Ohio City Pasta Review #2

So, If you remember back in January I set some goals or pseudo resolutions for myself as a resident of Northeast Ohio. I planned to see the Symphony, take a tour of the Mansfield State Penitentiary and taste test every flavor of Ohio City Pasta known to man. I’m making baby steps and checking things off my list...

The other evening I made the best dinner, Pumpkin Ravioli courtesy of Ohio City Pasta. I browned some butter (I didn’t say it was low fat.) tossed in some walnuts added the boiled Pumpkin Ravioli and topped the dish off with chopped granny smith apples and a shaving of Parmesan cheese. The dish was decadent and perfect for a chilly winter evening.



Hmmm...wonder what flavor will be next? I’m thinking the goat cheese, but with the onset of spring perhaps an asparagus, lobster or crab might sway my decision.

(I never posted about it officially but in February I whipped up the ratatouille raviolis with a red sauce and grilled chicken, Cest Manifique!)

Ravioli Review #1

One of my "to-do's" for this year was to explore each flavor of Ohio City Pastas Raviloi's.

A few weekends ago I was faced with "where do I start?" Each little pasta package looked so yummy and exciting. My mouth watered in anticipation. I could start with the richness of lobster or crab or I could begin with something a bit basic and work up from there.



I bought a dozen of smoked mozzarella raviolis-not basic in the least-and had the perfect Sunday night supper. They were robust yet fragile, smoky and rich like an aged bottle of wine, yet simple and lovely paired with a basic pea shoot salad. Quick to cook, these ravioli's get a ten out of ten!

1 down...many many more to go!

Warm. Winter. Weekend.

After a winter whirlwind of a week I am looking to Cleveland for weekend fun. It’s supposed to be warm so the snow will melt a bit, perfect wellie weather...get outside, wear your sunglasses, soak up the cool sunshine. Enjoy.

Here is what’s on my tentaive weekend “agenda” ...what’s on yours?



> A wild after party (because I couldn’t get tickets to the big show?)

> a trip to the Market for ...Ohio City Pasta (and apricots for baking)

> Unique Thrift has a sale...until 1:00pm

> a bit of Eric Carle at Playhouse Square

> a 4-5pm free spinning class

> a late night night happy dinner

> go CAVS!!!

> Perogies for breakfast

photo by medalie

Go Tyler from Ohio! (12/03)

So I have a few favorite “burgers” in Cleveland, who doesn’t? Some of them are tiny and (more) healthy and some topped with a fried egg and cheese and dripping with greasy goodness (Royal Red Robin Burger) just depends on my mood as to what I’ll order.

Word on the street has it that we North East Ohioans' are represented in this years Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, 4th Annual KIDS COOK OFF! Tyler from Mentor, Ohio has been selected as ONE of TEN finalists (11,00 entered!) to develop his own perfect burger creation.

Ten year old Tyler will compete with nine other kids from around the country on December 3rd in Denver Colorado. During the championship, the finalists will make their gourmet burgers for a panel of judges including Robin Miller, host of the Food Network’s “Quick Fix Meals with Robin Miller.” The winning gourmet burger will be sold in Red Robin restaurants in summer 2010 and featured in a kids’ cookbook available online.



To make sure Mentor brings home the WIN, VOTE for the online fan win by clicking here! Or cheer on Tyler during the competition which will be streamed live online at www.redrobin.com/kidscookoff on Thursday, Dec. 3, starting at 10:30 and see the grand-prize winner named in real time.

Go Tyler! Make us proud! (and if you win...will you make me an "Awesome Cordon Blue Burger?")

Bakery Breakfast

With the time change and the bright morning skies, I feel like I have all the time in the world before my work day begins. Yesterday I took my little pup for a long walk to the Lake, while this morning I made a pit stop at the new bakery, Blackbird Baking Company. With the brisk temps outside there is something so comforting in a warm cup of coffee and something sweet and yummy for breakfast.

This morning I was lucky enough to arrive as they were pulling the Pumpkin Pecan (seasonal flavor) Cookies from the oven. The soft, chewy and sugar-coated treat reminded me of a cross between a moist pumpkin pie and my moms banana bread.



