Olive Tapenade

Ah! It's Christmas time and that means good food, family and friends.

Like most people you will be invited to multiple family functions and friend parties. You will also be asked to bring your favorite appetizer as part of these invitations. I'm about to give you a recipe to my favorite appetizer that I use for most of these gatherings.

A little history first.

While on a business trip to Las Vegas years ago we were eating at an Italian restaurant in the Forum shops at Caesars Palace and instead of serving their bread with the usual butter or oil/vinegar mixture they served it with olive tapenade.



At first I looked at it and to be quite honest with you I was taken back by its appearance. It sort of looked like some kind of concoction you see on a Food Network challenge show. I like olives but I didn't love olives. So I put a little bit on and took a big bite of bread in case it was awful I would be left with a good bread to tapenade ratio. To my surprise it was FANTASTIC!

Needless to say after another 4 plates of bread I finally got the courage to ask our server what was in it. I was expecting her not to know or share because it was their own special recipe but to my surprise she gladly shared it with us. It was like writing down directions to a hidden treasure.

So now you can be the hit at your next gathering.

OLIVE TAPENADE

1 can black olives
1 cup green olives with pimento
10-15 pitted kalamata olives
1 clove garlic
1/2 cup olive oil
dash of red pepper flakes

Combine all of the ingredient in blender and serve fresh or chill. I usually serve it with baguette bread cut in small pieces like the picture provided. You could even spread a little olive oil on the bread and toast in the oven for a little bit. Gourmet crackers are also excellent with this.

Let me know if you enjoy it and MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all!!!

Huntington Beach, CA.

Whenever it gets cold here in Utah my mind continually wanders to warmer locals I've visited around the world so I thought I would let you know of some of my favorites in Huntington Beach, California.



There are so many places to eat along the PCH and the 405 in this densely populated area. Any type of food you can imagine is readily available. Which can be a good or bad thing. Sometimes I would visit for only a few days and trying to decide what I felt like and which place to eat at caused some major anxiety. I wished I was a cow with four stomachs so I could do more damage on these short visits.

So the next time you plan your visit to Disney Land, Knotts Berry Farm or Universal Studios check out a couple of these sweet stops.

Duke's Huntington Beach - http://www.dukeshuntington.com/

Start off with some Macadamian Nut Hummus with some crunchy Foccacia to smear it on. Unlike any hummus you will have ever had. Definitely try the Parmesan and Herb Crusted seasonal fish selection. If you are having a hard time deciding what to get always go with a fresh fish selection on the coast. It's hard to beat something caught a day or two ago. The Caramel Roasted Turkey Stack is a killer sandwich and very unique to Duke's. Then walk it off along the board walk area, or have fun shopping at all of the cool shops close by.

Mangia...Mangia Italian Restaurant - http://www.mangiamangiarestaurant.com/

When I want authentic Italian in this neck of the woods I head here. Having been to Italy and eaten in Venice, Rome and Florence this place is as close as I've found to what I tasted in the mother country itself. I love their Ravioli Al Gorgonzola. The creamy sauce will make you emotional with each bite. The Linguine Clams are a close 2nd. Fresh clams are so tender and not the rubbery ones we usually find in canned soups so don't be afraid.

DeSimone Deli & Bakery - http://www.desimonedeli.com/

When you want a great lunch while your out exploring the area try this local bakery. There hot seasoned pork or smoked turkey sandwiches are to die for on their daily baked breads.

Daphne's Greek Cafe - http://www.daphnesgreekcafe.com/whats-new.html

This California Greek chain is fantastic. Excellent takes on classic Greek food. I love their seasoned wraps and any of their plates. Mix and match any of the items as I've had all of them and all were consistently fantastic.

So there you have a few places to get you started the next time you head down to the beach and hang ten on the surf, Dude!

How was that for beach slang????

Indian 101

I love Indian food!

There...I said it...its out there and I feel better about it.

The more I talk to people that have never tried Indian food the more I'm met with absolute fear or scepticism. Those that have tried it but speak ill of it often speak of weird dishes they have had in their distant past or their aversion to curry.

I must admit that a lot of curry in any dish is bad thing and people from India and that region of the world can go over board with it. When I served as an LDS missionary in Canada I lived in a basement apartment of a couple from Pakistan who had curry blowing through the vents all day. The smell of curry cannot be confused to Axe body spray so I was rather sick of the smell for quite some time.

But curry done right and in measurable amounts is awesome. Plus there are so many Indian dishes that are very tasty and have very low levels of curry.

So you want Indian 101?

As more and more Indian restaurants open up around Utah and the country here are two dishes to get you started. I have recommended both of these to Indian food virgins and Indian despondents for years and they have been the safest bets.

