The Pineapple Express by Chicken Charlie offers a Shrimp Cocktail in a Pineapple. I felt good after eating this one at the OC Fair — There’s much more to be reported here about the healthy options and super indulgent at the Fair, once we’re able to sojourn from the fun.
It’s a Deep Fried Avocado Stuffed with Carne Asada. Have you heard of such a thing? Does it even sound good? Well… It’s now at Baja Blues near the Action Sports Arena at the Orange County Fair and a favorite of many, I’m told. I recently got to try it during a Fair Foodie Tour.
It’s not bad, but I discovered other preferences on the tour — Report posted on 07/28/12.
Wheat be born to be wild — Get that tractor running, head into the kitchen and see whatever comes your way. Take the earth in a love embrace. Bread to be Wheeeeattttttt (transposed).
My Orange Zest Cheesecake with a Milk Chocolate Ganache recently won a 2nd Place Ribbon at the Orange County Fair. I plan to submit its recipe for the 2012 Orange County Fair Cookbook and will subsequently link to it here. Until then, stay tuned for snapshots of our recent OC Fair Foodie Tour. We found several healthy options in addition to the indulgent.
Dress like a cow and get FREE Chicken — Bailee of Kids in the Kitchen recently stayed up until 3:00 a.m. with a friend laughingly making cow costumes for Chick-Fil-A‘s 8th Annual Cow Appreciation Day. I’ve loved Chick-Fil-A for years (especially their Original Sandwich with extra Pickles, Coleslaw and/or Nuggets with Chick-Fil-A Sauce), but I think the girl’s experience was worth more than the free Chicken. Check out The Best Cow Costume Contest here.
Shelly’s Jellies — I thought they were winners and now I’m glad to have it confirmed.
Made with real Pink Grapefruit, Oranges, Lemons and Limes (Juice and Zest), they burst with natural flavor — Some days I can’t stop eating them. They are fairly easy to make, but time consuming to cut, sugar and rotate (when necessary to dry out extra moist sides). Since Shelly’s Jellies taste and yield is so great, some have asked me about selling ’em. That’s TBD.
In a sea of Chocolate Confections, my Pink Grapefruit, Orange and Lemon-Lime Fruit Bursts stood out. They were just awarded Best in Show in Confections at the Orange County Fair.
My Roasted Peach Scones received an Honorable Mention — I’ll take it. Thanks!
And my Orange Zest Cheesecake with a Chocolate Ganache received a Second Place Ribbon.
I’m thrilled with the results and will soon be reporting more about OC Fair food.
There are more entries than ever at the Orange County Fair this year.
I’m told there are over a thousand entries in the Culinary Arts Competition alone.
Since there’s only one Culinary Arts show this year, the competition will be stiffer than usual.
In previous years there had been two shows, which generally cut the competition in half.
Pictured here are my 2012 entries — An Orange Zest Cheesecake with a Milk Chocolate Ganache, Roasted Peach Scones and Grapefruit, Orange and Lemon-Lime Fruit Bursts. All have been submitted for judging. The OF Fair officially opens tomorrow with the results of all.
The entry submission lines were longer this year, but efficient — See you at the Fair.
An all you can eat Korean surprise is at Moodaepo’s Korean BBQ Restaurant in Fullerton.
A surprise, because its exterior does it no justice — It’s a significant, stylish restaurant.
Look beyond the strip mall situation. It’s a whole new world inside.
Each prepares his/her food on a tabletop grill.
Pick your price, available meat(s) and grill and eat away, then order more if you want to.
Though there’s a lot of room, it gets crowded as many are already in the know.
A pitcher of Beer to accompany the experience. Hite, Hite, Hite, Hite — Gun Bae.
This evening featured an expert meat cutting demo that fascinated Food Bloggers and all.
Fast and precise — It was Impressive.
A grill (below) ready for your meat and Korean condiments to compliment all.
Other cooked dishes can be ordered — The Bulgogi below was sweet, tender and tasty.
Load your grill with all you can eat.
And don’t burn it, unless you like it that way.
In addition to Moodaepo’s large interior, the patio is quite sizeable and ready for events.
Moodaepo’s owner received an award from the city (I think) — Ask them about the specifics.
