Food And Tings

Friday, February 10, 2012

Taro Sushi

This spot is a little new to the neighborhood. It moved from its Dean Ave location to the corner of St. Marks Ave and Flatbush in Brooklyn a little over a year ago. It replaced the Dunkin Donuts that was there. I always remembered passing it on the way home and wanted to see what it was about. The setting is really cute and intimate but aren't all Japanese restuarants cute and intimate? The staff is super nice too. It's a keeper!

Source: http://www.tarosushibrooklyn.com/

Plum wine was great as always.

From left to right: Spider Roll (soft shell crab), Spicy Tuna Roll and Real Crab California Roll.
Spider roll was really good. I laughed when I saw "Real Crab" California Roll because anybody who knows California rolls know they use imitation crab. Soooo I had to try the REAL one lol. I've never seen that at any other Japanese restaurant. It actually did taste different and had the texture similar to a Tuna Roll. It was yummy :)

Taro Sushi
244 Flatbush Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11217
http://www.tarosushibrooklyn.com/

Salmon... Mom's Version

Mom made salmon that was finger licking good. I did a post on how I did it my way here. Of course hers tasted much better! We had it with yellow rice and steamed bok choy with carrots. She used the same ingredients from my previous post.

Looks like steak. She wraps them in foil before they go into the oven. They were so juicy inside :)

Monday, January 16, 2012

Peaches

"Peaches is a gem in the heart of Bed-Stuy" -Yelp.com
It's the cutest southern restaurant/bar amongst brownstones so it has a warm, homey feel. :)
This spot also has an awesome brunch menu with equally awesome Mimosas!

HOMESTYLE CRISPY FRIED CHICKEN- BREAST STRIPS W/ HONEY MUSTARD SAUCE

CRAB CAKE SANDWICH

MASHED POTATOES W/ CHEDDAR & BACON

PULLED PORK W/ SWEET POTATOE FRIES

MAC & CHEESE

I loved the ambiance of the restaurant and would definitely visit again. I ate so much food that I could barely move afterwards. -_-

Peaches is great for dinner/lunch dates, girlfriend hangouts or family fun days!

Peaches

393 Lewis Ave (bet. Mac Donough St & Decatur St)

http://www.peachesbrooklyn.com/

Monday, January 2, 2012

Vegetable Lo Mein

This dish doesn't include meat, but it can be added at the end. The preparation is very similar to a stir fry. See my chicken and shrimp stir fry recipe.

Ingredients:
Vegetables of your choice (I used broccoli, snow peas, carrots, sweet peppers)
Egg Noodles
Soy Sauce
Chicken Broth

Boil some water for the noodles. Don't use a lot of water. When the noodles are cooked there shouldn't be any or very little water left in the pot. After the water boils up, add about 1/2 cup of chicken broth. Then place the noodles in the pot. Stir occasionally to separate the noodles.

Heat your wok (or whatever pot you choose to use) with some oil. When it's hot enough add the vegetables with the exception of the sweet peppers. I always add these last because I don't like when they get too soft in stir fry type dishes. Just my preference. You may want to add some powdered seasoning since you don't have any meat to add the flavor. Let the vegetables sautee for a few minutes then add the sweet peppers. Pour in about 3 tablespoons of the soy sauce. Depending on how many noodles you cooked, you may need more. Let it simmer for about 2 minutes. Add the drained noodles and mix well to make sure they are covered with the sauce. If you want to add meat to this dish, you will add it at this point. Add more soy sauce if necessary. Let it simmer for another few minutes.

This can be eaten alone or as a side dish.

Chicken & Shrimp Stir Fry

This is a pretty simple and fast dish to prepare.
FYI: the vegetables you use are your choice. The list of vegetables below are just what I like to use.

Ingredients:
Broccoli
String Beans
Zucchini
Snow Peas
Carrots
Couple of seasoned chicken breasts
Shrimp
Soy sauce

I prepare the chicken first. After the chicken breasts are cooked, cut them into strips. Place all your vegetables in a heated pot with some oil, preferrably a wok. I add some onion and garlic as well. I also add some powdered season ie: Lawry's season salt, Garlic Powder, Black Pepper, Adobo. Let the vegetables sautee for about 2-3 minutes, don't let them get soft. Add the chicken strips, the shrimp then the soy sauce (about 3 tablespoons) and mix, then turn the fire down but not completely low and cover. Just so that you can get a gravy and until the shrimp is tender. Serve over rice.

This can also be done using any other meat of your choice.

Chickpea Salad

Chickpeas are a great addition to salads! This is how I make my chickpea salad.

Ingredients:
2 cans of chickpeas
Kalamata Olives (chopped)
Feta Cheese
Diced Red Pepper
Diced Red Onion
Diced Garlic
Cherry or Plum tomatoes (I cut them medium size)
Lemon
Olive Oil
Red Wine Vinegar (I use a Red Wine & Olive Oil Vinaigrette from Trader Joe's, so I don't have to purchase the olive oil and red wine vinegar separately)

Combine the chopped olives, diced red peppers, onion & garlic, and tomatoes into a bowl and mix. Add the chickpeas and feta cheese. Mix. Then add the olive oil/red wine vinegar and squeeze the lemon to taste. Mix until everything is spread evenly. It tastes even better after it sits in the refrigerator for a couple of hours. :o)