Pork Chops & Chickentag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-17886822012-05-01T20:10:00-04:00A Blog Dedicated To Beer and Food Pairings, Baking, Cooking, and Recipes.TypePadBon Beer Boat Cruise Day 1: Amsterdam 10/22/11tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e551becc988834016765fd2309970b2012-05-01T20:10:00-04:002012-05-01T22:36:56-04:00This day didn't start out too well for old Todd and I. Hungover in the worst possible way, stiff back from passing out on the floor the night before. But we had to get our stuff packed and head down to the docks where our barge was parked. We do our best to meet Europeans on time. After spending time with Germans, it's something we have come to understand well. There is no 5 minutes late. You are on time or you are rude! We got there with time to spare. Saying barge sounds like it wasn't a nice boat....Candice
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<p>This day didn't start out too well for old Todd and I. Hungover in the worst possible way, stiff back from passing out on the floor the night before. But we had to get our stuff packed and head down to the docks where our barge was parked. We do our best to meet Europeans on time. After spending time with Germans, it's something we have come to understand well. There is no 5 minutes late. You are on time or you are rude! We got there with time to spare.</p>
<p>Saying barge sounds like it wasn't a nice boat. This wasn't the case. It was a very nice boat with more than accommodating cabins for us travelers. Had our own rooms, bathrooms and showers. The crew was awesome. They stocked the fridges with the kinds of beers they thought we would like and they prepared home cooked meals for us every day. Breakfast was a typical European spread of meats, yogurts, breads, cereals, juice, coffee, and tea. We were rarely on the boat for lunch, but dinners on the boat were awesome! They even prepared a few of their own special beer dinners for us with the food being specially paired to the beers. We couldn't have asked for a better crew. Our only complaint on the tour was that we actually didn't spend more time on the boat. I would have liked to have hung out with the crew late at night too and talked to them for a while during our down time.</p>
<p>So, we dropped our things off got settled in, and then headed off to <a href="http://www.langendijkeetcafe.nl/index_en.htm">Langendijk eetcafe</a>. The gang went on a brewery tour and many many beer samples were had. Along the walls inside, is a massive collection of bottles. This one that looked like an Aunt Jemima Syrup bottle caught my eye.</p>
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<p><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834016765fce7ea970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834016765fce7ea970b" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_2627" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834016765fce7ea970b-350wi" alt="IMG_2627" /></a> <a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168eaff3d09970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340168eaff3d09970c" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_2628" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168eaff3d09970c-350wi" alt="IMG_2628" /></a><br /><br /> <a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834016305099c8a970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834016305099c8a970d" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_2631" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834016305099c8a970d-350wi" alt="IMG_2631" /></a> <a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168eaff3fc7970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340168eaff3fc7970c" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_2630" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168eaff3fc7970c-350wi" alt="IMG_2630" /></a><br /><br /><br /></p>
<p>We met up with Ron Pattinson and had a few drinks with him where he bestowed upon us a very rare beer. After that we walked back to the boat for our first dinner.</p>
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<p><strong>Dinner</strong>: Salad with boiled egg, oven potatoes with mixed veg and curried pineapple chicken.</p>
<p><strong>Dessert</strong>: Strawberry fool.</p>
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<p><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168eaff4721970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340168eaff4721970c" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_2635" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168eaff4721970c-350wi" alt="IMG_2635" /></a> <a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401630509a7ca970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc98883401630509a7ca970d" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_2638" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401630509a7ca970d-350wi" alt="IMG_2638" /></a> <br /><br /> <a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168eaff4bfe970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340168eaff4bfe970c" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_2639" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168eaff4bfe970c-350wi" alt="IMG_2639" /></a> <a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401630509aa82970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc98883401630509aa82970d" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_2637" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401630509aa82970d-350wi" alt="IMG_2637" /></a><br /><br /> <a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401630509abda970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc98883401630509abda970d" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_2640" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401630509abda970d-350wi" alt="IMG_2640" /></a> <a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834016765fcfad5970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834016765fcfad5970b" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_2641" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834016765fcfad5970b-350wi" alt="IMG_2641" /></a><br /><br /></p>
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<p>Very easy day, a few others walked around the city some more. We took it easy and had a night cap in our cabin. Night cap provided by the pervious hotel we stayed at. They told us to do it too. Strangest thing, they thought we waited to long to check in. And because some loser was hassling the front desk trying to wiggle out of half of his hotel bills in front of us, the hotel decided to upgrade us to a huge suite. And naturally I spent the night on the floor! They told us everything was complimentary and to please feel free to take the minibar contents. I have never had that happen before, but I did it anyway. Proved useful at night on the boat.</p>
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Beer Cruise Day One: Pre-Festivities in Amsterdam 10/21/11tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e551becc9888340162fc5ebde8970d2012-05-01T18:12:57-04:002012-05-01T20:14:00-04:00I really had no idea what to expect. We took off from Boston heading to Frankfurt, Germany for a quick layover on our way to Amsterdam. Amsterdam is where we begun our epic beer and boat cruise set up by Mike and Ruth Berman of Bon Beer Voyage. This journey would take us from Amsterdam to Bruge via a barge. I have never done any tourist group traveling before. Well, there was one time I did a beer writers trip to Bavaria, but that was so much work. Seven days worth of traveling and it felt like a month's worth....Candice
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<p>I really had no idea what to expect. We took off from Boston heading to Frankfurt, Germany for a quick layover on our way to Amsterdam. Amsterdam is where we begun our epic beer and boat cruise set up by Mike and Ruth Berman of Bon Beer Voyage. This journey would take us from Amsterdam to Bruge via a barge. I have never done any tourist group traveling before. Well, there was one time I did a beer writers trip to Bavaria, but that was so much work. Seven days worth of traveling and it felt like a month's worth. We were a little skeptical that this might turn out to be the same kind of deal with a lot of work to be done and little time for soaking it all in. That was so not the case. </p>
<p>I think the best way to approach these posts is to do it one day at a time. I used my iPhone for everything. Some pictures came out great and some came out a little blurry. But overall you will get the gist of this trip. It was pretty damn amazing. This is what happened to us for a day or pregaming before the boat cruise.</p>
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<p>We left Boston on Lufthansa, Frankfurt bound. I got to say, first cruddy meal I've had from Lufthansa. Generally they are pretty good. Well, as good as airline food can be when you are not flying first class. This was some sort of chicken teriyaki that took me almost 15 minutes to get into because it was so hot and of course it's metal covering was impenetrable with that heat. I know, that sounds ridiculous. But then when I finally got it open, it was all dried up and over cooked. Whatever! There was plenty of wine to be had and I knocked myself out.</p>
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<p>We landed in Frankfurt at around 7 am. Luckily it's Europe, and this bitch likes to drink! Open at 7 am was a weird noodle bar that also served Euro-style sandwiches and beer. I needed something to settle my stomach. Whiskey-cola it is! Coke tastes better in Europe and I can drink whiskey-colas until the sun comes up. It helps settle my stomach when there has been too much beer. Or too many funky beers. </p>
<p>We left Frankfurt and headed to Amsterdam. First time to the land of clogs, cheese, tulips, and windmills. </p>
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<p>Flying into Amsterdam was really quite special. I thought these pictures would come out better than they did. The sun was rising, and the perfectly manicured farms were really amazing to see from that height. The colors were so much more vivid than the pictures indicate. You could see the windmills, you could see the systems of dikes and water ways. It was truly a wonderful way to come in. </p>
<p>We got ourselves situated at our hotel and then headed out for some beer! We arrived a day early to get ourselves acclimated and check out Amsterdam. It was the first time for me, Todd, and Jason. So we wanted to check it out a bit. The Anne Frank House tours were sold out so I didn't bother with that, but I wanted to mention that it was at the top of my list. I love WWII history, but in a way I am glad I didn't get to go see it. It would have been way to emotional for me to see that. This trip was about beer and fun. That would have been way too heavy to set the mood for the trip. </p>
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<p>So many tourists were everywhere. But Amsterdam is such a lovely city to get lost in. At least around the inner loops of the city. Cool architecture and of course the canals with ducks swimming around. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436dcd3e8970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015436dcd3e8970c" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_2580" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436dcd3e8970c-350wi" alt="IMG_2580" /> </a><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436dcd672970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015436dcd672970c" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_2584" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436dcd672970c-350wi" alt="IMG_2584" /></a><br /><br /> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc5eacf4970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340162fc5eacf4970d" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_2585" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc5eacf4970d-350wi" alt="IMG_2585" /> </a><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc5eae74970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340162fc5eae74970d" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_2588" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc5eae74970d-350wi" alt="IMG_2588" /></a><br /><br /> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015393093f11970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015393093f11970b" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_2586" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015393093f11970b-350wi" alt="IMG_2586" /> </a><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015393094c65970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015393094c65970b" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_2587" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015393094c65970b-350wi" alt="IMG_2587" /></a><br /><br /><br /></p>
<p>Thankfully <a href="http://deprael.nl/">Brouwerji De Prael</a> was right around the corner from our hotel, so we headed their first. We needed beers and a few snacks. Some gouda and spent grain crackers, meatballs, and croquettes. Perfect bar food. Todd and Jason jumped right into all the beers.</p>
<p>The best part of this place are the record albums that go with the beers. Hilarious!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168eafdc96e970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340168eafdc96e970c" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_2582" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168eafdc96e970c-350wi" alt="IMG_2582" /></a> <a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340163050837b7970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340163050837b7970d" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_2583" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340163050837b7970d-350wi" alt="IMG_2583" /></a><br /><br /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834016765fbb13b970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834016765fbb13b970b" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_2590" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834016765fbb13b970b-350wi" alt="IMG_2590" /></a> <a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168eafe1446970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340168eafe1446970c" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_2591" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168eafe1446970c-350wi" alt="IMG_2591" /></a><br /><br /></p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168eafe1621970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340168eafe1621970c" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_2589" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168eafe1621970c-350wi" alt="IMG_2589" /></a> <a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401630508827a970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc98883401630508827a970d" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_2592" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401630508827a970d-350wi" alt="IMG_2592" /></a><br /><br /> <br /><br /></p>
