Hey everyone!!! How goes it? My night has been great! After my busy week (especially Monday), it was so nice to just relax. I caught up on TV, played with Oscar, chatted on the phone with my bestie May and made a yummy dinner!!!

I made a yummy pasta dish! I cooked up some whole wheat pasta. While the pasta was cooking, I sauteed some spinach then added some left over artichoke hearts and olives from Sunday night’s pizza then I added shrimp and marinara sauce. I heated it all up added the cooked pasta and called it dinner!

I actually ate a little bit more than I pictured here, I was hungry. FYI: I have gotten questions about the size plate I use. I guess it is hard to tell from the pictures. 9 times out of 10, I am eating off a a salad plate rather than the regular sized plate.

Tonight, while talking on the phone, I noticed my eyebrows were looking a little shabby. I thought, ” I got to get these done tomorrow during my lunch break.” But, then I recalled my December Goals of not spending money on myself unless it is an necessity. Ugh, so I got out the tweezers and plucked them myself.

They came out ok, not a clean as a wax, but oh well. I am sticking with my goals. Do you like waxing or plucking your brows better, or are you lucky enough to have great brows and not have to even bother?

Well, I am going to do a load of laundry and then get ready for bed. Have a great night, sleep tight!

I woke up LATE this morning. By late I mean 7:30am. I normally get up a lot earlier to go to the gym. Though it was still early, I debated going to gym because of the tight schedule to follow. Follow along with me:

• gym 7:40-8:40
• drive home 8:40-8:50
• eat really quick 8:50-9
• half ass clean up/get ready 9-9:10
• make food for the day 9:10-9:20
• MUST BE OUT THE DOOR by 9:25 to catch the bus!!

And so I made it. All with about 35 seconds to spare, standing at the bus stop waiting for it to come. Go me. Well I didn’t even have to go through all that drama because I didn’t even turn in that HW that I had to ‘leave early’ for to print. If I didn’t have to print that, I could have left the house at 9:35 (extra 10 minutes!). Nonetheless it all worked out.

So the rest of my day was fine…all until it RAINED! A few short words. Rain. Curly hair that happens to be straightened. No Umbrella. Ya…Good thing it was only drizzly. I walked extra fast too Oh well, at least I’m home now, dry, warm, and eating. Mmm…

Day of eating so far:

7:30am – A little Dannon Light and Fit Yogurt (50)

8:50am – Post work out snack of Cottage Cheese  (80) and  Pumpkin Oatmeal which was 1/4 cup oats, 1/4 cup pumpkin (100)

12:15pm – Lunch was Tuna Salad consisting of Starkist Single Pouch Tuna with Hellman’s Low Fat Mayo and SF Relish (90) and some celery strips (30)

tuna and celelry (on the go, i'm at the library)

2pm – Snack of a Fiji apple slices (115)

apple slices (trying to hide them while i eat in class)

4:15pm – Dinner was Shrimp Pasta (120) and side of Cucumber &  Tomato Salad

Shrimp Pasta (serves 1, 120 calories)

• package of Shirtaki Tofu noodles (40 cals)
• large cooked deveined shrimp, about 7 (50 cals)
• 1/4 cup of Classico Fire Roasted Tomato sauce (30)
• dried basil (to taste)

Rinse and drain noodles, add shrimp and pasta. Cook until warm. Add basil to taste

Cucumber & Tomato Salad (serves 1, 60 calories)

• medium cucumber (25 cals)
• medium vine ripe tomatoe (25 cals)
• a few red onion slices (5)
• 1 TBSP balsamic vinegar (5)
• sea salt, black pepper, onion powder (to taste)

Peel and cut up cucumber, cut tomatoes, slice onion. Combine. Add balsamic vinegar and spices.

And this is the glory you get:

veggies for salad (premixed)

dinner is served!

5:00pm – (I’m watching Food Network and Paula Dean is about to make Popcorn Balls) I think I’m gonna have a 100 calorie bag of Kettle Corn…YES! PS. I absolutely love Kettle Corn. Last time I went to the apple orchard, I had some real kettle corn. Soooo delicious. This will do for now though…

100 Calorie Mini Bag of 94% Fat Free Smart Pop Kettle Corn

7:30pm – Snack of pumpkin grits and SF Maple Syrup (140)

Man, don’t you just LOVE pumpkin? I know I do! I put it in everything. Pumpkin oatmeal, pumpkin grits, pumpkin fries, pumpkin butter…oh the glory of pumpkin….

grits, pumpkin, SF maple syrup

Calorie Intake so far: 900

Directions

1. In a mini-food processor or magic bullet puree shrimp with hot sauce. You may need to add a little water to make things go smoother.
2. Once blended stir in the blue cheese crumbles, breaking up any large bits.
3. Serve cold or microwave for a warm version. I can’t decide with version I like better.
4. Makes 2 servings for me at this stage (2 weeks post-op RNY gastric bypass)

Note: I buy bags of frozen pre-cooked shrimp and then just thaw out what I need.

