Food!
Isn't it lovely?
It can be silly.
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| One of the carved fruit animals on the dessert buffet at Alida and Josh's wedding. So cute! |
Or colorful.
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| Eggs in a market in China -- from the kids' honeymoon pictures. |
Scary!
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| More food in the market in China. |
Artistic.
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| This picture makes me wish I could paint. Pictures, I mean. I can paint walls . . . . |
And . . . it can even be exhausting.
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| Our great-nephews, twins Luke and Calvin, tuckered out from a big meal. |
I almost left out . . . delicious.
Which is what Anne and I had the other day at lunch, in a tiny family-run cafe not far from That Old House.
Anne got one of the lunchtime specials, a basket of empanadas. With fresh-made citrus-tangy salsa.
Here's how a small cafe differs from a chain restaurant.
We asked about the empanadas before ordering, and the cook came out, explained them to us,
then went into her kitchen and whipped up two little sample ones for us to test-drive before ordering.
They were fantastic, and Anne ordered them right away.
They were, she says, "Crazy good."
Beef, seasonings, potato, in a crispy cornmeal crust. Piping hot -- you can see steam
coming off them in the pictures. All made, including the salsa, while you wait. You can hear the chopping!
Mmmm . . . .
I ordered David's Colombian Burger.
It had everything on it except hot fudge which, really, you probably don't want on a burger anyway.
Yes, that's chunks of fresh pineapple you see tucked in there, along with, well, loads of burger-y goodness.
I didn't attempt to pick it up. It was just too tall. I attacked it with knife and fork, and comforted myself
that I didn't eat part of the bun, and left plenty of fries on the plate.
We will be back to Past Times, on East Main Street in Rockaway Boro in New Jersey, and soon.
It's a wonderful old storefront with great old fittings, tin ceilings, even the old fireplace.
Although the next time, I may order a salad.
Don't you love finding the wonderful little businesses in your own town?
Even big cities have their mom-and-pop neighborhood shops and eateries.
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A foodie question for you: How do you cook corn on the cob? Just curious!
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Link Party!
It's Foodie Friday with Michael West at her Designs By Gollum blog.
Click here to visit! It's always fun!
We have another theater weekend lined up, and New York City's Restaurant Week has been extended.
Go for the bargains and the fabulous food. I think I need to go make myself some lunch, don't you? -- Cass
Hi Cass..
ReplyDeleteYes I do enjoy local, hidden away from the maddening crowds locally owned Mom and Pop eateries..Most times, the experience is worth the wait..sometimes tho, the opposite can be true..
loved your photos of the twins..
and the foods..
answering your question of how do I cook corn on the cob?
clean the FRESH corn of husks and silks.bring your pot of water to a rolling boil, pop the corn into the pot, cover with a lid, and remove from the heat source.
serve within 5 minutes..
this is the method I was taught while living in New England by the LOCAL farmers of the bi color corn, used at the fabulous clam and lobster bakes on the coast.!Making my mouth watering recalling those wonderful times and delicious foods!
this method leaves the kernels crispy and juicy.
any other method of boiling until the corn is mushy, has removed the taste and the vitamins..
warmest hugs..
Loui♥
Cass,
ReplyDeleteI wish I could paint too. Those pears are neat. And I know I should order salads but a good burger always calls my name.
I cook corn several ways. I think my favorite is just cook it on top of the stove. I put about a teaspoon of sugar in the water and bring it to a boil. Then I plop the corn in and cook it until I can smell it. Serve immediately. I also like to wrap in the husked ear in foil after spraying with I can't believe it's not butter (I like melted butter but I am trying) and we grill that. Takes a while maybe 30 minutes. Nice taste though.
Have a great weekend!
Carol
Okay.. that's it! I am making french fries for dinner tonite! That sandwich is killer Dudette!
ReplyDeleteDI
I will have a few of those empanadas with salsa for a starter. :D Some of the best burgers I have had were eaten in little mom & pop owned places. Great photos. I get sleepy when I eat to much also. :D
ReplyDeleteOh My! That food does look yummy - the food from the awesome little restaurant that is! That burger - WOW! I love small cafes and eateries that have great cooks!
ReplyDeleteThat burger looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteCorn on the cob- Big pot of water to a rolling boil. Add corn, cover pot return to a boil and cook 6 minutes.
Googles not signing me in, darn it! Debbie
That is one advantage to living in a little town on the prairie -- almost all of our restaurants are mom and pops -- we have some great food here -- and whenever we travel we tend to eat at Mom and Pop's unless we're on the road and just getting nourishment.
ReplyDeleteCorn -- bring water to the boil, pop the dehusked corn in and when it comes back to the boil, it's ready. Then serve with LOTS of butter and a sprinkling of salt and pepper.
There's nothing like good food to feed the soul! Great photo's, especially the twins!
ReplyDeleteYummy--I love to eat at places like this.
ReplyDeleteMost of the time i cook the corn on the stove but tonight we had it on thr grill.
Happy weekend.
Melinda
Hi Cass. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and commenting on my Moussaka. Often the simple, 'peasant' dishes of the Mediterranean are the simplest to make and the most delicious. I trust you'll find it both simple to make and delicious.
ReplyDeleteI just love your old house and your blog.
Anne @ Domesblissity
Seriously?? It's 11:00 at night and I'm looking at all that wonderful food. And it's makin me very, very hungry. Do ya really think I need to raid my kitchen at 11:00 at night...after already having a few (too many) of Jeanni's Killer Margaritas???
ReplyDeleteJeanni
Oh yes, Mom 'n Pop places are the Best, hands down. The chain restaurants are so bland. That burger was just well, amazing, and made me crave french fries so badly, lol. (Did I ever mention I need to lose 50 pounds?) Why is it I can misplace my car keys and lose my cellphone at every opportunity, but I cannot lose the weight?)
ReplyDeleteEvery one of your posts is just so much fun, I love your sense of humor!
We cook corn on the cob 2 ways.
ReplyDeleteEither remove all the husks and silks. Give it a run under the tap, shake off most of the water and roll it up in a piece of waxed paper. Place them like spokes on a wheel in the microwave and hit the fresh vegetable setting. Perfect every time and it doesn't heat up your kitchen.
Secondly way is to peel back the husks, remove the silks and soak in some water for a while. Rub the ears with some garlic infused olive oil or good old butter. Maybe some chili spice too. Then you pull the husks back up and around the ears and tie off the top with some string and roast on the grill. Soaking first keeps the husks from catching fire and helps to steam the corn too.
Enjoy and think of me when you bite into it...if it turns out well that is.
I love a good burger, and yesterday had an oyster burger on the wharf - it was soooo good.
ReplyDeleteCass,
ReplyDeleteGorgeous burger!
I don't cook corn on the cob, per se. I clean it off and microwave it, and it is the best I've ever had!
Hi Cass! The babies are so cute and getting so big. All the good food we have in America! :) speaking of American food... Ive been staring at the first photo of the grocery store eggs in China and I cant figure out why the blue ones have chocolate in the middle. Im sure its not chocolate, so what in the world is it? Your burger is beautiful!! You might not paint pictures but you sure do great photos!! Im so glad you asked about the corn because I have been banned by the fam from cooking it for our get togethers...its never edible!! I always blame the farmer! JK! I truly dont know what I do wrong! So I will practice on my husband and kids for the next 3 months. Im one of 6 sisters so theres a lot of competition. Have fun in NY Cass! Be safe! p.s. my sister wants to know where Dion DiPoochy got his name.
ReplyDeleteOh I want the recipe for the empanadas! YUM!
ReplyDelete