Mexican Fiesta!

We recently hosted a casual get together with friends with a Mexican theme. Since I'm a little distracted these days, we threw it together and it turned out amazingly well.

Menu:

• Beef tacos with all the toppings (sour cream, cheese, salsa, avocados, lettuce)
• Garlicky Pinto Beans
• Guacamole
• Spanish rice (cheated and used a box mix - can't go wrong with Zatarain's)
• Margaritas!

Here are a few recipes from the evening:

Garlicky Pinto Beans (Real Simple, May 2009)

Ingredients
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 6 cloves garlic, sliced
* 2 15-ounce cans pinto beans, rinsed
* 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
* kosher salt and black pepper
* 4 scallions, thinly sliced

Directions

• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, 1 to 2 minutes (ours were accidentally burned, but we think it really added to the flavor. Blame the margaritas!).
• Add the beans, oregano, 1/2 cup water, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the beans are heated through, about 4 minutes.
• Stir in the scallions and serve. (Next time I plan to add a little cilantro at the end)

Guacamole (Tyler Florence)
Ingredients

* 4-5 ripe avocados
* 1 lime, juiced (I like to use 2)
* 1/2 medium red onion, chopped
* 1 garlic clove, minced
* 1 vine-ripe tomato, diced
* 1 big handful fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
* 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
* Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions

Halve and pit the avocados; scoop out the flesh with a tablespoon into a mixing bowl. Mash the avocados with a fork, leaving them still a bit chunky. Add the remaining ingredients, and fold everything together to gently mix.

Lay a piece of plastic wrap right on the surface of the guacamole so it doesn't brown and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving (although it's nice to wait, we never do and it is totally tasty!).

Last chance - Herbfest!

This weekend is your last chance to buy some great [organic] herbs, veggies and perennials in downtown Wake Forest at the 10th Annual Herbfest. We went last weekend and picked up basil, oregano, bay, sage and several AWESOME heirloom tomato plants. While you're in downtown Wake Forest, check out the Farmer's Market and the other lovely shops (Cotton Company & NC General Store) and restaurants (including a great sandwich shop - Over the Falls Deli, coffee - Wake Forest Coffee Company, and even ice cream & gelato - A la Mode).

Vollmer Farm

I don't know why it's taken me SO long to post about our favorite local farm. We discovered Vollmer Farm last summer and have been back at least 3 times. It's a little trek from our house but it's so worth it. They are about to open for the strawberry picking season and if you're within an hour's drive, I HIGHLY recommend checking them out! They have a market with their fresh (almost exclusive organic) produce as well as a shop with yummy jams, jellies and other tasty goodies. And finally, they have an ice cream shop with delicious homemade ice cream (and other tasty treats).

This afternoon we're planning to drive out and pick up a bag of their specialty lettuce, some fresh from the field asparagus and maybe even strawberries. I am so excited I can barely contain myself. This year they have also added 2 goats to welcome visitors. I openly admit that if we ever have land I want a couple of goats and a few chickens. Seriously.

Mark your calendars - Herbfest!

If you're in the Triangle area and are interested in growing your own [organic] culinary herbs this year, don't miss out on Wake Forest's Herbfest. The 10 day festival runs April 17th-26th. Despite my current condition (ha!) we're planning to go and pick up our 'usual' - basil, italian parsley and maybe dill and whatever else sounds good to me. We're still going to try to go some light gardening this season. It's just not summer without fresh herbs (and veggies!).

http://www.herbfest.net


"HerbFest is generally recognized as the largest herb and perennial festival East of the Mississippi providing the largest quantity and diversity of herbs found anywhere. It occurs yearly after the last frost date of the year on the first Friday following."

Quick Review: Holy Smokes BBQ

Yum. Yum. And more YUM.

I've driven by the place no less than a dozen times but never saw it. How could I miss it? It's in a shiny diner?!



On the recommendation of a co-worker, a proud Texan, Paul and I headed down to an area of Raleigh we rarely visit. She swore that their beef brisket was the best she'd had outside of TX in years. She also warned me that it wasn't your typical BBQ joint but all-in-all that was a high compliment.

When you first enter the shiny shell you are heartily greeted and asked if it's your first time. Why? Well, it's because you don't order like you normally would at a NC BBQ place. You order in sizes - 5oz/8oz/by the pound. It took us a few moments to agree on our sides and sizes, but we were super impressed with their homemade mac & cheese as well as fried okra. I went with their NC pork BBQ - smoked to perfection with a splash of spicy vinegar sauce. Paul had to try the beef brisket (he's always been a fan); ordered on the 'lean side.' You can't get a sandwich off the menu, but they'll be happy to provide a bun with your meat. Also, you must order dessert - we stuck with the traditional banana pudding.

Let me just say, it's worth the trip and the slight order befuddlement. The BBQ was moist, smokey, super tasty and craving worthy. They have 3 sauces - one vinegar based and 2 other original sauces. Honestly, I don't think you can go wrong with anything on their menu. And seriously, it's fun to eat at a shiny diner, even if the table jukeboxes no longer work.

For a little more info, check out the
News & Observer write up (7/13/07) and visit their website.

Favorite Gadget Series - 3

It's time for another "Oldmarrieds favorite kitchen gadgets!" Ok, really, it's just time a for a new post!

Today's gadget is a mighty fine tool called a garlic press.


Mmmmmmm, fresh garlic

I can't quite remember where I first saw a garlic press used, most likely on a Food Network show, but I knew I had to have one. It may be considered a "uni-tasker" by the great Alton Brown, but man, it really saves me time in the kitchen.

Almost any time a recipe calls for "minced garlic" I pull out my handy garlic press. Simply pluck out a garlic clove from the garlic bulb, lightly smash with the side of knife to remove the paper skin and then plop into the press and viola! Minced garlic! Side note - be sure to press your garlic over the cooking vessel you prefer as you want all the tasty garlic juices to be in your cooking, not lost on a cutting board.

We bought our press at Ikea for the amazing price of $2.99. Sadly, you must pick up your own in store as they are not available for purchase online (hey, you just need to go to Ikea any way, it rocks! NC residents - Ikea Charlotte opens on February 18th at 9am, I'm not counting the hours or anything...). I would honestly have a hard time paying the $15+ I've seen them for at Bed, Bath & Beyond.