Saturday, September 16, 2006
Dinner at Home
Fresh Tomato and Avocado
This refreshing salad was simply sprinkled with salt, balsamic vinager and olive oil. It was the kind of salad Alexis' mom used to make (no lettuce).
Mushrooms and Escarole with Bacon and Pinenuts
This was a hearty veggies side dish.
-1 lb cremini mushrooms, quartered
-1 large head escarole, chopped
-1/4 cup pine nuts
-4 slices bacon, chopped
-1/2 onion, minced
-juice of 1/2 lemon
-salt and pepper to taste
Render the bacon until about 1/2 way to super crispy. Add the onions and sautee them in the bacon grease until everything is nice, brown and crispy. Drain the grease and add the bacon and onions back to the pan. Add 1/2 cup of water and the mushrooms and sautee until the mushrooms are soft and the liquid had evaporated. Add the escarole and pine nuts and sautee until escarole is wilted. Add the lemon juice and reseason, if necessary. Serve.
-1 large head escarole, chopped
-1/4 cup pine nuts
-4 slices bacon, chopped
-1/2 onion, minced
-juice of 1/2 lemon
-salt and pepper to taste
Render the bacon until about 1/2 way to super crispy. Add the onions and sautee them in the bacon grease until everything is nice, brown and crispy. Drain the grease and add the bacon and onions back to the pan. Add 1/2 cup of water and the mushrooms and sautee until the mushrooms are soft and the liquid had evaporated. Add the escarole and pine nuts and sautee until escarole is wilted. Add the lemon juice and reseason, if necessary. Serve.
Stuffed, Baked, Whole Trout
I got these great whole trout already cleaned out at Costco and thought that the best way to do them justice was to bake them whole. I made a quick stuffing of sauteed onions, garlic, bell peppers, chili peppers, fresh tarragon, fresh basil, salt, pepper and lime juice. I salted and stuffed the cavities of the fish, covered with foil and baked until the internal temperature was a bout 140, or about 20 minutes, on 375.
Vanilla Whipped Cream
1 cup heavy cream, 1 ts vanilla, 1 packet Splenda, whipped until thick.
Fresh Strawberries
Breakfast at Costco, San Francisco, CA
Hot Dog $1.50
Can't beat the price/size/taste combo of this Costco classic.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Dinner at Oola, San Francisco, CA
Oola used to be one of our favorites in SF. Unfortunately in the year and half or so they've been in business, the quality of the food has really suffered. Now we just go for the ribs. But sadly, this time even the ribs were a bit lackluster.
Puree of Watercress $8
Smooth and tasty, but uninteresting.
Baby Back Ribs and Apple Slaw $22
The ribs seemed less meaty and less complex in flavor than usual, more sweet than anything else. The slaw is pretty tasty.
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Puree of Watercress $8
Smooth and tasty, but uninteresting.
Baby Back Ribs and Apple Slaw $22
The ribs seemed less meaty and less complex in flavor than usual, more sweet than anything else. The slaw is pretty tasty.
Lunch at Work
Breakfast at Home
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Dinner at Home
Lunch at Elephant and Castle Pub and Restaurant, San Francisco, CA
Alexis and Giao ate lunch separately today. Alexis ate with the engineers at this pub...
Union Jack Burger and Mixed Green Salad $9
This was a beef burger basted with BBQ sauce and topped with jack cheese and bacon. It was juicy and delicious. I also always appreciate a place that will serve you a salad instead of fries.
French Onion Soup $5
This soup was surprisingly good. Rich onion flavor and lots of cheese.
Ratings:
Food: 1
Service: 1
Decor: 0
Website
Health Code Violations
Union Jack Burger and Mixed Green Salad $9
This was a beef burger basted with BBQ sauce and topped with jack cheese and bacon. It was juicy and delicious. I also always appreciate a place that will serve you a salad instead of fries.
French Onion Soup $5
This soup was surprisingly good. Rich onion flavor and lots of cheese.
Food: 1
Service: 1
Decor: 0
Website
Health Code Violations
Lunch at Tadich Grill, San Francisco, CA
Giao had lunch with one of our bosses at Tadich Grill, one of the oldest restaurants in San Francisco.
