The Ultimate Sacrifice

Have you ever walked into a restaurant and felt completely displeased?  I often wonder what my options are and what must take place in order for me to feel like I am not sacrificing something.  Usually when you go out to eat you encounter one of the following:




-Miniature plate of a meal that is barely there +delicious tasting food +great service +quiet and pleasing venue =YIKES! my wallets are hurting but this is sooo good, type of food.


-Average plate +average tasting food +good service depending on who comes to you +a venue that is not really alluring and enticing =overly priced food that wasn't worth half of my money but at least I didn't spend too much, type of food.


-A gigantic plate of fatty but delicious, unhealthy food +bad service+crowded venue +cheap eats :) =good on my wallet, bad in my vision, satisfaction of my guilty pleasures but I will regret it, type of food.


QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY:
Is there a place out there that delivers great tasting food that captures all my senses, with a pleasurable venue, and moderate priced food that wont completely hurt my wallets?  Is there a way for me to some how get everything I craved and wanted without regretting it once the bills come to the table? 
Well, if someone out there can identify and knows the answer please share :/ 


*That is all*

Going Meatless!

Whether you're making a small sacrifice for lent, going on a diet, or just don't feel like eating meat-these Salmon Cakes are the perfect substitute for any meat dish you thought you were missing out on.  This dish is just one of many that I'll be posting up, try this one for starters.  Hope you like my creations!

JPEARL SALMON CAKES W/ ARUGULA&SPINACH SALAD

SALMON CAKES
Serves 4 ppl (2 cakes per person)
Ingredients
-4 small cans or 2 large cans of canned salmon
-1 1/2 onions
-1 tbls of adobe seasoning
-pinch of course salt and 2 pinches of pepper
-handful of parsley
-2 eggs
-1/2 cup of breadcrumbs

Directions:
Separate salmon chunks with a fork, chop onions and combine the two ingredients.  Season mixture with salt, pepper, and adobe seasoning.  Chop parsley and add into mixture as well.  Add two eggs to the bowl and mix all ingredients with a fork, add a handful of breadcrumbs to the mixture.  Start forming salmon mixture into patties and coat with bread crumbs.  While they are resting, heat a skillet (low-medium heat) and add olive oil and butter to skillet. Brown and quickly cook the salmon cakes for about 2 minutes on each side.

*Creole Mayo
-1 cup of Mayonnaise
-1/4 cup of a combination of Dijon mustard and course ground mustard (w/mustard seeds) ~optional
-1 tbls of Worcestershire sauce
-3 tbls of hot sauce ~adjust to your liking
-2 tbls of paprika
-1 tbls of cayenne pepper
-1 lemon (juice)

Directions:
Just combine ingredients in a small bowl and serve with the salmon cakes.


ARUGULA&SPINACH SALAD
-Arugula
-Baby spinach
-Romaine lettuce
-Mandarin oranges (canned)
-Tomatoes
-Avocado

Directions:
Toss ingredients and serve with your favorite salad dressing.  Suggestions: oil, vinegar, salt and pepper to taste


*SERVING SUGGESTIONS: ACCOMPANY THIS DISH WITH WHITE RICE*

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dont know what to to do with the leftover canned salmon from the last recipe?  Here's a quick and easy idea that is simple yet tasty!

**Salmon Pasta w/ Basil&Spinach Pesto

Pesto (can be made ahead of time)
-1 cup baby spinach
-1/2 basil
-1/4 cup nuts (pecans, walnuts, or pine nuts)
-1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
-3 tbls olive oil
-2 cloves garlic
-Pinch of salt

Directions:

Quantaties depend on how much pesto you make.  Put all the ingredients into a blender and make sure all ingredients are completely blended.  Taste and season to your liking. 

Start off by making some pasta as you normally would (you can use angel hair, spaghetti, or whatever you have on hand).

