An awesome burger

When we walked into the restaurant's decor instantly gave off the feeling of home. from the inviting ambiance to the inviting service the Nevada Diner was showing promise. I picked the Nevada Burger for my meal since it was unique to the diner. the Nevada Burger is a type of cheeseburger which uses a special kind of cheese. I ordered the burger medium well knowing full well the difficulty of cooking beef medium well. However, the cooks in the Nevada Diner had a few tricks up there sleeves and they got the meat just right. the burger was definitely top three on my all time best burgers list and i recommend it highly. The meat was tender and juicy and the cheese complemented it perfectly. But the Nevada Diner wasn't just done surprising me as i moved my fork over the french fries. These have got the be the BEST french fries i have ever had in my life. They struck the perfect balance between crispy and soft which makes my mouth water even talking about it. Overall i would give the Nevada Diner an A-, great decor, good service, awesome food but an average presentation is what steals away the A. The way the food was set on the plate reminded me of, well, every other lesser burger i had eaten at lesser restaurants.

Nevada Diner Review

If you are looking for the classic diner feel with the booth seating, the smell of coffee, and large windows, The Nevada Diner captures it all. If you want a comfortable, homey place to get some coffee or perhaps pancakes and waffles, It's definitely your place.  However, if you crave a burger, consider Five Guys or Smash Burger instead. I ordered a medium rare burger that turned out to be more well done than I would have liked. The burger itself was on the thin side and I got the feeling that it had been frozen at one point; it definitely wasn't fresh ground beef. The only redeeming factors of my meal were the sides of cole slaw and french fries which were both delicious, and the roasted red pepper that was served with my burger.

Chicken Alfredo Pasta: Below Average

I had the chicken Alfredo. The meal tasted very bland. The chicken was unevenly seasoned. Some pieces were too salted while most of them were totally plain. The meal seemed very plain. There was also a lot of Alfredo sauce which seemed overwhelming compared to the amount of chicken, pasta and the herbs used in the dish. The presentation was below average because the dish was drowned in Alfredo sauce. The chicken also looked chicken nuggets. I would recommend trying something else at this diner.

It's time for Cooking '14!

Every time I speak at an open house, I call Spring Phase the most wonderful time of the year.  I'll be shopping at Christmas Tree Stores for supplies during Easter break, and Ian and I already looked at some cupcakes on the Hello Cupcake app we'll be using to bake gourmet cupcakes.  Guest chefs are being lined up (thank you, Dr. Lansang!) and field trips scheduled, and new challenges are in our future (making fancy garnishes).  I'm looking forward to learning new techniques and recipes, as well as experiencing all the fun that inevitably happens up at the trail.

What are you looking forward to this Spring Phase?  What are you hoping to learn and experience?

So...how was it?

The term is about over.  So -
What surprised you?
What food did you love?
What was the most memorable experience?
What recipe could you see yourself making again and again?

Exotic Foods

Every culture around the world has traditional dishes that are seen as weird and unusual to other cultures. Finding these exotic foods here in the United States can be difficult mainly because they are not a part of our culture of cheese burgers and hot dogs. It can be hard for people to try new things especially if it is gross and disgusting. It’s hard to imaging people in different countries eating things that might make you throw up at the sight of it; I have heard of people afraid to step in another country simply because of the food that they heard people eat, but in our diverse nation you can find some unusual foods that you would never imagine in eating. 

In Texas you usually hear about Texas barbeque and in California you hear about the famous eggrolls but you never hear about cow lips – yes, cow lips - found in parts of Texas and California.  It is a slab of flesh covered in spikes; you can see it looks similar to the scales of a crocodile.  People that find cow lips appetizing will braise and cook these lips with herbs.

In South Korea you can find silkworm larvae as a snack. Walking down the street you can find silkworms being steamed and boiled then eaten directly in a special sauce. In New York you can find a hot dog cart in the street corner; in Korea you can find these silkworm carts around town. 

