Foodie Night In: Simple Rosemary Foccacia Recipe

For the longest time, I have been promising myself to start to bake and cook more. Not only does
this save money and time, but it's also fun and rewarding! Fun to share the recipes with friends and
have them try something they wouldn't necessarily have a chance to get from any ordinary restaurant. There is nothing better than having a table full of random ingredients and when you're done, and
the aromas are filling the house, you end up with a masterpiece created with your own two hands! And you can eat it!

In the past few months, I have been addicted to The Food Channel ( Food Network Who?) It keeps me up late and never ceases to amaze me with all the different shows. I have become obsessed with "Simply Baking" because it's just that. Simple. You don't need crazy ingredients and 10 different techniques to get a boring cupcake. Plus, I am forever obsessed with Lorraine Pascale now (possibly more than the witty Nigella....ummmm, I think not!). She is so happy and non-threatening, you can't help, but think--"if she can do it, so can I!" So, sometime last week I decided to try her Rosemary Foccacia. Seriously delicious. I mean I was completely transported to Italy scrumptious. Check out the crazy easy ingredients:

3 1/3 Cups of Flour
2 Teaspoons of salt
1/3 Cup of Good Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Cup of Warm Water
1 Packet of Yeast
Rosemary, Olive Oil and Salt for topping (to taste)

Right out of the oven--piping hot!

If you don't have half of these ingredients already, you should be ashamed of yourself. OK, ok, too harsh? What about seriously disappointed with yourself? Better? Literally, all you have to do is mix the flour, salt, oil and water in a mixing bowl and knead it for 10 minutes for it all to come together. Too dry? Just add more water. Sticking like crazy everywhere? Sprinkle flour on the dough. Then roll out the dough to a circle or square (more common, but harder to do), cover with cling wrap on the baking sheet and then let it rise for an hour. It should double in size. Then take off the cling wrap, poke holes in dough (c'mon have a little fun with it!) and drizzle your extra virgin olive oil (because why would you use anything else?) and sprinkle your rosemary and salt to taste. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 to 30 minutes and your done. Best part? You don't have to wait for it to cool off. Eat it warm!!!

Cross section view of Foccacia

New & Improved: BK Fries

Sometime last week, all Burger Kings decided to give away value sized fries. This was primarily done because they were promoting their newly improved spuds and BK even boasts that they are seasoned with less salt and are wider cut. I was skeptical at first, but they turned out to be great. I have always said that Mickey D's has the best fries, but Ronald McDonald has something to worry about now.

New Burger King Fries

The fries were definitely more crispy and hotter than usual. I mean they were piping hot, I actually had
to wait a few minutes until I tried one (and you know how difficult that can be with the wafting smell of fast food in the car). The better than usual fries could have been just due to BK holding this special promotion, but if they keep this up they can get some new loyal customers stopping by. I hope you picked up yours and (For the love of all the food gods, I posted about it everywhere...haha!) tried it.  And the best part of my drive thru experience is that I had an onion ring straggler!!! It made my day! So, go ahead and "Have it your way" and stop by a BK today!

Delmonico's Orlando

This review's coming to you before my leftovers are even cold! (well, not quite, but you get the point I think.)

When you visit Delmonico's...you will always have food to take home, unless you have an extra stomach or something.  I actually really enjoy Delmonico's.  The food's pretty good, the atmosphere is great, and the servers have all been very knowledgeable and kind. 

Charles and I attended this afternoon (before the sun ran away - stinkin' Winter...).  For some reason, every time I go there, I get seated in their "wanna-be italian" room.  Not sure if they're trying to tell me something.  The AC was really high, and it was seriously freezing in there, but once you adjust to the temperature...not half bad.  I'm a Northerner at heart, so I endure colder temps better than most "Floridians" (How many of us are imports? Come on...be honest.  Someone reading this is gonna be from Jersey, I just KNOW it!).  Charles was chilly throughout our meal...poor guy.  The decor was lovely.  They had everything done up for the holidays.  There were even ornaments hung from the chandeliers.  It was very festive, and I totally appreciate dedication to decoration!

But now, for the most important stuff: FOOD and SERVICE!:

Our server was very friendly, smiled often, and always had us covered with fresh drinks.  She also didn't complain about how hard her job is...which has been a sad trend in my recent dining experiences.  She seemed very excited to be done with Finals though.  I don't miss that part of college one bit.  She was also generous with the cheese for my meal, which I was happy about it, cause I am a lover of cheese!

