Lentils with Spiced Millet

I made a huge batch of millet/barley this week so I would be able to make meals in a flash.
Millet itself seems pretty bland to me. I've noticed that I get tired of it quickly and end up just making grain burgers with it. It's time I learned how to spice up this grain.

I saw this recipe and decided to work with it.
My version included

pine nuts
1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
1 cup cooked millet
1/4 cup dried Cranberries
1 cups water
turmeric
cinnamon
salt to taste

Since this was an improv recipe I didn't measure anything strictly and i don't have much of a "technique" per se (the spices are usually a small palm full each) but this millet was divine. I suggest trying the recipe I found. It looks great, I just didn't have all the ingredients.

The lentils turned out well too, but that's a whole other story right?

Teddy

Waverley Kitchens

I had an Indian-filled weekend! 1st I went to a bollywood movie party on Friday and then on Saturday/Sunday I dove into one of my Waverley Kitchens spice pacs.

The recipe was for a potato corn curry but I substituted chickpeas instead of the potato (I don't eat potatoes much for some reason and rarely have them at home).

The results:

FANTASTIC- according to those who tried it. Personally, I thought it was a tad bit salty but that's probably because I didn't follow the recipe to the T. The spice packets made the whole process less intimidating (Indian food is just INTIMIDATING to me- all the spice combination and roasting and whatnot).

I'm excited to tear in to my other two pacs. This is definitely a great way to get started with Indian cooking and I'm glad I got to try it out!

Teddy

Thai Tara

Always with the Thai food right? Okay, I had to try Thai Tara because it's within walking distance of my job and I treat myself to a lunch out 1 or 2 times a week. I've been to Koriente so many times that they recognize me so, I've decided to continue my restaurant exploration.

A carrot heart on top of my rice? Reason number 1 I will go back to this place. Yes, I have an affinity for food presentation and hearts (see previous post).

Reason number 2 I will be back: I heard the servers greet each other in Thai. I only remember how to say a few words and phrases in Thai and when I hear someone else speak them practically squeal with glee (not an exaggeration ask Cara, she was there).

Yellow curry with fried tofu. The fried tofu was phenomenal. It's most likely the fattiest thing I could have ordered but worth every calorie-filled bite. My one complaint, the potatoes were not cooked as well as they should have been. They should fall apart in your mouth and they didn't. It made me slightly sad but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and think it was just that one time.

Cara had the Pad Thai . Her comments about Pad Thai here in Austin have been that she's found them to be dry and not as saucy as she prefers it to be. Thai Tara's version was not dry at all, very saucy. It may have been her favorite Pad Thai since moving to TX.

I noticed that Thai Tara's prices are ever so slightly higher than I'm used to seeing. It's not expensive by any means but all the dishes are $2-$3 more than I usually pay for Thai. It's a good thing they have lunch specials! I'll be going back for those soon & sharing my find with friends from work.

Teddy

Fennel Orange Quinoa Salad

Yesterday was my first Food Bloggers of Austin Potluck. I have to admit that I get a little nervous about foodie potlucks. Every person I meet is fantastic and kind but I feel THE PRESSURE. Must. Make. A. Delish. Dish.

As tempted as I was to fall back on an easy favorite I made up my mind to try a new dish.

Fennel Orange Quinoa Salad

1 bulb fennel
2 oranges (try blood oranges!)
2 cups quinoa (uncooked)
4 cups water
1/2 a red onion
salt to taste
1 Tbspn walnut oil (optional)
1/4 cup pine nuts (optional)

Wash quinoa thoroughly before cooking.
Combine quinoa, water and a heavy pinch of salt in a pot (or rice maker). Bring to a boil, reduce heat and let simmer until water has been absorbed (about 25-35 mins)

While quinoa is cooking, grate the bulb of the fennel (you can thinly slice instead. I found using a grater was faster). Zest both oranges and section one orange.
Finely dice 1/2 a red onion. Combine all your veggies and stir in heavy pinch of salt (this lets the fruit and veg release their juices). Let this mixture sit until your quinoa is cooked and slightly cooled.

Once the quinoa has cooled, add the veggies/fruit and walnut oil to your quinoa. Stir until combined. Sprinkle with a handful of finely chopped fennel leaves and pine nuts plus any additional salt as needed.


The dish went over well but this recipe makes A LOT of quinoa, I suggest cutting it in half unless you want leftovers. Time to start another busy week here. Have a good one!

Teddy

Mung Bean Noodles

A few weeks back I mentioned that I bought a BUNCH of different kind of noodles at MT Market. At the time I couldn't resist the Mung bean noodles.


Honestly, they taste like noodles... I was expecting something else, maybe something bean-y? If someone served me them without telling me what was in them I would have never guessed mung beans.




Perhaps I'll prepare them in a more simple way next time so I am able to taste the actual noodle more. My noodles were in veggie broth with jalapenos, carrots, kale and a sprinkling of sesame seeds. It's all too likely that the jalapeno overwhelmed the flavor of the noodle.

