How To Dine Out With Kids

How To Dine Out With Kids

Take kids to appropriate places. Can I be more specific? Nope. What place is appropriate for your kid(s) is going to depend on their manners, behavior, palate, etc. Some quite young children are fine at high-end restaurants. Most young children, however, are going to be better off at casual, family-friendly places where service is quick, crayons are included, and no one is expecting whisper-perfect quiet. Does this mean you don't always get to eat exactly where you want because your kids are "going through a stage"? It may. Parenting involves many such sacrifices. Not to worry: if you follow the items here you can hopefully minimize that stage and get back to your dining life.

No special rules. The same rules that apply to you apply to your kids. Would you wander between the tables? Make faces at fellow diners? Throw food? Yes, yes, I know some of you will say that you want to, but would you? No. And that's because you have some manners. Kids need to follow these same rules in order to learn those same rules. Not later, as my colleague seemed to think. (One exception: drawing at the table or playing with a small, non-noise-making toy.) An exception many people make but makes me extremely sad: screens at the table. I understand the temptation, I truly do, and all of us with kids have been there where we just need to hand over the electronic babysitter and talk to our friend. As a rule or habit, though, it teaches children dreadful manners and doesn't give them the chance to learn how to participate in conversation or develop the ability to entertain themselves. You don't end up with a teenager capable of talking to grown-ups at dinner if you've just handed them your phone at every restaurant meal for thirteen years.

Enforce the rules. If it's okay to throw the Cheerio on the floor, why not the bowl of soup? No need to yell or make a scene, but teaching kids manners involves calm (and extremely boring) repetition. Over and over again: use a fork, keep your mouth closed when chewing, say thank you, speak in an indoor voice, etc. etc.

Take them outside. Even at boisterous family places, no one wants to hear your baby cry or your kid have a tantrum. When that happens, you take the child out of the restaurant. The change of scenery tends calms a baby down and it gives a young kid a chance to recalibrate. Some meals may need to be cut short, packed up, and toted home. The essence of etiquette is to avoid infringing on others. Think of these circumstances as an opportunity to model that for your children.

Same rules at home. This one is optional, but I highly recommend it. I've heard of families where they have a "restaurant night" to "practice." Maybe for little kids that really haven't been out this could be good, and if it works for people, more power to them. I've always found, however, that it makes a lot of sense to just teach kids manners for meals at home, too.

Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Jalapeno Popper

Philly Cheese Jalapeno Popper

Ingredients

• 12 jalapeno peppers, washed
• 1/2 lb leftover steak (you could really use any beef or chicken), diced or crumbled
• 1/2 large yellow onion, diced
• 1/2 stick butter
• Salt
• Provolone or Mozzarella cheese

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Score peppers down the middle and scrape out seeds and ribs using a tiny spoon or butter knife.
• Heat butter over medium heat in a medium saute pan.
• Add onions and sprinkle generously with salt; toss to coat.
• Saute, stirring frequently, until almost translucent, about 10 minutes.
• Stuff peppers with beef, then onions and top with cheese.
• Bake for 12-15 minutes, until cheese is melted and almost browning.

Food Recall Alert

Whole Foods Market Southwest Region Recalls Mini Butter Croissants Due to Undeclared Egg

Contact
Consumer:
512-477-5566

Media:
Lindsay Robison
lindsay.robison@wholefoods.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 18, 2014 – Whole Foods Market Southwest Region is recalling mini butter croissants because they contain eggs, an undeclared allergen.  People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to eggs run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

The recalled mini butter croissants were sold with a Whole Foods Market scale label reading “mini butter croissants” in six pack plastic containers with a “best by” date of April 21 to April 23 and a UPC of 2 28719-00499-1, which is noted on the scale label. The mini butter croissants were distributed to 26 Whole Foods Market stores in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana.

The recall was initiated after product was distributed without allergen declared on labeling. The issue was discovered when one illness was reported. To date, one illness has been reported.

Signage is posted in Whole Foods Market Southwest stores that carried the product to notify customers of this recall. Customers who have purchased this product should discard it, and may bring in their receipt for a full refund. Consumers with questions may call 512-477-5566, extension 20060, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time.

Calendar of events

Wine

Boutique producers' wines: Free tastings at Rosinka Wine & Tea House, 2509 Rice; noon-6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; 832-509-9464.




Wild About Wine: Wine event at Moody Gardens, 1 Hope Blvd., Galveston, benefiting Gulf Coast Exotic Bird Sanctuary, the National Parrot Rescue and Preservation Foundation, and SANCCOB; 7-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; $40-$70 per person; 409-683-4106 or gcaazk.org.




