Dad flew into town on Friday Oct. 7th to make Salsa!
We bought 100 pounds of tomatoes from a local stand.
When we arrived we asked the hotel desk what local food places were on tihe must visit list. She recommended Las Vegas a Cuban restaurant. It was SOOOO good.
You can see the paintings in the background.
Best cuban sandwich I've had. Also delicious pulled pork, blackbeans, rice, plantain chips and fried sweet plantains.
This Carrabbas had palms and all sorts of tropical plants growing on the roof.
We saw this advertised alot, so we stopped in for a slice. Ok pizza, delicious garlic rolls.
Kevan's Professor in class on the first day listed local places that were Must Eats. One of them was "BIG CITY DOGS" voted best burger 2 years in a row.
They support Kevan's school which are the "Sharks"
I think this is the only time in my life that a burger looked just like the picture advertising it. In fact, it was even better in real life than the picture. That never happens! This burger was DANG good! It is bigger then it looks- I could barely hold it with both hands and struggled to get my mouth around it.
I heard raves while we were there about the Hot Dogs too. I heard We asked the owner where he was from. He and his family were from "Little Italy" in New York. He stated he imports all of his product from New York and Chicago. Definitely recommend.
Another place his teacher recommended was "Rocco's Tacos". The design of the place was REALLY awesome.
Entryway chandelier
I forgot to take a picture of the food we ordered. Chips and Salsa and a couple tacos. We ordered take out because the place was packed and at 8:45 PM there was still a 45 minute wait. It was good. We weren't blown away, but we also weren't able to order their famous guacamole. I guess they make it fresh tableside.
Just driving along the main streets by the beach there were alot of really neat restaurants, fun night life.
And of course we stopped at Jamba :)
And this, ladies and gentleman, is why I do not cook.
I told the husband that I would be home for an hour to swing by and grab some lunch on a break from work. So he said he'd "whip something up real quick". When I pulled in the driveway I saw the grill, and knew good things were coming my way. The master chef that I call husband- "Whipped up real quick" some honey glazed, Parmesan, garlic, grilled wings- non greasy, crispy outside, seasoned to perfection wings.
And some Olive Oil, rosemary, basil- perfectly seasoned and baked Red potatoes.
You see why I don't cook?! You see now?!
Story of the wings- My husband Loves wings. I mean LOVES. He probably dreams about them at night. Problem: They are so expensive, and we have yet to find the "Perfect Wing". So, being as creative in the kitchen as he is, he set out to make the perfect wing. I think it has arrived. He got it on the first try. Grilled perfectly, seasoned to perfection, and so much cheaper to make ourselves, he can eat them to his hearts content. I'm along for the ride and enjoying every bite.
Seeing as how he has been unemployed for a year and a half, he has had the time to perfect his cooking skills. I ask on a regular basis- are you sure you don't want to stay a house husband forever?!, cause you're amazing at this cooking thing. He laughs like I've gone crazy at the idea of being stay at home long term. A girl can dream right?!?
I actually baked. It's rare now days, me cooking or baking. I just don't have the time with my new job. Mr. Lowe is also an EXCELLENT cook, so I let him take the reigns. He leaves the baking to me usually. When I find the time to cook or bake, he stops short of doing a happy dance. We had some unsuspecting victims in the fridge...
And a neat device we inherited from a friend, that Peels, cores, slices all in one step.
So, the plan was made...
The best recipe in the world for crisp from master Chef Jones (my Dad). It's the only crisp I like, well because it's the best of course- none of that brown sugar and oats stuff. We're talking real, crumbly crunchy sweet toping to mix withthe tangy sour taste of the apples. A perfect marriage...
Fresh from the oven.
Yes, seconds were had by all. (pardon my dixie plate, nothing beats not adding additonal dishes to the to do list) My mouth is watering just looking at the picture- it was that good.
What's cookin at our house?
Tortilla soup made with all veggies and broth. Delish! Add cheddar cheese and sour cream as toppers. Made the whole thing in the Vitamix blender- that thing is amazing.
Kev has mastered grilling. His burgers are better then most at restaurants. Yum!
Not-so-Sloppy, Sloppy Joes...
I actually cooked the bread dough I made last week (it's good up to two weeks in the fridge). I pulled a chunk out, let it rise, and baked it. It was Delicious!
Grabbing some out of the container...
Rolled it in a ball and let it rise...
my only mishap was I forgot about the hazards of glass pans. I put a glass pan to warm up with the stone. When I was ready to bake, I poured a cup of water into the hot glass pan ( Putting water in the oven creates steam while baking- this is what gives the bread a crisp crust). When you put cold water in very hot glass, it makes the glass shatter.... Yep, all over inside my oven...Dang!
The finished product. I snapped a picture before it was completely gone.
A slice with homemade marion berry jam... The same stuff I made in a post last fall when I went to Indiana.
Best part is, I still have more dough in the fridge to make more!
