Loca for Los Perros

What could make me come out of my food blog slump and finally write a post after such a long hiatus? Well, it has to be something spectacular, and boy, is it! Don't get me wrong, I've had lots of great food and food experiences from the last time I posted, but this recent experience was just so titillating, I just couldn't help myself.

Nick (my boyfriend, for those of you who may have forgotten) and I are avid birders now, and last weekend we went birding early Saturday morning at A.D. Barnes park in Miami. We drove about an hour away to catch a great migration movement... But anyways, back to the food. So after a long morning of birding, we worked up an appetite. I remembered that a friend of ours told us about this intriguing-sounding "hot dog place." He described it as a hot dog with a special sauce and crushed potato chips on top. It sounded crazy but interesting, and I'm always up for something new.

I had to do a little searching on my iPhone for "hot dogs" and "crushed chips" in Miami, and I figured out that the place was called Los Perros. So thanks to Google Maps, I was able to find a location nearby! We're almost never in this area, so it was something we finally had the chance to try, and I thought that it would most likely be cheap since it's "just hot dogs." What an understatement that was...

We arrive at a very unassuming shopping plaza and see the sign for Los Perros. But when we walk in, we're amazed to see this super swanky joint. It looked like a night club that happened to be opened during the day. There was even dance club music playing. Very confused, I had Nick go outside just to make sure we were in the right place. Yes, this was the place, alright. There were only a few people inside, and I didn't see any food yet on their table, so as we sat down, I was still not convinced that we were at the right place.

Swanky bar in the back, 3 tasty sauces in the front

Nick excited about our future 

meal! Notice the fancy interior.

The place was fairly small but decked out in Miami style. The walls were a deep crimson, and vintage chandeliers hung from the ceilings. The restaurant is Colombian, but there were hints of Asian and Mediterranean accents, like Buddha statues and large, extravagant mirrors (note Mediterranean wall details in photos). Towards the back was a bar with a few frozen drink machines churning, and on one side of the counter was a variety of typical and atypical sodas.

We recover from the shock after a few minutes and were handed pint-sized, laminated trifold menus. This place was so bizarre yet delightful all at the same time. On one hand, you have this trendy nightclub feeling, yet on the other, you have the feeling of walking into a mom-and-pop shop. There was such a paradox happening with the glitz and glam teamed with what appears to be traditional Colombian street food. There was even the nice touch of the food coming out in paper and styrofoam packaging.

Patiently waiting...

And there were not "just hot dogs" on the menu. Here we did find sausages ("regular" or chorizo) on buns topped with the crushed (plantain?) chips and special sauce on top, but there was much more! My descriptions probably can't do the food justice, but I'll give it a shot. Along without the hot dogs, or "perros," the menu also included arepas, round flat corn cakes filled with cheese or your choice of meat; salchipapas, a hodgepodge of potatoes and sausage, and quail eggs, if you so desire; marranitas, a sort of fried plantain pita pocket filled with your choice of meat; and maicitos, a dish layered with corn, pineapple sauce, crushed chips, cheese topped with special sauce. And every table received 3 plastic squeeze bottles, one filled with the "special sauce," which was kind of like thousand island dressing or ketchup plus mayo mixed together, another with a creamy, garlic-y green sauce, and a third one with pineapple sauce.

Our heads spun for about 5 minutes as we tried to gather ourselves and pick out just what we wanted to try! We decided to go with the chorizo hot dog, or "choriperro," the arepas with chicharrones (chunks of fried pork belly), and the maicito with chicken. Oh, and we felt like we had to have a "local" drink, so we ordered Colombiana. The waitress couldn't really described what it was like, but we went for it any way. The can described it as "kola flavored soda," and to my delight, it tasted like Big Red soda. (You southerners, or at least fellow Texans, may know about that…) 

We anxiously awaited for our food, knowing that our lives would be changed forever. And the food WAS amazing. The chicharrones were cooked to perfection - just the right amount of crispy, salty, fatty goodness. The chorizo sausage tasted like it was made fresh, and the topping of chips and special sauce is inspired. The maicitos dish was lacking the "umph" factor, but still had good flavor. We added lots of the yummy green sauce to that and the choriperro.

Arepa de Chicharron, Choriperro, & Maisito w/ Chicken

Mmm... Fried Pork Belly... 

 I was a little sad when the meal was over. I felt like I could eat ten more choriperros and maybe 3 more arepas… not because I wasn't full, but because I just wanted to keep tasting these amazing flavors. I would definitely go to this place again. And thank goodness there's a location closer to me in Broward. They've got several locations and late hours, making this the ideal place for late night munchies. Below is the website, which, with it's dance music playing, gives you just a taste of its posh feel yet down to earth food paradox.

For more info, check out Los Perros website at:

http://www.losperros.com/fnn/

Examiner.com

I wanted to let you all know, if you didn't know already, that I've been writing for a website called examiner.com. It's a news website that uses local writers that specialize in certain topics. I am the West Palm Beach Ethnic Foods Examiner.

Check out my website for tips on products, restaurant reviews, recipes, news on upcoming events, and more!

http://www.examiner.com/x-19910-West-Palm-Beach-Ethnic-Foods-Examiner

The Danger of Durian!

