Friday, October 18, 2013

Janet’s Cooking at Home – Lets make Fried Polenta


Janet’s Cooking at Home – Duck Breasts with Green Peppercorn Sauce with Polenta Grilled in Duck Fat  and Root Vegetables
Polenta (Fried)

Easy to prepare (lets be honest, it is time consuming with the stirring every 10 min.) and versatile, polenta can be enjoyed plain and simple or embellished with a wide range of tasty ingredients.

Polenta is a fine yellow cornmeal cooked to a mush with water or stock, and added ingredients such as onions, garlic, cheese, mushrooms, etc., sometimes set, sliced, and served fried. 


Ingredients:


  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for grilling
  • 3/4 cup finely chopped red onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 4 cups chicken stock or broth
  • 1 cup coarse ground cornmeal
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ cup Parmesan
Directions:


Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Janet’s Cooking at Home - Polenta - heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the red onion and salt.

In a large, oven-safe saucepan heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the red onion and salt and sweat until the onions begin to turn translucent, approximately 4 to 5 minutes.


Janet’s Cooking at Home - Polenta - add the garlic and sauté.
Reduce the heat to low, add the garlic and sauté for 2 minutes, making sure the garlic does not burn.


Janet’s Cooking at Home - Polenta - add the chicken stock.

Janet’s Cooking at Home - Polenta - add the chicken stock and bring to a boil.
Turn the heat up to high, add the chicken stock and bring to a boil.


Janet’s Cooking at Home - Polenta - Gradually add the cornmeal while continually whisking.

Janet’s Cooking at Home - Polenta - Once you have added all of the cornmeal cover the pot and place it in the oven.

Gradually add the cornmeal while continually whisking.


Janet’s Cooking at Home - Polenta – once in the oven stir every 10 minutes to prevent lumps.

Once you have added all of the cornmeal cover the pot and place it in the oven. Cook for 35 to 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to prevent lumps.


Janet’s Cooking at Home - Polenta – Once the mixture is creamy add the butter.

Once the mixture is creamy, remove from the oven and add the butter, salt, and pepper.


Janet’s Cooking at Home - Polenta – add the Parmesan.

Once they are incorporated, gradually add the Parmesan.


Janet’s Cooking at Home - Polenta – pour the polenta cake pan lined with parchment paper.

Janet’s Cooking at Home - Polenta – pour the polenta cake pan lined with parchment paper.

Janet’s Cooking at Home - Polenta – pour the polenta cake pan lined with parchment paper. Place in the refrigerator to cool completely.

Serve as is, or pour the polenta into 9 by 13-inch cake pan lined with parchment paper.


Place in the refrigerator to cool completely.


Janet’s Cooking at Home - Polenta – Once set, turn the polenta out onto a cutting board and cut into desired shapes.

Janet’s Cooking at Home - Polenta – Once set, turn the polenta out onto a cutting board and cut into desired shapes.

Once set, turn the polenta out onto a cutting board and cut into squares, rounds, or triangles.


Janet’s Cooking at Home - Polenta – sauté in a nonstick skillet over medium heat.

Brush each side with olive oil (if available use Duck fat) and saute in a nonstick skillet over medium heat, or grill.



zzz

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Out and about – Day trip to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island Washington

Out and about…

Day trip to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island Washington

Anacortes Washington Ferry Dock

In July of this year, we had the great fun of taking, for the first time, the ferry from Anacortes, Washington to Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands. Day trip here we come!

The ferry ride itself takes about one hour. You could also take a roundabout ferry ride that last a few hours.

Once we arrive it was time for lunch. So off to the popular Downrigger's Restaurant we went.

Located next to the ferry landing in Friday Harbor. Downriggers offers fresh seafood, steak, poultry and pasta, local Northwest cuisine.

Downriggers Restaurant Friday Harbor, San Juan Island

Downriggers Restaurant Friday Harbor, San Juan Island

Downriggers Restaurant San Juan Island

Downriggers Restaurant Friday Harbor, San Juan Island - Downriggers Clam Chowder

Downriggers Clam Chowder

Downriggers Restaurant Friday Harbor, San Juan Island - Grilled Crab Sandwich

Grilled Crab Sandwich

Downriggers Restaurant Friday Harbor, San Juan Island - Crab Burger

Crab Burger

Downriggers Restaurant Friday Harbor, San Juan Island - Northwest Smoked Salmon Plate

Northwest Smoked Salmon Plate

Downriggers Restaurant Friday Harbor, San Juan Island - Judd Cove Oysters on the Half Shell

Judd Cove Oysters on the Half Shell

~~~

Unfortunately, a month after our visit Downrigger's Restaurant burnt to the ground.

“By KOMO StaffPublished: Aug 17, 2013 at 8:31 AM PDT

FRIDAY HARBOR, Wash. - A raging early morning fire gutted a waterfront building housing several well-known tourism-related businesses in the heart of San Juan Island's picturesque Friday Harbor.

Fire crews responded to the scene, at 10 Front Street, at about 2:40 a.m. Saturday after receiving a report of flames and smoke billowing from the structure, which houses the Downriggers Restaurant and several other businesses.

As the first firefighters battled the blaze, more crews were brought in by ferry from Anacortes and from Orcas and Lopez islands to aid in the firefighting effort.

"There were flames at least 20 or 30 feet high coming out of the building at one point," said Carolyn Hudson, spokeswoman for San Juan Island Fire & Rescue.

She said the building appears to be a total loss.

Crews continued to battle the blaze several hours later in an attempt to keep it contained to one building. Hudson said firefighting efforts would continue all day long Saturday.

There were no reports of injuries.

Other businesses in the building include Friday Harbor Marine, Friday Harbor Yachts, San Juan Safaris and San Juan Excursions.

"This is a very big hit. Downriggers (Restaurant) employs about 50 people, so that's a big economic loss for the community, and that restaurant has been there for many years," Hudson said.”

~~~
After walking around town, shopping and enjoying the scenery we decided it was time for some refreshments.

Herb's Tavern

Herb's Tavern Friday Harbor, San Juan Island

Herb's Tavern Friday Harbor, San Juan Island

Herb's Tavern Friday Harbor, San Juan Island
~~~

Cask and Schooner Public House & Restaurant

Cask and Schooner Public House & Restaurant Friday Harbor, San Juan Island

Cask and Schooner Public House & Restaurant Friday Harbor, San Juan Island

Cask and Schooner Public House & Restaurant Friday Harbor, San Juan Island
~~~
Well, it was time to go. I never want to wait until the last ferry LOL……

Friday Harbor Washington Ferry Dock

Friday Harbor to Anacortes Ferry Ride - Mt. Baker



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