Chicken Tikka Masala

First off, this dish has chicken in it and who doesn't like chicken???? Most places use chicken that is prepared in a tandoori oven which is made from clay and keeps the chicken really tender. The chicken is then cooked with yogurt and spices and then added to a mild-to-burn your eyes out tomato cream sauce. If you can handle tomatoes you can definitely handle this dish. I usually go medium for a little kick but like I say you can get it extremely hot if you want (eater beware). I usually poor it over the long grain Basmati rice that most places serve and then dip my Garlic Naan or Cheesy Naan bread in the sauce. Absolutely awesome. I usually wash it down with a Mountain Dew but water also works if you do not want to disrupt the flavor in your mouth. Savor it...it's worth it.



Chicken Coconut Korma  

This is another very popular dish with a very mild flavor of coconut milk but not to strong if you do not like coconut. People I've talked to that hate coconut have attested to this. I'm also a sucker for cashews that most places use but some also use or substitute with pine nuts. Again curry is only one of many ingredients used in this dish so it does not over power the other flavors. Same thing here. Pour it over the rice and use the Naan to sop up the sauce. I'm getting emotional just thinking about it!



I thought I would add some pictures so you have an idea of the look. When your are ready and know you like them try them with the traditional lamb. It is just as tender and adds a little bit different flavor. Most places will also do these dishes with shrimp or vegetarian style so they can cover a lot of different tastes.

So go giv'em a try and if I've have led you astray with either recommendation let me know and I will reimburse you .01% of your total bill...which isn't bad in these tough economic times!

Enjoy!

Salsa!!!!

Hello again!

One of my favorite lines from Seinfeld is when Jerry is describing that salsa is the new ketchup because people like saying the word "SALSA!". He was right. It is fun to say and more fun to eat. It can come in so many different varieties, flavors and heat indexes. I've noticed a new trend popping up at Mexican restaurants lately to have a salsa bar with at least 10-15 different varieties.

With the Fall temperatures setting in my tomatoes are really starting to ripen before the first freeze sets in so I have been making batch after batch of SALSA! There is nothing like the sweetness of a garden fresh tomato for making homemade salsa so if you cannot grow your own try to find someone you know who does as they are most likely trying to get rid of all of them right now.

I received this recipe years ago and I have decided to share it with you today. Some salsa is very tomato pasty, some are cooked, while others are more of a chunky garden style. This one leans towards the chunky garden style and has a ton of flavor so here you are:

     6           -     Medium red tomatoes
     3           -     Tomatillos   (Little green looking tomatoes with a leafy covering)
     2/3        -     Jalapenos     (Leave the seeds in if you want medium salsa, take out if you want mild)
     1/3        -     Onion          (You can go half an onion if you really like onions but I find 1/3 is perfect)
     10         -     Cilantro     (Cut the tops off of about 10-12 cilantro stalks)
     3/4 tsp  -     Salt
     1/4 tsp  -     Oregano
     1/4 tsp  -     Garlic powder

For less runny salsa I bleed the tomatoes before blending them with the rest of the ingredients. Take the leafy covering off the Tomatillos and cut the tops off. Set the blender for "chop" for more of a pico-de-gallo salsa. Throw it in a bowl and refrigerate.

I really don't know how long it will last because it never makes it past a couple of days in our house but I would imagine it would be good for at least a week or two.

So there you have it. Please share your recipes with me as well as I'm always on the look out for some new SALSA!.....that is so fun to say isn't it!

Washington D.C.

Good day!

All of this Election coverage reminded me that I have not blogged about some good eats in our Nations Capitol. It doesn't matter if you're Blue, Red or Independent as you are sure to find a melting pot of good food in this city.

My one recommendation is not to drive in this city. Fly in and take a taxi ride to your hotel or ride the subway to get around. None of the streets run in a N, W, S, E direction for long and the street names change depending on what section of the city you are in. My very first time my wife and I visited we ended up wasting a lot of time trying to navigate those roads. Yikes!

The second time I went I took a taxi to the hotel and then used it's shuttle to get to different locations of interest. So much less stress.

If you are going to drive, however, just get to the Union Station as quick as you can and get on one of those double-decker tour buses that will take you all over. I highly recommend it!

Now onto the food.

There were two places that stand out to me from my visits there as all of my other meals I stayed pretty pedestrian i.e. Hard Rock Cafe DC to get my souvenir cup, Quiznos for lunch, breakfast at the hotel etc.

