National HMEFTW Day, 2012

Another National Husbands Make Enchiladas for their Wives Day has come and gone. I’ve never seen any declaration of what the official date is, but my wife somehow knows about it and gives me advance warning.

The husband assembles the enchiladas ...

In the past, I had used canned or bottled enchilada sauce, but Debi has been raising the culinary bar pretty high in our kitchen, and bottled  sauce just doesn’t seem to cut it anymore. Last year, I found a recipe for a red enchilada sauce that was good but did not fully live up to my expectations. This year, after Debi watched Guy Fieri making a green tomatillo enchilada sauce, we decided that was what we wanted.

... while the dog hopes something will drop onto the floor.

I tried combining two recipes, one by Guy Fieri and one by Tyler Florence, and by adding some of my own innovations this is what I cooked.

Green tomatillo enchilada sauce simmering on the stove top.

Green Tomatillo Enchilada Sauce

Ingredients

• 3½ pounds tomatillos, husked and washed
  (I wanted to make a very large batch so that the leftover sauce could be saved and used later for a salsa.) 
• 2 large sweet onions, cut into big chunks
• 10 garlic cloves
  (We both love lots of garlic in everything we cook.) 
• 4 jalapeño peppers
• 4 Slim Jim peppers
  (Any peppers will work, depending on your desire for heat. I just used some peppers from the community garden that I had frozen last summer.)
• Olive oil
• 1 cup broth
  (I used duck broth from the duck Debi cooked last week. Most recipes call for chicken stock, or vegetable stock for a vegetarian version.)
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
• The juice and zest from 2 limes
• 4 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground peppercorns

Directions

Place a couple handfuls of foil-wrapped wood chips in the grill, with a few holes poked in the foil, and get the grill good and hot. Place the tomatillos, onions, garlic, and peppers in a cast-iron pot, coat them with olive oil, and place them uncovered on the grill. Close the grill so that they can absorb the smoky flavor. Let them roast until the tomatillos are soft.

After the roasted vegetables have had a chance to cool down, add the broth, cilantro, lime juice and zest, cumin, salt, and pepper. Process it all in the food processor until it is mostly smooth, but still has some small chunks.

After it has been fully processed, simmer it on top of the stove for about a half hour.

The enchiladas are being filled, rolled, and placed in the pan.

Fully assembled enchiladas, ready to be placed in the oven.

Enchilada Filling

Ingredients

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  (Or whatever other cheese may be your preference.)
• 1 cooked duck breast, cut into small pieces.
  (Again, most recipes call for chicken or turkey. Since Debi had recently cooked a duck, that is what I used. Also, the meat may be left out altogether for a vegetarian recipe.)
• 2 dozen sliced black olives
• 1 tablespoon prepared guacamole
  (I was planning on using chopped avocados, but there weren’t any in the store that were the proper ripeness.)

Directions

Mix all ingredients thoroughly in a bowl.

 

The enchiladas have been cooked and are ready to be served.

Green Tomatillo Duck Enchiladas

Ingredients

• Canola oil
• 1 dozen corn tortillas
• Green Tomatillo Enchilada Sauce
  (See above.)
• Enchilada Filling
  (See above.)
• ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Sour cream for topping
• Prepared guacamole for topping
  (Again, I was planning on using chopped avocados, but there weren’t any in the store that were the proper ripeness.)  
• Cayenne for topping

Directions

Cover the bottoms of two 9″×12″ Pyrex baking pans with a liberal amount of enchilada sauce.

In a sauté pan with a bit of canola oil in the bottom, cook each tortilla for a few seconds on each side, until it is soft and pliable, and place on a paper-towel–covered plate.

Divide the filling into 12 equal portions.

On a separate plate, dab each tortilla with a paper towel, place a portion of filling on it, roll it up, and place it seam-side down in a baking pan, ending up with six in each pan.

Cover with more enchilada sauce, sprinkle the shredded cheddar over the top, and bake at 350°F for about a half hour.

After placing the enchiladas on a plate (I think three make a nice serving), top each with a couple of dollops of sour cream and a couple of dollops of guacamole or chopped avocado, and sprinkle a little cayenne on top.

 

Finally, the enchiladas are on the plate, ready to be enjoyed with a glass of Sangiovese!

¡Buen apetito!

A Ned-Pepper Christmas 2011

Another year has come and gone, and Ned-Pepper has posed for yet another Christmas card.

I started out doing a little exercise in Photoshop with a photo of Ned from a couple of years ago running in Kelly Dahl Campground. I added a picture frame, having him and the snow on the ground run outside of the frame. When I added the snowy forest in the background, I realized a Christmas card had been born, and I took a photo of a bow to add to the frame.

Think Outside the Frame

Celebrate the Holidays in Your Own Unique Style!

Merry Christmas from Eric and Debi and Ned-Pepper

Follow Ned-Pepper on Twitter.

Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Compound Butter*

*But Were Afraid To Ask

My wife has been flavoring our meals with compound butter for quite a while now, and she has collected many of the things she has learned into one large text file. I am sharing this with you today. Much of this has been copied verbatim from various sources. Web addresses are included when information has been taken from the Internet. None of this has been edited or cleaned up, but you should be able to get the gist of what is being said.

I hope you can appreciate these flavored butters as much as we do.

