Well, we're 5 days into 2011 and it feels a lot like 2010. I don't think I make resolutions because I know that I'm not one to keep one. But I think after my meal tonight, I'm going to start to cook a bit more. And by cooking I mean really cooking, menu planning. I stopped off at a wine bar I've been too before, but I also just downloaded a new cookbook, Ideas in Food. And it really got me thinking. And for those interested, the wine bar is Love Tilly Devine. Great wines and the food wasn't too shabby either. Plus they had Iggy's bread which is strange because it's from Massachusetts but have a bakery here as well.
It's not a typical cookbook and nor is it a typical wine bar. The cookbook doesn't give you standard recipes, it gives techniques and ideas (hence the title) on how to apply the authors' research. They also have a great blog with some recipes, but again more thoughts on cooking and cooking techniques. I went through a few of the chapters and with what I was eating and drinking, I think I got a few ideas. I had a plate of kingfish hiramasa (which turns out is Australian yellow tail) with fennel, chili and micro herbs. And after reading the chapter on homemade vinegars, it got me thinking about making a wine vinegar with a wine that would work with the raw kingfish. I had a great dry Australian Riesling and a glass of Italian Kerner (which I've never seen on a wine list since last year but will now search them out) and thought turning one of those into a vinegar would have given the fish a good bite. And possibly a more flavorful bite than your typical lemon wedge.
The duck liver pate was very good and I couldn't come up with anything to do to that, but I've only made it through the pickle chapter. I have a ways to go. But after reading the chapter on brines and salts and having a final glass of Osteiner for the night, it did seem like a scallop with vanilla salt might work well with the wine. A subtle sweetness to go with the savory to go with the oddly good Osteiner. I still don't know what the wine is, but I'll gladly have another glass. So I got home and broke out the only other two cook books I brought with me, The Flavor Bible and What to Drink with What to Eat, and have started thinking. Now I just have to plan out what I want to do. I'm looking forward to stopping by the farmers markets this weekend.
And, after all this cooking, I'm definitely going to have to get back to the gym. And soon.
I hope everyone had a great new years. I'm still trying to get a few of the videos posted from the fireworks, but hopefully this weekend.
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