Sea Bass, Monica's Aca y Alla, Fried Green Tomatoes Are Supposed To Be Fried and Other Keen Observations....

Good Morning - oh wait, it's afternoon. Good Afternoon.

First off, condolences to the Smith and Herrin families this morning. Bruce Smith died from a massive heart attack Saturday morning and Barbara Herrin's grandson passed away as well. Prayers are going out to both of these families while they deal with the loss of their loved ones. I hope God will comfort them during this difficult time. It was such a sad and surreal weekend - hearing this news. On top of that, a schoolmate of Paige's fell from her top bunk and suffered a skull fracture. She's still in the hospital, but the C-Collar has been removed and she's walking. Our hope is that she will make a full recovery. Lots of worrying and praying this weekend for all who needed it.

I prepared Sea Bass Saturday night. I don't like to do a lot to it. It's a rich, delicious fish on it's own and doesn't need a bunch of crap on it. HEB sells the seafood splash that's good for marinating shrimp and fish. I bought the roasted garlic and poured it over the Sea Bass and let it marinate for about 20 minutes. I then roasted it in the oven at 400 degrees for 35 minutes. Sea Bass is a very oily fish and never really loses a lot of the moisture - no matter how long you cook it. It's not going to necessarily flake with a fork, but it's going to turn opaque and that's when you know it's done. I also like to broil it on high for a few minutes at the end to get the top kind of crispy.

We had a ton of veggies from my garden and from Central Market, so I made a veggie dinner last night. Braised turnip greens, new potatoes and green beans and cream peas. Dinner was simple and yummy :) I've got fresh corn, squash and zucchini to make this week. My garden is KICKING ASS!!!! I'm going to have so many tomatoes and peppers....I can't wait!

Speaking of tomatoes....I was trying to be healthy last night a bake my "fried" green tomatoes. Uh no. They're called fried green tomatoes for a reason. Fry those babies and don't worry about whether or not it's healthy. They're going to be good and the way God intended them to taste - battered and fried in oil. Amen.

TOT was this weekend. Damn that Gary Brignon. He had crappy chili and beat me. Hell, Bob Coats got robbed by the computer. He was tied for first with Gary and his chili was better than Mr. B's. AND SO WAS MINE.....LOL!!!!! I was SO PISSED. PISSED, PISSED, PISSED. I'm sick of that lucky bastard beating me all the time. I told him no more - he's mixing his spices from now on. Same with Ray. Gary can mix his, too. I had delicious chili on Saturday.....I should have beat him and Ray. Grrrggggrrrrrrr......damnit!! DAMNIT!! Oh well....I'll be mixing Lord Brignon's spices this week for SW Open domination.....LOL!!!!!!

I just deleted a paragraph from my blog. I sent it to Gary for proof reading and when he answered the phone, he said, "Kelly Sharee". That greeting spoke volumes...so I'm not going to put my rant on here. My inner bitch is trying to get out and I have to keep pushing her back in....just like the Seether. Sucks ass, let me tell you. Bite Tongue. Slap Hands. Repeat. Over and over and over and ovah......

Thank you Doris for the tips on tweaking the Mild Bill's Bean Seasoning! I'll be sure and load you up with beans and samples as soon as I remix a batch!!!

Monica's Aca y Alla is a Mexican restaurant in Deep Ellum. It has been around for over 20 years....and used to be known as Eduardo's Aca y Alla. Eduardo decided he wanted to be Monica....so he went from boy to girl and still has a fantastic restaurant. Courtney and I went there for the first time ever yesterday and had brunch. It was pretty good. I'd like to go back again and try a few more dishes. The shrimp cocktail was especially good. I was reading the D Magazine article on the Top 20 Steakhouses in Dallas and of course, Pappas Steakhouse was ranked #1. But what really surprised me was the distance between Pappas and all of the other Dallas Steakhouses. It's like there is Pappas....and then there is everyone else. I kind of feel that way myself. If you've never been, go. Request John Balduf, or sit at the bar and have dinner. Order the bacon wrapped scallops, lobster bisque, ribeye (medium rare for God's sake), the crab mac and cheese and the skillet potatoes. Finish your meal with a glass of Brachetto D' Aqui and a piece of flourless chocolate cake. Order wine with your meal and just waller in the fabulousness of the experience.

The above is what I describe as Food Porn.

My girls also placed this weekend....Zoe got 3rd and Paige got 2nd. Woo hoo....way to go my little chili chicks!!!!!!

Paige informed me today that she prefers short shorts and tank tops. Pray for us, please.

I hope everyone has a good day. Remember to keep Bruce Smith and Barbara Herrin's families in your prayers.

Kelly