Today is the day I will officially put the original purpose of this blog on a hopefully temporary hiatus. In addition to trying some new recipes and changing a few of the old ones I am on a quest to discover great meals on a budget. I'll be doing some big batch cooking that will taste wonderful for about $1 - $2 per serving. Where to start?????
"A large stock pot". At Christmas time I found a 20 quart stock pot at Macy's that was originally $129.99. It was reduce by 50%, then reduce again and again and an additional $10 taken at the register. I walked out the door with this pot for $29.99. Deal of the century if you ask me. I have used it three times already with excellent results. Chili, BBQ sauce and Spaghetti.
Everyone knows that spaghetti is one of the least expensive meals a person can make. Costco or Sam's Club is the perfect place to start for this. Get your meat, pasta and sauce making materials in large quantities and cut your cost significantly. I estimate the batch of sauce I made yielded 36 servings of spaghetti sauce for about $1.41 per serving. Keep in mind that this includes 6 pounds of homemade meatballs, 2 pounds of Italian sausage and 1 pound of peperoni sticks. I never said it was low cholesterol but it does taste fabulous. Add some pasta and homemade focaccia bread to this and your still well under $2 per serving.
Stews, Chili, non cream based soup, etc. All can be done in this same manner and freeze extremely well. The best way I have found to freeze them is to place the cooled soup, sauce, etc. into a 1 gallon Ziploc freezer bag by desired serving size and gently pushing the air out of the bag, zip it closed. Lay flat in your freezer in a shallow box (a shirt box works well) until frozen. After a couple of hours you will be able to store upright to save space in your freezer. It will keep for months and help stretch you monthly food budget.
As I mentioned, I have done Chili and Spaghetti sauce so far. I have also prepared and frozen a large ham and have plans for a turkey today. These can be divided into portions for soups, sandwiches or future meals and frozen for months as well. Take the time to prepare in advance and not only save time latter but you will also save money.
Upcoming meal preparations; Carnitas, Lasagna, Bahn Mi Pork, Tacos and Empanadas.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
Home for a while!!!!
One thing about loosing your job is you don't travel much anymore. Go figure. Yep, as of December 19, 2008 the doors of my company closed leaving many good people out of a job and spending much more time at home. One of these has turned out to be good and the other obviously not so good. I love getting to spend time at home with my girls doing homework, playing dolls and cooking. As you may have gathered from past blogs, I love to cook as much or more than I love to eat. I have created some new recipes, redefined some old ones and tried several new ones. For the next month or so you may see more recipes on the blog than restaurant reviews.
So, for all you cooks out there, send me your favorite recipes; I'll try them out and let you know what I think. Or just watch for recipes I post and you can do the same. Happy New Year!!!
So, for all you cooks out there, send me your favorite recipes; I'll try them out and let you know what I think. Or just watch for recipes I post and you can do the same. Happy New Year!!!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Pink’s and Randy’s
Many of you have heard of these famous locations in the Los Angeles area especially if you watch the Food Network but have you been there?? Until Monday I would have said no as well.
Not exactly a health conscious line up for an afternoon of eats but with my meeting being cancelled it allows me the time to visit these locations that I've heard great things about for years.
Pink’s Famous Hot Dogs
Since 1939 this family owned hot spot has been is in the same location dishing out world famous chili dogs, burgers and much more. I have seen numerous TV specials about Pink’s and have always wanted to taste what all the hype is about.
I had no problem finding the place and must have been very lucky with parking and only waiting in line for 15 minutes. From my understanding the short wait I had would be admired by many. The wait was both good and bad for me. Good to look at the menu over and over and bad because……… I got to look over the menu over and over.
By the time it was my turn to order I had easily changed my mind a dozen times but ultimately settled on the Chili Dog with Kraut, the spicy version of the Chicago Dog and an order of Onion Rings. Yep………ouch. I think this is about as close as one could come to defining a “Gut Bomb”.
Everything was pretty good. Would I drive out of my way to visit again? Probably not, at least not by myself. I would go again with someone who hadn’t been before. The Chili Dog was better without the Kraut, great Onion Rings and the Chicago Dog was the bomb.
Randy’s Donuts
Built in 1952 this place has appeared in many movies and is always recognizable by the huge donut on top of the building. Only 8 miles from Pink’s or 30 min drive I had to do it. Another one of those seen on the Food Network, I again must see what all the hype is about.
First of all, let’s air some dirty laundry. I LOVE DONUTS!!! There I said it. I’m not talking about the donuts purchased at the grocery store or those mass produced chunks of cardboard like substances in the cellophane packages and white boxes located at the same place you buy fuel. I’m talking about the donuts made fresh daily with real ingredients by people who like to shake things up a little and try to think outside of the donut box.
