Belly Up to the Bar With Bendy and Her Friendies!!! Button Pics & New Thread Started!

[TigerKat]

We went out to a little French Bistro last night before the Celine Dion concert and had some amazing food:

Here's a pic of the inside of Cafe Degas decorated for Mardi Gras. I love the ambiance of this place.

I can tell you next time I will make a meal of the Prince Edward Island mussels steamed in white wine, fennel, fresh herbs,
pomme frites, roasted garlic aioli, oh my word, AMAZING!

I was a little disappointed that the fish special was a tuna salad type dish, not my cup of tea but I did order the special - Hickory smoked beef short ribs, sweet potato gnocchi, baby carrots, creamy demi glace, crisped shallots. It was great, especially the gnocchi and I'm not a gnocchi gal. Johnny had the parmesan crusted veal medallion, caper beurre blanc, sauteed vegetable - it was excellent!

 

[ICNAnnie2]

Oh, WOW! What wonderful yummies everyone has shared! I'm thoroughly enjoying this thread. Thank you all for sharing.



Thought I'd share a really simple recipe that goes well with the soups and stews many of us are making at home these cold winter days.



BEER BREAD

1. Set 1 12 oz. can of beer (unopened) in a bowl of hot water to warm.

2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease one loaf pan.

3. When beer is warn, dump water and pour warm beer into bowl.

4. Add and mix 3 cups SELF-RISING flour and 2 ½ Tablespoons sugar.

5. Pour into greased pan. Bake 40 minutes.

6. Brush hot bread with melted butter

(good broiled with slice of Swiss cheese)

* Note – Various herbs can be added to butter --- dill weed, parsley, thyme – or sautéed chopped onion bits, shredded sharp cheese.



Beer bread fresh from the oven:

 

[shovan]

Wow, what great stuff going on here! Brenda has gotten another great thread going!

Ann, Actually I'd been lurking too,not having anything worth posting lately. Yeah, Mom is something isn't she!

Glad everyone enjoyed the review! Thanks for the Birthday wishes & all the compliments about the family too! The great meal & drink helped us old folks look better. DD & SIL are young enough to actually really look that good!

Welcome Back Brenda! Guess what, Bob got off the phone with DVC about an hour ago. We are booked at BC for Oct 15-22 for Food & Wine! Can't wait to see you & Jay & all other Bendy groupies!

My delivery from Recchiuti arrived. I got the champagne truffles and the fleur de sel carmels. Here are some pictures.


I also tested a new dessert recipe this morning, I love to work in the kitchen when it's snowing outside. I made chocolate pots de creme. I've made them before, Rick loves them and was asking about them just the other day. Figured it would be a nice treat after he spent a long night/morning of plowing.

I'm with Nancy, was loving the chocolates but then the chocolate pots, oh my! I'm with Rick, he's one lucky guy!

Would you please post your recipe for that?

I lurk a lot. and yes....I am dying to get down to your neck of the woods

I started out saying OMG!!!!!!!!!!!! over the truffles but then the pots de chocolate

Nancy, COME ON DOWN!

We went out to a little French Bistro last night before the Celine Dion concert and had some amazing food:

Here's a pic of the inside of Cafe Degas decorated for Mardi Gras. I love the ambiance of this place.

I can tell you next time I will make a meal of the Prince Edward Island mussels steamed in white wine, fennel, fresh herbs,
pomme frites, roasted garlic aioli, oh my word, AMAZING!

I was a little disappointed that the fish special was a tuna salad type dish, not my cup of tea but I did order the special - Hickory smoked beef short ribs, sweet potato gnocchi, baby carrots, creamy demi glace, crisped shallots. It was great, especially the gnocchi and I'm not a gnocchi gal. Johnny had the parmesan crusted veal medallion, caper beurre blanc, sauteed vegetable - it was excellent!

I know y'all had a good time! We are definitely going there now! But did you take any more pictures? I want more!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3364/3185788633_036a531577.jpg[/IMG]

Mmm-mmmnn! Looks & sounds yummy! Thanks for the recipe!

 

[TigerKat]

Welcome Back Brenda! Guess what, Bob got off the phone with DVC about an hour ago. We are booked at BC for Oct 15-22 for Food & Wine! Can't wait to see you & Jay & all other Bendy groupies!

I know y'all had a good time! We are definitely going there now! But did you take any more pictures? I want more!

