It is Dad’s birthday today… Would have been 82. For those that know me (or have been following my posts here), know that we lost Dad Oct 23rd 2022, Legionella and Covid complications. Dad was my hero. The most solid man I have ever known, and someone I aspire to live up too. He set the standard. Pure and simple.
The loss of Dad is massive, more than I can explain. It has affected me in ways I could not anticipate. My now ex, RS, even mentioned that at one point. I think what it was is that I hyper focused on Life, and what I wanted, how I wanted to live, and brought into focus that life is not forever… it is finite and any minute it could end. That I need to go get what I want! How that affected me and RS, that is a different post. Much more lengthy, and not just Dad focused. RS and I are a book in and of itself.
Happy Birthday Dad. We miss you and love you. You are my hero. I strive daily to be everything you were as a Man.
Too bad I had only a crooked picture 🙂 So both of these (and the Chestnuts) are some of my favourite things to make. Lets hit the chestnuts first..
If you have not made roasted Chestnuts, this is a MUST DO and it is SO EASY! Get the Chestnuts, they are pretty expensive, but so good. Score the Chestnuts on the rounded part of the shell, you want to just get through the shell with the pairing knife. Lay them out on a cookie sheet, score side up. Into the oven 350 degrees and roast until you see the scored part of the shell start to pull back and discolour, usually about 30 minutes. Let them cool slightly, then serve.
Artichoke’s… I feel a lot of people are afraid to make these. There are three main methods in my book. Boil it, cut it and foil wrap it, and grill it. Grilling them is usually done after boiling or foil wrapping them, but can be done just strait on the grill, but you chance drying it out that way. I foil wrap them 90% of the time, either in the oven or on the grill. You need: Artichoke, olive oil, garlic, seasoning (I use garlic salt and pepper usually), and some fresh herbs like basil. Cut the Arti in half, and remove the fluffy inside and the first couple layers of inner leaves. Rub it with olive oil quickly (you can also rub with lemon to stop the browning then add the oil). I try and separate the leaves a little and shake the garlic salt/pepper mix between the leaves, and then tuck parts of basil leaves between some of them also. Remove the casing from some garlic (four to six cloves) and put them into the middle of the artichokes with a little additional oil. Wrap it all in foil and into the oven (350) or onto the grill for about one hour.
Baked Brie
Baked Brie is fun, but labor intensive in a way. Phyllo dough is used, with a lot of butter. I coat the brie with fig jam. Then wrap it. Lay the Phyllo out one sheet at a time on a cookie sheet, brushing it with melted butter. Four or five sheets for the base. You then cross sheets there after, brushing with butter, until you are about 10 sheets of dough. Place the brie in the middle, coat with fig jam (some people add walnuts also, I hate walnuts so I do not do that), then take two sides and wrap, then the other two sides and pull up also, and pinch the top into a nice bundle (mine is not a nice bundle, needs more practice for sure). Into the oven at 400 for about 25-30 mins. Watch the dough closely at the 20 min mark so you do not burn it.
Kevin White, is in my opinion, one of the best wineries in Woodinville right now, and for the last couple of years. This 2017 Syrah is from Boushey and Olsen Vineyards. On the nose is dried herb, red berry, maybe a touch of citrus? Light smoke. This wine is smooth with raspberry, red fruit, a touch of smoke. This wine, like everything Kevin has done the last 3 or 4 years (and maybe longer?) is AMAZING!
If you have not been to Kevin White Winery, GET THERE. One of the best values in Woodinville and some of, if not THE, best wine in Woodinville right now.
Three of Cups is one of my favourite wineries in Woodinville. This 2018 Mourvedre (100% and from Columbia Valley) is a fantastic wine. On the nose grilled meat, dark berry (blueberry?) and dried herb and pepper. First sip, blueberry and herbs. Second try pepper, maybe something like prune? This is a club only wine (sorry all).
Great wine. Great winery. Make sure next time in Woodinville you swing by, they are in Artisan Hill.
It was a last minute addition for me, so I was not prepared to even go to the Walk. We stopped by VanCamp to have a glass and he was packing up to go, so I asked if he needed help… he did, so I poured with him.
Met a ton of people, talked about wine with everyone. Had a lot of fun.
Next time I will try and make sure I have cards to give out so we can do Winery Meetups in the future!
