Tastes Like a Winner to Me

 2011 Top Chef Master Floyd Cardoz

Having unplugged the television a couple years ago, the only TV I watch these days is through HULU. This leaves a void in my life for shows like ‘No Reservations’ and reality shows like 'Top Chef Masters' where America’s greatest chefs compete in a head to head competition.  This week Floyd Cardoz, formerly of Tabla in NYC, received the coveted honor of Top Chef Master 2011.

I am lucky enough to have eaten at Tabla and also befriend two mentees of Chef Cardoz who currently reside at ONE restaurant in Chapel Hill. Next week, in honor of their esteemed mentor, Chefs Sean and Carrie will deliver a triumphant meal, which we are all invited to taste. And speaking of invitations...ONE Restaurant has invited Floyd as their honored guest. How cool is that? With his new celebrity status and back-to-back bookings, let's just hope he'll be able to join.   Tabla closed late last year, so this is the only place where you can taste a sampling of Chef Cardoz’s legacy.

Make your reservations by calling (919) 537-8207 be sure to tell them My Restaurant Guru sent you. Seating will be overlooking the arena style kitchen and is limited to fifteen people per night.

**Menu is subject to change 

A Taste of Tabla @ [ONE]

In celebration of Top Chef Master Floyd Cardoz’

New Indian Cuisine

June 21-25

4 courses $55, $25 wine pairing supplement

Chef’s Amuse

roasted tomato, coconut and celery rasam

1^st

Brulee of Diver Scallop

shaved green apple, green chili cilantro emulsion,

pickled green mango

2^nd

 Coconut and Black Kokum Upma

semolina, fricassee of wild mushrooms, fava beans, dana dahl

3^rd

Rice Flake Crusted Black Grouper

Watermelon curry, watercress, cilantro lime relish

Dessert

Vanilla Bean Kulfi
telicherry pepper chocolate sauce

Meet your Meat

Coon Rock Farm /Hillsborough, NC

The notion of respecting your food is equivalent to respecting your body; you really are what you eat. And when you ingest something, you should know where it comes from and understand what effort it took to get into your mouth. It’s not a new concept. Just read Omnivore’s Dilemma, or watch Food, Inc.

I’m gonna take it one step further for carnivores: if you eat meat, you should to be able to kill it, gut it and prepare it. If you can’t stomach the thought, then you shouldn’t stomach meat.  Period. I realize not everyone can or has the ability to watch their meat get slaughtered, but shouldn’t you think about it? I mean really take a moment and think about how the meat that you are about to eat lived….and how it died for the nourishment of your body. 

I’m all about free enterprise but the commercialization of big Ag has gotten a little crazy. When I visit small enterprise farms I see happy chickens and happy cows.  They live like a farm animal should: respected. Contrast that to crammed, smelly, defecated enclosed spaces: that is the total opposite of happy.

Don’t be a meathead. Think about it.

CH

Awaken

By Christie Hadden

It’s now been four consecutive days of goodness! Hallelujah! It has been 10 weeks of considerable lows and for the first time in over a year I feel clear headed and light as if the thickest, heaviest weighted blanket has been lifted from my entire body. No more brain fog, no more uncomfortable bellyaches, Nope; those have been replaced with a clear mind, an extra spring in my step and radiant energy.

I guess this witch doctery crap really works:  a detox, an introduction of the right foods, a truckload of vitamins and both mental and physical exercise.

My sleep cycle is all whack. Taking early evening naps and waking up at 4 or 5am is kinda insane. But if this is the downside of finding myself I am cool with that.

I have tried a few more GFCF products that I would like to talk about. Since the theme is awakening I’m going share my thoughts on foods all relating to breakfast.

Udi’s Plain Bagels:

5 out of 5 stars

More like a roll with a donut hole than a bagel, this bread is good. What a sigh of relief! I like toasting mine and making a sandwich: like w lox, red onion, capers, pea shoots and course mustard.  The outer skin is thin and offers a crunch when toasted and the inside is surprisingly light and totally unlike the dense GF breads out there. Udi’s are a definite brand to stock in the freezer

Van’s Waffles with berries:

4 out of 5 stars

This one has got me sayin “Leggo my eggo, man”. When I’m not feelin like cooking my typical egg for breakfast and need a quick breakfast to go, my Van Waffles are the ticket. I also love them as mid day snack covered with almond butter.

Eden Organic Brown Rice Flakes

5 out of 5 stars

These cook in a jiffy and are the best of the hot porridges. It’s kinda like eating rice pudding for breakfast. I take mine with soy milk, mixed dried berries, cinnamon and maple syrup. It’s so comforting on a cold winter morning and will stick with you. My family usually eats Irish Oats, but have found that Rice Flakes cook faster are just as good (actually better tasting). You and your family will love it.

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