Canned Salmon
-salmon (however much is left over)
-onion (an equal amount to match the salmon)
-salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

I used about 1/4 cup of salmon and 1/4 cup of chopped onions.  First, saute the onions in a pan, once they become translucent add in the salmon and season to your liking. 

Combine the pesto, salmon and onions, and pasta together and warm it up on low-medium heat until all items are warm.  Enjoy!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As promised, I have yet another meatless recipe that is very yummy!

**Shrimp and Veggie Pasta Bake

Ingredients:
-1/2 cup of shrimp
-1 can of diced garlic and onion tomatoes
-1 can of tomatoe sauce
-pasta
-red pepper flakes
-4 garlic cloves
-basil
-salt and pepper
-2 hard boiled eggs
-1 sauteed zucchini
-sauteed spinach and arugula
-mozzarella  and grated parmesan cheese

Directions:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Cook pasta to al dente (not fully cooked), you can use any type of pasta I used 3 types because I only had a bit of each in my cabinet (angel hair, penne, and macarroni). Strain the pasta.   Also boil the eggs then slice them.

Heat up a pan with olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes, cook the garlic until it is golden then add the zucchini.  Once zucchini starts to pick up some color, add shrimp.  DO NOT OVER COOK SHRIMP!  Once the shrimp starts to get pink add the diced tomatoes and tomatoe sauce, let simmer for 2 minutes.  Add in basil leaves and this mixture to the pasta.

Saute the spinach and arugula, without over cooking them.  Meanwhile, put the pasta mixture into a casserole dish and add in the spinach, arugula, and eggs. Be generous with the mozzarella cheese and fold that into the mixture then top with a little bit of mozzarella and parmesan cheese.  Bake, uncovered for about 15 minutes in the oven. 

*Remember to season with salt and pepper along the way and for a bit more heat add in more flakes*  Enjoy!

Drinks and Dessert please :)

If you're looking for a hip and comfortable place to get a couple of drinks and eat some dessert with a couple of friends, check out Dolces in Elizabeth, NJ. 

Advantages: It is a restaurant by day and lounge by night.  Great music and beautiful decor!
Disadvantages: It is a bit small and if you dont get there before 10:30 p.m., they may charge on certain days.

Author's Cocktail:
-Apple Martini
-Long Island Ice Tea



Author's Desserts:
-Molten Chocolate Cake with Ice Cream
-Tirimisu

~Creme Brulee & Mojito  (not the greatest)

Food for Thought* Try their food as well, their fair is a combination of Portuguese/Spanish/Italian/Asian.  Some of the dishes are really wonderful.

Some of my creations!

So I had alot of fun making these dishes, some of them are semi homemade and some of them are completely homemade, either way they were great!  More pics to come! 

Comfort Desserts at Van Gogh's Ear!

Satisfy your sweet tooth by stopping by Van Gogh's Ear in Union, NJ.  This cafe is a small, eclectic, and cozy spot with nice art, dim lighting, and good musicians if you come on the right day. 

Advantages: The atmosphere is just so comforting and in the summer you can even eat outside.
Disadvantages:  When I find out I'll let you know!

Author's Pick*
Brown Derbie $6
Peach Cobbler $5

Biggest BANG for your BUCK
-Go during Hyper Hour (after 11 p.m.) and get half off on one of the 3 choices listed (one of which is a Brown Derbie). 

Food for Thought~ Just in case you are not persuaded to try a Brown Derbie check out my description below:
The Brown Derbie is a nice sized warm brownie with melting chocolate chips in it, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a good portion of whipped cream, and chocolate sauce all over.  Make sure you come in there with a bit of an appetite because after eating this dessert you will be full!

*Portuguese Food*

Seabras Marisqueira

If you're ever passing through the iron bound section of Newark,NJ you may want to stop by Seabras Marisqueira for some good Portuguese food.  There's free parking across the street and the wait time is usually very quick (even faster if you make reservations).  If you are intimidated by the inability to read Portuguese, don't fret, all items on the menu are both in Portuguese and English.

