New Eatery in Anchorage Kentucky

The SEA HAG in downtown Anchorage, Kentucky recently opened to a rave review from Chef Pete' and company. There is both indoor and outdoor seating and it appears to be quite a hit. The review I received from  the Chef was while we were walking this morning and I must say, it made my mouth water for a taste. 

My best recollection was that there was a grilled thick porkchop served with a bourbon and applewood sauce, a side of jalapeno spiced sauerkraut, and corn pudding served in a covered crock. Impressive.

Other meals included an Ahi Tuna  (served very rare) with mixed greens. Another guest went for the fish Tacos and the fourth was, I think, Portobella steaks ?  I was so hung up on the pork chop that I began to lose a bit of concentration. It sounded like a very delightful, impromptu get together that had fabulous results.

Of course the was a new pale ale consumed as well as other beers and Bourbons..

Anchorage is becoming the close by, gourmet delight, outdoor dining area. Such a quaint, beautiful community with at least 2 outstanding restaurants.

A Nashville Weekend Getaway

Who could argue with a weekend in Nashville. What fun. Even after the recent trauma that took place in Nashville (2010) with the flooding. What a strong and fun city. This past weekend some friends and others gave in to support the city and had a great time. I hope this captures the essence of the weekend.

I think the photos tell the story. Three cheers for Valentino's, owned and operated by parents of Louisville friends.The damage from the flooding was sad and devastating but did not infringe at all on the excellence of the meals.

Lunch in Franklin... A new tattoo design?

We got off cheap friday night with a lot of ketchup

Peterson's win the Shuffleboard Championship

 2 Architects at the Re-Bar  (Huh!!!)

The oldest attendee with the youngest Bachelorette

The touring group

Valentino's

Lobster Ravioli

You can laugh if you want but big store buying, such as at Costco, BJ's or Sam's is well worth it. Last week while attempting to restock we bought a 2 package container of Lobster Ravioli. A week night attempt at fast meals. Awesome. Impressive. 

We start with the perfect evening. A view from the lanai, watching the local tourist boat floating by with the sunset in the background. Not the best photo through the screen but, you get the idea.

Dinner is made up.

The lobster ravioli in a shrimp cream sauce which consists of Cream of shrimp soup with a half can of Sherry.






Each dish easily topped with three pieces of Applewood smoked bacon (rolled) and sliced scallions. Good........best.....better.........trash........
Result = Excellent----easy------better....................

A few left over

Food-Dogs, Australian-English-Italian Fusion

I have no idea where I'm going with this but Chef Pete' offers an update to his latest attempt at Shepard's Pie. He is dauntless in his quest for perfection. Notice we start Italian with the new dog (Risotto) and then we begin to create an interesting fusion. I hope you enjoy the creativity. For once the Pete' actually includes a private, never before revealed recipe, that doesn't include chocolatte (sic). 

The Italian Immersion Dinner-

Truly a Bella Sera >

V,

       Just pronouncing our new Italian Boxer's name proved controversial. "Riso" (based on Risotto). When spoken in my native Italian tongue... sounds like "Rrrresooo". Perhaps even "Rriissoo". Well the other Italian want to be's at dinner had a difficult time getting the correct inflection.... Prego. Thank goodness, the dinner seemed to soothe the controversy.

Rizzo (? spelling controversy) is on the left, and good old Tas is on the right.

Gumbo and more

Wecome to the Outdoor Seating area at Chef Pete's (Duh!)

A new use for used wine bottles

YardArt

Chicken and Andouille Sausage Gumbo

My best and darkest roux

Shaping the rice in ramekins

Prepping the bowls with the rice

Serving the Gumbo

Easy Mediterranean Chicken

A friend introduced me to a Williams-Sonoma sauce that is just FABULOUS. Called Artichoke and Lemon Pasta sauce it lived up to the description that it is "A hearty Mediterranean-inspired sauce featuring artichokes and leeks simmered with Chardonnay, lemon and herbs".

My goal was to make a dish that would allow me to slip it in the oven and cook while I visited with friends and enjoyed a cocktail with them. I other words I didn't want to do the help me in the kitchen routine. While that is fun and enjoyable, we hadn't seen each other for several months and wanted to "socialize" and catch up on the local news and gossip.

Here was my plan.  I pan fried the chicken breasts in olive oil and butter, browning the salt, pepper and paprika covered chicken to seal in the juices and let them finish in the oven until just done. Meanwhile, my choice of a pasta this evening was farfelle, (bow-tie pasta) that after cooking, I drained and added butter.

Then the assembly would be the pasta mixed with half or so of the artichoke sauce. The remainder heated and served with the meal. I spooned it into a casserole dish and topped it with the chicken. All prepared ahead of time. Once our guests arrived I slipped it into a 350 degree oven and let it reward for about 30 minutes. 

We served it buffet style with a mixed green and sprout salad using a raspberry, hazelnut dressing (awesome). We included a fantastic buttered garlic bread (Ciabatta, I think) that we purchased at Costco. We'll buy more! Iit was fantastic and a leftover half was used the next day for some super sandwiches.

Of course, Chardonnay wine and Stag's Leap Merlot from the exclusive Gayeski Estate Winery were included.   Dessert was light and consisted of a small handful of chocolate covered Acai berries. Don't laugh, try it. Antioxident HEAVEN.

Derby Fun in Colorado

There are a lot of celebrations that take place on the day of the Kentucky Derby. The closer you are to Louisville, the more involved and intense.  BUT, as our contributing Chef P. shows, Derby can be and is celebrated everywhere, including Boulder, Colorado.   Enjoy the journey. They had fun, and met fellow celebrating Kentuckians and found a new meaning to desserts, specifically cupcakes.