FoodieCuisine.com

By Todd Barron @ FoodieCuisine.com

Thomas Bagel Thins

I really enjoy bagels but they are typically high in calories.  This fact prevents me from enjoying often, but Thomas has a new product called Bagel Thins that allow me to indulge without the guilt.  I found some at the local Kroger Grocery Store and bought a package.

The first thing I noticed is how thin they are.  Sure, they are called “Bagel Thins” after all, but they are really thin when compared to your standard heavy bagel.  Due to the size they have less spring to them as well and the texture is a little strange for a bagel.

I made an egg sandwich with my first bagel using the following:

• 1 Thomas Thin Bagel
• 1 Egg
• 1 Wedge of Weight Watcher’s Swiss Cheese Spread

First off, I cooked the egg in a non-stick skillet for about 3 minutes until it was done.  I then toasted the bagel on the (2) setting in my toaster and spread the cheese on it.  I then added the egg to the bagel and had at it.

The bagel, although thin, held up well to the egg and cheese and most importantly, had a good flavor.  After the meal, I was satisfied and didn’t have to worry about the calorie content.  In the future I’m going to be using the product more often as it holds up better than sliced bread, and only has 110 calories for each bagel.

If you are following the Weight Watchers Points Plus program, they count for 3 points per bagel.  If not, it breaks down to 110 calories, 1g fat, 25g carbs, and 4g of fiber per bagel.

By Todd Barron @ FoodieCuisine.com

Dugan's Turkey and Swiss

I was working late the other night, in Downtown Little Rock, and John Farmer, a co-worker, invited me to Dugan’s Pub for a beer and some food.  Although the food was sure to be outside of my diet, I accepted the invite and joined along with a few other co-workers.

Dugan’s Pub fancies itself as an Irish Pub and was founded by Don Dugan, who used to work at Kelly’s Bistro.  I used to really like Kelly’s Bistro and looked forward to visiting the pub which is located on 3rd and Rock Street.  The pub is open and spacious with plenty of tables and seating, and of course a bar to sit at.

We chose to sit at a table in the back, near the dart boards and had plenty of room.  The menu has quite a few items on it, ranging from typical bar food (fried stuff) to “Irish Favorites” such as Filet Mignon ($23.99) and Shepherd’s Pie ($8.95).  I’m not sure a Filet Mignon is an Irish favorite, but it looked nice on the menu.  The one part that annoyed me wa the Shepherd’s Pie.  It’s made with beef.  I don’t know about you, but I don’t know many shepherd’s who have flocks of cattle.

John ordered an appetizer of Fried Jalapenos ($4.25) and the Dugan’s Sampler ($9.95) for an entree.  I didn’t want to break my diet too much so I went with the Turkey and Swiss Sandwich ($7.95).

Dugan's Fried Jalapenos

The Fried Jalapenos appetizer came out quickly and was made up of sliced jalapenos, fried, along with a basket of chipolte ranch dipping sauce.  The sauce was on the thin side, with bubbles from being so thin, but had a decent taste to it.  The jalapeno slices were fried but not greasy and had a nice crunch.  I enjoyed them and would order it again if I were going for a fried appetizer.

The Turkey and Swiss Sandwich was medium in size, with a mild chipotle sauce, and topped with avocado and melted cheese.  The bread was firm, but not stale, and tasted good.  I wish the sauce had been spicier, but it was good enough and overall the sandwich was enjoyable.

Dugan’s Sampler

As I mentioned before, John had the Dugan’s Sampler, which consists of fried mozzarella sticks, fried chicken tenders, and fried mushrooms with ranch, marinara, and chipotle sauces.  It came out on a plate in a heaping mound of fried goodness.  Just looking at it caused me to gain 5 pounds!

The mozzarella sticks were huge, reminiscent of the ones you get at Shorty Smalls, and were good with the marinara sauce.  Although they were huge, they were small enough to not have to cut up and had a nice crunch to them.  The chicken tenders were also fried well, not greasy, and with a good flavor to them.  The mushrooms, tasted like well, fried mushrooms, but were tasty enough.  Overall I was surprised that the dish was not greasy and had a good flavor to it.  If you want fried food, give it a try.

