Something Delicious

[dixie]

I was just wondering what your birthday traditions were food wise? Does food play a huge role (family meals, going out with friends) or is it just something that happens at somepoint during the day?
Oddly, food plays a huge role in every holiday and special occasion OTHER than birthdays. If I'm dating someone, a nice quiet dinner somewhere. If not, there is an obligatory dinner with the parents unless they are out of town. Otherwise I sit at home with the kiddo like any other day, so just regular meals.

Do any of you have any favorite birthday or special occasion recipes, restaurants or desserts???
If I do go out, it's usually for steak (my fav).

Birthday cake? Icecream cake? Cupcakes?

I have been thinking about this over the course of the last week. I haven't focused much on it, but the idea of picking out a cake is always a serious task. There is so much to choose from! Do you go with your all time favorite or to mark a special milestone or change in your life, do you go with something completely different?

Homemade? Locally made/purchased? Store bought?

I'm one of those folks who's never had a birthday party, so things about that stick in my head...especially the store-bought cake. For some reason it has been important over the years. (You know, childhood wishes of wanting the pretty store-bought-decorated cake, etc etc.) Soooo....once I got older, I started buying myself one of those tiny store bought cakes that only serves 1-2. At this point, it has become my own tradition. I'm more than happy with that. lol

[TheMerryFairy]

Originally Posted by dixie

I was just wondering what your birthday traditions were food wise? Does food play a huge role (family meals, going out with friends) or is it just something that happens at somepoint during the day?
Oddly, food plays a huge role in every holiday and special occasion OTHER than birthdays. If I'm dating someone, a nice quiet dinner somewhere. If not, there is an obligatory dinner with the parents unless they are out of town. Otherwise I sit at home with the kiddo like any other day, so just regular meals.

Do any of you have any favorite birthday or special occasion recipes, restaurants or desserts???
If I do go out, it's usually for steak (my fav).

Birthday cake? Icecream cake? Cupcakes?

I have been thinking about this over the course of the last week. I haven't focused much on it, but the idea of picking out a cake is always a serious task. There is so much to choose from! Do you go with your all time favorite or to mark a special milestone or change in your life, do you go with something completely different?

Homemade? Locally made/purchased? Store bought?

I'm one of those folks who's never had a birthday party, so things about that stick in my head...especially the store-bought cake. For some reason it has been important over the years. (You know, childhood wishes of wanting the pretty store-bought-decorated cake, etc etc.) Soooo....once I got older, I started buying myself one of those tiny store bought cakes that only serves 1-2. At this point, it has become my own tradition. I'm more than happy with that. lol

Thank you for sharing, Dixie It's really nice to hear how other people celebrate.

I have done this too when celebrating on my own. I quite like it. It's the perfect size and it still feels special. It was harder to do when I was backpacking with little or no money for extras.

I remember one year *gets a little emotional* these kids who were camping a few lots over found out from overhearing a conversation that my birthday was coming up. They set up a lemonade stand to collect money to make me a cake. That was so darn sweet and let me tell you, I had no idea. I visited that stand at least 3 times in those two days LOL It was good lemonade and they made me a lemonade cake decorated with a LOT of icing. That is something I won't forget any time soon.

[Sun]

Originally Posted by dixie

I was just wondering what your birthday traditions were food wise? Does food play a huge role (family meals, going out with friends) or is it just something that happens at somepoint during the day?
Oddly, food plays a huge role in every holiday and special occasion OTHER than birthdays. If I'm dating someone, a nice quiet dinner somewhere. If not, there is an obligatory dinner with the parents unless they are out of town. Otherwise I sit at home with the kiddo like any other day, so just regular meals.

Do any of you have any favorite birthday or special occasion recipes, restaurants or desserts???
If I do go out, it's usually for steak (my fav).

Birthday cake? Icecream cake? Cupcakes?

I have been thinking about this over the course of the last week. I haven't focused much on it, but the idea of picking out a cake is always a serious task. There is so much to choose from! Do you go with your all time favorite or to mark a special milestone or change in your life, do you go with something completely different?

Homemade? Locally made/purchased? Store bought?

