Middle Eastern Cuisine

Had the opportunity to sample some lovely Middle Eastern food while visiting the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn, Michigan this weekend.  Looking forward to making some of these items at home in the near future.  Stay tuned!

Light and Tasty Eggplant Sandwiches

Try an eggplant sandwich next time you're looking for a light, tasty sandwich.

Start with hummus and pita bread.  Make your own hummus if you have time, but if you're in a hurry store-bought works well too.  Generously coat the inside of the pita with hummus.

Grill or broil eggplant that has been brushed with extra virgin olive oil.

Place the eggplant in the pita.  Top your sandwiches off with a spritz of lemon juice or some fresh yogurt and enjoy!

The Hot Dog and American Culture

After completing my shopping at Sam's Club the other day, I sat down to perhaps one of my favorite American treats: the hot dog.  I pondered how this menu item consisting of low quality cuts of meat became such an important part of our culture.

Perhaps it has to do with its portability: Americans are on the move, and what better type of food can be carried with you than the hot dog?

Perhaps it is the price: even "gourmet" hot dogs are accessible to almost any budget.

Perhaps it is nostalgia: memories of baseball games or family barbeques featuring hot dogs are remembered throughout life.

Perhaps it is all these things, like the pieces of snout, ear, belly, and tail that make up the average hot dog, compressed into a product that is far more than "the sum of its part."  Regardless, my love affair with the hot dog will be long lived and isn't going anywhere!

The Food Pope at Melt: A Microvideo by David Maynard

Fabulous Findlay Pizza!

Enjoyed a wonderful pizza at Jac N Dos in Findlay last night and the only thing left was the cardboard tray and crumpled napkins.  Thanks Findlay for a wonderful meal!

Light and Lemony Eggplant Spread: A Summer Delight

For a tasty, light lunch, look no further than a couple of eggplant, garlic, tahini, lemon juice, and French bread.

Start with several long eggplant and slice them lengthwise in two.  Eggplant is notorious for absorbing large quantities of olive oil, so brush both sides generously.  Grill until tender.

In a blender or food processor, combine cubes of the grilled eggplant (with skin), several tablespoons of tahini (available at most grocery stores and Middle Eastern markets), lemon juice (fresh is always best but bottled works well in a pinch), and several cloves of garlic.  The Food Pope likes the spread to have some bite, so 5 cloves of roughly chopped garlic are added to 2 eggplant.

Blend until a thick spread is formed.

Bake slices of French Bread at 350 degrees for several minutes and top with the spread.  Enjoy!

Afternoon Tea

While enjoying afternoon tea at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, I realized that a very similar afternoon tea can be served at home at a fraction of the price.  Scroll down for suggestions on how to prepare your own high tea at home!

Start with a tasty bread that you enjoy for sandwiches and spread cream cheese on one side of each slice.  Top with cucumber, turkey, ham, or smoked salmon.

Cut off the crusts and cut into triangles or squares for petite tea sandwiches:

Serve with scones, biscuits, fruit, strong tea, and a small glass of sherry for a delicious afternoon tea!

Bacon and Brie Burger

A recent visit to Bareburger in Columbus inspired a new burger: the bacon and brie burger.  1 quarter pound grilled burger + applewood smoked bacon, French brie, and a pretzel bun = HEAVEN

Zucchini Parmigiana

For a fast, inexpensive grilled treat using summer produce, try grilled zucchini parmigiana.  Cut a medium to large zucchini in half and scoop out the seeds.  Brush olive oil on and grill both sides before filling the hollowed-out section with mozzarella cheese and topping with your favorite tomato sauce.

Summer Salads

With the abundance of fresh local produce, salads are a wonderful addition to summer fare.  Here, a basic salad includes queso fresco, grilled carrots tossed in sesame oil, chopped capers, beets, and bibb lettuce.

Food Kitty

The pets of foodies often love food as much as the foodies themselves.  Here, my cat Nemo investigates the fridge for some tasty finds.

