Recipe: “And another thing I liked about this salad” salad

This spring I finally got a new stamp in my passport!!  A French stamp that barely showed up at all, I might add.  I was tempted to ask them to re-stamp, but I didn’t want to start the trip off being an annoying American tourist so I let it go.  Anyway two of my favorite people in the world were living there and they let me and one of my best friends, Jessica, (also the sister of said favorite people and my oldest friend in the world) come visit.

You must go if you have not . And you should go in Spring. And you should visit friends who live there that can tell you where to go and translate for you.  And cook for you. You can see why these are two of my favorite people.

One day as we were touring Tours (a small city about a 2 hour train ride from Paris), we stopped at a lovely little spot for lunch.  We were hungry and thirsty and they were being all kinds of European (you know slowly enjoying life at their own leisurely pace), but when the food came it was delicious. This was the kind of place that put two specials on the board for you to choose from and my friends had the duck and lentils.  I ordered that day’s salad and what a salad it was!  As we were eating, my famished and parched taste buds were exploding with excitement and I told them every single thing I liked about the salad.  They listened as good friends do and still make fun of me about it as good friends do.

Here is the original salad for your reference:

As you can see it has chicken and a poached egg on top.  I made it alongside springtime in NYC quiche so I left the protein off (btw I used 3/4 c milk and a larger onion this time because the pie crust was deeper. And I burned the onions the first time around. Oh humility you are no friend of mine).

Here’s what you’ll need:

For the salad:

Romaine lettuce

1 Yellow bell pepper

1 tomato

1/2 seedless cucumber

1 pear (I had to use an apple because the store was out of pears)

Pickled beets

parsley

dill

goat cheese

Chopped like this:

 

For the dressing:

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1 tsp dijon mustard

1 squeeze of fresh lemon

This dressing is tart so if you have red wine vinegar on hand instead of apple cider that might be all right. If you have someone else’s oil & vinegar dressing well that might be even better!  I liked it because I just used a little on the salad since there are so many other flavors going on.

This is enough for about 4 individual portions that I assembled like this:

Everyone asked me what my favorite thing to eat in France was and here it is:

Chocolate croissant and espresso.  So simple and so incredibly delicious!

Let me know if you’ve been to France and what you like to eat when you’re there

Recipe: “And another thing I like about this salad” salad

Road Trip Random

Stay tuned for “fly by the seat of your pants” coastal road tip.  Until then, enjoy the musical styling of my two favorite Dixie Chicks turned Courtyard Hounds.

The Coast

Review: The Great Burger Debate — Fred’s Texas Cafe

This will be an ongoing series since there are as many opinions as there are………burger joints. Everyone has a different idea of what makes a good burger.

Some go gourmet. They want the finest beef and unique toppings like quail eggs, fried onion strips, and a fancy sauce. I get that.

Some want simple.  They want picnic table cloths, paper sacks with their order written on them and tater tots. I get that.

Some just want a fancy bun with a great outdoor patio to enjoy it on. I get that.

I’m going to start off writing about my favorite burger joint in Fort Worth and that is Fred’s.  It’s the burger you ate with your dad at the gas station-turned burger joint in your hometown with the buttery toasted bun topped with chunks of iceberg lettuce, mustard, raw white onions and sliced dill pickles.  And it’s the fries — oh the fries — the greasy, salty, fresh-cut fries.  The fries that are part of the reason why Texas will always be near the top of the fattest state list.

I read a review about the new Fred’s that opened up in North Fort Worth and the writer said it was good, but it needs about 30 years of grease to be as good as the original.  I think that just about sums it up.

What you need to know when you go:  Fred’s is now in the hip part of town however they have not let it go to their head.  There is limited indoor seating so if you go at primetime you’re gonna have to wait. At the right time of year, you can comfortably pull up a spot on the patio and listen to live music.  I’ve been on a Sunday and had a great time, but you kind of have to commit because you’re not going to be in and out. But that is kind of the point at Fred’s. It takes the hustle out of your bustle and reminds you to slow down and enjoy the day.

