pieces

For date night tonight, we had a little bit of “Iron Chef”-style fun. Jack gave me the secret ingredient right before I left for the store, and I made a four course meal without a cookbook or any sort of internet searching. This is the exact opposite of the way I normally plan a menu, so it was quite a challenge. But it was a huge success - fun as well as tasty.

The secret ingredient was papaya.

Here were my dishes (with names that are way too long, but fortunately that part wasn’t judged):

Papaya-Tarragon Chicken Salad with Toasted Walnuts and Papaya Mayonnaise, served with Crescent-Wrapped Papaya-Orange Glazed Cheese:

Seared Sea Scallops with Papaya-Orange-Serrano Sauce with Fresh Papaya:

Wonton Wrapped Duck with Papaya, Honey, and Thyme, served with Duck Fat Grilled Papaya:

Banana-Papaya Crepes Drizzled with Chocolate:

The crepes were given the highest points for taste, while creativity went to the duck wontons. I personally loved the chicken salad, and would definitely make it again.

This was tons of fun, and the papaya was a great ingredient to work with.

A friend of mine is moving to Baltimore. While I don’t recommend this course of action, (I really did not enjoy the city when I lived there), I did find a few fun (and generally cheap - I was a grad student) things to do while I was there.

Here, in no particular order, is my Ten Best of Baltimore list:

1. The Book Thing. Free books. Seriously.
2. Trinacria Macaroni Works. 406 N Paca St. This place has outstanding sandwiches (my favorite is the mozzarella, tomato, and basil on foccacia), as well as stuff to take home - homemade bread, pasta, sauce, and cannoli filling, tons of imported Italian goodies, olives, oh and did I mention $4 bottle of wine? Yummy.
3. Vaccaro’s. In the heart of Little Italy, Vaccaro’s is my favorite dessert spot. Ever. It’s hard to pick a favorite, but mine has to be the Vesuvius - described on their menu as “A chocolate brownie cake layered with caremel, fluffy cheesecake, chocolate mousse, served with two plain cream puffs, hot fudge, wet nuts, and whipped topping” Oh, and don’t missed out on their Colosseos - huge belgian waffles topped with homemade gelato. It’s all-you-can-eat dessert & coffee on Monday nights, but bring a crowd, because they won’t cut back on their enormous portion sizes, so you’ll want to pass everything around the table.
4. Little Italy. While Vaccaro’s deserves its own mention, the neighborhood of Little Italy is a really nice place to spend an evening. On most evenings, grab a gelato and head down to the bocce court to watch some serious competition. Or, in the summer, take in the outdoor movie series every Friday night at the intersection of High and Stiles. Baltimore’s neighborhoods all have really distinct feels, something that most southern cities just don’t have, and Little Italy is one of my favorites.
5. Fell’s Point. Fell’s Point itself is a fun place to walk around - I definitely prefer it to the Inner Harbor area - and if I could have afforded it I would have really enjoyed living there. While I sometimes went there just to grab a burrito at Burritos En Fuego and sit by the water, I preferred going just a little further north on Broadway and taking my pick of South or Central American cuisine. They don’t speak a lot of English, and you might be the only gringo in the place, but the food is great and generally reasonably priced.
6. The Water Taxi. http://www.thewatertaxi.com/ Parking at the Inner Harbor in lousy, not to mention expensive. But here’s a fun way to get there from Fells Point or Canton. Check out the new route: http://www.thewatertaxi.com/2009routes.html
7. Sound Garden. An independent record store - you can find some really great rare CDs there.
8. Northern Central Rail Trail. A 40 mile biking/jogging trail from Hunt Valley, MD to York, PA. The first few miles are heavily used by walkers, joggers, and strollers, but after that, it’s a great path to run or ride - you feel miles away from the city. I typically biked to the state line, stopped at a little store to grab a quick bite, and headed back. Also, bring a bag and some change - locals along the trail will often leave out fresh produce to purchase along the route.
9. The National Aquarium. Yes, it’s expensive ($25). Yes, it’s worth it. Of course, keep in mind that there are few things I love more than spending a day at the aquarium (why doesn’t Austin have one?), and this one does not disappoint.
10. Camden Yards. This is a great ballpark. Every seat is good, and the atmosphere is really fun.
11. Crabs. Ok, I know this is number 11, but really, I can’t not mention these. Honestly, I really miss the steamed, Old Bay covered treat, especially at an all-you-can-eat or $1 per crab place. (Otherwise, it quickly gets expensive - about $60 a dozen for the big ones.) My favorite crab place is actually in Annapolis - I’ll write a bit later on things to do when you want to get out of Baltimore.
12. Pisces. I know I said I’d stop at ten and stay inexpensive. This is neither, but well worth a mention. Located at the top of the Hyatt in the Inner Harbor, they put on the best brunch I’ve ever seem from 10am-2pm every Sunday. Complete with all-you-care-to-drink champagne and mimosas, the brunch includes raw oysters, shrimp cocktail, sushi, crab claws, a variety of smoked fish, exotic fruits and cheeses, an assortment of breads and pastries, salads, and scrumptious desserts. You can also select an item from a seasonal menu, including such offerings as crab benedict, pancakes, omelets, and lobster. At $39 per person (with 18% gratuity added in), it’s definitely a special occasion place (definitely make a reservation), but oh so worth it.

