Ideas for New Year's Eve Menu

Proposed 2008 New Year’s Eve Menu


Amuse Bouche
Wine: Nicolas Fuillette Sparkling Rosé

Salmon Tartare w/ Roasted Red Bell Pepper in Wonton cups
Dungeness Crab w/ Lemongrass Puffs


Salade
Wine: Dutton Goldfield Pinot Blanc

Toasted Hazelnut encrusted Goat Cheese on Butter Lettuce
with Herbs de Provence Vinaigrette


Entrée
Wine: 2006 Moshin Vineyards Pinot Noir – Sonoma Coast

Wild Mushroom, Shallot & Gruyere Tartlette


Plat
Wine: 2006 Perpetual Moshin – Bordeaux Blend

Prime Rib w/ Horseradish Mousse and Thyme Jus
Truffled Quatro Formaggio Mac’n’ Cheese

Fromage
Wine: 2006 Harvest Moon Sparkling Gewurztraminer

Assorted Domestic and Imported Cheeses with Panforte & Local Honey


Dessert
Wine: Moshin Potion No. 6 Late Harvest Semillon / Sauvignon Blanc

Lavender scented Cremé Bruleé
Cardamom & Clove Pumpkin Tartlette

Brunch at Home not at Mo's Cafe off Hwy 98

We did comment on how fortunate we were to live in this area. This place where culinary indulgences are abundant. On this day that was MFK Fisher's Birthday, reading an excerpt from a book titled: "Gluttony." A sin?? Oh, we do not think so.
However, the day did begin lazily late, toasting the Sunday with a bottle of Iron Horse Wedding Cuvee' at noon with a nibble of warm home-made banana bread.
On this November 9th afternoon - the sun did shine wholly but more gently on the veranda where we took up residence for two hours. A plate of two quiches - a classic Lorraine and a pretty Artichoke with cheese, roasted potatoes, and slices of bacon-wrapped lavendar brushed pork tenderloin. A cool bowl of crane melon and watermelon cubes accompanied the savory goodies, and we washed it all down with hot english tea with milk and honey.
Not enough - we had to end the afternoon with a bite of Chef D' Love's fudgy silky brownies and a bottle of Harvest Moon Sparkling Dry Gewurtztraminer.
A toast to Sundays! A toast to Sonoma County! A toast for friends to share it with!

Post Harvest - Survived!

Can't complain about the weather. Although it's been all over the map - much like the emotions and activities of this last harvest - this photo was taken at Tomales Bay at the end of October and the temperature was about 71 degrees with no wind - ideal coastal climate. Rick has created a new tradition - at the end of each Crush season, he takes a random winery intern out to the coast to pick up the oysters for a post-harvest winery celebration for the staff. The outing begins in the late morning with a stop at Wildflour Bakery in Freestone for a couple of loaves of Fougasse - the warm loaf with herbs, olives and two cheeses baked inside. Aromatic, savory, soft and delectable! Two bottles of Sauvignon Blanc are in a cooler on ice awaiting the company of several dozen fresh Kumamoto and Tamales Bay 0ysters.
Fresh lemons and hot sauce, towels, two shucking knives, wine glasses and an opener - viola! - the trip is complete.
... and necessary, as this Harvest season was the most challenging and emotional of any. The weather delivered all that she could shout out - early frost, extended heat spells and early rain. A microcosm that ultimately echoed all that was going on in our human lives - chilly divisiveness, hot tempers and cooling economies that required immediate action.
Somehow we made it through, but as the landscape is forever changed by intense weather, so are our souls. Harvest 2008 - one for the books.

Harvest Begins!

Harvest Begins!
Or rather, began a week before this shot was taken. Here we are at the Molinari Pinot vineyard where we got a whopping 8 bins of grapes (should have been 40!) The early frost did an incredible amount of damage and the poor vines did the best they could putting out new fruit and trying to ripen it. The merlot was not badly damaged and is still hanging. Fruit is pouring into the winery faster than students into the bookstore on the first day of school. Tank space is becoming as scarce as parking and tempers are getting short. Good news: it will be fast and furious and done before the rains show up - in theory.