Bear and Bordeaux: Spec's wine buyer Bear Dalton leads a class on "the other left bank" at 7 p.m. Monday at l'Alliance Française, 407 Lovett. $75. 832-660-0250 or bearonwine.com.




Duckhorn Migration winemaker dinner: With winemaker Neil Bernardi at The Bird & The Bear, 2810 Westheimer; 7 p.m. April 24; $95 plus tax and gratuity.




Galveston Island Food and Wine Festival: at the Uptown Entertainment District, 21st at Market, Galveston; April 25-26; galveston.com/foodandwine.




Katy Sip & Stroll: Wine event at the Villagio Town Center, 22764 Westheimer Parkway; April 26-27; $35-$65; sipandstroll.com.




Raise a Glass to CIS: Charity wine event benefiting Bay Area Communities In Schools with sommelier Chris Colin of Redneck Country Club, at Bay Oaks Country Club, 14545 Bay Oaks Blvd.; 4:30-6:30 p.m. April 28; $50 (includes dinner); 281-486-6698.




Taste with winery owner: Arnaud Baur of Domaine Baur in France's Alsace at French Country Wines, 2433 Bartlett; 5-7 p.m. April 30; free; 713-993-9500.

Cooking

Sing for Your Supper: The Hard Rock Cafe is giving guests an opportunity to sing for their supper. Pick your favorite karaoke tune, complete the song, and the Hard Rock will buy your dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe, 502 Texas; 5-7 p.m. Wednesday; 713-227-2086 or HardRock.com.




Fresh Vegetarian Cooking for Spring: Learn to use the seasonal flavors of spring vegetables in soufflés, risottos and salads at Sur La Table, 1996 W. Gray; 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Thursday; $69 per person; 713-533-0959.




Dinner on the Bayou: Étouffée and gumbo are just two items on the menu as you learn classic Cajun dishes at Well Done Cooking Classes, 1208 E. 29th; 6:30 p.m. Thursday; $69 per person; 832-782-3518.




Tapas y Pintxos: A class for those wanting to be skilled in the small plates of Spain at Central Market, 9815 Westheimer; 6:30-9 p.m. Friday; $65 per person; 713-993-9860.




Eggs! It's What's For Dinner: Urban Chef brings breakfast to the dinner table in this class at Urban Chef Cooking Classes, 3651 Weslayan, Suite 204; 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday; 713-504-1700.




How to Cook the Perfect Steak: This is a must for every cook, you will also make a delicious salad and dessert at Sur La Table, 1996 W. Gray; 10:30 a.m. Tuesday; $85 per person; 713-533-0959.




Texas Parks & Wildlife: A representative from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department will share tips on game management and fishing, and you will learn to prepare quail dishes at Central Market, 9815 Westheimer; 6:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesday; $65 per person; 713-993-9860.

Sticky Honey Sriracha Wings

Sriracha Honey Chicken Wings

4 pounds chicken wing drumettes, frozen
3/4 cup sriracha sauce (Huy Fong Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce, the one with the rooster on the package)
3/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
juice of one lime (about 1/4 cup)

In a 5 quart slow cooker on low add sriracha sauce, butter, honey and lime juice.  Stir to combine.  Add chicken wings.  Stir until wings are well coated.  Cook on low 4 hours or high for 2- hours

Remove wings from slow cooker and place on a baking sheet lined with foil.  Drizzle sauce from slow cooker over wings. 

Set oven to broil.  Place baking sheet in oven and bake for 2-3 minutes until the sauce starts to caramelize.  Remove from oven, serve and enjoy.

COOK’S NOTE:  If you like a thick sauce coating, transfer the sauce to a saucepan and boil it until it cooks down, approximately 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Then brush or drizzle the sauce over the wings.

You can also layer the sauce on the wings.  Coat wings with sauce, broil for 1 minute, remove from oven.  Coat with sauce, broil 1 minute.  Add more sauce, broil until sauce is caramelized.

Now I am back

Sorry to have been away for so long but now i am back and have new recipes to share.

11 ways to lower cancer risk while grilling

Some people may be reconsidering plans to grill hot dogs and steak based on a new report supporting the link between red and processed meats, and increased colorectal cancer risk. But, experts at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center say that small changes to what — and how — you grill can keep cancer off the menu.

