Restaurant Widow

Sunday Supper Recipe - Smoked Trout Salad with Hazelnut Vinaigrette

 
This is one of my favorite fall salads.  I believe I first saw a similar recipe in Gourmet a few years ago.  This is a deconstructed salad, relying on a few really great ingredients to show off its true colors.  I have to say that I had to resort to Whole Foods Honeycrisps because I used my own personal supply of Ohio Honeycrisps for the Sunday Supper guests (lucky you!); the Whole Foods apples were a real letdown.  I don't remember how much they were, but I feel cheated.  They don't even compare to the Wayward Seed Farm honeycrisps I served at the dinner, which were great.  Just be warned. 

As with all oils, but especially those made from nuts, hazelnut oil can go off rather quickly and should always be refrigerated; they should always be sold in a very dark container as light can also affect the flavor.  These types of oils are expensive, and the money should always be spent on the real thing, so buy hazelnut oil, not "hazelnut flavored oil."  Although the price might seem high at first, a little goes a long way, and a few drops of walnut, hazelnut, or especially pumpkin seed oil on top of lots of autumn or winter dishes will really give the dish a pop of flavor.  These oils are never used for cooking, because that would be a total waste.  Instead, they are finishing oils.  I used this brand.

I tend to make lazy vinaigrettes out of oil and vinegar only, occasionally adding a little good Dijon mustard for emulsifying purposes.  I'm not really one for big emulsions or dragging out the blender or anything.  I use a fork and usually salt the greens rather than the vinaigrette.  Of course, this is just my opinion. 

Typically, I like to use the sort of smoked trout which is sold in plastic along with the smoked salmon in a grocery store (of course, Freshwater Farms of Ohio makes an amazing smoked trout, which I highly  recommend; unfortunately I haven't had time to go to Urbana lately).  However, I was limited to the Whole Foods on Lane Ave, and they don't stock smoked trout, so I used some from a tin from Trader Joe's (it's pretty good, although packed in oil and different from the drier kind; I usually mix it with some Wishwell Farms hot relish and eat it at work for a snack - it only has 90 calories per tin).

Okay, I think those are enough caveats!  Now the recipe.

Smoked Trout Salad with Hazelnut Vinaigrette - per serving

1/2 pound smoked trout
1/2 apple of a tart variety, such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith, sliced very thinly
handful of hazelnuts or walnuts, toasted lightly in a dry pan until fragrant
1 ounce dry, salty, and delicious blue cheese, such as Stilton or Valdeon (pictured; a cow & goat's milk cheese from Spain which is wrapped in grape leaves before aging) Rogue River blue is also amazing but wildly expensive.
handful baby greens
1/2 tbsp hazelnut oil & vinegar
1/2 tbsp mild vinegar, such as sherry, champagne, or cider (which I used)
crunchy salt

Arrange the trout, apple, and cheese on a plate.  Combine the oil and vinegar and lightly dress the greens.  Sprinkle a little salt over and place them on the plate.  Sprinkle with the nuts and serve!!

Things to do in Columbus::October 28th Edition

This event listing is once again brought to you by the Wild Goose Creative and their Southern Thanksgiving event on Sunday, November 2nd!  Pea Casserole and buttermilk pie (yum!) will be had by all. 

• Our next event this week is the Halloween Highball, which will take place in the Short North this Friday night from 6pm - midnight.  I believe I will be pouring beer somewhere after 10pm, but I'm not sure where yet.  I'll keep you posted.  The event features all sorts of great DJs, costume contests for pets and their hoomans, a fashion contest (in which my friend Jen will be participating!), and lots of other fun.  Besides all of that, High St will be closed between Buttles & Hubbard, and that's always fun! 
• If you haven't had enough of the Short North after the Highball, the Gallery Hop takes place on Saturday!  And the weather is supposed to be nice this weekend, so there's no excuse not to get out and do something fun this weekend!
• I've never been to the Santa Maria downtown, have you?  Well, this week is the week to go, when the ship will become haunted!
• Learn the haunted history of the Kelton house this Thursday night!  If you've never been to the Kelton house, it's really cool. 
• Yet another one of those things I've always wanted to do is the Columbus Landmarks' Halloween Ghost Tour of Columbus; I've heard it's really fun.  I'll be working, but you should go and tell me how it is!
• This months Warhol First Sundays at the Wexner Center features Warhol's fascination with celebrity.  Get a screen test and a celebrity portrait. 