Later ... Sept. 12
Keeping Rick fed and hydrated was a challenge the first two weeks, but things have slowed a bit to a less frenetic pace. Last weekend was the last weekend of Summer, not officially or by calendar, but by that change in the atmosphere that you can smell and feel. We had two weeks of blistering hot (hot for us) weather, temps at 100 or above in succession with no sign of fog. Then BAM!! Next day, fog ALL day, followed by fog the next day. Everyone was glad for the cool-down, but strange how there was no transition ... summer was here, now it is gone. Done. Hope you had a good time.

Sept. 13th - Rick gets a day off. :-)

This is it!

My God it's here! ... the whole reason for being here - the inspiration for this blog. The last 48 hours have been full of it, no make it the last week or two, or month ... whatever.
Let me recap for a moment.
Aside from the booming wild blackberry harvest which led to my now renowned blackberry pie, (the best compliment coming from a rather reserved winemaker - "I'll bring the zinfandel, we'll drink the wine, ... heck, I'll bring the blackberries, just show me how you make this pie!") ... ok, like I said, aside from the blackberry harvest - the decadence began with the sunsets.
My hubby had never been to the top of Armstrong woods to see the sunset from Bullfrog Pond - the BEST place to see the sunset in Sonoma County. So quiet, so secluded, just you and seven valleys of horizon to look out upon as the sun sinks with a whisper into the mountains. On a whim, I decided we should go there for dinner - I braised some bockwurst in beer with turnips from the garden, assembled a lemon cucumber and tomato salad (also from the garden) and picked a fresh melon. A bottle of chardonnay completed our picnic and we arrived just in time for the show. Awesome.
Next day at the park for an outdoor concert - our favorite Tamale-guy, Mateo was serving up Oregon bay shrimp ceviche tostadas. The perfect dinner on a hot summer night with a cold bottle of Rose'.
Two days later we are at another outdoor winery venue with our favorite "Bucky Walters" boys playing to an enthusiastic, but modest-sized crowd. Some cold smoked chicken, cheese, fresh fruit and Gewerztraminer shared with friends among a vineyard setting - old waterwheel turning slowly as dusk approached. Delightful. So much so that we ended up letting the band crash at our place on the living room floor after they played for us until two in the morning.

Fast forward two more days and we are entertaining guests from out of town with a drive to the coast. We stopped at Wildflour Bakery in Freestone for a couple of hot loaves of artisan baked bread. (the Fougasse is a 'don't miss' - savory goodies like olives and cheeses baked right in!) Driving along the golden coastline we stop at two different oyster purveyors to get fresh Kumamotos and Tamales Bay oysters before settling in at a picnic table along the bay water and popping open cold Sauvignon Blanc and shucking away. A little lemon or tabasco ... slurp, tear off some bread, then wash it down with the wine. OH so GOOD!
Next day ... a lot of work and a little play as we hosted two tasting panels at the winery during the day, then bolted off to Grape to Glass to pour wine and network with our peers.
Some labels we tasted throughout Saturday: Hartford Court, Delingher, Siduri, Kosta Browne, Paul Matthew, Dutton-Goldfield, Inman, Joseph Swan, Lynmar, William-Selyem, Eric Ross and many more. That day ended with a casual dinner in the oak grove as the sky turned electric orange.
Ok, scoot past the next few days of classes at the JC and a flurry of wine deliveries to our First Day of Crush!
But wait! I can't forget to mention the lovely dinner that our friend George treated us to at Madrona Manor. Eight courses of delectable goodness that began with a caviar sampler and William-Selyem Blanc de Noir. The wines that followed: Peter Micheal's Mon Plasir, Rochioli East Block Pinot Noir, Kistler Catherine's Cuvee Pinot Noir and a Martinelli Late Harvest white wine. The maitre'd was dear Joseph and he gushed, the owner of the inn came out for a courteous hello and the chef visited the tables on the picturesque veranda on an absolutely perfect evening for alfresco dining. A very nice evening!

