Three Pizzas

Pizza is my favorite food, hands down. There are numerous close seconds, but I would be lying if I said there was anything else in the top spot.

So the other night when we had shrimp, a few whole wheat tortillas, and nothing else planned for dinner, we ended up with shrimp pizzas! (Three delicious shrimp pizzas, if I do say so myself). We had several topping possibilities in the fridge, and since I really couldn't narrow it down to just one theme, I ended up making three different pizzas.

Spicy Thai Peanut with Cilantro & Carrots

The first thing I did was roast a pound of shell-on, deveined tiger shrimp (that I had tossed with olive oil, S&P, and a crushed clove of garlic) in the oven at 400 degrees. I took them out just before they were fully cooked since they were going back in the oven atop the tortillas (rubbery shrimp=opposite of delicious). Then I peeled them, sliced them in half so they would lay flat, and prepped all the other tasty toppings.

Roasted Pepper, Arugula, & Goat Cheese

Here are the topping deets:

Spicy Thai-julienned carrots, chopped cilantro & scallions, sesame seeds. This sauce totally made it (I tossed half of it with the shrimp and then used the other half to drizzle after it baked): equal parts soy/lime juice, a bit of toasted sesame oil, a smidge of peanut butter and a dash of chili garlic paste. Added some chopped peanuts and a bit more cilantro...Thai heaven.

Roasted Peps-leftover roasted yellow peppers and red onions, crumbled goat cheese, and arugula (tossed in lemon juice, olive oil, S&P and was added right when it came out of the oven). Buonissima!

BBQ Blue Cheese-carmelized red onions, blue cheese & bacon crumbles, and shrimp tossed in BBQ sauce (store-bought...I think the brand is Bull's Eye) before baking. Again, it was all about the sauce: equal parts BBQ sauce/ranch dressing, dash of chili powder, cayenne pepper, and some salt. Ooowwweeee, so yummy.

Blue Cheese Barbecue, Bacon, & Carmelized Onions

After assembling each pizza, I put them back in the oven at 450 for a few minutes until everything was melted and warmed through. I think my fave was the Thai while the hubs favored the blue cheese & bacon. Really, not a bad one in the bunch.

I mean, what's better than a customized pizza? Um, three of them!

Happy Searching!

Tea-riffic Sandwiches

I love all things dainty, food included. Small, delicate bites like petit fours, tapas, and finger sandwiches are among some of my favorites. They make me feel prettier just by eating them.

And I am usually a big fan of simplicity in the kitchen, but I must say that the attention to detail is partially why I love things like tea sandwiches. I am all about the details. Crusts, which I normally adore (but have no place on a finger sandwich), are lovingly cut off to ensure a perfectly balanced and refined bite.

Well, tea sandwiches appeared on one of our recent weekend menus when we were in the mood for something light. They were the perfect petite treat. Call me superficial, but there's something spectacular about food that both looks and tastes great.

We used a dense, multigrain bread (newly discovered Costco's Kirkland 100% Multigrain--love it!) to create two tasty tea sandwiches: smoked salmon with dill & chive butter and cucumber with an herbed cheese spread (similar to Ina's found here).

I'm sure these sandwiches would have been delicious with tea, but they were really excellent with a glass of chardonnay. Cool, refreshing, lovely little sandwiches. Delicious!

Happy Searching,

California Crab BLTs

As some of you may know, the Mister and I love us some crab. Whenever there's an excuse to have some celebratory cuisine (holidays, birthdays, days that end in "y", etc.) crab is one of our go-to ingredients (as evidenced here). The occasion that had us feeling crabby this time? Super Bowl Sunday (aka Super Snack Sunday, which is definitely my favorite football event).

After some preliminary hors d'oeuvres (here and here), we sunk our teeth into these amazing Cali Crab BLTs. I mean, check it out!

We wanted an upscale take on the classic sandy, so we substituted a few ingredients from the basic recipe. The first step was removing all the meat from the crab legs and claws (which was a much easier task with the use of some kitchen shears).

