Try This Healthy, Delicious Bread Recipe

I have been enjoying experimenting with the bread machine I received for Christmas. My latest experiment, Oatmeal Bread, was both healthy and delicious.

Containing oats, King Arthur organic bread flour and honey, this is a light, white bread that can be used for sandwiches or just snacking. I am sharing the recipe from Food.com, in case you would like to make this yourself:


Bread Machine Oatmeal Bread

1 C. water (I added about 1/8 of a cup to make it more moist)
2 T. honey
1 1/2 T. butter 
2/3 quick-cooking oats
2 1/3 c. bread flour
1 T wheat germ (optional - I didn't try this but it would be healthier!)
1 1/4 t. salt
2 1/4 t. active dry yeast (1 package)


Directions:

1. Put ingredients into the bread machine according to manufacturer's directions.
2. Bake on Basic White 1, 1.5 loaf size

If you try this recipe, let me know your feedback on the comments section below! 

Fresh food, but high prices at Seasons 52

I love the atmosphere and fresh/ seasonal food offerings at Seasons 52. I always seem to leave there feeling light and not too stuffed. However, I believe the prices for the portion size guests receive are too high.

I am also torn because the service is excellent. I didn't know until my recent visit to Seasons 52 Altamonte Springs how well you are treated when it is your birthday or anniversary. I received a rose for my birthday, complimentary champagne and a photo of myself and my dinner companion. Now I will have a keepsake from my great dinner! Our server was not only friendly and attentive, but also made sure our dishes were prepared without items that would trigger my food allergies.

Speaking of that, the Gluten-Free Flatbreads are very delicious. We had the Chicken Pesto Flatbread and really enjoyed it the flavors. We also had the Warm Beet Salad, made with golden beets, goat cheese and pistachios. It was sweet and healthy, and the Chive Oil made this dish.


Our entrees were also delicious, but not the best I have had. For example, the Chilean Sea Bass, accompanied by black rice and a delicious soy sauce, was cooked perfectly. It was moist and delicious. However, it was a small portion size for its $31 price tag. The Southern Shrimp & Grits was also very tasty - we loved the sauce that goes with this dish. Again, this dish should be a value - not the $19.50 that Seasons 52 is charging. I have had better Shrimp & Grits - most recently at The Smiling Bison -Sanford. The Carmelized Sea Scallops were very yummy and worth every penny. We also loved the accompanying butternut squash risotto.

We were too full for dessert on this visit, but we love all the mini desserts here! Let us know if you agree with our review in the comments section below.

Also see: 

Seasons 52's Summer Menu

Top Reasons to Visit the Smiling Bison - Sanford

Top 5 Rolls at Fuji Sushi

The myriad of specialty rolls at Fuji Sushi in Winter Park is overwhelming. Therefore, after a few visits under our belts, we want to tell you about some of our favorite rolls. Even though Fuji's specialty rolls can be pricey, they are huge, so I typically only order two rolls. I believe you get a value for your money here.

Some of our favorite rolls include:

1. Dynamite Roll: Crab, avocado & cream cheese, topped with mixed seafood. The topping is divine.
2. Black Widow Roll: Fried soft shell crab with scallion, spicy mayo and eel sauce.
3. Super Spider Roll: Fried soft shell crab, tempura batter & scallion. Topped with eel sauce and roe.
4. Ribbon Roll: crab and avocado inside, topped with raw tuna, cooked shrimp & eel sauce. Yummy!
5. 2011 Roll: Fried lobster and scallion, topped with avocado and buttery garlic sauce.

What do you think of Fuji Sushi? Let us know in the comments section below.

Why You Should Visit Orlando's Food Trucks

My family, friends and myself had a great time at The Daily City Food Truck Bazaar in

downtown Sanford this past weekend. Held once a month, 10 trucks gather in a beautiful area with long white tables for seating (different from any other Food Truck Bazaar event, I believe). You can also grab a drink from one of bars along the street.


Some of our favorite food came from the new Soul Bowl truck and Cousins Maine Lobster. At Soul Bowl, we would highly recommend the Seafood Rice Bowl, which contains some very hot rice and seafood, as well as the Chicken and Waffles and Macaroni Cheese Balls, macaroni and cheese that is rolled in Pancko bread crumbs and deep fried. At the Cousins Maine Lobster truck, we loved the Connecticut Tacos, the Lobster Tots and the clam chowder. I didn't really enjoy the Lobster Bisque, however. Monsta Lobsta has a better-flavored bisque.

We also enjoyed a quinoa salad from one of the trucks - yes, I was surprised to see a healthy option. We also loved everything we ordered from Jamaica Jamaica - including Curry Goat - and the pork tacos from El Cubanito. While I didn't visit Peru Power this time, I tried their Fried Grouper and Calamari Tacos recently, and they were outstanding.

Find out when the food trucks will be in your area: http://www.thedailycity.com/p/orlando-food-trucks.html. 

Sushi Pop Always Delights

If you haven't had the chance to visit Sushi Pop in Oviedo yet, you should. The restaurant is constantly at the top of "best restaurants in Orlando" lists, and has some of the best sushi around. Many people aren't aware that Sushi Pop also does a great job with Florida seafood dishes.

I had not been to the restaurant since it expanded, adding a beautiful bar area. The entire restaurant was crowded, as expected, on a Saturday night. Most of the restaurant's signature cocktails looked delicious. However, since there is no happy hour on the weekends, the cocktails are pricey and we ordered just one: Demarco. It was very light and refreshing.

Sushi Pop is also known for its unique edamames. We started with the Sichimi Pepper and Garlic Edamame - it was just the right amount of heat and tasty. We had the Triple Tail roll, a very fresh and flavorful mix of tuna, salmon, yellowtail, salmon roe and chipotle lime sauce. My husband said it is one of the best sushi rolls he has had! We also appreciate how accommodating Sushi Pop is to those with vegan and gluten-free diets.

As I mentioned, the restaurant also specializes in local seafood dishes. The Cho Chee Snapper with coconut rice, spicy Thai red curry and Thai basil was absolutely divine. The fish was cooked perfectly, and the flavor was delicious.

You must save room for dessert when you visit Sushi Pop. There were so many tempting options, but we chose the P.M.S., which features molten chocolate cake, peanut butter powder and salted caramel ice cream. Everything mixed together is the perfect bite. Except for some type of berry gelee on the dish - it was not needed.

Because of the premium prices for entrees and cocktails, we will likely only visit Sushi Pop on special occasions. But, when we do visit, we will savor every bite! What are your favorite dishes there?