cjsadler

This takes about 30 minutes, but it's well worth it. Here's the set-up: 1 gal pasteurized whole milk (skim works too-- more on that later, just don't use ultrapasteurized milk of any sort) 2 tsp citric acid 1/2 tsp rennet 2 tsp kosher salt The rennet (an enzyme) I bought at Wegman's. It's vegetable rennet (there's also animal rennet, which vegetarians will want to avoid). The citric acid I purchased at an Indian store (I'm not sure whether they use it for paneer or what-- I just use lemon juice to make it). Equipment wise, you need: Some sort of small mesh skimmer a dishwashing glove (you'll see why later) a microwave safe bowl a digital thermometer The basic idea here is to seperate the curds (solids) from the whey (liquid) of the milk. Pour the milk into a large pot on medium heat. Sprinkle in the citric acid: Stir gently with a wooden spoon to distribute the heat. Once you reach 88 degrees, add in the rennet: Stir very gently, so as not to break up the curds which will start forming:

We had these on Friday night-- both excellent. The Zweigelt is nice and refreshing-- seemed like it was very lightly carbonated. And the Trevor Jones "Boots" was absolute dynamite. Very full-bodied for a rosé ('manly' says Derek in the description on the list ) with a huge raspberry nose and taste. Thanks for all the suggestions in this thread-- I've been doing plenty of rosé drinking lately and will have to come up with a mid-summer report. Currently that Trevor Jones is at the top of the list, though.

Best wine from a line-up of Robert Kacher selections I had at a dinner this week was Domaine St. Eugenie 2002. A carignane/syrah/grenache blend from Corbières that I thought was very, very tasty. Look for it-- should be only about $10. Apparently a reserve bottling will show up in the fall at about $14 (Kacher was really excited about this one). *Edit to add-- this is now on sale at Addy Bassin's for $7.99. A total steal.

Yeah, that patio looks great. I never noticed it before, even though I've driven by about a million times.

Another place you never seem to hear anything about... I was there for the first time last night for a wine dinner hosted by Robert Kacher. This post should be taken with a grain of salt, though, as the owner (blanking on his name) was there preparing the food himself, most of which he said was not available on the regular menu. Everything was very, very good. Most interesting thing about the small plates we were served was the spices used (the owner is Lebanese), which really added a unique, delicious twist to what I usually expect out of things like hummus, baba ghanoush and such. I tried to get him to divulge what some of the spice mixes were that were used in the plate of 12 (!) seperate dips and spreads we were given after sitting down, but he wouldn't reveal them. We were also served: An orzo paella of sorts, with lamb sausage and calamari Shrimp with vegetables and a bean spread, served in a fried crepe-type thing Mini lamb burgers in mini pitas (trends be damned, these were fantastic-- apparently they are only available Mondays at lunch) A turkish cigar I'll have to maybe post about the wines seperately on the wine board.

Never even heard of this place until Sunday night, when I was taken there. It's a combination wine store/bar/restaurant in Columbia off Rt. 108 in a pleasant location across from a huge field. They have a menu of small plates items (with a few almost entree size things too), most of which we tried were very good. However, the main draw is, of course, the wine. Glass prices were about on par for this area, but the real deal is the bottles. Any bottle from the wall shelves around the restaurant (this is basically the entire wine list) are only $5 corkage. Prices and selection are pretty nice. After sampling a couple of glasses, we had a Torbreck 'Woodcutter's' Shiraz ($22 + $5= $27) at our server's suggestion that I thought was quite good. A couple of highlights from the small plates we tried were a pancetta and asparagus tart and a marlin steak with a chipotle-corn-cream sauce. Definitely something to consider if you're out that way for Merriweather-- or even worth a trip if you aren't.

I highly recommend checking it out for RW. Had a great meal there. Great service, especially for RW. At one point, I asked the server what was in the puree that was served with my scallops and Morou himself came out to tell me how to make it (and they had to have been slammed back in the kitchen). Don't know if anyone else caught it, but he did a great demo during the Folklife festival.

Watermelon and feta salad. The combo of watermelon and feta, which I had for the first time last summer, is surprisingly great. Try it. Saw some recipe in Gourmet that used pickled rind on top too, so I added that. Then some penne with pesto (I finally was able to get my basil to grow) And a bing cherry phyllo roll for dessert. We picked 18 pounds (!) of cherries at Cherries on Top in Flint Hill and I'm still using them up.

They grow along the Capitol Crescent trail (from Bethesda to Georgetown) too. I usually stop and eat a few if I'm biking there and see them, but damn, those things are tart when eaten raw. What can they be used for?

Homemade mozarella is easy once you get the hang of it (and the results are great). I can post some details later (I don't remember exactly what temperature guidelines I use and need to consult my 'notes'). All that's required is rennet (I get mine at Wegman's), citric acid and a thermometer. Or if there's ever something along the lines of the shindig at Mike's I'd be happy to show you how (I'd host something, but there's no room in my tiny DC condo).

The service at Galileo has been pretty brusque in my experience (the Lab was different, though). I wonder what it's going to be like when you start off with "So I have this half-off email thingy"

There's one on the floor under the Trader Joe's on Wisconsin too. About the same walking distance from the Bethesda metro, but has the possible bonus of hitting TJ's too.

What about Persimmon in Bethesda? Anyone ever been there? I never hear anything about it.

The official RW site now says July 26-Aug 1st. Opentable still says Aug 1-7. Which is correct?

Being an expert on neither, I'll say the upstairs lounge at the Tabard Inn. Grab a couch and have some wine... order food later. Or maybe hit Cashion's bar, then move to an outside table there for food?

Rock shrimp (the ones that Trader Joe's sells are great) with parsnip puree and basil And apricot-frangipane tartlets. This year is the first time I've had fresh apricots and I'm really loving them.

Had a little Mexican feast/party for some friends that are moving. Forgot to take any pics. Traditional and strawberry-basil margaritas Pineapple salsa Tomatillo-avocado salsa Red chile enchiladas Green chili rice Borracho beans I'll be damned if I can figure out how to cook enchiladas that aren't falling apart and a bit soggy, though (even after doing the 'dip the tortillas in hot oil before rolling' step).

No pan sauce on this. I guess they felt it could do without on this one, since the stuffing was very moist and strong in flavor (it was like a jam or chutney). However, just about anything could be improved with demiglace! Where do you buy your chops? I had them special cut me a thick rib chop at Whole Foods, but they seemed to imply this was a one time thing they were doing for me (they have for sale only very thin rib chops ("quick cook") at the P St Whole Foods) ...and it wasn't cheap either.

Pork chop with red onion, dried cherry and pecan stuffing. This was from a recent issue of Cook's Illustrated. The stuffing was really tasty, which seems to have led to me seriously overstuffing the chop, as you can see (it just seemed to keep taking it, so I kept on stuffing... oops). And then these light vanilla cakes with strawberry-lime marmalade for dessert, from the Cafe Boulud cookbook. They weren't too bad.

The involtini di tono was definitely the highlight when I was there last. Don't miss that. And the ice cream-sorbet-granita (hazelnut-strawberry-espresso) trio for dessert was surprisingly good.

And some deviled eggs with salsa verde, ala Two Amys.

Alabama jumbo lump crab from Black Salt with avocado, salsa and roasted pepper sauces.

Definitely give Django a go next time-- that place is really something special.

Has anyone checked out the Squash Blossom Festival at Oyamel? The article says there's a farmer's market as part of it, Tuesdays-Fridays. I guess it's going on this week (not totally clear from the article)