So how did I like the experience?  It was what I expected and a little bit more.  The fried food was crisp, flavorful, and not too greasy given what it is.  If I were 10 years younger I could see myself really liking the bar as well.  Overall, a nice place to go for a beer and some pub grub.

Located at the corner of 3rd and Rock St. in the River Market District
401 E. Third St, Little Rock, AR 72201
Ph# 501-244-0542
mail@duganspublr.com

By Todd Barron @ FoodieCuisine.com

Kentucky Fried Chicken Tenders

On the way back from visiting a client the other day, the group I was with was hungry and wanted to stop for a quick dinner.  Kentucky Fried Chicken was not my first choice given my long-standing desire to eat healthy food, but was one of only a few choices (including Taco Bell.)  I have not had KFC in a couple of years but gave it a try.

I tried to order the Grilled Chicken, which was advertised on banners in the restaurant, but was promptly told they don’t sell grilled chicken.  They proceeded to tell me how even though it was on the banners, and outdoor ads, it was not something carried by this particular store.  I don’t know if it was the suit I was wearing, or what, but a patron proceeded to tell me how “In Arkansas, everything is fried.”  I disagree with this statement by the way, but didn’t counter the claim at the time.

Given the small roadblock, I went ahead and ordered the fried chicken tenders, with a biscuit, mashed potatoes, and a diet Coke.  I know the Diet Coke won’t save the diet, but figured there was no need to add a few hundred calories to the train wreck.

They had to fry the chicken tenders, as they were out for some reason, so I waited for about 15 minutes.  The food came out, hot as expected, and actually looked pretty good given what I ordered.  The mashed potatoes were smooth with a tasty gravy, and the biscuit was a little dry, but went well with the potatoes.  I like KFC’s batter as the chicken was very crispy and had a nice spicy flavor to it.  The tenders were moist and hot, and were made of all white meat.  One tender had too much tendon and gristle in it, but the rest were just right.

Overall, my tenders were good and I enjoyed the sides.  If you are looking for fast food style fried chicken, Kentucky Fried Chicken is hard to beat.

By Todd Barron @ FoodieCuisine.com

Grilled Salmon

There are not many places I can eat out at during the week due to my dietary preferences.  Typically I eat a turkey sandwich, grilled fish, sushi, or something else very low in calories and fat.  Luckily for me, Flying Fish of Little Rock is a block away from where I work downtown, and has one of my favorite dishes.

Flying Fish of Little Rock looks like it occupies what used to be a garage, complete with glassed-in roll up doors (which they open during the summer,) and a VERY casual atmosphere.  Billy Bass singing fish adorn the walls, along with pictures of people’s fish catches.  The entire place looks very “cheap” but is fun and fitting given the style.

When you walk in, past the dining room, you are greeted by a huge menu board.  They offer many fried items, including staples such as fried catfish, and also many grilled items such as grilled salmon.  You can order appetizers of fried jalapenos, or desserts of bread pudding.

Place your order with the guy at the register, and tell him if you want it Snappy (hot,) or Snappy Snappy (very hot.)  He will then call out your order to the cooks, take your money, and hand you a buzzer to alert you when your food is ready.  Be quick in ordering as the line will likely be stacked up behind you and people move through it quickly.  Please, do not wait until you get to the front to decide what you want.  Most of the people in line, will be workers from downtown, and they don’t have much time!

For my visits I like to order the Grilled Shrimp Kabob ($9.59), Snappy Snappy, or the Grilled Salmon ($10.99), also Snappy Snappy.  Every platter comes with rice, beans, and grilled vegetables, but I like to order double vegetables in place of rice and beans to save on calories and fat.  Oh yes, I like my food Snappy Snappy but it doesn’t taste very spicy to me.  Your mileage may vary.

