Thanksgiving 2013

Nancy, Paul and Dylan joined us for the weekend. While the boys cut and split firewood, Nancy and I cooked up a storm. I saw Ree Drummond aka The Pioneer Woman brine a turkey, so we did the same and @&$! me was it good!!!

We also rocked a baked ham with Sailor Jerry rum and a myriad of delicious side dishes.

Sunday we went on a side by side adventure to Big Lake, Marguerite Lake, Indian Hill and Jackson Lake, then home to harvest and split some firewood for Paul and Nancy to take back to the city. Then we ate some more... No one ever starved to death at our place, except maybe a vegetarian.

 

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Happy Anniversary Mum & Dad

On March 4th this year my parents will celebrate their 41st wedding anniversary. 

Wow - congratulations!

I can't be there to prepare a meal for them, so instead I devised this menu for mum to cook. My idea was to create something healthy but that felt decadent rather than measly to eat. I hope I have succeeded.

Click on the pictures to open a bigger version.

Recipe: Ginger Beef - Calgary Style

Ginger Beef - Calgary Style

★★★★★

Prep Time: 2 hrs 5 mins | Cook Time: 35 mins | Makes: 2 | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

• 500 grams good steak ie top sirloin, New York strip
• MARINADE
• 30 ml China Lily soy sauce
• 15 ml Sherry
• 30 ml ginger juice (grate and squeeze fresh ginger)
• 5 grams caster/berry sugar
• BATTER
• 65 grams cornflour
• 60 ml water
• 1 egg white
• SAUCE
• 30 ml sherry
• 45 ml Ketchap Manis (Indonesian sweet soy sauce)
• 30 ml rice wine vinegar
• 10 ml sesame oil
• 30 ml water
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 2 inches finely grated ginger
• 1 tsp red chilli flakes
• Plus
• 1 tsp cornflour combined with
• 15 ml water
• OPTIONAL
• 1 carrot cut into fine matchsticks
• 4 spring onions sliced diagonally
• 1 l peanut or canola oil for frying
• Plain white rice

Directions:

PREPARATION
Finely slice the steak across the grain.
Combine marinade ingredients in a shallow bowl, mix in the steak and refrigerate for 2 hours.
COOKING
Put rice on.
Combine sauce ingredients except cornflour & 15ml water.
Heat oil in wok or deep frying pan over high heat.
Whisk together egg white and water then stir in cornflour. Remove meat from marinade and stir into batter. Pour remaining marinade into sauce.
Fry meat for 2 minutes, working in batches (keeps oil hot and prevents from sticking together). Drain on kitchen towel. Repeat. Double frying makes it more crispy.
In a large frying pan bring sauce to boil over high heat. Boil rapidly for 2 minutes, then stir in cornflour & water. You want the sauce to have a honey-like consistency.
If you are using the carrot and spring onion stir that in now.
Add the meat and stir to coat completely. Serve over rice. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds if you like.

Notes:

Use fresh ginger & garlic, not the minced in a jar stuff (changes the consistency of the sauce)
Source: My Collection

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Calgary Style Ginger Beef

Last night we had homemade Chinese food that was so delicious I ate it right away instead of pissing about taking photos of my food ;-) Here is my recipe for two generous portions.

Finely slice 1 large good quality steak across the grain (I used top sirloin from Margetts Meats in Williams Lake) marinade it for 2 hours in 30ml ginger juice (no need to peel just finely grate about 2 inches of ginger then squeeze out the juice), 15ml sherry (I use Dry Sack), 30ml dark soy sauce (I used China Lily), 5g caster/berry sugar.

Mix together 2 cloves minced garlic, a thumb sized piece of finely grated ginger, 1 heaping tsp dried red chilli flakes, 30ml sherry, 30ml rice wine vinegar, 45ml Ketchap Manis (Indonesian sweet soy sauce), 10ml sesame oil, 30ml water. Stir and set aside.

Beat together 1 egg white and 60ml cold water, then mix in 65g cornflour to make a paste.