We're going to have quite a group there in October! Unfortunately no more pics, y'all have to try it!

 

[shovan]

We're going to have quite a group there in October! Unfortunately no more pics, y'all have to try it!

It's going to be fun!

Don't worry we will! Just as soon as I finish this 2 wk diet, or just totally blow it & give up!

 

[Nancyg56]

It's going to be fun!

Don't worry we will! Just as soon as I finish this 2 wk diet, or just totally blow it & give up!

I have no idea how you stick to that diet. Donny did a master cleanse detox and it was haaaaaard!

 

[A&A'sGrammy]

Shovan, thank you for posting your lovely Delmonico's birthday dinner. Everything looks so yummy, especially the unshared scallops. How funny, I always share and my husband almost never offers!!! I was just telling DH about steak tartare as he was unfamiliar with it. Does it have herbs and spices that kind of cook it? I've wanted to try it but was a little too nervous to. BTW your family is beautiful all dressed up sharing you birthday!!

D&R love Disney, OMG.......chocolate pots de creme......my mouth is watering. They look so delish and fancy, are they difficult to make? I want a little pot right now!!

 

[MA pigletfan]

I'm really enjoying all these shared recipes.[/QUOTE]

I'm bracing myself for another nasty New England snow storm that is suposed to start in a few hours. We have plans to eat at Loco's, to celebrate my upcoming birthday. It's not for 2 weeks but why not start early!!! Loco's is a tappas restaurant and I've heard fantastic things about it so I'm hoping the snow at least waits until we arrive there. Once we're in, we're in!!

HEy there neighbor!!!! OH please tell me how Loco's was!! We have plans to go there in a few weeks with some of our friends..that is TOO funny you were going there to celebrate your birthday!!


Kathy and Sheryl..love your pictures and reviews!!

SO I did have some tasty treats this past weekend..( what Weight Watchers??) AND i did take pictures. I just have to upload them and i will be happy to share some food porn from NH!!

 

[oybolshoi]

FYI ... I just posted an update on the Disney food reviews from October. Come read when you have some time ... this one features a cameo from Whogirl'smom!!

 

[oybolshoi]

Here's where I'm going to start asking people who have reservations for WDW this October to start letting me know their dates (if they choose to share). Anyone who's interested in getting together with other DIS-foodie friends can use it as a reference. Also, I'm thinking of trying to get a bunch of us together one night for a little shindig at the Beach Club Villas ... nothing fancy, just good folks sharing a little drink or two.

I'll start:

Brenda & Jay ... October 14th - October 24th (Beach Club Villas)
DylJen ... October 18th - October 23rd (Boardwalk Villas)
Tink Rules ... some time in October!
Tiger Kat ... October 17th - October 21st (Saratoga Springs)
Shovan ... October 15th - October 22nd (Beach Club Villas)
Kabuki...October 16th - October 25th (Boardwalk Villas)
Wilma-Bride...October 19th - November 2nd
BriarRosie... October 14th - October 19th (Beach Club Villas)
MickeyNicki... October 22 - November 1st
KeepMovingForward... October 9th - October 18th
NEVERENOUGHWDW...October 15th - October 21st (Beach Club Villas)
tink713...October 10th - October 19th (Animal Kingdom Villas?)
PNO4TE...October 2nd - October 8th (Beach Club Villas)
MA pigletfan ... October 23rd - October 29th
blissventure ... October 6th - October 12th (Boardwalk)
Hedy ... October 23rd - October 29th (POP & WL ... subject to change)

As people post their information I'll come back and edit this post - I will also link to it on the very first post where all the other links are.

 

[Tink rules]

I'm planning on my dates to be around your dates since this will be a solo trip... & yes... I want to come and just have dinner with you people...

& have some food and wine...

& do MNSSHP...

& hit the spa....

 

[whogirl'smom]

Sheryl - love the pics from your birthday dinner! I can understand your mom's protectiveness over those scallops...mmmm! The family picture was so good, too.

Annie - I can't believe you can make bread out of just three ingredients! I have to try that, it looks delicious.

Brenda - please, Lord, let your picture of us turn out better than mine did. I haven't looked yet. This is in reference to how I look, not you, by the way!

Here is a recipe for an apple dessert my mom made for dinner last night. Maybe you guys know the name, or can help me name it. A lady in the grocery store told her how to make it!

