Mother's Day Dinner

Since I'm not the Mom on this weekend, Henry has gone off to spend the day with his Mum. Although a very busy day, I managed to feed myself a bit along the way with some steel cut oats for breakfast that included the usual walnut oil for omega-3s, pecans, coconut, cinnamon and dried cranberries and it sustained me until late afternoon.

After breakfast a day of football with the Sounders as they tied the LA Galaxy along with friend Scott for his intro to MLS football. Although a solid American football fan he decided that he liked it and would be interested in another turn at the pitch if the opportunity arises. Stadium food is too expensive and we both had too much to do this afternoon not to mention the fact that plain ol' American lager style (read Budweiser and Miller) are $8, it just means beer is not really on the menu for an afternoon of football. Returning home I spent the afternoon with some full contact gardening taking down the 2nd of two this weekend 8 foot tall 6 foot diameter bush roses to the point that friend Susan remarked I was looking straight out of a slasher film as my arms and face were covered with scratches that were running red. In other words I was hungry but very nearly out of energy to make much so this is what I ended up with...

Salumi salami with pistachio meats and my cheese mixed with chives, chive flowers, olive oil, crushed red pepper, salt and fresh ground black pepper accompanied by a lovely 2004 Turley Howell Mountain zinfandel from the Rattlesnake Ridge vineyard. Although the vino was not along the lines of frugality, I have owned this particular bottle for some time and I opened it last night with New York steak grilled with asparagus topped by garlicky farmer cheese, grilled baby leeks and diced fresh red bell pepper. I decided it is time for me to start drinking down the cellar I have. although not gargantuan in size there are about 5 or 6 cases that need to be and will be consumed over the next few months. Summer is the perfect time to drink this down with the grill heating up most nights (I only grill 2 or 3 times per week in the Winter) and so these are lovely choices they would not be considered quite budget. Checking my records I paid $40 for this bottle; the current market rate is running between $70 and $140 so a perfect wine for school night of uncooked nibbles.

The wine is delicious and worth every bit of effort to let it lie down for 4 years. Brambly, with good jammy plum and a hint of fresh blackberry with peppery notes; it's a zinfandel that fits the classic descriptions. Although a bit on the spendy side it would be worth a splurge if you ever come across it. With the cheese and sausage it was delicious, with the steak and asparagus last night it was divine. The nose is huge, the finish long. Although I wouldn't break this out every night, for a lovely couple of Spring evenings it seemed just the thing.

Happy Mother's Day to all you Mums out there and happy Sunday evening to the rest of us...

Hasta