A foodie's celebration for the 4th of July can mean only one thing: good old American food! Of course there will be hot dogs, corn on the cob, bbq, Jell-O, and potato chips. But, this year I was up for a new challenge: creating some of America's favorite packaged goods from scratch.
My first undertaking was Spaghetti-O's. I remember eating the canned version as a kid and also in college (spaghetti-o's in microwavable packaging are a great snack before heading off for a long day of marching band). I always preferred the meatball variety (gotta get that protein in there), but after some research I found our speculations were true all along: there is not actual meat in those meatballs. I also found out there is cheese in the sauce, which I didn't notice before as I don't really think the flavor comes through. So I went to the store, found myself some pasta o's and the fun began!
Homemade Spaghetti O's with Meatballs
7 oz. package of O-shaped pasta
15 oz can tomato sauce
1 quart chicken stock
1 garlic clove, grated
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 tbsp butter
3 Tbsp sour cream
Black pepper, to taste
For the meatballs:
1/2 lb ground beef
1 egg white
splash of Worcestershire
handful of breadcrumbs
1 tsp Italian seasoning
salt and pepper
Directions:
Bring tomato sauce and chicken stock to boil in a covered saucepan. Add in pasta and garlic, cook until pasta is al dente, about 7 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare meatballs. Thorougly combine all of the ingredients and shape into mini-meatballs. Cook in a greased skillet over medium heat. Turn the meatballs to brown on all sides. Add to pasta during the last few minutes of the pasta cooking.
When the pasta is al dente, add in butter, cheese, sour cream and pepper to taste.
I thought this recipe came out to taste just like the real thing, but vastly improved! The real meatballs added great flavor and excitement when eaten. The fresh garlic in the sauce was sweet and fragrant. The dish even looked similar to the canned version!
I have a few more favorite foods to re-create homemade style, look for more recipes soon. Meanwhile, I'd love your suggestions of foods to re-create. Happy Independence Day!
2010/07/04
2010/02/11
Wagyu is Like Revenge...A Dish Best Served Cold
I recently had my first Wagyu experience and was very surprised by it. For those of you unfamiliar with this special beef, let me take a moment to explain. Wagyu is a Japanese cow that produces meat with an immense amount of marbling. In the beef world more marbling = more expensive and more flavor. Wagyu cows are given special treatments such as massages and some say they mix sake or beer into their feed. Waygu are fed a special diet much to superior to that of your typical brown Bessy.
Anyway, the point is Wagyu are supposed to be the most wonderful tasting steaks in the world and therefore are extremely expensive and somewhat hard to get a hold of. If your interest is sparked I suggest ordering some steaks online as it is unlikely your local supermarket is in possession of such finery.
Yesterday I had my first ever taste of the much hyped Wagyu steak. I was slightly disappointed the first time I tasted it. I was expecting steak heaven: juicy, tender, buttery, melt in your mouth sort of thing. Instead I thought the texture was lacking (a bit mushy) and flavor was lackluster. I was however, willing to give Wagyu another chance. The next Wagyu I tried was cooked to a much cooler temperature and it was fabulous. It was not quite the steak nirvana I've been dreaming of, but it was definitely one of the greatest beef experiences of my life.
I suppose the realization that rarer is better when it comes to Wagyu is not surprising. Most great beef cuts benefit from less cooking (i.e. prime rib). Which is why I liken Wagyu to revenge...a dish best served cold.
Anyway, the point is Wagyu are supposed to be the most wonderful tasting steaks in the world and therefore are extremely expensive and somewhat hard to get a hold of. If your interest is sparked I suggest ordering some steaks online as it is unlikely your local supermarket is in possession of such finery.
Yesterday I had my first ever taste of the much hyped Wagyu steak. I was slightly disappointed the first time I tasted it. I was expecting steak heaven: juicy, tender, buttery, melt in your mouth sort of thing. Instead I thought the texture was lacking (a bit mushy) and flavor was lackluster. I was however, willing to give Wagyu another chance. The next Wagyu I tried was cooked to a much cooler temperature and it was fabulous. It was not quite the steak nirvana I've been dreaming of, but it was definitely one of the greatest beef experiences of my life.
I suppose the realization that rarer is better when it comes to Wagyu is not surprising. Most great beef cuts benefit from less cooking (i.e. prime rib). Which is why I liken Wagyu to revenge...a dish best served cold.
