Is That All There Is?

I started making this cassoulet at 11 am and it was finished at 8 pm. It really isn't as much work as that - you just have to be around your range and oven. Great for a cold winter day. The concept is to layer white beans and carrots with several meats (in this case duck, ham and pork sausage) then top with bread crumbs.

I was underwhelmed but - fortunately - four others disagreed (Cindy said that it was one of the best meals that she has had in a while - and she is the CEO of a company with plants all over the world).

Oops

I am a reasonably good cook, however, I made a big mistake last night and I am telling it to you, dear reader, so that you don't make the same horrible, life-shattering offense.

Soba noodles have salt in them. Do not salt the water so that it tastes like the ocean. The noodles will be inedible.

I roasted mushrooms, kale and shrimp (cover the shrimp in a separate dish with plenty of olive oil) then tossed everything in a delicious soy, honey, mustard, siracha sauce. All good but for the noodles. (:

Three Dog Night

Who would have thought that hot dogs could be so fun? Here are three (Hebrew Nationals) that I made for the family at  Labor Day.

The American (cheddar cheese spread, caramelized onions and spicy Rice Krispies):

The Italian (Rao's marinara sauce and shaved Romano - wish that I had snagged some basil):

The Asian (my favorite - Hoisin Sauce, cucumber, cilantro, scallion and Sriracha):

Surf and Turf

Another Stephanie Izard recipe:

Seared Arctic Char (except that I used Salmon), Lamb / Cherry / Pea Hash (except that I used Ground Sirloin) and Mint Yogurt. I had to pump up the flavor of the hash with more soy bean paste (which was supposed to be white miso) and it was delicious. Sounds a little strange but they all worked together.

Kale Chips

I heard this on NPR yesterday and happened to have a head of kale. 

Chop, sprinkle with oil and - in batches - microwave for 3 minutes. It took my expensive German microwave 5-6 minutes but so be it. Sprinkle with salt. I used a habanero sea salt that made it (them?) quite delicious. Accompanied with grilled Cornish hens (slathered with pesto) and kettle potatoes. Summer!

Summer

I don't remember if I have written about our go-to summer dinner: Caesar salad. Romaine (two heads), croutons (I make them) , a few splashes of Key West lime juice (my go-to citrus flavoring), Cardini's Caesar dressing (one of the better bottled dressings I think) and chopped anchovies (one tin for the two of us SOL).

New England

Two meals on the deck in Surry (NH) - it doesn't get much better than this.

Breakfast at Miss Bellows Falls (VT)

Cod and bacon and aioli and other stuff at Burdick's Walpole (NH)

Fried clams at Legal Seafood Boston (NA)

Oyster at a bar at Harvard Square (MA)

Romaine and kale Caesar salad at the same place

"Nicoise" salad, again at Harvard Square

Potato latkes at Zaftigs Brookline (MA)

Fran and Woody's table, Jamaica Plain (MA)

Very nice crispy, Asian style salad at Willoughby (OH)