Food.Fun.Stuff: The Civilian's

The Civilian Arts Project (*a D.C. art gallery) is trying to raise money in efforts to help its artists in completing large scale projects. On Thursday, it will be hosting "Spring Fling" @ Local 16 (*One of JKGF fave spots on U st.) There will be art projected on the walls, free hors d'oeuvres and happy hour priced drinks.

The Where: The rooftop of Local 16 (*We love the air up here...;-), 1602 U. st. NW Washington, D.C. (202) 265-2828
The When: Thursday, April 2, 2009 from 6:30 pm-11 pm
The Money: $10 donation
The Metro: U st./Cardozo (Yellow/Green Line)

Picture source: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/WjmGwTPMuBUZHxzHZRLvpQ?select=LYcgCWC8x1NvCsCF9VRdug

Turkey Enchilada Casserole

Turkey Enchilada Casserole

1 package of ground turkey (or Vegetarians you can try Morning Star Meal Starter crumbled meat) 1 packet taco seasoning
1 can (15 oz.) diced tomatoes
1 can (15 oz.) refried beans
1 packet Lipton Mexican or Spanish rice
1 package corn tortillas
1 can tomato sauce
1 package Mexican mix cheeses (you can try low fat/part skim cheeses too)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a skillet brown morning star meat. Add packet of taco seasoning mix to meat, following instructions on the taco seasoning packet. Follow directions on Lipton rice packet to prepare rice (*Do not, we repeat do not, however, add the tomatoes to the rice...the recipe is going to call for this but you will be adding in tomatoes already with the casserole, so you don't need double tomatoes). Cook refried beans (add water to them so they are not to thick). Combine rice, refried beans, diced tomatoes to the Morning Star meat and cook on low heat. In a separate skillet heat tomato sauce. Dip a tortilla into the tomato sauce and put on the bottom of the casserole dish, then add a layer of the meat mixture and some of the shredded Mexican mix cheese. Continue this process until all ingredients are gone and top with the remaining shredded cheese. Bake uncovered for about 15-20 or until cheese has melted and is browning.

*Johnna's tip: We were in the need for some comforting last night and decided enchilada's would do the trick. This is a bit of a remix to the original Enchilada casserole we posted about over a year ago and decided to update the recipe. At the end of whipping it together we realized we should've added in some diced green and red peppers and maybe even a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a little more spice. The dish turned out fine and we topped with some sour cream and a drizzle of enchilada sauce (*Can be found at your local grocery store)...we feel better just thinking about it...

Picture source: http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=682860

Drinks on Me: Wet Willie's Call a Cab (*Copyright of Wet Willies)

Wet Willie's Call a Cab (*Copyright of Wet Willies)

1/4 oz. Midori melon liqueur
1/4 oz. peach schnapps
1/4 coconut rum
1/4 oz. creme de bananes
1/4 oz. Stoli Ohranj vodka
1/4 oz. Southern Comfort peach liqueur
2 1/2 oz. cranberry juice
2 1/2 pineapple juice
2 1/2 Sprite soda
Ice

Mix all ingredients together in a glass or combine in the blender. Add in the juices and Sprite to fill up the glass. Serve!

*Johnna's tip: JKGF has received a lot of inquiries for this recipe so we decided to do a repost today of this famous recipe/drink (*We posted about this about a year ago). When in Miami, one must have the real thing but when one is in the District/elsewhere, this recipe can serve as a substitute for the potent but awesome cocktail/drink. Wet Willies is the place to discover and destroy this concoction, but only after having a full belly, try filling up on that food @ Sushi Samba Miami or Table 8 Miami;-)

Picture source: http://www.bealestreetmerchants.com/MerchantsDetail.php?id=31

Johnna's Pick of the Week (Travel Edition): Sura Thai Urban Kitchen (NYC)

When's the last time we had Thai? No, when's the last time we had Good Thai?? That would have to be our trip we made to Sura while in Manhattan's 100th and Broadway neighborhood. Sura Thai Urban Kitchen is probably the last place you'll notice will all the various images buzzing around you in this neighborhood, but it is the first thing you'll remember about your trip here. Seating is limited and the food it abundant. The menu has everything from Green Papaya Salad to Banana Leaf Wrapped BBQ Trout to Salmon Thai Ceviche. The drink menu has a quite unusual twist on things with Sake infused Mojitos. The real appeal to this place, however, is the prices. For dinner, you can have an appetizer, an entree and a drink for all under $30 including tax and tip. For some this may not seem like a deal, but for those of us who frequent the dining scene especially the New York City dining scene, this is amazing! Good food, serene atmosphere and reasonably priced in Manhattan...No, this is not an early April Fool's joke. Try the Lemongrass Soup with Shrimp, the Trio Mushroom with Silken Tofu and the Garlic Black Pepper with Shrimp.

