Thursday, May 04, 2006

Do you remember that sunny day?

Every once in a great while, I hear a song that absolutely makes me want to be in the kitchen. That one type of song that just makes you focus and unlocks the creative powers of natural talent you may have stored away...

Today when I got home from work I pulled out my vinyl copy of Sid & Nancy and put it on Side A. As I was sitting there checking e-mail, browsing journals and looking at the general collection of food-porn thats out there, I was hit by the song Haunted by the Pogues. I've heard this song a million times, but it just hit me this time how great it is.

I transferred the song to my midi-disc player and got to work...

I started by heating 2 Tablespoons of olive oil in a small saute pan. I went and mixed up 1/3 Cup of breadcrumbs with 1/2 teaspoon of Herbs du Provence, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. I minced 2 cloves of garlic and slid them off my chefs knife into the oil. I lightly sauted them for about 45 seconds then added the crumbs. I mixed it all together and toasted the crumbs a little.

I put the crumbs in a bowl then went and quartered a few red skinned potatoes and threw them in a pot of water. I then de-boned two fat pork loin chops. I fired up another pan and seared the chops for about 4 minutes on both sides. I deglazed the pan with some white wine and threw it in the oven to roast the pork.

While the chops were cooking, I chopped up some mangos and apples and let them macerate in tequila for dessert.

About half way through the pan roasting, I slapped a little Dijon mustard on the top of the pork, then a generous portion of my bread crumbs. More roasting...

Finally I mashed the potatoes, plating them with the pork and a pile of mixed greens. Dinner was good...

That's one of the best things about being with Kerrie, too. She appreciates good cooking. When I sent out those plates, she dug right in. Her face lit up a little. It was, as always, a great feeling to cook and to eat.

"I want to be haunted by the ghost of your precious love..."
- Pogues

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