Randy’s is it. Lots of choices and priced very reasonable. I always like to find out what the workers eat when they eat at their place of business and this day is no different. She tells me the only one she eats is the Buttermilk Donut. Um……ok……butter good, milk good and donut, well, we already covered that. This donut ranks right up there with the best I have ever had. Crunchy glazed outside with a nice tender inside beaming with buttermilk flavors. I wish I had gotten at least a half dozen before driving away. I also tried a Devils Food Cake but it failed to meet the upper rankings of the donut scale. Will I go back?? Yep, anytime. Lots more on the menu to explore in addition to adding a 6 pack of buttermilk to the order.
http://www.pinkshollywood.com/
http://randys-donuts.com/
Not exactly a health conscious line up for an afternoon of eats but with my meeting being cancelled it allows me the time to visit these locations that I've heard great things about for years.
Pink’s Famous Hot Dogs
Since 1939 this family owned hot spot has been is in the same location dishing out world famous chili dogs, burgers and much more. I have seen numerous TV specials about Pink’s and have always wanted to taste what all the hype is about.
I had no problem finding the place and must have been very lucky with parking and only waiting in line for 15 minutes. From my understanding the short wait I had would be admired by many. The wait was both good and bad for me. Good to look at the menu over and over and bad because……… I got to look over the menu over and over.
By the time it was my turn to order I had easily changed my mind a dozen times but ultimately settled on the Chili Dog with Kraut, the spicy version of the Chicago Dog and an order of Onion Rings. Yep………ouch. I think this is about as close as one could come to defining a “Gut Bomb”.
Everything was pretty good. Would I drive out of my way to visit again? Probably not, at least not by myself. I would go again with someone who hadn’t been before. The Chili Dog was better without the Kraut, great Onion Rings and the Chicago Dog was the bomb.
Randy’s Donuts
Built in 1952 this place has appeared in many movies and is always recognizable by the huge donut on top of the building. Only 8 miles from Pink’s or 30 min drive I had to do it. Another one of those seen on the Food Network, I again must see what all the hype is about.
First of all, let’s air some dirty laundry. I LOVE DONUTS!!! There I said it. I’m not talking about the donuts purchased at the grocery store or those mass produced chunks of cardboard like substances in the cellophane packages and white boxes located at the same place you buy fuel. I’m talking about the donuts made fresh daily with real ingredients by people who like to shake things up a little and try to think outside of the donut box.
Randy’s is it. Lots of choices and priced very reasonable. I always like to find out what the workers eat when they eat at their place of business and this day is no different. She tells me the only one she eats is the Buttermilk Donut. Um……ok……butter good, milk good and donut, well, we already covered that. This donut ranks right up there with the best I have ever had. Crunchy glazed outside with a nice tender inside beaming with buttermilk flavors. I wish I had gotten at least a half dozen before driving away. I also tried a Devils Food Cake but it failed to meet the upper rankings of the donut scale. Will I go back?? Yep, anytime. Lots more on the menu to explore in addition to adding a 6 pack of buttermilk to the order.
http://www.pinkshollywood.com/
http://randys-donuts.com/
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Cool Hand Luke's 2
After getting some negative reviews from a reader or two in regards to my comments in March about Cool Hand Luke’s I felt it necessary to try the newly opened restaurant in Eagle.
Keeping a very open mind I meet my family after returning from a weekly trip. Walking in the door I am thrilled to not have the same complaint about the loudness of the music. The restaurant is clean, nice and the service is great. Should be, it just opened right!!!!
Truly, everyone working here is very nice and eager to serve. My problem…….the food is so blahh it makes me think I’m dining at Sizzler but paying double the price. We tried a variety of dishes including an appetizer and salad, but the group all agreed that the most eatable thing was the salad and bread.
I have not been to the one in downtown Boise and have no future plans to. If you’re looking to try the one in Eagle I suggest you do so in the very near future or it may no longer be there.
Keeping a very open mind I meet my family after returning from a weekly trip. Walking in the door I am thrilled to not have the same complaint about the loudness of the music. The restaurant is clean, nice and the service is great. Should be, it just opened right!!!!
Truly, everyone working here is very nice and eager to serve. My problem…….the food is so blahh it makes me think I’m dining at Sizzler but paying double the price. We tried a variety of dishes including an appetizer and salad, but the group all agreed that the most eatable thing was the salad and bread.
I have not been to the one in downtown Boise and have no future plans to. If you’re looking to try the one in Eagle I suggest you do so in the very near future or it may no longer be there.
Monday, October 20, 2008
The Flying Saucer
If memory serves, everyone one of the blogs I’ve done to date has been a blog about food. I suppose this is a good thing since it’s a food blog but I had to let everyone know about the “Flying Saucer”.