Congratulations seem deserving! Don’t let the outside detour you — It’s utterly in vogue.
It’s a neat place with nostalgic pieces of Korean culture on display to honor its origin.
I look forward to going back — Thank you.
First of many plates of food as we gathered to celebrate the 4th — God Bless America.
Watermelon in the pool with smiles and funny faces.
My favorite appetizer of the day — It’s made with Edamame, Sweets Peas, Basil, Garlic, Parmesan Cheese and Olive Oil. The recipe (to be obtained) will be posted in an update.
Carne Asada on the grill.
Balloons ready for a Water Balloon Fight — Was too busy throwing ’em to get photos of it.
Glimpse of our backyard fireworks show…
Enjoy the Summer — Eat, laugh a lot and love each day.
It’s almost Independence Day and it seems my monitor may be on the blink. Everything is blue. It must be time for the ocean or at least Lobster to ease through the technical pain. And independence from this computer will also be in order, so to relish life on this land.
It’s made for you and me — Land [where] I love.
I’ll stand beside it — Happy 4th of July. Grilled Lobster with Butter and Lemon is a bonus.
Half the year is over — It’s already July and National Hot Dog Month, National Ice Cream Month, National Pickle Month, National Blueberry Month, National Baked Bean Month and more.
In honor of such, related ideas are posted and linked — Pickles made with leftover Pickle Juice, Octopus Hot Dogs near a Mustard Chili wave, and Homemade Roasted Peach Ice Cream.
And did you know that July 4th also happens to be Sidewalk Egg Frying Day. Try it. 🙂
It’s almost time for the Orange County Fair again and there will be much NEW to report — Until then, you may learn about the food related happenings here from the OC Fair & Event Center Press Release (below), combined with snapshots of past OC Fair visits. What’s cooking…
Hungry? Get a Taste of “Home Sweet Home” at the 2012 OC Fair — Enjoy Deep-Fried Classics, New Creations and Food Exhibits, Cooking Demonstrations and Contests
The theme of the 2012 OC Fair (July 13-August 12) is “Home Sweet Home” and this year the Fair is not skimping on the “sweet.” Whether Fairgoers want to learn about food, watch the pros prepare it or just want to enjoy some tasty treats, the OC Fair delivers something for everyone. Here is a mouthwatering preview of what the 2012 OC Fair is cooking up this year:
The 2012 OC Fair, themed Home Sweet Home, is July 13 – August 12 and will bring 23 days of food, rides, exhibits, animals, music, action sports and fun, as well as the Super Pass, Toyota Summer Concert Series at the Pacific Amphitheatre, The Hangar and Action Sports Arena. The Fair is open Wednesday-Sunday. Concert tickets, action sports reserved seats, single-day general admission and the popular Super Pass are available for purchase online at ticketmaster.com or from the on-site Box Office. [Photo: Replica of Table Setting Competition]
The OC Fair & Event Center is located off the 405 and 55 freeways at 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa. For more information, please visit ocfair.com, become a fan at Facebook.com/OCFair or follow us at twitter.com/ocfair. Also, look for the free OC Fair iPhone and Android apps this summer. Get excited for the 2012 Fair! Watch our new commercial on YouTube.
See you there — Nibbles of Tidbits and Kids in the Kitchen love the OC Fair!
It was a pleasure to see you here at this communal table at Pizzeria Ortica.
Pizzeria Ortica is set to launch a new round of three-course Italian family style dinners.
The restaurant occupies the old Turner New Zealand spot and I love its East Coast feel.
Our food appreciative group felt like family after sharing Verdure and Panzanella.
Also known as Grilled Zucchini, Cippolini Agro Dolce, Roasted Green Beans and Marinated Eggplant, and Baby Heirloom Tomatoes, Cucumber, Green Onions and Basil with Rustic Bread.
Mint Salsa Verde, Roasted Rosemary Potatoes, Peas and Cippolini — Yum.
Roasted Nectarines with Mascarpone Cheese and more I’m not sure about, but it was good.
We’re always looking for a tasty outdoor patio too — Pizzeria Ortica goes on that list.
Blurry I know, but I like its sentiment — Sharing a Brown Butter and Hazelnut Torte. Grazie.
