Addicted to the Food Network!

This little piggy...

2012-01-09T20:46:00.000-05:00

I like to think I am an easy person to buy for. A cookbook, a gadget or anything food or kitchen related is always a hit with me. So was I stoked when I received a gigantic bottle of Texas BBQ sauce? YES! Immediately I began calculating what I would make with it. Think of all the possibilities: pulled pork, BBQ chicken, ribs, nachos...and so on! First up: Pulled Pork. Of course, one of the easiest things in the world to make. Throw a huge hunk of pork in the crock pot till it falls apart, add sauce and throw on a bun, done! Top with some cole slaw and some pickles on the side and your loved ones will thank you!

{pork deliciousness}

Thanks to Nicole for the gift!

{I am hoping sauce is spelled wrong on purpose??}

hmmm, what to make next?

A New York state of mind

2012-01-01T21:19:00.000-05:00

Tailgate #10
Theme: New York

Last tailgate of the season *sniff*. This week's theme was New York, which was pretty easy.

{Yes, that's New York Strip and potatoes, Bagels, and New York Cheesecake!}

Quite perfect for a New Year's Day tailgate if you ask me!

Can't wait to see what we come up with next year!

Thanks everyone for following along.

Happy New Year!

xoxo,

Everything is better the second time around...

2011-12-22T11:28:00.000-05:00

This is a recipe that is not new to me, but I gave a second chance. I fell in love with it after seeing Bobby Flay make it on Throwdown with Bobby Flay: Grilled Cheese. I immediately made it, and quite frankly, was disappointed. I was craving a sandwich the other day and decided to give Bobby another shot, and boy am I glad I did! I don't know what made it better this time (the bread? the tomatoes? the applewood bacon?) but I was in heaven! Those of you who know me well, know that I would eat my arm if you put goat cheese on it, so no surprise I love this sandwich! It is also very similar to the grilled cheese I recently made from Bobby Flay's Bar American cookbook. How can one go wrong with smoky bacon, gooey cheese and tart green tomatoes. My picture doesn't look as good as Bobby's but I'm sure it was just as delicious!

{perfection between two slices of bread}

Thank you Bobby, for once again knowing exactly what I was craving!

xoxo,

Best Bite

2011-12-20T22:48:00.000-05:00

After reading this article about the 22 best dishes in South Florida, it immediately became by foodie bucket list. I started off my mission at Thai Delight and their Thai Dumplings.

{Thai Dumplings}

The dumplings were good, but not spectacular. If these are the best dumplings in South Florida, we are in trouble folks! Maybe I'm spoiled by too many trips to Ocean Star.... But what did I expect from a restaurant in a strip mall in Deerfield Beach? As far as the rest of the meal, Thai Delight may not be Natalee Thai, but it sure it is a value for the money. For an $11 entree, you also get a soup, salad and dessert!

{Full meals for $11)

I wouldn't say this is one of the best bites I've had in South Florida, but I will try Thai Delight again.
Care to join me?

I got a Pheeling!

2011-12-14T22:35:00.000-05:00

Tailgate #9
Theme: Philadelphia

What else does one make for a Philly themed tailgate? Well, Philly Cheesesteaks, of course! To kick it up a notch, we made Chicken Philly Cheesesteaks.

{Pheeling good!}

Nothing complicated about a chicken Philly. Chicken, onions, peppers, provolone (not whiz!) and a little mayo on a toasted roll. Great way to distract one's self from a rainy tailgate! :)

It aint easy being cheesy!

2011-12-14T22:18:00.000-05:00

Mac & Cheese is one of those things that is always comforting. It's also having a moment right now. Restaurants of all shapes and sizes are putting their own spin on this childhood classic. Now, I am kind of a mac & cheese snob. I am not a fan of the dry cheese and noodles only that inevitably shows up at a potluck. I whole-heartily believe that mac & cheese should be saucy and creamy!

I have been eyeing this recipe for Truffle Mac & Cheese for a while now, waiting for the right moment to try it. Well, this weekend was the right time! Simple to make, full of flavor and creamy - just the way I like it! The truffle oil that I bought was not full of truffle flavor, but it came out alright anyways.

{Creamy, cheesy goodness}

Highly recommend! Although, you may want to cut down the recipe if you are not feeding a large crowd...I have been eating mac & cheese ever since...not that I'm complaining! :)

The Black Hole

2011-12-04T21:12:00.000-05:00

Tailgate #8
Theme: Oakland

This week's tailgate theme was Oakland Raiders. Not easy to identify what is regional "Oakland food," but I do remember seeing on an episode of DDD Goes Tailgating in Oakland where they did Chicken and Waffles, so we gave it a shot! For those of you who have never had Chicken and Waffles, you are really missing out! The sweet, savory, crispy, salty, sweet combo is such a winner! The best, of course, is Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles in Los Angeles. Even President Obama visited on a recent trip! Our version is not quite the #13 (my favorite!) but it was slap your mama good!

{Yes, I said Slap Your Mama Good!}

I would like to smother that gravy on just about everything from now on! The crispy chicken, tender waffle, sweet syrup and savory gravy make for one fulfilling tailgate.

Eat St.

2011-12-04T20:38:00.000-05:00

Imagine my delight when I ended up at the Hard Rock spur of the moment on Thursday and it also happened to be Food Truck night! After a long day of fighting a migraine, a food truck night was JUST what I needed! I took the requisite lap around to scope out my choices, and I decided on Slow Food Truck. What sold me was the Truffle Fries, but the Beef Short Rib Sandwich didn't sound at all bad either!

{Beef Short Rib Sandwich and Truffle Fries}

Way too much food for one person to eat, but I gave it a go! The beef short ribs were the epitome of slow food: full of flavor, juicy and tender. I did wish the sandwich had some crunch to it for texture, but I have been thinking about the meat ever since! The fries were a little greasy for my taste and I tasted more Parmesan than truffle, but I am not a fry person to begin with.

Overall a nice surprise, and I look forward to trying more of what Slow Food Truck has to offer!

Giving Thanks

2011-11-25T21:23:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving is my Favorite.Day.of.the.Year. Food, Football, Family...perfection!
This year I did not make the whole dinner, but decided to do one fabulous dish.
I knew as soon as I saw the recipe for Pumpkin Bread Pudding in the new Bobby Flay Cookbook, Bar American that it would be the one I would make. For those not in the know, I love all things pumpkin: pies, cupcakes, whoopee pies, risotto, ravioli, you name it, I'll try it! Combine anything pumpkin with Bobby Flay and you know I'm in! Of course, Bobby did not disappoint!

{Pumpkin deliciousness}

The spicy caramel sauce was a little too "spicy" for me (and by spicy I mean cloves, ginger, etc.) but the bread pudding itself was to die for. If you love pumpkin pie, you will adore this recipe. It was a complete hit all around, and I was told that I must make this every year now. My pleasure!

Hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving.

I am thankful for all of you.

xoxo,

Buffalo Soldier

2011-11-23T20:41:00.000-05:00

Tailgate #7
Theme: Buffalo Bills

This one was a no-brainer:

This was was a gimme. Up next: Oakland. Need tips from my Cali peeps please!

Thanks!

xoxo,

Here's the SKINny

2011-11-14T20:23:00.000-05:00

Tailgate #6
Theme: Washington Redskins

What comes to mind when I think of Washington, DC? The White House, The President...Spike Mendelsohn?! If you're a foodie, then yes, that's exactly what comes to mind. Spike, his Good Stuff Eatery, and his mouth watering burgers. Spike, best known for being a Top Chef contestant, created his Prez Obama Burger for then presidential candidate, Barack Obama. That burger too, beat out the McCain Burger 4-1. With melted blue cheese, crispy bacon, sweet red onion marmalade and spicy horseradish mayo...it sure gets my vote!

{Now that's a mouthful!}

Add to it some Tex-Mex Potato Skins, made with Redskin potatoes, of course, and you have a mouth watering tailgate!

Sunday Funday

2011-11-06T21:56:00.000-05:00

What could be better than a Sunday filled with football, family and food? Except a winning game...not much! And when the food is finger-licking good, then all the better!

{BBQ Chicken nachos}

Taken from the Food Network Magazine 50 Nachos, this one will be made again, repeatedly!

{White Chocolate raspberry squares}

Best Quote of the Day: "I thought I'd died and gone to heaven until I realized I was face down in White Chocolate Raspberry square." That about sums it up!

Bar Americain

2011-11-06T21:24:00.000-05:00

Remember last week when I told how excited I was to dig into Bobby Flay's new cookbook Bar Americain? Well, I did. First up on my list to try was the Grilled Cheese with Aged Cheddar, Goat cheese and Green Tomato. I thought for sure I was out of luck, since we are not really in green tomato season...but imagine my surprise when my local supermarket had them ready for me! I immediately snatched up all the other ingredients and got to grilling!

Super simple, not a lot of ingredients and the epitome of delicious!

{ooey, gooey deliciousness}

The mixture of the sharp cheddar, creamy goat cheese, tart green tomatoes and crispy bacon = Heaven between two slices of buttered bread! This will be in my repertoire for a long time, I can tell already!

Robin Miller Book Signing

2011-11-04T20:15:00.000-04:00

Did you know that the #1 searched word on Foodnetwork.com is Healthy? Well, it is. And that is just one of the many things I learned from nutritionist, best-selling author and Food Network star Robin Miller. I had the pleasure of catching her book signing for her latest & greatest book: Robin Takes 5. 500 recipes, 5 ingredients, 500 calories or less 5 nights a week at 5:00 PM.

This is truly one of the biggest cookbooks I have ever bought! Packed full of recipes; all with 5 ingredients or less, 500 calories or less, easy to make and with accessible ingredients. It's gonna take me a while to tab my way through this one!

Robin herself was very sweet, approachable, knowledgeable and funny. It was just like sitting around with a glass of wine talking to one of your girlfriends.

I asked her the same question I ask all of the chefs:

Q: What is your favorite Food Network Show?

A: Chopped

Some other questions from the group:

Q: What is the Best Thing You Ever Ate?

A: a seafood/rice dish after running the NYC Marathon about 5 years ago.

Q: What is your favorite thing to cook?

A: Anything with her family.

See, a down to earth mom that just happens to have a lot of nutritional knowledge and cooking ideas!

I have also never met such a gracious FN Chef. Staying to sign books and take photos.

{I heart how she pulled me in to her for the photo}

Thanks for a lovely evening, Robin! Can't wait to dig into the book.

xoxo,

Heather

Confessions of a Cookbook Addict

2011-11-01T20:18:00.000-04:00

It's always exciting when you come home to find a package in your mailbox, isn't it? Well, for a food geek, a package from Amazon containing two new cookbooks turns me into a kid on Christmas morning! I immediately ripped open the box and began to devour them, flagging all the recipes I want to try.

