Camacho Watcho

Well, it’s the day after Thanksgiving and I can hardly think about food. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love Thanksgiving - the family, the food, the desserts…but I after eating two full Thanksgiving meals within 4 hours yesterday, I just need a break from it. So while I’m excited to upload my pictures and write about the day when I get home, I thought that for today I would write about something nice and light. Namely…fruit.

But not just any fruit…the pomegranate. When I was little, I was obsessed with pomegranates. I loved their sweet, juicy seeds that I could just pop in my mouth as a snack. That was a long time ago and I don’t think I’ve had a pomegranate since that time. That is, not until they suddenly came back in style. I didn’t think it was possible for a fruit to be trendy, but here the pomegranate is…starring in recipes from salads to marinades to cocktails to desserts. This fruit has made a come back and in a big way, and for good reason. From its striking scarlet color to its playful sweet/bitter taste, the pomegranate seed has the versatility to add punch and decoration to many recipes. And, although they can be a bit of trouble to separate the seeds, they are definitely worth it.

I don’t know why I stopped eating pomegranates back then, but I won’t let it happen again. Whether using the seeds or juice in a recipe or just eating them raw like candy, don’t let this fruit go out of season without trying one.

As I’m writing this, I am on the countdown to go home for Thanksgiving…and I’m so excited! I haven’t been home for this holiday in several years so I absolutely can’t wait for the turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes…and all the fixings! In preparation of all this comfort food, I made some comfort food of my own, mac ‘n cheese, on Monday that was so good that I had to share it with you.

I don’t actually eat mac ‘n cheese much. I’ve ordered it a couple times at restaurants (Maxwell’s and McCoy’s both have great versions on their menus), but not often. And when cooking at home, I usually try to stick to red sauces for pasta, as I always have canned or fresh tomatoes, onions and herbs on hand. The heavier creams just usually aren’t in my refrigerator. But when I got my Bon Appetit in the mail this month and saw what was waiting for me within its pages, I just had to try it out.

From the get-go, this mac ‘n cheese looks anything but normal. It’s made with two cheeses - sharp cheddar and goat cheese - (which is the perfect marriage between mine and Kyle’s favorite cheeses) and is topped with caramelized shallots. Yes…I said it. Topped with caramelized shallots. Is your mouth watering? Mine is.

Now, you might not believe this, but it wasn’t too long ago that I turned my nose up at goat cheese and wouldn’t even try it. It wasn’t until my coworker (thank you, Julie) tricked me into eating goat cheese that I discovered my obsession with this soft, creamy wonder. Now I am known to put goat cheese on and in everything - salads, scrambled eggs, pizzas…you name it. I love the stuff. So when I saw this recipe, it was as good as made.

As promised this mac ‘n cheese was fantastic! The sauce (made with the sharp cheddar and a little hot sauce) was creamy and a little sassy and the toppings, well, they were simply amazing. We kept trying to put words to the effect that the caramelized shallots had on the dish, but just kept coming up with “they are soooo good.” We put down half of the bowl for dinner and then we ate it for lunch as leftovers the next day.

While mac ‘n cheese can’t compete with my mom’s Thanksgiving meal as the ultimate comfort food, this version is definitely a recipe that has earned a regular spot for my comfort food cravings.

Mac and Two Cheeses with Caramelized Shallots
adapted from Bon Appetit, December 2008

* 3 tablespoons butter plus more for baking dish
* 6 sliced large shallots (about 6)
* 8 ounces elbow macaroni (2 cups)
* 1 1/4 cups half and half
* 2 1/2 teaspoons hot sauce (such as Cholula or Louisiana)
* 2 cups (packed) coarsely grated extrasharp cheddar cheese (about 8 ounces)
* 1 1/2 tablespoons all purpose flour
* 1/2 cup crumbled soft fresh goat cheese

Preheat oven to 400°F. Butter 9×9-inch square (or large round) glass baking dish. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shallots; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover and cook 5 minutes, stirring often. Reduce heat to medium. Cook, covered, until shallots are deep brown, stirring often, about 6 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook macaroni in large saucepan of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally; drain well. Reserve pan. Bring half and half and hot sauce to simmer in same saucepan over medium heat. Toss cheddar cheese and flour in medium bowl to coat; add to half and half mixture. Whisk until sauce is smooth and just returns to simmer, about 2 minutes. Mix in pasta. Season with salt and pepper.

