By now, it’s been established that I love exposing people to new things as well as trying them myself. Its a regular part of LBJ’s Brown Bag! Every Friday, I am committed to suggesting something to try For the First Time! Today, I want to share one of my favorite places to introduce to people on a regular basis. I love this place because you can go with your Sunday’s best on, or with jeans and a t-shirt. However you go…just go! You’re guaranteed to get a great meal every visit.
Many times my mobile phone rings with a panicked voice on the other end asking me where should they go to eat for dinner. My first question is “what are you in the mood for?” If I get a response steeped in “I-don’t-really-know-but-LBJ-just-help-me-in-this-seemingly-perplexing-decision”, I normally recommend BD’s Mongolian Barbeque!
I affectionately drop the “BD’s” and call this place “Mongolian Barbeque.” I’ve been going here since my student days at Howard University. We would pile up in someones car and drive to Bethesda, Maryland and rush to the restroom to wash our hands and get started on creating our personal stir fried creations!
At BD’s Mongolian Barbeque, every guest creates their own meal! You select from a wide array of meats, seafood, vegetables, sauces and spices…all for the same price! Where else could you go and pay the same rate for lamb, chicken, shrimp, steak, fish, and squid? Nowhere!
Dining at Mongolian Barbeque is such an interactive experience for everyone. You can be daring, like me and comprise a new recipe on each visit to this all you can eat buffet, or you can take one of their user friendly recipe cards and follow the step-by-step instructions. Once you’ve selected all of your ingredients and your sauce, you give your bowl to a member of the Master Griller team. These teammates stand around a 600° 7-foot grill and cook your food in a smooth rotation that resembles a fine French timepiece. Once your meal is finished grilling, you return to your table with your choice of brown or white rice, and warm tortilla shells if you want to roll-up your meal!
Education is secretly at the forefront of dining at Mongolian Barbeque. So many times people wonder what a certain spice, vegetable, meat, or sauce tastes like. At Mongolian Barbeque, you have an opportunity to try it, and keep trying till you find something you like! Just be mindful that you really shouldn’t regularly waste food.
I love their salad bar as well! On my last visit, I made a Chicken Greek Salad. I used:
My salad was so filling, I only made one trip to the grill during that visit. I surprised myself! Typically I go for two rounds, and I push to three if I’m really hungry, but I’ll top-off at four. Is that gluttony? Uh oh!
I can go on and on about BD’s Mongolian Barbeque, but I must stop before I bite my finger off just thinking about the endless creations available.
To locate one of the few BD’s locations, visit their website at www.gomongo.com! If you’ve been to Mongolian Barbeque, I’d love to hear what you make when you go, or if you take a visit after reading this, let us know what you made.
Happy cooking!
BD’s Mongolian Barbeque get’s a FULL BROWN BAG!
(You want to know a little secret? I normally use my visits at Mongolian Barbeque as an opportunity to show-off my skills to everyone around! The waitress saw my salad and her mouth began to instantly salivate!)
Posted in Entertaining, New Ideas, Restaurant Reviews || 3 Comments
SOUND THE ALARM!
LBJ’s Brown Bag is a finalist for the 2008 Black Weblog Awards, and your vote is needed, today!
Please visit: http://www.blackweblogawards.com/database/step1.php to cast your votes.
LBJ’s Brown Bag is up for 3 Awards:
I’m so honored to be named a finalist in this year’s awards! I believe that this monumental new beginning is the kick-off of greater things soon to come! I’m so excited!
Please vote today and pass it on to everyone you know. If you’ve already voted or passed it on to others, feel free to send a reminder. (smile). Voting ends August 31.
Together, we will do it, Brown Baggers! Thank you!
Posted in Uncategorized || 3 Comments
It is with great joy and pleasure that I proudly present today’s Tuesday’s Temptation! I have been eagerly anticipating placing this treat in my Brown Bag for quite some time, and today is the day! Alright, let me breathe…calm down…and begin. [LBJ slowly exhales]
Life is a gift that each and every one of us share! One of the beautifully best benefits in life is balance. Balance creates a such a diverse palette of colors in our life that allows us to continue to be open to new things and ideals while maintaining a foundation that is strengthened each day we are given! For me, balance is imperative in all facets of life including spirituality, family, relationships, and of course…food!
