Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Staycation...Boston Style
We have had some gorgeous weather in Chicago recently.
Yeah, there was a TON of rain there for a while, but since last Thursday or so, it's been really nice. I didn't cook this weekend because there was a poker run for City Heat. Actually, a lot of the clubs showed up than just City Heat. There ended up being 220 people signed in on 150 motorcycles. It's an incredible sight to see; especially when getting that heard onto the Edens Expressway. I swear on my next run, I'll bring my Flip camera so I can show you guys what it's all about. It was a great time, and not shockingly, I am totally sunburned. Sunburns are always more fun to get than they are to wear for the next few days.
Thursday, I was hanging out in the Kitchen with Dan "The Lobster Man" and cooking up a Boston Party Gram for our annual Lobster Gram Staycation event.
It was definitely great to be out of the office and out in the sunshine for an afternoon.
There was a lot of work to get done, but we still found time to sit down after everything was wrapped up and enjoy the Boston Party Gram we had prepared in the NEW Professional Seafood Steamer Pot.
As always, I'm still amazed by how much food we include in a dinner for two. There was enough food in just that package to feed Dan and I, as well as his neighbors who stopped by to have lunch with us. Really...when a dinner for two feeds 4 adults, you know that's a huge feast.
So, here are some pictures from our adventures last week. I'll be posting more pictures this week from the Ultimate Surf & Turf Sampler & Tomahawk Steaks!
Happy Eating Foodies!
Lobster Gram's Boston Party Gram
NEW Professional 19qt Seafood Steamer Pot
Snow Crab Cocktail Claws
Snow Crab Cocktail Claws and Chowder from the Boston Party Gram
A little bit of Maine delivered to the heart of Illinois. What a wonderful concept!
Yeah, there was a TON of rain there for a while, but since last Thursday or so, it's been really nice. I didn't cook this weekend because there was a poker run for City Heat. Actually, a lot of the clubs showed up than just City Heat. There ended up being 220 people signed in on 150 motorcycles. It's an incredible sight to see; especially when getting that heard onto the Edens Expressway. I swear on my next run, I'll bring my Flip camera so I can show you guys what it's all about. It was a great time, and not shockingly, I am totally sunburned. Sunburns are always more fun to get than they are to wear for the next few days.
Thursday, I was hanging out in the Kitchen with Dan "The Lobster Man" and cooking up a Boston Party Gram for our annual Lobster Gram Staycation event.
It was definitely great to be out of the office and out in the sunshine for an afternoon.
There was a lot of work to get done, but we still found time to sit down after everything was wrapped up and enjoy the Boston Party Gram we had prepared in the NEW Professional Seafood Steamer Pot.
As always, I'm still amazed by how much food we include in a dinner for two. There was enough food in just that package to feed Dan and I, as well as his neighbors who stopped by to have lunch with us. Really...when a dinner for two feeds 4 adults, you know that's a huge feast.
So, here are some pictures from our adventures last week. I'll be posting more pictures this week from the Ultimate Surf & Turf Sampler & Tomahawk Steaks!
Happy Eating Foodies!
Lobster Gram's Boston Party Gram
NEW Professional 19qt Seafood Steamer PotSnow Crab Cocktail Claws
Snow Crab Cocktail Claws and Chowder from the Boston Party GramA little bit of Maine delivered to the heart of Illinois. What a wonderful concept!Perfectly Steamed Boston Party Feast
Ingredients & Equipment
Fill the bottom of the steamer pot with about 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil over a high heat while covered. Once steam is streaming through the bottom of the interior of the pot, put the corn and potatoes into the pot and cover. Allow to steam for 5-10 minutes alone before adding shellfish.
After 5-10 minutes, add Live Lobsters, Clams and Mussels to the steamer pot and cover.
Set kitchen timer for 10 minutes.
Once time is up, remove shellfish from the steamer pot, allow to cool slightly and serve with plenty of lemon and butter.
Happy Eating Foodies!
Ingredients & Equipment
- Two Live Maine Lobsters (select size below)
- One lb. each: Fresh Littleneck Clams & PEI Mussels
- One 20 oz. New England Clam Chowder
- One lb. of Snow Crab Claws
- Two servings New Potatoes & Sweet Corn
- Fresh Whole Lemon
- Clarified Butter
- Seafood Steamer Pot
- Tongs
- Kitchen timer
Fill the bottom of the steamer pot with about 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil over a high heat while covered. Once steam is streaming through the bottom of the interior of the pot, put the corn and potatoes into the pot and cover. Allow to steam for 5-10 minutes alone before adding shellfish.
After 5-10 minutes, add Live Lobsters, Clams and Mussels to the steamer pot and cover.
Set kitchen timer for 10 minutes.
Once time is up, remove shellfish from the steamer pot, allow to cool slightly and serve with plenty of lemon and butter.
Happy Eating Foodies!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Meatless Monday- Red Wine Mushroom Risotto
Last week, the Lobster Gram Creative Director Nancy, brought me some Red Wine Mushroom Risotto. Had it for lunch and it was mouthwatering!I'm in the process of bugging her for the recipe, so as soon as I have it...I will be thrilled to share!
