tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39360177272243438722024-03-12T22:38:51.782-07:00Foodie for HireThe Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17883883809208157122noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936017727224343872.post-19872677292112885422012-08-28T10:22:00.005-07:002012-08-28T10:24:39.482-07:00the BruschettaThe golden tomatoes are grown at the Urban Farms, less then one mile from our house, in the middle of tall trees and kudzu.<br />
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The basil grows next to the hill country red okra, yellow midget watermelon and the fountain of lemongrass; it grows, profusely, generously, in our garden.<br />
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The balsamic glaze was crafted by charming husband, who insists on filling the house with the piercing smell of vinegar, knowing that after you add the cinnamon and the orange, it pays off when it touches your tongue. Explosion of flavor and goodness.<br />
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And the little sourdough toasts came from the Fresh Market, a smaller-than-mega-grocery store that many of us love for its feeling of the small-town grocery. (We can't forget the feta cheese, with it's delicious tartness.)<br />
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Bruschetta.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(photo credit: <a href="http://www.matthewclark.net/" target="_blank">Matthew Clark</a>)</i></span></div>
The Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17883883809208157122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936017727224343872.post-25351951116310214262012-05-14T10:16:00.000-07:002012-05-15T16:18:52.045-07:00Bakers Burger Company: a review<br />
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<i><b>What's the best part of a hamburger?</b></i> Is it the juicy, thick-cut meat? Or is it whether or not it is carefully and tastefully seasoned, so well it hardly needs condiments? Or is it really not about the meat, but the bread surrounding it, baked fresh, careful not to be so hearty that it cancels out the meat altogether?</div>
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At <a href="http://www.bakersburger.com/Home.html" style="color: #674ea7;" target="_blank">Bakers Burger Company</a>, a local restaurant in Hattiesburg, MS, it's all of the above.</div>
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As far as we are concerned, it is usually a good sign when you walk in and see this:</div>
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As soon as you walk through the doors, you'll notice the menu - <b>short, concise, user-friendly</b>. Translated to us, this means we're about to eat at a restaurant who knows what they do (burgers, bread), and they are doing it well. They don't need to offer three pages of food options to satisfy every person in town; they want to satisfy the people who want a great burger, sandwiched between great bread. And they are succeeding.</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">{build your own burger} </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">{build your own dog} </span></i></div>
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I chose to build my own burger, with Italian Focaccia, to which I added pepper jack cheese, with ketchup and mustard. I like a simple burger, but with this bread, it was still simple, yet memorable. The bread-to-meat ratio is also important to me, which is risky with focaccia. But this was perfect - the bread wasn't too thick, giving the meat room to be known!</div>
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Jeff got the jalapeno cheddar bun, since he likes some kick, to which he added bacon. His was a hearty burger, just like he likes it.<br />
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Though the foodie in me is a bit embarrassed to admit this, I'd never heard of putting malt vinegar on your fries until this day. But what a <b>great</b> addition!And these weren't just any fries - they're hand-cut fries - tasty and piping hot and so, so good. </div>
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For this outing, my mom joined us (and, indeed, treated us to this fine lunch), remarking that when she lived in Ohio, they would put malt vinegar on their fries. There you have it... it must be a Yankee thing.</div>
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We might be in the Deep South, but we're keeping this one. <b>Bring on the malt vinegar!</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RfLnGNtEO1VXUwzyaDQCKdWcKQLTd2YEnw2EMbRCeepG7o99NFr5Z5OhuuyiSoF6Ag1bzoyewopLoEFEgf0d3xWFrd3qm4MGu6YodYDN6hwFkTgOe867qHyTBz01it9fe9W2Oggir-wI/s1600/burgermaltvinegar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RfLnGNtEO1VXUwzyaDQCKdWcKQLTd2YEnw2EMbRCeepG7o99NFr5Z5OhuuyiSoF6Ag1bzoyewopLoEFEgf0d3xWFrd3qm4MGu6YodYDN6hwFkTgOe867qHyTBz01it9fe9W2Oggir-wI/s320/burgermaltvinegar.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>The Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17883883809208157122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936017727224343872.post-77095458160398508432012-04-08T18:01:00.008-07:002012-04-08T18:27:08.433-07:00Way of the Food Truck<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">One distinct memory I have from China is of <b>the early evening gathering places</b>, people stopping after school or work, resting on benches, talking with friends, playing with children. Some are quiet; some are happy to see friends after a long day. Some are eating noodles from a small cart outside the gate of the nearby college. Some are listening to strange singing in a foreign language.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:georgia;" ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-cgruNTPAzCG5aRABgfzNZTs6w8Jppqtj2Xfau8vjY3HF54wDqshxv8Sp7_HY4WK_t-HiBntj5vZxzRoxyTjrORsEMAWgQtiuVtL1A6zI6A3QH-pvSgUTtnSqJD9ArV8FDBfw561JYC1/s400/DonBalloons.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729200887129980114" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:georgia;" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:georgia;" ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOozoiq0M8O6dLZ9RIYWhk8-6DeD8dsTgSQq0sAF7-HTDZ5RHvNt58M532r4-_JFcpjDS2AJD3rhAy_9dndpuJsAEMtUWHLeq3oMObl9AqfMv-q0PEeS6VFg-we_OUbvUM4efqFfZcD_Ar/s400/AbbyeGuitarCourtyard.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729200898554901762" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:georgia;" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Our friends and guides helped us understand that this is normal for these city-dwellers, to gather between work and home, to stop and be together. People didn't seem to be in a hurry. And when there's strange white people there with a guitar and balloons, of course you'll stay longer!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">We've just been watching a show about this "food truck revolution" happening in cities all over the U.S., and it's pretty exciting. Jeff and I have had a few opportunities - in Denver and Nashville - to visit some of these trucks. Their owners have been eager to share their stories and their food creations and seem to love what they do.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">These food trucks, especially when congregated together in parking lots, city parks, etc. are creating <b>new places for people to come together.</b> Businessmen are buying gourmet hot dogs; bikers are buying crepes; college students are buying sushi. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">While in Nashville, our friend Michelle took us to a row of food trucks, including <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/jonbalaya">Jonbalaya</a>, specializing in BBQ and Cajun-flair food. I can't really do it justice except to show you these:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:georgia;" ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3htGPnmbcYH17SnlydrJ948HFX6rzYrotp5WjJD9Yoj3hOt4JONU60A9xrN1POZAtyKzZDb8sCRhk7cuJjmYORdXrs0L-H-MYUgamotGWE0Golw4KCv_JE1o1w3trN9epdcah4ou45W9/s400/Pork+Bayou+Tacos.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729204557083768562" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;"><i>{Cajun Bayou Tacos: pork, ginger, cilantro, and other ingredients I'm forgetting, </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;"><i>but that were like "spring in your mouth," as I remember the food truck owner describing this. Delish.}</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:georgia;" ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbtZR45o8gbTclhQe6eFo3kQmx9k8Wcd31PAbcLudHU_LC1SB4ePjGX9HCwgFNOoOkAG4ySQ7C41qW-NLmKhggqga9JupF6kw28Kba2YQEAYmkl1jJxtRpmFOmsDPgN4fJFQim9Hiii4e/s400/Pork+Parfait.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729204562423505170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">{Pork Parfait: no yogurt here! Simply layers of BBQ pork and mashed potatoes. </span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">Ridiculous. And tasty.}</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">We're so excited to see the future of food trucks, especially in our own Memphis. Will there be a good truck near us? Will it help us meet our neighbors, both nearby and in other parts of the city? Will we be a part of this "revolution" in a new way? </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>The Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17883883809208157122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936017727224343872.post-26328485548958933492011-11-19T12:34:00.000-08:002011-11-19T13:07:26.003-08:00Foodies in Denver: burritos for breakfast<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6A7VTSlaQaPJVYCSX4PSQ4gva_rp4oWefq_3r28tArnCgiDQCaBHm4C6UcJZ88Qit0JkEBiLIguSf_Z4WElT7dWX4MIWYwPC9QPBUO9fY6ozocO74Fs9AxSU6xOqfO0HSWmbqeiQrn5KY/s1600/Santiago%2527s+coffee+cup.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i>The dining room overlooks a lake</i>, surrounded by the all-too-perfect Colorado mountains. Brunch in this eatery means buffalo carpaccio (thinly sliced raw meat, vinaigrette), crab and avocado omelet and a classic brunch item, eggs benedict. The chefs are locals, promising locally sourced fare and even the town's name sends you painting a perfect winter piece of artwork in your mind: Evergreen.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">They were even kind enough to call us to confirm our reservation, but we took a detour...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">We stopped at <a href="http://www.eatatsantiagos.com/about.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#339999;">Santiago's</span></a> instead.</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Homemade green chile sauce is the specialty, a recipe of roasted and peeled jalapeños crafted by founder Carmen Morales' mother, though the $2 burritos which get smothered by this sauce are equally as famous.