We started with a fresh loaf of sourdough bread (left whole, so we could cut Texas Toast-sized slices ourselves). Once the bread was lightly toasted, we spread a lemon aioli (lemon zest, lemon juice, mayo, S&P) on both pieces. Then we layered some arugula, big chunks of crab, avocado (there's the California part), lots of bacon, tomato, and another little sprinkle of S&P.

The flavors were simple enough that you could taste each one individually, but worked so harmoniously well together. The lemon in the aioli gave the crab the perfect zing. The salty bacon, juicy tomatoes, and peppery arugula...all smooshed together between tangy sourdough toast...Sandwich Heaven!

Happy Searching,

Shrimp? Sure!

So, the holiday heyday and subsequent aftermath is finally coming to a close. Time to get back on track. Time to burn more calories, consume less, and try not to sacrifice all sense of culinary joy in the process.

The good news? It's definitely possible. Healthy eating doesn't necessarily equate to bland, boring eating. For me, it's all about lean but flavorful ingredients and smaller portions. Shrimpy portions, actually!

Shrimp has always been one of our favorite quick and easy protein choices. It's incredibly versatile, low in fat, and most importantly...delicious! We use shrimp in all sorts of dishes, from these mini-tostadas to Greek-inspired pita wraps with tzatziki sauce.

Today, we got a good deal on a pound of jumbo shrimp (I know, what an oxymoron...jumbo shrimp) so we kept the flavors simple since the big ones are so succulent. Ryan marinated them in olive oil, lemon zest, garlic, and S&P. After he roasted them at 400 (with the shells on--our favorite method for cooking them because it keeps them juicy and flavorful), he finished them with a bit of lemon juice, olive oil, and fresh dill.

Served atop a bed of whole wheat couscous with some sauteed asparagus on the side, shrimpy portions never tasted so good!

What dish do you turn to when you need some tasty, lighter fare?

Happy Searching,


p.s. I had to immediately put the extras in the fridge for fear that my portion size would jump from shrimpy to jumbo. We all have our battles, right?

Holy Crab!

I realized it's been awhile since I've showcased one of Ryan's masterpieces (even though I eat them all the time). This dish was inspired by one of our favorite indulgences, crab legs. Caught fresh from the Costco Seafood Road Show, two or three legs usually satisfies our appetite for a taste of luxury. This time, those legs had a fancier fate than simply being dipped in butter. They put on a tuxedo and hopped into pasta baked with four cheeses.

That's right...Holy crab! Crab Mac & Cheese, ya'll! Let me just tell you, it was out of this world.

The recipe was a hybrid of Ina Garten's & Emeril Lagasse's. After removing all of the crabmeat and boiling the pasta, Ryan made a homemade four-cheese sauce: Gruyere, Pecorino Romano, Fontina, Parrano. Sauteed onions and garlic, pancetta, and chives made the sauce ooze with flavor. The nutty, sharp, creamy, salty cheese sauce surrounded bits of crab, chives, and cavatappi pasta (which is my absolute favorite pasta shape, by the way).

Tossed together, scooped into a glass baking dish, and topped with tomatoes and buttered bread crumbs...

...this was the end result. I can't tell you how hard it was to wait for the 10 minute "cool time". So after 9 minutes, I dished up a hearty portion (I already knew it was going to be good), and drizzled it with teensy bit of White Truffle Oil (one of our William's-Sonoma gift card splurges).

Ho-LY CRAB! Luscious, perfectly rich, make-your-mouth-sing delicious.

Happy Searching,

Fish Dish

After the debut of the new Cooking Channel, I was inspired to try a new fish dish. Although I didn't follow the recipe exactly, the final product did not disappoint! Roast Halibut with Smoked Tomato Vinaigrette was the perfect light summer meal.

Now, the recipe calls for you to make your own smoker, smoke your tomatoes, all that jazz...I didn't do that. Instead, I opened a can of tomatoes, tossed them in a few TB of olive oil and a few drops of liquid smoke (potent stuff, so just a smidge), and roasted them on a cookie sheet until their sauce had evaporated.

