Outside the dugout: What's cooking?

Since gyro Plus was closed yesterday we did Thai take-out instead from Wah Ha Ha. Really good Thai food. The Thai people I know in town love their food.

Tonight will be simple. Grilled brats with sauerkraut and mustard. Gives me a reason to use my old Ducane gas grill.

Tomorrow will be smoky shredded pork tacos. Pork shoulder, tomatoes, chipotle peppers, slivered almonds, garlic, onion, cinnamon, cloves. black pepper, and raisins with steamed corn tortillas. Kind of a Veracruz or Oaxaca thing. Not Tex-Mex.

And will pickle some red onion. Another thing from Mexican cuisine that is not well known in the States.

 

I have. Delish.

You can also cut into florets and use the broiler if you have a gas range.

 

Got a complaint from my wife that the taco meat was too hot. Maybe use fewer chipotle peppers next time.

 

I usually use Sichuan peppercorns in a pork and mustard green soup but I think it would be great in a stir fry. My first thought was a crayfish stir fry, but my wife is adverse to crayfish. Maybe a shrimp stir fry instead.

 

Today will be a chopped salad. I have half a head of iceberg that needs to be used.

 

A number of years ago I tried to go to Bolton's in Nashville for hot chicken because that is pretty much where it all started and I wanted the real deal, but they were closed that day. I was bummed.

The last time I was in Nashville a Hattie's B's was within walking distance of our hotel and the line was short. I got the hot, but not the What the Cluck hot. Party in my mouth, but I also like Thai hot so beware if you ever go to Music City and go to a hot chicken place.

 

Salad made and dressing made, but not put together.

Game on soon.

 

Tonight we are doing the gyros and stuffed grape leaves take-out whilst watching the Gators. My MIL feels very guilty that I fix her dinner nearly every night so I indulge her. And the gyros from Gyro Plus are good even by Chicago standards where there are a ton of good Greek places. Chicago has both a Northside and a Southside Greek town. (The Southside one is better if you ever visit Chicago.)

Tomorrow I will be smoking dry rubbed St Louis cut pork ribs. A friend of my son will be joining us for dinner. Everyone is fully vaccinated. Vinegar based Carolina slaw as well. I know that these BBQ things are from different regions, but I like the combo.

 

Oxtail ragu. Marion Batali has a recipe that is posted all over the internet. When I make it I cut everything in half.

Dinner for today has a schedule change. We are invited to a friends house where they make amazing pizza on the grill and we are to bring an appetizer. I made a sundried tomato tapenade with pistachios, tomato paste, flat leaf parsley, garlic, balsamic vinegar, fresh thyme, and Kalamata olives. To be spread on crusty whole wheat baguette.

 

No luck at Gyro Plus because it seems like they are closed for Ramadan. Makes sense as they are Muslims from Lebanon.

Ribs were great tonight.

Tomorrow I am getting a much needed haircut. I have only had two during the pandemic and both were in my driveway. The place where I am going is near Northwest Seafood and they are the best seafood source in Gainesville with very fresh and never frozen fish. I will see what they have. Grouper if not too dear, cobia if they have it, swordfish is a possibility. Red snapper is always good.

 

The mahi at Northwest Seafood was very fresh so I went with that. A bit "fishier" than grouper but much cheaper. It will have a macadamia nut, panko, and cilantro crust after a marinade in lime juice for an hour or two. The side will be leftover Carolina vinegar slaw from yesterday.

But since I have a lot of carrots I will make a carrot bisque. I first had that at the Island Hotel in Cedar Key and my youngest son LOVED it. I was able to replicate it. He will be very happy because I haven't made it in a while.