Cooking Club: February

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Cooking Club: February

Theme: Chinese New Year

We enjoyed many wonderful dishes at this months cooking club. The wine was also flowing...all night long.

Almond Custards with Fresh Fruit.

Chicken and Vegetable Fried Rice.

Asian Wings.

Butter Cookies

Scallop and Pork Stir-Fry

Steamed Rice Cakes

Shrimp Spring Rolls

Pot Stickers

Next Month: Mardi Gras!

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Cooking Club Themes

5 ingredients or less
70's: Food and attire inspired by the 70's.
Appetizers / Hors D’oeuvre
April Fools: Anything goes. No one knows beforehand what you're bringing.
Back-to-School(September): Lunch box classics remade.
Blog-a-licious: Make recipes from your favorite foodie blog. Share the blog with your friends.
Brunch: Be sure to serve some mimosas!
Chocolate and Coffee: All dishes must contain either ingredient and can be sweet or savory.
Comfort Foods
Cookbook: Everyone makes a dish from one specified cookbook
Cookie Exchange: (We also serve a few soups and breads to balance out the cookies).
Fall Harvest: Making dishes with what's in season.
Family Favorites: Share your favorite family recipe and the history or story with it.
Farmer's Market: Head down to your local farmer's market and get inspired!
Favorite Chef: Pick a chef and everyone makes one of their recipes.
Figure Friendly Foods: Healthy dishes and recipes that include nutritional information.
Foods on sticks: If it can be served on stick (fruit skewers, mini hot dogs, bread, grilled shrimp, olives and cheese, lolly pops...) you can bring it.
French, Italian, Greek, Indian etc.
Hawaiian Luau: (with tropical luau attire)
In Season: Summer, Winter, Fall, Spring. Find out what's in season and cook with it.
Irish Cuisine or Something Green
Julie and Julia: Watch the movie and have everyone bring a dish from the "Mastering the art of French Cooking" cookbook.
Local Dishes: What is your state famous for? Is there a drink or sauce or food that is unique to your state?
Mexican Fiesta: Complete with decorations, pinata and margaritas.
On the Grill: All dishes must be prepared by grill
Personal Cooking Class: Find a local chef that will come to your house and teach a private cooking class for your group.
Picnic in the mountains (or at the park) / It's nice to have a change of venue.
Pie: Sweet or Savory
Pizza Party: The host provides the dough and sauces, the members bring their favorite toppings! Assemble and bake together. You could also assign one or two members to bring a salad and/or dessert.
Pregnancy cravings: Every member has to make one of the favorite dishes of the mommy-2-be.
Presidential Favorites: In honor of presidents day, each member draws a presidents name and then makes their favorite dish. You'll have to do some research for this one.
Raw night- No heat can be used to prepare the dishes.
Recipes from a Package: Look through your cabinets and refrigerator.
Secret Ingredient: Each member is emailed a specific ingredient one week before cooking club, and has to make a dish pertaining to the ingredient.
Secret Spice: Assign everyone a unique spice that must be the dominate flavor in the dish. It's a good way to learn about and try new spices!
Sit Down Dinner: Everyone is assigned a course. It's more formal and you sit down and eat each course in order. Members can be assigned drinks to go with certain courses as well.
Soup and Salad
Spa Day: Simple, refreshing foods. Serve water with floating fruit or cucumbers. Break out a bottle of nail polish for manicures.
Spirits: Each dish must contain a liquor.
Sushi/Japanese: Roll your own sushi, sip on miso and chug back a saki bomb.
Tailgating: Wear your favorite team jersey and whip up some simple and delicious finger food.
Tapas: Small finger foods or appetizers. Sangria is a must!
Thanksgiving Sides: Everyone brings a turkey day worthy side dish. A great way to get some new ideas for the big day.
Vegetarian
Wine Tasting: Inlist a wine guru to take your group through a wine tasting. Having everyone bring a bottle of wine and snack or treat to pair with it.
Witches Night Out (Halloween): Eerie edibles and Poisonous libations. Also, dishes inspired by Halloween colors

