Nosh and Quaff -- The Cooking & Booze Thread

[HoustonRaven]

I'm Italian and grew up on grandma's Sunday gravy ...this is probably one of the best spaghetti dishes I've ever had. Well worth it.

Here's my new Sunday gravy. I promise, it will not disappoint ....

1 lb 80/20 chuck
1 lb ground veal
1 lb ground pork
1 large onion
2-3 carrots
2-3 stalks of celery
5-6 cloves of garlic
EVOO
2 cups of tomato paste
Bottle of chianti or cabernet
3 bay leaves
Sprig of Sage
pinch of nutmeg
large bunch of thyme, tied
1 cup of beef broth
Kosher salt
Grated Parm for serving

Finely chop or puree in a food processor (I prefer the later) the carrots, celery and garlic. Make a "paste" with the veg and salt liberally. Coat a large pan with EVOO. Cook veg until brown over medium high heat, about 15 minutes.

Add the meats, salt liberally and cook until very brown (like almost burnt), about 20 minutes

Add the tomato paste and cook until paste starts to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the bottle of wine and reduce by half. Taste and add salt if needed.

Here's the time crunch. Add water (yes water) until the meat is covered by about an inch of water. Add the thyme, sage, nutmeg and bay leaves. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Stir occasionally (I stirred every 15 minutes or so) and as it reduces to a bit more than half, add 2-3 more cups at a time. Simmer for 4 hours or so, continually adding the 2-3 cups of water when it reduces. Reduce to desired consistency after the four hours. I like it more on the saucy side.

[wickedsolo]

Nice summary. Let us know if there are any other highlights on the trip. The Mrs. and I have a few spots nailed down for our stay Labor Day weekend, but still looking for some ideas.

Definitely going to try Yardhouse based on what you say about the beer selection. I enjoy beer. Very much.

The shark reef exhibit at Mandalay was pretty cool. They've got some big sharks swimming right overhead.

Obviously, the Hoover Dam is a cool spot. I rented a car and drove down there (about 40 min) then I picked up a friend and we drove way out into the desert to Area 51. It's a long drive (2hrs), but it's beautiful.

Also went to Counts Kustoms and did the floor tour of their showroom (free).

I also hit up the Mob Museum ($20) up near North Vegas and a few blocks from the old part of town where the Golden Nugget and those casinos are.


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[Dade]

Here's my dinner from the other night. Bunless Hawaiian Burger on a bed of kale and spinach.

Recipe for burger:
90% lean ground beef
finely chopped onion
finely chopped yellow pepper
salt and pepper
garlic powder
pinch of ginger
1 TBSP of Dale's seasoning

[wickedsolo]

Bone-in NY Strip from Delmonico's last night.



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[wickedsolo]

Spaghetti dish from Scarpetta:



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[Ngata Da Vida]

Bone-in NY Strip from Delmonico's last night.



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Delmonico Steakhouse in the Venetian? We are staying in the Palazzo and I was looking at that as a possibility.

[wickedsolo]

Delmonico Steakhouse in the Venetian? We are staying in the Palazzo and I was looking at that as a possibility.

It wasn't cheap, but it was delicious. Nice beer, bourbon, and wine list too.


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[OhThePossibilities]

When it comes to hard booze, I typically will just pour a couple of fingers of bourbon or scotch and sip on that.

Truth be told, I really don't drink that much. One batch of homebrew will last me for a few months and that's roughly 5 gallons.


This is one of my fav bourbons. Love this stuff. Sweet front end, with a spicy finish. Slightly smokey. Good burn.

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Blantons is my favorite. It runs pretty scarce here, but luckily the basement liquor store a block from me almost always has a bottle or two.

After that, I'd probably have to go with Elijah Craig, which is very reasonably priced. Though they took the age statement off the bottles in the last year, the bottle I had wasn't too far off from the age statement bottles. I just like the leather and campfire feel I get from it.

I don't really get into the pricey pricey stuff. Not that you can even find it here... or that I could afford it.

The most expensive I've bought is Bookers for like $60. That's probably my third favorite but you can get a single barrel Knob Creek for about $15 less here and it's not too different. I'd never even dream of getting a Pappy or anything. Again...not that you could find it...here or anywhere.

We don't even have anywhere here that sells Weller or Eagle Rare to give you an idea of the limitations.

I'm all for any bourbon recommendations though!

[Ngata Da Vida]

It wasn't cheap, but it was delicious. Nice beer, bourbon, and wine list too.


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You convinced me...it's on the list!

[HoustonRaven]

If you gents want a similar meat and bourbon experience close to home, you need to try The Oregon Grille. Hands down, my favorite steak place in Maryland.

[wickedsolo]

If you gents want a similar meat and bourbon experience close to home, you need to try The Oregon Grille. Hands down, my favorite steak place in Maryland.

Hmm, never heard of it.


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[Ngata Da Vida]

Not a steak house per se but I love Jack's Bistro for my steak and bourbon fix