ktmoomau

So my Mother brought me two large cubes of frozen tamales that were fantastic once thawed and baked. They were a present from a friend. It was so nice to have some prepared tamales that I can freeze or bake for a quick meal. Does anyone have any recommendation on where to buy prepared tamales in NOVA that are good?

My Husband laughs at me because normally I am such a snob about most foods because I grew up eating homemade pretty much everything, not because I am special, but we lived in the country on a farm and the grocery store was crap and I also had an amish nanny so we canned and farmed and baked. So most boxed items to me just aren't very good, but every now and then I run across some packaged junk that I just adore. Funfetti definitely is really good, those little balls of sugar just are soo good. I had never had it until I was like 24-25 but really really liked it. His favorite cake is a cinnamon bundt cake made with box mix and pudding mix- absolute favorite, he could have anything and that's what he likes. He would rather have that than anything I make from scratch. So I make it for him instead of trying to show him the light and that makes him happy. He has also been telling me that he always wanted a Carvel Fudgie the Whale when he was little, so I am thinking next year he just might get it!

I was back once at the bar probably about a month ago now didn't notice many changes. The bar staff was nice made some good cocktails still and the bar food was still great.

With some cakes I like ice cream- sorry. I also won't eat most cookies without a glass of milk. I really like the combo, and it really helps if someone makes a dry cake. But I grew up on beef/dairy farm so I generally really like most milk products. I will also admit, my MIL made a funfetti cake with funfetti icing (the round beads, not the sprinkles kind very different) from a box, and I did really enjoy it, I don't know what it is about funfetti, but I liked it.

Ok... so I DO NOT LIKE Annie's Gluten Free Frozen Pizza, I couldn't eat it, not enough sauce, soggy crust, yuck cheese, just bad... I also figured out that the Whole Foods in Fairfax has a huge selection of gluten free, like really really big. I really like it- I have been to MOM, but I dunno I prefer the Whole Foods.

Went for brunch the other morning. I had Huevos Mexicanos. I really like their eggs, they are creamy and light with good veggies and spicy chorizo, it just all had a really nice flavor. Huge plate of eggs. I got a side or corn tortillas and some salsa with it, mmm. I like the breakfast here generally, but a lot of the specials end up being the best things. And they will make you pretty much anything off the other menu minus a few proteins if you ask, they are really nice.

Had a goat curry with creamy spinach the other night for delivery. Wasn't thrilled with it, but it wasn't bad. I just probably picked wrong, the goat was very tender, just too rich and heavy with the sauce. I really with Minerva Express would get on Dr. Delivery.

Had a simple but nice meal here the other night. We had done a lot of snacking during the day, so we just got some miso soup and sushi. The octopus nigri here was good, not too chewy, but with really nice flavor. The butterfish, yellowtail were really tasty. Just simple, nothing to jump and scream about but all fresh and good. I would like to dig a little more into some of the other things on the menu. I have had the jaws before which I liked, I want to try some of the rice bowls or soba. Not too far from our house and pretty consistently fresh.

Had a really great meal at Liberty Tavern last weekend and just haven't had time to write about it. Started with the apple/edive salad- I love this salad. It just tastes so good the creamy and tangy and crunchy. Their salads are really nicely plated too. Then I had the branzino with white beans and veggies. This again had a great range of flavors- light fish, butter, white wine, garlic, richer white beans with broccoli and other crunchy veggies. The only thing is they leave the tail on which doesn't bother me, but it does make it harder to scoop up the sauce and white beans on the plate together. But that is a small complaint. Ended with the passionfruit parfait which was good, crunchy, creamy, nice balance again. Anyway just good food. Oh and I stole a bite of a roll that was just awesome bread perfection. Nice puffy yeast roll.

I eat here from time to time because it is really close to my office and for the money I think it has some pretty solid things. Especially entree salads. Not the epicenter of foodiesm by any means, but a nice place to meat up with girlfriends that you know you can get into without a res. I ended up at the bar there the other night to eat something before happy hour at a place that I didn't think would have good food, and had a really nice steak salad. The steak had a slightly spicy seasoning on it and wasn't overcooked and was very tasty. The salad with it was fresh, not any outlandish ingredients, but the ingredients used were good and I didn't even use much dressing because the flavors just pulled together well. The wine I had I didn't really care for, but that isn't really their fault. They can make a variety of gluten free things too when requested as I have for work lunches. It is one of my favorite spots other than lickety split for lunches at work.