Japanese scientists have recently found that eating durian and drinking alcohol can be a dangerous combination. What is durian, you ask? Durian is a large spiny fruit that is native to Southeast Asia. It is known to many as the "king of fruits" because of its large size. It has a brownish green husk, and the fruit inside is yellow-orange, much like an egg yolk.

But if you didn't know what durian was just by looking at it, you would definitely know it by its odor. Its smell has been described by some as similar to rotting corpses. It can actually be extremely offensive to the senses and induce quite a sense of disgust in many people. So how and why anyone tried this menacing-looking and awful-smelling fruit in the first place is beyond me. However, they say that if you are able to get over the smell or not be affected by it, then it's actually very good. It is supposed to be sweet and custard-like with a hint of almond flavor. You will see (and smell) this fruit at many Asian supermarkets.

Durian Wafer Cookies!

I myself am not able to handle the smell of durian. To me, it doesn't smell like just rotting corpses, it smells like burning rotting corpses that was laying in a pile of garbage (and the garbage is also burning). But, there are some, like my boyfriend, who don't really notice the smell and quite like the flavor. We once bought a package of durian wafer cookies (yes, there is such a thing) at an Asian market. I "allowed" him to eat them, but only outside on the balcony (poor thing). And the only way I would store it in the apartment is in a ziploc baggie within a plastic grocery bag. Even in cookie form, durian is offensive! The addition of flour and sugar still can't mask its odor!

Here is my poor boyfriend eating durian wafer cookies on the outside patio

And if the smell wasn't off-putting enough to many people, now it has been discovered that it can actually be dangerous to consume it along with alcohol. The idea behind this research came from an old wive's tale, but Japanese scientists decided to check it out for themselves. And indeed, they did find that the consumption of durian can actually have adverse affects on the breakdown of alcohol due to durian's high sulphur content.

According to Food Chemistry as quoted by New Scientist, "durian extract inhibited the activity of aldehyde dehydrogenase - an enzyme that clears toxic breakdown products - by up to 70 per cent."

So for those of you who already did not have an excuse to enjoy durian, here is another reason. But if you do find yourself finding pleasure in the fruity, creamy flavor of durian, then be aware that consuming alcohol alongside it may be harmful.

For more info: Check out this New Scientist article.

Help me win a Cuisinternship in Oregon!

What's a cuisinternship? It's a chance to learn from one of the top-rated chefs in Oregon and to really learn about food and preparing food. I entered this contest hoping to win this once-in-a-lifetime chance to spend a week with a chef, visiting the local farm and the farmer's market, and learning skills and techniques like mis en place (food prep), sauce-making, and preparing foie gras. I've learned a lot of things on my own in the kitchen, but it would be nice to learn how the big dogs do it.

Please help me out and watch and rate my YouTube video! Make a foodie girl's dream come true! =) Thanks!

Don't forget to click on the link and give me high ratings!

Vegetarian for a Day

By no means am I a vegetarian. But as I have incorporated better quality and more natural ingredients into my diet, I thought it would be a good idea to eat vegetarian one whole day a week. I'm definitely not able to go vegan - I love my eggs and cheese! But for one day a week, my boyfriend and I have vowed to eat vegetarian.

I was inspired by a story of a food critic (whose name I can't recall) whose doctor recommended that he eat vegan. Being a food critic, he knew that this would be virtually impossible. So, he

found a solution where he could compromise - he would eat vegan after 6pm every day. I thought this was a great way to balance his diet. So, in my baby-step attempt to improve my health and diet, I decided to be a vegetarian for a day one day a week.

I thought this would be quite challenging for me as I am a pure omnivore on the verge of carnivore =) I love my meat! In my house growing up, there was always a meat dish around which our meal was centered, whether it was chicken, beef, pork, fish, shrimp, etc. And my cooking as an adult has also been centered around meat. I have been known to make vegetarian meals now and then, but not very often. So when I started this new thing 3 weeks ago, I though it would be difficult. But in reality, I found it challenging in a good way and very satisfying to find flavorful ways to be vegetarian.

For lunch, we have had homemade egg salad sandwiches or a delicious salad with lots of fresh veggies like baby bella (or cremini) mushrooms, red pepper, snap peas, and carrots. Sometimes we'll toss in a fried egg ;-) Dinner time is when it's time to shine...

The Menu:

Week 1:

Mediterranean Inspired Meal

- Grilled Eggplant w/ Tahini Sauce - Inspired by a dish in Tyler Florence's book "Tyler's Ultimate." The tahini sauce has greek yogurt, tahini, lemon juice, and fres crushed garlic

- Tabbouleh (or Tabouli) Salad - soaked bulgar wheat mixed with fresh tomatoes, red onions, parsley, mint, chives, and a mix of spices (including salt, pepper, cumin, & coriander)

Roasted Eggplant with Tahini Sauce & Tabouli Salad

Week 2: Rich & Delicious Italian Inspired

- Roasted Squash Risotto - Inspired by Ina Garten's recipe, minus the pancetta. I used a really large butternut squash - so meaty, yet veggie. The saffron really set off this recipe. Also, I used some Robusto Cheese - a gouda-style cheese that is dry like parmesan, but has a hint of sweetness and nuttiness.

