Hey there! Yep, I'm still alive. I've just been submerged in life. Living with Mr.S and the kidlets has been keeping me crazy busy. Kidlets? Should I even be calling them that anymore? One's a tween and the other a teen...and with age has come the teen angst, the normal stinky teen boy smells (Sweet Baby Jesus, why do their rooms consistently smell like a combo of dirty socks, sweat and ass?) and hormones, hormones, hormones. Rampant hormones and mood swings around every corner. Please someone, tell me it gets better at some point?! Plus, Pepper has decided to go around peeing upstairs (maybe because it already smells like socks, sweat and ass?) so we've had to put a doggie belly band on him. It seems to be working but I'm constantly velcroing and unvelcroing the sucker for him so he can go out. I'm like a doggie valet. I'll have to take a pic of him wearing the belly band, it's really cute (we bought him one that has bowties on it) but man, does Peppy hate it! Talk about a really disgruntled poodle.

Anyhow, I did come up for air and do some cooking this weekend. About a month or two ago, my friend Julie posted on Facebook that she was eating a funeral sandwich. My interest was piqued, I had to ask, "What's a funeral sandwich?" Turns out it's a type of slider made with Kings Hawaiian rolls, filled with thinly sliced lunchmeat and cheese, and then glazed with a sauce.  You shove them in the fridge to marinate and then pop them in the oven. I'm not 100% sure but I think they're some kind of spin-off of the Southern funeral biscuit.

I decided to make some this week and Mr. S and Kidlet #1 LOVED them, in fact Kidlet #1 has been begging me to make them again. He even offered to wash my car if I made them for him. I could get used to this. ☺

So if you need a dish for football Sunday, to take to bunco or just something to nosh on- give these a whirl. They're super easy to make (and you can even make them the night before). Traditionally they're made with ham and Swiss but I prefer turkey and provolone, so use whatever combo you like. They all taste good with the glaze.

Funeral Sandwiches

Ingredients

12 Kings Hawaiian rolls
12 slices of turkey lunchmeat (thinly sliced)
12 slices of provolone cheese
1/2 cup butter
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

1. In a Pyrex measuring cup, melt your butter. Add in the Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, brown sugar and onion powder. Whisk together.

2. Coat your 13 x 9 pan with cooking spray.  Split the whole package of rolls in half and place the bottoms in the pan.

3. Use a pastry brush and baste each roll bottom with the sauce.

4. Fold a piece of lunch meat and cheese onto each roll bottom.

5. Place the roll top on.

6. Brush each roll top with sauce. Then drizzle the remaining portion of the sauce over the top of the rolls.

7. Cover tightly with Saran Wrap. Place in the fridge for a minimum of 3-4 hours but overnight is even better.

8. Preheat over for 350 degrees F.

9. If you want to get fancy you can sprinkle the rolls with poppy seeds or toasted sesame seeds.

9. Bake uncovered for 12-15 minutes.

10. Remove from oven. Eat right away.  (FYI: These do not reheat well so eat 'em up!)

1800 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95811.  (916) 448-3898
http://www.mangiaoncapitol.com/

We all want to eat healthier but at some point you get sick and tired of making kale salads and farro casseroles in your kitchen. Or maybe you're getting carpal tunnel syndrome from all that online holiday shopping and need some respite and a bite to eat? Then head over to Mangia!. I recently visited this cute little eatery with my friend Gretchen and I was pleasantly surprised by the tasty sandwiches and salads they're churning out. They recently opened shop next to Paesano's on Capitol Avenue, where a Java City used to occupy. They're right on the corner, you can't miss it- just look for the outdoor seating and the big windows.