First Up: Bobby Flay's Bar Americain Cookbook

A culinary road trip across America, with stops in New Mexico, Kentucky, South Carolina, and everywhere in between. Reading this book is like looking at an in-depth look at the menu of Bar Americain restaurant. Plenty of classics, comfort foods, and new interpretations, with full color pictures of every recipe. First up on my list to try: Grilled Cheese with Aged Cheddar, Goat Cheese Bacon and Green Tomato; Cauliflower and Goat Cheese Gratin; and Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Spicy Caramel Apple Sauce. Yum!

Next up: Claire Robinson's 5 Ingredient Fix

A collection of recipes, all with 5 ingredients or less, written with the undertone of Claire's southern charm. In comparison to Bobby's recipes, these are what I would call "easy". None of them require much skill or technique. Perfect for weeknight meals, quick entertaining or a beginner cook. Although a lot of the recipes sound delicious, there are not photos with every recipe, which I missed. I also missed a little background on each recipe (as with Bobby's book) about how she came up with that idea or where the inspiration came from. I did find a good amount of recipes I will make, starting with Breakfast Croque Madame and Roasted Jalapeno Egg Rolls.

Now, if I only had the time, resources and audience to prepare all of these recipes...Now accepting volunteers in all departments! :)

XOXO,

The ~~Food Network~~ Cookbook Addict

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T20:06:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween!

Hope fully I look more like Iron Chef than Swedish Chef from the Muppets!

Anyone else dress up like a chef/Food Network celebrity?

Every Day with Rachael Ray

2011-10-30T18:56:00.001-04:00

One of the things I love about Rachael Ray is how she turns your favorite food into something else. She can turn your favorite dip into a burger, a mac & cheese or in this case, a pizza! Spinach-Artichoke French Bread Pizza! This is a recipe from her magazine I have been meaning to try for a long time, and I don't know why I waited so long! It is everything you love about spinach-artichoke dip, spread on a loaf of french bread, baked until bubbly, and turned into a perfect finger food for watching football!

{Crispy, crunchy, creamy deliciousness}

Thanks Rachael, you've done it again!

xoxo,

Are you Next Iron Chef?

2011-10-26T20:34:00.002-04:00

As excited as I am about the Next Iron Chef Superchefs (SO EXCITED!), it has been brought up by quite a few foodies lately that now that we have a whole series dedicated to picking Iron Chefs, it has lost it's credibility & prestige. I tend to agree. If we keep picking new Iron Chefs, then we will soon have 20 and it will loose it's status. On the other hand, I still watch and did I mention I am excited about the Allstars competition starting this Sunday, October 30th???

{Marcus Samuelsson, Anne Burrell, Robert Irvine, Geoffry Zakarian, Beau McMillan, Michael Chiarello, Chuck Hughes, Elizabeth Faulkner, Spike Mendelsohn, Alex Guarnaschelli.}

So many stars! I can't possibly pick a favorite!

So what are your thoughts? Are you done with the Next Iron Chef? Are you excited like I am? Any early favorites? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Food Truck Frenzy!

2011-10-26T19:51:00.001-04:00

If I can't be on The Great Food Truck Race, then I am glad I can at least attend a Food Truck Frenzy by the Gourmet Truck Expo. Tonight they were in my 'hood, so I stopped by to see how much trouble I could get into. In comparison to the last one I attended in Boca, I was pleasantly surprised by what I found: Surprisingly short lines, great prices, large portions and tasty food! I highly recommend attending these types of events with a group of friends, buy a large sampling and all get to taste a little of everything. Since I was flying solo, I tried as much as I could:

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be on the elliptical for the next three days!

Mile High Tailgate

2011-10-25T21:42:00.001-04:00

2011 Tailgate #5
Theme: Denver

These themed tailgates are getting harder and harder! What does one make for a Denver themed tailgate? Mile-high something? Tebown steaks? Denver omelets? We went with the Denver Omelets. Not an easy task for a rookie tailgater...luckily we are seasoned pros! 2 grills, 2 pans, 3 omelets with potatoes and toast later...

All this for one perfect plate:

Add in some mimosas and you've got another successful tailgate!

(although I'm still trying to walk that plate off!)

Diners Drive-ins and Dives Tour: Flakowitz of Boynton

2011-10-22T20:41:00.000-04:00

It's been a bit since we hit a DDD joint, so yesterday Amanda and I hit up Flakowitz of Boynton, as seen on DDD: Biscuits, Bagels and BLTs. Odd choice for a Friday night, yes, but we are food geeks like that! Flakowitz is your classic Jewish deli, complete with Challah on the table:

And all the basics you would expect from a Jewish deli:

{Hot Brisket sandwich with all the fixings}

For the price, Flakowitz is a good deal. I had all of this plus a drink and dessert for about $11. Way too much for even me to eat! Nothing was particularly good, but not particularly bad either. Honestly, the best part was the pickle! I also missed out on the last black and white cookie by one person in the bakery. :( At least Amanda got a little cake for her belated birthday!

{My foodie partner in crime!}

All in all, an OK DDD trip this time. Amanda had the Louisiana chicken grill and raved about it. I guess I should have stuck with what they are known for: bagels and Matzo ball soup. Next time!

Anne Burell Book Signing

2011-10-22T20:09:00.001-04:00

My favorite way to spend a rainy Florida day? Why, Food Network Chef Stalking of course! And this week I had the pleasure of meeting none other than Anne Burell. Her first book, Cook like a Rock star is now out so she is out promoting it. Waiting in line, I had plenty of time to read through it, and it is like having Anne right there in the kitchen with you. It is well written and full of her personality. You can just imagine her standing there in her skirt, shaking her spiky hair and yelling "Big Meat"! The title is perfect for her, by the way. As she was getting ready to come out to start signing books, they played at little Def Leopard Pour Some Sugar on Me for her to come out to. Fun!
When it was my turn to meet her, I asked her the same question I ask all of the chefs I meet: Whose Food Network Show Do you Watch? Anne, in her rock star way, looks me at me dead serious and says "None, I know how to cook!" WOW! Imagine the shock and awe on my face! I too know how to cook...I watch for ideas and inspiration. She recovered by saying that she will be watching the upcoming Next Iron Chef (which she is on, of course!) It was then time to take a photo, sign my book and move along...

{everyone say "Big Meat!"}

{Best inscription ever!}

California Dreamin'

2011-10-03T20:25:00.000-04:00

This one is simple. When preparing a San Diego themed lunch, one thing and one thing only came to mind. Fish Tacos! Being that San Diego is just a hop, skip and a jump from Mexico, they are abundant in the area. There are many different types, but I prefer the crunchy, spicy, cool combo in my tacos. Luckily I have been holding on to this recipe courtesy of Ingrid Hoffman for Food Network Magazine since November 2008! It combines everything I love about fish tacos and it was simple to prepare to boot!

{Winner, winner, fish taco dinner}

As Ingrid would say: Simply Delicioso!

WWMSD

2011-09-26T21:17:00.001-04:00

Having never been to Cleveland, how does one prepare a Cleveland themed lunch? Being the Food Network Addict I am, I asked myself, What Would Michael Symon Do? (WWMSD) Just as I was channeling him, I came across an episode in my DVR for Maxwell St. Style Polish Sausage Sandwich. Sandwich King, Jeff Mauro to the rescue! Throw in a couple of pierogies, and I felt like I was actually in Cleveland!

{Polish Sausage Sandwich and perogies}

And what's for dessert in Cleveland?

BROWNIES!

{fudgey deliciousness}

I have to say, I now see why Michael Symon is so proud to call Cleveland home. One little lunch and I am hooked! Here's to visiting soon!

xoxo,

Houston, there is not a problem!

2011-09-19T22:31:00.000-04:00

2011 Tailgate #4
Theme: Houston

When I think of Texas, there is only one thing that comes to mind...STEAK! Luckily I came across this recipe from Food Network for a Texas Steak Sandwich. Perfect for a Sunday tailgate, with a toasty roll, juicy steak, tomatillo salsa and sharp cheese. (Silly Publix didn't have cojita cheese, so we substituted with Parmesan.) To go along with it, a Texas Potato Salad, complete with pickled onions, Dijon and cilantro, compliments of the divine Bobby Flay. Throw in some BBQ chips and a some Captain Morgan, and you have yourself a tailgate folks!

{clockwise from left: the winning tailgate plate, the making of a killer sandwich, making new friends}

It's getting pretty tough to top these tailgates... first lobster, then steak? Now what? Anyone have ideas for a Denver tailgate? Send them my way!

Also a big, warm welcome to all my new blog followers. Thanks for following me on my foodie journey!

Happy eating,

Patriot games

2011-09-17T22:52:00.000-04:00

2011 Tailgate #3
Theme: New England

One can't have a New England themed tailgate without a bunch of seafood, now can you? Well, for the girl that is not really a huge seafood fan, there is only one true option...lobster! Add some Boston Baked Beans, Cape Cod chips, macaroni salad and Boston Creme Pie and you've got yourself a New England tailgate folks!

{Killer tailgate plate, baked beans, cape cod chips, grilled lobsters with herb butter, Boston cream pie, double grills for this tailgate...serious!}

Wow, my mouth is watering just looking at these pics again. I think the bar is set pretty.darn.high for future tailgates at this point folks!

Shoot 'em up Cowboy

2011-09-06T22:03:00.000-04:00

2011 Tailgate #2
Theme: Dallas

What does one cook for a Dallas themed tailgate? Well, Tex-Mex, of course! Despite a little tailgate emergency (anyone seen the knob for the grill?) and a little rain, we ended up with some of the most delicious tailgate food ever!

{Chicken & Steak Fajitas, Tex-Mex potato skins, potato skins getting some cheese}

Yes, that's TWO kinds of fajitas (Chicken & Steak) and Tex-Mex Potato skins. Too die for! I am not a fan of Texas in general, but thank goodness for Tex-Mex! Yee Haw!

Next up: New England. Anyone have any ideas for a girl that doesn't eat seafood???

What I learned from Food Network Magazine

2011-09-01T10:48:00.000-04:00

Surprisingly disappointing issue of Food Network Magazine this month. I didn't rip out a single recipe that I wanted to try. Not single one! I did have some revelations though.

In the America's Best Pizzas article, they claim Michael's Genuine has the best pizza in all of Florida. I have not had their pizza yet, but I totally believe they would have the best in the whole state. Short ribs, Gruyere, arugula and caramelised onions? Yes please! Everything they make is perfection. Remember my last blog post about them? There is drool all over the magazine right now!
I am addicted to buying cookbooks. There, I said it. I literally got accelerated heart rate when I read that Bobby Flay has a new cookbook, Bar American. Gotta have it. Also Food Network also has a Next Food Network Star Cookbook. OK, I'll get that too then. See, I told you I'm addicted!
In the editors note, Maile waxed on and on about the Easy Bake Oven. How much she loved hers, how it is being overhauled and how she got an old one for her daughter for a steal. It got me thinking about how I never had one. Did any of you have one? Did I miss out on a pertinent childhood memory? Should I get one for my yet unborn daughter to enjoy one day?

OK, so that's what stuck with me. What about you? What did you take away from this month's issue?