- Mixed Tomato Salad - This was inspired by a recipe I saw in one of my food magazines (bon appetit or Food & Wine). I found a container of beautiful mixed tomatoes at Whole Foods. I don't even know what the names were of all of the tomatoes, but there was a great mix of colors - yellow, orange, bright red, deep read, and a dark speckly green (with red flesh). I cut those tomatoes in half (or quarters if larger) and mixed it with chopped fresh mozarella cheese, basil, olive oil, a touch of balsalmic vinegar, salt, pepper, and a few shards of Robusto Cheese. Can we say delish?!

Mixed Tomato Salad w/ Fresh Mozarella

Week 3: Boyfriend's in Charge

- My boyfriend who was vegetarian for a short while years ago had a vegan cookbook that hadn't been touched since I came into the picture =) He chose to make this casserole he had made before using eggplant, zucchini, onion, bread, tofu, and a tomato sauce with kalamata olives. You pretty much layer everything together and stick it in the oven. It was very fresh-tasting. The tomato sauce gave good flavor, the tofu and bread were actually tasty and not weird like I thought they would be. The only think I might change is to cook it longer or to grill the veggies first. The casserole was just barely cooked and had a very raw veggie feel, which isn't a bad thing. But I would like to see how this dish would be as a sort of mousaka with all of the rich vegetables and flavor, but without the meat, of course.

Week 4: Veggie Pad Thai

- This meal is so simple if you know where to find certain items. You have to find thin, flat rice noodles, which where I live can be hard to find unless you go to an Asian market, which is not prevalent in these parts. I cooked half an onion (sliced into stips) in vegetable oil until soft and then added chopped firm tofu. I added a little salt, pepper, and garlic powder to give the bland tofu some flavor. I then set those aside so I could scramble up some eggs. When the rice noodles had finished boiling (after about 5 minutes), I drained them, rinsed them with cool water and tossed them with the other ingredients and pad-thai sauce. And I sort of cheated and used a pre-made pad-thai sauce. For exotic sauces like this that are hard to master, I find that using the pre-made stuff is just as tasty and a lot less hassle. Then to finish off the dish, I sprinkled the top with chopped nuts (usually peanuts are used, but I like to sub with cashews) and a little chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice.

So I'm finding it easier than I thought to eat vegetarian for a full day and make delicious vegetarian meals. You don't have to compromise taste and flavor just because there is no meat. I'll be following up with my other vegetarian meals in the future.

Scones are Fun!

What's the perfect tea-time snack or breakfast goodie? Well, that would be a scone! They're so simple to make and delicious to eat =) And scones can be really fun to make when you let your creative side work through. I've made simple ones with raisins or dried currants, sometimes adding almonds or pecans. One of my favorite creations has been chocolate-hazelnut scones. Can you say yum? I lightly toasted some hazelnuts and rubbed most of the skins off by rolling them in a towel. Then I chopped them up, threw them in the scone dough along with some semi-sweet chocolate chips, and voila! The pictures featured are from when I made a batch of half chocolate-hazelnut and half raisin pecan scones.



And today I was feeling a little more adventurous and made apricot ginger scones. I chopped up some dried apricots and candied ginger, and I tossed in some ground ginger and a dash of nutmeg. So delish! Really I just use whatever is in the pantry at the time. Dried cranberries and almonds? Sounds good to me! Dried mixed berries and walnuts? Why not?! Be creative! You can also add a little somethin' somethin' on the top like chunky sugar (like Sugar in the Raw) or some brown sugar.



And what's great about scones is that even for a person who doesn't bake much, it's super easy. I have a recipe my aunt gave me, so I'm not ready to give it away just yet. But I'm sure you can find a simple recipe pretty much anywhere online. My recipe includes flour and some kind of levening agent, butter, milk, and sugar, and then of course whatever fruits and/or nuts your want. Just sift, mix, roll, cut, and bake at 400 degrees for about 12 minutes, and there you have it! You could adjust the ratios of flour and levening agent depending if you prefer denser or lighter scones.



Another thing I love about scones is that they're not too sweet. You can keep it that way or you can feel free to be a little naughty and add some goodies on top. Of course you can do it the traditional English way and put devonshire cream -- so rich, but nice to enjoy once in a while. Or you can put some margarine or jam or even plain or flavored cream cheese. A dollop of honey would also work nicely. The possibilities are near limitless! So if you have a little time and want a nice little treat to have with your morning coffee or afternoon tea or even with your after-dinner sherry, then be kind to yourself and make some delicious scones!

My Urbanspoon Review of Blue Anchor Pub in Delray Beach, FL

"Authentic English Fare" by Maureen Leong-Kee

June 18, 2009 - Really likes it -

The only place I know of in the S. Florida area that has authentic English food. The pub itself was brought over from England! There's lots of yummy English treats on the menu, including Bangers & Mash, Cornish Pastie, Yorkshire Pudding, Toad in t' hole, Shepherd's Pie, Mushy Peas, a variety of meat pies, and of course, the Full English Breakfast! There's also traditional deserts like blueberry or apple crumble and English sherry trifle, but honestly, I'm always so happily stuffed with my entree that I never have room for desert!
They also have a great selection of beers. Amongst all of the pretentious places in Delray, this one stands out as a laid back eatery with good, hearty food. If you're looking for a full belly and a relaxed atmosphere, then go here. Some nights they have entertainment, and they have a Jazz band on Sundays from 3-6pm.