Sea Bass and Brussel Sprouts
The sea bas was standard, pan fried, and the brussel sprouts were pretty good, actually.
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Sea Bass and Brussel SproutsThe sea bas was standard, pan fried, and the brussel sprouts were pretty good, actually.
Breakfast at Home
Memory card error, hence no picture.
Sadly, the one day we eat something other than bacon and fried eggs for breakfast, the memory card messed up the image. In any case, this morning we had what I have named "Caprese Eggs". Basically, it was scambled eggs, with fresh tomato, fresh basil and fresh mini mozzerella balls. It was pretty good, although without the balsamic vinager it tastes less caprese-like. I wasn't really up for trying vinager on my eggs this morning.
Sadly, the one day we eat something other than bacon and fried eggs for breakfast, the memory card messed up the image. In any case, this morning we had what I have named "Caprese Eggs". Basically, it was scambled eggs, with fresh tomato, fresh basil and fresh mini mozzerella balls. It was pretty good, although without the balsamic vinager it tastes less caprese-like. I wasn't really up for trying vinager on my eggs this morning.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Dinner at Home
Caprese Salad
Fresh tomatos, fresh mozzerella and fresh basil drizzled with balsamic, olive oil and sea salt.
Low Carb Quesodillas
These are just pan fried quesodillas made with whole grain, low carb tortillas.
Lunch from Mehfil Indian, San Francisco, CA
Once again, our favorite catered in lunch from work...Our current hypothesis is that there are 2 lunch chefs and one of them makes the good saag while the other makes the good mahkni. Today we got good saag and runny mahkni.
Saag Paneer and Chicken Mahkni
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Saag Paneer and Chicken Mahkni
Breakfast at Home
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Dinner at Home
Italian Wedding Soup with Shirataki Noodles
Usually this soup calls for orzo, or Israeli cous cous, but this time I wanted to try it with shirataki noodles. Although the shirataki noodles obviously don't imbue the broth with the starch of the pasta or cous cous, the soup was still hearty enough to be served as the main dish.
soup:
Usually this soup calls for orzo, or Israeli cous cous, but this time I wanted to try it with shirataki noodles. Although the shirataki noodles obviously don't imbue the broth with the starch of the pasta or cous cous, the soup was still hearty enough to be served as the main dish.
soup:
-1 large turnip, diced
-1 large head of escarole, chopped
-2 eggs, lightly beaten
-1/2 cup parmasean
-2 large handfuls fresh basil, chiffonade
-1 onion, diced
-3 cloves garlic, minced
-8 cans chicken broth
-1 lb meatballs (recipe below)
In a large stock pot sautee the onions and garlic over low heat until carmelized. Add the turnips and carmelize a bit. Add the broth and bring to a boil and add the escarole and noodles. When the escarole is soft, drop the meatballs in one by one. Cover and simmer for 10 more minutes. Add the eggs and parmasean like egg drop soup, stirring as it is poured in.
meatballs for soup:
-1/2 cup ricotta
-1/4 cup ground flax seed
-3 cloved garlic, minced
-2 eggs
-salt and pepper to taste
-1 tb oregano
-1 tb dried parsley
Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Roll into balls of 1/2 in diameter and drop into boiling soup.
-1 large head of escarole, chopped
-2 eggs, lightly beaten
-1/2 cup parmasean
-2 large handfuls fresh basil, chiffonade
-1 onion, diced
-3 cloves garlic, minced
-8 cans chicken broth
-1 lb meatballs (recipe below)
In a large stock pot sautee the onions and garlic over low heat until carmelized. Add the turnips and carmelize a bit. Add the broth and bring to a boil and add the escarole and noodles. When the escarole is soft, drop the meatballs in one by one. Cover and simmer for 10 more minutes. Add the eggs and parmasean like egg drop soup, stirring as it is poured in.
meatballs for soup:
-1/2 cup ricotta
-1/4 cup ground flax seed
-3 cloved garlic, minced
-2 eggs
-salt and pepper to taste
-1 tb oregano
-1 tb dried parsley
Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Roll into balls of 1/2 in diameter and drop into boiling soup.
