A Great Way to Fill Your Tummy!

I’ve always been fond of crepes. From the beginning I’ve enjoyed those sweet crepes with chocolate, strawberries and ice cream.  Now that I’m a bit older I have realized that savory crepes are delicious just like sweet crepes! When I’m in the mood for crepes I make a whole meal out of it, dinner and dessert!

Want to know a great way to fill your stomachs? Try La Creperia Cafe! It has quickly become one of my favorites! Located off of 1729 E. 7Th Avenue, La Creperia takes the traditional crepe to the next level!

Over the past Twenty Two years, Chef Dinos has perfected the art of crepe making; Patrons stare in admiration, as he pours, twirls and flips the crepes. Using the freshest ingredients, which are then cooked to perfection, these crepes are a blend of a visual and delectable feast.

La Creperia

1729 E. 7Th Avenue
Tampa, Fl 33605
Ph# 813-248-9700

Photo by avlxyz

Celebrating Memorial Day with Chops!

Memorial Day marks the beginning of Summer, a great season! Who doesn’t love it, everyone will be grilling, out at the pool and celebrating with friends. Here’s a great recipe for Molasses-and-Coffee Pork Chops!!! You can bring them to any gathering you’re going to be at, they’ll be perfect for Memorial Day!

Molasses-and-Coffee Pork Chops

* 1 cup strong brewed coffee, cooled
* 6 ounces molasses, by weight (about 1/2 cup)
* 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
* 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
* 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
* 6 to 8 sprigs fresh thyme
* 4 6-to-8-ounce bone-in pork chops (1 inch thick)

Combine the coffee, molasses, vinegar, mustard, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, the ginger, thyme and pork chops in a 1-gallon zip-top bag; seal and shake to combine. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Preheat a grill to medium-high. Remove the pork from the bag. Pour the marinade into a saucepan; boil gently over medium-high heat, stirring, until reduced to 1/2 cup, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove the thyme stems.

Grill the pork chops for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until they reach an internal temperature of 145. Let rest for 5 minutes; serve with the glaze.

Easy Dishes for your Next Party

My neighbors and friends invite me over for their get togethers and while it’s great fun I’m not the best cook. I’ve always been told to “never come empty-handed.” When I go to a get together I usually look up a easy and quick recipe for a side dish or an appetizer. I’ve grown to love Rachel Ray and her recipes because they are just that. If I’m at my apartment and I need something quick or I’m about to go to a get together I can count on her to do the job. I’ve found a great recipe for a spread/dip dish and I cannot wait to use it!

Lemon-Pepper Ricotta Spread

* 12 rounds sliced baguette or 8 larger rounds semolina bread
* 1 cup ricotta cheese
* 1/2 cup softened cream cheese
* 1 lemon
* A few sprigs fresh thyme, leaves chopped
* 1 small clove garlic, grated or minced
* 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper

Directions

Bake bread 10 to 12 minutes in a preheated 325 degree F oven to toast.

Gently squeeze liquid from ricotta in paper towels. Combine the ricotta with cream cheese in food processor and add the zest and juice of 1 lemon, thyme, garlic and pepper. Process until smooth and transfer to a serving dish. Serve with toast.

Recipe found on Food Network

Photo by KitAy

It Should be First Choice!

When you ask me “where do you want to eat tonight,” I will tell you First  Choice Southern BBQ. My friends will tell you, it’s all they hear when it comes to restaurant decisions.  But why let a good thing go to waste, or why would you miss out on a good thing?  Am I right? Yes. You wouldn’t let the opportunity pass, I never try to at least but my friends sometimes overrule.

First Choice Southern BBQ is a great place to get some southern cooking.  Being operating and family owned since 1992 probably has something to do with it too.  They now have two locations; here in Tampa and one in Plant city.  To have some great BBQ and a good time call 821-621-7434 for more information.  First Choice Southern BBQ is located off of Adamo Dr. (SR 60).

Photo by djjewelz

“Shallots are for babies; Onions are for men; garlic is for heroes.”

Garlic is probably my favorite ingredient to add to any dish. Yet the smell tends to linger on my fingers for days. If you are a garlic lover like me then here is a Garlic Accessory you can’t live without!

It is a chunk of stainless steel shaped like a bar of soap. But it’s simple looks are deceiving because it is an instant odor eliminator and helps you get the smell of onion, garlic and even fish off your skin. Just rub it between your hands and the odor is gone. What a great invention. Now I don’t have to go around with my hand smelling like what I cooked last night. Try it for yourself. You can find many places to purchase them online but this is where I got mine.

Wine and Cheese is for Beginners

Pairing Chocolate and wine is a bit of an art and a bit of a science so it’s not for beginners. You would think since both of these things are so good then they must automatically go together. However one can ruin the other if they are not matched properly. And since there are so many varieties of each here is a little cheat sheet for you.

1) The wine you pair with the chocolate should be as sweet or a touch sweeter than the chocolate.

2) Champaign is very hard to match with Chocolate but Champaign and Strawberries is one of my favorite sweet treats.

3) The lighter wines go with lighter chocolates while the darker chocolates go better with a full bodies wine.

Give it a try this Valentine’s day and see if you can find a good pair.

Super Bowl XLIV: Salami & Cheese Stuffed Pepperoncini

Ingredients

* 35 pepperoncini

* 1 Cup herb or garlic flavored soft cheese

* 2/3 Cup finely diced salami

Steps

* Cut the top portion with the stem off the pepperoncini, and remove the seeds. Be careful not to split the pepperoncini.

* In a small bowl mix together the cheese and salami until thoroughly combined.

* Snip a little bit of the corner off a plastic storage bag. Spoon the cheese mixture into the bag and twist the top until the mixture and begins to come out of the cut corner. Pipe the cheese into each pepperoncini. Chill until ready to serve.

Preparation Time: 15 Minutes
Checkout this recipe and many more here.

Workout Foods

Are you ready to start working out and eating right? Did you know that there are certain foods you should be eating to make you workout easier. Certain fruits and vegetables can help boost your workout endurance. By eating more onions, apples, grapes, berries, cabbage and broccoli you can boost your exercise endurance. There is an antioxidant in these food called quercetin. When taken in supplement form it helps people workout, according to one study.

Here are some quercetin-rich fruits and vegetables meal ideas:
Cheddar-Apple Melt
Berry-Almond Quick Bread
Creamy Avocado & White Bean Wrap
Broccoli-Cheese Pie
Frosted Grapes

Click here for more

Lunch Tips

Do you want to start eating health? Most working people do not have time to make breakfast in the morning let alone pack a healthy lunch. Well I found this great article that can help you. There are seven quick and easy dishes you can make for lunch. There is this great A-list nutrition program you should follow to help you eat right. If you don’t have time to spare to make a health meal, but still want to start the New Year of right by eating right, L.I.F.E. president Eric Viskovicz, a personal trainer has great meals and diets for you.

Click here to read more.

Great Chicken Recipe

Here is a great chicken recipe. Try cooking some chicken cacciatore today! It’s a great dish from Italy.

Here is how to do it:

1 whole chicken, cut in pieces
6 cloves garlic, smashed
1 large onion, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper
1 cup white wine
2 tomatoes, peeled and seedless

click here for directions.

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