Smoked Capelin with Patridgeberry Jam on Bread

I love Saturdays!  I love to get up and enjoy a coffee....or two, while I listen to my 

favourite CBC radio station.  I mull over my plans for the weekend and decide

how I want to spend my day.  

This morning, hubby mentioned that "we" are getting low on patridgeberry jam.  

So,  first thing on my list this morning--make jam. 

As I was filling the jars, I thought of how my mom and dad loved patridgeberry 

jam, and how it was a staple in our home, as it was in most rural Newfoundland 

homes when I was growing up.  

Mom used to make patridgeberry tarts and squares, and sometimes served fresh, 

still-warm patridgeberry jam  as a sauce over steamed dumplings for dessert. 

It seems like most of my food memories from growing up are of fish, and there was 

always an accompaniment of patridgeberry "something or other".

I suddenly knew what we would have for lunch, and pulled a bag of hubby's smoked 

capelin from the deep freeze.  

Roasted smoked capelin, bread with patridgeberry jam and steeped tea. 

 Y-U-M-M-Y!!! 

I remember how, as kids, we would grumble over the smell of roasting fish, or any fish being cooked.  Now, I cherish it and consider myself lucky and privileged to live in a

place where we have access to fresh fish, especially capelin. 

Hubby was outside most of the morning, snow-blowing and preparing our outdoor fireplace

for a big evening fire.  

He was pleasantly surprised to smell smoked capelin roasting when he came inside 

and wandered into the kitchen.  

He is usually the official fish cooker-upper at our house! 

Anyway, here are a few snaps of our simple, traditional feast .......

 

Of course, in light of today's post, I have to give honorable mention to my capelin trivet.

A gift from Rana  :) 

In closing, I'd like to encourage you to pop over here, to see some fabulous capelin art, by Newfoundland artist, Janet Davis of Norton Cove Studio.

Hope you all enjoy your weekend.

Cheers

:)

Queen of Hearts

Hubby and I went to a Valentine's Day dinner party last week, at Pam and Fraser's.  

I knew Pam well growing up, and we went to high school together.  

She has been living here in the city for many years and had invited us over on 

number of  occasions, but this was actually the first time we were able to make it.   

Wow---what a treat!!

The evening was just lovely.  It was on Wednesday night, and we were in the 

heights of a blizzard most of the day.  

Valentine's Day was day one of a two-day blizzard, with record breaking

snowfall and high winds.   The entire city actually shut down for two whole days.  

I must say, I did thoroughly enjoy the two extra days off.  

We were literally housebound for the full two days, which made dinner at 

Pam and Fraser's even sweeter.

The welcome was warm, atmosphere and company was awesome, and the food......

Outstanding!!  

Pam and Fraser were fabulous hosts, and the night flew by.  It was almost eleven 

when we left to come home.  

For anyone who knows me well, that is late for me on a work night.   

As soon as we arrived, we were all served a beverage of choice.  

Fraser has an enviable stock of local and imported beers that he is very eager to share. 

 Fraser popped the cork on a lovely bottle of champagne, and Pam surprised us with two delectable amuse-bouches before we all moved to the dining room for our meal.  

I did not get pictures of those, but they were certainly photo-worthy.  

After we ate the delectable little treasures, I commented that I should have brought 

my camera to get some photos for a blog post, and Pam said she 

wouldn't mind, so I whipped out my phone and started snapping--tehe!!  

Below are photos of the meal as it progressed.  The photos certainly show her 

attention to detail and it is quite evident that Pam loves to cook and entertain.

First, we had a selection of roasted beets--red beets carved like roses, and thinly sliced 

yellow beets shaped like hearts, with a variety cheeses spread between them. 

Also on this plate, fresh mozzarella, balsamic pearls, and some fresh peas and cucumber.......... 

Pam even had fresh butter cut in the shape of little hearts to accompany the wonderful 

fresh bread she had baked .......

 

 

 

Next.....homemade pasta, stuffed with crab and lobster, with a scrumptious cream sauce......

Just had to put this photo on, to show the perfect little heart-shape.

It tasted just as good as it looks....

Ooooohhhhhh---the main course.  Lobster and cheeses baked in the body, string beans, 

carrots and couscous with locally picked chanterelles.  

Pam and Fraser picked these chanterelles last fall.  believe it or not, I had never tasted 

them before---delicious!!

The entire meal was a fabulous experience for the soul and the taste-buds!  

And of course, dessert was no different.

Homemade chocolate cake, cut in the shape of a heart and dipped in chocolate ganache, on 

a drizzle of homemade raspberry syrup with fresh whipped cream.  

Yum in my tum !!!  

We all enjoyed dessert with fresh coffee, and then moved back in to

the living room to find this!!!!!!

A variety of delectable handmade chocolates, along with chocolate-dipped 

fresh strawberries, to enjoy with an after dinner liqueur.   

It didn't end there!

Each couple went home with a box of chocolate dipped strawberries, a

miniature dessert cake,,,,and a loaf of fresh homemade bread!!!!

To close, I'll borrow the song title from the Four Seasons....

Oh, what a night!!!!

Stay tuned, I'll post a synopsis of my dinner party in about a month or

so---planning it to take place around St. Patrick's Day.

Cheers

:)

Lassy Buns

Since we have become grandparents, we are a tad bit preoccupied.  

Actually we are obsessed with her!!!!  

I have been neglecting my other loves (that pale in comparison now), but I did

take time over the weekend to make a batch of molasses (lassy) buns and I 

took a few snaps to share----just like old times.  

I posted this recipe on this blog about four years, and I received great feedback.  

Click here for the recipe.

 Here are some photos of my latest "batch"........

The smell of that butter and molasses melting together, with the strong hint of 

cinnamon and cloves is simply divine.  

Sprinkled with a little pinch of sugar and ready to go in the oven.... 

 These scent the entire house while baking.

 

Of course, as soon as they cool, one must try one with a bit of cheddar, and a cup of strong black tea.

 Oh yeah!!!

Cheers

:)