Café No Sé (Austin)

Austin, Texas delivers yet again; this time, in the form of a minimalist, West Coast-inspired oasis with clean, crisp accents and perfectly ripe avocados.

Prior to a day of SXSW panels on food trends, creative capital and digital influencers, I clicked "accept" to an Uber Surge in order to properly kick off my day at Café No Sé in the heart of South Congress at the to-die-for boutique hotel. The refreshing experience was well worth the surge.

From an interiors perspective, the café masters textural elements, incorporating light oak tables, raw wood walls, curvacious chairs, and mint tile. An area of the space is dedicated entirely to coffee + pastries--the large countertop boasts piles of almond croissants, chocolate scones and butter croissants. Diners in a hurry can walk right up and order. A to-go cup of French Pressed coffee wonderfully compliments a late morning walk among the antique stores and boutiques on South Congress.

My waiter guided my ordering process since I (per usual) struggled to make a decision. The menu options are delicate, offering just the right number of ingredients per dish without overwhelming the concept. My café scramble, which I couldn't help but photograph from ten angles, folded in spinach and toasted pine nuts with a small dollop of fresh ricotta.

The side of avocado called my name to complement the eggs--Best decision of the weekend yet.

Alas, my plate was a sectioned dish from heaven: avocado slices, grilled whole wheat toast, arugula with a sea salt and olive oil, and the egg scramble. Breakfast has never been so good.

New Zealand Lamb with Pomegranate Chimichurri

IMG_5472

Spring is almost in full bloom, and thus my dinner plates are depicting a seasonal shift! Brighter colors abound from salad to entrée to dessert, and especially in my addictive chimichurri sauce. During my weekly run through Whole Foods Germantown, I've discovered a New Zealand grass-fed lamb loin. It's beautifully marbled, mild flavored, completely natural (no growth hormones or antibiotics--ever), and pairs well with bright colors, too. Whether for Sunday supper on the patio or an Easter gathering, I highly recommend this dish as the spotlight of your springtime introduction! And if you're in Memphis or Germantown, tell them that Caramelized sent you.

IMG_5483

Makes 4 servings

2 pounds New Zealand lamb loin chops 2 tablespoons canola oil Salt and pepper 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary 1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves 1 cup Italian parsley leaves 6 cloves fresh garlic, minced 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 tablespoon pomegranate seeds 1/8 cup red wine vinegar 1/2 cup olive oil

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Remove lamb from refrigerator and allow to reach room temperature, about 30 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, pulse rosemary, mint, parsley, and garlic in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Place in a small bowl and whisk in in red pepper flakes, vinegar, and olive oil. Cover and allow to sit at room temperature for at least one hour before serving.

3. Heat canola oil a large, oven-safe skillet over medium high heat. Season lamb loins with salt and pepper, and add to skillet face-down. Sear on each side for 2-3 minutes, ensuring a grilled exterior on each side.

4. Place skillet directly in preheated oven and continue to cook for approximately 8 minutes. Remove from oven and allow juices to settle, approximately 5-10 minutes.

5. Add pomegranate seeds to chimichurri, stirring well. Plate lamb with a spoonful of chimichurri, grilled bread and vegetables.

IMG_5479

This post is made possible by Whole Foods Germantown. Thank you for being supportive of my sponsors!

IMG_5463

Savor the Citrus

Our upcoming Daylight Savings holiday (only nine days away!) has instilled a sense of anxious excitement for the arrival of extended sunshine and outdoor splendor. I'm anticipating balcony sunsets with wine in hand, outdoor dinners in the side courtyard, and post-work walks along the River Bluff.

Until Spring officially arrives, though, I'm savoring winter citrus for breakfast bruléed, for dinner on salad, and for dessert on gelato. This low-maintenance salad boasts an obviously gorgeous presentation, but it tastes like heaven. The acidic pops of blood orange and creamy avocado are an undeniable combination.

Makes 4 servings

1 bag arugula 1 avocado, quartered and sliced 2 blood oranges, segmented 2 heirloom tomatoes, sliced into 1-inch pieces 1 handful crumbled goat cheese 1/4 cup of my favorite salad dressing

1. In a large bowl, carefully toss arugula with avocado, oranges, and tomatoes. Sprinkle with goat cheese. Serve with dressing on the side.

Gnocchi with Lamb Sausage and Kale

During a wine-and-dine Porcellino's Passport to Oregon experience last week (write-up is coming soon!), I couldn't stop staring at the restaurant's back wall, boasting butcher cuts and homemade pastas and gelatos. I was fantasizing the next dinner party.

Fast-forward a few days, and I'm enjoying Porcellino's duck prosciutto with goat cheese, luscious Oregon red wine, and Barese lamb sausage over their fresh-made baby gnocchi. It was heavenly and quite special, considering 80% of ingredients were locally sourced and prepared. I encourage supporting the local butchers, bakers and culinary artists in your community; they make dinner at home that much more delicious and that much more valuable.

Makes 4 entrée servings

1 pound gnocchi 1 teaspoon olive oil 1 shallot, diced 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 pound Italian lamb sausage (from Porcellino's), casings removed 1 pinch crushed red pepper 1/4 cup red wine 10 cups kale, roughly chopped Salt and pepper 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnish

1. Heat oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add shallot and sauté until soft, approximately 4 minutes. Add garlic and sausage and, with a wooden spoon, break down into bits. Continue to sauté until sausage is browned, about 5 minutes.