Sequoia:     http://www.arkrestaurants.com/sequoia_dc.html

This awesome restaurant was referred to me by multiple people at my hotel and others at a conference I was at. The view from the Potomac river made it extra special. The appetizers were awesome and of course I got full on them quickly. I recommend the Seafood Bisque and the Crab & Artichoke Dip with the crispy flat bread. Awesome! For my entree I went with the Smoked Chili Grilled Salmon only because I had my choices narrowed down to "5" and that is the one our server recommended (which is always the way to go when you can't decide what to get at a new restaurant). It was fantastic and the sides were very delicious as well.

While in DC I would lean towards places that include a lot of seafood dishes as you can get a good taste of what the Atlantic has to offer and the preparations are done differently than on the Pacific side. 

Acropolis:     http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g28970-d538370-Reviews-Acropolis-Washington_DC_District_of_Columbia.html

On my first trip my wife and I felt fortunate enough to get ourselves to the Union Station to pick up on one of the bus tours of the city and it was lunch time and we were HUNGRY! so we asked around at what was a good place to eat nearby and we were referred to this Greek restaurant at their food court. I know what you're thinking! FOOD COURT! and that is what I thought but the people there raved about their huge meaty Gyros. They weren't kidding. There must have been about a 2 lbs. of meat on that thing and it was cooked to perfection. Some Gyro meat can be over/under cooked so its a statement to have that much meat on it and it was all perfect. My wife went with the Chicken Slouvaki pita sandwich and her meat was perfectly tender as well. After chasing all of that down with some Greek seasoned fries it was all we could do to get on that bus and climb to the top. We sort of waddled like a duck. Always a sign of a good meal!

Now you have a few spots to hit on your next visit and a valuable recommendation not to drive...seriously!

Until we eat again!

London, England

I really miss the Olympics in London!

Even though they made me stay up every night  until almost midnight, it was so fun to get behind our athletes and feel like you were cheering them on from the stands...even though it was from the comfort of my own couch with some nachos!

The whole Olympic experience got me thinking about my visits to London and the food I partook of while visiting.

What exactly is English food?

For so many centuries they controlled so many different countries around the world that its hard to identify true English fare. About the only thing I wanted to make sure I tried while I was over there was English style fish and chips. We were lucky to find a place open one evening that served them after a day of site seeing but I was not impressed. The fish had to much salt and vinegar on it and the fries "chips" were very pasty. Don't let me dissuade you however as you really need to try these while your there and I just think we had a rare "bad" experience.

If you are a tea drinker definitely try some good old English tea and biscuits. Your hotel will bring them right to your room. Even if you do not drink you must experience an English pub while your there. We did a cool ghost walking tour of London one night and visited some 500 year old pubs. Awesome!

The food I enjoyed the most over there was some Indian food we ate at a Tandoori restaurant which was near our hotel. There are a handful of these types of restaurants around the city and I imagine they are all good. The service was fantastic and they were eager to bring out many different dishes to sample at one low price as we had not had a lot of Indian food prior to our visit.  Most of the nights we ate at restaurants in and around Piccadilly Circus which is the English version of Times Square in New York. I remember eating at the TGIFridays and Hard Rock Cafe. Again, try not to eat at chains while your there but I couldn't pass up the original Hard Rock.

The most English dish I can think of making sure you try during your visit is Yorkshire pudding (which isn't a pudding at all but a type of pastry with gravy), roast beef and green beans or potatoes. A meat and two veggies is the standard fare. Just do not be afraid to try other European and world cuisine while your there as they are a real melting pot of cultures and foods.

About the only type of food that is hard to find over there is Mexican. Geographically I can see why this is but I could not even find Spanish food in London and Spain is not as far as India or China?

So freeze dry some tacos for longer visits but other than that I think you will be a happy camper while navigating the Underground and seeing the amazing historical sites!

CHEERS for now!

Donuts!

Ahhh donuts!

Nothing says its Friday at work more than fresh made donuts, supplied by a generous co-worker or manager. After all, you have spent the majority of the week working hard and eating well, right?

It's funny how full circle donuts have come. They were all the rage when I was younger with Winchell's and Dunkin Doughnuts franchises all over as well as dozens of bakeries within most city limits. But they sort of died off in the late 80's - early 90's and were replaced by bagel shops. However, over the last few years I've noticed more and more specialty bakeries opening up with attention on designer donuts and cupcakes. What a great time to be alive!!!!

My favorite donuts growing up were called "Spudnuts". A place called Carmacks in Bountiful were the masters of the these types. In case you don't know what I'm talking about a spudnut is a donut made with dried potato mixed with the flour to give it more consistency and heartiness. They would rise up high and keep their thickness throughout. They were a perfect combination of substance and sweet glaze! There are only a few places around the country that still make these types but you can Google them to find out where they are in your area. I highly recommend it.

