Walking in a Dim Sum Wonderland

In my family, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a little something Asian and this year, the “something Asian” was DIM SUM! For those of you who are unfamiliar, dim sum is a unique Asian treat consisting of carts filled with delicious goodness that are pushed from table to table and where each person may select any number of dishes to their hearts’ content. It’s the Asian version of tapas! Small dishes, usually cooked in mini steamers, are available at the point of a finger and usually, just like at a tapas restaurant, we usually order WAY TOO MUCH! Usual fare include: shumai (steamed dumplings), pork buns, noodles, salt and pepper calamari, and so much more…

One of my favorite places to get dim sum is a small little restaurant here in Las Vegas called Changs. The restaurant is quite petite and the parking is horrid but the food is divine and definitely worth what little trouble you may encounter in the parking lot. Just a note on dim sum, it’s usually only offered during the earlier part of the day (starting around 11am) and stops just after lunch (2pm-ish), so if you are going to have it, you have to be prepared to be there early, but it really is an experience you should have at least once in your life!

Changs is located on Decatur, just after Tropicana.

Changs
4670 S Decatur Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89103
(702) 362-3663

Pizza in the Black Hole

I recently experienced the most delicious pizza this side of New York City. I cannot, however, tell you what the name of this special gem is because…there is none! I mean, I’m sure there’s a name to the place but everyone I’ve talked to about it, doesn’t remember and quite frankly, I was too busy wolfing down my pizza to bother looking.

That being said, the pizza itself is TDF. To. Die. For. You can tell that only the freshest ingredients are used - from the mozzarella & ricotta balls (yes, I said balls), to the clearly homemade pizza sauce, to superbly seasoned sausage, this place knows pizza making. And the crust??? Forget about it! It is crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside (even though it’s thin crust!) and it is all sorts of good!

Where, you ask, is this magical place? I was debating on whether or not to share with you all; but, I’m in a generous holiday mood so I will. It is located at the Cosmopolitan Hotel - Las Vegas, on the 3rd floor, in the hallway between Blue Ribbon and Jaleo. It is LITERALLY at the end of a dark and scary hallway (hence the black hole reference). It is a little tough to find but I promise you, this place will NOT disappoint. So, the next time you’re at the Cosmopolitan and you DON’T want to pay a million dollars for a good meal, check out this hidden treasure and try not to cry tears of joy after your first bite!

Being Asian ROCKS!

Visit any Asian home on any given night and there’s a 75% chance that the Chef of the household has made fried rice as one of the dishes served for dinner. Fried rice is a staple in the Asian household. Usually using whatever ingredients are on hand, fried rice is Asian comfort food at its best and one that I can’t live without. Just the other night, I was hanging out with my family trying to decide what to make for a late dinner. After rummaging through the ice box, I pulled out rice, eggs, & veggies – the perfect trio for Fried Rice! Fifteen minutes later, we had a one pot meal that was as warm as a panda hugging her newborn cub! The recipe here is basic but can definitely be varied to suit whatever you have in your fridge. Have fun and be creative with it – I promise - you won’t mess it up!

Basic Fried Rice

Ingredients

3-4 cups of cooked white rice
2 ½ cups frozen vegetables
2-3 eggs (whisked in a bowl)
1 ½ - 2 tbls garlic salt (rice needs flavor!) [start w/ 1 tbls, taste and add more to taste]
1 tbls dried herbs (I usually use Italian seasoning – but use whatever you have in the spice rack)
1-2 tbls of butter
1 tsp black pepper
1 ½ tbls onion powder
Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Heat a medium – large skillet on medium heat. Add 2 tbls olive oil. Once the pan is hot, add the frozen vegetables, season with salt and pepper and sauté for about 3-5 minutes.
2. Add the rice and break down so that it is in a fairly even layer. Add the garlic salt, herbs, black pepper & onion powder. Toss everything together to make sure the rice is coated with oil, then, flatten out in the pan. Leave it alone for 3—4 minutes so the bottom can crisp up a bit. (Who doesn’t love those little crispy rice bits!)
3. Taste to check if more garlic salt is needed. Add, if necessary.
4. Make a well in the middle of the pan & pour in the eggs. Scramble, then, mix in with the rice. Mix well. Add butter to finish, making sure it is tossed well.
5. Viola! Done! Make yourself a bowl of piping hot fried rice and enjoy!

