Monthly Archives: October 2018

My Trip to Norman’s at The Ritz Carlton in Orlando Florida

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Norman’s is an upscale restaurant located in The Ritz Carlton in Orlando Florida. The Atmosphere is opulent and formal with high ceilings, lots of natural stone and impressive wine refrigeration curios in the formal dining room.

Norman’s Executive Chef is Multi Award Wining and James Bead Award Wining Celebrity Chef Norman Van Aken who also is a decorated cookbook author. The Restaurant serves a fusion of Latin, Caribbean and Asian foods done in European Style.

Bread service is stellar like no other.

They offer you your choice of maybe a half dozen different oils with descriptions, herbs, butter, choice of salts and fresh baked ciabatta and mushroom brioche breads.

I started with the Masa Crusted Tuna with Salsa Verde, Jicama and Salmon Roe.

Parts of this dish are stunning………I don’t know if this is by design or not….The actual fish lacks salt and pepper.  The sauce is delicious.  Pops of very sharp pickled onion cut threw and wake you up.

My husband started with the Pan Seared Annatto Sea Scallops with White Grits, Chanterelles and Orange Butter Sauce.

I heard this was amazing as it sounds.

Dinner for me was the Pan Cooked Grouper in Ramp Sofrito with Sweet Potato Agnolotti, Romanesco, Morita-Tomatillo Salsa.

Grouper could have used some salt and pepper but was prepared mostly perfect in a well made tasty sauce. The fancy cauliflower (romanesco) was only ever so slightly cooked. Extra sharp pickled onions add lots of acid to the plate. BUT THE SWEET POTATO AGNOLOTTI WERE ABSOLUTELY TO DIE FOR………They were so small but bursting with so many delicious flavors. So many flavors….My husband and me both wished we could have a plate of them…..WOW they were really great!

My husband had the Pork Havana with Smokey Plantain Crema, 21 Century Mole and Golden Grits.

The Pork was prepared tender and medium. It also lacked salt and pepper but sat in well made delicious sauces that you were suppose to mix together. Grits were natural and flavorful.

Instead of dessert we went for a cheese plate.

Here comes the cart.

We went for the Stinky Blue Cheese and a Truffle Cheese.

We ended dinner a little cheesy but it was delicious!

That was my trip to Norman’s at The Ritz Carlton in Orlando Florida

www.Normans.com

Everything is subject to change and your experience may or may not differ.

The Forking Truth

 

 

 

My Trip to the Disney Epcot 2018 Food and Wine Festival in Orlando Florida

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From August 30th till November 12th 2018 Epcot at Disney turns Global Foodie. Just walk your feet off all around Epcot and sample different tastes from around the world…..Don’t worry about over doing it because you know it’s a Small World After all.

You need at least two days to do the Food and Wine Festival. Most of the booths offer three choices of food, a beverages or two and maybe a dessert that cost $5-$10.00 on the average. The festival foods run not all but mostly beef and pork……We skipped all the beverages (except for water), wines and most desserts for more stomach room. We cherry picked the foods we picked and it took two days for us and that is with us skipping some booths (some skipping was accidental).  If you are more serious about trying all the food and drink you need to split the food with a group of people and you might need at least three days in Epcot. Two Days of all this food for two people only cost us $138.00….(plus park admission).

Our first stop was Thailand and we shared a Red Hot Spicy Thai Curry Beef with steamed rice.

New Zealand was Seared Venison Sausage with Kumara Puree and Wild Mushroom Marsala Sauce.

At Canada we found Le Cellier Wild Mushroom Beef Filet with Truffle Butter Sauce.

We stopped at Ireland two days. One day was Roasted Irish Sausage with Colcannon Potatoes and Onion Gravy. The Other we tried Warm Irish Cheddar Cheese Stout Dip with Irish Brown Bread. (we were given two slices but noticed the next day they were giving out four slices….

Brazil had Crispy Pork Belly with Black Beans and Onions.

Didn’t eat in Morocco but it was pretty here.

Japan offered of the very few chicken and fish offerings. We tried Teriyaki Chicken Bun and a Spicy Rice Roll of Tuna and Salmon that was topped with Volcano Sauce.

