LHS Episode #413: The Weekender LXXII

by Black Sparrow Media Episode #413 Duration: 00:40:14
LHS Episode #413: The Weekender LXXII

It's time once again for The Weekender. This is our bi-weekly departure into the world of amateur radio contests, open source conventions, special events, listener challenges, hedonism and just plain fun. Thanks for listening and, if you happen to get a chance, feel free to call us or e-mail and send us some feedback. Tell us how we're doing. We'd love to hear from you.

Download MP3 (18MB)

This Weekend in Amateur Radio (Segment 1)

This Weekend in Open Source (Segment 2)

This Weekend in Hedonism (Segment 3)

  • Cheryl’s Recipe Corner!

  • Crispy, Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu

  • Description

  • Russ is a huge fan of Chicken Cordon Bleu.  I’m mostly on the fence about it, since I don’t like my food mixed (or touching on my plate, for that part).  BUT, I really liked this recipe.  Although, the actual recipe calls for deep frying the chicken; we own an air fryer, so we actually air fried ours, and it came out delicious!  I think the part that sold it for me was the Dijon sauce.

  • Ingredients (Chicken)

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

  • salt, to taste

  • pepper, to taste

  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder

  • 1 tablespoon onion powder

  • 16 slices swiss cheese

  • 1/2 lb ham, thinly sliced

  • peanut oil, or vegetable oil, for frying

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

  • 4 eggs, beaten

  • 2 cups panko bread crumbs

  • Ingredients (Dijon Sauce)

  • 3 tablespoons butter

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 2 cups milk

  • 1/4 cup dijon mustard

  • 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese

  • salt, to taste

  • pepper, to taste

  • Directions

  • Sprinkle the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, tossing to coat evenly.  On a cutting board, place a chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound until about ½ inch (1 cm) thick with a meat mallet, rolling pin, or heavy pan.  Remove the plastic wrap and place 2 slices of Swiss cheese, then 2 slices of ham, then another layer of Swiss cheese, and another layer of ham. Evenly roll the chicken and place onto a new sheet of plastic wrap.  Wrap the chicken in the plastic wrap tightly and use the excess plastic on the sides to twist, firming up the roll of chicken cordon bleu as you work. Tie the excess plastic. Repeat with the remaining ingredients, then chill the rolls in the fridge to set for 30 minutes.  Meanwhile, preheat a tall-sided pan with 2 inches (5 cm) of oil to 325°F (170°C). After the rolls are set, prepare 2 separate large, wide dishes with the flour, beaten egg, and bread crumbs. Dredge the chicken first in the flour, then the egg, and then bread crumbs.  Place the breaded chicken cordon bleu in the oil and cook for about 5 minutes per side, or until the outside is an even golden brown. If a good color is achieved and the chicken’s center is still not 165°F (75°C), place the chicken cordon bleu on a wire rack set over a baking sheet and finish the chicken in the oven at 325°F (170°C) until that temperature is reached. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce. In a 1 ½-quart saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and cook the garlic until soft. Add the flour and whisk for 1 minute.  Add the milk and whisk until fully combined with the roux and no lumps remain. Continue whisking until the mixture comes to a simmer and has thickened. add the mustard, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper and whisk to combine. Remove the pan from the heat.  Slice the chicken and serve drizzled with Dijon sauce.

  • Cheryl’s Mixed Drink Corner

  • Miami Vice

  • Description

  • It’s summer, and therefore it’s time for summer-time cocktails!  This one is a mix between a Pina Colada and a Strawberry Daquiri!  Plus, it’s named after one of my favorite 80’s TV programs (and Don Johnson, aka Sonny Crockett, is actually from a town that is 20 miles away)

  • Ingredients

  • 3 oz white rum

  • 10 oz pina colada mix

  • 2-3 cups ice

  • 2 oz white rum

  • 8 oz strawberry daquiri mix

  • 2-3 cups ice

  • 1 cup strawberries

  • pineapple leaves, slices, and strawberries as garnish

  • Directions

  • In a blender, mix together 3 oz white rum, 10 oz pina colada mix, and 2-3 cups of ice. (Start with 2 and see if it needs more or if it’s too thin). Pour into a pitcher. In the blender, then add 2 oz white rum, 8 oz strawberry daquiri mix, 1 cup of strawberries, 2-3 cups of ice. (Start with 2 and see if it needs more or if it’s too thin.) Pour a bit of the strawberry daquiri mixture into a glass, then pour your pina colada mix, and finish with more strawberry daquiri. Garnish with a slice of pineapple, some pineapple leaves, and a strawberry!

  • Russ’s Drink Corner

  • Very Old Barton Kentucky Straight Bourbon

  • Description

  • Very Old Barton, owned by the Sazerac Company, is produced in Bardstown, Kentucky. There several expressions of Very Old Barton including an 80 proof, an 86 proof and a 90 proof. The 100 proof bottling is also bottled in bond. In recent years, the six year age statement has been removed though the number “6” still apears on 1.75L bottles. The bourbon is still aged a minimum of four years and possibly as long as six.

  • Details

  • Mashbill: 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley

  • Proof: 100 (50% ABV)

  • Region: Bardstown, Kentucky

  • Color: Pure honey

  • Nose: Apple, caramel, light fruit notes, unripe banana, medicinal cherry

  • Taste: Somewhat acerbic, red apple, oak tannins, burnt sugar, toated corn, cherry

  • Finish: Medium length dry finish, nondescript herb and light sweetness, barrel notes

  • Price: $20 (750 ml)

  • Rating: 89

  • Bill’s Whatever Corner

  • DryFly Old Fashioned