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:georgia;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2shReORkiG_f2ygfXkv5R8QWzhQSCJGQogGfu5S5GdtJqlrNvZF9x78t5tFhbFCe1VpXpKUreyDpkwC923qqdEOlbE4XjdPagsTJPLZx1SPYxhdvykKpIiRPy8ZiJpkhB_DB_sL42c__k/s400/Santiago%2527s+burrito.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676812668417826450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;"><i>{breakfast burrito, smothered, mild}</i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i>And how much heat can you take? </i>They've got a mild, hot and half-n-half option (what others might call "medium"?) We ordered a little of everything, all smothered in chile sauce, some smothered in additional cheese, some mild, some half-n-half.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:georgia;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdNIb6QP2xMavqOSjUi_R8jKkqVfSkojgTSou0zKMAzghxSouJtGcoyE6fXnOEl4CcSAqpkDGwBaihwqeCo1j4y2AfKFZKkNI5uQhRp8ss6tqrRvwvL7qlneKr27U2e3a1xmGA4s2bxGX/s400/Santiago%2527s+smothered+plus+cheese.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676812671307369586" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;"><i>{smothered, plus cheese on top (it's already stuffed w/cheese!), half-n-half}</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>Flavor? </b>Excellent. Stuffed with potatoes, onions, cheese, and today's burritos, with ham (this changes: sometimes you get chorizo, bacon or breakfast sausage). </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>Speed? </b>To our table in a flash. When you have a small breakfast menu (and they do) with a long line out the door (and they do), you can make items fresh <i>and </i>speedy! Perfect combo, especially when you're eager to make a steep climb onto the slopes of Copper Mountain.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>Value? </b>C'mon, you saw the the pictures of these $2 burritos. Need we say more?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Today, we ate at Santiago's. And we declared that it was good!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:georgia;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6A7VTSlaQaPJVYCSX4PSQ4gva_rp4oWefq_3r28tArnCgiDQCaBHm4C6UcJZ88Qit0JkEBiLIguSf_Z4WElT7dWX4MIWYwPC9QPBUO9fY6ozocO74Fs9AxSU6xOqfO0HSWmbqeiQrn5KY/s400/Santiago%2527s+coffee+cup.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676812673423402018" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;"><i>{the coffee is lacking, but hey, we didn't come here for the joe!}</i></span></span></div><div><br /></div>The Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17883883809208157122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936017727224343872.post-48905679895894941752011-05-14T19:04:00.000-07:002011-05-14T19:25:31.909-07:00Let's eat what we buy!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>Since the <a href="http://www.urbanfarmsmemphis.org/">Urban Farms Market</a> and corner store</b> have opened up, we've given ourselves new challenges. For our first trip, we bought what was available and cooked with it. (NOTE: produce </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">inside </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">the store isn't necessarily local, but rather, gives priority to giving folks in our neighborhood fresh produce that otherwise isn't as readily available to them. For local produce, visit the outdoor market!)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">So, we shopped.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8TLZuvJuZoCo2cSObVAoDQ2kthMQHPAK4YCvatzWOjZy7Z0rg-Z5ueJRXk0JDE4EtHestQ6_N7mTDu2WbTAHFloO0hlKfJ8vd-AlG9Jr8x3hCtmMrzLE8fSeA-Gi_1MDZypGiSJ7z4aZ/s400/DSCN3720.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606759414974118402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">see the sneaky sweet potatoes at the bottom? Mmmmm!</span></span></b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></b></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVf-Enub14T6jq7IibyoHNeEhu33Kcb2VW3odRckL_E9UwC83AFO8UNQ9h9OjHG1WxErTbTBf51xhxgd6Gzh7DvwgICmKyVujhoQh-RUGtzo9bPWGHEFuZnyDugD0mHw3MFhYHhWyOUvUe/s400/DSCN3719.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606759419407780690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">waiting to be chopped...</span></span></b></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></b></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></b></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5QuZLggLdc0CZ_bQOtLO70q_349B0nJzY17wOB-8IPG__ZwJ9w82r9qxqPSdyFYJTH1tn6MwPdeYfGxCoNA71KO2PoS4JdtKaClElV6cQvIm1vHLPF7JVvJuFXJe4TpDsLY-M3Hl2I0W/s400/DSCN3725.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606761192480927778" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></b></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></b></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9E3fNYsZzFociCQnGCSXBxkb9DET2CVd6JNajcQF7JjoUMQdo0H8LcMr2oSHzXQdOavWDGTXqoXIQteUi7T1MV8bbv3LcZk3Y8GJOo8QeQXJrUFnBp1GubJeM5_8HhC5yJ0lDOncUMwXO/s400/DSCN3729.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606759422808804962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">lovin' that fresh cilantro</span></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Add a few spices (cinnamon, cumin, etc. etc), potatoes, carrots, onions, cilantro, and you've got something that looks like this...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbSatY9DB8G2y0mwz0s0UZLZwdDloOgCvtnbmAwBxGPQoDdmao2bC5XiQoTL9aPE45a_vWm2foG-jpL2jn3aRYKbPHBDnqkpra5HumfE4v2ObQoCX46lNIDDfOkJvrNI8UWGR2vdoVkCk/s400/DSCN3739.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606761187508808946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Yes. Delish.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Choosing to shop at a smaller store, with a smaller selection, is an intentional decision. We're giving up the selection of a megastore and letting dinner choose instead, more or less (instead of us choosing dinner). This may seem limiting, but really, shopping at the Urban Farms corner store is much less overwhelming, personal (conversations with customers and employees), and simple. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">We hope you'll visit! <b>The corner store</b> is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-7pm, and Saturday from 8am-3pm. <b>The outdoor market</b> is open on Tuesdays from 2-6pm and Saturday 8am-1pm. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i>Let tomorrow's meal choose you.</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div>The Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17883883809208157122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936017727224343872.post-80242512974803354852011-03-30T16:07:00.001-07:002011-05-14T19:27:04.719-07:00hello, awkward coffee shop picture!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">**Edit on 5/14/11: Memphis Brew is now closed.**</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is me. Awkwardly holding up my frappe at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=118231851521661"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333399;">Memphis Brew</span></b></a>, a new-ish (new to me, at least) coffee shop in Memphis.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpqvDwk63JZA4sTMS5rAwXETKclXeLb7t5VaHFlnJNR11TmMmzAKWn_z9s24IaiNX-6oYiUxMK-WyeWUlvTjs2uMOLTuMneHRSZhik8zwt_v9LQqwsCbskPCiLEivGfZj9bT_vGGtA3eQ/s400/Photo+on+2011-03-30+at+18.06.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590014180140493090" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVpd11FbRDqwkjWsG9BCm411BxgDWpYcuidQSV1lYvgwq7eq4SydFaDcDZ_vvGXC3fqyEI8VYRyo6v-gu5pNst4fdSVJrhV7-jHKppn1SRqCN9-55kQT1sWACMOAC0qfdtq3S_iTBtVtH/s400/Photo+on+2011-03-30+at+18.08.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590014175440092274" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div>Jeff and I are here on a Wednesday early eve, reading and blogging, with an Americano and a sugar free vanilla frappe. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>sounds</b> || the heat clicking on and the TV a couple rooms away</div><div><br /></div><div><i>sights</i> || one other person reading, besides Jeff, scatterings of what I presume to be local art on the walls</div><div><br /></div><div><b>thoughts</b> || I wish there was some easy, low music playing, but otherwise it's really nice to have peace in a coffee shop and not constant rushing and way-too-loud music. This is actually perfect for my dull headache that's been with me for a few hours now.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>layout</i> || a variety of seating areas, some at ground level, some at a basement-ish level; couches, tables, bar stools, group tables. </div><div><br /></div><div>I read some reviews before I came, and I hear their cold brew is really, really good. But unfortunately, they're out of it right now! So, we'll have to come back very soon, on the hunt for this cold brew.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>The Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17883883809208157122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936017727224343872.post-7714152200952631292011-03-19T20:00:00.000-07:002011-03-21T10:50:53.164-07:00fast food... "with avocados, please!"<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When we're on the road, it often feels like we simply have no choice but to swing through the drive-thru, get our sugar-loaded Dr. Pepper, and oh-so-delish Mickey D's fries; we all know they're the best. This, we speculated, might be one of the hardest habits to break as part of our "No Chain Challenge".</div><div><br /></div><div>But we were actually wrong.</div><div><br /></div><div>On our last trip down I-55, towards the warmer land of South Mississippi (Hattiesburg, we love thee), we had some good food in tow. Specifically, these sammies with turkey (veggies only for Jeff), carrots, avocado, bell peppers - so good and fresh that no condiments were necessary! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvfHcgSLTtyOHTMl8liz8EsmHTXwVD-ytAWrhfJUzzGDOGk-2aE7jhzUQFicu9WEKdjsu4oqSqWloXBmoHLQmlMQexPTv-2W7HSaExpf2bYpbszmlJLvW5G8ZldHcCVUCF6NdIPjBzW60/s400/IMG_0212.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585606402798391538" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlgCz1Zt7dsrd785l_Ki_FW5tAJp9EU0ZF7K8b2DgIfVzNlTSRLEqtmzs3JUcpgjWDwbLbkFbLCNdF5YVMB-jJLrUbk71FdgHJZEKuQbjxM4jn4pQkn1dcQyf5_VCdABhsE7CAgXffUXp/s400/IMG_0209.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585606410461579986" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><br /></span></span></div><div>And it only took me (Abbye) about 10 minutes to get these sandwiches together, and that's pretty ding-dang fast!