Find a table after you pour your own drink, and carry your buzzer with you.  The tables come complete with a paper towel roll for napkins, and a container with multiple hot sauces and spices to modify your food if you so desire.  Personally, I like to put a little habanero sauce on my vegetables.  Depending on the time of day, you may have to wait about 10-15 minutes for your food as it is cooked to order.  You can even watch them cook it as the grill can be viewed from most tables.  Pick up your food when the buzzer goes off and leave it behind.  You are good to go at this point!

My grilled salmon is always perfectly grilled, with a nice crust of spices, and fork tender.  The lemons they give you with the food add the right hint of citrus to the fish and tastes wonderful.  I wish Flying Fish was close to my home as I would go there for dinner as well.  The food is healthy, low in fat, and tastes great.  What more can you ask for?

By Todd Barron @ FoodieCuisine.com

Rollitini

Risorante Capeo on Main Street in North Little Rock, happens to be one of my favorite restaurants, and I’ve even had a few birthday dinners there. One could say I’m biased, but I’d say I just know what I like, and Risorante Capeo is a place I like, a lot.Risorante Capeo, or Capeos as it is known, is located on Main Street in North Little Rock, and has seating for around 80 people, spread across two dining rooms.

The dress is business casual and you should make reservations before going. Granted, you can make reservations the day of your outing, but make them unless you don’t mind waiting.White linens, tablecloths, and candles, make up the decor, along with exposed brick walls, and a general rustic yet classic theme. They have a nice wine cellar you can go down into if interested, and pick out a bottle of wine.

Grilled Meatballs

They also have a small, yet inviting bar, that is next to the open kitchen, where you can enjoy a cocktail, while watching the chef, and wait for your table (or even eat at the bar if you so wish.) It is a great place for special occasions, or for a date night out, away from the kids. Expect your bill to come out around $150 (with tip,) if you consume alcohol, and around $100 if you do not.

Their menu doesn’t change much but they have daily specials if you are a regular, looking for something new. The appetizers consist of items such as tuna loin, fried octopus, fried fish, bruschetta, duck confeit, grilled meatballs, stuffed eggplant, and the hunter which is a variety of Italian meats along with homemade sausage.

On my visit I ordered the Grilled Meatballs ($9,) which consists of four tender pork and chicken meatballs, drizzled with balsamic vinegar, on top of greens, and with shaved Parmesan cheese. The balsamic vinegar gives the right amount of tanginess to the dish, and a provided lemon, adds a perfect acidic flavor. Overall, the meatballs are wonderful, and I never leave the dish empty.

I also had the special of the night, the Rollitini ($N/A,) which is mozzarela rolled around proscuitto, herbs, and topped with balsamic vinegar. It’s hand-rolled and tastes great. The mozzarela is fresh and the proscuitto adds a hint of saltiness to the dish, that is rounded out by the tangy flavor of the balsamic. The fresh greens on top round out the texture and add a nice element. I order this special just about every time they offer it.

Risotto

Aside from the appetizers, you can order a first course (Primi Piatti,) and a second course (Second Piatti.) Generally speaking this is more food than one person can eat, and I suggest at most, you split the Primi Piatta with a dining partner. The first courses, consist of pasta dishes primarily, with items such as spaghetti carbonara, lasagna, fettuccine Alfredo, risotto, and tomato soup.

For my Primi Paitti, my wife and I ordered the Risotto ($14.50,) with which you are allowed three ingredients for it to be cooked with. Risotto, is a creamy rice dish, and my favorite blend consists of Parmesan cheese, shitake mushrooms, and prosciutto. Risotto take a while to make, so you should expect your dinner wait to increase if you order this first course.

The risotto is creamy, without being soupy, and the prosciutto adds a wonderful richness to the dish. The parmesan cheese provides a needed flavor boost, and the mushrooms complete the experience with their firm, yet giving, texture. I love the Risotto and order it almost every time I go. If you do order it, I suggest you order it with the ingredients suggested. I’ve seen people order it with ingredients I do not recommend, and their experience varies greatly (and not in a good way.)

