Mealfare

Squid Ink, Is That the New Thing Proof?

2012-11-16T17:41:00.001-08:00

Pan Seared Scallops with roasted cauliflower and quid ink...Proof on Main you have out did even you! http://t.co/SrkF9ySF -- Mealfare (@Mealfare)

2012-11-16T16:51:00.001-08:00

At Proof on Main, the Toulouse Sausage & Spaghetti Squash is unbelievable! -- Mealfare (@Mealfare)

Pizza For Brunch At Garage Bar

2012-03-25T13:54:00.001-07:00

The Garage Bar, known for delicious brick oven pizza's, has carried the theme over to their brunch menu which offers Brussels Sprouts with Roasted Garlic, Arugula with Cherry Tomato, White with Ricotta and Pecorino, Sausage and Potato with Egg and Mushroom and Monte Cristo with Country Ham and Gouda Pizza's, just to name a few. While my heart was torn, I decided on the Sausage & Potato Brick Oven Pizza for Brunch.

The Sausage & Potato Pizza arrived and I notice that the crust was nice and thin and there was no evidence of grease from the sausage. So far, so good! Edward, our server was very informative and mentioned that the eggs had been broken on top of the pizza and then it goes into the oven to be cooked, so the yolk would be a bit runny, which was fine by me. The pizza has slightly mashed chunks of what tastes like a Yukon Gold Potato, delicious breakfast sausage (not spicy or hot), mushrooms, eggs and mozzarella and its absolutely delicious! The crust is thin and crunchy, but not too much and there is a perfect balance of potatoes, eggs, sausage, mushrooms and mozzarella across the pizza.

Pizza's are not the only brunch items offered at Garage Bar, you can also enjoy Bialys (bagels that have been baked, not boiled), grits, an Oyster & Bacon Omelet, Shaved Country Ham & Toast, Belgian Waffles, Shrimp Cocktail, Honey Yogart and Beignets with Powdered Sugar and Strawberry Perserves.

I guess this is as good a time as any to mention that I also enjoyed two other menu items. The Shaved Country Ham & Toast with red eye mayo and a carrot marmalade (out of sight!) and the Beignets (so light and some of the best I've ever tasted!). Garage Bar serves brunch on weekends from 11:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.and is also open for dinner from 5:00 p.m.- 10:00 p.m. (1:00 a.m. on weekends). Visit their website for more information(http://www.garageonmarket.com/).

Drakes' At The Summit

2012-03-17T11:45:00.001-07:00

Drakes' at the Summit has open concept dining and you seat yourself when you come in to dine.Two menus are offered to patrons, Drake's and Aqua Sushi. Bar-b-Q, tacos, burgers, mini's, soups, salads, coke products, ice tea, signature drinks and a full sushi menu.
Currently, I'm between a rock and a hard place because its not lunchtime or dinnertime, so its lunchner and I'm forced to think about dinner, as I may not eat another meal today. I ordered the Fried Fish Mini's which is three mini fish sandwiches with American cheese and a side of tarter.
All mini platters come with three sandwiches, shredded lettuce, roma tomato, pickle slices and Drake's fries or tots.
Lunchner just arrived!
The Fried Fish is delicious, I feel like I'm in England at a pub having the best fish sandwich. Maybe its the festive music in the background.

Healthy Food Unpluged

2012-03-12T15:42:00.001-07:00

Dinner doesn't have to be boring when you can spice food selections up with spices and soup mixes.
Lipton vegetable soup served as a flavor packet to two cups of brown rice and two cups of water to yield a delicious dish. Broccoli florets and one diced carrot was streamed separately and added to Vegetable Brown Rice.

Roasted Chicken Breast are seasoned with salt, pepper, an italian herb mixture and a bit of extra virgin olive oil. Be sure to pat chicken pieces dry before seasoning to get crispy skin. Bake chicken on sheet pan at 375° for 75 minutes.

Where Is The Beef ?