One of the most exotic foods that I have found is called Balut, a half fertilized duck egg that is eaten after it has been cooked. The few brave people that have tried this duck egg have said it to be appetizing and flavorful. The long time fans of Balut even said that the taste of the chick is wonderful. The idea of eating a half born chick makes me want to puke, but good luck to anyone that is considering in finding this dish; only some remote parts of China and Middle East Asia call this a delicacy.

                Japan is famous for their sea food; sushi restaurants can be found around the country but there’s a difference between American sushi and Japanese sushi. One dish that you may never find in an American sushi restaurant is tuna eyes.  It is literally tuna eyes cut directly from the tuna fish, then served  It can also be steamed then dipped in soy sauce.   

Source s:  www.coolawesome.com/seven-weird-and-exotic-foods/

   chinesefood.about.com/cs/foodculture/a/unusualfood.htm

   allrecipes.com/Recipes/World-Cuisine/European/French/Desserts/Top.aspx

You Are What You Eat: How Certain Foods Can Change Your Mood

You Are What You Eat: How Certain Foods Can Change Your Mood

                Have you ever wondered why after you eat certain types of food you feel happy or tired?  Well it’s been proven that certain foods can change and alter your mood for better or for worse. The science to this is that recent research has shown that the nutrients in food are precursors to neurotransmitters. Depending on which foods you eat, you develop certain levels of those neurotransmitters, which can affect your mood. The secret, however, lies in knowing which foods have a positive effect on your mood as well as which foods have a negative effect on your mood.

                Some of the most common mood draining foods or foods that negatively affect your mood includes soy, diet soda, sugar, and coffee. First let’s start with soy; soy contains a substance called goitrogen which can have a negative impact on the thyroid, or the gland in your neck that secretes hormones. Therefore this can lead to exhaustion and irritability, among other things, and can ultimately affect your mood. Second is diet soda; many people choose diet soda because they believe it is a healthy choice. Ironically enough however, diet soft drinks are loaded with chemicals including artificial sweetener. Therefore many people who consume diet soda report a number of health issues including headaches and mood swings which can negatively affect your mood. Third is sugar; it may seem that consuming sugar in any of its forms provides a natural pick me up but contrary to popular belief it does more harm than help. The truth is it leads to a rise in blood glucose. As your blood glucose rises, your body releases insulin to return it to safe levels. As blood glucose normalizes, you may experience an energy dip with result in mood changes, also known as the infamous “crash.” Last but not least is coffee. To most people a classic cup of coffee seems like a pick-me-up, and many people rely on caffeinated beverages to give them the boost they need to start their day. The main ingredient in coffee, caffeine, works on the adrenaline centers of the brain and can trigger anxiety. Along with anxiety can come irritability and mood swings.

                Just as certain foods can negatively impact moods, others can lift you up and make you feel like you’re on the top of the world. Some of the most common foods that can positively impact your mood are complex carbs, high folate foods, spicy foods, and iron-rich foods. First up is complex carbs. Complex carbs can actually boost the level of serotonin in your brain. For those who don’t know serotonin is a neurotransmitter said to have a calming effect and to play a role in sleep.  This can elevate your mood and make you happier. Some examples of foods that contain complex carbs are brown rice and oatmeal. Next, high folate foods are very healthy for you, especially the dark leafy greens like spinach. Folate deficiency has been linked to depression but having a good amount of your high folate foods can overcome that depression and improve your mood. Also spicy food can also boost your mood as well as giving you a more natural pick-me-up. Spicy food, like chili peppers, can increase circulation, causing your brain to release endorphins which result in your mood boosting. Lastly are iron-rich foods. Deficiency of iron in your bloodstream can lead exhaustion, depression, and irritability. However, eating iron-rich foods can assure you keep your red blood cells pumped up with oxygen, keeping you in a great mood.

                You can see that certain foods can have different effects on your mood and can determine how you will feel and react. You truly are what you eat.

References:  kimberlysnyder.net/blog/2011/10/13/how-certain-foods-can-change-your-mood/