Ok, now back to the Crush. We had enthusiastic volunteers come out and pick the first crop off of the Silver Hill vineyard (not officially named yet). Cute pinot noir clusters were gathered between 7:00am and 9:15am followed by coffee and lox and bagels. That evening we hosted a Crush party for our custom crush clients and crush crew. I spent most of the afternoon cooking mostly food from the garden - two squash gratins, lemon cucumber and cherry tomato salad, and a gravenstein apple/blueberry crisp. Rick smoked a whole lotta meats with his favorite pinot grapewood chips and wine. (Chicken, salmon and Italian sausages) They gobbled it all up! In fact, it's the first time we ran out of food. (four late-comers unfortunately got only the crumbs)
Oh! That afternoon our guests from last week sent us a thank you gift of goodies from France!
Truffled pate', sausage and a selection of French cheeses. Mondieu!
Whew! Almost done ... next day ... dear Elizabeth comes by with a basket of perfectly ripe peaches from her garden. (just finished a small bowl of them with a dollop of creme fraiche and a sprinkling of brown sugar - my favorite dessert right now) Reynaldo drops off a bag chock full of delectably sweet and crisp asian pears. Forgot to mention in the A.M. Rick and I make the best hash browns we've ever tasted from our second potato harvest. AND ... the mysterious vineyard worker that sold Rick KILLER authentic tamales two weeks ago returns. Yes! We'll buy a dozen - and let's get a phone number too so we can order more.
The pink amaryllis (naked ladies) are almost done with their sweet summer song and our tomato harvest is in full swing - roma tomato sauce and BLT's and fresh mozzerella with sliced heirlooms. Did I mention the melons? They are almost done but wow! We will plant them again - especially crane and cantelope - the sweetest, juiciest things you've ever eaten chilled.
I will stop here - no, wait, I did not mention the squash blossoms - we've had them for breakfast at least three times now. Just stuff with a mixture of goat cheese, cottage cheese, fresh herbs, maybe some parmesan, roll in raw egg mixture, coat with bread crumbs and saute' in oil. OK, I think I've run out of gourmandise rattlings for now... till next time. Pictures to come soon.

Cherry Lake '08 took place the last ten days of July. While some might consider camping without access to plumbing, power or phones -"roughing it," obviously we did not suffer for good food and beverage. After a tough hike along granite faces and bucolic creeks, an ice-cold gin and tonic really hits the spot! - two of them makes for an interesting segue way into dinner.

Special Occasion Brunch Dish

"When you wake up in the morning , Pooh,' said Piglet at last,
'what's the first thing you say to yourself?'
'What's for breakfast? said Pooh.
'What do you say, Piglet?'
'I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?' said Piglet.
Pooh nodded thoughtfully.
'It's the same thing,' he said"

Certainly there is an occasion where you may want to prepare an over-the-top ultra indulgent dish for brunch. I am going to share with you one of my favorites that continues to please. It's not for the weekly or even monthly splurge as you do not want to know the calorie content of this delectable plate of energy!

Inspired by the Monte Christo famous at Willowwood Market Cafe in Graton, this is similar but without the Haagen Daz vanilla ice cream.


Take a fresh loaf of challah bread, slice into 2 inch thick slices.
Cut a slit in each slice and stuff with gruyere cheese and black forest ham.
Dip each stuffed slice into a mixture of whole milk, vanilla, egg and cinnamon.
Pan fry each slice in butter until golden brown on both sides.
Serve on a warm plate and top with sliced strawberries, chopped macadamia nuts and drizzle with hot maple syrup.
Uhmmmmmm!!!!!
Don't eat again until dinner time... maybe.

Earlier, locally ...

