The Bizarre Truth by Andrew Zimmern

I just finished reading a great book by local author and TV show host, Andrew Zimmern. If you have cable, you will know him as the guy who does Bizarre Foods on the Travel Channel.

A couple weeks ago I was able to pick up his book at a Book signing. he gave a little talk beforehand about his travels and what he wanted to accomplish with the book. Along with the stories about all the different foods people eat around the world, he stressed his desire to show the cultures and the stories of the people he met as well. He talked a lot about the relationships that he created, however briefly, with the people who cooked the food he was eating. The people who lived it and loved it. And it was his desire to make the world a richer, but also a smaller place by writing the book and making his shows.

So, as I started reading his book, I didn't know exactly what to expect, and he set the book up with come big shoes to fill! After reading it, I can say he succeeded in his endeavor.

The book talks a lot about the different foods that exist around the world. We get glimpses of how other people survive on what is less than a plate garnish in this country and things we would never touch. We learn how some other people in this world eat a lot better than we do, even though they are less wealthy. We learn that food is its freshest when its locally sourced and cultivated.

But we also learn about the cultures that exist alongside the food. The principles that shape how and what different people eat and why. We get a peek into the stories of a few people we would likely never meet otherwise. I like the stories that Andrew tells about other experiences he has with various people as well as the stories about the food.

The book is not heavy or boring though. Its entertaining, engaging, and well written. There is a wry, self deprecating humor on the part of the author that is endearing. AZ is a person you could sit and have a beer with (except of course, for the fact he doesn't drink), and that translates into his writing. Its a fun travelogue along with a great food and culture book, and some of the scrapes he gets into are a riot.

Overall, this is a quality book that I think all would get something out of, whether it be just entertainment, or a little more understanding of the world along the way. Pick it up!

Apple recipes, hits and misses

Its apple season now and I was able to come into a huge amount of free apples from my grandmother! Because of this, I have been trying out different apple recipes to use them up. What follows are some hits and a miss of my apple experiment.

First, for those Penzeys' fans, there is a recipe for apple bread in their current catalog that I gave a try. FAIL. I followed the recipe to the letter, and what came out was more of a cake than a bread. It was also really moist to the point of being TOO moist for my taste. I think its the large amount of oil the recipe calls for. Overall, I don't like this recipe and would caution others that try to make it.

However, I have had two great successes too!

First, I found a really great and simple apple crisp recipe on about.com
http://southernfood.about.com/od/applecrisps/r/bl11014d.htm

It came out great and the topping is divine. Really easy to make and tasty!


Second, I tried my hand at apple butter in the crock pot. This was also a great success and MUCH easier than the traditional method. See the recipe at
http://www.cooks.com/rec/doc/0,1612,156179-245203,00.html

The butter turned out really good. Some notes though: I only used 2.5 cups of sugar and it was still a bit sweet for my taste. I think next time I will reduce the sugar more or add more cloves. It still tastes really good though!

Pumpkin cheesecake!

Its fall, and I am starting to crave all of those nummy foods that come into season around this time. Recently, I was at the Olive Garden with my family, and I had their pumpkin cheesecake there. It was SO GOOD!

http://www.olivegarden.com/menus/details/menu_item.asp?menu_item_id=7034&secname=dessert

It had a great graham cracker crust with lots of butter. The cheesecake filling was sweet, pumpkiney and spicy without being heavy. The topping is a light whipped cream with spice cookie bits and caramel on it. Its light and not too sweet.

Nom nom nom!

Citizen Cafe

Today I am reviewing a place called citizen Cafe

Citizen Cafe
2403 E 38th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55406
www.thecitizencafe.com


I visited this restaurant with two friends for breakfast recently, and I have to say, it is probably the best breakfast I have ever had out in a restaurant!

The restaurant is in the building that used to be a dive cafe that served italian food I think. However, the place is not a dive anymore! When you walk in, you enter a simplistic, french country style of decoration. Its a very calming a relaxing place to be!

The french country theme continues on to the food as well. The menu takes breakfast basics and puts a french twist on them that makes them all the better for it. In addition to the menu, there is a daily frittata on the menu as well. My friend had it that day and said it was excellent.

Our meal began with excellent coffee and free samples of banana and a chocolate chip bread while were waiting. The breads were moist, sweet and delicious. It was a nice surprise!

I had the brioche french toast, foster style. This is bananas foster french toast! Omigod it was the most wonderful thing EVAR! Go here NOW and get some. I also had the nitrate free bacon with my toast, and it was wonderful. Few restaurants are able to serve thick cut bacon that is also crisp without being burned. I was very impressed!

The service was really good as well. Our waitress was friendly and knowledgeable. She was also always available when we needed her or a refill of coffee, without being overbearing. They also didn't try to rush us. I appreciate this in a restaurant.

Overall, my experience here was wonderful, and I plan to return many times!