Another Broken Egg Cafe

Hungry for brunch and wanting to take a little road trip, My friend Mandy and I drove the 10 miles down Thomasville Road to Another Broken Egg Cafe. A restaurant tucked inside a French Country style cottage. We parked in the gravel lot admiring the rippling lake and tall oak trees that surround the establishment. Inside the baby blue, white trimmed restaurant a hostess greeted us and we are taken to our table. Two words: WINDOW SEATING! I love nature and this particular window lent the view of the entire lake! So far, so good...

The menu is slightly overwhelming... categories include: Omelets, Scrambles, Signature Benedicts, Pancakes, Waffles, French Toast (Including a Bananas Foster version, YUM.) as well as a large lunch menu featuring burgers, salads, sandwiches and soups.

After reading over the menu for a while I decided on the Veggie Benedict... a toasted English muffin covered in sauteed Spinach, mushrooms, broccoli, and tomatoes with a poached egg happily sitting on top. I carved into my egg and the rich yellow yolk slid down the vegetables like volcanic lava. After a sprinkling of salt and pepper I cut a bite and savored the creaminess of the egg and slight crunch of the vegetables. My only complaint... the English muffin was a little soggy due the the wetness of the spinach. Besides that it was quite good. I also ordered the fruit plate which consisted of melons, apples, banana and kiwi, all of which were juicy and fresh. Next, I moved over to Mandy's plate... she ordered the Blackberry Grits and the Florida Omelet. Her omelet was rich and delicious covered with cream cheese, lump crab meat, jack cheese and scallions. I do think they could have added a touch more crab but the eggs were nice and fluffy and the crab was good quality and definitely sauteed in butter! The grits were nothing too special... served plain with a side of blackberry syrup meant to be swirled in.

I think I took a risk ordering savory breakfast. I am such a sweet breakfast person (a lover of biscuits and apple butter and pancakes covered in blueberry syrup) that eggs usually disappoint me. If I must be honest with you, I enjoyed the atmosphere far more than the food. But I do think it is worth going back especially on a lazy Saturday or Sunday and trying it out for yourself.

They are open Tuesday-Saturday from 7AM-2PM

read about the history and check out their menu online at:

http://www.anotherbrokenegg.com/index.php

Tapas

As we settle in to Tapas Bar and Restaurant on a quiet Thursday night, I am able to scan the entire dining area with in moments. With seating for only about 40 guests, Tapas is cosy and inviting. Made so by the open kitchen and high ceiling with dangling light yellow lamp lights. Tapas is located right in midtown on Thomasville Rd. and 5th St. I love this location. It's close enough but just far enough to escape my little college town and enjoy a quiet, relaxing dinner.

We sat only moments before a young, attractive waitress filled our tall water glasses with spring water in an old-fashioned glass corked canteen. She handed us our menus (a single sheet of paper, obviously printed daily) and a large wine list. Me, an advocate of buying local when I can, noticed a peach chardonnay grown right here in Tallahassee for $9 dollars/glass. We decided it would be a good choice for both of us, two fans of fruity whites, and ordered it right away! It was delicious and light and not as sweet as you might think.

Our waitress came back to inform us about their daily specials: chipotle pepper hummus served with Spanish olives and pita triangles, and the braised pork shank, over maple sweet potatoes, pears, and a pecan banana praline sauce. Seconds after hearing the words spill out of her mouth I declared: We will take them both! There are two things in life I can never pass up: hummus and mashed sweet potatoes. We also opted for the tuna "raro" which was equally delicious. Rare tuna fillet was stacked atop a tostone (savory, crispy plantain) with creme fraiche, avocado salsa, and a blood orange mojo vinaigrette! YUM.

Among the other 14 tapas to choose from their were sea scallops, petite fillet, a cheese plate, a few chicken dishes as well as colorful salads adorned with nuts and crumbly cheeses to choose from. The tapas range from about $8-$12 dollars which is not bad considering how ample the portions are.

The chef trained at Kool Beanz Cafe here in town for 3 years before opening his own establishment. You can expect creative combination of simple delicious and fresh food!

