Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

I’m most excited about the Canelés, the so-called New Cupcake (left), a favorite in Bordeaux and the Turkish Lokma (right) that would be discovered on a Doughnut World Tour. You should be seeing more of both in 2012 according to The Official James Beard Foundation Blog. Other Food Trends I’m not so thrilled about, especially Diminishing Portion Sizes — I’d prefer to see diminishing prices.  All 2012 Food Trends are published on Delights & Prejudices.

Finally reported about Brasserie Pascal as Orange County Food Examiner, as I said I would.  It’s a worthy restaurant indeed, but still contemplating continued involvement with, and value of, the Examiner gig.  It seems that most find us here or through I Need Text, not E.  And then there’s the pop-up and photo size issues.  No bueno E!  Is it appropriate to be jeering ‘em here?  Well, it is my party.  Maybe I’ll get kicked off the big paper.

Before cooking this Rack of Lambo, I watched a couple short videos and read a few blogs.  Since Lamb isn’t cheap, I wanted to cook it right.  Although I didn’t trim ‘em that skillfully, they could not have tasted better.  I’m now saving this recipe for a special occasion. 

A perfect Rack of Lamb step-by-step (loosely) in photos – S & P and sear the meat for a minute on each side.  Next time I’ll get the pan hotter.  Remove Rack from pan and set aside.  Prepare an Herb Bread Crumb mixture to crust the Lamb.  Preheat oven 375°.

The ingredients… Dijon Mustard, Bread Crumbs, fresh Garlic, Thyme and Rosemary and Olive Oil.  I just so happened to have Homemade Bread Crumbs on hand (as presented), in a makeshift package comically fashioned for a competition a few months ago.

Combine the Bread Crumbs with chopped Garlic, Rosemary, Thyme, S & P and a little Olive Oil.

Mix.

Paint a layer of Dijon Mustard on the seared Rack of Lamb.

Then press on the Herb Bread Crumb Crust.

It’s then ready to be baked in the oven for 20 minutes at 375° — It sounded a bit long and high to me, but worked perfectly, if you prefer Lamb medium rare, as pictured.

Into the oven.

Out of the oven.

Cut Rack into Chops, then onto the plate, after resting 5 – 10 minutes.

This Rack of Lamb was made in attempt to finally have a satisfying amount of Lamb Chops in one sitting.  It’s never happened before, since they’re usually shared as an appetizer and dinner plates generally max out at 5 – 6.  I thought this would be enough to satify the challenge, but it surprisingly wasn’t.  This Mary could’ve had 2 - 3 more little Lambs, sorry.  And it’s good to know that I can easily make more.

Perfecto! Rack of Lamb pictured on Few Words Wednesday more for Show & Tell Thursday.

Since our meal was so fabulous at Brasserie Pascal, previous visits to Tradition by Pascal and Pascal Epicerie & Wine Shop are linked in appreciation of consistently great meals.  Merci.

Another reason for this post is that I’m still sidestepping an Examiner report — I’m not a fan of pop-ups and would never put them here.  And I don’t appreciate them there, especially as a writer.  It feels like swatting flies.  Back to Pascal, I’ll soon be writing about the Brasserie Pascal Perfect 10 Menu as Orange County Food Examiner.  And after that will re-examine.

Falling in love doesn’t happen often at a Whore House — What a meal and deal at Brasserie Pascal in Fashion Island.  We loved everything about it.  I tell my Mom it isn’t a WH, because she laughingly called it that when I tried to get her to eat there before.  We peeked in from the outside to a sea of leather and red, part of its appeal to me.  We went elsewhere that day, but I knew I’d be lured back.  This day I finally had a Perfect 10 and more with another.

It started with a Hot Mess, a Dirty Vodka Martini with a Blue Cheese Stuffed Olive and Cajun Spiced Rim, and a Lychee Raspberry Martini times two, since only $5 during Happy Hour.

And the Perfect 10 Menu offers a selection of complete, high quality meals for $10, 7 days a week — The price and convenience make this fine dining experience repetitively tangible.

It’s beautiful and jazzy inside, don’t be afraid.