I'm one of those folks who's never had a birthday party, so things about that stick in my head...especially the store-bought cake. For some reason it has been important over the years. (You know, childhood wishes of wanting the pretty store-bought-decorated cake, etc etc.) Soooo....once I got older, I started buying myself one of those tiny store bought cakes that only serves 1-2. At this point, it has become my own tradition. I'm more than happy with that. lol

I think that birthday traditions are sweet. I like yours.

This is a subject that I rarely ever discussed because when I was growing up we were not allowed to celebrate birthdays, as my Mom is a Jehovahs Witness. So for many years I just worked on my birthday and almost buried the idea of any celebration because the messaging that I got as a kid was "you are not important enough to celebrate" and that, sadly went hand in hand with some serious emotional and physical abuse. Having recovered from that as a young adult work kept me away from that memory. Then one year a girlfriend threw me a surprise party and I was shocked. Never had a party before. It was only the femmes in my life who ever gave me celebration.

For that I am forever grateful.

Celebrating a life is a really important thing to do. You are very blessed to have parents who are there to celebrate you, with you.

Lucky girl.

[Sun]

Originally Posted by TheMerryFairy

Thank you for sharing, Dixie It's really nice to hear how other people celebrate.

I have done this too when celebrating on my own. I quite like it. It's the perfect size and it still feels special. It was harder to do when I was backpacking with little or no money for extras.

I remember one year *gets a little emotional* these kids who were camping a few lots over found out from overhearing a conversation that my birthday was coming up. They set up a lemonade stand to collect money to make me a cake. That was so darn sweet and let me tell you, I had no idea. I visited that stand at least 3 times in those two days LOL It was good lemonade and they made me a lemonade cake decorated with a LOT of icing. That is something I won't forget any time soon.

Great story. Thank you for sharing it.

[Sun]

Originally Posted by Corkey

Mayonnaise cake, that my wife makes. Every year.

What unholy alliance is this?

*smirk*

I swear you make this stuff up brutha.

What is this cake??

How can you post something like this with no details?

Come on Corkey!!

[Corkey]

Originally Posted by Sun

What unholy alliance is this?

*smirk*

I swear you make this stuff up brutha.

What is this cake??

How can you post something like this with no details?

Come on Corkey!!

It's OLD LOL cocoa and Miracle whip in place of eggs. Thats it!

[ahk]

I was just wondering what your birthday traditions were food wise? Does food play a huge role (family meals, going out with friends) or is it just something that happens at somepoint during the day?

[COLOR="rgb(154, 205, 50)"]Well, when its my birthday, I always ask for a coconut cake. Why? Because when I was a kid, my nana would always get me one (Sara Lee), but as I have grown up, I like home made. My wife, she makes a really good one, with dried cherries, dried apricots, walnuts, coconut, and cream cheese icing, its kind of like a Italian Wedding cake, but her version.

If its others in my family-- I usually make them cupcakes, something fun and tasty. I think cupcakes are fun!![/COLOR]

Do any of you have any favorite birthday or special occasion recipes, restaurants or desserts???

[COLOR="rgb(154, 205, 50)"]Hmm... I like home cooked meals. I don't have a favourite, or PIZZA. You just can't go wrong with that![/COLOR]

Birthday cake? Icecream cake? Cupcakes?

[COLOR="rgb(154, 205, 50)"]See above.[/COLOR]

I have been thinking about this over the course of the last week. I haven't focused much on it, but the idea of picking out a cake is always a serious task. There is so much to choose from! Do you go with your all time favorite or to mark a special milestone or change in your life, do you go with something completely different?

Homemade? Locally made/purchased? Store bought?

[COLOR="rgb(154, 205, 50)"]See above.[/COLOR]

I am sorry if this is way off topic but birthdays have always been something I have celebrated for my friends. Only a few times since I was a kid have I really appreicated the meaning for myself. This year I get it. Last year I wanted to but turning 30 is scary and yes I realize it is irrational in a lot of ways. It was celebrated but I dreaded it. I am dreading this one because now it's going to be official. Not 30 anymore but actually INTO the 30's, like the twilight zone? LOL

I am sorry for rambling but I just woke up from a ridiculously sweet 3 hour nap and I had dreams of dancing icecream cones. How appropriate for me to post in here.

