Out to breakfast at our favorite joint off the strip in Vegas, baby. This carb heavy Filipino inspired restaurant is just what we need for our marathon day and a half in vegas before jetting off to Maui!
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Chopped at Home Challenge, Round Two
It’s time to vote for a Round 2 favorite in the Chopped at Home Challenge sponsored by Sargento Cheese. The Round 2 category is MEXICAN…Ole’! My close friends and family know that I’ve had a love affair with Mexico ever since I lived there during my college years. That is true. However, the inspiration for my entry is actually a dish from El Azteco, an East Lansing eatery that any true MSU Spartan knows well. My recipe, Chicken Enchiladas Suizas with Poblano Crema is an homage to one of my favorite dishes at El Azteco. This layered, cheesy, creamy chicken tower of Mexican goodness will turn anyone into a Mexican food lover. The poblano and hatch chile crema is so addictive you will want to lick your plate!
So…if you are a Spartan and you love El Azteco and you just plain LOVE Mexican food, please take the time to vote for me May 23- June 13 at http://www.foodnetwork.com/chopped challenge . You can find my recipe by typing my name in the search bar or by its name “Chicken Enchiladas Suizas with Poblano Crema”. You can vote up to 5 times per day. Go Green, Go White, Go Mexican! -
High “Steaks” at Red Rock
Having a blast with family in Las Vegas and livin’ large in Summerlin. An afternoon of gambling gave way to an awesome dinner at T-Bones at Red Rock Casino. The beautiful entryway belies the extravagance within!
A seafood tower of epic proportions whets our appetites for the main event.
Awesome!A 42 oz. bone-in T-bone steak a la Fred Flintstone is a real eye popper. OMG!
Roasted veggies and a wonderful bread basket with house made goodies enhance our experience. A big thank you to my dear cousin, Mike for showing us the real Vegas….. -
Chinatown Gem/ Las Vegas eats
One of my passions is exploring the parts of cities where the locals go. Eating the food and having the experiences that are true to your destination. Most folks who visit Las Vegas stay on the strip and feast on fast food, designer chef restaurants and buffets. If you are willing to stretch a little further, you will have some wonderful dining experiences that don’t break the bank. We discovered a little gem in Chinatown called Inyo. A no frills setting in a strip mall serves up some of the best Asian cuisine I have ever had.
Though they appear to have caught the eye of a couple people, the restaurant was mostly empty when we arrived at 7:30pm. I could tell it was going to be good when the seats started filling up around 8p. That, and the chalkboard special….foie rinds..
Fried pork rinds under a cloud of shaved foie gras, drizzled with honey and sprinkled with micro greens. Are you kidding me?
I can also recommend the Kushi skewers…especially the chicken skin and scallops… And the house smoked kurobuta pulled pork buns!!One could just eat small plates here all night, but we were glad we decided to try the udon noodles. My dish of uni udon was one of the best dishes I have ever eaten. Seriously.
Caviar and all.The Tempura Udon did not disappoint either.
Next time you’re in Vegas, get off the strip and enjoy some of this great food. -
Road Trip Day 5….Vegas Baby!
Leaving Arizona 😦 and on to Nevada on the last leg of our cross country road trip. Lots of great driving roads and scenery.
And finally……Nevada….
First sight in NV…Hoover Dam… 
Next stop….
In N Out Rules!!More to come…
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Road Trip…more day 4
Since this is primarily a FOOD and Travel Blog, just couldn’t leave off some dining advice for Sedona. First, do stop in to have breakfast or lunch at Miley’s Cafe on Hwy 179 about 6.5 miles from downtown Sedona. Best Huevos Rancheros north of Jalisco and service so fast and efficient you’ll be amazed.
Second, don’t miss Cafe Elote also on Hwy 179, but much closer to downtown. This was my second visit to Elote, I actually ate there 7 years ago and it was every bit as good as the first time! Look past the rather funky entrance, (steel steps and ramps up to the front door) and get ready for elevated southwest/Mexican cuisine and drinks. This place is perpetually busy and only open from 5-9pm daily- so expect a wait. Your patience will be rewarded. Don’t skip the namesake dish–Elote (Mexican street corn) served off the cob with crema, cotijo cheese, cayenne chile and lime.