May 12, 2008

It’s 6:45 pm in Sonoma County, California – just west of the 101 freeway that runs north from San Francisco up thru the wine country. We are standing on fresh strewn hay looking at the organic garden of fava beans, fresh herbs, chard, onions, beans and strawberries – sucking on tiny ice cream cones of freshly made gelato and sorbetto.
The raspberry sorbetto is infused with a bit of Russian River Pinot Noir and the gelato is made from goat’s milk yoghurt with a touch of lavender. House-made salumi, cheeses and olives sit on the redwood picnic bench accented with a bottle of local Primitivo and a bottle of Chardonnay. The chef scoops up the soft gelato and beams at the guests enjoying the filtered dusky sunlight with a backdrop of retro music spun by a DJ that only employs vinyl 45’s for his repertoire. Her name is Duske, she owns this roadhouse with her talented chef husband John – who just left to pick up the kids.
And us? We are guests, but we are not from Manhattan, or Miami, or Chicago, or any wealthy suburb filled with subscribers that might have read about this place in the Wine Spectator.
We are just locals. We talk about restaurants like this. We eat here sometimes. And on the drive home through the vineyards basking in golden light, after a couple of glasses of the juice that fuels our economy, we are thankful, for everyday that we live here.



May 12, 2008
7:50pm – at home – sitting on the small veranda out front. I can hear Scotty singing along outside with the classic rock radio station. Many birds occupying the tremendously tall eucalyptus and redwoods compete for my ear. Tom, the handsome feral tabby sits at one end of the stucco wall looking back at me every couple of moments. He knows his name and finally saunters over to rub his neck and tail on the bottom of my chair. He was wild at one time, so much so that I never saw anything but the base of his tail for months. But love overcame him. Now he takes walks with us in the vineyard and drools if you rub the back of his head long enough. He shows off for visitors by running up the fig tree to the top, looking around, then scampering back down. He’s a good-looking big cat – silver/black tabby stripes, white muzzle, pink nose and yellow/green glowing slanted eyes. A broad nose and large paws belie his timid and skittish personality. Like the cat, right now I am in love with what is near me.

Cinco de Mayo

Returned from So. Cal. today. Got up early to leave for the North - just like I used to ten years ago, those that know me know that I do not get up early for much of anything.
My visit with family and friends was good. The best part was meeting a little girl under foster care. Her name is Emma and she is the closest I've been to an angel. Hmmm... went to the city of Angels and actually found one. :-)

Child

The blanket she clutches is worn through
Hair whisp held back with a bubble gum pink barrette
Her innocence is a breath of breeze
In this stale surrounding of adult meanderings

A book read slowly
Punctuated by picture points and giggles
Her rose petal cheek
Touches the bottom of her sky blue eyes
When she grins at you and says.
When will you be back?

Oh Emma!
To adopt and own you would be such foolery
This purity is so fleeting, but no less enchanting
Your jewel-tone words about dippy eggs and turtles named George
Make me tear up with their senseless beauty

God bless you and take you harmless.

Spring Rites

" April twentysomething '08 - All these sales trips have melded into a
blur as we leave on the last one, pulling me away from my lovely Sonoma on a day that taunts me for my departure with one of the warmest of spring days, brilliant sun flashing the wings of yellow monarchs feeding joyfully on the fuschia flowers. The birds this morning seemed to sing louder than ever, as if I might forget them and the blue sea of irises - which waved a melancholy goodbye, as they will most likely be gone when we return."