Unnamed Apple Dessert

6 Granny Smith apples, peeled and quartered
1 can crescent rolls
1 cup sugar
cinnamon to taste
1 can of lemon-lime soda like 7-Up or Sierra Mist (can be diet)

Preheat oven to 350 and get out a 9x13 glass pan.

Take three of the quartered pieces of apple and wrap a crescent roll around it. Place in baking pan and repeat with the rest of the rolls and apples. Sprinkle the cup of sugar over the apple wraps and sprinkle with cinnamon. Pour one can of 7-Up over the whole pan and bake till bubbly and golden brown, about 40 min. Check before then depending on how your oven bakes.

This was better than any apple pie I have ever had! The recipe called for (and mom used) 1 1/2 cups of sugar, but we decided that was a little too sweet. I am also wondering if you could use half Splenda, since you can bake with it, and cut down even more on the actual sugar.

Yes, I am back on South Beach today, so no more sweets for a looonngg time!

 

[OurDogCisco]

Looks like a couple of us might be following WW? I lost 90 pounds on the plan 2 years ago and made Lifetime. 2008 was NOT good however because thanks to 5 longish trips with all the attendant eating out (Orlando/WDW, Trinidad/Tobago/Guyana, the Carolinas, Central Europe and China) and weekly trying out of Disney recipes (am a very active collector of Disney recipes) I'm horrified at the numbers on the scale. It's back on the plan for me this week and any Disney recipes I make will be of the low-points variety..

Wow... 90 lbs. That is AWESOME. I haven't been very motivated this week. So, any low-point recipes from Disney just might do the trick. Share away...

 

[TigerKat]

Looking forward to meeting y'all! Our dates are set - 10/17-10/21, hoping for BCV! I think a get together would be SO much fun, I'm willing to help if I can in any way.

 

[Briarmom]

Here's where I'm going to start asking people who have reservations for WDW this October to start letting me know their dates (if they choose to share). Anyone who's interested in getting together with other DIS-foodie friends can use it as a reference. Also, I'm thinking of trying to get a bunch of us together one night for a little shindig at the Beach Club Villas ... nothing fancy, just good folks sharing a little drink or two.

I'll start:

Brenda & Jay ... October 14 - October 24 (Beach Club Villas)
Tink Rules ... some time in October!


As people post their information I'll come back and edit this post - I will also link to it on the very first post where all the other links are.

I wanna go.

Unnamed Apple Dessert

6 Granny Smith apples, peeled and quartered
1 can crescent rolls
1 cup sugar
cinnamon to taste
1 can of lemon-lime soda like 7-Up or Sierra Mist (can be diet)

Preheat oven to 350 and get out a 9x13 glass pan.

Take three of the quartered pieces of apple and wrap a crescent roll around it. Place in baking pan and repeat with the rest of the rolls and apples. Sprinkle the cup of sugar over the apple wraps and sprinkle with cinnamon. Pour one can of 7-Up over the whole pan and bake till bubbly and golden brown, about 40 min. Check before then depending on how your oven bakes.

This was better than any apple pie I have ever had! The recipe called for (and mom used) 1 1/2 cups of sugar, but we decided that was a little too sweet. I am also wondering if you could use half Splenda, since you can bake with it, and cut down even more on the actual sugar.

Yes, I am back on South Beach today, so no more sweets for a looonngg time!

I have made that, but with Mtn Dew. It was awesome.

 

[shovan]

I have no idea how you stick to that diet. Donny did a master cleanse detox and it was haaaaaard!

So far it's not too bad. The hard part is doing the detox & still trying to do WW's counting points. Maybe the detox one I'm doing isn't as hard as Donny's. Wheat is okay on this some, I read a lot of them that you had to give that up too.

But Nancy, you know what I'm starting to wonder is if wheat could be the cause of my stomach troubles. When I'm eating really well, the IBS doesn't improve & sometimes even gets worse. I starting to worry about the possibility of Celiac (sp) disease!

Shovan, thank you for posting your lovely Delmonico's birthday dinner. Everything looks so yummy, especially the unshared scallops. How funny, I always share and my husband almost never offers!!! I was just telling DH about steak tartare as he was unfamiliar with it. Does it have herbs and spices that kind of cook it? I've wanted to try it but was a little too nervous to. BTW your family is beautiful all dressed up sharing you birthday!!

Glad you enjoyed that! Oh we weren't dressed up, we look like that everyday!