One More Thank You

Wow. I just re-read some of my posts from last week and some of them make no sense whatsoever.  Thanks for hanging in!  I promise to actually write something worthwile this week.  And take some pictures.  And get back to normal.

THANK YOU!!!! RW Sunday Supper Menu with Wines!!

Thank you to everyone who came to the dinner last night!!  I hope I wasn't too loopy, the entire week leading up to the dinner was a total blur and Husband really thought I was going to bail but I was determined and miraculously we did it and we're all fine!

But thank you thank you THANK YOU for coming.  It was really awesome and made me rethink the decision to wait until January to have another one.  Thank you for putting up with the paper plates and for liking everything and clapping and tipping my awesome helpers and laughing at me and listening to Husband talk about wine and everything.  I had a great time even though I didn't get to spend time with everyone as much as I would have liked.  But you just made everything so wonderful and I can't tell you what a big head I have now.

AND, how about that pumpkin scone this morning?!  Okay, so it was noon by the time I ate it for breakfast but YUM.  I think maybe AJ is finished at the Worthington market for the season but you can special order from her website and wish her luck as she spends the winter getting ready for next season!

Now, as promised, the menu and more importantly, the wines!  Wines are listed below each course; Husband says that he can find out retail locations if anyone is interested, or he can get them for you at state minimum from his work. I promise the gnocchi recipe as soon as Chef Warren sends it to me (ahem-hem)

Restaurant Widow Sunday Supper, October

Pasta e Ceci (Pasta & Chickpea Soup) in rich Parmesan broth with shaved Parm & extra virgin olive oil
2007 Ronca della Rocca Pinot Grigio delle Venezie

Autumnal salad of Ohio Honeycrisp apples with smoked ruby trout (from Weiland's), bleu cheese (I promise I'll go to Curds & Whey and ask what it was - Seth and I made the poor man feed us like 8 cheeses because the first one he gave us was amazing but $28 a pound), toasted walnuts, and a vinaigrette of Ohio tarragon cider vinegar and hazelnut oil (a friend brought this particular bottle for me from France, but it can also be purchased at Curds & Whey, if you are looking to recreate the salad)
2006 Calera Viognier "Mt. Harlan"

Roasted whole rib of organic Indiana pork with Blues Creek Farms double smoked, extra thick bacon (drool) laden Ohio Brussels sprouts, and the winner of the night, Seth's potato gnocchi in browned butter with sage (from my garden, by the way) and Wayward Seed Farms crookneck squash.
2006 Lioco "Indica" (for the squash & gnocchi)
2007 Rayun Syrah

Mixed apple crisp (Wayward Seed Farms apples), Lisa's standard, go-to dessert, with oatmeal streusel and unsweetened spiced handwhipped (thanks, Seth!) Snowville Creamery cream (which was very, very high in fat this week - wow). (Thanks Jen & Warren!!!)
2006 Lenotti Recioto della Valpolicella Classico

The Power of 110,000 Sets of Lungs

As the crow flies (that's what they say in the country, it means the shortest distance between 2 points whether you can get there by street or tractor trail), I live about 1.5 miles from Ohio stadium, or the "Shoe," if you aren't from around here.  For the sake of physics and/or sound travel, perhaps I should mention that I also live uphill from THE Ohio State University.  Husband and I just went out to grab some things from the car and we could distinctly hear the roar of the crowd and the announcers at the game.  That, my friends, is what it's like to live in a college football town.

OH!!  And I saw the blimp lit from within!  My first time seeing it at night!!

Not related to food at all, but interesting, nonetheless.

More Crumbs

Hello all!  Well, the good news is I feel about 60% better (this morning it was 80% better, but then I went to the Worthington Market (where I heard a market vendor vocally criticize her political decisions based up the button she was wearing.  She showed how nice she was by still making her purchase), Clintonville market (where nothing bad happened, but I think I might have scored the Petit Boulangerie to do the bread for my next dinner and talk about being an artisan using local products) Costco (where I witnessed a huge fight in the parking lot and a crazy womal yelled at me to stop looking at her when I turned around to see what all the raucous was), the North Market, Weiland's, the Container Store, Trader Joe's, G. Michael's, took Husband to work, Thurns (I was too late! They were closed! tragic!), then Target and World market where I finally found the centerpieces I needed, which I would have though were the simplest thing on earth), then back home to unload everything and back to fetch Husband (complete with wine and linens!) from work, it's back down a little bit).

