Tag Archives: food

A Boothbay kind of afternoon..

.

After a long leisurely stroll around town…

.

.

And along the waterfront…

.

.

It was time for a long over due visit to our absolutely favorite place to eat… The Boat House Bistro. Contrary to its name, it doesn’t sit on the water. And while that might put some visitors off, you don’t go there for the view.

Even at 2:45 on a Saturday afternoon, on a late November day devoid of tourists, the place was packed. First floor dining was full so we climbed up to the bar on the second. (Third floor is only open for outdoor seating in the summer)

.

.

Happily sipping a Cosmo in front of the wine taps (there are two of them, with a total of 8 wines available) I perused the menu and was overjoyed to find my two favorites were still there.

This place has fresh seafood down to an art and I have never had a bad meal.

My appetizer? Spicy Cajun shrimp on cheesy grits with garlic, scallions, tomato and smoky bacon.

.

.

All my life I thought I hated grits. I lived down south for 18 years and never cooked nor ordered them. We moved back to Maine, discovered the Bistro and wham! I’m eating grits and am tempted to lick the bowl. Who knew?

To be honest that appetizer could serve as a meal, it’s pretty rich. But I will never pass up the chance to eat this:

.

.

Perfectly pan seared giant sea scallops on a bed of creamy mushroom risotto with arugula, truffle oil and shaved Parmesan.

I hate to disappoint my husband, but damn.

It’s almost better than sex.

.

.

And speaking of husbands, he ordered a lovely seafood scampi which was bursting with shrimp, sea scallops and lobster.

Meals here aren’t cheap (almost $200 including tip) but you get your money’s worth and I have yet to leave unsatisfied or without a doggie bag.

Dessert?

We didn’t even look.

.

Stiff…. Part 4.

.

Yes, your favorite series about dead bodies is back.

.

.

And today’s chapter is aptly named…

.

.

Let’s dig in, shall we?

.

.

You have to wonder what genius first came up with that idea.

“Hmm… what should we do with great Uncle Mortimer’s remains? I know! Let’s cover him in honey and bring a chunk of his thigh to the next neighborhood potluck.”

.

.

Honeyed urine and poop. I’m beginning to notice a trend here….

.

.

Mummies cure farting?

You heard it here first people.

.

.

A wandering uterus is a terrible thing…. but I would think using dung to coax it back in place would have the opposite effect, as in “Hell no Mabel. I’m outta here!”

.

Turkey goodness.

.

If you’re a turkey leftover hater? Move along… River don’t have time for that nonsense.

But if you cherish every last scrap of that delectable Thanksgiving bird and are in need of one more yummy recipe to stretch the remaining poultry?

Behold the glory that is River’s Creamy Turkey and Wild Rice soup!

.

.

We had turkey dinner.

Then we had turkey tettrazini, hot turkey sandwiches, cold turkey sandwiches and turkey salad.

Today, I’m using the very last of the meat to make my all time favorite soup.

It’s so thick and rich … you might as well call it stew.

.

.

Stick to your ribs comfort food. When you’ve had a bowl of this, you know it.

Of course my texture sensitive husband hates all things crunchy ( rosemary, caraway seeds etc ) so I have to mix the wild rice with white…

.

.

But that adds an extra layer of thickness while still retaining the flavor, so it’s an acceptable adaptation.

What’s that…

You have leftover turkey without a home?

.

.

Get cookin’.

You won’t be sorry.

👍

.

Dodging a Covid bullet.

.

It seems our 2021 Thanksgiving dinner might look like this…

.

.

Because I just received a phone call from the host of the celebration we planned to attend. She and her husband…. who were both fully vaccinated but not boosted…. have come down with Covid.

This woman is one of the most careful people I know. She always wears a mask, avoids crowds and washes her hands frequently. But her husband went north last week to visit his son. His son’s family was not vaccinated, and the town where he was staying has an extremely high positivity rate.

