Category: Mexican (Page 3 of 4)

Tongue In My Gorditas: Weekend Treats At La Unica

July 30, 2012 / / 2 Comments
I needed this quiet weekend at home. 
Our weekend travels, increasingly fatiguing job, and simultaneous rate at which I have been pushing myself to creatively write and cook are starting to slow me down.  
In the past, I have enjoyed a uncannily high success rate of nailing recipes on the first try, even while cooking without recipes.  The last two weeks have brought me more homemade food fail than wins.  One pasta dish was so horrible that I have to suppress my gag reflex every time I think about it.  
I’m left pondering my losing streak.  It’s time to find more balance, use my energy and time wisely, and continue to be inspired.  Food has always been my first love and I find myself in an existential crisis between desire and practicality.  I’m left wrestling with myself.  My goals, abilities, weaknesses, and resources, reaching for a future involving more of what I love.  Food and storytelling. 
Wish me all of the luck and courage you can spare.
On Saturday morning, I stopped by La Unica in Moorhead, MN for their ethereal flour tortillas.  La Unica’s bags of corn tortillas seem to be sourced from the Twin Cities, but their flour tortillas are house made and preservative-free.  They’re delicate and more akin to lefse.  Delicious, simply gridded and brushed with butter.  
When I last visited La Unica in the spring, they were selling barbacoa beef cheek meat by the pint on Saturdays.  Now, they serve breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings until 1 p.m.  The tiny shop smelled fragrant with food and I noticed a steady stream of individuals picking up takeout containers.
Whenever you smell food at small markets, I suggest you always inquire.  
To order hot food, customers must fill out a small ordering form located by the kitchen door.  La Unica offers a selection of tacos, gorditas, huevos rancheros, and menudo.  Platters of food are also available along with a small selection of desserts which weren’t available this weekend.  
On Saturday, the woman at the register assisted me by translating the gordita fillings.  She lit up as she described the pork and green chili option, so I placed my order.  
The gordita was neatly packed in wax paper and wrapped in plastic.  Before I reached home, I ate half of the gordita and stopped myself.  The split corn cake cradled tender pieces of pork slicked in a spicy green sauce.  It was so tasty that I wanted to save some for Jake to taste.  
On Sunday morning, I returned for more gorditas and the shop was even busier than the day before.  This time, I bought one filled with beans and cheese, another with lengua (tongue).  
A young woman neatly packed up my order, instructing me to put the pico mixture on the tongue gordita.  

The bean and cheese gordita was ooey-gooey goodness.  
The lengua meat was was as tender and beefy as pot roast.  I removed some of the fattier bits and gave half to Jake without telling him it was made of tongue.  He polished it off with compliments. 
I added the pico to both gorditas along with a needed sprinkle of salt and spritz of lime.
The gorditas cost $3.50 or $3.75 depending on the variety.  For a small stomach like mine, one is hearty enough for a light meal.  I look forward to returning to La Unica to try more from their breakfast menu.  This girl likes her weekend grocery shopping snack breaks.  Especially when they’re as refreshing as finding gorditas in Moorhead.  
La Unica
2615 12th Ave S
Moorhead, MN 56560
218-236-1075

Our Detroit Lakes Weekend Part I: Eggbake Heaven & “Za” from Zorbaz

June 27, 2012 / / 1 Comment

My idea of heaven is waking-up to someone else’s eggbake.

Such was the case during our weekend stay at The Lodge On Lake Detroit.

Our room’s balcony overlooked the grassy lawn and clear waters of Lake Detroit.  On our first evening, we giggled as adults polka’d around a campfire on the beach.  During the day, friends gossiped over beer while children built sandcastles.

The view from our balcony

The lodge was immaculately clean and it’s vibe was tranquil.  Obviously, not a prime choice for rowdy party-goers.  We unwound and enjoyed the complimentary wi-fi and watermelon water from the lobby.  Jake swam in the indoor pool while I sat on a beach chair and daydreamed.

My favorite part of our stay was slicing off wedges of the lodge’s eggbake featured at the complimentary breakfast.  This eggbake was no ordinary eggbake.  In fact, it may even be better than your mother’s.  Each morning, the staff gingerly replaced small pans of eggbake made with vegetables, meat, gooey cheese, and fluffy cubes of bread.  On the first morning, I found fresh broccoli, and on the second, rosemary.  While some gravitated toward “make-your-own waffles” or the strange, automated pancake machine, I lined-up for eggbake, dousing it with a selection of hot sauces.

The Lodge also provided three varieties of hot coffee, plus flavored syrups.  Definitely my thing, not Jake’s.

