Sunday, September 29, 2013

Graffiato in Washington DC

 
My sister, Cheryl, came to visit me so we could go to the FUN concert in Charlottesville, VA 09/26/2013.  After one day of recovery, we headed up to DC (her first trip there).  I was determined to hit Mike Isabella's place, Graffiato and did just that!  It's at 707 6th street NW.  www.graffiatodc.com We were fortunate enough to be there for brunch and each chose the "Booze and Bites".  We each tried two different items in addition to a Bloody Mary that was delicious!!  Cheryl had the Broccolini and NY Strip.  I had the Meatballs and Charred Octopus.  Oh mercy...good times!

 
Incredible Bloody Mary with an Olive and Fresh Mozzarella...not to mention, the bartender was a cutie patootie!
 
 
Meatballs with anson mills polenta and a farmed egg.  Fortunately for me, my sister was freaked out by the lightly cooked egg so she didn't want any...it was grand!

 
Cheryl's Broccolini with Red Pepper Relish, Walnuts and Feta.

 
My Charred Octopus with tomato mostarda, romaine and mint.  Another thing Cheryl refused to try...score two for me!

 
Cheryl's NY Strip with Salsify, Pancetta and Wild Mushrooms.
 
Everything was wonderful, the service was great and the atmosphere was groovy.  Mikey...I expected nothing less...just wish we would have gotten to meat you.  Maybe next time!

Monday, September 2, 2013

Bang Bang Shrimp


From The Cooking Bride

For the sauce:  1/2 c mayo (I used Light Duke's)
2-4 t Sriracha (I used 2 and it's spicy enough for me)
1t sugar
1 t rice vinegar

Combine all ingredients and set aside.

For the shrimp:  1 lb peeled/deveined shrimp
1 egg
1 c milk
1c flour
1 c panko
1t salt
1 t black pepper
1/2 t onion powder
1/2 t garlic powder
1/2 t dried basil
1 qt vegetable oil

Combine milk and egg.  Coat the shrimp.

Combine the dry ingredients and place 1/2 of it into one bowl.  Toss the shrimp in 1/2 of the flour mix.  Add back to the milk mixture.  Toss with the other 1/2 of the flour mix.  

Place in fridge until ready to cook.

Heat the oil to 350 degrees.  Cook the shrimp until lightly browned.  Do this in batches.  Let drain on paper towels.

Serve with the sauce.

I found the sauce to be very thick and next time will likely thin it with some milk.

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Today I was on a roll!

I've been cooking/baking since early this morning...

 

Italian Drunken Noodles

4 hot Italian sausage links
1 large onion, quartered and sliced thin
1 t salt
1t Italian seasoning
1/2 t black pepper
1 red and 1 orange bell pepper, sliced
4 cloves garlic, pressed
1/2c dry white wine
28 oz diced tomatoes with juice (I used one 14.5 oz cal no salt added and one regular)

8 oz pappardelle noodles

Remove sausage from casings and brown in large pot on medium heat.  No oil is needed but the original recipe called for 2T of olive oil.  Remove sausage from pot with a slotted spoon and set aside.  Cook the onion in sausage drippings for about 5 minutes.  Add salt (the original recipe called for 1.5 t salt), Italian seasoning and black pepper.  Add bell peppers and sauté 2 minutes.  Add garlic and wine, and let reduce.  Add tomatoes.  It called to simmer 2-4 minutes, but I cooked it longer.  The original recipe called for another 2-3 T olive oil but I didn't add it.  Cook the noodles and toss.  I didn't make the pasta yet because I made this for later in the week but so far, it's damn good!


 
Nutella-Stuffed Brown Butter & Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookies
 
Let me begin by saying...dayum!  These were kind of a pain to make but 100% worth it!!
 
 
2 1/4 c flour, 1 1/4 t baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt whisked
2 sticks unsalted butter, melted in saucepan, whisking well, until lightly browned and then cooled slightly
1 1/4 c dark brown sugar and 1/4 c granulated sugar, blended with the butter once it's cooled off a bit
1 large egg, 1 egg yolk, 1 1/2 t vanilla extract, 1 T plain Greek yogurt, combined then added to the butter and sugar.  Slowly add the flour mixture and mix until it forms a dough
3/4 c semi-sweet, 1/2 c milk, and 1/2 c dark chocolate chips.  Fold in to the dough then cover and chill in fridge for 2 hours.
 
To assemble (this is the pain in the neck part)...take 1 T dough and flatten out before adding 1 t nutella in the center.  Bring the dough together around the nutella, gently roll into a ball to completely surround the nutella, place on cookie sheet (2 inches apart) and lightly press down a little bit.
 
