Food – Page 51 – Simply Norma

Cafe Cravings in White Bear Lake, Minnesota

We went to Cafe Cravings in White Bear Lake, Minnesota for breakfast.

Cafe Cravings in White Bear Lake, MN

There was a special listed on the board of walnut apple pancakes for $7.45 which I thought sounded delicious. I picked up the menu to see what else they had and noticed that the price for that same “special” was actually less. When I asked the cashier about the discrepancy, I was told that the menu had changed.

Since there were 3 of us, I asked what else had changed and they told me they could tell us as we chose. Hmmmm …. I expected them to offer the lower price for my menu item but no offer was forthcoming.

Then I asked if they had hot chocolate made from an espresso machine (the milk). The gentleman said “We can do that.” When I received my hot chocolate, it was the cheaper powdered one.

Batting zero for zero.

Apple walnut pancakes

The pancakes were pretty good although they were a little too moist, ie. a lot of butter was used. I also tasted a hint of bacon and wondered if they had been grilled on the same griddle.

Blueberry Muffin

This was huge! I didn’t taste it but my husband said there weren’t very many blueberries.

Cheesy Potatoes

The potatoes were fresh and not frozen. I heard no complaints from the person who ordered this.

Garden Omelette

The presentation of this menu item was good. Then I heard “I think I got the wrong thing.” It was a good garden omelette, just a little different than what was expected. Again, the potatoes were made from scratch.

Powdered Hot Chocolate

I enjoy hot chocolate. So when I specifically ask if it’s from one of those old-fashioned machines that spew it out with water or if it’s powdered, and I’m led to believe it’s not, I’m disappointed.

This was my fault though for not being specific enough. I thought my question was understood but those with me thought I could have been more specific.

The older I get, the more I want to get what I pay for with my money.

Chocolate Chip Cookies from Scratch

Thought I’d do a little baking and cookies from scratch always seem to taste better.

This is the original Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip cookie recipe.

These are the ingredients you’ll need to make this recipe. Oops, I forgot the salt. And, I only made half the recipe as otherwise I’d eat all the cookies.

1 1/8 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened (I used unsalted)

3/8 cup granulated sugar

3/8 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 egg

1 cup Nestle Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels

Directions — Preheat oven to 375F

Combine flour, baking soda & salt in a small bowl. (I like to use a whisk to take any lumps out).

Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer until creamy. I used the whisk as we didn’t have a mixer. Add egg and beat well.

Gradually beat in flour mixture.

Stir in morsels (the recipe calls for nuts but I didn’t add them).

After mixing, it will look like this.

Drop by spoonfuls onto an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheet for approximately 2 minutes.

The final product will look like this.

Enjoy!

Click here for the original recipe

Ray J’s American Grill in Woodbury

We went to Ray J’s American Grill last evening for dinner.

It feels and is a sports bar although the bar section is on one side and the restaurant is on the other. It was pretty busy when we arrived.

We ordered onion rings which were delicious. Unfortunately, they got gobbled up before I was able to take a picture.

The three entrees we ordered are below.

Ray J’s Angus Beef Hamburger

Angus beef is used for this hamburger. Normally that’s a good cut but this was almost tasteless. One pickle on the side was all you got along with the french fries. No lettuce, no tomatoe, no onions. It did state on the menu that there was nothing but a pickle with french fries but we didn’t read the menu that closely and just assumed the hamburger would be like all the others with the normal “sides.”

Chicken Marsala

I heard no complaints about the Chicken Marsala which came with garlic mashed potatoes.

Chicken Dumpling Soup

The chicken in the dumpling soup was a little dry but otherwise the soup okay.

Chicken Pot Pie

The chicken in the pot pie was also dry and they used frozen vegetables instead of fresh. Not a good rating for this entree — maybe a two on a scale of five.

We’ve been here one other time and the food was good so maybe another trip would be fine.

Ray J’s is located at 9854 Norma Lane in Woodbury, MN.

Mornings

Starbucks in Woodbury

The sun is barely up on crisp mornings in Minnesota that lead me to start the day with a hot chocolate at Starbucks.

Although they don’t serve the best or near best hot chocolate, Minnesota has yet to produce such a place – perhaps yet undiscovered by me.

Many are the old-fashioned machines that spew out a cup of what I was Â accustomed to growing up called hot chocolate.

The Starbucks cocoa leaves a taste of bitterness in your mouth.

Still, it’s better than nothing and the ambiance is perfect for starting the day in a calm environment.

