Cleaning out the walk in

Ok, so things are getting a little messy in the walk in. I figure its time to clean out a little stock. Lets see here....I've got some slow roasted pork, Hmmmm, the wife always likes pasta.... Ok here we go, I took the pork and cubed it, tossed it in a pan with some bacon fat, added cajan seasoning and let it simmer. Add half a can of black beans, chop up some garden fresh romas and set. Now to the sauce. Start with a little olive oil and fresh minced garlic. A little cream and Arrow root to thicken. Oh yeah....and butter. I would have loved to use Penne pasta but Fettacine will have to do. Add some smoked Papricka to the sauce, Add the sauce to the meat......mmmmm. Add the pasta to the meat sauce and Wha-la! Damn this is good! Sorry no pictures this time. Next time I'll add mussels and it will be purfect. Just the right amount of heat. I did enjoy a new Trader Joe's wine with it. Sugar Pie red wine. Cheap and tasty. Fruit forward and almost no tannins. Slightly sweet. As Gordon would say, a great 'Guaffing 'wine.

Of course....this could all the the wine talking....

Ahhhhhh Bologna!

So tonight I got my "hair did" as the girls would say.What that means is, after a long day, all I want to do is get home and eat. I know the girls will be out tonight so I need to think of something quick to make when I get home. Bologna.....that's it! Now its not often that I have this just hanging around but I happened to get a hankering for some as we cruised the Wall Mart for groceries last weekend. I think the Handle Bar and Grill needs to put this on the menu. Fried Bologna that is. REAL pork stuff Bologna. None of the Turkey - Chicken shit. I fried up a bunch of thick sliced Bologna ( in bacon fat of course) added some cheddar chunks and provolone to hold it together. Season with garlic salt and pepper. Slather on some garlic aoli and grill it on San Fransisco sour dough. Yummmmm.

Who would have know how well it pairs with a Super Hoppy beer like Hoptimum from Sierra Nevada Brewing company....wow.  So after the girls got here from Zumba class. I made them their boneless skinless chicken breast on the grill and sent them on their ways.

Now I'm on the patio listening to Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Sipping on Irish whiskey and enjoying the water fall..........good night friends!

wow...... I must say, Tonight I sampled something special,  for a bourbon lover this is a must try.George T. Stagg.  140.  proof straight Bourbon Whiskey.  I packs a wallop! but.... sooo nice. This is from Buffalo Trace antique collection. Be Carefull! this stuff is Hot!  But dont let this scare you. This has so much flavor! Its nuts. You have to try  this neat at first. After that you can add some pure water. Such a sweet nose. Rice crispy treats meets rootbeer...yum. The astringent heat comes though and then finishes very nice again....So tastey, very surupy and full of flavor. Vanilla, ripe bananas, dried figs, raisin, molasses, spice, oak, and there is a dark cola flavor that lurks in the background. I dont know but I think this shit is da Bomb... But then again.... this reveiw is after a few Smitwiks and a George T Stagg "sample".......Enjoy!

Blue Berry Onion Marmalade,Bacon Grilled Blue Cheese Sandwitch

So this is how it happened,  I was planning a little cocktail party for Tanna's Birthday. You all know I like "tap pa's" or "appetizers". I was going to put together some Meatballs with sauces and a shrimp plate. Then I remembered Bacon Fest.  Pangeas had a onion marmalade grilled cheese sandwich that was fantastic. So I was going to set out to duplicate it. After some thought, I decided to use a blueberry "stock" I had previously made. When I thought blueberry, I immediately thought blue cheese! a blue cheese, blueberry onion marmalade with bacon bits and grilled sourdough bread. I think I nailed it! If you missed it, don't fret. It will be a staple at the Handle Bar!

Bacon and Brew Feast

So last Saturday afternoon my daughter Sierra and I were off to Pangea's Two Brew Cafe

for the Bacon and Brew fest. We thought would would hook up with Brotha Kris and Jen to have a drink and some bacon goodness. We received a text from Jen to get our arses there quick because they were trying to save us seats and it was packed! I pulled up out front and sent Sierra in to grab our seats while I found a place to park. It was wall to wall people! As I entered the Cafe the smell of bacon was amazing. I started to salivate immediately. Kris found the bottle room had the quickest way to get a brew so he promptly brought me some malty goodness. Next, I sent Sierra up to the loooong line to order us some bacon. They had a special bacon menu. Pork Belly, bacon nachos,bacon grilled cheese and bacon sampler. She was going to get the bacon nachos and sampler for me. She handled the crowd like a seasoned concert veteran. (must have picked up tips from her mom).  She was told they where out of everything except the sampler, so she said "two please". Meanwhile when Kris and Jen received their order they ended up with an extra grilled cheese and marmalade sandwich, Thanks again Kris and Jen! After Sierra ordered she decided to head across the street to Gunthers and get a BLT sandwich so she could eat it while we were waiting for the bacon. Sierra noticed that all these strangers in this packed place were Happy, and making new friends left and right. She realized that bacon was the thing that brought everyone together(or was it the Brew?). And that the world would be a happier place if everyone ate more bacon!



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Saison!

I have to big a big Thank You! to Dr Malek for this one. And several others enjoyed that night. We dined at Auburn's Thai Garden. The owners name is Nu. He is a beer nut! if you ever get a chance to drop in, ask him for his latest "stash".

So its a good thing I take notes. There where many "dead soldiers" that evening.  But I was excited to try this one. The Lost Abbey Carnevale Saison Ale. Nu only seems to have pint glasses for his beer collection. So served in a pint glass it was! It poured a nice hazy orange color,lots o carbonation coming up from the bottom forming a nice white head. It didn't last long leaving minimal lacing. It smelled wonderfully musty and spicy. Maybe stone fruit? It had a doughy taste,then pine and orange peel like on the end. It had good carbonation on the tongue yet it seemed creamy? A nice dry finish. I think this is a great Saison ale. I enjoyed it. I had so many great Saisons this year its hard to keep track,but if I see this on the menu..
I'm gonna get it again.  Thanks Again DM!   Prost!

Holiday Ale

I am not a big fan of Holiday Ales. Sierra Nevada's Celebration ale is too spiced for me. I'm just not a fan of adding nutmeg, coffee, cloves, ect. So when the Lagunitas Rep came by and dropped off some "Lagunitas Sucks Holiday Ale" I was happy to see it was not spiced. Normally they would brew "Brown Shugga Ale" this time of year, but they are under a Brewery remodel. Actually adding on. Their IPA is 60% of their beer sales so it takes up most of the brewing room. So this year they put together a cereal ale. I like it. I am not a "hop head" but this was a nice crisp change of pace.

It poured a nice clear straw color. A good amount of  carbonation shows. I has a nice two to three finger pure white head. Large bubbles and light lacing as it settled down. Next smell.. It has a very piney citrus smell, slightly sweet maybe some pineapple?  Taste... Yeah, again citrus but grapefruit like, piney bitterness. I liked it for my afternoon brew. Mouth feel... lots o carbonation on the tip of the tongue. Lights up in your mouth.  Overall? Well as I said, I liked it. As far as "Holiday Ales" go, this is the best. But its not really a traditional Holiday Ale. So you should try it. If you like IPA's you will love it. I'll have it again. Prost!