Remove meat from marinade and stir into the cornflour batter. Pour the remaining marinade into your sauce mix.

Working in batches (I did 4) deep or shallow fry your beef. It should only take about 2 minutes to brown. Ideally use peanut oil, I used a mixture of canola and peanut. Remove the beef to a dish or tray lined with kitchen towel. Then fry it again, this time you can work in two batches as the beef is already hot so it won't cool the oil so dramatically. Drain onto kitchen towel. Double frying makes it more crispy.

Heat the sauce mix in a large frying pan or wok over a high heat. Boil it for 1-2 minutes, then add 1/2 tsp cornflour blended with 15ml water to thicken, you want a sticky honey like thickness. Add the beef and stir to coat each piece with the sauce. Serve over rice.

Enjoy!

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Winter Fun in the Cariboo

This morning I packed a cooler with some snacks and a couple of flasks of Sailor Jerry spiked hot chocolate while Blaine organised our fishing bucket. We drove our skidoos up to Jackson Hole and tried some ice fishing. Maybe this is a little like our clam digging failure and perhaps dogs aren't conducive to catching lots of fish. We fished for three hours trying several different spots but didn't get so much as a bite.

We gave up on fishing so drove the puppies home and left them at the house while we went for a ride. It is much easier to drive without 2 dogs as passengers. I followed Blaine along the quad trails through the forest and then over on the 1800 road towards Big Lake. Unfortunately we were short on gas and day light so came home about 4pm. We drove the Suzuki down to Deep Creek gas station and filled up all our jerry cans so we are ready to play again tomorrow.

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Cinnamon Bun Challenge Results

The Internet recipe on the right wins. The dough was much softer and had a better texture. Blaine likes his buns straight up, I like icing. I made a simple buttermilk icing instead of the cream cheese one in the recipe.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/overnight-cinnamon-rolls-recipe/index.html

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Cinnamon Buns x2

Yesterday I decided to make overnight cinnamon buns. I used a recipe from the Internet that combines the yeast with the flour then let's the dough rise for 2 hours. After 2 hours it hadn't started to rise so I started another batch using a different recipe which starts the yeast in warm liquid. By the time I had that dough kneaded and resting, yep you guessed it, the first dough started to rise.

After rolling up and slicing the buns I left them covered with cling film to rise overnight on the kitchen counter rather than in the fridge (it is an understatement to say that our house is on the cool side). This morning I turned the oven on to 400/200 for a minute then turned it off and popped the buns in for 30 mins to finish rising. They are now in a 350/180 oven for 30 minutes filling the house with a delicious smell.

The puffier, more yellow buns are recipe #1, the paler ones recipe #2. We will probably have to eat several of each to establish which is the most delicious.

Coconut Oatmeal Cookies

I started to get my appetite back today and had a craving for cookies. Alas we had no chocolate chips left since I baked Justin a batch of choc chip pecan cookies for his drive to the island on Saturday. I also wanted something easy, using oil instead of butter or shortening. A few minutes rummaging in the baking cupboard and some searches on google and decided to try this recipe.

I used canola oil not coconut oil and I forgot the salt. I used an ice cream scoop to make even sized balls. They didn't spread out an awful lot while cooking so I flattened them a little with a spatula. The result were big hunks of deliciousness of which I ate three before they even cooled down. The true test of deliciousness was won when Blaine came home and started eating them, then announced he would take some to share with Paul at work tomorrow.

 

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Fun at the lake

We woke up this morning to a fresh 4-inch dusting of powder. After a raclette breakfast Blaine and I went out to plough the drive, well he ploughed I just rode along. Justin got packed up and headed off, we had an awesome visit with him and the time just flew by. It was a lovely mild day so we went out front on the lake and did a little ice fishing. Blaine set up patio chairs and I made us Sailor Jerry hot chocloate so although we didn't get a bite it was lots of fun.

To maximize the enjoyment of our environment we hitched the qamutiq up to Blaine's sled and he towed me and the puppies over to Indian Hill. Alas with all the powder and extra weight we couldn't get all the way up the hill so had to walk the last little way but the view always makes it worthwhile. Me and the puppies got covered in snow but I couldn't get a picture as my iPhone was in my inside pocket.