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>The Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17883883809208157122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936017727224343872.post-3160556215149050892011-03-17T20:15:00.000-07:002011-03-18T19:57:58.127-07:00local: doesn't always mean kind<div><br /></div><div><b>Have you ever been chastised when you walked in the door of a cute little coffee shop, </b>the one you like to frequent on Sunday mornings with your journal and book and a mostly-good cup of coffee? Me neither; that is, until about a month and a half ago.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh dear, I've debated writing this blog. But, if I'm taking a "No Chain Challenge" in favor of local restaurants, telling you all the reasons that local is generally a better choice, then I also have to tell the truth about these experiences - <i>even</i> the ones that are less than desirable.</div><div><br /></div><div>The victim? <a href="http://ilovememphisblog.com/2009/12/trying-poplar-perkn/"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#339999;">Poplar Perk'n</span></b></a> (or me, depending on how you look at it). The crime? Pen marks.</div><div><br /></div><div>What? That's right pen marks. One Thursday morning, I go in to get my coffee, and 3.8 seconds after I walk in the door, I hear, "Hey, you're the one who was in here on Sunday. <b>You got pen on our couch." </b>Stunned. "What is she talking about?" I think.</div><div><br /></div><div>"What? I'm so sorry..." </div><div><br /></div><div>"Yeah, weren't you writing over there? Well, you got pen all over our couch; we'd just gotten it that morning." ("We're not mad at you or anything," another barista chimes in.) Really? Seems you're not happy with me either.</div><div><br /></div><div>The story could be longer, but I'll stop here. I'm sorry about your couch; I'm sorry I brought a pen anywhere within 100 feet of your couch. But don't worry; I won't be coming back anytime soon. I'm too embarrassed and shocked that I was treated like a 5 year old.</div><div><br /></div><div>The point is this: local establishments still choose their standards; they still choose who to hire; they still choose how to (or how not to) value their customers (who, honestly, didn't mean to get pen marks on that nice, new couch). This is <b><i>by far <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">uncommon in local, Memphis restaurants (though I can think of one other coffee shop that makes me feel not-cool-enough when I visit).</span></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div><div>But still - go there. Support local business. Figure out for yourself. But dear friend, <i>please don't take an ink pen through those doors...</i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>The Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17883883809208157122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936017727224343872.post-73542845285790496302011-03-06T06:44:00.000-08:002011-03-06T08:03:02.022-08:00Mosa: rainbow curry recommendation<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Lemongrass, coconut milk, cilantro: we could call these the trinity of goodness in this dish.</b> This red curry (looks more orange-y, actually) is too good. Perhaps too rich for my usual lunchtime dining, but that is no complaint! The cilantro garnish - another Pates favorite - added a real clean, crisp taste. (Any cilantro lovers out there? We find that folks either love or hate our favorite herb!) Mine featured tofu, which gloriously takes on the good flavors in this dish. Of course, you can order it with your preference of meat.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>Panang Rainbow Curry</b> is the name, and you won't find it on the menu at<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><b> </b></span><a href="http://mosaasianbistro.com/mosaaboutus/mosaaboutus.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><b>Mosa</b></span></a>, but you can expect to hear it as a recommendation from the owner (who has been there almost every time we've visited) and listed on the specials board.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5czyeOYffjKEi2OAs2RK8hhI_kvWBZvU9CnG37Ev_Nua0-E6OorojTtTnmMYK8SbSf-x6gdv9Sugo5qDYO05bJBekvPhZTl3Jfq4MmnBB7TK_al7PXO4CerGow83kSXjyqeIMHdtdDG8P/s400/IMG_0195.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580990250500098290" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyS1KhMxHTDcpe1u_dSojWaKbE0k46q3D3Ei_GKVaxH6g7MCXoXXt5f4sopRri0hJTfJz7R37d9L7-2P6FoRE5EmHJqh-hyDLXg8wMWgkSw7eWnuZ8lTFl2k3Nd5uMya92Xvek29kdCeJ/s400/IMG_0196.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580989589924937442" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMtzBxewLcyB7oO4nuLJHnhBoJuTpM7EeW0bVlynVZXZufmPGKy-lm735-e2Hj2eTi2aW0dmOHEYkQRrMc-vOmLsfCfrgBHF6HN2eTqKgpzQK7fMXddD6QaVrmUjjzkCFbHb8et20mkjl/s400/IMG_0194.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580989129996656434" /></div><div>And what is Mosa? Locally owned, dishes inspired by the many flavors of Asia, this restaurant boasts great food and an owner who isn't beyond taking orders and sauteing veggies on the stove - in other words, he knows his restaurant.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Jeff's dish: the Korean BBQ, </b>also on the "specials" board. Since Jeff is already a lover of Korean BBQ, he really liked this dish. Though it was nice reminder of his time in Vancouver (10 weeks during college), it wasn't the same. Should you order it? "Absolutely," is Jeff's response. But if you have not had homemade Korean BBQ, you'll need to book a flight to Canada and make some Korean friends with a grill and a hankering for a good feast!</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFZvwQQVUVBJqmXk5Wkk7Y5Co5soZEg1tawBuA_Y4_sjnwOCLQ0u3jKedOAWT4YqTfQnF0UOC7XEhRaSUwEeBMbf1uwsuDMeWB7EGPg_qk1BwZ2B3nstDHq6Rry-VL8c14qjQJOGRKdO3/s400/IMG_0193.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580990759074152418" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div>Visit them at one of two locations: 850 S. White Station, Memphis, TN; or 1825 Kirby Pkwy. As they say on their website, "...make the Mosa your day!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>"</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>The Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17883883809208157122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936017727224343872.post-39539180011763319062011-02-19T09:59:00.001-08:002011-02-19T10:25:17.133-08:00Three Angels Diner: what took us so long?<div><br /></div><div>Please forgive us. We've broken a very important rule of blogging: we didn't blog. We introduced ourselves, our "rebirth", and then left you hanging. So, without further ado, a word about Three Angels Diner.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Why go to Three Angels?</b> Fittingly, three reasons: location, Urban Farms, good food.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Three Angels is just down the street from our house.</b> As in, mere blocks. We can ride our bikes, walk, or on this particular Friday night, drive (because it's rainy, dark, and Jeff has a hurt foot). They are located in the historic <a href="http://www.broadavearts.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">Broad Avenue Arts District</span></a>, which is just on the edge of Binghampton; we're proud to be living here during its revival. We try, when we can, to be supporters of business in the very place where we live - right down to the same neighborhood.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.urbanfarmsmemphis.org/purpose/"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">Urban Farms</span></b></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">.</span></b> As we at down on this Friday night, we were ready for the veggie specials, some of which were from Urban Farms, a new happening, also right here in our very neighborhood (volunteer workday tomorrow, 2/20, 1-3pm - join us!) Whatever seasonal veggies are growing at UF right now, you can be sure to see some of them on the daily specials menu at Three Angels. Local supporting local. Perfect!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Good food</b>. Fried egg sandwich, veggie chili (w/tofu, yuuuuuum), adult grilled cheese, to name a few. On this night, I got the fried egg sandwich - really good, though nothing to scream and shout about. This sandwich had a fried egg, tomato, lettuce, cheese on really great bread. Their homemade chips were my side item (now these are delish!) Jeff ordered mashed sweet potatoes with cumin and garlic, and if you know the Pates, we LOVE cumin! So, thumbs up for this side item!</div><div><br /></div><div>There are many other great reasons to visit Three Angels: liveliness, art, fun atmosphere, open late. See for yourself! Check it out at 2617 Broad Ave., Memphis, 38112.</div><div><br /></div><div>Three Angels - local, friendly, go there.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>The Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17883883809208157122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936017727224343872.post-39387540153462714162011-02-04T13:42:00.000-08:002011-02-04T14:17:40.131-08:00blog re-birth: The No-Chain Challenge<div><br /></div><div>Foodie for Hire: a clever blog name, if my opinion counts for anything. Almost two years ago, my husband Jeff created this blog, in hopes to write about great restaurants, as well as some of his own food creations, complete with pictorial proof. (aka: he was gonna take a pictures of it.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Alas, he doesn't have the most time for writing and now he has a job that doesn't allow space for it either. We think, though, that <b>Foodie for Hire can still live on,</b> in the hands of me - the partner, the wife, the one who loves to write: the one named Abbye. (with some writing from Mr. Jeffersby, <a href="http://www.matthewclark.net/">Matthew Clark</a>'s affectionate name for him.)</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"No-Chain Challenge"</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>What is this, you ask? It's the product of hours on the snowy/icy roads between the foothills of Tennessee and the Mighty Mississippi (Memphis-town). "Hey, why don't we commit to local-only restaurants and write about it?" And here we are.</div><div><br /></div><div>We've been giving this a try for about one month now, but here we are, putting it into type and calling it a "go". </div><div><br /></div><div>Why a "No-Chain Challenge"? <b>Because there are so many good reasons to choose local.</b> [Often] fresh ingredients, owners who know your city (and after only a few visits, your name and favorite drink), and good live, local music. And there are so many more reasons. Perfect? No way! Will there be some who we choose not to dine with for the long haul? I'm sure. </div><div><br /></div><div>But overall, we think we're going to discover some pretty great reasons to choose local restaurants (and local everything else, too).