Category Archives: Forking Thoughts

Random Forking Items of Interest

Not Every Restaurant Trip is Worth Writing About

 

 

Not every restaurant trip is worth writing about. On the other hand if I don’t write about my Forking Trip then I don’t have a story for my blog. It’s not my intention to put a little mom and pop shop out of business because I told you how much they’ve sucked so I won’t mention the name of any new restaurants that I can’t praise. Sometimes some restaurants do need a few months to work out the bugs to get better……..but some never get the chance because a few months can be too long and go under. Other restaurants just never get better. It always pains me not to write a positive review. I FORKING WANT to enjoy myself just like you when I go out to eat. I can’t sugar coat things.  I just have to tell it like it was and that’s The Forking Truth.

I recently went to a new Mediterranean Restaurant that opened somewhere in Glendale AZ.

The Chicken Shawarma might have been good at one time but on my visit it was dry and chewy. It’s pretty difficult to make dark meat chicken dry and chewy so I’m thinking I wonder how many times was this chicken re-heated?  The owner must know that they are serving me dry chewy chicken. I’m thinking that this chicken might have been re-heated a number of times (but I don’t know for sure).  The rice also seemed a few days or maybe a week old. Even the tomato slices have seen better days. I thought this really sucked. I felt like they  screwed me out of a nice meal out. I would have rather eaten almost anywhere else.

My husband made me taste his beef shawarma…………(but I didn’t want to)……….I could clearly see I wouldn’t like it.

It also was dry and chewy with the same old rice.

Maybe we can chalk this up to the restaurant owners did not know how much food to prepare and accidentally prepared too much food that got old and dry. I don’t know if they will get their act together????

A couple months back I went to different newer Mediterranean Restaurant also in Glendale. Most of the food photoed nice so you can’t tell how it taste but you can see the pickle they served me was a geriatric pickle with its’ own Senior Citizen’s discount card.

Their rice and raw vegetables were good but the Beef Shawarma was even dryer that from the above place. It was like chewing someone’s pony tail as it was next to impossible to break down in the mouth.

Their Chicken Shawarma was similar to fried processed Chicken Baloney and grossed me out.

But those were the highlights….

Their eggplant dip contained so much smoke that it was like trying to eat a really large ash tray. Sadly even their falafels were inedible because they were very similar in texture to gritty mortar mixed with small rocks. The chickpeas never got soft and stayed like rocks…that taste sort of burnt. .(don’t know but maybe from not being soaked)

The best Mediterranean Restaurant that I know of in Glendale was the Shawarma King. BUT HOLY FORK!!!! *********DANG!**********THEY JUST CLOSED FOR BUSINESS JUST THIS NOVEMBER 2018. I haven’t been able to try their Chicken Shawarma yet because on my (at least three or four visits) they were out of it when I wanted to try it but I tried a number of things there that were all delicious.

So sad………. 🙁  It’s a shame …………

Not Every Restaurant Trip is Worth Writing About. I also don’t recall the Arizona Republic or The Phoenix New Times including The Shawarma King in their listings of closed restaurants for November 2018.

Everything is subject to change!!!!!! Your experience may indeed differ.

The Forking Truth

 

 

 

 

Be a Good Guest and Not a Forking Turkey at Thanksgiving

 

www.ClipArtix.com

Be a good guest and not a Forking Turkey at Thanksgiving.

It seems like some people have been raised by wolves and don’t know how to act like normal people at Thanksgiving. Here are are few things that some people might need to know.

Be a normal responsible person. If you Forking get sick or come down with a bug PLEASE be considerate and STAY THE FORK HOME. You might not give a dam if you make other people sick but nobody wants your germs……IT’S A FACT that you will make people sick….your germs aren’t special no matter what you think! Only a Forking Turkey would come to someone else’s home sick and make other people sick that are feeding you a feast.

Only a Turkey would let their children walk into someone else’e home like a zombie and not make any eye contact. Children should acknowledge the host just by slight eye contact and a smile. That is all that’s necessary.

Don’t be a Forking Turkey and start tampering with the washer and dryer that belong to your host and setting the alarms. Only an idiot would do this because when the host uses the washer in a dryer next they will know you did it.

When you see the offerings if there is something you don’t want to try keep it to yourself. Don’t be a Turkey and scream something like, “I HATE PROFITEROLES!” Did you know……only a Forking Turkey does that?

Did you know that you are a Forking Turkey when you bring some sort of food or drink to someone’s home that you already tasted that is trash to you. Why the heck would your host want your food or drink trash? Only someone with a screw loose would do such a thing.

If you make a mess or break something in someone else’s home you should tell the host. If you don’t you FORKING ARE A TURKEY. That is very rude.