This method gave me similar smoky, intense tomato flavor without the hassle of a trying to MacGyver a homemade smoker (which would've turned out more MacGruber). Liquid smoke was the key. If you haven't tried it before, don't be scared. It's basically inexpensive BBQ essence in liquid form and is great in marinades, BBQ sauces, etc. And a little goes a long way, so it lasts forever.

After the tomatoes were roasted, I put the them in a food processor, whirred them around until they were smooth and then streamed in some olive oil. Vinaigrette done!

I followed the recipe pretty closely when cooking the fish: a bit of oil in a hot pan, put the fillets in (skin side down) and cooked them until they were golden and crispy. Gave them a flip then tossed them in a 375 degree oven to finish cooking all the way through.

I tossed some spinach and fresh corn (right off the cob) in a bit of the vinaigrette, then plated it all up like this:

First, I poured a bit of vinaigrette in the bottom of the bowl (which was actually more like a tomato broth). Next, I placed the halibut in the bowl. Finally, I topped it with the lightly-dressed spinach & corn. Fresh, nutritious, and very delicious!

Happy Searching,

The Mother of All Weekends, Part 2

My previous post recounted the first day of our Mother's Day Weekend Smorgasbord. Here's Day 2 of our devourings:

Sunday morning, I woke Mama B up with some mixed berry scones with homemade orange honey butter, recipe courtesy of Tyler Florence. The scones were pretty good (especially warm) but the butter was the star. Who knew it was so easy to make your own butter?!? Throw some cream into a mixer and 5 minutes later, you've got the best butter you've ever tasted. So easy, so delish!

After our scones settled, we had brunch at the Eastside Cafe. The first time I ate there, I knew I would have to come back with my mom. The Cafe is actually a quaint little house, complete with a huge garden behind it where all of the produce is grown. Everything is fresh, local, and very tasty.

This Shrimp & Goat Cheese Quesadilla was a last minute addition to our order and probably the best dish at the Cafe--perfectly crispy on the outside, gooey and melted on the inside and gone in two minutes!

After our meal, we were ready for a stroll in the garden. Everything from lettuce to squash grew abundantly, providing a lovely setting.

Later that evening (after a nap, I believe), Ryan treated us to Pineapple Margaritas and Fish Tacos. The margs were perfectly frothy, fruity, and refreshing.  Don't you want a gulp?

The tacos: spicy tilapia dressed with a cool sour cream sauce, then topped with crumbled queso fresco inside a warm flour tortilla. Soooo good!  

Needless to say, we went to bed with extremely satisfied tastebuds...but not before planning our meals for the next day. Check back for kolaches and barbeque from Lockhart, the Texas Bar-B-Q Capital!

Happy Searching,

Tasty Tostadas

In observance of Cinco de Mayo and all things delicioso, I have to share one of our new favorite recipes. It's a keeper for several reasons, but the best one? It's healthy Mexican food. 

I know what you're saying: "¿Es verdad? Can it be?!" Yes, it's true! 

It seems like an oxymoron, but these shrimp tostadas have all of the deliciousness of Mexican food without any of the greasy guilt. Nada. And they are sooooo good!

If I had to choose one word to describe this dish, it would be flavorful. Smoky cumin, ancho chili powder, lime juice, and cilantro mingled together to create a perfect balance. The roasted shrimp were spicy, the corn and red onion were cool and sweet, and the vinaigrette was tangy.

Even with a few amendments to the original recipe, I can't imagine this dish turning out any better. We didn't have any cabbage, so I omitted it altogether. For the tostada "shells", I substituted won ton skins. They were a bit more healthful than the the corn tortillas the recipe called for and still provided that crunchy texture. 

I brushed ten of them lightly with olive oil, sprinkled them with S&P, and baked them in a muffin tin until golden brown (around 8 minutes). While they cooled, I prepped the shrimp and veggies, tossed them all together and assembled the tostada cups. 

Muy deliciso! A great appetizer, dinner, or fiesta fare. Happy Cinco de Mayo! I hope you're enjoying a margarita (or a Modelo)...