While meeting with some folks in Dallas this past week we indulged in several beers at several different locations but the only must stop I noted is the Flying Saucer. There are a couple of locations in the Dallas area and this day we hit the Addison location.
It’s not often that I get to indulge in beers at 2:30 in the afternoon but I’ll use the excuse that I wasn’t driving and this is where we ended up. Unfortunately we had just eaten lunch or I would have knocked down a bratwurst with my beer. The food menu appeared to be the standard bar menu but the beer menu is what fascinated me.
This location has over 200 beers in house (bottles and draft) covering all shades of the beer spectrum. Don’t be afraid to ask the bar tender for some help, I did and he did a great job guiding me though the menu and providing samples. Multiple samples!!!
As usual, I stayed in the dark end of the spectrum indulging in a Murphy’s Stout (Draft), Left Hand Black Jack Porter (Bottle) and a brew I wish I had and should have know about prior to this visit, the New Belgium 1554 (Draft). This was the highlight of my trip. The 1554 is a Schwarbier (Black Beer) type that is, as described by the Flying Saucer web site, “Other than being dark in color, 1554 has little in common with Porters or Stouts. The beer is fermented at relatively high temperatures using European lager yeast that imparts a refreshing, zesty acidity. Chocolate and coffee tones in the nose give way to a surprisingly clean finish”.
Now I’m on the quest to finding the 1554 in the bottled version here in Boise. I’ve got some good leads so keep your fingers crossed.
Make sure to visit the Flying Saucer at any of their locations and see for yourself what a wonderful place this is. It’s like finding Oz only you won’t want to go home!!!!!!!!!
http://www.beerknurd.com/
While meeting with some folks in Dallas this past week we indulged in several beers at several different locations but the only must stop I noted is the Flying Saucer. There are a couple of locations in the Dallas area and this day we hit the Addison location.
It’s not often that I get to indulge in beers at 2:30 in the afternoon but I’ll use the excuse that I wasn’t driving and this is where we ended up. Unfortunately we had just eaten lunch or I would have knocked down a bratwurst with my beer. The food menu appeared to be the standard bar menu but the beer menu is what fascinated me.
This location has over 200 beers in house (bottles and draft) covering all shades of the beer spectrum. Don’t be afraid to ask the bar tender for some help, I did and he did a great job guiding me though the menu and providing samples. Multiple samples!!!
As usual, I stayed in the dark end of the spectrum indulging in a Murphy’s Stout (Draft), Left Hand Black Jack Porter (Bottle) and a brew I wish I had and should have know about prior to this visit, the New Belgium 1554 (Draft). This was the highlight of my trip. The 1554 is a Schwarbier (Black Beer) type that is, as described by the Flying Saucer web site, “Other than being dark in color, 1554 has little in common with Porters or Stouts. The beer is fermented at relatively high temperatures using European lager yeast that imparts a refreshing, zesty acidity. Chocolate and coffee tones in the nose give way to a surprisingly clean finish”.
Now I’m on the quest to finding the 1554 in the bottled version here in Boise. I’ve got some good leads so keep your fingers crossed.
Make sure to visit the Flying Saucer at any of their locations and see for yourself what a wonderful place this is. It’s like finding Oz only you won’t want to go home!!!!!!!!!
http://www.beerknurd.com/
Friday, October 10, 2008
Moose’s Tooth
I’m going against what I said in a previous blog about waiting to make three visits to an establishment prior to writing the blog. After visiting this place a second time my thoughts are confirmed that this is one of the best Pizza places I have ever been to and is a must visit when in Anchorage. I would wait until next year though. After being there for 4 days this week I can honestly say I've seen my first 4 days of winter. It never got above freezing and snowed most of the time. Welcome to AK!!!
The “Tooth”, as some of the locals call it, has a pizza menu consisting of 38 of their favorites as well as the build your own menu, 6 salads, sandwiches and my favorite, 17 hand crafted beers on tap.
This visit I indulge in the “Greek Gyro” pizza that consists of the traditional cucumber yogurt sauce, greek sausage, roma tomatoes, red onions and provolone cheese. This flavorful pizza is served up on a hand tossed crust that mixes the perfect amount of crunchy and chewy. Caesar salad made a nice side dish.
OK!!! BEER!!! Oh yeah!!! 17 of them!!! My first visit to this establishment earlier in the year was a blur. I think I must have tried all 17. This time I proceed with a little more patience and sampled the Pipeline Stout, Prince Williams Porter and the First Tap – Smokin’ Willies Porter. All three were some of the best dark beers I’ve had in a long time but the Smokin’ Willies jump out as the clear choice of the night. Not much different than their PW Porter but I preferred the milder hops flavor of the Smokin’ Willies. Since I was driving I only had two while waiting on the pizza to go but next time I will be sure to take a cab down and back to allow myself the means to indulge in some of the other fine brews or possibly something sweet like the “Pipe Line Stout Chocolate Cake” or “Moose Pie”. Or maybe, I'll get a growler to take back to the room!!! Wish I would have thought of that before now. @$%#!!!
