Monthly Archives: November 2018

One day it’s a WOO HOO at a restaurant and the next time it’s BOO HOO

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Spicy Chicken Noodle

Somewhere in Metro Phoenix Arizona I found this certain Chinese Restaurant that offered many Chinese dishes I never tried before. My first two visits were really AWESOME.

Casserole Style Chicken

Fish Hot Pot….(this I had before but not in a long time)

They also make these hard to find Juicy Dumplings filled with Soup. you are suppose to suck the soup out and then eat the dumplings.

None of the other Chinese Restaurant on this side of Metro Phoenix offer such interesting, tasty and also spicy dishes…..

So I went back for a third visit…….

The owner seems so happy that we are here. He thanks me for my review and tells me it brought some customers in. He even pointed to a table in the restaurant and told me see they are here because of your picture you posted.

This time the owner wants to pick for us…..I’m getting all excited and was thinking that this would be really great!!!!!!!

To my surprise we get this and………..my heart drops.

Americanized Jalapeño Sun Devil Chicken and Dry Duck……Well I’m baffled and don’t know what to think….The smart thing to do would be not to let the owner pick for us again…..

So after a few weeks we try for a Fourth Visit.

We ordered off the White Authentic Szechwan Menu. We ordered the Sour Spicy Cabbage salad and the Authentic Style Kung Pao Chicken.

We enjoyed the Sour Spicy Cabbage salad….It had good flavors and was a bit interesting with the mouth numbing Szechwan Peppercorns….The Kung Pao had tender chicken in a thick sweet sauce that wasn’t very spicy and didn’t contain Szechwan Peppercorns. I was displeased with this dish because I was expecting Szechwan Style that’s hot ,oily and mouth numbing and is not in a thick sweet sauce……This dish wasn’t horrible…..but I can get this sort of Chinese Dish at any Chinese Restaurant. I came to this particular restaurant to try a closer to authentic style. Nobody checked on us and the owner wasn’t there so I couldn’t tell him.

Some visits was a WOO HOO and Other Visits was a BOO HOO!

1/2 a Fork……It can go either way

If you read my reviews you know what restaurant I’m talking about.

EVERY FORKING THING is subject to CHANGE and YOUR experience may or may NOT differ…….

The Forking Truth

 

Forking Tastiest Crispy Battered Fried Cauliflower Ever Recipe

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Forking Tastiest Crisp Battered Cauliflower Ever

Just about every restaurant has or had a fried cauliflower on the menu….so we’ve had fried cauliflower at a number of places. This cauliflower might be the best I’ve tried and can also be dressed a number of ways so it can fit into any flavor profile because chickpea  is used in Italian,  Indian, French and Mediterranean Dishes. This cauliflower has a super thin but shattering crisp batter. The cauliflower inside is soft, sweet and buttery. It’s so FORKING GREAT that it is delicious plain. Not only is this recipe great it is also FORKING EASY! Usually when I cook I wing things. I started frying up the cauliflower and it was coming out great……and then I stuck my thermometer in the oil…..I had no idea that the temp was so low……..OMG the secret to really great cauliflower is to fry at a low temperature……who knew? My temperature only read at 275 degrees F…..I think that is the secret…..Even roasted cauliflower comes out better and sweeter cooked for longer at a lower temperature (350 F) The fried cauliflower came out with a super thin really crisp shattering batter with a delicious taste. The cauliflower inside was soft, buttery and sweet….It all seemed free of oil too. I ran some into my husband to try….he couldn’t believe how delicious, light and crispy they were with soft cauliflower inside. He ran in the kitchen to sample more and more. I made a Cilantro mint chutney to go with the cauliflower….but really almost any dip you like would be great here.

Ingredients for about 4 servings

1 small – medium cauliflower cut into bit size florets

1/2 cup corn starch

1/2 cup chickpea flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons course sea salt

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 cup cold water

1/2 cup white vinegar

canola oil for frying

Directions

All the cauliflower must be prepped first.

You can fry the cauliflower in a fryer, sauce pot or large fry pan…Get the oil to 275 degrees F.

Get two large bowls put 1/2 of these ingredients in both bowls. You need to split the bowls because the batter will deflate. HALF the liquid goes in your first bowl and when you are ready for your second bowl THEN you add the liquid to your second bowl when you are ready. You want foamy batter.

Split into two large bowls- corn starch, chickpea flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cayenne,

When you are ready to fry then add half the water and half the vinegar to one bowl.

