This week’s post, falling on March 17th, was shaping up so nicely. Today is St. Patrick’s Day, a time even for Irish wannabes to make merry. Take advantage of this holiday to laugh and be spontaneously rambunctious. I dare you. Erin Go Bragh.
Also worth sharing, my recent 5-day trip to Monterey, a coastal city located in the northern part of California’s Central Coast. I have a whale of a tale to tell. (FYI, the whales were Humpbacks.)
Now here’s when my post veers off-track. In homage to the mischief making-leprechauns amongst us, I made SweetPaul’sMrs. Frings’ Irish Soda Bread. Memo to self: Bake this more than once a year. My Cook-the-Book-Friday’s recipe this week is DavidLebovitz’sCaramel Pork Ribs. With those ribs I decided to try Crispy Salt-And-Vinegar Potatoes, a delicious choice.
Located in Castroville, California, the Artichoke Capital of the World, family-owned Pezzini Farms has produced Heirloom Golden Globe artichokes for over 80 years.
David Lebovitz’s Travers de Porc au Caramel flopped. (I decided I’m less embarrassed to fail in French than English.) It was painful to toss out 3 pounds of pork ribs. Plus, while making the caramelized sauce in my dutch oven, I burned my arm three times. Being a glutton for punishment, I’m posting a photo of the ribs. This recipe didn’t work for me. I hope my CTBF’s blogging buddies can save me.
The unsuccessful ribs visiting with the successful Fingerling Potato Chips.
Monterey trip. Check. Irish soda bread. Check. Crispy Salt-and-Vinegar Potatoes. Check. Caramel Pork Ribs. Fail. I’m at 75% this week. Lame.
FIELD TRIP: WHALES, MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM & STEINBECK
Driving the Pacific Coast Highway is arguably the most gorgeous scenic drive in America. If I’m headed north out of Cambria, it’s the road I travel. Not this year. In the storm-battered Big Sur area, due to the collapse of the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge to the north and eroding landslides to the south, the highway has been closed indefinitely. While economically devastating to so many, I was still able to leave early one beautiful morning to drive the longer US 101 route to Monterey.
There are almost 12,650 acres of strawberries planted in Monterey County.
The acclaimed Monterey Bay Aquarium was my first stop. Although I planned to spend the day at the Aquarium, with Time and Spontaneity being my friends, I still spent the first ten minutes putting together my day’s schedule. (I really don’t do “spontaneity” well.)
A staff member at the Aquarium suggested I go to The Fish Hopper on Cannery Row for my lunch break.
By day’s end, because I had been simpatico with my wristwatch, I managed to enjoy all four auditorium films, watch five feeding sessions and visit the exhibits in a leisurely manner. Exceeded my expectations.
John Steinbeck’s beautiful boyhood Victorian home in Salinas. It was built in 1897 in the Queen Anne style. I had lunch in the dining room’s restaurant.
The next day I drove to the 90-mile long Salinas Valley, located 25 miles from Monterey, to spend the morning on a fascinating agricultural tour with Evan Oakes of Ag Venture Tours. The valley, affectionally called “America’s Salad Bowl”, produces 59% of our country’s lettuce, 53%, broccoli, and is the state’s #1 producer of many of the 43 fruits and vegetables grown there. Oakes let me personalize the tour with my choosing to visit small producers rather than big boys, like Dole, Driscoll and Earthbound Farm. Would go again.
by Oprah.com
In the afternoon I went to Salinas and walked in the footsteps of author John Steinbeck who was awarded both the Pulitzer Prize (The Grapes of Wrath) and Nobel Prize in Literature (1962). After visiting his home and having lunch in the dining room’s restaurant, I spent the afternoon at the National Steinbeck Center. Not enough time.
Our Naturalist on board the Elkhorn Slough Safari said we had encountered 78 Southern Sea Otters. Also called California Sea Otters, these otters may be cute but they aren’t cuddly!