Lately, my favorite balanced dessert is the Banana Spring Rolls at P.F. Chang’s China Bistro!
Somehow in the midst of preparing dishes that embrace classic Chinese flavors with the latest trends in Chinese cooking, P.F. Chang’s has managed to integrate their menu with a dessert like no other!
This recipe consists of 6 pieces of banana, dredged in Chinese Five Spice and sugar, then rolled in spring roll wrappers and deep fried. Once the bananas have been fried, the 6 pieces are plated around a heaping scoop of pineapple coconut ice cream then dressed with caramel and vanilla sauce. Seasonal berries are used to add color and an additional layer of flavor.
This dessert is balanced so well! It is the perfect yin and yang relationship. Consider the warmth of the spring rolls against the settling coolness of the ice cream, then the soft banana wrapped in the crispy shell, and finally the sweetness of the caramel and vanilla sauce with the tartness of the seasonal berries!
When you first try the banana spring rolls, you might need to wear a helmet to secure your head on your shoulders! It is so good, it might make your head pop off! Each time I have this dessert, I play it safe. My girlfriend and I always share this dessert in order to prevent over-indulging in this treat! In fact, she introduced me to it. That’s balance too! (smile)
I hope you enjoy this serving of P.F. Chang’s Banana Spring Rolls for this Tuesday’s Temptation in my Brown Bag!
Visit www.pfchangs.com to find your neighborhood restaurant.
Posted in Dessert, Tuesday's Temptation || 8 Comments
Going out to eat has been a part of my life since I can remember. In “A Chesapeake Feast” I shared that I was ordering lobster at the age of 3! One thing that always fascinated me during our meals was the moment the waiter walked to the edge of our table holding a long narrow wooden tube that looked familiar since I saw something familiar at home. No matter where we dined, the waiters all asked the same question: “Would anyone like any fresh ground pepper?” I knew what salt and pepper was since I asked questions about everything on a dinner table, but fresh ground pepper? That was a bit foreign to me. As I matured, I knew I wanted to try the seemingly adult accoutrement. One day I took a step outside of my box and had fresh ground pepper on my salad. It was an elegant way to finish off and elevate the flavor of such a colorful salad!
For some people, fresh ground pepper is not enough to have available in the kitchen. Fresh ground salt must accompany this finishing touch. Today I place a unique dual salt and pepper grinder in my Brown Bag.
Sur La Table has produced this wonderfully sleek Pepper/Salt Duo Mill for any dining table! This stainless steel unit is recommended for those who are low on counter or table space but still enjoy grinding their own salt and pepper. The Pepper/Salt Duo Mill is easy to clean too! All you need to do is wipe it with a damp cloth. That way, you’ll have a sparkling grinder each time you dine.
What sets this mill apart from any other is its ability to give the the people what their taste buds want! You can adjust the grinder to produce fine or coarse salt and pepper. You take your pick!
The mill comes filled with Malabar Pepper and Sea Salt, and it is a great investment for your usage as well. You can purchase a Pepper/Salt Duo Mill for $25.00 at www.surlatable.com.
Happy grinding!
Posted in To Buy || 3 Comments
Today, you get a special edition of Mom’s Monday! Here’s what happened when my mother, Lady P, took the a recommendation from one of the Brown Baggers (reader).
Enjoy this BONUS Mom’s Monday!
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Okay folks, I did it! Miss “I can eat all vegetables, put before me!”
Thanks to Brown Bagger, “Brad”, I ventured out and purchased a spaghetti squash. I did a little research on cooking techniques and decided to cut it in half and cook the cut sides down in a baking dish for about 30 minutes. However, I couldn’t cut it! I decided to implement “Plan B.” Pierce tiny holes/slits in the skin and bake it in the oven at 375 degrees for an hour. I cooked it longer, just in case. Once I let it cool down, I cut the squash and scooped out the center section with the pulp and seeds. (Of course the seeds can be baked/roasted and lightly salted and you’ll have an additional treat!)
I took a fork and began scraping the pulp and voila…..spaghetti….squash that is! LOL
I heated a jar of spaghetti sauce, added seasonings and spices. I discovered the squash has a slightly sweet taste, so I added more seasoning salt, cayenne pepper, etc. to the sauce along with Parmesan cheese. Guess what? It’s really not bad….of course you’ll have a great carbohydrate reduction!
