Dine And Devour, Treats And Delectables! Birthday At Disneyland!

Happy Birthday!!! To MEE! 

For my birthday I went to Disneyland with some of my favorite people, Morgan, Jenn and Jeremy! It was so much fun! It was not to hot the lines were not to long! And here are all the things we ate...

____________________________________________

For lunch we went to:

Redd Rockets Pizza Port

The salads are huge! Don't let that little bowl fool you! I had the Chicken Caesar   Salad. I enjoyed it very much, The greens were nice and crisp and I had it with some focaccia bread I shared with Morgan. Morgan had the Asian Chicken Salad and Jenn and Jeremy had the Starfield of Greens Salad. Here is a description of what was in each salad...

Asian Chicken Salad - Marinated chicken, greens, crispy rice noodles and carrots, in a hoisin-soy vinaigrette.

Celestial Caesar Chicken Salad - Grilled chicken breast atop crisp romaine lettuce, Caesar dressing, croutons and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Starfield of Greens - Seasonal blend of mixed greens topped with Roma tomatoes, blue cheese, caramelized walnuts, dried cranberries and golden raisins, with basil vinaigrette dressing.

____________________________________________

For a snack we went to:

My favorite place in the world! Pooh's Corner! You must go there and have a yummy treat, I can't even explain how delicious the items are there but here are some fabulous photos by Jenn...

 Tigger Tails - Marshmallow, dipped in caramel, dipped in an orange chocolate, drizzled with chocolate.

Caramel covered apples decorated for Disneyland and Halloween

Assortment of chocolate covered goodies! Including caramel, chocolate, nuts, pretzels, marshmallows,

This is me in heaven!

____________________________________________

For dinner we went to:

French Market Restaurant

It was very good and I think we all were happy with the meal. I really wish they had the jazz music band playing, I think that would have been really fun! Oh the tables were way to low and the chairs were a bit high so it was kind of uncomfortable. All in all it was a good meal even though there was a bit of a line.

 The Roast Beef with Cognac Peppercorn Gravy

Jambalaya

 Chowder in Sourdough Bread Bowl

____________________________________________

And late night treat we had:

Dole Pineapple Whip Float

Pineapple juice with pineapple soft serve! So YUMMY!! MY FAVORITE!!!

Kooking Klatch With Faith Community Church

Tonight I was invited to join Faith Community's Kooking Klatch. It was a wonderful time meeting new friends and creating new dishes. It was all really yummy and easy to create. If you see anything you like just send me an email to dinedevour@gmail.com and Ill send it on over!

Antipasto Sausage Skewers

 

 Chive Biscuits

  

 Cherry Tomato Relish (above) 

and Arugula, Asparagus, and Feta Salad With Garlic Croutons (below)

  

 Final Presentation

Grilled Flank Steak with a Cherry Tomato Relish, Joined with

Arugula, Asparagus, and Feta Salad With Garlic Croutons and Chive Biscuits

  

Oven-Roasted Fruit With Spiced Homemade Carmel Sauce (Excellent!)

 Brooke and Bonnie plating dessert!

 

 Although, Bonnie could have just poured her yummy sauce into a glass for me and I would have been happy with that!

Birthday Dinner At Bangkok Thai Spices

(Pictures to come! I must get them from my sister!)

This is my favorite Thai Restaurant in town!

I love everything I get there, appetizers, main course, dessert, I love it all!

You must go and try it for your self!

For my Birthday I was joined with my friends and family and I dined on my favorite crispy egg rolls! Next was my other favorite Thai Chili Paste Fried Rice. Its flavor is so yummy, I have it with chicken, its a little spicy, it has vegetables in it and I it also has basil. Next to the yellow chicken curry its my favorite. 

Also the best part is the service. They were so excellent catering to my large party! The staff is always so friendly! Ive enjoyed this place for a long time and I hope you do too! Love You Suki & Everyone!