2012-03-08T15:35:00.000-08:00

Have folks forgotten about beef? While cows are considered sacred in India and some parts of Africa, beef consumption has been considered a sign of prosperity and wealth in many parts of the world for centuries, including the U.S. But now, most people appear to be avoiding beef by supporting 'Meatless Mondays,' switching to Tofu or eating more fish and chicken. Turkey was one of the the first regions to domesticate cows for beef, some 4,000 years ago, so beef has its place in our society.

According to WHFoods.org, just 4 ounces of lean beef provides 64.1% of the daily value of protein needed and lean organic beef contains nutrients that protect the heart and prevents colon cancer. Lean Beef is rich in zinc and vitamin B12.

When shopping for beef, pay attention to sell-by-dates, consult your butcher for info on lean cuts to purchase and don't hesitate to ask about cooking suggestions for various cuts. Beef's color should always be red or deep red, but never brown. If the beef is brown, that's an indicator that the meat is spoiled and not fit for consumption. So, where is the beef?

Yardbird's Blueberry Crumb Pie and Sweet Corn Ice Cream

2012-03-01T09:32:00.001-08:00

Examining the Blueberry Crumb Pie with the dollop of Sweet Corn Ice Cream and perfectly floral mint leaves placed atop the pie almost became a past time as I kept looking at it in the miniature iron skillet. It looked like dessert made for the cameras!
When I finally realized that my partner had eaten a third of it, I located my dessert spoon, picked it up and tasted the pie. The blueberries were undoubtedly the star of the show as nothing overshadowed them. The crust was thin and delicate, while the blueberries contained just a bit of sweetness with a hit of cinnamon or maybe cardamon as a back note and the crumb topping didn't completely cover the pie, just a little. Yardbird's Blueberry Crumb Pie reminded me of a Blueberry Lemon Crumb I use to prepare for dessert but there was no Sweet Corn Ice Cream.
Sweet Corn Ice Cream was smooth and sweet without being intrusive to the blueberries while the mint leaves made you want to pick them up and inhale the entire moment. The Blueberry Crumb Pie is prepared from scratch daily.

Miami's Front Porch Café on Ocean Drive

2012-02-28T12:48:00.001-08:00

Front Porch Café on Ocean Drive has a competitive menu to say the least and it may take you up to 20 minutes to decide your order because there are so many items and they are so appealing.
Since my breakfast consisted of an ice cream bar, I was able to focus in on some items of interest quickly.The Green Chilies and Corn Mac N Chesse, Green Eggs with Jack Cheese and Pesto, Corn Beef Hash with Green Chillies and the Turkey Meatloaf with Tomato Basil Sauce all sounds amazing; but I'm looking to sample a few things without committing to a big meal.
Being the creative type, I chose Tuna Salad on Raisin Pumpernickel, black Bean Soup and Pasta Salad; to drink, Passion Fruit Ice Tea. A Pear & Almond Tart with Apricot Glaze sounds in season for dessert.
Tuna Salad was delicious and tightly constructed on the wonderful Raisin Pumpernickel bread. Black Bean Soup was amazing as it was presented without sour cream and cheese while the pasta salad was disappointing and typical.Passion Fruit Tea was refreshing and complimenting to the meal. I'll have to return for dessert later, not able to take another bite. The atmosphere on The Front Porch supports the fresh and delicious menu.

Cantina Bell Chicken Bowl at Taco Bell

2012-02-24T13:35:00.000-08:00

Taco Bell has been on my mind a lot lately, especially since they developed some new menu items and have been running repeated commercials about the new Cantina Bell Bowls. Honestly, they had me at cilantro, an herb that I'm in love with because of its distinct flavor and ability to work year-round. Taco Bell your ads are working!

The Cantina Bell Bowls are available in Vegetarian, Chicken and Steak and the size is pretty generous. While the bowls are $4.79 (for chicken), you do have the option of adding chips and extra guacamole for an additional $1.50 and the store will add a medium drink for fifty cents more to make the total cost of chips, guacamole and drink $2.00. The entire cost of the meal was $7.20 and could not wait for them to call order number 275.

