Cheesy Boy

I have always been a lover of cheese and French fries. It’s a great combination that surprisingly fills me up. This taste of heaven is called Texas cheese fries. It’s served in mini skillet with French fries, melted cheese, jalapeños, smoked applewood bacon bits, scallions, and a side of ranch dressing. I love the kick of the jalapeños and the hickory flavor from the bacon bits; it’s yummy. These fries are perfect for an appetizer or a side item. It comes in two sizes, so if you’re feeling greedy then order the full portion for yourself. I hope you enjoy this cheesy boy!

FYI: Chili's

FOOD TIP: Scallions are also known as green onions.

Feature of the Week: Mar. 29-April 4

A Taste of Heaven would not exist if it were not for the audience, so I want to show my appreciation by dedicating Thursdays to the fans. If you eat or make a dish of your own and its camera ready, then you can email me your photos. I will review and post them on Thursday.  It’s important to remember presentation, style, and taste. I look forward to seeing your Taste of Heaven.

FYI: Email Pictures

Description: This taste of heaven is called the Triple Delight. Its layers of chocolate, strawberries, whipped cream, and caramel combined to create this beautiful sculpture. I LOVE the creativity in this dish. The colors are phenomenal, and the powdered sugar pulls everything together. Dishes like this display food as a work of art. Personally, I appreciate the passion that was put into making this dish. Fred, The Feature of the Week, deserves a round of applause for his taste of heaven.

Mango Crazy

It’s been a long week, and you’re dying for a break. Well, I have the perfect solution. I’m introducing Whine Down Wednesdays. Every Wednesday I will offer a drink to the viewers. You don’t have to wait until the weekend arrives to enjoy a great drink. Take a break and have a sip of A Taste of Heaven.
  
This taste of heaven is a frozen mango margarita. It’s a sweet mango drink that will have you asking for more. If your a huge mango fan, then I would recommend ordering a whole pitcher. Share with someone, so you won’t go mango crazy.

FYI: Los Reyes Mexican Restaurant

FOOD TIP: Mango is an exotic fruit that is popular in tropical areas.

Girl Scouts

Who doesn’t love Girl Scout cookies? When I was younger I use to eat the Thin Mints and the Tagalongs. Since I have gotten older, I have grown to love the Samoas. Its vanilla cookies coated with caramel, sprinkled with toasted coconut, and laced with chocolate strips. These cookies are absolutely delicious. Every time I eat them, I savor each bite as if it were my last. One of my friends keeps some Somoas on her dresser, and I love sneaking some out the box. She knows how excited I get when I eat them, so she lets me have a few. The rich flavor will make you eat the whole box, so please pace yourself.

FYI: Girl Scouts 

FOOD TIP: Girl Scout cookies are inexpensive treats that you will enjoy. 

Mamma Mia!

My size tends to fool people because they don’t know I have a HUGE appetite. I could eat all day, especially if I’m eating Italian food. Plated is chicken parmesan, spaghetti with meat sauce, and lasagna. This taste of heaven is called Mama’s Trio. It’s a pool of Italian deliciousness. I enjoyed the fresh shredded cheese, the house salad, and the meaty sauce. The chicken breast was fried and smothered with mozzarella cheese and marinara to create the chicken parmesan. Then the spaghetti was sandwiched in the middle with more meaty sauce. Last, the lasagna, which is made fresh daily, consists of layers of noodles, different cheeses, and sautéed meat. Mama’s Trio was larger than me, but I was determined to conquer this beast. 

FYI: Mama Maria's Italian Grill

FOOD TIP: When making spaghetti, add sugar to lower the acidic level from the tomatoes.

Feature of the Week: Mar 22-28

A Taste of Heaven would not exist if it were not for the audience, so I want to show my appreciation by dedicating Thursdays to the fans. If you eat or make a dish of your own and its camera ready, then you can email me your photos. I will review and post them on Thursday.  It’s important to remember presentation, style, and taste. I look forward to seeing your Taste of Heaven.

FYI: Email Pictures

Description: This taste of heaven is grilled frog legs. It’s complimented with cherry tomatoes and warm baby rolls. The frog legs are served as an entrée, and they have a tender taste like chicken. Personally, I have had frog legs once; however, instead of grilled, they were fried. I would consider them bizarre, but something cool to try. The next time you dine out, take a walk on the wild side like Carissa. 

Caribbean Flava

It’s been a long week, and you’re dying for a break. Well, I have the perfect solution. I’m introducing Whine Down Wednesdays. Every Wednesday I will offer a drink to the viewers. You don’t have to wait until the weekend arrives to enjoy a great drink. Take a break and have a sip of A Taste of Heaven.  

This taste of heaven is called Caribbean Punch. It contains Cruzan coconut rum, Cruzan spice, banana liquor, and tropical juice. The sweet coconut flavor sets this drink off. While drinking the Caribbean Punch, I felt like I was on a beautiful island next to the the beach. It’s a winner in my book. I hope you guys have a chance to enjoy it as well. 

FYI: Ray's New York Pizza

FOOD TIP: The brown skin of a coconut is edible. 

