Eggs & Ham

Heather — Sat, 19 May 2012 01:40:23 +0000

I remember seeing these appetizing looking egg crisps

on the cover of a magazine….

I’m drawn to individual servings.

And have developed a fondness for ramekins.

This past month was packed with cooking & yet

my blog has been in quiet hibernation.

The inspiration comes when I work harder

and spend my days immersed in productivity.

I thought creativity flourished during relaxation…but for me it comes with diligent labor.

The trick is finding time to record those inspired thoughts.

-Heather Allen

Gourmet Abbreviated

Steve — Mon, 07 May 2012 17:14:59 +0000

The kitchen at the Lodge continues to roll out some absolutely irresistible creations. Under the direction of Heather Allen, our kitchen has been exceeding customers’ expectations and sending them home needing some time in the gym. Sure, we still let you have your way in the kitchen if you prefer, but really, you owe it to yourself to sit back and relax and let us take care of everything. To keep things simple, Heather has taken your favorites and created a new abbreviated gourmet menu that’s sure to leave you asking, “Why haven’t we done this before?”

Cheers, Steve

Heather menunew1

Heather menunew2

Did we miss Spring?

Steve — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 19:33:31 +0000

March 16, 2012

It is hard to believe that less than two weeks ago the North country was digging out from the seasons largest single snowfall–upwards of 24 inches in some places. Currently the daytime temperatures are averaging 25-35 degrees above average, leaving us to wonder if we have missed spring? Mother Nature is beating to her own drum–the Crocus are in full bloom and will likely be done by weeks end!

Cheers, Steve

There’s something about a salad

Steve — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 03:20:31 +0000

Mixed greens, candied pecans, goat cheese, dried cherries topped with Champagne Vinegar Dressing.

As guy who generally likes to eat, I must say there is just something about a good salad! There are times that certain courses of a given meal I could plain do without, but when it comes to salad I’m always ready to eat. Pictured is a recent salad Heather served at a lodge dinner.

Cheers, Steve

February gifts

Steve — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:26:35 +0000

We sure are having an unusual winter this year! Just a few days ago winter’s cold winds and snow howled through the river valley only to have flirting spring air and temperatures near 50 degrees turn our winter-white back to muted brown and orange of the once buried forest floor. If this keeps up, the first spring birds will soon follow.

The early flirt with spring was well timed with the arrival of a second shipment of Macanudo 1968′s, a cigar that in my opinion is best enjoyed from our lower deck as the cold waters of the Muskegon River peacefully pass-by.

Cigar Stats:
Size: 5 x 50
Wrapper: Honduran San Agustin Havana Seed
Binder: Connecticut Habano
Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Ometepe
Smoking Time: 1 3/4 hours

The Flavor
Is this really a full bodied smoke? Is it rich, dark and unexpected?

The cigar started off with a surprisingly sweet, syprupy cocoa flavor. This quickly developed into a great caramel flavor with some coffee, and creamy sweet nuttiness that tasted like the center of a Reeses Peanut Butter cup. But the caramel really sticks around in the finish. In one of the cigars I also noticed a tiny bit of pepper here as well.

The caramel flavor continued into the second third, but kind of evolved into a rich coffee flavor as the burn progressed. Chocolate flavors also began to appear in this third. And pepper started to pick up just before the end of the third.

The final third was all about the pepper. Pepper and chocolate, pepper and coffee, and even pepper and cedar.

Stogie Review*

If you are considering a trip to the lodge this February, I can’t say how the weather will play out, but I can show you a great spot to enjoy a good cigar.

Cheers, Steve

Fishing, Grapefruit, & Life on the banks.

Steve — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 03:09:05 +0000

I was working on a new menu a few weeks back, looking for ways

to integrate seasonal produce.

Lets talk about Grapefruit for a minute. I forget about it until December.

But then it shows up on my mom’s breakfast table. And I am hooked.

Hook – line – sinker.

So I bought 15 lbs. of Grapefruit yesterday.

And I plan to eat it all, at least whatever my family won’t take the time to peel.

Oh btw the best way I have found to enjoy Grapefruit is to peel the skin with a knife and then use my thumb to pull each juicy slice out of it’s skin.

Life on the banks of the river is a beautiful adventure.

I don’t keep track of what season I can fish for other species b/c this one is the one

that keeps me coming back.

But the menu I mentioned above roused my curiosity and I don’t plan to catch & release.

I am planning to prepare Walleye with Grapefruit Beurre Blanc.

YUM.

Beurre blanc —literally translated from French as “white butter”— is a hot emulsified butter sauce made with a reduction of vinegar and/or white wine and grey shallots into which cold, whole butter is blended off the heat to prevent separation.

Besides sounding delish I keep thinking about how it will look on the plate & frankly I’m inspired.

Hope you are too.

-Heather

Happy New Year, and the first show of the season

Steve — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:44:48 +0000

First Show of the season, see you there!

Indiana on the Fly.

-Cheers, Steve

Merry Christmas

Steve — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 18:18:42 +0000

That special gift

Steve — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 20:35:20 +0000

The holiday season is upon us. Martha’s Vineyard, our partnering supplier of “life’s finer things” can help you find that special gift for that someone with discriminating tastes.

Martha’s Vineyard boasts more than just an impressive wine selection. Home to some of the most unique imported grocery items around, and with a diverse array of snacks, cheeses, fruit preserves, homemade pastas, and sauces from all over the world, Martha’s is sure to have exactly what you are looking for. Whether it be a specialty cheese to purchase with your wine selection, or a tempting truffle to savor after lunch, Martha’s has it all.

Martha’s Vineyard provides only premium-quality foods procured from specialty import companies around the world. Compliment any meal with interesting and unique flavors found in our shop. Our professional staff is on-hand to share their knowledge in each of the shop’s many departments.

Martha’s Vineyard offers a global wine collection for the newest of enthusiasts, to the most selective of collectors. From legendary and collectible wines to a great table wine with dinner, Martha’s touts a truly unique and remarkable selection of wines and fine liquors.

Using only the freshest and highest quality of ingredients, the chef at Martha’s prepares new and exciting dishes daily in the deli. From customer favorites like Mom’s secret-family-recipe hummus, to exquisite chocolate delights from the Nantucket Bakery, Martha’s Vineyard is proud to offer a broad range of specialty items sure to please everyone, young or old.

Whether you are looking for a hard to find imported cheese to match your wine selection, a unique and tasty gift for a client or a friend, or if you are just looking for your next meal, stop by the shop at Martha’s Vineyard or order online and have it delivered!

Cheers, Steve

Fall Dinners

Heather — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 03:56:10 +0000

Brisk morning temperatures & cool fall days on the river make an evening meal served in the lodge’s warm environment the perfect ending to a perfect day.

Recent dinners have included such selections as Seared Scallops served with a Chile lime Sauce, Bacon wrapped Asparagus, Gorgonzola Basil dressed Wedge Salad, Mixed Greens with encrusted Goat Cheese, Smoked Cornish Hens stuffed with Porcini Wild Rice, Blue Cheese encrusted Filet Mignon, Apple Cider Cheesecake, and Raspberry White Chocolate Trifle.

Every dinner is set up around guests preferences with two menus to choose from. Muskegon River Lodge is the perfect destination for relaxed enjoyment. You can expect attention to detail & courteous hospitality. Come spend the perfect day with Riverquest & the Muskegon River Lodge.