A small bar in the lobby opens at five p.m. and serves bottles of craft beer, wine, cocktails, and a selection of treats such as $3 cheese plates and flat breads.

Overall, we have no complaints about The Lodge.  The staff members were lovely and we returned to Fargo breathing a little easier.

Before we left for Detroit Lakes, we had asked friends and coworkers for dining recommendations.  Nearly everyone pointed us towards Zorbaz.  So, on Friday evening we made the obligatory stop at Zorbaz for our first meal in Detroit Lakes.   We easily located the illuminated “Z” and sat on the patio beneath a neon palm tree.

Zorbaz offers an eclectic “please all” menu of pizza, Mexican-inspired food, and spaghetti.  Jake ordered the “Hot Hawg” pizza that was generously topped with green chili sauce, Canadian bacon, pepperoni, andouille sausage, bacon, and jalapenos.  He seemed satisfied and enjoyed the rest as leftovers.  I didn’t consider it particularly spicy, except for the jalapenos.

I don’t often crave Americanized-Mexican food, but was surprised at how much I enjoyed Zorbaz’s chicken enchiladas.

The chicken was plentiful and moist and the enchilada sauce packed more flavor than Mexican Village could muster.  I noticed the sauce contained rough cuts of fresh vegetables and I appreciated the garnishes of jalapeno and fresh, red onion.

The wristbands were annoying, the atmosphere was fun, and Jake was happy with the surprisingly large tap beer list.  Portion sizes were large considering the prices.  My enchilada plate, alone, contained enough food for three Jeni-sized meals.

We felt the food was tasty, though nothing earth-shattering.  With its relaxed atmosphere and proximity to the main beach, I can see why families look forward to making summer pilgrimages to Zorbaz.

Sidenote: I once dated a man from Philadelphia.  He asked me why Minnesotan’s called pizza, “za.”  I had no idea what he was talking about.  I believe I had my first encounter with “za” at Zorbaz.  When you “za,” do you know?  

 

Date Night At Mango’s Mexican Grill

March 6, 2012 / / 2 Comments

We haven’t gone out for Mexican food since we moved to Fargo in October.

I didn’t think I liked Mexican food until I traveled through Mexico with my friends.  Upon my return, I promptly fell in love with the Twin Cities’ many markets such as El Burrito Mercado and Mercado Central and regularly visited restaurants like La Sirena Gorda and Los Ocampo.

As far as I can tell, La Unica is Fargo and Moorhead’s only Mexican market.  The shelves are sparsely stocked, though they sell some basic herbs and spices, sweet potato and pineapple empanadas, frozen tamales, pico, fresh corn and flour tortillas, and barbecoa beef cheeks on Saturdays.  I hear they started offering tacos on Saturdays.

La Unica Mexican Market
2615 12th Avenue S
Moorhead, MN 56560
The empanada’s are sweet for my tastes, but the tortillas are delicious.  Once, I bought the most spicy, garlic-filled green salsa and we were dismayed to learn it was a one-time experiment, of sorts.  The hospitable owner recommended Mango’s when I asked his favorite Mexican restaurant in Fargo-Moorhead.   
Mango’s has been on our date night wish list for quite some time and I was excited to read Nikki Berglund’s (the lovely Proprietor and Wine Manager of Bernie’s Wines and Liquors) review published in the High Plains Reader.  Nikki’s review was enthusiastic and so we planned our Saturday date night at Mango’s. 
Jake is a fan of Mexican food, Americanized or not.  I have not typically enjoyed Americanized Mexican food and avoid it like the plague.

Mango’s Mexican Grill
2901 Main Avenue
Fargo, ND 5803

Mango’s is located on Main Avenue, an eclectic stretch of road that runs from Downtown to West Fargo.  Main Avenue is a jolting site to those unaccustomed to urban sprawl and we aptly nicknamed it Scary Street when we first moved here.  Now, I am less scared and more intrigued by its melange of martial arts warehouse studios, industrial services, dingy bars, used car dealerships, day cares, and barber shops (sometimes all in one building).  Main Avenue’s saving grace is its occasional ethnic restaurant or market, such as Mango’s.
We were quickly seated amongst other friendly families.  I noticed diners receiving giant mugs o’ brightly-colored margaritas, though we opted for $2 Pacifico’s.  Mine arrived in a frosty mug with lime. Jake wasn’t so fortunate. 
Our waitress brought us complimentary chips and salsa that we enjoyed pouring from a carafe.  