Here are a few places in Utah I recommend:

Tasty's (Kaysville):     http://www.tastysbakery.com/the_spudnut

They still make the spudnut and have a lot of varieties. I love their plain glazed spudnut, double blueberry and apple or blueberry fritters (not as greasy as others I've had).

The Hole (Roy):     http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-hole-roy

Definitley worth the trip if your heading up Ogden way. Their donuts are huge and very filling. I love the crumb donuts as well as their maple bars. Just make sure you have plenty of milk to wash them down with!

My Sugar's (West Valley):     http://utah.citysearch.com/profile/10394698/west_valley_ut/my_sugar_s_donut_shopp.html

When my job changed and I re-located to West Valley it was comforting to know there was an awesome donut shop just down the street. This is a tradition for Friday's treat day and I look forward to it like Christmas. Big donuts and a lot of different varieties. Just off the 201 freeway at 3200 West so stop by on your way out next time.

Beyond Glaze (Draper):     http://www.beyondglaze.com/

Like a box of chocolates, when you get a box of these specialty donuts they have a chart that will tell you what kind of donut you are eating. I love their maple/bacon donut. Yes! it has pieces of bacon on it. A mans donut paradise!

I also have to mention Krispy Kreme in Layton, Madbrook in Clearfield and one of my favorite grocery store bakeries Dick's Market in Centerville. It was so easy coming up with some of my favorites.

Please let me know your favorite place in your neck of the woods as I'm always on the look out for a place to feed my donut craving at a moments notice.

So stay hungry my friends and don't forget the milk!

Park City, UT

There is something about driving through Park City that just makes you feel well off. Even though I drive a 98 Sentra, I feel like my car looks better, the stereo sounds better, my cloths look better and I get the urge to buy some expensive art or invest in real estate. This place just seems to do that to me.

Not to mention when it is nearing 100 degrees outside here in the valley you can always count on Park City being 10 degrees cooler, which is nice.

A lot of people I talk too feel like they cannot eat there without spending a lot of money. While there are some very hi-end eateries, there are equally as many budget eats that are excellent.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Loco Lizard:     http://locolizardcantina.com/

If I'm craving Mexican food this is where I go. You can take the whole family and still have enough money for the Alpine slide. The Mole Amarillo is spicy but excellent. This is probably the 2nd best Mole I've had in Utah behind Red Iguana's. The Fish Taco's are a great choice and I recommend the Baja Halibut. To me halibut just makes a better fish taco as it's meatier. The Dulce de Leche Cheesecake is a great way to end you visit as it will be like no other dessert you've had.

Red Rock Junction:     http://www.redrockbrewing.com/

I've eaten at all of the Red Rock locations but there is something about being in Park City that makes this one stand out...probably due to the reasonable prices! As I've mentioned in previous posts bar type food has really come along way and no place typifies this better. I love the wood-fired Wild Mushroom pizza. Very different but very tasty. The Chinese Beef Salad is also a great choice for you salad eaters as I think I usually eat most of my wife's...bless her heart. If your not a drinker try their fresh brewed cream soda or root beer as either way you go you will be impressed.

Grub Steak Restaurant:     http://www.grubsteakrestaurant.com/home.html

I've eaten here a few times with different company functions and I always enjoy the food. There French Onion soup is a great place to start and is the best I've had in Park City. The sesame glaze on their Alaskan Halibut makes for a great fish choice but I always go for the 12oz New York Steak with the crushed peppercorn and sauteed onions. Try to go on the weekend as they will have live entertainment with some great local and national artists.

These are just a few of my favorites and with the Park City/Deer Valley area growing and adding new eats all the time there should never be a want for food. You don't have to wander to far off main street to find a place you will enjoy.

So go live life like a movie star for the day and escape the valley heat!

Enjoy!

Kneaders Bakery & Bread

It is said that man can not live by bread alone!

Well I can...almost.

I adore bread. I have to have it with every meal. Fresh baked rolls, white bread, wheat bread, garlic bread, french bread, sourdough baguette bread, asiago cheese bread, semolina, ciabatta etc. etc.

I've told you about the Panera Bread chain that has yet to come to Utah. I would actually bring their loaves of bread back in my carry-on upon returning from many a business trip. People sitting next to me would always inquire what the pleasant aroma was and I would tell them it was my yeast cologne. Most everyone loves a fresh slice of bread. It is a staple to most countries around the world. Low carb diets are a thing of the devil!

There are some great places in Utah to get bread. Salt Lake has some of the best bakeries around. Great Harvest breads are excellent. Paradise Bakery is another great stop. Most grocery stores are carrying more artisan breads than ever (Harmons is great).

But one place stands out above the rest.