Update: Upcoming dinner dates for the Italian family style dinners are July 31st, August 28th, September 25th, October 30th and November 27th.
Don’t knock the Horehound Drops, they’ve got history — Today they’re mostly spotted in old fashioned candy shops. Look… Horehound Drops, hahaha. I’ll have you know that it was my Great Grandmother’s favorite candy and will forever remind me of her. I love seeing them. Aside from that, others appreciate its purported health benefits. Though an early valued herb, mysteries about the Horehound are still being uncovered. What’s that slutty dog up to?
What we tried at the Taste of Greece Festival — Saganaki with Gyro was our favorite.
Our experience started with a ride on the 11-Special Shuttle, with a bubble blowing driver.
Grilled Lamb Chops — We appreciate having many.
Keftethes, Souvlaki and Greek Seasoned Fries — The Fries were surprisingly excellent.
Making more Saganaki, fried Cheese flamed with Brandy.
A close call during the flaming of the Brandy.
The Gyro Meat was lean and flavorful.
Chicago Brand — I may need to buy a package of the pictured Cooked Gyros Slices.
Rising Dough for Loukoumathes.
Greek Doughnuts covered with Honey and Cinnamon.
Greek Pastries to go — Sure wish I had some Theples now.
St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church Sanctuary is grand and beautiful.
Peaceful pieces of Greece were much appreciated this day.
Take me away — If no one does, the above photo will. Since we all can’t travel to Greece on a whim, we’re going to Orange County’s 34th Annual Taste of Greece Festival for the 1st time.
We’re set to discover all that’s described below — Wrap us up in a Pita, we’ll take it. Opa!
Orange County’s 34th annual “A Taste of Greece” festival will be held on June 22-24 at St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church (4949 Alton Parkway, between Culver Drive and Jeffrey Road, Irvine, CA 92604). More than 11,000 guests are expected to attend the three-day festival, which will feature traditional Greek cuisine, wine tasting, live music, authentic Greek dancing with lessons and boutique booths reminiscent of the Plaka, a well-known picturesque historical neighborhood of Athens.
Festival hours are 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, June 22; noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 23; and noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday, June 24. Festival admission is just $3 per person with free admission on Saturday, June 23 from noon – 5 p.m. for seniors older than 65 years. Children under the age of 10 are admitted free throughout the three-day festival. Free festival parking will also be available, with complimentary shuttle buses transporting guests from public parking sites in Irvine.
Greek cuisine and hospitality will be the focal points as the festival will feature authentic recipes for traditional Greek dishes, delicious pastries and a variety of beverages, highlighted with a wine “Taverna,” offering Greek wine and beer. The traditional Greek menu will include Chicken, Lamb Chops, Greek French Fries, Gyros, Pastichio (Greek lasagna), Loucanico (Greek sausage), Spanakopita (spinach and feta pie), Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves), Saganaki (Greek brandy-flamed cheese), Loukoumathes (Greek doughnut holes), Greek Salad, Calamari and more. There will also be a Greek coffeehouse set up to serve Greek and American coffee drinks in a traditional Plaka setting with Greek dance lessons offered free to all. The Philoptochos, the church’s philanthropic group, will bake around the clock during the weeks leading up to the festival to prepare traditional Baklava and other exquisite pastries.
“As Orange County’s largest Greek Orthodox congregation, we are delighted to host a festival that offers an opportunity for the community to experience authentic Greek dining, wine, music, dancing and entertainment,” said Father Steven Tsichlis, St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Priest. “This year’s festival, our 34th annual, will offer something for everyone with a variety of Greek-themed activities.”
A family-friendly affair, the festival will be lined with boutique shops, a variety of games and a full-scale carnival. Event attendees can also enter an opportunity drawing for the chance to win cash prizes.
For more information on the “A Taste of Greece” festival, please visit www.IrvineGreekFest.com
Iva Lee’s Restaurant is a Southern Dinner House in San Clemente (and more).
It’s charming, welcoming and hometown, and an all around nice place to hang out.
It’s co-owned by a husband and wife team, whose grandmother was Iva Lee.