They are open Tues-Sat, 5-10 PM with a monthly Blue Grass Brunch. With a wine bar next door to extend your evening, Tapas is the perfect start!

www.tapastally.com

Cooking with Quinoa

In an effort to be greener, healthier, and attempt new things in 2010, I've decided to do a smidgen of my grocery shopping at New Leaf Market, a cooperatively owned grocery store on Appalachee Pkwy that specializes in local, organic, health food.

Though I am slightly overwhelmed by the pint of blueberries for $8.99 (I kid you not!) I still find that some products especially the grains, nuts, flours, beans and seeds you can buy in bulk are reasonably priced. I went wild reading all the labels on the plastic bins! Spelt flour, wheat berries, quinoa, rolled oats, pumpkin seeds, and the list goes on! I mean... aren't you sick of brown rice too? It's time for a change so do me a favor and try this recipe... it was absolutely delicious and super filling!

Quinoa Pilaf with Pine Nuts:

Bring two cups of vegetable/chicken stock and 1 cup quinoa to a boil in a sauce pot. Once it has boiled reduce heat to a simmer and let cook for about 15 minutes.

In a separate frying pan toast 1/4 cup of pine nuts. Cook them until you can smell their aroma... woodsy and buttery! When they are done set them aside and toss 1 whole chopped sweet onion into the pan. Saute with olive oil and some salt until soft. Add the nuts, onion, and some chopped parsley (or whatever fresh or dried herb you have!) to the quinoa and mix with a fork. Season with salt and pepper if necessary.

I served this with Lemon-Cumin Chicken but fish would work well too!

New Leaf's website:

http://www.newleafmarket.coop/

Simple Food and the Chef Within You

Growing up in a predominantly Italian family, food has always been the main focus of my life in general. My grandmother cooks every Sunday for my large family and my mother cooked almost every night for my brother and I growing up. Dinner was not something looked over with little thought. It was a time to get together and share a meal. I think it was that structured routine that gave me focus and direction in life. I always knew that no matter what was going on, I could (and still can) sit down, be present, and enjoy a delicious meal. It baffles me that something so basic is so often skipped or rushed in American society. Don't get me wrong, there are those days when you just don't have time to linger over a meal but it takes no time at all to prepare a hearty sandwich or boil some pasta.

Many people are intimidated by cooking. My roommate is absolutely terrified... making me watch her as she sprinkles salt on a chicken breast and asking me if that is too much or not enough. Cooking is not a contest! No one will judge you if you put too much salt on your chicken! To really enjoy cooking is to embrace the simplicity of it. Food is basic. It's not complicated at all. Most importantly, food is nourishing. When you cook a meal you can make exactly what you feel like eating. I am a very Mediterranean eater. My diet consists mostly of fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, and fish. Why? Because I like that food. I am naturally drawn to it. Forget what people tell you to eat or what is the best and most healthy for you. Eat what YOU love (in moderation) and cooking will become a lot less stressful. Recipes don't mean much at all. Use them when you first start out but eventually you will know what to do.

Cooking is a journey. Sometimes I make things and they suck and other times they are absolutely delicious and I will make the same thing everyday that week. Cooking has helped me grow. I can be creative and I know that I don't have to follow any rules. (I don't like rules all that much :-)) Just remember that simplicity is key and fresh food is always flavorful. Good olive oil, salty capers, a squeeze of lemon juice and a white fish fillet sauteed in a skillet and finished with a pat of real butter make such a satisfying meal. Add a grain or pasta or whatever you like and dinner is on the table in about 15 minutes! It's that simple. I get comments all the time from my friends who say... I could never cook like you! While I appreciate the compliments, (who doesn't?) I have to be honest... it is not some super hero trait that I inherited from my Sicilian ancestors... it's a personal journey that consists of a lot of trial and error and though at first it might seem overwhelming it will get easier. Besides, I know you know how to make SOMETHING.

When you cook for yourself you know what is in your food. You know that it's fresh and you know that is exactly what you want! Plus, I guarantee you that it is healthier than any processed food you could ever microwave. Hipocrates once said, "Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine by thy food." So be selfish... cook!