Monday, July 28, 2025

Food and Wine

I brought back something from Santa Barbara, a slight cold gave way to a bronchial thing. Gave it to my wife, which she didn't really appreciate.

I covid tested just to be sure but never had a high fever and I was clean. Bill and Shirley got sick too up there. 

I leave soon for New Mexico and packing while feeling like this is a bear. Will be interesting to see how I fare, physically if not financially. 

I honestly think I have a bacterial lung infection and am self medicating with antibiotic Keflex as of tonight. Nothing else, including codeine, is touching whatever is in my lungs. I have to wonder if it is the old building I work in at Earl Warren? I get sick there a lot.

Still dealing with other issues, my brother's passing and I lost another close friend yesterday after a long battle. It all adds up.

I think I mentioned that I have had only one drink in nine months, a glass of wine at Joseph and Linda's. No smoke either, I have been very clean and focused. Well the streak came to an end in Santa Barbara.

A friend gave Bill and I a 2002 bottle of Silver Oak cabernet two years ago for selling a Granvile Redmond painting for him. 

Probably my favorite wine.

The bottle was getting long in the tooth and it was now or never in Santa Barbara. 

Still good, had it with a saffron seafood pasta at Teddy's in Carpenteria.

Twenty dollar corkage.

I am not sure if I am such a china doll at this point that one bottle of wine can nail my immune system but I guess it is possible.

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Got a chance today to hear Nick and his Vulcan Mountain Boys rehearse for an upcoming bluegrass concert.

Such a talented bunch.

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Both Leslie and I like to cook so at times it gets competitive in our small kitchen.

But when we cooperate, even better meals occur.

My wife is an incredible shopper. She brought home delicious fresh sand dabs yesterday. I dredged them in a seasoned flour and panko and flash cooked them in my enameled cast iron skillet. Forgot to add the beaten egg the recipe called for but it didn't seem to mind too much.

Superb.

She also found an amazing deal on rack of lamb. Regularly $24.99, she found two ten chop racks for $4.99 the other day at Sprouts and sent the butcher back for two more that he had in the back.

Some people don't like lamb. We love lamb but don't eat a lot of it. 

After tonight's dinner I wish that she had bought ten of them. 

She did a six hour garlic rosemary marinade. 

My wife is a master at marinating lamb, from butterflied legs to chops.  

She made the best ever tonight.


I seared them on each side and then popped them in a 450 degree oven for fourteen minutes, then a two minute broil at the end.

My god, were they good. Had them with a lemon artichoke pasta and a caprese salad, which tasted even better when mixed together with the pasta.

Who knew?

Can't wait to cook the next rack when I come back from Santa Fe.

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