Bake at 350 degrees for 9-11 minutes.  Let cool on the cookie sheet for about 5 minutes or so and then completely on wire racks.  You will NOT be able to wait until completely cooled before eating one and I highly recommend eating at least one while still warm.  You will fall to your knees and cry.

Girls Just Wanna Have Wine

Muffin Tops

This is probably the greatest thing ever!

Yummy Breakfast!


Garlic cheese grits with a PERFECTLY cooked over easy egg and chives.  This is one of the few things that I crave often.

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Yikes...where have I been?!

With a new job that takes me from F'burg to Arlington, VA I haven't had quite as much time to cook.  Fortunately I have continued to receive all of my cooking magazines and with my addiction to Pinterest in finding recipes I have plenty to whip up this weekend. 
http://pinterest.com/lsuperstar/food-and-drink/

Some of the tasty treats I have made recently are Strawberry Cheesecake Streusel Muffins, Ensalada Mixta, Spicy Baked Shrimp, Sausage & Bean Soup with Pasta, One Pot Tomato Basil Pasta, Bacon Cornbread, Short Ribs Braised in Red Wine, Fall Off the Bone Oven BBQ Pork Spareribs, Marinated Chickpea Salad (one of my favorites), Ina's (Garten) Beef Short Ribs, Limoncello Citrus Sangria (super delicious), Chicken Spaghetti (will likely not make again), Saucy Asian Meatballs (YUM), Lazy Sunday Casserole...and I think that about does it for new things.  I believe all of the recipes are on my Food and Drink Pinterest Board.  I realize they are mostly cold weather foods but that's my favorite stuff to cook.

My dear friend Jay (Tasty Treats and Tantrums) told me how to make his Pasta Carbonara and I plan on doing that soon...had it at his house last time I was there and mercy, it was good!

Let's see if I can get the lead out and do something with all of the groceries I have in the fridge/freezer!  Wish me luck.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

oh mama

I made such a yummy breakfast this morning!!  I made a serving of grits, using milk instead of water, and added some cheese.  Then, I made a perfectly over easy egg and placed it on top.  A marriage made in heaven!

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Breakfast burrito

Whole wheat tortilla, eggs, Mexican cheese, salsa and guacamole...YUM!

Friday, February 22, 2013

Our trip to Ruth's Chris in Fairfax on V-day

So, I mentioned that my sister, Cheryl came for the Mumford and Sons concert on February 14th...she took me to dinner before the concert. We went to Ruth's Chris and let me tell you...delicioso!!  Our waiter was wonderful (Amine) and the meal...SPECTACULAR!!


Crab stuffed mushrooms
 
 
Yeah, surf and turf is a little generic but let me tell you what...it was gooooood!  And I even ate (AND LIKED) the roasted Brussels sprouts!
 
I would highly recommend this place and hope to go again!!

Tasty treats for Justin, mom and Cheryl

My mom has been at my house for almost two weeks now (poor gal) and my sister came for the Mumford and Sons concert...on the night Cheryl got here, I put together a yummy platter of nibbles.


Crispy baguette slices, a mixture of olives and stuffed grape leaves from Wegman's, and warmed brie with balsamic fig topping.  Went very well with the martini and goat cheese stuffed olives!

I've been away far too long

Things have been so busy and hectic over the past few months...I can now take a minute to give some updates...


 
Quinoa with butternut squash, kale and pecans
 
My oh my...this is tasty!  I found the recipe in the paper...can't even remember which one but I know it was within the last two weeks.  The recipe was adapted from a recipe by Carolyn O'Neil, MS RD
 
1t olive oil
1/2c carrots, diced and steamed (I skipped the steaming)
1c butternut squash, diced and steamed
1 garlic clove, minced
2c cooked quinoa (instead of water, I cooked it in homemade chicken stock)
2c kale, sliced into ribbons (I steamed it a bit in a little water and a clove of crushed garlic)
1/4t finely chopped rosemary leaves
salt and pepper to taste
1/4c toasted pecans
 
Cook first four ingredients until crisp-tender.  Fold in the cooked quinoa, kale, rosemary and pecans.  Season to taste.
 
Guys...this is good!
 
Good stuff!!  


Vegetable Stock

Having been home for the past two weeks, aside from updating my resume, I have had plenty of time to cook.  This morning, I cleaned out my vegetable drawer(s) and am now making vegetable stock.  Leeks, potatoes, onions, dried mushrooms, carrots, spinach, and celery...not to mention some parsley from the (frozen) garden.  Can't wait to see how it turns out!  Just started and it smells good already! 

Thinking of whipping up some spinach and tortellini soup (vegetarian) this afternoon.  It is a Friday in lent after all.


Isn't that just beautiful?  Can you smell it??  Perfect for a day like today...just started to sleet!