Veterans Day ....

Since it is Veterans Day, my sister posted an old Army pic of our dad on Facebook. Thought I would share it here. The caption on the back reads: "Taken by surprise. I was enjoying the warm fire and a beer. The other guys are playing poker." The picture was probably taken in Germany during the occupation following WWII (early 1950's). Not sure if he was much on the 'camping' in this picture, but Dad always liked camping, fires and beer as long as I can remember.

And I can claim my penchant for beer is hereditary.

Remembering and thanking all the Veterans ...

bits & BITES ....

A few notes from the week.

Tacos at Funky Baja's in Keller. I usually hit there for lunch at least once a week. Two of my favorites - one featuring Negra Modelo brisket and one with orange marinated pork. Good toppings like grilled onion, cotija cheese, habanero pickled onions, cilantro, fresh avocado.

Duffey's Kolache Bakery in the north Fort Worth / Keller area opened this week. It has been a long time since I have had a good kolache. Please note: a pig in a blanket is NOT a kolache! The picture below is a true kolache. Sorry for the partial kolache, but I got excited and started in before I took the pic... Duffey's Kolache Bakery

Stopped by the Fort Worth Central Market while out running around on Saturday. Lou Lambert and June Naylor happened to be there signing copies of the Big Ranch, Big City Cookbook. The cookbook has lot of hearty, tasty-looking dishes.

Wow! Talk about spices, herbs and chiles. I found the Pendery's store on 8th Street in Southside Fort Worth. Great selection and good bulk sizes. Picked up some anchos and Mexican oregano. Pendery's

Culture in the kitchen ....

"Para Garrick

Culture in the kitchen

Aaron Sanchez"

A couple of weeks ago I had the day off to run some errands, and happened to notice a posting on the Central Market Facebook page that Aaron Sanchez would be doing a book signing at the Dallas Central Market that day. A Food Network regular, Aaron is a former Next Iron Chef contestant, a judge on Chopped, and co-stars on Chef vs. City and Heat Seekers. Aaron was also a competitor on Iron Chef, battling Morimoto to a draw with Black Bass as the secret ingredient. From my experience watching Iron Chef, if you can get close to Morimoto with the secret ingredient being a fish, you have some serious food chops.

I seem to be collecting cookbooks, so an autographed copy of his new book, Simple Food, Big Flavor, sounded like a good idea. Luckily the line wasn't too long, and Aaron was very personable. I complimented him on his positive attitude - that he always seems to be in a good mood, and having fun, on all the shows he does. He said he felt he had a "responsibility" to be that way for the viewers and fans. He did comment on my food-themed shirt, but I am not sure if he noticed it was "Alton Brown Gear". I will say that Aaron appears to have a large female following - ah, to be a good-looking young chef on TV.

The cookbook mostly follows the theme of making some fairly simple, very flavorful sauces or ingredients, and then using those as building blocks for several other recipes. The 'garlic-chipotle love' and other such sauces sound simple but delicious. I look forward to trying several of them.

Chef Aaron Sanchez

Mmmm, beer ....

Thought I would start this off with my favorite beer.

I have become a big fan of Dogfish Head, mainly because so many of their beers are full of flavor. I like my taste buds assaulted. Some of the DFH beers are not ones I would drink all the time, particularly their Ancient beers and some with unusual ingredients, but all I have tried have been interesting and flavorful.

Always a fan of good beer, I have lately been really taken with the IPAs (India Pale Ales). The strong hops and usually higher bitterness work for me. My "go-to" beer is now DFH 60 Minute IPA - a lot of hops, and to me just the right amount of bitterness. Golden, hoppy goodness!

Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales