Jazz Summit Jam Session Wrap

Sunday - tomorrow - 8/29/10
The fifth annual Jazz Summit Jam @ 129 1/2. All the players that have been in town all weekend participating in the summit will be on hand to sit in for one final jam with local musicians before heading back home.

Dinner starts at 4 -Music @ 6 - Jam @ 6:30.

I suggest makeing reservatinos as this is always one great afternoon.
443-9292

Jacob's Stop Motion Commercial for Monk's

This is a video that Jacob made a few weeks ago at Monk's. As you can tell, he will soon be taking over all the marketing for the three restaurants! (He's 13). Enjoy!

By the way, if you haven't had breakfast at Monk's you are definately missing out! 7am Mon - Sat & 10 am on Sundays. 443-8587

129 ½ Wednesday Summer Seafood Night

Crab & Polenta Cakes
Creamy Polenta, mixed with Blue Crab, Sherried Shallots
and Goat Cheese Panko Breaded and Baked
9.95

Georgia Clams
Little Necks, Ale, Garlic, Roasted Red Peppers, Sausage and Fresh Herbs
10.95

Black Mussels
Quick Steamed Sweet Black Mussels with Garlic & Parsley
10.95

Calamari Salad
On a Bed of Fried Wonton Strips with Seaweed, Ginger & Sesame
12.95

Oysters on the ½ Shell
Simply put …. With Cocktail Sauce, Lemon and Saltines
7.50 ½ dozen / 12.00 full
Entrée Selections

King Crab Legs
Split King Crab Legs, steamed with Butter, Lemon and Chives
Market Price

Islander Salmon
Topped with a Sweet & Spicy Mango Citrus Buerre Blanc
17.95

Mako Skewers
Sesame Marinated Mako Shark Kebobs with a Sweet Jalapeno Curry
15.95

Nairagi Toro
Almond Encrusted and Pan Seared, Striped Bass with a Brown Sugar Butter
19.95

Mong Chong
Pan Fried Sesame Battered Striped Bass Fillets, with Cilantro Aioli
22.95

Grilled Hapu
Large Flake Hawaiian Grouper with a Delicate Ginger Vinaigrette
24.95

Havin' a great Sunday - great Soup too

OK -
This may very well be my oddly favorite soup ever. I'm not certain if it is because of the flavor - or the surprising flavor despite the ingredients.

Kierland Stew
- Ham and Potato with Cabbage (sounds simple enough huh?)

OK -the only issue here is that I made a Pork Stock, and used that for the base of the soup. You should be able to use a nice Vegetable base, but don't make it too strong, or salty, as the ham will carry that.

In a large sauce pan - heat 1 gallon stock (pork or vegetable, but not chicken) to a rolling boil.

Next, add 1 1/2 # medium diced Potatoes. I suggest Red Bliss as the tend to stay firmer a little longer.

1# Diced Ham - use a deli type if you like, or scraps from a bone in

2 t Nutmeg (you know I love this stuff, and this is the perfect application)

2 T Fresh Parsley

3 C Shredded Cabbage

1 t Fennel Seeds, or if you have it, 1/4 C thinnly sliced Fennel Bulb

Bring it all to a nice boil, and then simmer for about 20 minutes until the flavors blend

- Really nice and simple - great flavors


Pork Stock:

I also use this for the base to my posole - nice subtle flavors, not as distinct and strong as Chicken or Vegetable

In a Medium Sized Stock Pot:

1 Gallon Water
1 C Chopped Red Onion
1 t S/P
1/2 Cup Parsley
1 C Orange Juice
2 T Chopped Garlic
1/4 C Cilantro
1/2 # Pork Cushion - you can add this to the soup if ya want, but I'd prefer making little carnitas out of it
- bring it all to a boil and let it reduce and simmer to about 3/4

Come by next week and try out some of our Soups for Soup Sunday at El Gato. Also, our new web page is coming soon that will have recipes, videos and all sorts of fun stuff! - Have a great week!

Great brownie Recipe ... more texture than Chocolate

These are great ... but you don't wanna eat a ton of them. Almost like an old fashioned molasses (sp?) brownie ... my grandma used to make something very similar to this ... great for a cold stay at home project to pass the time:


3 C Sugar (yeah, three)
6 T Cocoa Powder
1 C Melted Butter

6 Beaten Eggs
2 t Vanilla

2 1/4 C Flour
1 1/2 t Salt
1 t Baking Powder

Combine: Melted Butter, Cocoa, Sugar and Vanilla - just use a spoon - mixer if ya wanna

Add: Eggs to mixture

Next add: Flour, Salt and Baking Powder

Cook in a buttered and floured 18 x 12 pan - 375 for 20 minutes

Sides will get a little bubbly, and the center will sink just a bit, but when it cools - really nice texture.

I driizzled White and Dark Chocolate on mine - worked out well. Enjoy! Not gooey - but really abd for ya - which means ... tastey!

Mas pics ....

This is day Three of the "storm" - and yes, that is Simon outside with PJs - he was helping unload the van this morning - he had boots on - and it wasn't as cold as it looked - for a few minutes anyway.

(Oh yeah, this is not my favorite sign - one you should most likely heed)

Opened up the hill in front of The Elks, they've actually done a great job of keeping the roads pretty clear - don't wanna know what that might have cost.

Looking forward to a Saturday with a little less weather, and more customers - hopefully the "I wanna see snow" crowd from Phoenix will fill the place - we all know that true Preskitonians stay home in any sort of weather.

If you are at home, I'm posting a great old fashioned brownie recipe I found the other day in just a little bit. I drizzled mine with White and Dark Chocolate - called 'em Messy Brownies ...

If you have any pics -send 'em to me and I'll post 'em here.

Weather pics - but not the worst of it!

Missed the ones of the creek near cresting - but just a few shots - more on the way tomorrow.