The next two days I spent at Moss Landing, a quirky fishing village located 18 miles from Monterey. I took a nature trip into the unique Elkhorn Slough seeing, among many things, 78 Southern Sea Otters. I also took a pelagic trip and saw humpback whales, always a thrill, and a black footed albatross. The albatross, which circled our boat three different times, was a Life Bird for me. This pelagic trip was a time when I didn’t want the camera to get in front of the experience, so no photos. More whale trips planned.
Named for American marine biologist and conservationist Rachel Carson, this former supply vessel was acquired by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute in 2011. Located at Moss Landing, founded by David Packard and funded by his foundation, MBARI is doing phenomenal work in understanding our oceans. The Rachel Carson is equipped with the most sophisticated exploring tools and equipment. It was exciting to learn about and to actually see this vessel. Science in Action.
A perfect trip. No glitches. Best of all, sunshine.
“May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks. May your heart be as light as a song. May each day bring you bright, happy hours. That stay with you all the year long.” Irish Blessing
Mrs. Frings’ Irish Soda Bread from Sweet Paul by Staffer, Paul Vitale
INGREDIENTS:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 stick of butter (8 TBS) at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 lb. raisins
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp.baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 Tbs. Caraway seeds (optional)
1 and 1/2 cup buttermilk
DIRECTIONS:
1. Mix all dry ingredients together in a large bowl.
2. Mix butter into dry mixture by hand until clumps disappear.
3. Slowly add in the buttermilk by hand until you can form one big clump of dough.
4. Place in 8 or 9 inch round, springform, or cast iron pan that’s been coated with butter and flour.
5. Bake until deep golden brown at 400 degrees for 50-60 minutes, checking at the 40 minute mark. (My soda bread took 45 minutes.)
6. Remove from oven, place on rack and drape with damp cloth until cool.
7. Slice and enjoy with Irish butter!
TIP: I love the taste of caraway, but not in my soda bread!
TIP: If you wish and to make your bread sweeter, top with sparkling white decorating sugar before popping it into the oven. (After Step 4.) It is coarse-grained and will not melt. It’s available from King Arthur’s, Michael’s, where Wilton products are sold, or Amazon.) I did not use it.
Crispy Salt-And-Vinegar Potatoes, Bon Appétit. Adapted for the Kitchn by Gina Eykemans
6 Servings
INGREDIENTS:
2 pounds baby Yukon Gold potatoes, halved, quartered if large, OR fingerling potatoes, halved
1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. distilled white vinegar
1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more if necessary
2 tablespoons olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
Flaky sea salt (such as Maldon)
Covered with olive oil and ready for the oven, I was not a fan of the purple fingerlings but only because they didn’t look appetizing to me.
DIRECTIONS:
1. Combine potatoes, 1 cup vinegar, and 1 Tbsp. kosher salt in a medium saucepan. Add water to cover by 1”.
2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until potatoes are tender, 20–25 minutes. Drain and pat dry.
3. Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. Mix the potatoes in a bowl with olive oil until generously coated. Evenly spread the potatoes out onto the prepared baking sheet. Salt the potatoes.
5. Bake for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, broil the potatoes until crispy, stirring every five minutes to ensure that they don’t burn. Allow them to crisp up to your liking — this might take anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes.
6. Once they are crispy, remove them from the oven. Drizzle lightly with remaining 1-2 Tbsp. vinegar.
7. Season with flaky sea salt salt and sprinkle with chives.
8. Serve immediately.
TIP: Although I used variously colored fingerling potatoes, stick with the lightly-skinned variety which are better-looking eye candy. .
Tarte au Chocolat et Confiture de Lait – CooktheBookFridays
It poured last week. Rains were so heavy that 188,000 people were evacuated from a three-county area in northern California. A possible dam failure at Lake Oroville, a reservoir that supplies much of California’s drinking water, threatened to break, sending a 30-foot wall of water down its emergency spillway.
Oroville Dam is the largest earth-filled dam in our country. Standing at 770-feet tall, it’s the tallest dam in America beating out Hoover Dam at 726-feet in height. During our 8 years in nearby Henderson, Nevada, I was mesmerized by that structure and dragged my family and any somewhat-interested friends to see it. Remembering the expanse of HD, I cannot contemplate failure. Luckily the Oroville Dam held with more rain expected this week-end.
