Uncategorized – Page 9 – THE DUDE OF FOOD

The Dude of Food lunches at McGraw’s Tucson Cantina

Sadly McGraw’s announces they are temporarily closed. Reach out and support them if possible.

The Dude of Food went to visit Tucson, AZ. After mom’s haircut we went to lunch at this cool place on a bluff. As you can see be the accompanying photo above, the view from McGraw’s Cantina is amazing. The tables on the outside patio look south over the east Tucson valley. If a gang of old west outlaws was riding up from Mexico, you would see their dust trail way before they would see you from here.

McGraw’s opened at 11a and they had a Tucson blonde ale on tap. The McGraw’s Cantina menu is full of good things to choose from and the two girls working there were very nice. It turns out McGraw’s hosts a steak night special on Tuesdays. This place really is a party waiting to happen.

Mom ordered a burger that looked awesome and a coke the waitress was happy to refill. The Dude of Food asked for the BBQ Tri-Tip sandwich and another Tucson blonde ale. The food was really good.

There are many restaurants in Tucson but McGraw’s Cantina may be host to one of the best. They have tons of party space plus plenty of parking and would make an awesome place to do an Arizona Octoberfest rager, BBQ challenge, wedding party, anniversary party, birthday party or any other celebration.

Check it out.

The Dude of Food infuses tequila

On a visit to the Border Grill in Santa Monica, on an Easter Sunday morning, I was introduced to a cool new flavor. The Dude of Food was intrigued and decided to try to recreate this awesome taste at home. The famous chef and restaurant owner, Susan Feniger, knows about food and her staff impresses. The bartender on Sunday made us try this tequila infused with cucumber and jalapeno peppers and it was delightful. This was the flavor I needed to try an re-create.

So I went to the store and bought some agave tequila, cucumbers and a jalapeno pepper and put it all together in a mason jar. In a few days I looked forward to a cool refreshing taste.

A few days later I had created a spicy tequila that didn’t have quite enough cucumber flavor, but was still really good. The Dude of Food says ‘try this at home’.

teq — click photo to see what Elaine @ Dishes Delish says

The Dude of Food likes Loveless Cafe Plain Ol’ Hot Sauce.

Off of Highway 100 in Nashville is a place called the Loveless Cafe. You may not be close enough to walk in but you can go to their web page and check out the stuff they make.

http://store.lovelesscafe.com/product/hot-sauce/sauce-seasoning

The Plain Ol’ Hot Sauce is one of the secret ingredients the Dude of Food adds to his homemade michelada recipe. It adds the perfect amount of spice. Truth be told, the Dude of Food also likes Red Rooster, Frank’s, Texas Pete’s and Crystal from Louisiana. They all go great in a michelada, on grits, greens, smothered chicken, gravy, stuffing, waffles, wings, eggs and much more.

The Dude of Food is curious to experience your food product.

After years of independent merchandising for surf companies and the Hawaiian Tropic brand, the Dude of Food is switching gears and working on a list of quality food and beverage products to offer in his upcoming market.

If your company is looking to get in other markets, whether domestic or international, then please by all means let’s talk.

The Dude of Food can be emailed at- weallgottaeat (at) g mail (dot) com

Eat well and be happy.

The Dude of Food

Can we feed the starving in Africa and elsewhere? One kitchen, one love.

http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/poverty-matters/2011/jul/27/africa-potential-to-feed-world

UN rep, Kanayo Nwanze, and president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) seems to think it’s possible.

The thing that always bothers me is when we see on TV loads of food arriving by boat on a dock somewhere to feed folks and then the news cuts to shots of all kinds of starving people. My question is, why can’t the camera folks and talking heads on camera take the food they are filming at and give it to the starving people they are filming?

The Dude of Food thinks it’s time to stop sensationalistic reporting and start farming and sharing like good humans, not capitalistic robots.

The Dude of Food explores California Prop 65 warning labels and coffee.

Many people have created myths and formed opinions about Starbucks for posting the state regulated Prop 65 warning label. While exploring this topic the local Dogtown coffee barista told the Dude of Food ‘our coffee isn’t like Starbucks cancer coffee because our coffee is organic’, not realizing the warning comes from the bean roasting process and not the beans origins.

The following information may help shed some light on the subject of Prop 65 warning labels at coffee stores.

A little research shows that it’s not Starbucks fault. It may be possible Starbucks could alter their process and possibly avoid the warning altogether, but that would cost money, and is a different story.

The warning is prompted and occurs due to the following research.

Acrylamide is on the Proposition 65 list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity (such as birth defects and other reproductive harm).

For many years, acrylamide has been used in grouts and cements, pulp and paper production, ore processing, permanent-press fabrics and dye manufacturing. It is also used to produce polyacrylamide, which is used in water and wastewater treatment, soil conditioning and oil drilling. Acrylamide also is present in tobacco smoke.

In 2002, Swedish researchers discovered that acrylamide forms during the baking, frying, or roasting of certain kinds of foods, particularly starchy foods.

Acrylamide is not added to foods. It is a contaminant that forms during the baking, frying or roasting of certain plant-based foods. Boiling and steaming foods does not create acrylamide.

French fries, potato chips, other fried and baked snack foods, roasted asparagus, canned sweet potatoes and pumpkin, canned black olives, roasted nuts, coffee, roasted grain-based coffee substitutes, prune juice, breakfast cereals, crackers, cookies, bread crusts, and toast all contain varying levels of acrylamide.

The Dude of Food likes Bogle 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon

When you are looking for a full bodied Cabernet that is not short on flavor and you’re not sure what to do because you don’t want to over spend, look for this bottle of wine. Bogle 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon is a really good choice around $12. It may not be an expensive bottle but when folks taste it they won’t think you’re a cheapo, instead they should realize a smart deal and learn.

The Dude of Food reviews Las Rocas Garnacha

If you are in LA, on your way to a party and are looking for a good internationally grown red wine, choose Bodega Elena before you choose this wine. The reason people make wine is for enjoyment and taste. This Las Rochas Garnacha sports an underwhelming flavor and watered down taste at best. The red flavors try to creep through but don’t cut it. There are better choices in the $12. range.

The Dude of Food says – PASS

The Dude of Food made yummy stuffed grapes.

The Dude of Food made these stuffed grapes and it was easy. Just crush raisins, dates, dried apricot, prunes, honey, Nutella, peanut butter, a little good jam and some oats all together into a paste and you’ll get a rough wet version of a Cliff bar. Then take some large washed grapes and slice them in half. Smash a small spoonful of the Cliff bar type mixture on top of the grape halves and enjoy a tasty treat. It’s yummy.

The Dude of Food explores Wolvesmouth.

http://wolvesmouth.com/blog

Fox in the Hen House, Wolves in the Snow. These don’t sound like titles you would see on a menu, but when dining at LA’s Wolvesmouth, you can throw out all forms of conventionality. From what the Dude of Food can make of it, this is a whole new experience in dining and culture and looks forward to the experience one of these days.

Nicely done Craig Thornton.