School update:


We did a SPA NIGHT at school. It was entirely too much fun and exactly what I needed. If you see my twitter you know I'm a pretty busy gal. With work and school and the blog and attempting to have some sort of social life it's hard for me to take any time for relaxing. We did all natural face masks, foot baths and I received my first ginger compress. *sigh* School needs to do this once a month for us haha.

Happy April Fools day peeps!

Teddy

Thai Noodle House

My obsession with finding the best Thai place in Austin has led me to a small, whole in the wall eatery called the Thai Noodle House (2602 Guadalupe St Austin, TX 78705). I've been here once before and tried they're DWI noodles- a play on the more commonly named drunken noodles. My favorite part about drunken noodles in general is that they are SPICY and greasy. Thai Noodle House's DWI is pretty good and they'll make it as spicy as you want.

Enough of my love of drunken noodles and back unto what my order was this trip.

Masaman Curry

As with all curries, fish sauce is commonly used but any good Thai place will allow you to take it out. My favorite things about this particular curry were 1) it came with tons of rice (like a lot of rice and usually have to order more) 2) The potatoes had that melt in your mouth consistency.

I'm used to more liquid in with my curry but the creamy thickness of Thai Noodle House's Masaman was just right. Sometimes I find that Thai places water down the curry and I prefer it to coat the back of your spoon.

If you can't already tell, I like this place and am both bummed and grateful that it is not next door to me. The hole in the wall no, frills atmosphere, and service with a smile reminds me of my trips to Thailand. This will be added to my Thai cravings rotation along with Titaya's.

Teddy

Juan in a Million

Juan in a Million

With all the insanity of sxsw last week I was thrilled to finally get a chance to try Juan in a Million. First a disclaimer, if you're vegan this isn't the place for you. Eggs, potatoes, bacon and cheese are on everything.

Moving on. The name alone made me want to try the place (you know you like it too). I'd say they're known for the Don Juan, which is what I ordered minus the bacon. There is tons of food for only 4 bucks and after a WEEK of free sxsw and free alcohol it really hit the spot.
Would I eat this or here all the time? I don't think my body could handle it but on a week where I was planning on punishing myself anyway this was fantastico. :)

It was more breakfast than I should have eaten in one sitting and every bite was terribly sinful and great. I mean hey, I don't want to eat healthy all the time right? haha

Teddy

Austin360 Food & Wine Blogger Bash

Hi folks
It's South by South West here and my computer has officially died on me. I'll be down for a little while but trying to post whenever I can get my hands on a computer. Until then, enjoy some pictures from our Austin food blogger bash!

Menu of the evening the smoked tomato aioli was to die for.

The tomato tatin was easiest thing to eat while standing and talking to fellow food bloggers.

I'm not sure you can tell from this picture but the flower arrangements included asparagus and baby artichokes. Both genius and adorable.

Potatoes and kale are a good pairing but were awkward to pick up and eat.

It wasn't until half way through our TX wine tastings that I realized there were cooking demos going on. Tyson Cole of Uchi did a demo of fried rice balls and bestowed sushi wisdom unto us ;)

Teddy

Sxsw Cupcake Social

FoodBuzz and Cupcakes That Take The Cake held the Cupcake Social 2.0 at SXSW yesterday and you better believe I was all over that. Free cupcakes at a bar? I'm not sure who would say no. Austin's bakeries stepped up a provided to free treats. Thanks to The Cupcake Bar, Hey Cupcake, Toot Sweet Cupcakes, Sugar Mamas Bakeshop, L's Cupcakes and Polkadots for the treats!

Now if I could remember all the names of the cupcakes I would list them on here, but I can't. You'll have to settle for some good ole pictures instead.

Cara choose this peanut butter, chocolate, banana cupcake

I told you I wouldn't remember all of these cupcakes!

My lovely hand and a raspberry rosewater cupcake.

A ridiculously chocolaty creation that was virtually impossible to eat without looking like you had a fight with a chocolate bar and lost.

What a great way to start my SXSW week right?

Teddy

Forbidden Black Rice

What is forbidden black rice? It's a short grain heirloom rice that is usually grown in Asia. Black rice is extremely nutritious- high in minerals, fiber and it contains many essential acids. There are some theories as to why it's called "forbidden" including that it was the rice of kings but it's also possible that the name is simply a marketing ploy. Well it worked on me. I love the name as much as the rice itself haha

Black rice porridge

I acquired my rice through school. We made a huge batch so I snagged some to bring home. Black rice is more expensive than your average rice (not expensive in general) but I think it pays for it's self nutritionally speaking. Normally the rice is mixed in with white rice when made and not eaten on it's own.




I made a breakfast porridge with my leftovers and it caused quite a stir while I ate it at my desk. About 4 people stopped to ask what I was eating. Well people, here it is! My version of black rice porridge. It's incredibly simple and the basic structure can be used to make any porridge.

Forbidden Black Rice Porridge

1/4 cup black rice
1 cup vanilla soy, amasake, or water- I used a mixture of soy and water
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1 pinch sea salt
optional cinnamon

Add all ingredients to a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the liquid has reduced.

If you give it a try, let me know how you like it!

Teddy