ANTIPASTO (picnic) help!

[cheezydemon3]

No, not all a reference to the brie. Arugula, the fruit, and pine nuts will make a nice contrast to cheese & meats. These with the pickled brussels sprouts will provide something acidic to reset your palate in between bits of charcuterie and cheese.

Well, maybe not the toasted pine nuts, but they go well with the other stuff like brie, dates, arugula, etc. and add another layer of flavor and texture.


I would watch out for some of those pickled things, as some of them can be a bit too sweet and not work very well for that purpose. Read the ingredients on the package and if "sugar" or some variant thereof is listed as one of the top 3-4 ingredients, put it back on the shelf.

Thanks!

 

[headbanger]

What about some of that good country ham from the garage?

 

[two_hearted]

As much as I like all the fatty items that will star on your plate (the charcuterie, cheese and olives), I think you need something to eat in between, something with some acid, maybe some grapes or strawberries.

Will you be serving wine, or better yet, beer with this picnic?

This stuff is pretty good, goes well on a cracker or piece of bread with really stinky cheese.

I can confirm that women love this fig spread. My wife goes nuts for a spinach salad tossed with this fig spread, grated manchego and sliced spanish almonds.

 

[cheezydemon3]

What about some of that good country ham from the garage?

Do they sell it by the lb? Probably won't go all the way downtown, but for another time it would be good to know.

 

[headbanger]

Do they sell it by the lb? Probably won't go all the way downtown, but for another time it would be good to know.

Not sure but you could make a couple of to-go orders and score some good blue-dog bread for the picnic as well. :rockin:

 

[cheezydemon3]

Not sure but you could make a couple of to-go orders and score some good blue-dog bread for the picnic as well. :rockin:

She texted me "It is a crying shame that blue dog doesn't bake on mondays", lol.

Monday is it. (with some specific googling my cover could be blown here)

 

[Varmintman]

Man reading this thread has made me realize I am a man of simple tastes. Or perhaps missing out on the joys of eating because I look at food as a thing you have to do not enjoy doing so much.

 

[cheezydemon3]

Man reading this thread has made me realize I am a man of simple tastes. Or perhaps missing out on the joys of eating because I look at food as a thing you have to do not enjoy doing so much.

JESUS MAN!!!!!!!!!

Why do you brew beer?

If I didn't care so much for food, I would be happy with Miller Lite.

Antipasti is incredible even in simple form.

Get some gourmet pepperoni, sharp provolone, olives, and some pretzels. Munch these in varying proportions until you see the light.

 

[Varmintman]

JESUS MAN!!!!!!!!!

Why do you brew beer?

If I didn't care so much for food, I would be happy with Miller Lite.

Antipasti is incredible even in simple form.

Get some gourmet pepperoni, sharp provolone, olives, and some pretzels. Munch these in varying proportions until you see the light.

Hehe well truth be told I do enjoy a Bush Lite on occasion. I am just as happy with a hot dog or eating a cold can of chili as I am eating a fancy meal.

Just one of those things I guess. Don't get me wrong I think it is great that you guys enjoy cooking and stuff. And on the rare winter day I enjoy making a nice stew that makes the house smell good all day. I just for the most part think eating is a waste of time.

Now drinking on the other hand

 

[cheezydemon3]

Food is my passion. I think it is this chick's too.

I LOVE to cook.

 

[brewingmeister]

Some good ideas here already.

First off you need mustard and by that I mean good mustard. It'll really set off the meat or cheeses. Grab some quartered artichokes in the can, drain them and throw them in some tupperware before you go. Or many olive bars will have artichokes marinated in various whatnot. They are great to top off that bite of cracker or bread. Also I didn't see any mention of boursin. Delicious soft cheese that could make a wet dog taste good.





And don't forget knives to cut and spread. Maybe a pepper mill. Damn I'm getting hungry.

 

[cheezydemon3]

Boursin......got it.

 

[argyle]

I've always loved sharp cheddar. My favorite is 5 year old Black Diamond Cheddar. So try to get your hands on that.

Let's get some pics of this girl up here. (Joking...but seriously)

Hope it goes well!

 

[BGBC]

Classic antipasti from my Italian grandmother's table:
Roasted red peppers
Salami, prosciutto, etc
Tuna in oil
Giardinera
Shrimp, octopus, etc
Other faves: tabbouleh, hummus, any kind of pickle

 

[Varmintman]

So let us know how it goes Cheezy and good luck :rockin:

 

[cheezydemon3]

Thanks! The playful minx keeps texting me partial pics of herbs and ingredients. Not enough to tell what it is. Toying with me.

She is gonna have me for dinner. (take that however you want)

 

[Xpertskir]

Date #3..I think we all know what that means

 

[brewingmeister]

Take that as a positive man.

 

[bob1852]

Thanks! The playful minx keeps texting me partial pics of herbs and ingredients.

So that's what the kids are calling it these days?

 

[PJoyce85]

And subscribed. Want to see how this turns out.

When you have the "I'll cook dinner for you" date, let us know. I'm sure you will get some fancy ideas.

Date #3..I think we all know what that means

Quoting Howard Wolowitz,
"Three dates means sex?" Haha

 

[CreamyGoodness]

Hey there Cheezy,

My name is Summer and I am James's wife- I hear you have a very important picnic date coming up. First of all- let me get this out of the way AWWWWWWWW! SO CUTE!!!!!!

Ok now that I have gotten that out of my system- onto cheese selections. I love our Louisville stores (Kentucky is freakin awesome by the way). Here is what I recommend for 2 cheeses. You probably want one softer and one firmer.