Advantage: The food is simple and truly authentic.
Disadvantage: There are alot of options to choose from but the amount of variety falls a bit short.

Author's Picks:
- Portuguese style steak (Bife a Portuguesa) or (Bitoque) $17.95
-Spicy short ribs (Costela de vaca na grelha) $14.95
-Pork Alentejana (Carne de porco Alentejana) $14.95
-Pork chops in garlic sauce (Costeletas de porco fritas em molho de alho) $14.95

Best BANG for your BUCK!
-Appetizer: Clams with garlic sauce (ameijoas a bolhao pato) $10.50.  The sauce is very garlicky and if you take the amazing Portuguese bread and soak it in the sauce its truly amazing.  Be careful you may get the urge to keep eating the bread and soon enough you will be full of just that.

Author's cocktail* Sangria!!!! (order a pitcher, their Sangria is very good)

Food for thought*  Portuguese food is very simple yet scrumptious, anything you order on the menu will be pretty good and the portions are American style (big).   If your celebrating some one's birthday tell them and they will play a song for you, the birthday dessert is really good unlike alot of places and it is $4.00.

Allegro Seafood Grill

If you're ever craving great food, good drinks, and a warm atmosphere visit Allegro Seafood Grill in Newark, NJ.  

Advantages: The food is so delicious it makes your taste buds want to explode.  This restaurant constantly has live entertainment making it a relaxing and soothing environment.  During the warm months their section outside is a must see, you almost forget where you are.  

Disadvantages:  Parking may be difficult when the parking lot is full but who cares after eating such a wonderful meal!

Author's PICKS

-Ameijoas Recheadas (Clams Casino) $11.95

-Camarão à Guilho (Shrimp in Garlic Sauce) $11.95

-Fraldinha de Vitela c/Champignons  (Skirt Steak w/Mushrooms) $16.95

-Dessert: Musse de Chocolate (Chocolate Mousse) $4.50 

Author's Cocktail: Caipirinha

Biggest BANG for your BUCK

-Bife Filet Mignon c/Quijo Gorgonzola e Espargos (Filet Mignon w/Gorgonzola Cheese & Asparagus) $21.95

This meal is so scrumptious it is unbelievable. The secret....its large enough for two!

Estrela Da Ponderosa

There are so many Portuguese restaurants in the ironbound section of Newark due to a large Portuguese community.  It's hard to pick the best of the best but when it comes truly home cooked meals like your grandma used to make Estrela Da Ponderosa mastered it.

Advantages:  Everything is made fresh and by cooks that look just like grandma.  The service is impeccable, the waiter truly cares about how your meal is.

Disadvantages:  There are none except the fact that a lot of people do not know about this place.

Author's Picks:  

-Bife da Casa (House Beef) whatever you get you NEED to order their rice.  Their rice is completely homemade with so much flavor and sauce, it is truly amazing.

-Pescada Assada (Grilled Fish) it was so buttery and tasty it was like heaven in your mouth especially with the rice.

Author's Cocktail: A pitcher of "house" red wine.

Food for thought****  I had a revelation the other day when I went there for dinner. My mother, her friend, and I went there to get sponsors for our event and I decided to get dessert and I got the best desserts ever.  We got Tiramisu and (home made coffee/cookie cake), I took a sip of the House red wine and I suddenly woke up!  When you go there you must try the Tiramisu with the house red wine the tastes of the two work so well together it is unbelievable!

Go For A Bite (Gofra Bite)

Ever get a craving for some good Belgian waffles??  I was recently at school in NYC and I had this craving for Belgian waffles that would not subside.  The first place I saw was a shabby little store (Gofra Bite) on West 3rd St. in the village.  As soon as I walked in I was confused, I didnt know what to order and the first thing the server said was, "While you're waiting why dont you try something real quick?"  He handed me a sample of this round ball with cream filling in it and it tasted...AMAZING.  I quickly changed my order from Belgian waffle to 4 cream puffs (1 vanilla and 2 cappuccino) with powdered sugar on top. 
I can't speak for the waffles yet, updates and pics will be available soon but you must go there and try these cream puffs.  They are so light, delicate, and full of flavor it feels like heaven exploded in your mouth!

