons Distributors guided us through the variety of wines offered by this California winery. The dinner was great, the wines delicious, and the evening a lot of fun.
First Course
Brie and Pear Phyllo, Spiced Apple Sauce
2002 Monte Volpe Primo Bianco, Mendocino
Second Course
Tropical Mango Soup, Lobster Daikon Salad
2005 Graziano Chenin Blanc, Mendocino
Third Course
Prawns and Clams, Red Curry, Vermicelli
2002 St. Gregory Pinotage, Mendocino
Fourth Course
Char-Grilled Hanger Steak, Guinness Soy Demi-Glace, Redskin Mashed Potatoes, Honey-Brown Sugar Glazed Carrot Ribbons
2002 Graziano Zinfandel, Graziano Vineyard, Mendocino
Dessert
Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake, Vanilla Cherry Compote
2001 Monte Volpe, Montepulciano, Mendocino
I started another culinary class this evening, my first class in several months. It’s very nice to get back in. The class I am taking this term, which meets twice a week for 10 weeks, is Garde Manger, or cold food preparation. The class has…
Happy Easter, everyone! After a lovely brunch with Wendy’s family at IRON HORSE INN (yes, we were just there last night, and I’ll be there again on Tuesday!), we picked Jay up and headed up to Columbus, Ohio to meet up with Robin & Dave to…
PICTURES ARE HERE!Â
This evening’s activities were really fun. Wendy & Holly had collaborated to plan a surprise party for Jay, who turns 40 at the end of April. Holly provided all the decorations, Ed delivered them to Wendy, and Wendy & I (with help from others as they arrived) decorated our private room at the IRON HORSE INN. The room was a forest of balloons (purple, black, and silver), garland, and crepe paper.
Everyone – nearly 20 of us — showed up early and were in position for the surprise. Through artful deception, Ed got Jay to the restaurant and pointed upstairs to have a drink while they waited for Holly (who Jay believed was running late but was actually peering out the door to time the shouts of “SURPRISE” appropriately). Ed & Jay breezed right by the door on their route to the bar. Holly flung the door open and we all shouted “Surprise!”. Jay was suitable surprised, nearly jumping from his skin and turning beet-red. Much merriment, drinking, eating, and gift exchanging occurred. Dinner was great. Our table enjoyed an appetizer of Prince Edward Island Mussels in a fresh garlic, basil and spicy tomato broth; some peppery Brandied Lobster Bisque with Shrimp (Robin loved it and ate all of Dave’s!). My entree was Roasted Chilean Sea Bass which was topped with garlic aioli and herbed bread crumbs, served with pickled red onions, mashed sweet potatoes, and fresh vegetables. It was super-tasty.
Desserts were on me… I’d prepared two cakes — a Bavarian Chocolate Torte and an Orange Cream Cake. The staff at the HORSE did a great job — everyone got a slice of each kind of cake, and there were even some leftovers.
After dinner, we retired to the patio at the Glendale Pub and watched trains go by. It was a great evening.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JAY!
Since I was home this evening cooking, I laid low food-wise. Dinner was a couple Boca Burgers with cheese, an orange (oranges are so good this time of year! I ate three of them today!), and a big glass of Vitamin D milk. None of that ‘fat…