Use tongs to pick up a floret one at a time and dip into batter….Shake off extra batter and place floret in oil.

Don’t crowd pan and fry about 5 minutes on each side.

Use a pan lined with paper towels to catch any extra oil.

Repeat till done.

Forking Tastiest Crispy Battered Cauliflower Ever

Forking Tastiest Crisp Battered Cauliflower Ever

Every Forking person in the world would love this Cauliflower!

The Forking Truth

 

 

 

Angelina’s Pho & Grill in Glendale AZ – Modern Vietnamese – Worth a Fork!

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Angelina’s Pho & Grill & Sushi is a Modern Vietnamese Restaurant that is unlike any other Vietnamese Restaurant I know of………

It’s next to impossible to do a review on this restaurant because the menu as well as the decor of the restaurant  is always changing.

Maybe all the changing is to keep things fresh and new… or to keep a creative Chef creative! Angelina’s always offers something interesting that nobody else offers that’s delicious and very reasonably priced. Angelina’s Pho & Grill & Sushi just might be the most interesting restaurant in North Glendale.

On my most recent visit we shared an ahi tuna pizza. Have you ever seen a pizza at any other Vietnamese Restaurant?

This was tasty, delicious and really different! The Tuna was sushi grade, with a creamy spicy sauce and a unagi sauce….This was described as being served on a tortilla but it was unlike any tortilla I ever had….It had the texture of a crunchy cheese curl but had a really delicious flavor….I don’t know what it was but it seemed light, tasted very clean and it was delicious.

Most recent dining room photo

For my main I had the Fresh Salmon with Dill under Pho on the Menu.

My bowl was filled with lots of buttery soft melt in your mouth fresh tasting salmon, dill, onions, zucchini, potatoes, mushrooms in low sodium chicken broth with a serving of jasmine rice. It was all delicious and the serving was extra large….maybe it was two or three servings?

My husband had some sort of Pho.

I don’t know if the Ahi Pizza or the Salmon with Dill will be on the menu if you go to visit. Nothing but the basic Pho Soups seem to stick around on the ever changing menu for long.

Some discontinued DELICIOUS dishes That I enjoyed at Angelina’s Pho & Grill & Sushi were-

Crispy Edamame and Vegetable Pot Stickers

Bird’s Nest

Salmon Cakes

Saigon Cinnamon, Winter Vegetables, Green Tea Noodles and Chicken Thigh – This one was really Pho-nominal 

Wild Tuna and Garlic Soba Noodle with Asparagus

Tofu Stack – Eggplant Tempura, Shaved Beet, Cucumber, Gochojang, Garlic Aioli and Basil

Yellowtail Sashimi

The Chicken and Asparagus Salad from Angelina’s Pho & Grill Glendale AZ

They also offer an outdoor patio that is being updated now.

In the past I used to bring my dogs with me to dine here but always at off times so we wouldn’t bother anyone. Then for a long time it seemed like they didn’t use the patio so I stopped bring the dogs here.

I’m looking forward to the remodeled patio. I’ll be dining with dogs again here soon! I was told recently my dogs are welcome.

Here are a few other dishes we had here.

Chicken Pho

Rare Beef and Brisket Pho

Yellow Curry Chicken – super packed with mixed vegetables

Hot and Spicy

Yumi Signature Roll

Luc Lac Beef

I don’t have a good picture of the Cha Ca Thang Long also called Cha Ca La Vong or Hanoi Turmeric Fish with Dill. It’s the most popular dish of Hanoi. It surprises me that this dish is rarely found on Vietnamese Menus…..but it was here for a short time.

You can see that the food at Angelina’s Pho & Grill & Sushi is always delicious, It’s always Creative and It’s always changing.

I hate being honest but to tell The Forking Truth ……Service can be very hit or miss……but who cares……..the food is some of the better and more interesting food in this part of town.

I also note they they offer some lovely changing desserts in a dessert case but I have not tried dessert from here as of this post.

I have to say Angelina’s Pho & Grill & Sushi Modern Vietnamese is Worth a Fork and just might be one of the most interesting restaurants in North Glendale!

Worth a Fork!

I haven’t found a website for Angelina’s Pho & Grill & Sushi but they are on Facebook.

The Forking Truth is that EVERYTHING is Subject to CHANGE (and will for certain here) Your experience may or may not differ.

