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Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Small Culinary Delights


I had the good fortune to find myself at home alone most of yesterday and today. This past weekend I spent in Milwaukee visiting family I had not seen in +2yers, and while we were away my good friend, from North Carolina, Heather came and house-sat the dogs. Since Heather had been so great to do this for us, I decided she deserved a great meal. So for Dinner last night I made a spread worthy of Kings.

Our salad was a simple tomato, mozzarella salad. I found some Locally grown (Kurlbaum Farms) Heirloom Tomatoes at the area Hen House. Unfortunately this has been a slow year for good tomatoes, several local bloggers and my friend Meryl www.mybitofearth.net just recently posted that they are taking forever to ripen, and looking pretty poor. I used some excellent Buffalo Mozzarella, and fresh Basil from the garden. I made a Rosemary Balsamic reduction (Shallots, Garlic, Balsamic Vinegar, and Fresh Rosemary reduced to 1/4) and drizzled it with olive oil, cracked pepper and sea salt.

For Dinner I grilled Asparagus with a little minced Garlic and lemon, the smoker uses wood pellets that give a divine flavor to the asparagus. I marinated some chicken in Champagne Vinegar, Olive Oil, Sea Salt, Cracked Pepper, Garlic, Thyme, Basil and Oregano. I also did Strip Steak in a similar marinade, but switched Rosemary for the Basil and Thyme. Lastly I did something completely new. I took Radicchio, Belgian Endives, Portobello Mushrooms, and Garlic and wrapped it all in a proscuitto lined foil packet and grilled it all together.

Dinner was a complete success, Heather even said it may have been the best dinner she has had in Years! For breakfast I chopped up a neat litlle Sprite Melon (so Sweet!) and Strawberries, and tossed them together for a fresh and light treat, and served with a Kona Pea Berry Coffee. Tonight, I believe I will be doing salad and a pasta with a lemon-Veloute sauce, with chicken, asparagus, tomato, garlic, and feta cheese. Unfortunately We were so hungry that I did not think to take a picture till after we were done!