Where: Sura Thai Urban Kitchen, 2656 Broadway, btw. 100-101 st. NY, NY 10025 (212) 665-8888

Picture source: http://www.surathaikitchen.com/gallery.html#

Food.Fun.Stuff: The Cherry Blossoms are Here!

This is the time to be in D.C. The Cherry Blossoms around the Tidal Basin are a sight to see and many tourists are making there way to the District to do just that. As the weeks go by, we will be keeping you informed on all the Cherry Blossom events, which of course involve food. So here we go:

Wednesday, April 1, 2009 (*And no this is not an April's Fool, lol...not this early, at least...;-) The National Geographic Society @ Grovesnor Auditorium will be featuring a seven-course sushi dinner in honor of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

The Where: 1600 M St., NW (202) 857-7700
The When: Wednesday, April 1, 2009 @ 9 pm
The Money: $95
The Metro: Dupont Circle (Red Line)

Picture source: http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/cms/index.php?id=404

Baked Ravioli

Baked Ravioli

2 tbsp. olive oil
1 (29 oz.) tomato sauce
24 pieces of Four-Cheese Ravioli
1 oz. grated Romano cheese
14 oz. Meatballs (thawed and finely chopped)
5 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a baking pan and spread 5 oz. of tomato sauce in pan. Place a layer of 12 ravioli in the pan, flat side is up, on the sauce. Spread 12 oz. of tomato sauce over the ravioli and cover with half of the Romano cheese, half the meatballs and 2 oz. shredded mozzarella; pat down lightly. Repeat this procedure, saving 1 oz. of mozzarella for the top; pat down again and cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 1 hour until mozzarella is melted on top and dish heated all the way through. Serve hot.

*Johnna's tip: Try Spinach Ravioli or Ravioli with beef filling. This recipe is meant to fulfill that lasagna craving in you, so you might even intertwine some Ricotta cheese in with the tomato sauce. Oooo and a sprinkle of Red Pepper Flakes will add just the right kick;-)

Picture source: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Beefy-Baked-Ravioli/Detail.aspx

Drinks on Me: Grape Smoothie (Non-Alcoholic)

Grape Smoothie

12 seedless red grapes
1 (6oz.) vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup vanilla ice cream
1 tbsp. honey
1 cup ice

In a blender, add the grapes, yogurt, ice cream, honey and ice; blend well until smooth. Serve.

*Johnna's tip: Spring is officially here and it is time to bring out all those warm weather drinks we love. Smoothies is one of them. Grapes are underrated in the smoothie world where strawberry's and blueberry's seem to dominate. Try something new and garnish with a couple of fresh red grapes.

Picture source: http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/hort/faculty/reisch/bulletin/table/tabletext3.html#canadice

Food.Fun.Stuff: Steam those Veggies!

JKGF is the master of shopping online...we almost refuse to go to any store, except, of course, our favorite place, the grocery store:-) The rest of the shopping, however, we choose to do online and have now discovered our newest online fetish...Cookware.com. Not only do we love looking at all the goodies that we dream about making our next dish in, we were able to catch up with the faces behind the screen to help us with finding the right steamer. We love veggies and sometimes it is just so much better to steam them ensuring you get all the nutrients, but we're no experts...here's what the experts had to say:

When we decide to eat healthy, we not only need to keep in mind the types of food we choose to consume but also the way we cook them. Using a few tools in our cookware sets to steam various types of food is the smartest choice we can make when on the road to adapting a healthier lifestyle and we’re going to go through a few options you can consider for your next nutritious meal!

We choose certain ingredients for our meals because we enjoy the flavor and one way to retain that deliciousness is by using a steamer. Fresh vegetables, fish, chicken, rice, and eggs are all popular items to use in a steamer in order to retain the flavor of the dish and do away with extra oils and fats that can be added through other cooking methods such as grilling or frying. Not only will a steamer preserve the flavor of your meal but it will also maintain the amount of nutrients your body needs on a daily basis. Important minerals and vitamins found in vegetables such as broccoli and mushrooms as well as Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish won’t get lost during the cooking process.