Here in Fort Worth there are plenty of great spots.  We have Love Shack, Chubby’s, Charley’s, Shaw’s, Kincaids, and Magnolia Motor Lounge.  My friend Hastings even said Salsa Fuego has a burger that is outta this world.

To keep the debate from being one-sided I will post other opinions when I try these spots.

Let me know where you go to get a greasy cheeseburger in this Paradise we’re living in.

 

 

Recipe: “Hangin on by a wing and a prayer” huevos rancheros grits

Q. What do you take when you can’t take any more of what you’re taking?

A. A trip

Preferably with one of your best friends to the beach!!

I have been blessed with some of the best friends and one of those came along while I was at college.  Jamie and I have been best friends for like 9 years now and since God didn’t give me a sister, he gave me Jamie. We both grew up in the church with preacher daddies and both survived 🙂

The best kept secret in Florida is Amelia island. It’s beautiful and you don’t have to worry about the teen/college crowd ruining your trip. Jamie and I went down there last summer and had the best time laughing, eating, reading, relaxing and not worrying about a dang thang.

This was our second trip. Our first was a few years earlier with our best friend Sarah. We have some great stories from that trip, but you have to buy us dinner to hear them.

Here’s my version of a great breakfast we had while there. If you’ve eaten in the south you know they don’t serve breakfast without a side of grits.  This combines that southern staple with my favorite cuisine – Mexican.

“Hangin’ on by a wing and a prayer” Huevos rancheros grits:

Here's what you'll need

Ranchero sauce:

2 Tbsp canola oil

1/2 med onion, thinly sliced

1/2 green bell pepper, chunky dice

1/2 jalapeno, diced (seeds in or out depending on your taste. I left them in)

2 medium tomatoes, roasted in 400 degree oven w/ olive oil, s&p for 15 min

1 clove garlic

1 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp cayenne

s&p

1/2 cup chicken stock

handful of cilantro

In medium pan, heat 2 Tbsp canola oil and add onions. Cook for about 3 minutes then add bell pepper and jalapeno. Season with about a tsp of S&P. Cook for 8-10 minutes on medium and then lower heat before adding tomatoes.

Pulse roasted tomatoes in the blender and add to pan. Add garlic, cumin, and cayenne.

Add 1/2 cup chicken stock and simmer while you prepare the rest of the dish.

Grits:

2 packets instant grits

1/4 cheese of your liking (I used colby jack)

1/3 can of black beans

While the flavors are coming together, prepare grits.  I had to use instant because that’s all Target had, but they taste fine especially when you add shredded cheese.  I used colby jack, but feel free to use whatever you like — pepper jack would be good if you have some on hand.  I cooked 2 packets and added about 1/4 cup of cheese and about 1/3 can of rinsed black beans.

Huevos (eggs):

You could easily scramble a couple eggs to layer in the dish, but I wanted to try poaching an egg.

For tips on poaching, click here.

Check the rancheros sauce for spice. Add s&p if necessary.  If you like the taste add a handful of chopped cilantro and you are ready to put it all together.

Spoon half of the grits mixture onto a plate, top with ranchero sauce and add the egg on top. Garnish with cilantro.  Makes 2 servings.

Let me know if this recipe worked for you.  Here’s to the trips we take when we can’t take any more of what we’re taking!!

Happy cooking!!

Review: Del Norte Tacos Godley, TX

Well I drove on down to Godley, TX to try this spot.  It has made lots of lists and I have been hoping to try it, but just haven’t had the chance.  I needed to meet up with my parents and my dad suggested we meet there.  It has been years since I have rolled through the Burleson/Crowley/Joshua area.  I think  the last time I was a senior in high school trying to get to a football or baseball game to watch (hang out with friends) the mighty Pirates win (lose).