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Compound Butters:

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Lemon Dill Compound Butter:

http://www.mykitchennotes.com/2008/09/compound-butter.html

Ingredients:

8 oz butter, softened

2 Tbs. fresh dill

2 Tbs. minced shallots

Zest of 1 lemon

2 Tbs. lemon juice

1/2 tsp sea salt

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Basil Lemon Garlic Butter:

Salmon with Basil-Lemon-Garlic Butter

1 stick unsalted butter, softened at room temp

1/4 cup fresh basil chiffonade, loosely packed

1 clove garlic, crushed

1/2 tsp lemon zest

pinch of salt

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Basil Lemon Butter

8 ounces unsalted European-style butter, softened

8 leaves fresh basil

Juice and zest from one lemon

Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

(on copper river salmon)

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(try using parchment or waxed paper to roll..)

42 Compound Butter Recipes:

http://bohemianrevolution.com/42-compound-butter-recipes/

Avocado Butter:

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Debi’s Own Compound Butter:

Sauteed chopped portobella mushrooms

Blue Cheese

Chives

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For Grilled Tuna Steaks:

http://thedeenbros.com/index.php/recipes/view/grilled_tuna_steaks_with_lemon-pepper_butter

Unsalted butter

Lemon and zest

Black Pepper

Garlic Powder

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For Salmon Steaks:

http://thedeenbros.com/index.php/recipes/recipe_detail/grilled_salmon_with_key_lime_butter

5 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons key lime juice

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

or

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

2 hard-cooked eggs, peeled and finely chopped

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 tablespoon chopped capers

2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon or 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

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Butter

Capers

Lemon juice and zest

Parsley

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Lemony Piccata Compound Butter

http://kahakaikitchen.blogspot.com/2010/03/lemony-picatta-compound-butter-on.html

1 tsp olive oil

1/4 onion, sliced thinly (or shallots would work well)

2 cloves garlic, minced

zest from 2 lemons

2 Tbsp lemon juice

2 Tbsp fresh parsley leaves

8 Tbsp butter at room temp or a butter spread such as I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter

2 Tbsp capers, drained

sea salt and black pepper to taste

Heat olive oil in a small pan over medium heat. Add onion slices and cook on medium-low stirring frequently until soft and starting to caramelize (about 10 minutes). Add garlic and saute another 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.

Combine onion garlic mixture, lemon zest, lemon juice and parsley in a food processor and blend into a thin paste consistency. Add butter (should be at room temperature) or spread and pulse several times until mixed (Don’t over-mix). Add capers and pulse another few times. Season to taste with salt and black pepper

Serve with fish, spinach or greens, zucchini, potatoes, artichokes, chicken, veal, shrimp…

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http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/539086

paraphrased Mustard Caper Butter:

2 cloves garlic minced with a pinch of slat

5-6 T sweet butter

2 t dijon mustard

2 T rinsed and drained capers

zest of a lemon

3 t ch marjoram or other fresh herb

Mix together well and chill. Use to melt over steamed or grilled veggies.

I’ve been using a Mustard Caper butter from Deborah Madison that aaron passed along. It’s fabulous on all the cabbage family members, and on potatoes. I’ve used it on green beans and summer squash.

My easy favorite in the summer is chili powder, garlic/lime with cilantro. for corn on the cob.

I love dill butter on salmon or halibut.

I love butter,mixed with garlic, good blue cheese and cream cheese – smeared on Italian bread to make a toasted garlic toast, only we call it “blue cheese toast”. Serve with steak.

Mash up an anchovy and a garlic clove with some salt (two anchovies if you love them). Squeeze a few drops of lemon over and mash the butter in. It’s amazing on beef in particular.

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Lobster dipping Compound Butters

http://blog.finelobster.com/perfect-lobster-compound-butter

Herb Butter

4 cloves garlic, roasted

3 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary needles

2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano leaves

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

½ teaspoon kosher salt

Cheddar Butter

¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

Caper-Lemon Butter

1 tablespoon capers, rinsed, drained, and diced

2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

½ teaspoon freshly ground white pepper

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

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Gorgonzola and Port Compound Butter for steak

http://pinstripebindi.wordpress.com/2010/05/15/gorgonzola-port-compound-butter-for-steak/

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http://www.eatingfood.org/post/590827253/making-compound-butter

125g softened butter

1 tbs Dijon mustard

½ cup fresh basil, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 tbs green peppercorns, crushed (optional)

other combination ideas:

?garlic, lemon and parsley

?parsley with tarragon, chervil or dill

?wholegrain mustard, lemon and chives

?capers and lemon

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http://lubbockonline.com/stories/081308/liv_317988349.shtml

Banana-Brown Sugar Butter

Dollops of this sweet butter go great over banana’s Foster or hot waffles and pancakes.

A dash of cinnamon or nutmeg also could be added to this butter.

Start to finish: 1 hour (10 minutes active)

Makes about 2/3 cup

1/2 banana

2 tablespoons brown sugar

8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, room temperature

1. In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. Mash gently with a fork until thoroughly mixed. Transfer to a serving container and chill until firm.

2. Alternatively, transfer the blended butter to a sheet of plastic wrap, cover, then form the butter into a log and chill. Once the butter is firm, it can be cut into pats

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http://lubbockonline.com/stories/081308/liv_317988349.shtml

Strawberry-Black Pepper Butter

Spread this deliciously sweet and peppery butter on toasted muffins.

Start to finish: 1 hour (10 minutes active)

Makes about 1/3 cup

1 fresh strawberry, finely chopped

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, room temperature

1. In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. Mash gently with a fork until thoroughly mixed. Transfer to a serving container and chill until firm.

