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A few recent dinners

Some time last week:

• Strip Steak with Red Currant Green Peppercorn Sauce - I was very happy with this sauce, which was loosely based on a recipe from Cooking Light, although I did it from memory so I don't know how close it was. It was chopped green peppercorns in brine (well-soaked to cut down on the saltiness), red wine, beef broth, some red currant jelly and a little buerre manie.
• Wine: Umkhulu 2001 Titan (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec) Stellenbosch, South Africa - I like this a lot, just the right amount of spiciness with a little fruit. My wife liked it but did not find it special.

Sunday 2/6

• Duck Breast with Mustard, Jalapeno and Candied Kumquats - I actually used chicken breast, since I don't like duck. But I love kumquats. Unfortunately the sauce was too sweet, as I should have known just from reading it. I need to find some good kumquat recipes.
• Dessert: Raspberry Clafouti from Desserts That Have Killed Better Men Than Me with my own concoction of Cinamon-Almond Creme Anglaise - I liked the clafouti -- even with frozen raspberries -- and the creme anglaise was good match. Clafouti is somewhere between custard and cake, and it is definitely best warm. After that I think the texture becomes less appetizing. Might be better to do it in individual serving size ramekins or something.

Monday 2/7

• Chicken Scallopine with Herb Bechamel Sauce - Practicing bechamel sauce "by the book" from The Encyclopedia of Sauces for Your Food
• Wine: Louis Jadot 2001 Pinot Noir Bourgogne, France -- Seems like a nice safe solid Burgundy. Good one to keep on hand for cooking.

Thursday 2/10

• Filet Mignon with Madeira Sauce -- An old favorite.
• Wine: Bellmunt del Priorat GR-174 2002 Priorat, Spain -- I picked this up because (a) I've rarely seen Priorat wines in the State Liquor store and (b) the label and name of the wine are ugly (GR-174? isn't that a telecom standard?). My wife and I liked it, although we did not find it to be anything special. A little on the fruity side I think.

Friday 2/11

• Wine: El Paseo 2002 Tempranillo Valencia, Spain - Blech. We really did not care for this at all. Unfortunately I can not remember exactly why, but hopefully I remember not to buy it again...

Saturday 2/12 Breakfast

• Made up my own Potato, Asparagus and Grape Tomato Fritatta which turned out pretty well. Potatoes could have used a little more seasoning on them before the egg went in.

Sunday 2/13

• Orange and Cumin Tomato Soup [Fine Cooking] and pasta. -- I liked the hint of orange in this soup, although I found it a little acidic so it left that mild sting in the back of my throat. Next time I think I will try adding some carrots to cut the acidity an maybe a little garlic.
• Wine: Meeker Barberian 2002 Red Wine -- Mixed reviews on this: I did not really care for it at all. I found it to have an unpleasant bite up front. My wife liked it.
• Dessert: Mint Leaf Chocolate Chip Ice Cream from Desserts That Have Killed Better Men Than Me -- This turned out well, although it has a decidely more spearamint flavor than whatever Minto Chocolate Chip ice cream normally has (is it peppermint?). In any case, definitely worth doing again, except its so unhealthy.