At Italy we tried one of the other chicken offerings – Pollo All Cacciatora – Braised Chicken Thigh with mushrooms, tomatoes and Parmesan Polenta.

At a booth called From The Fire was some of the most delicious food from the festival. Here we tried Smoked Corned Beef with Crispy Potato Chips, Pickled Onions, Pale Ale Fondue, Romano and Grana Cheeses. Then we tried Charred Chimichurri Skirt Steak on a Smoked Corn Cake with Pickled Slaw and Cilantro Aioli. We skipped not all but many of the sweets but luckily tried the Chocolate Picante. It was a delicious plate of Dark Chocolate Mousse with Cayenne Pepper, Chocolate Candy Balls and Mango.

Earth Eats offered a Mushroom Blended  Beef Slider with Brie Cheese Fondue, Arugula, Truffle, Blue Cheese and a Potato Chip on Brioche. Also Offered was the Vegan Impossible Burger Slider with SPICY Asian Slaw and Wasabi Cream on Sesame Bun. The Impossible Burger was slightly over-cooked but both burgers was very flavorful and delicious.

At Active Eats was Loaded Mac “N” Cheese with Cheddar, Pepper Bacon, Peppers and Green Onions. They also offered Verlasso Salmon with Lentil Salad, Avocado and Sherry Vinegar.

At the Chocolate Studio we both LOVED the Liquid Nitro Chocolate Almond Truffle with Whiskey Sauce. But our least favorite plate for BOTH OF US at the festival was the Sweet Chocolate Raspberry Torte…..Wow neither of could eat it…..

Our trip to the Cheese Studio was pretty darn yummy. We tried a Trio of a Profiterole with Boursin Garlic Herbs with Apricot jam, A Smoked Salmon Pinwheel made with Boursin Shallot Cream Cheese and Everything Seasoning and last was a Strawberry Macaron with Boursin Pepper Cheese.

Our last stop outside was the Wine and Dine Studio. We tried a Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Butter Vinaigrette, Parmesan Cheese and Pumpkin Seeds and a Cheese Trio of Crescenza-Stracchino, Gorgonzola Dolce Vino Rosso.

Inside the World Showcase were special add on food special event options, Chocolate displays and bottles of wine and liquor for sale.

I was eyeing up a bottle of Lucas Winery Wine…You know the Star Wars Guy. It was $65.00 a bottle so we sampled a tasting with a cheese plate.

We spent $13.00 on the wine tasting to save $65.00. I forget what the cheese plate cost.

Then we finished off with a free British Revolution Concert.

That was my Trip to the 2018 Disney Epcot Food and Wine Festival in Orlando Florida.

Everything is subject to change and your experience may or may not differ.

The Forking Truth

 

My Trip to Mrs Potato Restaurant in Orlando Florida

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Mrs Potato is a small casual Brazilian Potato Restaurant located in Orlando Florida not too far from Disney World. The specialty of the restaurant are the Rosti Potatoes that are basically large round stuffed hash browns. They also offer extra large stuffed potatoes and a limited menu of Brazilian Food. The food is made fresh to order so it doesn’t get to you fast and you have to wait. The Rosti Potatoes alone take twenty five minutes to cook. This tiny restaurant is not fancy but they’ve gained national attention from being featured on Diners Drive Inns and Dives on Food Network Television.

This is pretty much the whole restaurant with a patio off to the side.

There is a Potato Head Collection on the wall.

On the other wall are numerous articles and publications about the restaurant and also Guy Fieri’s Memorabilia from the diners Drive Inns and Dive TV Show.

We started out by trying an appetizer of 1/2 Cod Fritters and 1/2 Cheese Balls.

They serve them with the house “Garlic Mayo” and sweet chili sauce.

As you can see the Cheese Balls are Cheesy and Tasty and the Cod Fritters are Good. I’ve had Cod Fritters at another Brazilian Restaurant and these have much more Cod in them.

We both went with Rosti Potatoes.

They come out golden and crispy. They offer the house Garlic Mayonnaise to dress them and they also offer two Brazilian Sauces to spike them up.

**********Note the white sauce on right side.

On the left is Brazilian Sausage Stuffed Rosti and on the Right is the Veggie Lovers Rosti.

