Mussels with Muscles: JCVD Spoof Action Edition Victoria Cooksey's Random Dish
Victoria Cooksey
A couple of years ago while sitting in a Irish Pub in San Antonio, TX of all places (Lion and the Rose Pub), my Victoria Cooksey's Random Dish comedy cooking show idea was born. Originally, it was supposed to be really random like different hairdos, places in different spots each shot, etc, but that took a bit long to do, so I just stuck with the comedy.
Over the episodes many "special callers" have been featured on the Random Dish Panic Hotline in skits, however, this week the "caller" I wanted to have from the very beginning is my favorite #action #star #JCVD #Jean-ClaudeVanDamme. I've loved him for years! This episode is also dedicated to #TheActionElite for keeping action alive, and for also being fans of JCVD.
Kick back, get out a bottle of #St.BernardusAbt.12 #Belgian #Ale, and enjoy what happens when our version of JCVD influences my recipe, and learn a kick-ass mussel recipe at that same time. Then go watch a JCVD movie while you eat!
P.S. While I love all his classic films, the more current ones that rock are Assassination Games, 6 Bullets, and of course, Expendables 2.
Pastry on the Peninsula Part 2 (Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas)
Victoria Cooksey
Last week we majorly dove into pastries/desserts in Port Townsend, WA. This week we take our sugar rush to some other WA towns that are around 40 to 50ish minute drives away from Port Townsend.
Port Angeles, WA gives us Cock-a-Doodle Doughnuts. http://www.cockadoodledoughnuts.com/ This first pic is of thier maple bacon doughnut. I sure hope I had you at bacon!
I like to call this picture sailboat through a doughnut. Grab some doughnuts, and then head over to the water to devour them with a great view. Not pictured, but extremely tasty, is their buttermilk doughnut. (On a travel note, Port Angeles is where you may catch a ferry over to Victoria Canada).
Silverdale visitors will dig Bella Belle Cupcakes http://bellabellacupcakes.com/ Some of the best cupcakes I've had. Not too sweet, and the cake part is as good as the icing. A win win combo! I recommend the s'mores and the raspberry champagne ones. Check their website for which days flavors are available. The also offer some of them in mini sizes, but I'm a glutton, so I go for full size!
Port Gamble may be the cutest little town ever! (Ghost hunters may want to check out this town too). http://www.portgamblegeneralstore.com/ The General Store Cafe offers a wide selection of desserts. This one was rhubarb, but there are many choices.
Chocolate lovers be sure to check out The Tea Room in Port Gamble for homemade chocolates. Phone: 360-297-4225.
Poulsbo has a super delicious selection of chocolates at Boehm's chocolates of Poulsbo http://www.boehmspoulsbo.com/
I may have saved the best for last: Sluys Bakery in Poulsbo, WA.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sluys-Poulsbo-Bakery/331792313564023
Just looking in the window makes me drool! When you walk in such an amazing bakery smell hits you and it will cause you to lose all will power! Plus, Poulsbo is just gorgeous! Definitely take your bakery purchases over to eat by the waterfront.
My viking cup attacks! (Cinnamon roll filled with cream cheese icing).
Sluys Bakery also has these chocolate Viking doughnuts (also in glazed) that are big enough to share, but I wouldn't! :)
Hungry for more chocolate and desserts? Check out my comedy cooking video on youtube Victoria Cooksey's Random Dish: Figs and Chocolate.
Hope this 2 part dessert topic as helped satisfy your sweet tooth!
My comedy cooking channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvGYozoGjCmRQXZmxFiGFpg
My cooking/wine/travel videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm-lp-lF_wB2oX_592jK9UQ
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Pastry on the Peninsula (Olympic) Part 1.
Post and photos by Victoria Cooksey
My favorite part of living somewhere, or when planning a trip, is looking up all the fantastic bakeries and restaurants, so I can get my sugar fix on. This part 1 post is all about the luscious treats here in Port Townsend, and next week I will fill you in on other can't miss desserts elsewhere on the Olympic Peninsula.
First up is one of my absolute favs for croissants, and scones (and breads too) is Dalla Notte Baking found most Saturdays at the farmer's market. Baker Kellen Lynch varies the flavors weekly, so it is always a surprise (unless you check out his facebook page the night before https://www.facebook.com/dallanotte ).
Pictured below are his dark chocolate croissant, and a bacon, apricot scone.
Cinnamon roll fans unite! Courtyard Cafe serves up the best cinnamon rolls I've ever had, along with many other tempting treats in their bakery case. I love that they roll the dough for this very thin, so that there is so much flavor in each bite. I completely dig their mini monkey breads too.
There is indoor seating, but I definitely recommend sitting outside on a nice day. http://www.courtyardcafept.com/
Do you dream in old fashioned ice cream soda vision? Make that dream a reality by stepping into times gone by at Don's Pharmacy at 1151 Water St. Phone: 360-385-2622. The size and flavor of the ice cream sodas, shakes, and malts will blow you away. Warning: If you order the banana split be sure to have at least 3 of you! It's insanely huge!!!