While you’re shopping for a food steamer, consider the features each model provides such as removable steam trays to help in cleaning or a compartmentalized arrangement so that you can separate different types of foods for your meal. Tiered models or steamers that include multiple dividers offer the option to turn on the steamer for only those areas that contain food which will significantly cut down on your energy costs. Also, many models offer a timer that you can set for steaming large amounts of meat or fish, allowing you to concentrate on preparing a dinner side or dessert. Many steamers have a durable plastic or stainless steel construction along with a water level indicator that can be adjusted for customized steaming.

We hope you find it helpful for those of you who have asked us about healthier eating options including selecting the right steamer. And check out www.cookware.com, they have some pretty cool stuff for the foodie at heart;-)

Picture source: http://www.cookware.com/Stockpots-Saucepots-Steamers-C17736.html

Food.Fun.Stuff: Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy

Happy, Happy Hour tonight @ Indulj (*We love, love, love this restaurant/lounge's concept...Soul Food Tapas!)...$4 Long Island Iced Teas, Coronas and Cosmos, who could ask for anything more?? Live music featuring Stoney Ellis & Friends starting @ 9.



The When: Tonight, March 26, 2009 from 6-9 pm

The Where: 1208 U st. NW, Washington, D.C. 20008

The Metro: U st./Cardozo (Red Line)



Just Indulj!

Food.Fun.Stuff: New Tastes, New Towns

New Tastes, New Towns

>Beer, beer and more beer...That's the best way to desribe the Brewery Tours and Tastings @ Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales. Tuesday thru Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm, Dogfish Beers opens its doors for patrons to take tours and enjoy the tasting room of their craft brewed ales.

How to partake??: Check tour times & reserve a spot @ www.dogfish.com (302) 684-1000
The Where: Washingtonians, it will force you to leave your comfort zone, but a Saturday afternoon drive is always nice;-) 6 Cannery Village Center, Milton, DE 19968

>Pencil in May 7-9, 2009 which is when the 10th Annual Heart's Delight Wine Tasting & Auction takes place. From Thursday-Saturday, guests will indulge in fine dining and top of line wine selections alongside bidding on auction items for a good cause, The American Heart Association. Sounds like your type of party?? Check out more details here.

Picture source: http://www.dogfish.com/

Tuna Stuffed Sweet Piquanté Peppers

Tuna Stuffed Sweet Piquanté Peppers

12 1/4 oz PEPPADEW™ Sweet Piquanté Peppers
6 oz canned, drained, flaked tuna
1/2 cup sliced celery
1/2 cup diced ripe olives, drained
1/4 cup sliced green onion
1 tbsp lemon juice
dash pepper
2 hard-cooked eggs, chopped
1/3 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing


In a mixing bowl combine the tuna, celery, olives, onion, lemon juice and pepper. Add eggs and mayonnaise, toss gently. Cover and chill. Fill each Sweet Piquanté Pepper with tuna mixture.

*Johnna's tip: Quick, easy and to the point. As the weather progressively gets warmer, you are going to spend less and less time in the kitchen. Cold goodies are especially appetizing during this time like these stuffed sweet peppers and they are easier to make than most warm dishes. Make you a nice non-alcoholic cocktail (*can be found on JKGF) and have a delightful little snack hour;-)

Picture source: http://www.peppadewusa.com/recipe_tuna_stuffed_peppers.htm

Drinks on Me: Canton Twist (Alcoholic)

Canton Twist

2 oz. Domaine de Canton
1 oz. Lemon juice
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Ice

Combine all ingredients in a glass and give a slight stir. Serve.

*Johnna's tip: Jason Littrell is the mastermind behind this one. After venturing out to "Heart's Delight...The New Vintage" last night, JKGF had the opportunity to pick the brain of this Randolph at Broom (*think The Gibson but in New York) bartender and he provided us with this tasty but strong cocktail recipe. Domaine de Canton is one of the most unusual cognac's we've tried mostly because of the taste (*think ginger)...you really don't feel like your drinking alcohol which could lead you to drinking more than you should;-) Try and let us know how you like it!

Picture source: http://www.winechateau.com/vsku1004614.html?utm_source=Google%20Products&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=DOMAINE%20DE%20CANTON%20GINGER%20LIQUEUR

Food.Fun.Stuff: To Do Today...

Don't forget to hit up Bloomingdale's today, Heart's Delight Wine Tasting and Auction will be hosting "Heart's Delight: The New Vintage" ...Scroll down a bit and you'll get the full details of the event...Wine, drinks and a chance to win 2 American Airlines tickets...need we say more??

