Bar Tab Delay

The pilot of a Jet Blue flight from Washington DC (DCA) to Boston (BOS) had to make an odd announcement to passengers while they waited for the plane to push back from the jetway the other day.  The pilot publicly advised all aboard that 'a group of six people on this flight have left a bar tab open at the Samuel Adams tavern on the concourse.  All of us aboard would appreciate it if someone went and took care of it, so we can be cleared to depart'.  This is one of the funniest things i have heard in over 1 million miles of air travel.

Dad's Quick and Spicy Salsa

Ingredients:

Three medium size tomatoes
One-half of a large onion
Two large Jalapenos
One large clove of garlic
One teaspoon of salt
Juice of one half lemon

Preparation:

Chop tomato, onion, jalapeno and garlic and place all into a food processor (or blender).
Add salt and lemon juice to mixture.  Run processor on puree for less than one minute.
Sprinkle a little fresh, crushed cilanthro and serve.  Makes about 1 quart.
Any good tortilla chip will work as a dipping tool.

Chicago

A friend asked for my ideas on what to see in Chicago, by no means am I an expert, but here is my two cents for a quick few days…

The architectural river tour is actually interesting.  The pier is pretty cool also (a little carnival like, but interesting)  We took a boat ride off the pier that was ok (they serve beer if I remember correctly).  Go to the bar at the top of Hancock tower, worth the view.  We had dinner there, but that wasn't as memorable as the view.  If you have 3-6 hours to kill, rent a car (maybe zip car or similar) and head out to oak park, "ground zero" for Frank Lloyd Wright.  His house tour is worth the time, a short walk in the neighborhood has several other examples of his work.  A short drive away is unity temple (church he designed) that will let you take a tour if church stuff isn't going on.  Even if you can't get inside a walk around the outside is interesting.  Back to the city, the park is interesting, gehry did the performance pavilion & the anish capour (sp?) sculpture is really cool, giant polished stainless steel bean you can walk under.  If you want to try a funky cajun restaurant in an office building, heaven on seven is the place.  Look it up or ask the hotel, they will know where it is (the original one).  We hit a blues club one not that was interesting, but not quite the rock scene.

Pics from our trip in September 2005  http://www.flickr.com/photos/spmooney/sets/72157594291256134/

Mirepoix risotto

Mirepoix with a half stick of butter and some olive oil.

Add a little white wine and then "toast" the risotto, before adding water, on medium heat, stir in risotto to let it start absorbing the concentrated flavors.  In this case I threw in some left over fresh spinach that wasn't enough for a salad.

Added stock in 3 pours and once the stock is absorbed, turn heat off and add chunks of feta.

Served in a pasta bowl with fresh pecorino shaved on top.

Enjoy!

1717 Porchetta

9 lbs. of Berkshire Belly & 6 lbs. or Durock Loin, cross scored inside and out some rub can penetrate.

 Onions, carrots, celery & herbs from the garden (cilantro, lovage, rosemary, lavender, oregano, tyme, etc...) blended together with a little olive oil to from a paste.

 Paste is then rubbed on meat side of belly and all over loin.  Belly is then wrapped around loin (fat side out) and bound with twine.

 Large metal skewer is put through center of loin and set up on the grill rotisserie roughly in the center, so heat can be controlled from outside, inside or both.  Center burners are usually left off to prevent flare up.  Turn on rotisserie for 3-4 hours, checking occasionally.

Let sit for 10 mins, then slice and serve.  Can be served by itself or with bread as a sandwich with mayonnaise (or mayo blended with siracha and or paprika).  We served with orange rice mixed with grilled corn.

The facts on Porchetta here.

Happy coooking!