Salt Lake Eats

Alchemy Coffee: Support your local coffee joints! This particular one is fabulous. Great coffee menu, friendly staff, laid-back atmosphere. No burnt Starbucks coffee here. Great for enjoying a hot drink with friends or studying.
Aristo's: Awesome Greek food. Yummy lemon soup. Live music. Nice atmosphere. Located a block from the U campus.
Asian Star: Moved to new location in Union Park area.. Fabulous Chinese Food. Love the Honey Shrimp! All dishes are tasty. Very friendly service. $$
Bangkok Thai Talay: Great thai food, but just couldn't keep it together to stay open. Maybe they'll open again one day.
Beehive Tea Room: Vintage style cafe. Large variety of loose leaf teas. Yummy lunch sandwich/salad/soup combos. Kids menu. Various pastries and petite fours. $$
Benihana's: Japanese Tepanyaki. Fun Place. Great dining experience. Excellent Food. Love the fried rice. Expensive.
Beyond Glaze: Basic glazed donuts with gourmet toppings. Fun to try, not sure if I would go back. Donuts start at $1.85 for one.
Blue Plate Diner: Overly trendy breakfast joint that has been voted best breakfast spot in Salt Lake. I think the food is average and the jam-packed, noisy atmosphere is not my scene.
Blue Plate Diner: Overly trendy breakfast joint that has been voted best breakfast spot in Salt Lake. I think the food is average and the jam-packed, noisy atmosphere is not my scene.
Bohemian Grill and Brewery: German/Czech Cuisine. Delicious food served in a lodge style setting . The black berry chicken, bratwurst, garlic fries, brewers basket and just about everyhting are tasty. Fun atmosphere. Great Lager Beer. Get growlers to go. $-$$
Bombay House: Excellent Indian food, Nice atmosphere. Friendly, witty staff. Assorted snacks are a good starter. Try the mango lassi or Indian tea to drink. $-$$
Cafe D'Bolla: Hubby's favorite place for coffee. Locally owned by a nice couple. Full Coffee bar, gelato and a couple sandwiches.Spendy, but they use all high grade quality coffee beans
Cinergill: Local Italian Joint. Cozy, small place. Family-owned. Different take on Italian. Loyal Following. Cheap-Mod. $
Cucina Toscana: Fabulous Italian Cuisine. Nice, clean, spacious surroundings with a little hustle bustle from attentive waiters. Prepare to sit back, take it easy and enjoy the many courses (you'll be there for a couple hours, but it's all a part of the experience). Expensive, but worth it.
Donovan's Steak House: With over the top prices and service (Um, no I don't need an escort to the restroom thank you) they have closed their doors.
Elizabeth's Tea House: Has changed owners frequently as of late. Food has been inconsistent. Nice, friendly atmosphere and fabulous for a cup of tea. Waiting to see what happens when they get settled in.
Five Alls: Five-course meal enjoyed in a dark midieval setting. Filet Oscar and Chicken Kieve are amazing. Yummy from appetizers to the dessert. Beware of parking. Expensive
Fleming's Steak House. Delicious all-a-cart menu. Amazing steaks and sides. Must try Fleming Potatoes. Expensive.
Ginza: Decent, Hole-in-the-wall Sushi.
Gourmandise The Bakery: Great bakery/cafe offering a standard lunch menu of soup, salads and sandwiches. Their breads and baked goods are the draw. $
Gourmandise The Bakery: Great bakery/cafe offering a standard lunch menu of soup, salads and sandwiches. Their breads and baked goods are the draw. $
Happy Sumo. Trendy restaurant located in the Gateway mall. Good, but expensive sushi. I would choose, Tsunami, Takashi or Mizumi's first.
Italian Village. Very "American" Italian Food. Love the lasagne and pizza benders. Hole-in-the-wall. Plenty of seating, but get your order to go.
La Frontera- Mexican Food unique to Utah and it's delicious!! Family owned, friendly and fast. Everything is loaded with cheesey goodness. Highly Recommended! $
Little America: Great Hotel restaurant. Nice atmopshere. Yummy breakfast, lunch and dinner. Love the Turkey dinner and vanilla milk shakes. moderate-expensive.
Log Haven: Romantic, cozy, canyon restaurant. Great comfort food. Expensive
MacCools: Local Irish Pub. Go for the beer and alcohol. Decent fare. Sunday brunch looks great.
Market Street Grill on 13th. Fabulous Sea Food. Some of the best in SLC. Get the clam chowder and soak it up with their buttered sour dough bread. Great dessert case. We love to get the lobster pasta, shrimp cocktail and bread to go. Nice ambience. Located a block from the U campus. Expensive.
Mizumis - Delicious sushi created by fun chefs. Relaxed, casual atmosphere. The owners are really sweet and attentive with all the costumers. Local haunt.
