Three Home-Cooked Meals

While I've recently had a flurry of restaurant dining experiences, I've also had four remarkable home-cooked experiences that match any night out. While I rarely detail the experiences or the food of friends and relatives (I like be invited over for dinner as a friend, not a critic), I want to recognize great cooks, great meals, and great friends.

Dinner on The East Side: My friends and climbing partners, Lyra and Dave, hosted me for Dave’s birthday party. The menu included salmon, braised kale, various cheeses, salad and included a homemade Hollandaise and homemade vanilla ice cream. I haven’t had homemade Hollandaise in years and it’s not an easy sauce to make. Even though Lyra is a full time rock climber, she was joking about being “gripped” after using the whisk to make the sauce. Pretty funny to hear from someone who can pull herself up a rock wall with her fingertips. Bravo. I think I was a little selfish with the braised kale and the salmon that the Hollandaise paired with. And who can resist homemade ice cream? Check David and Lyra out at California Alpine Guides.

Dinner in The City: I was down in San Francisco recently with long-time friends, Emi, Bob, and Lee for a casual dinner party over several bottles of wine. Emi was in charge of the kitchen this round and put together a simple and delicious caldo starter and braised chicken. Well incorporated and complimentary flavors typical of the region where Emi was born, Acapulco. This is the continuation of the dining roundtable I hosted a couple months ago. Looks like we're coming to your house next Lee!

Dinner in Wine Country: A little closer to home, the famous crab feed, hosted by Ray Lewand of The Camellia Inn, was served along with butternut squash soup and bacon wrapped asparagus. An all-star meal to be sure. But rewind to the start of the evening; three simple but remarkable focaccias were introduced when guests arrived. Prepared by Christina, Ray’s daughter, these herb and seeded focaccias were brilliant. I could have easily eaten focaccia, cheese, and wine for the entire night.  I think I’ve got an idea for my next dinner party: Christina’s Focaccia and Red Wine.

Dinner at The Super Bowl: My childhood friend John hosts an annual Super Bowl party in Fresno. It’s a chance to catch up with old friends, drink some beer, and collaborate on food.  There is usually a heavy food and beverage industry crowd at John’s house, so there is also a little friendly competition. I think there were three secret family recipes for salsa available that day, a quarter wheel of Parmesan, two grilled tenderloins of beef, bacon wrapped prawns, a killer 7-Layer dip, a pizza bread with bacon, fresh fried chicken, and probably 8 different craft and premium beers. Even better, there was leftover tenderloin for sandwiches the following night.

Thanks to everyone over the last several weeks. I appreciate the meals, the conversation, and the friendships.