Review - PURE Taqueria

Suffice it to say I was truly elated to hear about a new Mexican joint coming to my part of town. Its not very often we get a new restaurant that generates buzz out here in the Matthews/Indian Trail area, in fact I think this is the first time since moving here over a year ago that there has been ANY restaurant opening in this area that warranted a visit.

Recipe: Ropa Vieja (aka Old Clothes)

Wow - blogging is hard work! After a brief hiatus, its time to get back on topic - MORE CUBAN FOOD!! As previously noted, Cuban dishes are deep rooted in traditional recipes that leave little room for innovation. This may be a likely reason why Cubans have taken so much creative liberty in the naming of their dishes. In keeping with the theme around Cuban dishes with names intended to confuse and deter, today I present you with Old Clothes. Yup - that is what it is called - Ropa Vieja. Hands down, without a doubt, the holy grail of all Cuban dishes. If I was stuck on a desert island - two things I tell you - two things - Ropa Vieja and Croquetas. This is my dear suegra's recipe. She is one of the best Cuban cooks (Cubans cook - they don't "chef") I know, and just by nature of attempting to transcribe her recipe I have likely angered some Santeria high priests and San Lazaro Himself - Cuban women don't cook from recipes, they cook from the heart. Well worth the wrath of the gods to share this magic with you! Enjoy!

Review: New Zealand Cafe

When I first moved to Charlotte last May, my immediate mission was to scout out all the staples I would need to survive in this new town – great pizza, great Mexican, a Chinese take-out spot and most importantly – SUSHI! Finding myself land-locked for the first time in my life, I set the bar low when I began my quest for toro. Luckily, I didn’t have to search too far or long to find what I can honestly say may just be the Best. Sushi. Ever.

Yes – I know, that is a BOLD statement coming from someone who worships at the altar of Nobu and Katsuya, and recently went all the way to Tokyo for sushi (ok, I went for work, but my sushi experience there was indeed transcendental).

Review: Enso Asian Bistro & Sushi Bar

I first went to Enso Asian Bistro and Sushi Bar back in the summer, accidentally stumbling in for some quick cocktails and a nosh – I was so blown away by the Rock Shrimp appetizer, I’ve been looking for an excuse to head back for more and see what else Enso had in store. My birthday was the perfect excuse to spend way too much money on sushi.

The ambiance is certainly impressive – however, it doesn’t make up for the absolutely mediocre, insanely overpriced “sushi” (more like fushi – fake sushi) that they offer – but back to the ambiance.

Recipe: Camarones Enchilados – or as I say Enchilated Scrimps

Cuban cooking is extremely traditional – you either make it the way its SUPPOSED to be, or you have made it wrong! There is no fusion, innovation, no unexpected twists or surprising tastes – at least there shouldn’t be. Cuban food is NOT spicy – but IS full of flavor and delicious. Ironically, it is also one of the most misunderstood and misinterpreted cooking cultures out there – this dish may serve as a perfect example as to why.

This classic Cuban dish, translates into "Shrimp in Enchilada Sauce". Funny thing is, enchilada sauce does not even exist in our cooking culture, and the sauce used in this recipe for decades has never been, and will never be anything even remotely enchilada – like. I’ve seen some Cuban restaurants translate the name of this dish into “Shrimp Creole” – certainly not Creole sauce either!! The sauce is a very tasty tomato based sauce that to me really embodies the taste you should expect from a number of Cuban staple dishes.

Recipe: Mama Anna's Enchilada Casserole

As a mother of an 18 month old, one of my biggest parenting struggles is feeding my little monster while still satisfying my need for a nice dinner. Long gone are the days where I could prepare a leisurely 3 course meal on a weekday. Now on Sundays I cook for ME – but during the week the only thing I crave for dinner is something that is EASY, QUICK, and at the very least EDIBLE (I sometimes fail on this account) by everyone in the house.

Review: Pack's Tavern Asheville

As a blogger passionately dedicated to unearthing all of Charlotte’s culinary delights, I do feel a bit guilty about already venturing west in search of good food. But we all know (well, anyone from around here) that a mere two hours outside of our Queen City there is a funky little mountain town called Asheville, that truly is a mecca for us foodies (and vampires too, but clearly that’s for another blog).

This past weekend, I was lucky enough to eat my way through Asheville and have to say, both my husband and I were a bit apprehensive when my dear friend Natalie (an Ashveville local) suggested a TAVERN for dinner. My husband actually pulled me aside and said, “Bar food?? I want something better than bar food!” (a proud moment for me, we ARE making progress with him!). The suggestion came after my husband’s flat out refusal to eat at the Laughing Seed (while I am working on his palate, we still have a long way to go before I can get him to enjoy, or even appreciate, a fully vegetarian restaurant). I too was a bit concerned that Natalie was just suggesting this restaurant to appease the caveman’s need for fried jalapeno poppers and beer.

Recipe: Pancetta Pasta

I have to say, my style of cooking does not usually take the art of editing into account. I can’t remember the last time I cooked something with less than 10 ingredients, and my M.O. is usually to keep tossing stuff in until it tastes good. I’ve never been one to appreciate the “less is more” philosophy, and I am sharing this recipe because it was the first recipe I’ve come across that really is all about the magic that can happen when you use simple, QUALITY ingredients.