Restaurant Review: "Wish" of South Beach - Good but not Great

Wish was a nice restaurant with great ambiance. Some things were over-priced, which is going to be typical for a restaurant South Beach. The food overall was pretty tasty, but not outstanding. We had the beef carpaccio, the branzino over fruti de mar, the black truffle mac and cheese, and the edamame and sweet potato hash. We also had two of their special cocktails and we took some carrot cake home for dessert.

The food was good overall. The beef carpaccio was tasty and had a sprinkle of some crunchy tempura bits that added nice texture. The branzino was a fish dish - a 4 oz piece of Mediterranean bass that was seared to make the skin nice and crispy, and it was served over a bed of fruti de mar (shell fish) mixed with pearl pasta in a tomato-based sauce. The sauce was a bit overwhelming with all of the olives in the tomato sauce, and I love olives! The mac and cheese could have been better/richer. I've had better truffle mac and cheese that's less expensive and has more stuff. And the carrot cake was more like a carrot cupcake, but the icing, which had crystalized ginger in it, was delish. We went here for our anniversary, but I don't know if we'd go again.

Put an Egg on Top

As it has come to my attention, putting an egg on top of pretty much anything is one of the hottest foodie trends. I started noticing it here and there on cooking shows, and then I saw an article (Anything With an Egg on Top) in bon appetit magazine that showed that eggs can be put on anything and can be cooked any way - fried, poached, whatever. And more and more you see this trend on TV and in restaurants. You see fried eggs on top of pizzas and salads quite a bit.

So, I decided to put a couple of fried eggs on top of some homemade pizza. I just hosted an Inauguration Pizza Party (Go Obama!) where I made several different types of pizzas. But for my more, how shall I say, "safe" eater friends, I stayed away from the adventurous egg and made other delicious pizzas, including a margherita pizza, a white pizza with spinach and mushroom, and my specialty white pizza with italian sausage, zucchini, yellow squash and mushroom. And my boyfriend made an avocado, bacon, and onion bbq pizza.

But anyway, I had leftover pizza dough and some leftover ingredients. So I made a white pizza with cremini mushrooms, avocado, yellow tomato, sweet

onions, and of course fried egg. I'm not a big fan of the sunny side up egg, even though it looks prettier, so I cooked the eggs till crispy on the edges and then flipped them over for a little. The outcome - pure perfection. The ingredients all melded together for a sinfully delicious bite. The crispness and slightly sweet crust, the mildly tart and sweet tomato,the creamy yet savory avocado, the bite of the sweet onion, the earthiness of the mushroom, that oooy gooyness of the cheese, and of course, that comforting, tender bite of egg with lightly salty crispy edges and a warm creamy center that runs down your lip ever so slightly with the first bite into the yolk. Ahhh... yes, this was a perfect pizza.

So, for any skeptics out there or non-egg fans, I urge you to go out there and give the egg a chance. You don't know what you're missing. It really is a great ingredient and/or food topper. Just take a look at the pictures and you will see. But better yet, taste for yourself ;-)

Another Site

Hello All of My Foodie Friends,

I just wanted to let  you know that I have joined a foodie network at foodbuzz.com.  It's a fun networking site, kinda like facebook, but for foodies.  It's fun to exchange ideas, recipes, pictures, and restaurant reviews.  So if you get a chance, check my profile on that site at www.foodbuzz.com/foodies/us/florida/boca_raton/profile/maureen+-+foodie+du+jour.  

Adventures with Squid Ink Pasta

My tale of squid ink pasta is somewhat disappointing. I was at my local indoor farmer's market when I spotted a long plastic bag filled with long, thin, black strands. On closer inspection, I saw that it was dried squid ink pasta! "What a treat!" I thought to myself. Being the curious foodie that I am, I decided to buy it and cook it up.

There weren't really any clear instructions on the package b/c it was mostly in Italian (a good sign, I thought). It said to cook for 12 to 15 minutes. So I boiled the noodles, but then came out a grey, wormy-looking pot of pasta. I overlooked the very drab color and gave it a taste... Hmmm, it lacked any distinct flavor. I had heard that squid ink pasta was supposed to be salty and a little sweet, but really, I couldn't tell to much of a difference between this grey mess and regular pasta.

But, with my culinary skills, I was able to turn this aesthetically displeasing pasta into a tasty dinner by adding sundried tomato basil sausage, grilled eggplant, yellow squash, onions, garlic, and fresh parsley and olive oil. And then with a couple of drops of white truffle oil, it was magnificent! So, I won't try THIS brand of squid ink pasta, but I would try another one if I was assured that it wouldn't turn grey and that it had a distinct flavor. I would welcome any suggestions.

Warning: The picture looks pretty gross, but if you had just closed your eyes and took a bite, you would forget all about the greyness =)

Fun Find - Bavarian food... at the mall?

The other day while walking around a local mall, my boyfriend and I decided to stop at this quaint little Bavarian deli just across the main food court.  We've seen this place before, and it looked intriguing, but we had never popped in until now.  Amongst the stale, plaster walls of the mall, this little brick-lined deli is cozily tucked in between a Radio Shack and a Journey's shoe store.  Just one step in, and you don't feel like you're in a mall any more.  There are Bavarian goodies, such as cookies, cake mixes, and canned goods, lining the shelves, and dried meats and cheeses hang from the ceiling.  There are a few tables and a counter where you can order food from their Bavarian menu (with a few non-Bavarian items, such as a Cuban sandwich... Only in South Florida....)  Items include knockwurst, bratwurst, bockwurst, leberkase, German-style potato salad, and an array of sandwiches including a classic reuben and egg salad, and of course, apple strudel.  At the counter, you can order a nice cold glass of Warsteiner beer, which pours out from a pretty large and elaborate tap.  Across the dining counter is a deli counter from which you can buy an array of Bavarian deli meats and cheeses.  There were deli meats (including various wursts) and cheeses that I'd never seen before, but that I would love to try some day.

