Don't tell me what it is until I'm done eating please!

That was what I always say at some foods that just don't look right, at least to the everyday person who is not exposed to gourmet and exotic on a regular basis.  That does not mean, I won't eat exotic, I once ate calf brains, well, I guess I should not say "I ate it", it got as far as the back of my throat before I had to very subtly get rid of it in the serviette a.k.a. napkin :)  To this day, I cannot even LOOK at tripe without my stomach physically kicking me saying, "ooh no you don't!"

Taking you back to the first time I had turtle, alligator, and rattlesnake...*I know..*, not to mention jellyfish salad.

My turtle experience happened many moons ago when I was about 13, my dad took my sis and I on a trip across USA, and he had a friend who was a big chef at a gourmet restaurant in Alabama, I remember just chomping down on shrimp, shrimp, and shrimp, *did I mention that I love shrimp?*  He brought out many things, the gumbo was the turtle culprit, and of course I did not know.  Because had I known, I would not have eaten it.  The Gumbo consisted of all sorts of things, but, turtle was the MAIN ingredient and he did not skimp on the turtle meat.  It was DELICIOUS, of course, I don't remember the consistency of turtle meat.

My alligator experience happened a few years ago at Big Daddy's Crabshack in Toronto, and I loved it.   It was deep fried and rockingly delicious!  Lately, I've been hearing about a place in the "Glades" that serves Gator ribs...

Click the pics to view the source of the pics







My rattlesnake experience happened years ago, a friend of mine had just returned from Sweetwater, Texas, rattlesnake roundup, and he brought me back bbq rattlesnake, and rattlesnake fajitas and in pitas etc.  Hello, the first thing I said to him, "don't tell me what it is."  And it was simply delicious, nope did not taste like chicken, it has a much more gamier flavor, think of frogs legs.  Want to learn how to cook rattlesnake?  I would imagine catching the venomous suckers are the most difficult part, lol.  How to prepare rattlesnake for cooking.

Pic Source






My jellyfish salad experience happened at an Asian wedding, a 12 course meal, I may have been more, there was sooooo much food I truly do not remember.  I just remember being in total awe at the food presentations, the fried chicken heads, and the dumplings etc.  But, what really hit home for me on that awesome dining experience was the Jellyfish salad.  Translucent in appearance with shimmers of lavender, purple, pink etc, the jellyfish has no specific taste on it's own, and the rubbery texture of it, very delicious indeed. Good read here

One of the foods I cannot seem to get to is Tripe.  No matter how pretty it's cooked up and served...even if you don't tell me what it is, I can still see it and then immediately my brain and stomach shuts down and will not allow the thought of it coming close to my lips.

Street Heat Cook Off at Humber College

Hosted by Tabasco and celebrity Chef David Adjey, Humber College was sizzling today as three up and coming Jr. Chefs competed to see who would be Canada's Hottest Jr. Chef, and their interpretation of the ever popular "street food". They came from Saskatchewan, Humber College, and Niagara.

The Jr. Chef from Saskatchewan created a pulled pork taco.

Of course Humber College was the fan fav already. His street food was a Thai inspired burrito! And if he didn't win (as I left early and did not wait o find out), on taste and original idea, his presentation alone was fabulous!

The Jr. Chef from Niagara created jerk chicken in a roti with cilantro. She looked as though she was having issues with her equipment and pots'n'pans. For to make roti, the pan has to be sizzling hot!
Some pics: (sorry did not get upclose pics of the creations, that was reserved for the judges)

 

Bistro 990 Dessert Menu

I have to eat at this place, the dessert menu is singing to me....

Toronto's first Dishcrawl review...

I attended Toronto's first Dishcrawl on Oct.5.2011, to four culturally different restaurants in the city of Toronto, and they were delicious to say the very least.  Read here and here

First time at Spring Rolls at Bramalea City Ctr.

Upon entry a long hallway with traditional Asian masks beckons you through tall red doors. The ambiance is chic and relaxing. The scent of food lingers in the air, and is in no way over powering to the senses. As I follow the hostess to my table, I'm observing all those around me and what's on their plates, and it all looks divine.

I am looking forward to my miso soup, satay chicken mango salad and hargow dumplings. Oh, it's the lunch special for $13.99

First to arrive are the dumplings: *hark, remember to allow to cool first.* I did not hence my burnt mouth :)

Also, the most attractive Asian waiter named Jeffrey, tall, great smile and an amazing body :).

 

Shrimp dumplings are a must, I can't not have them.

So good....

 

Satay Chicken mango salad

 

Miso soup

Hospital or Airplane Food...

...which is better?  Yea, I'm attempting to remain positive here, didn't want to ask, "which is worse?"

I refuse to take a pic of this horrid hospital food, meanwhile, I recently travelled on sunwing and this was the breakfast served.
Turkey sausage, scrambled eggs with cheese and a salsa, with tots *hash brown*
Now, naturally this isn't gourmet, but I was surprised at how good it tasted. Especially the turkey sausage.