<p>After hanging out for a while, we took a short drive outside of Amsterdam to a really awesome brewery called The Seven Virtues. This is a new but small operation where they owner helps troubled youth or people with a record get skills and actual hands on experience brewing beers that will in turn will be able to take as a life skill with them down the road. It was about a 20 minute drive or so outside of the city but you felt like you were out in the country. There were cats chilling out in this field chasing mice. It was like a scene out of a movie. Relaxing and beautiful.</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168eafdd735970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340168eafdd735970c" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_2600" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168eafdd735970c-350wi" alt="IMG_2600" /></a> <a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340163050842ac970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340163050842ac970d" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_2601" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340163050842ac970d-350wi" alt="IMG_2601" /></a><br /><br /></p>
<p>We sat down and tasted every one of the beers from their collection. These were very impressive beers. Very creative and off the rails for European standards. We enjoyed all of them.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340163050887ab970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340163050887ab970d" title="IMG_2596" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340163050887ab970d-320wi" alt="IMG_2596" /></a> <a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168eafe1fb4970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340168eafe1fb4970c" style="width: 320px;" title="IMG_2594" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168eafe1fb4970c-320wi" alt="IMG_2594" /></a><br /><br /><br /> <a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834016305088ad3970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834016305088ad3970d" title="IMG_2597" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834016305088ad3970d-320wi" alt="IMG_2597" /></a> <a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168eafe23c4970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340168eafe23c4970c" title="IMG_2595" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168eafe23c4970c-320wi" alt="IMG_2595" /></a><br /><br /> <a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168eafe24b6970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340168eafe24b6970c" title="IMG_2599" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168eafe24b6970c-320wi" alt="IMG_2599" /></a> <a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834016765fbe13d970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834016765fbe13d970b" style="width: 320px;" title="IMG_2598" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834016765fbe13d970b-320wi" alt="IMG_2598" /></a><br /><br /><br /> <a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834016765fbfb53970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834016765fbfb53970b" title="IMG_2605" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834016765fbfb53970b-320wi" alt="IMG_2605" /></a> <a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168eafe4673970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340168eafe4673970c" title="IMG_2604" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168eafe4673970c-320wi" alt="IMG_2604" /></a><br /><br /> <a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168eafe47a0970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340168eafe47a0970c" title="IMG_2606" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168eafe47a0970c-320wi" alt="IMG_2606" /></a> <a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834016765fc00e4970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834016765fc00e4970b" title="IMG_2611" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834016765fc00e4970b-320wi" alt="IMG_2611" /></a><br /><br /> <a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834016765fc01b4970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834016765fc01b4970b" title="IMG_2610" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834016765fc01b4970b-320wi" alt="IMG_2610" /></a> <a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834016765fc0231970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834016765fc0231970b" title="IMG_2609" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834016765fc0231970b-320wi" alt="IMG_2609" /></a><br /><br /><br />Yeah I know that's image heavy on the beers, but I wanted to show them all off because they were all very good and unique with spices and flavors. We had cheese and discussed their bee keeping out there on the farm. It's a wonderful little place and I recommend if anyone is going over seas, to schedule a tasting here. Remember it's outside of the city, but it's well worth it.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>From there we decided we needed some dinner. We found a random restaurant and decided it sounded good. It was next to a hash house, but no we didn't go in and smoke. Decided not to after all the beers we had been drinking (me with the whiskey colas) since 7 am. Mixing wasn't the smartest thing to do. So many people make that the only thing Amsterdam is worth. Maybe one day we will too. But this trip was about the beer.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168eafe5090970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340168eafe5090970c" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_2612" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168eafe5090970c-350wi" alt="IMG_2612" /></a> <a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834016765fc094c970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834016765fc094c970b" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_2617" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834016765fc094c970b-350wi" alt="IMG_2617" /></a><br /><br /> <a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834016765fc09dc970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834016765fc09dc970b" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_2615" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834016765fc09dc970b-350wi" alt="IMG_2615" /></a> <a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401630508be86970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc98883401630508be86970d" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_2616" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401630508be86970d-350wi" alt="IMG_2616" /></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Back to the whiskey cola's and spirit for the big guys. And then someone had the bright idea to order raw deer sausage. I just stuck with a nice bowl of stew. It was delicious!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168eafe6bbe970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340168eafe6bbe970c" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_2622" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168eafe6bbe970c-350wi" alt="IMG_2622" /></a> <a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834016765fc27bc970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834016765fc27bc970b" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_2624" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834016765fc27bc970b-350wi" alt="IMG_2624" /></a><br /><br /></p>
<p>We continued on drinking checking out an Amstel bar. It was bizarre and red. Completely loaded with tourists, but we wanted to make one go at Amstel. Never had it over seas before and never had the non-light version. There was a cool cat walking all over the bar. Cats everywhere in Amsterdam. My kind of town.</p>
<p>We ended up for the rest of the night in a stumbled-upon locals bar. One you wouldn't necessarily write home about, but one you would go back and visit just to see who is still hanging around. We had a great time meeting everyone. I drank an entire bottle of Dutch whiskey of some sort. We almost had our night ruined by some asshole who was anti-American. Just some random jerk looking to talk shit to foreigners. But the rest of the bar sorted him out and everyone was really nice to us. I ended passing out on the floor of our hotel suite. If you aren't going to smoke Amsterdam, you might as well drink the shit out of it!</p>
<p>
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</p></div>
Sour Cream Bacon Banana Bread with Salted Sticky Honey Pecan Glazetag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e551becc988834016762872163970b2012-02-18T17:55:22-05:002012-02-18T18:07:26-05:00Yep it's a mouthful of a title, but its quite possible the greatest thing I have ever made. I am sure I am not the first person to think of a banana bacon bread, but this sort of evolved for me from scratch. I had a package of bacon that I needed to use up. I was originally going to crisp up the bacon and make chocolate covered bacon. Just to have around as a snack. Why not? But then I had some bananas that needed to be used. Banana's for some reason, do not last more than a day...Candice
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p style="padding-left: 150px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401676293e82a970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc98883401676293e82a970b" style="width: 400px;" title="IMG_3563" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401676293e82a970b-400wi" alt="IMG_3563" /></a><br /><br /><br /></p>
<p>Yep it's a mouthful of a title, but its quite possible the greatest thing I have ever made. I am sure I am not the first person to think of a banana bacon bread, but this sort of evolved for me from scratch.</p>
<p>I had a package of bacon that I needed to use up. I was originally going to crisp up the bacon and make chocolate covered bacon. Just to have around as a snack. Why not? But then I had some bananas that needed to be used. Banana's for some reason, do not last more than a day or two in my apartment without going brown. Banana bread was obviously on the table and then I thought, what if I crumbled bacon into the banana bread? What if I made a sour cream banana bread? And what if I put honey pecans on top? Later, in a last minute decision, I put two pinches of kosher salt into the glaze to add a double punch of sweet and salty like the bread itself. And that's how it happened. That's how the greatest creation of my life came to be.</p>
<p>I didn't expect this recipe to be so coveted. A bunch of people have asked for this because I told Mario Batali I was planning this on twitter. Thanks to his RT, and some friends on FB, the recipe is going up now. The pics were taken with an iphone since it was only an experiment. Forgive the quality.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Recipe via <a href="http://www.chow.com/recipes/11387-sour-creambanana-bread">CHOW</a>, written by Adela Jung.</p>
<div>Difficulty: Easy | Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins | Active Time: 20 mins | Makes: 1 (9-inch) loaf</div>
<div id="introduction">
<p id="recipe_info"> </p>
<div id="intro_full">
<p>This banana bread starts as a thick, tangy batter full of mashed banana, and emerges from the oven with a golden-brown crust and a moist, almost cake-like texture.</p>
<p><strong>Game plan:</strong> We tested this recipe using a stand mixer, but it could easily be made by just stirring all the ingredients together in a large bowl.</p>
<p>This recipe was featured as part of our <a href="http://www.chow.com/galleries/91">Cooking with Winter Ingredients</a> photo gallery.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div>INGREDIENTS</div>
<div id="ingredients">
<ul>
<li>Butter, for coating the pan</li>
<li>2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting the pan</li>
<li>2 teaspoons baking powder</li>
<li>1/2 teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon fine salt</li>
<li>1/2 teaspoon baking soda</li>
<li>1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon</li>
<li>1 cup granulated sugar</li>
<li>2 large eggs, at room temperature</li>
<li>1/3 cup vegetable oil</li>
<li>1 teaspoon vanilla extract</li>
<li>4 very ripe medium bananas, mashed (about 1 1/4 cups)</li>
<li>1/2 cup sour cream</li>
</ul>
<p>**Added Ingredient: One package of bacon cooked crispy, and crumbled.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340163019ec961970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340163019ec961970d" title="IMG_3555" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340163019ec961970d-320wi" alt="IMG_3555" /></a> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168e79612f4970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340168e79612f4970c" title="IMG_3557" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168e79612f4970c-320wi" alt="IMG_3557" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></p>
<ul>
</ul>
</div>
<div>INSTRUCTIONS</div>
<div id="instructions"><ol>
<li>Heat the oven to 350°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Coat a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with butter and dust it with flour, tapping out the excess. Whisk together the measured flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon in a large bowl to aerate and break up any lumps. Set aside.</li>
<li>Place the sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and beat on medium speed until thoroughly combined, about 2 minutes. Add the bananas and sour cream and mix until just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, add the flour mixture, and mix until just combined.</li>
<li>Turn the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, the top is golden brown, and the bread is pulling away from the sides of the pan, about 1 hour.</li>
<li>Transfer to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. Slide a knife around the perimeter of the pan, invert to release the bread, and cool completely on the wire rack before serving.</li>
</ol></div>
<p>** Once it's cooled, place on a large serving plate or cake display with plenty of room for honey pecan glaze to drizzle over the top and sides.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168e795d02b970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340168e795d02b970c" title="IMG_3559" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168e795d02b970c-320wi" alt="IMG_3559" /></a> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340163019f0807970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340163019f0807970d" title="IMG_3558" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340163019f0807970d-320wi" alt="IMG_3558" /></a><br /><br /> <br /></p>
<p><strong>Notes</strong>:</p>
