Pueblog USa
Sunday, November 15, 2009
PCC Buffet — 091108
A Sunday feast
Last Sunday, there was a luncheon buffet at the Pueblo Community College Student Center.
Held in the ballroom, it was a veritable feast ranging from soups and salads through toothsome entrees to mouth-watering desserts. Not to forget a cash bar that actually knew what a ‘kir’ was. Indeed. They offered a ‘kir royal’.
And it was all done by the students going through the Culinary program at PCC.
Here are some shots of the event.
This NEXT Sunday, 22 November, they’re going to put the students through what is called The Grand Buffet. If you don’t think you’re going to get enough turkey over the coming holiday, THIS is going to be the place to be. However, I do understand they’ll be offering beef and pork as well.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Cauliflower-Cheese Soup
Another inspiration from the GPA cafe at Pueblo Community College
Had another great lunch at the GPA yesterday. Four courses around an entre of fillet mignon. The dessert being a pumpkin torte. At any rate, the soup was this cauliflower-cheese. And it was delicious. So I had to try to ‘hack’ it. Here’s what I came up with….
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Dining with the ‘Kids’
A great lunch and maybe a lot more.
The distaff invited me to dine with her over lunch yesterday. A place called GPA.
Not your usual diner in Pueblo. Rather, a place where people who are SERIOUS about cooking go to learn and practice the craft. Or maybe it is better described as an ‘art form’.
Good food has been a passion of mine since I came out of that ‘spa’ the Army operates, a.k.a., the Ranger Course. Nowadays, after that particular ‘diet plan’, I pay close attention to food. Maybe TOO ‘close’. But I do appreciate a great dish. And I have to tell you that these people at the Pueblo Community College Culinary program are learning a LOT of great things. Indeed, after the Steel City Diner shut down….much to my dismay….these people are close contenders for the best dining experience in town. AND THEY’RE JUST LEARNING!!!
Look at this for lunch….
And THAT’S just ‘looking’. The flavor was EXCELLENT!
And THEN….
...there was desert as well.
And that for only $5 per place setting.
Tom Rose….
....does an excellent job instructing these aspiring chefs in how to make the best impression.
I highly recommend anyone wanting a top-quality lunch to consider going to the GPA to enjoy themselves and give these students an opportunity to refine their skills in pleasing their customers.
UPDATE: GPA is open for lunch, T-F, 11:30 am to 1:00 pm and for dinner on Wednesdays at 6:00 pm, during Spring and Fall semesters. Reservations recommended for dinner. 549-3326 for reservations.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Eat Your Chocolates!
More good news for chocolate lovers everywhere!
In a study that will provide comfort to chocoholics everywhere, researchers in Sweden have found evidence that people who eat chocolate have increased survival rates after a heart attack — and it may be that the more they eat, the better.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Making It Cheaper & Better — Sour Cream (Cultured)
Another example of how to save money and provide superior product for yourself in a time of economic distress.
If you think making your own healthy yogurt was simple….
....just wait!
Sour cream is so much easier.
You pay about $4.50 for five pounds of sour cream at Sam’s Club. And, if you’re not into restaurant or catering activities, it can likely go moldy on you before you use it all up. And if you’re not a member of Sam’s Club, it’ll likely be half again as expensive in regular grocery outlets.
What to do??????
There’s an oh-so-simple solution…..
Monday, February 09, 2009
Making It Cheaper & Better — Yogurt
Tired of paying too much for good yogurt?
What’s yogurt cost, anyway?
I seem to recall that a 6 oz. bottlette of some flavored yogurt cost around $.79. And I thought it had too much sugar in it. [Note: I avoid artificial sweeteners like the plague. Last time I tried something with that stuff in it, I saw stars.]
Then, if you’re interested in Middle Eastern and Indian cooking, you need plain yogurt. But if you buy the quart-sized container, it can go ‘south’ on you before you use it all up. And there is undesirable waste.
What’s a body to do?
Try making it yourself…..
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Try THIS This Weekend — 071127
More Thai, anyone?
Here’s a great sauce to go with your spring rolls or Chinese pot stickers.