Lunch from Triptych, San Francisco, CA
Another catered in lunch at work, but this time from someplace different, Triptych, which is actually a restaurant pretty near to our house that we have never gone into because when we've looked at the menu outside, it never really looks interesting. Not bad, just a boring menu. It was ok, for ordered in food, but just ok.
Tomato Soup
This was very blah. Campbell's is better.
Steak with Veggies
The veggies were greasy, but the steak was actually pretty tender for delivery.
Grilled Chicken Caesar
The standout was the deep fried anchovies which, on their own, were a bit intense, but as part of a bite with the moist chicken and crunchy romaine really rounded out the salad.
Salmon with Veggies
The veggies were the same as a the veggies served with the steak: greasy. The salmon wasn't incredibly flavorful, but it was not overcooked, which is really rare for delivery fish.
Ratings:
Food: 1
Decor: NA
Service: NA
Website
Health Code Violations
Tomato Soup
This was very blah. Campbell's is better.
Steak with Veggies
The veggies were greasy, but the steak was actually pretty tender for delivery.
Grilled Chicken Caesar
The standout was the deep fried anchovies which, on their own, were a bit intense, but as part of a bite with the moist chicken and crunchy romaine really rounded out the salad.
Salmon with Veggies
The veggies were the same as a the veggies served with the steak: greasy. The salmon wasn't incredibly flavorful, but it was not overcooked, which is really rare for delivery fish.
Food: 1
Decor: NA
Service: NA
Website
Health Code Violations
Breakfast at Home
Monday, September 11, 2006
Dinner at Home
Tofu Shrimp Shirataki Noodles
Since we got home so late from our flights and had virtually no fresh veggies etc. in the fridge, Alexis made due with a protein heavy noodle dish in a rich broth.
-1 lb shrimp, peeled
-2 packages shirataki noodles
-1 block firm tofu, cubed
-8 baby bell peppers, roughly chopped
-1 onion, roughly chopped
-2 cans chicken broth
-2 tb hoisin sauce
-2 tb fish sauce
-2 tb soy sauce
-1 tb hot chili paste
Sautee the onions in the soy sauce and chili paste for a few minutes. Add the bell peppers and the tofu and brown. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Add the other liquids and the noodles and simmer until the liquid is reduced by about 1/3 to 1/2. Add the shrimp and simmer a few more minutes, until the shrimp are just cooked through.
-2 packages shirataki noodles
-1 block firm tofu, cubed
-8 baby bell peppers, roughly chopped
-1 onion, roughly chopped
-2 cans chicken broth
-2 tb hoisin sauce
-2 tb fish sauce
-2 tb soy sauce
-1 tb hot chili paste
Sautee the onions in the soy sauce and chili paste for a few minutes. Add the bell peppers and the tofu and brown. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Add the other liquids and the noodles and simmer until the liquid is reduced by about 1/3 to 1/2. Add the shrimp and simmer a few more minutes, until the shrimp are just cooked through.
Lunch at Fox Sports Bar, Phoenix Airport
We missed our connecting flight in Phoenix due to some military types who showed up late to the first flight and then whose bags were so heavy that the airline had to do some rearranging. So, we were stuck in the Phoenix airport for an extra 3 hours.
Appetizer Platter $12
AKA Heart Attack in a Basket. This was a basket full of fired mozzerella, chicken wings and chicken tenders. Pretty good, but VERY greasy.
Buffalo Chicken Salad $10
This was overdressed, but very good and very indulgent. Romaine lettuce and celery was drenched in blue cheese dressing and topped with chicken fingers soaked in hot wing sauce.
Appetizer Platter $12
AKA Heart Attack in a Basket. This was a basket full of fired mozzerella, chicken wings and chicken tenders. Pretty good, but VERY greasy.
Buffalo Chicken Salad $10
This was overdressed, but very good and very indulgent. Romaine lettuce and celery was drenched in blue cheese dressing and topped with chicken fingers soaked in hot wing sauce.
Ratings:
Food: 1
Decor: 0
Service: 1
Can't Find Website
Food: 1
Decor: 0
Service: 1
Can't Find Website
Snack on America West, Somewhere between Philadelphia and Phoenix
Fruit and Cheese Plate $5
The fruit was actually pretty fresh, but the cheese was sort of soggy fro the fruit. And, I really hate paying for crappy food on a plane.