Piave- Italy- cows milk- firm, traditional Italian, nutty, like parm but sweeter
Bonne Bouche- goat milk- soft, gooey, tart and minerally. It may look a little scary because it is covered in vegetable ash and it looks kinda wrinkly. But these little guys are amazing and based off classic Loire Valley, French cheeses.

Pairings- La Quercia Speck- like prosciutto but in my opinion even better, lightly smoked with black pepper and juniper berries. Its also made by and amazing dude in Iowa who grew up in Parma, Italy and who really does an amazing job with his animals before and after they die.

Z Crackers- with Sea Salt and Olive oil. They are made by a former pizza maker in Brooklyn. They are all rustic and handcut and I think they are hearty enough to stand up to a picnic setting. You don't want anything too breakable.

Chardonnay- girls like chardonnay..... and its nice with all the things above. If you want to go the homebrew route- make it one of your own. If she is cool, she will be impressed.

If you would be kind enough to give me a report about your customer service experience I would be really grateful. We want them to be nice, cool and offer you a sample without you asking for one.

I wish you the best of luck and have fun on your big date. I am sure I will hear all about it from James!

 

[weirdboy]

I am not a huge fan of the Piave I've had compared to the better Parmesans I have had. If you can find it, Sartori Reserve SarVecchio Parmesan is my favorite of that type of cheese.

Not that Piave is a bad cheese, mind you. It is just if I have a side-by-side choice, I'll take that parm thank you very much.

Cheers!

 

[cheezydemon3]

Holy f*ck,,,she does exist......

Hey there Cheezy,

My name is Summer and I am James's wife- I hear you have a very important picnic date coming up. First of all- let me get this out of the way AWWWWWWWW! SO CUTE!!!!!!

Ok now that I have gotten that out of my system- onto cheese selections. I love our Louisville stores (Kentucky is freakin awesome by the way). Here is what I recommend for 2 cheeses. You probably want one softer and one firmer.

Piave- Italy- cows milk- firm, traditional Italian, nutty, like parm but sweeter
Bonne Bouche- goat milk- soft, gooey, tart and minerally. It may look a little scary because it is covered in vegetable ash and it looks kinda wrinkly. But these little guys are amazing and based off classic Loire Valley, French cheeses.

Pairings- La Quercia Speck- like prosciutto but in my opinion even better, lightly smoked with black pepper and juniper berries. Its also made by and amazing dude in Iowa who grew up in Parma, Italy and who really does an amazing job with his animals before and after they die.

Z Crackers- with Sea Salt and Olive oil. They are made by a former pizza maker in Brooklyn. They are all rustic and handcut and I think they are hearty enough to stand up to a picnic setting. You don't want anything too breakable.

Chardonnay- girls like chardonnay..... and its nice with all the things above. If you want to go the homebrew route- make it one of your own. If she is cool, she will be impressed.

If you would be kind enough to give me a report about your customer service experience I would be really grateful. We want them to be nice, cool and offer you a sample without you asking for one.

I wish you the best of luck and have fun on your big date. I am sure I will hear all about it from James!

Dammit. This thread has gone from inspiring and AWESOME!!! to deflating and causing me to 2nd guess myself.

I appreciate your input! Wish it had been sooner.

Rather than list every single thing I got...

I got brie.

I got a soft irish cheddar...

And a hard, sharp irish cheese.

I also got sharp provolone.

I got...OH GOD!!!!! both irish cheeses are the same brand, Kerry's.

Creamy Good..er, james, did one hell of a job describing your job, Krogers' cheese shoppe etc.

In the end, I assumed that Kroger cheese is like kroger sushi. They do one HELL of a job.........for a grocery chain.(please, no offense intended. I started a thread on how FANTASTIC kroger sushi is:smack

I went to a more upscale store for some diverse (see 2 cheeses from the same damned manufacturer) cheese selections, with some more tame ones from kroger........I screwed up.(never found "purple haze" BTW)

I got good crackers. They have sesame and poppy seeds on them, but are substantial.

I am making flatbread, frybread, focaccia, and possibly crackers.

 

[CreamyGoodness]

Its Creamy again... did the Krogers you go to have a seperate Murray's counter or did you just go to a non-Murray's Krogers? Just a little confused.

 

[cheezydemon3]

Its Creamy again... did the Krogers you go to have a seperate Murray's counter or did you just go to a non-Murray's Krogers? Just a little confused.

They all seem to have a little unmanned cheese section. This section contains evrything from goat cheese to uncut pepperoni. They are all unmanned. They are sort of near the deli, but I don't think any of the deli personell are "cheese mongers". I haven't noticed any signage of "murray's".

 

[CreamyGoodness]

aha! I think you were in one of the Louisville stores that does not have a Murray's counter. I'll have Summer get you the address of the Kroger-Murray's store. There really is a huge difference.

Glad things seem to have gone off well though!!

 

[cheezydemon3]

Went FANTASTIC. Awesome.


The food was pretty good too.

I learned that less is more (as far as food), 3 awesome ingredients are far better than 12 semi impressive things.

Next time....

I think that in the same situation.....homemade focaccia, herbed goat cheese, prosciuto, and good olives, and some good hard plain crackers, vino.

 

[CreamyGoodness]

Did she bring any foods you had to work up courage for?

 

[cheezydemon3]

Quail eggs was the most exotic. Nothing crazy by your standards! Lightly herbed goat cheese. Plainish good crackers. She knew the secret to picnic success.

 

[CreamyGoodness]

Quail eggs are lovely. Well played. Did you (and/or she) know that if you boil them and put them on a skewer they are magnificent lightly grilled?