So as we sat down to eat, we decided to order some traditional fair -- bockwurst and leberkase with a side of sauerkraut, German potato salad, and fresh pumpernickel bread.  We'd never tried bockwurst and leberkase, so we were very interested to taste them.  The bockwurst is veal sausage, and it was very juicy and flavorful, especially with some thick, grainy mustard and the freshest sauerkraut I've ever tasted.  The leberkase was good to try, but not my cup of tea.  It's really just like a less salty version of spam.  The potato salad was good, too - thin slices of potato in a sweet, vinegar-based dressing, with little bits of bacon or some other smoked meat.  And the bread.... OH, the bread!  The pumpernickel was so fresh and just the perfect texture!  I think it might have been some of the best "regular" sliced bread I've ever tasted -- I wanted to marry that bread.  Unfortunately, they ran out of apple strudel.  I'll definitely have to try that next time.

So if you're ever in the Boynton Beach area and just happen to be at the Boynton Beach mall, you should definitely check out Bavarian Colony.  Don't be put off by the deli's strange location.  It's a unique & pleasant surprise amongst commercial, factory-made surroundings.

Soy Rocks!

As some of you may know, I have a great love of soy... It can be used to make so many things -- biodiesel fuel, home insulation, wax for candles, and not to mention the numerous yummy food products like soy sauce, tofu, edamame (actual soy beans), an array of vegetarian "meat" substitutes, and of course soy milk.  

Now, growing up, soy milk wasn't a trendy item or even a milk substitute.  Being an American Asian kid, soy milk was a yummy little treat you would get from the Asian supermarket so that your mom could make you happy for dragging you to the store with her.  And it wasn't the same flavor or consistency as the now popular soy milk products like Silk or 8th Continent.  What I drank as soy milk was thinner and more earthy, and pretty sweet.  What most other people know (and often love) is the thick, creamy, more cow-milk-like liquid.  It still has that earthy flavor of soy, but just not as pronounced as the other stuff.  What's great about this thicker, more readily available soy milk is that you can use it with cereal and tea.  And more and more, I find other great uses for today's soy milk.  BUT, I do warn you NOT to have soy milk with coffee -- it's just a bad idea all around.  Even if you're lactose intolerant (like I sometimes am), it's not worth it to have coffee with soy.  This may sound gross, but this is the best way that I can describe the flavor, and others have agreed with me when they hear it -- coffee + soy = what I imagine nutty poo to taste like.  That's all I have to say about that.

More and more I am finding great ways to use soy milk in cooking.  I was very timid about using it instead of milk in recipes because, although it may not be true, I have in my mind that it just can't work the same because it does not have the same fat content that regular milk does that may play a critical part in the chemical reaction of whatever you're cooking.  But, when I have had no regular milk in the fridge, which is usually the case, then I have sometimes experimented and used soy milk, crossing my fingers and hoping for the best.  And so far, I've had good to great results.  I recently used soy milk to make scones, and the scones came out super lovely!  (I highly recommend blending a mix of dried fruit and nuts to any scone recipe to make them delicious.  I used a mix of dried currants and cranberries and pecans and almonds).  I think I used soy milk to make muffins once, and those came out great!  I've also used a little bit of soy milk when making cream sauces, but only when I have some regular milk or cream already in the sauce.  It seems that soy can be ok to use in some baked good recipes.  You may have to experiment to know which ones for sure.  It's good to know that you can use soy milk in some recipes that you may not think it can be used.  I'm very interested in finding out what more I can use soy milk in.  And of course, if you have any successful recipes, I'd be glad to hear about them!

My lovely boyfriend found this cool article:

http:www.verygoodtaste.co.uk/uncategorized/the-omnivores-hundred/

I've bolded and italicized what I've eaten... Check out how well-versed I am ;-) I've eaten at least 52 of these items. I may have eaten more, but I can't remember for sure if I've actually had a taste a snake, prickly pear, or hare. I've had dishes with truffle in it (so that would bump me up to 53). I want to try frog legs and sweetbreads (or thymus glands), but I can't and WON'T eat anything goat -- that's another story for another day. And I can't get over the smell of durian, so you can forget about that, too. Oh, and I'm guessing Vodka Jell-O means Jell-O shots, which I've definitely had. But I'll try almost anything else on this list. Count how many of these items you've eaten and let me know!

The Omnivore’s Hundred

Here’s a chance for a little interactivity for all the bloggers out there. Below is a list of 100 things that I think every good omnivore should have tried at least once in their life. The list includes fine food, strange food, everyday food and even some pretty bad food - but a good omnivore should really try it all. Don’t worry if you haven’t, mind you; neither have I, though I’ll be sure to work on it. Don’t worry if you don’t recognise everything in the hundred, either; Wikipedia has the answers.