2009/12/03
Hot New Food Trends
You may be surprised and intrigued by some of the new offerings on menus these days. Some people might see some of the following as 'gross', but I say keep an open mind and you will be rewarded. After all, some of the most loved foods out there are the result of wacky combinations. Peach salsa, whole wheat pasta, and jalapeno gelato are yesterdays news...
Hot Flavor: Bacon
Yes, nearly everyone loves bacon so it's really no surprise that bacon is popping up everywhere. It's not just for breakfast and burgers anymore! Chocolate covered bacon is a clever combination of sweet and salt. Bacon vodka and burbon are making their way onto trendy bar shelves. A bacon and honey ice cream is in the works. Bacon cupcakes recipes are everywhere on the net. This is a trend that is just making its way onto the market so expect so see great things from bacon in the coming months.
Hot Flavor: Peppers...literally.
Exotic peppers are showing up in some unlikely locations these days. Even fast food restaurants are hyping a chipotle sauce on their burgers recently. Pain lovers rejoice, soon there will be many more options available aside from the usual pepper jelly. A chipotle chocolate bar is being sold at Target stores nationwide, hot sauces are getting hotter than ever,
Hot Flavor: Citrus fruits
We can think our diverse population for this up and coming trend. Citrus fruits are big with the Hispanic population and as this demographic grows, so does the popularity of the fruit. You may have even noticed that the citrus fruit selection in your local grocery store has expanded in recent years. Now we have access to exotic fruits like starfruit and pummelo. Look for other fruits popping up in strange places, too. Strawberry spaghetti sauce is in the works!
Hot Flavor: Rice
Rice is the new potato. We just have to figure out the rice equivalent of a french fry and McDonald's will be in line for that one. Once again, our diverse population is causing an increase in rice consumption. The potato is losing popularity (probably due to a wardrobe malfunction) and rice is happy to take its place. The good news here is that brown rice is a much healthier option that the potato and can give you the same starchy kick as ye ol potato.
Hot Flavor: Bacon
Yes, nearly everyone loves bacon so it's really no surprise that bacon is popping up everywhere. It's not just for breakfast and burgers anymore! Chocolate covered bacon is a clever combination of sweet and salt. Bacon vodka and burbon are making their way onto trendy bar shelves. A bacon and honey ice cream is in the works. Bacon cupcakes recipes are everywhere on the net. This is a trend that is just making its way onto the market so expect so see great things from bacon in the coming months.
Hot Flavor: Peppers...literally.
Exotic peppers are showing up in some unlikely locations these days. Even fast food restaurants are hyping a chipotle sauce on their burgers recently. Pain lovers rejoice, soon there will be many more options available aside from the usual pepper jelly. A chipotle chocolate bar is being sold at Target stores nationwide, hot sauces are getting hotter than ever,
Hot Flavor: Citrus fruits
We can think our diverse population for this up and coming trend. Citrus fruits are big with the Hispanic population and as this demographic grows, so does the popularity of the fruit. You may have even noticed that the citrus fruit selection in your local grocery store has expanded in recent years. Now we have access to exotic fruits like starfruit and pummelo. Look for other fruits popping up in strange places, too. Strawberry spaghetti sauce is in the works!
Hot Flavor: Rice
Rice is the new potato. We just have to figure out the rice equivalent of a french fry and McDonald's will be in line for that one. Once again, our diverse population is causing an increase in rice consumption. The potato is losing popularity (probably due to a wardrobe malfunction) and rice is happy to take its place. The good news here is that brown rice is a much healthier option that the potato and can give you the same starchy kick as ye ol potato.
2009/11/16
Retro Dishes: Butter Dips & Duchess Potatoes
Butter Dips
Apparently butter dips were a popular option for an appetizer back in the day. The recipe I used came from a book published in the '50s. They were described in the book as biscuit strips dipped and baked in butter. How can this be bad, right? The recipe was really easy to make and I happend to have all of the ingredients, as most people would. It called for flour, butter, milk, salt and baking powder. Simple and very tasty. As you can see from the picture I couldn't wait to try them. They were like really buttery rolls, best warm, tender and tasty! Not greasy at all as you might think. All the butter soaks in during baking so there isn't any left in the pan. A great start to any meal.
Duchess Potatoes
These are basically a fancy way to serve and portion mashed potatoes. Also very easy to make, all you do is take your usual mashed potatoes and use a piping bag to make little mounds on a baking sheet. Then brush them with butter and bake until browned. I thought they seemed a little dried out to me, even though they were plenty moist before the baking. Otherwise, they tasted ok. They would be good for a party or for entertaining because they look pretty.
