mmm-yoso!!!

The 2009 San Diego County Fair, Part Two

mmm-yoso is the blog written by Kirk and ed (from Yuma) and Cathy, who is today's blogger.

Well, we finally made it to the Fair.

The Theme this year is "Music Mania" and the entrance gate is decorated like an old jukebox.

Don Diego, the Official Greeter is more advertising that the Fairgrounds may be sold to a private owner if the current fiscal situation in our state is not cleared up.

Inside, the Fairgrounds look the same as always.

All of the traditional County Fair events are happening.

The beef cattle, which will be up for auction on July 4 along with the dairy goats (although the kid born at the beginning of the Fair will not be sold just yet) and pigs and sheep were available for purchase if you did not want to bother with the auction.

(If you want to know auction details, send an email or comment below)

 The Preserved foods, as well as the baked goods, which were all judged before the Fair opened, were on display  with the ribbons  that were awarded.

Interesting tidbit- every morning there is a job of cutting away mold or slime from the baked goods on display. 

When entering items, at least six cookies and whole cakes and loaves of bread are entered for judging.  By the end of the run of the Fair, there are many signs indicating the item was 'too good to last!'...really though, it molded away.

Now, why you are here (on the blog).  Food.  Go to this building, which houses the "Designs in Wood" entries.

Yes.

Go on.  It's $4.75

The small 'leftovers' box is pulled from the freezer.  It contains three strips of dark chocolate covered bacon.
 

This was by far my most favorite item here.  The bacon is thick and salty and cooked well.  The dark chocolate, frozen, compliments the saltiness.  It was the perfect treat.

The fried cheese curds ($6) were lightly breaded in a garlic powder crust and had a nice crunch. 

The cheese was squeaky and good.

The char broiled corn is always good.

 

The Midway is a maze of gadget selling booths.

There is a plethora of tempting sights, smells and sounds.

 But I was here.  And I had to.

Look at the top ad, next to the Frog Legs, which "taste like chicken".  Yes.  A Zucchini Weeni.

$4.75. 

Good idea.  Poor execution.

I admit I have *never* had a corn dog in my life.  The batter on this was not corn though.  It was donut batter.

The hot dog really had no flavor and all of it needed to be dipped in the ranch dressing to have any flavor. 

I had such hopes for this weeni...

Instead, go next door for a "Texas Twister"

A deep fried skinned sausage deep fried with a twist of potatoes. ($8)

Much more flavorful.

Other things we bought included gelato, inside the Bing Crosby Hall.  excellent. (Small, $4)

The Indian Fry Bread- strawberry cheesecake.  Fresh fried bread topped with whipped cream cheese, strawberries and whipped cream ($6.50)

One chocolate and one vanilla cream puff.  ($3 each).  They make the pastry in the booth daily and the filling is real whipped cream.  This is the only "have to" item I get.   I can't get this fresh anywhere else all year.

Artichokes on a stick satisfy that salty craving I have. ($6)

As does Pizza on a stick.($4)

The Footsie Wootsie machines are scattered everywhere and still only 25 cents for a few minutes of unusual pleasure.

Enjoy the Fair.  It closes this Sunday!

Website Opens 11 a.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. on weekends. 

The 2009 San Diego County Fair- Part one- almost ready to open.

mmm-yoso!!! is the food blog.  Kirk, ed(from Yuma) and Cathy write about what and where they ate.  You get to read and enjoy vicariously.

Hi again. The 2009 San Diego County Fair opens this Friday, June 12 at 10 a.m. I have blogged about the Fair in prior years.  Last Saturday, it was just beginning to be set up.

Some vendors had placed their booths.

Some rides were being set up.

What I like to call  "The Heart of the Fair"-the reason State and County Fairs exist...for farmers to show the fruits of their work, the Home Arts section of the Fair, had entries brought in and and judging has been happening.