Most of the food pictured here is from their Catering Menu — All was served during Iva Lee’s Restaurant’s Ten Year Anniversary celebration. Fried Green Tomatoes with Sonoma Goat Cheese Crème (below) are popular. All Hors D’ Oeuvres were stirringly first-rate.
The restaurant’s interior is sexy and quaint.
Live Blues and Jazz play in a modest and stylish, relaxed Bar.
See Iva Lee’s website for food, entertainment and catering specifics — We just enjoy it.
Signature Cocktails on the patio on a Sunday afternoon in the Summer time.
Cheers to one of the best days ever — Behind the scenes, complimented with Iva Lee fare.
French smiles await you when you rise — Pandor Artisan Boulangerie and Café is open.
Its offerings are French to the Bread bone — Breakfast, Savories, Salads, Paninis and more.
And seemingly endless exquisite Desserts.
Once there was a way to get back home — Its owners want to bring France to the OC.
Food Media relished the taste of Pandor’s long journey to Newport Beach.
It’s where/when I learned how special the food and all that’s behind it actually is.
Our photos don’t do it justice — The Sandwiches and Salads are filled with sophisticated flavor.
I loved the Habano Sandwich, Grilled Vegetable Panini and Baby Spinach Turkey Salad.
Pandor means Golden Bread and each is made with loving French care.
Our hope is to try everything pictured here and more. It’s an exceptional place.
I left the taste-transport feeling French with Baguettes in hand.
Then we had our own private Idaho, a Bread Sampling Party.
Life is beautiful — Bonne Chance Amis.
It’s a Holy Moly Guacamole Chopped Challenge — Ingredient options are on the table.
My food and legal worlds (again) collide at a Sarnoff, Veritext Company Fiesta.
Sarnoff knows how to throw a party — Contestants (Lawyers, Paralegals & Secretaries) suit up in aprons and sombreros to make the Best Guacamole possible within 2 minutes. Go!
Scrambling for choice ingredients — Limes, Cilantro, Onion, Chili Peppers, Hot Sauce, etc.
Time is up — Bring your Guacamole to the table.
What would you put in your Guacamole? And what would you call it?
Contestants had to title their Guacamole and present it to the Judges.
And the winner is… this guy (below). Congratulations.
For extra caution, the Avocados were cut, halved and seeded pre-challenge.
A Mariachi Band played.
Tacos were served.
And they were just okay — Taco Cart and shirt names withheld. The Asada was too gristly.
Endless Churros and Virgin Margaritas were there for the taking.
A Chopped Challenge is a fun, interactive activity for an above average office party.
The Taste of Orange County didn’t start off pretty — Long lines, slow processing and network glitches frustrated a lot of people including us, but we hung in there to eventually enjoy a sunny day filled with appetizing food, cooking demonstrations, artwork and live bands.
FOOD commenced with a Spicy Lobster Shrimp Grinder (at top) from SlapFish.
And the fare continued all day with specialties from several local high-quality restaurants, including Tamarind of London, which offered a nice seating area too, as did a few others.
Though not pictured, Mastro’s Steakhouse presented one of the best lounge areas.
The hip set-up paired well with Mastro’s Steak and Lobster Mashed Potatoes (above).
A few favorites came from Red Table.
We loved the Yuzu Crab Ceviche Tacos and Braised Beef Short Ribs.
We meant to go back for Red Table’s Broken Banana Cream Pie after savory, but forgot.
Spicy, tender, flavorful Chicken from Clay Oven.
Haven GastroPub served up Crab Rolls (above) and Fried Pigs Ears (below).
Pig’s Ears were another first — The pictured were sweet, spicy, crispy and tasty.
Short Rib and Crab-related offerings seemed to be popular, an agreeable thing.
The grilling meat reminded us of the upcoming Orange County Fair.
Chef Demo Host, Chef Jamie Gwen and Executive Chef Rob Wilson from the Montage Laguna Beach show ‘Easy Luxury Hors d’oeuvres Tricks & Tips’ with audience member volunteers.
Great OC Farm-To-Table Dinner, an extra cost but valuable — 7 Courses by 9 Top Chefs.
The Ultimate Stones cover band — They were good and almost as old as the originals.
Thanks for the Cupcakes — Media break under a tree with a glass of Wine.
We’re glad we stayed for all.
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