Picture source: http://turnkeyrelocation.com/htdontforget.html

Carrot Cake

Carrot Cake

1 cup flour
2 cups sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
4 eggs
1 cup cooking oil
4 raw carrots grated
1 cup pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cinnamon; mix well. In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs until frothy, slowly beat in the oil. Gradually add in the flour mixture; beat until smooth. Mix in the carrots and nuts; put into 3 greased and floured 8" round cake pans. Bake in the oven for 30-45 minutes or until done. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes and then remove and cool completely.

Frosting

4 tbsp. butter (softened)
8 oz. package of softened cream cheese
4-1/3 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

In a mixing bowl, blend together the butter and cream cheese. Gradually add in the powdered sugar; beat until smooth and creamy. Stir in vanilla. Slowly pour over cake. Serve.

*Johnna's tip: Some how we've siked ourselves into believing that carrot cake might be the one way to indulge in sweets and not feel so guilty...it Does have carrots in it?! We know, of course, this is a lame excuse but carrot cake is soo good, but soo full of sugar. It is best to make this when you're going to someone else's house for dinner and want to bring a dessert or if you are having guests over and want to make a dessert...basically, you should only make this when you are going to be sharing a huge part of it, though you'll end up eating the whole thing yourself;-) Try with some french vanilla ice cream and add the ice cream while the cake is still somewhat warm...delicious...

Picture source: http://www.shezcakes.com/fruitfilled.htm

Drinks on Me: Caramel Milk (Non-Alcoholic)

Caramel Milk

2 cups milk
5 tbsp. brown sugar (packed and divided)
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract (divided)

In a microwave safe bowl, add the milk and heat in the microwave on High for 1-1/2 minutes. Pour milk into mugs. Stir in half brown sugar in one mug and the other half in the other; repeat with the vanilla extract. Serve hot.

*Johnna's tip: With temperatures clearly below 50 degrees in the District and much of the East Coast, warm food and drinks are still needed. Warm up with this new twist on milk and brown sugar, Enjoy and stay warm!

Picture source: http://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/detail.aspx?ID=137938

Food.Fun.Stuff: Sip, Swirl, Taste & Repeat

An ode to Wine and food;-) Bloomingdale's is the place to be tomorrow evening. Heart's Delight Wine Tasting and Auction will be hosting "Heart's Delight: The New Vintage" (*We just love the word vintage, it equals classic;-) There will be tastings and food pairings with beverages courtesy experts, Caterina Abbruzzetti (Sommelier/Wine Director Willard Intercontinental), Devin Arloski (Dogfish Head Craft Brewery) and Jason Littrell (Randolph at the Broom, NYC).

Goodies: There will be a raffle (*includes glassware at Bloomingdale's and 2 American Airlines tickets good for travel throughout the U.S.) and 10% of all sales during the event will go to the American Heart Association.

The Where: Bloomingdale's @ Chevy Chase, 5300 Western Avenue, Washington (D.C.)

The When: March 25, 2009 (Wednesday), 6-8 pm

The Money: A donation of $50 gets you in and a raffle ticket

The Contact: Visit DCHeartsDelight.Kintera.org/SipSwirl or shoot an email over to Desiree.Abeleda@heart.org to RSVP and donate.

The Metro: Friendship Heights (Red Line)

Good cause, good wine, good food, JKGF will be in the building!

Picture source: http://www.heartsdelightwineauction.org/

Food.Fun.Stuff: Vodka and Gin Taste Test

Mark your calendars!! It's just something about Spring that brings out the most festive and tastiest events of the year...hence we are excited to tell you about the Vodka & Gin Tasting @ DC Coast happening on April 4, 2009 from 1-3 pm.

The Low Down: You'll learn the history of Vodka and Gin (*We know you're thinking "I could do that on Wikipedia...) but while you're learning the history, 2008 Rammy award winner Scott Clime will provide tastes of over 10 brands (*we repeat 10) and teach the process of infusing fruits to the liquors. Oooo and lunch will be provided;-)

The Money: $75...which isn't bad for those Vodka and Gin drinkers out there...try paying a bar tab at the end of the night after having 10 Cran and Vodkas, it certainly won't come out to $75...

