eCache

Cedar Plank Sea Trout

Awesome!

I sat in meetings all day as the students had a day off.  At one point I got a hankering for smoked salmon.  It’s something I’ve been meaning to make.

After work I went shopping.  Charcoal is becoming harder to find.  This is not good.  Home Depot was completely out of normal charcoal.  The Quick Match stuff (or whatever it is called) can’t be used.  Lowe’s had some, but they were smaller bags and cost more.  :(  Sigh . . . I’m also going to need to find a source of wood too.

Anyhow, I picked up a couple cedar planks.  I think I would have done better at the lumber department, but for the first time, I was willing to pluck down for the ones designed for the grill.

I then went food shopping.  The salmon didn’t do a lot for me.  I hope it is just what was there.  I rarely eat salmon anymore as I think I OD’d on it in the early 1990s.  Luckily for me, there was a beautiful sea trout fillet sitting there.  I bought that instead.

I had thought of doing a mustard-mayonaise-dill sauce.  When I got home I decided to go a little simpler with olive oil, Kosher salt, cracked pepper, fresh dill and tarragon, and some lemon to top it off.  I put on a couple sweet potatoes and an Idaho.  I let them cook for a while.

Eventually things were well enough along that I took the cedar plank that had soaked for three hours and put that on the grill.  Once it began smoking I added the trout.

About 15 minutes in it was about done.  I took the tip off and then rotated the plank so the thinner end was off the heat while I cooked the thicker end a bit longer.

It was at 20 minutes I took the fish off.  I had cooked some peas to accompany this.

Awesome! The fish was perfect.  My goodness this is how sea trout should taste.  The sweet potatoes were melt-in-your-mouth delicious!  Gert was equally pleased.  A yummy dinner to send us into the long weekend.

Posted in Culinary | 4 Comments »

Pulled Pork

I am addicted to the Renowned Mr. Brown preparation of Boston butts. The peppery taste along with the finishing sauce I make makes for a wonderful dance of spices in my mouth.

Gert watched a cooking show a few months ago about barbecue. She picked up that seeded buns are preferred for pulled pork so she makes sure we have these on hand.

There is nothing finer than biting into a fresh sandwich after 16+ hours of preparation. Life is good!

Posted in Culinary | 2 Comments »

Dot . . . Dot . . . Dot . . .

How come my daughter’s pre-school can have an automated call system that begins speaking when I pick up the telephone but the telemarketers have a delay? . . . Speaking of telemarketers, the silly group that has been bombarding us this week seemed to stop when I asked to speak with a supervisor after I heard the conversation about them getting high while they waited to click in.  Stupid people . . . My classroom is in pretty good order.  I still have paperwork to do, but the set-up is done.  I finally am so organized it took very little effort to get ready this year . . . The pollen is coming as I have had headaches each day this week . . . Smoked a beer can chicken yesterday.  Flavor was excellent, but I could not control the temps and it cooked much faster than I wanted it too . . . The speakers at the Democratic Convention have not been good the first two nights save Hillary, and she only took care of herself.  The folks b4 her were awful . . . Speaking of work, I am going to have begin shaving on a regular basis now.  Sigh . . . Optometrist appointment tomorrow.  I suspect I will have a stronger bifocal script . . . Fatherhood is awesome!  Particularly when the little girl is having a Daddy day . . . Michelle Malkin highlights some of the reasons why I am no longer a Republican . . . I just cleaned up my RSS feeds.  There were a lot of dead feeds, blogs I rarely read, and interests that no longer errrr interest me . . . Billy Jeff had a good line tonight: “People have always been more impressed with the power of our example than the example of our power.”  Good line, but still bad policy . . . In 1988 I voted for Dukakis.  I lived in Boston.  I guess I was young, idealistic, and feeling my oats.  This ass just said the last seven and a half years are the worst he has had in his life.  Sounds like he and Michelle Obama are cut from the same cloth . . .

Posted in Culinary, Education, Family, Miscellaneous, Politics | No Comments »

The Omnivore’s Hundred

This summer I have been off-schedule. Blog reading and iPod listening have taken a backseat to lots of fun activities. Today has been the first day in some time I sat down and read my blogs. Even so I am not done.

I ran across a post by Sweetnicks that talked about the Onminvore Hundred. Intrigued, I thought I’d give it a whirl. It’s taken a couple hours to construct this.

Anyhow, the idea is to indicate how many of the following 100 foods you have had. The list is definitely British-leaning. Lots of tea and Indian food. Risotto should have been on here. If it makes my Life List, it should make the Omnivore Hundred, methinks. Real barbecue should have been there too. After all this one never learned that I have eaten hippopotamus and lion before. I recall someone called the health department because she saw these on our menu. The health department followed up and we shared our purveyor information with them. All was above board.