All of that to say, dinner is ON!! 

But, I am so sad that Thurn's was closed, because I really wanted one of the nibblies on the tables to be their country liver pate.  It is amazing.  So, I've given it a plug, now go buy some. 

Please, please forgive me for not being environmentally friendly but I am going to be using plastic plates tomorrow.  One of my helpers is sick and I'd like to not have to stay and do dishes all night.  I promise to recycle them.  So, we'll be having plastic plates with real flatware and tablecloths!  DIY restaurant fun!

Okay!  I think that's about it.  I'm really excited for the dinner tomorrow and I hope you are, too!

Again, thanks for all of your well-wishes.  Now, let's all go and get flu shots!!

PS - I am full for my burger hunt, but response was so great I'm definitely going to do it again.  I will be sending an email to everyone very soon!!

Things to do in Columbus::October 22nd Edition

This Spot will be updated the next time I wake up (see previous post)

This event listing is brought to you by Wild Goose Creative and their Too Many Cooks Event! (would you like to sponsor an event listing? You Can!)

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"Join us to warm up for Thanksgiving with the dishes you could enjoy in a Sothern home.  Meredith will demonstrate some of her favorite time-tested tricks and techniques and treat us to a wide array of sides and desserts.  Come sample the bounty and get thankful a little bit early this year!" A $10 donation is suggested.  Click on the link above (the picture) to learn more about Wild Goose

While I recover, please feel free to write about any of your events in the comments section, and I will then include them when I do make the list.

Thanks!

Crumbs

Thank you all SO MUCH for all of your kind get better wishes.  I am finally feeling about 60% better, which is a huge relief because if I felt bad all day I was going to have to seriously consider cancelling my dinner.  Fortunately, I am hopeful I feel even better tomorrow so that I can get everything done I need to get ready!

As a result of getting blood work during my illness, I discovered that lo & behold, I have hypothyroidism! woot!  Just in case you don't know, hypothyroidism means you aren't making enough thyroid hormone.  It makes you tired, depressed, and likely to gain weight.  Fortunatly all you have to do is take synthetic thyroid medication.  Don't worry, I'm not going to turn this into a whiny lady blog anytime soon, but I thought it was interesting.

Lastly, I have sent out emails with the details of my Sunday Supper; if you haven't received on, please let me know!  I am very excited even if I have to sit down ever 5 minutes during the dinner.

Okay, that's all for now.

Smooches!

Please Pardon this Brief Bit of Whining.

I really don't like to talk about personal things here, unless they are funny, typically at my expense.  but.  I have been very sick this week, ever since about halfway through my day at the Steeler's Game.  At first I thought I had the flu, but the flu hasn't hit Ohio yet, so apparently that's impossible.  At any rate, I have spent about 90% of the past 4 days in bed (which is kind of nice in a weird, shut-in way).  I just wanted to let you know my posts might be a little shaky this week.

If you need evidence I'm sick, in the past 4 days, I have eaten 1 chicken leg 5 small brussles sprouts 1 cup of mashed potatoes (you can tell where my proirities are), a yogurt, and a pudding cup. That doesn't make it easy for me to write about writing!

I went to the doctor today who told me I had "some kind of virus," but there was really nothing to do except what I have been doing.  But I did get blood drawn (one of the things I hate most because I have the tiniest little veins) to make sure I have red blood cells, am not diabetic, and have a functioning liver, thyroid, kidneys, and probably something else.

One of my symptoms is a raging headache which gets worse when I move in any way or concentrate, so after about an hour at the computer, I'm about finished.  Another thing that makes writing hard.

At any rate, if you could all send good vibes and happy thoughts and keep your fingers crossed so that I will feel better by Saturday so that I can get cracking on my Sunday Supper!!  I'm out of the contagious zone, so there's no need to cancel if you are germaphobic.

I can't wait to see you all and write to you all on a more regular basis!  Now, off to bed.