I went to Steve Warner's cocktail class yesterday at Columbia Firehouse and it was a lot of fun. This one was definitely for beginner's but that was good. I am definitely a cocktail beginner. I can follow a standard recipe but I just haven't tasted a lot of liquors so I never know what to buy to make and what I will like, other than what I have tried. This series we learned about some different brands, how to mix a drink and a lot of trivia in between. On the list for this class was a classic martini, daquiri, ramos gin fizz and mint julep. If you are a beginner or someone who has an interest in cocktails but is a little weary this was a great class. He is having a whole series and some of the next look like they would be good for both beginners and persons with more experience. Surveying the crowd I wondered if there were any other DRs there. I thought about walking around and under my breath saying Don Rockwell, Don Rockwell, Don Rockwell. The Martini was perhaps a little too easy, it also hit hard as it was the first drink. The Gin Fizz is one of my personal favorites and that was a fun one, the julep I think is a big hit in Alexandria as I know Alexandrians love them in the summer at parties. But it definitely has me looking forward to more. We also had a few snacks in between- notable was the italian meatball with fried cornmeal with peppers and onions mixed into it, the tuna tartare taco was good too, I liked the slaw with it.

My two favorite cakes were the homemade three layer German Chocolate cake that I requested often, and then the cake that was Barbie's dress around a real Barbie. I was really, really excited about the Barbie one, I was pretty obsessive about my Barbie stuff. I can't remember any bad birthday cakes, well I do remember screwing up the chocolate meringue pie for my brother by accidentally adding 1T instead of 1t of salt. But Mom never generally used mixes or store bought. We had a couple cakes made by people (like Barbie) but they were generally people that were well regarded for their ability to bake (small, small town). I also screwed up a lavender cake I was making for my Hubby, it generally grew and went spilling all over the oven. I am sure there were doozies when making mine, Mom just probably hid it well, or chucked it and served ice cream or something.

Agree, I mean really her dish was- shrimp with sauce, so why would you let someone else cook your shrimp and make your sauce- BOTH. And she did leave out the water thing which is huge. He was trying to help her whether she wanted it or not, seems like he did nothing but try to be helpful and follow directions. Shrimp may have been overcooked, but if it's your dish you should be watching and tasting that, its like the main part of your dish.

Haven't had Westover Market Bacon although it sounds quite good! In a pinch if you are at Trader Joes in Virginia they have better bacon than most supermarkets. I am trying to remember the brand name.

Don't worry I KNOW potatoes don't contain gluten, mmmmm. BTW while we are resurrecting a three year old post for posterity: My Mother always uses Russet, my aunt tried to start using Yukon Gold and was nixed from doing that again. Makes them in a big Le Cruset Dutch Oven. She uses a hand mixer, but an old style with a little thicker blades (not like the whisk ones on a Kitchen Aid), but the thing that made hers really good was that she used room temperature Eagle Brand evaporated milk in place of milk or cream, and butter (and s,p). And after years of telling my Mother that she did not make things as good as my Amish Nanny, I would have no shame in saying that they weren't awesome, but that would be a lie. She also always says that keeping everything room temperature is important so the potatoes aren't cooled quickly. At all family occasions, no one but my Mother is allowed to make the mashed potatoes because hers are the best. They are lighter and fluffier than any others I have ever had, not just individuals, but chefs. When we go to Hubby's parents for Thanksgiving the only thing I ever truly really miss is my Mother's mashed potatoes. I have never found anything better. I do recreate them though with much success on occasion, but Hubby likes skin on parsleyed potatoes and those are so much easier I often bypass all the peeling. Just simple hot quartered russets, evaporated milk, butter, salt and pepper and hand mixer.

I felt bad for Angelo, you could tell he was just exhausted. But that is the nature of Top Chef, and he chose to do it back to back with his season. I think he is a stellar chef and am going to seek out his food. Dale knew he put out a bad dish, and this season you just can't do that. Which is a shame because he and Angelo were my favorites to stay at the top (and Richard of course). I really thought Mike stole that dish. Richard needs to stop helping everyone so much: talking about dishes, telling people how to cook proteins. But he still is at the top right now, so I guess it is still working out for him ok. If I was Mike, I would have split the cash with him, I mean it isn't that much after taxes... And for him to pull another real dick move on TV doesn't help his rep.

I agree it is too expensive for what you get, as well. But we still go from time to time to the Arlington location because it is 1/2 block from the house and that is just well super convenient on nights I am tired, look like hell and therefore not going to Willow, I don't have enough energy to cook and don't feel like waiting for delivery Mexican/Tex-Mex. There are so many pitfalls on the menu too.