We would return and recommend.

That was my trip to Mrs Potato in Orlando Florida.

www.MrsPotato.net

Everything is subject to change and your experience may or may not differ.

The Forking Truth

The 2018 Reign of #PUMPKINSPICEEVERYTHING , Pumpkin , Pumpkin Spice & Halloween

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This time of year the world turns a different flavor of mad……It’s getting close to Halloween and we must have Pumpkin, Pumpkin Spice and Special Edition Halloween Food. As crazy as it all sounds the good news is that in 2018 I haven’t come across nearly as many of these sorts of food as in previous years…….In 2015 might have been the biggest year for Bat-sh*T Crazy Pumpkin Spice because I remember I had to do a three part blog on Pumpkin Spice that year. Could it be that civilization is normalizing? By the way what I did find this year I came across much latter in the season than the usual by September. I didn’t even find most of this stuff until late September. Up above are the Halloween Edition pop-tarts in Frosted Chocolate Fudge. Booooooh

And if that one doesn’t do it for you than maybe…………

Limited Edition Frosted Pumpkin Pie pop-tarts are at a grocer near you too!

Up above are Pumpkin Seed Tortilla Chips, Werther’s Original Candies in Pumpkin Spice, International Delight Cream Type Product in Pumpkin Spice, Nonni’s single serve Coffee in Pumpkin Spice and how can you not live without Pumpkin Spice Yogurt Pretzels!

How can you go on with out Kraft Pumpkin Spice Marshmallows and Lindt’s Pumpkin Spice filled Chocolates……

Bone Rattler Hot Sauce – This screams Halloween to me.

Junior Mints, Snickers and Reese’s all ready for Halloween!

Here’s Hostess Twinkies with SCREAM Filling and Scary Cakes with SCREAM filling…..? Why would I want to eat a packaged cake with filling that makes me scream?

Trader Joes Candy Corn Pop corn, Pumpkin “O”s Cereal, Pumpkin Bagels, Pumpkin Chai Spice Loaf, Spiced Pumpkin Madelene Cookies and Monster Reese’s Candy

Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Treats in Halloween Packaging. Them little elves look kind of frightening don’t they?

In the cluster above are Voor Man Pumpkin Spice Wafers, Pumpkin Spice Cookies, Little Debbie Brownies in Bats and Pumpkins, Libby’s Pumpkin Bread Mix, Betty Crocker Pumpkin Spice Cookies and Green Mountain artificially flavored Coffee.

Limited Edition Entenmann’s Pumpkin Muffins. Ok…….but there is a strange looking critter in the middle of the box…I can’t tell if it’s a cow? pig? or a dog? and why is it there?

Here are Entenmann’s Pumpkin Doughnuts.

Pumpkin Spice Cheese Torta???………… What is this thing????

Limited Edition BelVita Breakfast Biscuits are now available for a limited time in the Pumpkin Spice variety.

Pillsbury Pumpkin and Ghost Cookies.

Thinster’s Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Pepperidge Farm Pumpkin Spice Cookies, Archer Farms Pumpkin Spice Caramel Corn, Limited Edition Snack Bites, Pumpkin Spice Pretzels, Pumpkin Spice filled Wafers, Trail Mix and Dove Caramel & Milk Chocolate Pumpkins….Oh boy!

Trader Joes Pumpkin Ravioli and Pumpkin Pancake mix…What a combination.

Trader Joes Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread and Muffin Mix, Regular Pumpkin Bread and Muffin Mix, Pumpkin Pancake and Waffle Mix, Pecan Pumpkin Instant Oatmeal, Organic Pumpkin Toaster Pastries and Pumpkin Tortilla Chips. OH MY!

Pumpkin Curd…..ummmm Pumpkin Curd Meringue pie? or on toast? I don’t know about this one…..Pumpkin curd just doesn’t sound tasty…….pumpkin nerd…..pumpkin turd…..same color as loose bowels………..

Trader Joes- Pumpkin Cranberry Crisps, Pumpkin Biscotti, Organic Pumpkin Spice Granola Bark, Pumpkin Butter, Pumpkin Marble Mousse Bar, Pumpkin Waffles and Danish Kringle in Pumpkin Flavor….Who knew?