Ramble on. LOL.

Originally Posted by meridiantoo

So, I'm making homemade spaghetti sauce tonight and wondering what others add to their sauce to make it awesome?

I made a basic recipe tonight: Ground chuck, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sauteed onions/bell peppers/garlic, kosher sea salt/pepper, Italian seasoning blend, 1 bay leaf, and a lot of hopeful anticipation.

I like for my sauce to simmer a good 3 hours, at least, before I eat it.

What about you guys?

[COLOR="rgb(154, 205, 50)"]I am like Sun, I will do a quick and easy sauce in 15 minutes or less -- as he/hy stated below. My honey loves this version better.

But I also make a "all day simmer" pot of sauce-- I take ground meat, garlic, onions, basil, oregano, salt/pepper, a little sugar, and about 2 bags of frozen chopped spinach. I let it cook -- Its really tasty. I like it -- Its more like a ragu.

See below. hehe.[/COLOR]

Originally Posted by Sun

Sounds great as it is. I do 2 sauces one quick: Start with chopped fresh garlic sauteed in olive oil for a few minutes (do not brown just soften) fresh basil, plum tomato's. That's it. Cook less than 15 mins. Longer releases too much acid.

Longer sauce: Start by sauteeing garlic in olive oil, add beef and pork cuts (depends on what inspires me at market) plum tomato's, basil and a little oregano (fresh if I can get it or dried if I can not) simmer for several hours. This is closer to what my Italian relatives brought from Italy.

see above.

Originally Posted by Corkey

It's OLD LOL cocoa and Miracle whip in place of eggs. Thats it!

something along these lines...??



(Can someone help me-- why can't I get my colours correct?) I am not re-editing. Sorry about that!!

[Corkey]

Originally Posted by ahk

I was just wondering what your birthday traditions were food wise? Does food play a huge role (family meals, going out with friends) or is it just something that happens at somepoint during the day?

[COLOR="rgb(154, 205, 50)"]Well, when its my birthday, I always ask for a coconut cake. Why? Because when I was a kid, my nana would always get me one (Sara Lee), but as I have grown up, I like home made. My wife, she makes a really good one, with dried cherries, dried apricots, walnuts, coconut, and cream cheese icing, its kind of like a Italian Wedding cake, but her version.

If its others in my family-- I usually make them cupcakes, something fun and tasty. I think cupcakes are fun!![/COLOR]

Do any of you have any favorite birthday or special occasion recipes, restaurants or desserts???

[COLOR="rgb(154, 205, 50)"]Hmm... I like home cooked meals. I don't have a favourite, or PIZZA. You just can't go wrong with that![/COLOR]

Birthday cake? Icecream cake? Cupcakes?

[COLOR="rgb(154, 205, 50)"]See above.[/COLOR]

I have been thinking about this over the course of the last week. I haven't focused much on it, but the idea of picking out a cake is always a serious task. There is so much to choose from! Do you go with your all time favorite or to mark a special milestone or change in your life, do you go with something completely different?

Homemade? Locally made/purchased? Store bought?

[COLOR="rgb(154, 205, 50)"]See above.[/COLOR]

I am sorry if this is way off topic but birthdays have always been something I have celebrated for my friends. Only a few times since I was a kid have I really appreicated the meaning for myself. This year I get it. Last year I wanted to but turning 30 is scary and yes I realize it is irrational in a lot of ways. It was celebrated but I dreaded it. I am dreading this one because now it's going to be official. Not 30 anymore but actually INTO the 30's, like the twilight zone? LOL

I am sorry for rambling but I just woke up from a ridiculously sweet 3 hour nap and I had dreams of dancing icecream cones. How appropriate for me to post in here.

Ramble on. LOL.



[COLOR="rgb(154, 205, 50)"]I am like Sun, I will do a quick and easy sauce in 15 minutes or less -- as he/hy stated below. My honey loves this version better.