<p>I tweaked this recipe by using 3 bananas and a little more sour cream. Be mindful of the baking powder. I used a brand new tin of baking soda and it caused the batter to spill over a bit while it was baking. So, put your banana bread pan on a sheet pan to catch anything in case it does spill over.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168e795ea0f970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340168e795ea0f970c" title="IMG_3560" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168e795ea0f970c-320wi" alt="IMG_3560" /></a> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340163019f0645970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340163019f0645970d" title="IMG_3562" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340163019f0645970d-320wi" alt="IMG_3562" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></p>
<p>Glaze via <a href="http://mikes-table.themulligans.org/2009/05/20/honey-pecan-sticky-buns/">Mikes Table</a></p>
<ul>
<li>1.2 cup dark brown sugar</li>
<li>1.2 stick (4 Tbsp) butter</li>
<li>1/8 cup honey</li>
<li>1 cup pecans</li>
</ul>
<p>**Added Ingredient: 2 pinches of kosher salt or large granualed sea salt.</p>
<p>Chop half cup of pecans and leave some peices whole.</p>
<p>In a heavy saucepan, add the butter (chopped into 2 pieces), sugar, and honey. Bring these to a boil over medium-low and stir frequently until the sugar is dissolved.</p>
<p>**Turn off the heat. Toss in the pecans and salt and stir. Allow to cool but still be slightly runny so you can pour over the top of the bread.</p>
<p>Spoon the mixture on top of the cooled banana bread leaving most of the larger pieces on top of the bread. Allow it to drip down the sides.</p>
<p>Slice and serve.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340167629409be970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340167629409be970b" title="IMG_3566" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340167629409be970b-320wi" alt="IMG_3566" /></a> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168e795f0a6970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340168e795f0a6970c" title="IMG_3567" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168e795f0a6970c-320wi" alt="IMG_3567" /></a><br /><br /> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401676294317e970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc98883401676294317e970b" title="IMG_3571" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401676294317e970b-320wi" alt="IMG_3571" /></a> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168e796160c970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340168e796160c970c" title="IMG_3572" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340168e796160c970c-320wi" alt="IMG_3572" /></a><br /><br /><br /></p>
<ul>
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</ul></div>
Broccoli and Cashew Quichetag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e551becc9888340162fc40ae8d970d2011-11-09T12:33:30-05:002011-11-09T12:34:59-05:00Ever since coming home from The Netherlands and Belgium and being on a fabulous beer boat cruise organized by Bon Beer Voyage, I have been craving the quiche the fine folks on the boat served us for lunch one day. It was a broccoli and cashew quiche with mushrooms and onions. There was a pumpkin one too, but I figured I would try that another day. They made the quiche with puff pastry dough and I thought that was a fabulous idea. Softer and flakier than the standard dense pie crust. I am not used to quiche so I didn't...Candice
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> </p>
<p style="padding-left: 150px;"><a style="display: inline;" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc407129970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340162fc407129970d" style="width: 400px;" title="IMG_3090" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc407129970d-400wi" alt="IMG_3090" /></a><br /><br /><br /></p>
<div>Ever since coming home from The Netherlands and Belgium and being on a fabulous beer boat cruise organized by <a href="http://www.bonbeer.com/"> Bon Beer Voyage</a>, I have been craving the quiche the fine folks on the boat served us for lunch one day. It was a broccoli and cashew quiche with mushrooms and onions. There was a pumpkin one too, but I figured I would try that another day. They made the quiche with puff pastry dough and I thought that was a fabulous idea. Softer and flakier than the standard dense pie crust. </div>
<p> </p>
<div>I am not used to quiche so I didn't know how good this was going to be. It's not something we made in our house when we were kids. There is nothing to it yet it always seemed a little hoity toity. I have had it before and wasn't really impressed with it as it was always solid egg mass in a pie crust. Now that I've had it in the puff pastry, I had to recreate it. And it was made with less egg, so all you could taste was cumin, cashews, mushrooms, onions, and broccoli. </div>
<p> </p>
<div>The originals: Pumpkin and Broccoli and Cashew</div>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<div style="padding-left: 90px;"><a href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436be6b1a970c-popup"><img title="IMG_2961" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436be6b1a970c-500wi" alt="IMG_2961" /></a><br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><a href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392eb1e90970b-popup"><img title="IMG_2962" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392eb1e90970b-200wi" alt="IMG_2962" /> </a><a href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392eb2174970b-popup"><img title="IMG_2963" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392eb2174970b-200wi" alt="IMG_2963" /> </a><a href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc4055ad970d-popup"><img title="IMG_2964" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc4055ad970d-200wi" alt="IMG_2964" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>
<div>Mine came out more eggy and more dense than theirs because I used a deeper glass baking dish for it. I had to compensate with more eggs and cream. The recipe I am posting will be for a regular pie pan. So, it will look like the recipe doesn't match some of the the pictures. </div>
<p> </p>
<div>Recipe:</div>
<p> </p>
<div>Frozen Puff Pastry Crust thawed</div>
<div>1 lbs blanched broccoli</div>
<div>2 tbls olive oil or butter, plus 1 tbls</div>
<div>10 large button mushrooms quartered</div>
<div>2 cloves garlic</div>
<div>1 large red or white onion, chopped</div>
<div>1 cup to 1 1/2 cups dry roasted, salted cashews</div>
<div>2 tsps cumin</div>
<div>4 large eggs</div>
<div>1 cup of cream or half and half</div>
<div>1 1/2 cups of young gouda, shredded</div>
<div>Salt</div>
<div>Pepper</div>
<p> </p>
<p><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc4072da970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340162fc4072da970d" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_3086" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc4072da970d-350wi" alt="IMG_3086" /></a><br /><br /></p>
<p>Preheat oven to 350°. Chop broccoli into smaller flourettes. Blanche broccoli in a pot of salted boiling water for 2 minutes and then remove from water and set aside to cool. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436be8e43970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015436be8e43970c" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_3081" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436be8e43970c-350wi" alt="IMG_3081" /> </a><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392eb4808970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015392eb4808970b" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_3083" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392eb4808970b-350wi" alt="IMG_3083" /></a><br /><br /><br /></p>
<p>Heat skillet on medium high heat with 2 tbls of olive oil or butter. Toss in onions, garlic and stir. Once the onions start becoming translucent, about 5 minutes, stir in the cashews and cumin until they get coated in the oil. Remove from heat. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392eb4b69970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015392eb4b69970b" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_3084" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392eb4b69970b-350wi" alt="IMG_3084" /> </a><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc4088af970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340162fc4088af970d" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_3087" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc4088af970d-350wi" alt="IMG_3087" /></a><br /><br /><br />In another skillet add one tbls of olive oil or butter and saute quartered mushrooms until they have shrunk by half and become tender. Remove from heat. Stir together with the onions and cashews.</p>
<p>**In the picture, I sauteed them together but the mushrooms produced a lot of water that did cook off but mellowed the cumin too much. Cook them separately and then add them together. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392eb4e38970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015392eb4e38970b" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_3088" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392eb4e38970b-350wi" alt="IMG_3088" /></a><br /><br /></p>
<p>While the onions and mushrooms cook, roll out puff pastry and fit it inside a butered and floured pie pan with plenty of room left over for crust at the the tops. Take a fork and poke holes at the bottom of the pie pan a few times around the pan.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392eb4f1e970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015392eb4f1e970b" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_3079" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392eb4f1e970b-350wi" alt="IMG_3079" /></a><br /><br /></p>
<p>In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, cream, salt and pepper to taste, and shredded gouda. Leave some gouda on the side for the top of the quiche. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436be9f09970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015436be9f09970c" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_3089" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436be9f09970c-350wi" alt="IMG_3089" /></a><br /><br /></p>
<p>Take the cooled broccoli and place half of the flourettes in the bottom of the prepared pie pan. Top the broccoli with mushrooms and onions mixture. The cover with half of egg and cheese mixture. Repeat this process and take extra cheese reserved on the side and top the quiche. Pinch down the top of the crust in a wavy pattern and make sure egg mixture is not too high for the crust. Brush the top of the crust with one beaten egg and a tbls of water or milk.</p>
<p>Place in the oven and bake for 45 minutes. To be sure the quiche is done, you want to make sure the center is cooked at least until 165° or 170°.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc40968f970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340162fc40968f970d" style="width: 200px;" title="IMG_3090" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc40968f970d-200wi" alt="IMG_3090" /> </a><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436beb6f2970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015436beb6f2970c" style="width: 200px;" title="IMG_3091" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436beb6f2970c-200wi" alt="IMG_3091" /> </a><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc40a4af970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340162fc40a4af970d" style="width: 200px;" title="IMG_3092" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc40a4af970d-200wi" alt="IMG_3092" /></a><br /><br /></p>
<p>Let the quiche sit and cool for about 15 minutes. Slice and serve. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc40a5c7970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340162fc40a5c7970d" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_3093" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc40a5c7970d-350wi" alt="IMG_3093" /> </a><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436beb943970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015436beb943970c" style="width: 340px;" title="IMG_3096" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436beb943970c-350wi" alt="IMG_3096" /></a><br /><br /><br /></p>
<p> </p>
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BeerAdvocate Presents: Things We Love Summer Of Beer @ Toro 8/29/11tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e551becc9888340162fc35b942970d2011-11-07T18:56:46-05:002011-11-10T10:17:40-05:00And last but certainly not least, the final Things We Love Summer Of Beer dinner hosted by Toro. This is how all beer dinners should be hosted. This dinner was quite possibly the best beer dinner we have ever hosted. Toro not only brought it, but they have set a bar that all restaurants should strive to follow or achieve for any beer dinner being hosted. Jen Fields, the GM and I got together and sorted out a plan to host the final Things We Love Dinner for the summer. We wanted to go big on this dinner. Price was...Candice
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p style="padding-left: 30px;"> </p>
<p style="padding-left: 90px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436b4370d970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015436b4370d970c" title="N57909700259_2278866_1884" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436b4370d970c-500wi" alt="N57909700259_2278866_1884" /></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>And last but certainly not least, the final Things We Love Summer Of Beer dinner hosted by <a href="http://toro-restaurant.com/">Toro</a>. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>This is how all beer dinners should be hosted. This dinner was quite possibly the best beer dinner we have ever hosted. Toro not only brought it, but they have set a bar that all restaurants should strive to follow or achieve for any beer dinner being hosted. </p>
<p>Jen Fields, the GM and I got together and sorted out a plan to host the final Things We Love Dinner for the summer. We wanted to go big on this dinner. Price was not an object and the size was to be very limited. I am not going to lie, it was once of our more pricey beer dinners. But once you see what it entailed, it was well worth it. If you have never been into Toro before, it's a very quaint and small restaurant. They have two large high tops in the center of the restaurant and we put them together for a limited 20 person engagement. We wanted it to be exactly what the restaurant is, super casual and super chill with some of the best food in the city being served to you. Again following the mantra of Things We Love, we chose beers and ciders that the everyone in the restaurant agreed on, and Sous Chef Mike Smith, created a wonderful menu to compliment the choices. </p>
<p>In my evil mind, I wanted people to feel sorry for themselves if they missed this dinner. I wanted them to feel bad about not jumping all over this opportunity. Toro is not only one of the best restaurants in Boston, but they treated this beer dinner so well, you should feel sorry for yourself if you missed it. And let it be a warning to you to never miss a beer event at Toro ever again. </p>