The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake

Slimcado = A-No-cado

Here's just a quick blurb about the "slimcado." For those of you who don't know, the slimcado is a fairly new breed of avocado that I have seen a lot lately in grocery stores here in Florida. They are avocados that are bred to have less fat and less calories. Well, what they don't tell you is that it has less flavor. There's really no point in eating these. Even though avocados have gotten the bad rep of being fattening and bad for you -- well guess what? They're actually good for you! They have no cholesterol and have mostly good fat, and relatively little saturated fat. And that little bit of good fat makes them taste so good! Just eat them in moderation.

The slimcados are just pretty gross, to be honest with you. They are larger than your typical avocado, and they have a shiny, smooth, bright green skin. I've seen a sign that says you should eat them when they turn a reddish-purplish color, but I bought one the other day and it didn't get that color. It was perfectly ripe when it was still bright green, it just had small dark spots all over. The slimcado just tastes like a watery avocado. It doesn't have that rich yummy texture and flavor that you expect and WANT from an avocado. I was just curious about the slimcado, so that's why I bought it... Now I know and I don't ever have to buy one again. But if you're curious, too, or you have really convinced yourself that these are much better for you, then I recommend putting a lot of lime juice and salt to help out the flavor. But really, just stay away from them. The slimcado does not taste good, plain and simple.

Here's more info on the real, delicious, and healthy avocado (from http://www.avocado.org/):


Avocado Nutrition Structure/Function Statements:

• Avocados contain 81 micrograms of the carotenoid lutein, which some studies suggest may help maintain healthy eyes.


• Avocados are included in Fruits & Veggies-More Matters™ consumer educational program to promote increased consumption of fruits and vegetables for good health.


• Avocados contribute nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and beneficial plant compounds that can contribute to the nutrient quality of your diet.


• Avocados, due to their mono and polyunsaturated fat content, are a healthy substitution for foods rich in saturated fat.


• One-fifth of a medium avocado (1 oz) has 50 calories and contributes nearly 20 vitamins and minerals making it a good nutrient choice.


• Avocados contain 76 milligrams beta-sitosterol in a 3-oz serving of avocado. Beta-sitosterol is a natural plant sterol which may help maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

Kobe beef burgers, Duck fat fries, & Marrow, Oh my!

Kobe beef burger, duck fat fries, and roasted marrow

Today's post will be about my experience at the upscale country club restaurant, Bourbon Steak. In the most recent issue of Boca magazine, the local stylista magazine of Boca Raton, FL, there is the annual feature piece "Best of Boca" which lists many best of's for not just Boca, but the entire South Florida region, which includes West Palm Beach, Boca, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami. In this issue, it lists tons of best of's for dining. Bourbon Steak at The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club was named as the Best Hotel Restaurant and the best "Excuse to Blatantly Consume Calories" because of its sinfully tantalizing duck fat fries and foi gras sliders.

Well after reading about this, I had to check it out for myself. So I did a little research online (http://michaelmina.net/mm_bourbonsteak_miami/) and found a whole bunch of other delightful items on their menu. Not only did they have duck fat fries and foi gras sliders, they also had Kobe beef burgers, Kobe steaks, roasted marrow bones, and truffle mac & cheese, just to name a few items. My mouth instantly began to water and my heart skipped a beat with joy. From that moment on, all I could think about were duck fat fries, Kobe burgers, and marrow bones. I actually laid awake at night in bed thinking about these things... a little sick, I know.

I had been inspired to try all of these treats due to 2 of my favorite foodie tv shows -- Anthony Bordain's No Reservations and Hell's Kitchen with Gordon Ramsey. Bordain LOVES marrow, and eats it any time he can. He says it's his favorite thing to eat, so of course I had to try it out for myself. And on an episode of Hell's Kitchen, Gordon Ramsey took the winners of one of his challenges to a restaurant in California where they had Kobe burgers and duck fat fries... I assume that it was one of the restaurants owned by Michael Mina, owner of Bourbon Steak.

So, last night, on a whim desire, my boyfriend and I decide to go to Bourbon Steak and splurge on $22 burgers and $15 marrow bones at Bourbon Steak. We roll up to the very posh country club and mozy on over to Bourbon Steak, a beautiful restaurant filled with huge vases of sunflowers, warm colors, and smooth textures. The tables, made of smooth chocolate brown leather, were fitted with cozy chairs and soft couches. To our delight, for starters, the waiter brings out a trio of duck fat fries and potato focaccia bread. There are three types of fries, paprika, truffle, and herb, and they are each accompanied with 3 homemade sauces -- barbecue, truffle aioli and herb tomato ketchup. I was actually a little disappointed by the fries. As you may know from my previous blog entry, I know what duck fat should taste like from all of the Chinese roasted duck I've eaten over the years, and these fries, my friends, did not have that rich fatty flavor I was looking for. They kinda just tasted like... fries... The ones dusted in paprika were different, and the herb ones were tasty, but overall, they were lackluster for me (and my boyfriend, too). The best part about the fries, I must say, was the truffle aioli -- that I could eat with a spoon. But I'm glad I at least got to try them. And the potato focaccia was very yummy -- super buttery with just the right amount of herbs.

Then came out the Kobe beef burgers and roasted marrow. I was pretty excited to try the marrow since so many great chefs love to eat it and it is such a delicacy. I tried it, liked it, but not enough to want more of it. I expected the marrow to be richer. Its flavor and gelatinous texture simply tasted like the run off fat after you've roasted lamb. So it was good, but nothing really special for me. And as for the burgers, we originally ordered them to be medium, but when they came back, they were well done -- a no no for Kobe beef! We sent them back, feeling super horrible we were sending back Kobe burgers, but we knew we were paying a lot of money for these, so we wanted them to be right. And when we got our fresh new ones, they were perfect.