 

Hurry up and get your Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Cherrios before they’re all gone!

Limited Edition Special K Pumpkin Spice Crunch…OH BOY!

And ALSO Limited Edition Special K (not crunch like above cereal) I don’t know what this is but it makes me think it might be Forking repackaged and stale without crunch?????????

NEW Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Frosted Flakes…People of a certain age know what Tony the Tiger would say……………….Ther’rrrrrrrrrrrrrre…………GRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrate!

Back for Halloween Count Chocula with Monster Marshmallows ….Blah Blah Balhhhhhhh!

Franken Berry and Boo Berry Cereals both with Monster Marshmallows…..Blah Blah Blah!

Here are MORE limited Halloween Edition Cereals.

Limited Edition Reese’s Puffs called Peanut Butter Bats…..The cereal box wasn’t well thought out………Looks like lots of cereal bats dived into a pool and died. looks like a pool of dead bats.

Don’t know if the next cereal’s taste better but the box fronts are better.

Limited Edition Chocolate Frosted Flakes with Spooky Marshmallows. That’s true old stale marshmallows are scary.

Limited Edition Fruit Loops with more spooky marshmallows.

Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Instant Oatmeal looks boring after the last few cereals…..

We’ll go back to a box that is more fun!

This next one really does look frightening.

Limited Edition Apple Jacks with Spooky Marshmallows.

……..Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Twinkies…..OH GOD HELP US!

Someone must have lost their mind to come up with this next one…..

Trader Joe’s Harvest Alfredo Sauce with Pumpkin Puree and Butternut Squash Pieces.

If Trader Joe’s Alfredo Sauce with Pumpkin Puree is weird enough…..Maybe next is one better!

AJ’s Fine Foods sells (till October 31 2018) Pumpkin Brats! FORKING PUMPKIN BRATS! Now that is Forking WEIRD!

Halloween Joe Joe’s Cookies….Like the Trader Joe’s version of Oreo Cookies.

Speaking of Oreo Cookies…..

YOU KNOW there’s a Forking Halloween Artificially Flavored Oreo Cookie just for you!

That was The 2018 Reign of #PUMPKINSPICEEVERYTHING, Pumpkin, Halloween HORROR

Too Much Pumpkin , Halloween, Pumpkin Spice and PUMPKIN SPICE EVERYTHING

www.shutterstock.com

The Forking Truth

 

My Trip to Terralina Crafted Italian Restaurant at Disney Springs near Orlando Florida

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Terralina Crafted Italian is located in Disney Springs formally known as Downtown Disney near Orlando Florida. This is an American/Italian Restaurant with a waterfront. The Menu has been created by James Beard Award Winning Chef Tony Mantuano. This restaurant serves wood oven pizzas, calzones, some house made pastas, entrees and more. They also have a sommelier on site for wine advise.

The dining is sort of Mediterranean in style with lots of stone and iron work.

They also offer patio dining.

We were dining with my sister and her fiancé and shared a couple of appetizers.

They took about forty five minutes to arrive after we ordered. I tried the Fried Ricotta Stuffed Olives n the left first. They were a little different and tasty. On the right were stuffed rice balls. I was expecting them to be seasoned and flavorful but oddly who ever prepared them had an allergy to seasoning and made the rice balls unseasoned and next to flavorless….. but the rice balls were fried nicely and seemed free of oil. The tomato sauce also lacked flavors….

Then we found ourselves waiting for dinner.

Then we wait some more for dinner.

Our waiter stops by and apologies  for all the time we’ve been waiting and says that dinner is coming out soon.

Then maybe another half hour goes by and he apologies again and says dinner should be coming out soon.

The Wine Sommelier checks on us and apologies…….

We waited a really long time for dinner. (somewhere over an hour and a half from when we ordered)

Finally three of the four dinners arrive…….Everyone’s dinner but mine.

I told everyone to eat but they all insisted to wait till my dinner arrived.

So we wait another 15 minutes and my dinner arrives.

My dinner was good. It was hot and fresh and prepared reasonably well. But I was the only one at the table that got a fresh nice prepared meal……….    🙁

My sister got the same dinner I had but it was a version that sat out a little while.