<p>I don't want to spend too much time hyping this up. I want to get right into this recap and waste no time getting to the glorious food. </p>
<p> </p>
<p style="padding-left: 90px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436b38d2c970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015436b38d2c970c" title="DSC_0379" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436b38d2c970c-500wi" alt="DSC_0379" /></a><br /><br /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Welcoming</strong>:</p>
<p>Bud Light Lime Margarita with tequila, elderflower, grapefruit, and lime.</p>
<p>B.L.L tempura rock shrimp with lime salt, shrimp mayo, and charred jalapenos. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc35775e970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340162fc35775e970d" style="width: 340px;" title="DSC_0378" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc35775e970d-350wi" alt="DSC_0378" /> </a><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436b39436970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015436b39436970c" style="width: 340px;" title="DSC_0381" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436b39436970c-350wi" alt="DSC_0381" /></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>I don't need to get into the <a href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/pork_chops_chicken/2011/08/the-beer-cocktail-controversy.html">controversy</a> that we stirred up by backing Toro's decision to use BLL in a swanky beer dinner. I already did that in way too much detail here. We did it to be cheeky on purpose. We did it because it was a pricey dinner and we were there to have fun.</p>
<p>Needless to say, this is was an awesome choice. The BLL margarita was delicious. The rock shrimp and shrimp mayo were wonderful with slightly spicy charred jalapenos, nice crisp but light batter and creamy mayo. It was on both plate and in drink, sweet and tangy flavors. </p>
<p> </p>
<p style="padding-left: 90px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc358eb5970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340162fc358eb5970d" title="DSC_0389" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc358eb5970d-500wi" alt="DSC_0389" /></a><br /><br /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>First Course</strong>: Cheese, Charcuterie, Condiments</p>
<p><strong>Beer</strong>: <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/828/2595">Oude Geuze Vielle</a>, 6% (Belgium) </p>
<p> Isastegi Cidra (Spain)</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392e04e02970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015392e04e02970b" style="width: 300px;" title="DSC_0382" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392e04e02970b-300wi" alt="DSC_0382" /> </a><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392e04e72970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015392e04e72970b" style="width: 350px;" title="DSC_0388" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392e04e72970b-350wi" alt="DSC_0388" /></a><br /><br /><br /> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392e0508d970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015392e0508d970b" style="width: 340px;" title="DSC_0392" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392e0508d970b-350wi" alt="DSC_0392" /> </a><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc359838970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340162fc359838970d" style="width: 340px;" title="DSC_0391" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc359838970d-350wi" alt="DSC_0391" /></a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 120px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc359838970d-popup"></a><br /><br /> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436b3b293970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015436b3b293970c" style="width: 400px;" title="DSC_0387" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436b3b293970c-400wi" alt="DSC_0387" /></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>So much going on here. What we did for this course was highlight the comparison of a Belgian Geuze to this terrific Spanish cider Toro carries that drinks just like a sour ale or a geuze. We were really surprised at how much the cider was like a gueze and how terrific it was. We wanted beer geeks to know that something like this existed. </p>
<p>When Jen mentioned cheeses and charcuterie for this course, I immediately agreed knowing how acids and sour beers are perfect for cheeses and fatty meats. What I didn't know was that huge trays of meat and cheese would be coming out in bulk portions. Each one of the cheese and meat boards was served to every four people at the table family-style. We had agreed that family-style was the best way to serve this dinner. We have been big fans of this since the Journeyman dinner. But this was impressive.</p>
<p>Now, you will have to forgive me because I did not write down every cheese or bit or charcuterie. There was so much going on with both plates. But I encourage you to click on each picture and enlarge them to see the details on the boards. I was most impressed with the crab apple butter on the meat board. The little pink dollop in the center of the board. It was a well rounded condiment for all the meats. So fun to explore and try the different condiments. </p>
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</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="padding-left: 90px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc35a7e2970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340162fc35a7e2970d" title="DSC_0397" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc35a7e2970d-500wi" alt="DSC_0397" /></a><br /><br /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Second Course</strong>: Samurai pickled oysters, foie gras, kabayaki, puffed rice, and yuzu.</p>
<p><strong>Beer</strong>: <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/158/31473">Great Divide Samurai Ale</a>, 5.1% (Colorado)</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392e06309970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015392e06309970b" style="width: 340px;" title="DSC_0395" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392e06309970b-350wi" alt="DSC_0395" /> </a><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc35aa18970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340162fc35aa18970d" style="width: 340px;" title="DSC_0398" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc35aa18970d-350wi" alt="DSC_0398" /></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>This was certainly a mouthful of pure richness. I am not sure if you were supposed to eat this in one bite or not, but I did. Flavor explosion and slowed arteries. As you can see, the foie gras was more than generous in the shell, the pickled oysters added a balance of acidity as well as the softer yuzu foam. Of course it was paired with the Samurai ale, a very nice and clean, yet fuller bodied rice ale from Great Divide. Clean but robust hops to cut the fats of the foie. All three delicate acids worked in tandem against the giant slab of foie gras. Each adding a unique flavor as it interacted with the foie gras. </p>
<p> </p>
<p style="padding-left: 90px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392e07884970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015392e07884970b" title="DSC_0405" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392e07884970b-500wi" alt="DSC_0405" /></a><br /><br /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Third Course</strong>: Pork Belly, heirloom succotash, burgundy snails. </p>
<p><strong>Beer</strong>: <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/18149/32423">Lost Abbey Red Barn Ale</a>, 6.7% (California)</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc35baa7970d-popup"> </a><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436b3eba7970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015436b3eba7970c" style="width: 300px;" title="DSC_0401" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436b3eba7970c-300wi" alt="DSC_0401" /> </a><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc35f7f5970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340162fc35f7f5970d" style="width: 350px;" title="DSC_0408" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc35f7f5970d-350wi" alt="DSC_0408" /></a><br /><br /><br /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Shit just got real! There has been foodie snobbery lately proclaiming that pork belly is over used in restaurants today and that it's getting played out. I am in the house of STFU! Pork Belly never gets old and especially when it's cooked to perfection with tender meat and crispy skin. </p>
<p>Huge portion of pork belly and a spectacular succotash with the burgundy snails drenched on top. Another plate of flavor exploding goodness. Red Barn Ale is a spicy farmhouse-style ale with complex flavors that really turned itself out with this dish. Peppery notes, cloves and cinnamon, slightly sour and a tad funky. Excellent beer for fatty pork belly. And the complex richness of it's flavors worked tremendously well with the succotash. </p>
<p>Our large table was quite a lively table with lot's of different discussions happening. You know this was a serious course when it kind of quieted down, and people were concentrating on this dish. </p>
<p> </p>
<p style="padding-left: 90px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc35d2ab970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340162fc35d2ab970d" title="DSC_0411" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc35d2ab970d-500wi" alt="DSC_0411" /></a><br /><br /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Fourth Course</strong>: Late summer vegetables with hazelnuts and goats milk yogurt.</p>
<p><strong>Beer</strong>: <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/30/4072">Avery "Salvation,"</a> 9% (Colorado)</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436b3f4f8970c-popup"> </a><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc35f58a970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340162fc35f58a970d" style="width: 300px;" title="DSC_0412" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc35f58a970d-300wi" alt="DSC_0412" /> </a><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392e0bebf970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015392e0bebf970b" style="width: 350px;" title="DSC_0410" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392e0bebf970b-350wi" alt="DSC_0410" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Earth and malts course. Sweet malty Avery Salvation ale with earthy greens and herbed goat yogurt. Very rustic, and very clean. A good way to slow things down a bit and lighten the load. Creamy and tangy goat cheese yogurt and steel-y malts from the beer, earthy and dirt flavors from the salad, and hazelnuts to round it all out were just fantastic. Again served on wood blocks for every four people at the table. </p>
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<p style="padding-left: 90px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392e0a553970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015392e0a553970b" title="DSC_0416" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392e0a553970b-500wi" alt="DSC_0416" /></a></p>
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<p><strong>Fifth Course</strong>: Maple glazed brisket, toasted farro, marrow roasted root vegetables, horseradish.</p>
<p><strong>Beer</strong>: <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/262/30970">Shmaltz "He'Brew Bittersweet Lenny's" R.I.P.A.,"</a> 10% (New York)</p>
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<p><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392e0aa64970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015392e0aa64970b" style="width: 300px;" title="DSC_0415" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392e0aa64970b-300wi" alt="DSC_0415" /> </a><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436b3ff5e970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015436b3ff5e970c" style="width: 350px;" title="DSC_0418" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436b3ff5e970c-350wi" alt="DSC_0418" /></a><br /><br /><br /></p>
<p>The piece de resistance. Jesus Christ Bananas this was good! The perfectly tender brisket with amazing maple glaze and the root vegetables were to die for! The beer of course is one of my favorites from Smaltz. Perhaps one of the best in their profile. A double rye IPA with big malty flavors and yet still has the drying clean effect from the rye. The sweet malts and the maple glaze on the brisket, the toasted farro for the right approach for a starch on the plate, with the hops working on the fatty marrow roasted vegetables was the best combination of the night..... Well, until dessert came anyway.</p>
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<p style="padding-left: 90px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392e0b3e2970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015392e0b3e2970b" title="DSC_0422" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392e0b3e2970b-500wi" alt="DSC_0422" /></a></p>
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<p><strong>Dessert</strong>: Cherries, Mast Brothers Chocolate, Marcona almonds. </p>
<p><strong>Beer</strong>: <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/212/38795">Brouwerij Van Honsebrouck N.V. "Kasteel Rouge</a>," 8% (Belgium)</p>
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<p>Finally! A chocolate dessert in this town NOT made with Taza. Sous Chef Mike Smith, really likes Mast Brothers and decided to to a light and airy chocolate cake made with Mast Brothers chocolate, topped with fresh whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Oh yeah, and cherries! Cherries in the beer and on the plate. </p>
<p>Deep black cherry flavored beer with a deep black cherry color. Sweet and rich but completely drinkable. Not cloying and over the top just rich and pretty. The chocolate cake was light and exactly what we needed after an insanely rich meal. The beer itself could have been served alone as dessert and I think everyone would have been happy with that. But this cake just light enough for everyone to be able to finish dessert with some ease. </p>
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<p>What can I say? Toro killed it. I mean absolutely nailed it. It was an easy, casual dinner with some exceptional food and beer pairings. A special thank you to Andy McNees, for making the best Vieux Carre's in the city and ones we shamelessly imbibed on after the dinner. </p></div>