Mangia! is open from 7am M-F and 8am on Saturdays, perfect for grabbing a breakfast panini on your way to work or popping over to nosh on one of their delicious sandwiches during your lunch break. They have about 15 specialty sandwiches on their menu, ranging from $7 to $9. The breakfast items (loaded bagels and fresh paninis) run from $4 to $6. They also offer soups, salads and fancy coffee drinks. On my visit there, I ordered their Atomic Meatloaf sandwich. Not exactly a calorie conscious choice, but how could I not? It was described as, "Bacon wrapped meatloaf served warm with jack cheese, red onion jam, housemade pickles and hot Mangia! fire sauce on an Acme roll." I bet your mouth's watering now, eh? Well, let me tell you- it lived up to my expectations. Total foodgasm. The hearty slice of meatloaf tasted just like Mom's (well, maybe not my Mom's but someone's mom) and the fire sauce/onion jam combo was quite simply- kickass. My only complaint? It would have been nice to have some chips come with it but I would definitely go back and order this again. My lunch date, Gretchen, who's a complete sweetie, offered me a nibble of her Bombay Chicken Salad sandwich, which I enjoyed as well. There was a spicy undertone (a mixture of jalapenos and red onion) which offset the sweetness of the curried mango mayo and plump golden raisins. It was no slouch in the yummy sandwich department. Mangia! smartly offers the option of ordering all their sandwiches sans bread. Instead you can have the fixin's over a bowl of crisp lettuce. I could see doing that with the Bombay Chicken Salad- it'd make a wonderful salad. Gretchen also ordered a side dish called, "Super Foods," which she excitedly told me I had to try. I'm glad she talked me into taking a taste- it was terrific. The Super Foods was a medley of quinoa, butternut squash, beets, blueberries, almonds and kale tossed with a light acai vinaigrette. I detected that there was a touch of cinnamon mixed in there as well. Now, now...don't turn up your nose. The Super Foods salad had a clean, invigorating taste that was delightful. I think I might try making this one at home. I really liked it and could see myself eating this healthy side a few times a week without tiring of it.



Since my visit, I've talked to a few friends about Mangia! to see their take on this joint. They all raved about the Hail Mary (house cured hot pastrami and melted gooey Swiss topped with Russian dressing and chipotle slaw on an Acme roll). I'm pretty sure a few of them were salivating while they were describing it. Also, one of my buddies who is gluten-free informed me that Mangia! offers gluten-free bread if you ask for it. (Nice! I like it when businesses try to be sensitive to their customer's dietary needs or preferences.) I think I might need to scoot over there soon and test out this Hail Mary. I'll let you know if it's a touchdown or not. In the meantime, the prices at Mangia! are on par with other casual eateries in the Grid, the sandwiches are bueno and the service staff is really friendly (they had an employee circulating through the tables checking in on patrons to make sure everything was to their liking). If you're in the area- pop over there and give them a try yourself, I would love to hear about your experience there.

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11/18/2013

Went back recently for lunch- it appears that Mangia! has changed their Super Foods salad. The old version was much better. The new version is complete rubbish, skip it!

This past weekend I was at a party and my buddy Eric and I happened to get in a conversation about food. He mentioned that he had been making curry chicken salad fairly frequently lately. My first thought was, "Curry chicken salad...yum! But ugh, I would have to roast some chicken...what a pain in the butt. Who has time for that?"  That's when he mentioned that he was using cooked rotisserie chicken from the market and my ears perked up. Rotisserie chicken? That sounds quick! Then my second thought was, "Oh, all that mayo! I can't eat that, I'm trying to lose a few pounds!" But where there's a will there's a way and on the drive home later that night, I started thinking about perhaps using yogurt (more specifically Greek yogurt, which has a nice creamy texture) in place of the mayo. I could cut the calories but still get my curry chicken salad fix. I know several friends who love subbing Greek yogurt into their recipes so I figured,"Why the hell not?" I tinkered around with the recipe on Monday and what I ended up with is listed below. I was quite pleased with the result and ate it for dinner last night and lunch today. It was the perfect balance of sweet and savory for me.
* If you like spicy, add a pinch of cayenne, it adds a nice kick to the dish.

PS It's Nov. 6th! If you haven't already--be sure to vote!



Spicy Curry Chicken Salad

Ingredients

3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken

1 cup plain Greek yogurt  (I used Fage Total 2%)

1.5 tablespoons curry powder

1 medium Fuji apple, cored and chopped

1/2 cup dried cranberries

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons red onion

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup almonds, sliced and roasted (optional)

pinch of cayenne (optional)


