Well, I'm finally back. I bet you're all quite tired of looking at those meatballs, delicious as they are. :) It's amazing how quickly time goes by, it's been over a month since I posted. Life got in the way unfortunately, with some sad family illnesses. I must thank Brenda at Culinary Fool, for 'tagging' me, which gave me a much needed nudge back.
So, I hope everyone is well. It's a perfect July day here in Plymouth. Sunny, and warm, with a bit of a fresh, salty ocean breeze. Over the 4th of July weekend, I had the chance to try a newly re-opened restaurant for lunch, Bert's. It's right on the beach, and if you picture Plymouth bay like a bent arm, Bert's sits in the elbow position. Which means that over the years the building has taken a beating from the ocean in storms. Two years ago, a suspicious fire gutted the place, and it stood empty for months. Every time we'd drive by, we'd shake our heads, wishing for someone we knew to adopt it. We were convinced it could be a potential gold mine, and selfishly, we just wanted to go back there again.
Fortunately, it is now in good hands. A recent dinner was excellent, my baked stuffed lobster was overflowing with rich buttery stuffing, chock full of plump little shrimp, and meltingly tender scallops. But, I really fell in love at lunch. As some of you may know, I have a bit of a thing for fish sandwiches. Ever since I moved to Plymouth almost two years ago, I've had them everywhere. Bert's is the best. They use a big, thick, fresh and flaky piece of cod, that is dipped in a cornmeal batter that manages to be light and crunchy at the same time.
I've also fallen madly, deeply and obsessively in love with baseball, and am following stats and rumors of The Red Sox, like a total geek. But, I'm having a ball. We're in first place, ahead of the Yankees for the first time in ten years, and after the All Star break, we start our next series on Thursday against the Yankees. There really is nothing like the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry. It's electrifying, and should make for some entertaining baseball this week. First pitcher up is my favorite, Bronson Arroyo. He's 6'5", skinny, and sings! His first CD, Covering The Bases, comes out tomorrow. He covers classic favorites like 'Dirty Water', and has a surprisingly great voice.
Unfortunately, my cute little digital camera that is just a few months old, has died already. I thought it was the batteries, it's not. So, there may not be pictures, at least not MY pictures here for awhile, 'til I can get it fixed.
In the meantime, onto the questions that Culinary Fool tagged me with. They concern cooking, and books, two of my favorite things.
On Food and Books... |
Number of Cookbooks I've owned.... 64 actual cookbooks, and about a dozen books on food writing. Last (cook)book I bought... Last actual cookbook I bought was Molly Steven's All About Braising, which is already well used, and paid for itself, when it inspired a feature story on braising. Favorite recipe so far, braised salmon cooked in bacon, leeks, and pinot noir. Last food book I bought... Ruth Reichl's Garlic & Sapphires, The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise, which I unexpectedly adored, and immediately went out and bought her others, and raved about here. Last cookbook that was given to me... Becoming a Chef, with recipes and reflections from America's Leading Chefs. by my non-foodie friend, Janet. It was given to her, and she really didn't even care to read it, but thought I might like it. Love her! It's a combo book really, half narrative and recipes. The next cookbook I plan to buy... Molto Italiano: 327 Simple Italian Recipes to Cook at Home I was flipping channels the other night, and landed on Emeril. What kept me there was his guest Mario Batali, who was promoting his new book, and what sold me on it, was watching him make a fresh pasta dish. He made homemade fettucini, cut into wide strips, and it looked delicate, and delicious, and relatively easy. He finished it in a mushroom, roasted garlic and wine saute, and my stomach growled. Last Food book I read... Fiction: Recipe For Seduction, by Marley Gibson. I predict that this is a soon to be published book. Marley is working on requested revisions by a major publisher. :) Non-Fiction: The Tummy Trilogy, by Calvin Trillin. A wonderful collection of his published food writing. 5 cookbooks that mean a lot to me... How do I choose? Depends on my mood. But still, there are a handfull that I turn to over and over again. In no particular order, they are, 1. Julia Child's Kitchen Wisdom I love this little book. It's a gem. It's just over 100 pages, and seats neatly by my stove for easy reference. It's like a short cut to Julia info. Basic stuff like the perfect vinaigrette, which is sublime. Omelet tricks, and a quick go-to guide for how long to cook certain cuts of beef. 2. The New Basics Cookbook This is one of my first cookbooks, and one of my most used. Great, classic recipes for just about anything you'd want to cook, but with an updated, modern twist. All time favorite recipe is the Beef Stew, with lots of red wine. 3. Heart of the Home: Notes from a Vineyard Kitchen I adore this beautiful little cookbook. It's also hand written and illustrated, and the recipes are 'comfort food by-the-sea'. Favorite recipe from here is the Chicken breasts stuffed with an achingly elegant and ridiculously easy cornbread and hazelnut stuffing. It's meant to have a pear cream sauce over it, but the first time I made it, I stood staring at the tin cans of pears for about ten minutes, debating, 'do I go with heavy syrup, light syrup or juice?' I finally made a decision, grabbed a can, got home and realized after all that, I ended up with a can of peaches instead of pears! It was too late to go back, so I just made do with peaches, and it was wonderful. Have since tried with the pears, and actually prefer the peaches. Go figure. Her other books are just as good, I have them all. 4. The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook I love her. This woman loves life, good food and cooking, and looks like a real person, not pencil thin. So, I had a feeling her food would be good. It is divine. If you make nothing else in this, make the brownies. They are called Outrageous Brownies, and the name fits. They call for a pound or so each of chocolate and butter, and are the best I've had, ever. 5. The Best Recipe I've had this one for years as well. It's a great reference guide, for when you want to make something, and are curious about the best way to go about it, and the science behind the technique. On meatballs, for instance, I have to say they got it right. They explain the various techniques, and how after much testing, they arrived at the 'best recipe'. Their meatball recipe calls for milk, and really does produce a rich, creamy texture and great flavor. It's interesting though, that I had a hard time picking 5, because as much as I love cookbooks, I very seldom actually use them. If I'm in the mood to cook, I usually browse through my stack, get a feel for different recipes and then wing it, either that, or get so hungry that I need immediate gratification, and go out to eat, or order takeout! Okay, I need to tag someone, so Marley, you're it! :) Pam |
yay! No more meatballs!
Posted by: stephanie elliot | July 12, 2005 at 01:33 AM
You are a lobster slut, aren't you? LOL!!! You love them lobsters. I must try one with you one day. = )
Posted by: Marley | July 12, 2005 at 09:54 AM
You are a lobster slut, aren't you? LOL!!! You love them lobsters. I must try one with you one day. = )
Posted by: Marley | July 12, 2005 at 09:55 AM
Glad you're back and thanks for playing! What I love about this meme is getting a glimpse into others' backgrounds and inspirations!
I also have the Heart of the Home cookbook and adore it! The illustrations draw me in, time and time again.
I had no idea you've become a baseball fan!! The Red Sox are one of the teams I love to hate - not as much as the Yankees but they are still up there! :-) They were here in May so I had my chance to gloat over a couple of wins then.
~ B
Posted by: Culinary Fool | July 12, 2005 at 12:12 PM
Yes, I even watched the home run derby last night...all of it!
You're in Seattle area, right? Well, at least one member of my family cheers for the Mariners. My brother moved out to Seattle years ago, and lives with his family now in Woodinville, and is no longer a Sox fan!....the traitor. He just went to a Mariners game the other night. :)
Posted by: pam | July 12, 2005 at 01:36 PM