Only a FORKING TURKEY would say something like that was a really great Thanksgiving dinner….Maybe the best I ever had…and I don’t know how to rate things but…., “I rate the Thanksgiving dinner at two stars.” Only a really BIG FORKING TURKEY does such a thing.

Don’t act like you are trying to be helpful and offer to clear the serving ware by throwing them in the trash………Only a Nut-Job Turkey would do such a thing.

Be a Good Guest and Not a Forking Turkey on Thanksgiving!

We hope the only Turkey at your Thanksgiving table is the one you eat.

Have a Forking Happy and Delicious Thanksgiving!

The Forking Truth

 

Thanksgiving Recipes & Ideas you can find here On The Forking Truth

 

Maybe you want to make perfect turkey meat. It looks prettier to present a whole turkey to your guest but the turkey is more delicious if you prepare it separated. Just 2 1/2 – 5 hours latter you can have mouth watering juicy moist …FORKING PERFECT>>>>Turkey Breast if you prepare it in the Sous Vide.

Fresh herbs, frozen garlic confit and frozen oil…Then add turkey sprinkled with fresh crushed sea salt and pepper and then it goes in bag at 140 degrees in the Sous Vide for 3-5 hours and you can serve perfect turkey breast.

Sometimes I brown the breast up after it’s Sous Vide.

Forking Tasty Sous Vide and Browned 1/2 Turkey Breast

Either before or from your last batch of turkey you need to prepare turkey stock.

A few turkey carcass vegetables and fresh herbs and peppercorns go in your pots. Top with water and bring to a simmer for three hours. Wa la turkey broth.

The skin get crisp in the oven.

The Wings get oven fried.

Baked Shatteringly Crispy and Juicy Turkey Wings

Not sure if I published how I do the leg quarters. Those I roast covered with a bed of vegetables that steam and serve the meat off the bone.

Fill the pan or pans with legs. Cook at 350 degrees F till center of legs are 180 degrees F

Here are some other things you might want to make.

Tequila Lime Cilantro Turkey Meatballs with Herb Sauce

Portuguese Inspired Meatloaf and Sauce

Indian Inspired Turkey Meatballs with Green Chutney (Chutney is just handful mint, handful cilantro, 1/2t cumin seeds, 2 garlic, 1t lemon J. salt)

Mexican Inspired Meatballs

No Dairy Italian Inspired Meatballs

Fresh Basil Turkey Meatballs

Thanksgiving Turkey Meatballs

Faux  Mushrooms (potato cores)

Roasted Cauliflower

Roasted then Fried Rutabaga topped with oven fried Lotus Chip

Duchess Parsnips

Tomato, Hibiscus, Onion and Roasted Lime Salad

Cinnamon Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Pomodoro Pizza Lasagna

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Chestnuts with Crisp Sage

Moroccan Inspired Carrots

Easy Salt Crusted Potatoes

Sweet Potatoes with Cherry peppers, Figs, Green Onions and Balsamic Drizzle

Fennel Fava Radish and Walnut Salad in Lemon Dijon Dressing

Herbed Turkey Gravy

Fresh Ricotta Gnocchi

Stacked Ratatouille

Classic Boule

Cook’s Country Potato Cheddar Pierogi

Forking Great Blue-Cheese, Sriracha, Honey Radish Appetizer

Melon Salad with Preserved Lemon, Lavender and Whipped Cream Cheese

Butternut Squash Cinnamon Bun

Pear Almond Cake

Cheese Lasagna

Chanterelle Mushroom Bread Stuffing

Forking Adorable and DELICIOUS Mini Apple Pie Bites

Lightened Up Gratin Style Butternut Squash with Poblano Casserole

Chipotle Rice Stuffed Jalapeño Peppers with Potato String Crust

Kabocha Squash Pie with Coconut Crust

Onion Rolls

Purple Sweet Potato Blackberry Pie with Coconut/Almond Crust

Brussels Sprouts Baba Ganoush

Cranberry Mango Habanero Sauce

Cranberry Pickled Beet Sauce

Twisted Date Bread

Kabocha Squash Cake with Drizzle and Chestnuts

Fancy Schmancy Deviled Eggs

Italian Style Beans

Cranberry Sauce with Hibiscus

Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Pecans, Dates and some Brown Sugar

Potato Casserole

Traditional Stuffing and Rosemary Herb Stuffing

Moist Fresh Herb Turkey Stuffing

Leek Pudding

Thanksgiving

“We can’t wait to dig in!”

“Have a Happy and Forking Delicious Thanksgiving!”

