#15 Super Tuscan Burgers and Potato Salad with Capers

 For something as cool as setting a pan on fire, there was only one comment yesterday. One! If you want to see more videos in the future people you are going to have to communicate, let us know what you thought.

At least we get some facebook love. When it came to planning this meal I came to a standstill on the cheese. So I put a shout out of facebook asking where to get sheep's-milk cheese and what it was like. My friends did not disappoint. For that I thank you. I was told a few places to look, a few varieties, and also some acceptable substitutes if I could not find it. The number one recommended cheese was Manchego, supposedly available at Kroger. I now know it is available at select Kroger, not the two I went to. Which left me for plan B, go see the cheese man at the Lansing City Market.

 I am just now noticing the cheese slipped down in this picture and I failed to do a close-up. Hill's Cheese did not let me down. This place has every cheese imaginable or at least something comparable. The man knows cheese. I asked for the Manchego but it is coming in next week. He did however have Carr Valley Cave Aged Marisa. He gave us a sample, it reminded me of a pungent Parmesan. That is the best description I can give you.  I  walked away with a reasonable $4.50 chuck, a small chunk but all that I needed. Happy that I finally found it.

While at the City Market I picked up some sage, shallots, and a basket of raspberries. The raspberries were gone before we left the park. ;)

Tonight- new cheese, new wine. I thought it would be fun to make a list of both cheeses and liquor used thus far.
Cheeses in order:
Provolone
Sharp Cheddar
Smoked Gouda
Sharp White Cheddar
Chipotle Cheddar
Parmigiano-Reggiano
Mozarella
Gruyere
Cheddar
Cave Aged Marisa

Spirits:
Sauvignon Blanc (dry white wine)
Mexican beer- forgot beer is not gluten free
Bourbon- also not gluten free.
Merlot (red wine)
Tomorrow, we shall add Pinot Noir. I am thankful for my friends as I explore these new tastes and flavors. I had to call my girlfriend when I was at the World Market about the various wines I was considering. She had the answers I was looking for.

I am not sure how to handle beers in the future. Most contain gluten and I am not sure if they will affect me or not. I guess I did not react to the beer or bourbon so I am hoping I will be alright. Sometimes I don't really feel a reaction until a couple days later so the jury is still out.

The meal tonight- Super Tuscan Burgers and Potato Salad with Capers.
Uncomplicated. I did make two pans, one with mushrooms for me and one without for the kids. More mushrooms for me this way.

The potato salad had more of a lemon base and it was better than the previous vinaigrette potato salad. This one might actually be better cold. I will try it out tomorrow to confirm. 

The burger mix of pork and veal was okay. It will not be added to my rotation as it really did not strike my fancy and the cheese was a bit strong for my tastes.  So this recipe is a one and done.
-Mom

DD is in theater and did not give me her opinion. For some reason she was not looking forward to this one, maybe the mushrooms. Maybe the potato salad. In the end I let her skip both. -Not DD as she is not available and I am still pressing publish.