2. Alternatively, transfer the blended butter to a sheet of plastic wrap, cover, then form the butter into a log and chill. Once the butter is firm, it can be cut into pats.

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Roasted Garlic and Sun-Dried Tomato Butter

http://lubbockonline.com/stories/081308/liv_317988349.shtml

This butter goes great over any steamed vegetables, but is especially delicious over mashed potatoes. Bottled roasted garlic is available at most large grocers.

Start to finish: 1 hour (10 minutes active)

Makes about 1/3 cup

3 cloves roasted garlic

3 oil-packed sun-dried tomato halves, drained and finely chopped

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, room temperature

1. In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. Mash gently with a fork until thoroughly mixed. Transfer to a serving container and chill until firm.

2. Alternatively, transfer the blended butter to a sheet of plastic wrap, cover, then form the butter into a log and chill. Once the butter is firm, it can be cut into pats.

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Asparagus and Thyme Butter

http://lubbockonline.com/stories/081308/liv_317988349.shtml

Place pats of this butter over steaks still hot from the grill.

Start to finish: 1 hour (10 minutes active)

Makes about 1/3 cup

2 stalks asparagus, bottoms trimmed

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, room temperature

Sprig of fresh thyme leaves

1. Fill a medium bowl with water and ice. Set aside.

2. Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Add the asparagus and blanch for 1 minute. Transfer the asparagus to the ice water to chill. When the asparagus is cooled, pat dry with paper towels and cut into 1/2-inch chunks.

3. In a small bowl, combine the asparagus, butter and thyme. Mash gently with a fork until thoroughly mixed. Transfer to a serving container and chill until firm.

4. Alternatively, transfer the blended butter to a sheet of plastic wrap, cover, then form the butter into a log and chill. Once the butter is firm, it can be cut into pats.

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Anchovy Compound Butter

http://culinaryarts.about.com/od/buttersauces/r/anchovybutter.htm

•1 lb (4 sticks) unsalted butter

•8-10 flat anchovy fillets, minced and mashed to a paste

Variations:

Add one or more of the following along with the mashed anchovies:

•3 Tbsp lemon juice (juice from 1 lemon)

•2-4 cloves garlic, minced

•2 Tbsp capers, drained and minced

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for roasted or grilled fish or shellfish or chicken:

http://www.nuggetmarket.com/recipes.php?id=46

Caper-tarragon Compound Butter

1 lb. salted butter, room temperature

1 bunch fresh tarragon leaves

½ cup capers, chopped coarse

Zest of 3 lemons

1 tablespoon cracked black pepper

Whip butter to light and fluffy consistency. Add remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly.

Caper-Tarragon Compound Butter is delightful when used to finish roasted or grilled fish, shellfish or chicken. It is also a tasty spread for your favorite Nugget Market artisan bread!

Butter can be used immediately or you may create various shapes by using parchment paper or a pastry bag with your favorite “frosting” tips. Rolling butter in parchment paper allows you to store it for up to 1 month in the freezer.

To Roll in Parchment Paper:

Lay 1, 10″ x 14″ piece of parchment on the counter. Use rubber spatula to scrape butter from bowl onto the lower third of the paper. Lift bottom of paper; fold over to cover butter completely, then use hands to shape into a cylindrical form. Once its shaped, roll butter in paper to the opposite edge (like a Tootsie Roll); twist edges to seal.

When Using a Pastry Bag & Tip:

Pastry tips can be used to make a variety of shapes – from leaves to roses. However, when using this method all ingredients must be minced fine in order to pass through the tip you choose to use.

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http://www.thenibble.com/reviews/main/cheese/butter/flavored-butter-recipes.asp

for tons of good ideas..

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Drunken Cranberry Compound Butter:

http://www.thehungrymouse.com/2010/03/08/drunken-cranberry-orange-compound-butter/

If you don’t have any cognac on hand, try a little brandy or even dark rum.

Drunken Cranberry Orange Compound Butter

8 Tbls. butter (that’s one stick in the U.S.)

1/4 cup dried sweetened cranberries

2 Tbls. cognac

1 Tbls. orange zest

Yields about 9 Tbls. butter

Macerate the dried cranberries in cognac

Take the butter out of the fridge and set it on the counter to soften. By the time your cranberries are ready, the butter should be soft enough to use.

Chop up the dried cranberries.

Toss them into a small bowl. Drizzle with cognac.

Give them a stir. Let them sit on the counter for about 30 minutes.

Zest your orange.

I used about a tablespoon, but by all means use more or less depending on your taste.

After about 30 minutes, you should notice that your cranberries have absorbed some of the cognac. Toss the orange zest into the bowl.

Put the butter into a medium-sized bowl. Mash it up with a fork to break it up.

Toss in the contents of your bowl (cranberries, cognac, orange zest).

With a fork, mash the contents of your bowl together.

It will take a minute or two to work the cranberries and zest into the butter—and for the cognac to disappear into the butter.

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Pecan Scotch Compound Butter:

http://www.thehungrymouse.com/2009/12/05/pecan-scotch-compound-butter/

Pecan Scotch Compound Butter

8 Tbls. butter, softened on the counter for about 20 minutes

1/4 cup pecans, toasted & chopped

1/8 tsp. ground clove

2 Tbls. scotch

freshly cracked black pepper

pinch of kosher salt

Yields about 10 Tbls. butter

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Cranberry Blood Orange Compound Butter:

http://en.petitchef.com/recipes/cranberry-blood-orange-compound-butter-fid-733466

1 stick butter

1/4 cup of cranberry blood orange relish (recipe to follow)

1. In a small bowl, combine butter, 1/2 cup of cranberry blood orange relish.

Stir well with a fork, or small spatula, to combine thoroughly.