Add this to your recipe box on AllRecipes.com

My Thanksgiving this year was unremarkable.

I said jokingly – although with serious intent – that I should’ve gone to the homeless shelter to eat. At least that way I would’ve had some turkey, dressing and traditional food!

The ironic part of it all, was that I bought enough groceries to feed an army: 25 lb turkey, 20 lb ham, 10 lb pork tenderloin, mushrooms (shitake, portobello & white), onions, leeks, fresh spinach, cream, genuine maple syrup, pecans, walnuts, tomato paste, salad dressings, cheeses, and much, much more (over $300 worth)! The meat is now residing in the freezer, while the other perishables are in the refrigerator’s cooler drawer.

My roommate is “vegetabletarian,” wasn’t invited anywhere by anyone she knew, and I didn’t get the invite from my folks because they were invited by my brother’s in-laws (Clifford & Jolene) to their place. I thought that was kind’a ass-holey of them, not my folks, to not invite me. I’m the elder of two, have neither spouse nor children, and don’t lead a secret life. Which is to say, C&J and all the gang know that. I guess they gave and I got the great big “FUCK YOU” this year.

But oh, dear LORD… don’t let ‘em think for one moment they might be “dissing” me – their artificially nice world would cave in around them. But know what’s weird? He’s a Baptist-turned-Independent “holiness” preacher.

See what I mean? At least if I ate with the homeless folks, I’d have been around some folks that would’ve taken an interest in me.

As it was, I enjoyed the fellowship of one human being – my roommate and her dog Atticus – and one other… Mr. Jack Daniel’s whiskey.

Okay, enough carping.

So, the first turkey I had this season was at – of all places – a Chinese restaurant, the Sunday after Thanksgiving! Oh yeah… I also had some of my favorites: octopus salad, raw oysters, shrimp and kimchi, along with some beef – cooked, of course (though I’ve eaten it raw… yum!*LOL*).

I had a couple of laughs that day with my waitress and the folks at the table next to mine. I’m a personable fellow, and I like to laugh and smile.

Folks that know me, know that.

In retrospect, I suppose it all worked out for the best… though I still think it sucks.

Bread and a combination of cheese, meat, vegetables, and spreads is absolute bliss to me.  This sandwich is so quick, I think everything was done in 15 minutes from start to finish.  My husband is having exams these days so he’s home for dinner then back to the library.  I’m on a deadline!  Sandwiches fit in perfectly with these “deadlines.”  No, he’s not at all a tyrant who will scream if dinner is not on the table, but I would just like him to maximize his study time.

I coated the shrimp in cornstarch, chili flakes, and salt and lightly pan fried them so that they would slightly resemble the shrimp in po’ boys.  MMMMmmmmMMMMmmm po’ boys, how I love thee.  I guess this is my ultra quick version of a po’ boy minus the remoulade and the french bread.  But, hey I had some sort of inspiration to lead me to this sandwich.

If you recall I used harissa in a salad. I wanted to spruce up the regular mayo but didn’t have the time to chop up herbs and the like, so a squeeze of harissa into the mayo created a really nice spicy mayo that I would make again the same exact way even if I had the time to chop herbs.  My favorite sandwich combination is arugula, tomatoes, avocado, and red onion.  I forgot the red onion in this one, though I have no idea how I did.  This turned out to be a triple decker club, hope you enjoy it!

This recipe is one of those recipes that you wonder why I would even post it because it’s so easy.  I feel like that when I watch some cooking shows and they teach you something anyone can do without thinking.  But this was really yum, so I wanted to share it with you.

Shrimp, Avocado, Tomato, Arugula, Harissa Mayo Club

Makes 2 sandwiches

Ingredients

1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp, tails removed

2 1/2 tablespoons corn starch

1/2 teaspoon red chilli flakes

1/2 teaspoon salt

handful of arugula

half an avocado, sliced

1 tomato, sliced

3 tablespoons of mayo mixed with 1 teaspoon of harissa paste

6 slices multigrain bread, or any bread of your choice (if you don’t want to add an extra slice of bread just use 2 slices)

2 tablespoons olive oil

Method:

Toss the shrimp with cornstarch, chili flakes, and salt.  Pan fry in oil about 3 minutes per side or until cooked.  Toast the bread and spread the harissa mayo on the bread (both sides or one side).  Add the shrimp and arugula to one layer and then tomato and arugula on the next layer of the triple-decker.  Cut across diagonally and serve.

This is me breaking up with my LOVE!!!

Noooooo! It’s not STAR, my forever love! But this: my foodie love!

Why am I breaking up with my beloved kabocha that I enjoy every single night??? Well…. It has been a while that I want to break this habit because I’m turning orange and because I find myself careless about what to eat at dinner knowing that I always have kabocha afterwards. But yesterday when I went to the chinese embassy for the visa, they took a picture of me… and holy crap!!! I look ORANGE!!! I dunno if it was the light or what… but I look BAD!!!! And that is it, the final moment kick that I need to finish this sick relationship!

