Paella de Mariscos - Seafood Paella

December 30, 2011 by Monica in Entertaining, Events, Family, Holiday

I apologize in advance for the long post.

But I had A LOT of information to give you about this recipe.

Plus, the pretty pictures will keep you salivating.

Then running to your local fish market.

This past Saturday, Tom and I invited our respective mothers for early dinner at our house in order to celebrate Christmas.

During the menu planning, Tom suggested we try making the Paella I been talking about for months and months.

“hint, hint”

I took it and ran with it.

A night out with Natural Delights

December 04, 2011 by Monica in Dinner, Entertaining, Events, Restaurant

A couple of weeks ago, I was contacted by Gina Melton of Zest in order to extend an invitation to a Holiday Party sponsored by Bard Valley Natural Delights and taking place in one of the most popular spots in South Tampa right now, Pane Rustica.

I did not have to be asked twice, I accepted so fast, I think I did not give her a chance to say another word.

My first impression of Pane Rustica was that it was cozy and was bigger than I had imagined. They are known for Contemporary American style cuisine and are very popular with the lunch crowd. At night it elevates its casual lunch atmosphere for fine dining and a great wine selection along with a hopping full bar.

The hosted walked me to a private dining room, where I started to mingle with my fellow bloggers who I have met before and some who I was looking forward to meeting for the first time. Isabel from Family Foodie, Cara and Megan from Healthy Tampa Bay Living, Mr. Jeff Houck from TBO’s The Stew (love this guy!), Tracy from My Other City by the Bay, Elizabeth from Food Nation Radio Network, Nina From Panache Vue magazine, Jim from Gastroblog and Jodi from HashtagFoodPorn.

This was a serious crowd and I was delighted to share a Wednesday night in their company.

GCC: Arroz Imperial [Imperial Rice]

October 17, 2011 by Monica in Chicken, Dinner, Entertaining, Gutsy Cooks Club, Latin, Main Courses, Rice

The first time I tried this dish was when I lived in Miami and was invited to a birthday party by a friend from Cuba.

When I first saw it, I figure it was the typical Arroz con pollo – [chicken and rice] dish found in most Latin birthday parties.

Boy, was I wrong.

Is anything BUT, the typical chicken and yellow rice.

I would call it a dress up version of Chicken and yellow rice with a couple of twist - Mayonnaise is added to the cooked rice and the chicken is cooked in a sofrito/tomato base giving it a rich flavor, then its layered like a lasagna, and topped with mozzarella or any other mild white cheese.

Living in Miami, I never had the need to make it at home, since about 80% of the Cuban restaurants would have it as a catering/menu choice and all I had to do, was place the order and pick it up.

I had not had this dish in over 10 years.