Monthly Archives: November 2011

Well, Kim is in the basement riding her bike on the trainer. I get to cook dinner. She gives me some key ingredients then says “Make me dinner farm boy”. I reply “As you wish” (ala the princess bride) and go on my merry way to undo any good she did on that bike.

She really likes this red and yellow pepper gratin recipe and has made it quite a few times. She bought a pork loin and we always have some sort of salad fixings around.

This pepper gratin calls for 1 1/2 oz sourdough bread to make crumbs with, bah I say, and use… Oh a buttload. Better put a rub on the pork. Also, what would you wrap your pork in? I would wrap mine in more pork. (bacon) Also if I had my druthers I would sear it in pork fat! Hmm. I had 4 pieces of bacon so I decided to wrap the pork loins like a filet, in bacon but,what to sear them in?
Hey! I have two more pieces of bacon that can be used to lubricate a cast iron pan. Sweet! But what to do with the two pieces of bacon I cook to lube up the pan for searing? Aha! I will put them in the food processor with the bread and double the Parmesan cheese called for to top the gratin. That’s American efficiency for you!
I better make this all look somewhat good for you so I focus on the salad. Baby lettuce leaves are a staple here. Good so we’ve got that. A few basil leaves off of the plant in the window… Hmm, there are some cherry tomatoes, a few carrots, and some fresh grated Parmesan cheese. (hey it was out). Now half a slice of Wegmans rosemary and olive oil bread (also out on the counter), a few twists of the pepper grinder, two glasses of heart healthy Fox Run pinot noir and I have what appears to be a healthy meal.

But we know better. And the result?

Dear Genesee Brewing Company,

Recently, you rereleased your legendary 12 Horse Ale, as if that weren’t enough, you released it in the stubby brown bottles of my childhood. Throw in the Cream Ale and Genesee and I forgive your assault on my liver.

You see, growing up in the shadow of Genesee brewing and Rochester, every male family member drank their Genny from a stubby brown bottle. I wanted to be just like my Daddy…and my Paw-Paw too. Your short brown bottles represent all that it meant to be a man in the 1970s, at least to this grade schooler’s eyes. Every time I drain one of your glass cans I am transported to Aunt Lavonne’s on a hot August day watching the fireman’s parade with promises of fried dough and tilt-a-whirls at the carnival to follow.

Genesee was a working man’s beer. I see my Grandpa and Dad, I smell the cigarettes, I feel excited about the candy the firemen will throw, and I hear the carnival in the distance.

Growing up I remember people disparaging Cream
Ale and as a 20 something beer snob I turned my nose up. Then I started making beer and discovered the refreshing heaven that is Cream Ale. Kim even hoisted a Cream
Ale in here post Ironman picture!

12 Horse takes me back to Connelly’s Cove restaurant on Sodus Bay. I grew up in a family that didn’t frequent restaurants but when we did go out to dinner, my father would order a 12 Horse. It was his special occasion beer. When 12 Horse disappeared in 2003 I hoarded my remaining cases and lamented its retirement.

As for Genny, I drink buckets of it. It’s the fuel of summertime labor. My lawn mower and hammer are both Genny powered.

So thanks Genesee for the memories, as for the glass cans, you had me at 12 Horse.

Sincerely,
Your Happiest (and Drunkest) Customer
Jake

PS I would be remiss if I failed to mention in my food blog that your neighbor makes my number one grilling accessory…