Bangkok Spices Thai Restaurant

2832 El Cajon Blvd

San Diego, CA 92104 -

(619) 281-1111
Open Daily 11am-3pm, 5pm-10pm

Menu from All Menus.com

Lightning Jack's BBQ San Diego

This evening we were up in Clairemont and decided to get messy with some good old BBQ.

We went to 'Lighting Jacks BBQ' and it was so good. The sauce is fantastic and is slathered over everything. We also ordered some yummy hush puppies which were great, crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. 'Lighting Jacks' staff is really nice and friendly. They have the classic red and white checkered picnic table cloths and plenty of wet naps.

 See How Happy I Am!

 Sample Platter

Hush Puppies

Lightning Jack's BBQ San Diego

4705 Clairemont Dr # H
San Diego, CA 92117-2760

 (858) 270-8227

‎

The Best Bagels Ever!

These are onion bagels from 'Garden State Bagels' located in Encinitas.

The bagels from there are always plump and perfect tasting! They use Philadelphia Cream Cheese, they have awesome breakfast sandwiches, fresh ingredients, tons of different types of sweet and savory bagels, great lunch sandwiches, bagel and lox, and great friendly staff!

I only wish they were closer to my house!

Luckily my fabulous parents in law live close by, So whenever we make a trip up to Encinitas we are sure to stop by 'Garden State Bagels' for a dozen of bagels.

When Matt came home yesterday with a giant bag of bagels I was super excited - The smell of them took me back!

I am really spoiled when it comes to my bagels, only because my first job was for 'Garden State Bagels'. I loved working there! Even now when I might go to another bagel spot Its just not the same, They can't even cut or toast a bagel right!

Next time your in Encinitas be sure to check them out!

Garden State Bagels Encinitas 

www.gardenstatebagels.com  

191 N. El Camino Real, Suite #106, Encinitas - (760) 942-2435

Grand Buffet at Art Institute San Diego

Dear Pat,

Thank you so much for inviting us to be a part of your final buffet! It was really interesting to see your school and taste some yummy food!

________________________________________________

Tonight we were invited to take part in our friend Pat's school final, located at Art Insitute. It was really crowded with lots of hungry appetites but with a bit of patience Matt and I enjoyed some little tastes of four different countries including desserts too. Bare with me as I explain things its hard to remember all the great things!

We both agreed we enjoyed Pat's section the most. (Not just because it was his section)

Pat's section was Italian. The table was perfectly decorated all though we weren't there for the decoration but more for the food. It began with a caprese salad with tomato, mozzarella and basil, vegetables grilled with balsamic, and balsamic mozzarella. Then there was a croquette, chicken with spinach and pine nuts, Italian pasta dish and a yummy pork and mushroom gravy.  

Then we moved over to the Spain table, (which, sorry, I missed taking a photo for), We dined on lamb skewers, a yellow rice dish, empanadas, and prosciutto.

Next was France. And since I'm in love with France I was really looking forward to this table... There was a salmon and endive, quiche, stuffed mushrooms, escargot in puff pastry, lental salad, steak in a pepercorn sauce, and scallop potatoes. I really enjoyed the lental salad and the quiche!

Unfortunately, By the time we got to the German area we started to feel a bit full, and when we got there, there wasn't much left. So we decided to move to dessert!

I enjoyed all of them, the chocolate strawberry, the chocolate covered cream puff,  a chocolate cake, a cake with raisins, and my favorite (I MUST GET THE RECIPE) a cannoli filled with an orange cream and chocolate!

Thank you to the Art Institute for having such a neat night, Thank you to Pat for the invitation and Thank you to all the students for creating such yummy dishes!

Free Cereal

Free Cereal from Kashi

http://www.kashi.com/surprise

I just signed up I'll let ya know when I get it!

Fresh-Mex Corn Wontons Recipe

This recipe was really yummy! I especially enjoyed the dipping sauce. A few things I did change were... 

