Sriracha + Hummus = YummyHummy

Have you ever felt that plain hummus are plain boring? I have. The cracker / dipping tool is what gives the hummus flavor, right? And that is not a healthy way of eating this amazing protein. So companies like Sabra have started doing flavored hummus which has been very successful. Also, very successful right now is Huy Fong - Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce. Americans seem to be adding this spicy red sauce to just about anything and everything. This the clear bottle with the green top and rooster logo. So, last week, I decided to add some Huy Fong to my boring hummus...BAM!!! The hummus were instantly better and more flavorful. Tons of flavor! This inspired me to get up from the Corporate Realty lunch table and go straight to my desk and buy the domain Srirachahummus.com -- That's right! Srirachahummus.com

I know. It's very tough to spell and in hindsight it probably wasn't the best investment of my career, but I still like the flavor combo. I urge all my readers to try this very simple - two part recipe next time they are having hummus. You will not be disappointed.

In other news, check out this most (below) interesting sign I came across in the bywater yesterday:

Can you say Ron Paul?

Summer Cooking Ideas: Carrots, Figs, and Peaches

Three ideas for summer cooking to kick it up a notch & try something new!



#1 - Carrot fries: Super easy to make. Cut those carrots thin, bath them in EVOO, spice em up, and bake them in the oven. Super delicious and healthy!



#2 - Grilled Peaches: On sale right now from Rouses for $0.97 per pound. Fire up the grill, slice the peaches in half, wipe the grill grates down with EVOO, paint the peaches with honey and salt, and grill then until you get some nice grill marks.



#3 - Fig Chutney - Nothing adds flavor to a meat (chicken, pork, etc...) like some cooked figs on top.

Guess that Restaurant: ValueNola visits California

Welcome back! Congratulations to last weeks winner, Ashley Orr, with her lucky guess of La Petite Grocery! La Petite is definitely one of the great New Orleans brunch spots, BUT DAMN it will burn a hole in a brother's pocket.

This weeks edition includes both New Orleans & California restaurants / dishes. Good luck!





Clues for Photo #1 & #2 (both are from the same restaurant): This west coast upscale burger joint features truffle fries, tempura onion rings, and a trendy decor. Burgers are in the $10-$14 range.



Clues for photo #3: This all american breakfast spot would be near impossible to guess unless you were at the Fishman wedding in Ojai, CA last weekend. So, this will be guess that dish: The special of this popular brunch spot is the ______________ which needed no syrup. Also note, I ordered turkey sausage to save on calories and a possible heart attack from the special.



No guessing on the above photo. I included this photo because I totally want/need one of these smoker / grills for my backyard. F'ing Amazing.



Clues for photo #5 - A $20 Cobb salad = only in _____, CA!



Clues for photo #6 - Tuesday lunch special at this popular & classic New Orleans pink restaurant. Great low carb entree.



Clues for photo #7 - same restaurant as above. This special is the ultimate half soup & half sandwich lunch entree. Panera Bread ain't got shit on this. Can you say heart attack?

OK. I think that is enough for today. Good luck.

Guess that Restaurant

Welcome to the 3rd edition of Guess that Restaurant. Keep in mind all clues for this edition are for same place.

General Clues: This popular uptown restaurant does a great upscale brunch. Definitely not the best value, but a logical place to be your SPLURGE OF THE WEEK!



Description: Heirloom tomato salad



Description: Best portion of the day! Steak Tartar. The capers ruined it for me. ($12)



Description: A beautiful Cobb salad that comes without any protein. With protein, the salad will run you $20 pre-tax and tip.



Description: This was the real winner - Paneed Chicken with a fried egg on top & 1/4 waffle below ($18)



Description: Black Drum fish in what can only be described as a bistro portion. No value here, but great if you are on a diet...minus the cream corn sauce.

Any ideas of where these photos were taken? Guess away!

Splurge of the Week: Apolline Restaurant

Happy Friday New Orleans!

I had a wonderful meal last night uptown on Magazine Street. Apolline is a new restaurant located at 4729 Magazine Street - occupying the space formerly known as Dominique's. Apolline Restaurant has a beautiful interior with a well rounded menu.

Specialty cocktails are $9 and entrees range from $24-$33. The portions are decent - good. Apolline, to me, qualifies as a bistro. I wouldn't say this place is a great value, but Apolline definitely qualifies as a Splurge of the Week!



Pictured above is the crispy confit duck leg entree ($25) served with potato and andouille hash, zucchini, and a quail egg. This dish is accompanied by an amazing duck gravy. Be sure to request cornbread to dip into the gravy. I am a big fan of this crowd favorite. My only complaint was the portion. Have you ever tried a quail egg?



Pictured above is the ponzu glazed salmon entree ($25) served with parsnip puree and shitake mushrooms on top. A very healthy portion of salmon with a very creative take on parnsip that serves as a interest & healthy alternative to mashed potatoes. The shitake mushrooms were the best mushrooms I've had in my entire life. Big fan!

All in all, I was really pleased with my first visit to Apolline and endorse this spot as a Splurge of the Week. Former lawyer and owner Keith Andrews seems to be working really hard to achieve a great guest experience. Keep up the good work!

Guess Game: Name that Place, Restaurant, Dish

And here it is - the 2nd edition of Name that dish, restaurant, or place.

Item #1


Clues: This $18 dish has a very special kick in it's glaze! This is one of the only restaurants I know of that features entrees in the $12-18 range. Great place for watching a game and/or sitting at the bar.

Item #2



Clues: A memorial day tradition that was hotter than Haiti. Gotta love the Ouzo daquiri to accompany your food.

Item #3



Clues: Same hot venue as item #2, but this one is much sweeter and is a first cousin of the Beignet...not the dog.


By the way, answers to the first edition of guess that dish / restaurant: Chicken Plate @ Sarita's on Freret, Jeff's Tatlah @ Carnegie Deli in Las Vegas, and a Magherita Pizza from Maggiano's.