bloorozez mixing bowl

Turoni's Pizzery & Brewery

2011-08-17T19:41:00.000-07:00

408 N Main St
Evansville, IN 47711
(812) 424-9871

I accidentally walked into the bar and forgot that most states still allow smoking in the bars. The other side is the family seating. I don't think we are allowed into the brewery but you can see it from the outside!

The place is dimly lit with older benches and tables and decors. Service is good and so are the prices. I ordered Vinny's Lager which is basically a Pilsner. The Iron Man was great. Pizza sauce with garlic, spinach, mozzarella cheese, artichoke hearts & mushrooms. mmmm mm. They have small, medium, and large sizes. There are also sandwiches and salads. A kiddy menu is also available.

Ri Ra Irish Pub

2011-08-17T19:27:00.000-07:00

701 Nw Riverside Dr
Evansville, IN 47708

(812) 426-0000

There is indoor and outdoor seating for party of 1 or more! Limited outside seating though. Get there early.

The service and price was great. My draft bass was under $5!

The bartender had some great recommendations. The Spinach dip was SUPER hot, let it cool off before you burn your tongue like I did. The portion is the size of a cup of soup so you will have room for your entree. I also ordered the Tortellini with a heck load of veggies and cheese. Loved it!

Rook's Corner

2011-08-17T19:07:00.000-07:00

939 Ridge Lake Blvd
Memphis, TN 38120

(901) 684-6664

Located under the Hilton Hotel. The service was good but bring a sweater! It gets a bit chilly down there.

I ordered the seafood bisque which was tasty but it was a hint saltier than I would like. I also ordered the Shrimp Mango Salad which was mediocre. The prices weren't the best but for a last minute dinner downstairs, it would have to do.

River Oaks Restaurant

2011-08-17T18:58:00.000-07:00

5871 Poplar Ave
Memphis, TN 38119

(901) 683-9305

www.riveroaksrestaurant.com

Even though it was a Tuesday night, it was busy! That is always a good sign. They have seats by the bar, tables by the bar, and larger tables for additional parties.

The service was great. I had ordered the scallops which was rather salty but still tasty. Also, I ordered the volcano like chocolate cake with berries which was delicious. The caesar salad looked really good.

I'm looking forward to returning to try the other items on the menu.

Brio Tuscan Grille - Miramar, FL

2011-08-13T07:47:00.000-07:00

The Shoppes of Pembroke Gardens
14576 SW 5th St
Pembroke Pines, FL 33027

Rustic Inn

2011-03-27T11:19:00.001-07:00

RAAW juices

2011-03-17T19:16:00.000-07:00

I found them at this cute salad place. The Cranberry Ginger had a strong ginger taste that made it bitter. I wasn't a fan. I gave them another chance today and grabbed the Cucumber Melon and thought it would be sweeter. That wasn't the case and it still tasted bitter. So much for that...

http://www.rawfoodsinternational.com/

10 bills to cut today!

2011-03-09T11:22:00.001-08:00

10 Bills to Cut Today

Vino Volo

2011-03-09T10:47:00.001-08:00

I love this place! This is the only highlight to BWI. Really... Good for wine n snacking or small bites. It's a breath of fresh air from the hustle n bustle of the take out n fast food places. All the food is made to order so you can tweak it. The couches are great too but if you like to sit at the bar - you can always strike up a conversation.

Sunrise!

2011-02-24T18:49:00.001-08:00

5 more minutes of QT please

2011-02-24T18:47:00.001-08:00

Inspire your Valentine this year.

2011-02-08T18:01:00.000-08:00

http://www.charitywater.org/mailings/2011_february_valentines/

The Kwiat Waterdrop bracelet. We've partnered with Kwiat to create the Diamond Waterdrop bracelet.Give one to your Valentine and help support the work of charity: water.Order one for your girl (or guy) by Wednesday, Feb. 9, to get it in time for Valentine's Day!All profits support the operating costs of charity: water and help us grow.

Donate + print a charity: water Valentine card. Give the gift of clean water in the name of your sweetheart,then print a card to let them know about your gift. Choose your own amount;$20 can provide one person with access to clean and safe drinking water.100% of your donation will directly fund clean water projects.

Bertha's Restaurant and Bar

2011-01-25T18:25:00.000-08:00

734 S Broadway
Baltimore, MD 21231
(410) 327-5795

Load up on your bumper stickers! I didn't know what to do with mine!

There are a lot of space and tables here. Room for everyone! Service was great and the food came fairly quickly. It filled up surprisingly quick for a weekday.

I ordered the coconut milk lemon cilantro mussel specials for the night. I wasn't knocked off my feet. The mussels were a bit smaller than I'd like but there was a heap given. The sauce was more broth-like than creamy. For the Guinness fans out there, perhaps you may enjoy the Guinness and Old Bay steamed shrimps. The best dish that night was the grilled calamari with cilantro garlic and red pepper. Tender and tasty!

17th Light and Lounge

2011-01-25T17:40:00.001-08:00

17th Light St
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 454-8904

17th light and lounge is located inside the Marriott at the corner of light. They are a bit under lit but it was nice the day I went since it started snowing.

I ordered the red wine sangria but it wasn't as rich as I expected. It was a bit light and he added maraschino cherries. err.. The Old Bay wings was worth it though. Piping hot and crispy wings sprinkled with Old Bay to give it a kicker. Dogfish Head Battered Fat Onion Rings with spicy ketchup was wonderful. The batter was nice and thin and the onion rings were nice and juicy!

The special that night was sesame crusted seared tuna salad. It came with both a side salad AND seaweed salad...what? Both were great though but the sesame crust for the seared tuna was way too thick and took away the taste of the seared tuna.

Faidley Seafood

2011-01-25T17:36:00.000-08:00

200 North Paca Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 727-4898

Finally! After numerous attempts to go there. Beware, they close by 5pm. They are located in the Lexington Market so you may have to roam around before you find it. There is an outdoor parking lot right next to it but I also hear there are other lots as well.

Crabcakes and oysters on the half shell. That is all you need to get. I was thrown off with the old signs they had up. A dozen oysters for $1?? Those were the original signs from way back when. A dozen oysters can run you about $19 total. James was shucking as quick as the orders were coming in. He was super nice and has quite a long history of working there.

Order the meaty crabcake lump. Enough said!

Sal's Italian Ristorante

2011-01-25T17:26:00.000-08:00

14535 SW 5 Street
Pembroke Pines, FL 33027
(954) 239-0563

Delish! I pleasantly stumbled upon them this week. Sal's is afford-ably priced as well.

The mussel marinara under the starters was plump and loaded with sauce. They had me slurping the rest of the sauce up even though I ran out of mussels! The antipasto salad for 2 is really for two even though I normally have a huge appetite. I saved the rest for later tonight!

Italian Sausage Spaghetti

2010-12-09T11:09:00.000-08:00

This is a little different than how I normally make this but I am willing to give it a try!

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/italian_sausage_spaghetti/

Ingredients

1 large Italian sweet sausage
1 large Italian hot and spicy sausage
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic
3/4 large (28 oz) can of whole tomatoes
Olive oil

1 lb (16 oz) spaghetti pasta
Salt

Grated Parmesan cheese

Method

The Sauce:
Take the Italian sausage meat out of the sausage casings. Break up into pieces and mix the sweet and spicy sausage meats together. Brown the sausage meat in a large skillet on medium high or high heat with a little olive oil. In a separate skillet sauté the onions and garlic until the onions are translucent. Purée the tomatoes in a blender, add to the skillet with the sausage meat. Add the cooked onions and garlic.

