Thursday Food

Food:

1. Kale & Bratwurst

Wine:

1. Steven Bannus 2002 Central Coast Pino Noir
   Actually not bad for $8 (BevMo), but not nearly as good as the Martin Ray or even the McGourty Ranch Pinot we've been getting for only slightly more. Too acidic, not enough fruit to back it up.


2. Turley 2002 Alexander Valley Zinfandel Vineyard 101
   Passed on the mediocre Pinot & decided to open something good. Also a pretty acidic wine, but has the fruit to balance it out. Not sure about it's longevity, though--probably a good time to drink it. :-)

Wednesday Food

Food:

1. Dover sole with Bay Shrimp sauce

Wine:

1. Txomin Etxaniz 2004 Gaetariako Txakolina White Wine
   This is a Spanish white that's a blend of "unfamiliar" grapes, but is very reminiscent of a Chenin Blanc. Very zingy on the palate--almost feels slightly effervescent & sort of explodes with flavor. Very different & quite good.


2. Domaine de Durban 2001 Beaumes de Venise Cotes du Rhone Villages

Tuesday Food

Bistro Elan

Smoked Salmon stacked with fried wonton crisps, mustard/mayo/dill sauce
Shrimp, crawfish, cucumber, salad
Lamb loin chops with lamb & broccoli patty, rhubarb star anise sauce
Rib-eye, sauteed snap peas, pomme frittes with bearnaise sauce
Cheese plate
Lime-mango souffle with mango in the middle
Killer blueberries with serrano chile (mango with aji amarillo would be really cool, too)

Wine:
Roderer Estate Brut
St. Emillion
Sauterne

Monday Food

Chicken Parmigiana
(dusted w/mustard & cornstarch, then flour)
Bake covered 5 mins (until cheese is melted)
Dust with granulated garlic
Bake uncovered 5 mins or until browned

Asparagus
boil for 4 mins in heavily salted water, strain

Tobin James 2002 Primo Sangiovese
Tobin James 2002 Lagrein Silver Reserve

Saturday Food

Chile

Sunday Food

Hickory-smoked salmon
Broccoli
Strawberries & Cream

Friday Food

Food:

1. Mesquite-grilled Rib-eye steaks with chimayo chile


2. Grilled Poblanos with pepperjack, garlic, and cilantro

Wine:

1. Tobin James 2000 Dusi Vineyard Zinfandel
   Too yummy, definitely ready to drink. Uber fruit.


2. Staglin 2000 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon
   Ready to drink, rich, round cab. Very nice.
   


3. Kathryn Kennedy 2001 Lateral
   Possibly better than the Staglin, but different. Yummy.

Wednesday Food

Food:

Paella.

Okay, this is *not* low carb, but it's really, really yummy...if you're going to eat carbs, they should be worth it!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup bomba rice


• 8 mussels


• 8 clams


• 8 shrimp


• 1 chicken stock frozen (concentrated)


• 3/4 cup fresh shelled peas


• 1/2 onion, diced


• 1 piquillo pepper, sliced


• 1 clove garlic


• 2 chicken legs


• 4 oz tomato sauce


• Saffron


• Pimenton (Spanish smoked paprika)


• Parsley


• 1/2 cup White Wine

1. Defrost stock & add water to make 2 cups, heat with saffron, pimenton


2. Saute chicken legs in olive oil & offload.


3. Saute rice in chicken fat/olive & offload.


4. Saute onion & garlic.


5. Add tomato sauce


6. Add white wine


7. Add stock & a bay leaf


8. Add mussels


9. Add clams


10. Cover until the shellfish opens


11. Offload shellfish


12. Remove bay leaf


13. Add rice


14. Add peas


15. Add shrimp


16. Add chicken legs


17. Reintroduce shellfish once the rice has cooked a bit


18. Remove from heat & cover with newspaper and let sit for 20 minutes

Wine:

1. d'Arenberg 2003 The Stump Jump (White)
   This is a riesling sauvignon blanc, marsanne blend that is a bit trippy, but *big* for a white--lots of fruit, a bit flowery, and overall, really yummy. Neat $9 bottle of wine (Cost Plus).


2. Cune 2001 Rioja Clarete
   This is a blend with mostly tempranillo and some garnacha, mazuela, and graciano. A lighter-style wine--light fruit, not too tannic, a bit acidic. Very pleasant and nice with food.
   

Monday Food

Food:

1. Rock cod with indian-spiced tomato sauce
   
   
   
   • Fish Dust: 2 tbsp curry powder, 1.5 tbsp flour, cumin, cardomom, salt, pepper, cayenne
     
   
   
2. Fava beans

Wine:

1. Bonny Doon Vin Gris, Screw capped. Screwed.


2. Tobin James Radiance Chardonnay, 2003. Oaky, very ripe.

Sunday Food

Mom's Day Brunch:

1. Spring greens salad with blue cheese, candied pecans, and apple


2. White asparagus tortilla with green chile hollandaise

1. Roderer Champagne


2. Krug Non-Vintage Brut

Dinner:

Stir-fried Beef, Asparagus and Black Mushroom

Tablas Creek 2003 Viogner


Note: Radish and Apple salad with wasabi vinagrette

Thursday Food

Cinco de Mayo Food:

1. Rajas Poblanas (see March 14)

Figured out the best way to prep the Poblanos--broil on top rack 'til black, turn when you smell smoke. :-) Make sure to cover chicken with water & pressure cook for 35 minutes to completely obliterate.

Non-Wine:

1. "Up" Margueritas with Meyer lemon juice and Cazadores Tequila

Tuesday Food

Food:

1. Stir-fried Beef and Bamboo Shoots
   

Used london broil for the beef this time & it worked out well. Marinated sliced beef in chile sauce, black beans, diced jalapenos, soy sauce, and sifted in a bit of cornstarch. Added peanut oil just before cooking.

Wine:

1. Agrapart & Fils Brut Reserve blanc de Blanc

Sunday Food

Dinner at the Wilson's

Food:

1. Grilled Thick-cut New York Steak


2. Broccoli & Garlic

Wine:

1. Low-carb Margueritas


2. Roderer Estate