They were rare, which I usually can't do with regular burgers, with just a little bit of seared brown around the edges and a perfectly pink center. The patty lay between a perfectly golden bun and had 2 slices of perfectly ripe, richly red, slightly roasted tomoto slices, fennel slaw, and watercress greens. On the side was more duck fat fries and not-your-ordinary pickled onion slices, shitake mushrooms, and cucumber slice. The meat was so juicy and tender; my first few bites I had a mix of juices from the meat and the slaw running down my hand. I had to keep a "dirty" hand and keep myself from compulsively wiping my hands after each bite like I usually do. The meat was heavenly and so flavorful just on its own. The pickled items were a nice refreshment after every few decadent bites. By the end of the meal, I struggled to finish my burger, but gosh darnit, I finished it. I couldn't live with myself if I left a bite of Kobe on my plate. That burger was the highlight of the meal, and it was worth every penny. I couldn't even imagine what a Kobe steak tastes like (which Bourbon Steak offers in the range of $64 to $175). One day, I hope I can afford to try it ;-) But for now, I can have a Kobe burger and be completely content.

New for me: Medium Rare-Cooked Duck

So, it may not be particularly new in the culinary world, but for me, having duck prepared medium rare is something quite novel. Being Chinese, I am used to the roast duck that hangs in the butcher window at Chinese restaurants and Asian food markets -- a sight to see as the ducks hang by their necks (head still attached), dripping with oil, and glistening with their reddish brown skin The succulent dark meat is moist and tender and roasted to perfection. I also enjoy Peking duck with its crispy skin and wrapped in warm, round tortilla-like flat bread with a smear of hoisin sauce and fresh, julineed scallions... Mmmm... makes my mouth water just thinking about it!

But I digress. I'm here to talk about duck cooked medium rare. At first this seems quite intimidating as we all know we should cook poultry, especially chicken, well done as to avoid salmonella poisoning, which I can tell you first hand is EXCRUCIATING gastronomic torture! But I suppose that duck is different. Its meat is quite dark for a bird, so it's a bit like game, really.

I first had medium rare-cooked duck at the famous Talula restaurant in Miami. Talula has received rave reviews all around, so I finally decided to go there and check it out for myself. I was extremely pleased with Talula. The food was fantastic, and our waiter was a trip (he'd come over often and ask "Delicious for you?"). I actually had the lamb, but my significant other ordered the duck, and it was a nice surprise. The duck had lots of flavor, and the meat was fleshy; the consistency was almost like a cross between fresh tuna and a very tender piece of rare steak. Being so used to duck cooked well done, I was a little put off at first, but then I came to appreciate its more delicate texture.
The duck dish @ Talula

The next time I had rare duck was at Brosia -- a hip Miami eatery in the Wynwood art district. Even though I had experienced medium rare duck and came out alive, I still like my duck a bit more cooked, so I had it prepared medium. I think I liked this a little better. You still get the tender fleshy center in the duck breast meat, but the outside is a little more browned, which I think enhances the flavor of the duck.

So overall, my experience with medium-rare cooked duck is a good one. I would have it again, but I may not enjoy it completely the whole meal through. But then again, I'm a medium to medium well kind of girl when it comes to meat. I like a little heat with my meat =)

More on Brosia: www.brosiamiami.com
163 NE 39th Street, Miami, FL 33137
The duck dish at Brosia is AmAzInG! I would definitely recommend it. Although the breast meat is tender and delicious, it's actually the leg portion that is, for lack of better words, the BOMB! The skin was so crisp and the meat was moist and juicy. I would drive an hour out of my way just to go there again for the duck. Brosia also has a great cocktail menu and other tasty fare on the dining menu. They also serve hummus and pita chips as their complementary starter, which is a nice change from your standard chips and salsa. If you're looking for a trendy but tasty place for late-night dining in the Miami art district, this is definitely the place to go.

More on Talula: www.talulaonline.com
210 23rd Street, Miami, FL 33139
An upscale yet laid back restaurant, Talula offers flavorful dishes with a flair. The complementary white bean dip is so smooth and tasty and the scallop appetizer is lightly seared, sweet and succulent with that fresh ocean (but not fishy) taste. My only complaint, I wish the scallop appetizer was bigger! (It only came with 2 large scallops). Talula has almost a homey feel along with a quaint back patio. It's a great place for special occasions or a romantic evening with great food.

A Taste of Jamaica

Being a food lover, I love to watch the Food Network and other food /traveling shows like "No Reservations" with my man Anthony Bordain. I noticed both on his show and on an episode of a Food Network show where Paula Deen went to the Carribean that they had this delicious "wrap" called roti. I was pleasantly surprised to find that across the street from the Asian market I go to in South Florida (off of Commercial and Hwy 441) that there was a roti shop.

Being the curious and adventurous foodie that I am, I decided to check it out one day. The roti shop was a hole in the wall, but the owners, a father and son, are super friendly. We walk in and there is a list of different types of roti you can get, including beef, chicken, goat, shrimp, fish, and maybe a few others. There was also a few other Jamaican treats there like doubles, aloo pie, and peas and rice. Also, the drink cooler had some fun and exotic drinks like coconut water, ginger beer, and banana soda.