BeerAdvocate Presents: Things We Love Summer Of Beer @ Aquitaine 8/8/11tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e551becc988834015392dfd1a5970b2011-11-07T15:04:52-05:002011-11-07T15:08:17-05:00This post has been a long time coming. In a way I am kind of glad I waited to post about this dinner. It was over the summer time and with this colder fall season already in full swing, why not revisit a warm period of time with fun summery foods? Let's try to imagine full green trees, open windows, warm temperatures, and this fun summer event. Aquitaine is very fun and very well respected bistro in the South End of Boston. Alexis Kimler-Gelburd, the general manager decided it would be a fun idea to expect our offer to partner...Candice
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<p>This post has been a long time coming. In a way I am kind of glad I waited to post about this dinner. It was over the summer time and with this colder fall season already in full swing, why not revisit a warm period of time with fun summery foods? Let's try to imagine full green trees, open windows, warm temperatures, and this fun summer event. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.aquitaineboston.com/index.php">Aquitaine</a> is very fun and very well respected bistro in the South End of Boston. Alexis Kimler-Gelburd, the general manager decided it would be a fun idea to expect our offer to partner up for our summer beer dinner series that took place at fine restaurants all over the city, all summer long. </p>
<p>Although Aquitaine is a wine bar, they love beer too. Their experience bartenders were excited for this dinner as well Chef matt who helped sculpt this delicious menu for us. </p>
<p>Aquitaine serves one of Todd's favorite burgers in the city. A few BA power meetings have taken place over a beer and a burger at Aquitaine. Not to mention regular dinner service at Aquitaine is insanely good. You can see the proof <a href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/pork_chops_chicken/2011/08/dinner-aquitaine-boston.html">here</a>. </p>
<p>Meeting Alexis and realizing how cool she is and how interested she was in hosting a beer event with us, we decided it was a perfect place to host a Summer of Beer Dinner. As some of you know, we stopped hosting themed beer dinners. No more working with rigid guidelines or themes, no one brewer to be featured, just a glimpse of what is seasonal, fresh, and what we love at that moment by way of beer and food. </p>
<p>**Please forgive the image quality. I left the house without my Nikon and captured the dinner withiPhone images. </p>
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<p style="padding-left: 180px;"><a href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc34c032970d-popup"><img title="IMG_2123" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc34c032970d-300wi" alt="IMG_2123" /></a><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong>Welcoming</strong>: Penn Weizen Cocktail</p>
<p>Aquitaine's version of a summer French Shandy. Made with Pennsylvania Brewing Co. <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/125/382">Penn Weizen</a> and St. Germain. (Yes, it's in a BBC glass. I will explain later in the post.)</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392df8607970b-popup"> </a><a href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392df8a85970b-popup"><img title="IMG_2133" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392df8a85970b-300wi" alt="IMG_2133" /> </a><a href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc34cfa3970d-popup"><img title="IMG_2132" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc34cfa3970d-300wi" alt="IMG_2132" /></a><br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong>First Course</strong>: Island Creek Oysters Two Ways</p>
<p>Malt Beer Batter + Raw With High Life Mignonette</p>
<p><strong>Beer</strong>: <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/213/68147">Narragansett Summer Ale</a></p>
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<p>Wonderful fresh Island Creek Oysters nicely fried with a good malt batter. Sweet and perfectly paired with the Summer Ale. The fresh oyster and it's sweet and tangy High Life mignonette was another way the beer balanced. Its vinegary tangy with the creamy texture of the oyster gave the beer a creamy yet fresh and effervescent quality. Oysters and this Summer Ale were made for each other. </p>
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<p><a href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc34db05970d-popup"><img title="IMG_2138" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc34db05970d-300wi" alt="IMG_2138" /> </a><a href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436b2f7cc970c-popup"><img title="IMG_2140" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436b2f7cc970c-300wi" alt="IMG_2140" /></a></p>
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<p><strong>Second Course</strong>: Pretzel Crusted Hake</p>
<p>Endive Marmalade and Coriander with a mustard broth. </p>
<p><strong>Beer</strong>: <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/158/49374/?view=beer&sort=latest&start=20">Great Divide Colette Farmhouse Ale</a></p>
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<p>Huge portion of fish with this course. Amazing flavors with the mustard broth and pretzel crust. Gorgeous, juicy fresh Hake. And of course a beautiful farmhouse ale from Great Divide. Cloudy, sweet, yeasty and spicy ale that worked well with the fish and coriander that tied it all together. We were all taken back a bit with the size of this course. Aquitaine was not stingy with the food or beer pours. This did mean we were in trouble for the next few courses though. Wide eyes for the rest of the dinner. </p>
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<p><a href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc34f075970d-popup"><img title="IMG_2143" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340162fc34f075970d-300wi" alt="IMG_2143" /> </a><a href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392dfac7d970b-popup"><img title="IMG_2142" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392dfac7d970b-300wi" alt="IMG_2142" /></a></p>
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<p><strong>Third Course</strong>: Boudin Blanc Corn Dog</p>
<p>Corn and pepper relish. </p>
<p><strong>Beer</strong>: <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/158/49374/?view=beer&sort=latest&start=20">Maine Beer Co. Peeper Ale</a></p>
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<p>Although this picture may not reflect the size of this Boudin Blanc sausage, it was huge! House-madesausage and battered and deep fried like classic summer carnival fair. Fresh corn and pepper cool relish and Peeper Ale. The Peeper is an unfiltered hoppy pale ale with a little more gusto than a typical pale ale. Full bodied and very hoppy, just what the fatty corn dog needed and a little tanginess and fresh sweet corn to help with some added depth and flavors. This course may not seem like was all that or perhaps lackluster due to the images, but let me assure this was a massive course and perfectly fitting for a summer meal.</p>
<p>Chef Matt really liked stepping outside of the fancy box for a minute to create something fun. Poor Alexis had no idea where to get the red baskets they were served in. It is a French bistro after all, but it sure was fun stepping outside of the box. The diners seemed to really enjoy this course as well. Beer dinners do not need to be stuffy. </p>
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<p><a href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436b313ac970c-popup"><img title="IMG_2148" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436b313ac970c-300wi" alt="IMG_2148" /> </a><a href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436b3157e970c-popup"><img title="IMG_2147" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015436b3157e970c-300wi" alt="IMG_2147" /></a></p>
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<p><strong>Fourth Course</strong>: Cherry BBQ Brisket</p>
<p>Kohlrabi Slaw and Fingerling Salad.</p>
<p><strong>Beer</strong>: <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/261/58412">Cisco Brewing Co. Cherry Woods</a></p>
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<p>Obviously this was one I had a hand in choosing based on the beer. I have used Cherry Woods before andPechish Woods at the Journeyman Summer Of Beer dinner. I love this beer and we were fortunate enough to get some of the last bottles of it. Cherry Woods is a lightly sour ale with a huge Cherry Pie filling aroma and beautiful cherry taste. That color is gorgeous too. Chef Matt made some glorious brisket with a cherry bbq sauce and light summer picnic sides to go with it. The acids in the sour Cherry Woods and the fatty brisket were made for each other. </p>
<p>This was another course that the pictures are not doing it justice. It's brisket, man! It was delicious and a nice curveball to the diners with a lightly sour ale for the main course. </p>
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<p style="padding-left: 180px;"><a href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392dfbc27970b-popup"><img title="IMG_2151" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015392dfbc27970b-300wi" alt="IMG_2151" /></a></p>
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<p><strong>Dessert</strong>: Frozen Boilermaker</p>
<p>Irish Whiskey Ice Cream with a malt caramel swirl.</p>
<p><strong>Beer</strong>: <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/33/86">Berkshire Brewing Co. Drayman's Porter</a></p>
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<p>This was an Alexis course. She is from the Berkshires and loves BBC beers. She keeps them on the menu at Aquitaine. Her favorite beer and a perfect way to end the night. Their take on a beer float but going the extra mile with a delicious house-made ice cream. A lot of the people in attendance at this dinner were not BeerAdvocate's. We like it when this happens because things like a beer float really blow some minds. It's very simple and very easy to make and yet it seems to make a good statement every time. We love that Aquitaine really hooked this up too with the Irish Whiskey ice cream. The boozy sweet cream and the dry roasted porter added enough contrast to actually bring out the ice creams rich flavors and the deep rich and dry flavors of the porter. </p>
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<p>One thing to note about this dinner was the speed in which everything was presented. The dinner began at 7pm and we were done by 9 or 9:30. We were not rushed by any means, but this was a beer dinner that just flowed nicely. Often times you end up with weird lag time between courses. Sometimes it can't be helped with the size of certain kitchens. But this dinner flowed with ease. </p>
<p>The portions of this dinner were big and the size of the beer pours were full. One thing people hate about beer dinners is high price tags and stingy portions. Aquitaine did not hold back and they made sure we all need wheelbarrows to take ourselves home with.</p>
<p>A fantastic dinner. Aquitaine really rose to the occasion with this beer dinner. I hope you were all able to get the gist of this dinner with my iPhone pics. It was such a good time. </p>
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The Beer Cocktail Controversytag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e551becc988834015435030d96970c2011-08-31T17:49:25-04:002011-09-01T13:38:04-04:00On Monday, we hosted our final dinner in the summer series, Things We Love Summer of Beer at Toro restaurant in the South End of Boston. Things We Love is a beer dinner concept that was designed to shed beer dinner images. No longer do we work with one sole brewer and only their profile. We work with what we love at that moment and what we love to eat, fresh and seasonal. The idea is to gain a better inclusion of the restaurant staff, and a better idea of the restaurant itself. So many times, people leave beer dinners...Candice
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<p>On Monday, we hosted our final dinner in the summer series, Things We Love Summer of Beer at <a href="http://toro-restaurant.com/">Toro</a> restaurant in the South End of Boston. Things We Love is a beer dinner concept that was designed to shed beer dinner images. No longer do we work with one sole brewer and only their profile. We work with what we love at that moment and what we love to eat, fresh and seasonal. The idea is to gain a better inclusion of the restaurant staff, and a better idea of the restaurant itself. So many times, people leave beer dinners talking only about the terrific beer they just had. We want people walking out of our events thinking in new ways about beer and food together.</p>
<p>We wanted to shed themes and concepts to elevate the beer novices and foodies, and also bring down the beer nerd who demands the finest foods, rarest beers, but won't pay more than $45. The idea is to have fun and not work with impossible people or parameters. These our dinners, our favorites and our idea of fun. This can also include a wine pairing with the dinner, a battle of beer versus something, a beer cocktail... No limits anymore, but one rule, the main focus is the beer. You are being welcomed to sit at OUR table. To add any restrictions or rules about how it should be done changes the concept completely.</p>
<p>When I sat down with Jen Fields, the General Manager at Toro, we talked about our past histories in the restaurant world of Boston. Jen and I both used to work a crummy, yet popular hipster dive bar in Cambridge. We know our bartenders in this town. Boston has become quite the town for craft cocktails and craft beer. One thing that has never changed, is the need for cheap beer and shots of bourbon or fernet after a long day.</p>
<p>At Toro, head chef Jamie Bissonnette loves Bud Light Lime. So does a lot of the kitchen staff. If you are a beer nerd, this is probably cringe worthy to you. But this is burden of true Beer Advocate. It's not our place to tell anyone who they are or what they can and can't drink. It is a beer in their hands after all. It's obvious we advocate for better beer and will always do so, but the hardened beer geek must realize we are BeerAdvocate and not Craft Beer Advocate. This doesn't mean that we are in the pockets of Budweiser because we don't shamelessly rip them apart every chance we get. The arguments against them are stale, old and tired and no one is really saying anything new about the big bad beast that is Anheuser-Busch. Having said that, we would still defend and support a craft brewer long before the corporate beasts if problems arise. And at the end of a hard day in a hot kitchen, you want slamming back beers. And if BLL is their choice, so be it. They have earned the right to drink whatever they fancy.</p>
<p>When I sat down with Jen to discuss the menu for our beer dinner, I asked her what is everyone in here drinking right now, what do they love right now. And she mentioned Jamie's BLL affinity. This made sense to me, because at his other restaurant Coppa, also in the South End, he features awesome Shandy's on his cocktail list using stouts and 21st Amendment's Hell or High Watermelon Wheat. It's called the Merman, with the wheat beer, and it's delicious and hilarious with the name proving there is a time and a place for every beer. Beer cocktails are fantastic. We even featured a French Shandy at the Aquitaine TWL dinner.</p>
