So the family wanted Asian food tonight with Orange Chicken, General Taos Chicken , sushi, and fried rice, and egg rolls. Friday family night is the one night that we decide as a family what we want to eat. Since me and my bride; my lovely wife, decided to start cooking and learning together it had been so much fun doing the cooking as a couple together.

Last Sundays“s dinner- dry brined prime ribeye with chive butter; baby potatoes roasted in duck fat with crumbled duck bacon & garlic; Dungeness crab stuffed portobello mushrooms. Salad- fennel, baby romaine, radicchio, & arugula- white balsamic, evoo & lemon dressing Focaccia - with rosemary, sea salt, and assorted olives. Wine: Three 2019 Petite Sirah ❤️

Indeed, it's time for a new culinary delight. I was curious after coming across a few videos to make a raspberry red wine steak sauce, and figured V-Day was as fitting a day as ever for it. INGREDIENTS - 2 cups fresh Raspberries - 2/3 cup red wine (divided) - 1/2 cup vegetable oil - 2 tbsp lemon luice - 1/4 tsp thyme - 1/4 tsp pepper - 2 minced cloves & 2 crushed cloves garlic - 2 beef tenderloin steaks - 1 tsp olive oil - Salt to taste - 1-2 tbsp butter - 1 tbsp white sugar (optional) - Chipotle Powder to taste (optional) INSTRUCTIONS 1. Whisk together vegetable oil, 1/3 cup of red wine, lemon juice, thyme, and minced garlic. 2. Place the steaks in a shallow dish/bowl and pour the marinade over them. 3. Cover and let marinate for at least 2 hours (up to 6 hours). 4. Preheat a skillet over medium-high heat. 5. Remove the steaks from the marinade and season with salt and pepper. 6. Add butter to the skillet, then cook the steaks for about 2 minutes on each side. 7. Check middle of meat temp; should be between 110-120F for medium rare. 8. Remove the steaks and set aside. 9. Prepare the Sauce in the same skillet; add olive oil and sauté the crushed garlic for about 30 seconds. 10. Add raspberries and the remaining 1/3 cup of red wine. 11. Cook for about 4-5 minutes, stirring until the sauce thickens. 12. Optionally, stir in sugar and chipotle powder (or smoked paprika) to taste. 13. Serve the steaks and drizzle the raspberry red wine sauce over them (and side, such as mashed potatoes or noodles). RESULT For the most part, came out very well. Steaks were quite tender and juicy from the marinade. The wine I used had a unique effect; Stella Rosa blueberry. It's a relatively inexpensive sparkling wine (sparkling as in carbonated, not non-alcoholic so as to not be misleading... but the alcohol cooks off in the process). This extra berry flavor added to the depth and complexity of the raspberry sauce, and added a slightly gamey taste to the steaks... like venison on a strict berry diet.

So how many of you use a napkin or coaster at an establishment so not to leave the ring on the wood table surface? To me it shows respect to the establishment I am eating at

Gentlemen, After spending quality and sunny time in Portugal, my home country, here are a few pictures of my stay, including watching the Carnaval (Mardi Gras). I also got my first black leather loafers from Gant. I shall show them in detail when I return to the UK. Until then, have a lovely weekend and stay gentlemen!