¡Buscar Feliz!

Crawfish Tales

Last weekend, thanks to our friends in Ft. Worth, I experienced my first crawfish boil. I had heard enough to know what to expect (lots of work for little reward) but was excited nonetheless.

When they're ready, the crawfish are tossed out directly onto a covered table along with corn, whole red potatoes, sausage, and mushrooms (which I learned are prized possessions that disappear quickly as they soak up all the yummy juices).

Despite the effort required to break into those little crawfish tails, I really enjoyed them. Compared to other shellfish, they taste fairly light.  Not as rich and buttery as shrimp or lobster...to me, they seem like the trout of the shellfish world. A perfect canvas for some cajun spices!

As a crawfish virgin, I was subject to some teasing. A couple of clever pranksters standing next to us overheard my exaggerated enthusiasm and decided to take advantage of my naivete. They nonchalantly nudged a "mutated" crawfish my way, and within a few minutes, they had me...hook, line, and sinker!

"Is that a crab? Oh my gosh! No--wait--it's a two-headed crawfish! Holy smokes! A TWO-HEADED CRAWFISH!!!" 

Thanks to my posse for bailing me out...I may have been claiming I'd seen the Sasquatch before too long...it just looked so real!

In spite of the shellfish shenanigans, I'd say my first crawfish tale was a delicious success. 

Happy Searching,

Sea Bass Skewers & Six Years

This weekend marked six blissful years of marriage for the mister and me. We celebrated the best way we know how: by indulging in delicious food and drink!

After a champagne toast and a swoon over some gorgeous blooms, we headed downtown for some anniversary nibbles.

Imperia is one of the places in Austin we've discovered for just such an occasion. Nestled among several other upscale hotspots in the Warehouse District, it's one of the few reasons we make the trip downtown (you know...parking, crowds, 10 minutes of driving...do I sound old?).

Imperia offers amazing martinis, tasty small bites, and swanky ambience...all for $5 an item everyday from 5:30-7:00. Everyday.

The Jade & The Imperial Pearl

Despite the 2-for-1 rolls and the gulp-able martinis, there's only one reason why we have to go to Imperia...

The Sea Bass Skewers. They are consistently delicious. The fish (which isn't fishy at all) is rich and buttery and slightly sweet from the candied soy glaze. The texture of the sea bass and the swirl of salty-sweet sauce beneath it had my taste buds somersaulting with delight!

A wonderful way to celebrate six years of love, laughter, and delightful dishes. Happy Anni, babes!

And to everyone else...

Happy Searching,

Just for the Halibut

For as much as I love carbs (pasta, rice, repeat), my husband loves fish even more. He would eat fish for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if he could. Needless to say, we throw fish into the mix a few times a week if we can. Recently, Ryan found some gorgeous, fresh halibut fillets and a few other fun ingredients to come up with a lovely seafood dinner.

How beautiful is that?!? Here's the rundown...

Ryan rubbed the fillets with olive oil, salt & pepper, then pan-seared them and threw them in the oven to finish cooking. He topped them with a tart and spicy blood-orange salsa. The side dish? Tomatoes stuffed with a mix of crumbled sausage, creamy ricotta, and brown rice...then topped with provolone cheese and baked until gooey.

Am I a lucky girl or what?!? So yummy!

Happy Searching,  

Austin Restaurant Week

One of the greatest events in Austin (and there are many to speak of) is Austin Restaurant Week. For $25 or $35 per person, you can get a three-course, gourmet meal that would normally cost upwards of $50. A portion of the proceeds goes to charity, a portion of delicious food goes to your belly...what more could a compassionate foodie ask for?

Something a bit more delicious. 

Unfortunately, I was a little disappointed with my meal from Kona Grill. As much as I wanted it to be delicious, it fell short. (To be fair, Ryan enjoyed his meal quite a bit more than I enjoyed mine, but we both left feeling somewhat unsatisfied).                                   


