Some Homebaked Goodness!

While perusing one of my favorite websites (Tastespotting - Love it!) I stumbled across this photo.

Photo found at Jamiecooksitup.blogspot.com

Don't these make you want to run into your kitchen and make a huge mess with flour? Because I certainly did! The recipe was a bit fiddly (I'm not a great baker) but totally crazy delicious.

I made these puppies for Thanksgiving this year (mine did NOT look that pretty) and after that small success, I decided to try some of her other recipes. Matt and I had the braided sandwich loaf last night, and man was it good (but again, not as pretty as hers turned out, but closer to the mark than the rolls. That means I'm getting better at this baking business, right?)! And since it makes two BIG loaves, I froze one of them before rising and baking for after the baby comes. I'll let you know how that one turns out.

So, if you're ever looking for some totally delicious recipes for dinner, side dishes or desserts, look no further! You won't be disappointed!

 

Restaurant Review: Poole's Diner

Matt and I went on a date to Poole's Diner in downtown Raleigh.  Poole's Diner is self-described as a "part of a community that recognizes the importance and value of supporting the small family farm". The diner focuses their food on seasonal, local offerings while being "simple to digest", "creative" and "carefully executed".

My first impression was that the place reeked a hipster vibe. The walls were adorned with chalkboards covered with the day's offerings in addition to some interesting photos from the original diner. Matt and I sat at one of the two semi-circle counters and turned around to browse the chalkboard menus (they don't do printed menus). We ordered the watermelon salad to share, and for the main course, I ordered the herbed chicken over mashed potatoes and double stock, Matt got the open faced burger and we shared a side of the macaroni au gratin.

Let me begin with the salad. The salad was this: champagne vinaigrette, watermelon, avocado and basil. When it came, I wasn't sure about it, but let me tell you, it works. It was incredibly delicious! The salad was a perfect balance of sweet, salty, savory and creamy. Truly, it was a great start to the meal.

Then, there came to 25 minute wait for our food. 25 minutes. I cannot believe how long we waited. And apparently this is the modus opperandi for Poole's. And once our food arrived, I was ultimately disappointed. Matt's "burger" was a giant (think baseball sized) meatball that was completely raw on the inside, with a slice of cheese on top, served on a thick piece of what looked to be texas toast, with a side of au jus. I didn't try it, but it looked gross. Matt said it tasted alright, but it wasn't that great. Definitely not worth the 13 dollars we paid for it.  My chicken was moist and flavorful and the mashed potatoes creamy and smooth, but other than that it was fairly unremarkable. I can achieve the same meal at home and definitely cheaper than 18 dollars. The macaroni and cheese was pretty good, but not any better than I can make at home.

When all was said and done, we left feeling pretty cheated. With tip, our date was 70 dollars and all for a dinner that, apart from the watermelon salad, was ultimately disappointing! I can appreciate that local organic produce and meats do not come cheap, but when I'm going to pay a premium price for my dinner, I want a premium eating experience. Not only was the food disappointingly average, the restaurant was incredibly loud. When we left, my ears felt a little fuzzy, like I'd been to a rock concert.

So, bottom line: Over-priced and underwhelming.  There are plenty of restaurants in Raleigh that I would rather spend my money at. I won't be going again.

Recipe Review: S'mores Bars from Cherry Tea Cakes

I posted a while back about my web happy places; one of them being tastespotting.com. Tastespotting lead me to a blog called Cherry Tea Cakes. I instantly fell in love with this person, without having ever met her, and have enjoyed the inspiration she's lent me in the kitchen.

Recently she posted a recipe for s'mores bars! 

Image courtesy of Cherry Tea Cakes

I had to try them! I love trying things completely from scratch, rather than taking short cuts to get to an end product. I think I'm one of the few out there that actually enjoys doing things the long way occasionally (with a few exceptions of course. I still cannot bake bread. I bake door stops). Any way, the recipe is divine.

I do have a few snags with this recipe though. You would expect the bottom graham cracker type base to be crunchier. With the maximum time said in her blog, the bottom layer was somewhere along the lines of an overdone cake. Don't get me wrong! It was delicious! I might actually try to make a type of spice bar out of it one day. It just wasn't the crunch I was expecting, but insanely delicious all the same.

Additionally, the homemade marshmallow layer is incredibly sticky and difficult to make in my bosch mixer. I *love* my bosch. It is superior in every way to all other stand mixers except one: It doesn't do small batches well. And this marshmallow recipe did not give me a ton of marshmallow goodness. In the future, I'll just double the recipe (and you should too) and be on my merry way. Also, the marshmallow really does need a few hours to set up, unless you'd like the marshmallow to stretch right off the base while you're cutting it (or eating it, for that matter!)

Don't let this totally ruin this recipe for you though! I think it can be improved, but in the end, I think it might actually be easier to melt down some marshmallows and add butter to it to serve as your marshmallow layer. *Gasp* Did I just say that! Surely not... I think I need a few minutes of introspection. While I do that, whip up a batch of these. You won't be sorry.

