I’m So Ronery Again
Well, it’s true. My wonderful Bride and daughter are out of town again this weekend, leaving me to fend for myself in this cruel and heartless world. How’s a mild-mannered and kind-hearted fellow supposed to withstand the trials and tribulations that this theocratical chimpyteric world is sure to fling my way with such disdain?
Well, this will help
That’s 2.2 pounds of luscious rib steak ( or “a kilo” for those of you born after 1970 or who secretly wish to be Canadian) just dying to have its excess fat trimmed off and be slathered in Cajun seasoning
Now we let that come up to room temperature whilst we attend to the taters
and pop those suckers on to the side burner
Now, I’m going to put the rest of the photos below the fold, and I can not suggest any more strongly that my readers of Gentle and Kind disposition do not under any circumstances continue on, for what they will find below is so shocking, so disheartening that it may call into question their very will to go on. Even now I’m not quite sure how it happened, but I am honor bound to relay it to You, dear Loyal reader, regardless of what the consequences may be after you have fully ascertained the full depth and breadth of the horror I am about to reveal; indeed, the pitiless nature of this betrayal may in fact cause you to shed copious tears as you scream incoherent yet oddly moving rantings at your computer screen.
Today, for the first time in some 5 years,
I bought French wine.
Who can say what causes such madness, such betrayal of all that one holds dear. Perhaps I, like so many other impressionable 43 year olds, was caught up in the feelings of amitié for Sarkozy. Perhaps I’m simply insane. Whatever the shameful roots of such madness, none the less there it is, open on my counter, poured into my glass.
And tasting damned yummy. The 2003 Guigal Côtes du Rhône for $12 is an outstanding value, a very smooth wine with nice cherry and fruit flavors.
Anyhow, now that I’ve shared my dirty horrid secret with you it’s time to put the rib on the grill
My thought was I’d get the grill as hot as I could, which sadly for me is only around 600º, sear both sides quickly and then stand it up rib down for a slower cooking that would let the outer layer of fat tastily enjuicify the meat.
So while that was happening it’s time to check out the vineyard, which sadly is not doing well.
Roughly 50% of the vines have died, and I’m desperately trying to get the surviving ones to flesh out the trellis as my Bride has made a few subtle comments about the look of the ‘clothesline’ in the back yard
Next Spring I’ll replant the vines that have died, assuming these survive. Ah, the life of a Gentleman Farmer.
No wonder Mr. Jefferson died in debt.
meanwhile, back on the grill I’ve shifted the rib from the hot side to the cooler side for some slower cooking
Bonjour!
The steak, much like me after a few more drinks, has sadly fallen over
but it is looking quite tasty and at the desired degree of doneness.
as are the spuds
So dump the spuds into a colander and into the still-hot pot add 1/4 stick of butter and 4 heaping tablespoons each of parmesan cheese and feta cheese. Dump the steamy hot spuds back on top to help things melt and add a quarter cup or so of half and half (if you drink sufficient quantities of red wine then you can gleefully spit into the face of cholesterol) and the secret ingredient
ah, whole nutmeg! How shall I sing the praises of thee? seriously, throw away all the ground nutmeg you possess and buy whole nutmeg and scrape/grate it yourself fresh as needed
the flavor is indescribably delicious, and then you put the little nutmegian nugget back in the jar for another day
and hopefully you haven’t shaved too much fingertip into the dish
But now it’s time to eat. ah! Look at the size of this beast!
I feel like Fred Flintstone!
After polishing off the brontosaurus rib I plopped the potatoes in the juices for dessert
Washed down with the rest of the wine and I am one happy camper.
a very full and drunk camper, but a happy one.
Mother Gaia™ screamed today! Num!
Fantastic spread Bing!
I went with steamed veggies covered with two slices of cheese and a few dashes of Cholula hot sauce with some Black and Tans to follow.
You trim the fat?
P-word
I only trim it because I’m tired of the fire deprtment coming over for all the flare-ups, Ken.
i’d like to buy a vowel, if i may
Bingley – you’re ahead of schedule. What are you going to do for the rest of the weekend?
I hate you. :-p
I think tonight I’ll try my hand at a lamb curry, Suzette; I’ll save the other meal for a time when you guys can make it over.
Oh man. Any thing with curry is good. I am not a big lamb fan, but smothered in curry…you never know.
Bingley, send me and the wife plane tickets so we can eat at your fine dining establishment…
The way you set it up, for a moment I thought you were going to sneak Harry Potter spoilers in amid the feasting.
revere cookware!!
ahhh… so very nice!!
Hmmmmm.
Nice!
Lately I’ve been getting into making dumplings and potstickers. Really interesting, very very economical and it offers a very wide variety of flavors and textures.
Definitely recommend it to anybody.