The Pasta
Fill an 8-quart or larger stock pot at least half full with water and bring to a boil. Add a tablespoon of salt. Slowly add the pasta, stirring to prevent clumping. Allow the water to come to a boil again. Cook, uncovered, with a fairly vigorous boil, for as long as the directions on the pasta package say, usually about 10-12 minutes. When pasta is al dente (cooked but still a little firm), remove the pot from the heat. Add a cup or two of cold water to the pasta to stop the cooking. Drain the water from the pasta through a colander. Place the pasta in a serving bowl.

Serve immediately. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese.

Serves 4-6.

Sujebi Korean Hand-Torn Noodles

2010-12-09T09:54:00.000-08:00

Soo Rak San House of Noodles, Koreatown Los Angeles - Sujebi Korean Hand-Torn Noodles

so nice and warm and soup-y .... yummm

31 Days: Style Tips and Tricks

2010-12-09T08:49:00.000-08:00

http://www.valetmag.com/the-handbook/features/31-days/index.php?31days_top_handbook

Market by Jean-Georges

2010-12-05T09:54:00.000-08:00

It was a bad stormy night. Although this was not my original pick, I saw free tables and walked in. It didnt hit me that this was Market by Jean-Georges but that was a plus. It's located inside the W hotel so the decor was swanky and modern.

The service was stupendous and everyone was friendly. Everyone wanted to know if everything was okay and how your dinner is. The water and drinks was never empty.

The Yellowfin Tuna Steak was great. I ordered it medium rare and outside was lightly seared and the inside was just right. The Sautéed Broccoli Rabe with Lemon Zest and Olive Oil was a bit tough but was sprinkled with red pepper flakes (it was indeed a kicker!)

http://www.yelp.com/biz/market-by-jean-georges-boston#hrid:9N2SvpkedrVSxrmv5RMtuA

Wolfgang Puck Gourmet Express - Boston, MA

2010-12-05T09:52:00.001-08:00

The set up was great here with the dark wood and modern look.

The service was nice and friendly. They were always attentive.

Some bottles and draft beer was available. Wine was also. I had ordered the Spinach, Mushroom and Goat Cheese Pizza which was decent. However, the oil was a little heavy and the crust was a little thick. All the special pizzas came in personal sizes. There were a few other items as appetizers, soups, and sandwiches on the menu for next time!

http://www.yelp.com/biz/wolfgang-puck-gourmet-express-boston#hrid:o7bE14pJw1uAxuU84V9eBw

Sam Snead's Grill and Tavern - Tampa, FL

2010-12-05T09:51:00.001-08:00

There's not too many people here as lunch is just opening.

Service is friendly and great here. The bartender mid-week today is very personable.

I agree but expected that the prices are moderate. I wanted the wings but since I will be taking it on the flight.. it might get a little messy... I'll stick with something clean today like the Cheese Chicken and Nuts Salad. Sadly, the salad was mediocre and there wasn't anything special with it. Basically, greens with honey mustard. I'll keep in mind to order a few other items next time!

Gourmet Dumpling House - Boston, MA

2010-12-05T09:48:00.000-08:00

What a crowd. It was out the door. This was no joke! It was 7:30pm on a Thursday so it was prime time dinner. The place was packed and there were more people waiting after me.

The service was quick as any Chinese place would be. It seems the other food looked and smelled so great especially that at the next table! The rice cake with pork and picked veggies was good and hit the spot. The crab and meat soup dumplings/ xiao long baos, however, was disappointing to me. The skin was so much larger than the dumpling but the meat wasn't. It was all this extra skin that was thicker than I remembered also. I eventually had to leave the skin on the side and eat the meat. Hopefully, the port versions are better. Let's see for next time!

http://www.yelp.com/biz/gourmet-dumpling-house-boston#hrid:5lQakThIzdvlvo9oawXSmA

Turkey Shepherd's Pie with Leftover Mashed Potatoes

2010-11-30T19:56:00.001-08:00

IMG00060-20101130-1856.jpg
Originally uploaded by bloorozez

WOW! This was magnificent!

I got rid of all the turkey and everyone was requesting thirds. It was nuts!I didn't use all 2 cups of broth it requested. Even one cup was WAY too much and I had to spoon out the filling by itself for the pie. I ended up using the left over broth for the mash potatoes and that enhanced the flavor of the potatoes even more. Too bad there wasn't any leftovers because I could have gone for another slice but I guess that's a good thing....

Turkey Shepherd's Pie with Leftover Mashed Potatoes

Thanksgiving for 2.5

2010-11-30T19:30:00.001-08:00

I mean.. how do you really cook for 2.5 when you really want to cook for 20. It's better that it was only 2.5 this year since there was a little mishap that I would rather not discuss. Let's just say, Thanksgiving was so crazy that the cooking didn't start to late so it resulted in the actual meal the following day. Oh, great.

The spread shot to come but here are some of the ones I used this year:

Creamed Corn
Baked Sweet Potato Wedges
Simple Herb-Roasted Turkey

added a side of cranberries and stuffing and top it off with some favorite drinks.

That was more than enough food.

Rain Drops on Charlotte's Web

2010-11-21T16:14:00.000-08:00

EASY STUFFED PEPPERS

2010-11-16T17:51:00.000-08:00

the cheating fast way!

4 bell peppers (any color)
1 box Rice-a-Roni, garden vegetable flavor
1 lb. hamburger or ground beef
1 14 oz. can diced tomatoes

1. Prepare the Rice-a-Roni or another rice/couscous box according to box directions.

2. Cook hamburger or ground beef

3. Mix cooked hamburger with can of diced tomatoes and the cooked Rice-a-Roni.

4. Cut the tops off the bell peppers, and clean seeds and ribs from the insides.

5. Spoon the rice mixture into the bell peppers

6. Put aluminum foil on a cookie sheet for easy clean up and place the stuffed peppers on the tray.

7. Bake at 370F for 20 min.

Voila, you have stuffed peppers!

hanging

2010-11-16T06:59:00.000-08:00

LOVE this idea. thanks guys! <3

WholeFoods: Classic Butternut Squash Soup

2010-11-04T19:22:00.000-07:00

Serves 6

Secret Ingredient: 365 Everyday Value Organic Low Sodium Chicken Broth

Put a spin on this creamy butternut squash soup with one of our flavorful variations: apple with Gorgonzola and almonds, thai or southwestern. To learn how to make this recipe, watch the Secret Ingredient cooking show.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
2/3 cup diced carrot (about 1 (8-inch) large carrot)
1/2 cup diced celery (about 1 (11-inch) large stalk)
2/3 cup diced onion (about 1 medium onion)
4 cups cubed butternut squash (about 1 medium squash)
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
4 to 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste

Method

Heat olive oil in a large soup pot. Add carrot, celery and onion. Cook until vegetables have begun to soften and onion turns translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add butternut squash and thyme. Stir to combine with vegetables. Stir in chicken broth and season with salt and pepper.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until squash is fork-tender, about 30 minutes. Use an immersion blender to puree soup. Alternatively, let the soup cool slightly and carefully puree in batches in a traditional blender.

Variations:

Apple, Gorgonzola and Almond
Follow recipe above and stir a cup of applesauce into pureed soup. Garnish each serving with a tablespoon crumbled Rogue Creamery Gorgonzola, a tablespoon of toasted whole almonds, a few slices of thinly sliced apple and a small sprig of fresh thyme.