It’s a fun diversion. Enjoy.

• Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
• Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
• Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
• Optional extra: Post a comment here at www.verygoodtaste.co.uk linking to your results.

The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:

1. Venison: the first time on a grill at the Lemon Tree in Cape May when I was ~16. No, we did not serve it along with the burgers and fries. Greg had gone hunting and asked if I wanted to make pepper steak. I had no idea what venison was until I got home and told my mother. We fixed it several times while I was there.
2. Nettle tea: unlikely as I am not a tea drinker at all. Even so, it’s not that I would refuse if someone said try it. Now I have been in the middle of nettles numerous times. One of the funny times was while seeking this geocache.
3. Huevos rancheros: many times.
4. Steak tartare: Absolutely! I have not had it recently, but used to have this with some regularity. I have memories of Sara preparing this in her restaurant in Sudbury.
5. Crocodile: does alligator count? I’ve had gator on several occasions but do not recall having crocodile.
6. Black pudding: Apparently not. If you have to look up what the item is I suspect I haven’t eaten it. I was surprised to find out it is not chocolate pudding.
7. Cheese fondue: Lots! Probably too many times. I made this last October.
8. Carp: I am pretty certain I have had carp, but cannot recall specifically when. I want to say with my Uncle Ray, but when would that have been?
9. Borscht: My friend Steve from college was fond of borscht. I came to it with a strong dislike of beets. I tried it. It was okay. I don’t jump up and down to eat it, but I would again if it was served.
10. Baba ghanoush: I believe the first time was in Central Square in Cambridge. I really enjoyed dining in that area.
11. Calamari: I like it. There was a Thai restaurant in/around Allentown when I was in college that made wonderful calamari.
12. Pho: Yes, in Philly. Good stuff. I believe Morton Fox eats pho with some regularity.
13. PB&J sandwich: More than anything else on this list. When one has children, he is re-introduced to this wonderful sandwich.
14. Aloo gobi: I’ve never heard of this but looking at the link, I’ve eaten stff like it. I may have even had it. I like curry so I would welcome trying this dish.
15. Hot dog from a street cart: Indeed! My buddies and I had a deal that the largest winner (or smallest loser) at the casinos would buy. We had plenty of hot dogs, but the sausages were the specialty.
16. Epoisses: It doesn’t sound wonderful, but I’d give it a try.
17. Black truffle: not specifically, but I have had black truffles and black truffle oil in some things I have eaten.
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes: I am sure I have because I have had plenty of homemade wines in my day that sucked. Certainly some of them were made with strawberries or something.
19. Steamed pork buns: No, but these sound very good. I’ll have to fetch these out some day.
20. Pistachio ice cream: One of my favorites.
21. Heirloom tomatoes: Yup. Just yesterday I was searching for some to make fried green tomatoes. I didn’t find any.
22. Fresh wild berries: Yuppers. I have very fond memories of eating fresh blackberries in Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge in Maine. Also, when I was a boy my mother would take us out to pick strawberries. We sampled when we did. The farmer and the same shtick each year, “I should weight you and charge you for how many you ate.”
23. Foie gras: Yup. Good stuff. No need to ban the stuff either.
24. Rice and beans: I live in a heavily Hispanic area. Of course I eat rice and beans. While I have tried making them, the Downtown Deli (odd name, I know) in Vineland has the best rice and beans going. They like to top them with roasted pork, but I usually get them “plain”. It is a wonderful dish!
25. Brawn, or head cheese: Nope. This isn’t at the top of my list either, although I will not totally rule it out.
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper: No, sounds like fun though. I think a bottle of tequila would be needed for this.
27. Dulce de leche: No, but where can I get this? I would like it as would Gert.
28. Oysters: Yes. I do not avoid oysters, although I no longer eat them raw. I do prefer clams and mussels but enjoy good oysters on occasion.
29. Baklava: Absolutely! I love baklava. Locally we dine here for it.
30. Bagna cauda: Another I have never heard of. Sounds like something I would like and something I could actually make. I’ll put it on the list.
31. Wasabi peas: Love them!
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl: Yes. I am not a fan of the bread bowl. The best chowder is at the Mad Batter in Cape May. It’s thinner than what most are accustomed to, but it is loaded with slab bacon and saffron.
33. Salted lassi: All this Indian food is making me crave it. I think it is time to take a ride to Philly. I would drink this. Sounds refreshing.
34. Sauerkraut: Not a particular fan. I admit there are better krauts than others, but I usually shun all.