Killer Food

2011-08-30T19:45:00.000-04:00

It's no secret that I am Addicted to the Food Network (hence the name of this blog!). It's pretty much the only channel I watch, but imagine my surprise when I came across a show on FN about the folks in my own hometown, Indiantown, FL! It was called Killer Food and it was about deadly food jobs. Imagine my surprise again when the first face I see is none other than my childhood neighbor, Iris Wall, on the screen!

{Florida Cracker?!}

In the episode, Iris gets her grandaughter, Whitney, a hog hunter, to learn how to hunt alligators for some more money. Classic Indiantown! In the end, they all gather at the ranch to eat the day's catch.

Who says you can't go home?! Quite nastalgic to see the hometown on my favorite network, but at the same time reminds me why I got out the second I had the chance.

Flavor Palm Beach Kick-off party 2011

2011-08-29T21:09:00.001-04:00

Would you like to go to a party with great food, cocktails, music and all the proceeds go to charity? Me too! And that's exactly what I did. Friday kicked off the annual month-long food celebration that is Flavor Palm Beach. To start it all off was the party that starts it all. Great restaurants offering tasty bites and cocktails, music by String Theory, beautiful waterfront scenery and all ticket sales benefit the Red Cross...don't mind if I do! I didn't win the raffle, but I did pick the best bite: Four Season Palm Beach Shrimp Tacos. I call 'em like I taste 'em! That's not all I tasted though...just take a look at a few of my other tasty bites:

Don't mind the blurry cell phone photos, everything looks way better in person! But don't take my word for it...taste some of these savory treats for yourself. Just make a reservation at any of these restaurants in the month of September and enjoy them at a discount, no less! Now if only I could decide which to dine at first...

Sandwich King

2011-08-24T21:27:00.001-04:00

I have always been a big fan of sandwiches, but ever since we crowned the new winner of Next Food Network Star, Jeff Mauro, I have been craving nothing but sandwiches! His new show Sandwich King, is looking like it is going to be a new fave for me!
Tonight, I crowned myself the Sandwich ~~King~~ Queen and created this little beauty:

{Chicken Club Panini}

Complete with marinated grilled chicken, sharp cheddar, bacon, homeade chipotle mayo, tomato and avocado, all piled on country bread, this sandwich is a mouthful! It was juicy, spicy, smoky, creamy and crunchy all at the same time. Too large for even this sandwich afficianato to finish, it satisfied my hunger and fed my soul at the same time.

I leave you with Jeff''s motto: "You can turn any sanwich into a meal, and any meal into a sandwich." Words to live by, indeed!

Carolina Crushin'

2011-08-22T19:23:00.000-04:00

Decided to do a different approach to tailgating this year. Each game we will cook/eat/enjoy a food from the region of the team that we are playing. First up: Carolina! Just look at these delicious Carolina style ribs and potato salad!

{finger lickin' good!}

This football season is gonna be fun...and tasty!

Shake Shack: The Best Thing I Ever Ate

2011-07-05T22:34:00.000-04:00

To top off a glutinous Sunday, one cannot go to Lincoln Road in Miami and NOT visit the Shake Shack. As luck would have it, it was 4th of July Weekend. You know what that means right?! Well, as Claire Robinson told us on The Best Thing I Ever Ate, that means corn dogs! Now, the Shake Shack ONLY has these tasty treats once a year, so I HAD to try one, since I happened to be at the closest SS on the very weekend they were on the menu!

I can't say that it was an out-of-this-world corn dog, but it was pretty darn good! I was just glad to have had the pleasure to experience it. Thanks for the tip, Claire!

Michael's Genuine: The Best Thing I Ever Ate

2011-07-05T21:48:00.000-04:00

You know when the best chef's in the biz rave about something, it has to be good. That's why I adore the show The Best Thing I Ever Ate. I was even on an episode, remember?! Anyways, so when 3 (THREE!) chefs in one episode raved about the desserts from Michael's Genuine, I immediately put it on my 'must try' list. And lucky for me, this past Sunday I was able to cross it off my list. When I say it is worth the drive to Miami, I really, really mean it! I absolutely adored everything about the whole experience. From the menu (fresh.simple.pure) to the small plates to the excellent service, the whole experience was a 10! Luckily I was there with Matt & Caroline, who are also adventurous eaters and we just ordered one of everything and went to town. Just take a look:

{Left to right: Pig ears, lemon ricotta pancakes, meatballs, quesadilla, adorable server Christine, crispy rice cake, pork fat toast, blueberry upside-down cake, brisket hash, homemade donuts, Caroline at our lovely outdoor table, menu, double yolk egg, breakfast pizza, bar snacks: radishes, homemade pop-tarts}

Now, the menu changes all the time, but every.single.thing we tried was delicious...even the pig ears! My favorite was the crispy rice cake, and the quesadilla gets the silver metal. Three Food Network chefs were right: with tasty bites, very reasonable prices, great ambiance and excellent service, I suggest you put Michael's Genuine on your list too!

Diners Drive-ins and Dives Tour: The Whale's Rib

2011-07-05T20:49:00.001-04:00

I know I'm not the only one who sits at home late at night at watches Diner's Drive-ins and Dives and drools on my remote! Luckily my friend Amanda also admits to this guilty pleasure, and loves to partake in a little field trip to try out the places seen on the show! This past weekend we tried out a joint as seen on an episode of DDD, The Whale's Rib.

{menu, sign out front, California pasta, front of building, oyster po'boy}

The Whale's Rib is the typical, funky little joint you would expect to see on DDD. Loud, busy, good eats at good prices. I have to admit, I am NOT the person to judge a seafood joint, being that I don't really eat much seafood, but I went for the experience. I had the California pasta, pretty uneventful. Amanda had the oyster po'boy, and loved it. I looked around the restaurant and saw that everyone there was thoroughly enjoying their meals, whether it was the oysters Rockefeller or the crab legs, lots of smiles all around. Or maybe it was the $2 beers? For a rainy evening, the joint was packed and there was an hour wait at high time. If you are craving seafood and find yourself in Deerfield Beach, definitely try The Whale's Rib...just get there early!

I came, I tasted, I conquered.

2011-06-05T22:34:00.000-04:00

I had the extreme pleasure of attending the Taste of The Nation Broward, an all out culinary affair raising money to end childhood hunger in America. In it's 20th year, only the most renowned chefs, restaurants and mixologists are invited to hand out samples of their tasty bites, and it is totally a sensory overload! Every booth was as exciting as the next. I couldn't quite taste everything, but I got quite close. After I had made my way through the throws of hungry attendees, I was ready to declare my favorite: Tenderloin Beef tips from Don Shula's (SHOCKER!) and then someone behind a table literally yells at me to go try the guacamole from Dos Caminos, and O.M.G. The.Best. Guac. I have ever had! (The chipotle chicken quesadilla from there was also good). Coming in at a veryclose 3rd was the BBQ Short rib Bao from STK (even stamped with the STK logo!).

Clockwise from left: Guacamole from Dos Caminos, Tenderloin Beef Tips with mushrooms and Boursin cheese from Shula's, and Braised Short Rib Bao from STK.

Does that photo of the guac do it justice? No, you should totally go to Dos Caminos to try it yourself. And you should definitely take me! ;)

By the way, did you know that one in six Americans (mostly elderly and children) go hungry everyday? June is National Child Hunger Month, so make sure you do your part in supporting the cause. Do as I did and attend a Taste of the Nation event, or take a tour of Feeding South Florida. You'd be amazed at what one person and one dollar can do to help.

Thank you,
H

There's something in the water...

2011-06-01T21:39:00.000-04:00

Funny how life happens, isn't it?

I have been carrying around an article from the Food Network Magazine since March 2010 about a great Delray Beach bagel shop called The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Company, meaning to go there. I love a good bagel as much as the next one, but wasn't going to go out of the way to hit up this place.

Well, the other day a coworker brought in bagels for the office. After I had inhaled the first one and went back for *just* another half, I had to ask where they were from. Imagine my surprise when she told me they were from the Brooklyn Water Bagel Co! Wow, now I know what the fuss is all about.

Imagine my surprise AGAIN when 2 days later I am getting a manicure, and what is next door??? That's right... The Brooklyn Water Bagel Co! I was happy to have a look around, and of course, get a bagel!

The shop itself is like a museum. They ACTUALLY have a water treatment plant there that replicates Brooklyn Water, and that's what makes the bagels so good! They have other great items on the menu there too, like the iced coffee that everyone raves about. The geniuses there make the ice cubes out of the coffee, so when they melt in this FL weather, it doesn't dilute your coffee...brilliant!

Another exciting tidbit I found out? There are now Brooklyn Water Bagel locations all over the place now, from Palm Beach Gardens to Miami, and even in Beverly Hills. Now even all my West Coast friends can try it out for themselves, instead of coming to visit me (although that is totally fine!).

Funny how life happens, isn't it?

Self Proclaimed Queen of Burgers

2011-06-01T20:49:00.000-04:00

Rachael Ray describes herself as the "Self-Proclaimed Queen of Burgers", and for good reason! She will put anything and everything on a burger...and the messier the better!Well, I too love a good burger, and am a sucker for anything spicy, so I had to try this recipe for Poblano Popper Sliders! For lack of patience, I made them in to full size burgers, but that just means more goodness in a serving!

These burgers have it all: moist, spicy, crunchy, ooey gooey and delicious!

I dare to not lick your fingers when eating these!

Way to go, Rachael, you've done it again!

Mama said there'd be days like this

2011-05-09T20:56:00.000-04:00

What do you do when your mother says she wants "Brunch or Asian" for Mother's Day? You get the suggestion of a foodie friend, and take her to an Asian Mother's Day Brunch! Enter Buddha Sky Bar.

We enjoyed traditional brunch items such as omelets and croissants, sushi, dim sum, Buddha's signature Asian fare, and the.tastiest.pastries.ever! I don't know what kind of crack was in those pastries, but I was just as into those as the dim sum...and I really liked the dim sum!
The price was just right (even if they did rip us off on the tea), the atmosphere was pleasant, the service friendly. All in all a lovely Mother's Day feast! I would definitely like to try Buddha again, maybe for Happy Hour next time.

Hot in Cleveland

2011-04-12T21:21:00.000-04:00

So, I don't care that it's 90 degrees out, and not cold & gloomy (sorry for those NOT in FL!) but I have been dying to try this recipe, and didn't want to wait for a rainy day to do so. I saw this recipe in the Everyday with Rachael Ray Magazine and knew it was right up my alley! A Smoky Buffalo Chicken Chili? Yes please! A chili that tastes like a buffalo wing can't be bad! It was super easy to make and full of flavor packed into one pot.

It may sound like it will blow your head off with spice, what with the chipotles, pepperjack cheese AND jalapenos, but it only had a nice, smoky heat. I was surprised that the ground chicken did not dry out either.

If I had more patience, I would have simmered it longer to thicken it up to look for like Rachael's

But the leftovers were nice and thick like I like it! It ate almost like a dip! As rachael would say...Yum-O!

