Recently I wetn back to two diners that I haven't gone to in a number of years. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the decor was updated and the food has improved. It was a real treat to visit one since I had been going there since my childhood. The food was still good and actually a lot cheaper than other diners in the area. I now will add these two to my repetoire of eateries.
That's the thing about restaurants. I 've noticed that if you go to them on a steady basis for a number of years they hit highs and lows. Right now three regular hangouts of mine are in a rut. I visited one yesterday and got violently ill from the soup(all right it was a chili - Sloppy Joe kind of soup)I was surprised that their quality of food had slipped that badly. However the owner had opened up another location and spent more of his time at that one. His sous chef is now my hang out's main cook and his work although, passable is not great. I think I will hold going there for a while. How long I don't know.
The problem with any restaurant is that if the food quality lowers then the place loses customers. That means an old favorite can close. What do you do? Continue going giving them your custom and getting stuck with a bad meal?Or trying another place and allowing them some business. I think the best way is to just rotate where you eat or just visit every few months. I've done this with one of my favorites, a hot dog place,the Galloping Hill Grill, where I used to work in Union NJ. It's only when I crave their dogs and birch beer that I visit . I feel that way they never disappont. (Of course they are one of the best in the state).
What do you do when your favorite eatery goes bad?Stop going there for a while. Give it a few months, maybe even a few years. Then go back. You may just be pleasantly surprised at what you;ll get to eat.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
The Old College Fry
Now that dorms are opening up again across the US it's time to look at what your college foodie is eating. It's going to be three months of snacks, fried food and Red Bull. This is the perfect time to instill good eating habits. All those veggies, fruits and good carbs will help them get through the crush of October mid terms and all nighters along with endless mixers and parties.
As any college kid, whether dorm student or commuter, will tell you college cafeteria food is pretty good (well at mine it was). My friends and I got into the habit of having daily burgers and fries for lunch or snacking on pizza and chips. We gained weight pretty fast thanks to those over fried, dripping with grease foods. Unlike today's kids we had no healthy alternatives. Now I see my students eat fresh fruit like pineapple and strawberries and wash that down with spring water.Also there are healthier entrees too like grilled chicken breasts and salads.
College campuses do still have the faves my generation loved. It's very easy to grab a Coke and a bag of Doritos as a snack. There are also hot dogs and hamburgers too. Impress that these are fine once n a while but just like kegger parties they can be damaging if done in excess.Create care packages filled with good for them favorites or leave fruit roll ups or granola bars , in your kids' cars.They'll get the message quick enough.
The college years are fast paced and fun. With that comes an appetite. Make sure your college kids eat well and eat healthy.
As any college kid, whether dorm student or commuter, will tell you college cafeteria food is pretty good (well at mine it was). My friends and I got into the habit of having daily burgers and fries for lunch or snacking on pizza and chips. We gained weight pretty fast thanks to those over fried, dripping with grease foods. Unlike today's kids we had no healthy alternatives. Now I see my students eat fresh fruit like pineapple and strawberries and wash that down with spring water.Also there are healthier entrees too like grilled chicken breasts and salads.
College campuses do still have the faves my generation loved. It's very easy to grab a Coke and a bag of Doritos as a snack. There are also hot dogs and hamburgers too. Impress that these are fine once n a while but just like kegger parties they can be damaging if done in excess.Create care packages filled with good for them favorites or leave fruit roll ups or granola bars , in your kids' cars.They'll get the message quick enough.
The college years are fast paced and fun. With that comes an appetite. Make sure your college kids eat well and eat healthy.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Fair Days
This is the time of year when almost every state has its' fair.There are also little ones, usually that towns or local churches hold. All have one thing in common. Carnival food. I have fond memories of going for my church's special clam chowder along with crispy fries. There's also the typical fair food as well along with food contests.
A lot of new food trends are actually born at fairs. there was the infamous fried butter (yes fried butter, frozen butter cubes wrapped up in phyllo dough, then deep fried, served with jam and confectioners sugar) fried Oreos and of course fried bacon. Fairs are also the birthplace of new variations of chili and barbecue. Some new ideas are worth trying. Some fairs ,such as my parish's St.Leo's are known for special dishes. Mine had this wonderful, richly spiced clam chowder that's redolent with time and heavy on the clams. It brings to mind the famed Portuguese cioppino soup. Some fairs have contests. Enjoy slices of blue ribbon pies, cakes, and muffins
Of course there is the traditional fair food. There's nothing like freshly spun cotton candy slightly warm and smelling like hot sugar. My all time fave is the candy apple. There' something fun about crunching into that rich red patina and finding a tart apple underneath. Then there are the ethnic fairs. I love these as well , especially the Southern Italian ones. This where I get the slabs of torrone and dried salted chickpeas along with Italian ice and whatever pastries(such as zeppoli) are offered.
This is the season for fairs. Take advantage of the ones in your area and enjoy the food and the atmosphere.They're a great weekend treat!!!!
