Weekend Wrap

In response to a long time reader’s comment that the Feeder was a “slacker” lately, we’ll pass along a few notes from the weekend..

Food First (of course)

We had a couple of dining out experiences (not the military version – a whole other story) over the weekend. Friday night after doing the normal “first Friday” things, we met some friends at Café Des Artistes in Leonardtown. Chef Loic (who was of course on premises) continues to put out reliable fare with a French slant (always a sauce). MFO chose her favorite hearts of palm salad, and was surprised that the little log house presentation has given way to slices. Too bad, that was unique. Another salad (“house”), and a mushroom soup (although I don’t think that was on the menu which said Cabbage, Potato, and Bacon and their standard French Onion. I especially enjoyed my soup, woodsy mushrooms, a great dish for this time of year. Entrees included a prime rib and veal roast from the standard menu and a seafood special (which I didn’t write down) which I think was Hawaiian “Au”, described by the Chef as a meaty fish. The fish was quite good with a nice sauce which contained Lobster as I recall. I have noticed that his fish/seafood offerings on the special (pink) menu page usually are unique. And he cooks them well. Keep your eye open… Hopefully because it was First Friday, I think everybody in the place was DFD, which may have had something to do with the average age…

Our second experience was a return to the Dry Dock to join a group for the annual viewing of the “boat parade”. Not only do you get good food and drink, but also a great place to watch the passing boats. We arrived about six, and had drinks in hand when the parade passed us. There were about seven boats, which some remembered as fewer than years past, but I must say that all of them were nicely decorated. Most were fairly large, and covered in lights with a theme, like sea dragons, or santa sleigh motifs. Not just a tree put on the deck. It’s a nice tradition, another little perk of Southern Maryland. I had a tuna special, nicely seared with the little reduction in the “blackened” preparation I requested from the kitchen. Funny thing about fresh tuna, some like it rare, some pink, some more so. I was pleased to see the kitchen produced everyone’s plates as requested. Another usually reliable place.

And food finally, spurred on by those fried oysters I had there last week, I have decided to strike out on my own and explore making them at home. Of course MFO recoils at the thought of her lovely cooktop and counters covered in oil, and that is a problem. I have often considered one of those little home deep fat cookers for chicken, fish, donuts, oysters, and the like, but the logistics (and somewhat the cost) have held me back. Got to store the thing, there’s the oil to deal with, and really how often are you going to trot the thing out. Great when you need it, but the other 90% of the time, it takes up space. So maybe I’m thinking of using a Dutch oven with high sides. And don’t even mention those “spatter screens”. For the most part all they do is create just one more grease covered item to deal with.

And then of course, there is the preparation. There are hundreds of batters/coatings out there, corn meal, flour, double egg dipping, panko, cracker crumbs, all the “best” in somebody’s estimation. I think the challenge is how to get a nice exterior, both color and texture, and still keep the oyster from becoming a solid, chewy mass. I’ll begin research and let you know how it goes. Any back channel thoughts or suggestions welcome.

To Did

We spent the middle part of the day yesterday doing the annual HealthShare Holiday Home Tour. Another nice little attraction that happens yearly. It’s a great chance to see homes that (at least for us) would not be accessible, and a chance to see some of the older properties around. And, in the process you contribute to a great cause. Our first stop was the “Bell” farm complex, located near Leonardtown. A great family history there along with some nice paintings by a famous local artist. We went on to see some more contemporary and restored houses, seven in all. Of course you see a lot of your friends along the way, including the one who accused the feeder of “slackedness”. Humphhh….

After that, we came home, MFO finished decorating the Christmas Tree, we strung some more lights and of course watched some of the football games. More dancing, pointing, strutting, and exhibitions. And today we learn that a couple of selfless teammates from the local team have been (or shortly will be) suspended for failing a drug test for the SECOND time. Real team players there..

Just Nice

With the moderate temperatures lately, fog has been forming over and around the river in the mornings which provides some lovely views for us.

Plus this morning that interaction between tide and current produced those “slick” patterns in the water..

 

 
Okay, have a nice day and this evening, even though it's monday you can
 
DFD
 
And thank you BCS committee for putting the stinking Wolverines in a "better" bowl than the Spartans who, as I recall, beat that team during the season..   And will somebody remind me how the Hokies deserve that high of a seeding?   what was the score of the Clemson game again??