The Forking Truth

 

 

 

AZCENTRAL Wine & Food Experience Day Two November 4th in Scottsdale AZ

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The AZCentral Wine & Food Experience is a two day food festival that in 2018 took place at Monterra at Westworld in Scottsdale AZ. Around thirty mostly local restaurants participated. Wine, Beer, Water and some Liquor & Cocktails were also offered. At the festival were a few cooking demonstrations. Sunday’s headliner was Celebrity Chef Aaron Sanchez. He was suppose to be on stage at 1:15….just fifteen minutes after the general admission was allowed in. Just like yesterday all the seats were taken and it was standing room only. I waited for a little while for the Chef Sanchez but not long enough to see him come out….

Phoenix Marriott Resort in Tempe Top of the Rock Restaurant at the Buttes made something called Foie Stuffed Dango and Smoked Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies.

Frasher’s Steakhouse offered Pulled Pork Sandwiches and Butter Cake.

One of the best things I tried on Sunday was the detailed Chocoflan from Talavera at The Four Seasons.

From Proof was a Thanksgiving Hand Pie.

Clam Chowder French Fries from Chula Seafood

Assorted Pastas and Tomato Salad from AJ’s Fine Foods.

 

Beef and Chorizo Meatloaf from Frank and Alberts.

I tried a Habanero Peach Hand Pie from The Pie Hole.

Beef Barbacola from Taco Chelo.

From Cartwright’s was Smoked Sockeye and Wild Game Chili……

Bella Gusto Urban Pizzeria offered Salted Carmel Pannacotta and Saffron Shrimp Rice Balls.

The Dabba offered Aloo Mattar and Chicken Tikka Masala.

Quiessence offered Pumpkin Parmesan Soup, Beef Carpaccio in Parmesan Tacos and Foie Gras Mousse on Macaroons. That’s one fancy spread!

I didn’t write down any notes so………I think it was Bison from Different Point of View.

From J&G Steakhouse was Beef Tenderloin and Wild Shrimp Ceviche. The Beef I tried here was the best beef I tried of the two days.

John & Yoko Dessert from Super Chunk.

……A Lamb Dish from The Boulders.

Spinato’s Pizza…I was waiting for the Broccoli Crust but got a plain……You can find these local pizzas in your grocer’s freezer!

Modern Market made Blueberry and Cheese Sandwiches…………………………..

The Handlebar Diner did Lamb barbacola Chili Colorada over Queso Fundito Macaroni and Cheese. I didn’t try this but my husband said it was one of his favorites.

Hickman’s offered their version of Deviled Eggs……1/2 hard boiled egg topped with aioli and bacon.

Beef Taco on fresh made corn tortilla from Tacos Tijuana.

It was a Sweet Ending from Sweet Republic…..The Cucumber Mojito Sherbet was refreshing, On the left was a Baked Alaska.

Day two was all this and even more! Several participants from yesterday were here again and most of them were serving the same food again.

Again like yesterday the participants were mostly a surprise.

Most of what was printed in the paper differed from who was here.

All in all the festival was a success except for one thing that I forgot to photo. The wine glasses we used were stemless and were difficult to carry around. Usually at food festivals we use wine yolks to carry around the wine glasses so our hands are free to eat and get food.

www.wineandfood.azcentral.com

That was day two of the Azcentral Wine & Food Experience 2018.

The Forking Truth

AZCENTRAL Wine & Food Experience Saturday Nov. 3rd 2018

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Day one of the two day AZCENTRAL Wine & Food Experience took place at Monterra at Westworld in Scottsdale Arizona November 3rd 2018. It was a festival of sampling food from mostly local restaurants, wine, some beer and a few spirits. The headliner for Saturday was Celebrity Chef Marcus Samuelsson.

Marcus Samuelsson Demonstration started fifteen minutes after general admission were allowed to enter so the seats were already filled up.  I couldn’t hear or see what was going on but I worked hard to get this picture…Everyone that was standing in front of me was at least a foot taller than me….so this was the best I could get.

This was my first bite and also was one of the most interesting bites of the day.  It was a crisp crepe, Ritiba Farms Big Jim Chilies, BBQ Acorn Squash, Somalian Spiced creamed Butternut Squash, lemon, Oyster Mushroom Jus, Arugula and Mint……From the Crepe Bar. This was so interesting, complex and different…..If I had more room I would have made a second trip here.

The Market by Jennifers offered all kinds of things….Push up dessert of brownie with caramel corn, Asian noodle dish, butternut squash soup and sweet potato chips.

Shrimp Remoulade from Mingo’s Louisiana Kitchen.

