Gourmet Sunday

Gourmet Sunday finally returned to Joelle's. If you recall an earlier old post you'll remember that what an amazing meal she put together in the spring. Being a regular at Gourmet Sunday, it's no surprise she can cook, but each time she's hosted, she's really taken it to the next level. Oh, and hey, you know those people who claim to be vegetarian, but eat fish, like you're supposed to believe fish grown from the ground? I can't stand that. Anyways, I might slowly be becoming one of them, as my fish consumption has advanced from "experimenting" to "not so regular but sometimes."

Host: Joelle.
Guests: Alex, Neil, Rob, and Spark.
Starter: Vegetable Soup and Mixed Greens Salad.
Main: Rice and Salmon.
Desert: Pumpkin Tarts.
Wine: Not sure, but white.

Joelle has an actual dining table to sit at. She's serious about being serious.

Beers of the World

Last night we visited eleven countries and three continents, sampling the finest brews each has to offer. Rating each beer was difficult when considering there were four judges and no real criteria to base such judgment on. It seems as though Rennick was the only one with any sort of rationale, declaring "If I like it, I'll give it a 5." Comparisons are made even more complicated because the more samples you get through, the drunker you become.

After several hours of tasting, discussing, debating, and arguing, we came very near to throwing fists but managed to narrow down a top three:

3) Fischer Blonde - est. 1821, France.

2) Golden Pheasant Lager - Slovakia. Brewed according to an original recipe, using only natural ingredients: clearest water from our own wells, finest hops and malted barley.

1) Affligem Abbey Blonde - est. 1074, Belgium. A smooth-bodied, golden abbey beer with a light, hoppy character and a surprisingly clean finish. Secondary fermentation in the bottle. Contains barley malt.

Gourmet Sunday

While Tami and I were moving boxes up and down stairs, Spark and Joelle got a sack full of peppers for $3 from a farmers market across from the St. Lawrence market. This is what happened:

Hosts: Rob and Spark.
Guests: Amy, Joelle, and Tami.
Soup: Butternut squash and Sweet Potato.
Salad: Garden with some kind of tangy dressing Tami whipped up.
Main: Stuffed Peppers.
Dessert: Apple Pie.
Wine: 2007 Promised Land Shiraz Cabernet.

Music: Sensefield and Smalltown.

We now have a new feature at the house: a bar-height "dining" table. It's too small to dine at, but last night during the prep portion of the evening we sure enjoyed sitting at it, leaning on it, and conversing around it. It was just like being at the pub.

Gourmet Sunday

The Regulators finished another unsuccessful season with no wins. A club record! Despite the disappointment of baseball season, and more importantly summer coming to an end, it does open up for a more consistent Sunday evening program. We decided to mark the first dinner of the season, and what could very well be the one year anniversary of Gourmet Sunday, with one of our finest meals yet.

Hosts: Spark and Rob
Guests: Allie, Joelle, and Tami
Starter: Garlic Bread
Salad: Mixed Greens
Main: Eggplant Rollatini with a ricotta, spinach, and flame roasted red pepper filling, and a side of Breaded Zucchini sticks.
Wine: I don't know because I didn't drink any, but it was a red.
Dessert: Banana Loaf with Chocolate Chips and Almond Chunks.

Music: Falling Forward

Perhaps the most exciting part of last night's meal was not the meal at all, but Joelle's refound love for a 90s hardcore classic, Falling Forward's Hand Me Down. In all seriousness though, there were a handful people who had the opportunity to come last night and didn't. They missed out, big time.

Sorry, I couldn't find any Falling Forward, but this is pretty good, too.

For my balding friends.

Gourmet Friday

A few months ago we made a variety of ravioli from scratch. It took forever to make. I didn't think I would be up for the task again. I reconsidered, however, changed a few things and went ahead with it. Not making three types of ravioli for six people made things a lot easier. Oh, and if somebody tries to tell you a wine bottle works as well as a rolling pin, they're either lying or stupid. Get a rolling pin.

Host: Me
Guests: Amy and Ledger. Tami would have made it, but was interviewing SGs for potential roommates.
Starter: Garlic Bread
Salad: Check. I may have put too much Balsamic in the dressing, however.
Main: Roasted Butternut Squash and Pear Ravioli with a butter and Rosemary dressing, with grilled Aspargus on the side.
Wine: 2008 Woodbridge Sauvignon Blanc.

Music: Probably Leatherface, I forget.

Gourmet Sunday mainstays weren't in attendance, so I think this is a dish that will be made again. My confidence in fresh pasta-making has been rejuvenated.

New Boat.

It's a few months old, but I've just come across this new Leatherface jam. Stoked for a new album, should it ever see the light of day.



And an old one



One more