Hummus Chickpeas

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Hummus Chickpeas

A ‘Riblicious’ Meal at Izzy’s

Please see my new Restaurant Review in The Times of Israel called "A 'Riblicious' Meal at Izzy's."

Izzy’s Brooklyn Smokehouse Kosher BBQ now has a location in Miami, Florida. My wife, Dossy, loves ribs, so she “made sure” that we got to try this restaurant while on vacation here in Florida. Of course, she ordered her favorite BBQ Back Ribs as their menu says: “finished over our woodshow grill and covered in our BBQ sauce.”

We ordered the ribs for my wife and she was in seventh heaven just waiting for them to come. There was no bread or appetizer put on the table and when the ribs came they were just that, ribs covered in thick brown BBQ sauce with a sprinkling of pickles and purple cabbage on the side and a cup of ketchup. There was no doubt that this meal was all about the ribs and that virtually nothing else mattered. Looking at my wife’s happy face, I can almost forgive them for the various service snafus.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

A ‘Riblicious’ Meal at Izzy’s

Meatballs Piled High

Lots of little meatballs piled high. 

Probably goes well with some nice long spaghetti and saucy sauce. 

Mix it up and serve it steamy hot.

Around the table, everyone dig in. 

Oops, don't spill the sauce on your shirt.

Keep some Tums around for any after effects. 

It's hearty meatball and spaghetti night. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Meatballs Piled High

Japanese Cuisine Through Sheltered Eyes

So I had my first Miso Soup today.

Actually, I shared it with my wife who checked that the stock was kosher--the lady said bonito--and my wife said, good. 

I'm a Jewish kid from the Bronx--what do I know from Miso Soup. 

So about the only thing that I can tell you about the soup is what a fishy taste!

I know it's supposed to be really good for you--and that's why I even tried it. 

But the closest thing that I can compare it to is the when my mom used to boil the wrapped gefilte fish in water before Shabbat--well the leftover water that gets discarded--that's what in my imagination Miso Soup tasted like. 

Would I get it again? 

Let's just say, I wouldn't run to get it--however, for good health, I may hold my taste buds and sense of smell of all the fishy stuff in abeyance, and just drink in down.

In general though, I really like some Asian cuisine--for example, with vegetarian dishes things like Kung Po Tofu and Mo-Po Tofu or Crispy Eggplant and Vegetables in Fried Rice. 

The other thing I really like is the innovative Japanese Ramune "marble soda" in which you push out a real marble from the spout into the bottle and it rolls around inside while you drink the refreshing fruity flavors (don't worry, it's not as dangerous as it sounds). 

Last thing, I'll mention is that I won't eat sushi--raw fish seems like it's primed to give you a nice big stomach ache--now this reminds me of another type of dish in Jewish tradition and that's herring (often served with cream sauce) and prominent at many a Ashkenazi kiddush served after synagogue services. 

With the Sushi, if they can somehow manage to cook it for me and use kosher fish, okay--otherwise, I'm heading to the nearest Chinese Kosher Restaurant for some nice Sesame, Kung Pao, Moo Shu, or Lo Mein with Beef or Chicken. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Japanese Cuisine Through Sheltered Eyes

Feeling So Naughty

Ok, so Dossy brought home a new snack.

It's from Trader Joe's and it's called Baconesque.

It's popcorn with white cheddar and bacon-like seasoning...it's Kosher (OU, Dairy)!

The sidebar from the man and lady dancing on the packaging says, "I can't believe it's not bacon!" and I'm thinking I can't believe it's just like bacon!

So I tear open the package, and dug in for my first taste of bacon-like popcorn (note: except for imitation bacon bites which my sister used to put on salads, I've never tasted bacon or anything like it). 

One handful, two handful...almost puking now. 

Yeah, it tastes like I thought it would, but maybe Jews know a little something too...I like a good piece of beef better, much much better.  ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Feeling So Naughty

Want to Ride The Falafel Bus?

Falafel is a funny sounding food, but actually tastes pretty good. 

The best that I've ever had was in Tel Aviv with spicy falafel balls, hot french fries, and loads of creamy Tehina stuffed in the pita.

Only thing better is with juicy grilled schwarma, right off the rotating fire spit, and hot sauce, and for that try Max's in Silver Spring. 

One of my friends used to joke about the guy with an accent selling falafel, but who used to ring out (what sounded like), "Pizza and Palapel!" 

In terms of getting it from a curbside bus--only if it is hot and kosher. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Want to Ride The Falafel Bus?