Thai Flavors
Stir a tablespoon red curry paste and 2 teaspoons chopped fresh ginger into carrot, celery and onion mixture. Cook until vegetables are tender and ginger is aromatic. Add squash, cook until tender, then add broth and 1/2-cup light or regular coconut milk. Season with salt and pepper. Puree soup and garnish each serving with 1 or 2 pappadums, a tablespoon toasted coconut flakes and a tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro. NOTE: Pappadums are available on the snack food aisle.

Southwestern Spin
Add a tablespoon chopped chipotles in adobo to carrot, celery and onion mixture. Cook until vegetables are tender. Add squash, cook until tender, then add broth. Season with salt and pepper. Puree soup and garnish each serving with 2 tablespoons crumbled queso fresco, a tablespoon cumin-toasted pumpkin seeds and a tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro. NOTE: Canned chipotles in adobo sauce are available on the Mexican food aisle.

Nutrition

Per serving (379.77g-wt.): 140 calories (50 from fat), 6g total fat, 1g saturated fat, 6g protein, 20g total carbohydrate (5g dietary fiber, 4g sugar), 0mg cholesterol, 180mg sodium

Sunset

2010-11-03T17:09:00.000-07:00

I havent caught a sunset in a while! It's perfect!

Fusilli with Spicy Pesto

2010-10-22T18:13:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

Pesto:

1 cup chopped walnuts
2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
1 (2-inch long) red or green jalapeno pepper, stemmed and coarsely chopped* see Cook's Note
2 cups grated (4 ounces) Asiago cheese
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 ounces baby spinach
3 ounces arugula
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound fusilli pasta
4 ounces Asiago cheese, shaved

Directions

For the pesto: In a food processor, combine the walnuts, garlic, jalapeno, cheese, salt and pepper. Process until the mixture is smooth. Add the spinach and arugula and process until blended. With the machine running, gradually add the olive oil.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water. Place the cooked pasta and pesto in a large serving bowl. Toss well and thin out the sauce with a little pasta water, if needed.

Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Garnish with Asiago cheese shavings and serve.

*Cook's Note: For a milder pesto, remove the seeds from the jalapeno pepper.

Thanks, Giada!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/fusilli-with-spicy-pesto-recipe/index.html

EatingWell's Eggplant Parmesan

2010-10-17T20:09:00.000-07:00

2 eggplants, (about 2 pounds total)
3 egg whites
3 tablespoons water
1 cup fine dry breadcrumbs
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, (1 ounce), divided
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup slivered fresh basil leaves
2 1/2 cups tomato sauce
3/4 cup grated part-skim mozzarella cheese, (3 ounces)

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/eatingwells_eggplant_parmesan.html

Lemon Pasta with Roasted Shrimp

2010-10-11T16:43:00.000-07:00

Thanks, Ina Garten!!

Ingredients

2 pounds (17 to 21 count) shrimp, peeled and deveined
Good olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound angel hair pasta
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
2 lemons, zested and juiced

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Place the shrimp on a sheet pan with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Toss well, spread them in 1 layer, and roast for 6 to 8 minutes, just until they're pink and cooked through.

Meanwhile, drizzle some olive oil in a large pot of boiling salted water, add the angel hair, and cook al dente, about 3 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving some of the cooking liquid. Quickly toss the angel hair with the melted butter, 1/4 cup olive oil, the lemon zest, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon pepper and about 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking liquid. Add the shrimp and serve hot.

Lemon Garlic Herb Filet & Zucchini Thyme

2010-10-08T15:56:00.000-07:00

Came out better than I expected! I marinaded the fish for a little while (http://www.lawrys.com/Products/Marinades/Herb--Garlic.aspx) and lightly drizzled a little more before I put the fish in for 15 minutes at 400 degrees. It came out nice and moist and perfect! The top was a little light crust especially since I sprinkled a pinch of grated Parmesan Cheese on top.

For the zucchini, I used the Zucchini Thyme recipe from Simply Recipes it was scrumptious! The only problem was I was a little heavy on the salt. My fault! Next time, I may not use the salt since I have a bouillon cube and butter already in there. A few pieces I left for a minute too long and it was overcooked. Watch your zucchini like she warned!

Tea Of Life White Tea Series, Pomegranate

2010-10-07T07:47:00.001-07:00

I admit. I am NOT a tea drinker. Tea likes to hint a lot. Hint of every flavor there may be out there. I have more of a *BAM* here is your flavor taste buds. I was pleasantly surprised by this Pomegranate White Tea. I really enjoyed it! Good thing it comes with 50 tea bags! I might just make some iced tea with it too!

Huntsville Botanical Garden

2010-10-07T07:47:00.000-07:00

4747 Bob Wallace Ave SW
Huntsville, AL 35805

Such a great and beautiful places for everyone including those who come alone, those who come with their significant others, and families.

I didn't realize how much there was to see and how big this park was. I tried to hit everything but my trip was cut short due to a thunderstorm. I tried to brave through it but it got pretty bad out there. Not to mention that I was under some electrical wires. Yikes. If you have a few hours to spare and it is a gorgeous day out, pack your bags and head over.

They had a nature education center, a children's garden, a herb garden, dogwood trail, bonsai display, day lily garden, vegetable garden, and a few other collections. They had the most pleasant and friendly staff and a wonderful robust gift shop. The cafe area was not open when I was there but it looks like they served food and side drinks. It's a wonderful way to spend a day.

The Shops at Wiregrass

2010-10-06T19:53:00.001-07:00

LOVE it here! It's clean, bright and happy feeling, waterfalls, outdoor music, plants, trees, and did I mention clean? What more can I ask for?

It is set up like an outlet (the outdoors concept) but it a lot more pleasant feeling. You can walk around and enjoy yourself. Tired from shopping? Take a seat on the wooden benches or the rocking chairs.

They have high scale stores like Williams-Sonoma, teen stores like Hollister and Aeropostale, department stores such as Macys and JC Penny, and a few special boutiques. Barnes & Noble is one of the favorites.

There are many delicious looking restaurants with beautiful decors scattered around the mall. There is even a late nite "club" that I have yet to visit. They do have food shops such as Moe's Southwest Grill, Cosi, a Teriyaki shop, and a Crepe shop.

Looking for an evening or holiday event? They got it. Just look out for the large banners when you pass by and make sure you pay attention to the details (time and date) since I show up at the wrong times/dates sometimes.

Mercurio's Mulberry Creamery

2010-10-06T19:48:00.000-07:00

733 Copeland St
Pittsburgh, PA 15232

I saw the sign for this delightful gelato shop after dinner one night and rushed in (even though my pasta fish dish was enough to feed 3!). I was glad I did. I caught them during the end of the day but the friendly staff was still glad to serve me.

I sample of everything, I shouted. A few of their daily flavors include: Butter Pecan (No Sugar Added), Banana Strawberry Swirl, Blueberry Muffin, Chocolate Marshmallow, Coconut Cream Pie, Cookies n Cream, Dark Chocolate Stracciatella, Death By Chocolate, Fior di Latte, Gianduia, Hazelnut, Key Lime, Lemon Sorbetto, Mango, Mint Chocolate Chunk, Mulberry Cream w/ Chocolate Chunks, Peanut Butter Cup, Pistachio, Raspberry & Truffles, Strawberry Cheesecake, Tiramisu, Vanilla Custard, Dulce De Leche, Birthday Cake, and Caramel Latte --- but that's not all! There is another listing of Rotating Flavors for you to enjoy!

