Best Beef Stew Ever!

Recipe > Beef Stew > America's Test Kitchen

This was FANTASTIC (as is every recipe on America's Test Kitchen) as well as easy! You seriously can throw in just about any vegetable without screwing this up. Can't wait to hear how it turns out for you!

Recipe Based off of America's Test Kitchen

Serves 6
3 1/2 pounds blade steaks , 1 inch thick, trimmed of gristle and fat and cut into 1-inch pieces
(I used 1lb steak and 1lb lean ground beef)
Table salt and ground black pepper
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
(I used olive oil)
2 pounds yellow onions (about 3 medium), halved and sliced about 1/4 inch thick (about 8 cups)
(I used 1.5 large yellow onions)
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 medium cloves garlic , minced or pressed through garlic press (about 2 teaspoons)
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
3/4 cup low-sodium beef broth
1 1/2 cups beer (12-ounce bottle or can)
(Blue Moon's Full Moon beer was excellent!)
4 sprigs fresh thyme , tied with kitchen twine
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
(I also threw in some diced pumpkin and carrots)


1. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position; heat oven to 300 degrees. Dry beef thoroughly with paper towels, then season generously with salt and pepper. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in large heavy-bottomed Dutch oven over medium-high heat until beginning to smoke; add about one-third of beef to pot. Cook without moving pieces until well browned, 2 to 3 minutes; using tongs, turn each piece and continue cooking until second side is well browned, about 5 minutes longer. Transfer browned beef to medium bowl. Repeat with additional 2 teaspoons oil and half of remaining beef. (If drippings in bottom of pot are very dark, add about 1/2 cup of above-listed chicken or beef broth and scrape pan bottom with wooden spoon to loosen browned bits; pour liquid into bowl with browned beef, then proceed.) Repeat once more with 2 teaspoons oil and remaining beef.

2. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to now-empty Dutch oven; reduce heat to medium-low. Add onions, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and tomato paste; cook, scraping bottom of pot with wooden spoon to loosen browned bits, until onions have released some moisture, about 5 minutes. Increase heat to medium and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are lightly browned, 12 to 14 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add flour and stir until onions are evenly coated and flour is lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Stir in broths, scraping pan bottom to loosen browned bits; stir in beer, thyme, bay, vinegar, browned beef with any accumulated juices, and salt and pepper to taste. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to full simmer, stirring occasionally; cover partially, then place pot in oven. Cook until fork inserted into beef meets little resistance, about 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

3. Discard thyme and bay. Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper to taste and serve. (Can be cooled and refrigerated in airtight container for up to 4 days; reheat over medium-low heat.)

Cafe Rozella

Cafe Rozella > White Center > 98106 > 9434 Delridge Way SW > Coffee > Literary Arts > Community > WiFi



I don't get it, maybe I'm not enlightened enough, maybe I just don't know the whole story. Cafe Rozella is dirty...really dirty. I think the sidewalks are cleaner than their floors. It wasn't just their floors, EVERYTHING looked dirty. The Mexican mocha that I'm drinking is pretty good and the barista was very friendly. I had heard that they also serve wine. The barista said no, but I should ask the owner, a stoic man heavily puffing on a cigar right outside the door.

Hold, please, while I do my research.

Okay, so Cafe Rozella hosts all sorts of multi-cultural activities as well as live performances. "Where do these people perform?", you ask. I don't know. Cafe Rozella is tiny. During the summer, they host activities in their parking lot. Also, they host gatherings for writers, poets, artists and other sorts of intense and interesting people. Unfortunately, I don't fall under any of those people. The only two topics I can bring to the table are food and real estate. That fact aside, I still think I get it -this is more a community gathering place than a coffee shop. Cool. Did I mention how dirty it was?

There is a really great article about Cafe Rozella from the times. Take a look at http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008092135_cafeprofile05m0.html You can also find out more about their events and activities at the Cafe Rozella Blog.

Restaurant Inspection Results

An Ode to Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet Potato Fries
Haiku by Tara

Sweetness of Candy
The Crispy Salty Goodness
Swimming in Ranch Sauce

Sweet Potato Oven Fries
Recipe by Tara

Man, do I love those deep fried sweet potato fries at Dukes. However much I reason that "sweet potatoes are more nutritious than regular potatoes, so they are the healthy choice", I'm still not convinced. I definitely won't be purchasing the evil deep fryer so I can make them at home!