• Skip processed meats like bacon, ham, pastrami, salami, sausage, hot dogs and pepperoni
• Eating too much red meat like pork, lamb and beef (including hamburgers) can raise a person’s cancer risk. Try grilling skinless chicken breasts and fish instead.
• Charring, burning or grilling meat, poultry and fish over high temperatures causes heterocyclic amines (HCAs) to form. These HCAs can damage a person’s genes, raising the risk for stomach and colorectal cancers.
•  Fish contains less fat and cooks faster than meat and poultry.
• Lightly oil the grill; this keeps charred materials from sticking to your food. 
• Cook meat, poultry or fish in the microwave or oven for two to five minutes, then finish them on the grill. Less grill time means less exposure to cancer-causing chemicals.
• For a charcoal grill, spread the coals thinly or prop the grill rack on bricks. This reduces the heat by increasing the distance between your food and the coals. And, use barbecue briquettes and hardwood products, such as hickory and maple. They burn at lower temperatures than softwood (pine) chips.
• Cleaning the grill after each use prevents harmful chemicals from building up and transferring to your food.
•  Marinating meat in vinegar, lemon juice and herbs such as mint, rosemary, tarragon or sage can reduce HCA formation by as much as 96%. Just 30 minutes can help.
• Cancer-causing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) form in the smoke when fat from meat, poultry or fish drips onto the heat source. That PAH-filled smoke then coats your food. Curb exposure to PAHs by trimming fat from meat before grilling. Or, choose cuts labeled “lean.”
• No barbecue should be a meat-only affair. Grilling fruits and veggies is a great way to load up on vitamins and nutrients that help your body fight off diseases like cancer.

Mexican guacamole -- As you like it

Mexican guacamole

We all love guacamole with tortilla chips. But also consider using it as a sandwich spread or as a topping for chicken or fish. This simple recipe is divine as is, but you also can personalize it by using your choice of Add-Ins, which you'll find at the end of the recipe. For easy preparation, here's the best way to open an avocado: Cut it lengthwise around the pit and gently twist the halves to separate them. Remove the pit by striking it with the blade of a sharp knife, then twist to remove. Use a spoon to scoop out the avocado flesh.

Mexican guacamole

1 fully ripened Mexican avocado, halved, pitted, and peeled
1 tablespoon minced onion
1 teaspoon minced jalapeño pepper
¼ teaspoon salt

Makes about ¾ cup

In a small bowl, mash the avocado with a fork to make a slightly chunky mixture. Stir in the onion, jalapeño, and salt.

Server with Chips and enjoy

Four Houston food trucks ranked best in the nation

Four Houston food trucks ranked best in the nation

 

 

Houston food trucks have earned four coveted spots in The Daily Meal’s 2013 rankings of the best food trucks in the United States, topping other Texas cities in the number of mentions.

The food website ranks Bernie’s Burger Bus as the top food truck in Houston and No. 18 nationwide, followed by Eatsie Boys (which opened a brick-and-mortar cafe earlier this year) at No. 35, Oh My Gogi! BBQ at No. 36 and Coreanos at No. 91.

The food website only ranks actual trucks, so food-service vehicles that must be pushed, pulled, or otherwise moved without its own power were not considered.

Other Texas food trucks making the list include Austin’s East Side King at No. 6 and Hey you Gon Eat or What at No. 89, San Antonio’s Rickshaw Stop at No. 7, Dallas’ Easy Slider at No. 79 and the Food Shark in Marfa at No. 44.

The Daily Meal canvassed more than 40 cities and consulted popular review sites and critical appraisal, said Tim McGeever, the site’s public relations manager.

When Should You Wash It...

 



When Should You Wash It...

Have you ever wondered how long you can go without washing your sheets, pj's, or jeans?  Simply smelling or looking at them doesn't always do the trick.  On the other hand, washing something too often can shorten its lifetime.  Here are some helpful tips on when it's time to toss your pillow and other things into the laundry basket.

Bed sheets should be washed at least every other week.  If you sweat at night, wash your bed sheets weekly.  On the other hand, pillows and comforters can be cleaned 2 or 3 times a year.  An easy reminder: Wash them when the seasons change.  After someone's been sick, throw all their bed linens in the washer.

After a few good nights' sleep, toss your pajamas in the wash.  If you're a before-you-go-to-bed showerer, you can wait a few extra nights between washings.

Not everything you wear gets dirty after you've worn it once.  Jackets, dresses, or jeans can be worn several times before they need a cleaning.  When your denim jeans start to lose their stretch, it's time for them to hit the washing machine.

When it comes to bath towels, they need a spin in the washer after 3 or 4 uses.  To keep towels from getting musty-smelling in between washes, make sure to hang them up and give hem room to air dry thoroughly.  Towels that are used after a workout will need to be washed more often.
Every now and then I like to toss my shower curtain liner in the wash.  I find this helps prevent it from getting mildew stains.  If your bathroom sees heavy foot traffic, the bath mat may need to be washed weekly.  Smart shopping tip: Increase the time between washes by purchasing a reversible bath mat.