Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Tommy's Joynt, San Francisco, CA

Four Chefs on a mission!
When given a break from meetings in San Francisco, where do chefs go for a cold beer (on draft) and some good old fashion comfort food? Where else, Tommy's Joynt on Van Ness!
The Beer selection is vast, draft or bottled.
OK, who doesn't love comfort food?

That's a big ass hunk of beef!!!

BBQ Beef Sandwich. I had mine on whole wheat, I doubt it's any healthier...ha, ha.
YUM!

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Coconut Tea Cake...mmmmm!

I've decided to bake something for my management meetings and hope everyone likes it. OK, here's my problem...who is sitting at the meetings? The Executive chef, Sous Chef, Beverage Manager, Restaurant Manager, and GM...conclusion...major food critics.
Well, the cake was gobbled up. Unless they were being polite, I think the cake was a success!

My husband had a piece with his coffee.

I had a piece with my Earl Grey tea. YUM!


Thank you Tuesdays with Dorie!

The recipe can be found on page 194 in Baking from my home to yours by Dorie Greenspan.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

The Deadly Dessert Buffet

I've mentioned it before, but SUGAR IS EVERYWHERE!!! I recently attended an event at the Bellevue Hyatt and what is the worse the Open Bar or the Dessert Buffet. OK, I try to be good and avoid the massive sugar trap in front of me, but eventually, I give in.

I have to say, mini desserts are so small, do they count? Oh, I guess 1 mini dessert would have been fine. OK, "Build-your-own-Sundae"...REALLY!!!

All in MODERATION, n'est pas?

I say, "Enjoy!"

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Imported from Ireland

Too Ra Loo Ra Lura...
OK, I'm not Irish. I did make corned beef and cabbage for dinner, but I'm not going to bore you with those details.

Huge discovery...Today I am sure the gold at the end of the rainbow came from Kerrygold. I love their butter, but this Dubliner cheese with Irish Stout is a wee bit o' Irish I can't live without! I don't know why I bought it, but I am sure glad I did.

The texture is firm, a little chalky, a little salty, similar to a super sharp cheddar and worth it's weight in gold. I ad a little hunk with a glass of red wine...mmm...YUM!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Happy Birthday to my baby!

18 years ago at 7:30 am my son Tyler changed my life. I never thought I would have children, but I am glad life took a turn and gave me a son.
Here he is in London in 2003, his second trip to London. He just won't give me a serious smile.
People around the world were protesting the war in Iraq. Little did we know all these years later, we'd all still be in it.

Here we are on the the night of Tolo, his Senior year. He's grown into a very handsome young man, don't you think!
I love you Tyler and Happy Birthday!
xoxo, Mom

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Limon: Peruvian Cuisine, Nuevo Latino Fusion

I've never been to Peru and I've never had Peruvian food. Funny that my first experience with Peruvian food would be in Fresno, California. After 3 weeks in Fresno, I learned a little about the culture and the diversity that Fresno has embraced. Who would have thought?

Anyway, my primary reason for being in Fresno was for work, so on my first day off, I treated myself to a partial "Spa" day and a Peruvian Lunch at Limon.
The wine list was decent, I settled for the Malbac, for a very new looking place in a very big strip mall. FYI - If you've never gone to Fresno, there are strip malls everywhere, with every store (except Nordstrom) and every fast food chain you can imagine.

I started with the Limon Ceviche. Very tart, which I like, big chunks of halibut, squid, and shrimp...YUM. This is served with a roasted sweet potato AND, this is when it goes south, toasted corn. There was also hominy, which was a nice accompaniment. OK, the toasted corn was so hard, not your ordinary CornNut, and bitter, I hate to admit it, but I had to spit it out.
After taking a large gulp of my wine and then practically a whole glass of water, I was able to wsh away the bad taste and enjoy the ceviche, sans the corn.
Hoping for Limon to redeem themselves, I took my waiter's advise and ordered the house specialty, a Peruvian favorite, the Saltado de Pollo, chicken breast sauteed with onions, tomatoes and fries, served with rice. What I got was not what I expected. I don't know why, but I didn't "REALLY" think the fries would be sauteed together with the chicken. I thought to myself, I should have gone to Panda Express in the mall. I could have saved myself $50.00 + tip.