Highly reccommend!

Question of the Day

2011-04-11T20:48:00.000-04:00

Just stumbled upon this post I started way back when I got back from South Beach Wine & Food Festival. Sorry it took so long, but I have been slacking on my little blog lately. Forgive me?
In the weeks leading up to SobeWFF, I was really looking forward to not only the parties and the food, but the celebrities and the cooking shows. I thought long and hard about what question I would ask if I got the chance. The one that I came up with?

Who's Food Network Show do you watch?

The answers were interesting! Take a look:

Rocco Dispirito: Alton Brown, hands down

Michael Symon: Iron Chef America, of course, but also anything with Bobby Flay

Bobby Flay: Besides his own shows, all of the new chef's shows that he produces, such as Claire Robinson and Alex Guarnaschelli.

Next time I hope to get some more answers for you! In the meantime, what is YOUR favorite FN show? Can't wait to read all of your answers!

Meatless Monday

2011-04-11T20:02:00.000-04:00

What do you get when Rachael Ray turns your favorite dip into a pasta dish? The most downloaded recipe from her site, is what! That's right, a Spinach & Artichoke Macaroni & Cheese! I have seen this on her show a few times, and I finally downloaded it myself. All I have to say is...what was I waiting for??

A bubbly dish of cheesy, ooey, gooey pasta? Yes please. Throw in some veggies and you have one magnificent meatless meal! Of course it took more than the requisite 30 minutes, but it paid off cause this is ONE.HUGE.DISH. The recipe says it serves 4, but they would have to be 4 linebackers! I say it serves more like 8...or maybe 4 if everyone goes back for seconds, which you'll want to! ;) The only downside is I like my mac &cheese a little more saucy than it came out, so next time I'll make extra sauce, but that's just me. Otherwise, highly recommend!!

Hungry Girl Book Signing!

2011-04-05T20:35:00.000-04:00

As a loyal follower of the daily emails from Hungry Girl, I was stoked when I learned she would be coming to Boca to promote her new book 300 under 300!

So I headed straight down to the Barnes & Noble on a lovely Saturday afternoon to meet the perky genius herself! It was a very intimate setting:

And everyone got to ask a question, I went FIRST!

Heather : Whose cooking show do you watch?

Hungry Girl: Diners, Drive-ins & Dives...it's like food porn!

I LOVE HER!

Then she was kind enough to stay and sign every.single.book. Such a doll!

Speaking of the book...it's HUGE!

530 pages of recipes so delicious I think there is some drool on my copy already.
Can't wait to dig in and tell you all about it....stay tuned!
In the meantime, everyone should sign up to get her daily emails full of tips, tricks and inspiration.

xoxo,
THE OTHER HG

Guest Post

2011-03-16T15:45:00.001-04:00

Hey Everyone! Click here to check out my guest post on one of my favorite blogs ever, Paisley Petunia.

xoxo,

SobeWFF 2011- Closing Party

2011-03-07T22:09:00.000-05:00

Time to wrap up my adventures to the 2011 South Beach Wine & Food Festival . Blisters and all we trekked the 8 blocks to Guy's BIG Beach Bar & Grill. After the very long and excited weekend we had, I have to say this closing party was QUITE disappointing! Only a couple Chef Hunt sightings:

Andrew Zimmerman

Guy was there but never came out of the VIP area, in fact no one did. :(

Geoff from Ace of Cakes

The other guy from Ace of Cakes...name anyone? I am blanking!

Anne Burrell smiling right at me!

That was it.

Pretty lame party, if you ask me. In retrospect, shoulda gone home to watch the Oscars.

I cannot complain though, since I didn't pay for the tickets, he he.

So long SobeWFF, see you next year!

XOXO,

Heather

SobeWFF 2011- Grand Tasting

2011-03-07T21:37:00.000-05:00

Day 3 of my trip to the South Beach Wine & Food Festival 2011 took me to the Whole Foods Market Grand Tasting Village. Here is me waitin in line at 10am, one glass of wine down already! ;)

First up for the day was Emeril's Demo:

Quite boring actually, he gives me the creeps. Anyone else?

Next up, Claire Robinson Book Signing:

Such a sweetie! I heart her!

Then rush over to the Michael Symon demo:

Then back over for his book signing:

J'adore his laugh!

Then back over to Bobby Flay Demo:

Then back over to his book signing:

Bobby & Sam

Then on the way to the next demo, look who we ran into:

Aarti Party! So sweet and gracious!

Finally made it to the Anthony Bourdain Demo:

Yes folks, thats a PBR in his hand! Hilarious!

A peek into the Debi Mazar show (who gave my friend Sam a shout-out in front of everyone, cause they are twitter buds!) Fun!

At this point we took a break from demos and book signings and actually made it into the tasting tents! Holy wine and food overload! I personally made it a rule to not try anything that involved a fork- hand held foods only. Of course, I broke that rule a few times with beauties such as this:

After tasting all of the delicious bites and numerous glasses of wine, it was back to business...Chef Hunting!

There is something Badass and sexy about him, no?!

Then back in line for Paula Deen Book Signing.

Paula and Her husband Michael. Not like I HAD to have his signature, but I got it anyways.

Then a bonus Deen, Bobby!

Cutie Patootie!

Quick Glance at the Tyler Florence Show

And we were ready to head out. Blisters and all, we had a closing party to go to!

SobeWFF 2011- Kidz Kitchen

2011-03-06T23:01:00.000-05:00

Day 2 of my trip to the South Beach Wine & Festival was to the Kellogg's Kidz Kitchen. Yes, you are supposed to have a kid with you, but I went with Sam & his mom, so doesn't that count? I was celebrating my 8 3/4 birthday after all! ;)

Now, let me tell you about going to an event like this...you HAVE to go with others, and you have to divide and conquer to be able to see/do it all! While one is on line for one show, the other can be in line for a book signing, and that's exactly how we did it! It's a long, exhausting day, but sooo worth it! Just take a look:

First up, Rachael Ray Demo:

Then I ran into Tony the Tiger:

Then on to the Cat Cora Book Signing:

such a sweetie!

Rocco DiSpirito Demo:

Rocco Book Signing:

Lastly, Giada De Laurentis Demo:

so sweet, such a good show, very gracious.

She even stayed to sign books even though it wasn't scheduled!

That's her signing my book!

An exhausting but super-fun day. I have the blisters to prove it! :)

SobeWFF 2011- Shine & Swine

2011-03-06T22:27:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the delay in posting about my whirlwind weekend at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival. I hope you will forgive me! :) I have finally recuperated, but now I just hope to remember all the important details. Let's see how I do...starting with the first event SHINE & SWINE. (That means moonshine and pig, for those not in the know!) Held at the W Hotel in South Beach and hosted by Adam Perry Lang, how can you go wrong? Well, let me tell you! First, I should tell you that the tickets were won by my friend Sam, by writing a poem about Lee Schrager, genius behind the festival. We find out he won at the last minute and immediately head down to Sobe to live it up. All was good until I get a call 5 minutes from Sobe that Sam, bless his heart, was swatting a spider (A spider!) in his car driving down to Sobe using the FedEx with the tickets in it, and the tickets. flew. out. the. window. NO.JOKE. So then, we went to plan B. Show up and somehow get in. Well, the foodie gods were looking after us that night, cause we walked right up to the women in charge of tickets, told her our story, and got right in (Thanks Ashley!). The event itself was kind of a dud-totally wouldn't pay $100 for the tickets, and the star, Adam didn't show his face once, but we stumbled upon the best spot to stand in the whole party...the entrance/exit to the VIP section. Here is where we had the time of our lives! Check out who stumbled upon us....

That's Jamie Oliver!

Lee Schrager, Genius behind the festival

Rachael Ray!

Also met Art Smith, but his photo is on Sam's camera, since I was taken off camera duty after my flash didn't go off when I took a picture of him and Rachael...

Sorry Sam!

All in all, a pretty exhilarating evening. I must say, I didn't sleep at all that night I was so excited!

Chef Hitlist!

2011-02-22T22:40:00.000-05:00

Finally got my copy of the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival Cookbook, and I am ready to hit that sand and do some MAJOR Chef-stalking!

Very well written cookbook by the festival guru himself, Lee Schrager. Filled with photos, recipes and insider stories from the past ten years of the Sobe Festtival, but I will be using it to see how many chefs I can track down in one weekend!

On my Chef Hitlist (In no particular order):

Rachael Ray

Bobby Flay

Jamie Oliver

Emeril Lagasse

Rick Bayless

Spike Mendelsohn

Michael Symon

Ted Allen

Cat Cora

Guy Fieri

Claire Robinson

Rocco Dispirito

Tyler Florence

Masaharu Morimoto

Paula Deen

Anthony Bourdain

Anne Burrell

Giada DeLaurentis

Duff Goldman

Todd English

Scott Conant

Phew! I know it's hefty goal and some of them I actually met last year, but I want them all to sign the cookbook. I am getting excited! Time to put on my comfy shoes and get hunting....wish me luck!

Comfort Food King!

2011-02-22T22:03:00.000-05:00

So you may know by now that I am a cookbook collector. I enjoy getting new cookbooks and immediately sitting down and picking all the recipes I plan on making. Usually I end up making one or two of those before I move on to my next new cookbook....well, not so this time! Six months in and I am still head over heals in love with Now Eat This! Packed full of all of your favorite comfort foods, but with the fat and calorie counts slashed! This week I was craving Chicken & Dumplings, and again Rocco DiSpirito came through for me! Not only was it it easy, fast and delicious, but it cut right threw my craving! Just check out this bowl of comfort:

The only drawback is, when it says it serves 4, it's more like 3, since you will definitely go back for seconds!

Shrimp & Grits, Y'all!

2011-02-15T22:36:00.001-05:00

Totally craving Shrimp & Grits all week, but couldn't fathom making Paula Deen's version full of butter and fat y'all, so I turned to my gal in charge of calorie slashing....Hungry Girl. She hooked me up with her Shrimp & Grits for Hungry Chicks. Now before you go and judge, thinking HG took out all of the flavor along with the fat, you are totally wrong! This was so rich and creamy and full of flavor, and it took only 10 minutes to make, I didn't miss any fat at all!

To make me even more happy, the potion size was fit for a, well, Hungry Girl!
Sorry Paula...

5 Minute Flavor

2011-02-15T22:16:00.000-05:00

I've mentioned before, but my favorite go-to dip is a healthy artichoke dip by Rocco Dispirito, that's always a hit! I got it from a magazine article that adapted it from Rocco's 5 Minute Flavor. I have photocopied the recipe so many times, for so many friends, I'm surprised I can still read it...not that it's hard! It literally takes 5 minutes and has 5 ingredients:

Drain 14oz can of artichokes, chop and put in microwave dish, stir in 3/4c low fat plain yogurt and 1c fresh parmigiana-reggiano, 2 gloves garlic and 2T fresh basil. Microwave 3 minutes on high. stir. microwave 2 min more. serve with pita chips.