</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Tonight's local eatery of choice</b>: <a href="http://threeangelsdiner.com/">Three Angels Diner. </a></div><div><br /></div><div>Mere blocks from our house, we'll be joining a handful of our closest friends here tonight. We'll let you know how it goes... </div><div><br /></div><div>In the meantime, may all your dinner tables be filled with good food, great friends, and loads of laughter.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>The Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17883883809208157122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936017727224343872.post-54218414045633656432009-05-18T13:29:00.000-07:002009-05-18T14:31:22.667-07:00Cafe Berlin<div>Well for those of you who don't know, along with trying new foods and New establishments I also enjoy music. My wife is a grand singer/songwriter and I play various types of drums and percussion. We enjoy traveling with a friend of ours; Matthew Clark(who is the hand model in the post about burritos). We especially enjoy playing in peoples homes. We call this event a house concert. We get to share meals and stories with people who care more about people and others lives than what is on the top 40s chart. </div><div><br /></div><div>We recently set out on a 6 hour road trip to Columbia Missouri. We left on a friday around noon and returned by 6pm Saturday. It was quit a quick trip, but worth every moment. We enjoy listening to books on cd when we venture for long durations of time such as these. I find that listening to these books on cd gives me a break from music and oddly, I am more alert when driving. I think it is because I am such a music fan I check out sometimes and get into the music when no one is engaging me. On this particular trip we listened to Bill Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods", of course read by the author. It's really the only way to listen to a book. we had a blast visiting our friends and playing for them and their friends. Though the trip was quick the time was well spent with our friends Eric Papp and Bethany Lindaman. These are great people with a love for music and food, but even more Love for Christ. </div><div><br /></div><div>Every time I trek new terrain I put forth a valiant effort to dine somewhere where I have never tasted the culinary flavor. So being that Columbia was a college town I knew there had to be some great independent cafes or bistros. And since we were visiting college friends I knew they would not let me down. We asked our friends what a good place would be to savour the local flavor and they suggested Cafe Berlin.</div><div><br /></div><div> <a href="http://www.myspace.com/cafeberlin">http://www.myspace.com/cafeberlin</a></div><div><br /></div><div>This place was great!! The patrons were quite an eclectic group of folk. There were school teachers, college students, business men, and hippies alike. Cafe Berlin has something for everyone. The names of the dishes are half the experience of dining there. They had names like "the starving artist" and "anonymous tacos". They even make a breakfast burrito out of a pancake. </div><div><br /></div><div>Brilliant!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>They also used a lot of organic, all natural and/or local products, which of course, my wife loved!! They also have a collection of various coffee mugs and plates that people have lost a love for, but Cafe Berlin redeems them for use for their patrons.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some friends got pancakes with apples, sausage, and red onions on them. Now this combination is unlikely and probably under appreciated. It is however a fantastic surprise to those that dare to try it. The saltiness of the sausage counters the sweetness of the syrup and apples. The onion when sauteed breaks down and a sweetness comes out that goes well with the dish. It was great. </div><div><br /></div><div>On this Saturday morning I tried the Carey Burrito. Not sure where the name refers to, but it was surely not a disappointment. It a flour tortilla shell wrapped around scrambled eggs, feta, roasted potatoes, apples and cilantro. It was served with a side of tzatziki. Tzatziki is a greek herbed yogurt sauce commonly found in a gyro. The Carey burrito was amazing! It was fresh and the clean taste of the cilantro complimented all the components of the dish. The sauce was a nice cool addition. I especially liked the tzatziki on a bite with mostly potatoes. My beverage of choice to wash the burrito down was an espresso drink dawning the name "Dirty Hippie" which is a chai latte with espresso. Hmmmmmm... unlikely again, but not disappointing. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>If you ever find yourself in Columbia, Mo you should make it a point to dine at Cafe Berlin.</div><div><br /></div><div>Great food. Great Service. Fantastic establishment. </div><div><br /></div>The Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17883883809208157122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936017727224343872.post-4190171881079815332009-05-12T13:11:00.000-07:002009-05-12T14:15:38.210-07:00Reconciliation with everything on itI had lunch today with a fairly new friend. He's a great guy who has chosen to live in the inner city and fight for reconciliation in this city and in the lives of troubled teens. I simply wanted to get to know this guy a bit better and as a foodie I always think that there is no better way than to break bead with another. When attempting to decide our culinary destination I asked if he had any particular craving and He mentioned <b><i>Roxie's Grocery, </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">I</span><i> </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">obliged, and we set out. He had told me that it kind of a secret and to me that translates into a great hole-in-the-wall place that never disappoints. </span></b><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Roxie's is definitely a place thats holds true to this assumption. When we walked into the establishment The lighting was very dimly lit and there wasn't much organization. Some of the coolers didn't work and the others didn't work that well. Items for sale behind the counter had been in the same spot for months or possibly years. It was a classic old tyme grocery. I loved it. We got the Roxie special which is a burger, seasoned fries, and a "pop". The crinkle cut fries were cooked a bit too much, but hey, that happens to the best of them. The drink was Strawberry Fanta or "red drank" to some. The burger however was fantastic. we ordered them with everything (which is lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, ketchup, mustard, and mayo). It was seasoned quite well with plenty of pepper in the mix. Some would find this to be a bit much, but for me it was right on spot. The bun was toasted with butter on the griddle which always adds the perfect amount of crunch to the sandwich. The burger was big and hearty. It was incredible to say the least and the price the same; right under 11.50 for both of us. you can't beat that anywhere in town.</span></b><div><br /></div><div>The thing that kind of took me by surprise was the fellow patrons/loiterers at Roxie's. We were the only ones of caucasian ethnicity and I assumed that we may get a few looks from our fellow dinners. But everyone was extremely nice they greeted us and told where to find the waste basket and napkins. The thing that really blew me away happened when our napkins flew down the sidewalk. A guy who was sitting in a chair got up and retrieved us fresh napkins and said "though you want some clean ones". I was slightly blown away. </div><div><br /></div><div>How many people would do that for anyone of any color in a Wendy's in east memphis? </div><div><br /></div><div>I believe that it is small things like this along with things like moving back into urban neighborhoods that will bring reconciliation to racially divided city like Memphis.</div></div>The Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17883883809208157122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936017727224343872.post-731062265899893272009-03-16T10:32:00.000-07:002009-03-16T10:49:34.172-07:00Bottletree BakeryMy wife and I had been wanting to go to this place for a while. We had heard how great the food is and we had even tasted the coffee before. But this fine Saturday we finally got the chance to dine at the Bottletree. We set out on our destination a little later due to some unforeseen circumstances. However, when we arrived Abbye immediately fell in love with the atmosphere. It is very homey and eclectic with missed matched tables and is adorned with random signs and paintings and pictures. We chose to sit at the bar which we later found out that it was the original bar in the building and it is over forty years old. we also discovered that this bakery used to be an old bus stop. We came in for a snack to hold us over till a friend finished his meeting, so we didn't get to try everything we feasted our eyes on. The one thing we did get to try was the breakfast focaccia. To say the least it was amazing. it had cheese, bacon, and egg. the focaccia bread was not to greasy, crispy on the outside, but moist in the middle... hmmm!!! The staff at the bakery were attentive and polite. They often refreshed our coffee and even gave us some bread as we departed. This is a one in million kinds of place. We concluded by the end of the snack that The Bottletree Bakery would definitely be a place we would frequent if lived in or even near Oxford. <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyAu30ek7qT6x8VOSAvuN2kaNkVUxa2TX_sGCy1Ai5b3m-s48msE2Pd5DklkBJHT1tosb7MY7IAXuGaRAiGaA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>The Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17883883809208157122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936017727224343872.post-75465947464533102312009-03-12T12:00:00.000-07:002009-03-12T12:28:21.652-07:00Enchiladas....