The Price Is Right

Sometimes I crave great Mexican food with frozen margaritas. El Ranchero Mexican Restaurant is a little hole in the wall that serves delicious food. The best part about this place is the price. The dishes are affordable and prepared very well. My personal favorite is the nacho supreme. It contains chunks of chicken, hot queso, lettuce, tomato, dollops of sour cream, and shredded cheese served over warm tortilla chips. For some reason, I never order anything else off the menu because these nachos are soooo good. If you visit El Ranchero, order theses nachos and you will thank me later.

FYI: El Ranchero Mexican Restaurant 

FOOD TIP: Be careful because El Ranchero plates can be HOT. 

Selfish

My audience drives me to explore new restaurants. I have a friend named Franco that started her own blog. She had some great photos of pizza, and she persuaded me to venture off to a pizzeria. This taste of heaven is called Basilico. Its garlic infused olive oil pizza with mozzarella cheese, Roma tomatoes, and fresh basil. The pizza was a personal size, so I did not share. You can call me selfish if you like, but I enjoyed every bite. Ray’s New York Pizza offers many dishes and drinks, and I can’t wait to visit again to try something new on the menu. 

FYI: Ray's New York Pizza 

FOOD TIP: Tomatoes are considered fruit.

Speechless

Plated is buttermilk fried chicken, garlic collard greens, and smoky macaroni and cheese. The fried chicken is phenomenal; it’s juicy and seasoned perfectly. Then the collard greens are complimented with sweet, buttery corn bread and southern biscuits. The macaroni and cheese is creamy, and on the side it’s served with a sweet brown sauce. Everything blends together nicely, and it reminds me of my Grandma cooking.  This taste of heaven will make you feel warm and happy on the inside. The atmosphere is inviting, and the cuisine will leave you speechless. 

FYI: South City Kitchen

FOOD TIP: Make love to your food and cook from the soul.

Feature of the Week: Mar. 15-21

A Taste of Heaven would not exist if it were not for the audience, so I want to show my appreciation by dedicating Thursdays to the fans. If you eat or make a dish of your own and its camera ready, then you can email me your photos. I will review and post them on Thursday.  It’s important to remember presentation, style, and taste. I look forward to seeing your Taste of Heaven.

FYI: Email Pictures

Description: This taste of heaven is sautéed tilapia with potatoes and green beans. The veggies and taters are topped with a butter sauce and plated next to fresh tilapia. The fish is cooked until lightly golden, and it’s a healthy for the diet. I would enjoy eating this meal for a light lunch because it’s a nutritious choice. Shout out to AK for her good eating habits.

The Wave

It’s been a long week, and you’re dying for a break. Well, I have the perfect solution. I’m introducing Whine Down Wednesdays. Every Wednesday I will offer a drink to the viewers. You don’t have to wait until the weekend arrives to enjoy a great drink. Take a break and have a sip of A Taste of Heaven.  

This taste of heaven is called The Wave. It’s a fruity, frozen blend of margarita and homemade sangria. CAUTION: If you sip too fast, you will get brain freeze. The blend is swirled in the cup for presentation and complemented with fresh strawberries and mango. It will creep up on you, so drink slow and enjoy the wave.

FYI: Pappasito's Cantina

FOOD TIP: Before purchasing mango, smell them for ripeness (it should smell sweet).

Sticky Fingers

I wanted a quick meal for dinner, so I chose one of Friday’s signature appetizers. This taste of heaven is called the Jack Daniels Sampler. It’s a combo of sesame jack chicken strips, baby back pork ribs, and crispy Cajun shrimp. Then on the side Friday’s serves extra Jack Daniels sauce for dipping. This dish is messy, so don’t be afraid to get sticky fingers. Just sit back and enjoy the popular appetizer; if you’re feeling good, then order a beer on the side. 

FYI: Friday's

FOOD TIP: If you want to add a secret ingredient to BBQ sauce, then use brown alcohol (Ex: Remy, Hennessy, etc.).

Melt Away

Plated is a steak that is so tender, it melts in your mouth. This taste of heaven is petite filet and shrimp. Its two 4 oz medallions of filet complimented with jumbo shrimp. Although the spread is simple, the flavors speak for themselves. My father taught me to savor food and to take the time to appreciate quality. After eating these medallions, I fully understood his concept. I would recommend any cut of steak from Ruth Chris. Not only is the steak delicious, but there are other great dishes offered on the menu. Thumbs up for the steak!

FYI: Ruth's Chris Steak House

FOOD TIP: Try your steak cooked medium well, medium rare, or rare; you might like it cooked differently.

Feature of the Week: Mar. 8-14

A Taste of Heaven would not exist if it were not for the audience, so I want to show my appreciation by dedicating Thursdays to the fans. If you eat or make a dish of your own and its camera ready, then you can email me your photos. I will review and post them on Thursday.  It’s important to remember presentation, style, and taste. I look forward to seeing your Taste of Heaven.