The judges of Preserved Foods- Fruits, Vegetables, Jams, Jellies, Preserves, Conserves, Soft Spreads, Honey, Syrup, Vinegar, Pickles, Relishes and Sauces...spent  a grueling four hours tasting the variations in those categories (for example, apricot, apricot-pineapple, berry (other than listed), boysenberry, low sugar, mixed fruit of two or more berries, mixed fruit of two or more non-berry, peach, plum,raspberry, strawberry and other than listed Jams)  Each judge got about 45  jars of preserved something to check for proper labeling, proper preparation, taste, compare against the others in that category and then decide which entry was good enough to be awarded a First, Second or Third place ribbon, given an Honorable Mention, or not awarded any prize.

Then all the First Place winners in each category went up against each other, to determine the "Best in Show"

All so that you can walk in on Opening Day and see ribbons on everything. 

This year there are many ways to save on some of the more expensive parts of the Fair, like admission, parking and food from some of the vendors.

Go to the website www.SDFair.com for details.  If you enter a daily contest, you get in free.  If you plan on going more than twice throughout the run (it closes July 5) you can pay $22 for a pass good every day.  If you come on a Tuesday, almost every food booth has some good sized $2 samples.

The Theme of the Fair is "Music Mania" and there will be many small shows going on all day and night concerts.

Don Diego will be at the Front Gate.

And I have my work cut out for me.

See you at the Fair!

The San Diego County Fair

June 12-July 5, 2009 

Saturday Stuffs

Just a couple of things......

The Nijiya Spring Festival:

I dropped by Nijiya to do some shopping. As I was walking towards the market I noticed a crowd.

 

There were several stands....even Okan had a stand.

 

There were corn dogs, yaki onigiri, and other stuff. But the two busiest stands, were the Okonomiyaki:

 

And of course the Takoyaki table.

  

Sorry to say, I didn't partake since I had already eaten lunch. But all is not lost, as the festival runs through 5pm today(04/18/09), and from 11am to 5pm tomorrow (Sunday, 04/19/09). So I may drop by if I get the chance.

I just wanted to post this in case anyone wanted to check this out.

Nijiya Market
3860 Convoy St Ste 109
San Diego, CA 92111

We have a Beer Lao Sighting:

This time at Thuan Phat Market. Actually, I've known this for a couple of days. I had to make sure to buy my share.....

  

These are the 6-packs, and for some reason, I think the 21oz bottles taste better. Of course, I still think Beer Lao in Laos tastes better....but hey, you can't have everything.

If you want some, you better get there soon, there's not much left. I was told that they'll be carrying Beer Lao on "sort of a regular basis". Whatever that means....

Thuan Phat Supermarket
6935 Linda Vista Road
San Diego, CA 92111

I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful weekend!

Road Trip: Saturday Indonesian Food Fair - Duarte (LA)

Gravitational force is interesting....it can be defined in very simple physical terms as the force of mutual attraction which pulls two bodies together. Perhaps I'm stretching it a bit, maybe taking a bit too much "metaphoric license" per se...... but over the years, and in my travels, I've noticed another gravitational force of sorts. Cultural gravitation is what I called it. It is the invisible, undeniable force that our culture, whether by nature or nurture, has on us. It's much stronger for those of us who are far away from our original "home".  And for many, there are those items which bring on that inner, nostalgic warmth that is at the center of this gravitational pull. And if you're like me, food is that source, it marks births, deaths, birthdays, reunions.....memories of friends and families. It is that center. Over the years, I've seen that gravitational force in action. What else could explain the folks waiting in the parking lot of a Chinese Restaurant on Buford Highway in Atlanta, some having driven from as far off as Birmingham, arriving at 7am in the morning, waiting for Dim Sum. Or seeing more Chinese on one Sunday, shopping and eating at a mall in Phoenix, than I knew lived in Arizona. There are celebrations and events that provide that "center" such as festivals. And, there are even regularly scheduled events, which provide the weekly comfort food fix, allowing one to face another week. The weekend Wat Thai Temple Food Court was one of those weekly events. And, the amazing, OC Food blogger supreme, Elmo mentioned another, the Indonesian Food Fair. That post was back in 2006, and I had added it to my list......but much like the Wat Thai Temple food court, much to my disappointment, the Indonesian Food Fair bit the dust. Whether, like the Wat Thai Temple, it was NIMBY-ism, or not, I don't recall. And if it was, I don't know if I blame them. We live on a nice quiet street.There's a Church right down the road, and a couple of times a year, they have events, which we don't mind, it's kind of cute and quaint. But if they had them every weekend......I'm not so sure. 

