foodie from phoenix

My chocolate stash

2008-11-14T08:52:00.002-07:00

This morning I got this video from one of my good buddies in my email.

Yea it's a little on the cheesy side, but the lyrics really made me stop and think about the leftover Halloween candy I've been hording. Now there is a cookie jar filled with candy that I leave out on the table for the kids, hubby and guest, but I have my own hidden stash. I've taken the pleasure of sorting through all the sweet tarts and bubble gum to find the true treats..the chocolate.

I keep my stash of REESE'S Peanut Butter Cups , Hershey's bars and Twix stashed in the back of the freezer where no one will find them. Then when I am all alone in the wee hours of the morning, I fairly choose which I will devour next. The details I cannot share because my therapist warned that it may incriminate me later.

There has been a few times that my secret almost got out. It is hard to make excuses for why I spend so much time at the freezer.

“ I'm having my own personal summer and need to cool off”

“Just checking to see if the ice maker is still working”

“It's the easiest way I can tell I'm still breathing”

I know one day they will find out. Maybe it is time to tell the family by shooting my own video. Maybe I'll call it the Halloween 15. I'll just need help with the lyrics. Any thoughts?

The Real Foodie From Phoenix

2008-11-13T21:38:00.006-07:00

For the past few days I've sat in front of my new laptop and tried to write. My brain was fried and the words refused to appear on the screen. I questioned my ability to take the random (and sometimes scary) thoughts in my head and try to make them make sense to my readers. I even had to question if I had a true love for food.

Today I ran across a post on The Amateur Gourmet and I realized that my blog was boring. I wasn't being myself. I really don't know who I was trying to be, but the content that was previously on here was PURE DE GARBAGE ( I think that means junk in French).

So I decided that Arizona and maybe even the world deserve better. So ready or not, here comes the real Foodie from Phoenix. I'm a mom, who stays at home because she has an unknown autoimmune disease that the doctors have not been able to cure. I volunteer my time by planning events for 300 plus residents in our apartment community and by being the creative director at my local church. Finally, I love to cook. My ultimate dream is to own a bed and breakfast much like the Gaslight Inn here in Glendale ( You gotta go, the food and entertainment is extraordinary). But times are hard right now so I don't get to do much REAL COOKING. Mostly I just gather some things I have in the pantry and hope for the best.

Tonight I made a Trio of beans and Italian sausage soup. I wish I would have thought to snap a photo before the family gobbled it down but I can show you what a wonderful job my son did of cleaning the pot before slinking back to his room. Thanks Quon!

What a clean Wolfgang Puck Pot!

A few spoonfuls of my Trio of Beans and Italian Sausage Soup.

So this is me, the REAL Foodie from Phoenix. Until...

Ratatouille Omelet

2008-11-06T20:31:00.003-07:00

I am answering the call for “The 101 Omelet Recipe Series” The challenge is simple. All you need to do is submit a unique omelet recipe. The first 101 recipes will be consolidated and presented on the event hosted by Sangeeth of Art of Cooking Indian Food.

My entry is the Ratatouille Omelet. There are many Ratatouille recipes floating around the Internet, but this one really makes my mouth sing. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

Omelet:
3 eggs
1 tablespoon sharp cheddar, grated
2 tablespoons olive oil
Ratatouille (recipe follows)
salt and pepper to taste

Ratatouille:
1 large eggplant, peeled and diced
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
2 medium-size onions, diced
3 ripe but firm tomatoes seeded and diced
2 medium-size zucchini, peeled and diced
3 green bell peppers, seeded diced
1 garlic clove, crushed
2 tablespoons dried herbes de Provence
salt & pepper to taste

Prepare Ratatouille:
1. Lay the eggplant dices on some paper towels and sprinkle with salt. Leave them to drain for 30 minutes then pat dry with paper towels.
2. In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat, then cook the onions until translucent, about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the eggplant, tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, and garlic and stir gently. Add the herbes de Provence and season with salt and pepper. Cover and simmer over a medium-low for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Prepare Omelet:
Put olive oil in skillet when skillet is hot. Add the beaten eggs. When eggs are firm, but not dry, add four tablespoons of the Ratatouille. Fold omelet and sprinkle the grated cheese over the top and serve.

Would you eat a 100 calorie Twinkie Bite???