So now they’re both quite ill. Fever, chills, splitting headaches, extreme fatigue, body aches, joint stiffness, brain fogginess, coughing, sore throat, loss of taste and smell.

She’s a pretty tough cookie and rarely complains, but I can tell she’s worried. Thankfully they’re not having any breathing issues and are hoping they can ride it out at home.

I’ve offered to bring groceries and drop meals on their porch, but a family member has them covered.

And though I know it’s awful….the thought that keeps popping in my head is if it had been a day or two later? We all would have been exposed and at risk.

My other half had his booster shot 2 weeks ago… and me? I just scheduled one for this afternoon. Yours truly is not taking any chances.

I’m also not eating Thanksgiving dinner from a can… and am now heading to the grocery store to fight the crowds and search for a last minute turkey and fixings to prepare a quiet meal for two.

Minus the green bean casserole of course.

😈

.

.

Stray thoughts….

.

#1. We’re spending Thanksgiving Day with friends this year and along with my luscious crabmeat toasty appetizers and a cappuccino mousse trifle dessert, I was asked to bring… are you sitting down?

Green bean casserole. 🤢

While I’ve been known to make that abomination (for certain spouses who shall remain nameless) I can’t say I’m a fan. So I searched high and low for a recipe that would make it more palatable.

.

.

I found one for the crock pot that sounded much better than the original. Fresh beans, fresh mushrooms, heavy cream, fresh garlic and thyme etc.

It was a bit of a pain to make and littered my kitchen with dirty dishes… but thankfully I did a dry run a few days ago before I served it to the group.

.

.

Sadly, the trash can was the only appropriate place for it. Blech! How something so promising could taste so horrible is beyond me.

I shall now be making the original bowl of slop that everyone expects.

Clearly it can’t be improved.

.

.

#2. I heard that Paul Rudd had been voted Sexiest Man Alive in People magazine. I can’t say I agree, but I won’t argue with this logic:

.

.

#3. I believe I have officially reached the point of no return on the less than graceful decline into old age. I know this because the only way I can remember to add a song to my iPod is to take a picture of my car radio when it’s playing.

.

.

And yes, I said iPod.

Told you I was old.

🤣

.

More random nonsense

.

First I brought you wine for cats. Now?

There’s kitty ice cream.

.

.

I’d ask if this is really necessary and why I couldn’t just let Dudley lick from my bowl…

.

.

But I’m not apt to partake of a frozen dish of sugared mackerel anytime soon.

.

.

Oh, if looks could kill.

Quick, get him some feline wine.

.

.

Finally… a sensible use for the crock pot collecting dust in my closet.

👍

.

.

Is that just me…?

.

Recipe fails.

.

Because I like to share the joy with friends at the holidays…

.

.

If that doesn’t have them oohing and ahhing at the Thanksgiving table, nothing will.

.

.

A grilled cheese recipe book? Please.

It’s bread, a slice of cheese and melted butter. Even my culinary challenged husband can do that. No book required.

And if you thought that was bad?

.

.

Just… no.

My late MIL was the Queen of Spam.

Spamloaf. Spam Mac and cheese. Spam and eggs. Spamgetthi. Her kitchen was a gag worthy cornucopia of Spam. You never knew where it would turn up next.

The fact that this monstrosity of meat still exists makes my stomach tremble in horror.

.

Happy November

.

Temperatures are dropping, as are all the pretty autumn leaves. Late fall is setting in and winter won’t be far behind. Pumpkins will be tossed … but before you do, consider this:

.

.

Critters love pumpkins. And if you aren’t blessed with chickens? Please cut them in half and toss them in your nearest woods. Many creatures can’t cut through the rind, but they love the juicy interior.

.

.

Funny, and very true. I’ve never canned a single thing in my life and don’t intend to start now.

.

.

If you’re tempted to wear these on Thanksgiving? Please… for the love of all that’s holy… post pictures.

.