BANG for your BUCK
-4 cream puffs for 3.99 + tax
*After you satisfy your sweet tooth, go around the corner to "Off the Wagon" to relax your mind with some booze.  Mon-Fri (2-8) is HAPPY HOUR :)- half price bar
<I got a margarita for only $2.50>

Food for Thought****  Try their Belgian Waffles and let me know what you think!  Here's a simple description below:

The Old Fashioned Way, Baked Freshly On Our Premises With Original Pearl Sugars. All Waffles Served With Maple Syrup, Chocolate Sauce & Powdered Sugar.

Be my Valentine :)

This vday don't buy her a box of chocolates (so old fashioned), spice it up by making this "Almost famous molten chocolate cake!  Make it for her or even better make it for each other (it may get messy lol).

Ingredients

For the Cakes:

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (2 tablespoons melted, 4 tablespoons at room temperature)
• 1/2 cup natural (not Dutch-process) cocoa powder, plus more for dusting
• 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature

For the Fillings and Toppings:

• 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
• Caramel sauce, for drizzling
• 1 pint vanilla ice cream

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Make the cakes: Brush four 1 1/4-cup brioche molds (or use 10-ounce ramekins or jumbo muffin cups) with the 2 tablespoons melted butter. Dust the molds with cocoa powder and tap out the excess.
Whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a small bowl. Bring the milk and 3/4 cup water to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat; set aside.
Combine the vegetable oil, 4 tablespoons room-temperature butter and the sugar in a stand mixer and beat with the paddle attachment on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 4 minutes, scraping down the bowl and beater as needed. Add 1/2 cup cocoa powder and the vanilla; beat 1 minute on medium speed. Scrape down the bowl. Add 1 egg and beat 1 minute on medium-low speed, then add the remaining egg and beat 1 more minute.
With the mixer on low speed, gradually beat in the flour mixture, then the hot milk mixture. Finish mixing the batter with a rubber spatula until combined. Divide the batter evenly among the molds, filling each slightly more than three-quarters of the way.
Transfer the molds to a baking sheet and bake until the tops of the cakes are domed and the centers are just barely set, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer the baking sheet to a rack; let the cakes cool until they pull away from the molds, about 30 minutes.
How To Assemble the Cake:
Make the Filling: Microwave the chocolate, cream, butter and corn syrup in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring each time, until the chocolate starts to melt, 1 minute, 30 seconds. Let sit 3 minutes, then whisk until smooth. Reheat before using, if necessary.
Use the tip of a paring knife to gently loosen the cakes from the molds, then invert the cakes onto a cutting board.
Use the knife to cut a 1 1/2-inch circle on the top of each cake, cutting almost to the bottom.
Hollow out the cake with a spoon; save the scraps. Wrap the cakes with plastic wrap and microwave until steaming, 1 minute.
Drizzle plates with caramel, then unwrap the cakes and place on top. Pour about 3 tablespoons filling into each cake.
Plug the hole with a cake scrap. Save or discard any remaining scraps.
Top each cake with a scoop of ice cream. Spoon more chocolate sauce on top, spreading it thin so it hardens into a shell.
*****Courtesy of Food Network Magazine*******

Food for Thought****  Sure you can take your loved one out to eat all the time but for a truly romantic dinner date, dress up, light some candles, and make a homecooked meal together-you're guaranteed good food in an intimate setting :)
-VDAY recipes coming soon!

Restaurant Week @ Dos Caminos NYC!

Dos Caminos is  a hip Mexican restaurant with locations in Las Vegas, Florida, and New York.  This ultra stylish and modern restaurant has a full brunch, lunch, and dinner menu (also a special menu for restaurant week). 

