BBQ Magic

     My definition of  "food snob" may be different than yours.  In fact, a more correct term may be persnickety.

     I do love remarkably fresh whole food prepared from scratch, but there are also drive through windows worthy of visiting.   Once I heard a local chef, whose food I love, say that his favorite fast food was a taco from Jack in the Box.  Needless to say,  I was taken aback.  I decided I must go try one of these tacos and dangalang, I also found it conflictingly gratifying. Not at all what I would like to eat on a weekly basis, but it had a strange appeal.  Food snobbery has it's exceptions.

     I grew up on a great BBQ sandwich.  When deciding to move to Texas (many many years ago), I was thinking there would be some great BBQ in my future.  Sadly, most Texas BBQ is sappy sweet and uninteresting. I much prefer the vinegar, black pepper based sauce.  And that doused with a generous sprinkling of Tabasco. The best BBQ sandwich I have found in our area is Dickey's BBQ.    They have received the James Beard award and it's fairly decent BBQ.  There are still locations in the area, one on Industrial in Bedford, one on Precinct Line in Hurst, and a Kimbell  Southlake location, to name a few.

     TBut the very best BBQ is when my nearest and dearest friend fires up her smoker and spends the day working her magic on pounds of succulent meat.  I make the old vinegar based sauce and we combine the two for a smoked delicacy good enough to make you want to slap your momma.  That and the company of the people you enjoy make for BBQ heaven.  The non sweet delectable sauce recipe follows... yes, it's just too good not to share.

UNBELIEVABLY AMAZING BBQ SAUCE

32 oz. bottle of ketchup
26 oz. bottle of vinegar
6 tsp. black pepper
6 tsp. sugar
6 tsp. chili powder
4 tsp. salt
16 oz. water
2 finely chopped onions

Combine all and cook slowly stirring occassionally until desired thickness.   About 4 hours.

Three Course Chef Special in North Arlington

My favorite restaurant for about the last 20 years is Cacharel in North Arlington. They are located on the 9th floor of the Brookhollow Two Tower. Always a pleasant experience with great food and a friendly staff.  Imagine fine French dining without the usual snobbishness.

Lunch is the best time to try Cacharel as it is less crowded and there is always a Chef Special lunch menu that is amazingly affordable.  You actually get three courses for around $20. First they bring a basket of heavenly french rolls, hot and crusty on the outside, soft and wonderful on the inside.  Always real butter.  Their soup du jour is usually creamy, rich and delicious.  The salads are fresh and have a light flavorful dressing. A main course that is plated beautifully and is so delectable it will make you wonder if you just heard angels singing. Desert is fresh made and is always a real treat. Best chocolate souffle on the planet.  

Don't let the smaller portions fool you.  It is real food and it is rich food.  It is more than enough to fill you up and make your tummy completely satisfied.  

A great place for a special lunch with friends or a business lunch that is sure to impress. Of course, they are open evenings also, and offer a grand ball room for special events.  

You can download the Open Table app on your smart phone and make a reservation here with just a few clicks.  So very convenient!

http://www.cacharel.net/

Glory On a Cedar Plank

      When my husband asked, "What's for lunch?" yesterday, I told him I was dreaming big.  I was dreaming of a cozy little place on 26 in Colleyville called Next.

     So there we went and the food and the service was excellent.  I ordered the Cedar Planked Salmon and he had the Seafood Ravioli, both were specials for the day.  His was very good, but mine was GLORIOUS.  A lovely caramelized strip of extremely fresh salmon dressed in a rich buttery sauce flirted with me as it lay on a bed of matchstick cut squash of green and gold, next to a fluffy little cloud of dreamy creamy mashed potatoes.  It had a ingenious drizzle of sauces on the edge, one with a kick and one with a luscious sweetness.  And a garnish of two of the largest capers I have ever encountered.  

How glorious was it?  Glorious enough to inspire the creation of the Mid-City Food Snob Blog. 

We eat out on a regular basis, sometimes it's great and sometimes not so much. If you live in the DFW area, I hope you will go on a Foodie adventure with me through this blog.  And by all means, recommend me to your family and friends in the area. Please feel free to tell me of any place you would recommend.  

http://nextwoodfiredbistro.com/

They serve lunch and dinner daily except on Sunday.  Brunch on Sunday. 

I guarantee you will leave with happy little taste buds and a smile.