Playing Catch Up, Foodie Style

I recieved a lot of emails about foodie news while I was on vacation.  Here is a compilation for your perusal!  

• The Maryland Science Center is hosting a series of Summer Demos and Tasting with local chefs.  The first one is TODAY!  Check it out, I think they all sound awesome!!!!
• Tuesday, June 28, 2pm: Michael Gettier is the executive chef at Antrim 1844 in Taneytown, Maryland. Gettier is an American chef of French decent, who studied cooking in Paris and has cooked his French-inspired cuisine all over Baltimore.
• Monday, July 18, 2pm: Donna Crivello is the co-owner of Donna’s Café which has locations in Charles Village, Columbia, and Cross Keys. Donna serves as chef for the Columbia restaurant where she showcases her fresh and healthy style and cuisine.
• Thursday, August 11, 2pm: John Shields is the chef and owner of Gertrude’s restaurant at the Baltimore Museum of Art. Shields is a Baltimore native who focuses on coastal cooking and believes in using local, organic ingredients whenever possible.

• Phillips Foods is having an Ultimate Crab Challenge, a recipe contest that is running from July 6 – Aug 22nd.  Log onto www.ultimatecrabchallenge.com to enter your recipe and you could win $1000 and have your recipe featured on Phillips’ menu in Baltimore!  Recipes must include at least 8oz of crab meat, but other than that – have fun!  

• On Sundays in July and August, Fleming’s Steakhouse is offering a mega deal.  For $29.95 (not including tax and tip), you can enjoy their Sunday Prime Rib Dinner.  The dinner consists of a 3 course meal featuring a 12oz Prime Rib with a trio of sauces, a salad, a side dish and a dessert!  What a great deal!

• BiteHunter, a dining deal website, has launched a free mobile app for the IPhone.  This is a nationwide website, but Baltimore deals are on there.  Check out more information on their website www.bitehunter.com

• McDonald’s in Baltimore has added a new addition to their McCafe line of beverage – their Frozen Strawberry Lemonade, which combines frozen lemonade with strawberry syrup.

• Ruby Tuesday has added some new cocktails to their Ultimate Cocktail Menu, and they sound perfect for the summer!  Check out the Skinny Pink Lemonade, Superfruit Cooler, Watermelon Martini, Pomegranate Martini and Acai Mojito!!  These are all made with Veev Acai Spirit.  Here are some recipes if you feel like whipping them up yourself:

Superfruit Cooler
.5 oz VeeV Açaí Spirit
.5 oz Absolut Berri Açaí
.75 oz St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
1 oz lemon sour
.5 oz agave nectar
3 cucumber wheels
Cucumber wheel, for garnish
*Muddle 3 cucumber wheels in a shaker.  Add ice and remaining ingredients into the shaker, shake well, and pour contents into a rocks glass.  Garnish with cucumber wheel. 

Açaí Mojito
2 oz VeeV Açaí Spirit
.75 oz pomegranate juice
.75 oz agave nectar
8 mint leaves
1 lime wedge
Club Soda
*Squeeze and drop 1 lime wedge, 8 mints leaves and agave nectar in a shaker.  Fill shaker with ice, VeeV Açaí Spirit and pomegranate juice, and shake well.  Pour shaker’s contents into a pilsner glass and top with club soda.

• I also received this recipe from T.G.I.Friday’s, and I’m not going to lie, it sounds delicious:

T.G.I. Friday’s Chipotle Yucatan Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
¼ fresh cilantro
2 oz. chopped romaine
1 oz. salad mix of your choice
½ shredded red cabbage
2 Tbs. red onions diced
½ cup cheese of your choice
1 ½ oz. of tostada chips
¼ cups diced tomatoes
1 ½ oz. vinaigrette of your choice
3 oz. chicken (grilled)
½ tsp. blackening seasoning spice
¼ cups diced avocado

Chop cilantro leaves to cut down any long stems.
Place both types of lettuce, red cabbage, red onion, cheese, cilantro and tostada chips in mixing bowl. Toss to mix well.
Add diced tomatoes over the salad.
Drizzle dressing.
Add chicken on top of salad and sprinkle with blackening seasoning.
Add avocado.