Before diving into the Perfect 10 we started with the Pascal Patchwork, because it’s only $10 too, and happens to be an exclusive variety of remarkable food, a sampler tray of the ‘Best of Happy Hour’ — Blue Cheese Beef Sirloin Sliders, Homemade Pate, Grilled Cheese with Truffle Oil, Thyme Fries, Buttermilk Onion Rings, Charcuterie and Gourmet Pizza.

As if that wasn’t enough, the Baked Brie Cheese on the Perfect 10 Menu for $5 sounded too good to pass up – When our meal selections arrived, our kind banquette neighbors were compelled to comment on the seemingly endless food that kept coming our way.

We were a bit out of control, but hungry and free to sit back and enjoy the food and live music.

And now the original enticement, the meal deal we heard about — We opted for the “Duo De Crevettes Croustillantes” aka Jumbo Tempura & Grilled Shrimp with Moroccan Style Tabouli and a Tomato Saffron Emulsion (pictured topmost), and the USDA Choice Aged Filet Mignon with Roquefort and Cabernet Sauce, Potato Au Gratin and Vegetables (directly above).

We usually don’t show off a bill, as who wants any, but it’s a genuine deal for all that’s pictured, with 4 magnifique Martinis – A votre sante!  Are you ready now Mom?  Brunch at Brasserie Pascal (11:30am – 3:30pm) includes free flowing Sparkling French Wine.

And leftovers to stretch the deal a mile – LOVED everything about Brasserie Pascal.

I had Beignets on the patio at Café Du Monde in New Orleans about seven years ago.  Café Du Monde is the Original French Market Coffee Stand that serves Café Au Lait and Hot Beignets aka French Doughnuts 24 Hours a day, year round.  Love ‘em when they’re HOT!

Café Du Monde has been a familiar New Orleans landmark in the French Market since 1862.

You can get Café Du Monde Beignet Mix at Cost Plus World Market just in time for Mardi Gras (on March 8th) or any time of the year — I celebrate with special indulgences on a whim.

Although I don’t love frying things, every now and then it’s necessary to make certain tasty treats, such as Onion Rings, Tortilla Chips, Fried Chicken and these French Doughnuts.  They’re easy to make — Just Mix, Roll, Fry and Enjoy, as the package states.

Roll and cut into 2 1/4 inch squares as the original or into any shape you want.

A few Beignets were oddly shaped, but tasted the same.

Fry until golden brown, then sprinkle generously with Powdered Sugar.  YUM!

And since it’s easy to make and tastes so good, I prepared fresh Whipped Cream too.

All was served as an after dinner dessert with previously prepared Lemon Curd, Coffee & Milk.

It’s as simple as Un, Deux, Trois, Quatre — Check the back of the box.  Au revoir.

Bûche de Noël is a traditional French Yule Cake and the pictured is from Gelsons.  We received a lot of tasty deliveries at the office this week and I tried my first Bûche de Noël — YUM!  It’s now on my “To Make” list to be displayed during a future Christmas post.  Perhaps next year.

And with respect to the Gingerbread House from Torrance Bakery (and Sarnoff), we love it and can’t wait to dig in with a swift karate chop to the snow covered roof — We’re admiring it for now, but once Christmas passes, it’s scheduled to be devoured, if not too dry.  The Gingerbread man is already missing.  Who ate it?

Merry Christmas to YOU and your family!

My friend was right, Ina Garten’s Pan-Fried Onion Dip is the BEST!  I can’t stop making it and eating it, which probably isn’t the best for you on a daily basis, but it’s crazy good and super easy to make.  My friend told me that someone recently brought this Dip to a party she attended and the guests didn’t stop raving about it. 

Learning this information after hosting a party was good timing, as I had leftover Chips and Crackers begging for Dip.  And now I can’t stop eating ‘em all.  I’m almost done, but will be making it again for a party next week — I’m curious if all will have the reactions my friend described.  I did.  How about you?

Ina’s Pan Fried Onion Dip RECIPE.

Thanks for the Parfaits on the Bay!  It may have been my first.  I’d enjoyed a Trifle or two, but not yet a Parfait, which I believe is roughly similar minus the Cake, as explained by my personal headless Chef. He made these with layerings of Vanilla and Peach Yogurt, Blueberries, Blackberries, Raspberries, Strawberries, Granola and Whipped Cream.  We forgot to include the Banana, but it wasn’t necessary with all the fresh Berries that were included.

