19 Salads for Dinner

Salad for dinner??? YES

It's like a one-pot dish - easy to eat and yummy - we are all busy, cooking in a hot kitchen in summer is not fun....so why not a salad as a meal? I seem to keep making the same salads over and over again - so this was a great find - some new for me and some updates!

** There is a link in the title directly to the list....thank you Saveur

15 One-Pot Chicken Dishes

Who does not LOVE a one-pot dish? I know that I do....Here are 15 yummy one-pot chicken dishes from Saveur ...

There is a link in the title directly to the article and to each dish....

Enjoy

Alice Waters: My startup story

Alice Waters: My startup story

Alice Waters helped change the way America eats with a simple restaurant, a line of cookbooks and a whole lot of chutzpah.

** this picture is of Alice in 1975 at her restaurant....

** there is a direct link to the article in the title of this post....

COOL IDEA: A partnership between a large retailer and a smaller firm that focuses on letting customers design the products they want to buy!

Where British Specialbike creates unique bicycles by refurbishing old ones with custom components and a colourful flair, Florida-based Republic Bike achieves a similar end with new bikes by allowing customers to design their own in a rainbow of hues. Now, through a partnership with Republic Bike, global retailer Urban Outfitters is bringing design-your-own capabilities to its customers as well at the online Urban Outfitters Bike Shop.

Working with the Aristotle v.1.5, a single-speed bike with a flip-flop hub, Republic Bike begins by asking users to select from among three frame sizes for the bike they'd like built for them. They are then asked to choose the colours they'd like for nine separate components on the bike: frame, saddle, grips, chain, crank, and front and rear tires and rims. Five popular styles are available for those having difficulty choosing among the 500 or so possible colour combinations, as is a random option for alternative ideas. Once the selections are made, Republic Bike builds the bike in its South Florida facility within days of receiving the order. It's then packed for shipment, arriving at the consumer's door 90 percent assembled.

Given the recent renaissance in pedal power, the arrival of personalization capabilities comes not a moment too soon. Republic Bike ships only within North America, however, while Urban Outfitters limits its orders to the continental US. One to bring to two-wheeled enthusiasts on the bike lanes near you...? It's not just the customized rides that interest us here, though—it's the partnership between a large retailer and a smaller firm that focuses on letting customers design the products they want. We've covered dozens of "design-your-own" ventures, so retailers: dig into the archives and find out who you can partner with to add tailor-made products to your virtual shelves. To get you started, customizable lingerie, handbags, socks, duvets, chocolate bars and fabric.

Website: bikes.urbanoutfitters.com

Compelling Travel note "City a la Carte" hadmade maps

Travellers looking for city maps and advice face an overwhelming array of alternatives, all competing with a slightly different approach. Whereas recent entrants such as Tripwolf, Offbeat Guides and TripIt all strive to provide some tailored package representing the best of what's on the web, however, a new Swiss startup aims to focus instead on what a local friend might say, presented artistically with hand-drawn notes.

Launched earlier this month, A la Carte Maps are designed to combine guidebook, tourist map and original art in one. Currently available for six cities—Barcelona, Munich, Zurich, Shangai, Tokyo and Washington, DC—A la Carte Maps present an array of each city’s best-kept insider tips on a beautiful, 70-by-42-cm, hand-drawn map. An accompanying welcome letter provides key information about the city in question, such as where to exchange money, how to get around, what to do on a rainy day, etc., while access to a comprehensive city database—provided with each purchase—adds even more insider information as well as the ability to create a customised itinerary. In addition to its curated "My City à la Carte" maps, A la Carte also allows seasoned travellers to create their own, customised maps of a city with their own notes and artwork. Both types of map are ad-free and matt-laminated, and are priced at EUR 8.90; A la Carte donates 10 percent of the profits from each map to a social project in the city it represents.

Maps have always been an essential tool for travellers of every kind, but in this era of technology-enabled mapmania, they are the focus of perhaps more attention than ever before. With its unconventionally personal and hand-crafted approach, A la Carte could stand out amid the sea of web-focused competitors. Where else could a low-tech and artistic approach provide a compelling alternative...?


http://www.alacartemaps.com/

A really good munch

OK so I don't really like to plug big chain restaurants - but the garlic french fries alone are worth a visit - even better when pared with a nice cold draft brew.

It all started with the dream of two passionate guys named Dan Gordon and Dean Biersch. This dream of exceptional beer and delicious food became a reality on July 6, 1988 when the first Gordon Biersch opened in Palo Alto, California. Acquired by Big River Brewing Company in 1999, Gordon Biersch now has 27 locations in 16 states and Washington D.C. The Gordon Biersch heritage of superior beer, great food and good times are now served up fresh daily.

http://www.gordonbiersch.com/restaurants/index.php

PINK'S - 70 Years of dogs...........

Pink's is probably the most famous hot dog stand in the country... certainly in Los Angeles! Located near the corner of Melrose and La Brea, Pink's can be found by looking for a crowd of people and following the aroma of fresh meaty chili and soft hot dog buns.

Pink's is unlike any other hot dog stand in America. For example, it has its own parking lot attendant (parking is free). It has been in the same location for 65 years. It is not unusual to see a Rolls Royce pull up to Pink's (the chili dog ordered will be for the occupant, not the chauffeur!). Movie stars, well-known dignitaries, struggling musicians, businessmen, housewives, school children... all have savored Pink's Famous Chili Dogs.