If you miss this cookie flavor some of the other goodies include Cranberry Oat Cookies ("oat," it MUST be healthy?), my friend Elizabeth really likes the Sweet Cream Biscuits, Cleveland Magazine voted the Stick Buns the "Best" and the french baguettes make every sandwich or bowl of fall soup better.

If you can carve out an extra 15 minutes, swing by the new Blackbird Baking Co. for your fall carb. fix! Located in Lakewood before you cross the Detroit Ave bridge to "River."

Doughnut adventure

Hi Cleveland and Happy Halloween-Thursday (let the junk food raid begin!)

Lately I have been dreaming of driving from one side of town to the other filling my picnic basket with doughnuts from area fryers and blowing any sort of healthy-living ideas out the window. Unfortunately I have not been able to squeeze in this dreamy doughnut adventure, try as I may, it just won’t happen pre-Friday.



My initial intention of this nutty trip was to assemble a really great plethora of ideas for where you could go Halloween morning as the wizards and witches rise from bed in anticipation of the treat-filled day ahead. Well, instead of all the extra calories, I’ll just give you a brief rundown on some of the spots I have been to over my tenure in Cleveland...

> Doughnut Pantry : 14600 Madison Ave., Lakewood : Saturday 6am-2pm (a bare bones, not fancy, get-em-while-their hot place)

> Spudnuts : 21800 Center Ridge Rd. Rocky River (sweets made from potatoes? Carbs + sugar, yumm)

> Fragapane Bakeries : 650 Dover Center Rd., Bay Village (my friend Meg swears by this place, it has to be good!)

> Prestis : 12101 Mayfield Rd, Little Italy (does Prestis even make doughnuts any more? If not grab anything else, its’ all good!)

> Jack Frost Donuts 4960 Pearl Rd, Cleveland (Saturday 7am- 8pm)

And then there is always Dunkin Doughnuts, Krispy Kreme and even Starbucks is selling good old fashioned sour crème favorites!


Perhaps I will grab a warm doughnut and hit the gym extra hard on Saturday to celebrate the arrival of fall, shorter days and more evenings at the gym :)

Happy doughnut hunting to you.

Fresh Figs

It's that time again this year..Fresh Fig time! Perfect alone of sliced with fresh goat cheese...yumm...

I went to the Westside Market the other day and bought the most delicate green figs. I swear them must have JUST been handpicked. $1 each was well worth the sweet flavor and one-of-a-kind mouthwatering texture that came packed into the little fruity goodness. They also have fresh figs at Heinen's, the bulbous deep purple ones, perfect for a holiday dish.



This weekend I would like to try this Ginger Fig Tartlet recipe to bring to a Labor Day picnic, looks divine. Fresh figs don't stay around long, so go get yours today!

Want some Irish? (7/24-26)

Friday, July 24th through Sunday July 26th, 2009

If you are craving some corn beef & cabbage, or perhaps a bit of "river-dance" plan to attend this weekends Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival at the Berea Fairgrounds

I think the highlight of the festival should be the irish girl band, The Screaming Orphans. The lassies are four funny, high-spirited, musically-obsessed sisters with the good fortune to have been raised in the magic of Bundoran in County Donegal Ireland. Don't miss em. (Friday & Saturday on the "thunder" stage @ 5:30pm)



For the other musical acts, dance troupes, food vendors, ticket prices and more visit www.clevelandirish.org

Free Arby's

Every summer Wednesday!

Do you live in Cleveland, Ohio? (yes.) Then you're in luck (if you like this sorta thing) because your Arby's restaurants are going to give you free food on Wednesday. Here is the "food" schedule

JUNE
17: Free Regular Sidekickers® with any sandwich purchase
24: Free Regular Roast Beef with any soft drink purchase

JULY
1: Free Regular Beef 'n Cheddar with any soft drink purchase
8: Free Orange Cream Swirl Shake with any sandwich purchase
15: Free Regular Roast Beef with any soft drink purchase
22: Free Roastburger with any soft drink purchase
29: Free Iced FruiTea with any sandwich purchase

AUGUST
5: Free Regular Roast Beef with any soft drink purchase
12: Free Roast Chicken Club with any soft drink purchase
19: Free Iced FruiTea with any sandwich purchase
26: Free Regular Beef 'n Cheddar with any soft drink purchase