Cover and chill in the fridge until firm.

Serve as desired with warm scones, biscuits, atop muffins, breads, waffles or pancakes, etc.

Leftover compound butter can be stored, tightly covered, in the freezer until needed.

Cranberry Blood Orange Relish:

12 ounce bag of fresh, whole cranberries (rinsed, dried and picked over)

scant 1/2 cup of sugar

1 whole blood orange, peel and pith removed, segmented*

2 teaspoons fresh orange zest (I used a navel orange)

1/4 teaspoon pure orange extract

pinch of ground cinnamon

1. Combine all ingredients in the bowl of your food processor and pulse until finely chopped or ground.

The mixture will resemble a somewhat chunky applesauce.

Place into a covered container, cover and chill in the fridge for at least 1 to 2 hours to allow the flavors to marry.

If using frozen whole cranberries, be sure to defrost them before proceeding.

*If there’s anyone out there who does not know how to supreme an orange, let me know and I’ll offer further instruction. Be sure to supreme your orange over a bowl to catch resulting juices then add the juice to the cranberry mixture before pulsing.

Yes, you’re going to have some leftover relish … but is that such a bad thing? This stuff is so good, you could simply eat it with a spoon. Trust me, I know. You could also freeze it and save for later use. You could turn it into some kind of granita, if so inclined. You could use it to top ice cream, or even some lovely grilled chicken. Honestly, the possibilities are endless here too. Use your imagination.

As for the compound butter, its excellent! I love the bright flavor of the orange mixed with the tart cranberries. That combo, paired with the the subtle hint of saltiness from the butter spread, rings all of my bells. Its yummy stuff and sure to find plenty of uses, Chez Diva. And, bonus, its trans fat and cholesterol free!

If you’d like to play along, please pay a visit to 5 Star Foodie Culinary Adventures and read up on the rules. Entries into the Compound Butter Make-over Challenge are due by Sunday, April 4th. Natasha will post a round up of all the entries and announce the winner on Monday, April 5th. I hope you’ll join us!

Bon appetite!

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Cranberry Blood Orange Relish:

http://beacheats.blogspot.com/2010/03/cranberry-blood-orange-compound-butter.html

•one 12 ounce bag of fresh, whole cranberries (rinsed, dried and picked over)

•scant 1/2 cup of sugar

•1 whole blood orange, peel and pith removed, segmented*

•2 teaspoons fresh orange zest (I used a navel orange)

•1/4 teaspoon pure orange extract

•pinch of ground cinnamon

1. Combine all ingredients in the bowl of your food processor and pulse until finely chopped or ground. The mixture will resemble a somewhat chunky applesauce. Place into a covered container, cover and chill in the fridge for at least 1 to 2 hours to allow the flavors to marry.

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Chilis Steak Butter Recipe

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090422140948AAv74oO

Measure Ingredient

6 tablespoons Butter; slightly softne

¼ teaspoon Cumin

¼ teaspoon Dried oregano

¼ teaspoon Chili powder

1 tablespoon Butter; melted

2 teaspoons Blackened steak seasoning

? teaspoon Thyme leaves

¼ teaspoon Pepper

dash Ground red pepper

1½ pounds Beef sirloin; boneless, cut 1-1/2″ thick

In small bowl, combine all butter ingredients; blend well. Place butter on piece of plastic wrap and form into 4″ long log. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or until firm. Using 1 tbls melted butter, brush each side of steak; rub each side of steak with 1 tsp blackened seasoning. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Heat grill. When ready to cook, place steak on gas grill over medium heat or on charcoal grill 4-6″ from medium coals. Cook 8-20 minutes or until desired doneness, turning onve. To serve, cut steak into serving pieces; place on 4 serving plates. Cut butter into 4 slices and

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Roasted Garlic & Chive Compound Butter

http://www.perfectsear.com/grilling/ribeye-with-garlic-compound-butter

•roasted garlic

•chives

•Plugrá salted butter

The compound butter is an easy prep. Roast the garlic out on the grill or in the oven by lathering it with olive oil, salting it with kosher salt, and cooking it until the cloves are tasty and soft. Mix it with the butter (at room temperature) and chives and refrigerate.

There was no magic to the ribeyes. I let them come to temperature by taking them out of the fridge 20 minutes before they hit the grill, salted them, and ground on some fresh black pepper. When the grill was rocket hot, I seared the steaks and when I achieved some good grill marks and carmelization, I took them off direct heat until the desired internal temperature (rare) was achieved.

I was satisfied with the results, and the butter is always a hit.

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Chipotle Cilantro Compound Butter:

http://feteandfeast.com/2009/07/12/butter-with-a-twist-chipotle-cilantro-compound-butter/

Recipe: Chipotle, Cilantro, and Lime Compound Butter

Details

Difficulty: Easy

Serves: 8

Prep Time: 15 min

Cook Time: 0 min

Ingredients

1 stick unsalted butter, softened

1 Tbsp. minced chipotle peppers stored in adobo sauce

1 Tbsp. finely chopped cilantro

Zest and juice of 1 small lime

½ tsp. salt

Instructions

1.Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and stir with a spatula until well mixed.