Blueberry Dutch Baby
The point is I’ve been house-bound for too many days. This “Big Question” post evolved from those stormy days. Lebovitz’s Chocolate-Dulce de Leche Tart is my CooktheBookFridays recipe. Don’t be hanging around the house when this tart is sitting on the counter. The tasty Dutch Baby always seem magical to me. Rise and flop. But I digress…..
FIsherman, Rock, and Pacific
Michael and I moved to Aspen in 1988. We knew no one, so imagine how delighted I was when our social calendar filled up during the next few months. That would be, I admit, because I joined, participated, accepted all invitations and never met a stranger. By the end of our first summer, Michael, who preferred small doses over gulps, was over it. One night, after a 10-evenings-out marathon, I walked into the bedroom to find him in bed with the duvet pulled over his head. “I am not going out for the next week,” he declared.
I wailed that we were lucky to be making so many friends and he was going to ‘ruin my Life if he wouldn’t do this.’
His answer was muffled but clear.“Then, I’ll just have to ruin your life.”
The end.
The tart has been pre-baked and covered with a layer of dulce de leche before this chocolate mixture is poured over it. Sprinkle with sea salt and put in the oven for final baking.
However, what I discovered he loved, as did I, was to entertain 8 guests for dinner at our Silver King Drive home. A home-cooked supper became our means of socializing. The key to those successful parties was not only good food and drink but also great conversation. In those years the banter flowed easily, no planning or forethought needed.
After pouring the batter into the cast iron pan, I sprinkled the berries on top and will put in the oven to bake.
Fast forward to my life now at The Gant. Although living on a smaller-scale, my means of socializing remains the same. In today’s world, however, planning food and drink pales to the forethought required to insure non-combative repartée.
It may seem self-serving but when I make the effort to cook a meal, I’d prefer my guests enjoy it. If someone spends an evening with me, I’d like them to leave with good memories, not indigestion. And, frankly, I want to be smiling also.
These small California Brown Pelicans don’t seem to mind that the fisherman commandeered their rock.
As the hostess, I can manage good behavior to a degree but here’s a great conversation starter I’ve used successfully at my table. It’s called The Big Question and is a monthly feature inThe Atlantic magazine. A week before the scheduled dinner, e-mail and ask all your guests to answer The Big Question. As dinner is being served, begin asking for responses. After just an answer or two, the conversation takes flight that will wander down interesting avenues and carry you through dessert. I promise. It’s refreshing and a time-time out from the day-to-day. Worth a try.
After your guests have given their answers, share The Atlantic’s responses from 5 or 6 experts, further broadening the conversation. Here are some examples:
What animal has most changed the course of history? Answers: Colo, the first gorilla born into human care; The mockingbirds collected in the Galápagos archipelago; Lucy; Martha, the last known passenger pigeon; whichever wolf was the first to slink up to a Paleolithic-era campfire; earthworms; rats.
Other questions 1) What day most changed the course of history; 2) Who was the worst leader of all time; 3) What was the best fictional meal ever; 4) What was the most influential TV Show ever;
Here’s the Link: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/category/big-question/
When the Great Blue Heron’s in full-on breeding plumage, its bill and lower legs change from yellow to orange and the area around the bill turns a bright blue. It sports long ornate plumes on its head, chest, and back.
CHOCOLATE – DULCE de LECHE TART My Paris Kitchen by David Lebovitz’s
DIRECTIONS: To make your own dulce de leche, start the process early in the morning as it does take awhile. The ingredient is a can of sweetened condensed milk. You can either boil your unopened can in a pot of water for 4-5 hours or open it up, spread it in a baking dish and bake it for 1 1/2-2 hours until dark golden and delicious.
2. This tart is a showstopper and not complicated to make. When it comes out of the oven, the tart will still be pretty jiggly. Never fear, it’s ready. After it’s cooled and, if desired, refrigerated, it will be ready.
