Today's Food Deals

Hello everyone!
Sorry I've been kinda slow on the posting recently - I went to Austin, TX to visit my niece and it's hard to get back into the swing of things...plus I miss her like crazy.

But anyway, here are some food deals in the area:

Groupon

• $15 for $30 at Don't Know Tavern
• For food AND drink. Expires in 1 year, limit 5 per person and 1 per table and a reservation is REQUIRED
• This seems like a great place to watch some football games - probably a good idea to stock up on some of these certificates if you're close by!  Get some crab dip in a bread bowl ($10) to start and maybe a Kobe Burger with Red Dragon cheese (?) for half time ($12) and a couple bottles of beer ($3.50-7) and you're set!
• $25 for $50 at Brique in Centreville
• Expires Mar 16, 2011.  Limit 1 per table and for dine-in dinner service only, but no purchase limit.
• Why not make a trip out to Queen Anne's County and stop in for dinner at Brique, a new upscale restaurant that opened recently.  Start with the Roasted Garlic and Goat Cheese Flan ($9) and the Seared Duck Breast entree with braised greens and maple citrus sweet potato ($24) and you may be a happy camper, especially if your dining partner gets the Lamb Loin Chop ($22) with carrot puree and leeks and allows you to share :)

Living Social

• $15 for $30 at Kabob Stop
• Expires March 16, 2011.  Limit 1 per person, but buy unlimited amount for gifts.  Limit 1 per table, reservations highly recommended.
• I've never been here, but I've heard it's pretty tasty!  I loooove me some Indian food, and feel like I should make it my solemn duty to try every Indian place around me, that's a pretty good goal, right? :)  I would be all about some Chicken Biryani ($11.49) and some Lamb Shahi Korma ($12.95) which is a creamy sauce that is usually a bit sweet.  If I didn't get carry out, I would treat myself to some Masala Tea ($2.50) and Dan would assuredly get some Gulab Jamun ($2.50) and we'd call it a day!

Did you get any of these deals!?

The Helmand, Mount Vernon

Oh the Helmand!  What an amazing restuarant and what a delightful meal!  The atmosphere was so inviting - busy and yet intimate - while the staff was professional and QUICK (quite imperssively so).  

Appetizers - Left: Mantwo, Right: Kaddo Borwani (PUMPKIN!!!)

To start, I immediately knew I had to order the "pumpkin appetizer" because that is what I have always heard about.  It is called Kaddo Borwani ($4.75), and yes, it was just as incredible as I had hoped.  It is pan-fried and baked baby pumpkin seasoned (liberally) with sugar and served with a yogurt-garlic sauce.  Garlic AND sugar pumpkin?  Oh yes.  It works.  Trust me and every other person who loved this appetizer.  The pumpkin was so sweet, like a lovely sweet potato in fact, and I thought the garlic yogurt was a fantastic, though unlikely, partner. 

We also ordered the appetizer portion of Mantwo ($4.75) - Homemade pastry shells filled with onions and beef, served on yogurt and topped with carrots, yellow split peas and beef sauce.   It doesn't look like how it sounds - I could hardly see the pastry shells, but they were there covered in a sea of delightful meat sauce.  This was sort of like a deconstructed Afghan lasagna - and I was all for it.  Loved it.  You can also get this as an Entree for $12.95, oh my it would be a fabulous choice.

We also ordered a small order of Naan ($2.50) which I used to sop up every little bit of those appetizers. 

Entrees - Left: Kabuli, Right: Koufta Challow

Very soon after we had finished our appetizers, our entrees swooped onto the table (which are small...so get used to stacking dishes and condensing).  I ordered the authentic Afghan dish - Kabuli ($14.95) - Afghan style rice baked with chunks of lamb tenderloin, raisins and glazed carrots.  I LOVED this dish.  If you love biryani at an Indian restaurant - you will love Kabuli here.  Actually, it was very similar to how my mum makes birayani so I was extremely pleased.  The lamb was great and I just LOVE when raisins find their way into my rice!

Dan ordered the Koufta Challow ($13.95) - combination of lamb and beef meatballs seasoned with dried grapes, spices, peas and tomato sauce and served with challow (rice with cumin as opposed to Pallow which is rice with cinnamon).  This was also delicious - I loved the tomato sauce, which had a wonderful kick to it.  And the meatballs were yummmyyyyy.  Great flavors, great dish. Not surprisingly, my mum also makes her own version of this dish, so needless to say, this was a great meal for me.