Spread pasta mixture in prepared dish. Top with shallots, then goat cheese. Sprinkle with pepper. Bake until heated through, about 15 minutes.

As a quick update to what I’ve been up to lately, I’ve started writing restaurant reviews for Metromix Twin Cities. Visit Metromix Twin Cities Restaurants and Dining for my latest review on Forepaugh’s in St. Paul.

Beef Wellington at Forepaugh’s in St. Paul

Before trying Buster’s on 28th for the first time last week, the name left me with an image of video games and cheap, rubbery food. I know, I know…that’s Dave and Buster’s that I was thinking of, but I still couldn’t help the thought. After going to Buster’s on 28th, however, I can guarantee that if it was located in my neighborhood, Buster’s on 28th would be my regular pub.

Located on 28th Ave. and 42nd St. in South Minneapolis, Buster’s has that comfy neighborhood feel that attracts all. We went there on a Friday night and was amazed at how crowded the place was at 7pm. With standing room only at the bar and in the crowded entryway, we patiently waited for a table. We knew that if it was this crowded, it would be worth the wait. As we surveyed the crowd, we were surprised to see many couples dining alone or with friends and with young babies in car seats. One guy told us that Buster’s is his 3 month old daughter’s favorite restaurant because it has a constant buzz that aids her in sleeping soundly through the visit. I think that was code for actually being the couple’s favorite restaurant, but regardless, that kid has it right…Buster’s has that great buzz that I love in a restaurant.

While waiting, we surveyed the extensive beer selection. Beers from around the world and with their own glassware (which I love!) made up the menu and with 29 taps and 109 bottles to choose from it took us awhile to figure out what to order. I decided to go Belgian and ordered the Kwak, partly because of the cool glassware and wooden holder it is served in and partly because the description said it has a “slightly sweet, seductive malt character.” One taste and I had to agree.



We were seated for dinner and quickly explored the menu. Although almost tempted into ordering the chorizo drunken mussels and the wild mushroom bruschetta for starters, we went for the fresh cut sea salt and vinegar chips instead. It turns out that this was the exact right order. The potato chips were amazing! The ultra thin slices of potato were fried to a deep golden brown and lightly seasoned with sea salt and vinegar. They were then perfectly paired with a subtle, creamy french onion dip. Although I am usually more of a french fry person, these chips were hands down the best fried potatoes I have eaten all year.

I won’t rave about my dinner, which was a roast beef panini with portobello mushrooms, poblanos, caramelized onions and Fontina on pumpernickel bread, but this is mostly because I didn’t think the bread worked with the sandwich. I thought the bread was good and the sandwich fillings were tasty, but the together they just didn’t work for me. Without the spark that the perfect filling paired with perfect bread can create…a sandwich is just a sandwich.

Despite this, I will definitely return to Buster’s on 28th. The buzz, the beer and the perfectly made potato chips will guarantee that.

Buster’s on 28th
4204 28th Ave.
Minneapolis, MN
612.729.0911

Whether you are there to sip a coffee and catch up with an old friend or just to curl up and read a book, Wilde Roast is a cozy spot for a chilly morning. From the moment you walk into Wilde Roast Cafe through the thick velvet curtains hung just inside the door in protection against the elements you are enveloped in warmth. You can feel the coziness in the Victorian inspired fixtures, the ornate fireplace, and especially in their “creative comfort food” menu.

I had been to Wilde Roast for dinner last winter and I recall from that visit that I stared at the menu for a long time before I could make my choice of one of many delicious-sounding items. I also recall the decadent flourless chocolate cake that we had for dessert. All I can say is “wow!”. I had not been back to Wilde Roast since that dinner visit, so I thought it would be perfect to check it out for breakfast last Friday to catch up with a friend.