My husband’s Seafood Cannelloni also hung out with my sisters plate but the Cannelloni weren’t flavored so well I was told.

But the worst one was my sister’s fiancé’s Swordfish.

It was cold with a RAW COLD center…….Cold and RAW!

Now the waiter apologies to us again.

The Wine Sommelier apologies to us again.

The Manager apologies, comps our bill and tells us to get dessert and or anything else we want.

The FORKING TRUTH is that I haven’t been served by a nicer or more apologetic staff of people that served such a disaster of a dinner.

That was my trip to Terralina Crafted Italian at Disney Springs in Lake Buena Vista near Orlando.

www.TerralinaCraftedItalian.com

I NOTE THAT Every FORKING THING is subject to change and your experience may or may NOT differ.

The Forking Truth

 

 

My Trip to Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ in Lake Buena Vista Florida (Near Orlando)

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Chef Art’s Homecomin’ is a Southern Style American Restaurant. Chef Art Smith is a Celebrity Chef and Multi Award Winning and James beard Award Winning Chef. When you taste his food at the restaurant you will see why. Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ Restaurant is located in Disney Springs (that is formally known as Downtown Disney). No need to purchase park admission for anything in Disney Springs but there is no street parking so you have to use a garage or valet park. Reservations can be difficult to get even a month in advance but be persistent and call the day you are in the area and maybe they can squeeze you in.

The restaurant is sort of farm style. It’s very woody with lots of natural sunlight during the day.

Our server was very welcoming and explains the menu in detail to us.

A specialty of the house are the Moonshine Shooters.

Pictured here are a lemon, blackberry and Strawberry Moonshine Shooters of different proofs. They come with a Pickle Juice Shooter and Candied Pecans. WOO HOO they are strong!

Many delicious appetizers are on the menu so we decided to try the Jasper’s Board that contains Smoked Fish Dip (today it was grouper), Pimento Cheese, Shaved Country and Tasso Ham, Bread and Butter Pickles, Candied Pecans and Buttermilk Crackers. It SOUNDS CRAZZZZZZZY but our waitress told us that you are suppose to pile everything on the cracker and then eat it……MY GOD THIS IS FORKING DELICIOUS……The flavors are just CRAZY CRAZY GOOD! I can’t stop eating this………Oh God and the portion is enough for FOUR PEOPLE.

My main for dinner (and two breakfasts……..(((I’m stuffed by now))) was Art Smith’s Famous Fried Chicken.

Everything is delicious but it gets even better when you splash it all up with the house made hot sauce that isn’t too hot but adds a little soft heat, flavor and tang………so good….This is TOO GOOD…….

My husband had the Capital Meatloaf.

It is also TOO GOOD and comes with “Killer” Sauces of tomato and sausage gravy that you are suppose to mix together. Even the vegetables are extra special and are dabbed with pepper jelly. This plate comes with mashed potatoes but my husband went for the cheesy Mac “N” Cheese option and it is Cheesy Mac “N” Cheese too!

“The FOOD is so GOOD your need to come wearing your Stretchy Pants!”

“The Food is TOO GOOD…..you will have to eat Too Much!”

That was my trip to Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ in Lake Buena Vista Florida near Orlando.

www.HomecominKitchen.com

Everything is subject to change and your experience may or may not differ.

The Forking Truth

My Trip to Tiffins Restaurant in Animal Kingdom at Disney World Orlando Florida

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Tiffins is an upscale restaurant located in Discovery Island in Animal Kingdom at Disney World in Orlando Florida. The food they serve is Modern Global that usually features flavors that are  Africa, Latin and Asian.

The atmosphere is formal, a little dark without windows and is embellished with artwork with a jungle theme.

We went for the full experience. We got a three course meal that included a champagne toast, a glass of wine or beer, The Lion King Show with VIP seating and a Semi Private Safari Tour. (2018 pricing was about $100.00 a person)

Our waiter was very welcoming. He explained all the dishes to us and also made recommendations.

They started us off with focaccia with pomegranate molasses. (I forgot to photo…)

My husband and I shared an Artisanal Cheese Plate and a Chickpea Falafel with Mint Pistachio Pesto, Cumin Garlic Raita.

