HAPPY HOUR, FOOD AND FUN

  Ingredients: 1 small bag of baby carrots 1/4 cup soy sauce 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce 1/3 cup chicken or vegetable broth 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 teaspoon sesame seeds Instructions: Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. Combine all ingredients in large bowl. Transfer to oven-safe pan and roast for 20 minutes until just tender. Enjoy! ** Please note that nutritional details are estimates and actual values may vary. 

 Ingredients: 4 thick bone-in pork rib chops 1 cup flour 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs 2 eggs - scrambled 3/4 cup Crisco or frying oil Salt/pepper to taste Instructions: Season both sides of the pork chops with salt and pepper (or Nature's Seasoning). Combine onion powder and garlic powder with flour. Dredge pork chops in flour. Dip pork chops in eggs until both sides are fully coated with egg. Dredge in seasoned breadcrumbs. Heat oil in large frying pan. Fry pork chops for 5-6 minutes on each side, or until they have an internal temperature of 145 degrees.  Notes: If you can't find the pork rib chops, you can use any pork chop.  Just adjust your cooking time accordingly. You can make this gluten-free by substituting with gluten-free flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs.  It's still really delicious and crispy. If your pork chops start getting too dark in the frying pan, you can avoid burning them by placing them on a baking...

  Ingredients: 5 medium red potatoes 1 tablespoon Olive oil 1 tablespoon Italian bread-dipping herbs 1 teaspoon chives for garnish   Instructions: Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Thinly slice potatoes by hand or with the help of a mandolin Place in large bowl and add olive oil and the bread dipping herbs. Place in a single layer on baking sheet and bake for approximately 15-20 minutes, until crispy. Sprinkle with chives and serve immediately.   Notes: You can use any potatoes you have handy.   I like red potatoes for their slightly sweet flavor. If you don’t have bread-dipping herbs, you can use a combination of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, dried oregano and dried basil.    

 Good for Gluten-free. I am always hopeful when trying out new gluten free products, but I am usually disappointed in the texture and flavor.   This pancake mix is pretty good for gluten free.   It is easy to make and the pancakes cook quickly.   The only issue is that they are not really very fluffy and the taste is a little bland.   Some butter and syrup helps, but at least I was able to have pancakes for breakfast.

My husband and I enjoyed a Sunday morning shopping expedition and found ourselves looking for lunch while we were out and about.  We came across Pier 8 Seafood Bar & Grill and though we should give it a try. We started out looking for a glass of wine for me and a beer for my husband. While there seems to be an extensive bar menu including liquor and draft beers as well as bottled beers, the wine selection is sadly very limited with a house Pinot Grigio, Moscato and a Merlot as a red. The waitress was unable to tell me which brands they carried and there was no wine list on the menu that I could find.  I settled for the Merlot and have to say it was definitely not a good one.  My husband's draft beer was cold and he was happy with it. The clam chowder is surprisingly creamy, delicious and chocked full of clams, however a small cup for $6.99 seems maybe a little pricey, but definitely tasty.  It was served with saltine crackers instead of the traditional oyster cra...

 My husband and I stopped in The Pub for a quick lunch on a weekday.  The atmosphere in this restaurant is like being transported to an old pub in the UK.  They spared no expense with the design and fabulous woodwork throughout.  The bar is an absolute masterpiece. As for the food, the fish and chips were fried to perfection. The fish was light and flakey, the batter was super-crispy and not at all greasy, served with a tangy tartar sauce. The grilled salmon was seasoned beautifully and cooked to a perfect medium.   The staff was super-friendly, and nothing was too much trouble.  They really made sure we had everything we needed at all times.  I highly recommend this restaurant.

 Ingredients: 1 pound stir-fry beef  1/3 cup beef broth 1 tablespoon fish sauce 2 teaspoons sweet chili sauce 3 cloves garlic - pressed or chopped 2 teaspoons sesame oil 1 tablespoon sesame seeds 1 teaspoon honey 1 bell pepper 1/2 cup matchstick carrots 1 medium onion 1 cup sliced mushrooms 1 cup basmati rice 2 cups beef broth 1 tablespoon olive oil Instructions: In a large bowl, whisk beef broth, fish sauce, sweet chili sauce, sesame oil, honey and garlic.  Add in stir-fry beef and let marinate for at least 20 minutes and up to 8 hours. Julienne cut bell pepper and onion.  Set aside. Boil 2 cups of beef broth and add basmati rice. Simmer for 20 minutes or until tender.  Turn off heat and cover. Heat a wok or deep pan to medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil.  Add stir-fry beef and mushrooms, matchstick carrots, onions and peppers.  Cook 10-15 minutes until vegetables and beef are fully cooked. Place a half cup of basmati rice on plate and to...