The chips were fresh and crispy and we especially liked the fresh, slightly spicy salsa.  
We remembered to ask for the spicy version that Nikki recommended.  
This version was much spicier.  In addition, its flavor was smokier and more intense and we enjoyed mixing the two salsas together.  
I was initially disappointed that Mango’s menu items appeared so Americanized, but attempted to toss my fear of Americanized-Mexican food aside with the attitude that any food can be delicious when made with care.   
To begin, we ordered the Queso Fundito, a hot cheese dip with chorizo.  
This bowl was larger than necessary for two people and delicious in the most indulgent way.  The creamy cheese sauce clearly tasted homemade.  And it melded with the glistening chorizo crumbles and drippings that lent complex hints of spices like cinnamon.  Only three corn tortillas accompany this large bowl of cheese, so you may want to order extra (or chips), or pack the remaining dip to-go.  
Jake was thrilled at the sight of his molcajete, a large stone cauldron filled with sizzling beef, veggies, and more of Mango’s addicting cheese sauce.  Basically, it was like fajitas on steroids.  
All of the elements were coated in a flavorful spice mixture that was delightfully salted  The beef was crispy on the edges and tender, and we enjoyed the variety of fresh vegetables including zucchini.  Plus, how could anything taste bad when coated in Mango’s cheese sauce?  
Jake’s molcojete was accompanied by a large portion of fresh guacamole, warm corn tortillas, rice, and refried beans.  I am usually bored by refried beans, but found Mango’s light and fluffy instead of leaden, and smokey.  
I ordered the grilled tilapia.  Call me foolish for half-expecting to receive whole, head-on fish in Fargo.  
Side note: One of my favorite restaurants in Minneapolis was La Sirena Gorda, recently closed.  They specialized in affordable Mexican seafood and I loved their clam chowder and spicy seafood soup.  I once dated an individual who ripped me a new one when I spoke of a restaurant that focused on Mexican seafood.  He informed me that “Mexican seafood” was an oxymoron.  An impossibility, since Mexico is landlocked and has no coastal regions. . . someone should show this gentleman a map.
I did not receive the whole fish of my dreams, but the tilapia fillet was quite tasty.  The fish tasted fresh and its texture was moist and succulent.  I also enjoyed the fish’s seasoning mixture.  Really, the fish was cooked and seasoned well.  The tomato slice was under-ripe and I could take or leave the sour cream and ice burg lettuce, but enjoyed the flavor of the rice.  Often, I find versions of this type of rice to be bland and boring, but liked Mango’s fluffy texture. More importantly, it tasted well-seasoned.  
Finally, I wanted to try their flan.  99% of the time, I pass on dessert, but make exceptions for this silky custard dripping with caramel.  Mango’s flan arrived with flourishes of whipped cream and chocolate syrup.  
The flan had a rich, caramel flavor.  However, it’s texture was very thick.  The flan near the bottom of the plate was very dark brown.  It did not exactly taste burned, but the texture was crumbly and putty-like.  I’ll pass on the flan next time.  
Overall, we enjoyed our first visit to Mango’s.  It may not have offered items as authentic as I had hoped, but the food was thoughtfully made with fresh ingredients and carefully seasoned.  Many dishes seem to involve cheese sauce, but at least it’s a delicious cheese sauce.  And homemade, to boot.  
The chips, fresh salsa, and cheap beer in frosty mugs, alone, would be enough to bring me back.  I look forward to returning for my own mocajete or to try one of their other entrees.  Mango’s even offers their molcajete for two on Sundays for less than $20.  The affordable food and beverages prices and warm and friendly atmosphere also made for a pleasant date night.  
I would welcome any comments about Mexican food in Fargo-Moorhead and for someone to demystify the beckoning circus lights of Paradiso.  How do Mexican Village and Juano’s compare, and are there additional options in the Fargo-Moorhead area?  Hell, I’ll even take an hour’s radius.   

Sacramento Day Three: Morning Horchata, Eel, Turkish Food, & One Last Breakfast

November 24, 2011 / / 0 Comments

I’m not one who craves coffee enough to make it myself, but when it’s waiting outside my door in the morning, I can’t help but to indulge.  After my cup of blond coffee, I ate half a broiled grapefruit and french toast drizzled with real maple syrup, sauteed plums, fresh kiwi, and crispy bacon.

My family decided to accompany my brother to Tahoe so he could snowboard.  The thought of spending the whole day in a car was more than I could stomach physically and mentally (plus I am prone to getting motion sickness as a passenger).  So my folks and brother made the nearly three hour drive to Tahoe while I explored the city.
After breakfast, I headed to Davis, a 20-minutes drive from Sacramento, to stroll through the city’s year-round, outdoor farmers market.  Davis was heaven and I beamed as I walked through cozy neighborhoods and shuffled through crunchy leaves.