35. Root beer float: I have good memories of making these in our kitchen as a boy. Once in a long while I get a hankering for one even now.
36. Cognac with a fat cigar: Yes, I’ve done this. I have a bottle in the bar that is untouched. I also have a bourbon-soaked cigar that needs to be smoked. Hmm . . . Not a huge fan of either these days, but I understand the joys of both.
37. Clotted cream tea: Yes, although I do not care for tea. I grew up in the bed and breakfast capital of the world. I took in some of the afternoon teas. Shoot, even little ol’ Beetle likes tea.
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O: A food from a different era of my life. The last year I lived in Boston we had to ban these. We were tired of scraping the ceiling for the Jell-O that was tossed during parties.
39. Gumbo: I love gumbo and bouillabaisse. I think I would fit well in New Orleans. B4 the flood, NOLA was the number one place I wanted to visit in this world. I still want to go to Tipitina’s. That has been supplanted with a tour of the bourbon distilleries in Kentucky. Nevertheless, gumbo is one of those concoction foods I love. Oh yeah, it’s also a fabulous album by Mac Rebennack Dr. John.
40. Oxtail: It supposedly is very good, but I have never had it. Lots of the Top Chefs use it.
41. Curried goat: I would not be surprised to find out I have had this, but am not certain. I know I have had curried mussel pie, which is one of those treats everyone should enjoy in life. With a beer at Cup Match makes it all the better.
42. Whole insects: Chocolate covered ants and beetles have passed through my system previously. I doubt I would do that again.
43. Phaal: I mentioned above enjoying Central Square in Cambridge. I love Indian food. The last time I had this was at one of my student’s house about a decade ago. The grandmother prepared dinner for us and it included phaal. Interestingly, the men ate first (sans utensils). Once we were done and back in the living room, the grandmother sat at the table and ate. Just an interesting cultural difference. That was in Vineland, NJ of all places.
44. Goat’s milk: Yes. I even purchased goat’s milk at our Shop Rite last summer.
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more: I used to manage bars for a living. I had the pleasure (and displeasure in some cases) of consuming some very fine alcohols in my younger years. Of course, I brewed some beer that probably cost me more than $120.
46. Fugu: This doesn’t sound familiar, but it’s possible I had some somewhere along the lines. I would try it if I had the chance.
47. Chicken tikka masala: Another that does not sound familiar. The photographs ring no bells, but I would gladly have this.
48. Eel: I had a piece or two of eel before. I would not rush back for more at this point.
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut: They are better than regular doughnuts. I have been known to have a few.
50. Sea urchin: Not that I recall.
51. Prickly pear: I think I have had this, but I am scratching my head (only a few hairs left) and cannot come up with when or where.
52. Umeboshi: Another I have never heard of. Get me to Japan and I’ll gladly eat these. No problem.
53. Abalone: It seems to me the Mad Batter had these on the menu at some point. I cannot recall.
54. Paneer: It doesn’t look familiar. Sure, bring it on.
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal: The ol’ #1. Sure. Special sauce my ass. I used to make my own at the salad bar in college.
56. Spaetzle: I’ve never had this, but I have heard others speak well of it.
57. Dirty gin martini: My grandfather was a gin drinker. I loathe gin, but didn’t learn that until after drinking many in college. I was a vodka drinker. I do not drink vodka any longer as it changes my sunny disposition. I believe the last vodka I drank was in 1991. Note the comments in #38.
58. Beer above 8% ABV: Yup. We used to go to a few places that had beers from around the world and sample all the heavy beers.
59. Poutine: I had a heart attack reading what this was. No, I have never had it. I’d stick a couple arteries to try it some day.
60. Carob chips: Lots! When I was a boy my mother joined a food co-op. That was so 1970s. She would bring home bags of carob chips and tell us they were better for us than chocolate. Probably so, but eating them by the handfuls could not have been good for us.
61. S’mores: Yup, most recently a couple nights ago.
62. Sweetbreads: I like them. Say what you want, sweetbreads are awesome. I first had these at the Mad Batter before I knew what they were. Didn’t matter, they were so tender that anyone would have fallen in love with them.
63. Kaolin: This is one I probably would not leap at the chance to eat. I have eaten plenty that have resembled this, but I suspect not on purpose. I tend to eat food, not dirt.
64. Currywurst: Sounds excellent! Never had it, but would gladly enjoy some.
65. Durian: Perhaps when I visit the Maldives for this scavenger hunt I will enjoy this fruit.
66. Frogs’ legs: Another one compliments of the Mad Batter. It was a good place to work.
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake: Elephant ears were a favorite as a boy. Funnel cake and churros pop into my tummy every now and then at the boardwalk or a carnival. Beignets are another reason to visit NOLA.
