Happy Friday to you, Bloggies!!
It is the advent of Food Friday! I can't wait to talk food with you all. I have some really good stuff (I hope) this week, and so let's just jump right into it, shall we?
Restaurant:
Blue Fish Oyster Bar
Jacksonville, Fl (Avondale)
What to get: Happy Hour
O.M.G Bloggies. This is a game changer. Though Blue Fish has been on the food scene in Jax for over a year, I think locals are just now starting to realize the potential in this hotspot, and in turn the owners are responding. The Happy Hour is THE BEST in town. Their drinks specials are awesome, don't get me wrong ($4 champagne? Yes, please!), but it is the FOOD that makes it stand out. From 3pm - 7pm every day, Blue Fish offers a drink and food menu at the bar that includes baked brie with truffle oil and herbs for $10, truffle fries with Parmesan for $3, ahi tuna/kimchi/spicy pork tacos for $3, mini filet served over homemade mash $4, oysters on the halfshell for $6/dozen, and on and on and on. Oh, did I mention mini pizzas?? PIZZA! For under $5!! And the kicker? The food is amazing! It is local, it is fresh, it is delish. And the place itself is beautiful. It is like stepping into an artfully designed under-sea dream. Blue jewel tones and aqua touches are the theme, with local art, blue glass installations, and crystal chandeliers round it out. I went there with the BFF for ladies' night out last week, and had two (ok, four) glasses of champagne, a tuna taco, and one (ok, two) orders of truffle fries, and my bill was under $29. CAN'T. BEAT. IT. So, go. Go now. Oh, and did I mention the complimentary valet parking?? In Avondale, no less.
You are welcome.
Recipe:
Sweet & Spicy Chili
This is no ordinary chili, though it eats like any man-pleasing bowl of meaty yummyness. The allspice and white pepper are the secret to this comfort food.
You will need:
1.5 lbs ground beef (I like sirloin, but then I'm fancy like that)
2 cans red kidney beans
1 15ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 large Spanish or sweet onion, diced
2 tsp olive oil
2 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp white pepper
2 tbsp ground cumin
2 tsp allspice
1 tbsp garlic powder
pinch cayenne pepper
pinch cinnamon
s&p to taste
In a large, high-sided skillet, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add beef and onions and all spices, and cook until browned and tender. Add beans and tomatoes, and turn heat to medium low. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn heat to low, cover and simmer for one hour. Enjoy!
Isn't that the easiest recipe EVER? And it is soooooooooooo good. I like to serve mine with tortilla chips, diced red onion, diced jalapenos, chopped cilantro, and sour cream. And by serve, I mean make myself a huge bowl of it, and then go to town like no one is watching. Which I pray to God they are not because no one should have to see that display.
Also, this is a great recipe to make (probably a double batch) for a party, and set up a chili bar. Guests can help themselves, and I think it lends a fun and casual tone to any gathering. Just be sure to provide lots of napkins.
Now, since I happen to have some made, I am going to excuse myself so I can enjoy the fruits of my labor.
Have a great weekend!
Love,
Shana
Showing posts with label tacos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tacos. Show all posts
Friday, April 26, 2013
Friday, December 14, 2012
Foodie Fridays Are Here Again!
Happy Friday Bloggies!
Once again, we will put aside the foolishness of others(AKA the foolishness of myself) and talk about FOOD! YUM!
I'm not sure if you can tell by now that I have a slight obsession with food, but I do. I love food. I love food more than almost anything else. My bestie Kristin knows this, because at my Bridal Shower we played the game "How Well Do You Know the Bride?", and one of the questions was, "What is the bride's favorite food?" Well, Kristin knew the correct answer, which was, "Trick question. Shana loves all food." So, thank you to Kristin for understanding me. Also, thank you to Mallory for knowing that my favorite store is Publix. We spoke about this in my last post. I do not think it is weird in the slightest that my favorite store is one in which you can basically purchase nothing but food and things used to prepare food or things used to clean up from preparing food, etc.
Without further ado, your review and recipe for the week.
Restaurant: Mojo's Tacos
Anastasia Boulevard, Saint Augustine, Florida
What to get: Chicken Taco with a side of guacamole
I love me a good taco, and this place rocks at them. It's right there in the name. They are really special because all of their tacos are "double-decker" meaning they use a crunchy taco shell AND a soft flour taco shell on each taco, and use CHEESE to hold them together! I know, right??!! The result is this delicious crunchy, chewy, salty, creamy delectable yummyness that is a party in your mouth. And we have not even broached the subject of the fillings yet. The chicken taco is what I always get, and it is amazing because the chicken is not chunked and therefore harder to eat because it is falling out of the shell. No, they have thought of everything. It is shredded, and marinated in this spicy, zesty sauce. Then they put more cheese, mojo sauce(still trying to get the recipe for this, I believe it is some kind of chili sauce) and pico de gallo. O.M.G. Then, they dump tons of corn chips into a brown paper bag and throw the taco wrapped in foil on top and hand it to you. Like an amped up version of your 3rd grade sacked lunch. Get some homemade guacamole to go with it and you are in for a treat. Of course, they are more than just chicken tacos. They have burritos and salads also. And breakfast!! You can choose shrimp, beef, chicken, tofu, etc. It is important to note here that Mojo's is cash only. But if you forget, they have an ATM right inside. The restaurant is a real island favorite, with a surf theme interior, small tables and a bar top by the window to eat at, and a few select bottled beers for sale. Very casual, very yummy.