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe:     http://www.kneadersbakery.com/

I just ate there for the first time a few weeks ago and this place might make me forget about Panera Bread (at least while I'm there). My wife had been telling me about the place but I had yet to take her up on a visit. I finally broke down and tried the one out in Layton and was soooo impressed. The smell as you walk in lets you know you have entered grandma's kitchen. Fresh, fresh, fresh. There are racks several different types of breads and desserts. I wish I could've tried all of them and I will eventually. Wouldn't that be cool to be a cow with four stomachs. I made sure all six of us (my wife and four kids) tried a different sandwich with a different type of bread so I could sample them all.

I'm a sucker for french dip sandwiches and I was not disappointed. The french baguette it was on kept all of the cheese and roast beef secure and the baguette sucked up the au jus perfectly. The turkey on Focaccia was excellent. Needless to say all of the sandwiches we got were excellent. My dessert was the Chocolate Eclair. Now I swear by Dick's Market eclairs in Bountiful but this one was just as good.

Kneaders has my families seal of approval! When 4 kids ranging from 7 to 14 eat everything on their plate and don't complain, you know it's good.

I can't wait to go back and try some of their soups but that will be another post for another day. In the meantime won't you 'rise' to the occasion and get a loaf for dinner tonight!!!!

Paris, France

Ahhh! Grand Paris!

A couple of friends of mine recently returned from a trip to France and Belgium and it got me thinking about my trip I took with my wife and parents to Paris soon after my college graduation. We did one of those 20 day "taste of Europe" trips and being a history buff that I was, it was awesome to see all of the famous sites in London, Vienna, Venice, Rome, Florence and Paris. What was even better was sampling the local cuisine from each Country we went through.

Since I have not gone International yet, there is no better place to start than with Paris.

The two days we spent there were fantastic and we were able to do a lot of things in such a short amount of time. We visited Notre Dame Cathedral, The Eiffel Tower, a perfume factory and spent a morning running through the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo (we literally ran the whole time).

In addition to all of the popular sites there are a few foods you have to eat when you visit this magical city.

1. French Onion Soup: I have mentioned some great State side locations to get some of this soup but nothing beats the original. My friends that just got back agreed. I think it has to do with the cheese they use as it has a flavor all it's own and really makes the flavors come to life.

2. Beef Burgundy: What makes this dish standout in Paris must be the local French red wine and herbs they use as the beef just melts in your mouth. A side of fresh cut green beans is a good way to go.

3. Escargot: Yes snails! I had tried these before on a cruise I took soon after high school graduation. The ones we had at the restaurant the night of our farewell dinner must have been infused with steroids as they were huge. No one dared dig in until I did. I love being a trail blazer. Don't be surprised if you really like them as they taste just like a marinated mushroom.

4. Baguettes & Crepes: Stop in to a local bakery and get yourself a fresh baguette to enjoy as you wonder around town. It was funny to see all of the people riding bikes with these huge pieces of bread under their arms but after eating one you will want one every meal as well. Just make sure you do not stop to eat it or you will have about 100 pigeons watching your every move. Also, try a few different types of crepes as no one makes a better "flat pancake". I recommend eating at least 12 as you will need the energy...running through the Louvre.

Just get used to the warm sodas or sparkling water as they must have an ice shortage in Europe. We got used to saying "No Gas" when ordering water. Try to get it from a bottle cold as warm carbonated water is not very refreshing.

Don't worry about the perceived rudeness some people talk about as we found every one very nice. We would try to order off the menu's in French and they would in turn try to explain the dishes in English. The people at the local bakery's and deli's were also very helpful. If your friendly to them, they will be friendly to you.

So make sure you visit this awesome city as soon as you can and as they say in Paris:

Bon Appetite!

Houston, TX. (Part 2)

I love Houston weather this time of year. Humidity is low, everything is green and the bugs aren't out yet.

For this trip I flew into the smaller Hobby Airport which I recommend as it is easy to navigate in and out of. I was only there for a quick over night trip so I had to make my choices of where to eat carefully. I had been wanting to try one of the 'Pappas' restaurants for awhile so I know I had to hit one of them. I then wanted to venture more downtown and eat at a local stop there.

Mission accomplished.

It's nice to have people you work with that actually live in the cities you visit so they can chauffeur you around to the local eating establishments instead of relying on the rental GPS devices that can be very temperamental.

So here are two more recommendations the next time your down this way.