1. I mixed the wonton filling with some cream cheese 

2. I used Franks Hot Sauce for the dipping sauce

3. Oh and I accidentally added cilantro in the filling, from mixing up the ingredients of the filling and the dipping sauce. Luckily I had more cilantro for the sauce.

Originally, I bought some wonton wrappers that were absolutely awful, they were yellow, really thin, tore and were not very good. The next day I found some that were perfect! They were whiter, thicker and almost like a samosa wrapper. These photos are of the better wrapper.

 

________________________________________________

Fresh-Mex Corn Wontons (link)

Recipe courtesy Elizabeth Spano for Food Network Magazine

Ingredients

• 3 ears corn, husked
• 1 small lime
• 1 1/2 cups sour cream
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons hot sauce
• Kosher salt
• 36 square wonton wrappers
• 2 plum tomatoes, diced (about 3/4 cup)
• 1 medium avocado, diced (about 3/4 cup)
• 1/2 cup finely diced red onion
• Vegetable oil, for frying

Directions

Place the corn in a steamer basket set over a saucepan of simmering water. Cover and steam 8 minutes.

Meanwhile, grate the lime zest into a small bowl and squeeze in 1 tablespoon lime juice. Add the sour cream, cilantro, hot sauce and 1/4 teaspoon salt and mix well; set the dip aside. 

Remove the corn from the steamer basket and let cool slightly, then cut the kernels off the cobs. Combine with 1/2 teaspoon salt in a bowl. 

Line a large baking sheet with paper towels, then arrange the wonton wrappers on top in a single layer. Place 1 teaspoon corn, 1/2 teaspoon tomato, 1/2 teaspoon avocado and 1/4 teaspoon red onion in the center of each wrapper. 

Heat about 1 1/2 inches of vegetable oil in a large pot until a deep-fry thermometer registers 375 degrees (or place a wooden skewer in the oil to test the temperature; bubbles should form around it). 

Moisten the edges of each wonton wrapper with water, then fold in half diagonally to enclose the filling and form a triangle; press gently to seal. Working in batches, lower the wontons into the hot oil with tongs and fry about 1 minute. Flip and fry another 30 seconds, or until light golden. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Serve with the cilantro-lime dip.

Winning Recipe: Read about the Chairman's Corn Challenge

Three Really Yummy Salads For You!

Try something new and give these yummy salads a try!

Watermelon And Strawberry Salad With A Chile Vinaigrette
Courtesy of Whole Foods Recipes By Laura Martinez

This sweet and spicy fruit salad makes a refreshing side dish with a summer meal. The salt and chile balance the sweetness of the fruit and provide the perfect savory note.

... 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
... 2 tablespoons lime juice
... Salt to taste

... 1 to 2 Thai or serrano chiles, finely chopped

... 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
... 1/4 cup olive oil
... 6 cups (1-inch cubes) seedless watermelon
... 4 cups strawberries, hulled and halved

In a large bowl, whisk together onions, lime juice, salt, chiles and cilantro. Drizzle in oil while continuing to whisk constantly. Add watermelon and strawberries and toss gently to coat. Serve immediately. Serves 6

Bistro Salad With A Balsamic Vinaigrette
Courtesy of Rebecca Louise with help from Emeril Lagasse

The Salad...
... 1 pound of baby heirloom tomatoes - cut up in half and quartered
... 1 1/2 cup of cut up mozzarella cheese cubed
... 1 half of red onion sliced up thinly
... 1/3 cup chopped up parsley
... 1 cup of sliced mushrooms
... 2 cups of a fresh baguette drizzled with olive oil, toasted and cut into cubes


The Balsamic Vinaigrette...
Courtesy Emeril Lagasse

• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 teaspoons dark brown sugar, optional*
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3/4 cup olive oil
• Mesclun salad mix or favorite greens, for accompaniment
• Assortment of salad ingredients, such as cherry tomatoes, chopped carrots, sliced red onion, chopped celery, diced cucumbers, walnuts
• Blue cheese, for garnish

Beat the vinegar in a bowl with the optional sugar, garlic, salt and pepper until sugar and salt dissolves. Then beat in the oil by droplets, whisking constantly. (Or place all the ingredients in a screw-top jar and shake to combine.) Taste and adjust the seasonings.