Instructions

1. In a small bowl, combine Greek yogurt, curry powder, lemon juice, pepper, salt and a pinch of cayenne. Stir together.

2. In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, chopped apple, dried cranberries and red onion.

3. Combine the ingredients from the two bowls. Mix together well.

4. Serve chilled. Tastes great spread on some soft lavash or place a scoop atop a bed of fresh salad greens.

6825 Stockton Blvd Ste 200, Sacramento, CA 95823. (916) 428-1188.

Years ago, I got hooked on banh mi at New Paris Bakery on Stockton Blvd. It was cheap, tasty, fresh...and cheap...oh wait, did I already mention that? When New Paris closed, I was devastated. You see, they made the best baguettes in town. Their bread was the perfect amount of crunchy on the outside and was soft as a cloud inside. I gave up banh mi for awhile after they shuttered their doors. Eh, I didn't need all those carbs, right? Eventually though, I began to miss my sandwiches and got talked into going to Huong Lan. Turned out that they serve up a delicious banh mi and the bread there was good (though not great). It satiated my banh mi cravings...that is until recently. Awhile back, I noticed that their sandwiches had got slightly smaller and the bread wasn't quite as tasty (sometimes even stale). So I started looking around and came across Duc Huong across the street. The banh mi there are comparable (fresh veggies and tender meat), the shop is clean and the staff is super nice. There's been a few times that I wished that they could put in a little more meat and slap on a wee bit more mayo...but those thoughts are tossed aside once I bite into the bread. Oh, the bread! The bread is delish and has the most wonderful aroma! It's almost like the bread that I used to get at New Paris Bakery. Light and airy with a delicate glossy, crunchy exterior. Even better news, is that they sell their baguettes as well as these fantastic sandwich rolls. They have sesame and wheat usually up front in the cases but if you order at the counter, they have freshly baked garlic rolls. Buy the garlic rolls! They're quite big (think roughly the size of a mini-Nerf football) and are only 4 for a $1. They're great for making sandwiches at home (which is what I do since I can stuff as much filling as I want in them) or for just noshing on with some soft cheese or pate. If you don't see them on the bread rack right behind the cashier, just ask; they'll bring out some fresh out of the oven ones from the back.



Currently: $1.75 small banh mi, $3.00 full-sized banh mi.
Baguettes $1.00, Rolls 4/$1.
Cash only.

5045 Franklin Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95820. (916) 452-0126.

Sometimes I wonder what the heck is going through my brain when I go chasing after good grub, like the other day when I got a hankering for a juicy torta. I had heard about a place called El Abuelo from a friend quite awhile back that was supposedly located out on Franklin and I figured I'd ventured out there. Well, the "what the heck was I thinking" part came when I pulled up into this teeny-tiny parking lot that only had one parking spot open and it was next to a cluster of hobos. Yep, that's right a cluster of hobos...drinking 40's, yelling stuff I couldn't quite make out at me (although I think it was complimentary) and one was playing a harmonica-- I kid you not. Since I was by myself, I scooted quickly into the small building sporting bright banana yellow colored paint, a weathered shake roof and a thickly barred security door. Inside, I was greeted with Halloween orange walls, 2 TV's showcasing the afternoon's futbol games, and several families sitting in booths happily munching on a late afternoon lunch. I headed toward the back counter where I was greeted by a friendly young man who handed me a menu. Since the menu was entirely in spanish (it did have photos), I asked a few questions and eventually settled on the Cubana, with everything on it. This puppy came with pretty much everything and the ding-dang kitchen sink- beef, smoked ham, mozzarella cheese, sliced hot dogs, American cheese, egg, ham, tomatoes, avocado, jalapenos and onions...all sandwiched between a warm, soft telera. Did I forget to mention that this thing was also as big as my head? I took it home and made it through half of it, gave up and ended up wrapped up the other half to eat later for dinner. The torta was fabulous (although I might skip the hot dogs on it next time- they just didn't do it for me). The only thing missing from my Torta-Fest was a nice cold horchata...next time I'll have to remember to order one.

Crazy, drunk, musical hobos or no hobos, I plan on going back to my new torta heaven. It does a terrific job of quelling my grease fix. Next time though I'll be prepared, I'll make sure to be extra hungry when I go in there- maybe I can skip a meal, or two, or three in preparation....