The Falafel was light and fluffy with a moist but flavorful center. Lots of good flavors going on there.

My main was Pan Seared Halibut with a Concentrated Tomato, Green Beans, Fingerling Potatoes, Saffron Aioli and Olive Marmalade.

The halibut came out with a nice sear, was tender, moist and seasoned just so. The Olive Marmalade and Saffron Aioli were unusually delicious with the Halibut.

My husband’s plate was more interesting…..

He had the Crispy Sadza (African Porridge) with Braised Berkshire Pork Belly, Crispy Corn Cake, Vegetables, Chakalaka (spicy south African vegetable/bean Relish) and Corn Emulsion.

Dessert was

Passion Fruit Tapioca Creme with Chocolate Crumble and Citrus for me.

The dessert tasted like a natural passionfruit. It’s strong but a delicious taste…..

My husband had the South African Chocolate Ganache with Caramelized Banana Cocoa Nib Tuile.

After That we saw the Lion King Show!

Then we finished with a semi private safari.

That was my trip to Tiffins Restaurant in Discovery Island in Animal Kingdom at Disney World in Orlando Florida.

www.TiffinsRestaurant.com

Everything is subject to change and YOUR experience may or may not differ.

The Forking Truth

Where The Fork I’ve Been and a Taste of what I Ate…..In Orlando Florida

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For a few days I’m writing about the places I ate at while in Orlando Florida.

One place I ate at was Norman’s at The Ritz Carlton. This is a fine dining restaurant that serves Fusion of Latin, Caribbean and Asian but European Style. This is a James Beard Award Wining Restaurant and the Chef is Celebrity Chef Norman Van Aken who is a decorated cook book author.

We also tried Mrs Potato. This is a small casual Brazilian Potato Restaurant. I found this yummy stop from the Diners, Drive Ins and Dives from Food Network.

One of our favorite stops was Art Smith’s Home Coming in Disney Springs.

The Food is Southern Style American Comfort Food by an Award Wining James Beard Chef Art Smith. The Food was TOO GOOD HERE….It was too good….so good I had to eat too much. The Food was also generously sized……This is a Must do! This one is actually in Lake Buena Vista but that is just by Orlando.

 

Tiffins Restaurant is a slightly upscale Global Cuisine Dining Restaurant located in Discovery Island in Animal Kingdom at Disney. Flavors from Africa and that are, Asian and Latin are featured. This was among our favorite stops. We managed to get a package where you get a three course meal that includes wine or beer, a Lion King Show with VIP Seating and a semi private Safari Tour.

We tried Terralina Crafted Italian in Disney Springs.

Terralina Crafted Italian Menu was created by James Beard Award Winning Chef Tony Mantuano.

At this time (October 2018) this is a newly opened restaurant.

We also tried out Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant.

Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant is part Gift Shop, Winery, Candy Store and Restaurant. The Reserved Red Blend I tried is very good for it’s price point but if you get a bottle of wine they have a unique way they decant it at the table that looks very impressive.

We also went to the 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival and hit about a dozen of the booths over the two days.

This was where the Fork I was and a Taste of what I ate in Orlando Florida.

The Forking Truth

 

Brisket Pastrami Recipe without added Nitrates Fall 2018

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Pastrami Brisket (The Flat  or lean part- Cold)

I usually make a brisket pastrami about twice a year and each time I make one I think I learn something new. This is the first time I separated the flat from the fattier point ( also called deckle). I found this time the two pieces cooked at different times. So now I have to separate them when I make this again. I just learned that cooking the pastrami is similar to cooking really great turkey or chicken….it’s better when you separate the parts. The Flat (bigger leaner part) took about 12 hours this time. I only cooked the point for about 7 hours. So far I always made corned beef and pastrami without added nitrates for several reasons. Nitrates are very bad for us and also because the pink salt can be toxic and I don’t want to have toxic salt in my house. The down side of not adding nitrates is that the food doesn’t look as appetizing……..some people say the taste is different too but I’m not so sure. I have learned that Diamond Brand Kosher Salt is much safer to use than Morton for brining pastrami and corned beef. Diamond salt has a different salt density and also differs in crystal shape and is more efficient in penetrating the meat. Spices were tweaked only slightly and I used my unique rub I used last time. The Pastrami came out even more moist. Even cold it’s moist and very flavorful.  Every time I make it the pastrami comes out even better! Woo Hoo!