But luckily for me, right before a recent solo trip back to LA, I went over to Chowhound's LA board and saw this. Like a Phoenix, the Indonesian Food Fair had risen from the ashes. (And if you're wondering, Wat Thai Temple's Food Court is back in action, though on Sunday's only.) Which is how I found myself parking my car in front of the Duarte Inn on a recent Saturday morning.

   

I had to crack up...... I had done some work in the area during the late 90's, and one of the guys I worked with just loved the El Pollo Loco which faces the street in front of the motel.

The food fair starts at 10am, and if today was a good example, it is pretty small and intimate. On this day, only 5 booths were present.

 

But let me tell you.......the fragrances were amazing. Unfortunately for me, it was not a Siren's song, but the wonderful scents that drew me close.

 

And it didn't help that everyone was so nice and patient with me......a total neophyte with regards to Indonesian Food.

 

Most everything is steam table goods....but don't let that dissuade you.

 

One of the ladies ordered like seven plates from this booth.

 

And the young lady working this booth was so very nice and patient. I just kinda stood in the background until the ladies were done, and the young lady explained all the dishes to me.... needless to say, I was impressed.

So what about the food? Let me first say, the colors are a feast for the eyes...and the smells are a feast for the nose. And overall, some of it like the "yellow rice" (Nasi Kuning) I couldn't get enough of.

 

And who doesn't love a boiled egg?

 

We found some of the offerings to be amazingly mild, in spite of the scents.

But this eggplant was killer:

 

And I felt like I should post the photo of this on my wall.

 

I found the Nasi Gudeg (simmered jackfruit) to be a bit too sweet....must be the palm sugar.

 

But the "spicy fish" was the best thing on the plate....which was not too spicy for us, in spite of looks.

 

Again, don't be like me and be seduced by all the smells, you should let Elmo be your guide....and the folks here are nice.

Indonesian Food Festival - Saturday 10am - 2pm
Duarte Inn
1200 Huntington Dr
Duarte, CA 91010

One last item, I'm dedicating this post to "Amy", who has moved to LA from San Diego. Amy emailed me recently, and mentioned that she's been reading for a few years, but had never had the chance to comment or email me. I'm sure Amy is a lot like most of you folks, and I just wanted to thank everyone for checking us out. Oh, and Amy, Los Angeles and Orange County has much to offer.......like the Indonesian Food Fair. Just let me know what good eats you find out there, ok?

San Diego Tet Festival 2009

  Wow, where did time go? It's time for the San Diego Tet Festival again. The venue this year, is the same as last year, Balboa Park. 

I decided to check things out on the way home from work, so that I could get a post in tonight. That way, if you're interested, you'll still have tonight, Saturday, and Sunday to attend.

This year, it didn't look like the weather was cooperating, but by the time the Festival opened at 4pm, the rain looked to have moved on, and the sun was shining.

 

Things were a bit wet, but I'm hoping that doesn't dampen spirits.

As with all the previous festivals, various vendors, businesses, and community organizations are represented.

 

And of course all of the rides.

 

Of course, I know you're really interested in the food, right?

 

It was nice to see some of the old regulars, who are here every year.

 

And many that I don't recall seeing before.

 

To me, it seems that every year, there seems to be an interesting food theme. In 2006, it was Cha Gio everywhere. In 2007, it was salads. Last year, it was Nem Chua and Banh Kot. This year, in keeping with the weather, it's soups, stews, and rice porridge (Chao).

 

And every year, there's something a little more adventurous.

 

Here's a closer look:

 

And just in case you aren't in the mood for Vietnamese (gasp!), there's the usual Kettle Corn, Hot Dogs, Tacos, and maybe a few not so usual suspects:

 

The meat grilling in back of the booth smelled heavenly. Too bad they weren't quite ready.

Only a few booths were open, and this booth was the busiest:

 

  And though all folks ahead of me were getting Eggrolls (Cha Gio), or Fried Bananas, I had my sights dead set on something else.... Bun Rieu!

