Dyson's Delectables: From the Kitchens of North Ridge Road

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

February 6, 2012

MENU FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 6, 2012

Things happen to us that don’t happen to ordinary people. For instance, when was the last time your cat came home with a note? We’ve had this happen not once, but twice with two different cats on two different properties. People look at you strangely when you mention at work the next day that the kitty came home with a note from the neighbors.

And speaking of strange looks. Ever walk a dog with a bucket on his head. Years ago we had a beautiful English Setter who developed an ongoing skin condition. He could not/would not deal with the vet’s Elizabethan collar. He could get the thing off faster than the vet could cash the check.

But we found that if we went to the local hardware store and bought a plastic Neat N Tidy bucket, cut out the bottom and lashed it to his collar, he could deal with it. Try walking around Park Slope with an animal encased in a Neat N Tidy. Even stranger was that one of the cats would climb into the bucket and wash it out for the dog. As I said, only in our home.

Now the big one. Bet you’ve never heard of this one. Our big, beautiful kitchen sink faucet has become flatulent. It makes the rudest noises for all to hear, and no one would ever accredit these to a mechanical problem. With guests, we have to take the time to make the explanation or appear as exceedingly rude. Perhaps we’ve tossed too many beans down the garbage disposal….. Only in our house.

Mon. Am Lobster Omelets

Mon. PM Fish & No Chips (Jasper Whites wonderful

fried cod with oven fries) SSCB
Wolf Blass Cabernet Shiraz

Tues. PM Braised, Stuffed Breast of Veal Revisited

Steamed Orzo

Baby Peas
Penfold Chardonnay

Weds. AM Sausage Lentil Soup f/i

Weds. PM Lamb Chops Sautéed in Garlic and While Wine

Sautéed Diced Potatoes IHC

Tossed Salad
Wolf Blass Cabernet Shiraz

Thurs. AM Turkey Chili over Rice with Sour Cream,

Avocado and Lime GM 11/08

Thurs. PM Salmon with Red Wine Lentil Sauce
Wolf Blass Shiraz

Fri. AM Fried Eggs
Sautéed Diced Potatoes IHC
Turkey-cranberry sausage

Fri. PM Chicken and Dumplings

Avocado with vinegarette

[Our version of this may be found at the link]
Rosemount Chardonnay

Sat. AM SausagesBraised in Sauerkraut
[This went to a published recipe]

Sat. PM Garlic Shrimp Tapas

Roast Beef with Red Wine Pan Sauce

Mashed Potatoes

Sautéed Corn with Scallions
Wolf Blass Cabernet

Sun. AM Turkey Chili Revisited

Sun. PM Savory Rosemary Parmesan Madelines TPC 6

Pork Marengo [to be published in near future]

Rice

Tossed Salad

Peasant Bread
Rosemount Chardonnay

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

January 16., 2012

MENU FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 16, 2012

We ate well this past weekend. The pork roast was wonderful. Moist and full of flavor. As was the butterflied chicken. And quite simple to prepare. Although the recipe did not call for it, I did a sauce from the drippings that was also excellent.

For lunch today we are doing an” instant” French onion soup. Of course, we have beef stock in the pantry. And every so often Warner will sauté about 20 pounds of onion in the big braisier and freeze it in small quantity. Very useful – speeds up a lot of braises and stews. So for onion soup we defrost the onions and simmer them in the stock and them gratinee them under the broiler. Easier than Campbell’s….And needless to say, a hell of a lot better.

We continue our routine at the gym. This week I was delighted to realize that I needed a belt to hold up my jeans. They would literally slide off if not secured. That’s a real motivator! Which is good as some days it is tough to get it together to go out in the cold. Like the cat, I’d prefer to curl up in front of the space heater…. It has been frigid these last few days, but I suppose we can’t complain as it has been a fairly mild winter to date. Just how mild I’ll see when I get the Con Ed bill…..