I wandered through the many vendors and marveled at the fresh, local, and organic produce.  Vibrant fruits such as pomegranates and persimmons, considered exotic by Midwestern norms, were commonplace.

At the end of market were vendors serving a variety of hot foods.  I bought a jalapeno and cheese tamale and horchata from Montoya Tamales.

I added a spicy, red salsa to the tamale and settled on a park bench.  The tamale was light and fluffy and streamed with melted cheese and spicy chili.  I used to think I hated tamales because the only versions I had eaten in the Midwest were leaden and dry.  Traveling through central Mexico redefined tamales and this version was every bit as delicate and spicy.

After spending time at the market, I visited Oto’s Marketplace, a Japanese grocery store in Sacramento.  Many sources online sang Oto’s praises, mentioned their deli and sushi offerings, and spoke of Japanese individuals who considered the market worth a long drive.

I parked in the tight parking lot, reminiscent of Trader Joe’s parking lots of death, and wandered the store’s aisles admiring their large selections of sauces, noodles, and tea.  Full and limited to a small carry-on, I was tempted by giant slices of baum cake, poke and sake.

At the deli, I ordered eel and tuna nigiri which was freshly made by Ray Yamamoto.

 

I’m not a sushi expert, but compared to every version I have ever consumed, this was the best.

 

The rice was delicately shaped and room temperature.  The tuna was plush and naughtily silky.  The eel was caramel-colored and melted in my mouth.  The lack of a sticky, sweet eel sauce let the eel’s rich savoriness shine.
Prelude to Dinner
Full, I returned to The Amber House and took a long walk through the adjacent neighborhoods and to the downtown area.  After I collapsed into a firm nap, the phone rang and thus began the dinner negotiations.
The folks were exhausted from the long drive and anticipated a 3:30 a.m. wake up call to catch their flight home, so they asked me to choose a restaurant near Rocklin.  I’m not sure if they were really ready to accept my choice of a restaurant for dinner.  The non-chain restaurants were limited to international options and my father balked at my first suggestions.  When I defeatedly threw out “The Cheesecake Factory,” my dad insisted we go.  I burst into laughter when I heard my brother let out an exasperated uggggh. . . nooooo. . . Somehow, someway, my brother and Joan took over and convinced my Dad to meet me at Antolian’s Table, a Turkish restaurant in Rocklin.
Jeni’s Vacation Rule #2: Avoid eating at chain restaurant unless it’s a local chain.  
6815 Lonetree Blvd
Rocklin, CA 95765
 
Having never eaten Turkish food, I excitedly flipped through Anatolian Table’s extensive menu.  I started my meal with piping hot tea served in a little glass cup and we were brought to complimentary hummus and bread because our order took longer than expected to arrive.  While the bread did not seem to be of a special Turkish variety, it was freshly baked and straight from the oven.
The hummus was really fantastic and buttery smooth.
Joan and I ordered our waiter’s suggestion of Yogurtlu Betyi Kebap, which he recommended as one of the restaurants spiciest entrees.  The entree came with a fresh salad made of shredded, non-ice burg lettuce, cucumber, shaved onions, and tangy red cabbage.  I stirred the vegetables together and the salad perfectly complimented our rich entrees.
The Yogurtlu Betyi Kebap consisted of a kabob of slightly spicy, moist ground lamb wrapped in flat bread.  The kabob sat in a cool yogurt sauce and was topped with a mild tomato sauce that may have included creamy eggplant.  Online, there was some mention that the owner makes his own yogurt and if this is accurate, I wouldn’t be surprised as it tasted quite special.

Even the two more hesitant eaters reluctantly agreed that it was delicious even though they had to be cajoled into taking bites.

My brother ordered the Tavulku Pide, described as “chunks of tender chicken meat mixed with spices on crusted dough.”

While the chicken was indeed tender, the meat’s sauce and seasoning struck my brother and I as a little bland.
Overall, we enjoyed our meal, belly dancer and all.  The food took longer than expected to arrive at our table, but we appreciated the complimentary bread and hummus and I especially enjoyed my lamb dish.  Anatolian Table is a worthwhile restaurant to visit and a unique option amongst an ocean of chains and insanely expensive, frou frou options.
My Last Breakfast
 

Fresh fruit salad dressed with a sweet, tangy, and spicy dressing similar to the chili-lime flavoring in Mexico.

Below is a crustless vegetable quiche made with roasted red peppers, spinach, and salty feta cheese accompanied by more crispy, seasoned potatoes.

 
A wonderful sendoff back to the frozen tundra.

