Huge accident at Four Points... 620 at Bullick Hollow

Wanted to let Austinites know there is a huge accident on Bullick Hollow near FM 620... several ambulances have gone by, fire trucks and many other rescue vehicles.   I'd avoid this area if you can!

Ghirardelli Chocolate Contest goes on without Spicy Pecan

It's with great sadness that I announce that my flavor creation in the Ghirardelli Bring Your Light to Dark contest was eliminated.   I had a remarkable experience and am still overwhelmed by the support I received these past weeks.   Today the big consensus is that I should produce my chocolate anyway.   Although I could never compete with Ghirardelli in mass producing my flavor, I can make it for Holiday's and as Real Estate gifts.   So off I go mold shopping! 

If you'd like to try Spicy Pecan drop me a comment with your address, become a blog follower and I will send you some.  It is very, very good!

So when God closes a door, another one opens... my eyes are wide open to see what occurs next!!!   Woohoo!

C 130 flyby over Steiner Ranch today!

While in the kitchen today at 12:30 we heard a ZZZZOOOOOOOMMMMMM and I knew instantly what is was... ran outside to the back and watch as 3 additional C 130's flew overhead at a low altitude.   It was an impressive Steiner Ranch fly by and I threw my hands up in the air and clapped as we got buzzed.   My husband asked me why I was applauding and I said "this is my history, this is who I am..."   I'm an Air Force Brat full of pride for the red, white and blue!!!   What impressed my husband the most was that I identified the aircraft immediately.  He came inside and did a google search and sure enough, it was the C 130.  I know my planes and I still love the smell of jet fuel!

Incredibly moist chocolate banana nut bread

This is a great back to school recipe as it makes about 3 mid sized loaves and I serve this continuously throughout the day.  It's a great out the door breakfast or I'm Home from School snack and my husband will steal a piece late in the evening too!

I always freeze that banana's that are too ripe to eat.   Don't let the dark brown skin fool you - squish them out of the skins once thawed and you'll have the best banana's for this bread!

Chocolate Banana Nut Bread

Ingredients:

• 7 over ripe or previously frozen banana's, thawed
• 1/2 C butter
• 3/4 C brown sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 t vanilla
• 1 t apple cider vinegar
• 2 1/2 C flour
• 1 T baking soda
• 1 t baking powder
• pinch of salt
• 1/2 C buttermilk
• 1 C chocolate chips
• 1 C walnuts, chopped

Directions:   Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and lightly oil 3 medium sized loaf pans, set aside.  In one bowl, thaw out your banana's if using frozen and beat until mashed, set aside.   In mixing bowl, cream butter with sugar until light and fluffy.   Add eggs, one at a time and continue to mix for a few more minutes.   Add vanilla and apple cider vinegar.   Slowly add your flour, soda, baking powder and salt until incorporated.  It will be thick at this time.   Add the buttermilk and you can adjust at this point using less or more depending on the batter thickness.   Toss in your chocolate chips and nuts and stir to mix.  You can use pecans if you'd like...  pour batter into the 3 pans and bake about 50 minutes or until done.   I recommend about 30 minutes of cooling, by my husband swears that eating this when it's super warm is the best!!!

Happy Birthday Cocktail Party

My daughter Lindsey turned 23 the other day!   All she asked for was a family dinner but I had other plans... instead, I opted for a surprise Cocktail Party and invited lots of her friends.  Started cooking the night before after she went to bed (she moved back home until Law School next year) and hid it all in the extra refrigerator we have.   Managed to surprise her and these are some of the offerings I made!

Bruschetta

 I sauted garlic and sliced cherry tomatoes in a little olive oil to soften, then removed from heat.   Tossed in a handful of basil ribbons and put this on top of grilled Ciabatta bread.  Added a little Parmesan and yum!

An Antipasto - Artichoke and Pepper Marinated Salad

See this recipe here

Flank Steak with Brie on fried Ciabatta topped with a dried cranberry

 I marinated a flank steak overnight in balsamic vinegar and olive oil with crushed garlic.  Over hot coals, we grilled it to medium rare and then cooled it for a hour or so.   In a saute pan, I fried Ciabatta in olive oil and plated.   Then I thinly sliced the flank steak and placed that on the bread with a dollop of cream Brie with herbs and garnished with a dried cranberry.

Potato Rounds with Scallion Vinaigrette and Parmesan

The plate has already been attacked or it would have looked prettier.  I sliced russet potatoes about 1/4 inch thick and placed them on a baking sheet, topped with a little olive oil.   Baked at 375 degrees for 15 minutes then topped them with a scallion vinaigrette, garnished with Parmesan and back into the oven for an additional 5 minutes.

Scallion Vinaigrette:  2 bunches green onions, sliced very thin * 2 T French Mustard * 3 T red wine vinegar * salt and pepper to taste* 1/4 C olive oil.   Combine all ingredients and top each potato.

Black Bean and Corn Salsa

This one is super easy and yet so delicious.   In a bowl, add 1 can black beans, drained with 1 can corn, drained, 1/2 C salsa and 3 T finely sliced green onions.  Mix well and serve with chips!

Steiner Ranch Restaurant closing - TexMex coming soon.

It was announced recently that Thai Harmony Restaurant in Steiner Ranch will be closing its doors on September 19th.   It was a difficult decision for the owners, but having 2 asian inspired eateries in Steiner proved to be tough.  So in it's place will be Suelo Nuevo, a Tex Mex Bar and Grill.

Steiner needs a Tex Mex Restaurant as right now everyone heads over to Flores and Mesa Rosa.  So our inventory will consist of the following delicious places:

• Steiner Ranch Steak House
• Fions
• Lakeside Grill
• Cho Sushi
• Suelo Nuevo TexMex Bar and Grill

And don't forget about Cups and Cones for your dessert or morning coffee or The Market for those already prepped meals for the busy family!

At this point, I'd say that we are set!   We certainly don't need to throw in a Randall's now - do we?

Texan survives the Ghirardelli cut

Stacey Rider, from Austin, has survived the first round cut and is a top 4 finalist in the Ghirardelli Intense Dark Chocolate Bring Your Dark to Light contest and is the only contestant from Texas.   More than 14,000 people entered the competition by creating a unique flavor idea using one of Ghirardelli’s Intense Dark chocolates and 3 extra ingredients.   In addition to creating a unique taste, each entrant had to name and write the story of their creation that would capture attention.

Rider’s creation?  A combination of 72% dark cocoa chocolate with pecans and chili named Spicy Pecan.
 

“My inspiration was Central Texas with its pecan trees and spicy food influence,” said Rider.  “It was an ‘aha’ moment that intense dark chocolate, pecans and chili would blend into a memorable taste combination.”

Rider is mother to 5, cook, and local Realtor with the Bartlett Real Estate Group, Keller Williams Realty.  In her spare time, she is also the Four Points Foodie food blogger, where she writes about creating custom cuisine and shares her recipes.

To vote for Stacey's flavor, SPICY PECAN, go to www.newintensedark.com

Vote for Spicy Pecan today!

Tomorrow, the least voted for flavor in the Ghirardelli Chocolate Bring Your Dark to Light contest will be removed, leaving 4 top flavors. Vote today for Spicy Pecan!

www.newintensedark.com