Another standout is the Chile Relleno stuffed with squash and cheese, swimming in a pool of poblano/pepita crema and topped with tortilla straws, cheese, pomegranate, and pickled onions. 
Buen provecho!
A huge thank you to all of you who have followed this Blog over the past 4 years. If you would be so kind, please vote for my entry in the 2016 Chopped at Home Challenge, sponsored by Sargento Cheese at foodnetwork.com. My entry for Round 1 is called Gluten Free Crazy Cauliflower Pizza….
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Chopped at Home Challenge
It’s time for the 2016 Chopped at Home Challenge sponsored by Foood Network and Sargento Cheeses. There are 3 rounds, just like the TV show.
Round 1 is called Comfort Foods and the ingredients in the basket are: leeks, cremini mushrooms, cauliflower and Sargento Sharp Cheddar. I modified a gluten-free pizza recipe I like to prepare for my hubby, who has Celiac Disease. My entry is called: Gluten-free Crazy Cauliflower Pizza. It is cheesy- gooey wonderfulness! I am asking all of my followers on WordPress who have loved reading my recipes at Betzabroad.com throughout the years, to vote for my recipe on the Food Network site! Time is of the essence! Please vote now! You can vote up to 5 times per day! 
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D.C. Eats
One could live in a city like DC for years and barely make a dent in its eating scene. Although, every time we visit I get another chance to try! Toki Undergound anyone?
Good timing and patience is a must at this tiny, no reservation gem in the H Street Corridor. Fortunately for us, we arrived at quarter to 5pm and were second in line!
Quirky decor, loud music….let the games begin!
Grab a stool, get a beer or cocktail and decide what type of wonderful house made noodles you would like. But first…. try an appetizer or two…
We sampled the pickles and a seasonal special, sautéed ramps
Of the ramen selections our party chose the Kimchi bowl, redolent with pulled pork, greens, kimchi and a soft, soft boiled egg. The other ramen choice was Taipei Curry Chicken with fried chicken, curry, greens and again a very softly boiled egg to stir in.
As for me, I’ll take the Abura Tsukemen. Pork fat noodles, pulled pork, scallions and other aromatics. Served with a side dish of a wonderful dipping sauce which only enhances the experience.
For added flavor, try some fried shrimp heads or some chicken butts on top of any of the noodle dishes!
Yes……I will!
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Mother’s Day with Jose!
Whenever I return to the D.C. area, chances are that I will be visiting a restaurant of Jose Andres. They are dear to my heart and always spectacular. Today’s Mother’s Day dinner was no different. A wonderful cheese plate to begin….
Aceitunas de Ferran Adria….a tribute to the original molecular gastronomist/best chef in the world……liquid olives…
Tortilla de patatas…. the classic Spanish tortilla…
Flamenquines….a pork roll stuffed with cheese and deep fried…..wonderful!
Finally, my favorite of the evening…Puntillitas de Cadiz…. Baby squid and beans in a green sauce topped with a fried egg…estupendos!!
Although I neglected to photograph our dessert, please trust me and order the cold berry soup with blue cheese ice cream….it is no less worthy of a pic…just forgot because I was too busy enjoying the great flavor combination.
Truly a DC gem! #IFWTWA
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Taqueria authentico in Wilmington!
Authentic ethnic food is hard to find in Wilmington, NC. There. I’ve said it…
Except if you crave Mexican..Real Mexican. You CAN find it at Taqueria Los Portales. Located in a nondescript little strip, next door to a tattoo parlor…you will feel like you’ve just crossed the border into another world. This little gem isn’t fancy. You order at the front counter, you have a seat at diner-type tables or at the small bar, and the food is brought out to you as it is prepared. There is a salsa bar with the usual Mexican accoutrements, 3-4 different salsas, sliced radishes, pickled onions or slaw, peppers, etc.
Try to visit on the weekends. You will be rewarded with whole fried tilapia, menudo (tripe soup) and posole. All homemade fresh and the best hangover cures you will ever find! Don’t be shy. Watch some soccer matches on Univision and consider your good luck in finding this wonderful food!
Start with a couple orders of ceviche tostadas….
Finish with the best Pescado Frito you will have in the states! Delicioso!
Betzabroad...My personal recipe for tasting our big, fat, wonderful world 