Free Range Friday ~ Silk Purses Out of Faberge Eggs

Remember that paella from a couple of weeks back? And the duck that came later? And a mention of soup? All of that came together the other day, a windy, almost chilly - for us - afternoon that whispered 'Soup! Make soup before it is too hot to make soup!' so I did.

In the freezer were two bags. One had trimmings - fat and some nice bits of meat - from the boneless, skinless chicken thighs used in the paella that just could not be tossed. The other contained the duck carcass. Both went into a pot and the boiling and simmering began. Once any meat left on the carcass had fallen off the bones and the fat had been totally rendered from any meat bits of chicken, it was set to cool and then put in the fridge for the fat to harden and make it a lot easier to remove it from the now awesome broth.

Broth cooking with picked off chicken and duck bits, onions, garlic, carrot, potatoes. And a roux getting started.

I made the roux because even though the broth was really flavorful it was just missing something. I know myself enough to know I have come close or completely wrecked a dish by adding a 'just try this and see if it works' ingredient. This had already taken a long time, which was fine, but to wreck it now would have been slightly criminal. Solution? Roux, made with the chicken fat. I could add a little bit and see how it worked and if not, no big harm would be done. 

Roux's also take time but are so worth it!

There are a lot of ways to make a roux. I used the skimmed off chicken fat and flour and stirred it on medium until I got the consistency, color and taste I wanted.  It worked, adding that roux-y something to the soup that pulled everything together. I wanted to post a friend's video on roux making but the techie gremlins are hards at work today, so that's not going to happen. Instead, here is a link for starter information. The best way to learn to make a roux is to just make one, after understanding what you make one from and why you'd want to do it in the first place. Play with your food!

If I'd had okra, this could have faked itself for a sort of gumbo. Next time.

As it was, it was pretty damned delicious!

These last two photos are from the Krusty Krab (next to the Post Office). I was leaving the PO and looked in to see Steve and Zuleyma inside. We were talking when these two plates of deliciousness showed up. There are very good ways to end a conversation and this was one or two of them.

I could only say buen provecho! and carry on, slightly drooling, with my errands while they feasted on Jose's cooking. 

Have a familiarizing Friday. Do something fearlessly. 

And p.s. Happy birthday to my favorite in all the world brother Jonny!! Best friend, personal comedian, great cook (yes, this IS like a match.com ad for you! You're welcome). Love you!

Heeeeerrrrre's (to) Jonny!!!

Five days, five dinners...three of them sushi. Is my brother awesome? Yes he is! I shouldn't have a sushi jones for awhile...thanks, Jonny!

Me, Jonny and Merri at Galanga 

(Merri has been Florence Friggin' Nightingale for my bro and beyond words of thanks)

Super sized sushi roll...somehow, I managed to finish it...

Ok, sir, you may call my flight now...I'm ready!

On the way and on his way

We are supposed to be in Oregon right now, but Elijah's dog Ragamuffin took a runner the night before and didn't get home until dusk last night. Since he's never done that before we weren't exactly still having high hopes, but then, there he was and very, very glad to be back. So as soon as the coffee is consumed along with a few odds and ends, we head up the coast. Right now it's foggy, but hopefully that will burn off.

Hopefully, in fact, it will be clear everywhere tonight for the Super Harvest Moon. For the first time in 20 years...well, read it yourself, in a much more NASA-like fashion, here. And please don't forget to dance in the moonlight if you can; you'll be glad you did.

And for all of those friends and family who have sent thoughts, goodies, and most importantly, love, to my brother Jonny, here is proof that he's been working hard to get out of that bed, back home and back to work! Congrats, brother mine! You're more than halfway there!

Day Two on the Job!

Have a turning Thursday! Do something transforming!

Today's post is brought to you by my heart (if you don't know the players, enjoy the magic)

 Thistle & bee outside the door before we hit the road.

After a slow last day of the garage sale, and a phone call from Sean, we headed to Northport to see his place up here. I had never met Wendy, his ex-wife, good friend and mother of their son Rossi, and I'd heard about both the place and the person for years - so it was something very good to look forward to all day. While Sean wasn't there, he was very much there with the four of us. Wendy made us feel right at home. Feel the love.

Wendy blowing the conch!

These are some photos of the home that Sean and Wendy built 20 + years ago. It feels like a solid house, but I could sense the water gently rocking us...

Our visit started with a few gasps at the view (Laurie has been here before and known Wendy for years, but it was all new to me except for a few photos and stories from Sean - I was wowed) and moved on to wine and homemade blueberry pie from berries that Wendy picked. Blueberries and Maine are like peanut butter and jelly...and now I understand why. Yum!

Wendy found the wood, Sean built the bannister

Closer up...love that woodworkin'!

Who else but sailors use a hunk of lead
for a pulley weight...and that pulley?

Yes, it gets cold in Maine in the winter 

(and pretty chilly sometimes in the summer too!)

Grill, looking downstairs

I have no idea what this is, but in my imagination it is 

Indian markings on wood that is now a...closet? wall? I forget

Me, Wendy and Laurie on the deck

Shouldn't every house have a swing inside...

...and a totem pole outside?

Some more outside things I liked

In the carport...with the wood...and other stuff, but not the car

Then, as we were finishing the delicious dinner Wendy made for us, 

the moon appeared, as if the universe was just having a chuckle over us...all for love.

Thanks, Laurie and Phil, for taking us over. Thanks so much, Wendy, for your oh so comfortable hospitality (and that pie!), and thanks Sean...for being the reason we were all together.

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On a harder note: My brother was in NC working on his cabin Saturday when he fell off a ladder and suffered a compound fracture of his ankle. Luckily, with no phone reception, his calls for help were heard by a seasonal neighbor who 'just happened' to be getting out of his car - from out of state - down the road (way down the road) at that exact moment. Thank you, Phil!

Jonny was med-evac'd to a Level One Trauma Center in Tennessee. He's had one surgery and will need another, but they are waiting to make sure there is no infection. His old girlfriend, still friend, Merri, who is a nurse, flew up to be with him for which I'm extremely grateful; she kicks butt and takes names on all things medical.

As of yesterday, they weren't sure when or how they'd get back to Florida, but that will happen eventually. In the meantime, if you know Jonny (and even if you don't), please send some positive thoughts, vibes and prayers his way. He's in for a long stretch of healing, and...he's my best friend. I want him up and being a pain in the butt again soon! Thanks.