Calimocho

+ =

I was on a flight from Portland, Oregon to Boise, Idaho on Friday. My seat mates were a young couple who were friendly but completely absorbed in their own little world. When the beverage service came around I ordered a Heiniken (I figure if they are going to jab you for $4.00 bucks, why drink domestic). The guy orders a Jack and Ginger Ale and the woman orders a red wine and a Pepsi. At first I thought she wanted two drinks, but when she was served she proceeded to mix the two drinks together over ice.
I made a comment about never having seen anyone do that and she suddenly became very animated and explained that this is called a Calimocho and it's a drink that is common in Spain and also in the Basque country. She insisted that had I taste this drink; after a quick sip I had to admit that I actually liked it (much to my wine snob chagrin).
The spice notes in the cola when mixed with the red wine exhibit an almost baking spice (cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg) component. The sweetness of the cola also help balance the tannins, but the red wine does show some backbone and this for all intents and purposes just a less sweet version of Sangria (maybe kind of a white trash Sangria).
Anyway, when it comes to beverages it pays to keep an open mind and in this case I am going to serve this at the next Spanish theme meal I do as a starter cocktail.

Calimocho
Ingredients:
1 Part Red Wine
1 Part Cola
Ice

Give this a shot and send a note telling me if you liked this or if I am full of it.

Cheers

Game Hens

I saw some Cornish Game Hens at the store the other night and grabbed a couple.
I love how you can spatchcock these birds and get your grilling done in less than 30 minutes. I threw together a grilled vegetable salad, roasted some asparagus and grilled some bread. From start to finish I had dinner together in 45 minutes

Game Hen

Toss in a 2003 Turley-Howell Mountain-Rattlesnake Ridge Vineyard Petite Syrah and you have some "Good Eats"

Guilty Pleasure

The Duck

I called my son on the way home from work and asked him what he wanted for dinner. He was a bit non-committal, so I took the opportunity to strongly "suggest" that we have tacos for dinner.

Garnish

Even though I grew up in Idaho I used to work in East L. A. and I know what good straight forward Mexican food looks like. That said, the tacos I was thinking would not fall into that category.
Growing up in rural SW Idaho I remember exactly (one) local Mexican joint. I used to love the hard shell tacos my Mom used to make and dammit that is exactly what I wanted tonight.

Since I was going a little "Low Brow" I decided to go all the way. Fatty ground beef that was seasoned with just salt and pepper, "Mission" brand crisp taco shells, Spanish rice (Rice-a-roni...this actually rocks...especially if you need more salf in your diet) and a cold Macro-brew. Yeah, yeah, yeah, this is cheap beer, but hey, sometimes I just want something cold and fizzy (alcohol helps too) and a beer that doesn't cost $8.00 bucks a six-pack.PBR

Red-neck Taco's?...Nah, just good eatin!

This dish hit almost all of the flavor spots....sweet, sour, salty,bitter. It also hits on the fat and crunch theme that plays a big part in the American diet as well. This is good........even if it isn't good for you.

This is leftovers?

Mixed Greens with Smoked Lamb & Spiced Pecans

Well dinner tonight I think can only be described with a quote that Bill Murray used in the movie Caddyshack.

“I have to laugh, because I have out finessed

myself

"I have to laugh, because I have out finessed myself"
Carl Spackler, Assistant Greenskeeper, Bushwood Country Club

Left with nothing but a seemingly empty refrigerator I was able to turn a handful of mixed greens into a pretty, sexy, Summer salad. Okay, okay, before I hurt my arm patting myself on the back I guess I need to acknowledge that it wasn't like I was dividing bread up for the masses or turning water into wine (Though I did have a glass of 1998 Chateau Reignac).
Beside the greens I had some roasted/smoked leg of lamb that I julienned, a few oven dried tomatoes, some (quickles) and to add some extra crunch I tossed in the spiced pecans I used for appetizers yesterday. A little balsamic dressing and toasted baguette smeared with a triple cream brie (it almost looked like butter) and I would be happy to serve this to company-Bon Appetit

Sunday Dinner

Nibbles

Last night I had a small dinner party. Among my guests were Heather Arndt Anderson (Gild the Voodoolily) and her husband Scott. This was the first time I had a chance to cook for them so I really wanted things to be special.

Heather took this shot of dinner

All in all I was happy with how dinner turned out. The lamb picked up a subtle smokiness due the the applewood I used. The lentil salad that Heather brought was terrific (what is not to like about a smidge of truffle oil?).

2000 Ch Haut Batailley, 2000 Ch Batailley, 2004 Ch Monbosquet, 2000 Clos l' Eglise, 2000 Ch Reignac

Toss in a some good Bordeaux and you just about have yourself a party. When I bought these wines in future back in 2000 this is exactly what I had in mind. Food and wine are meant to be shared with friends and family. I am glad I have such great friends to share them with.

Here is what was on the menu.

Menu

-Appetizers-
House Cured Olives
Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta
Spiced Pecans
Antipasti


-Salads-
French Lentils
with Grilled Baby Pattypan & Parsley Vinaigrette
Grilled Asparagus


-Entrée-
Applewood Grilled Leg of Lamb
Lamb studded with garlic and rubbed with sea salt,
tellicherry black pepper

& rosemary-roasted on an applewood fire
with
Oven Dried Tomatoes
&
Cannelli Beans


-Dessert-
Oregon Wild Blackberry Ice Cream

Oregon Wild Blackberry Ice Cream