The tartare does have herbs & spices but as far as I know, none that actually cook the meat. I've only had it a few times & only in high end steak rests. I wouldn't feel safe trying to do it at home, or in anything less than a top rest.

I found this recipe from Emeril Lagasse. I don't see any citrus or anything else that would "cook" the meat. So if you dont like rare beef, don't try it!
Steak TartarePrep Time: 0 min Inactive Prep Time: 0 min Cook Time: 0 min Level:
Easy Serves:
4 servings 2 anchovy fillets
2 cloves of crushed garlic, peeled
1 teaspoon capers
1 egg
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
1 pound freshly ground beef tenderloin
1/4 cup minced shallots
4 tablespoons chopped egg whites
4 tablespoons chopped egg yolks
4 tablespoons brunoise red onions
4 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
8 slices of white bread, crust removed, tossed in olive oil, seasoned with salt and pepper and toasted

In a small wooden mixing bowl, combine the anchovy, capers and garlic. Using the back of a fork, crush the two and form a paste. Add the egg and mustard. Whisk well. Season with salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk in the oil, to form an emulsion. In a cold mixing bowl, combine the tenderloin and shallots. Season with salt and pepper. Add the emulsion and mix well. Form the tartare into 4 ounce rounds, about 1-inch thick. Place in the center of four cold plates. Garnish each with traditional garnishes. Serve with toast points.

Here's where I'm going to start asking people who have reservations for WDW this October to start letting me know their dates (if they choose to share).

All good to me! If we're having a "party" at the Villa's, did y'all decide to get a 1 BR this time?. We're going with a studio, all I need is a fridge for the liqour & rest. leftovers, microwave to warm the food & a coffee pot for the morning hangovers!

We are booked from 10/15 -10/22!

Sheryl - love the pics from your birthday dinner! I can understand your mom's protectiveness over those scallops...mmmm! The family picture was so good, too.

Annie - I can't believe you can make bread out of just three ingredients! I have to try that, it looks delicious.

Brenda - please, Lord, let your picture of us turn out better than mine did. I haven't looked yet. This is in reference to how I look, not you, by the way!

Here is a recipe for an apple dessert my mom made for dinner last night. Maybe you guys know the name, or can help me name it. A lady in the grocery store told her how to make it!

Unnamed Apple Dessert

6 Granny Smith apples, peeled and quartered
1 can crescent rolls
1 cup sugar
cinnamon to taste
1 can of lemon-lime soda like 7-Up or Sierra Mist (can be diet)

Preheat oven to 350 and get out a 9x13 glass pan.

Take three of the quartered pieces of apple and wrap a crescent roll around it. Place in baking pan and repeat with the rest of the rolls and apples. Sprinkle the cup of sugar over the apple wraps and sprinkle with cinnamon. Pour one can of 7-Up over the whole pan and bake till bubbly and golden brown, about 40 min. Check before then depending on how your oven bakes.

This was better than any apple pie I have ever had! The recipe called for (and mom used) 1 1/2 cups of sugar, but we decided that was a little too sweet. I am also wondering if you could use half Splenda, since you can bake with it, and cut down even more on the actual sugar.

Yes, I am back on South Beach today, so no more sweets for a looonngg time!

Thanks for the compliments & the recipe! I have baked with the Splenda for baking & it works fine. It's actually just what you mentioned 1/2 real sugar & 1/2 splenda!


I'm a Weight Watcher fan too! I lost 34 lbs, 6 yrs ago. I crept back up about 10 lbs last year. But I'm back down within 3 lbs of that low. I'm thinking about trying to get about 5 more lbs off after that. I haven't been able to excersise much at all due to spinal problems. I may be facing surgery this year, so I'd really like to get more weight off.

I fixed a really nice WW dinner last night. I come back & post after I've loaded the pics.

 

[D&R love Disney]

I'm with Nancy, was loving the chocolates but then the chocolate pots, oh my! I'm with Rick, he's one lucky guy!

Would you please post your recipe for that?

I got the recipe from Food & Wine, I'll copy it tonight when I get home.

Would you believe we didn't even get to eat it We had to go help Rick's Mom who was having problems because she told his sister not to come help her. Of course his sister lives 1 mile away and we live 35 miles away We ended up stopping at Longhorn Steakhouse for a beer and appetizer before we drove home.