Once I received the Cantina Bell Chicken Bowl, I popped the top off and dug into the dish. The dish is really fresh and tasty with the grilled chicken, fresh lettuce and tomatoes, black beans, guacamole, corn and the cilantro infused rice. Its not mixed all together but its layered nicely. The grilled chicken was moist and tender. The ad notes that the corn is roasted but mine didn't have the appearance or taste of being roasted. The tomato salsa was good and the lettuce was not wilted although it was layered onto warm chicken. The guacamole was very good but smooth, I personally enjoy some texture to my guacamole and if you buy the extra side of guacamole, you get about a tablespoon full.

Normally, when I'm in the mood for Mexican cuisine, I head to one of Taco Bell's competitors, but not now, not since they introduced the Cantina Bell Bowls.

Biscotti Party

2012-02-18T12:19:00.001-08:00

Its been awhile since I made Biscotti so I made Chocolate, Orange, Walnut Biscotti and it has no sugar or butter, good! http://t.co/V1SFaZaO -- Donatime (@Donatime)

Rye With Love On Valentines'

2012-02-16T10:16:00.001-08:00

On Valentine's Day, its important that dessert deliverys in a profound fashion and Rye On Market didn't disappoint when they delivered the Vietnamese Coffee Cake. It was not the traditional coffee cake that might come to mind but one that was silky smooth with what appeared to be a mousse like cream between the layers. The ganache on top was guarded by two types of sauces that peaked my interest, but the lemon sauce stood tallest to me. Dessert was absolutely delicious!
But that's not all, a Valentine's Day menu sampling had been developed by Chef Tyler Morris and the development was nothing short of spectacular. On the menu: Mussels, Spicy Tomato, Cilantro, Romesco along with a Beet Carpaccio, Mustard Greens and Fried Goat Cheese. Next, Chicken Posole, New Mexican style, a Crispy Pork Belly, Masa, Mole, a Roasted Squash with Hazelnuts and Feta and Braised Escarole Gratin. Wow, Chef Morris, I can't wait to come back to RYE!

Valentine's Fudgy Chocolate Brownie

2012-02-10T12:57:00.000-08:00

There are many different types of brownies and when I say different, I simply mean that the textures and taste can vary. This fudgy chocolate brownie is one that we use to bake at the Dessert Gallery. My customers' loved it and I was never able to take it off the menu. The recipe belongs to Martha Stewart and what makes it fudgy is the addition and combination of the chocolate, butter and eggs. Here is the recipe; grocery list:

Unsalted Butter (1 stick), Sugar (1 1/2 C), Eggs (4 Large), Vanilla Extract (1 tsp), Flour (all-purpose, 3/4 C), Salt (1/2 tsp) and Bittersweet Chocolate, coarsely chopped (8 oz).

Preheat oven to 350 F and butter 8-inch square baking pan. Butter and Chocolate should be melted together, set aside to cool (10 minutes). Stir sugar into cooled Chocolate and combine, now whisk in one egg at a time until smooth after each addition. Whisk in Vanilla and fold in flour and salt. Pour into pan, smooth with an offset spatula and bake 40-45 minutes. Place pan on wire rack to cool completely, then serve and enjoy!

Valentine's Hershey's Dark Chocolate Mousse

2012-02-10T12:15:00.000-08:00

Dark Chocolate Mousse is one of three Chocolate recipes I will talk about in preparation for Valentine's Day! The Chocolate Mousse recipe is courtesy of the folks at The Hershey Company and can be found on the container of the Special Dark Hershey's Cocoa; the Special Dark Hershey's Cocoa is not sold at all grocer's. This mousse is dark, chocolate, smooth, can be used in a variety of ways and easy to make. You can drizzle melted Semi-Sweet Chocolate and garnish with fresh fruit for special occasions! Here is the recipe: grocery list.