The second plate, or Second Piatti, consists of a protein choice, with items such as the elk chop, ossobucco, chicken picatta, chicken marsala, duck valentine, beef tenderloin, lamb, veal scallopini, and baked halibut. The only dish I’ve had that I didn’t care for was the Elk Chop ($55.) Not only is it high in price, but it is a bit tough for my liking, and the flavor is very strong. Your mileage may vary, but it’s not something I recommend.

Beef Tenderloin

For my second course, I ordered the Beef Tenderloin ($39,) cooked Medium Rare. If you order it, and request it Well Done, then why are you reading my blog? Do you like shoe leather at $39? Kidding aside, order it Medium Rare and you get the full amount of flavor, without it being too chewy. The beef tenderloin, consists of a large steak, topped with goat cheese and grilled shitake mushrooms.The tenderloin they offer is one of my favorite in Arakansas, and also happens to be a favorite of mine from any state I have visited. It was cooked perfectly, pink on the inside, with a perfect brown crust on the outside. The goat cheese adds a great flavor and creamy texture to the meat, and the mushroom provides that familiar firm texture.

Tiramisu

Tenderloin, itself, does not have a lot of flavor, but the seasoning and cheese provided make it a really good dish. I have a hard time not ordering it when I go.No meal at Capeo is complete without dessert, and they offer dishes such as white chocolate cream brulee, tiramisu, panna cotta, gelato, chocolate cannoli, and some dessert wines. I’m not a big fan of most of their desserts, but the tiramisu is the best one around (in Arkansas or out.)

I of course, ordered the Tiramisu ($7,) which is homemade, and has a great crust to it.The crust is firm, yet giving, with a hint of espresso, and with the right amount of creaminess to it. Layers of lady fingers, soaked in espresso, make up the stack you receive, with whipped cream and marscapone rounding it out. The dessert is topped with cinnamon, and the whole thing is just sweet enough to taste like a dessert, without being so sweet that you can’t finish it. It’s my favorite dish at Capeo and I don’t think I’ve ever eaten there and not ordered it. Sometimes I even get it to go if I’m too full.

If you have not been to Ristorante Capeo, you are missing out on one of the best dining experiences in Arkansas, and need to go. I’ve never been disappointed there and bet you will enjoy it.

By Todd Barron @ FoodieCuisine.com

I cook most of the meals at home and enjoy cooking several times per week.  The primary challenge lies in cooking food that tastes good AND is healthy.  I forego this requirement on the weekends, but most of the items that follow are low in calories, but have great flavor.  Read on and maybe you will get some ideas for your own experiments.  Enjoy!

Sea Bass, Potatoes, Marinara Sauce, Asparagus

I use my griddle to cook the sea-bass, and season it with salt and pepper.  The potatoes are made by cooking two russet potatoes, mashing them, and incorporating buttermilk and Parmesan cheese.  I use a little amount of butter for texture and season with salt and pepper.  The marinara sauce is homemade as I blend San Mateo tomatoes (24 oz can,) and cook with scallions, garlic, red pepper, salt, pepper, and a small amount of olive oil.  Fresh basil is incorporated at the end, and the fish is topped with a fresh slice of lemon.  The asparagus is something I frequently make, which is fresh asparagus, trimmed, topped with olive oil, salt and pepper, and baked in the oven at 425 degrees for 25 minutes.

Grilled Pork, Angel Hair Pasta, Salad

Pork loin, when trimmed properly, has the same amount of calories as chicken, and sometimes is lower in calories (depending on the chicken you buy.) In this dish the pork loin is trimmed, sliced thinly, and pounded into cutlets. I season it with salt and pepper, and cook on my griddle until lightly browned and cooked through. The angel hair pasta, whole grain, is cooked al dente, and tossed with sliced Kalamata olives, roasted garlic, scallions, pappadew peppers, and olive oil. The salad uses butter lettuce, and is tossed with homemade vinaigrette, with sliced grape tomatoes, and topped with sliced radishes.  The pork cutlet, once cooked, is cut in half, and topped with cubes of low-fat Feta cheese.