Sacramento Day Two: Poached Pear Breakfast, a Toxic Bridge, Don Pancho’s, & Cookies for Dinner

November 23, 2011 / / 0 Comments

Poached Pear and Scrambled Eggs for Breakfast
I awoke in the morning to find the local newspaper and a tray loaded with hot coffee and fresh cream outside my door.  Guests can choose the time and location of their breakfast, and I chose to eat in my room.  Usually, I welcome the experience of sharing breakfast with strangers, but the option of eating in my PJ’s, bleary eyed and unbathed was too tempting.  Plus, I was groggy from being awakened early in the morning due to an obnoxiously loud, crash-banging guest downstairs (this did not occur again).

Carol, the housekeeper, was a joy my entire stay.  She brought me orange juice and a shallow bowl cradling half a poached pear in a warm sauce garnished with plump raisins.  The sauce was nicely balanced.  Not overly sweet and warmly spiced.

My second course included soft-cooked scrambled eggs with cream cheese and scallion, and crispy potatoes.  

Eventually, I headed to Rocklin, a quit suburb located 30 minutes from Sacramento.  With white knuckles, I navigated my rental car down a six-lane freeway and experienced traffic culture shock as the slowest person seemed to be moving at least 10 miles over the speed limit.  A simple lane change required gunning the engine, lest remain stuck for miles.  My brother reminisced about driving through L.A. where cars traveled 20 miles over the speed limit.  Most people in the Twin Cities seem to drive about five miles over the speed limit, while in Fargo, it’s five below (which is probably why I received my first speeding ticket).

The city of Rocklin was beautiful.  We took the landlord’s charming dog for a walk along the railroad tracks, passing small farms and a greenhouse.  I giggled as herds of cows turned around and pensively stared as we passed by.  The dog enjoyed a game of fetch as she lept in and out of a small spring-fed pond.

Toxic Bridge
Before lunch, Kevin led us to Foresthill Bridge in Loomis, CA.  The Foresthill Bridge, the highest bridge in California, crosses the American River.  Suspended over a rugged valley, the bridge is both beautiful and tragic, as many have utilized it to commit suicide.

Although the bridge has walking paths on both sides, a “seismic retrofit” construction project began in January 201l, restricting half of the sidewalk.  The construction process involves earthquake proofing, repainting, and installing higher guardrails.  As we were about to cross the bridge by foot, I stopped to read these glaring signs.

Lead?  Cadmium?  Arsenic?  No thanks.  You had me at the orange “Poison” sign with the skull and crossbones.  Joan and I recoiled and immediately walked back to the car, while the men kept walking.

Lunch at Don Pancho’s
4563 Rocklin Ave
Rocklin, CA 95677

For lunch, my brother took us to a homey Mexican restaurant in Rocklin.  While we waited for our meals, we snacked on complimentary chips and salsa.  The chips were freshly fried and the salsa was vibrant, thick, and slightly spicy.  Could the salsa have been thickened with masa?  I was disappointed the restaurant did not serve horchata so I settled for a strawberry Jarrito instead.

As an entree, I ordered a Taco al Pastor.  

My plate included a large taco made with double corn tortillas and filled with marinated al Pastor meat. The best tasting part of my plate was the al Pastor meat which was crispy and moist and compellingly flavored, striking a balance between tangy, sweet, savory and salty.  One bite was a little too crispy and, for a moment, I feared it dismantled my crown.

Since my trip to Mexico, I have become a taco minimalist and prefer them simply garnished with onion, cilantro, lime, and a spicy salsa.  I was not so crazy about the addition of shredded cheese, sour cream, ice burg lettuce, and melted cheese, however my family was thrilled with their meals.  The food was obviously made with care.

I also snuck a bite of a chicken enchilada and some carnitas meat which was moist and flavorful.

Cookies for Dinner
In the later afternoon, we wandered through Old Sacramento and munched on free candy samples.  My family decided to see a movie, so I gracefully bowed out, retreated to my Amber House sanctuary, and planned to meet up with them for dinner.  
Jeni’s Vacation Rule #1: Never see a movie while on vacation, unless the trip is at least a week long.  
Unfortunately, the movie ran longer than expected and by the time it was over, no one wanted to dine out.  My folks had already grabbed a microwavable frozen pizza and I was too sleepy to drive.  
Sacramento may be no L.A. in terms of food diversity and offerings, but compared to Fargo, let alone the Twin Cities, it’s a foodie paradise.  The thought of all of the food possibilities drove me into a dizzy tailspin.  
I ate cookies for dinner, vowing to eat the hell out of the next day, hell or high water. 
And so I did.  
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