Pappasito's Cantina:     http://pappasitos.com/home/

This is a local chain that I had mentioned in my previous Houston blog that everyone raves about but I had yet to try. They have BBQ, Seafood, Steak, Greek and burger joints all over Texas but my work bud in Houston picked me up at my hotel late due to some flight delays and recommended the Cantina of all of them as we were both starving. He recommended the fajitas so we went with the Steak and Chicken fajita combo. AWESOME! Sometimes when you get fajitas the chicken or the steak is so much better than the other but both of them here were very tender and juicy. They came with a side of melted butter to pour over the meat which was a nice touch. Sometimes the meat will be over a mix of red and green peppers, mushrooms and onions. These meats were over a bed of onions only which was unusual but coupled with the excellent guacamole and pico it was all that was needed. Plus you want to taste the meat when it is done this well. Their cheese queso is awesome so make sure you get some with the chips.

Barnaby's Cafe:     http://www.barnabyscafe.com/

This is another local chain that I visited for lunch downtown. The one I went to was located on West Gray which is a cool little street coming right out of downtown that had a bunch of little cafe's and bistro's. I'm glad the guys I work with picked this one. I had an excellent Pulled Pork Torta that is basically an open faced sandwich that you must eat with a knife and fork or it will get messy. It was what the waiter recommended as one of their signature dishes and I was glad he did. My co-workers had the meat loaf, cob-salad and the Texas chili hamburger and they all swore by their selections. I wished they all rotated plates like my family but what can you do!!!

Here's to hoping these chains get big enough to expand to Utah someday. I never imagined getting In-N-out burger or Cheesecake Factory and they're here not so here's hoping.

Until next time, stay hungry my friends!

Chicken Divan

Time flies when your eating well my friends!

It has been awhile since I shared one of my favorite recipes so I thought now that spring is springing it was time to share one that has been in our family for generations and adored by all. When I say 'all' I include my children who are some of the pickiest eaters in the world. This is even considered a casserole and they like it....even though we don't tell them it's a casserole.

It is called Chicken Divan (although it could be called chicken divine!)

Growing up in the 70's it seemed like casseroles were the in thing. It felt like a few times a week my mother would make a tuna casserole or some beef stroganoff dish. Probably because there were plenty of left overs to heat up the next night (the reason there were so many left overs is no body ate it the first night). Needless to say I did not look forward to casserole nights.

But I remember always liking Chicken Divan. The flavor of this dish over a bed of rice gets me emotional just thinking about it. Enough weeping! Here's the recipe:

CHICKEN DIVAN

2 10oz packages of broccoli
2 cups cooked, diced chicken
2 10 1/2 oz cream of chicken soup
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp. lemon juice
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (sharp is best)
1 cup bread crumbs (just your basic large dried bread crumbs)

Cook broccoli until tender and arrange in greased 9x13 pan. Layer cooked chicken on top. Combine next 3 ingredients and pour over chicken. Sprinkle with cheese, then bread crumbs. Bake at 350 for 35 min.

As I mentioned before we like to make some white rice and then pour this over it. I add a little soy sauce to the rice first for a little extra flavor but you don't have to.

Think about it. If your kids can like something with broccoli in it you've won a major battle as a parent. It has your 4 basic food groups represented which is a home run in the cooking world. This is even good as a left over dinner as it heats up well in the microwave without the chicken getting tough.

So give this a go and let me know what you think as if you don't like it you can blame the 70's as that decade ruined my taste buds.

Enjoy!

Phoenix AZ. (Part 2)

I can't believe its been a year since I wrote about a few of my favorite eats in Phoenix!

In case you didn't know but Phoenix is a big city. Shocker right!

There are so many great places to eat. From the greater Phoenix area to Scottsdale and trough Mesa you will not lack in variety. I've been to Phoenix over a dozen times and traversed all over the metro area looking for some establishments that meet with my road eating commandments.

One of my favorite trips took us out to the Superstitious mountains and a cool little ghost town called Goldfield Goldmining town where you will learn about the Lost Dutchman's gold. We then ventured on to Canyon Lake which is nestled between some amazing rock formations and tons of sequoia cactus.

I've also ventured down to see my Cowboys take on the Cardinals. I was able to stay at the Ritz Carlton where the team stayed and got to see some of the players. I had Jerry Jones and a bunch of players sign a hat. Awesome!

But enough about my vacations and onto the food. Try a few of these the next time your down there.

Tortilla Flat Restaurant and Saloon:     http://tortillaflataz.com/oldwesttown/restaurant.html

As you head east of Mesa on your way out to Canyon Lake head a little further to this cool town. Eating at this place really is like walking into an old time saloon you see in all of those westerns. The food is worth the drive as well. There are a lot of things to get but I recommend the Hot Cheese Fries and a cup of their Killer Chili to start. Dip your fries in the chili as if you get the chili cheese fries you cannot control the heat. I went with the Bullrider burger with the strips of green chili. Talk about a gut bomb but it will give you energy for a few days. Wash it down with some Sarsaparilla. Just don't head right to the lake afterwards as you will sink to the bottom.