A lot of new food trends are actually born at fairs. there was the infamous fried butter (yes fried butter, frozen butter cubes wrapped up in phyllo dough, then deep fried, served with jam and confectioners sugar) fried Oreos and of course fried bacon. Fairs are also the birthplace of new variations of chili and barbecue. Some new ideas are worth trying. Some fairs ,such as my parish's St.Leo's are known for special dishes. Mine had this wonderful, richly spiced clam chowder that's redolent with time and heavy on the clams. It brings to mind the famed Portuguese cioppino soup. Some fairs have contests. Enjoy slices of blue ribbon pies, cakes, and muffins
Of course there is the traditional fair food. There's nothing like freshly spun cotton candy slightly warm and smelling like hot sugar. My all time fave is the candy apple. There' something fun about crunching into that rich red patina and finding a tart apple underneath. Then there are the ethnic fairs. I love these as well , especially the Southern Italian ones. This where I get the slabs of torrone and dried salted chickpeas along with Italian ice and whatever pastries(such as zeppoli) are offered.
This is the season for fairs. Take advantage of the ones in your area and enjoy the food and the atmosphere.They're a great weekend treat!!!!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Rhubarb A Garden Fresh Treat
This is time when many gardens yield rhubarb. A lot of foodies don't know what to to with it or are even afraid to try the stalks. However once you cook and sweeten the fruit, it'll fast become a family favorite. It'll be wonderful in all sorts of dessert from pies to ice cream.
The plant does have a bad rap because its' leaves are highly poisonous. However the stalks are fine to eat however they must be boiled. Take the stalks and simmer in a shallow pot of water. Why shallow? because the stalks contain a lot of water themselves and if you add more liquid you'll have an overflow. Add a dash or lemon or lime juice and then cinnamon or nutmeg, Since the stalks are some what bitter, add 1/2 to 2/3 cups of sugar. Be warned. Rhubarb stalks can get very mushy when cooked.
What can you do with this mash? Most people add strawberries or apples for more sweetness. You can also add pectin to this or the cooked rhubarb to make a nice jam. Plain cooked rhubarb and strawberry make an excellent filling for a simple pie. You can also take this mix and add it to pudding or ice cream for an unusual treat or even to plain yogurt. Some people make a rhubarb chutney which accompanies chicken but mostly pork recipes.
Rhubarb is a wonderful garden treat. Don't be afraid to cook with it and use it n a variety of desserts.You'll enjoy its; earthy sweet flavor - a true taste of a summer harvest
The plant does have a bad rap because its' leaves are highly poisonous. However the stalks are fine to eat however they must be boiled. Take the stalks and simmer in a shallow pot of water. Why shallow? because the stalks contain a lot of water themselves and if you add more liquid you'll have an overflow. Add a dash or lemon or lime juice and then cinnamon or nutmeg, Since the stalks are some what bitter, add 1/2 to 2/3 cups of sugar. Be warned. Rhubarb stalks can get very mushy when cooked.
What can you do with this mash? Most people add strawberries or apples for more sweetness. You can also add pectin to this or the cooked rhubarb to make a nice jam. Plain cooked rhubarb and strawberry make an excellent filling for a simple pie. You can also take this mix and add it to pudding or ice cream for an unusual treat or even to plain yogurt. Some people make a rhubarb chutney which accompanies chicken but mostly pork recipes.
Rhubarb is a wonderful garden treat. Don't be afraid to cook with it and use it n a variety of desserts.You'll enjoy its; earthy sweet flavor - a true taste of a summer harvest
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Watermelon Summer's Fruit
Yesterday's Times Dining section had another interesting article about watermelon. It;s the perfect fruit for right now. It's cool, crisp and sweet, perfect for these hot days.The piece had a variety of helpful hints too that are useful in picking out melon. Let's face it , there's nothing like the perfect wedge of watermelon.
The article written by Dining regular, Kim Severson, is really a homage to the fruit. She writes about growers trying to create the perfect hybrid. Growers are looking for seedless ones, with crisp flesh that has a vegetal but sweet flavor, more organic than candyish. There's also the quest for a thicker rind, which would make future melons better for shipping. The color ios also being improved with a greener rind and much more vibrant,pinker flesh.
Severson's article also has some interesting recipes, There's a watermelon surf and turf that includes halibut. That wouldn't be my cup of tea. I would prefer a fiery watermelon salsa. There's also a cucumber watermelon salad with pistachios that I could see accompanying grilled chicken. There are also tips about how to thump melon and how to distinguish a ripe melon;s sound (more tenor than bass according to Ms. Severson).
Watermelon is the best treat in this weather.It's not only cooling but it satisfies your sweet tooth.It's also healthy and low cal. You can eat as much as you want and not feel guilty!
The article written by Dining regular, Kim Severson, is really a homage to the fruit. She writes about growers trying to create the perfect hybrid. Growers are looking for seedless ones, with crisp flesh that has a vegetal but sweet flavor, more organic than candyish. There's also the quest for a thicker rind, which would make future melons better for shipping. The color ios also being improved with a greener rind and much more vibrant,pinker flesh.