The Where: DC Coast, 1401 K St. NW Washington, D.C. 20005 (202) 216-5988

The Contact: Jillian Zins, jillian@passionfoodhospitality.com

The Metro: McPherson Square (Blue/Orange Line)

Picture source: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/F6c84A38JNOedyN32tDxQg?select=bPe8wUwGmLkQ5FFL54uPkA

Homemade Pancakes

Homemade Pancakes

2 cups all-purpose flour (sifted)
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 cup butter
1 large egg (beaten)
2 1/2 cups buttermilk
2 tbsp. frying oil or cooking spray

Preheat the frying pan over medium heat with the oil. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Add in the butter, egg (beaten) and buttermilk; mix until smooth. Ladle the pancake mixture into your frying pan and fry on one side until small bubbles begin to form on the surface, flip the pancake and fry until golden brown on both sides.

*Johnna's tip: After watching some TV entertainment last night (*probably one of the funniest pancake contests we've seen in awhile...), we were inspired to sort out the ingredients of homemade pancakes. It almost seems archaic in these times to make a pancake from scratch but these make the best breakfast! Pair with some fresh strawberries or blueberries as your topping and warm maple syrup;-) Indulge!

Picture source: http://www.glenhavenfire.org/AboutUs/Fundraising/PancakeBreakfast/tabid/64/Default.aspx

Drinks on Me: Crocodile (Alcoholic)

Crocodile

2 measures vodka
1 measure Triple Sec
1 measure Midori
2 measures lemon juice
Ice

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker over ice; shake well. Strain into a cocktail glass.

*Johnna's tip: A simpler form of this recipe is 2 oz. melon liqueur, 1 oz. Bacardi limon rum and 1 oz. sprite or 7 up...We don't hear people ordering these often at the bar...try something new;-)

Picture source: http://www.drinkswap.com/drink-information/Crocodile.asp

Ready to Serve Taco Meat

Ready to Serve Taco Meat

1 lb. ground turkey (browned)
2 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. paprika
1 1/2 tsp. cumin
2 tsp. parsley flakes
1 tsp. onion salt
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. oregano

Add all the spices to a container with a lid and shake well. Add this mixture to a pan with the browned ground turkey and 3/4 cup water; stir to combine and allow this to cook until most of the juice has been soaked up by the meat. Serve.

*Johnna's tip: Taco meat has so many uses! Try on top of a salad or in tortilla wraps (*which is what we did...) Add toppings such as fresh tomatoes, sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese (*or the Mexican mix cheese that can be found at your local grocery store). For a salad, use a half a head of lettuce and cut into shreds, top with taco meat (above), black (or refried) beans, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream. Enjoy!

*Johnna's tip, tip: And for those Vegetarians out there, try this recipe with the MorningStar Farms Meal Starters Grillers Recipe Crumbles...taste just as good!

Picture source: http://www.martyspizza.net/catering.html

Drinks on Me: Strawberry Lemonade (Non-Alcoholic)

Strawberry Lemonade

10 ripe strawberries
1 cup water
2 tbsp. sugar
Juice of 1 lemon
Ice cubes

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a glass over ice; Serve.

*Johnna's tip: Lighten up on the sugar if you are not a sweets person or add in more sugar by the 1/2 tbsp. until you reach the desired sweetness.

Picture source: http://www.ge.com/myhealth/world/stay_hr_row_jun.html

Johnna's Pick of the Week: Cowgirl Creamery (D.C.)

How much do we love cheese? Let us count the ways...Chinatown/Penn Quarter has a new cowgirl in town, Cowgirl Creamery. Let us set up the scene: Imagine you can walk into a room filled with an array of various cheeses, wines, crackers and jams that stimulate the sweet tooth in just the right way and they all line the place from top to bottom...welcome to Cowgirl Creamery. Being that we are taking a break from cheese for a minute (*It's deelish...but in moderation...and we always seem to over indulge...), going into the Creamery was a tough time. We had to really talk ourselves out of buying the cottage cheese that had the freshest components forcing us to ask "Did you just make this a few minutes ago?" The sales associate smiles and says "Yes, but no, they are fresh ingredients and made at our cheese making facility in California" (*We desperately need a cheese trip to Cali!). We were a little disappointed that the cottage cheese wasn't processed here in the District, but the taste did not disappoint at all.