Flo's Asian Kitchen:     http://www.madebyflo.com/

On one business trip I was staying on Camel Back road and asked of few of the hotel staff where I could get the best Chinese food and a few of them recommended Flo's. Strange name I know but were they right! Their Hot and Sour soup is the best I've ever had and I'm usually an Egg Drop guy. The Spicy Thai Coconut Soup was awesome as well so make sure you go with someone so you can try a few of them. I was with a few people on our trip so may I recommend the Pine nut Shrimp, Katsu Chicken, Malaysian Cashew Beef and the Singapore BBQ Pork Noodles. You can thank me later! For dessert if you have room in your foot try the Banana Spring Rolls.

The Armadillo Grill:     http://www.myarmadillogrill.com/

This place is like a cross between a Wolfgang Puck restaurant and sports bar. The food is awesome so don't let the surroundings fool you. I'm usually not a tomato soup kind of guy as it is usually a little to tart for me as far as soups go but you have to get a cup of their Rustic Tomato Soup. It is hearty with a flavor that will blow your mind. Then go with the Thai Chicken Skewers. The peanut sauce is awesome and really makes this appetizer or main dish memorable. Make sure to go with the Asian Slaw as a side with the Skewers. I love their Philly Cheese Steak for lunch and their Pork Chops for dinner.

Oregeno's Pizza Bistro:     http://www.oreganos.com/index_main.html

My wife's best friend recommended this place and I have been in her debt ever since. This is a local chain around Arizona and I hope it comes to Utah soon. Start with their Bruschetta Authentico. Talk about a flavor explosion. You will be happy with any pizza. They really have perfected all three styles of crust (thin, stuffed or pan) but because its a Chicago pizza joint you have to go pan. But what ever you do you must save room for the Original Pizza Cookie. I'm going to warn you again. YOU MUST SAVE ROOM FOR THE PIZZA COOKIE. We were full but as soon as we started pounding this food of the gods we found room. We went with the chocolate chip and we can't wait to get back and try the white chocolate.

So there you have a few more places to add in Phoenix if you haven't tried my previous recommendations. Just make sure to sprinkle in some golf at their amazing courses and it will be a trip of a life time.

But just like I did last year try to avoid July through September unless you are into weight and water loss. It should be illegal to settle a town where it can get to 120 degrees.

Enjoy!

BBQ YUM!

With 4 kids I have grown accustomed to recommending food choices that are relatively clean i.e. knife and fork type foods. It just causes less stress when eating as a family. That is why I try to avoid BBQ with the whole family as the sauce ends up in their hair, on their clothing, in the van, on their pillows etc.

But when I'm along or with the Mrs. I definitely love BBQ.

These establishments are opening up here in Utah like Walgreen's. It seems they are going into every new strip mall in every city and they are all coming from chains in Texas and the south as well as transplant restaurant owners from those areas.

There are so many places to get good BBQ in Utah but I have some rules in making my top 5.

The first rule is the sauce. The sauce has to be original and pack a kick. Not a punch but a kick. If I want Hunt's BBQ sauce I will go buy it. Most places at least give you three choices of original, sweet and spicy. I personally like to mix the original and the spicy as sometimes the spicy by itself dominates the flavor of the meat so be careful.

The second rule is the side dishes. You have to have variety and they must be good. If you can enjoy at least 80% of the side dishes you know you've found a good spot. I judge most places on their coleslaw. Coleslaw is something I despised as a kid but acquired the taste later on in my 20's. I like a good creamy or vinegary coleslaw. Some places I have had it is just chopped up cabbage with not much else. That works if your a rabbit so the places I mention below will have good coleslaw.

So without further adue I give you 5 of my most favorite.

Dickey's:     http://www.dickeys.com/default.aspx

One of their locations recently opened up in West Valley near my place of work and I have been there a lot lately. I love their signature chopped beef sandwich or pulled pork. Great sauces. Again mix the original with the spicy. One of their sides is the baked potato casserole which is a tasty take on the twice baked potato so I recommend it. Their jalapeno beans are hearty with a nice kick. The coleslaw is creamy and excellent. They also do the waffle fries like Chick Fil E and are yummy. About the only side dish I don't recommend are the onion straws as they are just OK.

Pats BBQ:     http://www.patsbbq.com/

I mentioned this place in one of my previous blogs talking about Salt Lake eats but since this blog is about BBQ I thought I would mention them again. This place was on the food network and you have to get here earlier or later than the Noon lunch rush. But well worth your time. I love their beef brisket slices and pork ribs. They have daily specials and the burnt tips on Friday are my favorite as they are tender pieces of beef brisket tips. Their red beans and rice or creole beans and rice are a must as a side dish.  The corn bread is moist and a great addition.