Ingredients for about 20 portions

1 brisket (about 14 pounds)

3 1/2 cups dark brown sugar

1/2 cup pure honey

2 Tablespoons juniper berries

10 Tablespoons coriander seeds

2 Tablespoons allspice berries

8 bay leaves

2 cinnamon sticks – broken in half

2 Tablespoons whole cloves

2 Tablespoons yellow mustard seeds

6 Tablespoons black tellicherry peppercorns

2 Tablespoons white peppercorns

1 Tablespoon ground ginger

21 garlic cloves – smashed and chopped

4 hot dried peppers – torn in half

2 Tablespoons smoked paprika

2 chile pequin – crumbled

3 quarts water

20 oz Diamond Brand Kosher Salt (this is not an interchangeable ingredient because other brands of salt work different and have different salt density).

Directions

All the ingredients above EXCEPT FOR BRISKET AND GARLIC go in a BIG Pot that you bring to a boil and then shut off. Now add the garlic. The mixture MUST BE COOL to brine meat. You can add a couple cups of ice to cool more if needed.

BRINE MUST BE COOLED OFF

Trim off all hard fat off the brisket and separate the flat from the point (deckle). It’s sort of easy but it is also difficult because none of use have superior knives. I knew where to cut but I did find the actual removal of fat was difficult. I just took my time and did it slowly. I trimmed off more fat than most people would. I don’t think I left much more than a quarter inch anywhere. Leave more fat on it you like fat….You can always trim it off latter too.

After the fat is trimmed you need to pierce the meat all over with a meat fork.

If your brine is cool then you can get a turkey roasting bag and bag up the brisket and pour in the brine.

Tie the bag and let the air out. Get the bag so the brining liquid is all around the meat. This needs to be in the refrigerator for FIVE DAYS.

Set your oven to 266 degrees F.

After FIVE DAYS remove the meats from the brine solution. Discard the brine solution. Rinse the meats well.

Put them in one very large or two roasting pans. Fill 3/4 with water. Try to cover the meat with water. Cover the pans tight with foil.

Ok there is no way to know on how long the meats will take to be done. (the meats might be done in 7-12 hours….don’t check on till at least 7 and then you can guess. It will feel soft when it’s done)

Now is a good time to make the rub. This recipe makes more than you need and unused rub can be kept in the freezer till the next time you make a pastrami. The standard rub for pastrami is 50% coarsely ground black pepper and 50% coarsely ground coriander. Here is something more unique if you’d like to try.

2 teaspoons dark molasses (for applying rub)

1/8 cup paprika

1/8 cup smoked paprika

6 Tablespoons whole coriander

4 tablespoons dark brown sugar

6 Tablespoons tellicherry peppercorns

2 Tablespoons yellow mustard seeds

1 Tablespoon white peppercorns

17 garlic cloves – fine chopped

1 Tablespoon Szechuan Peppercorns

Directions for rub.

Toast the spices lightly and when cool use a spice grinder and add finely chopped garlic.

Back to Directions for Pastrami.

The smaller piece took around 7 hours. ALL PASTRAMI COOKING TIMES WILL DIFFER*****

The bigger piece took around 12 hours.  ALL PASTRAMI COOKING TIMES WILL DIFFER*****

When the meat is done and tender you take it out of the liquid.

The molasses is applied thinly and then the rub.

Chill overnight in the refrigerator. Slice and portion. Whatever you aren’t eating in the next three days you MUST FREEZE….no preservatives it will spoil.

“We are getting some Forking Delicious Brisket Pastrami”

The Fattier Point (cold)

Pastrami Brisket (The Flat – Cold)

WOO HOO it came out Forking GREAT!

