Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Winter Food & Beer Pairing Dinner

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Winter Food & Beer Pairing Dinner - Saturday evening, I accompanied Laura to the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Winter Food & Beer Pairing Dinner. It was a truly amazing event!

For complete information on all the wonderful Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. offerings and information regarding future food and beer pairing dinners, the Pub, the Gift Shop, concerts, and other events, visit Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

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I bemoaned that I had neglected to bring my camera. Laura eschewed my petulance, however, and reminded me that "The best camera is the one you have with you!" She then took these photographs with her Motorola(r) Droid X smartphone!

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CRAB COCONUT BISQUE - Dungeness crab, coconut broth,julienne vegetables, crispy banana, ginger, cilantro, and pepper oils.



This opening course was paired with a wonderful Sierra Nevada Kellerweis.

Executive Chef Micheal Iles talked with dinner guests, graciously accepted their praise, and answered their questions.

Executive Chef Micheal Iles



The tables were beautifully set and adorned with impressive floral displays.

LLANO SECO PORK RILLETTES - Ruthless gelée, pickled onions, fennelpollenbutter crackers. This was paired with Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye.

Steve Grossman (brother of SNBC founder/owner Ken Grossman and Brewery Ambassador) - Speaking to dinner guests and Executive Chef Micheal Iles waiting to introduce the next course.

BITTER GREENS SALAD - Crispy duck confit, Quad soaked figs, and plum vinaigrette.



This third course was paired with exotically fruity Sierra Nevada Ovlia Belgian style Abbey Quad with Plums

SIERRA NEVADA SHORT RIBS - Chorizo hash, butternut squash, Bigfoot demi-glace. This was paired with Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Ale

Executive Chef Micheal Iles - working the room.

MIDWINTER DESSERT - Bigfoot Baba, whiskey soaked wild cherry chocolate truffle, and espresso panna cotta. This was paired with Sierra Nevada Barrel Aged Bigfoot Ale

Fighting Back, Matters of Life and Death, -and- The Termin-actor

Fighting Back - retiree fends off muggers with walking stick
Matters of Life and Death - Planned Parenthood offers gift certificates
The Termin-actor - thespian robot takes the stage

On this day in history: November 28, 1981 - Natalie Wood topples off her yacht near Catalina Island and drowns. Her husband Robert Wagner, and friend Christopher Walken, were onboard and unaware of her predicament.

Born on this day in history: November 28, 1962 - Jon Stewart (1962-) Born in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, comedian Jon Stewart is the anchor of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show," the popular satirical news show critical of the political establishment and news media. He co-authored the best-selling "America (The Book)," acted in several films, and hosted The Academy Awards.

Scripture of the Day: He [Jesus] replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it." — Luke 11:28

Video of the Day: The Geico Gecko

Thanksgiving Dinner - Click to enlarge!

Laura took this photograph of our Thanksgiving dinner. I was otherwise occupied--eating!

MENU:

Game hens: marinated in extra-virgin olive oil, ground black pepper, granulated garlic, ground Cayenne pepper, ground Chile de Arbol, lime juice, and ground cumin. On the grill, the game hen halves were grilled for 20 minutes over the front burner, with the skin side down, over a very low flame, with the rear burner on high. After 20 minutes, the halves were turned skin-side up and drizzled with honey. When the honey had flowed and coated the halves, they were turned skin-side down and grilled for 10 minutes. They were then turned every 15 minutes for 45 additional minutes. The front burner was turned off for the last 30 minutes.

Dressing: Ground hot Italian sausage, julienned white onion, minced garlic, diced red bell pepper, diced Jalapeño peppers, finely-diced habanero pepper, sliced mushrooms, baby spinach, chopped celery, poultry seasoning, Tony Chachere's More Spice, ground black pepper, ground Cayenne pepper, and ground Chile de Arbol were sautéed. Sourdough bread was cubed and toasted. The sausage mixture was added to the cubed bread, a can of chicken stock was added, and the dressing was mixed and placed in a Pyrex cooking dish. When the game hens were nearly done, this was baked in the conventional oven until the top was crisp.

Green beans: Fresh green beans were boiled for 3 minutes and placed in cold water to stop the cooking process. Bacon (cut into 1-inch pieces), julienned red onion, sliced mushrooms, minced garlic Gebhardt's chili powder, and lemon pepper was sautéed in extra-virgin olive oil. When this was cooked, the beans were incorporated, and the mixture was placed in a Corningware casserole dish.

Potatoes: Red potatoes wee diced and placed in a pot. A large head of garlic was peeled, and the cloves were added to the potatoes. This was cooked until the potatoes were done. The potatoes and garlic were drained and returned to the pot. Tony Chachere's More Spice, sea salt, ground black pepper, I Can't Believe It's Not Butter, milk, and ranch dressing were added. The potatoes were whipped with an electric mixer.

Gravy: 4 chicken bouillon cubes were added to water, corn starch, poultry seasoning, and ground black pepper and simmered until the desired consistency was reached.

The Scoop on Dogs and Cats, Yard Rage, -and- And Don't Forget My Free Wash!

The Scoop on Dogs and Cats - pet owners get 72 hours to clean their yards
Yard Rage - man threatens landscaper with shotgun for mowing too early in the morning
And Don't Forget My Free Wash! - Sheikh flies Lamborghini 6,500 miles to Britain for oil change

On this day in history: July 31, 1966 - Beatles records are burned in Birmingham, Alabama, because John Lennon declared the band to be "more popular than Jesus."

Born on this day in history: July 31, 1954 - Laura Lynn Harter

Scripture of the Day: For this world in its present form is passing away. - 1 Corinthians 7:31

Video of the Day: Happy Birthday, Laura!

Today is Laura's birthday. She is lounging abed. Her vacation begins today. Tomorrow, she departs for Tucson, AZ, to visit her daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter.

Most likely, the cats and I shall run amok!