3. Serve the tart with softly whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or just as is.
BLUEBERRY DUTCH BABY by Ben Mims, Food & Wine Daily
INGREDIENTS:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole milk
1/4 cup pomegranate juice
3 eggs
6 tablespoons salted butter
1 cup blueberries
Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 425°.
In a bowl, whisk the flour with the milk, pomegranate juice and eggs until blended. In a 10- 12-inch cast iron skillet, melt the butter over high heat until foamy. Pour in the batter and sprinkle on the blueberries. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 20 minutes, until the pancake is golden brown.
Dust the pancake with confectioners’ sugar and serve immediately.
CooktheBookFridays is an international group of food bloggers who are virtually cooking their way through My Paris Kitchen cookbook by David Lebovitz. To visit the group’s site, click here.
“Everyone has a story, the air is full of stories.” Isabelle Allende
COQ AU VIN (chicken in red wine sauce)
Do you realize January 2017 has packed its bag, left the house and won’t return? Already two days into February, it’s Groundhog Day. Punxutawney Phil saw his shadow. Looking ahead, (or, not,) Super Bowl Sunday, the Oscars and Presidents’ week-end are in the line-up. Oops, Valentine’s Day. Forget that at your peril.Like most of you, this Life of mine has never seen lazy days. Whatever time I have, I fill up 100%. If you’re honest, don’t we all?
I discovered a very large NAPA (Chinese) CABBAGE in my Talley Farms box this week. It was the size of a football.
SWEET and SOUR ROASTED NAPA CABBAGE WEDGES (The cabbages you’ll find in the markets are smaller, a more appropriate size).
Just as when it snows in the Rockies, the rains have lightened the hearts of Central Coast residents. California still is water-deprived but there’s been relief. And, Mother Nature, responding to the slightest of care, is blooming and going green.
This Great White Egret is a frequent visitor to Estero Bluffs. When I saw him, he was just finishing “something.” He has a neck that would have madeAudrey Hepburn envious.
I stood quietly for 15 minutes before the egret flew off.
For birds it’s all about food and safety.
LANDING IN GREENER PASTURES
Last year, during my four months in Cali, I got a sense of this remarkable state. Thankful for the opportunity with a car that was willing, I traveled its length and breadth. If I qualify as a lifetime learner, that 7,500 mile journey was a graduate seminar.
LAST WEEK I PACKED A LUNCH AND SPENT SEVERAL HOURS AT THE SAN SIMEON BAY WHARF AND SS STATE BEACH PARK, BOTH ADJACENT TO THE HEARST PROPERTY AND ACROSS THE HIGHWAY FROM THE HEARST CASTLE.
AS I WALKED OUT ON THE WHARF, THIS CALIFORNIA GULL WAS PARKED ON THIS POST AND NOT ABOUT TO MOVE. I GOT RELATIVELY CLOSE. HE DIDN’T CARE. RIGHT BELOW THE GULL IS A SINK WHERE FISHERMEN CLEAN THEIR CATCH AND THE GULL WAS NOT ABOUT TO GIVE UP HIS SPOT.
HERE’S THE REASON …..A SHORT TIME LATER,THIS FISHERMAN, A REGULAR ON THE WHARF, ARRIVED. HE HAS STORIES TO TELL AND ROCKFISH TO CATCH. THE GULL WANTS THE REMAINS.
AS I WAS LEAVING THE PARK, I SPOTTED THIS ZEBRA NEAR THE HEARST PROPERTY FENCE LINE. THERE ARE STILL ABOUT 24 ZEBRAS THAT DESCENDED FROM THE HERD HEARST HAD FOR HIS EXOTIC ANIMALS ZOO. USUALLY THEY GRAZE UP IN THE HILLS. THIS GUY WAS 10′ FROM ME AND IS QUITE A BEAUTIFUL CREATURE.