Obviously as any long term relationship, it’s hard to break up. It took me over a year to break up with my ex boyfriend which was definitely a sick relationship. My mind knew I hate to break up ASAP, but my heart kept reminding me how wonderful he it was.. how sweet he it (I mean, kabocha) was. Nervous, anxiety, tears were all over the place! Bottom line: I’m really BAD breaking up ANY long term relationship!!! Pray for me to break this one.

——————————————————————————————————————-

Breakfast: french toast with this fabulous mousse!

Lunch: turnip cabbage soup adding stir fry shrimp and tofu to make it more meal like soup.

and then I got snacking because of work stress and this breaking up thing

That’s my work station!

Look what I got yesterday? Musselman’s applesauce!!!

Dinner: wonton! (I promise, this is the last time you’ll going to see this)

To kill the bad love, you need to build a new love, right? So, I baked an apple pie and topped it with Blue Pom Apple Sauce

Neither the apple pie nor the apple sauce did the trick! Both were bland

I ended going to bed really sad

Q1: Have you ever had to break up with someone/something that you loved?

Q2: What’s your favorite way to eat applesauce?

Beautiful Ocean Shores, Washington, known for its ‘friendly affordable community surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and Grays Harbor. You can enjoy two fresh water lakes, twenty-three miles of canals, great beaches and many natural areas.” (From the Ocean Shores website)

This description does not do this incredibly beautiful place justice. Ocean Shores is a small town, surrounded almost completely by water, almost as if it were an island. The beaches are fresh, clean sand and gorgeous. The ocean water is so powerful when it rages, yet serene and peaceful, forever changing. The wind expresses great power making sure to let you know she is always there, warning of things to come, hints of tantalizing memories in the salt spray. Nature is all around. If you ever find the need to listen to the silence, this is the perfect location.

My partner Ron and I visited Ocean Shores for a week to unwind from our very hectic lives. The scenery was breathtaking, the town very quaint and cute with many tourist shops, high-end decor and kitchen gift shops. We spent our time looking through the shops, walking along the beaches, having conversations with everyone that walked by. It was so peaceful, lazy, reflective…. oh so wonderful!

I just have to express my one and only disappointment. I could not find a great…. not even a good, cup of coffee! Then it happened! We desired a different restaurant to have a late breakfast. (We had been to all of the main restaurants in town as there are not many.) We were camping at the Quinault Marina at the far end of town which is a 15 minute or so distance away from downtown, and decided to ask if there was a restaurant closer. We were directed a couple blocks up the road to a tiny little spot that at first glance one would pass by, as we did so many times that week.

The Shrimp Boat Deli seats about 12 people inside and about six outside on the deck that overlooks the never-ending beach. Standing on the deck with the wind blowing through the very tall sea grass, I had the feeling that I was on a tropical island waiting for pina coladas and reggae music to begin, so that we could dance on the beach. It was freeing, serene and so very peaceful.

We sat in the sun at a table on the deck. I asked for a coffee not expecting anything worth speaking about. To my surprise the coffee was the best I had had throughout my entire stay in Ocean Shores. Excitedly I shared with the waitress my great happiness. Asking for a refill, I asked what do they do that makes their coffee so flavourful and different than the other restaurants. She replied that they were the only establishment that she knew of in town that made their coffee with filtered purified water. Well I have to admit, that simple process did indeed make a huge difference. I was a very satisfied customer!

We ordered our brunch. I had a shrimp quesadilla that was loaded with huge jumbo juicy prawns, not the normal size shrimp you find in other restaurants. It was also full of very fresh red, green, and yellow peppers, cheddar cheese, fresh cilantro, and red onion. As a side they gave me a fresh mango salsa made with the freshest summer ingredients with a hint of heat from a small jalapeno pepper. I also ordered what I thought would be a small shrimp cocktail, to be pleasantly surprised when it came to the table. It was made once again with the freshest and cleanest tasting ingredients. The chef did not hold back on size and knew exactly how to blend flavours. Every flavour was distinct and identifiable. The portions were so large, as they usually are in restaurants in the United States, that I had to share with my partner. This experience was wonderful! I must say this quaint little deli was much larger than life, offering superb customer service, quantity and of course, exceptional flavours. We ate as often as we could at this little out-of-the-way deli, before we had to return home. On other occasions we had the rich creamy clam chowder, shrimp salad in a jumbo sweet tomato, crab cocktail that was larger than the shrimp cocktail that I had days before and a chef’s salad. All of these menu items did not disappoint in flavour or quantity.