The Forking Truth

 

 

 

 

 

Dog Friendly Patios in Metro Phoenix Arizona

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Not all but most many restaurants in Metro Phoenix Arizona have patios. NOT ALL PATIOS are Dog Friendly but more and more are these days. Even if a patio is certified “Dog Friendly” It’s a good idea to dine with your furry friend at off times to avoid conflict with humans or other dogs that don’t share your love for your furry friends. Some people are allergic to dogs and there are those who just hate dogs and will complain. Even though your dog(s) are well behaved another dog might start barking at your dogs and you might be asked to leave. These are just some of the reasons why dining with Dogs at off times is suggested. There also are some rules to Dining Out with Dogs. Your Dog must be by your side at all times. Dogs are not allowed to sit on restaurant furniture and are NOT allowed to eat off restaurant plates. Another thing to be aware of is that most food and drink that you consume might be unhealthy, harmful or even TOXIC to your dog..You MUST get the list of safe and non safe foods from your veterinarian. Usually a small amount of lean meat without sauce is usually a safe bet. In Phoenix there are months when it’s too hot and DANGEROUS to dine out with your dog. Dogs can’t tolerate as much heat as you can. All dogs are different (just like people) some are more heat tolerant than others. My dogs can tolerate up to a SHADED 90 degrees F. IN THE SHADE. Your dog(s) might NOT! It’s also a good idea to bring your own water bowl so your dog can have a beverage too. OK now that we got that out of the way…..

Here are just a few of the Restaurants in Metro Phoenix I found to be Dog Friendly.

Connected to Pomo Pizzeria in Scottsdale used to be Forno Fabri. It’s now Luna Gelateria. You can get a really great Gelato or Sorbetto and enjoy a little time with your furry friend.

Cucina Tagliani (Glendale & Peoria) is certified Dog Friendly. They offer a covered patio with misters and heaters. Depending on the server you get you dog might get served a bowl of water.

Red’s Bar and Grill in Litchfield is Dog Friendly.

Tacos Tequila Whiskey in the Arcadia part of Phoenix is Dog Friendly.

Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery in Phoenix isn’t officially Dog Friendly but they have a secret folding table that they will set up for regulars that come with a dog (or two). I do note when we dine with dogs we always dine at off times when there are very few people there.

The Twisted Italian in Peoria has two tables for Dining with Dogs. They are listed on www.BringFido.com

Humble Pie ……Glendale (I believe this area is really Phoenix but is listed as Glendale because it used to be…The zip codes changed three times since I’ve been near this area) This Humble Pie is officially Dog Friendly with a shaded patio with heaters and fans.

PNPK Restaurant in Scottsdale is Officially Dog Friendly and serves individual bowls of water and biscuits to well behaved dogs.

Sosoba in down town Phoenix is Dog Friendly.

Pita Kitchen is not officially Dog Friendly. But we asked if we could dine with dogs and they gave us the ok. I do note that we always dine at off times when nobody else is on the Patio.

Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante in Glendale is Officially Dog Friendly. *******On Sundays they serve Sunday Brunch with live music on the patio and the music is too loud for dogs so while I do recommend the restaurant for humans I don’t recommend for dogs only during Sunday Brunch) Dog Friendly every day. They offer a nice covered patio with heaters and it looks like misters in the ceiling.

Dogs are Welcomed with Dog Biscuits at Salad and Go in Glendale.

Not officially Dog Friendly but there are four tables for dining with dogs at Leo’s Island BBQ in Peoria.

Shake Shack in Scottsdale is Dog Friendly. They even have a Dog Food Menu and sell Doggie Shirts.

Scottsdale Beer Company in Scottsdale is Dog Friendly.

Oscar’s Pier 83 in Glendale offers a Dog Friendly Patio.

Rhythm and Wine in North Scottsdale is Dog Friendly. I read on website that they offer a Yappy Hour on Sundays around 3:00.

JJ’s Deli in Scottsdale is Dog Friendly.

AJ’s Patio in Glendale is Dog Friendly.

These are only a few of the Dog Friendly Patios in Metro Phoenix.

Everything is subject to change. Restaurants close or change ownership and often drop being Dog Friendly. I had SEVERAL restaurants go from Dog Friendly to NOT Dog Friendly…….Again. Everything is subject to change.

The Forking Truth

In Memory of Louie 5-5-2001 – 3-3-2017