Puhlease, anybody can do that, right?! And you end up with the most delicious, addictive dip....ever!

At only 17 calories per tablespoon, is it wrong to want to eat the whole thing????

Super Sunday

2011-02-07T21:41:00.000-05:00

Finally coming out of the food coma that was Superbowl Sunday, just in time to relive it all again here with all of you! The overall spread was enormous, but here is a peek at my contributions:

Starting with dessert:

A football cake!

So stoked I finally got a football-shaped pan, and even more stoked that is is SO easy to make such a cute dessert! The cake was so moist, no frosting needed!

Instead of a regular guacamole, I decided to step it up and do a recipe inspired by a dish I saw Iron Chef Michael Symon raving about on The Best Thing I Ever Ate: Guacamole with Bacon and Blue Cheese!

Sweet, salty, crunchy, creamy, spicy...the perfect combo! Michael, you were dead right about this one!
Throw in some other classics like

Loaded potato bites (baked, not fried)

and Mexican Potato Bites.

Makes for one SUPER, awesome Gameday spread!
I am totally craving more of that guacamole right now! Can't believe football season is over already!
sad face.

My Fair Lady

2011-01-30T19:11:00.000-05:00

First off, no judgement on this post please. I have not been to a fair in probably 20 years, so I may have gone a little nuts on this visit, but boy was it worth it! I was on fair food sensory overload! It all started when I saw this sign:

Yes, ladies and gents, you read that right... A PORK PARFAIT! Apparently, it was featured in the Food Network Magazine, but I missed it. Needless to say, I HAD to have one!

And it was every bit as good as it sounds! Simple concept: pulled pork, barbecue sauce and mashed potatoes, layered in a cup. De-lish!

Then on to the next guilty pleasure (and this is where I insist on you not judging me!).....the Donut Burger!

A burger patty in between two Krispy Kreme donuts. Yes, a heart attack waiting to happen, but I had to try it in the name of food reporting. ;) And Yes, I have to admit, I kinda liked it! Sweet, salty, soft and crunchy, definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Then on to a classic I had not had in a while:

Elephant Ear! I prefer elephant ears to funnel cakes, but that's just my preference. Fried dough covered with cinnamon sugar...can't beat it!

Then for my last hurrah, I had to try something I heard Sunny Anderson speak of on The Best Thing I Ever Ate...the deep-fried Snickers!

The dough was a little to chewy for me, but the inside was nothing but chocolate, Carmel and peanut goodness!

And so went my fair adventures. Good thing I did a 5K in the morning to make up for the gluttony...and I think I'll stay away from fairs for a while....Besides, I think I can make my own pork parfait! :)

Green Goddess

2011-01-30T18:17:00.000-05:00

This post has been a long time coming. My nephew has worked at the adorable Green's Pharmacy for some time now, and I finally had the pleasure of checking it out. I have to say, it was pretty much exactly how I pictured it... An old-school luncheonette with a counter, good food and great prices. Just take a look at some of the tasty goodness we sampled:

M&M pancakes

Look at the size of those things!!!!

The breakfast special: Biscuits and Gravy with Eggs

Bacon Egg and Cheese Croissant with red skinned Home fries

Everything was fresh, tasty and homemade. It was like going back in time! The prices are ridiculously good, the service fast and everybody there was super-friendly. One of those places where everyone knows your name. I definitely cannot wait to go back again soon!

And, of course, I think the chef is cute too!

Thanks for a great breakfast Shaun!

Tastecasting-La Stella's

2011-01-25T22:23:00.000-05:00

So glad to join my Tastecasting ladies again last night at La Stella's of Boca Raton! If you don't feel like cooking tonight and are craving some true old-school Italian home cooking, you should take a look at what we sampled.....

Sunday Meatballs

Four Seasons Flatbread Pizza

Ricotta Gnocchi

Chicken Volantini

Dessert Sampler

Pardon the awful photo quality folks, I forgot my camera, so these were all shot on the camera phone.

Tastecasting-Indus Herbal Cuisine

2011-01-15T20:14:00.000-05:00

After quite a hiatus, the Tastecasting crew was back together again last night at Indus Herbal Cuisine in West Palm Beach. Now, I was excited about this for many reasons. First, the restaurant is about a half mile from my house, two, I was actually off so I was available to go, and lastly, I have been craving Indian food for for.ev.er. Just take a look at all of the menu items we sampled:

Guldasta Platter (an appetizer sampler)

Indus Chili Gobi (a sweet/sour cauliflower)

One of our favorites of the night!

Coconut Lobster Chardonnay

Another fave of the night!

Chicken Tikki Masala

Classic Indian dish, a great starter dish if you have never had Indian cuisine

Tandoori Mix Grill

Palak Masala (Spinach curry)

We adored this dish!

Lamb Vindaloo

Definitely the spiciest dish of the evening!

Dosa
(Lentil pancake filled with curry potatoes, served with a lentil sauce)
Interesting concept...

and to sweeten our palate

Mango mousse

Seems like a lot of food, but the portions are not overly large, and the prices are just right, making it almost necessary to sample all the dishes! Overall exactly what I expected, and it definitely fulfilled my Indian craving for the time being. It was quite a busy evening for the restaurant, with not only our group, but food critics and writers from all over, making it a challenging night for the staff. The owner and staff were so nice and accommodating to us though, I will definitely give Indus another try, maybe for lunch next time. See you then guys!

Panini Power!

2011-01-09T18:22:00.000-05:00

Combine getting a new panini press with the New Year and eating healthy and what do you get? A healthy panini! Where did I turn for inspiration? Why, Hungry Girl of course! I subscribe to her daily emails full if tips, recipes and news. I happen to get one last month with a recipe that I immediately printed out. It was a makeover on the Panera Bread Frontega Chicken Panini, which I eat OFTEN. Well, I was SHOCKED to found out that my favorite lunchtime delight has 860 calories! Yikes!!! Lucky for me Hungry Girl came to my rescue and made her version of it. The HG Mega-Delicious Chicken Chipotle Panini. Now do you get why I printed it out immediately??!! This past week I made up a batch of the chicken and the chipotle mayo and easily assembled one for lunch not once but FOUR times! It not only tastes exactly like the real (fattening) thing, but it is filling too!

Looks like way more than 256 calories, doesn't it? Tastes like it too!

PS You should not only subscribe to the HG emails, but check our her new show on Cooking Channel as well. Both are chock full of tips and tricks for those looking to slim down! But then again, this hungry girl adores anyone with the initials HG! ;)

I got a panini maker!!

2011-01-09T18:03:00.000-05:00

I have been wanting a panini maker for quite some time now, and this year, Santa (IE my sister Jan) came through! Eager to try it out, we consulted our booklet from the Food Network Magazine, 50 Panini. We combined the idea of #22 and #27 and made our own Spicy Steak Fajita Panini.

Fresh Ciabatta, siracha mayonnaise, provolone, grilled flank steak, peppers and onions combined to make the perfect inaugural panini!

The spicyness of the mayo, the sweet of the peppers and onions, the grilled flavor from the steak...perfectly delicious! You can't get this at any sandwich shop!

Tailgate, take nine

2011-01-09T17:47:00.000-05:00

The last tailgate of the year was special for a couple reasons. One, it was the day after Christmas, so everyone was happy and ready to go! Two, it was the last game of the year, so you have to savor the moments...it's a long time until the next one! And three, my adorable nephew, Dustin, was my partner in crime this time. Now, Dustin is not what you would call a foodie, so nothing life-changing here. And lucky for us, I lost the first ladder-ball tournament, so I had to do cooking! Dustin's meal of choice was a Turkey-Cheese panini, the Dustini, if you will!

These bricks sure have come in handy this year!

Nice, hearty sandwich for a chilly Miami day!
Let it be known that I won the second round of ladder ball, so Dustin had to buy the burger and fries at half-time! :)

Tailgate, take eight

2011-01-09T17:25:00.000-05:00

A little behind in the blogging...sorry for those who have missed me! Let me try to catch you up on what's been cooking...

For the second to last tailgate of the year, I decided to get a little cheeky and try something new from Bobby Flay's new cookbook, Burgers, Fries and Shakes. We were playing the Buffalo Bills, so I decided to make the Buffalo Burger. No, it's not made of Buffalo meat, but something even better! I was extra-excited, because this is the first recipe I have made from the new book. As always, Bobby's recipe was easy to follow, accessible ingredients and out-of this-world taste! Take a look at the breakdown:

Ground Chuck burgers with just S&P on them

Cover with hot sauce (IE Buffalo wing sauce)

Slather with Blue Cheese Sauce, Crunchify with potato chips and add a toasty bun. YUM!

Add potato salad and you have the perfect pre-game meal!

Another Touchdown by Bobby! Too bad my cheeky idea didn't lead to a home-team win, but at least the food was good! If you would like the recipe, let me know and I will email it over to you!

Easy.Beefy.Cheesy!

2010-12-13T22:25:00.000-05:00

So, if you follow any other food blogs, like I do, you have for sure seen this recipe before. Every blog I follow has made it! It is from a recent Cooking for Real with Sunny Anderson. The minute I saw this recipe for her Easy Beefy Cheesy Enchilada Casserole, I knew I would make it, and then seeing other foodies attest to how good it was made it a must! This recipe is reason #948 why Sunny is my favorite FN Chef. Her food is approachable, affordable, easy and well, Real! This was so easy to make, so flavorful and sooooo comforting on a chilly winter day watching football! The kicker I think is the layers of flavor, not only in the meat, but the sauce as well. To make this casserole of deliciousness, first you make the sauce:

and the meat:

Then layer up with the tortillas and cheese:

Be sure to make a double-batch, cause it's THAT good!

I DARE you to only eat one piece!

Who needs to spend all day rolling tortillas? This is the quick fix way to a comforting dinner ANY time of the week. The leftovers are just as tasty for lunch the next day too, FYI. Highly recommend!

Way to knock it out of the park again Sunny!

Now.Eat.This.

2010-12-10T22:35:00.000-05:00

Surprise, surprise I am a cookbook collector. I wish I had more time, money and people to feed, then I would really would be cooking non-stop! As it is I rip through the cookbook on the first day I get it, post-it tab all the recipes I want to try, and then I'm lucky if I ever get to any of them. Luckily, I picked two good ones from Rocco Dispirito's latest cookbook, Now Eat This. This cookbook is a all of your favorite comfort foods, all under 350 calories. I knew I had to get this cookbook after seeing Rocco's demonstration at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival and he made brownies that are 53 calories. Yes, you read that right! 53 calorie brownies my friends, the man is a genius! (And pretty cute too!)

OK, back to the cooking. His recipes really are pretty genius.

For my first attempt I tried his Jambalaya:

So moist and delicious, you would never know it was low fat!

Admittedly, I am not a fan of brown rice normally, but in this I totally forgot it was even healthy for me! I did spice it up by adding some red pepper flakes, but the smoky flavor of the paprika had a ton of flavor already.

I also made the Skinny Chef's Salad, not pictured. Another hit!

