Fail

The homemade sauerkraut failed in its first attempt.  Though it's only a small defeat in what is sure to be many succesful victories of sauerkraut production, it feels, and looks, awful.  Notice the carpet of mold.

A Taste of India

Cary and I ventured out to the Ted Constant COnvocation Center at Old Dominion University for their annual Taste of India celebration.  In addition to having all sorts of wonderful food, they had numerous acts, on stage, performing what appeared to be native dance and song.

Above, in my hand, is the Bhelpuri, kind of like an Indian version of Chex mix with spicy sauce on top.

 The samosas and chutney were very similar to what I've made before.  Mostly because of the fried component of the food.

Cary is chowing down on the Tikki Chhole.

Last dish we tried was the Masala Dosa with coconut chutney.  Though I ate all of it, it was the least flavorful of the dishes we ate.

To see what else is offered this weekend, visit the following site

http://www.tasteofindiahr.org/

Lolas in Ghent

Cary and I went to Lolas this evening for dinner.  We had been then once before with a group of people and were suprised at how good the food was.  The style is Carribean mixed with a Latin flavor.  Beans, rice, and plantains play a predominant role in the food.  We are both partial to the plantain nachos, pictured below.  We also both enjoy the chimichura, also pictured below.  Cary ordered a shrimp and plantain "smash" dish that came in the most unique entre dish I've ever seen.  Apparently the container was neater than the food. 

This restaraunt does have a cross-dressing party on Sunday morning's. 

Cary and her unique container filled with plantain mash and shrimp.

Awesome plantain nachos.  You are correct, Drag Brunch on Sunday mornings.

Chimichura, with mashed potatoes and asparaugs.  Very good.

Visit their website http://www.lolasghent.com/ to view the rest of their menu.

Mustard Roasted Salmon with Green Bean Salad and Basmati Rice

Cary and Spike help me eat our Wednesday night creation.  The recipie was strait from the Food Network website.

I don't know how long the link will work, the Food Network may rotate different meals through the following link:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/menus/easy-weeknight-salmon/index.html

Homemade Sauerkraut (day one)

When I started on this endeavor, I figured it would be easy.  So far I've done little actual work.  The smell and sight of a batch of cabbage in brine is rather unappealing.  I will let the internets know how this turns out. 

The idea came from my brother, who got it from his lady friend, who got it from Wild Fermentation, by Sandor Katz



The Green Onion on Colley in Norfolk has a wonderful Wednesday night special.  All you can eat mussels with a glass of wine for $17 (?)  The meal comes with fries and bread, I assume to help absorb the liquid combination of butter and garlic that the mussels float in. This meal is always a pleaser and real easy to minimie spending at an otherwise pricey restaraunt. 

http://www.thegreenonionrestaurant.com/

Canard avec pommes de terre at sauce au vin

I made the following one night when I was cooking for myself.  Cary's dad, Rick, sells meat and when I mentioned I like duck he unloaded several different peices of duck for me to have fun with.  I did a a google search and with the following link I cooked myself dinner.

http://www.thecitycook.com/cooking/recipes/data/000032

Though I didn't have all the fancy ingredients for the sauce, I thought the duck breast itself came out nice.  I was concerned about burning the duck, significant smoke was produced when I put the duck, fat-down, into the already hot cast iron skillet, it tasted great.  The color of the fat was very close to black, I'm unsure if you can see it in the photograph.

The potatoes and vegetables were hanging out in the kitchen or refrigerator and needed to get eaten or they would have been thrown away.

Though I have not tried the following, I foresee it in my future.

http://www.thehungrymouse.com/2009/02/11/the-best-way-to-roast-a-duck-hello-crispy-skin/