But I also make a "all day simmer" pot of sauce-- I take ground meat, garlic, onions, basil, oregano, salt/pepper, a little sugar, and about 2 bags of frozen chopped spinach. I let it cook -- Its really tasty. I like it -- Its more like a ragu.

See below. hehe.[/COLOR]




see above.



something along these lines...??



(Can someone help me-- why can't I get my colours correct?) I am not re-editing. Sorry about that!!

Don't know not the baker in the family, but it look right lol.

[MarquisdeShey]

Making bbq pulled pork for dinner tomorrow night in the slow cooker.

Easy recipe. Salt, pepper, onions and pork roast studded with cloves.

I add the bbq sauce right before serving.

[Sun]

Hola Everyone,

I am in the burnout zone and will post some comments tomorrow..I love to see yall cooking and talking about food. Long day in the kitchen at work..we had a fresh basil crisis today and I could not make Salmon Nicoise herb topping..tragic. Not really but my boss seemed to think so until I reminded him that we had enough to get through the day. Everything changes when Chef's have to run the business of the business. It surely collides with the straight forward flow of creative energy.

As always I was on the grill a lot..lots of grilled chicken, shrimp, salmon, steaks..good marinades..chimichurri sauce..and lots of ladies stopping in for lunch in between shoe shopping and an event at Chanel. I love fashion so I may as well work in a fashion center. It is fun.

One thing that I love is to walk the dining room and say hello to the guests. I love to get feedback on the food and genuinely thank them for coming in. The guests love that too, they seem to feel appreciated, which they are. They make it possible for us to have careers cooking.

Grateful for that.

Grateful for many things.

Peace & light

Sun

[Sun]

Originally Posted by MarquisdeShey

Making bbq pulled pork for dinner tomorrow night in the slow cooker.

Easy recipe. Salt, pepper, onions and pork roast studded with cloves.

I add the bbq sauce right before serving.

This is one of my favorite meals. Never had it with cloves though. Interesting spin.

What will you serve it with?

[Sun]

Good day Delicious people!

I have some wonderful news to share. Medusa and I have been discussing having a "Cooking Event" at the Reunion. This idea was generated in this thread early on and we are looking at options.

One very possible option is to have an outdoor bbq/grilling event that would be held at the park behind the hotel.

This is a fun opportunity for all of you cooks and backyard grill fans to come out and throwdown!

Also a great time to mix and mingle with other foodies from the community.

Nothing is definite, this is very early on in the planning, but I am excited about the possibilities so I wanted to share

[TheMerryFairy]

I found almond grain burgers at the grocery store and I am really excited to try these! I have made my own veggie burgers before using many different recipes but I couldn't pass these up.

I don't know what I will do with them yet. I might throw them on the grill with some light cheese, tequila and chipotle bbq sauce or whiskey honey bbq, fried up mushrooms, onions and peppers and maybe even some turkey bacon.

I will make up for it by making a HUGE fresh summer style salad with extra veggies, a very light vinaigrette and then some fruit slices on the side.

I may be drooling just a little bit thinking about it.

[CA_BabyCakes]

Mmmm food.....

Originally Posted by Sun

Every now and then I will throw out a survey just for fun.

Virgo Moon Survey:

Does the full moon impact your appetite? Not that i have noticed, but not that u mentioned it, im gonna keep an eye on it.

What is your beverage of choice to have with a meal? Diet Pepsi or Iced Tea

Name your Top 3 Comfort Foods:Baked Ham, A really good Burrito, Green chile chicken enchiladas

If you could have anyone cook for you who would it be?My grandma, her tamales are amazing!

If you could have a meal anywhere in the world, where would you go? Tell us about it.
Humm...maybe Peru we have a few local places that are peruvian, they are amazing
Do you have a Food TV show that you like? If so what do you like about it? Man Vs. Food, I like seeing what other states have to offer

What do you want to learn how to cook/make? Right now i am interested in learning how to make flan, properly.

For the non cooks, what do you never want to learn how to cook/make?

Name your Top 3 Desserts: Carrot cake, cheesecake and most things with ganache in them

Create a new ice cream flavor. Give it a name: Artic Penguin Kisses: Mint and Oreos with hershey kisses

Moser Roth 85% dark chocolate filled with a sour cherry and chilli mousse. Decadently divine dahlink!

