Category: Creative Content

So I am a bit behind on the updating, but Friday, I decided I wanted to try something really new, so I made a vegetable that I only heard my grandma talk about, Rutabaga. I also tried a new spice cumin in my lamb burgers.

So first, the Rutabaga, my Grandmother loves these, but I had never had one. I have heard of lots of ways to prepare these, but I kept it super simple. I pealed them, cubed them and then roasted them in the oven with some olive oil and salt. When they were almost done, I added butter and sugar to them (sugar makes everything taste good right?). All-in-all, they were pretty good; even with the sugar glaze, they still have a mild bitter after taste. Raw, they taste kind of like a raw potato, but less starchier and they smell like raw cabbage, Weird.

As for the lamb burger…I love lamb…love the unique taste and the versatility of the meat. I usually do lamb chops or lamb ribs (yummy)… but this time I decided to make lamb burgers. I added diced onion, garlic, season salt, pepper, and cumin. Now, I have never used cumin ever, but since it came with my spice rack, I figure let’s give it a try. I have read that cumin pairs well with lamb, so give it a try right? Well it wasn’t totally bad, but it did alter the taste of the lamb majorly. I think it is a spice I will have to get use to, and will defiantly try it in something else, just not my lamb burgers. With my left over patties, I think I am going to crumble up and added to spaghetti sauce.

Saturday:

So Yesterday I tried my hand at my version of Veal ragu over Pappardella pasta, which turned out quite well and was very good. So I had some veal cube that is usually used for stew, but I sautéed them in a pan with garlic, onion and carrots; added white wine, and then some canned dice tomatoes. I served over pasta and a side of French bread. Very yummy.

I also tried my new Barefoot wine, Sweet Red with the ragu. I have finally found a red wine that I like. It is sweet, but not overly so, and it is nice and smooth.

Today I have a craving for fried chicken, but I think I might do a buttermilk fried chicken… Yummy fun.

So it was a gloomy and chilly evening here in Oregon. So I decided to cook something that would make me feel warm and comfy. The items in the picture plus a few other items turned into 3 dishes.

The first dish was just a simple cream of mushroom and roasted garlic soup, right from the can. I added some sautéed baby bella mushrooms and sliced some french bread to go with the soup. I sprinkled a bit of black pepper on top. Very simple and very warm.

The second dish was more like an appetizer. Stuffed mussel on the half shell. Now again, nothing to outrageous here. Just some frozen mussel that I steamed in a pan. I then made a mixture of chopped garlic, some shredded extra sharp cheddar, chopped prosciutto, and italian bread crumbs with some olive oil. I put a little of the mixture on top of each mussel and then put it in the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes. Very good. The garlic and the prosciutto went well with the mussels.

Last, but not least, my lovely sweet chili lamb ribs. I love lamb… so good and taste like no other meat I have ever had. I simply seasoned the lamb with garlic powder, black pepper and seasoning salt. I let them bake in a 400 degree oven (temp varies depending on oven) until done and golden brown. I took them out of the pan and tossed them with some store bought sweet chili sauce. Very simple and very good.

Tomorrow I am really thinking, lamb burgers, but that could change.