vanessafrida
food_porn

When my spicy char siew ramen arrived…I was still very skeptical.  Apprehensively I took a slurp of the soup and I was in broth heaven!!  It was super duper good…very very thick…full of punchy flavour.  I couldn't believe it was a chicken base broth. 

The ramen was cooked perfectly….the texture was very “springy”…..and now to the char siew.  I have heard the phrase “oh the meat just melts in your mouth” and well can I say I haven’t actually experienced that much…but I sure did when I tasted this char siew.  Very thinly sliced pork slice…with a nice marbling of fat….every little sliver I popped into my mouth slowly melted on my tongue…it was out of this world.  Pity the ramen came with only 1 slice of char siew….i am so ordering a side the next time, and yes there will be a next time.  

Click here to read more about the famous ramen shop and more pictures

stargateguy

Today I picked up Season 1 of Clone Wars on blu-ray.  I've learned a valuable lesson: look up online which stores have the product you want before you go.  I learned this lesson after 2 Best Buys, 3 Barnes & Nobles, 2 Targets and even a Wal-Mart.  I finally found (and reserved) my box set at a Best Buy in South Arlington (that's #3, if you're keeping score), and by all accounts that's the only store in the DFW area that actually got it.  Everyone had DVD.  Blu-ray got screwed.

My response was to fight back, fanboy style.  When I got home, I e-mailed the Force Cast.  Yeah, it's just a podcast, but the hosts have direct first name basis connections to the actors, directors, producers, animators, and support crew of the Clone Wars series, including top man Dave Filoni... who in turn answers directly to George Lucas.  Since DFW was recently home to Fan Days III, which featured the Clone Wars cast, this becomes a big deal for the fans with renewed interest trying to get this show on day of release. 

After I sent the e-mail, I watched the first episode "Ambush," which is a truly great Yoda episode that proved to me beyond all doubt that the magic of Star Wars is back.  And then I had to explore all the special features.  For an uber-fan, this has everything.  Concept sketches and 3-D models for each episode, director's cuts of most episodes, behind the scenes stuff for each episode...  This box set is a fan dream come true, and worth the hassle that will hopefully not need to be by the time Season 2 hits shelves.
 

kitchenbeard
food_porn

Sausage and Herb Sauce Over Bow Ties, originally uploaded by kitchenbeard.

Sausage and Herb Sauce Over Bow Ties

4 oz pancetta
8 oz sweet fennel sausage
4 tennis ball sized yellow heirloom tomatoes
1 bunch parsley
1 bunch basil
1 bunch sage
4 large cloves garlic
Approx ¼ cup sauvignon blanc
2 oz goat cheese
4 oz bow tie pasta
Olive oil as needed
Optional parmesan reggiano for grating

1)Cut pancetta into ½ inch cubes. In a deep skillet or duch oven, heat some olive oil till it shimmers and then add the pancetta.
2)Cut open sausages and remove filling from casings. Discard casings. When pancetta begins to brown add sausage meat and continue cooking over medium heat until both have released their fat and are browning.
3)While meat cooks, trim stems off herbs. Add all herbs to bowl of food processor with garlic, one of the tomatoes diced and a little olive oil. Puree until it turns into a paste. It doesn’t need to be uniform.
4)Dice the rest of the tomatoes roughly and add to the pan. Stir quickly making sure that the meat isn’t burning. Use the natural tomato juices to deglaze. Add the herb mixture. Mix well and then add the wine. Reduce heat to a simmer and allow to reduce. The sauce may be very oily looking.
5)Cook pasta to barely al dente in salted water.
6)When pasta is done portion into three or four bowls and top with sauce. Add some crumbled goat cheese to each. Also serve with parmesan reggiano if you wish.

ipdipd
food_porn

I’ve cooked it a week ago. It is a grilled duck stuffed with chestnuts and apples.