A Very Happy Father's Day

I hope all the father's out there had a wonderful day. My day was spent watching a very memorable event thanks to Rory McIlroy winning the US Open (shared a "tear-up" moment with dad) and grilling an amazing dinner.

                                                                        Jeff Haynes/Reuters


I have always enjoyed watching golf with dad, especially on Sundays. It's weird, but I remember being homesick at Auburn and for some reason watching golf always made me feel a little better... 


WINE,  is another enjoyable "event". Dad and I shared two very nice bottles of vino; Biltmore (Asheville, NC) Pinot Noir and Starmont 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley). We decanted both in my Riedel Vinum Extreme Decanter... 

                     http://glassware.riedel.com/index.php/riedel/decanters/vinum-extreme-decanter.html


The dinner menu consisted of:

                                                                       grilled NY Strip steaks

                      grilled Portabella mushrooms, grilled brussel sprouts, grilled vidalia onions with squash

                                                        fresh tomatoes with mozzarella and basil

and Angel Food cake with Graeter's Strawberry Chocolate Chip ice cream and homemade chocolate sauce.

"Grilled" being the obvious theme of the evening, both very "fatherly" and delicious. Thankfully the storms stayed clear and allowed us to enjoy a tasty family meal on this June evening...

                                                                                      Happy Father's Day Dad!

                                                                                   FOOTSTEPS

                                                                                 By Wendy Silva

Your feet were still so tiny I couldn't

believe that you had already learned to crawl.

I did my best to keep you out of trouble,

which wasn't easy for one so curious and small.

You continued to pursue step after step and

before I knew it you began to walk.

Shortly thereafter you practiced with sound, 

then one day you just started to talk.

You gained confidence with every step

you took and soon you began to run.

Keeping up with you was already quite a

challenge, so this just added to our fun.

I have seen you take many steps in your life

and I know that there are many more to see.

Just promise me you will always be true to 

your heart, and be what you want to be.

Good Ole Home Cooking

I know... it's about time...

So with the weather finally allowing some much wanted grill-time, I decided to take advantage before the next wave of storms creep through...

Tonight's menu included Lemon-Pepper grilled chicken, potato-leek gratin, steamed broccoli, and Caguama Cerveza aka "Turtle beer":

The potato-leek gratin does take some time, but it's definitely worth the effort.

Potato-Leek Gratin

3 tbsp unsalted butter
3 lbs leeks, white and light green parts, cut into 1/4 rings
salt
1 tsp fresh thyme, minced
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
ground pepper
3/4 cup heavy cream, separated into 1/2 and 1/4 cups
6 oz Gruyere cheese, freshly grated
3 oz Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, freshly grated
2 lb potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4 slices
3 tbsp fresh chives, minced

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees

In a 12" skillet, heat the butter over medium heat. Add the leeks and salt, stirring to coat the leeks with the butter.

Cover, cooking for 10-15 minutes and stirring occasionally until the leeks are soft. Add thyme, nutmeg, ground pepper, and 1/2 cup of cream. Simmer, uncovered, until thickened, about 10-12 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, and let cool.

Combine your grated cheeses into a bowl. Oil a large cast iron skillet, or a regular skillet if you don't have a cast iron. Line the bottom with a layer of potatoes. Spread half of the leek mix over the potatoes. Top the leek mixture with cheese.

Repeat the layering with potatoes, leeks, and then cheese. End with a layer of potatoes, then sprinkle with remaining cheese (I always use more cheese, so use as little or as much as you'd like) and chives. Cover skillet, and put into over. Bake covered for 40-45 minutes.

Remove the lid after 40-45 minutes, and cook uncovered for 25-30 minutes until potatoes are tender and crust is golden brown around edge.

Remove from oven. Turn your broiler on and let preheat. I sprinkled the top with a little more cheese and remaining chives and allowed the cheese to crisp under the broiler for 2-3 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare your chicken with olive oil and lemon pepper. Grill the pieces 5-6 minutes on each side...

