Category Archives: H-town (Houston)

Top-Down Sunday

H-town (Houston), I, Me, and Myself

It was one those very rare perfect days in Houston:  high was at 50’s, low humidity, zero chance of rain. The city was still reeling from the Houston Texans’ embarrassing loss to Kansas = no traffic! So we decided that it was a perfect day to take Turbey (car) for a spin with the top down, as we head for brunch. Beans didn’t want to go because he wanted to sleep in, still tired from his birthday party at Skyzone.

sporting the "orange" 80's look
sporting the “orange” 80’s look

We chose to go to Brasserie 19 at River Oaks. We used to go here almost every Sunday for brunch, back when we didn’t spend weekends at Fredericksburg. They serve American/French Cuisine.  As soon as we pulled over the parking lot, there were already 2 Ferrari’s and 1 Lamborghini. As I said, this is River Oaks, best place in Houston to car-watch.  This restaurant also hosts the Ferrari Club of Houston.

Started my morning with Mojito while D had his Maker's Mark Manhattan
Started my morning with Mojito while D had his Maker’s Mark Manhattan. Bar is comprehensive, they will make almost anything.
I had Savory Crepes with Wild Mushroom and Brie
I had Savory Crepes with Wild Mushroom and Brie. 
D got his usual weekend meat by way of filet. He said that the grilled asparagus is really good. I'll take his word for it coz I don't care much for asparagus.
D got his usual weekend meat by way of filet. He said that the grilled asparagus is really good. I’ll take his word for it coz I don’t care much for asparagus.
For dessert, we had Grand Marnier Crepes with candied orange peel.
For dessert, we had Grand Marnier Crepes with candied orange peel.

It was good to know that after almost a year of not being here, things remained the same. Service was great as usual, menu changed a bit but our favorites were still there and the prices haven’t gone up.

We had to return something to Restoration Hardware and as I was looking around the strip, I realized that so many new stores have propped up. RH seemed to be bigger than ever. We wanted to look around to see if there’s any stuffs I can get for the house but D reminded me that our Christmas decor is still up. The last thing we need is more stuff to add to the clutter… Just as well, I needed to get home anyway because Seahawks will be playing Vikings. There are few things in life that I’d rather do other than go shopping. Football is one of them.

 

Queso “Fun”dido

H-town (Houston), I, Me, and Myself, Stuff I Cook

I’ve been blessed with the best co-workers. They love food, they love drinks and they love football. That pretty much sums it up! Last Sunday, the said peeps, and I, congregated to celebrate the three aforementioned things that bind us together. I was making the mojitos and the queso fundido.

Queso fundido aka queso flameado  is basically just flambeed (heated) cheese with lots of good things thrown into the mix. Here’s my version:

chopped red pepper, green pepper, and sweet onions, roughly about a cup each
chopped red pepper, green pepper, and sweet onions, roughly about a cup each
Sauté breakfast sausage of choice. I used tomato and basil sausage from Whole Foods. If I was making this for D, i would be using turkey sausage.
Sauté breakfast sausage of choice. I used tomato and basil sausage from Whole Foods. If I was making this for D, i would be using turkey sausage. Use about a pound.

Drain as much oil as you can. Remember that this will be mixed with cheese and you do have loved ones who would hate to have your arteries clogging shut.

By the way, who loves the personalized stone tile in the background with my name on it? My amazing sister had that made for me. She ordered it from Etsy. I am afraid to go to that website. My credit card might have a heart attack.

Saute for about 5 minutes, just until soft.
Saute for about 5 minutes, just until soft.
I use a mix of Monterey and Sharp Cheddar, about one pound total
I use a mix of Monterey and Sharp Cheddar, about one pound total
Make a abed of cheese at bottom of pan, followed by the sausage and peppers. Do this twice.
Make a bed of cheese at bottom of pan, followed by the sausage and peppers. Do this twice.
Top layer should be cheese
Top layer should be cheese

The iron skillet I’m using is 12 inches. You can actually use a any cake pan, basically anything that can go into an oven.

Bake at 400, for about 8-10 minutes.
Bake at 400, for about 8-10 minutes.

It is an absolute must to serve hot. Otherwise, why even call it flambeed cheese, right?  Seriously, cheese can harden and it won’t be as good, as soon as it gets cold. This should have been topped with chopped tomatoes and cilantro but I forgot, in my rush to have everyone grab their share while it’s still hot. Pair with mojito and you’ve got yourself a party!!!

It was a fun  Sunday. Too bad the stupid Houston Texans lost. I’m so over that team…