Thursday, June 9, 2011

Its all about the goat!!

Chef Stephanie Izard and I at Girl and the Goat

Two weeks ago,while on vacation in my home town of Chicago, i was lucky enough to get a table at Girl and the Goat, restaurant of Top Chef season four winner Stephanie Izard. Stephanie was nominated by The James Beard Foundation for Best New Restaurant of 2011 and was named Best New Chef of 2011 by Food & Wine. Its no wonder she has received so much attention and praise on her new place, her menu is exciting and delicious on the eye and stomach. I have always loved goat, especially Jamaican or Trinidadian curried goat or Mexican style tacos de cabrito or chivo(goat)! The great thing about goat meat is that its a very flavorful,inexpensive meat, low in calories and low in fat! Though i couldn't eat everything on the menu i certainly tried and i went with the pickiest eater,my aunt,who gobbled up everything without a single complaint! Stephanie Izard did a great job in putting goat meat back on the culinary map and placed it as a great contender with pork and beef as a protein. My faves were the grilled,savory pork ribs whose meat fell right off the bone and the amazingly delicious goat chorizo flat bread with ramp pesto,rhubarb and fresh ricotta. I had many other delightful dishes, but wish i had had enough room in my belly to order the goat legs,which are only available special order and the goat carpaccio! I will definitely be going back soon and attempting to have desert as well, especially the rhubarb n' lemon shortcake with buttermilk panna cotta, lemon gelato and salted graham cracker!  Want to make some braised goat meatballs?Here's the recipe!!

Monday, June 6, 2011

Smellin bacon in your dreams

Growing up i used to love to wake up to the smell of Cafe Bustelo that my mother brewed every morning!! Though i didnt drink it back then, its aroma had a way of energizing me and reminding me of home and all things comforting! As an adult, i bought the coffee maker that could do the same with the help of an alarm on it that would start brewing coffee at just the right time in the morning! It was always hot and ready when i woke up and it always had the power to seduce me and wake me right out of my dream state! Apparently coffee and its often intoxicating aroma to some is not enough. Some people like to wake up to the aroma of something fried! Yep, bacon to be exact!Check out this new gadget!!http://bacontoday.com/waken-bacon-the-real-bacon-alarm-clock/

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Back from a moratorium

At Wildflower Bread Co. in Sedona,Arizona in 2010

Im back! Life,laziness and lack of inspiration has had me quiet for awhile, but i dont want to give up on something i started. My heart was heavy and unhappy but despite all, delicious food adventures has kept me smiling and made the last year and a half a memorable time! I want to talk about it. Thanks for your patience and understanding! Carmencita is now even a Hungrier Little Bitch!