Apparently butter dips were a popular option for an appetizer back in the day. The recipe I used came from a book published in the '50s. They were described in the book as biscuit strips dipped and baked in butter. How can this be bad, right? The recipe was really easy to make and I happend to have all of the ingredients, as most people would. It called for flour, butter, milk, salt and baking powder. Simple and very tasty. As you can see from the picture I couldn't wait to try them. They were like really buttery rolls, best warm, tender and tasty! Not greasy at all as you might think. All the butter soaks in during baking so there isn't any left in the pan. A great start to any meal.
Duchess Potatoes
These are basically a fancy way to serve and portion mashed potatoes. Also very easy to make, all you do is take your usual mashed potatoes and use a piping bag to make little mounds on a baking sheet. Then brush them with butter and bake until browned. I thought they seemed a little dried out to me, even though they were plenty moist before the baking. Otherwise, they tasted ok. They would be good for a party or for entertaining because they look pretty.
2009/11/11
Retro Dishes
Recently, I have become curious about retro cooking (we're talking prior to the '70s here). Do you know that margarine commericial where there is the 'Butterton' family? It is a black and white picture in a retro looking kicthen. They are all sitting around the dinner table, each with a baked potato with an entire stick of butter on top. When I think of retro cooking, this is usually the image that comes to mind. So after discovering a few websites devoted to retro recipes, I decided to do some sleuthing of my own.
I soon realized that I had heard of many of these dishes before, but I didn't really know what they were. I have decided therefore, to try out these recipes for myself. I am planning on posting about many of the recipes that I try out so that we may all be enlightened. No, this is not an attempt to recreate 'Julie & Julia' for this is not a personal challenge to me, but merely a way to expand my culinary know-how. I also plan to include in these posts a little of the history about the dish.
Here are some of the dishes I am contemplating: Coq au Vin, Beef Stroganoff, Chicken a la King, Coquille St Jacques, Crepes Suzette, Eggs Mornay, Quiche Lorainne, Steak Diane, Vichysoisse, Ratatouille, and various canapes. I am particularly interested in retro casseroles. If you have any further suggestions or curiosities about a dish, please feel free to leave a comment.
I soon realized that I had heard of many of these dishes before, but I didn't really know what they were. I have decided therefore, to try out these recipes for myself. I am planning on posting about many of the recipes that I try out so that we may all be enlightened. No, this is not an attempt to recreate 'Julie & Julia' for this is not a personal challenge to me, but merely a way to expand my culinary know-how. I also plan to include in these posts a little of the history about the dish.
Here are some of the dishes I am contemplating: Coq au Vin, Beef Stroganoff, Chicken a la King, Coquille St Jacques, Crepes Suzette, Eggs Mornay, Quiche Lorainne, Steak Diane, Vichysoisse, Ratatouille, and various canapes. I am particularly interested in retro casseroles. If you have any further suggestions or curiosities about a dish, please feel free to leave a comment.
2009/10/20
I always wanted to be a food critic...
So here are some of my picks for the best restaurants of their category in the surrounding area. Leave comments, if you disagree tell me what's better! I always enjoy a bit of perspective.
Best Tacos- Tasty Tacos
If you are from the area and you've never been to Tasty Tacos then you are commiting a crime and should be jailed. Go for the original flour taco- filled with a perfect mix of beef and beans and topped with lettuce and gooey cheese. The best part is the tortilla. It's fluffy, chewy, tender...the best taco experience there is. They are so good I've never eaten anything else on the menu. Tasty Tacos is a locally owned Mexican fast food place. you just walk up to the counter and order and they call out your number when it's ready. Locations are in Des Moines (although they are trying to get one going in Ankeny early next year) on Euclid, downtown near the capital, and on the West side on Hickman.
http://www.tastytacos.com/
Most Romantic for an Affordable Date Night- Ge Angelo's
Ge Angelo's is a family owned Italian restaurant in Ames. It's a hidden gem in a little strip mall next to Cub Foods. This is a cozy little place playing popular jazz with a fireplace in the dining room. Prices are decent and the best part is that it's likely one of the owner will stop by your table. Sometimes they even seat you. Make sure they know it's you first time there- they gave us a free appetizer on our first visit. Recommended dishes are handmade ravioli and vegetable lasagna. Get the poppy seed dressing on your salad, its the perfect blend of sweet and tangy. Also, the margaritas are huge and awesome!