3110 Broadway, Sacramento, CA 95817.

When I heard another new eatery was going in at the corner of Alhambra and Broadway to replace Broadway Wings and Things recently I didn't pay much mind. After all, places have come and gone as far back as I can remember on that odd little island at the entry of Oak Park; but when I heard that the owners were going to be offering up authentic New Orleans fare, that's when they had my attention. I love shrimp po boys and beignets. There's nothing better than biting into the crackling crust of a soft-fluffy French roll and your tongue hitting the inner layer of remoulade and fresh Gulf shrimp with crisp cornmeal breading. Damn! If I'm feeling sassy, I might squirt some Crystal hot sauce on it too. Oh and don't forget to chase it all down with an ice cold Dixie beer. *Sigh, nostalgia* Anyhow, my hopes soared and I made plans to check the joint out ASAP.

So last week, the super awesome Emily from Community Tap and Table joined me over at Original PoBoys for a bite. Parking was a bit of an issue for me as the restaurant is in a bit of an awkward location- there isn't much nearby street parking, there's extremely limited parking in their lot and it's not the safest neighborhood for a woman to be walking around by herself at night. I did notice that once I got near the restaurant, the area surrounding the restaurant was well lit. Inside, although the basic architecture was still reminiscent of when the place was a KFC back in the day, the owner had done a nice job of renovating and cleaning it up. I found the staff to be polite and service to be quick. I decided to order a 8" shrimp po boy (the smallest size) and a soda (I had also inquired about the beignets but was advised that they were only served before 1030am). Wow, an 8 inch sandwich sounds small until they bring that sandwich to your table, holy moly! That was one giant sandwich. Unfortunately, that's about where my rave ends. I had visions of past phenomenal po boys dancing in my head (and on my taste buds) and after my first bite of this one, they were dashed. The bread was bland, the shrimp were soggy and tasteless...the po boy was completely lackluster. I ended up pulling the bread off and just eating the shrimp. My po boy was a clunker. When I looked across the table, I noticed Emily doing the same as well. What a bummer.

Considering that Original PoBoys is still in their first month of operation, I'd like to give them the benefit of the doubt and hope they're still trying to find their footing. Hopefully over time they'll be able to iron out the kinks and get their po boys up to speed and then they can,"Laissez les bon temps rouler!"

3675 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95816.
www.junoskitchen.com

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting up with my friend, Michelle, for a little pre-holiday lunch. We decided to hit up Juno's, a little delicatessen on the 37th & J block. Despite having only been open for two months, Juno's exudes a vibe of being a neighborhood joint that's been around for awhile. When I walked in, I immediately recognized the smiling face working behind the counter as a former waiter at Tapa's and the owner, Mark Helms, is known for previously running the tasty Ravenous Cafe out in the Pocket area before selling it. The eatery itself is cozy (there's just a handful of small tables) and personalizes itself with small touches like the dog bed out front for furry friends but what really captivates you about Juno's is the food. It's delicious. I had heard numerous raves about their burger, which uses grass-fed Wagyu beef from New Zealand and is topped with mouthwatering caramelized onions and Manchego cheese. Michelle ordered it and I went with the pastrami sandwich since I had a burger the night before. When her burger came out, it looked so juicy and amazing, I almost regretted my decision but the pastrami sandwich was a total winner! It was served on delicious homemade toasted bread with braised cabbage, sliced cornichons and a mustard aioli (normally it would also be topped with some Gruyère but sadly I had to skip it as I had forgotten my Lactaid...doh!). The mélange of flavors- tangy, sweet and sour- was superb. Additionally, at Juno's sandwiches come with a choice of a side salad or roasted mixed potatoes. I went with the potatoes, which were tasty and seasoned well. The portion sizes for the meals which initially didn't look very large turned out to be quite filling and I left there happy, full and definitely wanting to come back!

[PS If you get a chance, check out their cute lavatory. It's decked out in an adorable woodland creature motif, complete with raccoon and deer statuettes...very Etsy-esque. I know it has nothing to do with the food...but it's cute!]

