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| "Here comes the smoulder..." |
Sometimes in your life you meet someone that it feels like you've known for years. I can count on one hand the amount of people I've met like that and this gentleman is one of them...and he cooks like a boss! Allow me to introduce you to TJ.
Without a doubt, the best chicken alfredo I've ever had was cooked up by none other than this dude. Tender, juicy chicken in a creamy, cheesy sauce with a subtle, warming spice to it over al dente pasta served with garlic toast; just perfect.
Sorry, got carried away. Let's back up a bit...
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| I made an apple crumble |
After cooking up some mean sticky chicken with friends outside Missoula, it was a drive up to Kalispell, just south of the amazing Glacier National Park to stay at a huge camp hence the huge conventional kitchen that I had the privilege of cooking in.
I got to try a few firsts too. For example, the huckleberry. Prized by all the locals (especially the bears!) these berries have such a distinct, unique flavour and are used in various ways. However, the most famous without a doubt is huckleberry pie which I was privileged enough to try!
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| Cooking up the best chicken al fredo! |
The next thing was TJ's highly secretive recipe: peanut butter and chocolate cookie cups. Hmmm, boy! Those things should be illegal. I can see why the recipe is so highly protected. I can't say too much about them though as I'm probably under surveillance...
My band and I had a concert at this place too which went really well and we all had a blast. I was asked to autograph a CD! TJ is a musician too so with us appreciating both music and food, we became even firmer friends.
One morning, (after a small disaster) my new friend TJ took a small group of us out to a little joint known as Montana Coffee Traders for breakfast. Now, since being over here in the States, I've acquired a taste for biscuits. (See previous post "Cracker Barrel"!) So, I ordered biscuits and gravy and boy was that a good idea! Deliciousness. Three huge, fluffy biscuits topped with a healthy helping of creamy, sausage gravy. Oh, and a slice of orange.
So, a gargantuan "thank you so much!" to TJ and his folks for a f-a-n-t-a-s-t-i-c couple of days. Montana has been an unforgettable experience for me thanks to you guys.
Seasoned with Delectability,
Jacob
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| The view of Glacier Nat'l Park from the road |
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| That's right. "Real men wear aprons!" |
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| As you can imagine, I was sad to go |
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| Making some crumble! |
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Making TJ's super-secret peanut butter and chocolate
cookie cups |
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| My amazing biscuits and gravy at Montana Coffee Traders |
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| Trying a first... |
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There was also a concert too which went
really well. |
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| ...huckleberry pie |
For lunch I had what was called "Pizza Casserole" cooked for the camp staff by the amazing Margie. It was a baked pasta (conchiglie I think) with a bolognese and then pepperoni on the cheese, served with salad and ranch dressing (of which I have become quite fond though I never used to like it) and garlic toast. I also got to try pumpkin cake which is made much like carrot cake and, if you like carrot cake, just as delicious.