As happened last time when I looked over the menu I just stared at my choices for several minutes. I couldn’t decide between the creme brulee french toast and the classic egg breakfast. It was up in the air and my friend even offered to split the two with me, but I ultimately gave in to my egg addiction and went for the classic egg breakfast (I mean, come on, it comes with three eggs…it was meant to be). I also ordered a piece of coffee cake and a large coffee to take the edge off my hunger as I waited. We paid at the counter, took our table number and sat down.

We immediately dug into the coffee cake, which was moist and sweet…the perfect accompaniment to the (very) large cup of coffee in front of me. But even with both of us eagerly working at it, we couldn’t finish the coffee cake and eventually had to give up on it when our breakfasts arrived. Both of our plates were fully loaded and they looked delicious. Grant’s ham and cheese omelet was perfectly made - fluffy and well seasoned. Definitely a great choice.


My breakfast, on the other hand, did not live up to my expectations. The eggs were a bit spongy tasting and the potatoes tasted “off”. Both of us tried them to figure out what it was that tasted “off”, but we just couldn’t figure it out. Maybe it was the type of oil…regardless, they weren’t my favorite. I don’t know if it was the coffee cake appetizer, the taste of it all or perhaps I found out the hard way that three eggs is a large amount of food, but it’s the first time in a very long time that I have left an entire egg uneaten on my breakfast plate.

My overall thought on breakfast is a tough call since my choice left me unsatisfied but the omelet and coffee cake were so good. While I don’t have a definite resolution on that, I do know I will definitely be back sometime soon to curl up by the fire with a good book, some coffee cake, and a huge cup of coffee.

Wilde Roast Cafe
518 Hennepin Ave. NE
Minneapolis, MN
612.331.4544

Growing up in central Illinois, I have been to Chicago many times. In fact, a couple years ago I traveled to Chicago for work every week for a year. I flew in, took the train to the Sears Tower, stayed at a hotel a couple blocks away, occasionally took a cab to one of the many unique neighborhoods for dinner and then flew home. I had seen and done many things in Chicago over the years but I hadn’t really opened my eyes to it for a really long time. With this in mind, on my recent Chicago visit my sister and I planned a whole day for taking a photo tour of Chicago. The day we chose was Tuesday…which ended up being a drizzly, overcast, cold day. It wasn’t ideal, but we set out anyway.


The same year that I was traveling back and forth I read a book by Erik Larson, “Devil in the White City.” If you haven’t heard of it, it is a book that follows the architect for the World’s Fair of 1893 as he planned and built the “white city” and a serial killer who was loose in Chicago at the same time. I found the history completely fascinating and it made me appreciate the architecture of the buildings that were created for World’s Fair, such as the Museum of Science and Industry, that still stand today. The train ride from Midway to the Sears Tower had a whole new meaning for me, but I still hadn’t visited any of the Fair’s buildings. So on our photo tour, an obvious choice to visit was the grounds of the Museum of Science and Industry and the Osaka Japanese Gardens which were built as part of the Wooded Island for the Fair.



After the Osaka Gardens we headed downtown to Grant Park and the Agora structure, which is 106 headless hollow structures that appear to be wandering about and to Millennium Park to view the “Cloud Gate” structure, or the “bean” as most people call it. I didn’t know the history of the “bean” before, but I am now so amazed by it. It is a seamless structure designed to showcase clouds floating among the Chicago skyline from every angle viewed and is also meant to be a gate by which visitors could pass under and view their reflection floating much the same as the clouds. Amazing.



Our intentions were to tour and photograph the whole day, but we found ourselves very cold and very hungry and after a couple hours sought warmth and nourishment at Penny’s Noodle Shop. Fresh ingredients put together to create subtlely spicey and flavorful food. Although it wasn’t the day we had planned, we had a great time and, of course, you can’t go wrong with a day that ends with Thai food.

To view more pictures from Chicago, click here.

When the weather turns cold, I turn to comfort foods. One comfort food that I love in particular is Ratatouille. Last winter as I randomly flipped through my Moosewood Cookbook, I came across this recipe and decided that is the perfect recipe for curling up on cold day in front of the fire.