For the time being...just feast your eyes ;)
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
BBQ Bison Steaks and Crab Stuffed Lobster Tails for Mother's Day from Lobster Gram!
Good Monday morning foodies! I hope everyone had a relaxing weekend. For all of you Moms out there...I hope you enjoyed Mother's Day.
As I myself am not a Mom, nor do I ever plan to be, this weekend was all about my Mom.
Unfortunately she had to work both Saturday and Sunday, but that gave me plenty of time to get everything prepared for our late lunch/early dinner on Sunday.
Because Mother's Day is such a special occasion in my family (my Mother raised both my sister and I single handed) I decided nothing less than a great Surf & Turf feast would do the trick.
But I'm not just talking any Surf & Turf...it had to be unique. As unique as my Mom is, if that's even possible.
The answer came to me Friday...
Crab Stuffed Maine Lobster Tails and Bison Steaks with my (now) famous homemade Hot & Sweet BBQ Sauce (heh, it's kinda like me :).
Extra Surf & Exotic Large Game Turf...that sounds like a meal worthy of the strong willed woman who raised me.
So it began on Saturday. I had to prepare the BBQ Sauce for the Recipe. I didn't take any pictures of this process, but BBQ sauce really isn't that photogenic to begin with. Oh well.
So in lieu of pictures...here is the recipe to my very best BBQ Sauce. I hope you enjoy it.
Nikki's Hot & Sweet BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
1/2 cup 18 Year old traditional Balsamic Vinegar
1/2 cup Pear & Cinnamon Balsamic Vinegar
1 cup dry red wine
2 cups ketchup
2/3 cup brown sugar
4 tbs minced fresh garlic
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 Tbsp. Spicy Apple Cinnamon Ginger Mustard
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
Hot sauce to taste (I use regular Louisiana Hot Sauce)
Directions:
Place all ingredients together in a medium cooking pot and bring to a boil while stirring occasionally. Reduce mixture until about half. Once sauce is sufficiently thickened, allow it to cool and jar it immediately. Allow to sit overnight for maximum flavors.
So...here are the pictures from my weekend of food. I also had a chance to swing into my favorite vendor's location on Saturday and pick up some tasty treats for myself.
Happy Eating foodies!
Raspberry Cheesecake Heart with Chocolate Decoration
Mini Chocolate Mousse Heart Cakes
Plain NY Cheesecake
NEW- Petite Fours
Giant Strawberry dipped in three types of chocolate.
Mom's Surf & Turf Feast for Mother's Day 2010
Crab Stuffed Maine Lobster Tails from Lobster Gram
Home Made Berry Cobbler
As I myself am not a Mom, nor do I ever plan to be, this weekend was all about my Mom.
Unfortunately she had to work both Saturday and Sunday, but that gave me plenty of time to get everything prepared for our late lunch/early dinner on Sunday.
Because Mother's Day is such a special occasion in my family (my Mother raised both my sister and I single handed) I decided nothing less than a great Surf & Turf feast would do the trick.
But I'm not just talking any Surf & Turf...it had to be unique. As unique as my Mom is, if that's even possible.
The answer came to me Friday...
Crab Stuffed Maine Lobster Tails and Bison Steaks with my (now) famous homemade Hot & Sweet BBQ Sauce (heh, it's kinda like me :).
Extra Surf & Exotic Large Game Turf...that sounds like a meal worthy of the strong willed woman who raised me.
So it began on Saturday. I had to prepare the BBQ Sauce for the Recipe. I didn't take any pictures of this process, but BBQ sauce really isn't that photogenic to begin with. Oh well.
So in lieu of pictures...here is the recipe to my very best BBQ Sauce. I hope you enjoy it.
Nikki's Hot & Sweet BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
1/2 cup 18 Year old traditional Balsamic Vinegar
1/2 cup Pear & Cinnamon Balsamic Vinegar
1 cup dry red wine
2 cups ketchup
2/3 cup brown sugar
4 tbs minced fresh garlic
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 Tbsp. Spicy Apple Cinnamon Ginger Mustard
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
Hot sauce to taste (I use regular Louisiana Hot Sauce)
Directions:
Place all ingredients together in a medium cooking pot and bring to a boil while stirring occasionally. Reduce mixture until about half. Once sauce is sufficiently thickened, allow it to cool and jar it immediately. Allow to sit overnight for maximum flavors.
So...here are the pictures from my weekend of food. I also had a chance to swing into my favorite vendor's location on Saturday and pick up some tasty treats for myself.
Happy Eating foodies!
Raspberry Cheesecake Heart with Chocolate Decoration
Mini Chocolate Mousse Heart Cakes
Plain NY Cheesecake
NEW- Petite Fours
Giant Strawberry dipped in three types of chocolate. Mom's Surf & Turf Feast for Mother's Day 2010
Crab Stuffed Maine Lobster Tails from Lobster Gram
Home Made Berry CobblerThursday, May 6, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