6930 65th Street Suite 109, Sacramento, CA 95823. (916) 429-9999. (Located around the corner from the SF Market)

There's a certain self-satisfaction and smugness to getting all your Christmas shopping done two weeks early. Yep, that's right folks...you heard me correctly--I'm done TWO WEEKS early. It took me 37 years to get to that point, but this year I'm finished with plenty of time to spare. No sitting in holiday traffic, having to pushing my way through throngs of people at the mall or getting elbowed at the register this year for me. All my shopping is done...barring a few gifts on their way via UPS. It's a great feeling. All I have left to do between now and Christmas is to pour myself a big glass of wine, bake a few cookies and watch "Elf," a half dozen times. (I love it when Will Ferrell hisses, "You stink...you smell like beef and cheese, you don't smell like Santa!") Anyhow, my holiday shopping's done so you know what that means...my pocketbook is e-m-p-t-y...but no worries. That's what Huong Lan Sandwiches is for. For $2.75 you can grab one of their yummy banh mi sandwiches. They're sooooo good. If you've never had a banh mi before, the best way to describe it is that it's kind of like a Vietnamese sub sandwich. Huong Lan uses a fresh crunchy baguette slathered with a house mayo mix which they stuff with your choice of meat, julienned pickled daikon and carrots, some cilantro, onion and top it with a few sliced jalapeños. The meat choices range from bbq grilled pork, steamed pork, chicken, pâté, sardines and there's even a vegetarian choice. The sandwiches are super filling and delicious. A combo of sweet, tangy, salty, crunchy and spicy...perfect for lunch, dinner or anytime in between. The set up at Huong Lan is pretty simple. When you walk in there's tables to the left. If you want table service sit down. If you want takeout, walk to the back right corner and place your order at the counter. There's a giant illuminated picture menu above, for easy reference. Just tell the cashier what number sandwich you'd like to order, pay for your purchase and wait. They'll call your order out when it's ready. Just think- with all the money you save, you'll be rollin' in the green just in time for the new year.

* Tip: Bring cash (there's a minimum purchase amount for credit/debit purchases)

4225 Fremont Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103. (206) 545-7440. www.paseoseattle.com

If you ever find yourself in Seattle with a tummy demanding to be placated, haul yourself down to Paseo. Just drive down Fremont Avenue N. and look for a tiny, unassuming shack (there's no sign) made of corrugated metal nestled amongst some small residential homes, with a looooooong line out front. Ignore the haphazard exterior and just plunk yourself at the end of the line snaking around the building...trust me you won't be sorry. Unless you're a vegan or vegetarian, if so--then run. Paseo is a meat lover's paradise.

If you haven't heard of it, Paseo, is known for it's mouthwatering Cuban sandwiches and has been heralded by many publications as "One of the Best Sandwiches in America." Mr. S. and I fueled by our curiosity, dragged ourselves out during a rainstorm, to check out this so-called sandwich mecca and  I have to agree that is one damn good sandwich. As my Seattleite friend Aaron aptly put it, "...did it make you want to have a second right away, for dessert?"  The best way I could describe the Paseo experience is to compare it to, "When Harry Met Sally." Remember the scene where Meg Ryan fakes an orgasm while eating in a deli? Well, Paseo's sandwiches will elicit that exact response from you but you won't be faking it! 

Anyhow, Mr. S. went with the popular Cuban Roast sandwich. Picture slow roasted pork shoulder (so succulent that your eyes will want to roll back) covered in a tangy heavenly sauce with caramelized onions, cilantro, a leaf of lettuce, and fat pickled jalapeno chunks on top--- all on a toasted baguette that's been slapped with aioli. I went with the grilled pork which was prepared the same way but a flame-grilled cubed pork loin was subbed in for the pork shoulder. It was perfectly cooked. I had to pause after the first bite because my mouth was doing cartwheels and backflips...and because a river of sauce was dripping down my chin. The marinade they use to baste the meat with is so delicious that I could probably drink it straight from the bucket. Don't laugh...you would too, given the chance. Also word to the wise, don't go to Paseo thinking you're going to share a sandwich. Get your own. Or let me put it this way, had Mr. S. wanted to even try my sandwich, he would have had to pry it out of my cold, dead hands

Now are you ready to go? Just remember a few things. First, bring cash because Paseo doesn't take plastic (sandwiches run about $8-$9). Second, wear comfortable shoes and bring an umbrella because there's a good chance you'll be standing outside in a long line. And lastly, don't plan on eating there. Paseo has about four small tables but getting a table would involve the swiftness of a cheetah, some mad ninja skills and having Lady Luck on your side. We ended up eating our sandwiches in the car, letting the warm steam from the sandwiches fog up the windows as we munched away happily. Oh and one last bit of advice-- grab some napkins. Lots and lots of napkins, trust me, you'll need them.

3340 C St, Sacramento, CA 95816, (916) 443-540.