(I just blended it up in the blender)

Toss a few tablespoons of the dressing with the salad mix and desired salad ingredients and serve immediately.

If not using dressing right away, cover and refrigerate, whisking or shaking again before use.

*If using a good quality balsamic vinegar you should not need the sugar, but if using a lesser quality you might want the sugar to round out the dressing.

Roasted Corn Salad
Courtesy of Kelly by Laura Martinez

... 3-4 ears of corn roasted with husk on the grill or in the oven for about 30min. and cut of the cob or 1bag sweet corn roasted in the oven
... 1/2 cups grape tomatoes
... 1 cup feta cheese
... 1 bunch chopped cilantro
... 1/2 tbs cumin or to taste
... salt & pepper to taste
... 1/4 cup olive oil, or enough to bind

Mix together and serve chilled
Enjoy!

Wear Gloves While Working With Jalapenos!!!

Owwiee did my hand hurt today! It was a painful burning sensation and really uncomfortable!
But the end result was amazing! So amazing that I don't even have a finished picture because they were eaten up so fast! So from now on I will always use gloves when working with hot peppers or try Laura's trick of nail polish remover... Thanks Laura!

CREAM CHEESE JALAPENO PEPPERS WRAPPED IN BACON

15 Jalapeno peppers, halved and seeded (Wear Gloves!!!)
8oz soft cream cheese
half of a package of premium bacon, cut into halves
(I like to use a thick cut maple bacon that Cost-co sells)
Dark brown sugar for sprinkling on top
Salt and fresh ground pepper

Take each half of the jalapeno and fill it with cream cheese. Then wrap with a half piece of bacon. Its ok if you have to stretch the bacon around.

Sprinkle with brown sugar, salt, and fresh ground pepper. (not to much salt remember the bacon has salt to it)

Cook in pre-heated oven at 350 degrees until bacon in done. When finished, I turned on the broiler to brown it up a bit, keep an eye on it or it will burn.

You can adjust this recipe to make as many or as little as you need.

Two Blogs, In One...

So the other night we enjoyed dinner at 'Rubys'!
We often go there before we go see a movie at the theater. Its fun to take a trip back in time to a 50's diner. Even if for just a moment and the shakes are so good! Most of the time when we go I get the turkey sliders, Little turkey patties, with grilled onions and Hawaiian rolls.
Its just the right amount of food, not to much.



Whats the other story? Well across the sidewalk from where we were sitting is a 'Bath & Body Works' (I know not really a food thing to blog about, but it is...) In the store front window they had a sign 7 for $20 on all anti-bacterial products. Well that's a great deal! But the neat thing is they came out with a new line of kitchen soaps. (That's the food thing, Kitchen = Food)

I didn't think it would take me awhile to chose seven different types but it was actually quite hard. There were so many great smelling kinds! I finally did and got to the movie on time. But here is what I chose, Kitchen Lemon, Kitchen Fresh Lime & Basil, Kitchen Gourmet Spice, White Citrus, Cucumber Melon, Pink Grapefruit, and Midnight Pomegranate. I think we are good on soap for awhile!

Work, Work, Work!

I have been super busy at work, and haven't had a chance to blog!

Ok, so here's a blog...

The saddest thing has happened!
My tomato plant has died!
I have no idea how to help it, I think it's done for! :(
It began to happen about two weeks ago, I didn't change anything like how I was watering it and feeding it, I did pick some dead leaves off but that's about it.
I do blame the weather! All of a sudden last week it became really HOT! Humid hot and really yucky!
If you know anything about tomato plants let me know!
Its in a Topsy Turvy, I at least got about six tomatoes.

Its soooooooo sad!