I asked Chef Russ Hutchinson where he received his culinary training. He had not been formally trained, but rather has an exquisite intuition for flavourful combinations. He can eat in any restaurant and return to his kitchen and reproduce what he had previously enjoyed. That is indeed a wonderful gift. The Shrimp Boat Deli is a family run business, with a small Inn, Snugglers Cove, on the same side of the road. Chef Russ shared his story with me of how the deli began. He and his wife Maria, both former realtors, felt the need for a change when the recession was beginning, but had not decided what type of change. One night when Russ was in a KFC, they informed him they were closing and asked if he knew anyone who might want to buy the equipment. “That was the blessing, I bought everything, and the rest is history”.

Many new businesses start out this way. I know for a fact that if Russ and Maria continue the way they are now, in no time, they will have built an empire. And all because they provide what everyone needs, a friendly clean fresh atmosphere to rest and reflect, while feeding the body and the soul with exceptional customer service.

One of the new developments for this edition of The Classics is the food menu.  Simple, yet complete – good lookin’ out Maiy Lay!

A variation of sweet and sour shrimp on the menu at Happy Lucky or Golden River or Giant Panda, the ubiquitous Americanized Chinese restaurant of your choice, which was what I was hoping for.  I adapted this Jean-Georges recipe from serious eats, substituting balsamic vinegar for the red wine vinegar and reducing the sugar.  The results — crisp, sweet shrimp lightly coated in a tangy, syrupy glaze — were not bad.  But still, it’s hard to beat the real thing when you’re in the mood, so next time I think I’ll just skip the dirty work and opt to pick up the phone.

I was happy that I woke up this morning in time to go to 6:00am spinning. It always makes me feel so good all day.

After school I put clothes away from Thanksgiving and did laundry. Then I set to work on dinner.

I wanted to try a new recipe so I got some ideas from Eating Well magazine.

I decided on arugula pesto because I had a bag of fresh arugula from Trader Joe’s. Here is what I mixed together:

Arugula Almond Pesto

• 2 big handfuls of arugula
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tbsp. water
• 2 -3 tbsp. parmesan cheese
• 1/4 c. chopped almonds – from Trader Joe’s
• salt and pepper
• 2 tbsp. low fat cottage chese

*This recipe is a general guide, as I just threw ingredients into my mini food processor.

1. Using a food processor, blend arugula, olive oil, water, almonds, parmesan and salt and pepper.
2. When this is all mixed and has made a thick paste, add cottage cheese.
3. Blend until smooth and creamy.
4. Serve!

This would be great on crackers or on a pizza. I love arugula’s spicy pepper flavor. For dinner tomorrow we are having make your pizza, so expect to see some more arugula!

The paste before the cottage cheese – this would be a great cracker spread.

The pesto with added cottage cheese, this tastes like cream but without the fat and calories.

My meal served with mushrooms, fresh tomatoes, shrimp and kale chips, served on Barilla Pasta Plus!

All mixed together!

This meal was really good! Next time I would add a little milk or almond milk to the pesto to make it a little creamier so it would stick to the pasta a little better! Let me know if you try it.

Baltimore, Maryland is one of the best towns in the South for food.  Especially seafood.  Baltimore has introduced us to a great many things, some culinary and some not  (some of them we can’t mention here – The Block).  One of the finest plates of shrimp that we ever ate was served up at a suburban Baltimore bar, the name is lost in the fog of alcohol and age.  But they had a way of cooking shrimp with bacon, onion, garlic and perhaps other stuff.  Even through the fog we remember that after our first taste of this shrimp we thought an angel came in our mouth.  We did not recreate it with the following recipe, but it turned out pretty good.  Make it and judge for yourself.

We said all that to say this:  Sometimes (like when your wife is out of town at a funeral and you are recovering from surgery and you have done all the laundry in the house and you had to take a kid to a doctor’s appointment and you might be tired), sometimes you just cook what is in the house.  This was one of those times.

I found a bag of frozen shrimp.  I cooked.  It was more than just edible… it was, well, Baltimorish.  Not the real thing… but if you find yourself hungry then try this, and see if you can improve on it.  I’ll bet you can.

Ingredients:

1 Bag Large Frozen Shrimp

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

2 – 4 Tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning (If you don’t know what this is, shoot yerself).

1/2 Large Red Onion (Sliced)

2 Cloves Garlic (Chopped)

1/4 Cup Bacon Bits

1 Can Diced Tomatoes

Salt and (Freshly Ground) Black Pepper to Taste.

Saute onion, garlic and bacon bits in the olive oil  until onion is soft and tender.

Add Old Bay Seasoning, Tomatoes, Salt and Pepper… keep stirring!

Add the tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes.

When this mixture is cooked, drop in the shrimp until they turn pink (thou knowest when they are done).

Remove shrimp and serve with the sauce.

If you get really hungry, go to Baltimore for shrimp!

Tonight’s James Beard special is another heartwarmer for wintertime. It gets its flavor not only from corn, shrimp and tomatoes, but from bacon and mirepoix (onions, carrots and celery). The mirepoix is sautéed in the bacon fat after the bacon is cooked; then potatoes, chicken stock, thyme, clam juice (or water or fish stock) and white wine are added, as well as corn on the cob. (The cobs get removed later and the corn scraped off and added to the chowder, sometimes with more corn added.) This mixture gets cooled down, fat skimmed, and then some of the solids are puréed so it has a part-creamy, part-chunky texture. Milk, salt and pepper are stirred in, and the bacon, shrimp, tomatoes and chives are added for the final minutes of simmering time.