I ordered my Bun Rieu($5), and the very friendly young man manning the booth asked me to wait a few minutes. And what should appear, but a large fast-food plastic tray, and a proper large bowl of Bun Rieu. I was shocked.....

 

I had expected a small styrofoam bowl, but this was larger than many bowls of Bun Rieu I've had in restaurants. No garnishes other than lime, but this was better than expected. And while it was a far cry from Mien Trung, the Bun Rieu sure hit the spot on such a damp day. I was so stuffed after finishing this off, that there was no room for anything else.

Which might have been a good thing, since many booths, like this one, which will be serving Banh Kot, were simply not ready.

 

So if you visit, let me know what you enjoyed!

Fourth Annual San Diego Tet Festival - Balboa Park.

Fri 1/23/2009: 4pm - 10pm
Sat 1/24/2009: 10am - 10pm
Sun 1/25/2009: 10am - 8pm

TacoNazo and the 2009 Rose Parade Floats.

mmm-yoso is a food blog, written by Kirk and a few others.  Today, one of the others, Cathy, is writing. 

Hi again.  2008 was an unusual year and nothing seemed to be the same.  Usually, The Mister and I volunteer  with the Petal Pushers and help decorate floats for the Rose Parade , but that did not happen. 

Instead, we started to drive north to Pasadena as the parade ended on television, in order to see the floats lined up end to end.   About 2 miles end to end.  The New Year Resolution was about to begin.

 About 1 million people camp out overnight to watch the Rose Parade, starting to claim seats along the 5 mile parade route on December 30 or 31, so they can ring in the New Year and then watch the parade up close starting at 8 a.m..  When the last float of the parade passes, they are so ready to go home...and we drive up against traffic.

Viewing on January 1, right after the parade, does not start until 1 p.m..  The parade ends about 10 a.m., so we have to eat lunch someplace before we can go inside the locked gate area. 

As always, we have no plans...decided the exit that said "Azusa Pacific University" might have some college like food places, and took the exit.

 

Sure enough, on Azusa Avenue, a one way street from the freeway, between houses, was this.  TacoNazo

You know we had to stop.

 

The menu board is simple...and when I saw the small cardboard board hanging down...the one next to the beverage machine...

Well, I knew I had a post.

Then there was the food.

The al pastor (spicy pork) taco, $1.69.

Juicy, extremely flavorful. Filling, although not that large. They do give you two tortillas. The small, standard ones.

 

The ceviche tostada.  $2.95.  Fish.  Fresh white fish. 

You can also get one made with imitation crab for $2.95 also or ceviche made with (large) shrimp for $3.50.

This was excellent.  Firm, fresh fish marinated in a lime juice topped with an onion/tomato/cilantro/celery relish and slices of avocado.

 

Then, what TacoNazo is known for- the fish taco.  Actually this is a one fish and one shrimp taco combination plate.  ($5.59- which includes a bag of chips and large beverage.)

The rice and beans were excellent...and the batter on the taco and on the shrimp was perfect. It is light and thick, like a beer batter, and was absolutely perfectly fried-cooked through, crunchy on the outside, yet the seafood inside remained moist and extremely rich seafood flavored.

The seafood tacos come with your choice of toppings: cabbage, tomato, onion, cilantro and a signature cream sauce, which is *really* good...fresh and similar, (but better because it is fresh)  than the jarred "crema" sold in most markets around here.

Turns out this place has 6 locations, claims to have the "World's Best Fish Tacos". Have been around since 1978. They also declare they are the REAL flavor of Baja...and I think they may be right.  

So, we drove to Exit 29...then North toward the far East end of where the floats are parked on Sierra Madre Blvd.  We find parking on the street and follow the crowds.  If you try to park closer, you'll pay about $10 and still have to walk...and you still have to pay $7 to get into the float area.

Every square inch of the floats has to be covered with something that is, or was, alive. Yes, there are fresh flowers (and you can smell most of them).  But beans, peas, dried  leaves, seaweed, shredded coconut, rice, pulverized dried flower petals and so much else is used.

