certifiedfoodie

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CertifiedFoodie is a food enthusiast in Houston. She's a fearless adventurer whose palate will bravely taste absolutely anything (!) once. A motto which have led to profuse tongue-scrubbings, cussing, and back-to-back food poisoning. When not eating and/or traveling, she's a loving wife and mom and a career woman involved in healthcare. View all posts by certifiedfoodie →

Several days ago I posted my dinner experience at The Nest Restaurant for Mother’s Day. I mentioned that the moules (mussels) they had was very similar to mine. I was utterly convinced that I have already posted that recipe. Since I started this blog, every time I cook, I take pictures and make mental notes on how to caption it and how to tell the story. I try to post as soon as we are done eating, but I guess I forgot…

My love for moules started when we travelled to Nice, France. It’s a foodie heaven! The hub is at Cours Saleya where restaurants offer a gamut of the best seafood.

Tucked in it's little corners are the world's yummiest gelatos — Tucked in it’s little corners are the world’s yummiest gelatos

I love the unique ice cream flavors which include herbs and flowers

I wanted to write about this restaurant in a separate article but I can’t seem to find any food pictures….This is what happens when having too many cameras while traveling. We must have used one of the iPhone cameras…Anyway…this restaurant is unique because it is set underground where they ripen the cheese. All the dishes are cheese-based, so yes, calorie-counters need to be checked upon entry—it will blow-up! It’s well worth it though. The French know their cheese. Judging from the bottles of wine on the wall, they know the perfect pairings too! A must-try when travels lead you to this wonderful city.

Our favorite restaurant in Nice is Le Festival de la Moules located in Cours Saleya area. It offers all you can eat moules frittes (mussels with fries) with ten different sauces. D loves the local Nice beer and we spent a couple of lovely sunsets just eating and drinking.

Inspired with this wonderful dish, I have perfected my own recipe for this delectable seafood.

get around 2 pounds of mussels then wash thoroughly

Here’s something to ponder on. Mussels from the 99Ranch or any Asian grocery store are fresh and super cheap but you have to really scrub them clean. On the other hand, HEB mussels cost twice as much but already comes scrubbed and ready for use. As you can tell, I chose the HEB one, because like I’ve mentioned once too often, I’m one very lazy cook…

Supporting cast: sauce ingredients. basil, cream, lemon and awesome white wine

Add a cup of wine then simmer. Add mussels. Cook for 3 minutes. Add a cup of milk/cream. Cook covered for 5 minutes.

Mix well then add juice of one lemon and fresh basil

I've brought Nice Moules back home! — I’ve brought Nice Moules back home!

There, I finally added an entry to my Adventures Around the World Category. One of the reasons why I started this blog is that I really wanted document how my travels have made me who I am, food-wise. I just really need to find all my travel pictures…

After almost three weekends of rains, weather finally cooperated for mothers world-wide. We drove to Fredericksburg for Mother’s Day. As self-proclaimed exceptional Mom, I didn’t think that one day was enough, so I demanded a weekend of festivities.

While packing, D and Beans gave me this shirt. I am Vikings fan, and my favorite character, Lagertha, is a shield maiden.

In keeping up with my favorite TV shows theme, they also gave me three dragons. I am now officially Mother of the Dragons!

Went to Inwood Estates Vineyard for brunch and wine tasting

had a meat and cheese platter and of course, wine

I particularly liked the set-up of this winery. It has a tunnel like entrance with al fresco design. Very Italian.

We strolled around Main Street then had some gelato at Clear River Pecan Bakery

Beans was finally awake in the afternoon and we got ready for dinner. Dinner was at The Nest. Click the link for my entire review. It was heavenly!

Happy faces! — Happy faces after a scrumptious dinner!

Sunday morning, I was greeted with more goodies!

I had lovely cards and Moscato called Mama Moscato! So appropriate!

That’s not all! They took me outside and had this set-up:

A swing! It was hanging up a tree which commands a full view of our forest and overlooks the hill. Oh the books I can read in this thing! Can.Not. Wait. — A swing! Note the pillow which has a painting of a lavender garden. It was hanging up a tree which commands a full view of our forest and overlooks the hill. Oh the books I can read in this thing! Can.Not. Wait.

Lounged the whole day, sipping my Mama Moscato. It’s days like these that really make me cherish my role as Mom. It’s my most challenging but most rewarding in all the many hats I wear. I cannot imagine what my life would have been if Beans was not in my life. As a working mom, I often feel like I don’t do enough. But I raised my son well enough for him to realize that a good Mom is a happy Mom. He understands that it’s important for me to have my own life and pursuits. Like when I’m writing this blog when i could have been preparing his dinner. He will heat up our wonderful left-overs and will not make me feel guilty about it. Truly, I am blessed.

VeniVidiEdi

I Came, I Saw, I Ate

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Nice Moules

Mother’s Day Weekend