Swines and Bovines

Finally, we have had at least three consecutive days of warm, sunny weather...  I realize the rest of the nation is absolutely fed up with the heat...but we need a little thawing out of sorts in these here parts..  Never in my life, until now, have I worn boots in July.  And these were big, super-huge, hot boots....hot in both ways if you ask me :-)  hahahahaha...At least the boots hide my un-pedicured toes...and trust me, that is a very GOOD thing.  E.V. spent the day doing her E.V.-type things...panting and such.

"Mama, I'm hot.  Please, pretty please buy an air conditioner...and while you are at it, hurry it up and put more ice in my water bowl!"

She is a little diva, that's for sure!  I quickly reminded her that she would need to get a day job if we were to splurge on an air conditioner.  It didn't take long for her to drop the notion of A/C.  She doesn't roll out of bed before 11am...nor does she 'work.'  She doesn't want to mess up her nails since they look so fabulous and I won't even address her 'back problems.'  We try not to bring those things up...Again, she is sensitive!  The heat eventually did cause her some irritation...

"Good grief, Mama.  Could you put that stinkin' camera down for AT LEAST five minutes...Can't a girl enjoy a good bone in peace????  Don't you have a dinner to cook or something?!?!?!"

She was absolutely crabby to say the least.  I personally attribute her sass to the heat, and not my obsession with photo-taking...  It makes me feel better to think in that direction.  Besides, I am hardly one to obsess, about anything!  :-)

E.V. continued to enjoy the bone...as I watched in incognito...and was able to snap just one more photo of her bone chewing experience...I just know, when she's old and in a nursing home, she will totally thank me for being just a tad overzealous with the photos.

"This bone is delicious from every angle...I just hope know one is watching me...I need my privacy!  Can't a gal get a little privacy around here???  Mama, what ARE you doing hiding behind that door...and is that a CAMERA in your hand???  You PROMISED!"  

Just wait until she goes to her first Prom...and don't even get me started about college....there aren't enough tissues in this house to even think about such things!!  Nor enough MB's on my memory card! :-) 

I explained and apologized for quite some time...occasionally one cannot help themselves, especially when such a sweet face is involved.  Anyway, it's gonna cost me two trips to the dog park and a scoop of vanilla ice cream for her forgiveness..  She drives a hard bargain!  At least I got off relatively easy this evening :-)  I took a deep breath and then proceeded to make this evening's meal.

Shall we begin with the menu and preparation photos...I prepared a medley of vegetables that were broiled and previously tossed in a mixture of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, crispy polenta 'fries' with  a delicate hint of gorgonzola cheese.  My sides were served alongside a steak wrapped in bacon secured with rosemary 'toothpicks' and topped with short rib pan jus.  Yep...it's Sunday.  And as you can see...I had a TON of free time :-) 

Broiled vegetable medley...Simple and so tasty!

To make these amazing, great french fry alternatives, make polenta and spread in a cake pan to cool in the fridge, then cut into 'fries.'  I sprayed with cooking spray and broiled until crispy.  Be sure and include the gorgonzola cheese...It is key!!   I love fried foods...only this was sort of cheating and didn't create such a mess.  Heck, if my flip-flop were fried, I would probably inhale it in about two seconds!  Yay fried foods!!

Simple, organic, perfect and grass fed.  One could not do more explaining.  I pan seared until a luxurious crust was achieved on both sides.  Yay for leftovers, too!  And we don't want to neglect the bacon that enveloped this bovine beauty!...yay for bacon as well!  Swines and bovines...that could totally be a song!!  Or at least a reality TV show.  I've seen what's on TV these days, I would not be surprised!  I could make millions!!  UmmmmUmmmm!

Once all components were brought together, they made for a truly splendid meal!

Drum roll, please....(I have no ability to insert sound effects..otherwise it would have been awesome!)  But certainly not as awesome as this meal!  HaHAHAHAHA.

I wanted to note that I cheated, in a sense, on the short rib pan jus...I had some left over that I had frozen from the short-ribs I made last week.  I deglazed the pan with a little butter and added the sauce...It was ideal on the steak...I am so glad I saved!

Even E.V. was willing at this point to take time out from her bone to mooch some people food.....Fortunately for her I am a total sucker!!

"Mama...puhhhhhhhhhhh-leeeeeeseeeeeeee!  Don't you have even a morsel for a cute gal like myself??  I'll do anything!  I swear!!"

And it only gets worse once we move onto dessert.  Thank heavens for ice cream.  Yay!!  Thanks, as always, for joining a couple of mischievous chicks just keeping in real in the Pacific NW!  Enjoy!!