<p>We got a consensus of what everyone wanted to drink. And Jen thought it would be funny and awesome to make Bud Light Lime Margarita as a welcoming drink since we told her that we LOVE beer cocktails and that they should feature one. She thought this would be a good way to kill two birds with one stone. Get Jamie's choice in there, make a beer cocktail, and be completely cheeky about it without having any pretensions at this dinner. One, Toro makes slamming cocktails with Andy McNees behind the bar. It's only right to have something fun. Jen, was also a bartender in this town and knows how to make a good drink, this was all her idea. Two, it's in line with our idea of featuring what we love with beer cocktails. Three, we made it into a cocktail and enhanced it.</p>
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<p><strong>Bud Light Lime Margarita; tequila, elderflower liquor, grapefruit and lime, with lime salt. We paired it with tempura rock shrimp that used BLL in the batter, lime salt again, shrimp mayo and charred jalapenos. </strong></p>
<p>One person saw the dinner being advertised on their blackboard, and asked how much Bud was paying us and the restaurant to use their beer. Another person, a member of our website, actually turned it away at the dinner. Rude and silly if you ask me, but then again I tell no one who they are and what they can and can't like. Not to mention random tweets from judmental dickheads who weren't even there to to try it, but saw Todd's tweets about it. I find it ridiculous, all the kerfuffle one beer cocktail has spurned. Not to mention it tasted fantastic, made the beer quite enjoyable, and worked amazingly well with the pairing. His loss, not mine.</p>
<p>We are not in Anheuser-Busch's pockets, it's ridiculous to even have to say that. We have not, nor have we ever or will ever, sell out to AB. It was Jen's idea to highlight one of the most respected Chef's in Boston, Jamie Bissonnett's favorite, as well the the staff favorite. For the love of fuck it wasn't a big deal, but it had enough people's panties in a bunch that I felt like I had to say something about it.</p>
<p>The dinner was a huge success. We had so much food and beers, it was well worth it. And the next time we do a dinner like this or a tasting social, <strong>I will have no problem featuring a macro product if the timing and idea behind it, is right.</strong></p>
<p>Once we, hosted an Aztec-themed beer dinner at Upstairs on the Square. We featured and incredible ceviche on a bed of avocado with Negra Modelo. There was an historic aspect to the beer, the style, and it worked out so well. In a Russian-themed beer dinner, Budweiser, sent me Bud made in Russia for the dinner. You see, beer is the number two drink in Russia behind tea. And Budweiser did this for us with no questions asked, no favors exchanged. It tasted very different from our Budweiser and it was really good and more malty. It was paired with corn belini's, boiled eggs, caviar, and creme fraiche. It was amazing to be honest. And you'd never know if you had such a deep snobbery, it prevented you from being adventurous.</p>
<p>I am not asking anyone to roll the way we do. You can do whatever you like, pair how ever you see fit. But we're having mad fun and keeping it real with what our friends and restaurants we like. When you see the pictures from the dinner, which I will blog about very soon, you will be jealous you missed an event like this. Hang your heads in shame if one light hearted beer cocktail prevented you from coming to this dinner.</p>
<p><strong>Edited</strong>: I forgot to mention how when we started <a href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/pork_chops_chicken/2010/09/beeradvocate-presents-things-we-love-hungry-mother-92310.html">Things We Love with Hungry Mother</a> in Cambridge, we featured a battle of the cheap beers at that dinner. 10 courses and one was a fried chicken course served in a paper basket with watermelon and cole slaw. We featured their shitty beer of choice which was Genny Cream Ale vs. our choice of Narragansett. We served it in paper cups to be cheeky that an upscale southern restaurant could stay true to it's down and dirty roots. Everyone had so much fun popping open the cans and hearing the simultaneous cracking from the cans. It was awesome, Narragansett won, and a whole room full of diners had fun. All done with "shitty" beers.</p>
<p>We also did our second TWL with Hungry Mother for a <a href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/pork_chops_chicken/2011/02/things-we-love-with-people-we-love-hungry-mother-2142011.html">Valentine's day</a>, and that time we featured a beer cocktail with Miller High Life. We had 40's of HL on the bar and made and awesome cocktail with Vida Mezcal, grapefruit 'concentrate,' beer syrup, Miller High Life, salt. It was awesome.</p>
<p>No one complained once during those dinners that cheap macro beers were being used. They served a purpose and ended being awesome and people loved it. They were fun, they tasted good, and they fit with our theme of having fun the way we like it.</p>
<p>
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Dinner @ Aquitaine Bostontag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e551becc988834014e8ac8f21e970d2011-08-19T20:37:03-04:002011-08-19T20:40:41-04:00[Image via Bosguy.blogspot.com] After talking to the awesome staff at Aquitaine for a small Q&A and tasting with beer, Todd and I stayed for dinner. We were invited to do a small tasting and talk to the staff about beer to help answer any questions the staff had in preparation for the Things We Love Summer Of Beer dinner series being hosted at Aquitaine. Life is so hard drinking beer and talking about it with awesome people. We worked up quite an appetite. ** I chose this image in doing a search for Aquitaine's logo. This is an awesome picture...Candice
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> </p>
<p style="padding-left: 150px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015434a8af50970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015434a8af50970c" style="width: 400px;" title="Boston+Pride+Aquitaine" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015434a8af50970c-400wi" alt="Boston+Pride+Aquitaine" /></a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 120px;">[Image via <a href="http://bosguy.blogspot.com/2010/06/boston-pride-update.html">Bosguy.blogspot.com</a>]</p>
<p> </p>
<p>After talking to the awesome staff at <a href="http://www.aquitaineboston.com/index.php">Aquitaine</a> for a small Q&A and tasting with beer, Todd and I stayed for dinner. We were invited to do a small tasting and talk to the staff about beer to help answer any questions the staff had in preparation for the Things We Love Summer Of Beer dinner series being hosted at Aquitaine. Life is so hard drinking beer and talking about it with awesome people. We worked up quite an appetite.</p>
<p>** I chose this image in doing a search for Aquitaine's logo. This is an awesome picture due to the fact that not only does Aquitaine support the community in the South End of Boston, but because that flag is still up.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Appetizers</strong>:</p>
<p>Summer corn and clam chowder.</p>
<p>Rich and divine summer corn chowder with fresh locally sourced corn and clams. Fantastic and filling. Good balance of cream and wine. And as you can see, meaty clams.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="padding-left: 150px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015390d54af6970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015390d54af6970b" style="width: 400px;" title="IMG_2059" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015390d54af6970b-400wi" alt="IMG_2059" /></a> <br /><br /></p>
<p>
</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Chicken Liver mousse terrine.</p>
<p>I LOVE chicken liver pates and mousse. This was perfectly whipped liver mousse, and beautifully flavored. None of that overly steely liver taste. Delicious. Some of the best liver mousse I have had in a while.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="padding-left: 150px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8ac8ab4d970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834014e8ac8ab4d970d" style="width: 400px;" title="IMG_2060" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8ac8ab4d970d-400wi" alt="IMG_2060" /></a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 150px;"> </p>
<p><strong>Chef's treats</strong>:</p>
<p>Melon and pork cheek soup.</p>
<p>Fresh melon soup with crispy pork cheeks and champagne grapes. Dunk the grapes, sip the soup, bit the bacon. Salty, sweet, cool, and awesome. So much flavor in one little tasting. The perfect summer bite.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="padding-left: 150px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015434a8c8a1970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015434a8c8a1970c" style="width: 400px;" title="IMG_2061" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015434a8c8a1970c-400wi" alt="IMG_2061" /></a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 150px;"> </p>
<p>Wild Boar schnitzel with beets and olive croquette.</p>
<p>Juicy, delicious wild boar schnitzel with an olive croquette and beets. It doesn't sound like it would all come together, but it did. Lightly pickled beets and the soft croquette with olives were amazing together with a bite of the schnitzel. Good breading and lightly pan fried.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="padding-left: 150px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8ac8b2a3970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834014e8ac8b2a3970d" style="width: 400px;" title="IMG_2062" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8ac8b2a3970d-400wi" alt="IMG_2062" /></a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 150px;"> </p>
<p><strong>Entrees</strong>:</p>
<p>Pan roasted Hake with quinoa and summer carrots.</p>
<p>Juicy and large portion of fish. Rich red quinoa with locally sourced carrots. Again, rich and filling with lovely rustic flavors for a fish dish.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="padding-left: 150px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015434a8ced4970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015434a8ced4970c" style="width: 400px;" title="IMG_2063" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015434a8ced4970c-400wi" alt="IMG_2063" /></a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 150px;"> </p>
<p>Braised Beef Short Rib with English peas and potatoes.</p>
<p>My favorite thing, beef short rib. This was the epitome of a rich dish. Buttered whipped potatoes, English peas with spring onions, and a delicious mustard braisage. So unbelievably rich but I couldn't stop eating it. Peas are my absolute favorite too.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="padding-left: 150px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8ac8b89d970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834014e8ac8b89d970d" style="width: 400px;" title="IMG_2064" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8ac8b89d970d-400wi" alt="IMG_2064" /></a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 150px;"> </p>
<p><strong>Desserts</strong>:</p>
<p>Bittersweet chocolate mousse with malted Chantilly cream.</p>
<p>As if I didn't send myself over the edge with the Braised Short Rib, I push myself further with a cappuccino and a super rich (I can't stress rich enough during this meal) chocolate mousse with Felchlin 60% bittersweet cacao and malted whipped cream. Big bold chocolate taste with rich coffee flavors.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="padding-left: 150px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015390d55cef970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015390d55cef970b" style="width: 400px;" title="IMG_2066" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015390d55cef970b-400wi" alt="IMG_2066" /></a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 150px;"> </p>
<p>Chocolate bread pudding with vanilla ice cream.</p>
<p>And even worse, the chef sent us the chocolate bread pudding. Crispy pudding, with an insanely rich buttery caramel sauce drenched all over the pudding. The vanilla ice cream only barely cut the richness. I couldn't stop eating it even though I was already so full. If someone sends you a delicious dessert you don't turn it away. Especially when it's made with butter and awesome Swiss chocolate.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="padding-left: 150px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015390d55f15970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015390d55f15970b" style="width: 400px;" title="IMG_2067" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015390d55f15970b-400wi" alt="IMG_2067" /></a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 150px;"> </p>
<p>Best gluttonous meal I have had in a long time. I was sent completely overboard on the full card, but it was worth it. Aquataine rules my world right now.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 150px;"> </p>
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Toro and Coppa, Bostontag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e551becc988834014e8a89d23b970d2011-08-10T17:19:52-04:002011-08-10T20:03:00-04:00Visiting with Toro recently, it was my first time eating there. I can't believe it's taken me this long to get over there. We're working with Toro on an upcoming beer dinner. This was organized between me and Jen Fields, the general manager. We're old pals in the restaurant industry from back in the Charlie's Kitchen days. Awesome chick who loves beer and asked us to come in, try the food, and hopefully do a beer dinner with them. I contacted her later on with an idea I had about filling the summer with a series of beer dinners hosted...Candice
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015434693e09970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015434693e09970c" title="Bull_logo_smaller" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015434693e09970c-320wi" alt="Bull_logo_smaller" /></a> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8a88f1b7970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834014e8a88f1b7970d" title="50312_122893612098_2721906_n" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8a88f1b7970d-800wi" border="0" alt="50312_122893612098_2721906_n" /></a> <br /><br /> <br /><br /></p>
<p>Visiting with <a href="http://toro-restaurant.com/">Toro</a> recently, it was my first time eating there. I can't believe it's taken me this long to get over there. We're working with Toro on an upcoming beer dinner. This was organized between me and Jen Fields, the general manager. We're old pals in the restaurant industry from back in the Charlie's Kitchen days. Awesome chick who loves beer and asked us to come in, try the food, and hopefully do a beer dinner with them. I contacted her later on with an idea I had about filling the summer with a series of beer dinners hosted all over the city.</p>
