Showing posts with label Hawaiian Food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hawaiian Food. Show all posts

Our 1 Year Anniversary

This weekend, Hubby and I celebrated our one year wedding anniversary. I know this is cliche, but this year was full of ups and downs. Marriage is WORK! Why didn't anyone tell me in their wedding card to us? I thought marriage was all sexy time, laughing, farting, and happiness. I kid. It isn't just ALL those fun things, but there is that too... am I getting too personal? Really, marriage is a lot of work but well worth it. The amount of work you put into a marriage comes back to you ten-fold when pay day comes.... and when taxes come...oh boy.... break out the good sheets.... ok ok, too personal.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, Hubby and I went to San Diego. This is where we celebrated our One Year Anniversary of being boyfriend and girlfriend and where we have decided to take our one year old baby (when he or she comes). Look at us trying to make our own traditions...awww.. aren't we cute?

In good food blogger fashion, I will tell the story of our weekend through the eyes of my stomach. We ate magnificent food that I couldn't wait to show you guys! Watch, watch!

We chose this place because it was where we ate dinner the first time we came to celebrate.

Fresh tortillas made in the entrance to entice you.... smart move. I just wish she handed out samples. How do you say samples in Espanol? I thought the drool on my chin would give her a clue but she was too busy "working."
 
Carne Asada Fries.... Oh Dios Mio!
Carnitas and Chili Verde.
Bunelos to top it all off. Hubby and I thought my Bunelos were better.

The next morning, I took the Facebook advice from my friend Theresa to visit this place.

Theresa recently graduated from Le Cordon Bleu, so I knew she meant business when recommending this. Also, the fact that there was a TWO HOUR WAIT made it clear to us that we, one, were in for a treat, and two, are insane for spending our day waiting that long for breakfast.

We were also insane for walking a block down the street to get a snack while we waited. Ok FINE, I was  am insane. I couldn't take it, so I bought a croissant...filled with warm Nutella...as a breakfast appetizer. Damn, that sounds even worse when you say it out loud.
Of course, the second I finish licking the last shmear of Nutella off of my fingers, we were called to our table. I ordered a Hash....with veggies to balance the Nutella I had earlier that hour and Hubby went with the chicken and waffles.
We were very full after this, almost to the point of taking a needle and popping our own stomachs to relieve the pressure on our more important organs... like our hearts.

Yet, we marched on and for dinner we went fancy time to Morton's Steak House. This place is legit. Hubby had the Ribeye Steak, while I went for the "smaller portion" Ribeye Steak. We shared potatoes and grilled asparagus.

We also shared a chocolate lava cake, because meat is just not enough to keep a girl satisfied.

We made the mistake of eating rather late and let me tell you, going to bed with a tummy full of steak makes you feel like a bear going to its Winter nap..... except add a whole mess of crazy ass dreams.

On our actual anniversary, we celebrated at the restaurant that catered our wedding. Nostalgic.
The food was great. I ordered a Bacon Spinach Salad (because nothing says salad like bacon) and Penne a la Vodka, while Hubs had the lasagna and half of the bread basket.

 

And lastly, to end our journey through these mountains of ridiculously portioned meals, we ended our trip reminiscing about our Honeymoon in Maui. We Yelped the best Hawaiian place around.
This hole in the wall eatery was SO good that I forgot to take pictures of the amazing chicken teriyaki that I had.

Or the amazing chicken katsu that hubby inhaled.
You'll just have to trust me on this one.

This trip was much needed for our hearts and our tummies. We had an amazing time remembering the past six years and the last six meals. We had a chance to think about what we can do to improve our marriage and what we can do to make life happier for each other. We spent the weekend laughing, eating, and enjoying each other's company. It was perfect.

Carnitas and Cilantro Pineapple Pizza

You guys....brace yourself. I hit the mother load of pizzas. I tested this ridiculously scrumptious pie out and...whoooo NELLY FURTADO! Hubby and I were blown away by how DELICIOUS it was.

It was so delicious, we were shaking our heads and saying "Oh My GOD, this is good."  after each bite.

It was so delicious that when I ate the last piece for lunch today, I cried sobbed.

It was so delicious that I thanked God for blessing my life with all that I need...which is IN this pizza.

It was so delicious that I want to think of more reasons to blog but I can't right now because I'm at a loss for words.

Project Wifey Wife Week #17-The Savory
Carnitas and Cilantro Pineapple Pizza
Adapted from Costco Cookbook

Ingredients:
2 small onions; cut into thin strips
1 tsp olive oil
8 ounces shredded cooked pork carnitas
3 Tbs of softened butter
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1- 20 ounce can of pineapple chunks
1 1/2 cups crumbled Queso Frecsa
chopped cilantro
salt to taste

Are you ready for this, my friends?

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. I pre-made pizza dough using a basic recipe. Then I PUNCHED IT! Wah-Pow!
What could be "funner" than this?
Poke it and spread it out onto a greased pan...a cookie sheet will do just fine.

3. Saute onions in a large skillet over medium-high heat until tender. Add the shredded carnitas and let them dance together until the meat is cooked through and the onions are nice and caramelized.
4. In the meantime, combine butter, cayenne pepper, chili powder and cumin in a small bowl. Brush butter  mixture over the pizza crust.
 5. Top the pizza crust with the carnitas mixture, pineapple chunks, and CHEEESE!

6. Bake for 20 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is melty and yummy. Sprinkle the chopped cilantro after you pull it out of the oven.