Cowgirl Creamery doesn't just please our cheese buds, it pleases our wine and sweet tooth needs as well. The apple butter grabbed our eye as we reminisced about the various restaurants who offer tasty whipped apple butter with the free bread...we decided we would recreate these images at home so we took a jar of this home with us;-) From 4-6 pm, Cowgirl Creamery offers patrons a taste of some of its wines and a cheese plate (*Cheese plate is $10). The tapenade and hummus is worth a try too alongside the assorted cheese trays/bags you can get if you can't seem to make up your mind on what cheese to select. We will let you know before you go...it is pricey:-( But when it comes to cheese as fresh as this, who can blame them for hiking up the price a little bit?? If you do, however, feel up to spending $8 on a sandwich, try one of their sandwiches which are made fresh daily with their various cheeses (*which is the real draw to these sandwiches...the cheese is awesome.). Shall we say Cheese Anyone??

Picture source: http://www.cowgirlcreamery.com/aboutus.asp

Food.Fun.Stuff: JKGF Store

Johnna Knows Good Food has expanded and created the Johnna Knows Good Food Store! Check out the link on the side of the page if you want to purchase some of the handy-dandy tools we like...we are adding and subtracting new products every day, Enjoy!

Picture source: http://stagefab.com/

Italian Meatballs

Italian Meatballs

1 lb. ground turkey

1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs

1/3 cup water

1/4 cup grated parmesean cheese

1 medium onion

1 tsp. minced garlic

Garlic powder (to taste)

Salt (to taste)

Pepper (to taste)

Preheat the broiler. Mix all ingredients together being careful not to add all the water at one time. Shape the meatballs into balls (medium sized) and place in a baking dish. Place the dish under the broiler and broil meatballs until browned on one side and then turn to the other side and brown. Add to the dish of your choice. Serve.

*Johnna's tip: Meatballs, of course, match the best with spaghetti. I think many of us have forgotten the simple concept of spaghetti and meatballs and how good it can be for a meal. After munching on "Albondigas a la Jardinera" (Translation: Spanish meatballs with vegetable and tomato sauce) @ La Tasca in D.C., we were inspired to post a meatball recipe. La Tasca, by the way, has an awesome happy hour from 4-7 p.m. with $3.50 Sangrias and $2.50 tapas...

Picture source: http://www.citychef.ca/xcart/customer/pages.php?pageid=115

Drinks on Me: Passion Fruit Mojito (Alcoholic)

Passion Fruit Mojito

2 parts Malibu Passion Fruit Rum
1 part white rum
1/4 part fresh lime juice
Simple syrup
Club soda
Fresh Mint Sprigs
Ice

Muddle the mint and simple syrup in a glass. Pour rum, freshly squeezed lime juice and shake with ice. Strain into another glass. Top with a splash of club soda. Garnish with sprig of mint. Serve.

*Johnna's tip: One more day until Spring officially begins! March 20 is the date marked on the calendar for the beginning of Spring. Though D.C. does not feel like we'll be seeing dandelions or outdoor lunches soon...a Mojito is a good way to prep for the warm weather that is sure to come.

Picture source: http://www.drinkolic.com/ingredient/mint

Food.Fun.Stuff: New J-O-B

Michel Richard's Citronelle lost their sommelier and bar manager on Saturday night. Mark Slater had been at Citronelle for 11 years and he will now be the director of wine and service for all of Michael Landrum's restaurants (*Ray's the Steaks, Ray's the Classics, etc.)

Hmm, so who's going to fill this position at Citronelle?? Kathryn Morgan who served as the wine director of 2941. Congrats Mark and Kathryn!

Picture source: http://www.2941.com/wine.php

Crisp Baked Chicken Thighs

Crisp Baked Chicken Thighs

8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 1/2 cups dried breadcrumbs
2 tbsp. minced fresh parsley
1 tsp. garlic powder
Salt (to taste) (*We recommend starting with 1 tsp.)
Pepper (to taste) (*We recommend starting with 1 tsp.)
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
1/3 cup melted butter
1 tsp. seasoning salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Rinse chicken and pat dry with a paper towel. Combine the bread crumbs, parsley, garlic powder, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes and seasoning salt. Dip the thighs in butter and press into the breadcrumb mixture, coating well. Place the coated thighs into a baking dish (*dish should be sprayed with cooking spray). Bake for 1 hour.

*Johnna's tip: Serve with corn on the cob or broccoli. This is the best dish when you love fried food, but are trying to avoid it. You get the flavor and light crispness that you want from fried food but the chicken is baked:-) We tried this recipe the other night and paired it with some beets and sweet corn on the cob...try it, it's good!