Fish Tacos

Photo courtesy of allrecipes.com

So much better in theory than in practice. Don't get me wrong, they were good, but not as delicious as I was hoping. I followed the general recipe found here by Mabcat, but made a few tweaks of my own. Here's what I did (I've indicated my changes in green:

• Marinade
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• Juice of 2 limes
• 2 teaspoons lime zest
• 1 1/2 teaspoons honey
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon seafood seasoning, such as Old Bay™
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon sweet and spicy tabasco sauce
• 1 pound tilapia fillets, cut into chunks

• Dressing
• 1 (8 ounce) container light sour cream
• 2  tablespoons adobo sauce from chipotle peppers
• Juice of 1 lime
• 2 teaspoons lime zest
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon seafood seasoning, such as Old Bay™
• 1 persian cucumber diced
• salt and pepper to taste

• Toppings
• 1 (10 ounce) package tortillas
• 3 ripe tomatoes, seeded and diced
• 1 handful cilantro, chopped
• pre-shredded lettuce
• 2 limes, cut in wedges

Basically, I didn't have time to marinate the fish the 6 hours called for in the recipe, so I just brushed it on top like a glaze. I broiled the fish instead of grilling it (because our grill is out of commission). I actually liked the way the fish tasted as is and would definitely make it like that again. The honey caramelized slightly on the top and was delicious.

It was the sauce I was not a fan of. I liked the addition of the cucumbers, as it added some crunch to the taco and it played well with the other flavors, but I feel like I didn't get enough flavor from this sauce. I know the original recipe called for 1/2 cup of the adobo sauce but that stuff is too spicy for me and I could only handle the 2 tablespoons worth of heat. I also felt like the was something missing in the flavor department. Like it was too blah for me. I think it could have done with some more lime and another flavor component, like garlic or onion to punch up the other flavors.

Overall, the meal was good (although next time I might use cod instead of tilapia) but sort of unsatisfying. I hate it when I have a fail in the kitchen, but thought I might see if anyone out there had an idea on how to fix the sauce without it burning my mouth (and my tummy) to shreds.

(I would still recommend trying the fish with the marinade as a glaze. Served with lemon risotto and some asparagus? Ummm, heck yes.)

The Concert

I think my husband said it best after the concert. He said (of Muse), "They are amazing musicians, but they aren't performers." I would totally have to agree. Don't get me wrong! The concert was incredible and the experience, unforgettable. But all they did was go from one song to the next. There was no interaction with the audience beyond the obligatory, "How are you doing tonight, Raleigh?!" I love Muse and their music. It was as good, if not better live. I just wish there had been a little more performing in addition to all the incredible, ear drum bursting wall of sound.

Now, that I've said my peace, I can dwell in memory of the gloriousness of the evening. Muse is one of the few remaining bands/groups that sounds just as good live, if not infinitely better. At the risk of going off on a tangent, why is it that so many "singers" have to rely on technology to sound even half-way decent on a recording? You know what, never mind. Muse has always sounded delicious live, as it should be.

Any way, the concert was amazing and I made some friends with the guys standing in front of us (so in the event of me jumping up and accidentally landing on their feet, they wouldn't mind so much) and had an awesome time. My ear drums felt like I had cotton balls stuck in them for the rest of the evening and I honestly thought that I might lose my voice for a while the next morning (but nothing can get these pipes down for long!). Truly, it was a wonderful night. *sigh* I definitely will go see them again when they come to town.

So, here are my favorite pictures. Enjoy!

Ole Time Barbeque Review

I love me some good barbecue. The problem is that good barbecue is hard to find. Of the barbecue in the area, I firmly believe that Ole Time kicks all the other 'que shacks' trash.

I recently discovered that they have two locations and there's one ridiculously close to us! I haven't been there yet, but I'm sure that it will be just as good as the double-wide trailer in Cary. It won't have one thing that the Cary location has: charm.

Ole Time is nothing more than a double-wide, yellow dive on the side of Chatham Street in Cary. They serve up the best tasting pork in the area in addition to the most delectable hushpuppies this side of the Mississippi. The flavor of the food is only enhanced by the ambiance and the service that is only attainable by deep southern hospitality.

Matt and I went for a date a few weeks ago and here is our exact (well, almost) conversation:

Waitress: What do you want?
Me: I'll have the pulled pork sandwich plate with potato salad and beans please.
Matt: You're not going to get coleslaw?
Me: Um, Ew. No.
Matt (to the waitress): Can I have her coleslaw on my plate?
Waitress: What?
Matt: She doesn't want her coleslaw, and I want other sides, so can I have her coleslaw put on my plate?
Waitress: Um, no. You can get your own coleslaw (said with the most sass possible).
Matt: Oh, ok. I'll have (I can't remember) with (two sides I can't remember) and my own coleslaw.