Complimentary Bread - FREE

The bread they bring to the table pre-meal is pretty darn good, and I love their herb-infused butter.  It's got your usual "italian herb blend' mixed in it, but that's fine with me.  I don't consider myself a connoisseur of Italian cuisine, just a consumer, and I think this butter is pretty dynamite.  Little bit on the bread, dipped in a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar (and anyone who's read my previous posts knows how much I love balsamic vinegar) is a beautiful thing.  Enjoy it, it's complimentary! <3

Next is my favorite thing to order pretty much anywhere it is an option: Tomato and Mozzarella salad.  After the debacle at BJ's Brewhouse with the micro portions, this is on the complete opposite side of the scale.  It's a hefty portion, peeps, and I love it!

Roma Tomato and Mozzarella Salad - $6.99

I didn't eat the onions (onions are very hit or miss with me from day to day - not a raw onions eatin' sort of gal), but the rest was devoured quite quickly, leaving my tummy happy.  It's dressed with their balsamic vinaigrette.  I wish it had been a simple balsamic reduction, but I guess the general populous might enjoy their dressing with a little less..oomph.  This dish was delectable though, and I will continue to order this EVERY time I come here.

Veal Parmigiana - $19.99

Charles ordered the Veal Parmigiana - his staple for our visits here.  It was just as tasty as usual (he gave me a bite! :D), but the portion of veal was a little less than usual, but still plenty for the price, served atop angel hair pasta.  He cleared his plate, so I'd say - as far as I can tell - it's a winner.

Portabella Mushroom Parmigiana - $7.99

My entree was actually an appetizer: Portabella Mushroom Parmigiana.  These are breaded and covered in provolone cheese, and REALLY good.  The breading on this batch was a wee bit overdone, but it was still quite tasty.  Needed my handy Ginsu knife to cut through the mushrooms.  Can't split this thing with a fork, believe me, I've tried!  Very filling.  Each one was at least 4 inches across.

All in all, it was a lovely meal.  Got a cannoli for the road. It was good...creamy and not too sweet, but I think I took too long to eat it because the shell lost it's crunch.  I've had this before at its' freshest, and it's really good!  I love the chocolate drizzle over it, and the chips it's dipped in.

So go give Delmonico's a try!  You won't regret it!

Saffron Indian Cuisine

Curry. I had issues with this food concept for the longest time. I thought it to be too overwhelming for my palate and just a bunch of spices in one dish with no thought process behind it. I could not have been more wrong. When done right, curry is so much more than I originally gave it credit for. Yes, it is complex and not for those who would rather have a burger and fries. Thanks to my fantastic friend, Alex, who never lets me write off an entire cuisine after one bad meal, I decided to give Saffron a chance. Located on Sandlake road, next to Cedars and Roy's, this place is quite new. Its decor is simple, yet gorgeous. The attention to detail is beautiful, every seat has a comfy pillow. And even though I do not drink, my favorite part of the look are the wine bottles on the wall. What a great idea!

This place is perfect for lunch. The specials are unbeatable for authentic Indian cuisine and you get a taste of everything. The lunch menu is split into Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian dishes and like any good restaurant you get to pick your spice level (I love choices!). There are about 15 dishes to choose from and the dishes range from $8 to $10. I got the Chicken Curry (ordered with nuts) and Alex got the Lamb Vindaloo. Both orders came with an array of items: naan, papadum, one samsosa, raita, lentils and rice pudding. I have had many samsosa's, but this one wins hands down. It was not greasy at all and it was packed with potatoes and peas. The tray was full of all these different dishes and it all was fresh and made to order. The bill came to about $30 after the tip!

The service was quick and friendly, but the waitress seemed to not want to modify anything on the menu. I asked for nuts to be added to my curry and she seemed to not like this. Perhaps it was an Indian foodie faux pas? Whoops! Also, the Lamb Vindaloo turned out to be chicken. We
ended up not returning the Vindaloo (Have you seen Waiting?). However, these two missteps will not deter me from going again. This place is a must-go!

Check out the huge, flavorful menu: http://www.saffronorlando.com/

BJ's Brewhouse - Millenia & Heinz Balsamic Ketchup!!