2. Add kale and red wine, seasoning with salt and pepper. Toss until kale is bright green and wilted.

3. Meanwhile, cook gnocchi in salted boiling water until al dente, about 3 minutes. Reserve 2/3 cup pasta water when draining.

4. Add gnocchi to sausage and kale mixture, as well as enough pasta water to create a thin sauce. Remove from heat. Add cheese and a bit of extra olive oil. Serve immediately with extra parmesan.

Inspired by Bev Cooks

The Best Memphis Burgers

These, my friends, are the best Memphis burgers. I cannot select just one, as my hometown unsurprisingly challenges the identity and definition of an American classic. Whether Asian-inspired, French-inspired, or dive-bar inspired, you'll be blessed to bite into one of these during your weekend in town. Which do you most prefer?

1. KWIK CHEK, Bibimbap Burger Korean bibimbap takes new form -- Burger style. Spicy red Korean sauce and mayo are spread on either side of the grilled bun, then layered with steamed cucumber and bean sprouts, a slice of cheese cheese, and a sunny-side-up egg. The patty itself is most impressive and thoughtful -- chopped ribeye with a teriyaki-style marinade.

2. BABALU TACOS & TAPAS, Baba Burger Oddly enough, I prefer the burger over the "tacos" or "tapas" namesake. The fluffy sourdough bun hosts roasted roma tomatoes, truly divine caramelized onions, ripe avocado slices, applewood smoked bacon, and chipotle aioli alongside the natural angus beef.

3. EARNESTINE & HAZEL'S, Soul Burger Best enjoyed after midnight, the soul burger draws tourists and neighbors regularly in the South Main dive bar and lounge. Cheddar cheese, pickles, grilled onions, "soul sauce," and juicy patties grilled on the bar back define the establishment's rule, "Keep it simple, stupid."

4. FOLK'S FOLLY CELLAR LOUNGE, Gourmet Burger Taste the legend in a more casual form than the steakhouse's ribeye. A blend of renowned ground prime beef from Humphrey's Prime Cut Shoppe is prepared exclusively on weekend evenings in the Cellar Lounge (or for take-out).

5. CAFE 1912, 1912 Burger Spread with aromatic roasted garlic aioli, this hearty French bistro-style burger melts in your mouth, especially with crumbles of bacon and Maytag blue cheese. Parmesan pommes frites pile high on the side.

6. OSHI BURGER BAR, Oshi Burger Though other burgers on the menu are tasteful, this burger is named for the restaurant for a reason. Wagyu American Kobe beef is topped with soy glaze, shiitake tapenade, Swiss and housemade Umami mayo.

For the Love of Bacon (Greenwood)

I thought I was going to Greenwood last weekend to share my love for my boyfriend Alex; but I left focused on my love for bacon.

Yes, the Rabbi's daughter spent Valentine's Eve at the Viking Cooking School in the Delta with a four-course menu of all-things bacon. The workshop-style dinner class, entitled "For the Love of Bacon," celebrated the ingredient through surf and turf, veggies and sweets.

Tucked into the Delta's Downtown square of Greenwood, Viking's state-of-the-art space sits across from the luxurious Alluvian hotel, which poises the town for the finest of hospitality and vacation vibes throughout its details. The Southern charm shines in the guest room flourishes and downstairs Giardina's cordials and cuisine.

Our mouth-watering cooking class menu was as follows:

- Glazed Pancetta-Wrapped Shrimp

- Baby Greens with Lobster, Avocado, Pink Grapefruit and Brown Sugar Bacon

- Bacon-Wrapped Beef Tenderloin

- Lobster Béarnaise

- Guanciale Mashed Potatoes

- Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Sherry Vinaigrette

- Chocolate Sponge Cupcake with Peanut Butter Mascarpone Mousse and Chocolate Covered Bacon

Jealous? Well, the class was fantastic -- And I know, we rocked the aprons. The technique was far from simple, especially for a hand-beaten béarnaise, though we laughed our way through the evening with flowing wine and new friends.

I quickly understood why bacon is not just for breakfast as an egg's complement. It's the perfect outer layer of a salted and peppered tenderloin, or a crunch to salad, or a sweet and smoky addition to dessert. I coveted the brown sugar coated bacon, which we baked on 350 degrees for 25 minutes until crisp. Heaven, y'all.

My favorite course of the evening was our salad, celebrating winter citrus with smooth avocado and the savory sweet undertones of bacon. Enjoy one of our Viking exclusive recipes, and get on down to Greenwood!

Makes 4 Servings

3 tablespoons red wine vinegar 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon thinly sliced fresh chives

1/2 medium ruby red grapefruit 1 ripe avocado, pitted and diced Salt and black pepper, to taste 2 cups mixed baby greens 1 cup cooked lobster meat, cut into 1/2 inch pieces 4 slices brown sugar bacon, broken into 1/2 inch pieces

1. For the dressing, whisk together vinegar, salt and sugar in a small mixing bowl. Add the oil in a thin stream, whisking constantly and vigorously, until vinaigrette is emulsified. Add chives and adjust with seasoning salt and/or sugar as needed.

2. Working over the dressing bowl to catch juices, peel and segment the grapefruit. Place the segments into the bowl with the juices. Add the avocado to the bowl and toss gently to coat with dressing to prevent browning.

3. Add the baby greens, lobster and bacon to the bowl with grapefruit and avocado dressing. Toss until combined. Serve immediately.