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmTZtZ8fpoTzmVfQGUVTo-rSBgGkKA0YMdKoQVFSuFdv66ipe6jpRLPD6IHerDgaqT7jDTkl6jokWBJ4UcSqkt5HdyQ7-s7m2W1e4sbN_HV4m7lsHgD0v-o-iGyASQhg_tVDhbR_4-02u/s1600-h/DSCN2352.JPG"><br /></a><br />Well, the other night I was in the mood for something full of flavor and with mexican components... the result was an enchiladas casserole of sort. I, my wife, and friends well know when I cook I tend to vary from a recipe a good deal. We found a recipe in an old recipe book that Abbye had from her high school days. I won't bore you with the full details of the recipe from the book, but i will attempt to guide you through my process of cooking. <div><br /></div><div>The recipe called for ground beef, but i substituted chicken. All I had was chicken on the bone so I boiled it and deboned it. I also put plenty of spices in the water to attempt to flavor the chicken. Next the original recipe called for refried beans, and I much prefer blacks beans so you can guess what I did. I mixed the chicken and beans with a sauce concocted from fresh cilantro, olive oil, cumin, salt, pepper, jalapenos, chili powder, and a taste of sesame oil. I pureed this concoction in a food processor and all three (chicken, beans, and sauce) in a pan to warm everything through and make sure each component got aquatinted with each other. </div><div><br /></div><div>Next, I spooned this mixture into soft tortilla shells, gave them a simple roll and placed them in a greased casserole pan. Following this I poured a mixture of Velveeta pepper jack (16oz), sour cream (8oz), and maybe 2 oz of milk mixed that and poured on top of the rolled enchiladas. Next I drizzled a tomatillo or salsa verde sauce on top of everything and place it in a 350 degree oven till it started to bubble. I served this with more sour cream, salsa, and chips fro scooping up anything left behind.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have to say as humbly as possible that it was pretty tasty... maybe the only i would like to try is adding some Rotel to either cheese topping mixture or even the enchilada stuffing.</div><div><br /></div><div>here a picture of the finished product</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmTZtZ8fpoTzmVfQGUVTo-rSBgGkKA0YMdKoQVFSuFdv66ipe6jpRLPD6IHerDgaqT7jDTkl6jokWBJ4UcSqkt5HdyQ7-s7m2W1e4sbN_HV4m7lsHgD0v-o-iGyASQhg_tVDhbR_4-02u/s1600-h/DSCN2352.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmTZtZ8fpoTzmVfQGUVTo-rSBgGkKA0YMdKoQVFSuFdv66ipe6jpRLPD6IHerDgaqT7jDTkl6jokWBJ4UcSqkt5HdyQ7-s7m2W1e4sbN_HV4m7lsHgD0v-o-iGyASQhg_tVDhbR_4-02u/s400/DSCN2352.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312382814687311186" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">(hand model: Matthew Clark)</span></div>The Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17883883809208157122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936017727224343872.post-59966788032907723912009-03-10T11:43:00.001-07:002009-03-10T12:44:57.711-07:00Hot Wings<div><br /></div><div>Most commonly chicken wings are deeep fried and smothered in a vinegar based cayenne pepper sauce. They are believed to have first been served with bleu cheese dressing, but now it is comon to find ranch with them and of course celery and carrots. You may have heard them called buffalo wings and wondered why, well it's because the "buffalo" came from New York, as in the city Bufflao, New York. Like the controversy over whose is better t<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 19px; ">here is also a bit controversy about the orgin of these crispy snacks. Here are the four most reputable courtesy of wikipedia...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: -webkit-sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">1.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: -webkit-sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">One story is that Buffalo wings were first prepared at the </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anchor_Bar" title="Anchor Bar" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">Anchor Bar</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">, located at 1047 Main Street (between North Street and Best Street) in Buffalo, New York, United States on </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_3" title="October 3" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">October 3</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">, </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1964" title="1964" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">1964</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">, by Teressa Belissimo, co-owner of the </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anchor_Bar" title="Anchor Bar" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">Anchor Bar</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "> with her husband Frank. Upon the unannounced, late-night arrival of their son, Dominic, with several of his friends from college, Teressa needed a fast and easy snack to present to her hungry guests. It was then that she came up with the idea of </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_frying" title="Deep frying" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">deep frying</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "> chicken wings (normally thrown away or reserved for stock) and tossing them in cayenne hot sauce.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">While the wings were deep frying, Teressa decided to serve left over celery sticks with blue cheese to her son and his friends to tide them over.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: -webkit-sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: -webkit-sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: -webkit-sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: -webkit-sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: -webkit-sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A second version, as told by </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dominic_Bellisimo&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Dominic Bellisimo (page does not exist)" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dominic Bellisimo</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> (Frank and Teressa's son) to </span></span><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_Yorker" title="The New Yorker" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The New Yorker</span></span></span></a></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> reporter </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvin_Trillin" title="Calvin Trillin" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Calvin Trillin</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> in 1980, stated: "It was Friday night in the bar in Buffalo, New York and since people were buying a lot of drinks he wanted to do something nice for them at midnight when the mostly </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic" title="Catholic" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Catholic</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">patrons would be able to eat meat again." He stated that it was his mother, Teressa, who came up with the idea of chicken wing</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 10px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 10px;">3.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 10px;"><br /></span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: -webkit-sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The third version of the origin involved a mis-delivery of wings instead of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Back" title="Back" class="mw-redirect" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">backs</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neck" title="Neck" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">necks</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> for making the bar's </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaghetti" title="Spaghetti" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">spaghetti</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> sauce. Faced with this unexpected resource, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Frank_Bellisimo&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Frank Bellisimo (page does not exist)" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Frank Bellisimo</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> says that he asked Teressa to do something with them</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">4.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: -webkit-sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The fourth version has nothing to do with the Bellisimos or the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anchor_Bar" title="Anchor Bar" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Anchor Bar</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. Calvin Trillin stated in his 1980 </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">New Yorker</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> article that a man named</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Young" title="John Young" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">John Young</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> also claimed credit for serving chicken wings in a special "mambo sauce". Chicken wings in mambo sauce became the specialty at his Buffalo restaurant in the mid-1960s. Young had registered the name of his </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restaurant" title="Restaurant" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">restaurant</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Young%27s_Wings_%27n_Things&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="John Young's Wings 'n Things (page does not exist)" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">John Young's Wings 'n Things</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, at the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County" title="County" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">county</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courthouse" title="Courthouse" style="text-decoration: none; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">courthouse</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">before leaving Buffalo in 1970.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Hot wings also known as, but rarely referred to as "flats", and are a thing of controversy and discussions in Memphis. Many people claim to have great wings, some even claim to have the best. For most establishments I believe it's a marketing ploy much like the scene from Will Ferrell's Elf, (the scene with the world's best cup of coffee). Their is one place in Memphis that has the slogan of "the best damn hot wings". This place is Ching's Wings. This place is loved by its patrons and is an experience when you go...