Monday, May 19, 2014

Granny, Asparagus, Rhubarb and Trilliums.

granny-j2-orcaThe oldest known Orca, Granny or J2, was spotted last week off the coast of British Columbia in the Strait of Georgia. The Orca is estimated to be 103 years old. Apparently her pod spends their summers in these waters and they were first spotted on May 9 this year. Each year they are anxious as to whether Granny will still be alive when the pod returns as Orcas don’t usually live quite so long, 60 to 90 years.

Yesterday I went for a refill of asparagus. I have mentioned in previous years that there are lots of Trilliums along the roadside when we drive there. Today, finally, I took some pix with my android tablet. Matt thinks they aren’t very good, but then he is a camera buff. I guess they are not marvellous, but I have been meaning to take some for years ever since we found Barrie’s Asparagus Farm. I don’t remember what year that was, but it’s a fairly long time ago. I think the first one is rather pretty actually.

2014-05-18 14.37.48

2014-05-18 14.37.56

At the farm I also bought some of their strawberry rhubarb, just 1 lb. which is enough for me, Matt doesn’t like it he says it makes his mouth feel furry. I cooked and ate some of it as my Sunday afternoon fruit. I am planning to make some asparagus pesto today – I will post the recipe tomorrow. Apart from being delicious, it keeps forever in the freezer
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Today is a holiday in Canada, Victoria Day. We have already had fireworks on Saturday and Sunday, no doubt there will be more official ones tonight. We forgot all about it until somebody mentioned it on the radio or TV. That’s one of the problems with being retired, holidays don’t mean much to us any more.

This is what we had for dinner on Saturday night. It is an old fashioned recipe these days and yet it is one we both enjoy very much.

Steak Diane - my version

Slice each steak horizontally to make two steaks.

2 fillet steaks sliced thinlySteak-Diane_thumb1
2 oz butter (or more)
1 tsp Worcester sauce
2 Tbs onions or shallots, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup mushroom caps, sliced.
1 Tbs lemon juice
1 tsp dry mustard (Colman’s for preference)
2 oz heavy cream
1 oz brandy
Seasoning

Melt butter in pan and sauté steaks til  browned on both sides (1 minute) place on plates in warm oven. Add more butter to pan if required, add Worcester sauce, sauté mushrooms, onion, garlic til beginning to soften. Put steaks back into pan and cook to desired doneness. Add cream and seasoning together with mustard powder. Pour brandy into edge of pan, ignite and swirl to spread flames. Once flames have died serve. Pouring the sauce over the steaks.

Have a great day
Jo-2_thumb2

24 comments:

  1. I hadn't heard of strawberry rhubarb, but as Yorkshire is the place for rhubarb we have some regularly.

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    1. I just wish Matt enjoyed it. I didn't know Yorkshire was the place for rhubarb.

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  2. Happy Victoria Day, Jo! Your Steak Diane recipe looks delicious! I've never had asparagus pesto before, but I'm sure it's a treat!

    Julie

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    1. Thanks Julie. It was delicious. Asparagus pesto is delicious and a favourite with us.

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  3. Furry mouth is better than cotton mouth.
    And that's a really old orca.

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    1. I love your biting humour.

      Isn't it? Wasn't really sure how they knew her age.

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  4. I was blessed to see L Pod off the San Juan Islands on a whale watch I took out of Victoria. It was life changing. Orcas are my fave whales (but really are members of the dolphin family). I've included pics of PNW First Nations whale art on my blog today. That recipe looks great but is the brandy essential to the recipe? I don't want to buy it just for one recipe. Have a great Victoria Day!

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    1. I just read your blog JoJo. Lucky you to see the L Pod. I have never been on a whale watch and would love to do so.

      As for the brandy, it wouldn't taste as good but I suppose you could leave it out. On the other hand, your liquor store may sell miniature brandies which would be just about enough. I wouldn't dream of leaving it out for us.

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  5. How wonderful that Granny was spotted. I love seeing the porpoises while I'm at the ocean because I've heard they chase sharks away.

    My mom makes that sort of steak. Delicious!

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  6. Me too, never seen orcas or whales of any kind though.

    It is delicious.

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  7. I didn't know orcas lived that long! I thought on you last weekend. Saw fresh asparagus and remembered some of your recipes. Abrazos!

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    1. Nor me.

      There will be lots more asparagus recipes Al. Abrazos!

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  8. We used to go to this fabulously expensive "special occasion" restaurant during college, and we'd sometimes order Steak Diane. The The Engineer's best friend, who was a waiter at the restaurant, reverse engineered the recipe and would make it for us. I might have to give this a try...it has a LOT of favorite flavors...
    Tina @ Life is Good
    On the Open Road! @ Join us for the 4th Annual Post-Challenge Road Trip!

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    1. It is very much a favourite for Matt and I.

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  9. Hi Jo,

    I have had the privilege of see the magnificent Orca when I lived in Vancouver. To find out that Granny was seen in Georgia Strait, is absolutely amazing.

    I shall now ask my neighbour, "Diane", is she would help me cook such a steak.

    With that, Gary should get some sleep. Goodnight from England.

    Gary

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    1. Another lucky person. I would love to go whale watching.

      It's easy enough to cook Gary. Maybe Penny could give you some tips.

      Goodnight to you too.

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  10. I'm looking forward to that recipe.

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    1. Which one, the asparagus pesto. It is in my blog ready to go.

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  11. Hi, Jo,

    I had no idea orcas live that long. I hope Granny makes it another year or more. How graceful they are cutting through the waves.

    That Steak Diane looks YUMMY.... Glad I ate already. LOL.

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    1. No, it's incredible isn't it? I hope she does too.

      It is Yummy.

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  12. That was so sweet to read of Granny; I hope she has many more years in her so to speak! When we lived in Medford, Oregon by the Harry and David pear orchards (and I'm not sure if they are there any more) for some reason asparagus was good for the pear trees so asparagus grew alongside the trees, probably good nutrients? When they ripened, people could go and pick them for free. We didn't go and pick them but knew of others that did and shared the abundance with us. Talk about delicious!

    betty

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    1. How interesting. I have never heard of that before. I wonder if the farmer knows about it. I would love to be able to pick it free.

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  13. We have a white whale called Migaloo which passes by our coastline every year on her way to somewhere. She brought a calf with her one year. I unfortunately have never seen her or any whale in the wild.

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    1. A white whale, that's different. I would love to see them wouldn't you?

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