To make this more of a main dish, we’ve also beefed it up a little by adding a combination of large and small shrimp; pearl onions; some green peas for color and flavor; and topping it off with a trio of crispy little corn-bacon fritters.

A bowl of this chowder will bring warmth to your evening for sure. Don’t forget to ask for bread!

As I was making dinner for myself, I entertained myself doing tomorrow’s lunch, about the third one I make for myself:

half an egg, some sauté’d vegetables, fried shrimp with garlic and the last piece of japanese rice I had in the freezer. It was kind of…not cute whatsoever so I shaped the rice and cut some nori. Next time I’ll remember to cut the nori but not to put it in there before morning! But now it’s done, I guess I was in a rush to take the picture and forgot that part. I didn’t fill up the tupperware because it’s quite big (about 1000ml) which I don’t fill for my bf, so I put in a little less for me than his usual.

Let’s see if I keep the “cooking for myself” mood I’m quite enjoying it.

Daniel says…

On a recent trip to Wheeling, WV three members of the five were looking for a couple of good places to eat.  So being pretty proficient with the web we consulted Yelp and Urban Spoon. You have to wonder about the accuracy these social network restaurant review sites. You would hope that the cream would rise to the top, but I suspect that some restaurants and their fans know how to game the system. I checked out Yelp! and at the top of the list was the Ye Olde Alpha Club with 4.5 stars, but only 4 reviews. Apparently Wheeling is not Yelping.  Next I wanted to see where Urban Spoon would have us dine.  Again in the number one position was the Alpha Club with 119 votes and an 88% approval rating. So it was decided.

I arrived in Wheeling late and picked up a very hungry Susan and Misty.  Utilizing the finest GPS technology we found the Alpha Club a couple blocks off of National Road in a nice neighborhood that contained variety of Tudor and craftsman style houses. It was after 9PM when we arrived and the bar was packed.  Hunting trophies presided over the impressive array of spirits.  Everyone seemed to be having a good time.  Alcohol always helps.  We felt our way to the dining room and seated ourselves. A server quickly found us, presented the menus and delivered our cocktails.  Little moose heads identified the house specials and I ordered up a Cap’n Crunch Shrimp starter.  Before I knew the shrimp were at the table and the server was taking our dinner orders.  The five jumbo shrimp dusted with sweet corn cereal, fried and served with an orange horseradish sauce.  Both the shrimp and sauce were enjoyable and priced at about $9.

There is something for everybody on the menu.  Susan initially thought that they had too many types of cuisine when reviewing the online menu.  After reading the menu at our table it quickly came apparent that the Alpha Club served typical American fare with Greek influences.  Maybe the restaurant name should have tipped us off. Several of the entrees are served with Greek sides or seasoned with Mediterranean herbs and spices.

I ordered an Olympus Burger, which is char grilled fresh ground beef and lamb mixed with Greek seasoning and crumbled Feta cheese.  The burger is cooked to your specifications and I chose medium.  Served on a Kaiser roll with lettuce, tomato, dill pickles and a velvety tzatziki sauce, the burger was a mouthful.  I dressed the Olympus Burger then sliced it in half to check if it was truly cooked to medium. Not only was it cooked perfectly, the texture confirmed to me that this patty was made in house.  This was a great burger with intense flavor. My only demerit is that I would prefer a different bun, such as grilled flat bread or Grecian bread. The burgers are not served with fries or chips.  Baskets of truffle oil fries or onion rings can by added a la carte. 

I ordered an iceberg wedge that was topped with blue cheese crumbles, warm bacon and a side homemade 1000 island dressing.  I really prefer when a restaurant make their own dressings.  I can get preservative filled, guar gum infused kraft dressing from Kroger. The wedge was good, but half way in I had enough blue cheese.  A little goes a long way. I used my 22 oz draft Yuengling Lager to wash it all down.  I wasn’t thirsty enough to order the 80 oz portion, which comes to the table with an ice block to keep it cold and a tap so you can share.

So did Yelp and Urban Spoon have it right? I haven’t been to enough restaurants in Wheeling to say that it is the best, but I can confidently check “I like it”!  I will be back to dine under the supervision of the moose the next time I visit Wheeling.  FOUR FORKS!

Susan says…

I’ll admit that I was skeptical about this place from the “get-go”.  I figured Ye Olde Alpha was a Jack of all Trades, Master of None.  There were just way too many different types of food on the menu.  Fajitas, burgers, seafood, pub food, gyros.    But it was either Alpha or TJs (given the late hour) and I didn’t want to go back to TJs after a lackluster meal of fried, fried, and more fried about 3 years ago on my last visit to Wheeling.