2.Turn the mixture out onto a piece of plastic wrap and form a log about 4 inches long.

3.Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until firm.

4.Slice into ½ inch discs when ready to

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Bacon Blue Cheese Compound Butter:

http://steamykitchen.com/5984-bacon-blue-cheese-butter-on-grilled-steak.html

Bacon and Blue Cheese Butter Recipe

Why use plain butter when it’s so easy to make your own compound butter?

My latest combination is real bacon and blue cheese, perfect for topping a fresh-off-the grill steak. The butter keeps in the refrigerator for about a week. If you’re not a fan of bacon and blue cheese, just pick your favorite spices and/or herbs to mix with the butter. I also like garlic-parsley-smoked paprika (use a garlic press to smush 1-2 cloves garlic + 2 teaspoons finely minced fresh parsley + 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika + good pinch of salt).

1 strip bacon, cut into 3 pieces

1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), softened to room temperature

1/4 cup blue cheese, crumbled

9-inch x 13-inch piece parchment paper

Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook until crisp (or use your preferred method of bacon cooking). Drain, pat dry and chop the bacon into very fine pieces. Add the bacon, blue cheese crumbles and the butter in a bowl and use a fork to mix well.

Lay the parchment paper flat with the long side facing you. Spoon the butter mixture near the bottom of the paper. Roll the paper up, smoothing out the butter to resemble an even log about 1 1/2-inches in diameter. Try to roll it pretty tight to get rid of any trapped air. Twist the ends of the parchment paper to secure and refrigerate for at least 1 hour until butter is firm. To use, unwrap the parchment paper and cut butter into 1/2-inch circles. Re-wrap remaining butter in parchment paper and refrigerate up to one week.

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Brandy Steak Butter:

(from www.real-restaurant-recipes.com)

Ingredients:

1 pound butter, softened to room temperature

2 ounces of brandy (or a touch more )

1 tablespoon coarse black pepper

2 1/2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley

3 to 4 cloves fresh chopped garlic (your choice, your taste)

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

Instructions:

Process all ingredients in a food processor until well combined

Turn out onto wax paper or parchment paper and form into a long roll (a log)

Twist the ends of the paper and chill or freeze if not using right away

Slice the butter and top the steaks with it as you remove the steaks from the heat and are plating them

This steak butter will melt over and around your beef and act much like a sauce in enhancing the entrée and its presentation.

If you wish to speed up the melting process, cut the butter pieces from the frozen log in advance of the

steaks being ready and keep them at room temperature and then top the beef steaks when plating.

http://www.real-restaurant-recipes.com/brandy-steak-butter.html

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Blue Cheese Butter:

(from www.real-restaurant-recipes.com)

Enjoy your Blue Cheese Butter

Favorite Restaurant Recipe used to enhance a steak

Preparation time: 10 minutes. Serves 8-10.

Ingredients:

6 ounces of butter at room temperature (softened)

1/2 pound Bleu cheese of your choice, crumbled (try a fairly strong blue cheese, maybe a Roquefort or Stilton)

3/4 teaspoon Worcestershire

3/4 teaspoon coarse black pepper

Instructions:

In a bowl, cream the butter until smooth

Fold in the cheese, Worcestershire sauce and pepper (some chunks of the blue cheese should remain)

Roll in plastic wrap or parchment paper and twist the ends to close

If not using immediately, refrigerate (3 days maximum) or freeze (2 months, maximum)

If frozen, thaw and cut into 1 1/2 ounce pieces and place on top of hot steaks

Yummy!

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Herbed Compound Butter:

(http://www.knopnews2.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=5003)

Make the compound butter by mixing softened butter with:

chopped fresh parsley, thyme, chives, dill, basil, garlic, and shallots.

Mix in salt and pepper, fresh lemon juice and a splash of white wine.

Roll butter into a cylinder in wax paper. Chill in freezer until butter “sets up”.

Grill your favorite cut of steaks and place a slice of the herb compound butter on top of each.

Serve with fresh artichokes from last week’s recipe!

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From http://www.themessyapron.com/2010/03/perfect-grilled-steak-compound-butter.html

Herb Kissed Butter

2 sticks of salted butter, room temp.

1 tablespoon (packed) minced fresh chives

1 tablespoon (packed) minced fresh parsley

1 tablespoon (packed) minced fresh basil

1 teaspoon (packed) fresh dill

Stir butter and herbs together in a medium bowl until well combined.

Chill well to firm.

Use tablespoon sized scooper, scoop desired amount onto grilled steak.

Rosemary-Caper Butter

same as above except substitute the herbs for 1 tablespoon minced rosemary and 2 tablespoons drained minced capers.

Buffalo Butter

same as above except only use the butter and 2 tablespoons of buffalo wing sauce.

Horse Butter

Same as above except only use 3 tablespoons of prepared horseradish and 2 teaspoons ground black pepper

Your-Very-Own Butter

The sky is the limit to the zillions of compound butters. Just start with 2 sticks of butter and add in whatever you like. Chill well and enjoy!!!!

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From: http://americanfood.about.com/od/saucesdipsanddressings/r/Garlic_Butter.htm

Nothing beats the sight of a melting dollop of garlic butter slowly disappearing over a perfectly cooked steak!

This easy to make garlic butter recipe is perfect for steak, chops, chicken, and even seafood recipes.

