Whats Cookin' Miramichi Blog

October 2010
A surprise wedding night gift in early October began an unexpected but enjoyable group of newlyweds staying at the King George! We've hosted a number wedding guests and bridal parties since then, and can only surmise it must be our unique status - or possibly because no one assumes the bridal couple would be staying with us. Some were just given the keys to their room and had to locate their place of accommodation, and others wanted complete secrecy from their guests.  We have another one this Friday evening, and a family-only special Christmas wedding reception to arrange. In any event, it gave us an opportunity to refine our Wedding Package options which now includes: rose petals scattered in a heart-shape on the bed, a bottle of bubbly and 2 glasses (chilled and waiting) and our own hand made chocolate truffles in a gift box. We can also customize your breakfast menu and serve time to best suit you.

Needless to say our herb garden was amazing this summer and although we’ve had frost 1-2 nights recently, my parsley, sage, rosemary and tarragon plants are the size of small bushes.  And my good friend, Evelyn, donated 2 huge bags of sweet cherry tomatoes which we are just finishing up in the kitchen. Our own 2 plants produced huge beefsteak tomatoes with the final few ripening up nicely in the south-facing sunporch. What else tastes as good as a fresh tomato sauce over pasta?A summer with such fine weather, we’ll surely remember it for a long time.
 
Now we’re working on some new ‘comfort food’ recipes with an emphasis on using the slow-cooker for our upcoming What’s Cookin’ menus.  The Classic French class was received so well, we’ve been asked to run it again for those who missed it in September, so expect to see it repeated in November. Who can resist homemade French Onion soup, Pan-Roasted Sirloin Trip followed by Apple Tarte Tatin?  Or perhaps butterflied boneless chicken breasts stuffed with spinach and goat cheese, potatoes Anna, and crepes Suzette?  The list is endless!

I’ve been busy making & baking Chocolate Zucchini bread thanks to my organic gardener/farmers, the MacNeils in Bartibog Bridge.  Every few days I receive an email from Angela advising what’s she’s picked in the garden so I can put in my order.  We’ve been fortunate to sample (in addition to the zucchini) some wonderful yellow & green beans, wild strawberries and blackberries, and some Purple Haze carrots.  I served all of this fresh local produce to some Norwegian guests along with some locally raised Black Angus beef steaks and new potatoes for dinner last Saturday, and they absolutely raved about it.  Nothing improves cooking like good local food! My tomato and herb garden is at its peak right now, just waiting for the tomatoes to ripen up.  I can almost taste it already!
John is on his way to Baie St. Anne today to pick up a case of bottled lobster to sustain him through the winter.  He's even built shelves in the basement to store the bottles! I'll be surprised if it lasts him through to Christmas!  Remember this is the man who eats lobster everyday when it's in season!

With the great summer weather we've enjoyed, our garden is just bursting with abundance.  I have a bumper crop of sweet tomatoes just waiting to ripen, along with some superb basil, tarragon, chives, thyme, sage and lettuce. It's a delight concocting menus to utilise as much of this produce as possible.  I found some rainbow carrots the other day, and also have a local grower of some heirloom veggies that keep us well supplied with organic produce.  Our grandchildren have been fishing at the hatchery and loved the fresh trout we cooked up for supper one evening, with fresh raspberries and ice cream for dessert.  What's not to love about summer!

Now we’re turning our attention to creating a new plot and characters for our ‘Murder on the Menu’ mystery dinners that start up again Oct 30^th,  in addition to proofing the copy for the 2011 Official Tourist guide featuring the ‘Miramichi Mystery Food Adventure’ experience.  You book a 2-night package with us and source your dinner from our local suppliers.  Not only do you get a great meal  but you’ll meet some wonderful local characters.  Not too sure just how that’s going to work in mid-winter, since I'm not a big fan of smelt, but like everything else at the King George, it will be a challenge!

John's angioplasty done last week in Moncton has been a resounding success!  He actually went for a walk yesterday, (for the first time in a year we think) and although the Henry St. hill just about did him in, he made it home safe and sound. So today perhaps we'll attempt another route on more level ground! Now that he can manage stairs safely,and can make it up to the attic,  I'll have to be more vigilant with my hiding places!  He's a great man for getting rid of anything he hasn't seen or used in 6 months or so! Creates a little domestic discord trying to keep ahead of him!