Hello there, your hands look full, can I help you Curry something?

Spice and Seasonings in general make food taste, and look better. I however have been in a very spicy mood lately and worked out two different my style curry recipes or curry seasoned recipies.
The first was a chicken curry concoction which I made with chicken breast cut into pieces, with diced tomatoes, garlic, green beans, onions and ready for it?... Cous Cous! It had a great filler that held its consistency and resembled what I had always seen curry paste to look like at least photographically.

The Second was with Pork, Fresh spinach, garlic and onions (sweated). It made a nice zing to a traditional pork dish.

It would be that time... hello photos!
Apologies for not updating as regularly as I would of hoped, but I have more resturants to include in the coming weeks and some sales and unique uses of everyday foods coming up! Stay tuned! :)

Pork, Spinach and Onion Curry.

Chicken Curry (to the right is sour cream for when I wuss out ;) )

Cadieux Cafe

This is my first time ever visiting and its not what you would expect. When you walk in its hopes ( from the exterior ) are not what it seems to portray. It looks semi run down or a mom and pop restaurant / bar that's not been retrofitted for the current decade. Order the mussels and drink some lambic beer. This restaurant is known for its Belgium flair. Ready for the kicker?? It also has feather bowling, yes you heard me feather bowling attached to it. If you don't know Google it. It's actually quite fun. I played a few rounds myself. They have blue moon, bells,  Stella amongst a few others on rotating tap. The perch that our fellow patron ordered looked simply delicious. However the definite win was the mussels on the menu and they are not your average mussels. They come out with a hugeeeee bowl of them. I frankly have NEVER seen that many mussels served anywhere before (including my own kitchen ;) ). They hqve quite a few different reciepes that you can choose from for them to be cooked. Come often and try the different blends! They also feature some live entertainment on fridays after dinner rush. The best part is reserved for last. If you don't finish your mussels they literally bring you a bucket, plastic yes, but a bucket to cart your catch home.

I'll bet you know what time it is....photos!!

Playing Martha Stewart

Hello and welcome to the home cook episode. I wanted to share a recipe with you that I personally came up with and think is just delicious!

Enjoy!

Pan Simmered Chipotle Indian Korean Chicken Dinner

Megan Foster Ann Arbor, MI

Prep Time: ~10 mins

Cook Time: ~35-45mins 

What you will need:

2 lbs. Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs (preferably air chilled from whole foods)

1 pkg Chipotle Mix (from whole foods)

1 shaker of Tandoori Marsala BBQ Spice (Ahmed Foods Co)

1 bottle of Annie Chun’s Korean Barbeque Sauce

1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic

1 teaspoon unsalted butter

1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil 

1 Yellow Bell Pepper(sliced) 

1 Orange Bell Pepper(sliced)

1 Red Bell Pepper (sliced)

1 Lemon 

1 Lime

1 bowl (bigger)

1 meat tenderizer

1 non-stick skillet/pan

and some counter space! 

Directions:

  1) Thin out/tenderize chicken thighs with a meat tenderizer (preferably metal kind) and cut into diamond/square pieces. 

2)Mix korean bbq sauce with 1/2 teaspoon chipotle mix, and 1/2 teaspoon tandoori masala in a bowl and add chicken, leave sitting for ~20 minutes to soak up.

3)Add vegetable/canola oil, minced garlic, butter and slices of bell pepper(all three colors) to skillet on medium heat cooking for about 5-10 minutes. 

4)Add Chicken to skillet and stir. Cook between medium and high for ~10-15 minutes stirring occasionally and giving gradual squeezes from a lime. 

5)Turn heat up to high and cook off most of the juices for another 10 or so minutes gradually seasoning to taste depending on how spicy you want it. 

6)Gently squeeze lemon over top and serve on a platter garnished with pepper slices and halved lemon & lime. Enjoy!