This year, because of self-imposed deadlines for writing projects, I decided to wander in my own backyard. I was reminded by those daily adventures that everyone has a story. Granted, not all are cliffhangers but each carries a whiff of charm, mystery or ya-gotta-hear-this.
I’VE NEVER SEEN A BLUE-AND-WHITE COW, I NEVER HOPE TO SEE ONE BUT I CAN TELL YOU ANYHOW I’S RATHER SEE THAN BE ONE.
The key, for me, at least, is to slow down, look and listen. Two of those traits I’ve never mastered successfully! This winter I am blessed with the luxury of Time which, for me, is a gift, something to embrace and not squander. January was squander-free, every day filled with a gem or two for the memory bank.
SO SIMPLE. SO PERFECT.
It’s Cook-the-Book Fridays and this week’s recipe is french deliciousness, Coq au Vin. One of Julia Child’s signature dishes and included in her 1961 Mastering the Art of French Cooking, she often made it on her PBS cooking show. I served this braised stew with a baguette and Sweet and Sour Roasted Napa Cabbage Wedges (recipe below.)
SWEET and SOUR ROASTED NAPA CABBAGE WEDGES adapted from Cooking Light magazine.
Yield: Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon whole-grain Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 head napa (Chinese) cabbage, cut lengthwise into quarters
Cooking spray
PREPARATION:
1. Place a large roasting pan in oven. Preheat oven and pan to 450°.
2. Combine first 7 ingredients in a small bowl.
3. Coat cut sides of cabbage with cooking spray. Place cabbage, cut sides down, on preheated pan. Bake 6 minutes. Turn cabbage onto other cut side; bake an additional 6 minutes. Remove pan from oven. Heat broiler to high. Brush cabbage liberally but evenly with honey mixture. Broil 3-5 minutes, until browned and caramelized.
COOK-the-BOOK-FRIDAYS is an international cooking group making its way virtually through David Lebovitz’s MY PARIS KITCHEN. See our group’s efforts here.
My friend, Dr. Marilyn Susman celebrated the 99th birthday of her mother, Helen Epstein, in Palm Beach. “We walked around the pond at Brookdale.” Marilyn said. “Other residents were at their windows or outside cheering us on.” Happy Birthday, Mrs. Epstein.
Democracy is messy. We Americans have inaugurated presidents since April 30, 1789, when George Washington took his oath at Federal Hall in New York City. Last week Donald Trump became our 45th president. A week-long celebration by his supporters in Washington DC was exciting. Jubilation reigned. Winning is fun.
Women’s March for Human Rights 2017, San Luis Obispo
However, on the next day American women grabbed the reins. LightsonBrightNoBrakes is not only devoted to food but, more importantly, to the lifestyle I’ve created after losing my husband. Today’s post is about my participation in that historic Women’s March 2017.
Since the early birds gets a parking space, I arrived in SLO very early before the March. These three women invited me to join them for breakfast. Thank you, Janice
Everything about this day was perfect, uplifting and peaceful. While being my own one-man band in San Luis Obispo, I spent the day surrounded by a lifetime of friends, thanks to the miraculous magic of my iPhone.
FRENCH FRIDAYS with DORIE, the DORISTA’S, my cooking colleagues from around the world, were marching. Dorie Greenspan, our mentor and friend, marched in Paris. I also got March On-messages from Emily in Khala Lumpur, Andrea in Bonn, Adriana in Puerto Rico, Trevor in Thailand and many America gals.
Betsy (C), an administrator with me on FFWD and CtBF, was in Boston with 175,000 of her best friends.
Teresa, who virtually walked through the last year with me, is from Vancouver.
Alaia rode while her dad, Marcel, and Katie, the administrator of CtBF’s and UCSB professor marched.
Another Dorista, Rose in Frankfurt, Germany
PLAN 1: After the election I read about a possible January 21st Woman’s March in Washington. Undecided but curious I booked a flight and reserved a room at Club Quarters Hotel located two blocks from the White House. In late December after reading about inauguration security concerns, I had second thoughts. Worst case scenario: my son-in-law flying across the country to settle civil disobedience charges against his mother-in-law. I bailed!