Gelatin (unflavored), Sugar (1 C), Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa (2/3 C), Cold Whipping Cream (2 C), Vanilla Extract (2 tsp.) and Water (1/4 C cold and 1/3 C boiling).

Sprinkle gelatin in small bowl that contains 1/4 cold water and let stand 2-3 minutes, next add 1/3 C boiling water and stir until dissolved. While mixture cools, combine cocoa and sugar in large bowl; add cold whipping cream and vanilla and mix on medium speed. Be sure to stop mixer and scape down sides of bowl and mix again until stiff. Pour in gelatin and mix until blended, now spoon into dessert dishes and chill in frig for at least 30 minutes. Recipes makes about 8-4oz servings, cut in half if you want to make less.

Three Beans Coffee

2012-02-10T10:46:00.000-08:00

On the weekend prior to Valentine's Day, you're probably wondering why I'm talking about coffee, long story short, I purchased it for cheap, cheap, cheap and now I want to talk about it's worth. If you're an avid coffee drinker and you realize that the pricing is continually going up and your looking for some good coffee at a reasonable price, you may be interested.

I was in the coffee aisle of a local grocer when I looked up and saw (what was news to me) Three Beans Coffee that touted 100% Arabica Beans, rich, bold and dark roast; but most importantly, it cost $4.99.
Decision made, I decided to take it home for that cost and try it out, besides, how bad could it be.

Shortly after dinner, I decided to make me a cup of this new Three Beans Coffee to drink with one of the chocolate brownies I prepared yesterday. Admittedly, I did not follow the directions because I make coffee everyday and I fell like I know how to make a cup of coffee. By the way, I love, love, love the smell of coffee and Three Beans Coffee smells rich and vibrant. After placing a new filter in the coffee-maker, I put in 2 Tbs. of coffee to about 10 oz. of water and waited for it to brew.

Brewing complete, I put in a little creamer and some Splenda, stirred, smelled the richness and sipped. Wow, that taste like water, I thought. Then I said to myself, "take another sip just to see if its me", no, that's kinda watery tasting. Then I thought, I'll ask my flip-side what he thinks, he's a coffee drinker and it could be the brownie I'm having with it that may be interfering with the taste. My flip-side tasted it and said, "that's weak." so I poured out the rest and decided to give it another try in the morning.

When I woke up this morning and went downstairs to make coffee, I decided to read the directions before trying again. The directions say to start with fresh filtered water, O.K., use 2 TBS ground coffee to 6 oz. water, O.K., I can do that, I thought. So, I prepared the coffee just as suggested on the packaging, put in my creamer and Splenda, stirred, smelled and sipped. No, still not the taste I'm looking for, there's not a match between the smell and the taste of the coffee. The smell is robust, rich and bold and the taste is meek, weak and watery. The question is can I drink it, I can but I won't. Well, lesson learned, you get what you pay for!

TasteIndy,Tasty Food

2012-01-31T17:22:00.000-08:00

TasteIndy is just what I did on a recent visit to Indianapolis, Indiana. Taste Indy Food Tours-Massachusetts Avenue Food Tour hosted the guide historical 3 1/2 hour walking tour that allowed me to work up an appetite while learning about Indianapolis' historical landscape and food scene.The food tour included a variety of menu items, held at four critically acclaimed local Indy restaurants where the ingredients were locally sourced and the cooking techniques and styles were as varied as the menus.

The first restaurant I went to was the city's oldest, established in 1894 and still in operation today, The Rathskeller featured German cuisine. Being part German on my father's side of the family and having lived in Germany, I was excited to be there and was more than ready for the first sampling of the day. The chef prepared traditional German fare like homemade sauerkraut, red cabbage, German noodles, Bratwurst, Bockwurst, Kielbasse, German Wieners, Bavarian style pretzels and a few German mustard's for dipping purposes. The food was absolutely delicious!