Lancaster Arts Hotel

2010-10-06T19:46:00.000-07:00

300 Harrisburg Ave
Lancaster, PA 17603

LOVE LOVE LOVE this hotel! Love the deco! Love the service! Love the chic feeling of it and how each space is decorated with a different piece of art. The conference room is even used as a rotating gallery. Love!

Let's not forget the restaurant and bar that is attached downstairs. There is no gym but who needs one here when you are busy with everything else. John J. Jeffries is a great restaurant that tries to stay with local foods. If that is not satisfying for you, if you go a little further, there are additional chains of restaurants and eateries.

http://www.lancasterartshotel.com/

King and I

2010-10-05T19:51:00.000-07:00

145 Charles Street
Boston, MA 02228

The service was quick and friendly. The space was a bit crammed. I think they tried to fit too many tables in there.

Maybe I should have ordered the Thai iced coffee since it seems to be authentic. I ordered the Shrimp and Mushroom Soup that wasn't impressive. I also ordered the Chicken Curry but for once I could not finish the dish. I really do hope the other dishes are better since I had a mediocre experience overall. I'm hoping to find a satisfying Thai restaurant soon!

Washoku Cafe

2010-10-05T19:37:00.000-07:00

9 E 37th St
New York, NY 10016

I had no idea this place was hidden within the gloomy midtown buildings. The store front is very deceiving and there is a little stand up cafe in the front where they serve coffee and muffins. There is another curtain further in and when you walk through it's a whole new world. Perhaps the curtain makes it exclusive. Lunch gets quite busy but it looks like it quiets down in the evenings. Perhaps they don't feel the pressure to have a high turn over and a line out the door.

They have fresh sushi and someone making it for the lunch hours. There are a limited variety of Domburi, Udon, Soba, Salads, Japanese Curry Rice scribbled on the chalkboard menu. There is an even smaller variety of drinks. However, this narrows down your decision quicker.

They only serve 1-2 different ramens depending on the season and week and I've tried a few. The thick broth tended to be more on the salty side but are still delicious to me.

Mixing it all up tonight

2010-10-04T19:01:00.000-07:00

- Pork Chops with Onions, Carrots, and Mushrooms
- Eggs with Shrimp and Chives
- Sazon Rice

Mushroom Sausage Omelets with Chives for breakfast!

2010-10-04T18:58:00.000-07:00

McCormick® -- Hearty Chili Roni

2010-10-04T15:48:00.000-07:00

Makes 6 servings.

Cook Time: 25 minutes

INGREDIENTS

1 pound ground beef

1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 package McCormick® Chili Seasoning Mix, Original

1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can (14 ounces) reduced sodium beef broth

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 1/2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS

1. Cook ground beef, bell pepper and onion in large skillet on medium-high heat 4 to 5 minutes or until beef is browned. Add Seasoning Mix; stir until well mixed.

2. Stir in tomatoes, beef broth and tomato paste. Bring to boil. Stir in macaroni. Reduce heat to medium; cover and cook 10 minutes or until pasta is tender.

3. Sprinkle with cheese; cover. Let stand 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Attempted my own copy of COSI's Signature Salad with a few switch in ingredients!

2010-09-30T19:02:00.000-07:00

Grandma Maronis Meatballs 100 Year Old Recipe

2010-09-25T14:51:00.001-07:00

1 pound ground chuck
4 ounces dried bread crumbs
4 large eggs
4 ounces whole milk
6 ounces grated Romano
3 ounces grated Spanish onion
2 ounces finely diced fresh garlic
2 ounces finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
2 ounces finely chopped fresh basil leaves

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a baking sheet with olive oil cooking spray.

Mix all ingredients thoroughly in large bowl. If mixture seems a little loose add more bread crumbs.

Roll meatballs loosely about the size of a golf ball and place on baking sheet. Place into preheated oven for approximately 35 to 40 minutes. Enjoy!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/throwdown-with-bobby-flay/grandma-maronis-meatballs-100-year-old-recipe-recipe/index.html

Parmesan Croutons

2010-09-21T19:53:00.000-07:00

Parmesan Croutons

4 cups Bread Cubes
4 Tbsp Olive Oil
1/2 tsp Oregano
1/2 tsp Salt
4 Tbsp Parmesan Cheese, finely shredded

Preheat oven to 375°F. Toss cubed bread with olive oil.
Bake until the croutons are a light golden brown. As soon as the croutons are removed from the oven, toss with oregano, cheese and a little salt.

Cool completely and serve. You can also store in an airtight container or freeze until needed.

Filet Mignon with Rosemary and Mushroom Gravy

2010-09-21T19:18:00.000-07:00

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis

Prep Time: 12 min

Inactive Prep Time: 5 min

Cook Time: 30 min

Level:Easy

Serves:4 servings

Ingredients

Steaks:

Vegetable oil cooking spray
2 (8-ounce) filet mignon steaks
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil

Gravy:

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 large or 4 small shallots, minced
2 cups (about 5 ounces) assorted mushrooms, such as cremini, shiitake and button, coarsely chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup dry Marsala wine
1 1/2 cups low-sodium beef broth
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves
1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

Directions

Steak: Put an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a small baking sheet with vegetable oil cooking spray. Set aside. Season the steaks with salt and pepper, to taste. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the steaks and brown on all sides, about 4 minutes. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes for medium-rare doneness. Let the steaks rest for 5 minutes on a cutting board.

Gravy: In the same skillet used for the steak, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and mushrooms and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook until the shallots are soft, about 5 minutes. Add the wine and scrape up the brown bits that cling to the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Cook until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 2 minutes. Stir in the beef broth and rosemary. Whisk in the flour until smooth. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until half of the liquid has evaporated and the sauce has thickened slightly, about 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the butter until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Cutting across the grain, slice the steak into 1/4-inch thick slices and arrange on a platter. Pour the sauce into a serving bowl and serve alongside the meat.

Thanks Simply Recipes!

2010-09-15T16:42:00.000-07:00

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/chicken_marinara

Tried it and love it!

Jimmy Tsang's Chinese Restaurant

2010-09-11T11:41:00.000-07:00

5700 Centre Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
(412) 661-4226

I was expecting a lot more from JT but realized that it is a restaurant that serves both chinese and korean but not in a fusion type of way. It merely has a chinese menu and a korean menu. The idea was cute. They even have typical chinese lunch specials.

The deco needs upgrading and dusting -- some lighting or even natural light (its like walking in a cave!) and some other reviews were right that it has a hint of smoke in the air.

I had a craving for comfort food and ordered Jajangmyeon and grilled calamari. The tea and water was served as I sat down. I went a little after the lunch rush so there was not too many people. The calamari came out promptly and the Jajangmyeon took a little longer. The portions were huge!

What took the longest and annoyed me the most (I was the only one left at the restaurant) was waiting for the check. Why does waiting for the check take 45 minutes? They never came the clear the table or walked by so that I could signal that I needed the check. I should have just walked out. The food was okay but I seriously needed to get in and out of there in a certain time frame that they didn't help with. You may want to consider going when you have a 2 hour lunch break.

another attempt at the crust for the pepper and sausage pizza

2010-09-02T19:33:00.000-07:00

Evening Sky

2010-08-26T19:59:00.001-07:00

Evening Sky
Originally uploaded by bloorozezIt is not often you see clouds likes this in Queens!

Wild card @ uppercrust

2010-08-26T19:58:00.001-07:00

Wild card @ uppercrust
Originally uploaded by bloorozez

Upper Crust Pizzeria
20 Charles St
Boston, MA 02114

I came during lunch and it was like Grand Central Terminal! Always check the website for the special slice of the day.