Turkish Coffee, Pumpkin cake (background) and pastries (foreground)

I opted for some Turkish coffee, remembering that I loved it here, and Dan and I shared a plate of Middle Eastern Pastries ($5.25) as well as a Pumpkin cake ($5.25?) that was supposed to be similar to a carrot cake.  The pastries were essentially 2 pieces of baklava.  They were good, but perhaps a little expensive for $5.25, but a nice choice if you want something sweet but don't have too much room in your tummy.  The pumpkin cake was not a favorite of mine at all, I thought it was entirely too dry and wished there were some raisins in there...or basically I wished it was carrot cake.  Dan liked it, of course :)

Overall, this was just a fantastic dinner, I honestly can't wait to come again.  It really does remind me a LOT of my mum's cooking, so I personally love it because I can go whenever I have a hankering for her and the Helmand's yummy food :)

Friday Morning Haiku

Happy Birthday to

My awesome niece, Alina

She is super cute!

Like super duper WOH cute.  She's one today and I love her so much :)  I would usually post five million pictures of her, but she is not my baby so I don't want to do anything without her parents' permission :)

I want to make a layer cake in her honor, but really, I just want to make a layer cake and I keep saying  that I will and I NEVER DO AAAAAAAAAAAAAH.  I need to stop making excuses and whip out my Kitchenaid mixer.

I'm in a commercial for the Baltimore Sun!!!!

I'm in a commercial for the Baltimore Sun!  Check it out!!!


I have always loved reading their blogs, especially Dining@Large and MidnightSun, so I was super excited that I was able to talk about that!!!!!!!!!!!

Yayayaya!!!  Also, you may notice that while I am clapping I am saying "I love clapping" because I really, really, honestly do AHAHAHAHHA

The commercials are going to air on TV during the week of 9/27 and I may be in some print stuff too!  Super fun!

Fleming's New 100 List

Fleming's is unveiling their new “Fleming's 100” or their list of 100 wines by the glass (wow that's quite a selection!!) In order to celebrate, they are hosting a bunch of cool events throughout September. Here is a list they sent me:


The New Fleming’s 100 “Opening Nights” every Thursday (2^nd, 9^th, 16^th, 23^rd, and 30^th) in September – A series of wine tastings featuring 20 (!) of the 100 selections. Visit the website to see which wines will be served on each night.


Memorable Meal: A Trio of Fleming’s Classics, $99 for Two through September 30 – Guests are invited to experience a variety of tastes of classic Fleming’s entrees, served “flight” style with three small entrees on a plate – Filet Mignon, Ahi Tuna and Lamb Chop.  The three-course Memorable Meal also includes a Broiled Peach and Goat Cheese Salad, a trio of roasted vegetables and a trio of crème brulees for dessert.  For $10, you can add a flight (three 2-ounce tastes) of paired wines from the new wine list.

Exclusive Caymus Interactive Wine Dinner, $125pp September 21 or 22  –  Join Caymus Vineyards owner and winemaker, Chuck Wagner, Fleming’s Director of Wine Marian Jansen op de Haar and Executive Chef Russell Skall, via live video from Northern California.The Napa-inspired menu is paired with Wagner Family of Wines, Conundrum, Mer Soleil Silver Chardonnay and Late, and a vertical tasting of the 2000 and just-released, 2008 Caymus Special Selection Cabernet. 

Wine Tuesdays every week in September – Every Tuesday (7^th, 14^th, 21st, and 28^th), receive 25% off any bottle selection from the new Fleming’s 100.  You will also receive a Fleming’s Card good for this same offer on a future Fleming’s visit any day of the week, valid through December 30th. 

New Icon Wine through September 30 – The Icon Wine series continues in September with the Staglin Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Salus Estate, 2006, at $125 per bottle.

Fleming's Steakhouse
720 Aliceanna Street
Baltimore MD 21202
410-332-1666

Jasmine Asian Bistro, Timonium

I went to Jasmine Asian Bistro in Timonium recently, and it was a lovely experience - the service was impeccable and the food was super tasty. 

I ordered the Malaysian Tamarind Entree with Shrimp ($14).  The sauce was wonderfully savory and went well with the vegetables.  The shrimp were plentiful and I managed to gobble all those up.  Unfortunately, my drink, the Singapore Slinger, was not so pleasant but very sour instead.  Next time, I will just stick to my usual gin and tonic, and not stray from anything else. 

Dan ordered the Crispy Honey Sesame Chicken ($14) (pictured) and it was delicious!  It had a good breading to chicken ratio, and the sauce, though sweet, wasn't overly so.  I liked this a lot and would definitely consider getting this again.

Now, it needs to be said that the prices are high, especially compared to other places in the area, but you won't be disappointed with the excellent service and high quality of food. 

Baltimore International College Food Enthusiast Classes!