Stroke Of Brilliance! Stolen From Anthony Bourdain! A Columbus Food Roundtable!

So tonight, while I was watching No Reservations - Dinner at Anthony's Table, I had a stroke of brilliance which came directly from whomever created that episode (thanks, No Reservations crew!)

We should have a similar dinner/roundtable discussion about the state of food in Columbus.  Let's find a resatuarant to host us (I have an idea, but if you run a restaurant and would like to volunteer, please send me an email) and get together about 6-8 local food lovers to talk about the state of food in Columbus!

We'll record the episode, find someone super cool to edit for us for free, and have a video.  I'll post it and, well, whoever wants to can post it.  How does that sound?  I'd like to have a few people who might have controversial points of view, but not have anyone as irritating as Amy Sacco (blech), who is just the sort of person I can't stand - needs to have constant attention.  This is probably selfish on my part, because I don't have the energy or desire to fight for the spotlight, and so I find this sort of garrish personality very tiresome. 

(at this point, someone who knows me is probably rolling their eyes, thinking how delusional I am, how I am just like that, and how I should get a hold of myself.  Just being realistic)

You must be willing to have a time limit to your comments and give up the ground for others.  Just like a debate!

A lot of people panned the episode in the comments, and I'll agree a little bit.  I don't spend $1800 on dinner, because I can't afford it, and I don't think a lot of you can, either (although if you can, I'll happily join you!).  The cast was also incredibly irritating.  I love Bill Buford, but his chocolate story seemed contrived purely for one-ups-manship (another incredibly horrid behavior I probably possess).  Tony seemed uncomfortable; probably the only person he could really relate to was Ted Allen, and maybe the waiter.  I loved it when he talked about how he feels like he doesn't belong in nice restaurants, and it was funny to see the uncomprehension in the eyes of that horrid Sacco lady, who has never felt anything close to a normal moment of embarrassment, I am convinced, because she thinks she's so darn fabulous.  It was also funny how the only person who showed the remotest interest in hearing about what they were eating and allowing the waiter to do his job was Mr. Bourdain himself.  As a server, it is maddening when no one at the table will listen to you.  I once had a table who refused to even make eye contact with me or look up from their conversation for the first 37 minutes they were in the restaurant.  After doing the "waitress pause" 37 times, I finally just stood there until finally, after about 60 seconds, one woman said - "I think our waitress wants something."  Um, have you forgotten that you are here for a reason?  "Well," I said, "I just thought you might want something to drink, but if not, just flag me down when you do."  The funny thing about this situation is that I am sure it was somehow my fault they went so long without a drink.  Sometimes I can't figure out why people come into a restaurant if they aren't interested in placing an order.  Here's a tip for you: you only have to listen to your waitress twice: when she takes a drink order, and when she takes your food order.  Otherwise, you are free to ignore her as much as you'd like.  But you can't get service if you refuse to do your part.

Blech! Now I'm irritated.  What are we talking about?  Oh!  A Columbus Food Roundtable.

Ideally, I suppose I'd like to have a professional cook in the mix, someone in the wine business, a low-rent foodie, maybe a farmer who supplies to restaurants and home cooks, and maybe a few good home cooks.  I would like to focus on things happening in Central Ohio, but we could talk about other cities when talking about our biggest desires for Columbus.  I would like to keep the format not snobby, unlike the Bourdain edition, and casual.

here's what we will need:

1. a willing restaurant, especially one who will be willing to cook for us on a day they aren't open or really early, or really late. We don't need anything gourmet like the dinner they had at CD50; just something good and tasty that won't be bad if it gets a little cold.  Family style might even be cool.  It might give you some exposure, who knows?
2. a few decent camcorders (I have one)
3. a saintly video editor who won't make everyone at the dinner look like a jerk (at least, not me) who will get the editing done in a timely manner.  Would also accept someone who would give me a brief tutorial on how to do it. 
4. 5-7 cool people who are passionate about food and Columbus.  I do not want Columbus-haters, so if you just moved here and just want to talk about how great your home state is, I don't want you.  I will have a screening process for this, and if you fail, you will be ejected from dinner or ridiculed by your dining companions (I am a very good trash-talker)

Sound interesting?  if you would like to participate or would like to nominate someone, please send me an email!