Friday, February 22, 2008

I REALLY deserve it...

It wasn’t long ago that I reported that I had failed in my attempt to win the Golden Ladle at the Federated Soup Cook-Off. My Sweet Potato Soup was simply OK. No pizzazz at all. Well, I’m ready for next years contest. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if I were given the Golden Ladle in perpetuity for this one recipe.

For once I followed the recipe exactly. Almost. My herb garden has plenty of fresh Rosemary, but no fresh Basil at this time of year. I used dried. If that makes a difference, it’s slight.

The taste and the color were heavenly. Tomato soup with real tomatoes and real onions. Not that pink pureed stuff you might remember from childhood days. This is ‘Adult’ soup!

Sunday, February 17, 2008

On Another Planet

Here's a review of the restaurant we chose to eat in last night. Pat N’ Larry’s Steak House in Willows. Now Willows isn’t on the Planet Orland, but it is in the same galaxy and looks very similar; perhaps smaller. And it really doesn’t have any better restaurants than Orland does…except, for one; Pat NLarry’s. Orland does have a steak house, but it’s crowded and noisy and the tables are far too small. Bah!

From the outside, Pat NLarry’s is… well, it’s ugly. That’s all there is to it. Even new paint wouldn’t help to correct the architectural failures of this building on the outskirts of town. You have to gather up some courage to enter and after that, it’s fine. And if you’re lucky, the sun will have set when you exit and you won’t notice anything till you get back in the car and turn on the lights.

The inside is spacious, clean, well lit and the tables are the right size. We were seated promptly and given menus. Yes, they had O’Doul’s to drink. That’s a plus. And they serve LAMB as well as beef. But we were there for beef and I chose a ‘regular’ sized New York while Laurae had the Filet. Salad, potatoes and vegetables come with the entrĂ©e. We had the Caesar salad and I chose the Garlic Mashed potatoes while Laurae had hers baked. The meat was cooked as ordered and was quite tasty. Well, not as good as I could have done it, but certainly sufficient for our evening out. The bill? $59 for the two of us. Not excessive, but not a cheap meal.

We arrived at 5:30 and found the restaurant to be pleasantly uncrowded. And by the time we left, business had picked up and about half the tables were taken. I also noted that most of the patrons were ‘regulars’, knowing one another and greeting the waitresses familiarly. And we will go again; I have to try the ‘Basque Lamb, only $18.95!

Sunday, February 10, 2008

 - one for the table

Desserts -

You may not want to hang around this page for long...far too enticing!

Philippe -

The Original -

Just a stone's throw from Union Station in Los Angeles and right at the edge of Chinatown. Good memories of eating lunch here with Mom and Dad.

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Try it

I was working on the new storage shed at the Plant Barn the other day when Denise asked if I would like a little snack that Maria had fixed. Maria works next door at Chico Propagators and meals are often shared between the two businesses.

Denise returned with a plate of carrot slices, orange quarters, chips and a tasty combination of cottage cheese, salsa and sour cream!

Yes, I should have taken a picture.

Monday, February 04, 2008

Pepperoni Lasagna

From Chickens in the Road

No, I haven't tried it yet...but I will! Just give me a few days to get the leftovers out of the refrigerator.