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!