1st stab at Porchetta

My hubby had to work today., so stayed home after going to market and overcame with a thought to make a Porchetta.  The Fatted Calf in Napa really makes a good one and I find it quite tasty. I forget now where I sampled another one and it had too much flavor that you didn't get to taste the meat.

So mine was simple the stuffing was Panko, Green Onion, Sage, Rosemary, Parmesan, a little Feta Cheese and 1 large Crimini Mushroom and olive oil

Thank goodness for my Turbo Oven. Forget the Nu Wave.  My Turbo oven was $49.00.

The veggies, I caramelized shallots and yellow onion then added some garlic, then the zucchini and bell pepper.  Added some black truffle paste and fnished it off with some veal broth and butter. Threw in some chives and voila!.

Bon Appetit!

Wonton Pi Soup with Chicken and Sweet Pea Sprouts

I love Wonton Soup but if the Wonton is funky I won't like it.

But I like really only the Wonton Pi, I had some left over fried chicken drummettes, so I shredded that.

Cut up the Wonton Pi and after it was all said and done with good chicken broth I placed the Swee Pea Sprouts. mmmmm good.



Custard Cornbread

I love Custard Cornbread

So here it is which went wonderful with the Short Rib Chili.

I only made a half batch of this too.



Malted Blondies

Malted Butterscotch Blondies

I have a tendancy to see a recipe I like and will only make a half batch.

So that is what I did here.

Malted Butterscotch Blondies with Mac Nuts and Valrhon Crisps.



Short Rib Chili

Well, today is Columbus Day.  I planned to do a road trip to Napa, but it was kinda cloudy, then rainy, then augh...so stayed home and relished in my kitchen.

So today, well, at lunch I made Pizza I had made Pizza in while and still had the touch and thanks to Wolfgang Puck, love his recipe and I improvised or added more things.   Sorry I forgot to take pictures of that one today. 

But this is a Short Rib Chili, adapted from Giada DeLaurentis' recipe, I changed a few things and I did not add the espresso, I only put 1/2 teaspoon of cocoa into the sauce.



Surf and Turf Tonight Paired with 2007 Duckhorn Merlot

Surf and Turf my way

Paired with 2007 Duckhorn Merlot

Snake River Kobe New York with a Veal Stock Reduction Sauce with Porcini Mushroom

Hawaiian Butterfish with a French Bread Crust

Baby French Green Beans with Caramelized onions and Shitakes

Braised Tri-tip with Mexican Seasonings and my Pico de Gallo

Also for during the week, Braised Tri-tip with mexican seasonings made some of my Pico de Gallo.

On hand corn and flour tortillas.

Cat Cora Tapenade

Saw Cat Cora's Tapenade in our local market.

Bought these 2 will try soon.



Soon to be Twice Baked Potatoes

Well, I had some potatoes, had cheese, had chives and sour cream. So whipped these up.  I'll bake them off tomorrow.



Chocolate Covered Pork Rinds

I received an email on these yesterday.

I was at home today while hubby worked, so I started to prep this weeks meals.

Well after pondering........I went to the market bought some Baconet's and Voila!!!

I always have chocolate here so I made some and they are delicious.  Who would have thought?

The email I got was a place in August, Georgia makes em....well now I did and might have to make the rest of the bag. :-)

Napa and Sonoma Vacay last month

We weren't able to take our flight this date, but next time maybe in November or will have to wait until spring.

Darioush Winery, surprised me I did enjoy it.  They have the best Pistachio nuts there and serve with the tastings.

Inside the Cave at Kenzo, quite immaculate.

Need I say more, love this wine.

 The pool at Solage Resort.  Love it here too.

From The Best Thing I ever Ate episode.  Steak Frites at Solbar.  Snake River/Kobe with Frites.  Onolicious!!!

Kenzo Wines

Kenzo Wine Glasses

Outside Kenzo

 Pappas Lunch Flight at Kenzo/Food by Bouchon (T Keller)

My Couscous Salad lunch flight at Kenzo Winery/Bouchon of course.

Fish Story Restaurant, Napa, CA. Fish and Chips

Pappa's Surf and Turf Fish Story Restaurant

Dining Room at Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg, CA.  (Charlie Palmer)

A. Rafanelli was a good wine choice for the evening.  Especially when we did 2 other tastings that day.

Burrota Ravioli with a pickled watermelon and tomato consomme'

Brioche Crusted Halibut with a pea mousse and pickled onions

Curried Cauliflower Soup with Pickled Beets, and Spicy Shrimp

Kobe Hanger with onion marmalade

Yogurt Semifreddo with Candied Pistachio nuts and hmmmm I can't remember

Pappa's dessert at Dry Creek

Finale from Dry Creek, Gelee', Biscotti and Brownies


Then we went to the city (Mill Valley had dinner at Tyler Florence and Sammy Hagar's El Paseo Chop House)

Lobster and Gulf Prawn Risotto finished with Black Truffle Oil and Chives

I don't normally eat Risotto.  It has to be really, I mean really good.   The best I had was at Plumed Horse in Saratoga, CA.   It was a Lobster one and omg all the truffle our waiter put on my bowl.  I was in heaven.

I really love the tast of Black Truffles.  Seems to be my oyster.

Instead of using all stock, I used 1 cup of Rombauer Chardonnay and drank the rest of course and 2.5 cups of Lobster and seafood stock with a pinch of Saffron just enough to tast.

Bon Appetiti.