</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> I have to admit that Chings is my favorite place in the city to get a good hot wing. This place is classic because of the location. It is right next to a weave store and a barber shop, which in my mind signifies the quality in itself. Let's be truthful here our African-American brothers and sisters don't stand for subpar food, as we so often do. For them it's all about the food and for us it's a combination of food quality and atmosphere, and many times atmosphere is more important. Chings surely has great food and depending on your style of decor it has a nice atmosphere. The walls are adorned with many of the city's patrons</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "> and you're sure to catch up on your ESPN while in the establishment. As far as the food goes they have simple and unique flavors. the wings come in seasoned, honey-gold,regular hot, medium hot, and suicide! The seasoned wings are my favorite and I get them every time. They also put the same seasoning on their fries. If you go you have to try the G-street punch or the Orange Mound punch, it's part of the experience. The owner's name is Lafayette and he is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. He always has a smile on his face and eager to accommodate your needs. Needless to say one of the gems of the Memphis food scene a little off the beaten path, but <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">definitely</span> worth a visit.</span></div></span></div><div><br /></div></div></div>The Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17883883809208157122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936017727224343872.post-62071870736563833872009-03-05T08:57:00.000-08:002009-03-05T09:02:07.896-08:00Brother Junipers<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Today I had breakfast at a local Memphis favorite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Even on a Tuesday morning this place was buzzing with many different types of people; businessmen talking about a new venture, lawyers talking about the current economy, and even a few pastors discussing theology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Brother Junipers is a rare and eclectic place. It’s rare in the sense that people from all walks of life are patrons here and they are all willing to wait for a seat. The reason they are willing to wait is not because they have the most comfortable seats, but rather the food is amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s eclectic because the food variety will please many, but yet simple at the same time and you will many types of people on any given day. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Let me expound on this description of the “amazingness”. The menu is both simple and creative. The foodie and the pauper alike can fond a dish to please their palette. You can be pleased with a simple meat, egg, and bread dish, or you can have waffles or pancakes. They also have two specialties sure to excite any foodie, which are open-faced omelets (a huge pile of ingredient goodness atop an egg scrambled like an omelets not folded. The other specialty is my personal favorite the potato dishes! Brother Junipers has a signature side item called home fries which are basically crispy cubed potatoes, which are scrumptious, even by their lonesome. They take these home fries and cover them with the same or similar pile of goodness. They are also sure to have a couple of specials of the day.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Brother Junipers uses as fresh as possible ingredients (as the menu says) that include, but of course not limited to, lamb, chorizo, spinach, feta, Swiss cheese, chipotle avocado spread, and even delectable black beans. This morning I conquered a potato dish called the Pacific North Western, which has feta, spinach, cheddar, ham, and because I love their black beans (which are cooked with dill) I added them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>To say the least this dish was stood true to my made up term “amazingness” as Brother Junipers always seems to deliver.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">As if that was not enough reason to go the staff is everything you would want in a staff; attentive, polite, and efficient. They really work as a team. Their service each others tables and as a former server I know how huge team work is in this setting. The owner/manager is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet in any profession. You don’t even have to talk to him long to tell what kind of person he is and what kind of establishment he runs. To sum things up Brother Junipers is one of a kind.</p> <!--EndFragment-->The Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17883883809208157122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936017727224343872.post-88955627043183228512009-02-28T18:51:00.000-08:002009-02-28T20:14:35.429-08:00Christmas Ham<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(61, 61, 61); line-height: 15px; font-family:arial;font-size:13px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 3px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 6px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia;font-size:78%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 9px; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>As apart of this blog I also want to write about dishes that I have prepared and cooked myself. I want to blog about this for the sake of collaboration and passing good recipes along. This entry is long overdue seeing how the title is Christmas ham. But, everybody said I should blog about my ham, and by everybody I mean A</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">bbye and my parents. But, none the less I will proceed.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">On christmas we had a big group of people over and I didn't want to spend a lot of money on a pre-prepared ham, plus I have always really wanted to cook my own. When I cook I tend to go overboard with flavor and spice, but I call it being creative. I have to remember that my palette is broader than most. I really wanted to try an espresso chile glaze, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">but I sided against it because I wanted everyone to enjoy it.</span><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Here is the ingredients you'll need</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><ul style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><li style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; line-height: 21px; background-image: url(http://images.foodnetwork.com/webfood/fn20/imgs/bltccc.png); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: 2px 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> 9-pound (or so) ham, bone-in, scored 1/4-inch deep in a diamond pattern</span></span></li><li style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; line-height: 21px; background-image: url(http://images.foodnetwork.com/webfood/fn20/imgs/bltccc.png); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: 2px 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">10-15 cinnamon sticks </span></span></li><li style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; line-height: 21px; background-image: url(http://images.foodnetwork.com/webfood/fn20/imgs/bltccc.png); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: 2px 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">oranges, lemons, and limes cut into slices (to put on the cinnamon sticks)</span></span></li><li style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; line-height: 21px; background-image: url(http://images.foodnetwork.com/webfood/fn20/imgs/bltccc.png); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: 2px 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">10 bay leaves</span></span></li><li style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; line-height: 21px; background-image: url(http://images.foodnetwork.com/webfood/fn20/imgs/bltccc.png); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: 2px 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">black pepper</span></span></li><li style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; line-height: 21px; background-image: url(http://images.foodnetwork.com/webfood/fn20/imgs/bltccc.png); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: 2px 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">One 13-ounce jar orange marmalade</span></span></li><li style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; line-height: 21px; background-image: url(http://images.foodnetwork.com/webfood/fn20/imgs/bltccc.png); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: 2px 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1/4 cup light brown sugar</span></span></li><li style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; line-height: 21px; background-image: url(http://images.foodnetwork.com/webfood/fn20/imgs/bltccc.png); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: 2px 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1/2 cup orange juic</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">e</span></b></span></li><li style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; line-height: 21px; background-image: url(http://images.foodnetwork.com/webfood/fn20/imgs/bltccc.png); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: 2px 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1/2 cup water</span></span></li><li style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; line-height: 21px; background-image: url(http://images.foodnetwork.com/webfood/fn20/imgs/bltccc.png); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: 2px 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1 teaspoon hot sauce</span></span></li><li style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; line-height: 21px; background-image: url(http://images.foodnetwork.com/webfood/fn20/imgs/bltccc.png); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: 2px 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1/8 teaspoon ground ginger</span></span></li><li style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; line-height: 21px; background-image: url(http://images.foodnetwork.com/webfood/fn20/imgs/bltccc.png); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: 2px 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pinch ground cloves</span></span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><p style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline- margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Here are the direct</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">ions</span></span></p><p style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline- margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.</span></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Place the ham, cut side down, in a large roasting pan. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Insert the cinnamon sticks partially into the scored ham at even intervals. Skewer 1 orange slice 1 lime slice, and 1 lemon slice onto each cinnamon stick and push the slices down so that they fit snugly against the ham. Tuck the bay leaves around the fruit slice</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">s. Sprinkle the ham with the black pepper. Bake the ham, uncovered, until it reaches an internal temperature of 150 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, about 4-6 hours. Baste the ham with the glaze during the last hour of cooking.