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Daughter of two professional chefs provides a young adult's perspective on food, restaurants, and eating!! follow us on facebook @Francis Xavier

Author: Chef Francis Xavier

In Search of

In Search of

Continuing the search for the “holy grail”. The quest for the ideal tamale -leads to Eddies. A good tamale has well prepared masa and a delicate balance between moistness and firmness. Now served as a meal the ideal tamale needs to add to all the […]

Travel Eats – Denver Restaurant Week

Travel Eats – Denver Restaurant Week

Embarking on the adventure of exploring new restaurants during Denver’s Restaurant Week is a culinary journey filled with meeting friends and discovering new venues. This week is the Fort in Golden offering its own unique menu showcasing the restaurants expertise. As friends dive into each […]

Travel Eats – Clear Creek Fishing

Travel Eats – Clear Creek Fishing

Today is a stunning blue bird day. Today is a spring day of fishing and stream reconnaissance. The sun shinning bright lead to hopes that with the water warming up – so would trout’s appetite. The trout are lazy in the cold stream and lethargic. A triple treat with black and white nymphs successfully pulled the trout out of the sleepy shadows. After a day of fishing, catching and telling stories of the brook trout that got away – our own appetites’ soared.

Beau Jo’s Pizza is where we gathered. Our group digs eagerly digs into the piping hot slices. The crispy crust has a hit of cinnamon and calls to be drenched in honey. The dance of baked mozzarella and tomato sauce makes a consistent good mountain pie. With laughter echoing and the sun beginning its descent, the simple pleasure of sharing a meal becomes the a cherished memory.

Travel Eats – Golden Bee

Travel Eats – Golden Bee

Travel eats lead us to Colorado Springs. The Golden Bee has ambience and charm of an Irish Snug with all the old world charm. The Golden Bee at the Broadmoor, Colorado Springs is a restored English Pub of the 19th century. “You can tell a […]

Travel Eats – City Park Tavern

Travel Eats – City Park Tavern

Favorite Breakfast place with a view. Currently a favorite breakfast eatery is the City Park Tavern and we ventured to the lunch menu. During the week of travel – the quest is for a really good Rueben sandwich. It is an adventure worth undertaking. Thick […]

in search of

in search of

Searching for the “holy grail” in food items involves seeking the perfect combination of flavors, textures in experiencing a product. While it is ideal chocolate with chili, perfect cuppa’ coffee the quest for gastronomic satisfaction is driven by desire to find that elusive delight. Today my subjective preference in the ideal tamale is the quest.

A flawless tamale boast a masa well prepared and a delicate balance between moistness and firmness. The filling contributes to the balance of texture and flavor. the filling ratio from masa to filling is crucial ensuring neither overshadows the other. The Corn Husk wrap serves as an integral part of the adding subtle aroma to the tamale’s appeal.

Achieving the perfect tamale is a craft beyond technique. Each bite should transport to the place where tradition of the tamale converge in harmonious flavor.

The search for the “holy grail” of tamales lead to trader joes. In a recent article in Bon Appetit it stated what foods at trader joes one should try. I would definitely add the Beef tamales to the try list. But that being said i will continue my holy grail tamale journey.

Travel Eats – Old Chicago Pizza on Friday

Travel Eats – Old Chicago Pizza on Friday

Exploring different cuisines during travel is a adventure. This Friday I am on the search for comfort and consistency. Having a familiar flavor and reliable dish when on the road. Savoring a well -done pizza brings satisfaction. Old Chicago’s Chicago 7 single serving adds consistent […]

Travel eats – Omaha Prime

Travel eats – Omaha Prime

Traveling in Omaha, one can find a variety of delights. I still look for the 3 main criteria: what’s on the plate, atmosphere in the restaurant and service. We tried the classic Steakhouse in Old Market arts district. Omaha Prime is an upscale dining experience […]

Notes from the Garden – Lists

Notes from the Garden – Lists

lists are invaluable tools for for efficient preparation. Starting out with Key items and breaking them down for clarity. This list is ingredients of productivity and preparation for service

  • Fish
  • Baked Bass with Cucumber and Cashew Sauce
  • Baked Fish garden Style
  • Orange Butter Sauce
  • Asparagus Mousse
  • Remoulade Sauce

Baked Bass

notes from the garden list
Course Main Course
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • Bake the bass with Chervil over the fish
  • add fish stock and butter
  • sauté garlic, shallots and cucumber
  • add cashews and cook for 2 minutes more.
  • add veloute and adjust accordingly
Keyword List

Baked Fish Garden Style

Notes from the garden list
Course Main Course
Cuisine American

Notes

in a greased casserole dish sprinkle with shallots and place seasoned fish surrounded by julienne vegetables. sprinkle with white wine and bake. Brown under the salamander
Keyword List

Orange Sauce

Notes from the garden list
Course Main Course
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • concentrated orange juice
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1/2 tea dry mustard
  • fresh basil
  • dash f bitters
  • finish with butter
Keyword List

Asparagus Mousse

Notes from the garden list
Course Main Course
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 pound fresh asparagus
  • 1 1/2 T butter
  • 2 T flour
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 egg yolk slightly beaten
  • 2 tea lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup drained tofu

Instructions
 

  • blanch the asparagus
  • melt the butter, add the flour. add the sour cream and cook until the mixture thickens
  • take off the heat. add the yolk. return to heat. do no allow the mixture to come to the boil.
  • add the well drained asparagus and the tofu to the mixture and place into processor
  • add the sour cream mixture to the processor.
Keyword List

Remmy Suace

Remoulade Sauce for fish
Course Sauce
Cuisine American

Notes

in a blender add one yolk, 3 teasoons mustard, 2 teaspoons lemon juice, slowly add 1/2 cup of oil. Fold in 1/2 cup sour cream. Add parsley, capers, chives and 1/2 tea dry vermouth
Keyword List
Shells & Sauce

Shells & Sauce

Shells and Sauce is a great find. It is an Italian Bistro around the nestled the neighborhood around the corner from the Denver Botanical Garden – in the heart of Congress Park. We had stopped in after the lights at the Botanical Garden. The Neighborhood […]