Advantages: Every table gets unlimited tortilla chips, guacamole, and 3 types of dipping sauces.
Disadvantages: Brunch ends at 4, so if you want the lunch menu you have to wait :(

Best Bang for your Buck
-Dos Enchiladas $18
~Featured in the picture above. Get anything on the menu and its bound to taste heavenly and most dishes come with a side order of rice (amazingly good).

Author's cocktail: Frozen  Traditional Marguirita

Food for thought* Go for brunch and receive one free cold beverage (including alcohol) and one free hot beverage.  Most places that offer free alcoholic beverages water down the drinks but not Dos Caminos!

Guacamole Recipe (Courtesy of Dos Caminos)
This recipe may be doubled as many times as you like.

2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro leaves
2 teaspoons finely chopped white onion
2 teaspoons minced jalapeño or Serrano chilies, seeds and membranes removed, if desired
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
2  large ripe avocados, preferably California Haas, peeled and seeded
2 tablespoons cored, seeded, and finely chopped plum tomatoes (1 small tomato)
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lime juice

In a medium size bowl, use the back of a spoon to mash 1 tablespoon of the cilantro, 1 teaspoon onion, 1 teaspoon of minced chile, and 1/2 teaspoon salt together against the bottom of the bowl.

Add the avocados and gently mash them with a fork until chunky-smooth. Fold the remaining cilantro, onion, and chile into the mixture. Stir in tomatoes and lime juice,  taste to adjust the seasonings, and serve with a basket of warm corn tortilla chips.

Add some “add-ons”

SIDEBAR: DRESSING UP YOUR GUACAMOLE

Lobster Guacamole
1lb  whole lobster or 4 oz lobster meat
(steam, cool and pick meat from lobster and rough chop)
Japanese pickled ginger works well for a garnish.


Chipotle-goat cheese guacamole
4 ounces crumbled goat cheese
2 tablespoons chopped canned chipotle chilies

Mango Guacamole
1 large ripe mango peeled seeded and diced
(any fruit will work, fresh berries, seedless grapes, papaya for example)

Artichoke guacamole with toasted pinenuts
1 cup marinated artichoke hearts chopped
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts

Accomplish your New Years Resolution

Time is ticking and it's that time of the year to start shedding the pounds, no more procrastination, start achieving small goals to reach your final resolution!
Here's a sample diet (that wont even feel like a diet, its wallet friendly as well:)
Day 1
Breakfast: 1 waffle, 1 cup of orange juice, 1/2 cup of strawberries and whipped cream
Lunch: 2 slices of wheat bread, 1 chicken patty, lettuce, tomato, salad, and 1 cup of water.
Snack: 1/4 cup of almond nut clusters and m&m's (or your fav. trail mix) and 1 cup of chocolate milk/water.
Dinner: 1 fish, 1/2 cup of rice, 1/2 cup of peas, 1/2 cup of asparagus, salad, and 1 cup of cranberry juice.


Some other great substitutes include:
Breakfast:
1 cup of cereal and milk or 1 scrambeled egg, 2 slices of bacon, and 1 slice of wheat bread.
*Be sure to always include fruits- 3 cups a day.
Lunch:
2 slices of turkey, 2 slices of cheese, 2 slices of wheat bread, lettuce, tomato, avocado or 1 pork chop, 1/2 cup rice, and veggies (green).
*Be sure to always include a salad.
Snack:
5 crackers and cheese, yogurt, or hummus and 5 pita chips, sunflower seeds 1/4 cup, or pretzals, reduced fat potatoe chips.
*Great time to include your daily serving of dairy or protein into your diet.
Dinner:
4 meatballs and 1/2 cup of wheat spaghetti or 1/2 cup of fettucini alfredo.
*Make sure to include a salad with every dinner.


To plan your own menu click on the link below:
http://www.mypyramidtracker.gov/planner/index.aspx


Food for thought* This easy diet (portioning) will give you the results you want almost instantly, if done along side exercise.