I've been to England and Ireland and I love the scones there. When in the states I pop into Pippa's Real Tea for scones with jam and real clotted cream. On a side note, I never used to like Earl Grey tea, but Pippa's version is so amazing. And the decaf version is the bomb if you want taste without a kick. (Also, in the winter this place makes killer chicken pot pies. Just be sure to order one the day before. They sell out fast!). http://pippasrealtea.com/
When I need a major, and I mean full on major chocolate fix I head over to Sweet Laurette for the chocolate oblivion torte. If name alone doesn't hook you I don't know what will. It's definitely enough to share with two people, but I have split it into fourths with company. Take it to go, or eat it in the coffee shops side, or out in the courtyard. They also have a dine in restaurant as well. http://www.sweetlaurette.com/
I don't know if ice cream may really be called pastry, but in my book if it's a sugary delight it counts! Elevated Ice Cream (and there is an attached candy store too) offers many flavors. (Be sure to grab a number when you walk in because sometimes there is a line). The first flavor I had there is still my favorite: Blind Love. :) Eat it inside, or walk out the back to the pier and enjoy the view. (Every now and then I've seen an eagle perched somewhere near outside). http://www.elevatedicecream.com/
I confess that I used to be in a take it or leave it mood when it came to tiramisu. That completely changed once I had the tiramisu at Hillbottom Pie (which also happens to have the best soups ever, and the sausage pizza and the white pizza with pesto and ricotta are must gets!). Thier version is so fresh that you can't even get it to go, dine in only on this one because they want the integrity to be spot on! I love a place that cares that much about their food! Address: 215 Tyler Street.
Phone: 360-385-1360.
Until you can make it to Port Townsend, WA for yum yums...check out one of my comedy cooking videos on how to make flourless chocolate cupcakes. There is a little scene toward the end I filmed on one of the piers here.
Hungry for more? Keep an eye out for part 2 of this topic. I'll be posting places in other towns around here worth visiting for their sweets!
P.S. Places I didn't post pics of, but that I enjoy too, are:
http://panedamore.com/ For French pastries and bread
http://www.cellardoorpt.com/ for chocolate pot dessert and the best cocktails in town
http://alchemybistroandwinebar.com/ for a fantastic chocolate mouse
and Tin Brick at 232 Taylor St. Phone: 360-379-4181 for their house made sorbets. I had the pomegranate Champagne one and the texture and taste was spot on!
Thanks for reading! Feel free to comment on your must have sweet treats!!!
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Friday, July 10, 2015
Pop-up Restaurant Port Townsend, WA Update:
Looks like the pop-up trend is here to stay, at least for the summer, so be sure to join in! The upcoming one is called Casalingo, and will feature an Italian themed menu. These events are hosted by baker Kellen Lynch (Dalla Notte Baking), and chef Luci Bockelie If you enjoyed my post on the last one check out the following information on how you may attend future events.
For more information check out the website:
https://ptpopup.wordpress.com/
Or send an email:
ptpopup@gmail.com
Enjoy!
Victoria Cooksey
Friday, July 3, 2015
Sparkling Wine with Victoria Cooksey
Summer has definitely arrived, and with it my thoughts turn to what else...bubbly! Ok, my thoughts live there pretty much always, but who's telling?
There are so many choices and price points from Champagne, Prosecco, Cava and more. So which should you pick?
My fav, true Champagne, is a high quality product which means smaller, longer lasting bubbles in the glass. Champagne is made of a one, or a combination of three grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. You will get yeast, bread, lemon notes and more, and talk about perfect with pizza.
I'm completely in love with Jose Michel's Brut Pinot Meunier Champagne. (Pinot Meunier is also a grape used in Veuve Clicquot, so if you are a fan of that one try the Jose Michel, which is actually usually less expensive too, For example, here in Port Townsend, WA I pay $49 for the Jose Michel, but the Veuve is $64 - $68 here now).
Cremants are another French sparkling wine that I pick up for everyday drinking since they are made in the same style as Champagne, but not from the actually region, which means the price tag is around $20 - $29, around half the price for Champagne. These wines are allowed to be made from a much wider variety of grapes then Champagne, so one Cremant may taste much different from the next.
Prosecco is an Italian sparkling wine that is made in a completely different style than Champagne. In Champagne the second fermentation takes place in the bottle and that in turn produces the bubbles. In Prosecco, the second fermentation takes place in a tank (charmat method), and then it is bottled under pressure to make the bubbles, which are larger, and don't last as long in the glass. Prosecco is made from the Glera grape, or often referred to as simply the Prosecco grape, so it taste completely different than Champagne or Cremants. You will get notes of white honey, pear, lemon, and I've even tasted dill pickle in some. The prices range from $8 to $29 depending on the quality level. I typically buy them in the $10 - $15 range.
Cava is a Spanish sparkling wine made in the style of Champagne, but from different grapes: Parellada, Macabeo, and Xarel-lo. You will get notes of almond and green apple. Cavas are a steal at often $8 - $15.
Lambrusco is another Italian sparkling wine that used to be just a basic, sweet, cheap wine, but now has some higher quality, more complex ones available. This wine is more, fizzy (frizzante) with less bubble action then the others. I've had ones that range from semi-sweet to tannic depending on the maker. The Lambrusco pictured below is an easy drinking one with notes of blackberry and dark plum, and just a touch of sweetness. Look for prices around $13 and higher.
For those of you who like a bit of a sweet note in your bubbly the Treveri Gewürztraminer Demi-Sec from Washington State pictured below should fit the bill, and is perfect with more spicy foods, or buffalo chicken pizzas with hot sauce.
Blanc de Blanc on a bottle means white wine made from white grapes, and Blanc de Noir is white wine made from red skinned grapes.
Definitely serve all of these wines chilled.
I hope this brief run down helps you decided which style of bubbly to reach for as the weather gets hotter this summer.
Salute, Cheers, Happy Drinking!
Check out my video on how to open a bottle of sparkling wine:
How to open a bottle of sparkling wine:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaoeJ6-Vgqk