Tommy Bahama did serve a very good Chicken Lollipop and it was more than a taste….it was a meal.

Lou Malnatis Chicago Deep Dish Pizza was HOT and Fresh!

Melting pot offered strawberries and marshmallows dipped in chocolate.

Barilla Pasta was there serving pasta with eggplant, fresh basil and cheese. They had their own custom plates, napkins and this really cool knife/spoke.

AJ’s offered a variety of pastas…..My husband liked one of the sauces with sausage.

Los Sombreros offered Carnitas on a spoon and Guacamole and a chip.

WOO HOO! This next one was really good! Maybe my favorite bite?

Wright’s At The Biltmore did this Smoked Trout that was awesome…….Might have been my best bite…….

Taco Chelo, Ghost Ranch, Phoenix Public Market….Hummus with Crisp very Fresh Vegetables and a Very Detailed Salad.

West Alley BBQ and a Chicken Slider with some sort of Whiskey Sauce that was very tasty.

Bourbon and Bones Beef Short Rib and Cheesy Grits.

The Food from Cartwright’s Modern Cuisine was very light and low calorie…

Boca Tacos and Tequila offered a Salmon Taco on some sort of Green Tortilla…a variety of salsas were offered. I added the Green Sauce and it was delicious!!!

The Wagyu Ribeye was like beef butter from Omni Resorts.

Timo offered a Beet Salad and a Crab Cake.

The Dabba offered a few dishes.

Nothing Bundt Cakes offered some cake tasting.

I tried the Vegan Jackfruit Bun from Obon Sushi Bar Ramen.

Mowry and Cotton served a variety of dishes. Caramelized Shishito Peppers were very tasty. The Shrimp dish looked stunning…but I was surprised that I really enjoyed the Tuna Grilled Cheese on Rye…….It was  surprisingly and also an unexpected  delicious tasting.

Shrimp Tostadas and Elote Street Corn from Barrio Queen.

The Thumb offered Caramel Dessert Sandwiches, BBQ Pork and Brisket Sandwiches with Macaroni Salad.

Beef, Pork, Ricotta Meatballs from Match.

My husband said the Chicken Fried Pies (maybe empanadas) were one of my husband’s favorites…….He said these were VERY GOOD. I was all out of stomach room to try them……DANG! These came from La Hacienda at The Fairmount.

Handmade Cavateli with Braised Lamb sugo from Tanzy.

By Two o’clock the trash cans are as full as my stomach.

Some Pie Sampling from The Bakery Phoenix.

One of my best bites of the day was the Chicken Taco from Gadzooks.

Oh and Hickman’s was there giving out hard boiled eggs….

It was all this and more!!!!!

I tried three of the wines offered….maybe if I tried more I’d find a better one……..?

The Forking Truth is that you never know what to expect when you attend the AZCENTRAL Wine and Food Festival.

The participationing restaurants differed from what was printed in the paper. The yellow high-lighted restaurants I didn’t see there.

www.wineandfood.azcentral.com

The Forking Truth

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Forking Amazing Hot & Spicy Fried Chicken Recipe

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Forking Amazing Hot and Spicy Fried Chicken

I was thinking about how hot chicken is prepared and came up with a different style of preparing hot chicken….This is not Nashville Style but does have that similar mainly cayenne flavor. I recently came up with a batter that was super delicious for frying cauliflower so I spiked that recipe up for the chicken and I also marinated the chicken because hot chicken is suppose to be marinated….Well this is BOMBSHELL FORKING Delicious! It’s FULL of Flavors and it is spicy too but just enough and not too painful. I did this with skinless boneless breast and it was so moist my husband thought I cooked the chicken in a SousVide water oven. I can’t wait to do this with chicken thighs! I do note that this chicken was only crisp first time around and the two pieces we ate the next day didn’t crisp up but were still Forking Amazing in flavors. I do have a few ideas I want to try out to get the batter to stay crisper longer….but that is yet to come.

