Saturday, November 8, 2014


EGGS BENEDICT WITH ALSASIAN CHRISTMAS SAUSAGE

Back in the early 2000’s, I delivered a Viking 72 from San Diego to the Panama Canal with the owner, his fiancĂ©e and several guests and crew. On Christmas Day we pulled into one of my favorite stops along the Mexican Riviera, Barra de Navidad. Rather fitting because Navidad in Spanish translates to Christmas. As a special treat, I made the yacht my famous Heuvos Benedictos otherwise known as Eggs Benedict. As a little twist from to ordinary, instead of Canadian bacon (back bacon from our Cannuk friends) I make a delicious Alsatian Christmas Sausage as a substitute.



Ingredients for Alsatian Christmas Sausage
5 pound Boston butt
2 ½ tbsp coarse salt
¼ tsp ground ginger
1 ½ tbsp sugar
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground cloves
1 ¼ tsp course black pepper
¼ tsp ground nutmeg

Preparation
Grind up the Boston butt and mix in the above ingredients in no particular order. If you don’t have a meat grinder, store bought bulk sausage will work as long as it is no seasoned. Form sausage patties to conform to the size of the English muffins. Makes about 20 patties. Trust me, you’ll enjoy the extra patties!

Ingredients for Hollandaise Sauce
4 egg yolks
Freshly squeezed juice of 2 lemons
1/2 cup unsalted clarified butter (1 stick)
Salt and pepper, to taste

Ingredients for Eggs Benedict
8 sausage patties
8 Slices of Brioche or 4 English muffins, split
2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
8 eggs
16 asparagus spears, grilled and seasoned to taste
Salt and pepper, to taste
Hollandaise sauce, recipe above

Preparation
Whisk the egg yolks and lemon juice over a double boiler until eggs are slightly thickened, about 130°. Slowly drizzle in the melted butter.  Season with salt and pepper.
Brown the sausage in a skillet and set aside. While skillet is hot, butter English muffins on one side and grill in pan.
Bring water to a boil, adding white wine vinegar and reduce heat to medium. Place eggs into ramekins and add to the water.  Cook until egg white is set; 4 minutes for soft yokes and 7 minutes for medium. Remove with a slotted spoon.

Stack English muffins with grilled sausage and poached egg.  Top with Hollandaise sauce. Garnish top of Hollandaise with chives and a sprinkling of paprika and plate grilled asparagus and sharp cheddar cheese. Serves 4. Merry Christmas. JW

 

 

Saturday, November 1, 2014

I have just completed delivery of this Sea Ray 60 from
Mamaroneck, New York to West Palm Beach Florida.
I have achieved a benchmark 200 New York to Florida
deliveries in my 30 year yachting career.



Greg, the owner, and I first met two years ago when he
purchased the Sea Ray and we delivered it together from
Jacksonville to Mamaroneck. Loves his 60 but he has
determined that he needs a 4 cabin motor yacht. It will be
a pleasure to assist him on the next acquisition.



An iconic photo, this is the Brooklyn Bridge and lower
Manhattan with the Freedom Tower (right).



After 30 years of transiting thru New York Harbor, I am
always moved by the view of Lady Liberty.



M/Y Attessa IV anchored in the front row.


 
A mid-morning fuel stop. Greg enjoying the fall coolness.



The official welcome committee at Coinjock, "Gaddie" is
a playful pup ready for duck season.



Listening for the top of the tank, Coinjock had the cheapest
fuel along the entire route @ $3.09 per gallon, taxes included.


Owner of Coinjock Marina, Louis Davis and I have been
acquainted for longer than we can remember. One of my
favorite stops on the Florida to New York run, Coinjock
Marina Restaurant has the best prime rib on the east coast.



Greg noticed that, while running down the Albermarle Sound,
something was "following us." Apparently, we hooked a crab
pot buoy on the rudder and this is all that was left after a
23 knot tow.


 
Harbour Town Yacht Basin on Hilton Head Island.


 
Greg and I at the completion of our 7 day journey together.
Another satisfied yacht owner. Thanks Greg.