I decided to come up with a guilt free recipe for sweet potato fries.

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees
2. Peel a sweet potato and cut it into fry size strips
3. Rinse and dry the potato strips
4. Dip them in egg whites
5. Spray some cooking spray onto a baking sheet
6. Set each strip separately on the sheet.
7. Sprinkle with sea salt
8. Bake until crispy on the bottom and cooked on top (can't tell you how long because my oven is shot)
9. Flip them over -or heck, just shake them around and leave them in the oven till they aren't soggy any more.
10. While you are waiting, mix up a packet of Hidden Valley Ranch and make it runny.

TAH-DAH! Almost as good as the real things!

Yes, the same Be's as West Seattle.

Be's Restaurant> White Center > Breakfast > 98146 > 9826 16th Avenue SW > WiFi

Uuuuuhh. Hmmmm. What to say? I walked in to the dance club turned restaurant (and it still looked like a dance club) and asked if this is Be's. Yes, the friendly owner said...are you looking for Be? I replied, nope, just breakfast. The place was dark and dingy and I'm really surprised that there wasn't a disco ball hanging from the ceiling.

The hashbrowns were fresh and hand cut, the eggs were fine, and the bacon was a nuked piece of jerky. The service was good. I must say that I was distracted by the decor, which included a live piranha, so I forgot to take a picture of my meal. I wonder the fish was acquired when the night club was purchased or if it is a new addition? I wonder if my paper napkin is new or used...it seems a little smooshed.

A greasy spoon in White Center is a SPECTACULAR idea! Be's needs to just make a little effort to create an atmosphere in which you feel comfortable eating breakfast. There is a diverse community in White Center, make a breakfast that appeals to many! For the time being, make a trip to Endolyne Joe's and spend a couple more dollars for an unforgettable meal.

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As I Sit in Neptune...

Neptune > Seattle > 98103 > 8415 Greenwood Ave N

...I realize that I've found my second living room. Actually, I like it here much better than my living room...my coffee is terrible and my cat is a jerk. Not only can I wake up here with a good ole cuppa joe, but I can have a PBR or glass of wine, eat a tasty sandwich, have friends over, listen to great music, bullshit about the female view of "Family Guy", work, and even craft!

Yes, I am cheating on Chocolati, my past favorite Greenwood coffee shop (sorry Molly!) -but this is so much more roomy and bright!

Top 5 reasons why I love Neptune:

5. They sell Mighty O Donuts, which are donuts that I don't feel so terrible about eating because they are organic.

4. The owner let me bring my dog once. (Yes, I am now one of "those people". But don't worry, I have yet to buy a doggy carriage or a knitted sweater. However, I could knit him one on Wednesdays at Neptune during the Stitch & Bitch. )

3. Everyone who comes through the door of Neptune either for work or coffee I could see myself having a 4 hour conversation with. Good people. (Even that weird little guy who does the internet marketing software programming or whatever. Well, maybe just a 30 minute convo with him)

2. The coffee is FANTASTIC! They even make my latte foam pretty. Sometimes hearts...sometimes fluffy ferns....

1. It has WiFi and is a spectacular place to work.

Thanks for coming to Greenwood, Neptune! www.NeptuneCoffee.com

Restaurant Inspection Results

909 Coffee & Wine, Oh So Fine...food (yes, corny)

909 has the fine dining and class of Downtown Seattle with the comfort of a neighborhood cafe.

909 Coffee & Wine > Burien > 98146 > 909 SW 152nd > Cafe > Wine

WOW! All I can say is I was VERY impressed!

I walked in a half hour early for my dinner date in order to put postage on my mailers (patron from hell...I know). However, not only was I greeted with a smile and sat immediately, but I was repeatedly checked on by my friendly server, Mindy -who would make sure to stop and chat with me each time she passed.

When my friend arrived, we each ordered the house white (very good), and the breads and dips appetizer platter. Not a big fan of the hummus, but the other dips, particularly the pesto, was delicious. For our entree, Mindy suggested the chicken thigh in garlic sauce as well as the chicken stuffed crepes. Both were SPECTACULAR!! The chicken melted in our mouths and the crepes (heart attack on a plate) were bursting with flavor.

Also on the menu (which caused me much anguish when trying to decide) was boar filled tortellini, a rabbit sausage, lamb, a roasted veggie salad with goat cheese, etc. I can't wait to go back!