</span></span></span></div><p style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline- margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Make the glaze when the ham first goes into the oven: Combine the marmalade, brown sugar, orange ju</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">ice, water, hot sauce, ginger, and cloves in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer. Cook until mixture reduces to a glaze</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> consistency and coats the back of a spoon. If you don't have ground cloves you can also stick whole cloves into the ham itself.</span></span></p><p style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline- margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline- margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The best part of making this ham for me was scoring the ham in a diamond pattern. when the ham came out of the oven the scored edges were the perfect crispness and he hot sauce added just enough spice to the citrus. The ham was moist and tender and the citrus flavor was great. It also made for a good breakfast ham the next day. Needless to say it was fun to cook the ham and everyone loved it and it looked pretty good</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">too. Here are some pictures to look at.</span></span></p><p style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline- margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 9px;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline- margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 9px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: normal; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqku9Vvn8jxiZw4zVShuUkj0Ai3_5x891xLlhs4AdoV4eW3ZySKSULK9ir-graU6rG_hQmQtdCiFURDvSXL8qE3Cy5YAZ9fHvsSsQBat3L1qJoXw_z7ht23eORFeiApEjXGiU87XDHIvU/s1600-h/DSCN2288.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqku9Vvn8jxiZw4zVShuUkj0Ai3_5x891xLlhs4AdoV4eW3ZySKSULK9ir-graU6rG_hQmQtdCiFURDvSXL8qE3Cy5YAZ9fHvsSsQBat3L1qJoXw_z7ht23eORFeiApEjXGiU87XDHIvU/s200/DSCN2288.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308066495432166562" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></a><br /><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline- margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia;font-size:78%;color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 9px; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline- margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia;font-size:78%;color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 9px; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline- margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 9px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: normal; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebLO3ZMX3ob5fLqgRkdljqQPKxcwNqZrvNBv2v6FSJMFmVo-8hhLGZMKdaRXpD9WTZQ3AgBIJ5z7SbQfXinb9EO7Bar9pU677q0J8DnYUOmISt9BHkC8JntJQIuij8l11eL6f9OeK0Gzn/s1600-h/DSCN2262.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebLO3ZMX3ob5fLqgRkdljqQPKxcwNqZrvNBv2v6FSJMFmVo-8hhLGZMKdaRXpD9WTZQ3AgBIJ5z7SbQfXinb9EO7Bar9pU677q0J8DnYUOmISt9BHkC8JntJQIuij8l11eL6f9OeK0Gzn/s200/DSCN2262.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308065070434852434" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /><br /></a></span></span></span><br /></p><p style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline- margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 9px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(61, 61, 61); line-height: 15px; font-family:arial;font-size:13px;"></span></span></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(61, 61, 61); line-height: 15px; font-family:arial;font-size:13px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 12px; font-size:9px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 12px; font-size:9px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 6px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 12px; font-size:9px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 12px; font-size:9px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHHI5W2_Cv8Rvhvs5kZblSuvkuCEFCizlg8OnSB56Kj6luwo07n8cs4qrxnOCvN3iVlPexIbm8P3zCNIgpy4Q78tjbFUlM2EIse65oBYj9zVKnOSEKplEI8fckmMlr8F7jbUZ-1DmTWcyR/s200/DSCN2290.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308066772504736194" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span></span></div></span></span><br /><p></p><p style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"> </span></p></span>The Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17883883809208157122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936017727224343872.post-14374733239351703472009-02-26T13:44:00.000-08:002009-02-26T14:27:13.822-08:00Had too...<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I thought when I started this blog i wouldn't slam any establishments. And I guess that I am not really slamming a restaurant here, just one item. Before I go any further I must say that I am a big fan of Blue Coast Burritos. I love the different flavor tortillas they have the chipotle honey mustard is fantastic. I love that they steam they tortillas instead of pressing them, it holds together better. Most places don't have extras like olives, cucumbers, and even a choice between regular or spicy chicken. Another thing that most places don't have is fish tacos... there's good reason for that. It is hard to have a good fish taco dish. <div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>In my opinion the ideal fish taco would have smoky grilled fish of some sort, maybe tilapia or redfish. But a frozen, fried, cod is the first ingredient of a recipe for a tasteless entree. I have to admit I kind of cringed when I saw the guy throw the fish into the fryer. I thought about telling him to scratch that order, but the fish was already down and if there is one thing that I don't like more than a poorly thought dish it is wasting food. So, i decided to forego my better judgement and give a shot. I convinced myself in a mere matter of seconds that I could try them and put to rest my wondering of whether the Blue Coast fish tacos were worth the time. <div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>When my meal had come i was really ready to eat because everyone else was about half way through their meal. I unwrapped the first taco and bit into only to be disgusted by mayonnaise, my personally nemesis in the food world, The line cook sold it to me as "baja sauce", but all my taste buds could pick out was mayo. I also felt that the dish was lacking ingredients all it came with was cabbage, a bit of tomatillo salsa, and the mayo-baja sauce. I had to put more salsa, mainly to cover up the mayo and I would have loved to had some pico de gallo on it which i feel like is an integral part of fish tacos. </div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>You can guess by my previous words and descriptions what my conclusion will be, but I will say just to confirm it, the fish tacos at Blue Coast are not worth the money or the time. Stick with a burrito or a salad which are both excellent dishes by the way. If you like honey mustard you really should give theirs a try, it's awesome. </div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I am going to Mexico this summer and I am told we will have the best fish tacos during the trip, so I'll be sure to write a blog about them after the trip. Till then happy hunting for food that inspires you...</div></div>The Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17883883809208157122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936017727224343872.post-52080833954017576312009-02-26T12:48:00.000-08:002009-02-26T13:04:54.380-08:00Chicken and Waffles revisted<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>This is a short post because I have already posted a bit about the history and story of this delectable dish. However, I have found an authentic place to eat the dish. It's called Mrs. Polly's on Beale and has the mascot of a chicken (go figure, eh). <div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>My dad and I went to a concert at The New Daisy and after the concert we were looking for a little late night grub and as we were walking down the street my eyes got a sign featuring non other than Chicken Waffles. So if you're ever in Memphis and have craving for Chicken and Waffles go to Beale street and eat at Mrs. Polly's. also ask for Mellissa, she was an excellent waitress. Just go before 9 on the weekdays because the doors will be closed if you don't. Enjoy.</div>The Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17883883809208157122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936017727224343872.post-30105857160618613652009-01-26T10:04:00.001-08:002009-01-27T19:56:58.248-08:00Ole!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gNQio4sMf5zs3VI531hEOESyHqLp-6EGU1uXbThj91NcTPwhmlNhnDlFrNPf6KWOHwwJjZGy8-3O-P3asfvdB3_waLwgOoWGNCZlw2bc2NQz0OR_jg6FNZJvwD5XNan5wf3J1vJlCkqZ/s1600-h/DSCN2307.JPG"><br /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial;"> </span></div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><img src="webkit-fake-url://D9249AE1-2716-4BD3-B80A-CE2A7773BE86/logo.jpg" alt="logo.jpg" /></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-;font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">This Christmas my wonderful and beautiful wife got me various gift certificates for a ridiculous amount of money and by ridiculous I mean like $100 worth of certificates for like four bucks. For more info check out restaurant.com. It is partly the reason I decided to go ahead and start this blog. For the first redemption of these certificates we decided to go to a Mid-town favorite, Cafe Ole. Supposedly if you're hip and young and have a craving for Tex-Mex, then this is the place you <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">should go. Below are the items we tried with the restaraunts description in </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">italics.</span></i></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhth_fvSkg3TzU4IuFueNQd__f0uUd9COxXzP86OV8cSzvgCUfMbefdDqaCFWtsLQVdjy0up5jwzaNdVN56cGnAnjKq7uyq50L0lAS4hKm9Dahz7sLpJlQWOz9JIGJmiQn0CZIBOX8ApD9j/s200/DSCN2302.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295665233106680610" /> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Chips and Salsa</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-;font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The chips were light and crispy. The salsa was pureed finely and had chili powder, but not enough cilantro for my taste, but some say I have an addiction to this leafy green herb. I would rate it a 5 out of 10, but I prefer chunky and lots of cilantro.