For dinner we had Mexican, heating our tortillas on the raclette. I have a chest cough so am resting up in bed with lots of Kleenex and cough meds. Blaine and the dogs are keeping me company watching Sons of Anarchy.

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Merry Christmas!

Call me immodest but I totally rocked Christmas dinner. On Monday I mixed up fresh thyme, rosemary and clementine zest with lots of butter which I then rubbed under the skin of our 12lb turkey. I also baked some soft white bread rolls.

Christmas Day I started cooking at noon and didn't stop until 6pm! The bird  was covered and roasted at 200 for 3 hours with the 2 clementines cut in half and placed in the cavity along with a handful of fresh thyme. 

We like lemony Greek potatoes so much that we eat them at every opportunity and the citrus was a nice refreshing flavour amongst the richness. 

http://m.allrecipes.com/recipe/31522/recipegreek-style-potatoes

For veggies I made Blaine's favourite green beans, fried in garlic, butter and olive oil, glazed carrots, and steamed Brussels sprouts. For stuffing we had the last of Shalla's yummy stuffing which I had frozen on thanksgiving, and a pork, apple and sage sausage inspired by Gordon Ramsay. Finally we had a big jug of turkey gravy.

For desert I made a peach cheesecake. The base was 200g biscuit crumb and 75g butter. The filling was made by whipping together 4tbsp caster sugar and 250ml whipping cream. Beat 250g of full fat Philadelphia cream cheese until soft, add 1tsp pure vanilla extract and then whip in the whipped cream until it is smooth. Stir in some finely chopped peaches, pour onto the base and chill. Easy as pie!

We drank prosecco, Viognier and Malbec then sank into the hot tub. Merry Christmas everyone!

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Dum Aloo

Tonight I cooked up an East Indian feast. I used my "go to" naan bread and tikka marinade recipes from my Curry Bible cookbook then also tried out a new potato curry recipe that I found online. It was really very delicious and although the recipe seemed rather complicated I have to say it was worthwhile following. Try it for yourself by following this link.

http://www.ecurry.com/blog/indian/curries/gravies/dum-aloo-potatoes-simmered-in-spices-coconut-milk/


No photos as we devoured it all right away sorry.

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Lists

I was just flipping through Flipboard on my iPad and noted a proliferation of end of year lists. I am a real sucker for lists, top photos and such. Are you?

Because food is my second love (Blaine being my first) here is a list of my top 5 flavours of 2012

1. Chipotle. There I said it. I love chipotle, Blaine says I am addicted and accuses me of infusing it into everything. He insists on one chipotle free meal per week.
2. Salted caramel. Enough said.
3. Red Velvet cake.
4. Habanero. Yep I like chillies.
5. My homemade honey oat bread. Can't get enough!

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Satay

Today I made satay. I marinated turkey breast in a blend of coriander, cumin, turmeric, garlic, sambal olek, and peanut oil. After threading the pieces of meat onto skewers, Blaine cooked them on the BBQ.

The satay dipping sauce includes toasted peanuts, lemongrass, chilli, palm sugar, fish sauce, coriander and some other stuff. I sliced up some white cabbage and a little fresh cilantro then tossed it in lime juice, sesame oil and fish sauce. Served on white rice. It was good, really good. Once I have perfected the recipes I will share.

Christmas Dinner Comparison

I have been watching lots of Christmas cooking shows on Food Network which brought me to thinking about Christmas dinner traditions in England and Canada. Obviously this could be entirely inaccurate as it is based solely on my observations and experiences. I suspect that Canadian fare varies from West to East and probably a lot from English and French. My Christmas meals have mainly been in BC.

Turkey is the centrepiece for both countries, with baked ham as a backup just in case there isn't enough food.

Stuffing in England tends to be made mostly of pork sausagemeat, Canadian stuffing is focused on bread and cranberries.

Vegetables: Canada is mashed potato & steamed carrots, England roasts the potatoes and the carrots.