Picture source: http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/crispy-baked-chicken-recipe.htm

Drinks on Me: Peppermint Tea (Non-Alcoholic)

Peppermint Tea

6 tbsp. fresh crushed peppermint leaves

2 cups boiling water

Combine the ingredients and allow to brew together for 5 minutes. Serve.

*Johnna's tip: Tea is one of the most relaxing beverages out there. This recipe provides the calming tea without the caffeine. Try leaving the sugar out and enjoy this one in its purest form;-)

Picture source: http://www.learningherbs.com/upset_stomach_remedy.html

Food.Fun.Stuff: Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!! Plenty of green to go around for everyone;-) We know you're looking for the places to be in the District on St. Paddy's Day and we wouldn't fulfill our duties as the foodie site to see if we didn't know where the drink specials and loads of beer can be found tonight...So here we go:

Fado (Chinatown, D.C.)> $10 cover but, but, but you get a $10 gift card as soon as you enter to use at the bar (*which is what you were going to do with that $10 anyway...); Doors open @ 8 a.m.; Dancers and pipers performing:-)

James Hoban's (Dupont Circle, D.C.)> Doors open @ 8 for a kegs and eggs party (*morning beer...hmm, starting early...); Mini Irish menu for lunch and dinner; DJ starts spinning @ 7:30 (*By this point you'll be more than ready to shake your booty;-); NO COVER.

Duffy's (U st./Cardozo)> Opens at noon and the first 100 customers to arrive recieve a FREE t-shirt and everyone who arrives by 3 gets 1/2 priced Guiness and Smithwick's.

Dubliner (Capitol Hill, D.C.)> Doors open @ 10 am; they are expecting a pretty heavy drinking crowd hence they will be setting up 3 smaller satellite bars within the restaurant (*for those of us who have been to the Dubliner, we know this is going to be a great spot to celebrate St. Paddy's)

51st. State Tavern (Foggy Bottom, D.C.)> Doors open @ 11; $3 Yuengling until 2:30; Drink specials including $2 Shamrock Shooters and $6 Guiness.

McFadden's (Foggy Bottom, D.C.)> Opens @ 8 a.m. with free breakfast (We repeat FREE!) and $.25 draft beers...ohh and we must not forget about the 9 p.m. "Teeny Weenie Green Bikini" contest...should be a pre-tty wild time;-); $5 Guiness drafts from 12-7 p.m. and a DJ so you can shake some of that liquour off...

Nanny O'Brien's (Cleveland Park, D.C.)> Doors open @ 10 am and a $10 cover charge is enforced once performer, Connor Malone, hits the stage...Nanny's is a really cool spot to check out, it's such a classic bar, we love it!

Yaay for St. Patrick's Day! Drink, take Jello shooters and try and stay out of trouble;-) Enjoy!

*You know of a spot that is going to have great drink/food specials or a great party tonight?? Shoot us an email at johnnaknowsgoodfood@gmail.com or post a comment below.

Picture source: http://www.mninternational.com/St-Patricks-Day-CutOuts/Happy-St-Patricks-Day-Foil-Cutouts/Catalog.cfm/iProdID/143260/blnFromPackView/0/iParentId/2242

Corned Beef Hash

Corned Beef Hash

3 tbsp. butter
2 cups corned beef hash (chopped)
3 cups potatoes (cooked and chopped)
2 tbsp. onions (finely chopped)
Salt (to taste)
Pepper (to taste)
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
4 tbsp. brown gravy (*The packets are found at your local grocery store)

Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add in the corned beef, potatoes and onion; combine and spread evenly on the pan. Turn throughout the cooking process so that each side of the mixture is browned. Drain the excess fat and add in brown gravy; combine well. Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Serve hot.

*Johnna's tip: People often associate corned beef with St. Patrick's Day, where many Irish Americans consume a traditional meal of corned beef and cabbage (*Yum!). The irony of all of this is that corned beef is not traditional in Ireland and is said to have been originally a substitute for bacon by Irish American immigrants in the late 1800's.

Picture source: http://restaurant-hospitality.com/recipes/corned_beef_hash_1108/

Drinks on Me: The Irish Flag Shooter (Alcoholic)

The Irish Flag Shooter

1 part creme de menthe
1 part Irish creme liqueur
1 part Grand Marnier

In a shot glass, add the creme de menthe. Carefully pour the Irish cream liqueur on top of the creme de menthe so that it balances as a top layer of the drink. Then do the same with Grand Marnier on top of the Irish cream liqueur. Shoot!