From Fort Worth, you take 35 south (unless it’s rush hour then I don’t know what you do, but you do anything else) and exit 174 in Burleson to Joshua and 917 to Godley.  The drive from Joshua to Godley was the nicest. Finally no cars and no stop lights!!

Del Norte Tacos keeps it simple.  The seating is minimal as well as the air conditioning.  What they lack in ambience they make up for with spice.  The salsa verde is beyond delicious.  It has a nice kick of spice without being unbearable.  It goes well with the blue corn tortilla chips.

Mom's "different" brisket taco

When you order, you’ll want to be really clear about what you want.  We ordered enchiladas for my mom and she got a brisket taco.  No worries. She said it was good. Wait, no she said it was “different,” which is polite for “you ordered me something I would have rather not had.” My dad and I both ordered one carnita taco and one taco al pastor (real original. this is what we always get).  The meat has a nice, smoky flavor and the tortillas are good.  It is not what you would consider “authentic” Mexican street tacos, but they may not be going for that (their coke comes in a plastic bottle).  Two tacos was plenty because they put a generous portion of meat in two tortillas.

carnita and al pastor tacos

I need to go back to figure out what the best dish is, but if you find yourself near Godley, TX you should stop in and try it.  And try the roasted corn. Esta muy bueno, but I think it’s muy bueno wherever I get it. Have you had mexican-style roasted corn? It really is so good.

Let me know if you’ve been and what you like to get there.

Road Trip: Abilene, TX

Counties traveled: Tarrant, Parker, Palo Pinto, Eastland, Callahan, Taylor

Towns visited: Strawn, Abilene & Clyde

Roads Traveled: I-20, TX 193

Well you’re going to see Abilene a lot on this blog because it is actually one of my favorite places.  This may discredit me with a few people who have actually been to Abilene, but it goes back to visiting my granny during the summers and attending college here.  When I was a high school senior I could not imagine a worse place to get dropped off, but I’ve fallen in love with this town and it really has become an escape for me.  A place to visit and just chill with best friends. Everyone needs a place like that.  It won’t be the same for you.  Some of my best friends from home visited for a wedding and thought they had fallen off the edge of the earth.

My first post about Abilene doesn’t involve any restaurants in Abilene, which is why I will have another post eventually (multiple posts – lots of places to eat). Abilene has a lot of great restaurants, but this was a day to try out places I have blown by a thousand times and not taken the time to try.

First stop Mary’s.  I’ve heard it’s good and I never realized how not-out-of-the-way it is until we stopped this past weekend. If you are headed west on I-20 from the metroplex, take exit 373 and you are about 15 miles away from a meal you won’t forget.  We tried a smorgasbord (pork chops, quail, chicken fried steak) of food, but I will save you some time — order the chicken fried steak & fries and order it small or medium because they are generous. The secret to their great steaks is that they cook it on a griddle as opposed to deep frying.  They probably have a few other tricks up their sleeve, but this is the main thing that differentiates it from most restaurants. Oh and their fries are the fries you get at old school burger joints — freshly cut with some of the peel still on them served crispy and greasy.

Here’s a little teaser for some of the stores we visited.  I’ll post more later when I have pictures.  They are all located in downtown Abilene,

Relics

Jordan Taylor

Betty & June

Candies by Vleta’s

And another downtown staple:

If you find yourself in Clyde, TX on a Saturday evening you must pull up a spot at Pizza House.  Enjoy the live music while you wait on your customized pizza.  It really is good and I don’t know how I made it through 5 (yes, 5 don’t judge. I changed my major a few-read 4-times) years without trying it.

Head out west and let me know where you like to stop when you’re in Abilene, TX. MUCH more to come…..

Restaurant Review: La Familia

La Familia

Located at 841 Foch Street Fort Worth, TX  76107

I start off with this one because it is my absolute favorite Mexican restaurant in Fort Worth. My friends and I agree — and trust me– we are experts when it comes to Mexican food. We have tried all there is in Fort Worth and this really is the best. And here’s why. They strike high on every rating there is.