Nothing Bundt Cakes: As the name states, they make only bundt cakes, but they are really delicious. The cake is super moist and the cream cheese frosting is soo good. No seating so you have to get your sweets to go. Individual cakes: $4.99, 10-in cakes $35.99
Pago: Salt Lake gem that has gained a large following. Quaint on the outside, modern but cozy on the inside. Eclectic seasonal menu featuring local products. "Farm to Table" Mantra. Limited seating. Located in the 9th and 9th area.
Pago: Salt Lake gem that has gained a large following. Quaint on the outside, modern but cozy on the inside. Eclectic seasonal menu featuring local products. "Farm to Table" Mantra. Limited seating. Located in the 9th and 9th area.
Pagoda: Japanese/Chinese cuisine with newly added Sushi Bar! Family owned, pleasant atmosphere (albeit outdated interior). "Family dinner" is tasty. Moderate $$. Sushi-Decent.
Porcupine Pub and Grille. Fun, mouth-of-the-canyon spot. Great appetizers, beer and food. Fun, lively atmosphere. Younger crowd. Moderate $
Red Butte Cafe: American Cusine with a twist. Very noisy. Good Food. Gorgeous Desserts
Red Rock: Great pub-style food, lively atmosphere. Tasty beer and alcohol. Family-friendly. Loud. Moderately priced. Fun local hang-out. Must try portabello appetizer
Rino's: Local Italian joint. Dark, Cozy atmosphere. Great Summer patio. Produce grown by owner. Expensive
Ruth's Diner: Recently renovated. Local canyon cafe serving breakfast lunch and dinner. Every thursday in the summer they have live music and bbq on their back patio. Go early on sat. and sun. morning or you'll wait an hour or more.
Salt Lake Pizza and Pasta: Cozy, laid-back atmosphere with a bar. Family-friendly. Good children's menu.
Salt Lake Roasting Company: More than just coffee. Small, but tasty and inventive lunch menu. Decent desserts. Great place to study.
Sawadee: A great Thai restaurant that offers a yummy and cheap lunch menu.
Settebello: Authentic Italian thin crust pizza. Enjoy the pizza margherita with a simple salad made of mixed greens, fresh Parmesan shavings and a lemon vinaigrette.
Settebello: Authentic Italian thin crust pizza. Enjoy the pizza margherita with a simple salad made of mixed greens, fresh Parmesan shavings and a lemon vinaigrette.
Silver Fork Lodge. Cozy, canyon restaurant. Excellent breakfast and dinner. The best mashed potatoes and gravy. Great views from the outdoor patio during the summer. Cozy up with homemade hot chocolate by the fireplace. Moderate $
Takashi: The BEST sushi ever! Love this place. Hip, fun restaurant. Amazing food, from appetizers to dessert. Must try mango moose. Go early if you don't want to wait too long. Moderate-expensive, but worth every penny.
Thaifoon: Great food. At the Gateway Mall. Fun place. Family friendly. Try the Kobe beef bowl. Moderate $
The Dodo: Located by Sugarhouse park, this American eatery is usually hopping. Inventive dishes and lively atmosphere add to the draw of this place. Not everything is spectacular, but the few dishes they do well, they do really well.
The Dodo: Located by Sugarhouse park, this American eatery is usually hopping. Inventive dishes and lively atmosphere add to the draw of this place. Not everything is spectacular, but the few dishes they do well, they do really well.
The Grand America: Wonderful brunch. Upscale, Expensive.
The Other Place. Funny diner with a greek-style menu. Serves breakfast all day. The "pile" is great. The chicken and rice is yummy too!. Cheap eats.
The Pie: Enormous gourmet pizzas that feed a crowd. A Salt Lake favorite. $$
The Sweet Tooth Fairy: My favorite bakery! Delicious cupcakes, cookies, bars and cake bites. Clean, friendly place with gorgeous dessert cases and reasonable prices. Love it!
The Wild Grape Bistro: Unique Brunch, lunch and dinner menu offering items like a bison burger, saffron acorn stew and croque madames. Wash it down with a fun-flavored mimosa like prickly-pear, blackberry or kiwi.
The Wild Grape Bistro: Unique Brunch, lunch and dinner menu offering items like the bison burger, saffron acorn stew and croque madames. Wash it down with a fun-flavored mimosa like prickly-pear, blackberry or kiwi.
Tsunami: Fresh, delicious American-style sushi. Yummy miso and edamame. Great atmosphere. $$
Tuscany: Upscale Italian. Cozy, warm atmosphere. The dishes are either superb or mediocre. Expensive.
Z-Tejas: Great food. American style dishes with a twist. Yummy corn bread and conceso dip.Try the chicken diablo. Kid friendly. $-$$

