Chopped At Home

My friends and I play our own version of chopped just about every week. I thought I could start to document the meals we produce. 

For those who don't know, Chopped is a TV game show on Food Network. The way its done on the show, each contestant gets a basket of mystery ingredients and a certain amount of time to prepare the meal. They also have a stacked pantry full of anything they would EVER need to complete a dish. They also do an appetizer, entree, and dessert. 

We do it a little differently...

We select 5 mystery ingredients for one person and tell them ahead of time. The day they are cooking they go and get all the extra supplies needed for the meal and the other involved get the mystery ones. That night they are given there items from the group and are left alone for as long as needed to create their dish. The person cooking decides what they want to make.. there are no guidelines for app, entree, dessert. It could only be one dish! 

For example, week one I was given pepperoni, mushrooms, tortilla chips, pineapple, maple syrup. I made pepperoni and pork meatball subs with a veggie tomato sauce. Dessert was a pineapple dole whip sweetened a bit with maple syrup! 

This has been so fun and I wanted to start sharing the awesome food we are making. Of course I totally forgot to take pictures of past challenges so I will start with the most recent. 

This challenge took place on Friday night.

My mystery ingredients were eggs, eggplant, chocolate, white wine, and cranberry sauce.

I prepared for them a penne with a white wine basil cream sauce and pan fried breaded eggplant with a cranberry reduction. I topped it with fresh basil, parmesan, and bacon.

For dessert a chocolate fondue with strawberries, marshmallows, and bananas.

Thanks for reading! 

More Chopped At Home to come :)

Happy Eating! 

Buen Apetito- Waterville, Maine

Buen Apetito 

Waterville, Maine

Buen Apetito is a locally owned Mexican restaurant that we have the pleasure of enjoying in Waterville, Maine. Now, that doesn't mean they don't have people flocking from all over the place to come devour their delicious homemade food. They have an amazing menu filled with a whole bunch of delectable eats. 

Pictured above is a to-go order I had of steak fajitas. The meal was accompanied by rice, refried beans, corn tortillas, and a side of chips and salsa! YUM. This was the first time I had ordered their food to-go and I was just as happy, except I was missing one of their to die for margaritas. 

I always enjoy going in to eat. The staff is always warm and friendly! The atmosphere inside is perfect. There is always a basket of chips waiting for you at your table so you can start munching A.S.A.P! They have awesome drink special at great prices. Food comes out of the kitchen in a timely fashion and always has great presentation. Now, the dessert menu is wonderful. I highly recommend the Mexican chocolate! 

How can you go wrong you may ask? I have no idea.. even their prices are reasonable. 

This is one of the great local gems we have to offer in Waterville. Give it a try :) 

Other menu recommendations:

Enchiladas

Three corn tortillas filled w/ your choice of chicken, cheese, beef or beans. Topped w/ a red chilli sauce, cheese, onion & cilantro

Tacos

Three corn or flour tortillas filled w/ your choice of shredded beef, seasoned chicken, adobada (pork in red sauce) or chorizo, lettuce, cheese, tomato, onion & cilantro

Carne Asada

Grilled skirt steak served w/ grilled vegetables & warm tortillas

Chile Rellenos

Three poblano peppers stuffed w/ your choce of cheese or beef, baked & topped w/ entomatada sauce

ENJOY!

Pad Thai Too- Waterville, ME

PAD THAI TOO

WATERVILLE, ME

Pad Thai Too is perhaps the most delicious restaurant in Waterville. They're located at 400 Kennedy Memorial Drive in the same parking lot as a motel. Sounds kinda creepy right? WRONG.. Do not drive by this place without stopping in. 

I remember when they first opened.. they had the smallest restaurant located on college avenue with I believe only 5 tables or so. My mother and I stopped in to give it a try.. and my life was forever better! Ever since that day I have eaten at Pad Thai/Pad Thai Too regularly. They make everything to order, so guaranteed freshness! They have many vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free options so everyone can find something. It is a family owned establishment and they cook from the heart. 

Ok, lets get down to business..
Pad Thai Too is my favorite restaurant in Waterville.. I'll even get crazier and say Central Maine. This place is absolutely INSANE!

In the background of this picture you see my sister enjoying a wonderful lunch combo plate that consists of the following:

Vegetable fried rice- so good
-simple but good. perfect to balance out all the amazing flavors else where.

Crispy egg rolls- amazing
-filled with cabbage, carrots, mushrooms, and glass noodles and served with a sweet & sour sauce!

Golden mermaid- (fried shrimp)- incredible
-wrapped in a wonton wrapper and fried, you literally CAN'T go wrong.

Fried dumplings- LIFE CHANGING
-these have an intoxicating garlic soy sauce that you put on them.. my mouth is watering.

In the foreground you see my indecisive nature when presented with such good food/options.. It's so good I can never choose just one appetizer, HA!

Plain wings (marinated in a ginger sauce) served with a sweet chili sauce that is to die for.

AND.. drum roll please.
my favorite.. thing.. in.. the.. universe.. (i think)....

Fresh rolls! 

These are so amazing.. served with a sweet and salty sauce and peanuts on top. I absolutely can not get enough of these. They're fresh, crunchy, healthy, and have all the right flavors. When I order these, and know they're on there way, I can't stop thinking about them. They take no time at all because they're uncooked.. this is a plus if you're impatient like me. They're the best..

Now, I made this post about the food in the photograph, however, you NEED to go and try everything on the menu. I have never tried anything from Pad Thai Too that I didn't like. They have the best balance of sweet, salty, and spicy. All of these broths in the soups are SO good. I'm telling you, you SERIOUSLY can not go wrong with dinner or lunch from this place! Also, they run specials often so there is always something new to try.

Some of my other favorites:

Khao Soi- sweet & spicy yellow curry coconut milk broth, egg noodles & pickled mustard greens, topped w/ crispy wontons, shallots, cilantro, scallions & a lime wedge.

Drunken Noodles- Rice noodles stir-fried egg, bamboo shoots, carrots, bell peppers, broccoli, sprouts & basil leaves in a slightly spicy chili-basil sauce.

Geang Ratchaburi- Peas, carrots, squash, onions, pineapples & bell peppers in a light coconut milk & panang curry sauce with a touch of creamy peanut butter. Sprinkled with crushed nuts.

House Pad Thai- Rice noodles stir-fried w/ egg, tofu, sprouts & scallions in a sweet palm sugar-soy sauce. Sprinkled w/ ground peanuts.

Mango Curry- Fresh mango simmered in a red curry-coconut milk broth flavored with a touch of yellow curry powder with bell peppers, carrots, onions, raisins & peas. (SPICY)

THERE ARE SO MANY MORE!