Vitamin T - Tortas Tacos Tequila

I've been invited to Vitamin T for dinner after an afternoon networking meeting this coming Friday. I'm very excited because the owner/chef is Aaron May of Overeasy near me (great blueberry pancakes) and also chef of Iruña in Scottsdale. I haven't been to Iruña, but it has a good reputation and that doesn't surprise me since May used to chef/own Sol y Sombra in north Scottsdale.

Sol y Sombra was really cool. There was an outside patio with comfy neon green couches. The inside was kind of dark and you would always see "beautiful people" there. Anyways, he closed up this shop and opened Iruña. Word has it that they have a lot of the same menu items like pollo colonial and tortilla española. Sounds good to me. I've got to go there soon.

In the meantime, I'll be trying Vitamin T. I'm looking at the menu tonight (planning my next meal) and I'm pleased that they have tortas de pollo milanesa. This is a breaded chicken sandwich and I've become quite fond of the version made by Tortas Paquime on McDowell and 24th Street. We'll see how Chef May's version measures up. His reputation says that it will be a great torta.

I noticed also on the menu that he has different tequilas and Dos Equis (XX) on tap, which makes me very happy. I'll let you know how dinner goes!

http://eatmoretacos.com/menu.pdf

Pretzels from Old Heidelberg Bakery

I got two pretzels and started munching right away.

They are just east of the Jack in the Box.

This place has the yummiest soft pretzels. They also have German apple cake, strudel, chocolates, sausages, breads, preserves, etc. All kinds of imported German yummy things.

I highly recommend a visit!

Old Heidelberg Bakery
2210 East Indian School Road Phoenix, AZ
(602) 224-9877

Cranberry Orange Cake post from Chow Bella

This post is copied from Chow Bella's blog today (phoenixnewtimes.com) which I read every single day. I'm looking forward to their Caramel Palooza in March. I hope to be invited to be a guest judge. The folks at Chow Bella were kind enough to give me 5 pie tasting coupons at the Pie Festival recently. I was on a major sugar high that day.

Here's the post. I can't wait to make this cake.

Yesterday we chatted with Carol Konyha, freelance dessert designer. Carol's Hungarian roots and fondness for butter and sour cream drive her approach to baking. Her keen senses and skill with her hands produce desserts as pretty to look at as they are to devour. Best of all, Carol's baked goods are always moist with an airy crumb.Today, Carol shares a recipe for her Cranberry Orange Cake.

follow the jump for recipe

Carol Blonder

Cranberry Orange Cake

​Cranberry Orange Cake

Ingredients: ¼ cup butter

1 and 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 large egg

1/3 cup frozen concentrated orange juice + water to make ¾ cup liquid

2 cups all purpose flour

1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

¾ teaspoon salt

grated zest from 1 orange

1 and ½ cups cranberries, fresh or frozen

½ cup walnuts, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 F Grease a bundt pan or a 9X5X3 inch loaf pan.

In a mixing bowl, beat butter, sugar and egg until smooth.

Stir in ¾ cups orange juice (or 1/3 cup oj concentrate +water to make ¾ cup).

In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Add orange zest, cranberries and walnuts.

Stir to combine.

Add dry ingredients to butter-sugar-egg-juice mixture.

Stir until flour is incorporated and batter forms.

Pour batter into prepared pan.

Bake for one hour (test doneness with a toothpick or cake tester).

Cool in pan for 10 minutes.

Remove from pan and cool on baking rack.

Optional-glaze with cream cheese glaze or sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Wrap in plastic wrap to store.

Lola Coffee

The inside of Lola Coffee has a very urban/simple feel.

Lola has yummy pastries - I spied a quiche and
some kind of fruit tart.
(not to be confused with the kitchen wench)

I was downtown for a breakfast meeting so I decided to go a little further south since I had a couple of hours to kill before meeting my brother for shopping at Costco. I detoured to Lola Coffee on Roosevelt Street. Lola is the daughter of the former owner of Lola Tapas, which used to be on Camelback and 8th Street. They had some yummy eats there like: tortilla española, serrano ham, montaditos (succulent cooked pork on crusty bread) and olives. They also made a very very potent sangria, which I miss a lot.

I might have to make a trip to Iruña soon, as I have a coupon for a free pitcher of Sangria. If you go to Overeasy for breakfast/lunch (48th St./Indian School), you can ask for the coupon and they will probably give it to you.