Next, I headed to Earth House Collectives/Earth House Cafe which is Indiana's only 100-percent organic and fair trade coffee shop focusing on community issues. I enjoyed the Vegan Sanoma Sandwich which featured a pressed and braised organic tofu with organic celery & red grapes and toasted organic pecans in a vegan creamy poppy seed dressing. The Vegan Sanoma Sandwich was very good, not to mention the selection of coffees' and teas'.

You should know that it was at this point that I begin to wonder if I could eat anything else...fortunately it was quite a walk to the next stop, Lockerbie Pub. The Lockerbie is a family run joint know for taking care of the customers and that they did. The Breaded Pork Tenderloin was tasty and memorable, I can taste it now! The Tenderloin was paired with pickles and a trio of beers (I don't drink beer, never acquired a taste).

Lockerbie's Breaded Pork Tenderloin stayed on my mind until I arrived at Mesh, an upscale, classy restaurant located in a hip and growing neighborhood not far from Massachusetts Ave. Now Mesh was talking my language with a Wild Mushroom Strudel prepared with a tomato buerre blanc sauce and seasonal mixed greens. The Wild Mushroom Strudel was prepared perfectly, but the Cherry and White Chocolate Bread Pudding sent me over the top! Wow, what a day, thank you TasteIndy!

Mushrooms, Mushrooms, Mushrooms

2012-01-09T14:41:00.000-08:00

Mushrooms are all the rave, they boost your immune system, have B Vitamins and are packed with antioxidants, according to WholeLiving Magazine. According to me, they just taste great, but not the button ones, go for the Shiitakes or Oysters. There are so many varieties of mushrooms that you can just experiment until you find your favorite flavorful one.

Mushroom Butter is just one way to use mushrooms and a first for me when I had dinner out the other evening. Now, I have to make some ahead and freeze it so it will be ready for Omlets, Steaks, anything! Its so simple to have mushrooms on hand for Butter, Eggs, Burgers and Soups. The next time your stirring up some cornbread, mix in some mushrooms!

My latest and tasty recipe is Mushroom Spaghetti, its great and quick for dinner. I prepared this dish but along side it, I prepared seared scallops in a mushroom butter, it was excellent! Here's the recipe.

Ingredients: Mushrooms (fresh) (1-2 Cups), 1 Can Tomatoes (15oz), 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil, 3 Cloves Garlic (Crushed)

Pasta ( 1 lb. any type you like)

Place pan of water (6 cups) on the stove to boil for pasta (use whatever you have). When water comes to a boil, add a little salt and pour in pasta to cook while you prepare mushroom base.

In a non-stick skillet, pour 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil in skillet and heat slightly, crush the garlic and place in pan, add mushrooms to pan and continue to stir for 1-3 minutes ( this is also a good time to add some flavor, salt and pepper). Next add tomatoes and break up in skillet, allow ingredients to simmer while you check to see if the pasta is ready. Once the pasta is ready, drain, but leave a bit of water (1/2c) and add pasta and water to skillet. Mix all together and add more salt and pepper if necessary, then top with a nice grated cheese. Dinner is done!

