Dyson's Delectables

Friday, August 10, 2012

August 6, 2012

MENU FOR THE WEEK OF AUGUST 6, 2012

We’ve enjoyed watching the Olympics this past week or so. My favorites are the Equestrian events. All of them – the Three Day Event, the Dressage and the Show Jumping. All three take immense strength, concentration and coordination. It is a pleasure to watch riders at this level compete.

Unfortunately, NBC did not always show these events when they had them scheduled. And as these were all taped, there is no excuse for that. They also had some bad editing – cutting from an important movement or jump to something non related. They did this in other sports as well. As I said, bad editing. And sometimes just no comprehension of a particular sport.

And one last comment. I am going to bop (with cast iron skillet) the next person who refers to dressage as “dancing”. These are all movements basically found in nature and refined, condensed or extended. It is a strenuous and demanding sport.

1st tomato

Mon. AM Tuna Salad Sandwiches

Mon. PM Coconut Panko Cod TMSC

Pasta with Lemon Sauce EI, Baby Peas

Tues. AM Cold Cuts

Tues. PM Plum Based Grilled Chicken CIA G

Quinoa Fruit and Nut Salad AMFT

Sliced Tomatoes

Problems with local corn

Weds. AM Waffles with Blueberry Syrup

Weds. PM Emeril’s Marinated, Grilled London Broil

with Homemade Steak Sauce FNTV

Green Goddess Potato Salad SFS

Steamed Corn

Thurs. PM Plum Grilled Chicken Revisited

Fri. AM Cold Cuts

Fri. PM Slow Cooker Balsamic Pork

Steamed Rice

Sautéed Red Peppers and Onions

Sat. AM Poached Eggs with

Watercress Walnut Ricotta Crostini TF

Sat. PM Torta Verdi BA 8/91 103

Lobster, Corn and Potato Salad

with Grape Tomatoes GM 6/2000

Peasant Bread

Sun. AM Burgers with side of Lobster salad

Sun. PM Jean George’s Beet Tartare JG 43

Gingery Lacquered Ribs

with Madeira FOTB 196

Pasta with Fresh Pesto CIC I

Steamed Corn

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

July 30, 2012

MENU FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 30, 2012

The long range weather forecast for this week showed a good chance of thunderstorms every day. And muggy. So grilling was obviously not going to be an option. Therefore I’ve listed several dishes which are prepared in advance and served cold or room temperature. The one exception being Tues., which was not supposed to be so warm. So I decided to test drive the new Crock Pot.

When we were in London last Spring, the apartment’s owner pointed out to us the features of the place. She especially made a big deal about the Crock Pot. I commented that I thought I wouldn’t use it. She suggested I think twice about it and showed me how to operate it and gave me a few suggestions.

It was truly a life saver as I’d left the boat with a mild bronchitis and the lovely British cold and rain didn’t help. I felt like hell and really couldn’t care less about cooking. But we got in the habit of coming home after a day of sightseeing and picking up supplies for the next few days. In the morning I could throw some protein and whatever else I had on hand – vegetables, stock, herbs, wine etc. – and take off. When I’d come dragging home in the evening, dinner was ready. And it was pretty good.

Evidently Costco stocks Crock Pots only as a seasonal item, as when we returned they didn’t have them in stock, but I remembered seeing them. They showed up this week and I bought one – along with a cookbook on French Cooking in the slow cooker. This thing really seems interesting.

I tried it last night on a recipe of Emeril’s for Grillages. It did a nice job on it. The biggest problem being that you are not supposed to open it once you’ve started it and I missed being able to stir it - and sniff -every time I passed by. But I’ll learn to cope.

The interesting thing that I noted was that it generated very little heat. So while I had envisioned this as a winter cooking appliance, it could clearly be used as a summer one as well. Cook your dish and don’t heat up the kitchen at all, then chill and serve cold/room temp. This thing has all sorts of possibly…. However, you will need to brown a lot of food before you start out to get your fond and deglaze. I can live with that.

Mon. AM Chicken Salad Sandwiches