Sunny weather, barely a cloud in the sky, reasonable temperatures, fresh snow on the slopes - you guessed it, it's a ski day! And with a number of times we went for beer and food to some local brewery on the way back home after skiing it is almost time to declare it a tradition.
Today's choice was Tommyknocker brewery in Idaho Springs (web site: http://tommyknocker.com/, location: 1401 Miner St Idaho Springs, CO 80452). We have had their beers before, many liquor stores in Denver area sell their selection. But what really made us visit the actual brewery was a special dinner at TAG, first of the series of their brewery dinners running through this year. Event took place on January 31st at the restaurant, and not only did we enjoy a delicious meal paired with exceptional beers (see the menu), but we also got to interact with master brewer. After that wonderful dinner we decided to stop by the brewery the next time opportunity presents itself, and today was the day.
As with many breweries, even though a lot of beers are distributed to liquor stores and available for purchase outside of brewery, there is always something special available on tap only at the brewery. One such beer is current seasonal brew Golden Saison - very pleasant flavors, slightly sour, delicious.
We brought home a growler of Golden Saison, a growler of Butt Head Bock, and a six-pack of another seasonal brew - Cocoa Porter. I'll write more on the last two later, but I promise you, their are equally delicious - both were part of the TAG's brewery dinner.
New toys
We had quite a big package at our door today - mostly cook books and some trivial tools. I will write a review of each as I get to use them. But one thing I have to tell you about now. We eat a lot of rice, rice needs to be properly washed before cooking (except arborio for risotto), so I have ordered a rice washing bowl - a simple plastic bowl with strategically placed holes small enough not to let any rice escape, but to allow convenient drainage of water as rise is being rinsed, so it should make the task of washing rice more efficient. Basically, it is a rice-specific colander. Item is Japanese, and the label is almost entirely in Japanese as well, except for few words in English - the name of the item:
There were several sizes available, I ordered large. I certainly like the translation on the label. A simple large plastic bowl never sounded so fancy! MAJOR rice bowl. I love such translation goofs, don't you?
Modernist Cuisine
Continuing with reading of the chapter on Traditional Cooking Methods, I have read the section on Pot-Roasting. I certainly find it interesting how we often use a wrong name to describe the cooking method we are using - quite often it is stewing that is being done, but many people mistakenly say that they are roasting, pot roasting or braising when in fact they are not. One of these days I will do a proper braised dish, as per the information I have read in this section of the book.
This is a wonderful image from the book that is available in Amazon's listing for Modernist Cuisine (http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/books/hopub/images/MC2._V181696785_.jpg):
And with this delicious photograph I wish you good night.
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