Garlic butter will keep in the fridge, and can be made well in advance.

Makes 1/2 cup of Steakhouse Garlic Butter

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutesIngredients:

•1 stick unsalted butter

•3 garlic cloves, crushed and minced fine

•1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

•1/4 tsp white pepper (may substitute black)

•1/4 tsp salt, or to taste

•1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley

Preparation:

Put the butter in a bowl and leave at room temperature until it is soft enough to work.

Add all the other ingredients and mix to combine thoroughly.

Using a spatula scrap the butter mixture on to a square of plastic wrap.

Shape into a log, and roll the mixture up in the plastic, twisting the ends.

Refrigerate until firm. When ready to use, remove wrap and slice into rounds.

Place on hot steak just before serving.

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Chili-Lime-Tequila : http://www.chow.com/recipes/10933-chile-lime-tequila-compound-butter

INGREDIENTS

6 tablespoons unsalted butter (3/4 stick), at room temperature

2 teaspoons minced jalapeño or serrano chiles, seeds and membranes removed

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice (from 1/2 medium lime)

(zest suggested, too..)

2 teaspoons tequila (optional)

2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon kosher salt

INSTRUCTIONS

Place butter in a medium bowl and, using a rubber spatula, soften until it’s very spreadable. Add remaining ingredients and mix until thoroughly combined.

Place compound butter on a sheet of plastic wrap. Roll into a log and twist the ends to seal. Place butter in the refrigerator to harden.

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http://www.thenibble.com/zine/archives/epicurean-butter.asp

Basil Walnut Pesto. A truly delicious pesto.

Toss with pasta, vegetables or rice.

Make a special grilled chicken salad on mixed greens.

Create easy bruschetta: Spread pesto butter on a sliced baguette, top with sliced mozzarella and broil.

Black Truffle Butter.

One of our favorite foods—more expensive and worth every cent.

Scramble eggs in it, toss with pasta, add to risotto or rice just before serving.

Add a pat to grilled steak or seafood. We just love it on slices of fresh or toasted baguette.

If you’re feeling rich, serve it with fresh corn on the cob and mash potatoes with it.

Chardonnay Shallot.

One of the more subtle butters, but a classic for the many recipes that call for wine and shallots.

Add it to the pan during the last minute of sautéing white fish and shellfish.

Ravioli or tortellini gently tossed in this butter offers a sophisticated side dish, or simply enjoy it on warm, crusty bread.

Chili Lime.* This butter has terrific Southwestern flavor, redolent of fresh lime tang and a smoky chili kick.

Use it to liven up anything: seafood, fish tacos, grilled chicken or pork, vegetables or rice.

Mixing with angel hair or other thin pasta creates the Tex-Mex version of Chinese sesame noodles.

Porcini Sage. The earthy ‘shroom flavor pairs well with pasta dishes, broiled chicken, even chicken gravy.

Or, use it as a finishing butter for steak: earth ‘n’ turf.

Roasted Garlic Herb. This delicious classic finishing butter—often served by top steak restaurants

with a grilled steak—can be used to sauté mushrooms, make garlic bread and garlic mashed potatoes.

Chef Hubschman likes to spread it on pizza dough and add toppings, or toss with pasta and add steamed

vegetables and cooked shrimp for an impressive meal in no time.

Scampi Butter. Along with Roasted Garlic Herb, this garlic butter with a touch of lemon juice and fresh herbs

is extremely versatile.

Toss it on vegetables or use it as a finishing butter for chicken or seafood;

or melt it as a dipping butter for crab legs, lobster, steamed mussels or artichokes.

Make the ever-popular “Shrimp Scampi”† in minutes by heating olive oil in a sauté pan

and adding cleaned, raw shrimp; cook until just pink.

Reduce the heat and slowly stir in Scampi Butter so it doesn’t separate. Serve over pasta.

Tomato Chipotle. Our batch didn’t have much of a hot chile kick, but it did have a lovely roasted tomato and balsamic flavor.

Chef Hubschman likes to brush it on grilled skewers of meat, chicken or vegetables as he removes them from the grill.

Try it instead of regular butter when making grilled cheese sandwiches, fry eggs or cook hash browns in it.

We liked it with grilled chicken.

Evidently, the industry loves it: It’s a finalist in the Outstanding Sauce or Flavor Enhancer category, to be announced at this summer’s Fancy Food Show

Tuscan Herb. This classic Italian blend of fresh herbs and garlic can be used on practically everything.

We could never have minced the basil, garlic, parsley, rosemary and thyme as finely as this!

Top grilled fish, toss with pasta or vegetables, make a more sophisticated “parsley potatoes” or add to a baked potato.

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Blue Cheese Compound Butter:

(foodnetwork’s Michael Chiarello for Slow Roasted Corn with Blue Cheese Compound Butter)

Point Reyes Original Blue Cheese Compound Butter:3/4-pound unsalted butter at room temperature2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, finely mincedPinch gray sea salt1/2 pound Point Reyes Original or other good quality Blue Cheese, crumbled In a mixing bowl, mix the butter, mustard, thyme, salt, and blue cheese. Gently blend with a wooden spoon until all is incorporated. Taste for seasoning and add salt if desired. With a rubber spatula, form the butter into 2 (9-inch) logs along the bottom edge of 2 pieces of aluminum foil. The logs should be about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Roll the logs up in the foil and carefully twist the ends of the foil so that the butter forms a 1 1/2-inch diameter tube. These can be kept in the freezer. If serving the same day, keep in the refrigerator at least 4 hours so the butter can harden for ease of serving. From the logs cut a 1/2-inch slice per portion of corn, steak, hamburger, etc. Remove the foil then place on hot corn, steaks, and chops from the oven or grill. Yield: enough for 20 portions

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The Difference a Month Can Make

Here is Boulder Creek, as viewed from the Caribou Ranch Open Space trail on July 10, 2011, and on August 11, 2011.

