Anniversary, Red Lobster, Lamb's Kidneys, Charcoal,

I was reminded that yesterday was ladydog's 47th wedding anniversary (same as ours). For some reason it was not on my calendar. It is now. We all went to lunch at Red Lobster to use my birthday dessert coupon. ladydog and I both had a new combo, Seafarers Feast. It was delicious although ladydog took the shrimp home with her. So did I, inside me!! Matt had his usual Yucatan Tilapia with Shrimp.

I ordered desserts to go but as our Chocolate Wave Cake comes with ice cream, I said we would eat it in house.- they brought me, what they call a Celebration Sundae which was ice cream covered with piped cream, chocolate ganache and a touch of fruit ganache too. Delicious. Matt was given just the ice cream and chocolate and they gave ladydog one as well. Nice of them. We also got a doggie bag with two chocolate waves which are now in the freezer for Saturday.

ladydog wasn't too happy, she has heard me rave about this ice cream and has been avoiding trying it in case she had to drive all the way to Peterborough. I don't think she was as nutty about it as I am though.

I had been talking about going to the Charcoal Steak House on Thursday as a birthday dinner because my actual birthday is Saturday and we never go out on Saturday evenings. ladydog suggested going there for lunch. Hadn't thought of that.

I finally got round to cooking some of the lamb's kidneys I bought weeks ago. For some reason I kept

forgetting about them. Anyway, this is the recipe I used for supper tonight. It wasn't quite as hot (spicy) as I expected although after I had mixed the ingredients it was supremely hot. It occurred to me, the Victorians were great ones for devilling foods, they would have loved all the spicy hot foods we get today.

Devilled Kidneys

2 tsp Worcestershire sauce (pronounced woostersheer)
1 Tbs prepared English mustard (Coleman's)
1 Tbs lemon juice
1 Tbs tomato purée
pinch of cayenne pepper
salt and ground black pepper
2 Tbs butter
1 shallot, finely chopped
8 lamb's kidneys, skinned, halved and cored
1 Tbs chopped fresh parsley to garnish

1. Mix the first 6 ingredients together (including salt and pepper) to make a sauce.

2. Melt the butter in a frying pan, add the chopped shallot and cook stirring occasionally, until it is softened but not coloured.

3. Stir the kidney halves into the shallots in the pan and cook  over medium high heat for about 3 mins on each side.

4. Pour the sauce over the kidneys and quickly stir so that they become evenly coated. Serve immediately sprinkled with fresh parsley.

Servings: 4

Tips
Note: To remove the cores from the kidneys use sharp kitchen scissors rather than a knife. Much easier.

Source: The Ultimate Hot and Spicy Cookbook

Author Notes
"Devilled" dishes are always hot and spicy. If you have time, mix the spicy ingredients together in advance to give the flavours time to mingle.

Have a great day
 

Trader Joe's, Charcoal, Lunch, Hospital,

Friday I was wondering about Trader Joe's products and whether we could buy them in Canada. The answer is - yes, through Amazon.ca, but not many items. I remember eating at a Trader Joe's many years ago, I know I was attending a conference, but can't remember which town I was in at the time. I also remember I enjoyed whatever I ate. As it was some 40 years ago, roughly, I can be pardoned for not remembering  the details.

Talking of restaurants, there is one here we haven't been to for a while, the Charcoal Steakhouse, and I was thinking the other day (pass it on the way to get asparagus) that we should do so. They do very good pigtails there I recall. Long time since we were there so they might not have them on the menu any more. They used to have the place split into 3 or 4 different restaurants with different atmospheres and some different food choices. I know friends of ours used to go there all the time.

Friday ladydog picked up some subs and came to lunch. Brought some lovely lilac with her, the lilacs have been absolutely beautiful this year. I have noticed the most gorgeous bushes this year, full of flowers. Always loved lilac. Had a really enjoyable lunch but she didn't stay all that long. Afterwards, I finished pickling/canning two more jars of asparagus and 4 small jars of the ends which I had to cut off. These have just gone in the fridge as cold pickles and will get consumed very quickly.

We are spending most of Monday in the hospital whilst Matt gets his kidney stone zapped. As I understand it, we won't be leaving til around 3. Matt has removed his jewellery, amusing it says to remove his piercings too. Hasn't got any thank goodness.

I have never tried these but re-reading I think I might do so. I only have one serving of asparagus and I jokingly told Matt I would go while he was in the hospital. Not sure when I will get there. Could open my canned ones I suppose, I don't think so.

Asparagus and Jalapenos Cornbread Muffins

3 Tbs coconut oil
1/3 cup apple sauce or reduced/cooked peaches
1 large egg
1/4 cup of pure maple syrup
1 cup coconut milk
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup gf flour (Bobs Red Mill)
1/2 tsp baking soda
Sea salt and pepper
1 red chili/ jalapenos, diced
1 bunch of asparagus, chopped BUT save tops for garnish.

Preheat oven to 350°F and coat muffin tin with coconut oil. Mix all wet ingredients together with peppers and asparagus. Mix dry ingredients together thoroughly and slowly incorporate into wet batter. Pour into muffin tins approx. 1/4 full. Finish with aspara-tops. Bake for 15/20 minutes until golden.

Author Notes
Good for up to 4 days fresh OR freeze for a couple weeks. Great with a fried egg, with preserves or what we did at home is use for sloppy Joe’s using Walter All Natural, Craft Caesar Mix.

Have a great day