Severson's article also has some interesting recipes, There's a watermelon surf and turf that includes halibut. That wouldn't be my cup of tea. I would prefer a fiery watermelon salsa. There's also a cucumber watermelon salad with pistachios that I could see accompanying grilled chicken. There are also tips about how to thump melon and how to distinguish a ripe melon;s sound (more tenor than bass according to Ms. Severson).
Watermelon is the best treat in this weather.It's not only cooling but it satisfies your sweet tooth.It's also healthy and low cal. You can eat as much as you want and not feel guilty!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Traveling Foodie Show
Today's Wednesday's New York Times Dining section is chock full of good articles. There's a few that caught my eye ,especially one that deals with traveling foods Yup, these are foodie faves that have to be sent in via relative or close friend. It's an interesting piece that deals with the lengths that foodies will go to to get their faves.
This hits home for me. I can remember asking my Gran for homemade barbecue from where she was in Indiana. Of course you don't get it here in Jersey (not the authentic , smoky kind anyway) and always begged her to bring several jars on her visits East.It was a thrill to open up the box that the large jars came in and start planning the next day's lunch. I also felt the same with my other side when my grandparents extended families came from Italy and Germany bringing good chocolate and cookies that you couldn't get over here.Min
d you there are some things that are only found in South Jersey that we can't get here up in the Northern section. Every time I head down to Atlantic City I make sure I stop on the ride north to pick up authentic sticky buns .We also can't get scrapple here the way we can in Atlantic and Cape May Counties too.
The article written by Sarah Maslin Nir tells of the length people will go to to get their favorite out of reach foods. Fans of the famed Southern soda, Cheerwine, will drive for hours at a time to get this cherry drink. Other will enlist mothers to smuggle in foods over state lines, such is the case of one New Mexican who longed for the state's roasted chilis. Others will have the stuff shipped to them in special care packages like the one young woman who had a special lime juice sent from her gran in Florida.
Foodies will do whatever it takes to get their faves sent to them. I'm no different. Besides there;s some that 's so special about getting a package of hard to get treats from relatives or friends who care.
This hits home for me. I can remember asking my Gran for homemade barbecue from where she was in Indiana. Of course you don't get it here in Jersey (not the authentic , smoky kind anyway) and always begged her to bring several jars on her visits East.It was a thrill to open up the box that the large jars came in and start planning the next day's lunch. I also felt the same with my other side when my grandparents extended families came from Italy and Germany bringing good chocolate and cookies that you couldn't get over here.Min
d you there are some things that are only found in South Jersey that we can't get here up in the Northern section. Every time I head down to Atlantic City I make sure I stop on the ride north to pick up authentic sticky buns .We also can't get scrapple here the way we can in Atlantic and Cape May Counties too.The article written by Sarah Maslin Nir tells of the length people will go to to get their favorite out of reach foods. Fans of the famed Southern soda, Cheerwine, will drive for hours at a time to get this cherry drink. Other will enlist mothers to smuggle in foods over state lines, such is the case of one New Mexican who longed for the state's roasted chilis. Others will have the stuff shipped to them in special care packages like the one young woman who had a special lime juice sent from her gran in Florida.
Foodies will do whatever it takes to get their faves sent to them. I'm no different. Besides there;s some that 's so special about getting a package of hard to get treats from relatives or friends who care.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
A Day In
These past few days I'll be staying in, thanks to visits from vets and phone installers. What's a foodie to do when they have to stay in. Plenty. There's a list of things any foodie can do when you're stuck in a house.
There's defrosting the freezer. This is perfect because you can actually figure out what those mystery packs are. They could be last year's burgers to snowballs the kids froze as a souvenir of Winter 2010. You can also make those frozen pizzas you had wanted to bake back in March. You can also eat those the icky flavor Popsicles the kids hate. After that you also clean out the fridge. There's probably jars of half eaten jam and salsa that should have been tossed ages ago. Also it's a good time to check out expiration dates too.
Another thing to do is try out some involved recipes you've always wanted to try. You can experiment with your crockpot ,creating everything from Swedish meatballs to stews. It's also a good time to makes sauces as well. Just don't try anything too complicated. You may be need to help out or need to guide the repairmen to where they have to go.
Don't worry if you're stuck in the house waiting for repairmen or doctors. Hang out in your kitchen, There's probably a million things that have to be done and now is a good time to do them.
There's defrosting the freezer. This is perfect because you can actually figure out what those mystery packs are. They could be last year's burgers to snowballs the kids froze as a souvenir of Winter 2010. You can also make those frozen pizzas you had wanted to bake back in March. You can also eat those the icky flavor Popsicles the kids hate. After that you also clean out the fridge. There's probably jars of half eaten jam and salsa that should have been tossed ages ago. Also it's a good time to check out expiration dates too.
Another thing to do is try out some involved recipes you've always wanted to try. You can experiment with your crockpot ,creating everything from Swedish meatballs to stews. It's also a good time to makes sauces as well. Just don't try anything too complicated. You may be need to help out or need to guide the repairmen to where they have to go.
Don't worry if you're stuck in the house waiting for repairmen or doctors. Hang out in your kitchen, There's probably a million things that have to be done and now is a good time to do them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
