Blauhaus Sushi Station

I asked my brother over for dinner this week, and what does that unpredictable scamp do? He brings over the makings for California Rolls. We made most of them inside-out, unlike the ones pictured here. They were so freegin' good. He brought good crabmeat from Trader Joe's, and that made the difference. I had no sesame seeds on hand, but we made good California Rolls. Bryan is far more practiced at this art, and his rolls were perfect. Mine didn't fall apart, but the filling was off center like Marty Feldman's eyes in Young Frankenstein. I got creative with one roll, which I named the Hello Kitty Sourpuss Roll. I included some preserved lemon (with a bit of the salt removed by soaking), and it was pretty good. We drank $10 Italian red wine with it all (Tenuta del Portale Starsa Basilicata), and it was perfect. Then, we watched a violent Japanese animated film called Ninja Scroll. Not English-dubbed. Marvelous.

Gyū-maki

I'm not sure why the picture is slightly blurry. Perhaps the camera focused on the bit of exposed plate in the center, which was a bit further from the lens than the top of the rolls. We ate them, obliterating the possibility of a re-shoot.
Anyway, they tasted good. The scallions added a good element. Perhaps next time, a bit less rice and a bit more beef. Maybe I'll use slivers of grilled flank steak.

Roast Beef Nigiri

It's more or less impossible to find raw fish that's suitable for this around here, so I made landlocked nigiri sushi. Sometimes I've seen "sashimi grade tuna," but I'm not so sure I trust that.
My immature rice technique contributed to these beasties being quite delicate and difficult to eat, but they tasted very good. The flavors of roast beef and soy sauce combine beautifully - it's an umami smackdown. I think next time I'll have some nori on hand to tie a band around the nigiri to hold it together, like they do with unagi sushi:

Perhaps a small roll with roast beef and scallions inside would be good, and easier to eat. I love the combination of beef and scallions.

Mum's Visit

Crust: Half whole wheat with fresh rosemary. Sauce: Caramelized onions and sweet red peppers. Toppings: Chicken/apple sausage and provolone cheese with fresh basil after baking.

It didn't suck. It was but one of the numerous things consumed during Mom's visit.
Lindz made ice cream with fresh peaches and ginger, it should be mentioned. That was some goodass crap. And then there was dinner at Humble Pie. I got a couple bottles of wine for the occasion (a Vacqueyras and an Aglianico), and we had a smashing time. The mushroom napoleon is great. And the spinach tart. And the black bean crepe with crabmeat. And the shrimp and grits. And the berry tart....
Naturally, there was more to her visit than just gluttony, but the gluttony is easier to remember.

Charleston

Lindz and I drove down to Charleston for a wedding this past weekend. After 4 1/2 hours of easy, unexciting driving, we arrived in that handsome town. The ceremony was held in the French Huguenot Church:
Here's the exterior of the church:
From there, we proceeded to the reception at the Aquarium. You can see the Ravenel Bridge in the background, and the USS Yorktown is out of frame to the right.
Aquatic life surrounded us (there were sharks swimming by the buffet). Here is the bride dancing with her dad as the fish look on:
Lindz and I did some serious walking the next day. There were characterful old buildings and streets in every direction. This is an overgrown old graveyard next to a church, a spot we found after wandering through and old wrought iron gate.

It seems like we ended up with few pictures, and they don't do the town justice. The weather was perfect, if a tad muggy, and we had most of a day to wander. We did some fine eating, too....

A new record and a meal

We just ended the hottest month ever. Really. August was the hottest month ever recorded for the Triangle (with an average temperature of 84.1 degrees at RDU airport). Thirty of the month's 31 days exceeded 90 degrees. I can't wait for winter. I've heard locals bitch and moan when it gets below 50. THAT'S WHAT COATS ARE FOR, CANDY ASS. You have never experienced cold until you've waited for the school bus in Michigan. I hope nobody from Kapuskasing is reading this; they might not agree.

I just love cold weather, that's all. I bake things, roast things, braise things - always with the knowledge that I'm warming the house, rather that giving the air conditioner more work to do. I get to enjoy the clothes that have been tucked away for months. Summer tomatoes are good though; there's no two ways about that. I'm tired of heat, though. Lots of folks here, both locals and Yankees, feel the same way.

Anyway, I made this for dinner:

It's a grilled Boston Butt pork chop with a reduction of white wine, maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard and garlic. The salad is fairly obvious: strawberries (very good ones, I was pleased to find), greens, pine nuts, feta and balsamic vinaigrette. We drank some Brother Thelonious Abbey Ale with it.