 

These floats are huge, have to  negotiate corners and have to be able to get under overhead wires and bridges along the route.

 

There were 47 floats in this year's parade, all sponsored by different local cities and local and national businesses, the two schools playing in the football game (Penn State and USC) and the Queen's float, which is sponsored by the Tournament of Roses.

 

  Here is a little peek into where the driver of one of these machines sits.  Of course, he can't look out, and is guided by cameras.

 

If you look carefully, you can see the orange "stamen" of the large  flower to the left is made up of about 100 peppers.  Each is meticulously glued or pinned onto the base.  The flour petals are made of crushed rice and pulverized dried petals. 

You can also see that there is an audio tour you can listen to, by calling a number and then requesting information about a particular float.

  

It is fascinating to see the floats all lined up end to end.  The enormity.  There are white-suited Tournament of Roses members there to answer any questions you may have.  Each has reference books with the most minute details listed about that particular float. 

We got in our exercise, started a new habit and had a great first lunch of 2009.  I hope all of you are having a good year also.

Taconazo  - 6 locations (Azuza, Bellflower, La Habra, La Puente, South El Monte and Walnut) www.taconazo.com

Holiday Bowl 2008-Tailgating and a football game

mmm-yoso!!! is the food blog you are reading.  Today, Cathy is writing about what she (and 100 of her closest friends) ate in the parking lot of Qualcomm stadium before and after a football game at the end of 2008.

Hi.  We do this every  year .  The Holiday Bowl 2008 football game  is now a distant memory, and it was another good one(Oregon beat Oklahoma).  However, the pre-and post game activities are why The Mister and I attend every year.   It is a sort of 'American Tradition', the tailgate...a group of friends decide on a prearranged spot in the parking lot near the football stadium, claim that area, backing into the parking stalls, but not fully, so that tables can be placed in the aisle formed by the back to back car trunks.  Food is brought and placed upon those tables...

The day starts out at about 6 a.m. for us.  Actually, it started the week before Christmas, when rib roasts were on sale at Albertson's for $3.77/lb.  We bought about 24 pounds of roast this year.

This is a very simple recipe, which you can easily remember: GOP: garlic, oregano, paprika. (as binders: olive oil, salt and pepper...you shouldn't have to remember those.)

 

Make a paste.

 

Heat the oven to 500°. 

Coat the roast(s) with the paste.

Put the roast(s) in the oven.

Drop the temp to 350°

20 minutes per pound (remove from oven when inner temp is 135°-it will continue cooking)

In the meantime, 6 pounds of white bread rolls are made fresh.

Then we drive to Qualcomm, park in our section (where nobody remembers our names, but do know us as the "garlic beef couple"), "Hello, Merry Christmas !" and "did you bring the beef?" are standard salutations.

Along with some mutterings about "sorry about the University of Michigan this year"...blah blah

We  set up our two  tables, started slicing the beef and soon everyone else begins to show up and filled up the parking spots and then spaces on more set up tables...

 

 Sangria, salads, chips, crackers, all kinds of dips, chicken in every form imaginable, sandwiches, cookies, pies, cakes, home made fudge...9 tables placed end to end, filled with food.

This one guy always brings his infamous 7 layer Mexican dip, topped with alfalfa sprouts.

He calls it a "hairy Mexican".

Yes,  ladies, he is single.

 

One of the other "regular" dishes we have is a very large, still warm, freshly smoked turkey-smoked about 9 hours overnight.  It is stuffed with a wonderful rice pilaf.

 

Always the turkey is accompanied by those sweet potatoes topped with the Betty Crocker canned coconut pecan frosting I told you about as a Thanksgiving side dish.  Yes, I got that recipe here, from some wonderful old friends. More than 15 years ago, when you bought frosting in powdered form and that was mixed with the sweet potato 'juices'.  This is how I know those sweet potatoes taste good hot or cold.

Before the 5 p.m. kickoff, we head to the stadium, watch opening ceremonies. 

(yes we do have an excellent block of seats)

 
 

 

We then watch the football game. With about 5 minutes to go in the 4th quarter, some of us head back out to the parking lot, set up the tables, along with a camp stove, put out leftovers...  