So I found out that roti is basically some stewed curry, which includes potatoes, peas, (maybe carrots), and your choice of meat wrapped in a large, thin, flat bread made of chickpeas, I believe. So it's kind of like a large tortilla. You could also get your roti another way in which you have a plate of curry and you use your roti bread to pick up the curry -- similar to how you eat Ethiopean food. Doubles are common street food you can find in Jamaica, and it consist of two round pieces of flat fry bread with a slightly sweet stewed mixture of chickpeas and other spices slathered in between. The aloo pie is also a type of fried bread stuffed with cooked potatoes and a drizzle of a sweet and tangy tamarind sauce.



All I know is that it was all SUPER delicious and full of flavor, especially the roti! My boyfriend had the beef roti and I had the shrimp roti, and both were EXCELLENT! The beef was tender, and the shrimp was cooked well. It was also very filling. I barely had room for the order of doubles and aloo pie that we also had, but somehow I managed ;-)

So if you're in South Florida and want a little taste of Jamaica, go to Commercial and Hwy 441 and then go south for about 1/2 a mile on 441. There's a little shopping center which appears to be a "little Jamaica" - it includes the roti shop, a Jamaican bakery, an herb shop, and a meat and fish market where you will find fresh cuts of meat and exotic spices, sauces, and other groceries and veggies.

The Magnificent Cupcake

If you have ever been to the Village in New York City, you probably know about Magnolia Bakery. And if you know about Magnolia Bakery, you know about AMAZING cupcakes! I first had these cupcakes about 4 years ago, and I still dream about them. Those of you in-the-know know why; for those of you who don't, let me share. The cupcakes, the vanilla ones in particular, at Magnolia Bakery are just divine... They're moist and the icing is sweet and perfect. I usually hate your standard sugary icing, but this one is different. I think it's the touch of milk in the icing. But whatever it is, it's a little bit of happiness with every bite. And these cupcakes are so simple, too -- just a vanilla cupcake with vanilla buttercream, with a touch of food coloring to make oh-so-pretty pastel icing, and a few sprinkles. No fancy shmancy flavors or additives -- just pure goodness.

And for those of you who can't make it out to Magnolia Bakery on a regular, or even semi-regular, basis, I have just the solution for you. I have the recipe! It's actually pretty easy to find nowadays on the internet. But when I first found this recipe a few years back, I was elated. I have only made them three times, most recently a few days back for a friend's going away party, but that isn't to say I don't crave them more often. They're such a special treat (and loaded with butter and sugar) that I only reserve having them when I go to NYC or if I have a special occasion to make them. By the way, when I made these cupcakes for that party, they were ALL the rage! Why shouldn't they be?! Everyone had extremely positive exclamaitons of joy when eating them, including "These are THE best cupcakes ever! Hands down! HANDS DOWN!" and "This makes me happy." =)

So, without further ado, here is the recipe for these magnificent cupcakes. I KNOW you will enjoy them as much as I do!

The Magnificent Cupcakes - Made by ME!

Makes about 2 dozen cupcakes (depending on the size of your cupcake papers and muffin tins)

CUPCAKES:
· 1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
· 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
· 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
· 2 cups sugar
· 4 large eggs, at room temperature
· 1 cup milk
· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

ICING: Vanilla Buttercream (Recipe Follows)
· 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
· 6 to 8 cups confectioners’ sugar
· 1/2 cup milk (room temperature)
· 2 teaspoons vanilla extract


Cupcakes:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line two 12-cup muffin tins with cupcake papers.
3. In a small bowl, combine the flours. Set aside.
4. In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter until smooth. Add the sugar gradually and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk and vanilla. With each addition, beat until the ingredients are incorporated but do not overbeat. Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the batter in the bowl to make sure the ingredients are well blended. Carefully spoon the batter into the cupcake liners, filling them about three-quarters full. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center of the cupcake comes out clean.
5. Cool the cupcakes in the tins for 15 minutes. Remove from the tins and cool completely on a wire rack before icing.

*Note: If you would like to make a layer cake instead of cupcakes, divide the batter between two 9-inch round cake pans and bake the layers for 30-40 minutes.

Icing:
Place the butter in a large mixing bowl. Add 4 cups of the sugar and then the milk and vanilla. On the medium speed of an electric mixer, beat until smooth and creamy, about 3-5 minutes. Gradually add the remaining sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition (about 2 minutes), until the icing is thick enough to be of good spreading consistency. You may not need to add all of the sugar. If desired, add a few drops of food coloring and mix thoroughly. (Use and store the icing at room temperature because icing will set if chilled.) Icing can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

*Note: If you are icing a 3-layer cake, use the following recipe proportions: 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter 8 to 10 cups confectioners’ sugar 3/4 cup milk 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

*** I suggest ussing all 8 cups of confectioners sugar for the icing in order for it to be thick enough to sit atop the cupcakes without running down the sides. Also, you may want to whip the icing more than you think you should, and then let it sit a few minutes before spreading on cupcakes so that the icing is stiff enough to not run down the cupcake.****

Icing Goodness

This recipe can be found in "The Magnolia Bakery Cookbook: Old Fashioned Recipes from New York's Sweetest Bakery" by Jennifer Appelt and Allysa Torey