The Capital Grille

Kevin and I LOVE The Capital Grille! My first experience was with Jaime and Erin for my birthday a little over a year ago. They gave us free champagne to celebrate! I decided to take Kevin there for his birthday and then again for our 5 year anniversary (I know, right... Long time) because we had such a great experience on his bday. Both times they gave us The free champagne to celebrate, took a picture of us, printed it out and put it in a paper frame and gave us free dessert...most amazing cheesecake! I don't even look at the dessert menu when I go because it's that fantastic! They really go above and beyond! Not to mention their food is to die for! I need to start lunching there-I would be beyond happy with just their lobster mac and cheese and cheesecake!

If you go to the downtown Chicago location, sit in Val's section! She's the best!

Apples (cont.)

I almost forgot!  Apple Pancake!  Best apple recipe in the world!  I made this on Sunday for Kevin and me.  It was gone in a matter of minutes.  Mom must have doubled the recipe when we were kids, because there used to be enough for the whole family to eat.  

Walker Bros. Apple Pancake

• 3 Tbsp butter
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 cup superfine sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup all-purpose unbleached flour (i used bleached - it was fine)
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 apple, peeled and thinly sliced

Place butter in a 9-inch oven-proof skillet.  Place skillet in a preheated, 425 degree oven for 3-5 minutes until butter is sizzling and skillet is heated.  

In a small bowl, thoroughly combine the cinnamon and superfine sugar.  While skillet is heating, beat the eggs well in a large bowl.  Gradually add the flour in 3 parts, beating briefl with a wire whisk after each addition just until batter is smooth.  Add milk, 1/4 cup at a time, beating after each addition until a smooth batter is formed.  

Tilt skillet, making certain that the sides and bottom are well-coated with melted butter.  Quickly place the apples in a thin single layer on the bottom of the hot skillet.  Sprinkle sugar mixture evenly over apples.  

Very carefully, so as not to disturb the bottom layer of sugar and apples, pour the batter evenl over the skillet bottom and return it to the preheated oven.  Bake 10 minutes then reduce heat to 350 degrees.  Continue baking 10-15 minutes or until pancake is puffy and golden brown.  

Lift the edge of the pancake and peek at the sugar coating.  Quickly set the skillet over high heat on the top of the stove for 15-30 seconds to completely caramelize the sugar; peek again - the sugar should be liquid and bubbling.  Tug the pancake a bit to make sure it is loosened completely, then invert the skillet onto a 12-inch serving place, being cautious to avoid any drips of caramelized sugar, which may cause burns.  Serve immediately.  Makes one 9-inch pancake.  

Mine wasn't that pretty looking.  Mom's were always way prettier.   

Apples

With all of my delicious Jonathan apples, Chelsea and I decided to have a festive fall dinner.  Of course the first place I looked for apple recipes was The Food Network.  I found an awesome Sweet Potato, Apple and Bacon Hash from Anne Burrell whose show I've really started liking.  Here is the recipe.  Instead of green pumpkin seeds because we didn't know what those were, we just used regular pumpkin seeds and it turned out great.  Also, we used Maple bacon to give it that extra sweetness.  This was a great dish that I will definitely be making again.  Chelsea did mention that she would have like the apples a little crunchier.  The apples instead were very soft and sweet, so you could probably wait a couple more minutes before throwing in the apples.  

I had bought some sweet pickled beets at Kuipers farm, so we threw together a quick salad with beets, thinly sliced apples, feta, walnuts and spinach.  Then we topped it with salt, pepper, lemon and olive oil and mixed it all up.  It was very good and a good "marrying" (Anne Burrell would be proud) of the flavors.  

Chelsea cooked the pork over the stovetop.  I'm always nervous I don't cook meat long enough so I left her in charge of the meat.  She just crusted it a bit with salt, pepper and olive oil.  It was very good and made the meal complete.  

Kuipers Family Farm- lesson in shining an apple

Kev and I went to forever away today to go apple picking! It was fun yet freezing! We tried Empire, Royal Empire, Golden Delicious and the two kinds we stocked our bags with because they were our favorite: Jonathons and Gibson Golden. Then we proceeded to spend a ton of money on apple products in the gift shop. Good Saturday morning!
Now Chelsea and I will be cooking with the apples tonight so hopefully I'll post apple recipes soon!