So I'm a little bit of a facebook fanatic.  I feel there's no shame in it.  It leads me to make a lot of discoveries of myself, my friends, and the rest of the world around me.  I found out I really needed to join a group for people who enjoy sleep.  I discovered how one can only truly know how good of friends they are based on the interactions monitored by facebook and the number of facebook events you've both attended. (...yes, that was sarcasm.)  But there are many things you find on facebook that are just great in general.  Restaurant coupons have always been a favorite of mine, but a well-placed ad on the side of my Restaurant City game was most fortuitous: Heinz Tomato Ketchup with Balsamic Vinegar.  The image on their page moved me: "...a sophisticated spin on the classics and more." (image source: Heinz Facebook Page)

"I'm sophisticated!" I thought, and immediately liked the page, waited for the day the bottles became available, and I order myself some fancy ketchup!  Waiting for it to arrive left me filled with excitement...and finally...IT ARRIVED.  Given, I was a little overly excited for a food I had not yet tried, but COME ON...it's KETCHUP.  And it's HEINZ.  (A girl who grew up outside of Pittsburgh, PA can respect that name more than most, let me tell you.)  So, I grabbed Charles after he got home from work, and we simply had to go and try this out.  We took our bottle and made our way to BJ's Brewhouse, which is located at 4151 Conroy Road, Orlando, FL 32839.

We've gone to BJ's Brewhouse several times ever since it opened in 2007.  For quite a while, it was one of our favorites, and we visited quite frequently.  I'm not 100% sure when it fell largely out of favor for Charles and I, but it did, and we go...maybe once in a 3 month period, if that.  They have some good dishes, but nothing that stood out to me as being overly original or crave-worthy (with the exception of their beignet...but more on that later.)


BJ's has a great atmosphere for me...especially on nights were there's a sporting event I actually care about. Lots of televisions, giant garage doors to separate dining sections...a sports bar vibe without actually being a sports bar (so to speak).  We ended up there during their happy hour - which is 10pm til closing on Thursday - so we got some good eats at a good price: Half Price Apps!

I decided to kick off the meal the way I usually do at BJ's, and it seemed fitting for the evening's focus: Fresh Mozzerella and Tomato Salad.  I am a sucker for tomatoes and cheese with Balsamic Vinegar. There was, however, the issue of portions and perceptions:

 

Each time I've ordered this dish...something seems a little off.  This current version was the abyssmal portion discrepancy.   One other time I have more onions than tomatoes (and I have actually ordered it WITHOUT those onions...).  BJ's has issues with consistency.  The only thing they're consistent on is that very inconsistency.  But it tasted good, and for around $3, usually quite a steal - if it's done right.

After that, we shared an order of their Angus Beef Sliders with a side of french fries (thin cut, not wedge.).  We figured if this Ketchup was a Ketchup worthy of the Heinz branding, it should be able to handle a burger and fries. 

 

The buns may look a little smooshed, but these sliders were darn delicious!  The fries were slightly overdone, but not to the point where they weren't still pretty tasty.  Not to mention - a crispy fry is a good ketchup vessel.  The burgers were cooked well, which most sliders are, but they were still juicy (and joyfully free of pink.  Where I come from, we cook the meat til there's no pink left, and it's how I like it! I'm a Ferelden girl (for those who don't get this: Ferelden Cuisine - Dragon Age: Origins)

The ketchup was hardly discernable from Heinz original on the fries, but on the burgers, it sang.  It had a more robust flavor, with a hint of sweetness, and a slightly smoother consistency.  I highly recommend it.

I would be doing BJ's a disservice to not mention their drinks.  They brew a lot of different beers on site, but I don't drink, so I can't speak to their quality, but I can say their sodas are great.  More lightly carbonated than most sodas, I would definitely recommend the Orange or Root Beer.  They also serve some mixed drinks using their sodas, which Charles had (I think it was called 'orange twist'.  Look under the non-alcoholic drinks to find it!).  I took a sip, and it tasted pretty good.  

Now, let's bring it on home - DESSERT!  Since I discovered the BJ's Baked Beignet, I always have to order it.  It's always a delight...sometimes it has a case of the wonky portioning (like the poor salad above), but I can't help but have this when I go there.  It's the perfect sweet finish to any meal.