2011 Food Thoughts

2011-12-31T11:59:00.000-08:00

As 2011 comes to a close, I have to reflect on this thing I spend so much time on, called food. When I wake up in the morning I have thoughts about what I will eat for breakfast; a shake, egg whites, oatmeal, Raisin Bran or a Sweet Dutch Baby. Only hours go by and then its lunchtime; will make something, go out and get something or just have a snack.
In recent news from Dr. Oz, he suggests eating in reverse,or having those heavy meals or pasta dishes by midday. You will have more time to work off the calories and full feeling. This bit of news made me think about a woman name Kay I used to work with who always brought her left-overs to work the next day and had them for breakfast (eating in reverse). I always wondered if they were left over from dinner or if she just cooked them at the dinner hour for breakfast the next morning. I'll never know, she lives in Florida now.
I not sure if I get much past the lunch hour before I begin to think about what will be on the menu for dinner. I begin to think about what's in the frig or freezer that I can prepare, the prep work involved in getting it prepped in a timely manner and what I have in the pantry or frig to go with it for a complete meal. I am pretty sure I might skip dinner if it were not for my husband. He tends to go to work without breakfast and he may or may not have lunch, then he comes home starving. Drives me nuts!
During the course of my day, I look at food magazines that I receive in the mail, watch food shows on the Food Network and the Cooking Channel,and I go to the grocery to replenish food items. Many of the e-mails I receive are from food websites about food and recipes that I often want to make. Have I gotten to dinner yet?
If we decide to go out to dinner, then its a discussion about where to go, if that's what we really want (both of us), if the service is up to par and how I feel when I'm there. We actually have been to restaurants where the staff appear unhappy to be there; if they don't want to be there why would I want to be there? I'm at a point in my life where I want to feel good when I'm in a place eating or otherwise, i.e., I don't want to feel any stress (trying to take care of the vessel)and going out to eat is about more than eating out.
I have to wonder if I'm doing myself a disservice by thinking about food so much and am I the only one doing this? It consumes so much of my time, my husband always says, "we all have the same 24 hours." Food must be the way I wish to spend my time.
Some of the biggest foods trend in 2011, was grilling veggies , incorporating different ethnic foods into American cuisine and vise versa and just keeping dishes simple and easy. I loved the 2011 food trends and I think I'll keep them going into 2012 or until something better comes along. Happy New Year!

Mealfare: Dutch Baby, Baby Dutch

2011-12-31T10:34:00.000-08:00

Mealfare: Dutch Baby, Baby Dutch: First, I should explain that the proper name is Dutch Baby, but my mind wants to keep saying Baby Dutch. Anyway, the Dutch Baby is one big ...

Dutch Baby, Baby Dutch

2011-12-31T10:23:00.000-08:00

First, I should explain that the proper name is Dutch Baby, but my mind wants to keep saying Baby Dutch. Anyway, the Dutch Baby is one big puffy pancake prepared in an iron skillet. If you don't want to stand at the stove and make cute little round pancakes, the Dutch Baby goes into a 10 inch iron skillet all at once to yield a big pancake.

I been wanting to make one, but never took the time and after looking at the Sunday magazine on Dec. 25 and noticing that there was a recipe in the CookSmart /USA Weekend section, I decided to give it a try. The recipe is compliments of Pam Anderson who notes that a Dutch Baby can be savory or sweet. I prepared the Sweet Dutch Baby.

Heat oven to 425 degrees after adjusting rack to a middle position in oven.
Recipe for Sweet Dutch Baby: 1 c whole milk, 4 large eggs, 2 tsps. vanilla extract, 1/4/tsp. salt (whisk all together in a medium bowl). Vigorously whisk in 1 c all-purpose flour (can let sit a few minutes and whisk again). Melt 2 Tbs. butter to the point of turning brown in an iron skillet and pour in the mixture when butter is brown. Bake in oven for 15 to 17 minutes and don't be alarmed if you see the pancake all puffy, that's normal.

Sprinkle 1Tb. sugar on top and turn on the Broiler for just a few seconds until golden.

While the pancake bakes, take out your favorite jam and measure out 1/4 c with 3 Tbs. water and warm in the microwave. Mix well and pour over pancake immediately; you can also top with dried or fresh fruit, powdered sugar and whip cream (like I did).

To me the Dutch Baby is more of a crepe and less of a pancake and a bit on the eggy side. You have to eat it immediately because it becomes less appealing as it cools off. I believe that the savory one would be good at any time of the day or night; its the same recipe except you add onions, ham and cheese and then bake. If you are watching the calories like I am, skip the ham and one half the cheese and add veggies for a new Savory Dutch Baby. Enjoy!

