Tag: Meat

Piggies!

Piggies!

Trout brought home these little piggies to raise for home cured bacon, tenderloin and other porky morsels this winter. I got to meet them on their drive home and wanted to introduce you. There will be more visits with them to come! I peeked in 

Born from Adam’s Rib

Born from Adam’s Rib

 Real women love ribs. And barbecue. And hot sauce. Yesterday I had my first barbecue in far too long for a meat enthusiast to admit. Chuck and I met a couple friends in Calistoga for a luxurious day of mineral pools and hot springs. At 

One Pig Dinner

One Pig Dinner

Last week, I found myself in Healdsburg, at a Montessori school getting CPR and first-aid certified to be exact. “When in Rome,” I thought afterwards, and went to Zin Restaurant, as the locals do. Having worked here just after college and again last year, this is like a second family. So yes, I’m biased.
Wednesday is One Pig Dinner Night featuring one of Tony’s Local “Old Spot and Berkshire” Cross HogsAnd here I thought I was just getting an appetizer. But wait, the bread! I forgot how tangy their homemade super sourdough is. Don’t mind if I do.
I went for the wine pairings, the lovely and local Sanglier Rose and Quivera Zin, both of Sonoma County. And then ate more bread.
The first course came and went- Hard Cider Braised Pork Cheek and Shank on Falls Mill Grits. It was so amazingly delicious that I couldn’t bear to put my fork down to take a picture. But gee whiz, was it something else.
Second course was Smoked Shoulder and Spicy Grilled Loin, with white beans and Eastside Farm swiss chard. I cleaned my plate. 


The grand finale was maple pecan bread pudding with candied bacon. I am loving all the bacon in desserts these days! I had it stretched onto long skewers and dipped in chocolate, and then recently as a bacon cupcake. The fatty, salty, smokey flavors just beg for sugar to round them out.

Thanks for a terrific night, Zin!
Save that Ham Bone!

Save that Ham Bone!

Last weekend, a chef friend asked me if I would use a leftover leg bone from a roasted pig. Um, yes! This may look like garbage or dog food to some, but I assure you it’s pure gold. With a world of southern recipes I 

Jucy Lucys

Jucy Lucys

And what exactly is a Jucy Lucy? I’m glad you asked. It’s probably one of the most genius burgers I’ve encountered in a long time, a specialty of the Twin Cities.  At Matt’s Bar in Minneapolis, hundreds if not thousands of these juicy gems get 

Bacon and Blue Cheese Meatloaf

Bacon and Blue Cheese Meatloaf

The week before I hurt my arm, I had a hankering for a burger. I had some leftover bacon, blue cheese and ground chuck. I decided I didn’t need to eat three hamburgers, so I switched gears and made meatloaf instead.

Besides the cheese and double meat, I added olive oil, dijon mustard, hot sauce, tomato paste, garlic, eggs, salt and pepper.

Mixing is the fun part. With bare hands is the way to go.

Form into a loaf and press into an oiled pan.

Bake at 400 degrees for 40 minutes to an hour, depending on size.

Cleaving

Cleaving

What amazes me about reading is when you find that perfect book for that perfect time in your life.  Since I’ve been slowly trudging through books ever since I moved here from New York (where commuting gave me over 2 hours a day for reading),