Steam your broccoli for 6 minutes and you are ready to serve dinner!

And the only great way to end a fabulous and healthy meal is with a slice of Mom's homemade Toll House pie with a scoop of Graeter's (YES, Graeter's - found at Kroger) vanilla ice cream. Happy Tuesday! :)

Windy Corner Market

Oh distractions, where have you taken me...

On this windy, cloudy Sunday morning, a venture beyond the city limits to a little country market seemed a perfect way to begin a day, and get back to my blog. Windy Corner Market sits at the corner of Bryan Station Rd and Muir Station Rd. A long time country store, now has delicious menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner including Po boys and ice cream. They even have a small, but tasty wine selection. They also have grocery items and merchandise themed around horses and Kentucky.

Windy Corner Market is a sister restaurant of Wallace Station and Holly Hill Inn (both in Midway, KY) owned by Ouita Michel centering around Kentucky Proud products. Open 7 days a week, Monday-Friday (7 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.) and Saturday-Sunday (10 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.).

The first thing that caught my eye was the Bourbon Chocolate milkshake - it was amazing. By the time we arrived, breakfast was no longer being served, so I chose the Fried Shrimp Po boy with cole slaw. I cannot wait to get back out there and try something else...

Rob got the Kentucky Combination, country ham smothered in swiss cheese with a side of fries. Another excellent choice...

If you haven't had the opportunity to check out this new little treasure; get off your butt and take a scenic drive to the Windy Corner Market. You will not be disappointed...

http://www.windycornermarket.com/

Chicken Pot Pie for A Rain-Soaked Soul

Rainy Mondays (and Tuesdays) are never a great way to start any week, especially following a beautiful weekend with temperatures reaching into the 80's. Work is hard enough to go to without cold side-ways rain and battling with drivers who have "all of the sudden" forgotten how to drive.

I was cold all day, down to the bone. I could not wait to get something warm in my tummy. Chicken pot pie sounded like the perfect turn-on for a dreary April day.

Chicken Pot Pie for a Rain-Soaked Soul

1 cup diced potatoes
1/2 cup diced yellow onion
1/2 cup diced celery
1/2 cup diced carrots
1/2 cup peas
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup half and half
dash of pepper
good pinch of salt
3 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
1 pie crust (yes I bought one)

**and any other ingredients that turn you on...**

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Saute the onion, celery, carrots, and potatoes in the butter for 10-12 minutes.

Bring water to a boil and cook chicken for 13-15 minutes. Cut chicken into cubes.

Add flour to sauteed vegetables, stirring constantly until well mixed. Pour in the half & half with the chicken broth, and stir until sauce begins to thicken and bubble. Add in your salt, pepper, chicken, and peas. Pour into 2-quart casserole dish and top with the pie shell. Cut slits in the top to help vent. Bake for 40-50 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.

Let sit for 5 minutes to cool. Grab a blanket, a good book and ENJOY :)

And if Kentucky weather cannot get any more weird...you may even enjoy a walk outside this evening. Sunny and trying to dry out, I think a little yogurt (chocolate and peanut butter swirl to be exact) from the new hit Orange Leaf might be a perfect way to end the day.

It's That Time of Year Again

The warm weather decided to grace us with her presence today, and although it may be Sunday before the weather really heats up, it seems Spring has finally arrived in the Bluegrass - just in time for opening weekend of Keeneland. If you are one of the lucky ones who does not have to sit behind a desk tomorrow, be sure to have a bloody mary in the Paddock for me!                            

Happy 75th to Keeneland
www.kentuckyhorse.org

The Lexington Farmer's Market is another opening Lexington has to offer this weekend. The Cheapside Park location in the Fifth Third Pavilion will be open Saturday, April 9, at 8 a.m. and run until 1 p.m. If you cannot make it out on Saturday, you can catch the Farmer's Market at their Southland Drive location on Sunday morning. The Tuesday/Thursday markets on South Broadway and Maxwell will open on May 3.