I learned that spaghetti squash contains many nutrients including folic acid, potassium, vitamin A, and beta carotene. It is also a food low in calories, averaging 75 calories in 8 cooked ounces. Not bad, huh?
Thanks for the suggestion Brad. I can’t say I’ll eat this weekly, but it’s a great alternative to pasta and a variation from our mundane routine.
Smooches to all,
Lady P
Posted in Mom's Monday, Recipe, Vegetables || 3 Comments
After a jam-packed weekend, a mind-jogging day of work, and an energy-draining commute home, most likely, you won’t want to come home and clean, wash clothes, or cook dinner. In fact, the only thing calling your name might be quick and easy food and your plush bed waiting to envelope you! A great way to emphasize your rest is in a cup of tea.
I love tea! Its one of the most diverse, delicious and delicate beverages I know. The multiple personalities of tea do not qualify for a psychiatric evaluation. It’s perfectly fine for tea to be dark and heavy one moment, then the next, its light and fruity. Tea can make you edgy and energetic or it can calm and comfort you.
Aveda offers the best tea for calming and comforting any person who decides to enjoy this 100% organic blend of tea.
For years, Aveda has combined the flavors of licorice root and peppermint in a jar to present this exquisite tea. The Comforting Tea is superbly simple to make and keep on hand for regular consumption.
You can enjoy the tea hot or iced! However you decide to brew it, make sure you use a tea strainer or an infuser. You do not want to have bits of soggy licorice and peppermint floating in your cup. Additionally, the Comforting Tea needs no assistance from sugar. That’s right! The tea is naturally sweetened from the licorice root while the peppermint gives the body of the tea a smooth and rounded flavor. After a meal, the Comforting Tea aides in proper digestion, giving you an managable after affect.
I will never forget my first sip of the Comforting Tea. I was on a television shoot at an Aveda location in Washington, D.C. One of the spa representatives greeted our crew at the door, and offered us a cup of tea. Of course, I had to try it. It was a first time for me! Once I took one sip of the perfectly warm tea, I was hooked! While we were on location, I kept asking the spa representative for another cup. I had 4 cups total, and I purchased a jar to take home!
Today, I’m placing another jar of Aveda Comforting Tea in my Brown Bag for you to get cozy and relax. You owe it to yourself.
You can purchase the tea online at www.aveda.com or you can visit your local Aveda store.
Posted in Drinks, Health, Tea || No Comments
Detroit Week concludes:
If we were in New Orleans the day before Ash Wednesday, we would be celebrating Fat Tuesday at the End of Mardi Gras. In Brazil, Spain and Columbia we woud be celebrating Carnival. In Detroit, its Paczki Day!
Were you able to pronounce the word “paczki”? Here’s a little help…just say “poonch-ski”! Now that I’ve made it easy for you to say it, let me inroduce a simple Polish Donut to you For the First Time…
This treat is merely a shaped, deep-fried piece of dough that has been filled with sweet, fruity jellies. It is a treat on the Tuesday before Lent begins since some religions try to fatten themselves up before sacrificing various foods and habits for 40 days leading up to the resurrection of Jesus.
Growing up in Detroit, I remember teachers and a few classmates bringing in paczkis for paczki day! I can’t say that I’m a die-hard fanatic of these Polish delights, but If there’s cherry or apple fililng, I will eat it. Most people enjoy the custard filling…not me!
Paczkis are definitely worth trying For the First Time… Its a great way to wrap up Detroit Week in LBJ”s Brown Bag!
Posted in Dessert, Ethnic Cuisine, For the First Time..., Special Weeks, Sweet Treats || 4 Comments
Detroit Week continues:
Every city has a particular “Mom & Pop Restaurant” or “Greasy Spoon” that has been around for ages. Its the place that opens at 6 a.m. and has regular patrons that occupy the same swivling stools at the bar, and cozy corner chairs at the tables. Its the place where stick-to-your-ribs food is served, hot, and fresh off the grill with smiles and great conversation. Its a place that will remain because of the local charm it provides to everyone that passes through.
In Detroit, Coney Island is a well known style of restaurant that serves breakfast–anytime, lunch and dinner! If you’re not a Detroit native, your mind might think I’m referring to the Coney Island Amusement Park in New York. Fortunately, this type of Coney Island can be found around the metropolitan Detroit area, most open 24 hours a day!
