1.  There are three possible scenarios of this situation and we start with the most common for single’s…the guest that just drops by:  Since this person most likely stays close by or probably visits often, I find it is “ok” to tell them your sorry, you did not plan on company but they can have a bite.

2. The guests that randomly is in the neighborhood…use the same tactic as in number 1.

3. The guest that never comes to visit.  You should pull out the subtle red carpet on this guest.  By the “subtle red carpet”, I mean just share/split it in half/etc.  This person rarely comes to your domain and by not sharing, you are ensuring this trend continues.  If you want them to feel comfortable in your home so they will return, then just slice that chicken in half and consider this an early diet plan.

Sharing is the first thing they teach you in kindergarten.  It should be used in MOST occasions, if feasible.  There are, however, those times when you have a Newman (Seinfeld), Kimmy Gibbler (Full House) or Bruh Man from the 5th Floor (Martin)…then you might want to rethink those things you learned in your early childhood…

This Monday marks the 128-year-old U.S. holiday that recognizes and celebrates the American worker- Labor Day.   Families across the States will be breaking out the grills and taking those last minute mini-vacays.  Viewed as an indication of the official end of summer, this holiday was first celebrated in New York City back in 1882.  Consequently, I thought it would only be fair to highlight NYC and some of its great food finds that are near and dear to my heart.  From falafel street carts to New York-style pizza, the Big Apple has something to offer everyone.

I spent most of my childhood summers in New York with family.  For someone raised in the South, the endless concrete, big buildings, bright lights and bold display of culture always offered up something new and exciting.  The morning hustle and bustle to my aunt’s office brought on rich smells of coffee and perfectly toasted bagels smothered with butter and cream cheese.  While afternoon strolls down Harlem streets were dotted with push carts full of cherry and mango-flavored ice and mini Dixie cups.  Warm summer evenings and an always-desired trip to the pizza shop for two gigantic pepperoni slices brought a perfect close to the busy days.  And don’t get me started on the Chinese food!

I attempted to reunite with my NYC family to celebrate this Labor Day weekend, but procrastination prevented me from finding a cheap flight.  The plan is to find an American Airlines deal well in advance of the next long weekend so that the city and I can be once again reunited.

Have a great Labor Day Weekend!

Photo Source:http://www.travel-transportation-tourism.com/labels/Dann%20H.%20Lewis.html

>>>Tomato Feast- The Mid-Atlantic Red Fruit Festival is an annual reception celebrating regional produce of the Mid-Atlantic by pairing top area farmers with leading area chefs with enthusiastic home gardeners and cooks with tomato tastings and wine pairings.  Each year the event will showcase a “red” fruit and 2010 kicks off with the TOMATO.  I’m working on my tomato recipe as we speak…

The Who:  Hosted by The International Wine & Food Festival

The What: The Mid-Atlantic Red Fruit Festival

When: Friday, September 24, 2010 from 6-8 p.m.

Where: Woodrow Wilson Plaza at the International Trade Center and Ronald Reagan Building

>>>Lobster and Beer pair up this Thursday- Chinatown Coffee Company and Red Hook Lobster Pound DC team up for “Lobster Roll and Beer Happy Hour.” Red Hook Lobster Truck will be parked outside of Chinatown Coffee Co., on the corner of 5th and H Street, NW, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm on Thursday, September 2, 2010.  In celebrating its new liquor license, Chinatown Coffee will be offering $3 Lagunitas IPA, Dale’s Pale Ale and an assortment of different wines.

>>>Learn how to mix up Fall/Winter cocktails with Againn mixologist, JP Caceres.  For $35 a pop, guests will learn the art of mixing the perfect cocktail and Caceres will offer a history lesson on the origins of the world’s most popular libations, starting with the first known cocktail and ending with a personal DC favorite. 

The When:  September 15, 2010 @ 6:30 pm

The Where:  Againn, 1099 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC

>>>Ladies Unite!  On October 3, 2010 (*5 pm-8 pm), over 30 leading women chefs will unite for an “indoor food festival”  @ Willow Restaurant.  Tickets are $50 and can be purchased here.  Foods will range from crepes made to order to an array of wines, beers and spirits.

When you go to a party/soiree/kickback/etc. and you bring a bottle/dish/etc., it should not leave with you.  It is at the very least a kind way of saying “Thank You” to the host for opening their home to you and your guests for the event.  If you feel what you brought is worth more than what you got from the party, then consider a cheaper bottle of wine or liquour for the next swaray but for tonight, leave the bottle at the host/hostess house.  When you snag the bottle on the way out the door, there are a few terms that come to mind:  cheap, tacky and hmm, inconsiderate.  I have a friend or two with this terrible habit and they have been coined the “cheapo’s”, which is not a name you want attached to the tact resume.  It’s ok to be cheap, but do this on your own time and maybe stay home when you feel you need to carry the bottle back home with you…

Below is my attack back to the kitchen while also creating my version of the Julie and Julia bruschetta recipe that will hopefully make the cut on Endless Simmer’s 100 Ways to Use a Tomato (*fingers crossed):

16 oz. heirloom tomatoes (*can be found at your local farmers market when in season)

1- 24″ French baguette bread (*cut into 1″ slices)

Kosher Salt

Fresh Ground Pepper

1 tbsp. chopped garlic

1 garlic clove (*peeled and halved)

1/4 cup fresh basil (*chopped)

Truffle Olive Oil (*Suggested:  Olevano Truffle Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil)

Rinse tomatoes.