One thing that I have noticed, is that the portions are pretty generous in this cookbook, which is another plus for me! Good food, lots of it and low fat? Winner! Way to go Rocco, can't wait to try those brownies next!

Tailgate, Take seven

2010-12-10T21:59:00.000-05:00

This past tailgate would be my last with Scott, as I am taking some other friends for the last two games, so this one had to be special. Being an early game, I decided to open Scott's eyes to the wonder that is chorizo. He had never had it, so the pressure was on for me make it good...and I think I did, but you be the judge!

First up were some potatoes:

potatoes, onions, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes= perfection!

Then came the chorizo:

brown and spicy and perfect

Add in the eggs:

Warm the tortillas:

Put Scott on tomato chopping duty:

And put it all together for one hunger & soul satisfying pre-game breakfast!

This is how much we loved it:

I'd say Scott is definitely a fan of Chorizo now!

Tailgate, take six

2010-12-10T21:31:00.001-05:00

Sorry for the delay is posts lately folks, been running a bit behind. I know you've missed me! I'll try to catch you up in the next couple days, starting with this random tailgate from about a month ago.

Trying to come up with new ideas for tailgating can sometimes be a pain. That's why I pass the idea torch over to Scott, and he always comes through with great ideas! For this one, we went way outside the typical boring burger bun and went with a classic, the BLT. How does one make a delicious BLT at a tailgate you ask? Well, with the careful planning of my dear SIL Tammy and some creativeness, that's how! First you start with good quality ingredients: Potato Bread, bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayo (not Miracle Whip) and salt & pepper. Tammy pre-cooked the bacon for us, so all we had to do was heat it up and toast the bread:

Put it all together, and you have a wonderful pre-game snack if I do say so myself!

Add some of Tammy's potato salad, and it's game on! Yum!

You can help Sunny Anderson Bake for the Troops!

2010-12-02T22:28:00.001-05:00

This blog is originally from Holly at Random Cravings:

As some of you may know, Food Network chef Sunny Anderson is not only a military veteran herself, but she also comes from a long line of distinguished veterans. Supporting the U.S. Troops has always been an important part of Sunny’s life, and this holiday season, she is asking for our help in Baking for the Troops!

Sunny has teamed up with Kenmore to bake 250,000 cookies for U.S. soldiers away from home this holiday season, and we can help! All you need to do is “like” Kenmore on Facebook, and Sunny and Kenmore take care of the rest! Here’s how it works:

1. Visit Facebook.com/Kenmore and “like” them.

2. Click on the tab that says “Cookies4Troops,” then click on “SEND A DOZEN COOKIES FOR ME.”

3. You’ll redirect to a page that allows you to choose from several pre-written messages to accompany your cookies. Choose the message you like, then …

4. That’s it!!!!! Kenmore and Sunny do all the baking, packaging and mailing! They even attach your personal note to the box! And it doesn’t cost you a penny!

5. Tell a friend!!

Besides making so many soldiers holidays a little yummier, once they reach 250,000 cookies (about 20,800 clicks), Kenmore and Sears will donate $50,000 to the Heroes at Home Wish Registry!

Sunny describes her own personal experience as a soldier away from home in her blog post about Baking for the Troops – after you read her heartfelt story here, you’ll know why it is so important for us to make the U.S. soldiers who are away from home this holiday season feel special and appreciated. Please help Sunny and Kenmore make Baking for the Troops a huge success, and go to Facebook.com/Kenmore right away!!

I'm on The Best Thing I Ever Ate!

2010-12-01T23:18:00.000-05:00

As you recall from a post back in July, I went and saw a taping of The Best Thing I Ever Ate at Rosario's Ristorante. Well, the episode finally aired on Monday, and guess who was the star?! Yes, Alex Guarnaschelli spoke highly of Rosario's Garlic Bread (Rightfully so!), but did you see who also made an appearance???? ME!!!! Check out some screen shots from the episode...

Can't say it's the most flattering images of me ever, but pretty neat, nonetheless! Don't know if it will re-air anytime soon, but it's the With Garlic Episode, so be on the lookout if you wanna see it yourself. I'll be signing autographs in the meantime though! ;)

Strike two, Big Daddy

2010-11-26T22:44:00.000-05:00

In the spirit of watching approximately 300 hours of Thanksgiving recipes on Food Network these past two weeks, and since I made a very traditional Thanksgiving feast, I thought I'd try at least one of the recipes I saw on the day after. Of all the recipes I saw, only one really caught my attention. It was on one of the Dear Food Network, prepared by Aaron McCargo Jr. His recipe was 2 in 1 Sausage Stuffed Stuffing. I thought I'd give Big Daddy another try, since the last time I tried a recipe of his it didn't work out so well for me. Well, Can't say this one was any better. The concept sounded delicious... stuffing wrapped around a ball of sausage sitting in a bowl of gravy. What could be bad about that? Well, here's how it broke down:

First I browned up the sausage balls

Then, you use the same pan to make the gravy:

Easy pan gravy, but he called for oil, instead of butter to make the rue, so quite frankly it tasted, well, oily to me. Disappointment #1.

Then, I covered the sausage in (gasp!) box stuffing....still can't figure out why a 'chef' recipe calls for box stuffing, but anyways. Then, dip in flour and fry up.

This is where Disappointment #2 comes in. The stuffing balls proceeded to fall apart right there in the pan and it got worse from there.

Not only did they fall apart, but they tasted like oil. FAIL.

So I tried just browning them in a dry pan.

Those came out only slightly better. They looked better, but still fell apart the second you touched one.

So I tried to do it the way Big Daddy had showed it, floating in a bowl of the gravy. I figured there must have been a reason he did that instead of dipping in the gravy...

Only slightly better, I have to say. Still tasted like a bowl of oil.

Sorry, Big Daddy, but overall, today was a HUGE disappointment. How could something that sounded so good come out so wrong?! I guess next time I'll just stick with my girl Sunny Anderson and her Fried Stuffing with Cranberry Pesto I made last year.

I give thanks

2010-11-24T23:01:00.000-05:00

There are many reasons I love Bobby Flay, but one of them is the fact that he and I both count Thanksgiving as our favorite day of the year. Food, family, and football....how does it get any better? I look forward to it all year! I have actually already cooked and devoured my Thanksgiving meal. Tomorrow is just the bonus round for being a good girl all year! ;)

I don't get why people stress about making the big meal each year though. Really, the turkey just sits in the oven for a few hours, when it comes out to rest, all the other sides go in. As long as you have a good sous chef and dishwasher, (thanks mom!) it's really an easy meal! My menu this year was standard, no fuss no flash. My sister made a bet that at least one dish would have chipotles in it, but (sorry Jan!) I went old school this year. Take a look at my line-up:

It may not be the prettiest bird I have ever made, but it was THE.JUICIEST.BIRD.EVER! Don't know why the skin didn't crisp up (ideas?) but lord have mercy was it moist!

Green Bean Casserole.
Yes, the kind from the can, no judging I HAVE to have it!

Sweet Potato Casserole.

Classic recipe, but what you can't see is the ration of potato to marshmallow. (I'd say it's 50/50!)

White Potatoes.
Notice I didn't say mashed, because I went a step further and used a ricer to make them light, fluffy and creamy.

Turkey Pan Gravy

I could drink this by itself, honestly.

Add mamas stuffing and some rolls, and you get one perfect meal!

Oh, and of course there was pie! I always make two, even if I know it's just gonna be me tackling the leftovers. It's a tradition to have pumpkin pie for breakfast following Thanksgiving. My mama says pumpkin is a vegetable, so it's OK! :)

This picture right here says comfort to me. Isn't Thanksgiving GREAT?!

Well, I hope you all enjoy your day as much as I will! And I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you all for following me and supporting my little blog. I love all of you and wish nothing but the best for you!

XOXO,

Heather

Great Balls of Fire!

2010-11-08T22:56:00.000-05:00

So, this weekend I tried my first recipe by Aaron McCargo Jr, aka Big Daddy (Season 4 Winner of NFNS), from his show Big Daddy's House. The recipe was Buffalo Chicken Cheese Balls. The name alone sounds great, right?! Basically it's a Buffalo Chicken Wing rolled into a ball...how can that be bad? Well, the technique sounded easy enough, but I struggled BIG TIME with it. I think my problem may have been that I purchased the chicken the night before, so it was cold, and did not form into a ball well with the cheese, which, in turn made the breading process very difficult. They turned out to be more like chicken cheese ovals....

But it didn't affect the taste at all! They were ooey gooey and delicious inside...

Who cares what they looked like, because I could.not.stop eating them! The spice was perfect and the sauce was divine! It seems like a lot of sauce for not so many apps, but trust me you will want to eat the leftovers with a spoon!

Big Daddy has a new cookbook coming out soon, and if this is any indication of how delicious the recipes are, then sign me up!

SpookyVille

2010-11-01T23:02:00.001-04:00

Yes, yesterday was Halloween. Leave it to me to post pictures of food instead of costumes! Check out these scary good treats!

Witches Brooms

Cauldron Dip

Friendly Ghost Cupcakes

Severed Toes in Bandages

Cute right?! What a fun day! Click on any of the above links for recipes.

Tailgate, Take five

2010-10-25T23:01:00.000-04:00

I am getting pretty good at this tailgating thing, if I do say so myself! No boring burgers or dogs here! Not that there is anything wrong with them once in a while, but I think keeping it exciting is important. This week, I went with the same theme as last time and did a panini again. This time, the inspiration came from Food Network Magazine and their 50 Great Panini booklet from the October Issue. My partner in crime this week was Amanda, and we went with #20, the Steak and Gruyere Panini.

Curious about what's in that other foil??? Stay tuned! :)

Rain was definitely an issue, and I was very afraid that we would end up sad, soggy sandwiches, but we made friends with nearby tailgaters and shared their tent. I still got pretty wet, but it was worth it for this delicious pre-game treat!

Yes! That's Asparagus! At a Tailgate!! I told you I keep it exciting!

Not pictured, chocolate croissants I baked the night before. Yes, I am that good!

A poppin' good time

2010-10-19T22:31:00.001-04:00

It's no secret I love good dip, maybe a little more than the average person! Being Football Season and all, I am getting plenty of opportunities to try new dips! This week, another Rachael Ray play on a traditional dish, the Jalapeno Popper. Yes, it's a Jalapeno Popper Dip In all honesty, it tastes exactly like eating a popper! Smoky jalapenos, melty cheese and a little crusty on top..., yes please!! Not overly spicy, just the right amount of kick. Another tick in the win column!

And yes, that is my new Rachael Ray Bubble & Brown, thank you for asking!

and I helped!

2010-10-12T23:10:00.000-04:00

Don't judge me, but I got an urge for Shake 'N Bake the other night. Now it has been quite a few years since I have made Shake 'N Bake. Did you know there are a ton of new flavors available? It's not just chicken or pork anymore people! I was a little overwhelmed, but I ended up deciding on the crispy buffalo. You can never go wrong with spicy, right?! Here are my Crispy Buffalo Chicken Tenders.