<p><a href="http://beeradvocate.com/events/info/47031">BeerAdvocate presents Things We Love: Summer of Beer @ Toro</a></p>
<p>So, now that it is happening, time to put the food to the test. These are <a href="http://kenoringer.com/">Ken Oringer</a> restaurants, so we knew they would be phenomenal. But what we didn't know, was just how laid back and cool these places are. So relaxed and inviting, you could just hang out there all day drinking and eating small plates.</p>
<p>We stopped by Toro last week for a quick bite to eat first. Please forgive my iPhone pics in a dark restaurant.</p>
<p>Coppa (pigs neck charcuterie) and house made liverwurst. Locally sourced meats with head-to-tail philosophy.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8a8929ea970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834014e8a8929ea970d" style="width: 320px;" title="IMG_2096" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8a8929ea970d-320wi" alt="IMG_2096" /></a> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015434697b4e970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015434697b4e970c" title="IMG_2098" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015434697b4e970c-320wi" alt="IMG_2098" /></a> <br /><br /></p>
<p>That coppa tasted so amazing. And the liverwurst was super fresh and delicious. Simple foods, no fluff to to them, but insanely delicious.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Pork wrapped dates stuffed with Marcona almonds and salt cod fritters with fried lemon peel and squid ink aoili.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401539095fb36970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc98883401539095fb36970b" title="IMG_2101" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401539095fb36970b-320wi" alt="IMG_2101" /></a> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8a89345f970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834014e8a89345f970d" title="IMG_2099" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8a89345f970d-320wi" alt="IMG_2099" /></a> <br /><br /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Braised short rib and Spanish-style grilled corn elote with garlic aoili and cheese and lime.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340154346985a8970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340154346985a8970c" title="IMG_2100" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340154346985a8970c-320wi" alt="IMG_2100" /></a> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401543469868d970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc98883401543469868d970c" title="IMG_2104" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401543469868d970c-320wi" alt="IMG_2104" /></a> <br /><br /></p>
<p>The dates seem simple, bacon wrapped dates is not entirely original but it's the quality of the pork and dates. Not to mention Marcona almonds. It's the perfect bite. The salt cod fritters were excellent. I love salt cod. The lemon peel looks like an onion ring. It ads the right amount of lemon and sweetness of all tings, from the rind once it's been fried. The squid ink aoili was nice, but a little bit much. I only say that because I am a hot mess and end up wearing it versus eating it. I escaped this time time, but my table wasn't so lucky.</p>
<p>Short ribs are one my favorite things on Earth. If you can nail that knife-not-required softness of the meat, then you are winning. This is was super rich and flavorful. It was also a nice sized portion of meat rather than a huge hulking piece. You don't need massive portions in a restaurant like this. Especially with the corn!</p>
<p>Aye aye aye! That corn was amazing. Super garlicky, zesty, and fattening with all that aoili and cheese on top. It was so amazing, and my stupid iPhone just didn't do it any justice by way of pictures. Pair this corn with their Spanish cider that drinks exactly like a sour lambic or gueze and you have an unbelievable combo.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Two days later, we headed back to Toro for lunch and power meeting about the upcoming beer dinner. More coppa, more dates, and now a chicken sandwich and white bean gazpacho.</p>
<p>Milanesa Bocadillo: Fried chicken sandwich with Oaxaca cheese, avocados, chipotle mayo, and refried black beans.</p>
<p>Chilled white bean puree with lots of garlic, cumin, and olive oil, sprinkled with some edible flowers.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8a894b34970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834014e8a894b34970d" title="IMG_2108" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8a894b34970d-320wi" alt="IMG_2108" /></a> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8a894cf4970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834014e8a894cf4970d" title="IMG_2109" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8a894cf4970d-320wi" alt="IMG_2109" /></a> <br /><br /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Later that day, we stopped by <a href="http://www.coppaboston.com/">Coppa</a> for a quick drink. we had time to kill before meeting some fellow chocolate lovers for a drink at Max Brenner. But before that we must go back.</p>
<p>Two days before we had dinner at Toro. We were then told to go to Eastern Standard for Jamie Bissonnette's birthday drunk-a-thon. I call it that now because that's what happened to every single one of us who attended this. I brought Todd to come meet Jamie, thinking these two would get along famously since they are both homegrown Boston punks who are the top of their games professionally. Turns out they already knew each other from a long time ago. This is where the trouble began though. Catching up on old times and slamming back expensive shots of bourbon and Narragansett's, Todd and Jamie got tanked. Jamie was walked out by two friends and left speaking a whole other language and Todd left speaking his famed Toddinese. That's an unintelligible form of drunk speak, Blurb, glarg, nahhhhrrrrr, that I have to try and decipher while putting his ass in a cab.</p>
<p>The Toro people just laughed at us when we came in. But when we went into Coppa, Jamie looked like he was still hurting. So this is how he paid us back. "Oh you guys just had a bit of lunch at Toro? You're kind of full? Well, here's some whipped lardo, and some summer pasta. Load up kids, you don't want that going to waste." Damn you, Jamie! Damn you!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>First thing's first. Walking down to Coppa, we ran into our buddy Phil, who works at the South End Formaggio Kitchen. SEFK is directly across from Coppa. He told us to swing down and get a Merman. A summer Italian-style shandy with Hell or High Watermelon wheat from 21st. Amendment. It's all about the glass and this quote from Zoolander<strong>: </strong></p>
<p>Larry Zoolander: I just thank the Lord she didn't live to see her son as a mermaid. Derek Zoolander<strong> </strong>: Mer-man! [<em>high-pitched cough</em>] <strong> </strong>Mer-man!</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="padding-left: 180px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8a898324970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834014e8a898324970d" title="IMG_2110" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8a898324970d-320wi" alt="IMG_2110" /></a> <br /><br /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Testa, pig's head terrine with tomato tapenade. Baccala, salt cod crostini.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8a898bc4970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834014e8a898bc4970d" title="IMG_2111" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8a898bc4970d-320wi" alt="IMG_2111" /></a> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015390965c25970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015390965c25970b" style="width: 320px;" title="IMG_2112" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015390965c25970b-320wi" alt="IMG_2112" /></a> <br /> <br /><br />Effing fantastic. Look at all that fish on the salt cod crostini. And best of all it's pretty cheap. Both at Toro and Coppa, everything was reasonably priced. These two small plates could have easily gone for $15 or higher. And it's so good people would pay it.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>"Hey guys, thanks for getting me so wasted at ES, have a little Whipped Lardo. I will be back in the kitchen while your heart begins to beat slower and gets clogged."</p>
<p>Whipped Lardo with pickled gooseberries and Coda di maiale, wood oven-roasted pigs tails with mostarda glaze.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340153909665a0970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc9888340153909665a0970b" title="IMG_2113" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc9888340153909665a0970b-320wi" alt="IMG_2113" /></a> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8a899adb970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834014e8a899adb970d" title="IMG_2114" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8a899adb970d-320wi" alt="IMG_2114" /></a> <br /><br /></p>
<p>Yummy, greasy, sweet, fatty, salty pigs tails. Pick them up and eat them with your hands. Deliciousness in all ways. That whipped lardo though, this is what the restaurant refers to as "meat butter." It's whipped up pork fat and balanced with a tart, vinegary, pickled gooseberries and served with rosemary crostinis. We may have thought Jamie wanted to kill us, but then we tasted it and we fully understand how delicious it really was even if we did begin to feel our hearts beating at a much slower pace.</p>
<p>And then as if our pant buttons weren't about to pop off at any second, this gets sent our way. Maybe he really did want to kill us. Death by expanded bellies... i.e. Big Trouble in Little China.</p>
<p>Oricchiette con Verdure, house made pasta with blistered cherry tomatoes, zucchini, escarole, and garum.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 180px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015390967feb970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015390967feb970b" title="IMG_2115" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015390967feb970b-320wi" alt="IMG_2115" /></a> <br /><br /></p>
<p>For me, this was all about the garum and the zucchini. Garum is a fish sauce or condiment used to flavor dishes like this. Such a simple, yet so rich and such a hugely flavorful dish. I am in love with it.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Todd and I both, can't believe it took us this long to venture over to these two awesome places, but now they won't be able to get rid of us. And the upcoming beer dinner at Toro is going to be EPIC!!! Spanish food and beer. It doesn't get any better than that.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>
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BeerAdvocate Presents Things We Love: Summer of Beer @ Journeyman 6/13/11tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e551becc98883401538f8f9b5b970b2011-08-02T17:05:46-04:002011-08-03T13:52:58-04:00Journeyman in Union Sq. Somerville, helped kick off BeerAdvocate's "Things We Love: Summer Of Beer beer dinner series being hosted through out Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville all summer long. What an epic dinner to kick things off. Working with Meg Grady-Troia was an absolute joy. Her excitement and love of beer was clearly evident. They were just as excited to work with us as we were to work with them. Chef's Diana Kudjarova and Tsi Wei Lim really came through for this dinner too with some excellent pairings. The food worked so well with the beers. This dinner was all...Candice
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<p style="padding-left: 150px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401538f8d2bb0970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc98883401538f8d2bb0970b" style="width: 400px;" title="IMG_1832" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401538f8d2bb0970b-400wi" alt="IMG_1832" /></a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 150px;"> </p>
<p>Journeyman in Union Sq. Somerville, helped kick off BeerAdvocate's "Things We Love: Summer Of Beer beer dinner series being hosted through out Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville all summer long.</p>
<p>What an epic dinner to kick things off. Working with Meg Grady-Troia was an absolute joy. Her excitement and love of beer was clearly evident. They were just as excited to work with us as we were to work with them.</p>
<p>Chef's Diana Kudjarova and Tsi Wei Lim really came through for this dinner too with some excellent pairings. The food worked so well with the beers. This dinner was all about comfort foods. Rich, delicious, and remarkably simple dishes.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="padding-left: 90px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e89809055970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834014e89809055970d" style="width: 500px;" title="DSC_0308" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e89809055970d-500wi" alt="DSC_0308" /></a></p>
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<p><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401543434a3b9970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc98883401543434a3b9970c" style="width: 340px;" title="DSC_0307" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401543434a3b9970c-350wi" alt="DSC_0307" /></a> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8a5487dc970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834014e8a5487dc970d" style="width: 340px;" title="DSC_0305" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8a5487dc970d-350wi" alt="DSC_0305" /></a> <br /><br /><br /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Pork Skin Cracklings for the table.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 90px;"> </p>
<p style="padding-left: 90px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401538f8d71d9970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc98883401538f8d71d9970b" title="DSC_0319" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401538f8d71d9970b-500wi" alt="DSC_0319" /></a> <br /> <br /><br /></p>
<p style="padding-left: 90px;"> </p>
<p><strong>First Course</strong>: White gazpacho, spring greens, and ricotta cheese.</p>
<p><strong>Beer</strong>: Sixpoint Brewery "Sweet Action" 5.2% abv</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="padding-left: 90px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401543360af94970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc98883401543360af94970c" title="DSC_0324" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401543360af94970c-500wi" alt="DSC_0324" /></a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;"> </p>