[TheMerryFairy]

Originally Posted by Daktari

Moser Roth 85% dark chocolate filled with a sour cherry and chilli mousse. Decadently divine dahlink!

OH that sounds delicious! I can add that to my cravings list too.

[ahk]

[quote=Sun;762996][B][B][COLOR="Navy"]Hola Everyone,

I am in the burnout zone and will post some comments tomorrow..I love to see yall cooking and talking about food. Long day in the kitchen at work..we had a fresh basil crisis today and I could not make Salmon Nicoise herb topping..tragic. Not really but my boss seemed to think so until I reminded him that we had enough to get through the day. Everything changes when Chef's have to run the business of the business. It surely collides with the straight forward flow of creative energy.

As always I was on the grill a lot..lots of grilled chicken, shrimp, salmon, steaks..good marinades..chimichurri sauce..and lots of ladies stopping in for lunch in between shoe shopping and an event at Chanel. I love fashion so I may as well work in a fashion center. It is fun.

One thing that I love is to walk the dining room and say hello to the guests. I love to get feedback on the food and genuinely thank them for coming in. The guests love that too, they seem to feel appreciated, which they are. They make it possible for us to have careers cooking.

Grateful for that.

Grateful for many things.

Peace & light


What place do you work at? Ca? or AZ? and -- I love chimichurri sauce! How do you make it? Curious, everyone makes their own version.

I have to say -- I like the fact how you brought up saying hello to the guests, I feel that's a real honour to say hi to the one who prepared your eats. Dude, you're awesome!!

Originally Posted by Daktari

Moser Roth 85% dark chocolate filled with a sour cherry and chilli mousse. Decadently divine dahlink!

Wow, that sounds good! Enjoy!

[ahk]

Originally Posted by Daktari

Moser Roth 85% dark chocolate filled with a sour cherry and chilli mousse. Decadently divine dahlink!

For those who can't have any right now--

LOL.

CLICK!!

[Sun]

Hola Delicious people!

Today I had a Taco outing to Barrio Cafe..the place that I rave about. The Chef is so cool..she really is my favorite. I could eat there every day, but then again, I love Mexican food, this Chef just kicks it up into a higher elevation than most.

The Tacos are very small, soft, just made by hand, corn tortilias, were: Cochinita Pibil (juicy, slow cooked...Mayan style achiote spiced pulled pork) Mmmm...Shrimp Mojo (my fav) and Chorizo con Avocado. Then they had me sample a few things that they were preparing (the Chef perks) one was oven roasted tomato's..really garlicky and well seasoned..similar to what we make at my Cafe but better.

Then I sampled Chiles en Nogada...Lord have mercy..a Poblano chile stuffed with chicken, pecans, fruit, onions...baked and covered in an almond sauce with pomagranite seeds garnish. Stunning.

We also discussed Mole Verde something that I was not aware of and have never had. Can not wait to try it.

They are always working up a new spin on a classic.

How are you all doing?

[TheMerryFairy]

Originally Posted by Sun

Hola Delicious people!

Today I had a Taco outing to Barrio Cafe..the place that I rave about. The Chef is so cool..she really is my favorite. I could eat there every day, but then again, I love Mexican food, this Chef just kicks it up into a higher elevation than most.

The Tacos are very small, soft, just made by hand, corn tortilias, were: Cochinita Pibil (juicy, slow cooked...Mayan style achiote spiced pulled pork) Mmmm...Shrimp Mojo (my fav) and Chorizo con Avocado. Then they had me sample a few things that they were preparing (the Chef perks) one was oven roasted tomato's..really garlicky and well seasoned..similar to what we make at my Cafe but better.

Then I sampled Chiles en Nogada...Lord have mercy..a Poblano chile stuffed with chicken, pecans, fruit, onions...baked and covered in an almond sauce with pomagranite seeds garnish. Stunning.

We also discussed Mole Verde something that I was not aware of and have never had. Can not wait to try it.

They are always working up a new spin on a classic.

How are you all doing?

I am now officially craving those chiles en nogada! I will take two of those right now, please.