*Johnna's tip: Other popular Irish drinks to try are Irish coffee, the Irish Car Bomb, Green Beer and Irish Whiskey.

Picture source: http://www.coolcocktail.com/cocktails/01229.asp?RecipeName=Irish%20Flag%20Shooter

Ground Turkey and Potato Curry

Ground Turkey and Potato Curry

2 medium yellow onions
1 green bell pepper
1 stalk celery
3 medium potatoes
1 lb. ground turkey
1/2 cup Eswatini Swazi Kitchen medium curry sauce
1 tbsp. olive oil

Cut the vegetables into ½ inch pieces. Heat a 10 inch pan over medium/high, then add in the olive oil. Add the potatoes to the pan and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add remaining vegetables and cook for 5-7 minutes. Add ground turkey and cook 7 minutes, until done. Top with medium curry sauce; blend well. Serve.

*Johnna's tip: Why is this curry sauce soo good?! We just discovered the Eswatini Swazi Kitchen Medium Curry Sauce and we love it! It goes great over some simple brown rice, baked chicken or some sauteed shrimp, giving each dish a kick in flavor. We even used it as a dipping agent alongside some naan bread. Since the curry is already well seasoned, you just add it to pretty much any dish where you want more (*or a twist in) flavor. Check it out here. Enjoy!

Picture source: http://swazigourmet.gourmetfoodmall.com/ProductDetail.php?product=28341

Drinks on Me: The Virgin Bellini (Non-Alcoholic)

The Virgin Bellini

3 oz. peach nectar
4 oz. club soda
1 oz. lemon juice
1 tsp. grenadine
1 maraschino cherry

Pour all ingredients (*except cherry) into a champagne flute and stir. Garnish with cherry and serve.

*Johnna's tip: Make sure all ingredients are chilled. Bellini's are not appealing at room temperature:-(

Picture source: http://www.cocktailmixingmaster.com/champagne_cocktail_recipes.html

Johnna's Pick of the Week: Kid-Friendly (DMV area)

The kid friendly brunch can be hard to find in an adult town like D.C. What do we mean by "adult town"? Well, out the 100's of restaurants that we've ventured into, few of them are kid friendly or scream bring your kids to eat here, especially the top of the line cuisine stops. We decided it was time to find those spots where you can have a kid-friendly meal in a kid-friendly setting for those of you who have children. We know it's tough to find a sitter and honestly, probably not so economical to find someone to watch the kids while you go out on a Sunday to enjoy a nice brunch or a good dinner. There are soo many places in the area, we discovered, who are perfect for a brunch, lunch or dinner with the family. Here's what we found:

Brunch:
Bethesda North Marriott (Bethesda, MD)- Adults are $24.95 (*includes 1 glass of Champagne, Mimosa or a Bloody Mary) and $14.95 for children (*ages 6-12). This buffet is just what you need on a Sunday morning with the kiddies: Hot Food Display (*includes cheese blintzes with berries, the chefs potato cakes with sour cream and apple sauce...), a Raw Bar (*Jumbo shrimp with cocktail and honey mustard sauce...), Belgian Waffle and Crepe Station (*toppings include fresh strawberries and baked apples and whipped cream!) and our personal favorite station...the Desserts (*Gotta love the Chocolate Fondue station with pound cake, marshmallows and strawberries;-). It basically fulfills everyone's needs for a good Sunday morning brunch and the place is bustling with other family's so you can let the kids use their "outside voices";-)

Lunch:
2 Amy's (Washington, D.C.)- We've said this time and time again. This place is great for families! Who doesn't love pizza?? No, better yet, what kid doesn't love pizza?! It is the perfect way to indulge while the kids get to eat what they wanted anyway. The casual set up makes you feel like your at home away from home having a meal with your family. Try the Margherita or the Santa Brigida (*good way to get some veggies in for the kids;-).

Dinner:
Cactus Cantina (D.C.)- Ole! Change it up a bit with some Mexican style cuisine at Cactus Cantina. Also, the price works out great with items on the kids menu ranging from $1.75 to $5.75. The restaurant is pretty accommodating to parties of 4 or more, so show up, eat and enjoy a night on the town with the kids:-)

To all our readers who are parents/grandparents/godparents and the like, we hope this helps next time you venture out for a meal with the kids:-) And if you know of some good spots, drop us a line, tell us about it @ johnnaknowsgoodfood@gmail.com.

Picture source: http://marriottmodules.com/bethesda_north_marriott_hotel_conference_center/meritage/menus/sunday_brunch