Archive for November, 2009
Soup Series: Cheddar Corn Chowder
I was so excited that we were doing a soup series again because I love soup. Not only is it comforting in the cold winter months, but it is often very easy to prepare. The following recipe comes from one of my go-to cookbooks, “The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook.” I’ve made this recipe numerous times, playing around with the proportions and highlighting my favorite parts of the soup. This time, I added less corn and more potatoes, making for a chunkier, richer soup. I also used extra sharp cheddar instead of white cheddar because I was hoping for a stronger cheddar flavor. To top it off, I added green onions as a garnish which gave it delicious flavor and texture. Lastly, you’ll definitely want to purchase some of your favorite bread to slop up every last drip of this scrumptious soup.
Here is the original recipe for you to make it your own. It makes quite a bit, but freezes beautifully.
Cheddar Corn Chowder
Ingredients
8 ounces bacon, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
6 cups chopped yellow onions (4 large onions)
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1/2 cup flour
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
12 cups chicken stock
6 cups medium-diced white potatoes, unpeeled (2 pounds)
3 pounds frozen corn kernels
2 cups half-and-half
8 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese, grated
In a large stockpot over medium-high heat, cook the bacon and olive oil until the bacon is crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and reserve. Reduce the heat to medium, add the onions and butter to the fat, and cook for 10 minutes, until the onions are translucent.
Stir in the flour, salt, pepper, and turmeric and cook for 3 minutes. Add the chicken stock and potatoes, bring to a boil, and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. Add the corn to the soup, then add the half-and-half and cheddar. Cook for 5 more minutes, until the cheese is melted. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Serve hot with a garnish of bacon.
Makes 10 to 12 servings
Copyright, 1999, The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, All rights reserved
By Kim Bedwell 
1 comment November 30, 2009
eat. write. give: The ladies of Sac Foodies serve up good eats for a good cause
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Sacramento opening of Fleishman-Hillard. To commemorate our last two decades in the Capitol City, the ladies of Sac Foodies will make an offline appearance at midtown’s Lounge ON20 to raise funds and awareness for Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS). Ten percent of all sales from the evening will be donated to SFBFS and everyone who visits Lounge ON20 between 6 – 9 PM will be entered for a chance to win prizes including a night out with the Sac Foodies for an upcoming restaurant review, four tickets to an upcoming Kings game and other Sac Foodie goods!
Nothing would make us happier than to have all of our loyal readers and friends to join us for this special event!
3 comments November 24, 2009
Burritos Give Back
We heart burritos. There’s never a bad time for a warm tortilla stuffed with steamy deliciousness. Breakfast, lunch or dinner – you can’t go wrong.
Needless to say, we’re pretty excited for today’s fundraising event at Chipotle benefiting our friends at the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services. Enjoy a tasty treat at any Sacramento-area Chipotle from 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., show this flier and 50% of the proceeds will go directly to SFBFS. The flier is doubled, so share the giving and make a new friend by using half and give the other to someone in line!
Add comment November 23, 2009
Soup Series: No-Rules Beef Stew
There’s frost on your car in the morning, your shorts and flip flops have been laid to rest and it’s time to start bundling up in front of the fireplace with a tasty bowl of steamy soup. What does this all mean? It’s time to kick off this year’s Soup Series! Sit back, enjoy and warm up with some of our favorite soup recipes to come in the next few weeks!
Vanessa’s Beef Stew
I love this time of year; the weather turns cold and it gets dark a little earlier, which means it’s the perfect time of year to dust off the Crock Pot and whip up some easy, comfort food recipes, like beef stew. There’s nothing like coming home to the smell of stew – not to mention there’s nothing like coming home to dinner that can be on the table in five minutes flat! And, the beauty of stew is that there are no rules and you can make it your own by adding all your favorite ingredients for whatever suits your mood. I’m pretty traditional when it comes to stew, but adding fresh herbs, like rosemary, thyme and a bay leaf, is my favorite addition for maximum flavor.
Ingredients
2 pounds beef stew meat, cut in 1-inch cubes
¼ cup flour
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 ½ cups beef broth
½ cup red wine
1 clove garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
½ teaspoon of fresh thyme
1 sprig of rosemary (remove before eating)
1 teaspoon paprika
4 carrots, sliced
3 potatoes diced
1 onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, sliced
Put meat in Crock-Pot. Mix flour, salt and pepper, and pour over meat; stir to coat meat well. Add remaining ingredients and stir to mix well. Cover and cook on low 10 to 12 hours, or on high 4 to 6 hours. Stir stew thoroughly before serving. Pair with warm bread for dipping and, viola, dinner is served! (Makes 6 servings)
Nutrition
Calories: 330
Protein: 32 grams
Fat: 12 grams
Carbs: 23 grams
Cholesterol: 98 mg
Sodium: 542 mg
Add comment November 20, 2009
Grand Opening Party at Ten22
Last week, a few of the Sac Foodies were invited to attend the grand opening celebration for Ten22 restaurant in Old Sacramento. Since we had also been invited to a preview tasting a few months back, we were really looking forward to seeing how the restaurant had turned out now that it is officially open!
The four of us had a great time feasting on appetizers and enjoying the complimentary drinks while mingling with friends and fellow foodies. Even the mayor stopped by and expressed his excitement about the new restaurant opening and the jobs that have been created as a result.
We especially loved the huge outdoor patio and fire pit area – we’re already envisioning many a happy hour spent out there! The welcoming attitude of the owner and staff along with the casual atmosphere are sure to make Ten22 an Old Sacramento hit. And we couldn’t be happier to have a new hangout just a few blocks from the office – see you soon Ten22!