When the weather took a turn for the worse a couple weeks ago, I headed straight to the kitchen and whipped up a batch. Fresh eggplant, zucchini, onion and bell peppers mix with garlic, herbs and canned tomatoes to simmer into a tasty, hearty stew that is sure to warm the soul. That first night I served it with polenta, then I ate it straight up the next day for lunch. Now, I love leftovers, but at that pace we were going to be eating Ratatouille for a good couple of weeks. The recipe says it serves 4-6, but with hearty sides like potatoes or polenta, it goes a lot further than that. With this in mind, I decided to use the leftovers (about half of the original batch) and turn it into lasagne, layering it with tomato sauce, cottage cheese, and lasagne noodles and finishing it off with fontina cheese. It turned out gooey, rich and fantastic!

The original recipe below is from the Moosewood Cookbook. There are variations for spicier versions, but the only variation I choose to indulge in is to add Kalamata olives at almost the end of the cooking time. Any excuse to add olives is perfect for me! My sister also served up some yummy Ratatouille while I was visiting her this weekend - she served it with mashed potatoes and farmers market sausages. Yum! I will definitely be serving mine with sausages next time.

Ratatouille
Moosewood Cookbook
3 TBSP olive oil
4 medium cloves garlic
2 cups chopped onion
1 bay leaf
1 medium eggplant, cubed
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. basil
1 tsp. marjoram or oregano
1/2 tsp. rosemary
1/2 tsp. thyme
1 medium zucchini, cubed
2 medium bell peppers, cut in strips
fresh black pepper
1 14 1/2 oz. can diced tomatoes
Optional: 1 cup pitted Kalamata olives

Heat olive oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven. Add garlic, onion and bay leaf and saute over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Add eggplant, salt and herbs, and stir. Cover and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes or until the eggplant is soft. Add zucchini, bell peppers, black pepper and tomatoes. Cover and simmer for about 10 more minutes, or until the zucchini and bell peppers are tender. Voila!

I just returned from a whirlwind trip to Iowa City and Chicago so I’m trying to get back into sorts. It was a great trip and I had a great time catching up with family and friends!

I also used this trip as an opportunity to break in my new camera that I am totally in love with. With this in mind, my sister obliged me by taking me on a photography tour of Chicago. We had overcast skies and drizzles while we toured but it was fun nevertheless. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to photograph the “bean” in Millennium Park on a Tuesday with no other tourists around. So I was able to get this shot of me, the bean and the Chicago skyline. I hope you enjoy!

Although the weather had turned a little chilly last Saturday, we kept our plans and headed to Hastings, MN to the Alexis Bailly Vineyard. We were there for their Fall Open House in celebration of their fall harvest of their Nouveau Foch wine. We arrived mid-afternoon and were surprised to see rows and rows of cars parked all along the border of the vineyards. We found a spot a good distance away and set out in anticipation of what was to come. The main building is an open barn-like structure with high ceilings and wooden rafters. With beautiful wooden wine barrels throughout, it truly has a rustic feel. The room was packed, but the mood was light and festive and the line to the tasting bar moved quickly.



For a $10 tasting fee we received etched Alexis Bailly tasting glasses and had free reign to taste any and all of their ten wines ranging from light whites to rich reds to sweet dessert wines. They also had strategically placed platters of delicious cheeses throughout the room for nibbling. As for the wines, we did enjoy the Nouveau Foch and Isis, their Ice Wine. The other wines weren’t particularly special to us, although it did seem as though others were enjoying them. As for the cheeses, they were fantastic!


After our tasting, we moved outside where they have a beautiful outdoor patio and lawn with art structures throughout that is perfect for picnicking and playing bocce ball on their courts. They are ready for any type of picnic you desire with their large Harvest Table, plenty of large rocks for sitting and an expansive lawn to spread a blanket. We hadn’t thought ahead like other couples we saw lounging and eating, but we quickly added this picnic spot to our list of summer activities next year. It would be beautiful on a warm summer night. But if you can’t wait that long, they do have winter hours and a yummy sounding event coming up - The Annual Wine and Chocolate Tasting - on November 22nd. Wine and chocolate…sounds perfect!

Alexis Bailly Vineyard
18200 Kirby Avenue
Hastings, MN
651.437.1413