There is limited seating so to-go would be the better option. Once they have your order its usually a some what short wait till they call your name when your slice is ready. I would say stick with the pizza and skip the salad. Both ended up almost $10 which is a bit pricey (almost $5 for a mehhh salad!) but if you saw the Wild Card slice I got -- whoa! It was enough for 2 big slices! Regardless, I enjoyed the extra extra large slice of under the kitchen sink and rolled myself out of there. I have heard that their pies are quite a wait especially delivery.

Snacks Galore @ Pittsburgh!

2010-08-04T21:45:00.000-07:00

I use to be a huge snacker.. then the desire died down. All of a sudden for this time around I couldn't help but get some munchies. I stumbled into this great supermarket by the hotel called Market District and it reminded me a bit of Whole Foods and Trader Joe. It was great!

I came across a huge pile of chocolate chip cookies from a local place called Sweet Tammys. I instantly bought some and they were not too soft and held on it own. Nice and sweet!

I also picked up a mini container of premium sweet tea from Turner Dairy and had my gallon of water along side of it expecting it to be as crazy sweet as the sweet tea they serve in the south or nowadays McDonald's nationwide. To my pleasant surprise, it was just right. Which is something I didn't expect. I guess I didn't need to be prepared to water it down!

Now back to snacking in my hotel while I work...

Dairy Queen Miracle Treat Day

2010-08-04T19:25:00.000-07:00

Dairy Queen Miracle Treat Day

Squid Sashimi @ Sik Gaek Seafood Restaurant

2010-06-24T06:18:00.001-07:00

hahah thanks for sharing, jw1976!

it made my stomach churn but so cool! lol

VIDEO0007

Today's meeting got me rather creative...

2010-06-21T20:02:00.001-07:00

Today's meeting got me rather creative...
Originally uploaded by bloorozez

just because i doodle and make outrageous objects does not mean that i am not listening or paying attention to what is going on in the meeting. sometimes i just that creative flare and have to create something at the moment. hence, my poland spring superman and a crazy drawing inspired by the january birthday cupcakes that just arrive at the receptionist's desk.

Restaurants Raise Money to Help the Gulf

2010-06-06T10:01:00.001-07:00

Restaurants Raise Money to Help the Gulf Region: ...fisherman, oystermen and shrimpers affected... http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/04/restaurants-raise-money-to-help-the-gulf-region/?partner=rss&emc=rss

Please help

2010-05-27T18:55:00.000-07:00

Please help a friend with her fundraising for the upcoming Team In Training in the Mission to wipe out blood cancers ♥

http://pages.teamintraining.org/nj/WyckoffT10/ljanove

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training (TNT) offers hands-on training unlike any other program. You'll get more help than with other charities, gyms, online training programs or sports clubs. We're an established network of coaches, mentors and teammates, built by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society over the past 22 years.

We set your training regimen. We advise you on nutrition and injury prevention. We hold weekly team workouts to encourage one another and stay on track.

TNT trains for events around the country and abroad. Challenge yourself to complete a marathon, half marathon, triathlon, hiking event or 100 mile bike ride. Pick the event that suits you. Travel to a destination with your team for a weekend. Or gear up for a local event closer to home.

Click here for details about our events or to attend an upcoming information meeting near you.

Honey-Soy Broiled Salmon

2010-04-26T13:44:00.000-07:00

from eatingwell.com

Even those who don't normally eat fish loved this! It has a sweet, tangy and salty mixture of soy sauce, rice vinegar and honey which served as marinade and sauce. I didn't add the sesame seeds since I didn't have any but I am sure it would've made it a little nutty and more presentable. Who the heck cares about presentation when you have an eager crowd? We devoured it before I was able to get a shot in to post. Next time!

*Make it a meal: Serve with brown rice and sautéed red peppers and zucchini slices

4 servings / Active Time: 20 minutes / Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

1 scallion, minced
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
1 pound center-cut salmon fillet, skinned (see Tip) and cut into 4 portions
1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds, (see Tip)

Preparation

Whisk scallion, soy sauce, vinegar, honey and ginger in a medium bowl until the honey is dissolved. Place salmon in a sealable plastic bag, add 3 tablespoons of the sauce and refrigerate; let marinate for 15 minutes. Reserve the remaining sauce.
Preheat broiler. Line a small baking pan with foil and coat with cooking spray.
Transfer the salmon to the pan, skinned-side down. (Discard the marinade.) Broil the salmon 4 to 6 inches from the heat source until cooked through, 6 to 10 minutes. Drizzle with the reserved sauce and garnish with sesame seeds.

Tips & Notes

Tips: How to skin a salmon fillet: Place skin-side down. Starting at the tail end, slip a long knife between the fish flesh and the skin, holding down firmly with your other hand. Gently push the blade along at a 30° angle, separating the fillet from the skin without cutting through either.
To toast sesame seeds, heat a small dry skillet over low heat. Add seeds and stir constantly, until golden and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and let cool.

Nutrition

Per serving: 234 calories; 13 g fat (3 g sat, 5 g mono); 67 mg cholesterol; 6 g carbohydrates; 4 g added sugars; 23 g protein; 0 g fiber; 335 mg sodium; 444 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Selenium (60% daily value), excellent source of omega-3s.

1/2 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1/2 other carbohydrate

Spring!

2010-04-20T20:03:00.001-07:00

Ramen Lovers

2010-04-14T07:51:00.001-07:00

http://www.bento.com/phgal3.html --- I WANNA GO!

Meet Louis McKenzie.

2010-04-09T07:28:00.000-07:00

Before the earthquake, eight-year-old Louis Mackenzie lived in Port-Au-Prince. Today, he lives in Kampech. But he can't drink the water here. http://www.charitywater.org/mailings/unshaken2.html

One Day Without Shoes - Join Us April 8th

2010-04-09T07:27:00.000-07:00

One Day Without Shoes - Join Us April 8th - TOMS.com

www.onedaywithoutshoes.com

It's Hard To Imagine, But Most Children In Developing Countries Grow Up Barefoot. TOMS Is Working To Change That. Walk A Day Without Shoes With Us On April 8th.

Clemente's Maryland Crabhouse

2010-03-13T18:40:00.000-08:00

Clemente's Maryland Crabhouse

My gf told me about this place and we went over for a Sunday lunch.

It was right next to the highway and hard to locate especially if you are trying to use a GPS to get there. The restaurant is surrounded bu dirt and pebble filled roads. The outside of the restaurant is painted colorfully with an "under the sea" theme.

There were many tables that can house small and large parties. It was nice because there is an open dock over the water where it looks like they serve drinks during the warmer days. In addition, they have a very large standing area where the bar is.

The crab chowder was a bit disappointing since I didn't taste much but vegetables and potatoes. There were some strips of crab in there but it wasn't much. The half shell oysters were good and fresh. My friend had the chicken teriyaki and it was moist and heavy on the sauce. The Mesculin Greens with Clemente's Balsamic Vinaigrette was very good and refreshing. The Zuppe De Mussels in Red Sauce was heavy on the tomato taste. I couldn't really taste the natural taste of it. We didn't get to try the AYCE CRABS for $30 but maybe next time!

They are a little slower on the service. My water was only filled once and there was no follow up filling! They are cash only also!

Lilly, Merck, And Pfizer Announce the Formation of the Asian Cancer Research Group, Inc.

2010-03-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

http://www.worldpharmanews.com/content/view/1126/27/

Eli Lilly and Company, Merck (also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) outside the USA and Canada), and Pfizer Inc. announced the formation of the Asian Cancer Research Group, Inc., (ACRG), an independent, not-for-profit company established to accelerate research and ultimately improve treatment for patients affected with the most commonly-diagnosed cancers in Asia.