Ingredients for about 4 servings

1 lb chicken breast – in four pieces (I used boneless and skinless but you can use whatever…..BUT I NOTE the marinade and cooking times will differ)

4 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil – (marinade)

2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar – (marinade)

1 teaspoon kosher salt – (marinade)

2 large garlic cloves – ground to paste – (marinade)

1 teaspoon sugar – (marinade)

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper – (marinade)

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme – (marinade)

1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika – (marinade)

pinch celery seeds – (marinade)

1/4 cup corn starch – (batter)

1/4 cup chickpea flour – (batter)

1/4 teaspoon baking powder – (batter)

1/4 teaspoon baking soda – (batter)

1/2 teaspoon course sea salt – (batter)

1 Tablespoon cayenne pepper – (batter)

2 teaspoons dark brown sugar – (batter)

1 teaspoon paprika – (batter)

1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic – (batter)

1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper – (batter)

1/4 cup cold water – (batter)

1/4 cup white vinegar – (batter)

canola oil for frying

Directions

First step is to make the marinade and marinate the chicken. If you are using boneless breast the proper time is four hours to marinate.  I NOTE I didn’t do this recipe yet with bone in chicken yet or with skin on……..So all timings of marinating and cooking will differ…….Put the chicken in a quart size ziplock bag and set to the side. In a medium mixing bowl combine the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, kosher salt, ground garlic, white sugar, black pepper, thyme, smoked paprika and celery seeds. Mix well pour into chicken bag and place in the refrigerator for four hours.

Pull the chicken out about 30 minutes before frying.

Either use a deep fryer or a fry pan like I did. Give the pan about an inch and a half of oil and get the temperature about 325 degrees F because when you add the chicken the oil heats up real fast to 350 degrees F.

Take the chicken out of the marinade. Throw the marinade away. Blot off the chicken till it feels dry. Set to the side.

In a large bowl combine cornstarch, chickpea flour, baking powder, baking soda, sea salt, cayenne, dark brown sugar, paprika, granulated garlic and white pepper.

********IMPORTANT********Don’t add the water and vinegar till you are ready to fry because the batter will deflate.

Add the water and vinegar when you are ready to fry. Dip and coat the chicken with the batter.

Use tongs to work with chicken. Place in oil about 5 minutes on each side or until chicken is an internal degree of at least 165 degrees F. (****minimal temperature for breast is 165 F but thighs you are going for at least 175 F I go for at least 180 F on thighs)

Forking Amazing Hot and Spicy Fried Chicken

WOO HOO! You are going to make people really happy with this!

I don’t mean to brag…but I have too….This truly is one of the Forking BEST Hot Fried Chickens I’ve ever tasted!

It’s FORKING AMAZING Moist Delicious Hot and Spicy Fried Chicken!

The Forking Truth

My Forking Thoughts on Cauliflower Pretzels by From The Ground Up

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When I saw Cauliflower Pretzels I had to try them! Pretty sure I picked them up at my local Sprouts. Actually when you read the ingredients you will find that cauliflower is the second ingredient and cassava flour is first. Sounds like a regular pretzel recipe with lots of added vegetables….besides cauliflower these pretzels have spinach, broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, beets and shiitake mushrooms.

I open the bag and take a whiff.

“WOW IT STINKS!”

It smells like rotten broccoli mixed with bread.

The pretzel sticks are thin and light. They are similar to those Bachman Pretzels that came in little boxes that are or were sold back east.

I go to taste one……..WOW it taste like really strong  broccoli that’s going bad. They have a really nice texture but are very bitter. It’s too hard to eat more than three sticks.

These Cauliflower Pretzels are too painful for me to eat.

Some people like bitter and sour more than me…maybe some people might like them?

Those were My Forking Thoughts on Cauliflower Pretzels From The Ground Up.

My opinion is subjective and might not reflect yours.

The Forking Truth

 

2018 Halloween Candy Count

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How much candy will I give out for 2018 Halloween?

In 2014 I gave out 92 full size bars of candy.

In 2015 I gave out 121 full size bars of candy.

In 2016 I gave out 124 full size bars of candy.

Last year in 2017 I gave out 130 full size bars of candy.

Here’s the 2018 box of candy. Chocolates, Pixi Styx, Seaweed and a can of Sardines with skin and bone…(tee hee)

I got backups don’t worry….Lets see how it goes!

Why am I dressed up?

Last year I wore this.

“Because you’re a Forking Runt Dog!” “Real dogs like me don’t get dressed up.” “Only Forking Runt Dogs get dressed up.”

Back to Halloween….and candy!

Foe Halloween 2018 I gave out 133 pieces of full size candy (two were roasted seaweed)

65 Pixi Styx

43 Hershey bars

7 Hershey with Almonds

6 KitKats

10 Reese’s

2 Roasted Seaweed

Nobody took the can of Sardines

That was my Halloween Candy Count for Halloween 2018

The Forking Truth