Here are my top 5 reasons I LOVE 909:

5. Great wine list.
4. Lighting that makes you want to stay forever.
3. Mindy
2. Delicious menu
1. The neighborhood feel. Everyone new everyone and it was lively and friendly.

I only wish they had Wi-Fi during the day. I would never leave! (I don't know if that is good or bad)

Hope to see all of you there!

Restaurant Inspection Results

The Singing Gyro Girls

Beer, Baklava, and Beatles.
Dino's Gyros > Burien > 126 SW 148th St # C160 > 98166

Hungry, lazy and broke from our ridiculously expensive dinner the night before, my partner, Tanner, and I needed some cheap and fast food. Heading to the local Pho restaurant, Tanner suggested that we stop by Dino's Gyros. Although hesitant, because I never can find Mediterranean food quite as good as the Med Mix, I agreed.

As soon as we walked in, we were greeted by an exuberant, dimpled young woman who seemed genuinely excited to be there (who was later joined by a second young lady). Tanner and I were each going to order a lamb gyro -but were promptly stopped by the cashier and were told to split the lamb "doner". Apparently, a doner is a kind of Turkish sandwich. To make a long story short, for $20 total, we had a DELICIOUS sandwich on fresh baked crusty bread (the size of my head) filled with huge helpings of lamb, feta, lettuce, tomato, onion, Kalamata olives, and the best tzaziki sauce I have ever eaten. We shared a paper plate full of greek salad. In the midst of devouring our salads, we noticed that they sold pints of Blue Moon for $2.50!!! I've NEVER seen Blue Moon for $2.50. We rounded off our filling meal with a large piece of baklava. Mmmmm! Throughout the entire meal, our Gyro girls were serenading us with oldies.

Here are the top 5 things I LOVE about Dino's Gyros:

5. CHEAP EATS!
4. Fresh Baked Doner Bread the SIZE of MY HEAD
3. $2.50 Blue Moon Pints
2. Perfect hangout for a mellow weeknight.
1. Singing Gyro Girls

There are two things I would suggest to the owners of this wonderful place...invest in some higher quality plastic silverware (I would have had an easier time eating with chopsticks! Try cutting gooey baklava with a flimsy knife!) and use a little fresher cucumber (they were starting to get see-through). Other than that -GO THERE! SO GOOD!

Restaurant Inspection Results

The Great Cookie Quest

Urban Bakery > Greenlake > 98103
PCC > Greenlake > 98013
Blu Water Bistro > Greenlake > 98103
Souped Up Cafe > Greenlake > 98103

a search for the best cookie in the Green Lake neighborhood.

Living and working in Greenlake, it was a very common sight to see me moseying down the drive to the Urban Bakery in search of a sugar fix. Walking into the neighborhood cafe, I was always greeted with a friendly face and an eyeful of delicious looking baked goods. Not once did I ever try the bread puddings or the glossy fruit tarts...it was a big cookie I was after. Sugar? Peanut Butter? Chocolate Chip? M&M? Oatmeal & Raisin? Too many choices! Every week I would stand there and stare at the display case -trying to convince myself to choose just one. Every week I would "happen" to forget cash and have to put a $5 minimum on my debit card. "I'll take one of each! I'll share with the office!" Yes, I would share with the office, after I cut off half of each to enjoy myself. (The cookies are very big.) Biting into to the "crisp on the outside/chewy and soft on the inside" deliciousness that was the Urban Bakery cookie was like biting into a little bit of heaven.

After a couple of years, Urban Bakery was bought out by another family. Gone was my favorite cashier, and flat and crunchy went my cookies. After a few tries, I finally realized that the bakery wasn't just having a bad day...the cookies I came to love were gone.

With all the restaurants and cafes in walking distance, I wasn't worried about finding a substitute. It would all be okay. In fact, I remembered something with the name "Tollhouse Magic" at the Blu Water. I tried it, and believe me, it was magic. Baked in a cast iron skillet was a bubbling and gooey tollhouse cookie topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. All for the unbelievable price of....$7.50! Are you kidding me?!?!? After paying for the stupid cookie, as well as tax, tip, and the $3 cup of drip, I quickly decided this would be my last Tollhouse Magic. ...And the Great Cookie Quest continued.