Mince pies and clotted cream are the English treat, while Canada tucks into butter tarts. I need Carol's recipe, her butter tarts are freakin awesome.

What are you cooking for Christmas this year?

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Stinky bum

About 3 weeks ago I changed Johnny's food. Since we got them both dogs have been fed Orijen Regional Red. However, I was recently advised that there is too much protein for Johnny so I switched him to Acana Ranchlands, which is made by the same company and uses the same ingredients but is 60/40 meat/vegetables instead of 75/25.

Of course it may be entirely coincidence, but I have noticed some bad bad smells of recent. I haven't got up close to check who farted but Blaine said that Johnny had gross breath the other day. So maybe another change is in order. They also offer fish, chicken and duck based feed so maybe one of those will make him less stinky.

Maybe it is something they are eating during their adventures... Maybe the smelly one is Sage... Stay posted to find out what happens in the stinky pet saga.

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What a jerk!

I certainly hope that is what Blaine will exclaim in delight as he tucks into tonight's feast.

I exhibited uncommon restraint and only used one habanero pepper in my jerk marinade (leaving the seeds in though) so I think it should be enjoyable. To take the edge off the heat of the jerk pork shoulder kebabs I made a pineapple coconut salsa. I also made a pineapple, mango, coconut and mint salsa. Blaine has to judge which goes better with the dish. Our carb component, and another palate cooler, is beans & rice.

Once Blaine gets home I will fire up the BBQ so that it is smoking hot when he throws the kebabs on. I am looking for a light charring on the outside while retaining moisture inside. Say NO to dried out pork!

If Blaine likes it all I will share the recipe.

24 hours in Prince George

This morning I enjoyed the luxury of laziness. Blaine needed a ride back from Prince George so I went up last night and we spent the night. He had to go to the office at 8am but I didn't have to check out until 11. The dogs were with Judith at Wildwood Pet Resort. I did a short yoga routine then watched the Food Network while lying in the middle of the king sized bed.

After an hour of Jamie Oliver cooking Christmas related stuff I slowly got ready then drove into town to find some stuff to photograph. The absence of photographs in this post can be taken as evidence that I found nothing worth stopping the truck for. In Prince George's defence it was an unseasonably mild day so the city was awash with dirty slushy snow which is a hard look for anyone to pull off.

We ate sushi for lunch then attended a work awards ceremony. I got my Starbucks fix (venti, non-fat, half-sweet, 200 degree, creme brûlée latte) then we hit the road home. Judith had fed the dogs but sure enough as soon as we got them home they put on their "feed me I'm starving" act. Blaine played along but fed them only 2 pieces of kibble each. They were not impressed.

 

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Crock of Ages of Shite

I am writing this somewhere over Manitoba I suppose, half way on a flight from Vancouver to Montreal. For my first on board movie I watched J Edgar, an informative, moving and eye opening movie directed by the awesome Clint Eastwood. Blaine watched Rock of Ages and was giggling away throughout, my sister in law is even more obsessed with RoA as she was with Twilight. So I figured I would give it a go. Guys, you are both wrong. Less than 15 minutes in and I was compelled to pull out my iPad to write a blog post about how dreadful it is. Maybe it will get better soon... maybe if I have a Johnny Walker Black Label it will help?

Let me share my opinion on "dining" aboard Air F You. Domestic beer (aka piss) is $6.50, Heineken is $7, wine is $6.50, sparkling wine $7, spirits $6.50. It's a no brainer, give me the scotch.

The best snacks are the cheese and crackers $4, and the carrots, celery and ranch dip for $5.

For $9 you can get a drink and snack combo.

For $13 you can get a meal, snack and drink. If they have pizza do the meal deal. The other food isn't worth wasting the calories on.

Generally you are best advised to buy your "meal" at the airport before your flight. Advice in the regard requires a whole other blog post depending on which airport and which terminal.

30 minutes - I have my scotch. It isn't better yet. Blaine says it is because I am too young.

51 minutes - I am wondering if my brother's next inking will be Stacee Jaxx pistols.

