Ly's World: Homemade Thoughts and Reviews

Hello Extras!

These posts are coming in slow aren’t they?  Well, again, it’s all about me being inspired to write and I haven’t been too inspired to write lately.  I figured… why not today.  Today’s review will be duet with Barrio and Seven Star Pepper Szechuan Restaurant.  In this post, we will cover Barrio.

Woo, Michael and I decided to go to Barrio for dinner after yoga one Tuesday.  I’ve been to Barrio before but never for dinner, usually its just for late night happy hour.  So when we went there, I was expecting great food.

Barrio is located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood.  It is situated on 12th in the middle of block between Pike and Madison.  The place is usually dimly lit with candles.  The style of the place is really nice, dark wood, a multi box paneling with candles in them and really comfy chairs.  The ambiance is really different from you usual Mexican Restaurant.  Very chic.

When we got there around 9:30 pm, the place was half empty so we got our seats right away.  Our waiter came, showed us our menus, gave us water and took off to help others.  We were so hungry, it took us no time to figure out what we wanted to eat.  We were getting the Made to Order Guacamole with Chips to start with, Mike and Woo were getting the Chicken Torta and I was getting the Braised Short Ribs.  Ready.  Where’s the waiter?  We had to wait about 15 mins for him to come back and finally take our order.  As he was taking our order, Mike asked about the Torta which the waiter promptly explained that “it is Spanish for a Sandwich.  It’s from Mexico”… to which Mike was not having any of it!  LOL it was a very classic Michael moment.

The Made to Order Guacamole and Chips came out super fast.  The Guacamole came in a bowl with the tomatoes and cilantro placed on top and in the middle.  It was quite beautiful to look at. All of us being a big fan of Guacamole dug right into it.   At first, the guys were enjoying the Guac.  I on the other hand sense something was a miss.  The Guacamole was really sour… too much lime juice.  I love sour things, but the limy sourness masked the other flavors of the Guac.  Where was the garlic, onion, tomato, cilantro flavors!  A great Guacamole will showcase all these flavors in every bite.  All I can taste here was lime juice.  Oh and don’t get me started on the chips!  They were a little stale to me.  The first batch at least.  Stale chips and limy Guac… not a great start to the meal.

Next came out plate of food which took an additional 20 mins to come out.  The Chicken Torta looked great.  It came with Yucca fries.  I didn’t get to taste either of them because I was taking notes from both of their reactions to the dish.  Here are some of the highlights.  I’ll let them explain the rest if they remembered and prefer to comment below .  (Hey!  I’m doing my job… its just nice to have friends who can help critic with me.  It’s more fun that way I think.)

Yucca fries taste like “corn dog batter”.  Sandwich just “all right” and kinda “spicy eggy” ~Woo

Taste like a “spicy chicken sandwich at burger king”.  ”Nothing special” ~Mike

My Braised Short Ribs came out and it was beautiful.  I was so ready to dig in.  The short ribs were one big chunk braised until it was falling off the bone with just a gentle tug with a fork.  It was so tender.  It was sitting on a bed of winter squash, with caramelized onions and a nice brown sauce.  I took one bite of the meat and was shocked to find it under seasoned.  Maybe if I put some of the sauce on it, it will help.  No dice.  The sauce was also under seasoned!  The veggies underneath were cooked until they had a mush like consistency but yet some how with but the grace of god, keeping their structure.  The only thing with much flavor to it was the caramelized onions.  Just one little bright light in the dish.  Oh, I forgot, it came with two tortias that offered no help to the dish whatsoever except for a little starch.  What looked to be a promising dish turned out into a dud.  I was crushed.

How could this be?  The happy hour food was so good!  The tacos, the Mexican Pizza… they were so mouthwatering good!  This is what happens when you venture off the beaten path.  Some times, things don’t turn out as great as you thought it could be.  If I go back, I am definitely sticking to what I know is good there.  And I will be back… for Happy Hour.

Oh and a little note.  I was trying to take pictures with my phone because I keep forgetting my camera and couldn’t get any light to take the picture.  The hostess graciously offered me a little key chain flash light to help me take the pics.  That’s why they look like they look.  Thanks hostess!  Without your quick thinking, there would of been no pictures.

