Archive for February, 2011

Comfort Food for a Rainy Weekend: Pasta in Vodka Cream Sauce

Friday, February 25th, 2011 1 comment
lisa center cooking Comfort Food for a Rainy Weekend: Pasta in Vodka Cream Sauce

Lisa (center) cooking with friends

I just cam across some recipes from a recent recipe exchange and this one jumped out at me because the weather this weekend calls for comfort food.  From Lisa Stennes-Laikind:

So I was told I can do this off the top of my head, so I hope you can make sense of this. This is a family favorite, comfort food I can always put together in a pinch!
 
1 tbs olive oil or butter
1 Large shallot
Red pepper flakes
¼ c vodka
4 oz or so of chopped prosciutto or pancetta
1 pint of heavy creme

8 oz tomato sauce
Few leaves of fresh basil
Shaved parmesan
 
Favorite pasta, we prefer linguine.
 
Heat water and start to prepare your pasta of choice.
 
In a large skillet, heat olive oil and add shallots, sauté a bit then rub a ½ tsp or so of red pepper flakes in your palm and drop in, pour in vodka and ignite. When flames subside, stir in the prosciutto or pancetta and stir a bit and before it crisps, add in cream. Let simmer for a bit until thickened and reduced, then add in the tomato sauce. Let simmer a little bit more.
 
When pasta done, drain and either top with sauce or mix together.  Top with fresh chiffonade of basil leaves and freshly grated parmesan to serve.
 
Total prep/cook time about 15 minutes.
 
Serve with a fresh green salad – happy family.
 
Lisa Stennes-Laikind

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A Game Changer: Potato Dominoes

Friday, February 18th, 2011 2 comments
 A Game Changer:  Potato Dominoes

Potato Dominoes from Seven Fires, Grilling the Argentine Way by Francis Mallmann

Such a simple concept:  Thinly sliced potatoes, a few tablespoons of clarified butter and some kosher salt sprinkled over the top.  Not an original idea from our kitchen, but one we will repeat many times for company and family dinners.  Simply cut off the ends and sides of a few large, scrubbed baking potatoes, forming a rectangular brick.  Slice the “brick” into quarter-inch slices.  I did this using a mandolin to make the slices even.  Gather up the slices and put them back into a brick and then tilt them in the pan like dominoes. Lay the reserved ends of the potatoes around your dominoes as they too are delicious.  Drizzle a few tablespoons of clarified butter over the potatoes and sprinkle with kosher salt.  Bake in a 400 degree oven for 40-50 minutes.

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Need a Gift Idea for Valentine’s Day? Cook a Special Meal at Home!

Monday, February 14th, 2011 3 comments



When everyone else is dining out might be the best time to cook at home.  Cooking for, or with, your Valentine is a great way to enjoy the evening.  My favorite “special” dinner always has some connection to lobster or other seafood.  So we now have a tradition for Valentine’s Day.  Gary prepares the lobster and I add the accents.  This Valentine’s Day shows a Baja Twist to our dinner, with a side of Mexican rice, black beans and guacamole.  It’s just as good the traditional way with a salad, a baked potato and corn on the cob.  Did you know that most seafood stores will actually steam your lobster for you at no additional cost?  Then all you have to do is brush the lobster halves with butter or olive oil and grill until they are heated through.  Happy Valentine’s Day!

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See the Same Great Menu and Service at the New Blind Dog Grill

Thursday, February 10th, 2011 No comments

For many years our favorite restaurant in Park City was the Blind Dog Grill.  We were so disappointed when the economic downturn caused the restaurant to close in Prospector Square.  We now have good news!!! It’s back on Kearns Boulevard; better than ever with a great menu including sushi and many wonderful entrées.  We had dinner there on Saturday night and started with an old favorite – the Jolly Rancher sushi roll. 

 See the Same Great Menu and Service at the New Blind Dog Grill

Jolly Rancher Sushi Roll

For our main course, we all ordered the Escolar with risotto cake, grilled fennel, roasted tomatoes and spinach.  Fabulous!

 See the Same Great Menu and Service at the New Blind Dog Grill

Escolar on Risotto Cake, Grilled Fennel, Roasted Tomatoes and Spinach topped with a Tapenade Crostini

The new restaurant has the same familiar pictures of favorite pets and many paintings of the namesake:  The beloved  Blind Dog.  Here is the link to their website.

https://blinddoggrill.com/

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