FYI: Email Pictures

This taste of heaven is a blackened chicken breast with mashed sweet potatoes, caramelized onions, roasted pecans, homemade Worcestershire sauce, a biscuit, and onion strings. I have tried the chicken and the onion strings from Copeland’s, so those are my favorites in this dish. Overall, the colors make me think of the fall season with pumpkins and leaves falling from the trees.  It’s a warm dish that is a unique and filled with flavor. 

FYI: Copeland's of New Orleans

Tropical Bliss

It’s been a long week, and you’re dying for a break. Well, I have the perfect solution. I’m introducing Whine Down Wednesdays. Every Wednesday I will offer a drink to the viewers. You don’t have to wait until the weekend arrives to enjoy a great drink. Take a break and have a sip of A Taste of Heaven.  

This is a Tropical Sunrise Margarita. It’s contains Reposado Tequila (100% Blue Agave), melon liqueur, pineapple juice, and a splash of grenadine. I love the layers of color and the tropical flavors combined in this drink. If you venture off to Chili’s, it’s a must have if you want to try a signature drink off of their menu.

FYI: Chili's

FOOD TIP: Don't mix white and brown alcohols (You will thank me later).

Build A Burger

I made a homemade burger with the works. It contains lean beef, bacon, American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, grilled onion, pickles, mushrooms, ketchup, and mayonnaise. I chose a fluffy white bun with sesame seeds and crinkle French fries as my side item. I grilled the burger well done, but I made sure it was juicy with each bite. This taste of heaven is a great way to show your creative side in the kitchen. Next time you make a burger, experiment with different ingredients and flavors.

FYI: Further Details...

FOOD TIP: When your shopping for red meat look at the amount of fat, the red color, and the cut of meat.

Sporty Salad

It was a late night, and I decided to have drinks at a local sports bar. The game was on every flat screen and the drinks were starting to flow. However, I realized something was missing from the equation. All these drinks and I haven’t ordered anything off the menu. I chose a grilled shrimp Caesar salad. I like to experiment with food, so I used Caesar and French dressing on this salad. It was delicious because it was a light dish for a late night, and the shrimp was seasoned well. Overall, I enjoyed the $5 frozen drinks and the sporty salad.

FYI: Sportsline Bar & Grill

FOOD TIP: When you cut the back of a shrimp, its called "butterflying."

Fresh & Fruity

If you want to have a gathering or a mingle session, then I recommend a fresh fruit plate. These fruit trays can be costly; however, it’s easy to create your own. First, I purchased strawberries, pineapples, and green grapes. I thought about the combination of colors and the popularity of the fresh fruits. Then I sliced the fruit and arranged them side by side. The yellow of the pineapple, the red of the strawberries, and the green of the grapes makes me think of Hawaii. It’s a refreshing treat to have for your guest, and I guarantee they will love it. The fruit plate I made was a hit at the birthday party and there was nothing left but the stems from the grapes. Not only did we have fresh fruit, but we spiced things up with a veggie tray as well.

FYI: Further Details... 

FOOD TIP: Strawberries make your teeth white.

Seafood Baby

This taste of heaven is lobster and shrimp linguine with mushrooms, herbs, brandy, cream, and a garlic butter breadstick. This is one of my favorite dishes from Bahama Breeze. The pasta is smooth, creamy, and filled with tender lobster and succulent shrimp. It’s garnished with parsley and drizzled with scallions.  The colors blend together nicely for presentation and style. I think the Bahama Mama would go great with this dish. Visit Bahama Breeze to experience the tropical bliss. 

FYI: Bahama Breeze

FOOD TIP: Red wine is good for the heart.

Round 2

I made my second trip to Sushi Bites. Plated are three different kinds of sushi, which include the spider roll, the Atlantic roll, and the four season roll. The spider rolls have tempura soft shell crab, cucumber, masago, and crabstick. Then the Atlantic roll consists of red tuna, white tuna, wrapped in noir; tempura fried, then rolled with rice and seaweed with masago and tobiko (fish eggs larger than masago). On the side, aioli is served, which is a sauce with garlic, egg, and olive oil. Last, the four season roll contains shrimp tempura, cream cheese, aioli, and it’s topped with tuna, salmon, white tuna, avocado, and unagi sauce.  The unagi sauce is a reduction of eel bone broth, soy sauce, rice wine, and sugar. Overall, this taste of heaven is filled with diversity and flavor. 

FYI: Sushi Bites

FOOD TIP: Avocado will not turn grey/black if you put lemon juice on it.

Feature of the Week: March 1-7

A Taste of Heaven would not exist if it were not for the audience, so I want to show my appreciation by dedicating Thursdays to the fans. If you eat or make a dish of your own and its camera ready, then you can email me your photos. I will review and post them on Thursday.  It’s important to remember presentation, style, and taste. I look forward to seeing your Taste of Heaven.

FYI: Email Pictures

Description: This taste of heaven is pan seared salmon with shrimp, jasmine rice, and sautéed asparagus with a mango pineapple salsa and honey teriyaki glaze. I LOVE the colors in this dish. It immediately grabs your attention. It’s plated with elegance and style. This is what A Taste of Heaven represents.  I give it an A+. Thumbs Up Cedric!