To go with my old-school favorite, I decided to spice up my potatoes with a Horseradish Potato Gratin. Smooth, creamy, crispy topping and slightly spicy...definitely not what you normally expect out of a side of potatoes!

Can you see the bubbles of goodness there in the corner? Yum!

For dessert, I tried to go the healthy route, but you would never know these Blueberry Bran Muffins (something else I haven't had in decades) were low-fat. Sweet, soft, loaded with blueberries, you coulda fooled me!

Throw in a salad, and you've got one heck of a Sunday Supper! (and leftovers for days) It may not seem super-fancy to you, but sometimes going old-school is just the comfort you need on a fall evening. Mmmm, feeling very warm and cozy right now!

silly sausage

2010-10-11T22:26:00.000-04:00

I love pizza (who doesn't?) and I adore dips, so why would I not love something called Sausage Pizza Dip?! Yes, it is every bit as good as it sounds! Basically, it's a sausage pizza in a bowl for your dipping pleasure. Take a look at this bubbly magic right out of the oven:

Add some french baguette for dipping...

And you have a lovely plate of dipping deliciousness!

It may not look like much, but it really tasted like eating your favorite takeout pizza! With only a few ingredients, it was simple to make and a sure crowd pleaser!

a little taste of Cali to sweeten my day!

2010-10-10T09:41:00.000-04:00

It's no secret I miss Cali pretty much every day; either the friends, the culture or mostly, the food! So I love it when I come across something that brings me back to my Cali days, and the new Eco Yogurt Lounge does just that. Self serve Cali-style healthy frozen yogurt? Yes please! With it's techno music, leather couches and changing neon lights, I can just image this place on a Friday night with all the local college students nearby!

I always go with the California Tart (naturally!) with Strawberries, Granola and Chocolate chips:

Whereas others go for something sweeter:

That's cookies-n-cream yogurt with Oreos, cookie dough and brownie bites for Amanda!

All that love for usually about $3.50. Not bad at all! Not as good as making it at home, but it'll do when I need a sweet treat during the week! ;)

Tailgate, take four

2010-10-06T22:26:00.000-04:00

For the majority of our tailgates, I let the decisions of what to make be made by my brother, Scott. This time he did not disappoint! Inspired by a sandwich he had in a hospital cafeteria, of all places, this panini is not normal tailgate fare. Then the question was, how do you grill a panini in a parking lot? Foil covered bricks, of course!

Inside that sandwich is salami, pepperoni, ham, provolone and a good slathering of Italian dressing. A few minutes on each side, and it turned into a crusty, melty sandwich of goodness. Serve it up with some of Tammy's homemade potato salad, and that is one filling meal...enough to carry one from pre-game to post-game!

What did we name this lovely concoction??? The FININI!!!! Get it? lol!

And to wash it down? Jello shots, of course!

All in all a great tailgate! The outcome of the game was not as good, but (and I am getting tired of saying it) at least the food was good!

Pocket full of Sunshine

2010-10-05T22:52:00.000-04:00

You may remember this post about a gadget I was coveting- a dumpling press. Well, I did one better, actually five times better- because I got this lovely 5 pack of dough presses! So, now what? Well, I had a ball on Sunday trying some of them out. Check out the sampling of the treats:

Pepperoni Pizza pockets with Marinara dipping sauce

Potato/Chorizo empanadas

Steak Fajita pockets with homemade salsa

Apple Turnovers

Sweet Potato Empanadas

Mmm Mmm Mmm! Mouth watering just thinking about it! So, the presses didn't work as well as I hoped, partly because of the the dough being room temperature and the filling being hot, but I will give them another shot. I have three other sizes to try, I am thinking potstickers and dumplings in my future! :)

Baba, oh baby!

2010-10-04T11:44:00.000-04:00

Some of you may recall the post I wrote about Talia's Tuscan Table a few months back. Well the genius behind that lovable and addictive Italian restaurant has now expanded and opened Baba's Shrimp Shack right next door. Finally, fresh, affordable seafood in South Florida! They had their grand opening party on Saturday, and boy was it party for the ages! I have never seen such a crowd for such an event. A true testament to Chef Andy and his reputation for good food and fun! Just look at the crowd, spilling out all over the parking lot:

That's me with Chef Andy in the Captain's hat and bell...told he was was fun!

There was even a band rockin' the house!

The party continued inside as well:

The place was so packed, that I only got to sample a few bites of food, but what I did try was tasty. You may know that I am not a huge seafood fan, so for me to say it was good, it another true testament to Andy's expertise. Everyone seemed to really enjoy it and had a great time! This happy customer says it all!

Best of luck to you Chef Andy! If this party is any indication of your success, then you have a lifetime of busy days ahead of you!

I Relish the thought

2010-10-03T23:24:00.000-04:00

I have heard so much about the new hamburger spot, Relish in the last few weeks, I just knew that it was a place I had to check out for myself. I did my research and was very excitied! Very simple concept- Pick your protein, pick you relish (topping) and make your own creation. I have to say though, I was a little overwhelmed by the menu upon arrival. They have every protein you can imagine (lobster anyone?), and an array of delicious relishes. How does one pick just one of each?? Well, I already know I will be returning to try other tasty options! On this visit, I went with the beef burger, cheddar cheese and the sweet&salty bacon relish (chunks of smoky bacon in a sweet jam). I also went with the polents fries with the parmesan romano salt. Yes, you get to design your own fries too!

They forgot my cheese, and was cooked waaaay past the medium I asked for, but it was still yummy, and I definitely couldn't finish it all. The polenta fries, by the way, are the bomb!

My friend Matt went with the black bean burger with the guacamole relish and the polenta fries with the chipotle salt.

You thought my burger was big? Check out the size of that this thing! Spicy, moist and delicious, his burger was a definite hit!

Also on the menu but I didn't get to try are milkshakes that sound heavenly: Fluffer Nutter, Chocolate Truffle, Salted Caramel...yes please! I'll make sure to save room next time. Although my order get a little messed up, I still really enjoyed my visit to Relish, and look forward to going back soon!

ooh la la!

2010-09-30T22:35:00.000-04:00

I love when I stumble across something by accident and then completely fall in love with it. Case in point, when I stumbled across Bakery of France last week. Totally meant to grab a quick lunch from Quiznos, it happened to be closed, but the lovely french bakery next door was very much open. Upon entry, it looks and smells like everything a french bistro should. I decided to enjoy one of my favorite french staples, A Croque Monsieur- a grilled ham & Gruyere sandwich, coated in béchamel sauce.

Served with a lovely house salad on the side, the perfect combination of sweet, salty, soft and crunchy.

Of course I cannot get anywhere near a french bakery without getting one of my other favorites...a Chocolate Croissant!

Flaky, buttery, delicious, and the perfect amount of chocolate

As I was getting ready to leave, I asked why no crepes on the menu? I was informed that indeed they do have them, and there were some being made right now...by an adorable little French woman who spoke to me in French (and had to be translated, since I have forgotten ALL of my 3 years of high school French!).

Enough said! I will definitely be returning! With the great service, delicious food, and very good prices, I say go visit now! Allez!

Tailgate, take three

2010-09-29T00:01:00.000-04:00

What do you get when you mix a high energy atmosphere, a warm, sunny afternoon and a grill? Answer: Total happiness! And we're not talking burgers and dogs here people! I'm talking Italian sausage with peppers and onions!

Wanna know what's inside that foil packet???

Again, my SIL spoiled us! She pre-chopped the onions and peppers in 4, yes FOUR colors for us! I don't know what I did to deserve this, but I sure enjoyed it!

Add a soft roll and I'm in heaven!

I wish I could say the outcome of the game made me happy, but at least the food was good!

Bang Bang, Love Love!

2010-09-19T22:08:00.000-04:00

Today I tried out another copycat recipe from Food Network Magazine; the Bang Bang Shrimp from Bonefish Grill. For those not in the know, Bang Bang is a crispy shrimp tossed in a spicy sauce that is so addictive! I served up a few batches today to a group that has never had it before, and the consensus was..."delicious", "winner, winner chicken dinner", and "can I have that recipe?" Just check out this plate of addictive deliciousness:

For those who do not like the heat, I even made a batch without the sauce.....still delicious!

If you can't make it to Bang Bang Wednesday's at Bonefish Grill, the definitely try this recipe for yourself...you'll be glad you did. (And so will your friends!!) :)

Crazy for Cantina!

2010-09-18T20:51:00.000-04:00

Thanks to my friends at Flavor Palm Beach, I enjoyed at trip to Cantina Laredo last night, and my mouth has not stopped watering since! I admit I kinda had my feel of Mexican food living in Los Angeles, but last night I realized what I have been missing, and I remembered what good Mexican really tastes like. Cantina Laredo is just one of the many great restaurants participating in this year's Flavor Palm Beach, and their special tasting menu is quite Divine. Not to mention the lively atmosphere, the great service and the great deals on the tasting menu.

Of course we first started off with the table maid Guacamole:

And a tasty beverage...FYI they have a great happy hour! :)

Then we started off on the tasting menu:

First Course:

Ceviche

Cranberry Pecan Salad

Second Course:

Fish of the Day: Salmon

THE.BEST.CARNITAS. I.HAVE.EVER.HAD!

Third Course:

Banana Crepes

Mouth watering yet? Seriously the best carnitas I have ever had. Not just fall off the bone, JUMP off the bone they are so tender! Cover them in a chipotle wine sauce and I am in heaven! Don't believe me? I dare you to go try some for yourself! But hurry, Flavor Palm Beach ends September 30th!

Copy this!

2010-09-13T23:03:00.000-04:00

Ever wanted something from your favorite restaurant but were too lazy or too far away to go get it? Well thanks to the Internet and Food Network Magazine, it is now easy to get all of your favorites in the comfort of your own home (or your sister's home in my case!). This week I tried the Bloomin Onion from Outback Steakhouse. Pretty labor intensive, but tasted exactly like the real thing...even if it didn't like exactly like it...

Don't ask why I made 3, because we only ate about this much, but I can tell you
Crunchy + Sweet + Spicy + Salty = Dah-lish-us!
As my girl Sunny Anderson says, You gotta give this recipe a try!

Hungry for Howleys!

2010-09-12T22:28:00.000-04:00

Somehow when you go to a local food institution, you know that the food is just going to be good. I mean, if they have been around for so long, they have to be good, right?! Well, that theory is certainly true for Howley's, a local institution here in West Palm Beach. I had the pleasure of going there the other night, and I have a feeling I am going to be a regular there now!

The building is bright and lively with funky artwork all over, but still has that diner-feel... you know, where the food is just good! The menu is quite extensive, the service was friendly (just don't go there if you are in a hurry), prices are average, dress code casual,and did I mention the food was good? Classic comfort food, and definitely something for everyone. They are known for their crab cakes and their meatloaf, but sadly no one in my group sampled either of those. Here is was we did sample:

"Almost Famous" Brisket. (fall off the bone delicious!)

