Posts Tagged ‘Food’

Cooking is not only a great thing to provide family or yourself something delicious to eat, but for me it provides relaxation after a day of work. For the past two years I have posted photos of some of the dishes that I have cooked that stood out to me for being a first time dish to something I just love to eat. This year I spent a lot of time playing with a Crock-Pot. There is nothing like prepping your food, dropping it in a pot, then coming home to a house filled with wonderful aromas. I also focused on my European roots when cooking dishes and dabbled with other international dishes which is common for me. The New Year’s often brings the tradition of Crock-Pot Black-Eyed Peas with Cornbread. The second photo is a Crock-Pot Chicken Apricot Tangine from Morocco. The third photo is a Japanese Okinawan dish called Goya Champura home to the most Centaurians in world. The fourth dish is Crock-Pot Beef Rouladen from Germany. The fifth dish is one of my favorite British dishes Fish and Chips with a side of peas. In Britain they often puree their peas. The sixth photo is Baked Lemon Pepper Garlic Whitefish with Tomato and Spinach on a bed of Couscous which is very Mediterranean. The seventh photo is a Crock-Pot Korean BBQ Short Ribs. The eighth photo is Italian Crock-Pot Minestrone Soup. The ninth photo is a traditional Irish Corned Beef meal. The tenth photo is Mexican Beef and Shrimp Tacos with Black Beans, Corn, and Cojita Cheese. The eleventh photo is Greek Salad with Boiled Shrimp. The Twelfth photo is Crock-Pot French Cassoulet Soup. The thirteenth photo is a German Reuben Sandwich with a side of Chips. The fourteenth photo is Beef and Chicken Kabobs with Kale and Couscous. The fifteenth photo is Chicken Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, Green Beans, and Pan Dripping Milk Gravy. The sixteenth photo is Four Cheese Ham and Peas Penne pasta from Italy. All of the recipes can be found readily online. I hope these photos inspire you to get in the kitchen. Bon Appetite!

I had heard so much about Andy’s Country Kitchen being a Corpus Christi legend since 1958 that I had to try it for myself. I mean what other restaurant has a waitress that worked her way up to purchase and run it? Well, the verdict is out.  110% excellent! The service, the food, the atmosphere, all exceeded my expectations. The history on the back of the menu is another excellent part of Andy’s. I had the Andy’s breakfast which is pictured and they brought muffins out as a snack. Wow! This will definitely  be a stop for me every time I am in Corpus Christi. For more information visit their website here https://www.andyskitchen.com/

When I look back on the many great things in life, I always reflect on meals and the good times that are shared around them. There are so many cultures and things to eat that I sometimes wonder,” How does a person eat the same thing everyday?” I rarely eat the same dish in a year because there are so many tasty things to eat. I can attest that I have eaten with people of other religions and political philosophies. We do not agree on anything regarding those topics, but when we sit down to eat awesome food, there is nothing but smiles. God gives us food as a blessing for our hearts, mind, body, and soul. Some want to fight and wage war, I want to eat and enjoy the many great people and things in life. It is much easier to smile than frown. For those who share the same vision. Thank you for the joy you spread around the world. Here are a few of the meals I cooked this year that brought many smiles. If some of them puzzle you? Message me and I will tell you what they are or share a recipe. Bon Appetite!

 

Hurricane Harvey is approaching and the grocery shelves all over Houston are depleting. A metroplex with five million plus people and people are looking for food. This is very common for us in Texas during hurricane season. Surprisingly Jello and dish soap were plentiful.  If a hurricane can empty the shelves, just think if truckers strike or a pro-longed war happens. Food! Do not take it for granted or waste it.

Indian food is absolutely delicious! With Indian food you can quickly learn you do not need meat to have an awesome meal. Thali in India means “Platter.” Maharaja Bhog offers “THE BEST” Thali experience in Houston. The food is full of flavor, fresh, and the service is exceptional. Check them out! maharajabhog.com

The Blue Nile Ethiopian Restaurant in Houston located at 9400 Richmond offers amazing food, service, and authenticity. If you are in a hurry go somewhere else. They cook food from scratch. Excellent food! That takes time. Check it out! http://www.bluenilerestaurant.com/

Some of my favorite culinary creations for 2016. Mexican, American, Vegan, Indian, Mediterranean, African, Hamburgers, Russian, Italian, Greek, Dessert, I love it all!

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I have had so much BBQ in my life that I can hands down say the Pecan Lodge has a perfect balance of smoke, sauce, and tenderness to the meat. The service is excellent even when crowds wrap around the exterior. One unique thing is fried chicken on the platter instead of BBQ chicken. I have never had that at any BBQ establishment, and I must say the fried chicken is superbly crispy, seasoned, and juicy. For more on the Pecan Lodge check out their website http://www.pecanlodge.com/ This is one stop you need to make while in Dallas, Texas.

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One of my favorite, healthy, quick, inexpensive meals, that is full of flavor, and so easy, anyone can do it. King Oscar Norwegian Sardines, Kalamata Olives, Hummus, Pita Flatbread, and Mini Cucumber. What do you enjoy that is quick, easy, and not needing any form of cooking?

So a friend says,” I haven’t seen any food photos in awhile. Do you still cook?” I cook almost daily. Ethic, Americana, you name it. I love food and food is life. Here are a few dishes I have made recently. Tacos with Pico De Gallo, Guacamole, and Salsa Verde, Grilled Catfish with peas and couscous, Chicken Fried Steak with Butter Gold Mashed Potatos and Peas, Beef Empanadas with Green Banana Curry, Picadillo with Platanos, Black Beans, Rice, and a Fried Egg, and Fried Chicken with Okra and Corn. I hope my photos inspire you to get into the kitchen and out of the box. Enjoy!

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