Huntsville BBQ Company:      http://texaspridebarbecue.com/

This was a couple from Texas that opened this place in historic downtown Huntsville. Great setting for a BBQ joint and during the summer its nice to hang out at Pine View reservoir and then head on over for some excellent food. I love sitting in the back outside where they have live music. Every type of meat is great here but I really like their sausage as one of my meats. I didn't care much for the potato salad but they had a broccoli salad that was very good so I recommend that.

Q 4 U:     http://www.q4u.com/newweb/main.htm

They recently moved locations to a more spacious restaurant but luckily the food didn't change. I love their pork spare rib sandwich with their southern seasoned french fries and coleslaw. What a lunch. Their southern fired chicken is also very tasty. The black eyed peas are also a great side to get here.

Texas Roadhouse:     http://www.texasroadhouse.com/

Yes a chain restaurant made this list but when you have had dreams about eating something you know it's good. I LOVE their baby back ribs. It's nice to be able to cut them with a fork and they are so dang meaty. My wife likes them so she does not need to wash my cloths over and over to get the stains out. I really do not even look at anything else on the menu even though my wife loves some of their other dishes. Do not tank up on the yummy rolls and save room for the full rack. I like getting their mashed potato's with cheese and bacon and their green beans.

So there you have it. Enough places to get messy at up and down the Wasatch front. I have mentioned other good BBQ joints in other blogs and will do a national entry soon for when you are on the road.

Check out the places popping up in your area and let me know what you like as I'm always on the hunt!

Until we eat again....stay hungry my friends!

Cruising for FOOD!!!

It's winter time. It's cold. The pollution levels are up. Dogs and cats are living together. Mass hysteria.....sorry to go negative on you this early in the year!

Now is the time to go on a cruise to some tropical lo-cal, clear your lungs and get the year started off right. Even though I'm not going on a cruise anytime soon a few of my acquaintances are so I thought I would put a blog together about cruises and the dos and donts of eating on these floating cities.

My first cruise was right after high school graduation. We did a week long western Caribbean cruise on Norwegian cruise line. The the main thing I remember about the cruise is gaining 10 pounds by the time it was over. I couldn't believe I could order whatever I wanted and it was included. This was the first time I ever tried escargot and caviar. If I wanted a side of lobster or steak I could get it. As a hungry fastfood induced 18 year old with a high metabolism it was heaven. It seemed like their was a buffet every few hours somewhere on the ship. Nothing beats the Midnight buffet after 3 or 4 hours dancing in one of the clubs. But I also learned a few lessons the hard way.

By the time I took my wife on our first cruise together on Carnival cruise line I learned to pace myself. Because the food is so readily available you really have to have self control.  It seemed like I was never hungry enough to eat when we did our shore excursions and I regretted not trying any of the local food because I was too stuffed. Not to mention the bloated feeling. It can really affect your snorkeling activity. Plus your in a swim suit so you need to be able to suck in your gut when your on a beach.

So hear are my rules for cruise eating:

• Make sure you can choose when and where to eat. Cruise lines these days give you open seating at numerous restaurants all over the ship. Long gone are the days of sitting at a table with people you don't know every night at a certain time. Why deal with the pressure to be somewhere to eat and having to try to get to know someone from Borneo.
• Pace yourself and eat smaller meals. This cuts down on the uncomfortable feeling and frees you up to try all of the different foods and desserts. Plus when you get off at a port you are actually hungry enough to try some local food while your there.
• Try some unique foods you've never tried. Like I mentioned earlier I tried escargot and caviar on my first cruise. I've also had sword fish and some very funky sushi (not sushi roll sushi but funky sushi). Again if you monitor your food intake you can sample a lot of different things. I actually can say I like snails....yikes!
• Go with some people you know. That way if you have some assigned seating meals you can sit with people who will let you try their food as well. It's awkward to ask a couple from Australia who you just met to try their shrimp kabob.

I have yet to find someone who went on a cruise and complained about the food. The cruise lines I've been on do a great job at variety and more and more themed restaurants are popping up all the time. You really do get your money's worth with all of the food you can get.

Just watch out for the bar tabs. They will keep track of everything you drink outside of water and it can add up at the end. I think I dropped about $100 on Cokes. Another warning: make sure the bar tenders hear you say "Virgin" if you want to try the tropical slushy drinks. I would hate to hear of anyone going overboard because they had to many "Virgin" drinks.

Let me know of your cruise recommendations as it's never to early to start planning your next getaway.

Until next time "May the eats be with you, always!"