ASPEN – SKI/FLASH MOB/MARCH
Donna Grauer and many of my other friends skied down Aspen Mountain as part of the March.
My longtime Aspen neighbor, Blanca, was in San Miguel de Allende. During the March, her husband, Cav, linked me to her and friends in Vail and Aspen.
PLAN 2: In early January I noticed San Luis Obisbo, located 35 miles from Cambria, was holding a Sister March. I signed up. Since I would be alone, I began to “customize” my Women’s March, owning it, so to speak. I contacted friends, inquiring about their participation and, like the march itself, the numbers kept growing.
MANCHESTER, FRIENDS from MY HOMETOWN
My Manchester friend of 60 years, Judy Sweet (L), marched in San Diego.
Our Manhawk Student Body President, Judy Miller, couldn’t march so her sweet daughter, Sarah, joined the Iowa March in Des Moines.
One of the really good guys from the Class of ’62, Jim Goodwin, marched with his sister, Kris, in Sonoma.
On January 21st, I joined a visual friendship circle strung together on social media and physically lined up with some 8,000 to 9,000 marchers in SLO. I realized, as the day progressed, I was participating in the largest organized march of protest in American history. To date, about 3.3 million people participated in 408 marches in 500 American cities. Worldwide participation included 168 cities in 81 countries and on every continent bringing our number close to 4.8 million. Only women could pull together an event of that magnitude in just two months.
A Familiar Sign – Me, too.
Museums Worldwide including some Smithsonian Museums, Are Collecting and archiving Women’s March Posters and memorabilia.
Do I believe this March will encourage policy changes or compromises by the Republican Trump administration? When Pigs Fly. (In a Word, No.)
But, “Just as plants need sun, water, and good soil to thrive, people need love, work, and a connection to something larger.”The Happiness Hypothesis, Jonathan Haidt
The Womens March for Human Rights 2017 was my something larger.
This post is dedicated, with fondness, to Dr. David Yokum, who was a prominent thoracic surgeon and catfish guy.
Another french classic, Brandade de Morue translates to Salt Cod and Potato Puree and is delicious.
Being Iowa born and bred in the Fifties/Sixties meant odds are heavily weighted to a meat-and-potatoes palate. In the Corn State then there were approximately 200,000, 150-170 acre family farms. Each August at the Delaware County Fair, the 4-H kids would show off their prized livestock, compete for ribbons and eventually auction those animals off.
My neighbor raptor, a red-shouldered hawk, gets scrutinized by a visiting hummingbird.
My parents would purchase a porker and reserve a side of beef from prize-winning 4-H livestock. At our house we didn’t eat fish. Mom was a good cook and those were different times. I had no hankering for fish nor, when it became more available, was curious enough to try. Plus, Michael was a meat man.
Salted Codfish is difficult to find in some areas. I found mine at Whole Foods. It’s better to buy it boned, if possible.
Thanks to David Yokum, I fully embraced the piscine world. David and his lovely wife, Martha, lived in Arkansas but, being music aficionados, summered in Aspen. He and I bonded shortly after our moving to Colorado in the late Eighties. Seated together at a charity dinner at the historic Hotel Jerome we chit-chatted with ease.
This Great Blue Heron likes to loiter nearby where there is a good possibility of scoring food.
A waitress, carrying two heavy coffee pots, stopped at our table to offer refills. As she leaned in to pour coffee into David’s cup, the pot in her other hand leaned with her. She successfully executed a full-on “pour” down David’s neck. When I noticed and started to scream, David remained oblivious…..until that piping hot coffee began streaming down his back.
After 36 hours of cold water rinses and draining, this is what reconstituted cod looks like.
Yeah, it hurt. Yeah, it scalded his skin. And, yeah, that frightened waitress was horrified. Ever the southern gentleman, he quietly left the table, making no fuss, and tended to his surface wounds. Throughout the 2-3 minute ordeal, the only words he grumbled to me were, “And, this is a new suit!”