Sweet Grilled Chicken

2010-01-23T19:20:00.001-08:00

2 tbsp. acceptable vegetable oil
1/4 c. honey
3 tbsp. red wine vinegar
1/4 c. low-sodium soy sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tbsp. finely chopped fresh parsley
2 tsp. grated fresh ginger or 1 tsp. ginger powder
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
12 pieces chicken, about 3 1/2 to 4 lbs., skinned, all visible fat removed

In a bowl, combine all marinade ingredients and mix well. Add chicken and turn to coat all pieces. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, turning occasionally.

Grilling method: Grill chicken pieces 6 inches away from white-hot coals. Grill 30 to 45 minutes, brushing pieces with marinade and turning pieces frequently, until chicken is tender but not dry.

Broiler method: Preheat broiler. Arrange chicken pieces on baking sheet and place 5 inches away from the heat. Broil 25 to 30 minutes, brushing pieces with marinade and turning frequently, until chicken is tender but not dry.

Makes 6 servings (2 pieces of chicken per serving); 286 calories per serving.

Marinated Baked Pork Chops w side of rice & beans (and salad)

2010-01-23T18:55:00.000-08:00

Prep Time: 15 Min
Cook Time: 1 Hr +

Ingredients

1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons ketchup
6 pork chops, trimmed

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a small bowl, thoroughly blend soy sauce, vegetable oil, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar, and ketchup.
Place pork chops in a medium baking dish, and spread with 1/2 the sauce.
Bake pork chops 30 minutes in the preheated oven. Turn, and spread with remaining sauce. Continue baking 30 minutes, or until internal temperature of the chops has reached 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).

Amount Per Serving Calories: 275 | Total Fat: 16.8g | Cholesterol: 66mg

Sausage and Pepper Pizza

2010-01-23T18:45:00.000-08:00

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Baking Time: 15-20 minutes

basic pizza dough recipe
1 red, 1 green or yellow bell pepper, sliced or chopped
1 can tomato sauce
2 links of sweet Italian sausage, cooked and thinly sliced or chopped
1 cup grated mozzarella cheese

1. Preheat oven to 450 deg. F.

2. On a floured surface, roll out pizza dough into desired size and place on a pizza screen or baking sheet dusted with cornmeal. Turn outer edge under 1/2 inch to form a rim.

3. Spread tomato sauce over crust and top with mozzarella cheese. Arrange sautéed vegetables and sausage on top over all. Bake until cheese melts and crust turns golden brown, about 15-20 minutes.

Yoga by donation for Haiti

2010-01-20T17:05:00.001-08:00

together with

present...

4 days of Yoga by donation for Haiti
through Doctors Without Borders
thursday thru sunday, january 21 - 24
2 great jones nyc (btw broadway & lafayette)

Yoga Classes by OTM

Raffle

Eco Shopping by Greenfinds

Schedule: (please try to bring your own mat)

Thursday
12pm Yoga w/ Joy Gottlieb
7pm Yoga w/ Amber Campion

Friday
12pm Yoga w/ Megan Lewicki Quesada
7pm Yoga w/ Liza Laird

Saturday
2pm Yoga w/ Veronica Perretti
4pm Yoga w/ Caitlin Talbot

Sunday
2pm Yoga w/Monica Russell
4pm Yoga w/ Megan Lewicki Quesada

Sunday Evening
5pm: Music/DJs, snacks, shopping, and raffle drawing, meet other local yogi activists, gather around sending healing energy and funds to Haiti.

Sunday Evening Drawing for:

Manduka Yoga Starter Kit,
Reflexology, Life Coaching Sessions, Pilates Classes, Private Yoga Sessions and more contributed daily. Stay Tuned.

Sample Sale Prices and Great Deals on:

and more!

	Thanks to our sponsors:

contact Julie Brooker julieanne_brooker@yahoo.com for more information or to donate.
www.greenfinds.com

Partners in Health

2010-01-19T10:49:00.001-08:00

Dear Friends and Colleagues

As you are aware, Haiti was hit by the worst earthquake in their history. The devastation is enormous and and a tremendous influx of immediate aid is needed to avert an even greater loss of life.

Many have asked in the past few days which Haitian focused charities I would recommend. I wanted to share the info below about PIH.

Partners in Health (PIH) is the largest nongovernmental health care provider in Haiti for the past 25 years. It was started by Paul Farmer, an American . Paul Farmer is the Presley Professor of Social Medicine at the Harvard Medical School, the co-founder of Partners In Health, and the deputy to Bill Clinton, United Nations Special Envoy for Haiti.

Please help Partners in Health by contributing WHATEVER YOU CAN--NO AMOUNT IS TOO SMALL. Please copy and paste the url below:

http://act.pih.org/page/outreach/view/personal/MartinePolicard

Through this page you can give any small amount: $1, $5, $10--- know that your donation is contributing to an important, direct effort that will have impact on the lives of the affect Haitian people.

Please FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO YOUR FRIEND at work or anywhere

Thank you for your generosity

Martine Policard

provide aid and relief

2010-01-17T13:03:00.000-08:00

I was able to grab a list from TripAdvisor of several organizations currently working to provide aid and relief. We encourage you to help if you can. Thank you.

The American Red Cross

www.redcross.org

Text "Haiti" to 90999 to donate $10 (billed to your phone)

The United Nations World Food Program

www.wfp.org

The Salvation Army

www.salvationarmyusa.org

Action Against Hunger

www.actionagainsthunger.org

Project HOPE

www.projecthope.org

Partners in Health

www.pih.org

Henrietta's Table

2010-01-11T17:18:00.001-08:00

http://www.yelp.com/biz/henriettas-table-cambridge#hrid:BcWNiRbj0Uy3iHb_qVxxew

This was a GREAT find while I was visiting. The entrance was filled with edible goodies and unique items. The decoration is very country like and spacious. They have enough room for everyone and takes reservations. There is a connecting outdoor seating for drinks and can serve as a waiting area.

Their philosophy is "fresh from the farm and honest-to-goodness New England cooking." The service was a mirror image of their great attitude.

We had a taste of a few things on the menu and I'd have to say that they were all delicious! A few to recommend would be:
Spinach Salad, Satsuma Mandarins, Westfield Farm Chevre, and Spicy Maple Pecan Vinaigrette; Grilled Balsamic Portobello, Great Hill Blue Cheese, and Warm Nitrate Free Bacon Vinaigrette; House Smoked Pastrami Salmon, Field Greens, Chive Oil, Crispy Potato Wafer, Lemon Vermont Creme Fraiche; Yankee Pot Roast, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

Spa Castle

2010-01-11T17:03:00.000-08:00

131-10 11th Ave
College Point, NY 11356
(718) 939-6300

I had heard a lot about this place but never had stepped foot in. I was looking for a good place to throw a small bridal event and this was suggested by many since we can all hang out as a group at the same time versus a usual spa would allow 2-3 people to be worked on at a time.

I'd have to admit we had a great time here even though it was sooooo cold (we went between fall and winter on one of the colder days!) so we hid out in many of the outdoor heated pools and jacuzzis. There was 4 floors of fun and relaxation but admission was $45 a person for all day. If you're hungry or thirsty there are both available (not the best prices but if you are hungry then you'd have to order). There are some private massages for additional charges. Otherwise, you can enjoy the different types of saunas, pools, jacuzzis, etc.