The “Tooth”, as some of the locals call it, has a pizza menu consisting of 38 of their favorites as well as the build your own menu, 6 salads, sandwiches and my favorite, 17 hand crafted beers on tap.
This visit I indulge in the “Greek Gyro” pizza that consists of the traditional cucumber yogurt sauce, greek sausage, roma tomatoes, red onions and provolone cheese. This flavorful pizza is served up on a hand tossed crust that mixes the perfect amount of crunchy and chewy. Caesar salad made a nice side dish.
OK!!! BEER!!! Oh yeah!!! 17 of them!!! My first visit to this establishment earlier in the year was a blur. I think I must have tried all 17. This time I proceed with a little more patience and sampled the Pipeline Stout, Prince Williams Porter and the First Tap – Smokin’ Willies Porter. All three were some of the best dark beers I’ve had in a long time but the Smokin’ Willies jump out as the clear choice of the night. Not much different than their PW Porter but I preferred the milder hops flavor of the Smokin’ Willies. Since I was driving I only had two while waiting on the pizza to go but next time I will be sure to take a cab down and back to allow myself the means to indulge in some of the other fine brews or possibly something sweet like the “Pipe Line Stout Chocolate Cake” or “Moose Pie”. Or maybe, I'll get a growler to take back to the room!!! Wish I would have thought of that before now. @$%#!!!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Sub vs.Sub vs.Sub vs.Sub????
OK, I know it’s been a while since the last blog and for that I apologize. I have a new rule in blogging. I plan to visit a restaurant or eatery three times prior to blogging about it unless they really piss me off, disappoint me beyond belief or some other reason that would fall into the category. I might even be so thrilled I can’t wait to let everyone know about it. It can happen. Ha, Ha, Ha!!!
And now…..for the much anticipated moment and your chance to get warmed up for the presidential elections, except you get three choices, the Sub vs. Sub blog. Yeah!!!!!! Bells….whistles…streamers…etc.
I want to know your favorite sandwich joint out of the three chain sub shops listed. I’m sure that most of readers have been to each of these multiple times but really haven’t put much thought into which one they would go to if they were side by side.
Subway – Yep. You’ve been there a thousand times but is it because you really like it or is it just really convenient?
Quiznos - Yep. Just ok with me. I eat here mostly in airports. Good substitute for a fast food choice on the road but not going out of my way to find a location in town.
Blimpie – Yeah. I certainly like this one better but they don’t seem to be as conveniently located as their top competitor.
Port of Subs – Hooray!!! Hands down my favorite of the three. Relatively new to this area in comparison but widely located throughout the west and growing. I would actually like to own one or five of these. Yummy!! If for some reason you haven’t been yet. Go before you vote. I think you’ll side with me on this one. Not and over abundance of these around town yet but more popping up every year.
In addition to your votes I would also be interested in tying sub shops local to the Boise area. Write in a tell us your favorite. Cobby’s, Deli George, Hugo’s???? Just some of my favorite non-national chain sub shops and delicatessens. Has anyone been to Gandolfo’s?????? Also new to Boise, haven’t been yet but hear the advertisements on the radio.
And now…..for the much anticipated moment and your chance to get warmed up for the presidential elections, except you get three choices, the Sub vs. Sub blog. Yeah!!!!!! Bells….whistles…streamers…etc.
I want to know your favorite sandwich joint out of the three chain sub shops listed. I’m sure that most of readers have been to each of these multiple times but really haven’t put much thought into which one they would go to if they were side by side.
Subway – Yep. You’ve been there a thousand times but is it because you really like it or is it just really convenient?
Quiznos - Yep. Just ok with me. I eat here mostly in airports. Good substitute for a fast food choice on the road but not going out of my way to find a location in town.
Blimpie – Yeah. I certainly like this one better but they don’t seem to be as conveniently located as their top competitor.
Port of Subs – Hooray!!! Hands down my favorite of the three. Relatively new to this area in comparison but widely located throughout the west and growing. I would actually like to own one or five of these. Yummy!! If for some reason you haven’t been yet. Go before you vote. I think you’ll side with me on this one. Not and over abundance of these around town yet but more popping up every year.
In addition to your votes I would also be interested in tying sub shops local to the Boise area. Write in a tell us your favorite. Cobby’s, Deli George, Hugo’s???? Just some of my favorite non-national chain sub shops and delicatessens. Has anyone been to Gandolfo’s?????? Also new to Boise, haven’t been yet but hear the advertisements on the radio.
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