Brittany Mohr 
and Cecily Fuller 
Add comment November 19, 2009
It’s Just Ducky at the Grange
Several years ago a friend invited me to dinner and asked if I liked duck. My silence on the line quickly revealed my unfamiliarity with the then-foreign foul. But, she took a chance and kept duck in our dinner plans – and I am so glad she did. Ever since that time, duck on the menu meant duck on my plate. So, it is no surprise that I jumped at the chance to attend last Thursday’s duck dinner at the Grange restaurant in downtown Sacramento.
It was a special night at the Grange – although, having now experienced it, I believe every night may be a special night there. The setting is lovely and the service was the proverbial “over the top.” But, let’s talk about the real star of the show: the duck.
The custom menu was a collaboration between Grange Executive Chef Michael Tuohy and local “Hunter Angler Gardner Cook,” Hank Shaw. Earlier that afternoon, they challenged each other with a friendly, “duck off” cooking competition followed by the five-course duck-themed dinner in the evening. A portion of the proceeds from the dinner went to the California Waterfowl Association.
The meal started with a duck charcuterie plate, featuring duck prosciutto and rillette, followed by fresh, local greens with duck confit, a house-made tagliatelle, duck cassoulet, and a pear tart with a crust made with duck fat.
After each course, the only thing left of my plate was the pattern. While every bite was amazing, let me dwell a bit on the tagliatelle with duck sugo. It was like my mom’s home-made beef and noodles…but, not at all, really. It evoked that same comforting, can’t-get-enough taste, but with a deep flavor and freshness, that was second to none. I hope it – or a version of it – is a permanent addition to the Grange menu, because I’m quite sure it will be at the top of my “new things to crave” list.
It was truly a memorable meal with amazing food, fine company, and a special remembrance of a fine foodie friend who shared the spirit of culinary adventure so many years ago. No doubt about it; the whole experience made me feel like one lucky duck.
Grange
926 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 492-4450
2 comments November 17, 2009
Music That Gives Back
We love using Sac Foodies to spread the word about all the great ways that local businesses and individuals are helping to make Sacramento the great city it is.
The “Hope in Harmony” benefit concert for children is one of those great efforts. The event, which will include an Old Hollywood theme, will be held at the Memorial Auditorium (15th Street and J) on Friday, November 20th and will bring much needed business development, fundraising training and financial support to three local nonprofits – KidsFirst, Roberts Family Development Center and Special Olympics of Northern California. With Natalie Cole as the headlining artist and special guest Louie Anderson, the night will be filled with great music and laughter all in an effort to give back.
Doors will open at 8:30 p.m. and the show will start at 9:00. VIP ticket holders will be able to enjoy a cocktail reception featuring food from Paragary Restaurants and wine provided by various local wineries, followed by an elegant sit down dinner during the concert and an after party at Spataro Restaurant and Bar.
Concert ticket prices range from $50 to $150 and can be purchased here. VIP tickets and sponsor tables are also available by calling (916) 782-4673.
Add comment November 16, 2009
2nd Annual Turkey Drive 3000
We’re so excited about our new partnership with the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, which we hope you’ve read all about in our recent post. SFBFS is all about giving back and there’s no better time for that than the Thanksgiving and Holiday season.
What better way to kick off the season of giving back than with the 2nd Annual Turkey Drive 3000? On Friday, November 20th from 4:30 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., SFBFS and KCRA will be collecting turkeys to help Sacramento area families in need. This year’s goal? 3,000 Turkeys!
The event will be held at the corner of 3rd Avenue and 33rd Street in Oak Park. If you are unable to make it out, SFBFS will be accepting donations of turkeys and other holiday fixings now through the end of the year.
Visit www.sacramentofoodbank.org or call (916) 456-1980 for more information.
Add comment November 13, 2009
Chicken and Potatoes on the Grill
I’ve mentioned on Sac Foodies before that I am a big fan of the beer can chicken grilling method. However, when I was at my dad’s house a few weeks ago, he showed me his fancy new vertical chicken roaster pan for the grill. I was skeptical at first – after all, he was the one who sold me on the beer can chicken method long ago and now were we changing things? But, I have to say that when I saw how easy it was to cook both veggies and chicken on the grill using one simple pan, I was sold.
Below the chicken we put chopped up red potatoes, lemon slices and onion, all tossed with olive oil and fresh herbs and allowed the chicken and veggies to cook on the grill for about an hour. How good does the finished product look?
By Liz Conant 
1 comment November 12, 2009
Tightwad Tuesday: Mikuni
Mikuni is dishing out the deals for today’s Tightwad Tuesday!
Happy Meal – Indulge in the special fixed price menu for two for only $40. You and your dining partner can choose one appetizer, one meat dish, 2 rolls and one dessert from the Happy Meal menu for the fixed price of $40.
Kids Eat Free – Bring the family to Mikuni on Wednesdays and receive a free Kids Bento Box with every $15 in regular menu items purchased.
Game Day Party Platter Special – Have your next party at Mikuni between now and December 21st when all Party Platters are only $50 every Sunday & Monday!
Monday Night Football Happy Hour – Get your fill of both sushi and football with Happy Hour prices every Monday from 2 p.m. to close.
Monday Night Football Sushi Buffet – Visit the Roseville or Elk Grove locations every Monday night from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for an all-you-can-eat sushi buffet! Adults can enjoy the buffet for $25, seniors and children for $12, and kids under 5 are free.
2 comments November 10, 2009
Everything posted on this blog is stated as personal opinion and does not necessarily represent the views of Fleishman-Hillard or its clients.