Although the cream cheese brownies at Chocolati were spectacular, and The Mix ice cream was always wonderful, the void left by the Urban Bakery's cookies could not be filled. One day, I decided to stop by PCC to see what cookies they had available. In between the scones and cheeses, I saw it...a big cookie covered with giant chunks of chocolate. I snatched it up and went straight to the checkout. Not two steps out the door, I pulled the cookie out of the saran wrap, took a deep breath, and sunk my teeth in. THE HORROR! It was like biting into a piece of CHALK! I looked at the label on the back of the saran wrap...it was Gluten Free! Dejected, with a bad taste in my mouth, I walked home.

A couple cookieless months later, a new cafe and sandwich shop came to town -the Souped Up Cafe. While my eyes wandered through the display case, they landed on a big, burnt-looking cookie. "Hell," I thought, "I'll give it a try". This cookie was indescribable. Not only was it good, it blew the Urban Bakery cookie out of the water!! The search was officially over. Now Souped Up has Macadamia Nut, Sugar, and Oatmeal & Raisin cookies, all equally as good and all $1.50. Thank you Souped Up, thank you.

Signing out.

t

Restaurant Inspections for Urban Bakery
Restaurant Inspections for Souped Up

Almond Fried Chicken Connoisseur

Happy Garden Chinese Restaurant > Burien > 14301 Ambaum Blvd. S.W. > 98166 > 206.242.3400

Americanized Chinese food is so hit and miss. Happy Garden Chinese is always right on target. What started this love affair was their almond fried chicken.

I have now eaten there twice and ordered delivery once. Each time, I ordered the almond fried chicken. What normally is a greasy dish that later leaves me regretting my menu choice, this version is an actual chicken breast that is fried in a light and crispy panko breading on a bed of crisp cabbage -not the normal slimy lettuce. The sauce is not the neon yellow goo that I'm scared to eat (but usually still do), it is a perfectly seasoned brown kind of gravy. Accompanying this wonderful lunch is two scoops of slightly old rice (no big deal), a tasty and perfectly greasy eggroll, and the best hot and sour soup I have ever eaten. ALL FOR $5.45, which includes tax!! Best $5 meal I've ever had!

Here are the top 5 reasons that Happy Garden Chinese is my favorite Chinese place:
5. The Christmas decorations are still up.
4. They deliver for free.
3. Hot and sour soup.
2. This place is spotless. As a certified Germaphobe, not very many places get my stamp of approval. Please remember this when you read the last paragraph.
1. ALMOND FRIED CHICKEN!

Signing out until hunger strikes next.

t

Restaurant Inspection for Happy Garden

For the Love of Mochas

El Diablo Coffee Company > Upper Queen Anne > 1811 Queen Anne Ave N Ste 101 > 98109

http://www.eldiablocoffee.com/

Walking in to El Diablo on a cold rainy day is like stepping into a vibrant Latin paradise. The bright decor and wonderful smells all but assault you as you step through the door. Here are the top 5 of the many reasons I love this place.

5. The hand painted murals and Cuban music makes me happy.
4. There is Wi-Fi.
3. The restaurant is attached to a bookstore.
2. There is tongue-in-cheek devil paraphernalia throughout.
1. The mocha with Mexican chocolate and some beautiful and tasty unidentifiable (maybe cinnamon and nutmeg?) spices atop the foam.

I never thought I could find a mocha that beats Chocolati, but I have. Don't you DARE get it to go, unless you are unable to find a seat. Although Diablo's service isn't anything to write about, the atmosphere is spectacular, and it seems that all of Queen Anne agrees. The place is always full.

Restaurant Inspection Results

I want to blog too!!

I can't type. I can't spell. And I definitely can't write. But I sure can eat!

Everyone is starting a blog and I want to start one too! I could write about the obvious...my spectacular social encounters, my insightful political views, or what my world tends to revolve around, real estate. However, I have another love in my life, (besides my wonderful partner, of course)FOOD.




As if you couldn't tell by the name, this blog will be devoted to food (and maybe some ignorant twittering about wine) within the Seattle area. I am definitely not a food snob, as I could write for hours about the difference between Annie's Mac 'n Cheese compared to Kraft. Just give me some good food, good service, nice atmosphere, and a slightly dirty martini, and I will be the happiest girl on earth. Unfortunately, the mixture of all those characteristics is often hard to find. That is where this blog comes in.