July Summer preview

Ahhhh ... the sun! Not just pleasant spring sun, but "warm you to your bones" sun! Today was it. Every spring we get this tasteful yummy summer-type day where you "dig out your sandals and paint your toenails just for this day" weather.
At four-o-clock Rick and I went out to enjoy it. By four-twenty we were sipping rose' looking over the vineyards of Toad Hollow and munching on pulled pork sandwiches surrounded by other wine industry folk talking about all kinds of wine industry talk - but mostly talking about the weather. It was a georgeous day to be driving around in our "post card surroundings." We later drove along the river to Duncan's Mills to visit our friend Prairie and chat with more interesting people. The last stop was at our local Pub - simply called "Russian River Pub" for a late bite to eat. For "pub grub", it doesn't get much better than this. The "Famous" chicken wings are called that for a reason - once you eat them here, they are famous! A delectable spicy aroma that will entice you out of your vegan fantasies for one savory lip-burning bite! Cool it off with a thick celery stick dipped in the ranch dressing that comes with each basket of saucy goodness. For the guilt-ridden, there is a wonderful house salad - fresh mixed greens with carrot, cabbage, red onion, cucumber and tomatoes - and a nice selection of dressings. I had the "chicken tenders" basket to go with my salad. The kitchen had run out of the regular chicken breast tenders, so the chef improvised and sliced up some fresh chicken breast, rolled them in panko crumbs and fried them perfectly golden and crisp, yet tender and succulent on the inside. Score!! They come with fries - also perfectly cooked, I had Rick take the basket away before I could do too much damage.
Also today, we rescued a turtle that was trying to cross Westside Road. Try holding a flailing peeing turtle and a napkin on your lap! I haven't seen a turtle like this since I was a little girl in my Grandmother's back yard. We will try to find his home or find him a new turtle-friendly place to live.

Is Blogging an off-shoot of Reality TV?

Is blogging a tendril, appendage or kindred spirit of "reality TV?" Is it tempting to reveal the most intense parts of the day onto to an electronic soapbox? My worry, is what will happen to the sanctity of the diary or journal when there isn't enough time to write into the private, tangible and archiveable part of our existence? If it is broadcast to the public sector, then what mystery is really unvieled when it is read decades later?

I'll continue to write about food, it's my entertainment ...

Today was not orchestrated with balance in mind. Dinner was cheese and crackers, some grocery store sushi and a tortilla filled with rice and cheese. Not ideal, not normal, but I didn't much care.

For some people, it might be Cheez Whiz and Chicken-in-a-Biscuit crackers, or those little shrimp cocktail things in the glass, or plain pepperoni slices and Peanut Butter Captain Crunch.

Lunch made much more sense. Soup and salad. But oh, what a salad! Ceasar Salad made with baby lettuces and housemade rockin' dressing and warm polenta croutons. Soup was Celeriac-Leek drizzled with white truffle oil. Nice! At the Starlight Wine Bar - always a treat!

Please join us for Dinner! (click on menu to enlarge)

It's the little things ...

Like when the last three bananas in the basket have reached "perfect for banana bread" ripeness.
Or,
when you are having an absolutely fantastic meal (at Odyssey in Windsor) and the manager says, "save room, I've got something special for you for dessert, ...my treat!" Oh that's a warm fuzzy feeling! Baba au Rhum was the dessert, paired with a lovely Italian late harvest Malvasia. Yhum!

Going back to "it's the little things," the simple dish that began the evening was a marvelous omen of things to come. Simply delicious housemade rosemary flatbread served with a small bowl of imported Italian olives. Crispy, drizzled in olive oil and plentiful. A little thing that added alot! I'll leave the rest of the meal a mystery, you'll just have to take that trip yourself! The menu adjusts according to premium ingredient seasonality and the whim of the creative force that is the owner/chef Rudy Mihal.

West County Dining Deals

“It’s A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood…”
- Culinary Bargains Aimed at Local Residents

Living in Sonoma County is a pleasure, a blessing and a reason to celebrate on many levels. For those of you that thank your lucky stars for residing near some of the top restaurants in the nation, here is another reason to be grateful. Several dining destinations are offering the oh- so- enticing “prix fixe” menu or specially priced menu options for locals. For the adventurous, this is a great opportunity to expand your culinary horizons, for the frugal, it’s a chance to indulge in a full dinner with dessert more than once a month.

Below is a list of several exciting dining options at West Sonoma County restaurants.