Tonight I'm looking forward to the nice strip steaks and one of those little pots of

 

[shovan]

I got the recipe from Food & Wine, I'll copy it tonight when I get home.

Would you believe we didn't even get to eat it We had to go help Rick's Mom who was having problems because she told his sister not to come help her. Of course his sister lives 1 mile away and we live 35 miles away We ended up stopping at Longhorn Steakhouse for a beer and appetizer before we drove home.

Tonight I'm looking forward to the nice strip steaks and one of those little pots of

Oh man! I probably would have grabbed one on the way out the door! There's no rush on the recipe for me, I can't have chocolate for another 10 days, 4 hrs. & 22 minutes anyway!

 

[shovan]

Here's last night's dinner. Sorry the pic isn't better, without sunlight in the evenings I can't get them to come out as pretty.

Cajun Grilled Chicken Breast over arugula, Mushroom Barley Risotto & roasted balsamic glazed brussel sprouts & onion.

I marinated the chicken in my DH's Cajun seasoning mix, worcestershire sauce, chicken broth & a little olive oil. Grilled it on the Foreman grill, because my tanks were empty & it's cold outside anyway.

I've made this recipe before with a different variation. Brenda, will like this one. Leave out the mushrooms & add Parmesan cheese at the end.

I've found I actually prefer this Barley Risotto over regular rice risotto. The barley holds it's texture better while still getting creamy. When you bite into it you get a little pop! Here's the original recipe with my latest revisions in Parentheses.

Mushroom Barley Risotto
yield: Serves 6
recipe from Bon Appetit
Barley replaces rice in this twist on the classic Italian risotto.
(This is my light version, no butter or wine.)

·4 1/2 cups chicken stock or canned low-salt chicken broth (I used Kitchen Basics Natural)
·2 teaspoons butter ( I didn’t use)
·1 cup finely chopped onion
·1 cup pearl barley
·2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme or 3/4 teaspoon dried
·1 bay leaf
·2 teaspoons olive oil
·1 pound assorted fresh mushrooms such as oyster, stemmed portobello and stemmed shiitake, sliced (I only had white mushrooms)
·1 garlic clove, minced
·2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
·juice of half a lemon (my addition)
Bring chicken stock to boil in heavy medium saucepan. Remove from heat, cover and set aside.
Melt 2 teaspoons butter in large nonstick skillet over low heat. Add onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add barley, thyme, bay leaf and 2 cups warm chicken stock; bring mixture to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until most of stock is absorbed, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Add remaining stock 1/2 cup at a time, allowing stock to be absorbed before adding more and stirring frequently until barley is tender, about 50 minutes. (Instead of the following the next step I added the mushrooms after sautéing the other vegetables I also seasoned the vegetables.)
Meanwhile, heat oil in another large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add mushrooms; sauté until beginning to brown, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic. Reduce heat to medium; cover and cook until mushrooms are tender, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes. Squeeze Lemon Juice and mix in parsley into Risotto. Check for seasoning. Season with salt and pepper (fresh ground) . Spoon risotto into bowls, serve immediately.

Dessert, Baked Pears topped with Ginger Cherry Pecan Glaze.

I tried to make this lighter, I really wanted to cook them in port & top them with blue cheese! (idea from pic by Liam'saunt on WFDT).
I cooked dried cherries in pineapple juice & a tsp of honey, grated in fresh ginger, added a little bit of black pepper & salt. I toasted the pecans in a pan then added them to the sauce. Then topped & baked the pears.

I even fixed us a Mock Ginger Pineapple Mojito.

I'll work on a recipe for that tonight. I just starting throwing stuff together last night, I only measured the juice. It really turned out good, Bob said he didn't miss the rum. But I did!

Counting WW points my dinner was 7.5 pts. (eating half a chicken breast & 1/2 c. risotto) Dessert was 4, the drink was 2. High total of 13.5. ( but I skipped lunch yesterday. I don't know why but I haven't been having a big appetite lately. I was so stuffed last night. We're having the same thing tonight, I'll will probably serve myself less.) I was actually pretty proud of myself figuring out how to have a really nice meal on WW's & the Detox Diet I'm on. It was tough using only natural products & no dairy or liquor!

 

[TigerKat]

I was actually pretty proud of myself figuring out how to have a really nice meal on WW's & the Detox Diet I'm on. It was tough using only natural products & no dairy or liquor!

You should be proud!