People who knew me when I was growing up (a/k/a the peanut-butter-and-jelly kid) are still somewhat aghast that I made the career switch to culinary and that I am an aficionado of fine dining.
Don’t get me wrong. I like casual, quick-serve (but not fast food) and catered dining, too. But the fancy places with what is known as “French service” are special, holding exalted places in the pantheon of culinary feats, innovations and pioneering of new taste combinations.
Eat Well
MONTANA MARKET: Beef Fajita Soup
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Put this soup on in the morning and enjoy after a full day of Montana winter activities. It’s delicious and filling.
Ingredients:
1 lb lean boneless beef stew meat, trimmed of all fat and cut into half-inch cubes
1 14 1/2 oz. can beef broth
2 C. water
1 10 oz. package of frozen corn
1 10 oz. package of frozen mixed sliced peppers
1 14 1/2 oz. can of Mexican style diced tomatoes
1 14 1/4 oz. can of tomato sauce
1 15 oz. can of pinto beans, rinsed and drained
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 15 oz. can of black beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 tsp. Alpine Touch
1/4 tsp. garlic salt
Sour cream, chopped avocado, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese for garnish
Tortilla chips
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Ingredients:
1 lb lean boneless beef stew meat, trimmed of all fat and cut into half-inch cubes
1 14 1/2 oz. can beef broth
2 C. water
1 10 oz. package of frozen corn
1 10 oz. package of frozen mixed sliced peppers
1 14 1/2 oz. can of Mexican style diced tomatoes
1 14 1/4 oz. can of tomato sauce
1 15 oz. can of pinto beans, rinsed and drained
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 15 oz. can of black beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 tsp. Alpine Touch
1/4 tsp. garlic salt
Sour cream, chopped avocado, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese for garnish
Tortilla chips
Getting great deals on wine in the greater Flathead
THE WINE SPY: Pine Ridge 2008 Chenin Blanc-Viognier
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Layman’s Review: This wine was very nice for the price. You smell a touch of citris, but in a light way that’s not overpowering. The taste is crisp with a light fruit flavor and the finish is very clean. We served it with our spicy fajita soup and it was a hit. This wine would also be very nice with over the holidays with turkey.
Winmaker’s Notes: The 2008 Chenin Blanc-Viognier flaunts lush aromas of ruby grapefruit, pear, lychee and melon, with a delicate touch of spicy, white florals. Lively citrus and bright tropical fruit flavors are offered up alongside a supple texture. The slightly off-dry finish is clean and crisp, perfect with many dishes or on its own as an aperitif. Enjoy now or cellar for two years.
[read more]
Winmaker’s Notes: The 2008 Chenin Blanc-Viognier flaunts lush aromas of ruby grapefruit, pear, lychee and melon, with a delicate touch of spicy, white florals. Lively citrus and bright tropical fruit flavors are offered up alongside a supple texture. The slightly off-dry finish is clean and crisp, perfect with many dishes or on its own as an aperitif. Enjoy now or cellar for two years.
Local filmmakers create documentary about winter festival
Documenting the Tradition of Whitefish’s Winter Carnival
Adam Pitman, right, films himself receiving a kiss from Viking Becky Vance before the Whitefish Winter Carnival's coronation of Prince Frey and Princess Freya at Whitefish High School in 2009 while working on his documentary. The Viking’s kisses protect the wearer from the mischievous yeti. - File photo by Lido Vizzutti/Flathead Beacon
For those who spend their winter months in Whitefish, wandering around for a weekend in the company of friendly penguins, mischievous yetis and heroic Viking divas is nothing out of the ordinary.
However, for the rest of the world, the Whitefish Winter Carnival may need a little explaining. A couple of local filmmakers are more than happy to oblige, with a documentary explaining the carnival and its history, which will be shown during the festivities on Feb. 3 and 4.
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However, for the rest of the world, the Whitefish Winter Carnival may need a little explaining. A couple of local filmmakers are more than happy to oblige, with a documentary explaining the carnival and its history, which will be shown during the festivities on Feb. 3 and 4.
Whitefish Winter Carnival
FEATURE PHOTO: Skijoring
Gripping the rope tightly, skier Matt Stickney catches air off the third and final jump while being pulled by rider Shelly Buckallew on Blaze during the sport class of the Whitefish Winter Carnival's skijoring competition.
Chef Jim Gray
Good Show – At Last
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We’ve established a number of times in this column that food preparation can make for good television. Well, I should qualify that a bit more by saying that good and proper food preparation makes good television.
The culinary train wreck television shows like “Hell’s Kitchen” and “Chefs Academy” pretty much come off as lessons in how not to conduct oneself in a restaurant kitchen, and especially how not to serve bad food to innocent customers.
[read more]
The culinary train wreck television shows like “Hell’s Kitchen” and “Chefs Academy” pretty much come off as lessons in how not to conduct oneself in a restaurant kitchen, and especially how not to serve bad food to innocent customers.
Eat Well
MONTANA MARKET: Savory Caper Chicken
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My friend Patti passed along this recipe as a family favorite. Simmering the chicken melded the flavors together and the end product was delicious. Everyone in my family enjoyed it too! Thanks Patti!
Ingredients:
1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper
2 Tbs. olive oil
1/2 C. chopped onions
1 clove pressed garlic
6 oz. dry white wine
6 oz. chicken stock
1 Tbs. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. corn starch
1 Tbs. small capers
Wide egg noodles, cooked and drained
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Ingredients:
1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper
2 Tbs. olive oil
1/2 C. chopped onions
1 clove pressed garlic
6 oz. dry white wine
6 oz. chicken stock
1 Tbs. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. corn starch
1 Tbs. small capers
Wide egg noodles, cooked and drained
The International Guitar Night concert offers global music to the Flathead
World-Class Talent on the Whitefish Stage
Renowned acoustic guitarists Brian Gore, Itamar Erez, Stephen Bennett and Lulo Reinhardt, left to right, are bringing their mobile International Guitar Night to the O'Shaughnessy Cultural Arts Center in Whitefish. - Photo courtesy IGN
Jam sessions are an integral part of guitar culture. Musicians can gather and create new song patterns, collaborate or hold impromptu concerts. Just imagine a jam session with some of the best guitarists in the world.
Such an opportunity will present itself in the Flathead on Jan. 28 when the International Guitar Night concert comes strumming into Whitefish. The men who make up the group – Brian Gore, Itamar Erez, Lulo Reinhardt and Stephen Bennett – represent some of the best guitar talent from around the globe.
[read more]
Such an opportunity will present itself in the Flathead on Jan. 28 when the International Guitar Night concert comes strumming into Whitefish. The men who make up the group – Brian Gore, Itamar Erez, Lulo Reinhardt and Stephen Bennett – represent some of the best guitar talent from around the globe.