Forestville: Beautifully tasteful and inviting Mosaic features a Wednesday night locals prix fixe menu for $39.00 Tai Olesky’s innovative cuisine keeps the palate entertained and the tummy satisfied. On a recent night I enjoyed an amuse bouche of lobster foam with sautéed prawn followed by the “house” salad (which by the way, I could eat every night!) – mixed greens with toasted almonds, bleu cheese, diced pear and celery tossed in a secret savory dressing. I chose the fish entrée’ – locally caught black cod atop quinoa, broccoli rabe and baby shitake mushrooms. Dessert was a dreamy chocolate pot de crème flavored with orange flower water and topped with whole hazelnuts rolled in cardamom and Chinese five spice.

Healdsburg: Charlie Palmer gives a gracious thanks to the locals with his “Neighbor Menu” at the Dry Creek Kitchen - served Monday through Thursday. Three delectable courses for $34.00 change seasonally – the winter menu featured Annabelle’s Minestrone: Parmesan-Tomato Broth, Tubetti Pasta, Apple Wood Smoked Bacon and Winter Vegetables followed by Winter Truffle Roasted Petaluma Chicken, Pressed Potato Gratin and Creamed Organic Spinach with Thyme Jus. Dessert was Brown Sugar and Spice Crème Brulee with Warm Pear Cake, Pear Cloud. An extra $15.00 gets you wine pairings with your meal.

Valley Ford: Back to the entertainment packages, another cozy place of gourmet respite is the Valley Ford Hotel’s Rocker Oysterfellers. Thursday nights you can experience Chef Brandon Guenther’s Asian inspired prix fixe menu and Shona Campbell’s hospitality. (The restaurant’s regular menu has Southern slant to it, but on Thursdays, the Chef gets to stretch out and mix it up a bit – could be Thai, could be Japanese.) “Kung Fu” Thursdays are what they are known as and a three-course meal with Bruce Lee ranges between $25 to $30.

Occidental: Vive la France! Bistro des Copains is a heartwarming delight seven days a week, but on Mondays you can enjoy three courses of traditional bistro fare for $30.00. The selected entrée’ changes weekly and can be viewed on their website. Past dishes have featured: Boef Bourguignon with Mashed Potatoes, Lamb and Artichoke Stew, Pot au Feu with Noodles and Coq au Vin.

Guerneville: Classically elegant Applewood Inn and Restaurant features a “Community Bistro Night” menu on Tues, Wed. and Thurs. Starters run from $8.00 - $12.00 with all entrée’s below $20.00. Recent items included “Slow Roasted Beets and Pickled Pear Salad with Mache, Ricotta Salata and Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette” and “Orange and Garden Fig Braised Pork with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potato, Rainbow Chard and Pine Nuts.”

Geyserville: With a kitchen filled with dedicated culinary talent, Santi indulges the locals each Wednesday night with a different entrée that includes a house salad for $18.00 Entrée’s have included Roasted Pork Shoulder with balsamic and onions and polenta, or Moroccan lamb spiedino with cous cous, roasted root vegetables and a spicy harrisa sauce. Ask about the Santi Supper Club that takes place on the last Sunday of each month!

Monte Rio: Now for the bargain that will have you saying “no way!” faster than a 1984 San Fernando Valley High School graduate: The Highland Dell offers a three course prix fixe for locals on Monday and Thursday nights for $9.95! Ok, it’s not as fancy as some of the offerings previously listed, but it’s good food and the setting will delight you. Owners Herb and Ingrid Loos have done an incredible job remodeling this Inn and Restaurant - their German influence can be found in the décor as well as in the savory dishes offered on the menu. Past prix fixe entrée’s have included: Sautéed Pork Medallions or Swedish Meatballs, Soup or Salad and a small dessert round out the meal.


Bon Appetit!

Dive on in, the water's fine.

...been wondering how to get some words out there for awhile. Photos also. So, here goes nothin'! It's springtime in Sonoma and inspiration begins to sprout as fast as the daffodils and calla lilies. I think I will take my cue from my wonderful husband - if you want to do something, just do it!
As Margrit Mondavi told me two decades ago when I told her that I envied her lifestyle: "there's plenty of room here!"