THANKSGIVING 2015

Caroline did a Fantastic job preparing a Thanksgiving Dinner all by herself but this has been the case for many years so she has indeed had practice so frankly I am not surprised. Pictured above is my "Plate".

Clockwise from 9. Chestnut Sausage Stuffing, Roast Turkey, Cranberry Sauce, Mashed Potatoes & Turkey Basted Carrots.

This was indeed Delicious 

Appetizers consisting of Raw Veggie Platter (with Dipping Sauce) and Cracker Barrel Extra Sharp Cheddar & Vermont White Cheddar accompanied by Triscuits & Carr's Water Crackers.

EVERYBODY KNOWS THE BIRD'S THE WORD.

And to Drink, White Sangria, Martini & Rossi Asti Spumanti, Becks Beer & Yellowtail Pinot Grigio.

Carving The Cooper.

Sean-Luc Ponty serenading the Dinner table.

"I'm Lucky, You're Lucky, We're All Lucky !!!"

OTHER PEOPLES FOOD - THANKSGIVING 2015

Wendy's Plate.

Andi's Plate.

Melissa's Plate.

Jim's Plate.

Claudia's Plate.

Claudia's Key Lime Banana Pie.

Charlie's Plate (Leftovers).

Pamster Plate.

CAMPBELL'S SOUPS ll

"Nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky"

And Campbell's.

11/21/15 - Southwest Style Bean & Barley - Heavy on the Barley & Bean with Diced Tomato and Corn thrown in for good measure. Pleasant enough But let me add some Grated Cheese for effect.

IN A PINCH - IT'S A JAR SAUCE THING, YOU WOULD'NT UNDERSTAND

I grabbed these three guys on sale at Waldbaum's to sample them and frankly am not sure if I will ever go out of my way to prepare these "exotic" Flavor's at home on my own. While I am sure they are simple to concoct I am a Crushed Tomato Bolognese or Marinara Sauce guy in the kitchen when making a homeade Sauce. 

11/20/15 - The Creamy Mozzarella was pretty much completely lacking in Flavor, I mean it was there but that is where it began and ended. Edible Yes but "meh"

12/28/15 - I can only describe this as Chef Boyardee Sauce in a jar with the Cheese mixed with Tomato Flavor, better than the Creamy Mozzarella described above but looks like the RAGU people aren't impressing me as of yet.

But do you really expect much from a Jar Sauce.

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE - Brooklyn, New York

The Gorgeous 

 "Blooming Onion" ($ 8.99)

Practically a staple of the Outback Steakhouse Menu and where else are you going to get one of these fella's. I will surmise that they did not invent it but maybe they did.

My friend Roy gifted me fifty bucks of gift cards quite a few years back and I am thankful so my bill was minimal but the Food was Wonderful as was my companion.

I attended on my fiftieth birthday week and had a BLAST.

Service was Good.

Food was Great.

Companion was Awesome.

Firecracker Salmon - Topped with Fresh Mango Salsa & in this case a Baked Sweet Potato ($19.99).

I only had a teeny Bite as this was Christina's plate but my Mouth Watered. a good sign.

Signature Chop Steak - Ground Steak atop Sauteed Mushrooms & Grilled Onions, served with Garlic Mashed Potatoes & Veggies ($11.99)

They did not ask me to which Temperage I would like the Burger (which is basically what I ordered) should be prepared but heck this is OUTBACK STEAK HOUSE and they know how to do it and they did it well. 

I could not discern Garlic in the Mashed Potatoes.

Christina and I soloed the Potatoes and there was indeed Garlic.

The Gratuitous Bread & Butter Appetizer.

Very Good.

YES, I Stole A Ramiken but maybe not on purpose, Maybe.

Some Guy.

As I pontificated, It Is A Staple. 

As a Leftover, Always prepare in the Oven & NOT the Microwave. Good rule of thumb with Everything.

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE ONLINE

LA BELLA - Brooklyn, New York

The Wonderous Fried Eggplant & Tomato Sandwich as devised by Christina and of her creation.

This cute little Cookie was purchased by me after Christina gave it a second look (Cheese plate & knife) and at $3.99 was a steal as the Cheese itself was worth that alone. 

Pesto Cheese, Peppercorn Cheese and Whatever Cheese but all from Tuscanny, Italy and most formidable and mouth wateringly outstanding.

Prepared Foods I do shy away from as the price is escalated and why not make it homeade, but this is done just right and a joy it was.

LA BELLA ONLINE

B & A PORK STORE - Brooklyn, New York

One of Brooklyn's Classic Pork Stores.

Pictured above is a pair of Prosciutto Balls and the ever elusive Crispelli which I had yet to hear about until that day.

Prosciutto Balls - Mostly Ricotta so not my favorite but trust me, I am not complaining.

?

The Mysterious Crispelli.

The Excellent counterperson said it was like an "Italian Egg Roll" and while it was only breaded and had no skin like an Egg Roll this was fantastic. Ricotta and Spinach Breaded and Fried.

I can only blame this on my girlfriend's dirty mind unless of course you don't see anything in this photo, then in fact it is my dirty mind.

This Must Be Da Place.

B & A ONLINE

APPLES & CHEESE

Oft heard of but possibly tried years ago and boy does this work.

Fresh Apples, packaged quality Cheese and Ritz Crackers I believe.

The Orchard.

On The Road.

LAMB OVER RICE

Lamb Over Rice.

Nothing more to be said.

GUNK HAUS

After Apple picking we attended Gunk Haus which to my consideration is not the greatest name for an Eating establishment as in "Get this Gunk off my Plate" but a fine Restaurant it was.

French Fries of a considerable momentum with a Dipping Sauce of unknown origin.

Of Unkown Origin.

The BURGER, of which I hear was Delicious.

Hungarian Goulash. This I have tried for the first time but it was a paltry sized Dish for the price of twenty bucks.

Pork Sammich.

Sausage Platter.

No Idea

Black Forest - Stout & Sweet Cherry Wine.

How could I Resist.

The Facade.

The Mailbox.

Table Centerpiece.

GUNK HAUS ONLINE