San Diego Eats

B.J.'s Pizza - Delicious Deep Dish Pizza. Very fattening and good. Large Menu Selection. $$
Bon Appetite: Excellent Italian cuisine in Little italy. Every dish our party of 6 ordered was piping hot and fantastic!
Bronx Pizza - Spendy for pizza; Must eat pipping hot or it gets rock hard.
Bruno's: Authentic Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria. Great, large, family-style pizza. Great for kids or large parties. Fun atmosphere.
Bruno's: Fabulous, Family-Friendly Italian. Great Huge Pizza's, Yummy Salads and fantastic Wine.
Celidon / Trendy setting, Great Thai food, Expensive drinks
Chipotle / Cafe Rio clone. Good cheap eats. Can't beat Barbacoa though
Coyote Cafe / Good cheap authentic Mexican, big maragaritas, nice outdoor patio. Excellent breakfast
Cozy Mel's / Awful, bad food, terrible drinks
Deli Squire / Very impressed, Great breakfast burrito, Orange cranberry muffins and apple pockets. OK atmosphere. Casual
El Torito's / Good N' greasy. Large portions. Typical chain-style atmosphere
Fiddler's Elbow / Fun Sports Bar. Spacious and open. Loud and fun. Great menu and beer selection. Fish and Chips are awesome. Outdoor patio
Fred's Cafe / Same as Coyote Cafe, but a different name
Hash House A-GoGo: Huge Portions, Awesome Food. Highly recommened. Very busy get there early
Indigo Grill / Good Fushion food with semi-spendy price tag
It's a Grind / Jason's second home. Good Lattes
Mimmo's / Family owned restaurant, nice staff, good people watching. But food is not good
Osteria Romantica: Fun location. Good food. Yummy pesto and bread.
Phil's BBQ / Super casual, noisy and crowed. The line wraps around the buliding for a reason
Prado / Expensive and not memorable. Great decor though.
Punjabi Tandoor: Hole in the wall Indian and very delicious! Funny location. You can watch the cook's prepare your food. Run by a local family.
Rock Bottom Brewery / The sampler platter and a few beers are all you need
Ronponngi's: Sushi Bar. Great Happy Hour Specials. Delicious Food. Highly Recommened
Saffron: Yummy Hole-in-the-wall joint.
Shakespeare’s Pub / Rude staff. Loud and Crowded. Fun for drinks
Sushi Boat / Rotating Sushi. The love boat platter for $34 bucks is tasty. Haven't dined-in.
Sushi on the Rock / Pretty spendy. Sushi is fresh and good. Takashi in Salt Lake is the best, hands down.
Thai Time 2 / Delicious fresh Thai. Small, family-owned hole in the wall. Our favorite
Tuscany: Excellent Italian Cuisine. Very charming. Great wine list.
Valentino's / Five greasy and delicious rolled tacos for $3 bucks, nough' said
Wahoo's - Killer fish taco's and great atmosphere. Fun beachy restaurant in La Jolla. Highly Recommended
Whisk N' Ladel / Organic fushion. Too wierd to be good. Mad Cow burgers, Yikes!
Whole Foods Deli / Huge selection, Great food. Expensive
Yard House / Very cool atmosphere, great food and portions. Perfect for afterwork/school wind down

