Having It My Way

I felt an unstoppable craving for burgers tonight, and I had to indulge. Not the first time I've explored this subject, but it is the first time in a while that I've made a burger of my own, and I think the results are worth attention:

Isn't she a beaut? I took a style cue from John Yobo and mixed some garlic into the meat, along with some chopped mushrooms. I'm having it on whole wheat toast with pepper jack cheese, stone-ground mustard, and fresh spinach. Watch your broiler times; mine came out a bit underdone at first. I'm sure the fine people at Burger King might have some tips for that. In the end, it was succulent and delicious.

Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout

Since moving to Sonoma County, I've developed a wonderful new relationship with the Lagunitas brewing company. Put simply, what they brew, I drink. I'm experiencing a lot of their seasonals for the first time this year, and when I saw this the other day I couldn't resist:


Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout. How thoughtful of them to combine two things I love into one. Like chocolate and peanut butter, they go together so well. I enjoy stouts, and at first pour I was lost in the oppressive blackness that threatened to jettison my glass from the universe.

The brew is beyond rich. The pale-brown head and bittersweet aroma truly invoke a fresh cappuccino. The beer goes down full-bodied, creamy, and just slightly sweet. I know that coffee beers are nothing new, but this Cappuccino Stout is so finely crafted that it can't be overlooked. Before you have one, I recommend you clear your calendar; it's worth lingering over.

That's a pastrami sandwich on focaccia next to the stout. I don't know why, but lately I've been craving only things like sandwiches and burritos. What does this obsession with lunch mean?

Moylan's Celts Golden Ale

New beer night! My first Monday back to work after a week-long Thanksgiving break felt like it called for a tasty brew. Not that work today was very hard, just a special project I've been wanting to do for a while; I'd even invite you to watch the Under My Thumb gaming blog around Thursday or Friday to see the fruit of my labors. Anyway, let's crack a cold one...


Moylan's Celts Golden Ale. This honey-hued brew is fruit-sweet and buttery, with a lightly hoppy finish. Clean and crisp. I'm having it with shrimp tacos: shrimp, onions, and garlic sauteed in olive oil, lime juice, and Caribbean rum, wrapped in tortillas with roma tomatoes and spring mix greens. I could've gone a little easier on the cayenne pepper.

Tomato-Brie Sandwiches

My neighbor hooked up some more food yesterday: he happened to buy a baguette that he had no idea what to do with (I know, right?) and unloaded it on me. He just couldn't leave the free sample girl hanging. I knew exactly what this situation needed, and today I followed through:



















Tomato & brie sandwiches:

• French baguette, split lengthwise, brushed with olive oil
  
• Thick-sliced brie cheese
• Tomato, sliced
• Basil

I used roma tomatoes because they fit better on the bread. Also, don't feel pressured to use fancy-schmancy brie; a cheap everyday brie for five or six bucks works fine. I kept a couple sections for my dinner and gave the rest to my neighbor for appetizers. The salad is mixed greens, more tomato, balsamic vinaigrette, and crumbled gorgonzola.

I first had this sandwich before a flight out of Paris to Algeria. I think it's funny that even their fast food centers around satisfying the French craving for gobs of rich, soft cheese.

De Loach Cabernet Sauvignon

My good neighbor brought over home-made pot roast (is there any other kind?) Good thing I just picked up a bottle of this:



















De Loach 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon. It's lovely. From nose, to tongue, to gullet it is bold and smooth. The local market had it cheap and it's an excellent pair for the rich beef and gravy. This stuff could keep me warm through Winter.

Office Mayhem

I cruised into San Francisco today to visit Molly Mayhem. I brought along some Chai High honey from Bee Kind in Sebastopol, and the nectar that is Larrupin sauce. The chai-infused honey is a new treat I found at the Santa Rosa harvest fest a few weeks ago, and the sweet-and-tart Larrupin is a staple in my fridge. Both are loaded with awesome.
Molly and I usually get something to eat whenever we hang out, so she brought me to the Chow near her place. The prosciutto and arugula pizza, with Lunatic Lager was a great afternoon refresher, but I want to bring up something very important:



















Banana Butterscotch creme pie. Molly would also like to interject with her superb pumpkin pie. The butterscotch and big chunks of banana are a nice twist against the usual banana creme, giving extra dimensions of sweetness. This was a daily special, but that's no reason for you to stay away; Chow's menu is full of hand-crafted comfort food to enjoy. You should go...right now.

I left with Molly's old writing desk in the back seat of my car. It's a bit of a trek, hauling office furniture in a small convertible, out of San Francisco and about 50 miles up the road, at night, in November, but now my laptop has a nice place to sleep. Thanks, Molly!

Lemon, Dropped

Tonight I tried to recreate a delicious dessert. I failed miserably, but let's not focus on that. I first had it in Lisbon, not that it's particularly Portuguese, that's just where I was at the time. It's not complicated, but it has to be done just so:

• Lemon gelato
• Vodka
• Lemon slice and cinnamon stick garnish
  

When done properly, it comes out tasting like a vodka tonic. When ice cream is foolishly substituted for sorbet, as I did, it's a wreck, as the alcohol curdles the cream. You just can't fool chemistry. The real deal is a treat: the sorbet is cool and refreshing after a meal, and it lets you keep the cocktail hour going a bit longer.