UGH! This picture brings back such great memories from yesterday. My tummy heart is broken. The only remedy would be to make this again. But no... I can't do it...I need to have some self control. I cannot have pizza twice in one week...because who the hell am I? A college frat boy?

Instead, I will cherish the moments I shared with this pie, my hubby, salsa and Tostitos chips with a hint of lime, and my peach iced tea. Ahh to be young again. Next week will be a new week...pizza quota will be reached.
That's Amore....

  • What are your favorite pizza toppings?

Bajan Coconut Kisses

A few years ago, I went on a trip to the lovely island of Barbados. I was gifted this trip by my Uncle Norman and Aunt Clem who were stationed there on business for a couple of years. I went with my Auntie Irene, who might as well be my cousin because she is cool like that. It was an AMAZING trip. But I'll leave those details for another day. Here is a quick recap.
I spent MOST of my time doing this...

We went to MANY beaches to be lazy. That's awesome.

And this....

My sad attempt to snorkel. I can't swim :(

And a lot of this...

Eating deliciously fresh Bajan food

 I would love to go back one day. ::Le Sigh::

Anywho- while I was there, my Aunt gave me a great idea to start collecting cookbooks from my travels. Being a foodie, I thought this was a genius idea!! So far, I have ONE. I need to travel more.

This cookbook has all kinds of real deal Bajan food. Everything from Scalloped Flying Fish to Christmas Jug Jug (a beef dish) to Rum Cocktails, which they are known for.
I love the accompanying drawings
I decided to start of easy and add some of my Sunshine Flare.

Bajan Coconut Kisses
adapted from my Bajan Cookbook

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs beaten
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups flour
pinch of salt
1 1/3 cups grated coconut
Hershey's Kisses (I used Macadamia Kisses)

Hubs and I got these Kisses on our Honeymoon in Maui. They are ridiculously expensive for Kisses, but so worth it! I thought, "What the hey, I'll throw them in there! They're islandy."
1. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. That is some fluffery fluff right there!

2. Add the beaten eggs and vanilla and beat well. Don't forget to scrape the bowl...not with your fingers.
3. Fold  in the sifted flour and salt and then the coconut.
Sprinkle the coconut in your mouth, smile, and imagine you're on the island of Barbados. The people are incredibly nice there...so smiling is a must.
Cool Cool Coconuts!

4. Drop scoopfuls of the mixture onto a lightly greased baking pan and flatten those suckers with a kiss.
MUAH!

I had a kissfest. A kissing masacre. A kissapalooza. I kissed the hell out of these cookies.
I totally won this round.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for about 12-15 minutes.
These taste like summer. Want a bite?
If you aren't planning on going to Barbados this summer, you can makes these. If you ARE planning to go to Barbados, let's start being friends now so it wont be so awkward on the plane when we sit next to each other. Ok? And can I borrow some money for the airfare please? Thanks.

I Got Shaved

Monday...grrrr....

I hope you all had a great weekend! I sure did, you know, because the world didn't end.

Truth be told, I was a bit scaredy cat about it. I am a Christian and I know that I shouldn't be scared, but when everyone is yappin' about it...I can't help but feel a bit anxious. Heck, there was even a man who said that he was going to euthanize all his pets when the rapture came. Yes, I understand he was probably a crazy koo-koo, but that still put a twinge of anxiety in me. I gave Sonic an extra BIG HUG that day. 
In the meantime, Hubby and I went on another Double Date adventure with Ed and Kristin! We went to stroll around Old Town Pasadena to find a place for dinner.

Our adventure included: Getting lost ::cough:: boys fault ::cough::

People trying to convert us into Scientology...

And finally, finding a new place to dine.

Bar Celona- Tapas Restaurant.
It was a small, eclectic place with different types of people. That's always a good sign.

The boys started with a couple of Spanish Beers, while I settled for a glass of White Sangria.
THEN, it was time for the food....amazing food...unique food...and flavorfully fun food.
Garlic Shrimp....Tangy goodness

Pork Croquetas... Grenade of flavor

Short Rib Empanada- Yum Bomb

Serrano Ham- Delicate but flavor kick to the buds

Spanish Flatbread with THREE types of Sausage. BOOM.
THE GRAND FINALE...the one that made us food-gasm all the way home...
Braised Pork Belly. PERIOD.
This pork belly was incredibly tender, flavorful, and that creamy egg BLEW MY MIND! It sat on top of shredded brussel sprouts, heirloom tomatoes, and bacon, all drizzled with a balsamic sauce. I can't put into words how superb this dish was. I mean, I used the word SUPERB! That should tell you something.

After this masterpiece of a meal, we got shaved. All of us. At the same time.

Shaved Ice Truck. Need I say more? Check out this glorious menu.
It's nothing like a snow cone...the ice is shaved so much finer than that and the syrups aren't too sweet. It was JUST LIKE HAWAII!

The prices are amazing...and as it should be...it's only ICE and JUICE! Ludacris!

I chose  half Tiger's Blood (Pina Colada-ish), half Orange Dreamsicle with sweet cream on top, and a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream on the bottom.  I ran the morning after... no worries.


But Ed won with this amazing creation.

 Two pillowy soft Macadamia Cookies hugging Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. It was the best ice cream sandwich we've ever tasted. We voted that.

  • How was your weekend? Tell me one good thing.
  • Have you ever been to a Tapas restaurant?
  • Fan of Shaved Ice?
 
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