Grilled Pork Loin, Feta, Kalmata Olives, Greens

As mentioned above, pork loin, can have fewer calories than chicken in some instances.  Even when it does not have fewer, it can be very close in caloric content and just as healthy for you as chicken.  Not to mention, it has more flavor and mixes things up a bit.  For this dish I grilled pork loin, sliced it, and served it over butter lettuce.  The lettuce was drizzled with a vinagrette, and topped with roasted garlic, pappadew peppers, low-fat Feta cheese, and kalamata olives.  The entire dish was tasty but low in fat and calories.

I have a few other dishes to share and can post the recipes for these if anyone wants them.  Just send me an email. 🙂

By Todd Barron @ FoodieCuisine.com

Waffles

Every foodie has them, food items they like, that they know they are not exactly foodie worthy.  In my case, I like Waffle House.  Sure, their food is simple with menu items like pancakes, hash-browns, patty melts, eggs, bacon, etc.  And when I say bacon, no, I did not say pork bellies, shaved paper thin, and browned to perfection, although that would be the same thing.  In the world of simple food, Waffle House gets the job done, well and they do it cheaply.

It may be simple, yes, but it’s free of strange additives, with names you cannot pronounce, and they use seemingly fresh ingredients.  You can see the eggs, the bacon, and the other ingredients they use, as they cook right in front of you.  Not only are the ingredients simple, and fresh, but they come together well, and result in simply good food.  Walk in with no expectation of Haute Cuisine, and you will leave a satisfied customer, without an empty bank account.

The other day I met a friend of mine there for breakfast, and had their motor oil coffee (it is really strong), along with hash-browns, a waffle, and a side of bacon.  You order the hash-browns with cute code names, such as scattered (spread out), smothered (onions), covered (cheese), peppered (jalapenos), and diced (ham).  You can also order a double, or even a triple serving, and can make a meal out of the hash-browns alone.  They are prepared, on the open grill, cooked in butter along with the ingredients you specify, and come out crispy on top, with a nice bite in the middle, and soft on the bottom.  They are perfectly good with a little ketchup on top and my entire family loves them.

You order waffles, either normal with nothing done to them, or you can have a double order.  They used to have blueberry waffles, but I didn’t see them on the menu this time around.  The waffles are cooked perfectly, not too tough, and not too soft, but just right.  They taste great with the provided butter, spread on top, and the house syrup.

The coffee is great, I always look forward to it, and the side of bacon hit the spot.  It was grilled well, and just crispy enough, without being overdone.  The waitstaff and cooks at Waffle House are always very friendly, and the service is impeccable.  They rarely leave your sight, as the kitchen is right in front of you, and it contributes to the friendly atmosphere.

By Todd Barron @ FoodieCuisine.com

I have not visited Oaklawn Racing Track in a long time but was invited on an outing at work the other day, and had a great time.

It was a beautiful sunny day, the weather was warm, the track was dry, and it was St. Patrick’s Day. Not only that, but the food was good as well. If you go to the track, you are obligated to eat a corned beef sandwich, especially on St. Patrick’s Day.

Aside from copious betting windows, bleachers, an enclosed seating area, and the outdoor area (which I prefer,) they also have several food counters. You can order French fries, sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, and beer at most of the stands and they have a dedicated liquor area if you want hard liquor.

I opted for a corned beef sandwich when I first arrived and after spending $6, quickly received a sandwich, piled high with corned beef. The corned beef is tender and the bread was, well, bread. The whole thing tasted good and was juicy enough without being too messy.

The group event lasted all day; therefore, I hung around long enough to eat again. This time I ordered the Reuben sandwich and it came out right away as well. It was the same juicy corned beef, but this time it was topped with warm sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing, on grilled bread. The corned beef sandwich was good but the Reuben was really good. It was juicy, flavorful, and had just the right amount of spice to it. The next time I go to the track, I’ll order another one.

Oh yeah, I came out about $40 ahead at the end of the day and had a blast! 🙂