68. Haggis: I asked my FIL if he had ever had this. He had. I saw a show about this about a year ago. Taking the stance I will never say never, I will not cross this off, but I bet I never eat this in life. Of course, a bottle of wine under my belt sitting in Brasserie Les Halles I might take the plunge.
69. Fried plantain: I have gone out to the plantain tree in the yard and picked them fresh, walked back inside and fried them myself. Of course, they are better when the plantain has sat for a while.
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette: Not that I am aware of. Another food I am not rushing out to try. The Magnolia Room at the Chalfonte serves these, I suspect.
71. Gazpacho: Yup. I’ve even made it a time or two.
72. Caviar and blini: Yes, but not together. Much like Mimosas, I enjoy the ingredients, but separately. Caviar doesn’t do much for me.
73. Louche absinthe: Dad used to talk about absinthe. He used to drink something that was equally foul, as I recall. If one is to believe a local “gentlemen’s club”, absinthe is legal again.
74. Gjetost, or brunost: I’ve never had this. I like cheese so Why not?
75. Roadkill: Okay, I finally found something I am unwilling to eat. I will not scrape up an animal from the road and cook it. I do know someone who has done this.
76. Baijiu: I would have no issue trying this.
77. Hostess Fruit Pie: Oh, they are so not good for me good.
78. Snail: many times. I like them in garlic butter.
79. Lapsang souchong: Another tea I have not had. I probably will never have this, but have no specific abhorrence to it.
80. Bellini: Yes, these are actually better than Mimosas. I still prefer champagne naked. Hmmm . . . I suppose that could be taken multiple ways . . .
81. Tom yum: This sounds like my kind of food. Sure, it’s soupy, but I would like the heat, prawns, and flavors.
82. Eggs Benedict: One of the true delights in life. I prefer my Eggs Benedict with fresh lump crabmeat in place of the Canadian bacon, but I really enjoy the bacon too. I make Eggs Benedict on occasion.
83. Pocky: Never had it, but have had similar treats. Give me a box and I’ll gladly devour these.
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.: I wish.
85. Kobe beef: Yup. It was good, but I will not pay that price again.
86. Hare: I assume that hare covers rabbit. Famously one Easter Sunday we served this as a special. On our menu board we called it Grilled Bugs. The owner talked to me about that later.
87. Goulash: ‘Twas my favorite meal when I was little. I actually had my mother fix it for our international meal in sixth grade. What I grew up knowing as goulash was not. No lamb. Dad would have never eaten lamb. I like the real stuff too.
88. Flowers: Everything on a plate is supposed to be edible. That includes the garnishes. Flowers are often used. I have eaten some over the years. Not my favorite thing, but better than roadkill!
89. Horse: Not knowingly. I probably would eschew this as well, but I recognize this is a societal thing.
90. Criollo chocolate: I do not recall having this, but it’s possible some of the high-end chocolates I have had were Criollo. Dunno.
91. Spam: Not something I buy, but I’ve had it. I would much prefer to see Spamalot.
92. Soft shell crab: When done properly, soft shells are awesome. When not, they suck. Know where your crabs come from.
93. Rose harissa: Doubtful that I have had this. I have had harissa plenty of times, but not with rose petals that I am aware of.
94. Catfish: I love catfish. I shy away from the cajun catfish in the markets since I am convinced it is yesterday’s fish with seasoning to get extra time out of non-fresh fish. Nevertheless, pan-fried catfish is heavenly.
95. Mole poblano: Yes. Recall I live in an area known for its Hispanic influences. Good stuff!
96. Bagel and lox: Yes. I like it topped with capers and cracked pepper. My mouth is drooling at the thought.
97. Lobster Thermidor: I much prefer the classic steamed preparation for lobster, but Thermidor is good too. Gert ordered this out somewhere not too long ago. I have also had the Thermidor preparation done with other seafood.
98. Polenta: I’ve even made it. Not a huge fan.
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee: No, but perhaps when we visit Jamaica I’ll try it out. I am past my coffee drinking days.
100. Snake: I had snake, rattlesnake if I recall, in a sausage once. It was spicy and I enjoyed it.

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Perfecting Lunch

We eat a lot of hamburgers. With the addition of the OTG, we are eating much better hamburgers. After a disappointing DNF this morning, Fritz and I came home and fired up the grill. The burgers were excellent, the rolls toasted just so, and a new addition to the meal was excellent.

I keep forgetting to grill onions. Today I cut a nice thick slice, dabbed it with a little EVOO and placed it on the OTG with the burgers. Good stuff! That onion was perfectly tender when it went onto the burger. Five minutes per side for burgers and onion seem to be the trick.

Eatin’s been good at the eCache house today.
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