This week I’m hosting Bookmarked Recipes, a wonderful weekly blog where people submit recipes they’ve been meaning to try. Originally started by Ruth of Ruth’s Kitchen Experiment, it’s now hosted by a different food blogger every week. I’ve reposted the round up) below:

First up is Christine of Kits Chow, who made Soup of the Bakony Outlaws. She used chicken instead of veal in this Hungarian inspired soup, which she discovered at Fine Cooking. Although she found the soup by accident, it’s a keeper.

Next we have Maggie from Dog Hill Kitchen with Black Bean “Tacos” with Smoked Paprika Shiitake Mushrooms. She adapted this recipe from Weight Watchers’ Shrimp over Cumin-Scented Beans. They look amazingly tasty (paprika! chile pepper! cumin! cilantro!) and are only 4 WW points per serving!

Our next submission comes from Ben at What’s Cooking. He created the Avocado Salad his parents used to serve at their restaurant during Lent. It’s a simply, healthy dish that looks to be full of flavor.

And finally, Ruth’s entry this week is the Soy Honey Cocktail Sausages that she discovered in Nigella Express. They were such a big hit that she had to make a second batch!

Thanks everyone for your submissions!!! It’s always exciting to see what people have been making and recreating as well as meeting some new bloggers.

Next week’s round up will be hosted by Joelen of Joelen’s Culinary Adventures.

That’s it for this week. Remember if you want to take part here’s all you have to do….
1. Pick a recipe from a book/magazine/blog/website/tv show and make it. (Note you can only submit 1 recipe per week)
2. Blog about it
- include where you got the recipe in your blog post (including a link to their website if possible)
- include a link to this post or this blog in your blog post
- include the logo (see above) for Bookmarked Recipes in your blog post
- include a photo of your recreation on your blog post
3. Email bookmarkedrecipes[AT]gmail[DOT]com with the following information:
- Your name
- The name of your blog
- The URL of your blog
- The permalink for your entry
- A photo of your entry
- A note of where you got your recipe from

Apple Introduces Revolutionary New Laptop With No Keyboard

Listen to the entire interview. The end is so worth it.

Colt McCoy’s ESPN Radio Interview

This year, we’re hosting a traditional Thanksgiving meal on Friday and serving a tailgate menu on Thursday (after all, there are two important games that day).

Here are the menus:

Breakfast:

Cinnamon Rolls

Sausage-Egg Casserole

Pumpkin Coconut Bread

Thanksgiving “Tailgate” Menu:

Smoked Beef Ribs

Stuffed Jalapeños (cream cheese & cilantro stuffed, bacon-wrapped, and grilled)

Mississippi Sin Dip (I edit the recipe & use 6 slices of real bacon, cooked & crumbled)

Sliced French Baguette w/ Cajun Crab Dip (after baking, stir and serve in crockpot)

Chips w/ Guac & Salsa

Koki’s Green Garlic Dip (this stuff is to die for, found at Central Market)

Spinach-Artichoke Dip

Crackers w/ Pineapple Dip

Chex Mix

Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies

Traditional Thanksgiving Meal:

Turkey

Gravy

Stuffing

Mashed Potatoes

Green Bean Casserole

Eggplant, Tomatoes, & Cheese

Roasted Parmesan Creamed Onions

Cranberry Sauce

Rolls

Relish Tray

Salad

Heavenly Hash

Dessert:

Rhubarb Pie

Key Lime Pie

Apple Pie

Blueberry Pie

Pecan Pie

Pumpkin Pie

Cherry Pie

Oatmeal Cake

Whipped Cream

Vanilla Ice Cream

that Troy Aikman’s hands are massive. Really, really huge. And kind of scary, coming at you whenever they show him and Joe Buck announcing. At every Cowboys game. (It’s a trade-off - record the game and start watching 45 minutes after it starts so I can fast forward the commercials, but be forced to listen to Troy - or just mute the TV altogether when I can’t take it anymore - and not take any of my mother’s phone calls, OR watch the show live and get to listen to Brad Sham on AM1300, as well my mom after an exciting play, but have to wait through the commercials. Including halftime. I know. Serious dilemma.)

Not that it’s surprising for a Hall of Fame QB to have large hands, but really, Troy, do you have to gesture with your hands to get the words out? I know, pot calling kettle, but Joe Buck keeps his hands in his pockets. And doesn’t drive me crazy with inane drivel. As much. Hmm, maybe the two are related? Maybe a test run is in order on Thursday? Troy, you can hold the Galloping Gobbler instead.

Oh wait, that almost guarantees inane drivel.

Anyone else miss Madden’s 12-legged turkey?

I love crescent roll dough. I’m always looking for an excuse to use it.

This dish comes from pillsbury.com, and became one of Jack’s instant favorites.

Ingredients

1 lb. ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 cup pasta sauce
6 oz. (1 1/2 cups) shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup sour cream
1 (8-oz.) can Crescent Dinner Rolls
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp butter, melted

Heat oven to 375°F.

Cook ground beef and onion in skillet over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes or until beef is thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently. Drain. Stir in pasta sauce; cook until thoroughly heated.

In medium bowl, combine mozzarella cheese and sour cream; mix well.

Pour hot beef mixture into ungreased 10-inch glass deep-dish pie pan or 11×7-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish. Spoon cheese mixture over beef mixture.

Unroll dough over cheese mixture.
In small bowl, mix Parmesan cheese and butter. Spread evenly over dough.

Bake for 18 to 25 minutes or until deep golden brown.