In Detroit, Coney Island restaurants specialize in many recipes, but one will always be number one on any Detroiters list. The Coney Island Chili Dog!
These Detroit classics are like no other. Trust me! Many have tried to duplicate the flavors, but they’ve been unsuccessful! I’ve tried a few variations around the country, and none compare to a “Coney Dog” in Detroit! These Coney Dogs, born from Greek owned restaurants, have been leading the way since 1929!
Naturally cased, these bun length hot dogs are grilled on a huge surface with several other hotdogs. While the hot dogs are being sealed with length-long brown grill marks, a steamed bun is prepped on a plate or in a foam container if your’e ordering to-go. Next, the hot dog is placed inside the bun and prepared to be dressed. A traditional Coney Dog is served with a special beanless chili sauce, mustard and cold, diced white/spanish onions. Each flavor is distinct and provides the perfect compliment to one another.
There is an art to eating the Coney Dog. If you are trying it for the first time, and you did not plan on spilling chili sauce on your shirt, I advise you to grab a knife and fork to enjoy your Coney Dog. Only true Coney Dog lovers know how to angle their head and tilt their wrist while holding the Coney Dog, while simultaneously opening their mouth at the right time to bite into the steaming seansation! You must practice. (smile)
The next time you hear somone mention Coney Island, I’m sure you’ll think of Detroit, and crave a Coney Dog!
Coney Island will always get a FULL BROWN BAG!
Posted in On the Road, Restaurant Reviews, Special Weeks || 3 Comments
Good morning and happy Friday to you!
I just wanted to remind everyone to vote for LBJ’s Brown Bag in the 2008 Black Weblog Awards!
LBJ’s Brown Bag is a finalist in 3 categories:
Remember, there are other weblogs in each category, so every vote really counts.
Also, don’t forget that your ballot must have a finalist selected in every category for it to be counted. We don’t want to miss an award due to an incomplete ballot.
To vote, visit: www.blackweblogawards.com and click “Vote Now For The Finalists!” on the left of the page.
Thank you for your votes & make sure you pass it on to others!
God bless you.
Posted in Uncategorized || No Comments
Detroit Week continues:
Earlier this week in “That Je ne sais quoi” I kicked off Detroit Week with an opportunity for Brown Baggers everywhere to let their voices be heard and declare their preference in name for carbonated beverages. Based off the responses between “pop” versus “soda”…POP wins!
Regardless of your opinion, I am here to place several pieces of evidence, in my Brown Bag, that Pop does exist and its alive and well! In today’s second Thirsty Thursday installment, I’m placing assorted flavors of Faygo Pop in my Brown Bag!
For 101 years, Faygo has produced some of the best Pop you will ever taste! With Fruit Punch, Strawberry, and Grape as their original flavors, Faygo has expanded their line to include:
Faygo Pop is a part of every Detroiters life! Some mothers packed cans of Orange in her child’s lunch, and her son was the star of the lunch table because he didn’t have a juice box like everyone else. Teenagers and adults stop at the neighborhood convenient store and pick up a 20 oz. bottle of Red Pop, and run the risk of walking around with a bright red tongue…but its okay. In Detroit, the Red Pop tongue is normal. (smile) Maybe, like me, someone enjoyed the flavor of Rock & Rye–sitting trying to figure out the specific flavors that make up the mysteriously sweet and smooth Pop. Certainly Faygo has earned its place in Detroit history!
I’ve seen flavors come and flavors come like breaking news, and I’ve seen flavors go like a burning piece of paper. Faygo is always creating new Pop to deliver to their fans that will always bring a beaming smile to their face.
I hope you will agree with me that Pop is real and it exists thanks to Faygo Pop! (smile) I hope you’re not being too judgemental of people who say Pop instead of Soda. If you are, you should be careful…be very careful! Faygo Pop is on the move and becoming widespread! Visit www.faygo.comto find the location nearest you that supplies Faygo Pop!
I have made it a point to provide as many Detroit based products that can be delivered anywhere in the USA…Faygo can be added to the list! Visit the Pop Shop at: www.faygopops.com!
Splurge a little and enjoy a serving of Faygo…POP…not soda!
Posted in Drinks, Special Weeks, Thirsty Thursday || 2 Comments