Sun Tea

As the weather gets warmer, consider brewing sun tea to stay hydrated and healthy.  The sun's rays produce an optimal temperature for brewing a wide range of teas.  Simply put 1/4-1/3 cup of looseleaf tea or 8 teabags in a pitcher, fill with cool water, and add any additional flavorings (I love fresh mint and lemon slices).

Allow your brew to sit in the sun for 3-5 hours, then pour the tea through a kitchen strainer into another pitcher.  Pour the sun-brewed tea over a filled glass of ice or chill in the fridge to enjoy later.

Fearless Veggie Grilling with Grill Pans

When grilling this summer, don't just limit your repertoire to grilled meats and corn.

Grill pans are a cost effective, convenient way to get delicious grill flavors in your summer vegetables without half of your veggies falling through the grates.

I found the below grill grate for around $22 on sale.  Shop around for the style and size that best suits your grilling needs.  Simply toss your favorite vegetables in a little olive oil before placing on a hot grill.

Grill grates make even delicate veggies like these baby asparagus a simple and delicious grilled side.

Peppers and onions are a delicious side with chicken, burgers, or grilled tofu.

Sardines for Health, Happiness, and the Environment

The other day I grilled some sardines for dinner.  These lovely denizens of the deep are healthy, sustainable, and delicious!

Visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium's site for more information on sustainable seafood options:
http://www.seafoodwatch.org/cr/seafoodwatch.aspx

Learning from Jeni!

Had an AWESOME experience at Williams-Sonoma learning how to make a recipe from Jeni's new cookbook from Jeni herself!  What a wonderful way to learn how to make delicious ice cream at home.  Thanks Jeni for a great class!

Jeni talking to an excited crowd.

A delicious sundae for students to drool over.

Check out information on Jeni's locations, cookbooks, and ice creams at http://jenis.com/

French Style Hard Boiled Eggs

I have yet to find a way the French prepare eggs that I don't like.  Here's a recipe I love in the summer months.  Pair this with some crusty french bread for a light lunch or snack that's healthy and delicious.

Start with 3-4 eggs large eggs.  Place them in a saucepan and cover with cold water.  Over a high heat, heat the water to just before boiling.  Turn the heat source off and cover for 25 minutes.  This French method ensures even cooking and a perfect hard boiled egg.

Pour off the hot water and cover the eggs with cold water for several minutes to make them easier to peel.

Finely chop a large bunch of parsley, 3 cloves of garlic, and open a small container of tomato paste.

Add 3 heaping Tbs. of tomato paste, 3-4 Tbs of olive oil, and mix.

Peel the eggs and layer them with the tomato/parsley mixture.  Once you've filled the jar, pour olive oil into the jar to fill the remaining spaces between the eggs.  Refrigerate and enjoy!  The eggs stay good for 5 days refrigerated.

All Hail Onion Soup!

Onion soup has sustained and empowered the French working class for centuries.  It's under $2 a bowl and pairs wonderfully with a salad, making it a wonderful addition to your culinary repertoire.

Thinly slice six large onions.  Vidalia onions are the best, but Walla Wallas or nice quality yellow onions also work very well.  Cook over low heat with 1Tbs. olive oil and 2 Tbs. butter for a long time (1 to 1 1/2 hours).  The onions will reduce in volume by about 2/3rds.  Add 3 cans of good beef stock and simmer for an additional 20 minutes.

Slice French bread on the bias and toast in a 400 degree oven for several minutes.

Add a good slug of port to two oven-proof bowls.  The Food Pope uses Tawny Port which is also an excellent after-dinner drink.

Ladle a good portion of the onion/broth mixture into each bowl and cover with shredded cheese.  The classic recipe calls for Gruyere, but this can be very expensive.  The Food Pope uses equal portions mozzarella and swiss as an equally delicious and less costly alternative to Gruyere.

Place two toast wedges in each bowl, cover with more broth and cheese, and pop in the broiler for several minutes.  Keep an eye on it because the cheese melts quick!  Enjoy this French treat in the Spring or Fall for a light meal that strengthens and rejuvenates the soul.  Happy cooking from The Food Pope!