Banana Bread

2010-01-04T18:10:00.000-08:00

from Simply Recipes

Ingredients

3 or 4 ripe bananas, smashed
1/3 cup melted butter
1 cup sugar (can easily reduce to 3/4 cup)
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

Method

No need for a mixer for this recipe. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). With a wooden spoon, mix butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. Add the flour last, mix. Pour mixture into a buttered 4x8 inch loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour. Cool on a rack. Remove from pan and slice to serve.

Alcapurria -- 10 hours in the making

2010-01-03T14:37:00.000-08:00

I learned this over the summer and made my first attempt over the weekend. Warning as it's very tedious and very time consuming especially since I think i made about 80-100 (I lost count) and spent 10 hours from start to finish! It took about 2 days since it was so heavy duty. No wonder they do this only once a year and only the older generation would do this!

Alcapurria is a dish from PR made from a mixture of mainly yautía and may contain grated calabazas (tropical pumpkins), potato, plantains, green banana and other starchy tropical tubers filled with picadillo, chicken, turkey, cheese, etc... and deep fried in oil. Yuca "alcapurrias" are usually stuffed with crab, shrimp or lobster meat. Many Puerto Ricans enjoy this dish and are often found eating it at the beach with friends. "Alcapurrias" are also one of the many dishes served on the kiosk stands or cuchifritos.

This is the "easier version" of what I did (since she shows you how to do one):

Cinnamon Raisin Cookies

2009-12-29T12:59:00.000-08:00

2 cups brown sugar
1 cup butter
2 eggs
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 3/4 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 350* Cream together the sugar and the butter. Mix well then add in the eggs. Combine the flour, cinnamon and soda and then add to the creamed mixture. Last, stir in the milk and raisins. Drop by spoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 10-13 minutes. Cool.

Corn and Red Pepper Salad

2009-12-29T10:11:00.001-08:00

=)

Corn and Red Pepper Salad
Originally uploaded by bloorozez

Southwestern Pork Soup

2009-12-29T10:06:00.001-08:00

IMG_3299
Originally uploaded by bloorozez

Substitute chicken for pork in this dish, if you prefer. Pink beans are similar to pinto beans, but smaller; if you can't find pink beans, substitute pintos. Add cheddar corn bread and orange slices to round out the meal.

Cooking spray
1 cup prechopped onion
2/3 cup prechopped green bell pepper
1 tablespoon bottled minced garlic
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
1 pound pork tenderloin, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
2 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 (15-ounce) can pink beans, rinsed and drained
1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 cup diced avocado

Heat a small nonstick Dutch oven over medium-heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion, bell pepper, garlic, and jalapeño to pan; sauté for 2 minutes. Add pork; cook 3 minutes. Add broth and next 6 ingredients (through tomatoes); bring to a boil. Partially cover, reduce heat, and simmer 6 minutes or until pork is done, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, and stir in cilantro. Serve with avocado.

Yield: 4 servings

From Serious Eats: Fooditude, a Food Show for Kids

2009-12-17T17:33:00.000-08:00

Fooditude is an upcoming food show for kids that covers cooking and nutrition, food science, environmental stewardship, culture and history, and gardening, with the purpose of empowering kids to eat more healthily. Here's an overview of what's to come. Watch the video after the jump.

'Fooditude' Mission Video

If you want to get involved with Fooditude, visit fooditude.tv.

Sketch Program

2009-12-09T09:36:00.000-08:00

http://sketch.odopod.com/

This sketch program is great and has some nice colors. Give it a try!

They'll play your sketch from beginning to end!

Jamba Juice $1 oatmeal! ends Friday, Dec. 11

2009-12-08T17:21:00.001-08:00

Offer valid through 12/11/09 at participating Jamba Juice locations for one Jamba Oatmeal item for only $1 plus tax. Offer specifically not valid in Texas or at any airport, universities, Safeway, Pavilions or Vons stores. Limit one coupon per customer visit. May not be sold, transferred, scanned, reproduced or duplicated in any fashion. Offer not valid for Jamba Juice employees. No cash value. © Jamba Juice Company 2009.

Click here if you would like J¢amba to email you special offers and sneak peeks from time to time.

Martha's Country Bakery

2009-12-07T15:09:00.000-08:00

70-30 Austin St
Forest Hills, NY 11375
(718) 544-0088

We had quite a treat on a bitter cold Sunday afternoon.

One no other than Martha's Country Bakery. I didn't recall there being a sit down section so I was pleasantly surprised when my gf brought me over. There was now another room with quite a number of seating set up. It was festively decorated with Christmas lights and wreaths strung together with red bows.

The pastries, cakes, and cupcakes were all very well lit behind the counter. This was enough to make your mouth water. I wanted to try everything in the showcase... but my last pair of jeans screamed "NO!" -- I tried the oreo cupcake which gave a balance of frosting and cake batter. They were the right snack size and not huge like the ones that are served at the other bakeries. The cappuccino was quite delicious but so was my regular coffee (with no sugar .. normally how I drink it but also to balance the sweetness of the cupcake).

UFC - Unidentified Flying Chickens

2009-12-07T15:02:00.000-08:00

71-22 Roosevelt Ave
Jackson Heights, NY 11372
(718) 205-6662

Great flavor. Great crisp.

I trekked over for lunch one day. I was welcomed with the images of whimsical cartoon chicks that reminded me of Chicken Little. They provided reading materials on the side for those who waited for their order (which was everyone from to-go'ers to dining in). You hear the tunes of Korean pop in the background and the staff piping along in the background. The menu clearly identified the list of items they serve. I was happily surprised there was 3 fridges loaded with drinks available. Everything and anything you desired to quench your thirst.

I was recommended to try the soy garlic and hot favors but since there was only 1 of me and I was preparing for a large dinner -- I wimped out and only ordered the small order of soy garlic wings ($10). Therefore, I couldn't split the flavors. The thin crispy outside was perfect for the small sizes of wings they serve. The wings came with a spoonful of cole slaw and you can add a few of the sides they have to offer to your order as you wish.

New Find: Oxfam America

2009-12-02T13:57:00.000-08:00

I came across this website today and wanted to share. Oxfam America is an international relief and development organization that creates lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and injustice. They work independently from the US government focusing on long term solutions rather than short-term aid. They are part of Oxfam International.

They have a variety of gifts ranging from Beaded jewelry to Manure to Plant a vegetable garden and many more. The website is creative and entertaining as you do your share for the world. They categorize the gifts for you depending on the occasion, interest, corporate gifts, or amount you desire to spend.

If you are part of MyPoints, you get receive 500 points for purchases or donations of $18+!

Unique charitable gifts that do good


Soap $12	Goat $50	A grove of "miracle trees" $30


Plant a vegetable garden $30	A school meal program for one child $25	A dozen chicks $40


Water purifier $35	Rebuild a primary school $1,500	School desk and chair $35

Queens County Farm Museum

2009-11-29T19:56:00.000-08:00

73-50 Little Neck Pkwy
Floral Park, NY 11004
(718) 347-3276

I'm sure this is a better place for the spring and summer and maybe early fall because by the time I made it here it looked as if fall and winter was beginning to take its toll.

Great place for family events and to bring the kids. It's free unless there are special events going on. There are hay rides and they can spend hours in the corn maze. I don't recall there being food in there or in the area so fill up before you get there and bring some snacks and sippy drinks for when the whining comes.

The animals were still around and were lucky enough to accidentally catch a birth of a baby sheep. There were loads of chicken and roosters flocking around goats, pigs, horses, cows, ducks, and llamas. There were bunnies if you were lucky enough.