The exterior was unexciting and the interior didn’t enthuse me much more.  The place was large and there were a lot of folks there late on a Tuesday night.  Our server was prompt and helpful, providing a few recommendations which I did not heed.

In a surprise move, I blurted out “chicken philly”.  Then made sure there was no mayonnaise to 86.

While waiting for the entrees I enjoyed the large, butterflied shrimp breaded with pulverized Cap’n Crunch cereal and fried crispy.  We received 5 shrimp for $8.95.  Check that, we received 5 shrimp for Daniel’s $8.95.  Thanks, dude.

My sandwich (priced around $8) was served warm on soft French bread stuffed with seasoned chicken, melted cheese and roasted red peppers.  It tasted good but was nothing really special.  How can a chicken philly be really special, though?  It met my expectations because they weren’t that high to begin with.

I also ordered a side of sweet potato fries for $3.95.  They cleverly put them on a plate instead of in some type of cone or bowl where the steam makes them go all limp.  They can’t beat Vandalia’s SP fries, but they are in second place of all the SP fries I have ever tried.  Most of them were reasonably crispy without being burnt (an inherent problem when frying something with such a high sugar content).

Good points include prompt service, variety, reasonable priced sandwiches, and late kitchen hours.  On the down side are pricy appetizers and ho-hum décor.  I would recommend Ye Olde Alpha and I would return to try something else.  My overall experience was one of adequacy, not excellence.  Therefore: THREE FORKS.

Ingredients

• Kosher salt
• 1 pound linguine
• 12 jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 12 large sea scallops, tough foot muscles removed
• Freshly ground pepper
• 3 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, plus lemon wedges for garnish
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1/4 cup torn fresh basil
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook as the label directs.

Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pat the shrimp and scallops dry, then season with salt and pepper. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons butter to the pan and cook the shrimp until golden on one side, about 3 minutes. Turn the shrimp and add half of the garlic; cook until the garlic is fragrant but the shrimp are still translucent, 1 to 2 more minutes. Transfer the shrimp to a plate.

Add the scallops to the skillet and cook until golden on one side, about 3 minutes. Turn the scallops, add the remaining garlic and cook 1 to 2 more minutes. Add the lemon juice and wine and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits with a wooden spoon. Cook until the sauce is reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Return the shrimp to the pan, then add the basil and the remaining 2 tablespoons butter; season with salt and pepper.

Drain the pasta and transfer to a large serving bowl. Toss with the shrimp, scallops and sauce; garnish with parsley and lemon.

Tiger: I Need a Kobe Special | Gossip | Article
Filed under: Tiger Woods Tiger Woods had a Kobe Special on his brain hours after what looks like a domestic dispute with his wife, Elin Nordegren — this according to someone who spoke with Tiger on Friday.During the phone conversation …

FREEDOM EDEN: Tiger Woods: Kobe Special
During the phone conversation on Friday, Tiger told his friend, I have to run to Zales to get a Kobe Special. The person on the other end of the phone asked Tiger what a Kobe Special was. The reply — A house on a finger. …

OTR » Blog Archive » Tiger needs a “Kobe Special?”
“I have to run to Zales to get a Kobe Special.” The person, who apparently didnt know that Kobe Bryant had to apologize to his wife for banging some 19-year old broad at a resort in Colorado who accused him of rape, asked what that …

Tiger: I Need a Kobe Special – TMZ.com (blog)
Times Online Tiger: I Need a Kobe Special TMZ.com (blog) Tiger Woods had a Kobe Special on his brain hours after what looks like a domestic dispute with his wife, Elin Nordegren — this according to someone who spoke with Tiger on …

Tiger: I Need a Kobe Special – Blodic.us
Tiger Woods had a Kobe Special on his brain hours after what looks like a domestic dispute with his wife, Elin Nordegren — this according to som…

Dipped in Cream: A Kobe Special? Excuse me, Tiger…WHAT??
During the phone conversation on Friday, Tiger told his friend, I have to run to Zales (ZALES??? You have GOT to be kidding me!!) to get a Kobe Special. The person on the other end of the phone asked Tiger what a Kobe Special was …

Tiger Woods Damage Control with Elin: Kobe Style! | SoSoJuicy
The person on the other end of the phone asked what a Kobe Special was. The reply: A house on a finger. Tiger added that his wife had gone ghetto on him. The Kobe reference pertains to the $4 million adultery ring the basketball …

Allvoices.com – Tiger Woods injury caused by his wife and not b…
I Need a Kobe Special Tiger: I Need a Kobe Special Posted Nov 29th 2009 12:15AM by TMZ Staff Tiger Woods had a Kobe Special on his brain hours after what looks like a domestic dispute with his wife, Elin Nordegren — this …

DAILY FILM DOSE: A Daily Film Appreciation and Review Blog: Kobe …
Overtop of Kobe moving around, shooting baskets, setting picks, talking and motivating his teammates we hear Kobes voiceover describing his actions and thoughts about the game like a DVD special feature audio commentary. …

