Steak report

The steaks I bought last night were from the good (more expensive) butcher at the market. I got two NY strip steaks. They were advertised as well aged and were obviously well marbled. I seared the seasoned steaks for a couple of minutes each side in very hot olive oil then sauteed a couple of handfuls of sliced cremini mushrooms in the fat remaining in the pan. I sloshed in some dry Marsala and deglazed the pan. I finished it off with a couple of knobs of butter and corrected the seasoning. I smothered the steaks in the sauce and served them with steamed green beans and crusty bread. The steaks were tender and very well flavoured and the sauce was a really good complement to the meat.

This morning

We played one of the Cru's U16 sides this morning (They are a big club; they have two squads in each junior age group). We had only 12 players so they sportingly agreed to play 12 a side though, of course, they had the advantage of being able to roll in substitutes at frequent intervals. I'm down 10 players since we started the season. 3 to Ontario, 2 on vacation, 2 fractures, 2 dislocations and a concussion!

The guys were terrific. The Cru are a strong team (maybe the best in the league) and they had some monsters in their side (how can 15 year olds be so big?). My guys played their hearts out. They played with commitment and passion and no little skill. We lost by the tiny margin of 36-33. I was really proud of them. And, best of all, no injuries!

Hopalong lemur was there too. She was suitably impressed!

Another round of memeage

1. Leave me a comment saying anything random, like your favorite lyric to your current favorite song. Or your favorite kind of sandwich. Something random. Whatever you like.
2. I respond by asking you five personal questions so I can get to know you better.
3. You WILL update your LJ with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and offer to ask someone else in the post.
5. When others comment asking to be asked, you will ask them five questions.

So chocaholic7 asked:

1. Have you ever wished that you'd remained somewhere with a climate a little less extreme than Toronto?

Yes! I liked the climate and much else in Melbourne but Australia is , well among other things, so very far away. OTOH when I try and follow cricket during what passes for a summer in England, I count my blessings.

2. Dogs. Discuss.

I don't mind dogs. Some of the more 'useful' breeds, Labs, retrievers, sheep dogs etc, are quite fun. Small yappy dogs thpugh drive me nuts and I don't really think dogs and downtown apartments are a good combination.

3. Is the ability to use plain English surgically removed when one becomes a consultant?

No! In fact it's one of very few professions that at least tries to teach people how to write. Usually though by the time we get them they are terminal. US graduate schools seem to be the real home of obscurantist gibberish masquerading as 'English'.

4. "Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects" (Lester B Pearson). Discuss.

I think that might have been true in Pearson's day.

5. The Queen (or some other dignitary of your choice) is visiting town, and you're (by some strange twist of fate) in charge of preparing a small private dinner. What's on the menu?

Corgi a la mode? With a side of endangered species for Phil.

If I really were responsible for 'official' entertaining I would make every effort to showcase local products. The exact choice would have to depend on whether I was trying to showcase Canada or Ontario. Let's assume the latter. I might start with cold poached lake trout with a suitable sauce (whipped cream with a touch of horseradish and chopped walnuts?) followed by Ontario lamb (10,000 coyotes can't be wrong!) accompanied by at least one local wild vegetable; fiddleheads, wild leeks for instance. I guess I'd finish off with local artisan cheese and fruit. Local wines of course. Perhaps a 13th Street Riesling with the fish, a Thirty Bench Cabernet Franc with the lamb and an icewine with dessert.