I'm looking forward to returning for the butterfly garden, corn maze, tours, and farmer's market after winter ends when everything is starting to grow again.

Album

caramel pumpkin pocky - nahh

2009-11-14T09:52:00.000-08:00

I had thought this was a good idea but boy I was wrong. It tastes more like sugar squash. It tastes a bit funny, perhaps its an acquired taste. The box is nicely decorated but when you open the box, you may be disappointed there are about 6 mini packs inside. At 2 sticks a pack, you're more than likely to finish the box in one sitting.

Mama Dip's Kitchen

2009-11-06T18:59:00.000-08:00

http://www.yelp.com/biz/mama-dips-kitchen-chapel-hill

On my to try list!

Beverly Sills

2009-11-04T17:31:00.000-08:00

"There are no shortcuts to any place worth going."

you are the only you

2009-11-04T17:29:00.000-08:00

"In all the universe, in all time, you are the only you. Never have molecules come together exactly like you, never again will your footsteps be repeated upon this earth. Your strength is the strength someone can count on, your life is the life that can make a difference."

Nita's European Bakery

2009-10-28T20:28:00.000-07:00

4010 Greenpoint AvenueSunnyside, NY 11104(718) 784-4047

Ever have that expectation of something but end up disappointed?

That was how I felt about the tiramisu cake we had ordered for a party. For some reason the entire cake and a tiramisu piece tasted completely different. The actual cake had a gelatin filling instead of anything I am use to for a tiramisu. It clumped in my mouth and stayed there rather than melted away slowly.

The prices are moderate so it wasn't exactly a steal for the location it was in. It is not normally close by but I don't see myself going out of my way to visit any time soon. I hope the other items in the shop are better and they may be. If I pass by again in the future, I may give them a second chance.

Empanadas Cafe

2009-10-28T20:27:00.001-07:00

56-27 Van Doren StCorona, NY 11368(718) 592-7288

This was always a snack stop for my ambulance partner and I since he had a crush on one of the girls working there. They were always super friendly and the service is great for such a tiny place. Don't let the size fool you because the taste is tremendous. Being stuffed in there wasn't much of a problem since it made us feel like empanadas in a bag and especially since we always take it to go but I have to say don't go too far or else you'll have cold ones. Therefore, I suggest going during hours where it is less busy!

The empanadas are always fresh but I have seen the prices increase as with anything over time. They also are made in different flours: Whole grain, white, and corn. So far I'd have to say that I really enjoy the beef ones and also the spinach and ricotta. I have yet to try the sweet once but I think I will make a trip over for that soon!

Le Coq Au Vin

2009-10-28T20:26:00.001-07:00

4800 S Orange AveOrlando, FL 32806(407) 851-6980

During one of visits to Orlando, we stopped here for dinner one night. Our friend had ranted about this place and the souffles were to die for. The inside of the restaurant reminded me of a local country home. The rooster shaped butter caught everyone's attention as they whipped out their cameras.The food and service was great but the chocolate souffle took it home. It warm and light perfect topper to the evening meal.

Lancaster Hotel: John J. Jeffries

2009-10-07T04:41:00.001-07:00

300 Harrisburg Ave Lancaster, PA 17603(717) 431-3307

All of their meats are raised locally, confinement-free on fresh green grass pastures. No hormones, antibiotics, steroids or forced-fertilization occurs. Their produce is local organic or chemical free. They use local grass fed cream, butter and eggs. Even their water for drinking and cooking is filtered through an in-house carbon and reverse osmosis system. The atmosphere and dim and romantic (I couldn't see the food I was eating!) and the waiters and friendly and attentive.

Cafe Orlin

2009-10-07T04:39:00.000-07:00

41 St. Marks Pl(between 1st Ave & 2nd Ave) New York, NY 10003 (212) 777-1447
www.cafeorlin.com/

I discovered this gem a few years ago when a few others had brought me over. You wouldn't have known it was there with it's humble awning and matter of fact outdoor seating. Till this day, I haven't been able to make use of it. Indoors, however, gives you quite the brick wall loft feeling. I love the exposed brick walls but not a fan of the tighter seating for smaller parties. They do have the random spacious seating for the larger parties.

There is a high turnover in staff but it does not take away from the normally pleasant vibe as they serve you. I've heard the brunch is quite tasty but honestly I've only crawled in late nights or for a gathering dinner. The arugula and Caesar salads are good starters. The orders we usually go for are the burgers and of course the pasta. The herb mashed potatoes can serve as your special side. The chickens are also good ones to order when you have a moment to stop by.

Smokin Oyster Brewery

2009-09-16T07:09:00.000-07:00

340 San Carlos BlvdFort Myers Beach, FL 33931(239) 463-3474

SOB was our second venture and the most enjoyed.Our server, Eddie, was great and so was the prices for the location. The appetizers dishes were smaller than expected but the taste was delicious by far. Beats out any other places I have tried by the water. The raw oysters were fresher than those at Beached Whale. The coconut shrimp actually tasted fresh and how it should be. We were not disappointed with the chicken caesar salad and the nice surprise of garlic bread on the side was a bonus. The house brew SOB beer is not that for a Coors Light drinker but more of a medium beer (between coors light and sam adams) with full taste.

They have live music almost every night. The night I was there, a country guy performed. Although he didnt know jimmy buffet's margaritaville, he was still entertaining. i might be bias as he sang kenny chesney's no shoes, no shirt, no problem.

Cabasca's

2009-09-16T05:57:00.000-07:00

1113 Estero BlvdFort Myers Beach, FL 33931(239) 463-7866

[source: blog.scavengeinc.com]

The food was really "ehhhhhhhh" and EXPENSIVE - We ordered the steak fajita and also the chicken taco salad. The steak was dry and hard while the veggies were tender. The taco salad was no better but maybe that was because my palette was already tainted. I hardly say I had a terrible time but I did! The margaritas were mediocre. I've had better even at a chain mexican restaurant in NYC. It was not worth the NYC prices.

The guy who played today was really loud and his voice started giving me a headache. Hopefully, they have better people playing during the week. The Nirvana songs were ruined! What a buzz kill!

The service and server (Steve) was great and it was the ONLY highlight of our experience at Cabasca.

Free Rice

2009-08-29T08:18:00.000-07:00

I came across this site a while ago but forgot to post it up. The first people to benefit FreeRice were 20,000 Myanmar refugees sheltering in Bangladesh. Since then pregnant women in Cambodia, school kids in Uganda and hungry people across the globe recieve food thanks to the award-winning site. Find out more about where we deliver rice.

I miss thee

2009-05-05T19:40:00.000-07:00

my dear mr & mrs t spicy tomato juice. how i miss thee! this beats the regular tomato juice any day. it gives the extra tangy kick that makes my flight so much better. it's harder these days since i dont have to fly as much. one day i will sip thee and grin from ear to ear.

Super cool storage for that stack of business cards

2009-04-20T16:57:00.001-07:00

hahahah I want one!

Super cool storage for that stack of business cards

You've collected hundreds of business cards since that last conference. Now, they're scattered between stacks on your desk, stuffed into files, mixed into papers, and wrinkling in your back pocket. That's hardly the way to maintain a proper business relationship.

This little file cabinet looks like a shrunken version of the real thing, but holds up to eight hundred business cards. Two drawers pull out, letting you shuffle through your entire collection. We've even included lettered-tabs to help keep everything organized.

Look, I'm not going to tell you how to organize your life, I can only supply you with the tools. However, this little guy looks so darned good on my desk, I'm keeping it! Get yours while you can!