Cooking @ Home :: Shishito Peppers 🌶️

This is my favorite go to snack right now. The weather just started to get cold in Northern California and a hot snack in the middle of the day is literally saving my work from home life. I buy a basket at the Farmers market each Sunday [[sometimes two]].

Ingredients

• Basket of Shishito Peppers (2 cups) 
• 1 tbsp Trader Joes Coconut Aminos
• 3 stems of green garlic (baby garlic) 
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tbsp red pepper flakes (more or less depending on desired spiciness)

With the pan on high, brown the garlic in the olive oil. Add the coconut aminos and toss in your peppers. Let them blister and brown, usually 3-5 minutes on each side. After you pull them off the heat sprinkle with red pepper flakes and sea salt to taste. 

enjoy! 

 

Cooking @ home :: Harvest Hash 🍂

 I went to Craft Roots a couple weeks ago [[ if you haven't visited them in Morgan Hill- this is your sign to go]] and got to enjoy dinner there. The menu rotates and for the autumn season they had something called a harvest hash. This is my knock off recipe that feeds 2 as a meal or 4 as a side dish.

Ingredients 

• 8 small/medium potatoes
• 1/4 medium red onion 
• 15 brussels sprouts 
• 2 large carrots
• 2 small heads of broccoli 
• 1 tbsp Trader Joes 21 Seasoning Salute
• 1 tsp black pepper 
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 

Preheat your oven to 420 degrees. Chop everything into 1/2 inch to full inch pieces depending on the ingredient. See below for brussels, potato and onion examples. 

Bake for 20 - 30 minutes depending on your desired crispiness. ;) 

Devon's Dish: [[THE BUCHER'S SON.]] restaurant review

As soon as I turned the corner, I saw the line. It was good sized, but I wasn't about to turn back. I watched a few videos and then checked out the menu. After finding "The Butcher's {vegan} Son" on Instagram, I decided to check them out a couple Saturdays ago. 

They had so many dishes to offer, some of my favorites were; the fried mozzarella meatball and the Chili garlic chicken B.L.A.T. I decided on one savory and one sweet. I wanted to get a better opinion and more importantly.. I was starving. It was definitely filled with foodies, and hipsters, but also families and large groups of friends and couples, everyone seemed stoked to be there. 

I knew it was going to be good. 

What can I say about the decor. I felt like I was in a place that was originally a flower shop, then 1950's diner and now had a mid century modern twist. The staff was super friendly, let me carry Maddie as I waited in line. The space behind the counter was microscopic but the staff moved around like a perfectly choreographed dance routine. 

The donuts were out of this world. I didn't eat one since I knew I'd already be in trouble with what I was planning to order.. They were perfect little pillow of friend dough, eclectically decorated using various toppings. 

Since I had Maddie with me, I had to sit outside.. which was fine. Like I said earlier, the day was perfect. Luckily, right after I put in my order of pancakes and Level 8 vegan sandwich and left the restaurant, I spotted a sunny table open up. 

My food was really delicious. On a scale of 1-10 I would say the sandwich was an 8 and the pancakes were a 9.5. I enjoyed the sandwich, but would skip the bacon and the cream cheese next time. The flavors were good, but combined they were too strong for my taste. The "chicken" was great, texture and flavor were on point. The bacon on it's own was good, but I was prefer it more crispy. The pancakes were perfect, The only thing that could have made them a 10, would be a side of blackberry jam. Of course I offered samples and Maddie liked the bacon most. 

Devon's Dish: [[ FORTHRIGHT OYSTER BAR ]] restaurant review

 wow wOw WOW... not enough time in the day for all the good things I have to say about this place!!!

Forthright Oyster Bar in Campbell Ca is simply smashing!!

I dined here this past weekend, a new spot in town and had to try it. I ate at A.P. Stumps growing up, and always enjoyed that "high class//modern" atmosphere  that it held.. 

I have always been drawn to that sort of vibe.

Good news, Jim Stump decided to open up shop in Campbell with his newest gem, and continues to own The Table in Willow Glen. read more about that here. 

We were able to try a few different appetizers,  including; the bone marrow, the heirloom tomato & burrata salad, the white watermelon & prosciutto salad, and the The Coromandel oysters. Thankfully we shared all of this, so everyone got a bite. The marrow bones were HUGE and very rich. The seasoning and caramelized crisp along with the crunchy bread was a served along side, was a perfect combination. My favorite as the oyster. They had a clean and fresh ocean taste, I added a splash of citrus for a little extra zest. The watermelon was given to us as a thank you, because we had to wait a little longer for our table. How Sweet!

For dinner, I enjoyed "The only Burger that belongs on the table"- yes that is truly the name. Apparently it is a rotating recipe noted by the name of the creator. I had Chris' Version- nice work Chris! The Swiss cheese crisp was a nice contrast of texture with every bite. The pastrami and the beef paired well with the "secret sauce"... over all I would order it again- but only if I can time it right..

Others in my party enjoyed the: Johnny Cakes, Pork Chop, Shrimp & Grits and the Seafood Linguine pasta. I tried a taste of each and would 100% recommend them to the next guest who walks through their door. I honestly don't think there is a bad dish on the menu??

I will return to Forthright, but it's the amazing service and hospitality that truly made the experience memorable. Our server was a doll, so attentive and delightful to talk to. Every other employee was courteous and inviting as well.