My recommendations: Taste was OK, definitely come for the happy hour.  Cheap tasty food.  Parking on the Hill can be a pain.  Price is moderate.

Chicken Torta with Yucca Fries

Braised Short Ribs

Hello Extras!

I know its been a while since I have bloged but I’ve been so busy and wasnt in the writing mood but here I am.  I am currently working on another post that is currently delayed because I have to write about the Elysian.

A little background to the day.  My friend Mike and I went to yoga last Thursday.  It was a big workout and we both had very little to eat before the class since they told us to eat light before doing any of the poses or else… things might come back up :-/  Neways, we both were pretty much starving by the time we got out.  Coming out of the class, we both were wondering where to go and eat.  Well, I suggested the Elysian because 1) it was close and 2) my friend Kevin and his pose went to the Elysian that weekend to taste some yummy Pumpkin beer and I had a cravin.  (I know right… beer after yoga… Im such a bad person)

Neways, we get in and waited for a hostess to seat us.  For some odd reason, the hostess was not in her usual spot and had to be corralled back to work like 10 minutes later.  The Elysian has a very opened space with a moderate sized bar and a two tier dinning space divided into three areas.  There are some eclectic decor and has a lovely red color that is quite inviting.  While waiting though, Mike found a news paper about where the breweries are around these parts and we decided we needed to go on a Brewery Tour.

Neways, after being seated, we first glanced at the beer menu… Hello! Pumpkin Beer!  LOL I ended up getting the Dark O’ The Moon Pumpkin Stout which was tastey but had a very subtle (and when I say subtle I mean really really subtle) pumpkin flavor.  The cholcolate flavors totally overwhelmed the… oh wait… this isnt the Seattle Drink Patrol!  LOL I will save my review for when the Patrol visits the Elysian… until then…

Ok, on to the main show.

Mike ordered the Black Bean Burger while I decided to order the Pulled Pork aptly named the “Hot Babe” over the Shepard’s pie.  I just couldnt resist!  With a name like that and only $10 dollars, I was sold.  It came with either fries (thin shoestring or thick jojo style) or a salad (you can replace both for a soup and something else for extra $).  I chose the fries-shoestring… Hey! I am already getting a pulled pork sandwhich… might as well.

The food came alot quicker than the tables (I couldnt help but wonder why when there were quite a few empty tables… but I digress).  Once that plate hit the table… my eyes grew big.  Side note:  I’ve had plenty of pulled pork sandwiches in my life time.  I wasn’t all too excited about getting it in the first place, I just loved the name.

The sandwhich was pretty large.  The pulled pork actually looked like pork that was pulled instead of strings of pork.  There were nice large chunks in there that told me this pork was carefully looked after… perfectly pulled.  I had some of the fries first.  It was good.  Nicely seasoned and crunchy (a big yes!).  Then, I went and tried to tackle the sandwhich.  When I said it was big, I meant big.  The pork was in between the two slices of a onion kaiser roll with the most perfect slaw on top of the pork.  The pork had the most amazing flavor of any pulled pork I had ever had.  It was spicy, sweet  and tangy all at the same time.  The spiciness had this lovely but not too overpowering slow burn that made your mouth tingle and craving for more.  Each bit was an experience.  The pork felt saucy and juicy but there appeared to be very little on them, just coating them with sheer bliss.  No messy sauce drippings.  All the flavors were packed neatly in those two slices of Kaiser.  It… was… AMAZING! and I dont say that all that very often.

I totally credit the Chef… for whom I got the name but my phone unexpliciably crashed on me and now I’ve lost it.  I believe its Eric Greenberg but I will have to get back to you on that.  (Update! I found my notes and its Eric Greenwald!  Sorry for that confusion Eric, if you ever read this blog or find your name by searching yourself, you must give me that recipe.  I will do anything to get that recipe or just learn your secrets!