Cooking classes are all the rage right now - have you noticed that?  I've been wanting to try one again soon. A couple of years ago I took an Italian cooking class (here) and yes, our class made some fabulous meals, but I also learned abut cooking with artichokes, tried Osso Bucco for the first time, and ate the most amazing ricotta pie dessert. Basically, it opened my eyes to new delights, like all good cooking classes should do.

So when I found out that Baltimore International College was offering Continuing Education classes or "Food Enthusiast Classes," I was very intrigued.  The classes are single-session, non-credit classes in a variety of subjects.   

Take a gander at the Course Catalog. 

Chocolate, Chocolate and More ($60) obviously interests me :) You learn how to make your own chocolates!!!!!!

And I can only imagine how helpful the Holiday Demonstration ($60) classes would be, which includes classes on Thanksgiving dinner, cookies, canapes, pies and gingerbread houses!

The Introduction to Cheese Making ($80) class sounds cool because not only do you make fresh cheese, but then you pair them with wine as well!!!

So what do you think- are you interested in taking a Food Class?  Have you taken any before and what did you think about it?

INFORMATION

All classes are located at:
Culinary Arts Center
210 S. Central Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21202
 
Cost:
Most classes are $60, but some are $80.  Check the Course Catalog.
 
Register Online:
Click the Catalog tab and browse through until you find a class you would like.
Select the class and click "Purchase".
If you are finished shopping, proceed to "Checkout".
Enter your contact information and continue to the next step.
Finally, enter your payment information.

Register by Mail or Fax:
Download the PDF of the Food Enthusiast Classes.
Download the Registration Form.
Choose the class or classes you would like to take.
Fill out the registration form and either mail it to:
Baltimore International College, Department of Continuing Education
17 Commerce Street
Baltimore, MD 21202-3230

OR Fax it to:
410-752-4876
 
Photos provided by BIC's PR Firm

Groupon: $10 for $20 at Baltimore Coffee and Tea Company

All right people, I was all over this Groupon and purchased one immediately

$10 for $20 at Baltimore Coffee and Tea Company

The best part of this is?  You can use it towards coffee beans and tea bags as well as drinks.  That means I can get my supply of Baltimore Blend and Fair Trade Mexican coffee beans, as well as all my different crazy teas that I love (YORKSHIRE GOLD, I AM COMING FOR YOU....well, as soon as I finish the 80 bags I have left at home).

You have to use this in one visit though, so plan wisely - and perhaps stay for a sandwich and a delicious drink! It also expires Dec 31st 2010, which makes me immediately think of Christmas presents!

Baltimore Coffee and Tea Company (FYI - you can't use the Groupon for the online store)
9 W Aylesbury Rd.
Timonium, Maryland 21093

5209 President's Ct.
Frederick, Maryland 21703
(301) 631-0030

890 Bestgate Rd.
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
(410) 572-5792

Check out my reviews here and here

Friday Morning Haiku

After meal planning

For breakfast, lunch, and dinner

I have a full fridge

Apparently I buy too much.
This week for breakfast I had my overnight oats, of course
For lunch, I took a veggie wrap (whole wheat wrap, edamame hummus, carrots, lettuce, cucumber and sprouts), some cherries or grapes and then my own homemade fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt (aka 2 tsp of jam topped with ~1/3 cup plain lowfat yogurt).
For dinner I had a variety of things planned - tortellini one night, ground turkey curry the next (pictured with flatbread), chicken sausage pasta another time.

It was a great week, eating-wise, but I really think I need to evaluate my portion sizes because I have a whole fridge full of stuff that technically should be all gone by tomorrow.

Oh well....all in good time.

Do you meal plan?  If so, do you usually just do it for dinner or for all meals?

Recipe: Overnight Oats (aka the best breakfast in the entire world and beyond)

(oats never look good in pictures, please don't judge!)

OK, I kept hearing about Overnight Oats on the blogosphere and so I decided to check them out and make them for breakfast.  Basically, you whip up some oatmeal in the evening and then in the morning you partake in some epically delicious cold oatmeal.  This weirded me out for a second, but seriously, I got over that fast. 

Here is how I make mine:

Ingredients:
1 banana
1 tsp of ground flax seed
1 heaped tsp of almond butter (or to taste)
1/3 cup rolled oats (NOT quick cooking kind)
2/3 cup milk

Directions:
Mash up the banana (I use my awesome immersion blender tool) but make sure there are some nice chunks in there.  Add the flax seed, almond butter, oats and milk.  Stir.  Put in fridge overnight.  In the morning take it out, mix it a bit and EAT. 

SOOOO GOOD OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG.  Also, it's totally healthy and keeps me full for a REALLY long time.

p.s. My bread + butter + jam breakfast still has a piece of my heart.