As having the first TC badge of this section in history?
Dwight Howard is better than Dirk Nowitzki. But Dirk Nowitzki could take Howard One on One easily, because of dribbling and shooting skill. But Howard still the better player. umm… BQ: Create a BQ that has something to do with ME and answer it yourself! BQ2: Create a BQ that has something to do with YOU and answer it yourself! BQ3: Create a BQ that has something to do with YOU and ME and answer it yourself! BQ4: Is Blake Griffin’s trainer cool? BQ5: Who is your favorite college team? Mine is USC. BQ6: Basketball Section War: EAST vs. WEST HAHA! BQ7: Racquetball or Tennis? Which is cooler? BQ8: Maravich or Drexler???? BQ9: Hakeem the Dream in your Top 15 of All-Time? BQ10: How about Pippen in your Top 20? BQ11: Reggie Miller in your Top 50? BQ12: Do you know what too much sugar can do to you? It makes you become like me. HEHEHEHEHEHE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BQ13: PSP vs. Ipod! BQ14: STAR if you are still answering these! BQ15: MC vs. MC who wins? I say MC! Hi MC! BQ16: Do you like the number 16? BQ17: STAR if I look like a retard! BQ18: Are you still answering? BQ19: Odom, Ariza, or Artest, who is better? BQ20: Srcubs is on, I’ll go watch it after these BQ’s! Do you watch Scrubs? BQ21: Tim Duncan wears #21, here is a special honor for him: Tim Duncan you would kill me in basketball. BQ22: Do you like SK22™? BQ23: Do you like SK23™? BQ24: Kobe + Pippen vs. Jordan + Reggie Miller!?!? BQ25: IS THIS THE MOST BQ’s IN A QUESTION EVER?!?!?! I’M TRYING TO BREAK RECORD >:). Remember! Don’t have too much sugar you might break my record STAR if you saw this question!!!THIS IS A RECORD FOR ME!!! 6 STARS in 6 MINUTES!! HeLL YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!! COOKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!THATS A BAD ANSWER YK!!! BAD BAD BAD BAD!!!!!!!!! WHY EDIT??? HUH? HUH? HUH? HHHUUUHHH??? HAHA YOU KNOW IM KIDDING I STILL LOVE YOU YK HEHEHE >:)RAZA YOUR NAME IS EASY TO SPELL R A Z A R A Z A R A Z A R A Z A SEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!???YOOO WALTER!!! WHY YOU AVOID SUGAR? DO YOU NOT LIKE SUGAR!?!? SUGAR IS GOOD FOR THE BODY! IT MAKES YOU LIKE ME! AND IM COOL! Wait.. I’m not cool? IG NO RANT!STAR MUTHA****AS!

Do you agree with me when I say this?
Can someone, preferably a colored person, explain to me how blacks dont receive special treatment in our country? Kobe accused of rape and walked. OJ Simpson, we all know that guy. Explain yourselves.Right, right, Madeoff is just going to “serve his time” and then back to work! I see lots of black solidarity going on here. “Not guilty, acquitted” Oh, now you agree with what the courts say. Convenient.Name a white pro-athlete that was disgraced and got his job back. Name any rich white person that wasnt blackballed at the first hint of wrong-doing.

I noticed Michael Vick is back in the NFL, blacks dont get special treatment?
I mean Nike did confiscate the tape of Lebron getting dunked onBack in the day they used to have “match races” where two horses raced against each other. Are Lebron and Kobe scared what would happen if they lose?

Should Kobe and Lebron meet for a one-on-one game in a primetime special?
Think about it. A special sub-catagory for all the fanboys of Kobe and LeBron. They can duke it out in their own section and we can get back to basketball.

Should Y! Answers have a Koko and Bron-bron section?
basically who has the skills to be a better player than they are now i have 5 in mind: Tim thomas – was thought to be better than kobe out of high school , was touted to be the best player in the league, a 6′10 foward that can shoot long range and post up, yet hes become nothing more than a solid reserve Lamar Odom – has the skills to be a superstar yet doesnt use them on a consistant basis Amare Stoudimire – could be the most intimidating player in the league, has sub par defense and often starting to fall in love with that jumpshot Josh smith – has map hops, good strength and great all round skill, yet doesnt use them to their full potential Grant Hill – it breaks my heart to say this, but unfortunately injury has cost us what wouldve been a very special player, he was touted to be the next jordan before kobe lebron and all others, the way he played the game wouldve made him one of the greatest players ever. im not saying these guys suck by any means, in fact i think all 5 of them are quite good players, but for all their skills and attributes they should equal a much better player than they are now. who do you think should be a much better player than they are today, it doesnt have to come from my 5

