Tag Archives: capon

Mothers’ Day Drive

We took a jaunt yesterday, even for ten miles or so on a closed road and saw some beautiful scenery. Jim drove the first third of the trip then I took over. That way he got to call his grandmother and wish her a wonderful day, as she was at church earlier.

The dog enjoyed the trip, sleeping whenever the speed limit was constant and sitting up in back (cargo net over the folded-down seat with 4″ orthopedic mattress and a tie-down, plus water.

We stopped at my favorite grocery and Jim was surprised that I had not one but three butchers waiting on me and the aged ribeye we bought (after I said, “what are you making me tonight, honey?”) was expensive but worth every bite. It’s the best steak I’ve had since Italy a few years ago. Let’s just say that we would’ve spent 3-4 times that much with one evening at a prime steakhouse because the potato and corn/red bell pepper salad were included.

Tonight it’s fajitas and I’m dipping a knife tip into Rick Bayless’ pool. Tomatillos are out so I’m going to manufacture an avocado and tomatillo salsa, but I got one pasilla that I’ll roast and I don’t have any cilantro, just did it on the fly so we’ll see what happens. I do have a white onion and will rinse it under cold water to tame the sting.

I’m going to marinate my chicken and roast the pepper and let you know what happens later. Cheers, Dee

ps And cheers to the butchers. Maybe I can convince them to order a capon for me this year because I found an organic provider. If its’ castration they have a problem with, what do they think of letting them live twice as long without breeding? D

Capon

Once I realized we weren’t going to be able to go to TX for the grand clan gathering of my husband’s family because of business, I’m stymied that I have to cook Thanksgiving a deux, the first Thanksgiving I’ve ever cooked alone! No, the husband doesn’t cook. He takes out the dog and keeps her out of my kitchen, and grills occasionally.

When I was growing up, Mom used to get capons a few times per year, for special occasions. The “neutered” rooster develops extraordinary flavor, is larger and tastier than the largest young hen would be, and makes for a special occasion.

I’ve happened upon Wapsie Farms, the nation’s largest capon producer, and asked them where I can find a capon for Thanksgiving. It’s just the two of us and I’d rather a 6-8 lb. bird rather than a minimum 12-16 lb. turkey. Today, I asked a Whole Foods butcher, who had information out for holiday ordering, where I could find a capon and she’d never heard the term and advised me to look elsewhere. So that’s when I sent an email out to Wapsie Farms.

A turkey breast sitting over stuffing is a last resort, and WF has Diestel organic turkeys. Aside from Labor Day, it’s the only holiday Jim will have this year. I don’t want to make it all about cooking. Just a bird, great stuffing, mashed potatoes (my fourth masher, others in storage) and perhaps glazed carrots and roasted brussels sprouts. And perhaps a mincemeat tart to salute the Penny sisters.

So, are there any family farms in Utah who raise organic capons? Cheers, Dee