Recipe:
The Ultimate Guacamole
Serves 8 regular people, or 1 Shana
I make amazing guacamole, everyone says so. And really, it is so simple. I think people are sometimes afraid of making their own because there are so many options for mix-ins, and also because some people are not used to dealing with avocados. But they are super simple. The best way to tell if an avocado is ripe is that it will be a super dark green on the outside(they start out light green when they are fresh-picked), and it will give ever-so-slightly when it is squeezed GENTLY.
2 Hass Avocados
1/2 red onion diced
1 jalapeno diced
1/4 cup diced tomato
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp lime juice( I use fresh squeezed, but I won't judge if you use bottled)
salt and pepper
Split the avocados lengthwise, twist to open, and use a small spoon to remove the pit. While the flesh is still in the shell, use a small knife to cut diagonal cuts across, then again in the opposite direction. Do this for all 4 halves. Then, use a regular table spoon to scoop the flesh out of the shells and into a large mixing bowl.
Immediately mix in the lime juice with the avocado. Gently mix in the rest of the ingredients(onion, garlic, jalapeno, tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste) and use a fork to mash the guacamole until only some chunks remain. More lime juice can be added at this point to add acidity and also to keep the guacamole from browning.
Refrigerate for one hour, or if you simply cannot wait that long, serve straight away with tortilla chips and enjoy!
I hope you enjoy Mojo's and your new recipe for homemade guacamole.
Love,
Shana
Once again, we will put aside the foolishness of others(AKA the foolishness of myself) and talk about FOOD! YUM!
I'm not sure if you can tell by now that I have a slight obsession with food, but I do. I love food. I love food more than almost anything else. My bestie Kristin knows this, because at my Bridal Shower we played the game "How Well Do You Know the Bride?", and one of the questions was, "What is the bride's favorite food?" Well, Kristin knew the correct answer, which was, "Trick question. Shana loves all food." So, thank you to Kristin for understanding me. Also, thank you to Mallory for knowing that my favorite store is Publix. We spoke about this in my last post. I do not think it is weird in the slightest that my favorite store is one in which you can basically purchase nothing but food and things used to prepare food or things used to clean up from preparing food, etc.
Without further ado, your review and recipe for the week.
Restaurant: Mojo's Tacos
Anastasia Boulevard, Saint Augustine, Florida
What to get: Chicken Taco with a side of guacamole
I love me a good taco, and this place rocks at them. It's right there in the name. They are really special because all of their tacos are "double-decker" meaning they use a crunchy taco shell AND a soft flour taco shell on each taco, and use CHEESE to hold them together! I know, right??!! The result is this delicious crunchy, chewy, salty, creamy delectable yummyness that is a party in your mouth. And we have not even broached the subject of the fillings yet. The chicken taco is what I always get, and it is amazing because the chicken is not chunked and therefore harder to eat because it is falling out of the shell. No, they have thought of everything. It is shredded, and marinated in this spicy, zesty sauce. Then they put more cheese, mojo sauce(still trying to get the recipe for this, I believe it is some kind of chili sauce) and pico de gallo. O.M.G. Then, they dump tons of corn chips into a brown paper bag and throw the taco wrapped in foil on top and hand it to you. Like an amped up version of your 3rd grade sacked lunch. Get some homemade guacamole to go with it and you are in for a treat. Of course, they are more than just chicken tacos. They have burritos and salads also. And breakfast!! You can choose shrimp, beef, chicken, tofu, etc. It is important to note here that Mojo's is cash only. But if you forget, they have an ATM right inside. The restaurant is a real island favorite, with a surf theme interior, small tables and a bar top by the window to eat at, and a few select bottled beers for sale. Very casual, very yummy.
Recipe:
The Ultimate Guacamole
Serves 8 regular people, or 1 Shana
I make amazing guacamole, everyone says so. And really, it is so simple. I think people are sometimes afraid of making their own because there are so many options for mix-ins, and also because some people are not used to dealing with avocados. But they are super simple. The best way to tell if an avocado is ripe is that it will be a super dark green on the outside(they start out light green when they are fresh-picked), and it will give ever-so-slightly when it is squeezed GENTLY.
2 Hass Avocados
1/2 red onion diced
1 jalapeno diced
1/4 cup diced tomato
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp lime juice( I use fresh squeezed, but I won't judge if you use bottled)
salt and pepper
Split the avocados lengthwise, twist to open, and use a small spoon to remove the pit. While the flesh is still in the shell, use a small knife to cut diagonal cuts across, then again in the opposite direction. Do this for all 4 halves. Then, use a regular table spoon to scoop the flesh out of the shells and into a large mixing bowl.
Immediately mix in the lime juice with the avocado. Gently mix in the rest of the ingredients(onion, garlic, jalapeno, tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste) and use a fork to mash the guacamole until only some chunks remain. More lime juice can be added at this point to add acidity and also to keep the guacamole from browning.
Refrigerate for one hour, or if you simply cannot wait that long, serve straight away with tortilla chips and enjoy!
I hope you enjoy Mojo's and your new recipe for homemade guacamole.
Love,
Shana
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