I Say No To Top Ramen

White Chocolate and Coconut Milk Cupcakes (revisited)

admin — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 02:50:48 +0000

I’ve made these and posted about them before, but I didn’t remember quite how rich and delicious they are. MMMMMMmmmmm. I love these. I had some major issue with them sinking in yet spilling over the sides….? But I managed to hide everything with the frosting. (I cut the excess edge away, piled it in the middle, and covered it all with frosting.) I made these in honor of Peter’s leaving for the Training. Even though I’m going with him….

The Asian Wok and Grill

admin — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 02:48:22 +0000

American Canyon, CA

Drove out to American Canyon to visit Eleni’s parents’ restaurant. Absolutely delicious Asian food. They have dishes from a variety of countries as well as their own unique creations. They treated us to Pad Thai, Strawberry Pork Chops, Rendang Chicken, and a Pear, Taro, and Grilled Chicken salad.

The salad was my absolute favorite. Long strings of pear (!!!) on the bottom, fried taro, banana slices and grilled chicken in a spicy, creamy and sweet dressing.

Thank you thank you thank you to Eleni and her family for all the delicious food!

Phyllo Triangles with Ricotta, Prosciutto, and Rosemary

admin — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 02:21:45 +0000

I was looking for a simple, non-spanikopita-esque phyllo triangle recipe and happened across this one. I was quite pleased; I will definitely make this again.

Sushi

admin — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 06:47:17 +0000

I made sushi today for the first time! California rolls, and random rolls with egg, cucumber and dried powdered pork. Mmmm, it came out so tasty!

Rice–salt, sugar, rice vinegar
Spicy mayo–mayo, Siracha, seasame seed oil

The only way I’ll eat mayo…spicy!

Miso Soup

admin — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 06:35:30 +0000

I tried my hand at miso soup today! I loosely combined the instructions on the bonito flakes package with this recipe, excluding the wakame. I later added chunks of pre-cooked sweet potato. Next time I would wait until sweet potato season (so they’re better) and do slices, instead of chunks.

Nana and Nano Montelone’s Deli and Pasta House

admin — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 06:11:31 +0000

Trinidad, Colorado

One of those fun, small little random really good places you stumble upon. “Eye-talian” fare, as my New Mexico relatives say. My grandfather, who is 90, was quite upset that there weren’t hamburgers on the menu. (What kind of restaurant is this? No hamburgers? It’s Italian food, Granddaddy. Well I don’t want Italian food, I’m American! Hamburgers are the American staple!) hahaha.

The entrees we ordered were typical Italian fare–ravioli, salad, spaghetti and meatballs–but what really put it over the top was the fresh bread with herbed garlic butter they brought out, and the tiramisu and bread pudding a la mode we ordered. Mmmm.

After night after night of diner food/Mexican fusion, this was a welcomed change. I would love to own a place like this. It was deli plus a small restaurant. Yes, yes, yes.

Raton Pizza Hut

admin — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 04:23:39 +0000

Raton, New Mexico.

Worst Pizza Hut experience ever. The restaurant was freezing, the salad bar was half empty, the pasta lukewarm, and the crust on the pizza really bad. Usually Pizza Hut crust is delicious, but this crust was plain and hadn’t been kneaded enough, so the texture was quite disappointing.

Rancho Sereno

admin — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 03:38:58 +0000

My mom’s cousins have a place way out in the country, in Ojo Feliz, New Mexico. Aunt Patsy weaves, knits, does etchings on glass, and does woodwork. She weaves New Mexico inspired pieces (I’m not sure if you would call it tapestry? Mostly decorative furniture throws, table runners, pieces to hang on the wall) and shawls. She named their property Rancho Sereno (because it’s so peaceful out there) and has a small studio out there.

Aunt Patsy leading the way out to the studio:

Kristy’s Korner Kafe

admin — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 03:38:29 +0000

somewhere in Mora County, New Mexico

We had some super greasy, super delicious beef tacos at Kristy’s Korner Kafe, where my relatives from Ojo Feliz go whenever they want some celebratory tacos. One of those little hole-in-the-wall places with deliciously fatty home cookin’.

Currant–American Brasserie

admin — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 03:08:02 +0000

San Diego, Calfornia

Currant is attached to the Sophia Hotel in downtown San Diego. Really good happy hour. I went there with Peter and a couple of his friends. No photos =(