I Love Roses!

Especially shrimp roses. :)

This was my new years eve snack.  I didn't do anything for new years eve, stayed home and nursed a cold, but I wanted to treat myself to something special...so this was it.

I made a batch of sticky rice in my new steamer (which was a gift from friends during deer season)

After the rice steams I flip the basket a bit to form the rice into a ball..

then the rice stores in a bamboo basket called a tip khao.

I love the sticky rice and have been thinking of new ways to serve it. I decided to try shrimp roses.

I peeled and deveined some fairly large shrimp...

butterflied each shrimp and cut them in half...
Used 2 halves to form each rose, then used pics to hold them.

I gave the roses a quick poach in a bath of water seasoned with salt and Chinese five spice powder..
You could season the poaching water with anything.

Then I formed the sticky rice into little discs, set a shrimp rose on each and served with wasabi for dipping.

I curled up on the couch with my warm sox, a warm blanket, the shrimp roses and enjoyed my quiet new years eve. Even though I didn't feel so well health wise, the roses brightened my night. lol

Chickenfried Venison Backstrap and Bear Fat Biscuits

Had the chance awhile back to fry up some of the backstrap from this fall's deer season .

I go the simple route... salt, pepper and flour on the steaks.

then fry til brown in hot oil or lard in a cast iron skillet...

 I drain all but 3 TBs of the drippings, add 3 TBs of flour and make a skillet gravy..

I cook the flour for a minute or two before adding milk, cracked black pepper and coarse salt. I start with 2 cups of milk and add more if needed. (thanks Alex :))

Whipped up some biscuits using
2 cups of flour
1/4 cup of bear lard
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp salt
about 1 tsp sugar ( you can add more or less)
and 3/4 cup of milk
Combine the dry ingredients well, then work the lard in completely. Add the milk last..

The chickenfried backstrap, smooshed potatoes, skillet gravy and bear fat biscuits...
and a little bit if salad to make it look healthy. :)

It's such a simple meal but it's one of my favorite comfort meals.  It's a nice feeling to have venison on hand for the winter too...  :)