http://www.geangelos.com/
Best Chinese- The Mandarin
This place keeps winning the award for being the best Chinese in Story County, and its well deserved. They have great lunch specials- all at around $6. For that you get soup, fried rice, an egg roll, and a generous serving of the entree of your choice. If you go for dinner it's a bit more pricey, but I recommend the 'Dinner for Two' (or however many people). It comes with the same stuff as the lunch combos and you can make any subsitutions you want even though the menu only says one. The owner is frequently staffing the front desk and is always polite and friendly. This may be one of the best Chinese restaurants in Iowa.
http://www.mandarinofames.com/index.html
Best Pizza- Chuck's
Chuck's is a Des Moines institution. It's been around forever- my parents used to go on dates there. If you like thin crust style pizza, this is the place. The crust is so thin and tender it's a wonder it doesn't fall apart. The toppings are perfectly balanced with just the right amount of everything. A warning though, due to the thin crust and the addictive nature of this pizza a large will only feed two people. Don't expect leftovers and while you're there order up some of their awesome onion rings. If you aren't in the mood for pizza (ridiculous) they also have great cavatelli.
http://chucksdesmoines.com/
Best Food from a Grocery Store??- B&B Grocery
B&B has also been around forever. They make a great chorizo if you're into that sort of thing. Anyway, they also make sandwiches to order, as well as deep fried anything to go along with it. They feature the 'Killer Tenderloin'...need I say more? At lunchtime, this place is packed full of all kinds of people. The service is quick and efficient and the food is delicious. It is a grocery store too, so on your way out pick up a Coke from Mexico (with real sugar) in a glass bottle to round out your meal. It's just south of downtown Des Moines, and they have a great website with the full menu: http://www.bbgrocerymeatdeli.com/
Best Place to be Adventurous- Fuji
Fuji has been a wonderful addiction to the Ames culinary scene. They have great sushi- but it comes at a price. Go for lunch for the best deals overall. They are absolute artists when it comes to sushi. I recommend the yellowtail and fish tempura rolls. If you don't do sushi, they are other great options and its worth going just for them. The hibachi meals are fabulous, with a great pile of veggies alongside your choice of meat or fish. You can sit at the grill for a show, but you'll probably come home with egg in your hair or down your shirt. Also, the tempura here is wonderful. They make a great sauce to go with it. I recommend the chicken and veggie tempua lunch box or the steak hibachi for the non-sushi eaters. This place doesn't have a website yet as far as I know.
Best Tacos- Tasty Tacos
If you are from the area and you've never been to Tasty Tacos then you are commiting a crime and should be jailed. Go for the original flour taco- filled with a perfect mix of beef and beans and topped with lettuce and gooey cheese. The best part is the tortilla. It's fluffy, chewy, tender...the best taco experience there is. They are so good I've never eaten anything else on the menu. Tasty Tacos is a locally owned Mexican fast food place. you just walk up to the counter and order and they call out your number when it's ready. Locations are in Des Moines (although they are trying to get one going in Ankeny early next year) on Euclid, downtown near the capital, and on the West side on Hickman.
http://www.tastytacos.com/
Most Romantic for an Affordable Date Night- Ge Angelo's
Ge Angelo's is a family owned Italian restaurant in Ames. It's a hidden gem in a little strip mall next to Cub Foods. This is a cozy little place playing popular jazz with a fireplace in the dining room. Prices are decent and the best part is that it's likely one of the owner will stop by your table. Sometimes they even seat you. Make sure they know it's you first time there- they gave us a free appetizer on our first visit. Recommended dishes are handmade ravioli and vegetable lasagna. Get the poppy seed dressing on your salad, its the perfect blend of sweet and tangy. Also, the margaritas are huge and awesome!
http://www.geangelos.com/
Best Chinese- The Mandarin
This place keeps winning the award for being the best Chinese in Story County, and its well deserved. They have great lunch specials- all at around $6. For that you get soup, fried rice, an egg roll, and a generous serving of the entree of your choice. If you go for dinner it's a bit more pricey, but I recommend the 'Dinner for Two' (or however many people). It comes with the same stuff as the lunch combos and you can make any subsitutions you want even though the menu only says one. The owner is frequently staffing the front desk and is always polite and friendly. This may be one of the best Chinese restaurants in Iowa.
http://www.mandarinofames.com/index.html
Best Pizza- Chuck's
Chuck's is a Des Moines institution. It's been around forever- my parents used to go on dates there. If you like thin crust style pizza, this is the place. The crust is so thin and tender it's a wonder it doesn't fall apart. The toppings are perfectly balanced with just the right amount of everything. A warning though, due to the thin crust and the addictive nature of this pizza a large will only feed two people. Don't expect leftovers and while you're there order up some of their awesome onion rings. If you aren't in the mood for pizza (ridiculous) they also have great cavatelli.