Zucchini Goodness

Ok, so I can't claim this recipe because I did not create it (my friend, Molly is the ingenious creator); but, I have made it TONS of times and I can guarantee that it will be a HIT wherever you take it.

Molly's Zucchini Casserole

Ingredients:
(6-7) Zucchini – cut in 1.5in. half rounds
(1) can of cream of chicken
(1) 8oz container of sour cream
(1) stick of butter, melted
(1) box of stove top or comparable stuffing
Shredded cheese
Salt and Pepper
Italian Seasoning

Directions:

1. Put the cut zucchini rounds on a sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning. Roast at 350 degrees for 25-28 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 5 min.
2. In a mixing bowl, mix the can of cream of chicken, sour cream and (2) handfuls of shredded cheese.
3. In another bowl, add the stuffing and (1) stick of butter. Mix well. Mix in (1) handful of cheese.
4. Add the zucchini into the sour cream/soup mixture. Mix well.
5. In a casserole dish, place the zucchini mixture and top with the butter/stuffing mix.
6. Bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees.
7. ENJOY!!

O, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING! O,WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY!!

I walk into work today like I usually do – tired and grumpy. I didn’t sleep well and didn’t have time to pick up my coffee so I was all-grump and no-smiles. My only saving grace is that I look quite lovely today; but, this morning even that isn’t going to be enough. I sit down at my desk and open my emails and an avalanche of requests comes crashing straight at me. Grrrrrr…

All of a sudden, I hear rustling in our break room and then laughter and glee. How, I asked myself, can anyone be so happy this early in the morning??? I’ll tell you how…

BABKA from The Bagel Café!!!!! Holy mother of all that is good and holy! This light, airy and moist cake tastes like HEAVEN! The inside is an amalgam of cake and bread, so soft you could lay a baby’s head on it, and the filling, OH THE FILLING, the filling is a beautiful blend of cream cheese and almond and sugar… STOP IT, I say, but they don’t, they keep going! The outside of the babka is flaky and COVERED! with powdered sugar, or, as I like to call it, snowflakes from heaven! I am NOT EXAGGERTING, PEOPLE! This is a MUST try when you’re in Las Vegas, or as something that you put on your bucket lists!
I wish I could post a picture of this delectably divine creation but we were little piggies and ate it all up. SO, I will just leave you to The Bagel Café’s website. TRUST ME, you will not be disappointed!

http://www.thebagelcafelv.com/index.html

The, I’m-so-tired-but-I-still-have-to-cook-dinner, Episode

Some nights it is just too much of a pain to go to the grocery store or even to go through a drive thru to get dinner. Last night was such a night. I wanted a no-fuss, no-muss dinner but since it wasn’t 3am, hangover tacos from Jack in the Box was not going to cut it.

So, I did what any respectable home cook would do, I threw together a quick and easy dish with whatever was in my pantry (well, ok, not only the pantry…the fridge helped too). The resulting recipe is a child of imagination and also it’s freakin’ delicious! (yes, I did just pat myself on the back…). This recipe begs to be varied so feel free to change it up as you wish!

Pantry Pasta


Ingredients
- 1lb to 1 ½ lb of rotini pasta
- ½ a bag of frozen O’Brien Potatoes
- 1-2 cans of chicken (or) tuna (or) 1 bag of pre-cooked chicken breast, cut in pieces
- ½ cup of Italian dressing (or any oil based dressing)
- ¼ cup of balsamic dressing (or, if you just have balsamic vinegar, use 1/8 cup)
- 1-2 tbls of Dijon mustard
- 1-2 tsp. of onion powder
- Salt & pepper to taste

Directions
- Bring a pot of water to a boil and salt. Add pasta. Cook to al dente. Once drained, add back to warm pot.
- While the pasta is in the spa, heat a medium skillet with 2 tbls of olive oil on medium high heat. Put O’Brien potatoes in the skillet (still frozen), add salt, pepper and onion powder, toss in oil. Once tossed, leave potatoes alone for 3-4 minutes. (The point is to get them a little crispy on the bottom.)
- In a small bowl, add Italian dressing, balsamic dressing and Dijon mustard. Whisk until well incorporated. Set aside.
- Into the potatoes, add the chicken (or whatever protein you can find), salt & pepper and sauté. Taste potato/meat mixture to make sure it is seasoned well and that potatoes are cooked through.
- Mix together the pasta and the potato/meat mixture and toss well with the dressing you made earlier. Taste and add salt & pepper as necessary.
- Shovel a big portion into your bowl and sit and enjoy your creation!