who hasnt lived up to their potential?
2003 nba draft Lebran James – this kid is breaking every record in the book he’s only 24 i think… consistant all star , all nba first team selection , m.v.p ….he’s only missing a ring …he will be the new icon of basketball after kobe retires …but latley his attitude kind of stinks but that will improve……….A+ dwade – he already has everything lebran has except a M.V.P award …. he will get one sooner or later he resembles jordan the most out of all the other nba player comparison.. dwade is very special player he can play D , high scorer , make plays , and he’s a great shot blocker for somebody his height……..A+ Carmelo anthony – i think he will start buliding as a leader this year something he lacked in the past… he’s already a great scorer and rebounder …needs to work on his defense…he’s only been a two time all star i think his years as a consistant all star will start next season… ……….B+ ( for now) Chris Bosh – he has a great offensive game and a great rebounder ….. he did bad for the raptors this season … i think he will grow as the next kevin garnett type of player but with a better offense……….B+ Josh howard – good scorer but he’s been lagging ..he’s also a great rebounder ….i think he needs to go on a different team so he can be his own star…. give him a ……………B david west – he has been a consistant two time all star…i think hes overrated …. chris paul makes him a better player…but still he does get his points and rebounds … needs to work on his defense… ……………B Kirk Hinrich – he’s a great point guard… hopefully i will see him in one or two all star game… if players like chauncy and nash started late in their prime to be superstars i think hinrich might still have a chance…the nba world is unpredictable…….B mo williams – he’s been a great support player for Lebran… i dont consider him a true point guard the guy only averages 4 assister per game… i think he’s outstanding shooter and he will help lebran a lot ..he also was a all star this season……B-

how would you grade the 2003 nba draft class super stars , all stars , main role players?
Congress and the president are immune it seems from accountability for their spending and the oppressive laws they put on the rest of us. No keeping the White house @ 78 degrees while requiring others to keep thermostats to .68 in winter. No White House Parties serving $100 a pound Kobe steaks and expensive campaign. No trips to the Galapagos for congress paid for by us, while they tell everyone else they should stay out of the Galapagos because visitors ruin the eco system? No paying government employees higher than the national averages for those particular jobs. No federal $ to any entity who contributed to a campaign or politically backed project, except that individual freely given non institutionalized donations don’t count in this. (meaning no compulsory union dues used to run adds for any politician or party). Because Bribery is against the law, as it should be. No foreign campaign contributions allowed for democrats, as it is not for republicans. Obama just got millions in illegal foreign contributions as Clinton did, and her husband before her. Republicans can’t get away with it. Obama isn’t even investigated though he kicked back a billion to Hamas after getting money from them, and several other foreign interests got paid billions while we are in dire straits. How about the laws apply evenly to everyone? No special Oligarchical exceptions? Wouldn’t that be a just thing that just might cut out a lot of the BS and corruption coming out of DC and other governments? I think so, we need to start a push for a referendum to enforce what should be a no brainer.All government agencies are mandated to keep their thermostats at the required ranges, except congress and the president. It isn’t just a friendly suggestion lol.I know we SHOULDN’T need such a law, but unfortunately the law makers are setting themselves and their friends up as an Oligarchy, and the law just for the little people.

Should WE vote a referendum dictating everyone in government be subject to all laws/regs put on everyone else?
Well I guess we can all agree that NBA 2K9 was great, but does have many room for improvement. Please feel free to add any ideas, or any areas of improvement, like… ‘fixing bugs’ I’d personally like to see more realistic Sliders, with accurate FG % (I don’t know about you guys but i average 50% +) So far I have heard rumors of new commentators, Marc Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy. Also looking forward to the Anniversary Edition, which will have some special commemorative video looking back on 10 years of the NBA 2K franchise and its past cover athletes. Also 10 lucky people will find a Kobe Autograph

What will you like to see in this Years Version NBA 2K10?
I’m gonna miss this guy. Next to Kobe, Ariza was my favorite Laker. I mean, this guy is all hard work and hustle. I was just about to buy his jersey next year, too.. Anyone can say Ron Artest is better overall, but from watching NBA over the past few years, Trevor Ariza had a work ethic on and off the court that was unparalled. I’m still am a fan of him, wish him the best throughout his career. How do you all feel about him leaving the Lakers? It’s hard to see him win a Championship, creating a special bond with the Laker players and then seeing him leave..

Still can’t believe Trevor Ariza’s gone…?
I saw the Link on Espn.com I keep hearing on here that Kobe should of taken less money and yada yada……… I hope he Stays Ariza….. because i said this before if trevor Ariza wants money over something special with the Lakers and good chance a dynasty with them …. then he can leave simple as that

kobe special tube, kobe special steel, kobe special edition shoes, kobe special tubing, kobe special tube co ltd, kobe special metals, kobe special edition air force 1, espn kobe special, kobe special shoes, kobe special tube company, Filet Mignon, vegetables, Kob\u00e9 Japanese Steakhouse, Shrimp, Chicken, Scallops, teppan, Steak, Dinners, teppanyaki, meal, sashimi, steel tubes and pipes, Kobe Beef, TUBE CO