i'm going to brag here a minute :)

[fizzgig]

took my bestie and her guy up to the mountains yesterday for a cookout and i blew both their socks off. we had steak sandwiches on homemade bread with red onions, avocado and roasted bell peppers with grilled corn, potato salad and salad.

they're visiting from germany and it's his first time in the states and i know how different (ie: fresh and not processed garbage) the food can be here, so i wanted to make everything as 'clean' as possible.

he was thrilled by the bread and commented that it was the first real bread he's had since he's been here, only to further boost my ego by telling me his sandwich was the best one of his life.

later in the evening, my friend confided in me that she usually isn't a fan of potato salad and almost asked me to make something else but was so happy she didn't and asked me for the recipe.

nothing makes me as happy as serving someone a good meal.

[siligut]

1. Sounds like a wonderful meal for anyone

But for him it was all that more special. I can imagine how you feel, I am similar with my cooking, I love to serve good food.

[fizzgig]

7. it was dead silent while we ate

i always take that as a good sign

[LeftofObama]

2. It truly is a wonderful feeling, isn't it?

Congrats! I'm glad you all had a great time.

[fizzgig]

8. nothing beats a good meal in a beautiful setting

it was the most relaxed i've been in a long time

[NJCher]

3. what a thoughtful one you are

To understand how processed our food would seem to them and to plan around it.

Homemade bread!! That took a real effort. And there's nothing that makes a sandwich better than homemade bread.


Cher

[fizzgig]

9. it's how i try to eat anyway

but i told them i'd make them a special meal and really wanted to make sure i did.

as far as the bread, it was just a loaf of no-knead, so it just looked like i spent a lot of time on it

[elleng]

4. GREAT to hear of your success, fizz!

Had thought of running out there and joining y'all, after you previewed your plans!

[fizzgig]

10. we have enough leftover for one more sandwich

want me to smoosh it through the tubes for you?

[elleng]

13. PLEASE START THE SMOOSH

NOW!!!

[fizzgig]

14. ah crap

avocado plugged up the usb

[elleng]

15. oh crap indeed!

[Denninmi]

5. Very nice.

The difference between real food and the processed frankenfood they try to pass off in the US is amazing.

I know when I was grinding grain to make bread, using just a cheap $20 Black and Decker coffee mill, it tasted much better than using even a premium flour like King Arthur -- I guess because it went from grain to dough in under 10 minutes, it didn't have time to oxidize and change flavor or lose nutrients.

[fizzgig]

11. i've never ground my own grain

that will have to be my next project.

[Denninmi]

17. Just get one of these:

I only paid $15 for mine a few years ago at Target on sale. It has ground everything I've thrown at it, even extremely hard heritage breed flint corn. Grinds from very fine to very coarse, takes 15 seconds to a minute to grind a cup, depending upon product and desired texture.

I looked at various expensive grain mills, then got this idea and tried it. Worked out great.

[cbayer]

6. Wow! What high compliments.

Sounds like you did an super job.

Enjoy your visit!

[fizzgig]

12. it's been a wonderful visit so far

they leave early wednesday morning and i'm sad, but this is probably the best visit we've had.

[BlueToTheBone]

16. I understand and I'm off to serve

havarti cheese quiche (fresh farm eggs and farm fresh cream) with farmer market salad and crusty bread.

[fizzgig]

18. sounds tasty

enjoy!