Top Chef, a Battle of Cooks

Contributed by Alec Bates:

Top Chef is a cooking competition that airs on the Bravo network. I've watched several seasons of it so far, and it is my favorite reality show. I watch Top Chef on my satellite dish. Padma Lakshmi is the host, and I think she is one of the most elegant ladies on TV from www.expertsatellite.com. Tom Colicchio is a judge on the show, and he is a famous chef in his own right. I value his opinion because he is brutally honest. Contestants are chosen to compete against one another for an array of prizes. Past winners have received prize money, a feature in Food & Wine Magazine, as well as an expenses-paid vacation.

The judges' critiquing session is my ! favorite part of the each episode. Since I can only see what each dish looks like, it is imperative for me to get an idea of how each dish tastes based on the judges' critiques. Sometimes they praise a particular dish, and I imagine what the food would taste like. At other times, the judges ridicule a chef that has stumbled in the week's challenge. At the end of each episode, the judges eliminate at least one chef whom they feel has not performed well.

Easter Food: Tinolang Isda

It's EASTER SUNDAY! Hubby and I bought a fresh Tuna and Red Snapper at a Seafood store. I guess it's the only seafood store around and it's fresh. I was thinking to make a "kinilaw"/sushi but, since I don't have ginger in the pantry, I made this instead. Let's chow people! Tinolang Isda is a Filipino cuisine probably called Fish Stew. You can actually make a "Tinola" recipe using chicken meat or beef and this food is popular for Filipinos. Now, since hubby will be having baked ham for lunch, let me satisfy my simple craving for tinola in this lovely Easter morning:-)Happy Easter Everyone and let us be reborn in the goodness of the Lord Almighty! Do something good to others. This is my entry for Yummy Sunday this week.

Hummer : My Dream SUV

This is my favorite car. Actually, I like SUV type and also pick-up trucks on which I can sit up high. I don't fancy the most expensive kind such as Corvette or Lamborghini for reasons that I don't like sports car. I need that car which can give me extra safety and protection. There are crazy drivers on the road especially here in Florida. They love to cut you over and if you drive a compact car, they have no respect on you! But, imagine yourself if you drive this big daddy or any SUV type and you will noticed that everyone will have their distance on you!Funny huh?

Mao kini ang akong tampo sa sa Hulagway sa Kinabuhi sa letrang D!Hulagway sa DALAG nga kolor nga sakyanan. Dili nko paborito ang dalag pero sakyanan nga sama niani, pasado na kaayo. Taman nalang ko ani sa damgo kay bisan ang dili bag o nga modelo nianing sakyan, mahal man japon. Binuangan nako ako bana, sa tuig nga maka palit ko nianing sakyanan, barato na tingali. Ang problema, "phase out" na nia pohon. Wala naman bag-o nga hummer kay gihunong na ang paghimo niani. Pastilan! Ikalipay ko ba nia nga balita o dili? KUK!Mga higala ko nga bisaya, mao nia akong sugilanon sa hulagway nga akong gipakita sa taas! Balik-balik nya mo diri ha.

Ruby Tuesday: Baby Back Ribs

I had a giftcard from Ruby Tuesday worth $25 and have been keeping it since last year. My husband has kept on procrastinating our lunch date at Ruby Tuesday and most of time, we end up detouring to another restaurant. Last Friday, we went to Florida Mall, and finally had our late lunch at Ruby Tuesday.I ordered Classic Barbecue Baby-Back Ribs which is a half-rack slow-cooked for hours then covered with tangy barbecue sauce. This is my first time to taste a delicious, so tender and well-done baby-back ribs. I enjoyed this meal a lot together with the Onion Rings and fries. I highly recommend Ruby Tuesday, particulary the outlet in Florida Mall. I know this is not a good shot. I wanted to take the sign of Florida Mall but, we were walking away towards our car. Ruby Tuesday Restaurant is near by the entrance and next to Sak's Fifth Avenue Shopping area. This is my entry fro this week's YUMMY SUNDAY!

Yummy Clams

When we were in Mississippi, hubby and I will always dine out in the Satisfaction Buffet at Hard Rock Casino and Hotel every Wednesdays and Fridays. My first food was always the steamed clams at the Asian Area. It was my appetizer but, I can finished 2 bowls usually and no more space for the main course :-). During my younger days, we lived nearby the riverbanks. I had a wonderful time harvesting clams with my neighbors. It surely can save a week's meal. My mother created few recipes out of clams such as steamed, tortilla, omelet, soup and more. Good old days were fun and reminiscing those moments certainly bring back happy thoughts. Ang Kinason, paborito nako nga pagkaon sa bata pako. Mangaligo mi sa suba, uban sa akong mga amigo ug amiga, magdala dayon mi planggana. Kurawon namo ang balas sa ilalom pina agi sa amoang tiil, hangtod mang gawas ang kinason. Amo dayon suroyon sa hinimo nga net, paskang biboha labi na kung dagko amo makuha. Ayaw mo katingala ngano itum ko. Nagdako ko sa lugar sa dakong suba sa Cagayan de Oro, KUK.

I snagged this picture from the Website of Hard Rock Casino in Biloxi. This is the exact ambiance in Satisfaction Buffet. If you happen to pass by Mississippi, get on Highway 90 and have a quick stop to relax at the Hard Rock Biloxi.

This is my entry for letter K.

Dinner at Rusty's Seafood

I snagged this photo from the Website of Rusty's Seafood and Oyster's Bar because I can't find the picture that I took from this place. This is our favorite hang out restaurant in Port Canaveral Florida for two reasons: delicious FOOD and good spot to watch the cruise ship off to it's destination.

We invited one of our closest friend with us and we had our sumptuous dinner in this place. Rusty's always have great crowd mostly hanging out for food who also enjoy the live music at the waterfront deck. Hubby and I loves to sit by the window facing the waterfront just to watch the cruise ship. Hubby ordered his favorite raw oysters from Rusty's famous Buried Treasures menu. The picture below is not the actual oysters from Rusty's. Their serving is way better looking and nicely served at the top of cold ice to preserved it's freshness.

I ordered "arrr famous encrusted mahi-mahi" served with coleslaw and fries. Because it was so delicious, I devour the food without taking a snap shot of it :-) There you go hahaha. Anyway, if you happen to visit Port Canaveral for a cruising trip to Bahamas or Caribbean, take your time to wander in this area. You will love the restaurants in this place but, do visit Rusty's first. Happy Sunday everyone!

Grilled Chicken and Shrimp Scampi

Almost everyday, hubby and I go out for lunch or dinner. We love Italian, Chinese and Seafood Restaurants, RED LOBSTER is one of the many places that we love to visit to savor and enjoy the good food. Isn't it delicious by just looking at this food? I ordered shrimp scampi and grilled chicken with rice pilaf. Did you know that their new England clam chowder soup is truly delicious? I am drooling of this yumminess now!

This is my entry for Bogie's Yummy Sunday Meme. Visit her blog and

join us in sharing the food that delights our senses :-). Happy Sunday everyone!