Dayton Eats

BJ's Pizza: Large, loud, sports bar atmosphere. Great beer list, Tasty deep dish and thin crust pizza. Kids friendly. Burgers, salads, sandwiches, pastas and pizza.
Bill's Donuts: Great donuts! Made fresh throughout the day. Open 24 hours. Staff is not friendly but oh well. Interior has never been updated, but that's part of the charm. Family owned.
China Cottage. Neat restaurant. Excellent Chinese food! All dishes are fresh, different and delicious. Fun place. Servers are average, but food makes up for it.
DLM: Great, gourmet food items, deli, bakery and coffee shop. Very pricey, but most items are worth the splurge. Offers wine tasting, summer bbq cookouts and cooking classes.
Dewey's Pizza: A family favorite! Love this place. Great pizza, salad and beer. Expect to wait on weekends and peak time (at least an hour).
Doubledays Grill and Tavern: Average American food at best. Nothing memorable. Salads, wraps, kids menu items...all mediocre.
El Rancho Grande: Terrible 'Mexican' food.
El Toro: Another bad Mexican restaurant.
Figlio's: Good Italian food. Wood-fired pizzas, salads, soups and pastas. Good wine and beer. Nice little bar area. Good service. Fun place for a date.
Flyboy's: American deli located in Oakwood. Decent wine and beer list. All food from breakfast to dinner is average. They do have a small, nice outdoor patio.
Greaters Ice Cream: Local favorite! good selection of ice cream and fun menu options. Fun to dine in with kids.
House of Kabab: Can't say yet. Food was just OK from our one trip there and we haven't been back. A little pricey for what you get.
India Chaat Cafe: Good Indian food. Not the best I've had, but good for Dayton. There could be a little more substance in each dish. Lots of creamy tomato sauce over chicken, shrimp, lamb, etc.
Mama Disalvo's: Family-owned, old school simple Italian food. Nothing fancy or frilly. Small dining area that gets packed in. Nice little deli next store.
Meadowlark: Fun, eclectic, by-the-month menu. Good food. Good drinks and wine. Nice atmosphere. A little spendy. Servers are average, not too friendly.
North China: Pretty good Chinese. Nice, family-owned restaurant. Friendly staff. Food is better than your average strip mall joint, but can be off sometimes. Still recommend.
Oakwood Club: Dark, cozy, old school steak house. Nice bar. Usually busy, so make reservations if you can or get there early! Dressy to casual. Nice wine list. Good menu. Fun date place.
Olive, an Urban Dive: Very, very small inside, but nice. Bright, lively atmosphere with open kitchen. Eclectic, fun menu. Food is excellent and unique. Great dessert too! Make reservations.
Panera: Nice little soup, salad, sandwich cafe. A little pricey but the is decent and the atmosphere is welcoming.
Taco Loco: Great taco joint serving huge quesadillas, burritos and street tacos. Decent chips served with red and green sauce, Small, no frills and family owned.
Tagueria Mixteca: Hard name to remember. Another great little taco joint. Simple but tasty burritos, quesadillas and tacos.

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Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Cooking Club: February

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