(Note: you will see how it will go from soup like consistency to glazed & that timing may vary)

Blue Tractor

PILSNER! For the love of god! Yes I am having an alky moment but hang in there as it only gets better.

The Blue Tractor is a rather newer (in the last couple years) Microbrewery. They have a southern feel and ambiance that is welcoming and relaxed. Jeans OK! They always have four original micro brews on tap with additional two to three extras rotating. This of course always goes down well with some pulled pork! These are the people I would like to know intimately for their ability to make pork the best tasting food EVER! It doesn't stop there. They have hamburgers with scallion mayo to drive you bonkers, mac 'n cheese dishes with a kick and some pulled pork on top, and chilli's that rival most competitors. Also I mustn't forget the pickles! They make their own in house and they are simply delicious. Not heavy or bland but crispy and refreshing! Ask for some pickle chips...Seriously, do it! Take chance on their menu, I personally guarantee your happiness!

So you tried it all ...delicious yes? Wait till dessert. I suggest the bread pudding, its made from donuts-yesssss!

We all know what time it is:

Hamburger & Chili

Mac 'n Cheese with Pulled Pork

The Gandy Dancer

Of all the restaurants in Ann Arbor, MI, only one has consistently had the best (in my opinion) customer service/food quality combo is the Gandy Dancer. The Gandy Dancer is one of many restaurants under the Muer Dining Company. They also own Charley's Crab, Big Fish, Grand Concourse, River Crab, and Meriwether's.  This building has a lot of character. It was originally the old train station some years ago. They refurbished the building in the minimalist way possible with elegant touches and lots of original furnishings still being used today. Its definitely a MUST SEE place on your trip to Ann Arbor, should you ever pass through! Want the biggest bang for your buck? Sunday Brunch. Complementary Valet parking is just the beginning. (Note: make a reservation for best seating and minimal wait time.) This brunch buffet is like none other (with exception to the Palette Dinning Studio inside MGM Detroit). You are met with gourmet taste fest that is flawless every time.

Please check out their menu @ Gandy Dancer Sunday Brunch

And now, as always, a photo!
Fiancee & His Brother enjoying the aforementioned Brunch!

Brunch-ie-yummy-ness!

La Dolce Vita

We visited the La Dolce Vita in Grand Rapids, MI. One important thing I will say is no matter where you go to (Ann Arbor or GR) you are always met with excellent customer service. One perk of the Grand Rapids location? Lower cost of living in that area, which equates to lower cost of fine dining as well! The Grand Rapids location of La Dolce Vita is easily if not more than 1/3 less than the same menu items on the Ann Arbor menu.

We made out like bandits!

Nathan enjoyed a short story (yes they are a cigar lounge as well!), and a Manhattan. I fell in love with and down quite of few pomegranate martini's! They add a nice touch to theirs by ending it with a touch of champagne! I also ordered and was met with the best shrimp cocktail I had ever had. The lemon even came with a screen to prevent seeds from falling into the food (Ingenious!). I realize this is another semi similar alky post but please know they have desserts, fine wines and cheese to accompany any style or taste. I encourage you try there once even if it just for a drink, you cant go wrong.

Well its about that time, hello photos! Again sorry I was still experiencing flash issues. These are at the best of my ability (for the time, improvements will be seen in the next post honest!)

Pomegranate Martini

Fiancee and his Short Story

what was left of my shrimp cocktail post velociraptor attack ;)

San Chez

In May 2010 Nathan and I visited San Chez Bistro & Cafe. They are located in Grand Rapids, MI.
They are known for their Tapas menu. They are consistently rated among the highest in in Hispanic restaurants in the United States, and for good reason. These people know their stuff!!

It was a taste bud Armageddon of flavor and robust ingredients.
We swallowed this down with hands down the best Sangria I have ever had!

Photos Photos!

Fiancee with Sangria

Albondigas

Salmon con Hierbas

Bistec Con Pimienta

our choices! honestly I could not pick a top favorite as everything was simply an orgasm in your mouth!