The Philosopher's Cut: 6 oz Tofu Steak

Many shy away from tofu and consider it tasteless and unfit for most palates.  This couldn't be further from the truth.  In today's tough economic times, tofu is a wonderful alternative to other more expensive proteins. Extra firm tofu holds up to many recipes and will take on a myriad of flavors.

The below tofu steak was cooked over a high heat grill for 5 minutes per side with blue cheese added to the top in the final 2 minutes of cooking.  The "steak sauce" was a peanut sauce available in the Asian foods aisle of most stores.

The tofu steak cost between $0.79 and $0.89.  Paired with some grilled organic green onions and an ear of grilled corn, it made for a VERY reasonably priced, and surprisingly satisfying meal.

When looking for some great foods to grill this summer, be sure to put extra firm tofu on your list!

A Taste of the Caribbean in Columbus

A special thanks to Teanna who was kind enough to bring these beautiful Caribbean meat pies to class today!  The flaky crust and spicy beef filling brought to mind the tranquil beaches of the islands even though it was raining outside and finals week is only a couple of days away.

Tired of Plain, Try a Plantain!

Plantains are inexpensive, delicious alternatives to other more expensive side dishes.  Slice the fruit into 1/4" slices and fry in several tablespoons of butter.  Serve with hot sauce and sour cream and enjoy!

Tired of Sandwiches? Try a Wrap!

As the weather gets warmer and many of us seek light, healthy lunches, wraps make a wonderful alternative to sandwiches.

The turkey-brie wrap pictured below is a tasty option:

• Place slices of brie on a flour tortilla
• Layer honey or smoked turkey on top
• Add several slices of apple (Tip: a quick toss of apple slices in a splash of lemon juice keeps the slices from oxidizing and turning brown)
• Roll and wrap tightly in plastic wrap and you're ready to take your wrap to work, the gym, or wherever your travels take you

Thrift Shop Finds

Never write off the thrift shop as a great place to find low-priced, gently-used kitchen gadgets.

This dense olive-wood mortar and pestle was procured at a nearby thrift shop for a mere $2, and makes short work of even the toughest spices such as whole Jamaican allspice and Hawaiian white peppercorns.

Happy shopping!!

For a Break from Fried Rice, Try Fried Quinoa

Many readers have probably tried quinoa, the Incan super-grain that is high in protein and a tasty alternative to rice.

For a nutritious, low-cost meal, try fried quinoa:

1. Cook 1/2 cup of finely chopped vegetables (carrot, onion, and/or peppers) in heated olive oil until browned
2. Add 2 cups of cooked quinoa
3. Stir until heated throughout, and then add one raw egg
4. Continue to stir and cook until egg and mixture are completely cooked
5. Add 1-2 tsp. low-sodium soy sauce to taste.  Enjoy!

Streetfood as Art

The Skyway Grill food cart in Columbus offers a wide selection of made-to-order sandwiches.

The veggie sub I ordered today contained onions, peppers, mushrooms, banana peppers, tomatos, lettuce, and mozzarella cheese.  Hot off the grill, it was artistic and delicious!!

The Hills Market

Had a wonderful visit to The Hills Market close to Columbus State Community College's campus last week.  Was amazed by the huge selection of gourmet foods, organic produce, and drinks to choose from.

Great Food, Poor Spelling

Ohio-based Bob Evans Restaurants always score high marks with the Food Pope for food quality, service and value.

This week our local restaurant received low spelling marks; however, for advertising a "3 Corse Whitefish Dinner for $9.99."

Tony Packo's

Several weeks ago I had the privilege of dining at Toledo's one and only Tony Packo's.  The fried pickles, beer, and original Hungarian dogs deserved a post!

Cappuccino by Porsche!

While visiting a local car dealership to get my car fixed last week, I had the opportunity to sneak into the Porsche dealership next door and try out their high end cappuccino machine.

The Food Pope tip of the day is when an opportunity to sample fine food or drink arises, TAKE IT!

Tea and Scones Make for a Happy New Year!

Best wishes from the Food Pope for a happy, healthy, and delicious 2014!  Lindsay and I enjoyed some lovely scones and tea on the first day of 2014.

Here's hoping you eat well and are merry this year :)