Another quiet day

Indio, California: Another exciting day around the trailer park. The weather has turned simply fabulous. Not a hint of the usual desert wind, sunny skies and temperatures into the high 60's. Lovely day! Reese and I had our exercise in before someone even woke up! Later, Reese took DT for a little jog.

Reese drags DT around the RV resort


Our Guard Dog - protecting our trash bag from marauding cow birds and crows


Never far from me


Reese: pretending he is just a dog (notice the "GO DUCKS" collar!)

I suppose this would be a good place to mention that Lisa had Reese shaved a few weeks ago. Since one leg was shaved clean for his knee surgery, the poor guy was looking a little un-even, so Lisa had Reese shaved "even". We know this guy is part poodle, as he does not shed (very nice in a RV) and he has a poodle "nose". We think he is also terrier - probably Yorkshire - because of his ears and coat... but who knows with a rescue dog. He may be a "Yorkie-Poo", but Reese is too large (11 pounds) for that mixture... whatever... Reese is just adorable and loveable.

After our work-outs, we both worked at our laptops for quite a while and then we did on-line research on sites for sale in this resort. Later we took our golf car on a drive-by throughout the park to see what $150,000 to $1,200,000 can purchase in this RV resort. We crunch the numbers... we sharpen pencils... but unless you spend six months here (or have nothing but money) it just doesn't make sense... unless one day your lot will somehow triple in price. Still, it is appealing to own a piece of RV Paradise. Reese quite enjoyed our drive-about today and we met fellow Ducks and learned of a Duck party in the park tomorrow!

In the late afternoon, My Wonderful Husband took me out to purchase a food processor for our motorhome! Is he the Best Driver Ever? I think he was tired of me bitching about trying to make latkes without the aid of a "machine" or maybe he didn't feel eight bottles of Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio was a sufficient Hanukkah gift (I felt it FINE), but we are now the owners of a conveniently sized Kitchenaid food processor with a metal blade and a very cool reversible shredder/slicer blade. Life in a motorhome with a dishwasher is different than life in a motorhome without a dishwasher.

Tonight, I did not need the new machine to prepare our gourmet repast. Nothing but a fork was needed to whip up a new recipe from My Idol - Ina Garten, the "Barefoot Contessa".

My personal Goddess has a new cookbook - Back to Basics. Again, she has outdone herself with simple, easy-to-prepare, recipes that are easy to make ahead - perfect for company. Many of her recipes are easy to prepare in the RV kitchen and I look to Ina Garten often for inspiration.

Tonight I prepared her Mustard-Roasted Fish. I felt the 8-ounce per-person portion was a bit much, but I prepared the recipe by the book and we both loved the dish. So many people say they don't like to cook fish in their RV (because of the smell) but this dish did not "stink up our bus" at all. (Of course, I have talked to RVer's who NEVER cook at all in their motorhome/trailer because they don't want to "stink up their RV". I think these people are nut-jobs... but I am a nut-job myself - in different areas - so who I am to judge?)

Any nut-job would love this dish. The Contessa suggests red snapper, but I was only able to find sole at our nearby Fisherman's Market and Grill (in the middle of desert, don't forget). No difference - the sauce makes this dish. It doesn't take but a few moments to put together and just a few more minutes to bake.

MUSTARD-ROASTED FISH  (printable recipe here)

Serves 4

Nothing's easier than this roasted fish! It only takes ten minutes to make and it's good enough to serve to the fanciest company. This recipe comes from my friend Myriam Richard-Delorme in Paris, who's a wonderful cook. She serves it simply with steamed new potatoes and sautéed French haricots verts. How chic is that?

4 (8-ounce) fish fillets such as red snapper
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 ounces creme fraiche
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon whole-grain Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons minced shallots
2 teaspoons drained capers

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

2. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. (You can also use an ovenproof baking dish.) Place the fish fillets skin side down on the sheet pan. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.

3. Combine the creme fraiche, two mustards, shallots, capers, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Spoon the sauce evenly over the fish fillets, making sure the fish is completely covered. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish, until it's barely done. (The fish will flake easily at the thickest part when it's done.) Be sure not to overcook it! Serve hot or at room temperature with the sauce from the pan spooned over the top.

Ready for the oven


Twelve minutes later

The photos above are of two fillets. We only could eat one (good leftovers tomorrow). Anyway, maybe the portions are too large, as we are good eaters. The sauce was absolutely incredible and would be perfect with rice or potatoes. I am not a professional chef, but I would suggest here that you do not need creme fraiche (fancy French-style sour cream) for this dish, but could instead use fat-free sour cream - dare I say plain yoghurt? - to make this recipe not only delicious, but healthier. We loved this recipe and I will be making it again... maybe even experimenting with chicken.

PS: Haricots verts is French for baby green beans.

Until my next update, I remain, your mustardy correspondent. 

RV Park: Signature Resorts Motorcoach Country Club