Mike was also very impressed with this Black Bean Burger.  His comment was something of the sort… It good, the patty looks like over seasoned patties but in a good way with black beans and corn.  It also looks like a real patty because it stuck to its form and didnt fall into pieces like other vegetarian patties.  Um… he described it better than I did here since I was a bad food critic and focused mainly on MY sandwhich >_<.  Mike! If you are reading this… comment below and describe your meal!  LOL.

I would totally recommend the Elysian and try their “Hot Babe” pulled pork sandwich.  I will definately be back to try more of their food, next time with more people so I can taste more

Ratings:

Ambiance: Casual and ecletic.  Cost: All of the items are below $15.  Taste:  So far so good.  Both the pulled pork and the black bean were a hit.  Location:  On 1221 E Pike St.  Capitol Hill.  Parking can be a drag.

Hello my Extras!

My next review is what I made last night for dinner.  One of my favorite things to make is Kalbi (Galbi) Marinaded Beef Short ribs.  The delightful dish comes to us from Korea.  A delightful dish intended to be grilled *my grill broke so I just use the oven which does a decent job at it*.

I was first introduced to Kalbi by my friend Jay who bought the marinade at QFC and marinaded some short ribs.  I was hooked.  I continued to buy the marinade deciding, why try to replicate something that is already so good and so easily available.  Well, a year later, I moved away from my QFC and now face a slightly longer commute just to get my fix of Kalbi!  Trying to search in vain in the supermarkets near my current location, I gave in to the idea that my convienence is over and had to try to make the marinade myself.  First, I needed a recipe.  Luckily for me, there were a ton online, the only problem is trying to find one that will work for me.  Me being me, I combined and tweeked a couple of the recipes to make what seemed to mimic the tastey marinade that I have long lost due to laziness to go to that QFC that carries the marinade.

Here is my version of the recipe:

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup of water

3 Tbsp of brown sugar

3 Tbsp of honey

3 Tbsp of crushed garlic

2 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds

2 Tbsp of sesame oil

1 Tbsp of red chili flakes *or to your liking of how spicy you want it*

1 tsp of grated ginger

2 stalks of green onion, chopped

Combine all the ingredients together in a bowl.  Slide in your short ribs one at a time, making sure you coat every single one with the marinade.  Place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours *the short ribs are usually cut into about 1/4 in slices, so they are pretty thin* or over night *allows for maximum flavor aborption*.  Put on the grill and cook for about 4-5 mins per side or place in a 400 degree pre heated oven for about 10 – 15 mins.  Serve with rice.

I love making this recipe and will make it over and over and over again.  It is easy to put together, the only problem is waiting for it to properly marinade.  I totally recommend you try your hand at making Kalbi short ribs!  Tweek the recipe to your liking!

Side note: I like mine really done!  I love the crispy burnt parts!

My first endevour into my new hobby!  Yah!

On Sunday night, I decided to make something that has been one of my favorite things from the Thai cuisine: Tom Yum soup.  Who ever thought of making that delicious flavorful soup is a genius!   The flavors are so complex and the spiciness mixed with the tanginess and the saltiness and … mmm umami…. *drool*

Me, being me, I took the easy way out in making this delighful dish and found a paste in the store that is the base of this soup!   While looking for curry paste to try and make curry for dinner one day, I stumbled upon Aroy-D’s Tom Yum Paste.  Imported from Thailand, this lovely concoction has all the fixing to  make a delightful Tom Yum soup.  For less than $2 for a 14oz. container, you will be able to make about 8 pots of soup each able to feed 2 – 3 persons.  *Warning to all those who are familiar with Asian cooking, this paste contains Monosodium Glutamate or MSG*

Its so simple… *reading from container*   All you have to do is boil about 2 cups of water *I learned that depending on how strong you want the taste to be, 2 cups is great, but if you want it more mellow, add alittle more water* and add about 3 tablespoons of the paste into the boiling water.   You will also have to add fresh galangal *It is an aromatic root related to and resembles ginger*, lemon grass and mushrooms.  Let that come to a boil again, then add your choice of protein, usually shrimp and/or chicken.  Then add fish sauce, lime juice, kaffir lime leaves and parsley and voila!  You have a delightful and yummy soup.  Serve with rice and you have a meal!