Honey Glazed Short Ribs served with perfect mashed potatoes and veggies sauteed in so much garlic you will remember them the next day, in a good way!

Shrimp Salad Sandwich (could have used more shrimp)

And For Dessert:

Cobbler of the Day: Peach. Look at the size of that thing!

Banana Banana Cream Pie (so good that they had to say it twice!)

Cinnamon Walnut Cake (so simple, so delicious)

We all left very full and very happy. All in all quite delighted in my first trip to Howley's, and I will definitely be returning soon!

Five Guys, 5 stars!

2010-09-02T21:57:00.000-04:00

So you may remember me waxing on about In-n-Out here or here, well, rest assured, I will not be longing for Double Doubles any longer. Why you ask? Because I have found a new love, thank you very much. I have heard about the place that would give my double double a run for it's money, but it wasn't until I just read in the 2010 Zagat Survey that the new number one Burger Joint was Five Guys, did I really decide I had to try it. I did research, polled friends and family, and made a date to try it out. Que the fuzzy vision and the "Where have you been all my life" music...I am in LOVE! The simple concept is refreshing, the staff friendly, the prices reasonable, and the food, well, just LOOK at this deliciousness:

Huge portions, simple presentation, and tasty fries!

I had the cheeseburger (equivalent of a double double) and get this, you choose your own toppings! I got mine with mayo, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, ketchup and mustard.

Perfectly seasoned, hot, fresh, juicy and made just for me!

Matt got sauteed mushrooms and A1 sauce:

Why is it so much more fun when you can custom create your food??

Anyways, as I said before, I am in love. I will always have a place in my heart for In-n-Out, but Five Guys is here, and here to stay. Case in point, my first visit was Sunday, and I went back for more on Tuesday!

This could be dangerous!

XOXO,

Heather

Tailgate, take two

2010-08-28T23:46:00.000-04:00

As you may recall from last week, I have been craving Philly Cheesesteaks for a while now. Well, I thought I had my fill here, but guess not! I wanted them AGAIN this week. Problem was, how could I fulfill that craving while tailgating? Well, my SIL Tammy is a genius and came up with the solution....foil packets!

She pre-filled the packets with the meat, onions, peppers, cheese and mushrooms (on one at least, I am not a fan of the fungi!). Notice how one is labeled mush (for mushroom) and one is labeled I <3 U ?! Guess which one was mine?! :) All we had to do was warm them up on the grill:

What resulted was a perfectly warm, melty, sandwich of goodness!

Insert picture of me devouring the sandwich, juices running down my chin and me not caring ONE bit! The game may not have been a win, but at least the food was good! :)

Crazy for quesadillas!

2010-08-22T21:16:00.000-04:00

Got a hankering today for a quesadilla, so I busted out the George Foreman Quesadilla Maker. I went with BBQ Chicken Quesadillas and Nachos on the side. Quesadillas are in general the easiest thing to make, but this lovely devise makes it even easier. Just layer up the ingredients on top of a tortilla

In this case, chicken, BBQ sauce, red onions and cheese. Throw another tortilla on top and let it do it's magic! They come out sealed perfectly, toasted, gooey and melty.

Jaclyn sure liked them! :)

The nachos are equally as easy. Just layer up some refried beans, jalapenos and cheese on top of a tortilla chip and bake until melty:

Add your favorite condiments- in this case salsa, guacamole and sour cream- and you've got the perfect bite!

Why is it that things that you eat with your hands are always the tastiest???

Philly...finally!

2010-08-22T20:30:00.000-04:00

I don't know how he did it, but my friend Matt read my mind and somehow knew that I have been craving a Philly Cheesesteak for about two weeks now. So, imagine my surprise when I got an invitation this week for a Philly Cheesesteak party at his house! Seriously, my mouth has been watering since I got the invitation!

High quality steak

Homemade cheese sauce that Matt worked do diligently on:

Peppers, onions, mushrooms, crispy rolls and Lugers steak sauce rounded out the spread:

perfection!

I admit, I couldn't stop at one. I HAD to have a second one!

Pardon the blurry pictures, I was in such a hurry to get to the party I forgot the camera and was forced to use the phone!

Anyways, I don't know how you did it Matt, but you read my mind and cured my craving! A fantastic evening filled with fun, food, friends and (delayed) football! Thank you!

XOXO,

Heather

Shake it up baby now!

2010-08-20T22:00:00.000-04:00

I finally had the pleasure of tasting the deliciousness that is known as Shake Shack- a New York institution that has recently opened in Miami. After hearing about it from Food Network Chefs for months, I ventured down to Miami today and knew that this was my opportunity to try it. Pleasantly surprised by the lack of line and the lovely decor

After perusing the extensive menu, we settled on Shack Burgers, that believe it or not, put In-n-Out to shame!

fries (perfect crispiness and salty goodness),

and concretes (frozen custards with mix ins). I had the Vanilla with hot fudge and truffle cookie dough:

Kristina had the vanilla with hot fudge and whipped cream

Needless to say, we were full, and happy!

Welcome to Miami, Shake Shack! Hope to be seeing a lot more of you soon!

XOXO,

Heather and Kristina

Tailgate, take one

2010-08-16T22:02:00.000-04:00

Football season is here, and you know what that means?! Guys in tight pants, and TAILGATING! This weekend, I officially kicked off my football season with a little pre-season grilling action. Even though we had a little trouble keeping the grill it in the wind, in the end all turned out lovely and delicious.

On the inaugural menu, was Honey Mustard Chicken:

and a Warm Potato and Green Bean Salad:

ADDICTIVE! The warm potatoes with the crispy green beans and the tangy dressing, there is NO way that you can stop at one serving!!

All in all, a successful tailgate...can't wait til the next one!

more rainy day delights

2010-08-10T22:09:00.000-04:00

A rainy few days calls for staying in, watching movies and of course, cooking. Being too dark and stormy out to venture to the actual store, I made do with what I had in the fridge already.

First up was some Maple Glazed Walnuts.

Perfect snack food for rainy day movie watching! So addictive I had to force myself to stop eating them!

Next up, a Cheesy Chicken Casserole

Casseroles are a must for gloomy days, and this fit the bill perfectly! Sometimes one just has to revert to the cream of mushroom soup for some comfort, ya know?!

OK, now the rain can go away though, as football season is fast approaching. I need Sundays clear please! :)

Salad Sensations!

2010-08-08T20:34:00.000-04:00

Been on a big salad kick this week. Trying to switch it up, so I don't get bored and go grab a burger, I made three different kinds to keep me interested.

First up was a Turkey Taco Salad:

Basically a taco-minus the shell- layered into a bowl! I used ground turkey instead of beef, then layered it up with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, avocado and sour cream. Yum! I especially love the combination of the warm meat, with the cold salad ingredients.

Then, it was a Greek Pasta Salad:

Basically, the classic Greek salad, minus the lettuce, add Mini Penne. My taste-taster Sheryel gave it two thumbs up!

Lastly, since I finally got my sisters secret Pasta Salad recipe, I had to try it out on my own.

Funny how it doesn't taste the same when it's not made in her kitchen....I used all the same ingredients...but it was yummy all the same.

All in all a very tasty week of eating healthy(er).

Best Thing I Ever Ate

2010-07-29T23:00:00.000-04:00

Just got back from a taping of The Best Thing I Ever Ate at Rosario's Ristorante in Boca. Slightly disappointed that the actual Food Network star was not here, but I had a wonderful time non-the-less! There was a 'stunt double' for Alex Guarnaschelli , and I only heard part of the taping (although I did hear them talking about the garlic bread, which IS possibly the best I ever ate!), but it was fun to watch the whole production! Here is a peak at 'Alex's" closeup:

From across the room, we totally thought it was the real Alex!

Besides the buzzing about the taping going on, the dinner we enjoyed was also truly excellent! No wonder Alex raved about it! If you haven't been to Rosario's, it's definitely worth a trip there! They have all of your favorite Italian classics, and even have a $26.95 3-course Summer menu with a ton of tasty choices!

I had the Gnocchi:

While Caroline went big and had the 2lb Maine Lobster Special:

Can you believe that is also part of the $26.95 special???

Of course there was also dessert:

Italian Cheesecake

Tiramisu

chocolate mouse cake

Yum! Everything was delicious, but what really made the experience was the service. Everybody at Rosario's was friendly, knowledgeable and accessible. I mean, the owner came by a few times to check on us, and his wife, Toni, was so cute I HAD to take a picture with her!

What you don't see here? She really only came up to my chest, so I am totally squatting to take this photo, lol!

All in all a fun evening with great friends, great food and some Food Network stalking! We are told the episode they taped tonight will air in November, and we had to sign waivers, so I'll let you know when it's going to air, so you can look for us!

Food + Family = Fun!

2010-07-28T22:06:00.000-04:00

What do you get when you mix sun, family and enough food to feed an army??? In my world, that = fun! This is what Sunday Funday looks like to me:

Halibut in foil packets

Kebabs

It's so Gouda sliders

Mini Baked Potatoes with Bacon and Brie

Pasta Salad

Paula Deen Three Bean Salad

Grilled fruit kebabs

Served with Angel Food Cake and homemade raspberry sauce (not pictured)

Also not pictured: Lemon Bars and fajitas. Add homemade Sangria and it's a partay!

Let's do this again soon, shall we??

Fast as lightning!

2010-07-27T22:54:00.000-04:00

I heart Greek food. There. I said it. I could eat it everyday. Hummus, pita, feta and tzatziki can all be found in my fridge on any given day. So when I hear about a great new Greek Restaurant that is not only delicious, but also affordable?? You better believe I am there! Souvlaki Fast is a great new gem situated in Mizner Plaza in Boca:

At SOUVLAKI fast, traditional Greek flavors meet the grill. Conceptualized by two friends and Greek natives with a love of grilling, SOUVLAKI fast offers its customers the finest cuts of meat and seafood and the freshest vegetables, marinated, skewered, and grilled to perfection. SOUVLAKI fast seeks to provide a delicious, health-conscious meal option no matter how little time you have to eat.
Whether you prefer your souvlaki on a traditional pita, on a platter with french fries or rice, or atop a delectable salad, SOUVLAKI fast has an entrée sure to quell your craving.

Today I sampled the Greek Salad with Gyro (too bad I ate the gyro before I took the picture...I couldn't wait! sorry!)

the Giant baked beans (in a lovely tomato garlic sauce with traditional Greek seasoning). Never had it before and I loooove it!

and the Kourabiedes- buttery almond cookies covered in powdered sugar. Also known as wedding cookies, these are definitely reason enough to say "I DO!"

Jealous yet??

The staff at Souvlaki Fast is super friendly, the atmosphere cozy, the portions are healthy, and well, the food is mouth-watering...my keyboard has a little drool on it right now! Check out the menu here for a look at some their other tasty treats.

Now for your language lesson:

That deliciousness wrapped up in a pita you normally order? It's called a Gyro. Pronounced like year-o, not ji-ro. You can thank me later.