Like Father, Like Daughter

Sometimes I walk into the wine shop and I just buy a bottle based on the label. I know, it sounds so ridiculous. Am I crazy? There may be fermented bat urine in there, but hey I like the look of the label… so why not try it?

Lulu looked so cute sitting on her cafe chair, with her tilted french beret and her flirty French smile, she seduced me! She picked me out of the crowd. She knew about me being a Francophile… a lover of Paris and all things French. Then I looked at the back of the label. Hey, her talent runs in the family. She is the daughter of the famous French winemaker, Louis Bernard. Her wines are from the South of France. This Pinot Noir is very fruity wine with cherry and raspberry flavors. It is great wine for cheeses, pizza, burgers,chicken or fish. I love the website…it is interactive and Lulu talks to you in English, with her lovely French accent. I also love the price…$7.99 at my local wine shop.

Not Just Curry

A few weeks ago, my friend Elke told me about an Indian food restaurant in Fishkill called Tanjore. I wasn’t really thrilled to try it. I must admit, I was a bit narrow minded because I assumed that all Indian food was made with lots of curry. I once had a bad experience. But when she described some of the dishes and I looked at the menu on their website… I decided to be open minded and give it a try.
On the spur of the moment, I asked Elke and her family if they wanted to join us. I think I felt that for my first time, I would be better off if I had a tour guide, you know, someone to "guide’ me thru the intimidating menu. And on the flip side, if I did not like it, she would be right there to take the brunt of my unhappiness. So she agreed! On entering, the decor is cute. Nothing over the top, but nice. There are some funky light fixtures and rich colored swag draperies with gold trim. The menu is extensive. I mean pages and pages. We all had a hard time deciding. We all agreed to order some different things, so that can all try each others dishes. First, we started with the crispy rice bread on the tables. Sort of like India’s version of potato or tortilla chips. Very unique flavor.

We shared Vegetable Samosas

Ragada

and Nan bread, which is ‘thrown’ against the side of the tandoor. There are several different kinds, including cheese, raisin and nut or onion and green pepper. For main dishes we all shared Malai Kofta, which is a vegetable and cheese dumpling served in a mild cashew and almond sauce; Chicken Tikka Masala, boneless chicken breast grilled in the tandoor and slow cooked in a creamy tomato sauce; Mogilai Murgh Korma which is boneless chicken breast cooked in creamy cashew and almond sauce and finally the Tandoori Chicken, which is chicken on the bone marinated with Indian spices, yogurt, ginger, garlic and grilled in the tandoor. It comes out steaming hot!

chicken korma, jasmine rice tandoori chicken

chicken tikka masala

All the dishes were wonderful. They are served along side a huge bowl of long grained basmati rice. Both the Kofta and the Korma has a deliciously thick and creamy cashew sauce, with large bits of nuts mixed in, and just enough spice. Not to hot, not overwhelming at all. The Tikka Masala was earthy and warm with a bit more spice and heat. To go with my meal, I ordered a Mango Lassi, which was like afresh mango yogurt smoothie. It was absolutely delicious and fresh, and was quickly devoured!

For dessert, we enjoyed Khelfi, which isan Indian Ice cream, in flavors of mango and pistachio, topped with pistachio nuts. Our friends enjoyed a cardomom rice pudding dish, called Kheer. It was smooth and creamy, with a spicey, sweet taste with a hint of lemon.

khelfikheer

We had the greatest time at this place. Everyone was so freindly, the prices were more than reasonable. Nothing on the menu was more than $18.95. The menu hasso many choices, there is something for everyone. They even gave you a few fennel seeds (in place of mints) on the way out. I left knowing thatI would soon be coming back. I need to find a way to eat my way through the whole menu! Who would have thought that I would love Indian Food. It just goes to show you what can happen when you are open minded….

Acqua Pazza

When I was in Italy, I had a wonderful dinner in Ravello, which is high in the hills above the Amalfi Coast.

While there, I enjoyed a wonderful al-fresco dinner, overlooking the cliffs, at the Villa Maria, which is also a Hotel.

I remember enjoying a dish called Acqua Pazza, which translates to crazy water, in Italian!

One of the benefits to eating so close to the sea is that fresh fish is always available. My dish was so fresh and delicious, that when I first returned home, my goal was to replicate it.

You may remember that I am not much of a chef. I leave that honor to my good friend Anne.

I prefer quick and easy meals, that don't require a recipe and this is one of my favorites.

I have this at least once a week, because it is so easy, good for you and it is easy to have most of the ingredients on hand.

I never measure these amounts, just use what you like. If you like more olives, add more. Don;t like alot of garlic, use less. This recipe is perfect for two.

Acqua Pazza

2 fillets of white fish, red snapper or tilapia are good
6 kalamata olives, pitted and halved
1 large clove garlic, minced
extra-virgin olive oil
dry white wine
half of a lemon
1 plum tomato, diced
small handful of italian parsley,chopped
fleur du sel
freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 400.

Cut two large squares of parchment paper and lay on flat surface. (large enough to wrap around the fillets and form a 'packet')

Place a fillet in center of paper lightly drizzle some olive oil on each fillet, season with salt and pepper.

Arrange the garlic, tomato and olives on top of each fillet

Sprinkle the parsley, splash just a bit of white wine over the fish, squeeze a small amount of lemon juice on top (careful..no seeds allowed)

To wrap, grab both ends of the paper (keeping the fish parallel to the paper) and pull sides up to meet at the top center keeping the liquid inside (it will try to sneak out) start folding the paper and crease each fold until it lays flat on top of the fish.

Now fold each side in the same way..and you have a pouch.

Place pouches on a baking sheet. Bake for about 15-18 minutes, you will smell when they are done!

Remove from the oven and cut or pull the top fold apart and serve in the pouch. Be very careful.

I usually serve this with a salad, but an even easier way to get your greens is to place a handful of spinach or chard on the paper as a bed and build the fillet on top of that.

The steam and liquid will cook the greens…and voila a meal in a pouch!

Buon Appetito!

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