This animation shows you the changes that can take place in only one month.

What a difference one month can make after a rainy spring turns dry.

Pesto Prosciutto Pasta Shells

Last month, we saw this recipe for Pesto Prosciutto Pasta Shells in Cheap Thrills Cuisine, one of our favorite comic strips, and decided it would be a great way to showcase Debi’s “Ought-To-Be-Famous” Marinara Sauce. It was also a good way to use the last of the pesto we had made from the community garden garlic scapes.

Cheap Thrills Cuisine is quickly becoming one of our favorite comic strips.

We used large pasta shells because we couldn’t find jumbo at the time we were getting our ingredients together, but we feel that next time it will definitely work better with jumbo shells.

The shells are cooked and stuffed and waiting to be topped with Parmesan before they go into the oven.

The heavy cream seemed to make the cheese mixture a little runny for stuffing the shells, so we will cut down or even eliminate that in the future.

Here they are straight out of the oven waiting to cool a bit before serving.

We also felt that the prosciutto distracted from the  flavor of the cheese mixture,  so we might try leaving it out next time to see how that works. As you can see, we ran out of prosciutto before the pan was filled, so a few of the shells already are filled with just the cheese mixture.

The shells are dished up, ready to be served with a glass of pinot noir.

Finally, we thought that in the future we might also try substituting the prosciutto with some shrimp, using an Alfredo sauce instead of a tomato sauce. The real fun of trying new recipes is improvising with them to make them your own.

After the Fire

During the Fourth of July weekend, we visited Gold Hill a few times and got a close look at the Gold Hill Cemetery for the first time since the wildfire struck last September.

The original Gold Hill Cemetery sign and storage shack were leveled by the fire.

But the Gold Hill Cemetery Annex across the road was untouched by the fire.

Although some of the surrounding areas were almost totally destroyed, the cemetery had alternating burned spots and unburned spots. It’s as if the flames had randomly decided what areas to hit and what areas to ignore.

All the trees have been burned on the top of this mountain just outside of Gold Hill.

This house, less than a half mile from Gold Hill Cemetery, was burned to the ground.

On this mountain to the east of the cemetery, you can see a burned patch, surrounded by trees killed by the heat of the fire, surrounded by green trees.

Half of this mountain to the south is completely burned, but you can see green mountains behind it.

The trees on the mountainside behind the cemetery are almost all demolished.

New grasses and wildflowers are sprouting to cover the bare ground again, and this is the first time we’ve ever noticed fireweed at the cemetery. Fireweed is so named because it is one of the first flowers to start repopulating a burn area. Earlier that day, I had misidentified another flower as a fireweed, but then decided it was too early in the year for it to be blooming, but here it was flowering colorfully at the Gold Hill Cemetery.

The fireweed is growing from the ashes of a small fence that surrounded a gravesite.

This fireweed is growing between a soot-blackened gravestone and a charred pine. Notice how much easier it is to read the gravestone where is has been covered in soot.

This fireweed provides a colorful contrast to the charred Ponderosa pine behind it.

These lilacs were damaged but not destroyed by the fire. On our second visit, we brought some clippers to trim away some dead wood to help them get a fresh start.

This delicate carved lamb on top of a child's headstone is now much more visible against the blackened ground.

Some trees, although still standing, were totally charred. Others nearby had been killed by the heat of the fire but still had dried out needles on them. Still other seemed completely unaffected.

Here you can see how close the completely burned, killed by heat but not burned, and still healthy trees sit together.

You can see another combination of varying degrees of burning in the trees.

The bare ground creating a square around this gravesite is where a small wooden fence, now completely burned, once surrounded it.

This taller fence, partially set in stone around a gravesite, was only partially burned.

We could hear some baby woodpeckers chirping from their nest inside an old, hollow aspen tree. We saw a kestrel keeping watch from a telephone wire across the road, and a crow was perched on top of a dead pine tree behind the cemetery.

A kestrel sits on a telephone wire watching the front of the cemetery.

A crow sits atop a dead pine at the back of the cemetery.

It is sad to see the devastation that can be created by a fire of this magnitude, but it is heartening to see how quickly the great outdoors revives itself as the local people also help revive the town.

National HMCEFTW Day

National Husbands Make Chicken Enchiladas for Their Wives Day is a tricky little holiday. Some years it comes two or three times, and some years not at all. There doesn’t seem to be a schedule posted anywhere, but my wife always seems to know when it is and gives me a few days notice.

Chicken Enchiladas Suizas, on the plate and topped with extra sauce.

This year I tried a new recipe I found for Chicken Enchiladas Suizas on the Food Network web site.

Roasting the tomatoes and peppers on the grill.

In order to keep the oven use to a minimum on a hot July 4th, I roasted the peppers and tomatoes on the grill outdoors.

Enchilada sauce simmering on the stove.