Paul Pink started his hot dog stand in 1939. It was only a large-wheeled pushcart in those days. The depression was on and money was scarce. Pink's chili dogs, complete with a large warm bun, oversized hot dog, mustard, onions and thick chili sold for 10 cents each. His hot dog wagon was located in "the country", rolling hills of weeds and open spaces. That was the corner of La Brea and Melrose sixty-five years ago!

Times have changed, but not Pink's. Oh, in 1946 Paul Pink did trade his hot dog wagon in for a small building (constructed on the vary same spot where the wagon had stood). But the stand hasn't changed since those days. Today, Pink's chili dogs sell for $2.95 each (with inflation and the shrinking dollar, they are a better bargain now than in 1939!). Pink's still gives that very same quality now as then... mouth-watering chili, generously topping an all-beef hot dog with mustard and onions. Quality and service (an average Pink's chili dog can be ordered, prepared and delivered to the customer in less than 30 seconds!) have been the two reasons Pink's has not only survived, but become famous.

Pink’s – worth the wait –but go early as the lines can be crazy long..... check out the link to their website to see the full present day menu:

http://www.pinkshollywood.com/pgz/menu.htm

Fresh Blueberry Galette

1 lb fresh blueberries (3 cups)
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon finely grated fresh lemon zest
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar
1 (9-inch) refrigerated pie dough
1 tablespoon cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 large egg, lightly beaten

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with foil and butter foil.

Stir together blueberries, cornstarch, zest, juice, cinnamon, salt, and 1/2 cup sugar in a large bowl until combined.

Unwrap pie dough and unfold onto baking sheet, then spoon blueberry mixture onto center of dough, leaving a 1 1/2-inch border around edge.

Fold edge of dough over 1 inch of blueberry mixture, pleating dough, and then dot blueberry filling with butter pieces. Lightly brush pastry with some of beaten egg and sprinkle with remaining teaspoon sugar.

Bake until blueberry filling is bubbling and pastry is golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool slightly on baking sheet on a rack.

Super yummy served warm with scoop of lemon or vanilla ice cream.

Huaraches sabrosisimos (super-delicious huaraches)

Huaraches sabrosisimos (super-delicious huaraches)

The huarache, is a long (most are 7 to 9 inches) oval of masa shaped vaguely like the sole of a sandal – when cooked the right way they are thick semi-hard and chewy tortillas. Served hot off the grill, some huaraches are dressed up like tostadas, with meat, onions, cilantro, crema (you can substitute sour cream) and finely powdered cheese on top. Others are smeared with refried beans, meat of your choice, lettuce, cotija cheese (most stores have this now but it is a cows whole milk cheese), crema, avocado and salsa. Don’t confuse these for stuffed huaraches like you find in some places where the “tortilla” (for lack of a better term) is filled with beans or meat inside (ala pupusa's, but thinner).

When I make them I buy huaraches, I buy them handmade from a local market and I don’t use refried beans, I tend to use whole black beans or smashed whole pinto beans. I have also gone non-traditional and topped them with grilled veggies instead of meat. I have also made a Mediterranean variant with hummus, sliced cucumbers, mint, pitted Greek olives, and feta cheese.

Regular corn tortillas are just not the same, these are worth looking for. Cook them in a pan, on a grill or griddle, but DO NOT microwave them!!! I toast mine up in a cast iron skillet or in my electric sandwich press. Cook them so that when you pick it up its stable and holds the “goods” but not so it’s crisp like a chip.

Summer fun: The 1944 Trader Vic's Mai Tai vs. Mai Tai of today...

Summer fun: The original 1944 Trader Vic's Mai Tai vs. the Hawaiian Islands version. Which do you like better?

The classic original Trader Vic's Mai Tai:

Juice of one large lime
1/2 ounce Orgeat Syrup (Almond Syrup)
1/2 ounce Orange Curaçao Liqueur
1/4 ounce simple syrup
1 ounce aged Jamaican Rum
1 ounce aged Martinique Rum

(you can substitute the combination of rums for 2 ounces of Jamaican rum, but Trader Vic’s says the mix of flavors makes for a better cocktail)

Shake and pour into a cold glass full of ice. Garnish with various tropical fruits; use lime, pineapple, a maraschino cherry and mint sprigs.

Hawaiian version of the Mai Tai:

1 ounces light rum
1 ounces dark rum
½ ounce Orange Curacao
½ ounces fresh pineapple juice
½ ounce fresh orange juice
½ ounce fresh lime juice
Dash grenadine

Shake and pour into a cold glass full of crushed ice. Garnish with various tropical fruits; use lime, pineapple, a maraschino cherry and mint sprigs.

Pesto Hummus? Why not......

Pesto Hummus? why not...

• 3 cups Cooked Chick Peas
• 4 cloves Fresh Garlic
• ½ cup Tahini paste
• Juice of 3 Lemon's + zest of one
• 1 1/2 cups packed Fresh basil
• A few dashes of hot sauce
• large dash of salt
• ½ teaspoon of pepper corns

• Puree it all until smooth in a Cuisinart®

• Let stand for 30 minutes

• Sprinkle with parmesan cheese, toasted pine nuts, drizzle of olive oil - and dive in