We ate at cinc sentis too. I liked it, as well. Reminded me of a Spanish Le Paradou.

Beaver Creek; Vail This is really Beaver Creek and Vail, but I guess Aspen is probably closer than Denver... maybe. Had a really great long ski weekend in Beaver Creek. Our friend hosted us at his parents house which is right in the park, ski in, ski out. We made breakfast at the house every morning. Friday we ate lunch at Arrowhead Village. Most of the group had Blinkey burgers (the guy now has a hut so he doesn't blink and squint as often, but the burgers are still good). I had the buffalo chili with cheese and jalapenos. It was a great way to warm up and chill out after a hard morning. The inside cafeteria can't even put out good french fries (way too salty) so I would stick with Blinkey. That evening we went to the Gas House in Edwards. I started with a house salad which was pretty normal, but at least fresh veggies and sprouts. I then split the Ultimate Game Platter which had elk, quail, venison and pheasant sausage with hubby. We had it with a twice baked potato and veggies. The quail and sausage were really good. I thought the venison and elk were ok. I have had better, but it wasn't bad. Hubby loves twice baked potatoes, I actually am not a huge fan, but theirs hit the spot for him. They of course say their specialty is MD style seafood, but we weren't really interested in that. The buffalo ribeye looked good too, it got good reviews from the two people that had it. Next day we had lunch at Beano's. Now this is good. And the menu has clearly labeled what is gluten free. Really nice! I had the rotisserie of the day which was chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans I think? A really nice au jus and wine reduction sauce. Hubby's bbq buffalo sandwich looked so good it made me wish I had some gluten free bread with me. That night we went to Agave in Avon. Pretty normal Tex Mex, my fajitas were meh. The best thing I tasted was my hubby's mole sauce. Next day another lunch at Beano's. Had the shrimp and lobster tacos, they were really good. The sweet potato wedges I had with it were perfectly seasoned and crispy. And the guacamole they had to snack o out front and seasame hummus were great. Not to mention the hot chocolate. Beano's is definitely my favorite place in the area. I think you have to be invited by a Beaver Creek Club Member, but not 100% sure. Our club member (friend's Dad) called in our reservations for us. Had dinner at the Swiss Chalet in Vail. I had the Alper cheese fondue which was really good and very rich. Had some of hubby's raclette, too, the meat was good, they gave him liverwurst, another type of sausage and beef tenderloin. The sausages were definitely the best. This is really rich food. Other people loved the schnitzel. It was fun to have something different for a Vday dinner too. The next day we just grabbed quick stuff on the way to the airport. Also as a note Dough the new shop on your way into the village has gluten free items from Udi's which is nice.

Haven't been in a couple years, but I would check for Commerc 24 reviews. If it is as good as it was, then that would be on the top of my list. It might still be my favorite meal of all time. The cuttlefish ravioli I had was great.

I couldn't eat even half the petit fours at the French Laundry, but really wanted to try each as they were incredible. I asked them if it was tacky to ask them to put them in a little box for me, they were so nice about it, and those were a great snack on the plane the next day! Don't worry you're still classy. There are some things so good in life they shouldn't be wasted.

Macarons too! Made with almond flour.

There are some really good gluten free crackers out there too! There is a brand at most grocery stores that has olive flavor chip/crisp things I really like. They have other flavors too, they are in a grey bag. Shar brand crackers are also pretty tasty. What about a waldorf chicken salad too? That could be eaten with lettuce wraps, gf crackers or on top of lettuce and has some protein. I know this sounds silly, but I also always crave kind of homey things and I make a really simple chicken or turkey rice casserole that always makes me happy, really simple can be made ahead and not many ingredients just chicken, cooked rice, cheese, gf soup of some casseroley type, and then I normally add some blanched veggies. You could also do dips with gf tortilla chips, artichoke dip or something. I always like a few things that don't seem to waive the you must eat gf flag. It makes me feel better about the whole thing. I always like olive tapenade and cheese and gf crisps/crackers that seems indulgent to me, not restricting. And strawberries with fruit dip or something like that. Just good for everyone.

Something I noticed while eating my leftovers. The white beans served with the steak had a really great sauce, which was delightful sopped up with gluten free biscuits. I was too full to notice that before.

To reply to my own thread: Fireworks gluten free pizza should not be ordered for take out. The crust was quite soggy and very ricey in flavor. It may be better fresh out of the oven, but I didn't care for it very much as take out pizza.