The Forking Truth

 

 

Big Plate Chicken – Glendale AZ Szechuan Cuisine VS Mesa AZ Shaanxi Garden

 

Spicy Chicken Noodle from Szechuan Cuisine in Glendale AZ

Ever since I tried this dish called Spicy Chicken Noodle at Szechuan Cuisine in Glendale AZ my thoughts and expectations on Chinese Food have changed forever. This was maybe the most delicious Chinese Dish I ever tasted. It was like Asian Thanksgiving. This dish was basically an Asian Chicken Stew with bell pepper, potato, onion, garlic, chili, maybe cumin, maybe star anise, Sichuan peppercorns, soy sauce and chewy noodles. It was full of different textures and many exciting different flavors. It was mouth numbing spicy but not crazy stingingly spicy like Sichuan water boiled dishes. This dish was so interesting. Even the onions turned magically super sweet when you ate them and cooled things off. I never had anything like it before. This dish was spicy but delicious and exciting to eat.

I have read that in China this dish is called Big Plate Chicken or Da Pan Ji or Dapanji. By one Asian Person I met I was told that this is a Shaanxi Dish but I read that this dish is Chinese/Uyghur Fusion but originally came from Xinjiang China.

I read that Shaanxi Garden in Mesa AZ is considered to be an outstanding Chinese Restaurant. It just so happens that Shaanxi Garden also offers their variation of this dish and they call it #22. Braised Chicken with Noodle and Chestnuts.

#22. Braised Chicken with Noodle and Chestnuts

A very similar dish. The chicken is the same bone on leg but it’s darker in color and flavored from marination or something. In this dish the sauce is hot from jalapeños and dried chili pods but doesn’t have Sichuan Peppercorns. The sauce does have a slightly different flavor. This one is much heavier with star anise. This plate has delicious chestnuts in it and I get that sweet going on in it that breaks up the rest (like the way the onions are sweet in the dish from the other place). The last difference was the noodles used. The Shaanxi Garden had a super long wide noodle that was delicate and not as chewy as what the Glendale restaurant used.

This one from from Shaanxi Garden I did get to eat a second time. On my second taste the jalapeños and star anise calmed down so the flavors seemed more balanced. I also got the bottom of the dish stuff I didn’t get before and pulled out unusual spices that I’m not familiar with. One spice used was a very thin small twig. I pulled out some twigs.  Another spice was some sort of black bark. There also were small black pods that looked similar to black cardamon but they were smaller. Second time around this dish was more delicious to me but it was strange to pull out twigs and several pieces of bark.

BOTH DISHES WERE GREAT!  I can’t really say that one is really better than the other……

But…….

Both were great but for me the Szechwan Cuisine’s take on the Big Plate Chicken had a slight edge for my personal taste………..I am partial to Sichuan Peppercorns and taste of the stew (first time tastings). The Sichuan Peppercorns maybe added sensations that were so interesting like the way the sweet onions hit me. Jalapeños just don’t do that for me. The Szechwan Cuisine’s dish also had a richer developed Chicken flavor that was delicious. I think the Sichuan Peppercorns just added that magic factor that made the dish so exciting. Like I said before this dish wasn’t crazy super hot spicy like Szechwan water boiled dishes…….but it was hot…but delicious. It was better than just right…It was magical. …………………………………………………………………………… I also note that I don’t know if I will ever get that dish prepared the same way again….. I’ve experienced at Szechuan Cuisine that communication can be an issue….that is when I tried to order food made with Sichuan peppercorns on more than one occasion.

Two versions of a very similar dish that is very difficult to come by in Metro Phoenix.

The Forking Truth is that EVERY FORKING THING is subject to change….(repeat)……..EVERY FORKING THING IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE and your experience may or may not differ.

www.SzechuanCuisine.org

www.ShaanxiBiangBiang.com

The Forking Truth

Foods that Certain Restaurants should serve but Usually Don’t Serve

 

www.turbosquid.com

For whatever reason there are many foods that certain restaurants should serve but usually don’t serve.

Venetian Cod (Baccala Mantecato) from Veneto Trattoria in Scottsdale AZ

Venetian Cod is rarely found on Italian Restaurant menus in America. Venetian Cod is made from salted cod called baccala. The salted cod is beaten with milk and peanut oil until it is mousse-like and is served over baked polenta. This dish should be on menus because it is one of the most popular ways in Italy to prepare salted cod.

Hanoi Turmeric Fish with Dill from Pho Hoang Duc in Phoenix AZ

Bun Cha La Vung (many similar names ….Cha Ca La Vong) Hanoi Turmeric Fish with Dill from Pho Hoang Duc in Phoenix AZ.

