On the New Year's Eve 2010, Jim made Eier auf Steinofenbrot mit BratenSchweinelende und Hollandaisesoße. Helmut had given us some "stone oven bread" and we put it to use in this Eggs Bennie variation. I have a feeling that Eggs Nazi (read previous post) would not catch on.
We had Helmut's pea soup for lunch. Good stuff, but I wish that he had left a few of the smoked pig's knuckles in there...
We had the same NY Steak with Shrimp with Remouladish Sauce as we did a few days ago and Beets and champagne that Mom and Dad gave to us. The walk down by the beach to watch the fireworks was a highlight but we were in bed by 10 PM because of the long day of travel ahead.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Cocktails with a Nazi
On the 30th, Peta and I continued our program of serious leisure. She whipped up Welsh Rarebit (or Rabbit) for lunch, but the twist was that she has spread a horseradish mayo combo and a layer of tomatoes under the melted cheese, which she poked with a fork and drizzled Worchestershire sauce into the resulting holes.
Mom and Dad's 85-year-old neighbor, Helmut, introduced himself. Jim spoke a little German and he invited us over for cocktails. It was early, but it was vacation! He spoke of being moved to the eastern front and being captured by the Russians and taken to a camp in Siberia. Not many German troops came out of there in the late 40s. Then he moved to the US knowing no English. Due to these hardships, I had a certain respect for his resiliance. As the Beck's went down though, Helmut began to rail against the "liars" and those who argued with him on what they had "heard". I began to see him 70 years ago doing calesthenics at a Hilter Youth Camp.
And then he said he WAS a Hilter Youth and loved the camps. It got weirder from there and I should write more but I don't have the time right now.
We took our leave and swam for a bit. We knew that we had a pork loin roast brining in salt and sugar water and that dinner would be tasty. We couldn't pass up the deal that we got at Publix. So cheap! We roasted the Brined Pork Loin Roast Rubbed in Spices on the barbie and it was fantastic. MORE HERE?
Mom and Dad's 85-year-old neighbor, Helmut, introduced himself. Jim spoke a little German and he invited us over for cocktails. It was early, but it was vacation! He spoke of being moved to the eastern front and being captured by the Russians and taken to a camp in Siberia. Not many German troops came out of there in the late 40s. Then he moved to the US knowing no English. Due to these hardships, I had a certain respect for his resiliance. As the Beck's went down though, Helmut began to rail against the "liars" and those who argued with him on what they had "heard". I began to see him 70 years ago doing calesthenics at a Hilter Youth Camp.
And then he said he WAS a Hilter Youth and loved the camps. It got weirder from there and I should write more but I don't have the time right now.
We took our leave and swam for a bit. We knew that we had a pork loin roast brining in salt and sugar water and that dinner would be tasty. We couldn't pass up the deal that we got at Publix. So cheap! We roasted the Brined Pork Loin Roast Rubbed in Spices on the barbie and it was fantastic. MORE HERE?
I just want to Mer-ci, Falletinme...
On the 29th, Jim finally got to make his original creation:
Eggs Merci (Thanksgiving Eggs)
We mixed egg whites into the herbed stuffing from Christmas dinner, made patties and fried them. They were topped with turkey breast slices, a fried egg and Hollandaise sauce. Naughty and tasty...
Surf 'n' Turf
For dinner we cooked up Shrimp with Remouladish Sauce, NY Strip with Béarnaise Sauce and Grilled Zucchini. Jim just whipped up some mayo, horseradish, capers, pickle relish, parsely, Worchestershire sauce, mustard and other stuff 'til it tasted good for the "Remouladish Sauce".
Eggs Merci (Thanksgiving Eggs)
We mixed egg whites into the herbed stuffing from Christmas dinner, made patties and fried them. They were topped with turkey breast slices, a fried egg and Hollandaise sauce. Naughty and tasty...
Surf 'n' Turf
For dinner we cooked up Shrimp with Remouladish Sauce, NY Strip with Béarnaise Sauce and Grilled Zucchini. Jim just whipped up some mayo, horseradish, capers, pickle relish, parsely, Worchestershire sauce, mustard and other stuff 'til it tasted good for the "Remouladish Sauce".
S.K.O.B.
On the 28th, our first day alone in Florida, we went to the Siesta Key Oyster Bar. We couldn't get a table inside, so we stayed outside in the wind and drank vodka sodas (Jim) and G&Ts (Peta) while eating oysters (not as flavorful as others we've had in California) and crawdad's and wings. The wings were tasty but gastrically damaging. 'Nuf said.
Dad's Birthday
Now THIS was a good day of food. The 27th is Dad's birthday, but we got him to cook Dad's Famous English Muffins. It's English Muffins cooked in an ass-load of butter and smushed down. Spread some jam on there and you are good to go.
Homemade Bread and Turkey Soup
With Dad's duty done, we decided to treat him to some decent food for the rest of the day. We woke early to get the Easy Crusty Bread recipe done, and started work on the soup shortly after breakfast. We included barley and the usual suspects and listened to Dad's advice to add a bit of sugar to curb the broth's bitterness. Good call. The bread was a bit undercooked because we doubled the recipe for the amount to cook per loaf and it was a hustle at the end to finish eating lunch before the Pats game!