Pacific Harbor Seal
Friends forever! That summer we newbies received an invitation to the Yokum’s annual catfish party. Apparently a coveted invitation to receive, we were none too interested in accepting. Growing up near the muddy Mississippi River, what I knew about catfish was not appetizing. Whiskers (barbels). Bottom dwellers. Considered the garbage eaters of the fish world.
The Brandade de Morue consisting of potatoes and cod is simmered in boiling water for 25 minutes before being drained and whipped together. Seasonings and heavy cream are added before it’s all mixed and ready for 20 minutes in the oven.
What we didn’t know was our doctor friend owned a 7,500-acre farm with about 60 ponds covering 1,200 water acres, producing soybeans, rice and catfish. His catfish were farm-raised. Not farming I recognized. But, Michael and I decided to chance it. Our new friend, David, was amused.
These brown pelicans are doing a bit of grooming.
Hushpuppies, cole slaw and Arkansas farm-fried catfish. Tasty fare, not-to-be-missed. Although David and Michael are gone now, the memories built off that first encounter and the Yokum’s friendship are forever.
In France, Les Accras, salt cod fritters served with tartar sauce, are a popular happy hour snack.
After moving to Aspen and realizing its local availability, I eventually joined the fish brigade. Today I eat very little pork or beef. It’s an easy walk to the Butcher Block/City Market to buy fish. This week’s Cook the Book Friday’s recipes, Brandade de Morue and Accras (fritters) de Morue are a far swim from the Yokum’s catfish.
This solitary Long-billed Curlew is at work, searching for food.
I first sampled Brandade de Morue in Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s demo at Aspen’s Food & Wine Festival. During my immersion french studies at the Institute de Français in Villefranche-sur-Mer, it was served at Côte d’Azur bistros/brasseries. Brandade is a purée of reconstituted salted cod, potato and seasonings. It’s served very hot, browned on top, with a leafy salad and beer (my taste). Or, it’s an elegant appetizer. Or, as a snack, Accras de Morue, chilled balls of brandade, coated with fritter batter and fried.
Using my cookie scoop, I made 1-2″ balls from the brandade and then refrigerated them for 30 minutes. I made the fritter batter and dipped the chilled balls in the batter before frying them in canola oil. Like potato chips, you cannot eat just one!
Since making these recipes is a two-day process involving reconstituting the salty cod, I am not adding recipes. I relished making this, channeling the phenomenal Samuelsson, but in the future will leave it to others. If you DO want these recipes, I will gladly send them.
Cook the Book Fridays is an international group virtually making its way through David Lebovitz‘s My Paris Kitchen. To visit out site or join the group, please link here.
“Omelets are not made without breaking eggs.” Robespierre
“You CAN make an omelet without breaking eggs. It’s just a really bad omelet.” Steven Colbert
It’s CooktheBookFridays. This week’s recipe is David Lebovitz’s take on Omelette aux Fines Herbes. Although most countries and cultures boast their take on this beloved classic, the French were first, in 1393. Joan of Arc most likely noshed on omelettes (called alumettes). David’s is plain and simply herbs and cheese, leaving more to your own imagination and embellishment innovations.
Chinese New Year, The Year of the Rooster, begins January 28. If you’re guessing I’m intent on overworking this poultry angle, you’re egg-actly right.
Six weeks ago, before leaving Aspen for the winter, there was some moaning and whining in my parting post. “I’m adverse to risk,” I wrote, “unwilling to go out on that proverbial limb. My world turns more slowly. That’s shocking, scary and disappointing. Just thinking about what I can no longer do is cringe-worthy.”
Readers, may I take that back? I definitely laid an egg.
Saying good-bye to the resident Great Egret at Anthem Country Club before leaving for California. Facing extinction for their plumes in the 19th century, this bird was saved by the efforts of President Teddy Roosevelt. Hats off (those with plumes, at least), to The Rough Rider.
After posting those words I was shocked by the generous comments, e-mails and phone calls from afar as well as TLC from empathetic friends locally. Obviously. Struck. Nerve.