Hanoi Turmeric Fish with Dill is the National Dish of Hanoi and is rarely found on Vietnamese Menus in America. The way to enjoy this dish is by using the fresh leaves like tortillas and next you add minty herbs and noodles. then dip the fish in fish sauce and lastly add peanuts and enjoy. This dish is delicious but most Vietnamese Restaurants in America rarely offer this dish.

Matbucha is a cooked Tomato and Roasted Red Pepper Salad from Zabari Mediterranean (Now CLOSED for business)

On right side of plate is Matbucha a cooked Tomato and Roasted Bell Pepper Salad with Chili from Zabari Mediterranean Grill that was in Phoenix (Now CLOSED for Business)

Matbucha (also spelled Matbakha) is a popular cooked Tomato and Roasted Bell Pepper (usually red) Salad with Chili Peppers, Garlic and other spices. This might be considered to be a sort of salsa and is also considered a salad (hot or cold) that is of Arabic Origins. Sadly this insanely delicious Matbucha is rarely found on Mediterranean Menus in America.

Duchess Potatoes (The Special Occasion Potato)

Duchess Potatoes (made by me)……. Basically are very upscale mashed potatoes.

Fine dining restaurants in America  used to serve Duchess Potatoes. A Chateaubriand without Duchess Potatoes is a very sad plate. Duchess Potatoes are the Cadillac of Mashed Potatoes and should be on menus because they are DELICIOUS.  Duchess Potatoes are seldom found on restaurant menus in America.

These were only a few of the Foods that Certain Restaurants Should Serve but Usually Don’t Serve.

Everything is subject to change……………………………………….But Will It?

The Forking Truth

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My Trip to Fat Ox Truffle Weekend in Scottsdale AZ

 

Fat Ox is a Modern Upscale but casual Italian Restaurant in Scottsdale Arizona. From October 8th till October 11th 2018 The Fat Ox was offering a special Truffle Menu of a few dishes inspired by the Chef’s recent trip to Italy. Diners had a choice of ordering off the Special Truffle Dinner Menu or to add Black ($20.00) or White Truffles ($50.00) to regular menu items.

The Fat Ox Restaurant menu offers a Modern take on various Italian dishes using world techniques. Pastas are made in-house and prime steaks are also offered….thus the name Fat Ox.

The spacious restaurant is rich with many interesting light fixtures, lots of wood, intricate tiny old fashioned tile work and pops of ocean blue seating. This restaurant is visually beautiful inside and out and also offers some patio dining.

They start us off with complimentary Focaccia Bread, Calabrian Chili Butter and House Whipped Ricotta.

The Focaccia is very flavorful and one can taste a very pungent olive oil was used. The Ricotta is very milky, smooth and laced with lemon. It surprised me that the Calabrian Chili Butter was so mild that it could have been any pepper…but perhaps is extra mild to please the masses that can’t take the heat.

We start off with the Carbonara Tajarin with White Truffles and Parmesan. $60.00

The thin delicate Piedmont style pasta was tightly rolled and ever so lightly dressed and stuck together some. This pasta  was elevated by fresh shaved White Alba Truffles that are considered the best in world of Truffles. The Truffles  had a delicate but pleasing aroma. I’ll be Forking honest….This plate was good but not the most truffle forward plate I’ve ever had…..Everything here was ultra delicate.

My main was the Wild Salmon with Black Truffle, Salsify, Meyer Lemon and Mushroom Crumble ($54.00).

Salmon is prepared medium well here. The skin should have been crispy but wasn’t so I removed it and carefully saved the truffles that rained down on the skin. Under the skin was a thick bloodline  so I removed it.  (dark flesh that is edible but sometimes taste strong). Now to try the salmon with black truffles. It’s a combination that I never would have thought of that’s delicious!…..The salmon’s rich buttery texture just goes really well with black truffles.   The vegetables are interesting. I really like the salsify. It’s sort of like a fried parsnip. The other vegetables are dressed with what they call a mushroom bread crumble that is on the sweet side.

Had to complete a Truffle Dinner with the Fior De Latte Gelato with White Truffle ($20.00).

The White Truffles this time seemed like they had 20 times more aroma and taste than the White Truffles that were on the Tajarin Pasta. I wanted to just sit there and inhale them. Soon I inhaled them in a different way (my stomach). The Milky gelato was really great with the White Truffle. I got much more BANG here than I did with the pasta….Were these Truffles more potent  ……….or was  the pairing  better…?

That was my trip to Fat Ox Truffle Weekend 2018 in Scottsdale AZ.

www.ILoveFatOx.com

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

The Forking Truth

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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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My Forking Thoughts on Cauliflower Pretzels by From The Ground Up

 

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