Overall, its super easy to make and is done in no time.  As long as you slice the chicken into thin pieces, it should all be done in about 15 – 20 mins.  Some of the ingredients may be hard to find in regular stores, but you can find them all in your neighborhood Asian supermarket. *Mine is HT Market on Aurora*  I will definately make this again.

My first review… tell me what you think!

Wow its been a long time since I have written on this blog .  I am kind of a flake when it comes to things like this.  I would totally be in to it for the moment and once it becomes tedious, then I am out of it.  Well, hopefully things will change for the better.  I decided to start writing again… hopefully I will be more committed to it than I was before.

You see, I have decided to dedicate my blog now to food, friends, and maybe the occasional random Homemade Pictures.  My fire to become an amateur Chef (if one can be such a thing) and Food Critic has just been re-lit after watching Being Julia.  Granted, I have no training in cooking or writing about food, but if you have a passion, shouldn’t you try and immerse yourself in it, even for just a bit?  Plus, I have just gotten the two volumes of Julia’s cookbook… Mastering the Art of French Cooking along with the textbook from the Culinary Institute of America: The Professional Chef.  I’ve also just been to some new and exciting restaurants and bars with some friends and decided, “Hey, I want to write about this.  I want to review these places and see if anyone cares what I think.”  So here I am… Starting this blog thing… Again… all over… new Series… even though I haven’t finished or even started any of my previous Series… but hopefully things will change and I will be more into these new Series.

Oh, I haven’t told you what they are yet have I?  The first Series is going to be titled… Homemade Food Reviews.  I will be reviewing all the old and new restaurants, pubs, bars, bistros, cafes and whatever other places there are out there where you can go and get a meal.  I will be reviewing with a set of criteria that may be floating (Come on people!  You know me!  I’m always all over the place.  LOL)  They may include: Ambiance, Taste, Presentation, Smell, Location, and Cost… Um… I’m  working on a set of criteria… work with me people!  I’m new at this!

The second Series will focus on recipes, Homemade Recipe Review, whether it’s from a book (i.e. Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Betty Crocker’s… etc.) or recipes from family, friends or strangers (I’d say fans, but I don’t really have any just yet…. but here’s to crossing my fingers!) or making things on the fly.  I will rate on how easy or difficult it was to make, was the time to make it worth it, taste and overall satisfaction.  Plus, I’ll add a note of whether I will try to make it again or not.  If I failed at making it the first time… I will probably try to make it again to see if I can get it right… all will be written in this very blog.

Well I see this post is crazy long… I will end it here and hopefully, the next blog will be up soon.   Here’s to entering a new amazing world of food.

Well, this song has been out for a while but I totally refound it and fell inlove with again… so its the New song of the moment!

Maroon 5 ft. Rihanna – If I Don’t See Your Face Again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK-H76JeFpA

Adam Levine + Rihanna = PLATINUM!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26763958/

Just one more reason to love Brad Pitt! 

This past weekend, I along with Trevor, Jamie, Ryan, Sean, David, Kevin and Taylor, went up to Cougar Rock from a weekend of camping.  We also went on a 6 mi hike up the Skyline Trail.  Here are some pics of our weekend!  To find more pics, please go to my facebook!

Yalls! He and his band have been on the net for a while now but I just rediscovered him again and I have fallen for his beautiful voice again.  Check this new Artist and his band out.  He is Alejandro Manzano of Boyce Avenue.  Most of the songs they have on Youtube are acoustic covers but his voice is so amazing.  Check him/them out here….

http://www.youtube.com/user/boyceavenue

http://www.myspace.com/boyceavenue

Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown – No Air cover http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guWHD4a1wOM 

Rihanna – Umbrella cover http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5paQ9BwFAgI&feature=user

Rihanna – Disturbia cover http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ic8Lgtrpl0&feature=user

Leona Lewis – Bleeding Love cover http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fomvApObpkM&feature=user

Colvie Caillat – Realize cover http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6XXX-UmcdE&feature=user

 Lets make them FAMOUS!!!!!