Breakfast at Jet Rock Bar and Grill, Philadelphia Airport
We were a bit hungover after the wedding because we had to wake up at 6:45 am to get to the airport...so we had a leisurely breakfast, including many glasses of water, at the Jet Rock Bar and Grill at the Philadelphia Airport.
Chicken Tenders $7
Served with a too-sweet honey mustard sauce, these chicken fingers certainly filled the stomach and soaked up any remaining alcohol.
Breakfast Burrito $8
This thing was a mammoth, and Giao liked it because they grilled it up like he does.
Ratings:
Food: 1
Decor: 0
Service: 1
Website
Chicken Tenders $7
Served with a too-sweet honey mustard sauce, these chicken fingers certainly filled the stomach and soaked up any remaining alcohol.
Breakfast Burrito $8
This thing was a mammoth, and Giao liked it because they grilled it up like he does.
Ratings:
Food: 1
Decor: 0
Service: 1
Website
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Dinner at Moshulu, Philadelphia, PA
Dinner followed the cocktail hour, but was a bit more dissapointing.
Spinach and Bacon Salad
The bacon was a nice addition, and it was of good quality, but the salad was over dressed.
Filet Mingon
The filet itself was not bad, but the sauce was cold and it was sitting on what was, in effect, a giant tater tot.
Wasabi Crusted Sea Bass
Overcooked, overly crusted and sitting on the same, oversized tater tot.
Wedding Cake and Chocolate Chip Blondie
The cake was actually quite good, dense and chocolatey. The blondie was dry and generally not good.
Assorted Desserts
Brownie (dense and good), Strawberry Tarte (standard), Chocolate Tarte (bitter, but a bit too hard), Chocolate Cake (standard), Weird Fruit Cake (inedible).
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Spinach and Bacon Salad
The bacon was a nice addition, and it was of good quality, but the salad was over dressed.
Filet Mingon
The filet itself was not bad, but the sauce was cold and it was sitting on what was, in effect, a giant tater tot.
Wasabi Crusted Sea Bass
Overcooked, overly crusted and sitting on the same, oversized tater tot.
Wedding Cake and Chocolate Chip Blondie
The cake was actually quite good, dense and chocolatey. The blondie was dry and generally not good.
Assorted Desserts
Brownie (dense and good), Strawberry Tarte (standard), Chocolate Tarte (bitter, but a bit too hard), Chocolate Cake (standard), Weird Fruit Cake (inedible).
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Cocktail Snacks at Moshulu, Philadelphia, PA
Cocktail hour at Giao's sister's wedding contained quite a plethora of snacks, most of which were quite tasty.
Pigs in a Blanket
Although we could have done without the sweet sauce upon which these little pigs were sitting, these were hot and reminiscent of childhood (not my childhood, but someone's, I'm sure).
Hummous
Standard fare. The cracker was oddly crunchy.
Chicken and Guacamole Rolls
These could have come from a Costco party tray.
Crab Cakes
These tiny morsels were super crunchy on the outside and full of succulent, warm crab meat on the inside.
Pigs in a Blanket
Although we could have done without the sweet sauce upon which these little pigs were sitting, these were hot and reminiscent of childhood (not my childhood, but someone's, I'm sure).
Hummous
Standard fare. The cracker was oddly crunchy.
Chicken and Guacamole Rolls
These could have come from a Costco party tray.
Crab Cakes
These tiny morsels were super crunchy on the outside and full of succulent, warm crab meat on the inside.
Breakfast from Pat's, Philadelphia, PA
Giao's parent's brought of some cheesesteaks for breakfast, after we slept all morning...
Provolone Cheese Steak $7
The meat is better when chopped up, but still, this was a filling and fulfilling way to start the day.
Rating:
Food: 1
Decor: NA
Service: NA
Website
Provolone Cheese Steak $7
The meat is better when chopped up, but still, this was a filling and fulfilling way to start the day.
Rating:
Food: 1
Decor: NA
Service: NA
Website
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