Thai Spicy Peanut Sauce….
Sunday, November 25, 2007
The Brunch After T-Day
One idea for dealing with the leftovers.
We usually do a fairly big turkey in this household for Thanksgiving. It’s usually the only time of year I do such a bird. It’s something ‘special’ and I’d rather not diminish the ritual and ceremony by preparing it other times.
So…we have leftovers. And the leftovers are enjoyed for a while and much is bundled off for later use in turkey pot pies; yummy food for over the course of the winter.
However, over this last year I found some turkey from two years ago buried in the back of the freezer and I was wondering what to do with it. And, in an odd ‘coincidence’, I also stumbled on to a recipe for turkey hash.
Now…I’m a BIG fan of roast beef and corned beef hash with breakfast. A big dollop of that on a plate, covered with a fried egg. A dash of Tabasco and it’s a great day in the morning. So being the curious sort, I decided to try turkey instead of beef. It was SUPERB. Especially with the honey-mustard sauce recommended with the recipe.
So….if you’ve got leftover turkey this morning, I recommend you take some of it and put it together in a skillet with diced potato and diced onion. Along with some olive oil. Then fry it up.
In a separate saucier, mix .25 cups honey, 2 tablespoons dijon-style mustard, 1 dash of steak sauce. Bring up to heat. Then remove and allow to cool. When it is at room temp, mix in two tablespoons of mayonnaise; to give it a creamy consistency and brighten the taste.
Bon Appetite!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Cooking Spices & Herbs HEADS UP!
Saving money with greater value.
Recently revisited the local chain grocer.
Checked out pricing on bottled herbs.
Herbs de Provence, at the chain, goes for about $7 for less than an ounce.
Compare THAT with THIS.
Not only do they cost less…BUT…the quality is SUPERIOR!
Seriously….
....who, in their ‘right’ mind, would pass up better quality for less money?
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Try THIS This Thanksgiving — 071118
A GREAT hot punch for the holidays.
Something I came across YEARS ago and has become a holiday season tradition in this household….
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Try THIS This Weekend — 071117
Along with the Oriental barbecued meat….
One of my favorite restaurants in Denver, Thai Hiep, serves a dish of the barbecued pork on a bed of rice noodles.
As a side, they offer what amounts to Vietnamese Eggrolls. Not the famous Spring Rolls, but regular eggrolls served in a different manner….
Monday, November 12, 2007
Try THIS This Weekend — 071112
What you can do with the Tsuekeyaki sauce….
....provided yesterday.
This sauce goes great in making oriental-style barbecue; chicken or pork especially.
Here’s one approach….
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Try THIS Next Weekend — 071111
Tasty suggestions for a weekend of culinary pleasure.
I’m going to start doing this sort of thing every week or so, as a way to bring fine food and beverage to Pueblo.
This offering is a discovery about Asian cooking. You’ve heard of teriyaki sauce. Used on such delicious dishes as teriyaki chicken, Japanese barbecued chicken, a.k.a. yakatori.
I’ve figured out how to do a variation on teriyaki sauce, known as tsuekeyaki sauce. It is more flavorful as it has honey and lemon in it.
Here’s how you make it…..
Thursday, May 24, 2007
If You Value Your Life (Part 2)
Sooner than expected.
As I was saying, there is a threat to our safety from the Communist Chinese.
According to this report that threat has come to pass.
Puffer fish? Sheesh, it’s like some fugu chef got sloppy in a down-scale sushi house.
So, as Sergeant Esterhouse of Hill Street Blues would say, “Let’s be careful out there.”
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Drink To Your Health
Things that the prohibitionists don’t want you to know.
Here’s an interesting report about how drinking a tad more than ‘moderately’ is good for you.
Back when the research community began looking seriously at the so-called Mediterranean diet, wondering why the fatty food eating Europeans had hardly any heart troubles, I started tracking this matter. Today’s report supports the idea that drinking alcohol, regularly, albeit not excessively, i.e., a lot at once, is pretty good for ones heart.
However, I admit, we do not have a complete understanding of the other aspects of this. More study is required. Any volunteers?