  

Set up cups for instant coffee, hot cider, various add-ins. 

We wait for the parking lot to clear so we can all head home.

Another year of food, fun and a football game.  With friends.  

2nd Annual Somerton Tamale Fest - 2

Kirk and Cathy will be back posting soon. But today, as promised, ed (from Yuma) is finishing up his report on the Somerton Tamale Festival. It will begin with the following line: 

I mentioned in the first part of this post that well over 5000 people must have attended this year's event. And it seemed like all of them were standing in one line -- the line leading to last year's favorite meat tamale:

 The line went straight forward and then turned right toward the vendor. Yes, the guy in the red cap with his daughter, the young lady scratching the back of her pink sweater, the follicly challenged gentleman in brown, and everyone in front of him were all part of the line. And this picture doesn't show the very front of the line or those poor souls standing behind Tina and I. Notice also that the line is two and three people wide for its entire length.

One of the many great things about attending an event like this with a friend is that standing in line (even for over an hour) did not mean that we were required to go hungry.

I soon showed up with a tamale de pollo:
 While not as rich and good as the chicken tamale at Pupuseria Cabanas (yeh I'm plugging my favorite Yuma restaurant - again), it did have a nice chicken flavor and good green chili spice. It also kept us from focusing on the very slow-moving line.

So a few minutes later, I was back with another beef tamale, from a vendor recommended by a friend:
 It was typically rich and beefy (there should have been a table with a cardiologist at this festival). Since I had spooned some tangy salsa from the same vendor beside the tamale, it added a slight sour note that contrast with the overall flavor:

 Luckily our long wait in line was not in vain (and yes, we did have visions of them running out just as we got to the head of the line). When we got back to the table and opened up the tamale, this is what greeted our eyes:

 Okay, we learned quickly that it didn't win last year's award because of its looks. The darn thing was more ugly and lumpy than I am. When we opened it up, we began to realize that it truly was a winner:
 In addition to all that rich flavorful beef, there was abundant green chili and the obligatory olive as well:
 And surprise, pickled carrot slices:

Yeah, that's a good tamale.

We saved for last the tamale of the wonderful woman whose picture at last year's festival has become a key part of the festival's website. Just as I remembered it was good and beefy:

 What else can I say? The tamales were $1.50 apiece. Plates with beans and salad were also available. It may look like we tried them all, but we didn't even make it to a third of the vendors - and many vendors had more than one tamale choice. We were also too full to finish with a desert tamal - such as pineapple or chocolate.

The Somerton Tamale Festival is truly festive. And flavorful. And muy rico. Next year, you be there too!

Food at the Red Rock Casino in Las Vegas, while attending National Finals Rodeo

mmm-yoso!!! is a blog about food that Kirk, ed (from Yuma), Cathy and a few others eat and experience.   You too get to vicariously enjoy our meals.  Hope you enjoy this episode about a couple of days in Cathy's life.

Hi.  I do this every year.  Two Girls driving from San Diego to Vegas, so we we can watch the lovely, athletic cowboys compete in the National Finals Rodeo, as we have for many  many many years now.  

This year, we stayed at the Red Rock Casino Hotel, a bit West of The Strip, near Summerlin. 

  

The hotel is a bit more "modern"  in decor than its "sister" Spa Hotel  but nice and feels safe for a single female traveler.

 

 

The linens and interior decor are of much higher quality than you get at regular hotels.  

Down quilts and pillows and 500 thread count sheets...the 42 inch flat screen.

As well as the 13 inch tv over the bath tub.

 

ANYHOW, for reasons we won't go into right now, Ms. T could not eat any meals with me and since she drove, I was stuck with "hotel food" for the two day duration of my stay.  I walked the whole place, comparing prices.                   

        


  The Bowling Alley area (Red Rock Lanes) had the best prices, but not a huge selection.  (Burgers, chili, fries, combinations thereof and whole pizzas.)

The Sports Book area had a chalkboard special of 8 Buffalo wings for $5, so I got those to take to my room.  Good, nothing extraordinary.

