Category: the dude of food
Hawkstone Cabernet Sauvignon
Hawkstone of Napa Valley
Barney’s Heritage Cuvee
2012
Limited release of 5491 cases
While sipping this wine, the Dude of Food felt like he had obtained a bargain. This bottle radiates heritage. From the moment you handle the bottle time slows down a little and you begin to feel the serenity of this creation. This is no fast lane wine. This wine exudes the tranquility, longevity and educated qualities of a chateau in the countryside owned by a university scholar/author. The flavors do not jump out of the glass as a sophisticated lady would not sit with her legs open. The characteristics of this wine are more subdued. They have a sense of time and are not in a hurry to get to the end. The delicate balance of depth in fruitiness, richness of earth tones and uniqueness of flavor are well balanced and make this an enjoyable bottle of wine at a reasonable price if you can find it.
The Dude of Food says Best Paella Ever!
La Taberna Gallega located in the marina in Barcelona, Spain is incredible. The room gets full but the vibe is energetic and upbeat. The staff is super cool and fun. If you are in the Barcelona marina area come on over. There are many places to eat in the marina but I chose this one and was completely satisfied. Best paella and sangria of my life. Take the time and go here.
contact them at
http://www.latabernagallega.com
The Dude of Food likes Company 77 Fire Truck Pizza
What could be better than great homemade pizza delivered on a fire truck that has beer on tap? This place has a really good thing going.
The Dude of Food had this truck come to our Christmas party last year and it was well worth it. If you live in the southern California area then you need to experience this.
The staff is super cool. The truck is fun and has a photo booth and beer taps. The pizza is hand crafted, refined and excellent. This is an awesome food truck!
contact them at
http://www.company77.com
Tortilla Heater by the Dude of Food
This is an attempt at heating tortillas without using oil and a hot pan or grill top. I put the toaster on its side and slid the tortillas in.
Full disclosure – the idea is not a complete success but did work. The better way is still the old fashioned way with fresh tortillas on a grill.
Good Los Angeles Food Trailer
The Dude of Food believes if you live in Los Angeles and are looking for a good food truck to cater your party then you may want to call this phone number. I believe he said his name is Noel and he said this number rings to his house. Speak slowly as his English is not perfect. I tried the tacos and menudo and was pleasantly surprised with both. The quality is good and the prices are reasonable. Win/Win situation here.
The Dude of Food is not connected to this vendor and gains nothing from this endorsement.
Seafood Guide and Watch.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium puts out a sustainable seafood watch guide booklet. It recommends to avoid the following due to overfishing or harmful conditions-
Cod Pacific (imported)
Cobia (imported farm raised)
Crab King (imported)
Grenader
Lobster (Brazilian)
Mahi Mahi (imported longline)
Monkfish
Pacific Snapper/Rockfish (trawled)
Shrimp (imported)
Tilapia (Asian farm raised)
Tuna (skipjack, tongol, canned)
It goes on to say minimize the following consumption due to mercury levels-
California Halibut
Caviar Sturgeon (wild imported)
Chilean Seabass
Dogfish (US)
Lingcod
Marlin (striped pacific blue)
Orange Roughy
Salmon (farm raised including Atlantic)
Sharks
Swordfish (US & imported)
Tuna (albacore, bigeye, bluefin, yellowfin)
Visit www.edf.org/seafoodhealth or www.seafoodwatch.org
for more information.
Homemade Fried Catfish Sticks Rock
Homemade fried catfish sticks are easy to make and fun to eat. If you are looking for an alternative to pizza, pasta or hoagies then give this a try.
Take 1 lb of catfish and wash it off.
Chop it into preferred sized bits.
Mix 2 eggs into a bowl.
Pour some bread crumbs onto a plate.
Dip the cut fish bits in the eggs and then onto the bread crumb plate.
Once all the bits are crumbed up then deposit them into an electric frying pan that is dialed up to 340 degrees.
There only needs to be enough oil to sit the fish in. The sticks do not need to be submerged as you can flip them over. Let cook for about 5 minutes each side or until they look as crispy as you like them. Remove sticks from oil and pat dry. Put the sticks on a plate, sprinkle with some fresh lemon juice and serve with a side of tartar and your favorite cold beer. YUM.
Dude of Food Port Wine Recommendation
The dude of food has obtained a bottle of 10 year old tawny port from Trader Joe’s. The producer is Quarles Harris, established 1680, in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal. This beauty of a port wine was roughly $12. but tastes like a fine, expensive bottle. This port boasts a light and fruity but not too sweet flavor that follows through nicely.
It is a great after dinner sipper and also goes great with chocolate. Let out your inner man and WOW your lady tonight with this fine selection.
Marinated Fish for Grilling
“SIMPLY AWESOME TASTING !”
Halibut, Chilean sea bass or shrimp work well. In this photo you see thick fresh halibut fillets and fresh sea bass fillets all after having been soaked overnight in a delicious marinade I found at a local market in Santa Monica.
The marinade is an island blend sauce that was perfect. I then topped the mix with a pineapple ring, covered and let sit in the fridge. The ingredients pictured in the pan were thrown on a grill for a few minutes at a local architectural firm for Friday lunch, served with potato salad, grilled shrimp, grilled salmon with a rosemary lemon sauce and a side of mixed fruit chutney and it was simply delicious.