To end a particularly verbose blog post, I leave you with the TL;DR version: Try the Balsamic Ketchup from Heinz - preferably on some tasty meat or meat-like substance (you can order yourself a bottle here - online only :P).  BJ's Brewhouse is definitely worth a try, and don't write them off for one bad service. There's good food to be had there, and it's better than most of the other chain places in the mall area.

Menchies

I like choices. MANY choices! Menchies Frozen Yogurt offers up a whimsical take on everyone's favorite after dinner dessert. From the lime green and fuchsia decor to the endless topping possibilities, this dessert spot is unlike any other. When you first walk in you may feel overwhelmed. I know I was! What should I get? A waffle bowl or cup? One flavor or six? Cereal or fruit? Nuts or fluff topping? But all this deciding becomes fun especially when you're with a group of friends. Tip: This place is great for affordable get togethers with friends or co-workers.

Menchies offers up a wide range of flavors, which they change out daily (check their location specific Facebook pages for the flavors of the day). Some flavors you will always find like, Cable Car Chocolate and Very Vanilla. BUT...then there are the flavors that will surprise you...and you just can't say no! Devil's Food Cake, Irish Mint, Root Beer Float, Pumpkin and Island Banana! Already low in fat, Menchies also caters to the people looking for low carbohydrate, no sugar added and dairy free options. Still not sure what to get? No problem. On the round checkout counter be on the lookout for sample cups. It's a fantastic way to try out all the flavors before you make a purchase. Another great thing about this place is that you serve yourself and the price depends on the weight of your ice cream! So, you can get as little or as much as you would like :)

If you want my advice on flavors, go for: Island Banana, Cookies and Cream, Peanut Butter, Irish Mint and Butter Brickle. Pumpkin and Peppermint Patty are my least favorites :( But, of course, I have not tried them all (Post your favorites in the comment section!!!). Toppings range from cereal (Captain Crunch, Fruity Pebbles), nuts (almonds, peanuts), candy (M & M's, Reese's), fruit (kiwl, mango, cherries),cookie dough, strawberry fizzies, fudge, caramel and much more!

Sign up for their Smileage Program and get points every time you go. After 50 smiles, you get $5! Outdoor and indoor seating is offered and a small cooler of drinks are available for purchase. Don't forget to leave a message on the chalkboard for the next customers ;)

Quick! Click here for Frozen Yogurt bliss: http://menchies.com/

G & G Thai Cuisine

Thai foodies are looking for one thing and one thing only--that perfect blend of sweet, savory and spicy, all in just one bite. G & G does not disappoint. They have a wide range of dishes, from the very safe and widely known Pad Thai to their most popular menu item Pumpkin Curry Chicken (perfect for Thanksgiving!).

Now open on Sundays, G & G offers affordable food that tastes even better than all those fancy, overpriced, touristy Thai restaurants (I don't care how obnoxiously lit your building sign is). Main entree prices range from $8 to $15. My favorite dish is the Cashew Chicken dish (Medium spice, please!) and the yellow curry. However, if you do not feel like ordering one meal, I suggest ordering 2 or 3 appetizers to get a good cross-section of tastes. The fried or fresh spring rolls are amazing! The fish cakes I would avoid...I did not find any fish in them. I usually do not have enough room for dessert after a huge curry with rice, but try the Thai donuts or the banana coins with a side of honey. Truly an ethereal experience!

Take-out is a popular option since the dining area is somewhat small. I swear that about 5-10 people walk in to pick up their orders every time I am dining. Atmosphere is intimate and barely noticeable Thai music is playing in the background. Be sure to notice that the restaurant closes between lunch and dinner for 2 hours (2:30pm-4:30pm). Nothing is worse than wanting some freshly rolled shrimp spring rolls and ending up having to pick up something at Froggers instead.
There are healthy options on the menu, as well. The Chicken Satay Salad is fresh, delicious and the peanut dressing comes on the side without you having to tell the waitress ;)

Another important upside to this restaurant is that service is great and speedy. I have never
returned a dish and the staff is always cordial. They are always willing to change out meats
or vegetables you do not prefer and replace them with another. Plus, on the side table by the front counter, you can help yourself to red pepper flakes, vinegar, chili paste and crushed
peanuts.

Check out their Facebook page for specials, daily deals and schedule changes: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/G-G-Thai-Cuisine/178633110918?sk=wall

Phone:
(407) 292-5554

Address:

6700 Conroy Road, Suite #105, Orlando, FL 32835
(Next to Jersey Mike's and Froggers)