http://chucksdesmoines.com/
Best Food from a Grocery Store??- B&B Grocery
B&B has also been around forever. They make a great chorizo if you're into that sort of thing. Anyway, they also make sandwiches to order, as well as deep fried anything to go along with it. They feature the 'Killer Tenderloin'...need I say more? At lunchtime, this place is packed full of all kinds of people. The service is quick and efficient and the food is delicious. It is a grocery store too, so on your way out pick up a Coke from Mexico (with real sugar) in a glass bottle to round out your meal. It's just south of downtown Des Moines, and they have a great website with the full menu: http://www.bbgrocerymeatdeli.com/
Best Place to be Adventurous- Fuji
Fuji has been a wonderful addiction to the Ames culinary scene. They have great sushi- but it comes at a price. Go for lunch for the best deals overall. They are absolute artists when it comes to sushi. I recommend the yellowtail and fish tempura rolls. If you don't do sushi, they are other great options and its worth going just for them. The hibachi meals are fabulous, with a great pile of veggies alongside your choice of meat or fish. You can sit at the grill for a show, but you'll probably come home with egg in your hair or down your shirt. Also, the tempura here is wonderful. They make a great sauce to go with it. I recommend the chicken and veggie tempua lunch box or the steak hibachi for the non-sushi eaters. This place doesn't have a website yet as far as I know.
2009/10/06
A Food Addiction???
Do you have a friend that puts ranch dressing on everything? Or maybe it's you that can't make it through the day without that Mountain Dew. There are some people out there that can't stop eating everything bagels. So what is it about certain foods that make us crave them constantly?
Some people believe that there are ingredients in ranch dressing causing the addiction. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this idea. Perhaps it’s the simplicity and familiarity of the dressing that's so appealing. The smooth and creamy mouth feel coupled with just a hint of tang and herbs is enough to make many people find creative ways to sneak ranch dressing into every meal.
As far as those of you who are addicted to {insert caffeinated, carbonated beverage here}, you don't have to entirely blame yourself. Caffeine really has been shown to have addictive qualities. After all, it IS a drug. A legal one, yes but it can still cause withdraws when you try to cut back. I'm sure you know all about the caffeine headache.
Ok, the everything bagel. I must admit I am a fan myself but definitely not an addict. It has to be the combination of spices topping this baked delight that send people running to the bagel shop each morning. Who can resist the coarse salt, poppy seed, onion and garlic? Delicious. My suggestion if you can't get enough: try making up the spice blend at home and incorporating it into other dishes. I suggest trying it out on scrambled eggs, buttered toast, potatoes, pasta, the possibilities are endless.
So is there anything wrong with having a food addiction? Well there is if it comes down to you eating so much of one thing that you're not getting a good variety of nutrients in your diet. Or if that food you hold so dearly is high in something that's not so great for you. Ranch dressing, for example, has an excruciatingly high fat content. And we all know that caffeine can have adverse effects on our health. So remember, everything in moderation and you'll live long enough to pass on your ranch dressing addiction to your great-grandchildren!
Some people believe that there are ingredients in ranch dressing causing the addiction. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this idea. Perhaps it’s the simplicity and familiarity of the dressing that's so appealing. The smooth and creamy mouth feel coupled with just a hint of tang and herbs is enough to make many people find creative ways to sneak ranch dressing into every meal.
As far as those of you who are addicted to {insert caffeinated, carbonated beverage here}, you don't have to entirely blame yourself. Caffeine really has been shown to have addictive qualities. After all, it IS a drug. A legal one, yes but it can still cause withdraws when you try to cut back. I'm sure you know all about the caffeine headache.
Ok, the everything bagel. I must admit I am a fan myself but definitely not an addict. It has to be the combination of spices topping this baked delight that send people running to the bagel shop each morning. Who can resist the coarse salt, poppy seed, onion and garlic? Delicious. My suggestion if you can't get enough: try making up the spice blend at home and incorporating it into other dishes. I suggest trying it out on scrambled eggs, buttered toast, potatoes, pasta, the possibilities are endless.
So is there anything wrong with having a food addiction? Well there is if it comes down to you eating so much of one thing that you're not getting a good variety of nutrients in your diet. Or if that food you hold so dearly is high in something that's not so great for you. Ranch dressing, for example, has an excruciatingly high fat content. And we all know that caffeine can have adverse effects on our health. So remember, everything in moderation and you'll live long enough to pass on your ranch dressing addiction to your great-grandchildren!
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