I digress. Lola Coffee is very cute and urban with a minimalist feel. I had an oj (fresh squeezed) since I had coffee already at my breakfast meeting. Lola has all kinds of yummy pastries that I need to go back and try. Sooner than later.

Update: Oasis Raspados has re-opened after taking a hiatus for Christmas and New Years. I talked to someone there today and their Glendale location is open but he was not sure when 32nd St. was opening (I didn't ask him about their Central location since 32nd St./McDowell is closest to me). Also they have a new location opening very soon at 32nd St./Greenway if any of you live up that way. Very exciting to have a new Oasis!

Also...Herb Box has opened at Southbridge in downtown area Scottsdale. You must go and try their tzatziki with pita chips. They also have sweet potato chips and sweet potato muffins. Then there is this steak sandwich on ciabatta bread with carmelized onions that I absolutely love. It is worth the trip.

Happy eating.

Nutella sandwich

Nutella on french bread makes for a tasty breakfast.
Or, in my case today, lunch.

I discovered Nutella "when I was seventeen...." and yes, it was a very good year.

I was in Paris with my girlfriend Arantzazu and we were staying with her cousin and his girlfriend from Belgium. A very nice/friendly couple. I remember their bathtub was very tiny! But they put us up (or put up with us) for about ten days so they scored major major points in my book.

We had nutella sandwiches for breakfast in their kitchen. The bread was this amazing crusty baguette one of them had picked up from a local bakery.

Europe spoils you for bread. After a trip to Europe, you only want artisan breads. Very snobby! But oh, so tasty.

Today my brother Mike and I went to Costco to pick up a few things which included Nutella for me. I also got some La Brea french demi baguette rolls and made myself a Nutella sandwich for lunch.

Delish!

What's for breakfast: French toast

French toast with microwaved apples is a special breakfast treat.

Jason bought a yummy loaf of French bread last week at Grande Orange for us when we shared a meal of tortilla Española and spicy garlic shrimp. I've been using the remainder of it for French toast over the past couple of days.

Here's how you do it:

3 big slices French bread (cut on bias so there is more surface to brown)

1 egg

1 pinch sugar

1 tbsp butter

jam or granny smith apple

Just dunk your slices of french bread in the egg - I didn't even bother to scramble it - and add a pinch of sugar to your egg so your toast will brown nicely. On medium heat melt your butter and then add your toast. Brown it a couple of minutes on both sides.

I had this yesterday with marionberry jam that my cousin Deenah (thanks cuz!) sent from Washington and then today I had it with a granny smith apple cut in cubes and microwaved for 2 minutes (partially covered) with sprinkle of cinnamon.

This French toast reminds me of the French toast I used to get with my Dad and brothers back in the day at Cafe Casino on 24th St. and Camelback. I just loved loved loved that place. You could get apples or cherries on top of your French toast and I usually opted for the apples. We used to ride our bicycles there on a Sunday once in awhile and I remember my Dad being really patient as we all rode in single file to get there...

Happy times. Yummy breakfasts.

Make this French toast! You will love it. It is not only good for breakfast, but can do in a pinch for lunch or dinner. Fry some ham or bacon on the side. Mmmmm.

New Year's wedding - Felicidades Rosa y Charlie!

Rosa and Charlie on their Big Day!

The Jewish ceremony was in their backyard,

and conducted by a friend.

Delicious cake provided by Rosa's friend, purchased at Fry's.

My girlfriend Rosa got married today, 1-1-11 at 1:00 pm. Talk about symbolism!

Rosa and Charlie are lovely people, I am so happy for their, well, happiness.

:)

There was a big party at their house pre and post ceremony which was conducted in their backyard by their "rabbi" friend - ordained online (don't remember his name). It was so nice to meet their families and friends. Delicious eats from different people (people brought): chips/salsa, mini chimis, beans, rice, veggies and all kinds of yummy things. I appreciate being able to partake of the friendly company and tasty eats!

They also had a great DJ who mixed up an awesome bunch of tunes. Cumbia Kings being one of the artists, which the kitchen wench appreciates.

The cake was delicious too, courtesy of Rosa's friend and purchased at Fry's. Fry's! They have a pretty good bakery, so you might want to check them out if you are planning a fancy affair and need a cake.

Congratulations Rosa and Charlie!