We all laughed at this point, but seriously, that waitress was really abrupt and seemed esasperated by the very fact that we were there. And if happened in any other restaurant, Matt might've had words with the manager, but we laughed hysterically. Our waitress was an older black lady and you just knew she'd just about had it for the day. It was hot in the little double wide and it was kind of late in the day. I loved it! Service with a side of sass.

And honestly, isn't a large part of any reason you go to your favorite places the atmosphere it offers? I love that the wait staff treats you like family, and just like every family, they'll let you know when you're being dumb. I love Ole Time. It is truly a 5 star place, even if it is a little rough around the edges.

Oh, and I just found out you can order their barbecue online! So, if you're not living in Raleigh and want some good southern sunshine to brighten your evening meal, order some delicious North Carolina barbecue. You won't regret it!

Ole Time Barbecue's Website

The Pioneer Woman Cookbook: A Review of Awesomeness

Can I just say thank you to Ree Drummond from all the visual learners out there? THANK YOU! I love to cook, but it's hard sometimes to read the tiny print of a recipe in a cookbook when you're juggling the chopping and sauteing and mixing all at the same time without burning or dropping anything. This cookbook not only offers step by step pictures for each recipe, it also has plenty of cute pictures of her family and their ranch. She also spread little stories throughout the book like nuggets of sunshine. It's actually a book you can sit down and read! That's what I did after I bought it! She introduces each recipe with a story about where it came from or how it came to be. It's truly a joy to read as well as a feast for the eyes.

In addition to being visually and textually appealing, the recipes are delicious. They remind me of my mom's cooking. It's typical ranch/western food. Now I know what you're all thinking, But Teri, I thought you were born and raised in the South? Well, yes, that's true, but my mother was not. She was raised on a cattle ranch in Southern Alberta (that's in Canada, eh?) and that's where she learned to cook: By the said of my grandmother who not only fed their large family, but the ranch hands as well. So I grew up not with collards and fried chicken, but with beef and potatoes. That's not to say that there isn't a chicken recipe in here, because there are plenty, but that the entrees tend to lean more toward the beef side of life.

The flavors and smells of the foods I've cooked over the past couple of days remind me on mom. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it definitely screams: Narda! to me. The food isn't fancy or gourmet by any means, but it is tasty and comforting. And that's mostly why I love this book. I think it's just a big giant cookbook of my comfort foods, even though some of the recipes I've never seen or tasted before. I heartily recommend this cookbook to anyone. It is hands down my favorite cookbook ever.

And of course two days after I got the cookbook, I learned that she was doing a book signing tour and stopping in Charlotte! ARG! I so desperately wanted to go and say thank you, but obligations kept me in Raleigh. Not only is Mrs. Drummond a successful cookbook author, she started a blog a few years back  which actually launched the cookbook in the first place. I feel like everybody knew about this before I did! (I hate it when that happens!) But now, I love looking at all her pictures and reading her blog. It's definitely a great space on the interwebs. Go check it out:

The Pioneer Woman

Photo Courtesy of  thepioneerwoman.com

Apollo Burger

Ah, my old friend! Where you can order pastrami as condiment. My Dad discovered this little chain of Greek burger joints when he was living in Utah a few months before my Mom moved out there. I go every time I visit them. It's tradition. I always order the gyro because it's delicious, but their other items are pretty good too. This place offers an Apollo Burger where you actually get pastrami as a condiment on top of your burger. Because, as you know, you can never have too much meat.

Most of the appeal of this place though is the one restaurant that is owned by a Greek fellow that used to live in Virginia. Every time my Dad and I walk in, the guy (whose name I cannot ever remember) warmly (and loudly) greets us and asks how Virginia is. After politely reminding him that I'm from North Carolina he simply remarks that wherever it is, it's humid.

And it's the same conversation every time I go. This guy always has a smile and even sings occasionally. He'll even throw in a free baklava from time to time when me or my sister visit. And even though the food is not five star caliber, that guy makes it completely worth it. I cannot remember where exactly this one particular restaurant is, but I'll ask my Dad. If you're ever in the South Jordan area, you should totally go and tell him you're from North Carolina.

The Dodo

While staying in Utah, I had the opportunity of catching up with my Sister and Brother-in-law and their adorable son at a restaurant called The Dodo. Apparently, they're known for their sandwiches, but being a little bored of sandwiches at the time, I went with the cobb salad. I honestly think that the cobb salad is one of the most perfect dishes ever, especially when eaten with The Dodo's honey mustard dressing. I cannot describe to you how delicious it was! I was literally honey with some whole seed mustard mixed in. It was mustard-y without being overpowering and wonderfully sweet. And the dressing totally counter-balanced the saltiness of the mounds of bacon and other toppings! I swear the salad was actually bacon (actual bacon, not "bacon" bits) and hard boiled eggs with a side of lettuce. I had them leave the dressing on the side and actually took most of the salad home with me. I had it two days later and it was still as crunchy and delicious as the day I ordered it. Ah, it was heavenly. I would definitely recommend this place if you're looking for an interesting, non-chain restaurant in Salt Lake.