Why people get their tonsils removed...

Ok, so I didn't get my tonsils removed, as the title of this blog entry would imply. BUT, I did get my wisdom teeth removed and it’s just as bad. Since I can’t really eat too much lately, I’ve had to find treats that would satisfy my sweet tooth (no pun intended).

Well – guess what I rediscovered… JELLO PUDDING CUPS! I’m not sure why these miniature dishes of chocolate goodness are so comforting, but they are. I suppose they remind me of those times in childhood when we weren’t feeling well and my mom would buy Jello to make us feel better. Since my mom is in another state and I can’t annoyingly call out, “MOMMY – I don’t feel good!!,” Jello Pudding Cups are the next best thing!

So, let that little kid in you back out and indulge in a good ol’ fashioned childhood treat!

Gimme Some Sugar. Yes, I said, Gimme Some Sugar

Gimme Some Sugar…….no, not like that. But, the moment you walk into the new bakery, aptly named, Gimme Some Sugar, that’s exactly what you’ll be saying. Already famous from their creatively dramatic cakes for celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Kid Rock, Gimme Some Sugar opens their new storefront in Henderson, NV.

A couple of friends and myself were lucky enough to attend the grand opening of this sweet little gem and let me tell you, the delectable treats are unforgettable! Here are the highlights and the must-try’s….

Cake Pops – The cake pop is the perfect marriage of candy coating and sinfully rich cake. Gimme Some Sugar makes a Red Velvet Cake Pop that is TDF (To Die For)! Imagine this…deeply rich red velet cake, coated in white chocolate and served on a stick, just like a lollipop. COME ON! What’s not to love! It’s mobile dessert!

Cherry Marshmallows – Pair your favorite campfire delight with the tangy-ness of cherry and what do you get? Cherry clouds, that’s what! Ok, they’re not called that but when you put these little squares in your mouth, cloud-like is what you’ll get. Light, airy but with a full burst of flavor, the Cherry Marshmallows make you re-consider the conventional smore.

Pumpkin Cheesecake – SHUT UP! … I CAN’T! IT’S TRUE! … the Pumpkin Cheesecake is a party in your mouth. And by party, I mean the, sparkling disco ball-champagne fountain-fireworks, kind of party! Pumpkin+Cinnamon+Cheesecake = LOVE.

I think I’ve said enough – Gimme Some Sugar – VISIT. TASTE. DROOL. LOVE.


PS. – Here’s the website -- http://gimmesomesugarlv.com/

Dear God - Thank you for Lola's

Lola’s is a magical little place that serves the most soulfully delicious New Orleans cuisine, this side of, well, New Orleans! Nestled in a charming building that used to be a bakery, this little gem dishes up delightful fares like: Shrimp Creole, Crawpuppies (a marriage of crawfish and hush puppies – YUM!), and a signature dish - New Orleans BBQ Shrimp.

My family and I recently visited Lola’s and I must say we were all thoroughly impressed. From the sweet tea to the absolutely delectable oysters, to the jambalaya and the simplicity of the bread, Lola’s packs a culinary punch! Everything from the luscious but down home food to the excellent service draws you into a warm and inviting world where life is always good. You can’t help but leave Lola’s with a full belly and a smile on your face.

Whether you’re from Las Vegas or just visiting, Lola’s is a spot that you HAVE to visit!

Lola’s – A Louisiana Kitchen
241 W. Charleston Boulevard
Las Vegas, NV 89102
(702) 227-5652
www.lolaslasvegas.com

A Date with Me

One of my favorite indulgences is sneaking away from family and friends and grabbing some quality “ME” time at Starbucks. With a good book, a cup of chai, and a slice of that delicious lemon pound cake (that I swear, is laced with crack), I make myself cozy in a quiet corner to enjoy a lazy afternoon.