Cafe Lou Lou for Lunch

2011-12-28T15:41:00.000-08:00

Cafe Lou Lou's in St. Mathews was a delicious treat when I ventured out for some lunch. Do you ever feel as though you are tired of everything (food-wise) and you don't know what you want, but you want something delicious? That's the way I was feeling when I thought about Cafe Lou Lou's. I had never been there, but heard wonderful things about the food. Well, the good I heard was on point!

The Spicy Red Lentil Soup hit the spot since it was prepared properly with just the right amount of heat and diced tomatoes. I really wasn't that hungry, but I ask our server, Dane to leave the menu, since I wanted to taste at least one other item. I decided to order the Angel Hair Pasta with Veggies, which I could not stop eating. The ratio of vegetables to pasta was perfect, the vegetables (asparagus, spinach, tomatoes and onions with a white wine garlic sauce) were

perfectly cooked and the dish was topped off with cheese.

Yes, our server offer dessert and I said, "what do you have?" He said they had a Flourless Chocolate Cake, Creme Brulee and Bread Pudding. The dessert choices were eliminated based upon a number of issues...the Chocolate Cake was out because I used to bake a Flourless Chocolate Cake in my Bakery and well, no one could ever measure up. Now, I love Bread Pudding, but it was out, just because it's a dime a dozen and nearly every restaurant has it on the menu at this time of the year (who's brave enough not to have Bread Pudding on the menu next Fall/Winter???).

So, I ordered the Creme Brulee! It looked beautiful, with the sugar caramelized to perfection and dusted lightly with powdered sugar. I picked up my spoon and angled it just so to gather just about a teaspoonful of Creme Brulee, I looked at it (as I do everything), noticed the black speckles of a vanilla bean, thought it will taste like vanilla (which I love, used to put it in my milk with lots of sugar and stir it up as my mother was yelling that we didn't have a dam (I know, (n)) cow out back), slowly placed the spoon in my mouth for that vanilla taste and nothing! No vanilla taste at all. Sure, I ate it, it was smooth and I liked the taste of the sugar on top, it cost $6.50, but I need to taste something like, some vanilla Lou Lou! Love you, Lou Lou and I will be back because I love to eat and tell.

Thanksgiving On the Table, At the Table

2011-11-24T05:10:00.001-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving Day! Today is a day of thanks, thanks for the things we have been blessed with, the people in our lives and all of the delicious eats at the table. As your eyes feast over what's on the table, take a few moments and look around at who is at the table. Are you celebrating Thanksgiving alone, because your never alone, just look up and then look around. Think about all that has impacted your life and made you who you are, I will bet they are in your heart and on your mind. You never walk alone, Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Brining the Turkey

2011-11-21T11:50:00.001-08:00

Lots of people are brining turkey's this year. What does brining do, you say? Brining adds moisture and flavor to the bird. How do you cook the bird after brining it? You can cook your turkey any way you wish, you can fry it, roast it, smoke it and the turkey will still be moist and flavorful. How long does the brining process take? You can brine the turkey from 8-12 hours and what's important to remember is that the turkey should be flipped at the half way point; so if you plan to brine for 8 hours; your turkey should be flipped at the 4 hour mark. Where can you get a brining recipe? There are tons of brining recipes online. Pick a recipe that reflects how you want your bird to taste.

I enjoy a traditional tasting bird, so here is the brine I will make for my bird. By the way, I am working on the brine this evening so my turkey will brine overnight and be ready for roasting when I am ready to roast it.

Brine:
4 qts. of chicken stock
1 cup of salt
2 bay leafs
1 tsp. pepper corns
4 smashed garlic cloves
4-6 twigs of thyme
8-10 twigs of fresh parsley
1 cup of honey

Place all of these items together in a very large stock pot and heat until all has dissolved, once dissolved let the brine cool before placing the turkey in it. You may need to add so water so that the turkey is at least half way covered. Make sure your turkey will comfortably fit and if it doesn't find a bucket that may meet your needs.