“A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked.” Bernard Meltzer
In that post I had been describing a 4-month funk when here, there and everywhere, there were problems? My medical ills were fixable but in a lifetime of good health, I hadn’t needed much fixing. Pile on worries, real and imagined, and, to my mind, the dominoes were tilting. But I’m a hard-boiled egg and can’t ask for help easily. So, I didn’t.
After a 7-hour drive to Cambria yesterday, this was my Welcome Wagon haul: 1) Reserved Library Book Pick-Up (check); 2) Talley Farms Fresh Harvest Pick-Up (check); 3) New York Times waiting at the Front Door (check) BUT 4) no kids from The Gant to help me unpack (BUMMER).
Perspective works wonders. In hindsight and realizing it takes all my fingers and toes to count my many friends who have serious health problems, I feel small, with egg on my face. I’d have saved myself months of grief had I sought guidance and comfort. I’m blessed with a wide circle of friends and, in perusing that list, there’s not a one who wouldn’t have helped me. In fact, after my writing that post, they did.
“There is always a best way of doing everything if it be to boil an egg.” Ralph Emerson
BEATTY, NEVADA: HOW FUNNY IS THIS? THE GAL WHO OWNED THIS BUSINESS SAID SHE DESIGNED THE IMAGES HERSELF.
BEATTY, NEVADA IS NOTORIOUS FOR ITS POLICE FORCE. DRIVING THROUGH TOWN MORE THAN 25 MPH, NOT 26 MPH, ALLOWS YOU TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE CITY’S COFFERS.
My 2017 resolutions revolve around this recent experience, dealing with situations better and making lemonade out of lemons-moments. In this upcoming year when so many of the values I cherish and things I hold dear are in jeopardy, my resolutions will be tested. (And, I’ll be drinking lots of lemonade!)
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Playgroundmag.net
“This recipe is certainly silly. It says to separate the eggs, but it doesn’t say how far to separate them.” Gracie Allen
OMELETTE aux FINES HERBES BY David Lebovitz, My Paris Kitchen
Do not separate the eggs but do whip up David’s Omelette aux Fines Herbes this week. But, why put all your eggs in your morning basket? (OK, OK, READERS, that was a stretch.) Whether it’s breakfast, the norm, or lunch or dinner complimented by a green salad, it’s great for leftovers. Toegg you on, Here’s a LINK to more than 50 possible omelet fillings.
Serves 1 or 2
INGREDIENTS:
2 or 3 large eggs (as fresh as possible)
1 or 2 teaspoons of heavy cream or milk (TIP: I used whole milk.)
2 or 3 teaspoons finely chopped fresh herbs
Sea salt or kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 teaspoon salted or unsalted butter
2 Tablespoons of freshly grated Gruyère or Comté cheese
DIRECTIONS:
1. In a bowl, stir the eggs and milk (or, cream) together briskly with a fork (use 1 teaspoon of milk for 2 eggs and 2 teaspoons of milk for 3 eggs). Reserve some herbs for garnish and add the rest (2 teaspoons for a 2-egg omelette), using the fork to blend in the herbs, a big pinch of salt and a few grinds of the pepper mill.
2. Heat the butter in a large (10-inch), nonstick skillet (or a smaller skillet if you like a thicker omelette) over moderately high heat. When the butter starts to sizzle and form a bit, spread it all over the pan with a spatula so the bottom and part of the sides of the pan are covered.
3. Pour the eggs into the hot pan and let them cook until the edges start to set, which will happen before a minute is up. Life the pan, tilt it towards you, and use a heatproof spatula to lift up the lip of the omelet closest to you, allowing the liquid, uncooked eggs from the center, to flow underneath. Put the pan back on the burner and sprinkle the cheese in a line down the center.
4. Before the omelet is completely set (depending on how you like your eggs), fold it in half and slide it onto a warm plate. Garnish with the reserved chopped herbs.
CooktheBookFridays is an online group which is cooking its way virtually through David Lebovitz’s My Paris Kitchen. To see what others are cooking up or to join the group, Link to this site.