Ryan ordered the ATX roll, the Sushi Sashimi, and the Mochi dessert (along with a 'Bama Roll chaser). I ordered Potstickers, Lemongrass Crusted Halibut and for dessert, the Fudge Brownie.

 

Ryan's Sushi Plate 

The 'Bama Roll 

  

My Lemongrass Crusted Halibut

 Triple Fudge Brownie

I know what you're thinking...what's wrong with these? Kona's menu for Restaurant Week did offer a decent variety of items and although none of them were bad, none of them were show-stopping, either.


So, what was the problem? Well...


My potstickers, which happen to be a favorite treat of mine, were on the chewy side. They definitely appeared to be homemade (I admire the effort), but the dough was difficult to cut through with a fork. 
My halibut was seasoned well and the sauce was excellent (anything coconut curry is alright in my book) but it was overcooked...enough that it was a bit dry, and even the yummy sauce couldn't save it.
The brownie was fudgy...and rich...but somehow it was also a bit bland. How can that be? A chocolate brownie, topped with ice cream and drizzled with caramel and more chocolate? Sounds heavenly and believe me, I wanted to like it. It just seemed to be missing something. Sort of like those low-fat desserts (which I'm sure wasn't the case here) that sound good in theory but leave you wanting more.


On a scale of one to ten, Ryan and I gave Kona an overall seven-and-a-half. Not bad, but when you're always in search of delicious, you can't settle. So the search continues...    


Looking forward to the next Restaurant Week!


Happy Searching,    

Oy-stuhs...Little Oy-stuhs!

During our Valentine's stroll on South Congress, we revisited a restaurant that we discovered a few months ago. Perla's, a new addition to the row of restaurants on Austin's most happenin' avenue, left us a bit disappointed the first time around. The service was just plain lousy but the food was so incredibly delicious that we decided to give Perla's a second chance. (Ryan still talks about their Soft Shell Crab BLT. Read all about our first trip here.) Round Two proved to be similar to Round One: food=delicious, service=non-existent.

So, onto the food! We ordered two schooners of beer and a half dozen Fanny Bay oysters on the half shell (which are from British Columbia and have a reputation for being consistently scrumptious...they were).
Chasing a briny, plump, succulent oyster with an icy-cold beer is one of my all-time most delicious scenarios. The oysters were fantastic, but didn't last long.

It took us 15 minutes to get them...

...and this was literally about 2 minutes later.

I felt a bit like the Carpenter...you know, from the old Disney cartoon version of Alice in Wonderland with the story of The Walrus and The Carpenter? The Carpenter spends all of his time preparing for the big oyster feast while the Walrus slurps down one oyster after another and before you know it, the Carpenter is calling out, "Oy-stuhs? Little Oy-stuhs?"

But they'd been eaten...every one!

Ahhh, there are never enough oysters. Or attentive servers. But maybe the third time's the charm...the oysters are so good, we may have to give Perla's another chance. Maybe.

Happy Searching,

Divine Valentine

How glorious was it that Valentine's Day fell on a weekend this year?!? (A long weekend if you had Monday off...bonus!)

We didn't even make huge plans...just spent the three-day weekend enjoying each other's company and some delicious nibbles. Our weekend started Friday night with a concert downtown (The English Beat, a resurfaced 80's band, set the tone for a fun and relaxing weekend with their reggae-punk tunes). Saturday afternoon was filled with leisurely grocery shopping (one of our favorite pastimes), filling our cart with Valentine indulgences like lobster tails and champagne. We ate breakfast in bed Sunday morning and spent some time on South Congress that afternoon. All in all, a lovely weekend...hope yours was deliciously lovely, too!

Pear & Gorgonzola Salad with 

Toasted Walnuts and Champagne Vinaigrette

 Lemon Pepper Pappardelle with 

Lobster & Peas in a White Wine Cream Sauce

 

Blake Benedict 

(the Blake comes with bacon and heart-shaped toast)

Pomegranate Champagne Cocktails

If you are interested in making some delicious yourself, the tried-and-true recipes are coming soon! Meanwhile...

Happy Searching,