Splendid Kitchen Episode

I have become my dad.  What I once hated, I have become... A Talk Radio Listener!  I used to plug my ears or have my 1989 walkman handy whenever traveling in the car with my dad BUT that is no longer the case.  I love my NPR/KUT 90.5 station - it is the first radio station programmed in my car.  Whenever you get into my car, more than likely, NPR/KUT will be blaring.

On Sunday morning it was on as usual and I happened to catch one of my favorite programs, The Splendid Kitchen!  Naturally, they had several interesting topics, but, 2 really caught my eye...
- The Stern's:  Jane & Michael Stern who specialize in Road Food and have a book: 500 Things to Eat Before It's Too Late /  Podcast is available
- Joshua Wesson - "BFF (Best Friends Forever) Wines... because they will always be there for you" - I love it!  Anyhow, he gave a list of some wines under $15 (mostly) that he loves!   I know I am going to try these out and test them against my wino friends' palates! Listen to the podcast

Here is Joshua's short list...

Cava from Spain
Segura Viudas Brut Reserva NV $12 – his favorite house sparkling wine
Freixenet Carta Blanca Demi-sec NV $11
Cristalino Rose NV $13

Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand
Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009 or 2010 $12
Brancott Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009 or 2010 $13
Villa Maria Private Bin Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009 or 2010 $14 – his favorite out of the list

Riesling from Washington State
Snoqualmie Naked Riesling 2009 $12
Hogue Genesis Riesling 2008 $15
Eroica Riesling 2008 or 2009 $18 – world class, fav riesling

Malbec from Argentina
Navarro Correas Collecion Privada Malbec 2009 $10
Alamos by Catena Malbec 2009 $10
Graffigna Centenario Malbec 2008 $14

Blueberry Tidbits

BLUEBERRIES
Contain the most health-protecting antioxidants of all fresh fruits and vegetables.  You should eat them raw since heat dimishes the benefits of the phytonutrients they contain.  However, if done correctly, dehydration concentrates the antioxidant content.
Source: 12 Best Foods Cookbook by Dana Jacobi

Pimento Cheese Burger

We to lunch with one of my work friends while in DC for a work conference.

She took me to Vermillion, a place across the street from the yarn store she works at (Fiber Space - which is fantastic!), Old Town Alexandria.

My eyes immediately went to the beet salad and Pimento Cheese Burger. Hello! Pimento Cheese Burger - Need I say more! And to top it off it's served with an egg over easy slapped on top. I feel very confident in saying that you could not have gone wrong with any of the items on the menu!

The atmosphere: Comfortable, shabby-sheik, a little dark in an old brick building - I loved it! Lesley said that she usually enjoys the (gourmet) pub apps with a pint in the evenings with her knitting group...something to look forward to when I go back! Oh...and I will be back!

Pimento Cheese Burger



The beef patty was perfectly cooked to my order (medium) and perfectly seasoned. I could have eaten the patty by itself, but, who in their right mind would leave the pimento cheese alone?!

Beet Salad with Fried Feta Cheese Squares




Roasted golden and red beets with a painted smear of what tasted like raspberry-beets! The crunch of the feta cheese topped it off!

Check the menu out online at http://www.vermilionrestaurant.com to get ideas for your next creation! I know I will!

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Vermillion, Alexandria

Do something...

For me, it is rare to see a movie that provokes you to do something.  The documentary Food, Inc did that for me.  I have had The Unruly Kitchen, food blog for about 5 years now and I hadn't posted anything going on 2 1/2 years. Why? I am not really sure.  However, this movie made me reflect about what I put into my body, a masterpiece of chemical reactions.  With the combination of the last few weeks and this movie, I had sadly forgotten I enjoyed cooking so much and that this an outlet to share it. 

So here goes...I am expecting more from myself so that you can expect me more from me.

Learn more about Food, Inc:  Hungry for Change at  http://www.foodincmovie.com/