Sometimes though, getting away isn’t so easy. Life has a way of keeping us busy, but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t set aside some “ME” time in the comfort of our own homes. That’s what inspired me to make my own version of that amazing Starbucks Lemon Pound Cake. This is a surefire hit for those days that call for curling up on the couch for those well deserved “ME” moments.

Lemon Pound Cake

1 ½ cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 cup of butter (2 sticks)
1 cup sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
¼ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
Zest of (1) lemon
Glaze – see recipe below

Directions

1. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs (1) at a time. Add Vanilla.
2. In a separate bowl, combine: flour, baking powder, and salt. Add Zest.
3. Add the flour mixture and lemon juice to the butter mixture, ALTERNATING between the flour and juice until incorporated.
4. Pour into prepared loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 65-75 minutes.
5. Let stand in pan for 10 minutes. Remove onto a wire rack.
6. Glaze and serve

Glaze

1 ½ cups powdered sugar
3-5 tbls lemon juice
Zest of (1) lemon

Add all ingredients in a bowl and mix. If glaze is too thick, add additional (1) tbls of lemon juice at a time until desired consistency is reached.

Banana (+) Bread = Love

When I was growing up, my mom would make banana bread for every occasion – birthdays, Christmas, Tuesdays, etc. She LOVED making it. And we, well…we loved eating it.

When I moved away from home, I craved my mom’s banana bread. I started to play around with different recipes and the recipe I developed is not like my mother’s recipe at all. In fact, it couldn’t be farther from it. While my mom’s banana bread is traditional, my recipe has a certain unconventionality that reflects my own quirky personality. Instead of the usual walnuts, I add chopped dates to the batter and I must say - it is DELIGHTFUL!

Get your bake on and ENJOY!

Banana Date Bread
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
½ cup butter
¾ cup brown sugar (preferably dark, but light will work too)
2 eggs, beaten
2 1/3 cups mashed ripe bananas (approx. 2-3 bananas)
2 tsp cinnamon
3 handfuls of chopped dried dates (if you’re feeling saucy, you can reconstitute them in rum.)
Glaze – see below for recipe

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine: flour, baking soda, salt. (If you have time, sift these ingredients but it’s not necessary.) Add the dates to flour mixture.
2. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar. Stir in the eggs and mashed bananas.
3. Stir the banana mixture into flour mixture until just moist. Do NOT over stir – it will make the bread dense or dry, or BOTH.
4. Pour into a prepared loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 60-65 minutes. Test for doneness in a few different spots.
5. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes then, turn onto a rack.
6. Glaze and enjoy!

Glaze

1 ½ cups powdered sugar
3-5 tbls milk
1 tbls vanilla

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. If glaze is too thick add additional (1) tablespoon of milk at time until desired consistency is reached.

Sally’s Sweet Shoppe

Having my own storefront is a dream of mine. I don’t exactly know when this dream developed but I think I’ve discovered how…

When I first moved away from home, I didn’t really know where I was going and in what direction my life was leading. All I knew was that I needed a fresh start and a fresh start was exactly what I found. I moved to Las Vegas 8 years ago and have been floating about ever since. I don’t really have a career, per se, unless you count the amazing skills I’ve expanded through the many assistant jobs I’ve had. Actually, I shouldn’t marginalize what I’ve learned in my numerous years as an administrator. It’s taught me a lot about the virtues of organization and honed my gift of multi-tasking (more on this subject later).

Anyway, what was I saying? Oh yes, the Sweet Shoppe dream… Well, as I was saying, I moved away from home and I was wholly unprepared. I knew how to cook all the basics (eggs, rice, pancakes, etc.) but I never looked at cooking as an art form. I cooked because I was hungry and when I wasn’t hungry, I didn’t give it a second thought. As the years passed, I came to have a real appreciation for cooking, and baking especially, and I began to try my hand at preparing various dishes and baked delights.
Pretty soon, I was branching off and creating dishes all on my own. I was hooked. My kitchen is my workshop and the wild world of food are the paints I use to create. (Ok, that sounded supercilious, I know. But it’s true! )

This blog has had many incarnations but at the end of the day, I want it to be a reflection of my passions. My family and friends AND cooking are my passions… SO… this blog is getting a re-boot. This is not only about a single girl but a single girl with a dream. I’ll be sharing all the things that I love with you and I hope that you’ll share some with me too!