I did manage to get what I wanted for breakfast the next day by getting room service.  The European breakfast, with lots of tasty fresh fruit (the blueberries were wonderful!), some Brie and three different cured meats (salami, ham and roast beef), two croissants (which did not taste as though they were baked in house, as they seemed to be at Green Valley Ranch in prior years), fresh coffee, real cream and grapefruit juice (served in that hourglass pitcher you see top right of the tray).  $24 plus tip, tax and a room service fee...

  

 There are pools here, not open because of the weather.

Supposedly the restaurant by the water is even better.  If I come back in the summer, I'll let you know. 

 

We went to the Rodeo, Day 5 (of 10) and during the Opening ceremonies, this lovely long maned and tailed horse accompanied our flag.

The cowboys saluted the attendees.   

 

Quite a few records were broken.

It was one of the better NFR nights I have attended. 

When we got back, I was hungry and had planned my meal.  I had scoured the menus of all the restaurants in the hotel and the 24 hour Grand Cafe had what I wanted.

This Tuscan salad, made with roasted chicken, thick crispy applewood smoked bacon, shaved Parmesan Reggiano, topped with a mustard vinaigrette and served with a hot baguette.

This set me back $12 and was so worth it.  There was roasted chicken served only on two other places on any menus in this building,everyplace else had 'grilled chicken breast" on their menus and I figured this would be fresher and tastier and it was. 

I awoke early Tuesday morning to this view of the red rocks outside my window but had enough time to run down to the Grand Cafe for an almond bear claw and coffee (~$5)

 

This pastry was fresh made and filled with marzipan and *really* good.

Then we drove back to San Diego and the real world.

But we have tickets for next year's Rodeo already ordered.

Red Rock Casino Hotel

11011 Charleston Las Vegas website

2nd Annual Somerton Tamale Fest 1

We already warned you regular readers that this blog was going to the Somerton Tamale Festival, so here is ed (from Yuma)'s report:

Contrary to predictions of stormy winds around Somerton on December 13, this year's tamale Festival was graced with more good southwestern Arizona winter weather - though it might not have made it above 70°.

The festival has grown from 22 to 36 vendors in just one year. I'm sure the turn out exceeded last year's showing of 5000 people:
 In addition to the worlds greatest collection of homemade tamales, those people also enjoyed the live musical entertainment, such as this spirited mariachi band:

 Tina and I decided to start with a turkey tamale (de pavo):

 As we started eating, we were struck by the spicy mild turkey flavor:

 Our main criticism was that it was not as rich as some other tamales we ate that day. But then again, one doesn't order turkey if one is looking for the richest tamale.

Next we decided to have a green chile, cheese, and sweet corn tamale:

 Its name said it all. The chili flavor was intensely green and spicy. That was perfectly balanced by the kernels of sweet corn, which also contributed to the texture. The cheese added richness. This was one of our favorites from the day.

We couldn't resist the thought of a shrimp tamale. Its appearance was unusual in two ways -- it was very round and the husks were held in place by green twist ties:

 The flavor was lightly fishy and slightly shrimpy. Good and different:

 As usual the vendors were happy and friendly:

 These wonderful two ladies proceeded to talk us into trying their tamale de res. It was unique in being accompanied by cabbage salsa:

 
The spicy salsa dominated the flavor of the combination. This was the most fiery blast to hit our mouths all day long. The tamale itself contained more potato than average and mild flavored beef with a good chew. In a way, the tamale was a very good match for the salsa.

Since we had been pigging out, it now seemed appropriate to tackle a tamale de puerco:

 This vendor was voted most authentic the previous year. We loved its spicy and porky flavor. Perfect, except the masa was just a little too dry. Of course, it still beats any Mexican restaurant tamale I've ever eaten.

The next tamale we had was probably our favorite from the day:

 We loved the large quantity of chewy and flavorful beef. The plentiful green chile strips (oops, not in picture) added a nice contrast to the red chili sauce with its abundant chili flakes. Needless to say, it was "muy rico":

 I was planning on doing this report in one post, but right now, this post is already taking a long time to load, so I will have to continue in a second post later.

Is there a tamal worth standing in line for over an hour? Check out part two and find out!