For the serrano chili peppers, I substituted some red peppers from the GSA Community Garden that we froze and saved after last year’s harvest. I also used cilantro from the GSA Garden. I bought Roma tomatoes and Vidalia onions, but if I try this again later in the year I can also use tomatoes and onions from the GSA Garden.

The enchiladas are assembled and ready for the oven.

After doing some searching, I was finally able to find Cacique brand Mexican crema and queso fresco at King Soopers, and everything was ready to go into the oven.

They are out of the oven, topped with sliced onions, and ready to serve.

Now I can sit back and relax until the next time I am informed that National Husbands Make Chicken Enchiladas for Their Wives Day is on its way.

Civility in Political Discourse

When I first heard the news about the attack on Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in Tuscon, my first thought was about Sarah Palin’s hit list and the dangerous consequences of some mentally unstable person reacting to it. This thought has crossed my mind more than once during the past year: that although she was not intentionally inciting people to violence, the poor judgment of using crosshairs in her graphics could be viewed by some as a call to action. A lot less fiery rhetoric and a lot more civil debate could remove a lot of fuel from this volatile situation.

This message needs to be sent to everyone across the entire political spectrum, not just the conservative Republicans. As a progressive liberal, I am saddened to hear a few progressive talk-show hosts describing Republicans as heartless puppets whose only interest is in taking power away from the people and passing it to the corporations. As different as their political philosophies may be from mine, I have to recognize that they have gone through the same soul searching and mental gymnastics as I have to arrive at their beliefs.

Liberals cannot claim moral superiority while unfairly describing Republicans as being in the hip pockets of big business. Instead of demonizing the Republicans, we need to be explaining the benefits of health care reform, describing how the Dream Act can give help to children who know no other country, and showing how the repeal of the Bush tax cuts for the super rich can help bolster our sagging economy.

When people complain about Barack Obama reaching across the aisle and inviting the Republicans to express their opinions on public policy, accusing him of not being tough enough on his political opponents, they are fostering an atmosphere of hatred. He has done a good job of getting at least some version of his policies passed, despite many politicians vowing to block anything he supports. We may want more than we have gotten, but it has taken a spirit of compromise to get even the little progress we made so far.

Had this been a Republican attacked, there are many vocal liberals who could have had blame thrown toward them as the blame is being thrown at Palin today. We need to tone down the hatred and embrace more discussion of the issues.

It is difficult to keep an open mind when Rush Limbaugh and his supporters have stated their goal of making the President of the United States—and by association, the United States itself—fail. It is difficult to keep an open mind when the United States Supreme Court has given multinational corporations more rights than United State citizens. It is difficult to keep an open mind when Sarah Palin tries to oppose health care reform by spreading lies about “death panels.” But we must remember that they do not represent the Republican Party, and we should not assume guilt by association.

Accusations and libel are a path to destruction. Open and honest debate is the only path to progress.

A Ned-Pepper Christmas 2010

It is Christmas Eve, 2010, and our Christmas cards have been mailed. It started with a photo I took of a tree in the forest during a snow storm last March. I covered it with clip-art decorations, then added a photo of Ned-Pepper sleeping with his teddy bear. I added some colors to a photo of a Milk Bone, and put them all together in PhotoShop.

While Visions of Dog Biscuits ... Dance in His Head

Celebrate the Holidays ... With All That You Can Dream

Merry Christmas from Eric and Debi and Ned-Pepper

Follow Ned-Pepper on Twitter.

Our Overnight Guest

Her name was Rufous.

The hummingbird perches on a wire on the ceiling of the garage.

When we let the dog outside, we usually leave the garage door open so that he has a sheltered place to go to if he needs it. Sometimes, while the door is open, different animals, such as chipmunks and squirrels, will sneak past him into the garage, and one winter we wound up with a pack rat trying to nest in a flowerpot.

During the summer, some of the hummingbirds will fly into the garage, attracted by various red items in there, but they usually find their way right back out again. There have been times we have had to lure them out the door with a red hummingbird feeder attached to the end of a pole, but those have been rare occasions.

Thursday evening, when I went to let the dog into the house, I discovered that we had a female rufous hummingbird flying around in the garage. I shut off the light in the garage, hoping that she would see the light at the doorway and fly toward that. Since it was close to dusk, however, she must have been desperate, and instead of looking for the light she just keep trying to go up and then kept bumping into that hard bit of sky known as the garage ceiling.

Unlike other animals, who merely go to sleep at night, hummingbirds go into a state of torpor, very similar to hibernation. This hummingbird finally did that and was hanging from a fixture on the ceiling looking as if she were dead. I got a ladder to see if I could grab her and carry her outside, but the torpor was not deep enough, and she woke up and continued flailing around on the ceiling of the garage. We finally decided to let her spend the night in the garage and hoped she could find her way out in the morning.

When I let the dog out early the next morning, I looked all around the garage but couldn’t see the hummingbird. I was hoping she hadn’t died during the night, but was fairly confident that she had found a safe hiding place to bed down. I drove down the canyon to work and left the hummingbird problem for my wife.

Shortly before dawn, my wife sent me a message saying she had gone out to the garage and saw the hummingbird perched in a state of torpor on a wire on the ceiling of the garage. A short while later, she sent me another message telling me that when she opened the garage door the hummingbird woke up and immediately flew out the garage door to freedom.

We are thankful that this story had a happy ending. It does go to show, however, that when you are living in the habitat of the wild creatures of the forest, you sometimes need to put in a little extra effort to help save them after your attractive nuisance has put them in an unusual situation.