Sidecars all around and vino for Mom
Stone Crab Claws with Drawn Butter
These were per-cooked and none of us had eaten them knowingly. We steamed them for a minute and served them while Mike wished Dad a happy birthday from CA.
Seasame Ginger Crusted Tuna Steaks with Sautéed Zucchini
The crust was formed from one of the spice mixes that Mom got for him. Jim tied his steaks together and rolled them laboriously in the spices. Peta just coated the whole steak. Victory: Peta. Jim ended up dipping his tuna in more spice mix and soy sauce due to the lack of coating.
Mom's Pecan Pie
We've written about it here. Always a treat. Weird consistency issues though...
We ate the tasty grub with Woodbridge Sauvignon Blanc and Whitehaven (NZ) Sauvignon Blanc. Much higher acid in the NZ wine and we preferred it.
Homemade Bread and Turkey Soup
With Dad's duty done, we decided to treat him to some decent food for the rest of the day. We woke early to get the Easy Crusty Bread recipe done, and started work on the soup shortly after breakfast. We included barley and the usual suspects and listened to Dad's advice to add a bit of sugar to curb the broth's bitterness. Good call. The bread was a bit undercooked because we doubled the recipe for the amount to cook per loaf and it was a hustle at the end to finish eating lunch before the Pats game!
Sidecars all around and vino for Mom
Stone Crab Claws with Drawn Butter
These were per-cooked and none of us had eaten them knowingly. We steamed them for a minute and served them while Mike wished Dad a happy birthday from CA.
Seasame Ginger Crusted Tuna Steaks with Sautéed Zucchini
The crust was formed from one of the spice mixes that Mom got for him. Jim tied his steaks together and rolled them laboriously in the spices. Peta just coated the whole steak. Victory: Peta. Jim ended up dipping his tuna in more spice mix and soy sauce due to the lack of coating.
Mom's Pecan Pie
We've written about it here. Always a treat. Weird consistency issues though...
We ate the tasty grub with Woodbridge Sauvignon Blanc and Whitehaven (NZ) Sauvignon Blanc. Much higher acid in the NZ wine and we preferred it.
Hey mom, either filet for Wellington or Crown Roast
So Peta, Jim and Jim's dad go to the beach while Jim's mom goes to the store. Don't feel too bad about Mom though, because the beach was super windy and Jim got $200 stolen from his wallet either at that time or the night before. Bummer.
The Publix didn't have either product (we ran into this problem later in the week) so the butcher got Mom to purchase Chateaubriand. Jim had always seen this dish listed on the menu at his favorite steakhouse in Arlington, VA, Ray's the Steaks; however, one always had to order it for two and his friends never wanted it. Now was the time!
Manhattans
Jim's dad seemed to enjoy the Manhattans that Jim made, while Peta stuck to the Sidecar and Mom went with white white. Just a simple 2 parts Knob Creek, 1 part Sweet Vermouth a a couple dashes of bitters. Stir in a pint glass with ice for 30 seconds and serve up in a martini glass garnished with a cherry.
Chateaubrand with Sauce Béarnaise
Peta had received the Escoffier cookbook from Jim, er... Santa. So we cooked it "that way" and went with the more contemporary (by 100 years) Béarnaise rather than the Sauce Chateaubriand. We didn't have chervil and had a make a tarragon vinegar like substance, but the sauce was still good.
Provençal Roasted Red Bliss Potatoes
Dad is a huge fan of a Provençal spice mix that comes in a silver tin. Mom got Dad a set that included the Provençal mix, a Tuscan mix and a ginger, garlic, sesame mix (more on those two later). Dad likes the mix on meats and fish, but we had different plans so we put the mix on the quartered potatoes and baked them in a medium oven. Good stuff.
Steamed Broccoli
Figured that we could dip the Broccoli into the Bearnaise, and we were right!
The Publix didn't have either product (we ran into this problem later in the week) so the butcher got Mom to purchase Chateaubriand. Jim had always seen this dish listed on the menu at his favorite steakhouse in Arlington, VA, Ray's the Steaks; however, one always had to order it for two and his friends never wanted it. Now was the time!
Manhattans
Jim's dad seemed to enjoy the Manhattans that Jim made, while Peta stuck to the Sidecar and Mom went with white white. Just a simple 2 parts Knob Creek, 1 part Sweet Vermouth a a couple dashes of bitters. Stir in a pint glass with ice for 30 seconds and serve up in a martini glass garnished with a cherry.
Chateaubrand with Sauce Béarnaise
Peta had received the Escoffier cookbook from Jim, er... Santa. So we cooked it "that way" and went with the more contemporary (by 100 years) Béarnaise rather than the Sauce Chateaubriand. We didn't have chervil and had a make a tarragon vinegar like substance, but the sauce was still good.
Provençal Roasted Red Bliss Potatoes
Dad is a huge fan of a Provençal spice mix that comes in a silver tin. Mom got Dad a set that included the Provençal mix, a Tuscan mix and a ginger, garlic, sesame mix (more on those two later). Dad likes the mix on meats and fish, but we had different plans so we put the mix on the quartered potatoes and baked them in a medium oven. Good stuff.
Steamed Broccoli
Figured that we could dip the Broccoli into the Bearnaise, and we were right!
Caesar Salad (Lunch) with Turkey
Peta, can you remember whence you got the caesar dressing that we really had to fix?
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