1hr 3 minutes- grateful that the plane will land before the film finishes.

1hr 25minutes - seriously?

I didn't finish watching. The meagre offering of witty one liners was not enough to make up for the dross.

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Home

After leaving Iqaluit on July 7 we spent 83 days living in friends' places, hotels, vacation rentals, a tent and our coach. On Friday September 28 we took possession of our forever home on beautiful Tyee Lake in the Cariboo region of British Columbia. A huge massive thank you to everyone who helped us move out, move in and gave us food, shelter, emotional support and counseling on this journey.

The first thing out of the sea can was the box of cleaning supplies that Linda had left me when she and Craig left town in May. It cleaned their apartment and both our houses in Iqaluit, then travelled across the continent to clean yet another home! Friday afternoon I cleaned while the Internet and TV guys did their thing. Our neighbour Dale cut down a tree so that our Internet dish could see it's satellite clearly but Bell TV couldn't get a thing. I guess one out of two isn't bad but we sure wish we had known that we would be buying in a Bell free zone before we left Iqaluit, could have sold our receivers there easier than here. Blaine arrived home from work in the evening and hitched the small trailer to the Rhino side by side then we proceeded to unload the sea can until it was pitch dark and we were fit to drop. We dined on frozen pizza and slept on our mattress on the floor.

Saturday morning we were running loads before the coffee had brewed and by mid day we were unpacking things and arranging furniture. Downsizing before we left Iqaluit was necessary ( the sea can was stuffed full) but now that we have a 2,000 sq ft home it looks kinda bare! The downstairs walk out basement is mostly unfinished so we are pretty much just living upstairs now but even that looks sparse. With my kitchen mostly organized I made us roast chicken for supper which we ate at the kitchen breakfast bar since the dining table was not yet built.

Sunday was much of the same, unpacking boxes, finding places to out things and starting to unpack the coach. In the afternoon Val and Dale came over to visit and brought their friends Sharon and Ray to meet us. They came bearing housewarming gifts of wine and sunflowers and we visited a while but I must confess that Blaine and I were still shell shocked at actually having made it that we were poor hosts. 

On Monday Blaine had to leave for work and wouldn't be back for a few days so Johnny, Sage and I continued with the unpacking and making home. We also made time to explore our new neighbourhood and followed a quad trail from near the top of our drive that makes a 3/4 mile loop through the woods - ideal for a short walk. The week was also spent preparing for our first house guests, the Guertins were arriving on the weekend to celebrate Thanksgiving with us. My main focus in this regard was preparing the hot tub. I had no idea how complicated hot tub ownership is, thankfully the very sweet patient girl at New Waves hot tub store walked me through everything, gave me detailed (written thank goodness) instructions and sold me all the chemicals I needed to brew up our people soup. A different TV guy came out and hooked us up with Shaw Direct, we need to fall a couple more trees to get HD but at least Blaine can watch NASCAR and I have the Food Network.

Thanksgiving weekend was awesome and our house certainly now feels like a home. Shalla and I totally rocked the kitchen with little e as our assistant and we ate like kings for three days straight. The boys went out exploring the trails, clearing paths with the chainsaw and bringing back rocks to build a fire pit on the lawn. Sage and Johnny showed Oscar and Trixie around the area, Trixie is more of an inside girl but Oscar loved the forest... even after he fell/jumped out of the back of the Rhino at 40kph!

Everyone has gone again so the dogs and I are snuggled up in front of the fire in the living room with a bottle of wine. I have to keep pinching myself to check if this is really real.

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Taking wing night to another level

Last week at wings our friend Caleb had a "Legion Burger" and it looked really good. Further investigation revealed that it was basically a bacon cheeseburger with fried mushrooms. This week we ordered one of our regular meals; wings and a cheeseburger with poutined fries. About 3 minutes later Caleb and Maureen sat down at the next table with their Legion Burgers, reminding us that we had meant to order a bacon cheeseburger (no shrooms) with poutined fries. Alas this realization came too late as our order was already in at the counter. Ah well next week I guess.