The service is great — you will not go there without receiving a handshake and speedy service.  I have been at lunch before and we were in and out in under 40 minutes.

The ambience is great — it is clean and the pictures on the wall reassure you that you are eating at a family-owned business.  They have also recently expanded.

The food is delicious. My favorite dish is chicken enchiladas w/ tomatillo sauce. I’m not exaggerating when I say this is the best tomatillo sauce I have ever had.

Things to know: They always start you off with a cup of bean or chicken soup.  I like the bean soup so much that I’ve never tried the chicken.  Their salsa is made fresh daily and the tomatoes definitely didn’t come out of a can.  They also use diced chicken breast in their enchiladas instead of shredded.  I only mention this because I have actually met people who won’t eat shredded.  In case you’re wondering, I’ll eat both.  This is also a good place to buy tamales at Christmas. Que bueno!

Anyway, I will concede that Pappasitos’ chicken fajitas are phenomenal and Mi Cocina has delicious brisket tacos, but for an all around great dining experience, La Familia is where it’s at.  I have been eating at this place since it was in an old fast food joint across the street from its present location and two things have always stayed the same -the friendliness of the staff and the quality of the food.

Give it a shot and let me know what you get.

Recipe: “You can’t beat New York in Spring” Quiche

For my dad’s 61st birthday, my brother and I took him to New York City. I went because it’s one of my favorite places EVER and my brother went because it was the same weekend the Rangers were playing the Yankees. Sidenote: I’m sure you think we’re cruel for leaving my mom at home, but trust me, this is how she likes it.

So for this trip, I did my research. I had some great restaurants picked out that covered a wide range of cuisines because my brother doesn’t want to eat anything he can eat at home.  One morning I had a reservation at Balthazar.  It’s in soho and did you notice— required a reservation — not typical of places we eat since my dad and brother think the best places either have sawdust on the floor or require you to habla espanol.

Balthazar is a French bistro.  It has a great vibe and a scrumptious breakfast menu.  I went for the eggs and asparagus in pastry and patted myself on the back because I asked them to put the melted butter on the side. My brother, on the other hand, ordered granola and yogurt.

Did you read that? Granola……and yogurt.

Ya’ll this pretty much sums up the difference between my brother and me.

The joke was on both of us because my dad ordered the best thing on the menu and that was the roasted pepper and caramelized onion quiche & salad.  If you find yourself in Soho, you must stop in and try it.  Until then, here is my version of this yummy dish!

“You can’t beat spring time in NYC caramelized onion quiche”

1 med yellow onion, caramelized – yields 1/3 cup onions

1 red bell pepper, roasted and chopped

3 eggs

1/4 cup gruyere, shredded

2/3 cup 2% milk

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

pinch of nutmeg

1 pie shell, cooked

For tips on how to caramelize an onion, click here.

To roast the pepper, put it under the broiler until it is charred on all sides and then wrap up in plastic baggie.  When it is done steaming, scrape the black off and chop. I used about 2/3 of the pepper and refrigerated the rest.  Add it to your next omelette or to a sandwich for extra flavor.

This is a very important step. While the pepper is steaming and the onions are caramelizing, go to the store to the get the milk you forgot.  Also, go to the closest convenience store and pay double for milk that is going to expire in 3 days. For reference, I’m using 2%. Julia Childs liked cream in her quiche FYI so she’s probably a better reference, but whatever.  It’s swimsuit season ya’ll!

In a bowl, crack 3 eggs – add 2/3 cup milk, s&p, nutmeg and cheese and stir. When peppers and onions have cooled, add to egg mixture. Mix and pour into cooked pie shell.

Cook at 375 for 25-30 min.

*The green sprigs on top are sage leaves that I cooked in butter.  I saw a chef do it once at a Central Market cooking class so I thought I’d try it as a garnish.  Totally unnecessary.

Try this and let me know what you think and if you tried any other kind of cheese or ingredients.

Happy cooking!! Ashley