<p><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8980bee3970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834014e8980bee3970d" style="width: 300px;" title="DSC_0321" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8980bee3970d-300wi" alt="DSC_0321" /></a> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401543360cb78970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc98883401543360cb78970c" style="width: 380px;" title="DSC_0322" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401543360cb78970c-400wi" alt="DSC_0322" /></a> <br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br />The cream ale and the creamy cool soup. Delicious peas and pea tendrils with a ricotta cheese foam. Just the right balance.There was quite a lot going on with this course, not only was the ale creamy and delicious but the soup also had a lovely lemony flavor to it. Fresh earthy greens and sweet pes with the malty beer were wonderful together.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Second Course</strong>: Pig's Head Torchon with condiments and white beans.</p>
<p><strong>Beer</strong>: Russian River "Pliny the Elder" 8% abv, and Stone Brewing Co. "Ruination" 7.7% abv.</p>
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<p style="padding-left: 90px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401543360dcb6970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc98883401543360dcb6970c" title="DSC_0335" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401543360dcb6970c-500wi" alt="DSC_0335" /></a></p>
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<p><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401543360deb5970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc98883401543360deb5970c" style="width: 340px;" title="DSC_0328" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401543360deb5970c-350wi" alt="DSC_0328" /></a> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8980e08f970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834014e8980e08f970d" style="width: 340px;" title="DSC_0327" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8980e08f970d-350wi" alt="DSC_0327" /></a> <br /><br /> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8980e145970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834014e8980e145970d" style="width: 340px;" title="DSC_0333" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8980e145970d-350wi" alt="DSC_0333" /></a> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401543360e2a4970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc98883401543360e2a4970c" style="width: 340px;" title="DSC_0338" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401543360e2a4970c-350wi" alt="DSC_0338" /></a> <br /> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401543360e7e6970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc98883401543360e7e6970c" style="width: 340px;" title="DSC_0337" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401543360e7e6970c-350wi" alt="DSC_0337" /> </a><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401543360e9c6970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc98883401543360e9c6970c" style="width: 340px;" title="DSC_0334" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401543360e9c6970c-350wi" alt="DSC_0334" /></a> <br /><br /></p>
<p>Oh delicious course, how I loved thee. A special treat sent courtesy of Vinnie Cilurzo of Russian River Brewing co. A special favor asked for and received just to make this beer dinner that much more epic. We pitted against some very fresh Ruination from Stone Brewing co. Quite a battle indeed since the Pliny was sent to us the day it was bottled. 10 days old and amazing!</p>
<p>We called this our fatty course. Fats verses hops. Alpha acids in super hopped Double IPA's and grapefruit flavors of the Pliny with slightly stickier malts on the Ruination verses fatty pigs head torchon and white beans. The condiments were a spicy celery salad, kimchi mayonnaise, and a divine miso-butterscotch paste.</p>
<p>To be honest, as epic as the torchon was, the best flavors for the pairing were the Pliny and the white beans. The cleaner, more crisp flavors of the plny and the delicate flavors of the beans were a match made in heaven, while the sweeter and maltier Ruination was better with the spicier kimchi and spicy celery. They both worked well with the miso-butterscotch paste.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Third Course</strong>: Fried blue fish with allium and potato.</p>
<p><strong>Beer</strong>: Cisco "Pechish Woods" 4.9%</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="padding-left: 90px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015390049543970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015390049543970b" title="DSC_0343" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015390049543970b-500wi" alt="DSC_0343" /></a></p>
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<p><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401539004cb00970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc98883401539004cb00970b" style="width: 340px;" title="DSC_0346" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401539004cb00970b-350wi" alt="DSC_0346" /></a> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015433d82546970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015433d82546970c" style="width: 340px;" title="DSC_0347" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015433d82546970c-350wi" alt="DSC_0347" /></a> <br /><br /></p>
<p style="padding-left: 180px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015433d8288e970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015433d8288e970c" style="width: 320px;" title="DSC_0344" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015433d8288e970c-320wi" alt="DSC_0344" /></a> <br /> <br /></p>
<p>Fats versus acids again. Lovely fatty blue fish with a lightly tart, wild peach ale. Allium is the proper name for the onion genus. It's fancy for spring onions in this case. The sweet onion flavors added the right balance for the lightly tart peach ale, and the salty, fatty blue fish.</p>
<p>The real winner on this plate though, was not the fish, not the beer, not the onions. It was the potatoes. Thin mandolin sliced potatoes, layered and cooked in lard. Yes, lard! Crispy cooked, soaked in delicious lard. It tasted like scalloped potatoes.They look like potato chunks on the plate, but they are sliced out of a pan like a lasagne and layered.</p>
<p>The Pechish Woods is exactly how I like sour beers. Lightly funky, lightly sour. I know most beer nerds want the harsh sour and super funky beers, but that is not enjoyable to me. I don't enjoy having my throat burned out by super tart acid in sour beers. I don't enjoy beers so infected with funk, that one sip makes you bloated to the point you look like the guy who blew up in <em>Big Trouble in Little China</em>.</p>
<p>No, this beer is perfect for me. Like the Cherry Woods, it's lightly effervescent, and flavored just beautifully. The tart was just strong enough to work through the fats, and just smooth enough to feel like you have had your throat ripped out by Patrick Swazye on <em>Road House</em>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Fourth Course</strong>: Beef Wellington with curry and braised greens.</p>
<p><strong>Beer</strong>: Pretty Things "December 6, 1855 East India Porter" 6% abv</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="padding-left: 90px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401539005c39b970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc98883401539005c39b970b" title="DSC_0352" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401539005c39b970b-500wi" alt="DSC_0352" /></a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 90px;"> </p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;"> <br /> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401539005fa60970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc98883401539005fa60970b" style="width: 280px;" title="DSC_0354" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401539005fa60970b-300wi" alt="DSC_0354" /></a> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401539060fa33970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc98883401539060fa33970b" style="width: 280px;" title="DSC_0348" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401539060fa33970b-300wi" alt="DSC_0348" /></a></p>
<p><br /> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8a54316e970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834014e8a54316e970d" style="width: 340px;" title="DSC_0349" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8a54316e970d-350wi" alt="DSC_0349" /></a> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8a5432a6970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834014e8a5432a6970d" style="width: 340px;" title="DSC_0350" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8a5432a6970d-350wi" alt="DSC_0350" /></a> <br /><br /> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401539061044e970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc98883401539061044e970b" style="width: 340px;" title="DSC_0355" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc98883401539061044e970b-350wi" alt="DSC_0355" /></a> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8a543a81970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834014e8a543a81970d" style="width: 340px;" title="DSC_0356" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8a543a81970d-350wi" alt="DSC_0356" /></a> <br /><br /><br /> <br />Fantastic family-style Beef Wellington with Chinese 5 spice, curried potatoes, braised greens, and rice. A nice fusion of English and Indian that compliments the style of the thick beer, East India Porter from Pretty Things. A recipe for an English porter recreated by Dann Paquette, emulating the style of English beers being drunk in India in the 1800's.</p>
<p>This beer was a lot more full than I had remembered from the first time I tried it. It went perfectly with the curried potatoes and the rich meat inside the Wellington. The braised greens added a good layer of earthiness and the rice tied everything together. The beer had rich coffee notes, and roasted malts and just the right amount of bitterness.Rich, hearty, filling, and completely satisfying.</p>
<p>And if this wasn't enough to send us all over the edge, dessert comes out.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Dessert</strong>: Treacle Tart and Shoofly Pie with Elderflower Whipped Cream</p>
<p><strong>Beer</strong>: Schlenkerla "Helles", 4.3 abv</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p style="padding-left: 90px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015434346589970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015434346589970c" title="DSC_0361" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015434346589970c-500wi" alt="DSC_0361" /></a> <br /><br /></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="padding-left: 90px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015434346727970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015434346727970c" title="DSC_0357" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015434346727970c-500wi" alt="DSC_0357" /></a> <br /><br /></p>
<p><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015434346a02970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015434346a02970c" style="width: 340px;" title="DSC_0362" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015434346a02970c-350wi" alt="DSC_0362" /></a> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015434346b3d970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015434346b3d970c" style="width: 340px;" title="DSC_0364" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015434346b3d970c-350wi" alt="DSC_0364" /></a> <br /><br /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>These may not look like the fanciest of desserts, but they didn't need to look fancy with the way they tasted. Treacle tart is a basic short crust with a lemon juice, golden syrup (treacle), lots of butter and bread crumbs. It's like a pecan pie in a way, but with all butter. It was so rich and divine. A very classic English dessert.</p>
<p>Shoofly pie is classic Dutch-Amish, American classic pie made of molasses and brown sugar. Again, super rich, filling, and so delicious. Paired with the Helles, a smoked lager beer from Germany, the house favorite of Journeyman, the smokey flavors that taste like bacon with the warm molasses and warm buttery treacle were just a miracle of a food combination. The crisp lager cut through the richness while the smokiness played with the butters and sweet flavors of the pie and tart. Unbelievable finish to an amazing dinner.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>And just to make sure we were fully pushed over the edge, macaroons filled with black treacle ice cream.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="padding-left: 150px;"><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8a546074970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834014e8a546074970d" style="width: 400px;" title="IMG_1834" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8a546074970d-400wi" alt="IMG_1834" /></a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 150px;"> </p>
<p>And that's how Journeyman rolls. Things We Love was quite a success. Full bellies and big smiles on everyone's face as the left.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8a548dc6970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834014e8a548dc6970d" style="width: 340px;" title="DSC_0310" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8a548dc6970d-350wi" alt="DSC_0310" /></a> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8a5491e7970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834014e8a5491e7970d" style="width: 340px;" title="DSC_0311" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8a5491e7970d-350wi" alt="DSC_0311" /></a> <br /><br /> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8a5493c9970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834014e8a5493c9970d" style="width: 340px;" title="DSC_0313" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834014e8a5493c9970d-350wi" alt="DSC_0313" /></a> <a style="display: inline;" onclick="window.open( this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0' ); return false" href="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015390616365970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00e551becc988834015390616365970b" style="width: 340px;" title="DSC_0314" src="http://www.scandalouscandice.com/.a/6a00e551becc988834015390616365970b-350wi" alt="DSC_0314" /></a> <br /><br /><br /></p>
<p>It's taken me a while to put this post together getting sidetracked with other projects. I think it was a good thing that I waited. Journeyman recently suffered an unfortunate accident with a vehicle that crashed into the front of their building causing the restaurant to close while they fixed the structural damage. Now they that they are open again, this post is exactly what you need to see to whet the appetite and drag your butts over there to support an amazing local gem. They will not disappoint you.</p>
<p>
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