Vendors from near and far travel downtown to sell fresh vegetables, fruits, meats, cheeses, bread, flowers, and even wine. Not only is it a healthy way to shop, but you are supporting fellow Kentuckians. There is plenty of free parking across the street in the parking garage right next to the "big blue" building. Be Kentucky Proud, and venture on down.

And for those golf fans out there, The Masters concluded the day with Rory McIlroy tied for first as the youngest ever first-round leader. In 2007, a friend and I had the privilege of going to the Wednesday practice round. Not only did we experience the majestic elegance of the Augusta National Golf Club, but we enjoyed the best (and cheapest) egg salad and pimento cheese sandwiches ever with a little bit of Adam Scott on the side.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!

Beer Tasting Anyone?

Fellow Lexingtonians, if you have not checked out the Beer Trappe, you are missing out. Personally, I am not a " beer connoisseur," but what better way to explore new horizons than through tastings. A good friend and I decided to take advantage of the Beer Trappe's tastings and ever changing beers on tap. With a constantly rotating 8 beer draught list, consumers are offered the choice of sampling four 4 oz. tastings for $10.00, 2 oz. tastings for $1.00 each, or take a gamble and buy a glass.

The 8 featured beers for Tuesday, April 5, were as follows:

1. Three Floyds Alpha King, an American Pale Ale (6.5% abv)

2. Ommegang Abbey Ale, a Belgian favorite (8.5% abv)

3. Founders Imperial Sout, a lush malt flavored stout (10.5% abv)

4. Dupont Ferot, a world class Farmhouse ale (7.5% abv)

5. Founders Double Trouble, Founder's Double IPA (9.4% abv)

6. Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold,  a mild German lager (5.8% abv)

7. Three Floyds Gumballhead, a popular American summer ale (4.8% abv)

8. Steenberge's Klokke Roeland, a malty Belgian ale (11.0% abv)

http://thebeertrappe.com/

Not only do they offer tastings for our taste buds, but they also offer Beer Schools which focus on seasonal beers. Explore the flavor, culture, and "behind-the-scenes" of each featured beer. 

Although it's a little short notice, if you are interested in expanding your beer knowledge, check out the "Spring Seasonals" offered on April 10, 2011. There are two tastings at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. at a cost of $10.00. Reservations are suggested, as space is limited to 16 people per session. Call 859.309.0911

Featured beers:

1. Brooklyn Summer Ale

2. Southern Tier Raspberry Wheat

3. Great Lakes Conway Irish Red

4. De Dolle Bos Reun

5. Augustiner Maximator

6. Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine

You'd be surprised what might turn you on...

LOCATION: 811 Euclid Ave Lexington, KY 40502

HOURS: Tuesday - Saturday  11 a.m. - Midnight; Sunday  1 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Soup Sunday

In lieu of the Academy of Country Music Awards, and my loyal support of my favorite food magazine, Food & Wine, Sunday's dinner consisted of two soups. In the March 2011 issue of Food & Wine Magazine, country music singer, Jennifer Nettles (Sugarland), teamed up with Atlanta chef Steven Satterfield to create four different soups with mix-and-match toppings for a dinner party. The toppings range from seared scallops to potato croutons to sauteed mustard greens. What a refreshing way to please all kinds of taste buds...

The two soups I chose were the Silky Cauliflower (with seared scallops, herb salad, and dijon-roasted cauliflower) and Chunky Tomato (with Fontina cheese, pan-fried potato croutons, and fennel-orange gremolata). I was intrigued with the topping they used, but as with anything choose whatever toppings turn you on.

Silky Cauliflower Soup (F&W, p. 128) http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/silky-cauliflower-soup
Seared Scallops (F&W, p.132)
Dijon-Roasted Cauliflower (F&W, p 132)
Hear Salad (F&W, p 132)

Chunky Tomato Soup (F&W, p.130) http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/chunky-tomato-soup
Pan-Fried Potato Croutons (F&W, p. 130)
Fennel-Orange Gremolata (F&W, p. 130)
Fontina Cheese

Enjoy!