2008-11-04T15:21:00.002-07:00

The 100 calorie pack of Twinkies hit stores on Monday. I've never been a fan of the yellow cake with the ooze in the middle. Then again, I grew up in a household where sugar was as welcomed as head lice. Have I been missing out on one of America's biggest biggest pleasures??? If you have tried one of these "low calorie" bites, let me know. If I run across one in the market, I may just have to sample one...maybe not!

Online Surveys & Market Research

10 Free Food Events in November

2008-11-03T12:36:00.010-07:00

I love the word Free. I have a family of four so going out for free puts a little pep in my step and makes my wallet smile. I also like the fact that everyone can invite a friend to keep them company without me having to break open the piggy bank. We cannot wait to check out some of these venues this month and so should you I believe you should make time to try new foods and since it is FREE...you have no excuse!

1. Downtown Phoenix Public Market
Pick up some local produce, cheese, farm-fresh eggs, baked goods, brats, soups, salads, posole, or enchiladas.
Wednesdays 4:00pm-8:00pm & Saturdays 8:00am-12:00pm
721 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ
602-493-5231
http://www.phoenixpublicmarket.com/

2. Food Club
A vegan potluck and hang-out, where, according to the online flier, “No food goes to waste – eating will go on AS LONG AS IT HAS TO.” Please bring something if you are going to show up. They don't like it when you come empty handed.
Tuesdays 8:00pm
The Firehouse
1015 N. First St.
Phoenix, AZ
602-300-7575
http://www.strivedreams.com

3. MACFest
Weekly outdoors arts/cultural fest features art, food, live music, and more.
Saturdays 10:00am-4:00pm
Mesa Arts Center
1 E. Main St.
Mesa, AZ
480-644-6500
http://www.mesaartscenter.com

4. Scottsdale Festival of Greece
Greeks are known for their love of life, whether it's food, music, dance, or lively conversation. Explore the many facets of life in a Greek village.
Fri., November 7, 11:00am-11:00pm, Sat., November 8, 11:00am-10:00pm, Sun., November 9, 11:00am-7:00pm
Scottsdale Civic Center Mall
7380 E. Second St.
Scottsdale, AZ
480-994-2787
http://www.azgreekfest.com

5. Veterans Day Weekend Pow Wow
Arts/crafts vendors and traditional music and food.
Sat., November 8, 10:00am-10:00pm
ASU West
4701 W. Thunderbird(University Center Building)
Glendale, AZ
480-543-5500
http://campus.asu.edu/west

6. 2nd Annual Pupusa Festival
There will be Salvadoran food live music, games for the kids, entertainment for all and much more at this grand family oriented event. In addition there will be an exposition of photography and Salvadoran arts & crafts.
Nov 9, 2008 9:00 am - 7:00 pm (Sunday)
Faith Lutheran Church
801 East Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85014

7. HEARTH AND HOME ARE FOCUS OF HOLIDAY INSPIRATIONS 2008 FEATURING ROBB & STUCKY INTERIOR DESIGN TIPS AND MENU IDEAS FOR FOODIES
Creating stunning home interiors for the holidays as well as seasonal buffet ideas designed to wow the most discriminating guests will highlight Holiday Inspirations 2008, a weekend of design and culinary clinics and demonstrations.
Nov 15 & 16 2008 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Blackstone Country Club
12026 West Lone Mountain Parkway
Peoria, AZ 85383

8. Second Fridays: "Taste of Main"
This month's focus on neighborhoods foods.
Fri., November 14, 6:00pm-10:00pm
West Main St. area
Mesa, AZ

9. ArtFest of Scottsdale
Features over 200 contemporary artists along with "Book Street" an Arizona authors area, community partners, international foods, continuous live music, and an interactive kids' area.
November 22, 10:00am-5:00pm, Sun., November 23, 10:00am-5:00pm
Scottsdale Civic Center Mall
7380 E. Second St.
Scottsdale, AZ
480-994-2787
http://www.888artfest.com/

10. Peoria Stadium Fall Arts & Crafts Festival
Exhibits, food, and a Kiddie Inflatable Zone for Foodies with families.
Fri., November 21, 10:00am-5:00pm, Sat., November 22, 10:00am-5:00pm, Sun., November 23, 10:00am-5:00pm
Peoria Sports Complex
16101 N. 83rd Ave.
Peoria, AZ
623-878-4337

Please post a comment if you know of another Free Food Event that you would like to add to this list.