</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">CHILI CON QUESO<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; "></span></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; ">A creamy blend of cheeses, chili, peppers and spices.</span></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> Well, cheese dip is pretty standard across the board. Abbye convinced me to go for the chili con queso with added beef, and it was fair. Next time I will opt for the plain queso.</span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">BACON WRAPPED STUFFED SHRIMP</span></span></b><span style="mso-bidi- ;font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUDmYljU3wA1QJX__1kvjzp2FGoUrtaZifyP33iOhxbD701LSWfhKgakmcjDuIZrRsh7RBSKFG1UuZk08pA3wyxIbrGy60_LxR_BdH_DHmCUX5r4NJR3oHPP4XC0U4xyZdXT2RFGVqDL-j/s200/DSCN2303.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295665700666235282" /> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Five shrimp stuffed generously with cheese and jalapenos then wrapped in delicious bacon and fried. Served with spicy chipotle BBQ sauce.</span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Now these little puffs of goodness were worth the visit alone. We got this appetizer off the suggestion of the waitress saying this is the reason people come here. They were the best stuffed shrimp I have ever had. But, you must take this for what it is. I am not a connoisseur of stuffed shrimp. I am not a big fan of shrimp engulfed by a sea of bread with a bit of bell peppers and onions. However, these stuffed shrimp were actually stuffed with more goodness than breading. It was stuffed with white cheese and jalapenos, which made for great flavor. Of course, you can't go wrong with bacon and on top of that it's fried. However, Abbye and I agreed that the Chipotle BBQ sauce was good (smoky, sweet, and spicy), but kind of took away from the stuffed shrimp. But, overall this is a must try at Cafe Ole.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">TORTILLA SOUP</span></span></b><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1B7_uCdmWfgQsLkNZYttVrvFYVQfyghQtrdmCHnRcCXpZzWJblwajai6UPZS4u2qxGs0_WVjuvOplA_X_vGLe3E7Z_b0Nm3Y9xL-_mwp_jY-j-M0ULOtb9FY39JKMbsG5Xry0jvbgCslz/s200/DSCN2305.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295666215530679810" /> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Veggie Spicy Mexican soup with onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, corn tortillas & cheese.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Now this could quite possibly be my favorite tortilla soup yet. And yes, it is fair game for all you vegetarian friends. Bell peppers, onion, and mushrooms made for a good overall taste. Most tortilla soups are creamed based and have very little spice if any at all. The spice level was appropriate and the tortilla chips added a good crunch to balance the texture. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold;font-family:Arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> CHICKEN DIABLO</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: italic; font-family:Arial;"> </span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gNQio4sMf5zs3VI531hEOESyHqLp-6EGU1uXbThj91NcTPwhmlNhnDlFrNPf6KWOHwwJjZGy8-3O-P3asfvdB3_waLwgOoWGNCZlw2bc2NQz0OR_jg6FNZJvwD5XNan5wf3J1vJlCkqZ/s1600-h/DSCN2307.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gNQio4sMf5zs3VI531hEOESyHqLp-6EGU1uXbThj91NcTPwhmlNhnDlFrNPf6KWOHwwJjZGy8-3O-P3asfvdB3_waLwgOoWGNCZlw2bc2NQz0OR_jg6FNZJvwD5XNan5wf3J1vJlCkqZ/s200/DSCN2307.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296188543974461922" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: italic; font-family:Arial;">sautéed in chili butter & Dos Equis beer. Served over rice with fresh sautéed vegetable</span><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsn21brUdf6WZeYl8jP_DCFFOe70cR5hHbFHhhb238QMCMil-uz7bGKcAwYYNQmNHZbIU2iNsjgwjaofAw-Aujrzcw10Xucl3Rkcz0DQicBN_IiY6G74JBKzpTNj4-lktDN2whln3dKMw/s1600-h/DSCN2307.JPG"></a> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">This was my main dish of the night. And by that I mean entrée. The rice was unique to other Mex and Tex-Mex spots. The chicken was good and tender and the chili butter with Dos Equis was tasty. The fresh sautéed jalapenos added a good kick and the side of veggies were nice surprise to the most often accompanying fried and re-fired beans. However, my surprise turned to dismay because as most establishments they pour on the butter sauce which really negates the purpose of the vegetables. Overall the Chicken Devil was good, but not worth $17.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Conclusion</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Café ole is a good place to get a margarita as the Memphis Flyer suggests. Nice atmosphere, decent food, over 50 types of tequila, and a friendly staff with eccentric personalities. If you're in the mood for a mid-town kind of night and want some Tex-Mex then this is your place, but for my money, I prefer Molly’s La Casita. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div>The Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17883883809208157122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936017727224343872.post-7227637138362127212009-01-22T13:42:00.000-08:002009-01-27T18:13:23.096-08:00Chicken and Waffles<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqt_NHC0dXXISQx3MuI68CnSKy_7JSVuFemLHcgiCsUuQA6WTw-nTLoOZjKAJWuDVKu2cbMHz7vTYjXrwJq5Be2pDHphDbP3aetpyPt8XDt9za_GDvwqEFtfsKHG7Fr9WE_jq83P2N5v2C/s1600-h/chicken+and+waffle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqt_NHC0dXXISQx3MuI68CnSKy_7JSVuFemLHcgiCsUuQA6WTw-nTLoOZjKAJWuDVKu2cbMHz7vTYjXrwJq5Be2pDHphDbP3aetpyPt8XDt9za_GDvwqEFtfsKHG7Fr9WE_jq83P2N5v2C/s200/chicken+and+waffle.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294534723639755122" /></a><br /><br />Chicken and Waffles... <div><br /></div><div>the legendary late night dinning experience.</div><div><br /></div><div>So legendary that Gladys Knight and Ron Winan deemed it worthy for the title of their restaurant. I have to admit I have been quite intrigued with chicken and waffles since I saw the dish on the Food Network. I think it was Guy Fietti on "Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives". It was a brief spiel about the supposed origin. I remember it being something about too late for dinner, but too early for breakfast. Ensue the birth of a signature dish for many restaurants.</div><div><br /></div><div>Much to my surprise when researching to write this piece I found that there are actually two different styles of the dish. One with pulled, stewed chicken and white gravy atop the waffles, and the better known, fried chicken and waffles with butter and syrup. I have had both boneless and bone-in. Bone-in has more flavor of course, therefore taking the waffle. I prefer wings to breast or legs... probably because I am a big fan of chicken wings ('preciate ya Lafayette, nothing like Chings) Side note: if you're ever in Memphis check out Chings Wings.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Though there are two types, the latter is surely more popular than the one with stewed chicken. Like all legendary dishes the exact origin is not really known. I believe this is a measure by which to test the greatness of dishes, such as chicken and dumplings and the chicken wing itself. Some say Chicken and Waffles originate as far back as the 19th century when slaves were freed and began migrating to the North. It was popular in these days to wring a chickens neck and fry it for breakfast. It would be accompanied by some type of breakfast bread. Another popular version says that it starting appearing in cookbooks soon after Thomas Jefferson brought back a waffle iron from France around 1790 </div><div><br /></div><div>I believe Chicken and Waffles is not just simply a dish to be eaten but rather the centerpiece for late night stories, sobering up after a night on the town, or possibly a favorite of late night musicians playing for passion more than money or fame. None the less it is an experience to be shared with good friends. </div><div><br /></div><div>I recently experienced Chicken and Waffles for the second time. It began with a good friend who is road tripping to Portland, Oregon. Our experience began with attempting to find a place that had the legendary dish. I knew of one fast food place, but was desiring some place that possibly considered chicken and waffles to be their specialty. No such luck. We had to settle for Mrs. Winners fried chicken. I figured I would settle for sitting inside Mrs. Winners, so to check their hours I called. Much to my surprise when someone answered the phone I inquired "what are your hours". His reply was, "Huh??" I asked again and he referred to his manager. I thought that was a pretty basic question, but anyway we missed the lobby time and settled for the late night drive thru which is always open. We even had a bit of trouble ordering at the drive thru, but who hasn't...</div><div><br /></div><div>Though this may lead you believe that this late night adventure would rank sub-par it did the opposite. When you deal with fast food you should expect the unexpected. I mean at least it gives the patrons something to laugh about. These orders of Chicken and Waffles were great. The chicken had a thick and peppery batter. The waffles were light, fluffy, and buttery. There was enough syrup to drizzle a bit over the chicken which I feel is an integral part of experiencing Chicken and Waffle. </div><div><br /></div><div>To say the very least this was a great way to spend time with and talk with a good friend. </div><div><br /></div>The Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17883883809208157122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936017727224343872.post-35637645070074713222009-01-21T20:57:00.000-08:002009-01-23T09:06:24.754-08:00Foodie for hire<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman; min-height: 15.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I always joke about how my dream job would be to write a food column for a newspaper or magazine. I don't even know how one goes about getting such a job. Since everybody and there mom has a blog I debated whether even starting this blog. I mean my wife and my mom will probably be the only eyes that cast a glance. However, after some convincing from dear friends (Glen and Bridget) I figured why not. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I mean who knows maybe something will come of it, if for any other reason than a few free meals... at least i can exercise my lack of creative whit that I wish I possessed. After all I do love food. I love picking dishes apart and figuring out why I liked it or I didn't. I really enjoy trying new and strange dishes, and I also love to cook so I figured why not... </span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><br /></p>The Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17883883809208157122noreply@blogger.com0