On the positive side, the service was great, considering, besides me, there was only one couple dining at another table.he Peruvian Butter Cookies with Dulce de Leche were good. Would have been a great ending, if the rest of the meal wasn't...just ok.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

TWD: Thumbprints For Us Big Guys

I just love Tuesdays with Dorie! These thumbprint cookies are so buttery, nutty, and not too sweet...YUM. I had to put them in a jar right away so I would stop eating them. My family and I will be going to Mexico in a few weeks, so I am trying to keep off the sugar. These little babies will be finding a new home today!
The recipe is so easy to follow. I used a #60 scoop and made a hole with the end of a wooden spoon. Also, I made a few filled with raspberry jam and others with Nutella. Perfect little treat at the end of the night with a glass of Cabernet.

This week's recipe is chosen by Mike of Ugly Food for an Ugly Dude blog Thumbprints For Us Big Guys on page 164.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Meatless Monday: Harvest Grains

I'm not usually a big fan of mixes or pre-made stuff, but my husband picked up a bag of Harvest Grains Blend from Trader Joe's, and I love it! I don't shop at Trader Joe's too often, I find all the pre-packaged "stuff" a little overwhelming, I have such a hard time dodging all the "snack" stuff they sell, and I'd rather make my own. However, sometimes they hit a home run.

The Harvest Grains Blend is located with the dry stuff; pasta, rice, and dried mixes. The blend of Israeli Couscous, Orzo, Baby Garbanzo Beans, and Red Quinoa are a perfect meatless meal. Another plus, this can be made so easily in your rice cooker or crock pot. Measure it all out like you would for rice. Easy, Easy, Easy.

One serving has 6 grams of Protein and 2 grams of Fiber...add a salad...YUM!!!

Friday, March 5, 2010

Microbrew Fun!

OK, it's fun to sip wines in a wine flight, 3 wines, perfect way to compare and contrast your favorite Cabernet's, Syrah's, big reds! OK, check out this flight...10 beers. Eat your heart out wine snobs.For those of you who know me, if I'm not sipping a Manhattan, I prefer Beer over Wine. I know, I know, but it's true! The complex flavors, the varieties, so it's not made from grapes...get over it!!! My friend Misty took me to her favorite watering hole, Sequoia Brewing Company. YUM!
As you can see, the Porters were not my favorite, but everything else...kudos Sequoia Brewery!!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Cube Steak RE-DO!

OK, a few months ago I posted about a Cube Steak recipe I found on Recipezaar. Great recipe. Easy. The only thing is, I am trying not to use too many processed things...cream of mushroom soup, for example. So, here's my Cube Steak RE-DO!!!


Ingredients:
2 lbs cubed steak (4-6 pieces)
2 tablespoons oil
1/2 teaspoon butter
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup sweet onion, sliced
4 cups crimini mushrooms, sliced
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup water
1 cup heavy whipping cream or milk

Directions:
In a bowl or plastic bag add flour,salt,onion powder,garlic powder and black pepper.
Add cubed steak in flour mixture and coat well.
Heat oil and butter in a large frying pan.
Add cubed steak and brown on both sides for 15 minutes.
Remove cubed steak and drain grease out of pan, leaving some dripping grease in pan.
Add onions and additional salt and pepper. Saute until the onions are just slightly cooked, then add the mushrooms and saute until they are soft. Add water and cream or milk.
Add cubed steak back to pan and simmer on low heat for 30 minutes.
Turning cubed steaks once during simmering.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Happy Birthday Lukie!!!

Lucas Holland Rao...Happy Birthday to you!
Lucas, or Lukie, celebrated a birthday today. He is the youngest of my 2 Godsons, Zachary is my older Godson, and the 2nd of 3 boys in my youngest sister's family.
I miss you cutie and I hope you had a great birthday!!!
xoxo, Tita Gracie

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Tablas Creek Vineyard

If you find yourself in California's Central Coast, take a little side trip 12 miles in, to Paso Robles and visit Tablas Creek Vineyard. Unlike the busy roads that take you to the very popular Napa, the drive, to the many wineries in Paso Robles, is peaceful and relaxing.Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc 2007
68% Roussanne, 22% Grenache Blanc, 10% Picpoul Blanc
Tablas Creek is owned by both the Perrin Family, fifth-generation proprietor of Chateau de Beaucastel, and the Haas family, with over 100 years experience in the American wine business.
The 120-acre site shares many of the same characteristics of the Perrins' Rhone estate: the limestone clay soils are of the same geologic origin as those of Beaucastel, and the Mediterranean climate of hot days and cool summer nights. This is ideal for the Rhone grape varieties that are grown at Tablas Creek.




The Pride and Joy of Tableas Creek:
Esprit de Beaucastel 2006
45% Mourvedre, 28% Grenache Noir, 22% Syrah, 5% Counoise