Goat Heart Tacos

I picked up some goat heart from the farmers market a couple weeks ago (courtesy of Windy Hill Farms) and I've been looking for a special time to use them. Last night I made grilled goat heart tacos. I rubbed the hearts in olive oil, rosemary, and garlic and let that set in while I made the slaw. For the slaw I used green cabbage, purple onion, and rainbow carrots. I added some lime juice, white wine vinegar, and a dash of salt. I wasn't sure how the tacos would taste since I had never made them before and especially since I threw the ingredients together. But as luck would have it they came out great!

Austin Food & Wine Festival 2015: Day 1

Hey Y'all! Today was an incredibly successful day at AFWF'15. I was able to meet people that I have looked up to for years and considered role models and heroes for as long. We started the day by going to Hugh Acheson's demo which centered around English peas and Fava beans (YUM!) Hugh signed my Food and Wine cookbook! Next we went and had tea with Gail Simmons (Love Her!) and she was incredibly nice and welcoming :) She also signed my Food and Wine cookbook and in a very Gail Simmons style, used an entire page to sign my cookbook. After having tea with Gail we wandered through the tasting tents and had incredible food! Two of my favorites were a poached carrot that was ice cold with a beautiful herb crust and a lamb lollipop with creme freche. The wine was just as on par. We found one vineyard from California that we kept going back too who's name escapes me. Later that afternoon we went to see Andrew Zimmern at his demo which was the single best one of the day. We made a bee line for the book signing after his demo and I got him to sign both of my books but I also told him about my food blog (yes this one) and how his philosophy of "If it looks good, eat it!" has changed my life. It has completely changed the way that I look at food and approached food and experienced food! So here are all my pictures from the day! I hope you enjoy!

AF&WF 2015

Guess what just came in the mail?! 

AFWF 2015 PreGame

Hello to my beloved foodies! Austin Food & Wine Festival is around the corner and I have been poring over the schedules trying to find the perfect harmony for the weekend. I have ordered cookbooks and books from my favorite chefs and I am planning clothing, sunscreen, hydration, and transportation accordingly. The two people I am most looking forward to meeting are Andrew Zimmern and Richard Blais. Although, Antonia Lofaso and Gail Simmons are quite high up on my list as well. Stay tuned for updates and pictures as AF&WF 2015 draws closer! 

I will be taking plenty of pictures during the festival and I will upload them along with my thoughts and notes at the end of each day. Forks up!

Qui

Last night we went to Paul Qui's flagship restaurant Qui. It was superb. The meal was everything I dreamt it would be and more. Chef Paul came over to ask us how our meal was and I was lucky enough to tell him what a fan I was and get a picture with him. He is such a wonderful down to earth person.

Aerated aged Vermont Cheddar on a cracker

The nights menu (he changes it daily)

Ode to Michel Bras

Chilled turnip dashi, collection of vegetables from austin farmers

                                         

Broken Arrow Venison

tartare, coffee, egg yolk

                                     

Dinuguan

pork, blood, gnocchi, black trumpet

                                     

Masaba

Japanese mackarel, collard greens, Koshihikari, hen egg

                                     

Cheddar cheese ice cream

crispy waggle, goat milk cajeta, peanut praline, aged cheddar ice cream

Champurrado

rice pudding, chocolate, ginger

And finally, Chef Paul!! What a dream come true!!

Odd Duck

So last night my mom and I went and ate at Odd Duck. It was such an incredible experience. Executive Chef Bryce Gilmore personally delivered one of our courses and talked with us (he signed a menu for me), it was all such a dream come true.

Parker house rolls, pig head

Beef heart salad, sesame, arugula, wild rice

Chef Bryce sent this out with his complements

Chicken fried chicken egg, mushrooms, hot sauce

Cheddarwurst, horseradish, sauerkraut

Meyer lemon mousse, beet panna cotta, lavender honey

Bread pudding, malted ice cream, beer caramel

East Side King, S. Lamar

East Side King's new location on S. Lamar has been the talk of the town since it opened over Christmas. Let me tell you it lived up to all they hype. It was the most delicious thing I've had in a long time.