WELCOME TO SALLY’S SWEET SHOPPE! Get your bake on!

The Love of a Good Man

I watched a marathon of romantic comedies this weekend. In these movies, the plot goes like this: girl meets boy – sparks fly, they fall in love – something happens to break them apart – chaos ensues –– girl and boy overcome all the obstacles and supposedly, live happily ever after. WHEN DOES THAT EVER HAPPEN???

As I sit here thinking about it, I realize that I actually DO believe in the kind of love these movies are selling me and that it does indeed, happen in real life! All I have to do is look around me and I’ll see that in my little life, I am surrounded by couples that exemplify the profound love that we all see in movies. It may not be as photo-shopped but it’s real and it’s something that always inspires me.

My cousin, Monica and her husband, Karl are a great illustration of what it means to really love someone. Let me preface this by saying that they are by no means perfect but they are hardworking. I say, “hardworking,” because while they love each other very deeply, they also understand that the love they share requires dedication and practice, and a mutual respect for each other’s growth. That’s the wonderful thing – they let each other develop into the people they are supposed to be and they accept each other without judgment.

I’m not dating anyone right now but when I do find that special someone, I’ll be ready because I’ve got such good teachers around me who have shown me the way. I’ll be prepared to open my heart and let him in, all the while, keeping true to my own spirit.

MMA Fights and Friendship

MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) is a full contact sport which uses a myriad of techniques from different disciplines (judo, muay thai, boxing, etc.) in order to knock out or pin an opponent into submission. It is a sport that has developed from the early days of Greece into the commercial success it finds itself in today.

How do I know this, you ask? Well…

A friend of mine is an MMA Fighter and he kicks ass. Literally. He is quite honestly one of the hardest working people that I know and when I grow up I want to learn how to live with the same kind of determination and certainty of purpose. And when he fights, my friends and I are there to support him.

It’s not easy though, watching a friend get into the ring knowing the intense physical challenge that they have willingly chosen to put themselves into. But here we are, nonetheless. That’s the beauty of friendship. Friends, true and honest to goodness friends, will stand beside you and support you through every trial that you face. They congratulate you when you succeed and they’ll buy you a shot to take the edge off when you fail. I consider myself very lucky to have the friends that I have in my life. We’re all very special and quite different from each other but I think that it’s that difference that bonds us together. We are teachers to each other and in that is a most wonderful gift – the gift of growth and acceptance and true fellowship.

So, here’s to friendship and the adventures we share.

(PS. Check out the gym my friend trains at. It's awesome. http://www.xtremecouture.tv/)

The Plus One Minus Ones

Welcome friends! This blog is dedicated to you. It’s for all of those people out there who are single or as I like to call it - the Plus One, Minus Ones. For all of those people, who, for some reason or another find themselves currently without a plus one – don’t believe the hoopla -- Your life is WORTHWHILE! I know that society places a high premium on “Coupledom,” and sometimes, the pressures of being part of a duo can be overwhelming. I’m here to share my adventures in Singledom with you and I hope you share some with me… and maybe, just maybe, we’ll learn a few things about ourselves along the way.

Here’s a few deets on me… I am hot. No wait, I probably shouldn’t start with that. It might intimidate some people. Nope, I’m claiming it… I am hot. I am cotton candy on a fine festival afternoon! But let’s face it, we all think of ourselves that way, right? Right? I don’t see all of you nodding… Well, we should! Ok, get up… go on! Find a mirror. Now - let’s all look at ourselves in that mirror and exclaim – “Look at you, you hot piece of ass!!” There, doesn’t that get your mojo going? I know it does for me and I hope it does for you. (Some of you are looking at me like I’m Britney with a shaved head, but just wait. You’ll be on board soon enough…)

So here’s the plan – This is an open conversation between smart, funny, creative, loving, sometimes crazy, wonderfully fantastic people! I encourage you to post and comment here. Bust those doors wide open and let the dialogue flow - I’ll be listening!