Sunday, January 24, 2010

Red Berry and Tapioca Parfait

I've been experimenting with tapioca lately, since it's pure starch, its not the best thing for the supermodel body goals I have, but a when a heart wants comfort...starch and sugar are pretty durn comfortables.

























Ingredients:

1/2 c tapioca pearls (i recommend getting them at an asian market, it's about a 1/3 of the price, and you'll have many sizes and colors to choose from)

2 1/2 c 2% milk (i think this is rich enough, but you can use heavier)

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 c white granulated sugar

2 eggs, beaten

1 tsp vanilla (use the real deal, it's worth it, next time I may use actual vanilla seeds)

fresh or frozen raspberries
sour cherry syrup

coarse granulated sugar (if you dont use if often, a couple of packets of Sugar In the Raw will work too)


Directions:

Soak tapioca in 2 cups of water overnight in a 2 quart saucepan, overnight, in the fridge. Drain water. Add milk, salt, sugar and eggs. Mix well.

Cook on medium heat until thickened, about 20 minutes, you must stir constantly to avoid scorching the milk! Pearls will get translucent. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Let cool.

Layer fruit and pudding. I put the cherry syrup at the bottom of this very shallow dish, I recommend putting it on top if you are going to use something like a champagne flute, you don't want all that sweet syrup left for the end. Sprinkle a little coarse sugar on top for sparkle...if you have some fresh mint..a little green sprig would make a nice touch and constrast in color.












Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Happy Birthday at the Happy Dog

This past weekend was one of my bestest pals Joey's (the birthday boy and his hottie squeeze are shown to the left) birthday...and we celebrated with some of the BEST FRIGGIN HAWT DAWGS to ever pass through these lips since I left Chi-town many years ago.

When your in C-Town, stop by the Happy Dog at 5801 Detroit Rd. The place is a little bit Rock-n-Roll and a whole lotta fun with pinball machines and/or live music. 

The menu is brilliant..a crazy long list of topping options for your 1/4 lb hot dog and tater tots. 






Feast your eyes on these beauties... I will try and remember the toppings.

Tater tots with Tillamook Cheddar and BACON.
















Ken's Dog with Onion Creation. WHoooBoy!





















My pretty. Brown whole grain mustard, sauteed onion and blue cheese slaw. shut the hell on up outa here.


















And Devan's Dog, I can't remember all the details, but I was jealous of her cucumbers.


Monday, January 4, 2010

Memories of Tico Breakfast...


I was just reminicing about my trip to Costa Rica with the bff's...and of the most delectable breakfast to ever pass these lips...the Tico Breakfast. I love a little buffet on my plate...a little o' dis and a little o' dat.

Fried Egg or Scrambled as pictured (i prefer fried, cause the yolk is most delish to sop up with the tortilla or rice and beans)
Flour Tortillas
Black Beans and Rice
couple of slices of avocado
fried plantains
Tico Cheese (a bit like the Indian Paneer)
oranges
coffee, coffee, coffee
freshly squeezed juice, er perhaps a mimosa?
HAWT SAUCE

The pineapple did not come with this dish..Chaz had ordered it as a side, and let me tell ya, the pineapple in Costa Rica was so friggin delish it makes my mouth water just thinking about it...and I just had a root canal a few hours ago. The best way to describe it is..imagine the most tender juicy pineapple ever, and coat it in honey and warm tickly sunshine...and that's what Costa Rican pineapple tastes like.

I had this breakfast EVERY LOVIN 'DAY, except for the one day I had the Tropical Pancakes. I wish I'da had the Tico Breakfast!

NOTE: what is a TICO? In Costa Rica a native or resident is called a "Tico". So in the U.S. we call a resident an "American" and in Spain we called natives "Spaniards" or in Poland the residents are called "Poles" or in Polish "Polak"...so in Costa Rica...they call themselves "Ticos".