Welcome to the Bistro!

February 4, 2022

And, The Beat Goes On…
And, another week passes us by. I am still telling those I have not seen for the last 35 days “Happy New Year.” How is it that we’re into the second month of 2022? And, that we’ve dodged a big snow up until now? The storm closed us down early on Wednesday and yesterday was a “sleeper.” I literally did not leave my house on Wednesday. I can’t remember the last time that I was housebound for over 24 hours. At first I thought that I’d get my exercise out of the way and then snuggle up with Maddie and Sophia in front of a fire and read. Well, the best laid plans for mice and men were not to be. For years I had a subscription to a magazine called SAVEUR delivered each month. Tom and I would often plan part of our travels around some of the articles as they are so informative about the city or country featured. I have years of the periodicals saved chronologically, neatly and am easily able to peruse the titles of each if I’m looking for a particular subject. For some reason, unbeknownst to myself even, I decided to pull out “THE MEXICO ISSUE” from August of 2012. The cover promised 6 Classic Salsas, How To Make the Ultimate Tortilla and 53 Fresh, Bold Recipes. I picked 2 of the 53 to make for my dinner with what food I had in the house: Frijoles de Olla (Stewed Pot Beans) and the other Arroz al la Mexicana (Mexican-Style Red Rice.) Yes, I had dried pinto beans, and yes, I had some brown rice, tomatoes, peppers and onions. Both were uncomplicated but required “watching” the stove for the several hours the beans took to cook. So, I spent some of that time reading about the Julia Child of Mexico, Diana Kennedy, the British born authority on Mexican cuisine, who in 2012 had lived in Mexico City for 55 years. She moved there, with her husband Paul (another commonality with Julia who was also married to a Paul) in 1957 and became enamored with the food and people of Mexico. Her life has been fascinating and I have vowed to myself to learn more about it. I will start by watching the documentary Nothing Fancy which details her story. I’ll fill you in at a later date. Since I had to stick close to the kitchen I decided to clean my pantry, which, wasn’t that bad as I only had a few expired items. My beans and rice turned out fantastic and with the addition of a salad and a few shrimp I had a delicious impromptu authentic Mexican dinner. So, the snow did bring some unexpected gifts.


Speaking of dinner…
Sharon and crew have some great Chalkboard Features starting tonight.
As a Starter: SHRIMP RANGOON – Chopped Shrimp, Cream Cheese, Soy And Scallions in a Crispy Wonton Shell Served with a Sweet and Spicy Garlic Dipping Sauce.

Bistro Plates Include:
WILD STRIPED SEA BASS – Pan Roasted and Presented over Barley “Risotto” Studded with Sweet Carrots and Caramelized Onions with a Garnish of English Pea Sauce;

JULIA CHILD’S BEEF BOURGUIGNON- aka Beef Burgundy: Short Rib Trim Stewed Slowly with Applewood Smoked Bacon, Mushrooms, Onion and Carrots in a Pinot Noir Demi-Glace over Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes and last, not least

AHI TUNA SICILIAN STYLE: Dusted with Basil, Gluten Free Panko Crumbs, Seared Rare and Accompanied with Parmesan Polenta, Skinny Green Beans and a Zippy Tomato Relish. YUM!!!

Pups and ponies are surviving the cold and snow. Neither is getting out very much and they all are experiencing cabin/stall fever. I only rode twice last week so the “boys” are being lunged daily to get their “ya-ya’s” out. If they decide to buck and kick it is with fervor. The dogs run up and down the driveway full-tilt boogie for 5 minutes, do their “thing” and rush back into the house. How lucky am I to have my furry buds?


WE WISH YOU MANY MILLION DOLLAR DAYS
AND
LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE BISTRO!!!
XXOO, MARY, MADDIE, SOPHIA, Z AND KOS