Category: San Luis Obispo

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squeezing beer from a fossil

Here I am drinking a nice beer made from yeast that originated 45 million years ago. CLICK on the picture above to read more

There is a little known secret hereabouts and it is about a wonderful new beer. As many people who know me are aware, I don’t have the opportunity to have a beer as much as I would like to, but the other night introduced me to something special.

Laura and I had the opportunity to dine at  Gennaro’s in San Luis Obispo ( yeah, I know there is one by the same name in New York) and it was a fun evening. Their Cuban Pork , mashed plantains and vegetables was delicious.  One of the gentlemen there was a professor named  Raoul Cano who has many accomplishments related to research into ancient DNA. I believe he was even a consultant on the movie “Jurassic Park”.

However, we are more interested in the Eocene Epoch a time in which the yeast — we are most interested in — originated. The Beer had a nice flavor with just a hint of lemon, and I enjoyed a second for purely scientific purposes. Each sip was better than the last.

I hope this new brewery does well… this is definitely something to be shared with friends!

Roger

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be creative in stuffing a bell pepper

Almost any leftover dish containing rice makes an excellent stuffying for a bell pepper! CLICK on the picture for a step-by-step guide and recipe.

There are many things that you can stuff a bell pepper and make it wonderful! I have used left over Paella, Seafood Gumbo ( a little extra rice for thickening), Smorvis and a more traditional meat and rice combination.

Anyway, you make it and it’s wonderful. BTW, if there are left overs, I wrap them individually in plastic wrap, freeze them and the reconstitute easily in a microwave later on!

Oh yes, and they are relatively nice portion controlled item for those watching their waistlines!

Roger

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F.I.R.E. returns to Cal Poly

Greg Lukianoff, President of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education CLICK on the picture to visit FIRE!

Cal Poly has had a long history with FIRE. Some even say if Cal Poly hadn’t decided to dig in their heals on a case of a student posting a flier for an approved speaker… FIRE may have not developed such early traction on the protection of free speech in American colleges and universities. There is no doubt they are on a roll!

FIRE continues to evaluate every university on the basis of first amendment, including  issues of how protected free speech is handled on campus. FIRE designates a simple Red-Yellow and Green light to each university to signify the university’s support of the first amendment. There is a simple scale: Green is good and Red represents a very unfavorable climate for students in the area of speech. There are many great stories of authoritarian administrations and their virtual chamber of horrors. Nonetheless,  Universities are not without humor, some going so far as banning the consumption and/or flagellation of a banana publicly in a sexual way. Unfortunately, other Universities have been far more draconian,  some forcing students out of their dorms … with at least one living in their car during a cold and snowy winter … all over issues that were constitutionally protected. It goes without saying that the universities involved didn’t win these issues and paid off with the hard earned money of the taxpayer.

On college campuses, it is never the administration or the majority that needs protection, it is always the minority voice. Cal Poly has come a long way from it’s RED light days and currently sits at a YELLOW light. There is hope on campus that with a new president and a new administration tone, that maybe, Cal Poly will be a GREEN light university.

Greg Lukianoff coming to Cal Poly February 7th is a very good sign.

Roger

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Merry Christmas and the joys of the season

Karla's Christmas good wishes and thoughts
Karla's drawings for this year's Christmas

Much happens around our house during the holidays… especially a lot of culinary magic! However, with all of our blessings we want to thank all of our men and women in service to our country… and those not able to leave the hospitals at this time. Our thoughts are with you all!

Tiramisu
Kristin and Karen made individual Tiramisu for Christmas Day! Is this a new family tradition?? CLICK the picture above for Tiramisu.

Lots of baking today…a time to spend with family and give thanks.

Enjoy the day!

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idle cooks are the devils mischief

Kristin making Biscotti
My daughter Kristin making Biscotti CLICK on the picture for the basic recipe

When my daughters Kristin & Karen come home for Christmas, we all work on making some of the family things we all enjoy. A few days ago, I caught Kristin making one of our favorite ‘with coffee’ desserts…  Biscotti! Making the dough isn’t difficult with a heavy duty mixer and a good dough hook… and the real trick is to slice the biscotti after coming from the oven the first time … using a good serrated bread knife.

Today is Christmas Eve… and we are making  Tiramisu for tomorrow … not a real traditional Christmas dessert… but nice after a smoked spiral cut ham with my special  Apricot and Pineapple glaze!

Bon appetite!