Cut all the tomatoes in half.

Chop up the basil.

Toss the tomatoes with the chopped basil, about 2 tbsp. of the truffle olive oil, salt and pepper (*to taste). Set aside.

In a skillet, add the chopped garlic clove and about 2 tbsp. olive oil.  If you need additional olive oil to coat the pan, feel free to add.

Add the sliced french bread to the pan and brown on both sides.

Once browned, rub each side of the bread with the halved garlic cloves.

Spoon on tomato mixture…

And Enjoy!

*Johnna’s tip:  Unless you and your guests are prepared to eat the bruschetta immediately, I suggest keeping the tomato mixture seperate from the bread because it will become soggy.  Serve the tomato mixture in one bowl and the bread on another serving platter. Be prepared to get a little messy!

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy all the other great things that Vegas has to offer as well, but on my past two trips to Vegas, as soon as I land, I look forward to grabbing a delicious Pink’s hot dog.  Now, I am aware that the original and infamous Pink’s restaurant is located in California; unfortunately, I haven’t had the great fortune of a visit yet.  But let me just say this, if the original Pink’s serves up hot dogs better than the restaurant in Vegas, I just may have to move to Cali- they’re THAT good!  This place has taken an American treat and flipped it on its head, offering delicious variations and combinations.  My personal fave, the Bacon Chili Cheese Dog, is a delicious beef hot dog topped with bacon, chili, cheese, tomatoes, mustard & onions.  I subbed the onions for mushrooms and enjoyed what would be one of my fondest (among many) memories of Vegas- hot dogs.

My plan is to hunt down a cheap flight and head over to Cali within the next year so that I can visit the birthplace of the beloved Pink’s hot dogs.  I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a good deal from American Airlines, because I’m definitely hoping to go sooner than later!

Simple and to the point:  Send me your best tag line for your biz cards and the person with the best phrase will take home…(drum roll, please)…500 Business Cards for One Winner!!   UPrinting will provide the business card printing for the lucky winner.

*Details:  500 Premium Business Cards, 2 x 3.5”, 2 x 2” (square card) or 1.75 x 3.5” (slim card), 14 pt gloss cardstock, 14 pt matte cardstock or 13 pt recycled uncoated cardstock, Full Color Both Sides; Winner must be a U.S. citizen and 18 yrs. or older; Giveaway submissions end on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at Midnight.

*Disclosure Statement:  This giveaway is provided courtesy an offer from UPrinting Company.  Johnna Knows Good Food will recieve a set of business cards from UPrinting as a thank you for hosting this giveaway.  Johnna Knows Good Food does not have any affiliation with this company other than for the purposes of this giveaway.

What are the benefits of leaving flour out of your brownies?

You’ll have fudgy, smooth, lump-free chocolate delights that will have friends wondering what your secret is. When you use cornstarch instead of flour, you’re using the preferred thickener in puddings and custards, so your brownies will be naturally moist and consistent in texture.

As an added bonus, any of your friends who might be on a gluten-free diet will be begging for this recipe!

Ingredients

½ cup butter
¼ cup cocoa powder
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 large eggs
¼ cup cornstarch
½ tsp salt
½ tsp baking soda
1 cup chocolate chips
½ cup nuts, if desired

Instructions

1. Lightly grease an 8×8 pan.

2. Preheat your oven to 350°.

3. Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl.

4. Whisk in the cocoa powder.

5. Stir in the brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla.

6. Mix the salt and baking soda into the measuring cup of cornstarch.

7. Stir in the chocolate chips and nuts, if desired.

8. Bake for 30-35 minutes.

9. Let cool and enjoy.

*Alexis Bonari is a freelance writer and blog junkie. She is currently a resident education blogger and performs research surrounding College Scholarships.  In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming and avoiding her laptop.

Photo: Public Domain
URL: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3250/3140138494_2e3f6ea115.jpg

“We made it a family night out.  My hubby had a turkey burger—he said it was good, but he prefers Rogue States.  It came with this DELICIOUS homemade salsa.  Fries fried in peanut oil always win in my book.  I had the best chicken fried steak in my LIFE there.  The sirloin was not over cooked and they did not drench it in so much gravy that you could not appreciate the crispiness of the steak.  It came with roasted brussel sprouts that were dolloped with a little blue cheese and apple-wood bacon.  I did not like the mac and cheese because it was the soupy type, not the cake type—it did not taste bad, but I prefer the chunky mac n’ cheese.   

The kids got a burger which was also very good, but the APPLESAUCE, was also the best I have ever had.  It is chunky, made with golden delicious apples and they use pie spice to season it—it tasted better than some of the best apple pies I have ever eaten.  For dessert—Peanut butter chocolate cake—very good and peanut buttery;  the homemade Pop Tart—will make you never want to eat a regular Pop Tart again; and I had the “Twinkie” cupcake—it was good, but I prefer Wagshal’s “Twinkies”.  There were so many things I wanted to try.  I cannot wait to go back.”