Thursday, July 30, 2009

Roasted Rosemary Pork Loin for lunch. Moist, tender and slightly salty: All the things I love about pork...

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Dinner


Dinner, originally uploaded by johnnytao2000.

Whole wheat spaghetti with Zinfandel Marinara.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Pepperoni Stuffed Crust Pizza

Homemade stuffed crust pizza...

Friday, July 24, 2009

You know the thing about chaos? It's fair...



Give the phenomenal success last summer of The Dark Knight, I feel less dorky writing out this little blurb...



When I was a kid, my mom was pretty vigilant about making a proper breakfast for my brother and I. Not just a quick cereal or pop-tart type thing, but an actual hot meal made from scratch. One of my favorite breakfast meals, and one that was frequently requested, was from the uber-campy D.C. Super Heroes Super Healthy Cookbook.

The Invisible Bat Banana French Toast was, and I recently realized still is, one of my favorite and utterly simple childhood recipes. I remember when my mom would make, that I always thought of it as some laborious chore. Something complicated and time consuming? But hey, it was mom and mom had it all under control.


Okay, let's skip the fact that Robin (with a huge grin on his face) just suggested putting the "banana" IN The Batman, and jump forward to the summer of 2009. For my birthday my mom got me a Calphalon Double Burner Grill/Griddle. Immediately I was thinking of things like fajitas or shawarma, but I was struck with a fond memory of the Banana French Toast so I had to make it.

Banana French Toast
2 Eggs
2 Bananas, cut into chunks
1 t Vanilla
1/4 cup Milk

Puree all ingredients in blender until smooth. Batter with be thick.
Soak bread slices briefly in batter to coat, cook on griddle over medium heat until golden.

---

Paired with maple sausage patties from Jungle Jim's, enjoying this breakfast was something so very comforting. It made me miss a time I had almost forgotten and it made me REALLY wish Heath Ledger hadn't Darwined himself.

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Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard - Why So Serious
Found at bee mp3 search engine

Rib City


Rib City, originally uploaded by johnnytao2000.

Riblets, corn, garlic toast and french fries at Rib City. Excellent BBQ...

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Ragu Sammich


Ragu Sammich, originally uploaded by johnnytao2000.

Ragu Sammich on Ciabatta.

Just had a piece of Lime Cheesecake. Perfect balance: not too tart, not too acidic...

Sammy's


Sammy's, originally uploaded by johnnytao2000.

Cheeseburger ' Fries at Sammy's in Blue Ash. Great burger, a tad pricey though...

Blueberry Muffin and a cup of coffee? Perfect... Blueberry FLAVORED coffee? Not so much...

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Sudden craving for Chocolate covered Caramels with Sea Salt. Possibly with a nice Brandy? Or Pino Noir?

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Fondant


Fondant, originally uploaded by johnnytao2000.

Making Rolled Fondant...

Sunday, July 05, 2009

BBQ


BBQ, originally uploaded by johnnytao2000.

Smoked Chickens at my brothers place...

Friday, July 03, 2009

Toledo Botanical Gardens


Toledo Botanical Gardens, originally uploaded by johnnytao2000.

Foie Gras in its natural element.

Toledo Botanical Gardens


Toledo Botanical Gardens, originally uploaded by johnnytao2000.

I really need my own private vineyard...

Trotters Tavern


Trotters Tavern, originally uploaded by johnnytao2000.

The Brown Jug. THE best steak ever. I'm starting to miss BG more and more...

Thursday, July 02, 2009

Grounds for Thought


Grounds for Thought, originally uploaded by johnnytao2000.

Coffee at Grounds for Thought. It has been FAR too long...