All ingredients were transported by backpack, while scouting out the best location to enjoy ‘em.  We ultimately decided on Parfaits on the Bay, a makeshift restaurant that’s open any time – Private outdoor seating for two.  It was a beautiful day and a great idea for anyone.

A few of us recently gathered to sample goodies from a couple local bakeries.  We were compelled to do it in honor of Valentine’s Day of course, and for extra enjoyment while watching The Bachelor (btw, I know who Jake is going to pick — If you want to know too, read here).  Back to the sweets.  To prepare for this tasting event we picked up a variety of goodies from two different bakeries we often pass by, but have yet to stop in until now.  Both bakeries are on 17th Street in Costa Mesa near Newport.

The large box of yummies was transferred to the red plate above — They’re from Champagne French Bakery Cafe.  And the smaller box of varied Cookies spread out below are from French’s Cupcake Bakery.  The main similarity between the two is the word “French” and they’re both offering beautiful heart shaped Sugar Cookies for Valentine’s Day.

There are other differences between the two, thus we can’t pick one over the other.  We’ll just mention that we liked French’s Cupcake Bakery more than we expected to.  Champagne French Bakery Cafe had always looked aesthetically better to us.  We preferred the Sugar Cookie from French’s Cupcake Bakery, who appears to sell hundreds of baked goods.  CFBC serves “quality French cuisine.”  They prepare sweet and savory items.

* Unfortunately we don’t know the official names of all, but our favorites included the Lemon Tart — We just loved the look of the charred Lemon on top.  And honorable mentions go to the square Coconut Cookie directly above and the mound Nut Cookie two over on the left.  Sorry, that’s the best we can currently do with description.

** For more Valentine’s Day Cookie photos and how to decorate them, click here.  We made ‘em last year and will soon be decorating again.

Update 04/28/10: Champagne French Bakery Cafe has closed its 17th Street/Irvine (Newport Beach) location.

I’ve only just begun to explore the goods offered by Pascal Epicerie and Wine Shop and I’m already hooked on the Salads.  I’ve stopped in 3 of the last 4 days to choose from the Daily Pasta and Vegetable Salads offered by the pound.

So far we can’t get enough of the Bean Salad(s) and Roasted Vegetables – The Green Beans aren’t pictured, but they’re my favorite so far.  Pictured with the aforementioned is the Ratatouille and Beet Salad.  We look forward to trying ALL their Pasta and Vegetable Salads, to be posted here soon.  Pascal Epicerie and Wine Shop is next door to Tradition by Pascal, one of the best restaurants in Newport Beach.

It’s a Cake Break and this one is from French’s Pastry in Irvine.  They’ve got 4 locations throughout Orange County and many people LOVE them.

I’ve come to love this restaurant — Tradition by Pascal in Newport Beach serves spectacular food and offers excellent friendly service.

This day we had the Lunch Prix Fixe Menu, which is a great deal.  It includes a choice of four Entrées — Three are pictured here.  Starting from the top on down are Pascal’s Baked Chicken Crêpes with Gruyere, Rainbow Trout with Steamed Organic Fingerling Potatoes and Caper Meuniére, and My Mother Therese Homestyle Cooking, which is Veal, Broccoli Rabe and Fettuccine.

The Lunch Prix Fixe Menu also includes one of three Starters.  We chose the Homemade Pâté and Soupe Du Jour, which was a Puréed Vegetable Soup without Cream.

We were celebrating a Birthday, so they customized one of the Desserts with a candle.  This day it was Flan.  We added a Lemon Tart for a little more sweetness.  A Chef’s Choice Dessert or Glass of House Wine is part of the Lunch Prix Fixe Menu ($22) — I like the Wine/Dessert swap because I don’t always want Dessert, and it’s an extra savings on a sought after beverage.

Here’s a link to Tradition by Pascal and MORE: http://pascalnpb.com/

Pascal Epicerie Food Photos

Happy Birthday Arlene and Thank You Very Much Shanda.  The food and company are always GREAT!