February 2017

Coconut cake

Coconut Cake (Serve With Bourbon)

Posted on 23 February 2017
in Decadent Desserts and Sweets, Recipes
by Bob

     I read an intriguing entertainment tip by Andrew Knowlton in Bon Appétit, where he said, “Always end the evening of dining with a coconut cake and Pappy Van Winkle’s bourbon (it’s a Southern thing).”  I thought, “Coconut cake and bourbon?  Hmmm.  And who is Pappy Van Winkle?”      I researched Pappy Van Winkle bourbon, and I found there are many people who think it’s the best bourbon in the world.  I checked locally, and I discovered it’s extremely hard to find and very expensive.  Only about 7000 cases are…

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Garlic (Baked And Garlic Toast)

Posted on 23 February 2017
in Recipes, Sumptuous Sides
by Bob

     I’m a huge fan of garlic. I love the taste, and I love how it adds interest to a recipe. Cooking with it also gives the whole house a wonderful bouquet. Its aroma signifies happy times in the kitchen.      It contains the chemical allicin.  This is what gives garlic its odor.  Some studies claim that it can kill 23 types of bacteria (including salmonella and staphylococcus) and 60 types of fungi and yeast.  Other studies say it’s helpful in preventing heart attacks, strokes, high cholesterol, and clogged arteries.  And others claim it…

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Seared scallops

Scallops With Lemon Butter (Simply Divine)

Posted on 23 February 2017
in Fish and Seafood Selections, Recipes
by Bob

     For those of us who love fish, nothing can compare to that delectable taste we experience when we bite into a scallop. Sweet and delicate with a melt in your mouth goodness, it’s heaven at the end of your fork. And scallops served with a lemon butter sauce are divine. Pay Close Attention When Cooking Your Scallops      It should be noted that we lovers of scallops are a fussy lot. We detest one that isn’t cooked properly. If it’s overcooked, it will be chewy and rubbery – and undercooked…

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Shrimp sausage etouffee

Shrimp & Andouille Sausage Étouffée

Posted on 23 February 2017
in Fish and Seafood Selections, Recipes
by Bob

     Someone once said, “I’ve concluded that a woman’s preparation for an evening out is like the making of sausage – the less you know about the process, the more you respect the result.”          Well, I happen to love being privy to a woman’s preparation for an evening out. The transfiguration from natural beauty to stylish elegance and sophistication is often tedious, but it’s always sensual, and sometimes performed with a flourish. Each step is absolutely necessary, deliberate, and most certainly can’t be rushed.      As I was watching…

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Crock of creamy homemade butter

Sweet and Delicious Homemade Butter

Posted on 23 February 2017
in Nibbles and Appetizers (The Starters), Recipes
by Bob

      Butter – absolutely one of the sweetest, most delicious treats in life.  This was brought to light while we were enjoying a cheese plate with a side of bread at a favorite wine bar and delicatessen. I broke off a piece of the bread, buttered it, and I was shocked at how good it tasted. I like butter, but this was special.      Back home I tasted our usual brand of butter.  It paled by comparison. Over the next several weeks I tried seven different commercial brands, and none…

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