Mealfare: Thanksgiving Dinner Shopping

2011-11-21T11:42:00.000-08:00

Mealfare: Thanksgiving Dinner Shopping: Today is what I call, D Day! It is the absolute last day to go shopping for the items you need for Thanksgiving dinner. After today, you beg...

Thanksgiving Dinner Shopping

2011-10-25T11:37:00.001-07:00

Today is what I call, D Day! It is the absolute last day to go shopping for the items you need for Thanksgiving dinner. After today, you begin to run into issues like stores running out of turkeys, all the smoked meat is sold out that you need for your greens and green beans, you have trouble finding spices and speciality items you need to prepare your desserts and side items. The green Jello you need for the Waldorf Salad is now where to be found! I better get some!

If you have already done your shopping your in great shape, but I encourage you to make a list of what your are preparing and visualize your dinner on the table to make sure you have everything you need. So if I may, I want to visualize everything I am responsible for at my house. I have three daughters, two step-sons, ten grand-children, my mom (my mother-in-law lives out of town), some cousins and some friends that wanted to know if I'm hosting dinner and all I said was that I was cooking and feel free to come by; while my husband said, "no, we are not hosting dinner, that's what he said to the children/adults."

Whole Turkey and Turkey Breast (keeping in mind that I'm brining the whole turkey and preparing the breast in a more traditional manor), "check", sweet potatoes for sweet potato casserole, sweet potato pies and sweet potato dinner rolls, "check", mustard and turnip greens, "check", fresh green beans, "check", broccoli, "check", cauliflower,"check", good white potato for mashed potatoes, "check", homemade corn bread for cornbread stuffing (don't for get lots of celery, onion, poultry seasoning, sage, parsley,salt and pepper, chicken stock and some oil), "check", pecans for pecan pie, "check", butter and buttermilk for Buttermilk Pie and Jam Cake (black walnuts, apples, blackberry jam, check spices), "check", Grits for Spoon Bread, "check", mac and cheese for the mac and cheese, "check". I almost forgot, the Pumpkin Spice Cake with an Orange Glaze and Chocolate, Chocolate Chip Cookies for the kids and Xavier, my five-year-old grand-son ask for Pumpkin Pie, I may make one since I am preparing some for some of my clients.

Don't forget the drinks for the kids and lots of ice and ice tea and I always prepare a holiday spice punch and coffee to go with desserts. I do allow some help with dinner but not much, my mom makes the best Southern Pound Cake so she will bring that and her famous corn pudding that everyone looks forward to, everything else is mine since I am so opinionated, that's what I get. Happy Thanksgiving!

Cooking Without A Kitchen

2011-09-08T12:35:00.000-07:00

You can definitely cook a delicious meal without cooking it in the kitchen. Weather permitting, a grill comes in handy and you can cook wonderfully on a gas grill; the charcoal grill is challenging in certain weather conditions. Of course there is always the microwave oven and I understand that some of them really do a good job of cooking some foods. I'm not much on microwave cooking, I use the microwave for popping popcorn, rewarming food items and fixing myself a quick cup of tea.

Cooking on the gas grill is so easy. Treat the gas grill just like a gas stove top (depending upon size) and boil water for pasta dishes, cook potatoes and vegetables. These foods are easily cooked just like your protein items. I use my grill pan on the grill to secure my food items and still get those grill marks. So far this week, I have not cooked anything and tonight looks like as good a night as any. I have been purchasing prepared food (during the kitchen reno) which is already getting old. Tonight's menu: shrimp and scallops that have been marinaded in a homemade pesto sauce, crusted bread with a little olive oil, salt and pepper and a salad. Staggering the shrimp and scallops on skewers and then placing them onto the grill to cook will insure that you can enjoy them both come dinnertime. Be sure to oil, salt, and pepper the bread on both sides before placing on the grill. Dinner will be simple, quick and delicious!

I have to thank Jamie of Jamie At Home on the Cooking Channel (913 on Insight). He continues to inspire me in and out of the kitchen and I love how he simplifies the processes!