Chipotle Restaurant in Woodbury, Minnesota

Since moving to Minnesota, I have had the opportunity to visit different restaurants. I have to say that I am not overly impressed yet with the selection here.

I recently went to Chipotle Restaurant in Woodbury, Minnesota. I was told that it would be better than Taco Del Mar in Seattle, Washington but unfortunately I didn’t find it to be so.

The corn chips are really good. About the same as the ones offered at Senor Moose in Seattle.

Burrito Bowl

I ordered the burrito bowl which is like a tostada but not. It is a layered dish with lime-cilantro rice, beans (pinto or black), a meat of your choice, cheese, lettuce and pico de gallo sauce.

I had wanted the pinto beans but asked if they had any meat in them and was told that they have pork. Eeekkk! That’s weird. So I had the black beans instead although those aren’t my favorite.

When asked what kind of sauce I wanted, I opted for the pico de gallo which I was told was mild. Arrgghhh! Another surprise. It was medium hot.

The chicken I ordered was mildly flavored and was good.

Because I went during lunch time, it was crowded and I was lucky to find a place to sit.

I did find the toothpick wrap and napkin interesting.

Shelburne Farms in Vermont

One of the things that I like to receive for the holidays (if I have a choice) are food baskets.

Shelburne Farms Basket

This one was given to us by our daughter and it’s just perfect.

It includes the pancake mix, syrup and jam — then cheese thrown in as a bonus.

I have found that the mixes in these types of baskets are pretty good. And, they are so timely during the holidays.

Shelburne Farms is in Shelburne, Vermont. I have never been to Vermont but hope to someday visit.

Cooking with Shelburne Farms: Food and Stories from Vermont (Shelburne Farms Books)

Anna Maria’s in South Beloit, WI

We encountered this wonderful little Italian restaurant as we made one stop for dinner before arriving at our daughter’s house prior to Christmas Eve. If only they had restaurants like these everywhere we went. Well, okay, maybe not. We’d be really rolly polly then.

I had the Mostaccioli. This oversized pasta meal was enough to feed three people. It had the right blend of a meat tomato sauce (perfect), cheese and a hint of basil.

What a treat! If you’re ever in the area, you need to stop at this restaurant. A five out of five rating.

Anna Maria’s
823 Gardner St
South Beloit, IL
815.389.2645

Mostaccioli

Christmas Breakfast

It was not the usual Christmas day breakfast we’re used to having in Seattle. Moving to Minnesota has brought new events to satisfy the holidays.

My husband usually makes our breakfast and this year was no exception although we were at my sister’s Christmas morning.

A simple meal of scrambled eggs, homemade potatoes, turkey bacon, fresh fruit and bagels.

Simplicity is the way to go in life. Too many complicated things to tax the brain. If we could just enjoy what’s at our own tables, life would be good.

Noodles & Company

Pad Thai

On the way to Chicago for the holidays, we stopped at a restaurant in Woodbury, MN called Noodles & Company. I ordered the Pad Thai which tasted different than what I’m used to in Seattle. The chicken pieces didn’t have much flavor. I don’t believe they cook them in the sauce. It also lacked the peanut flavor I was used to.

Our son had the Pesto Cavatappi. The noodles were bland. One could have boiled their noodles at home, added salt and it may have tasted the same.

Pesto Cavatappi

Tomato Basil Bisque

I was pleasantly surprised by how much flavor the Tomato Basil Bisque had. Not too much “tomato” taste and just the right hint of basil.

Overall, I’d probably give the restaurant two stars even though the price is right.

Pancakes from scratch

I tried a simple recipe that I found at allrecipes.com for pancakes.

The recipe is included below although I changed one measure — the salt. The original recipe says add 1 teaspoon salt but I found that one teaspoon is too much. I’d suggest trying 1/2 teaspoon salt and if you want a little more flavor add a wee bit of vanilla.

This recipe is so simple and makes quite a few pancakes so I suggest you make a large batch of the recipe and then put some away in a container for future use. No need to go out and buy already made pancake mixes.

Pancakes from scratch

These are fluffy and you can add other ingredients like mashed bananas, blueberries or thinly sliced applies.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 1/4 cups milk
1 egg
3 tablespoons butter, melted

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Make a well (hole) in the center and pour in the milk, egg and melted butter. Mix until smooth.

Heat a lightly oiled griddle over medium heat. (I used butter but I’m sure a non-stick spray will work as well.) Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.

I thought 1/4 cup was too little so I added more but the batter spread quickly so I’d stick with the 1/4 cup that it calls for.

Enjoy!