Let Them Eat Wings

This weekend I took a very long road trip to Buffalo NY, all in the name of delicious buffalo wings, and we weren't disappointed. We started out running a fun .5K which pretty much adds up to .3 mi, or about 1 city block. Once we got to the finish line in Dunn Tire Park, we started our wing tasting round. The wings were served with all types of flavors. We had Asian flavors, traditional buffalo wing flavors, lemon pepper, BBQ, and garlic. The wings were cooked different ways, we had slow smoked, grilled, and fried. All variations were delicious, but we had to pick favorites. The Lafayette Tap Room, 391 Washington Street Buffalo, NY, was by far the best. This place had a wing that would make you give your last dollar for another taste. The Lafayette Tap Room used a delicious rub on the wings, and then smoked the wings until the meet was falling off, topping it off with a variety of sauces. The sauce was delicious and if offered to purchase, I would have definitely taken a bottle home. Rounding out runner up, Swings, 3204 Bailey Ave Buffalo NY. 14215. Swings, are the self proclaimed Wing Specialists. The title is well deserved. Swings served fried boneless wings with a lemon pepper sauce that was out of this world.

After consuming wings for 2 hours we cleansed out pallets on cool watermelon, butter dipped roasted corn on the cob, and fruit smoothies. I suggest anyone that is a fan of wings check out this National Buffalo Wing Festival annually, Labor Day weekend.

This being my first food festival, I will defiantly be attending more. I'll keep you posted.

Foodie Engineer

Chicken Soup for the Soul

This weekend, I felt like some comfort food, and pizza, pasta, and burgers were out of the question with my new health kick. So rather than just order a pizza or run over to Burger King, I made a pot of chicken soup. I have been occasionally cooking the white meat portion of the turkey, and have kept the bones from the turkey and stored them in the freezer. So this weekend I boiled the bones to make a broth for about an hour with some salt. After the water was flavored with the turkey, I strained the broth.

Now to make the soup, all I did was poach 2 big chicken breast, by poaching, I mean boiling. Once that was cooked pretty much I let the chicken breast cool and pulled the chicken into chunks. While the chicken cooled, I sauteed onions and celery in a bit of olive oil. When those veggies were soft I poured the broth in, and put fresh green beans, and baby carrots, when the veggies were just about done I dumped the chicken in and started bringing in the flavor, salt, pepper, Mrs. Dash, oregano, bay leaves whatever you flavor your chicken with. When the chicken was about done, I tasted my creation and adjust it. Finally I dumped some frozen corn in the soup. Yummy in my tummy!!

This sounds like a lot, but if you do multiple things while the broth is being made, then you can get this done easily.

I purposely didn't bring up measurements because they are not necessary in this situation and will just slow you down,

Speedy Morning

I thought I would share with you my new endeavor. Since I have moved closer to NY, I have put on a few pounds. So in an effort to to get control of my health before my 30th birthday, I am embarking on a fitness and nutrition challenge. I am determined to find a way to eat great food, workout regularly and still have time to relax and sleep.

I am about a week into my plan and so far so good, I have my eye on the prize.

So this morning I was thinking about how fast I get ready for work, and still prepare a delicious, simple and healthy meal. Today, I made a great breakfast of egg whites, out of the carton, with about 1tbs of mozzarella on a slice of toast, topped with fresh salsa that I got at the store the other day, and a little bit of orange juice to drink. The meal was satisfying and very flavorful, and only around 200 calories.

Make sure you eat healthy and eat the right things so that when you have the occasion of eating something completely unhealthy you will not regret it and you can enjoy it without the guilt, because you will be in the gym burning it off.

So make sure you don't skip breakfast, especially because it can take you know time to get a complete and healthy meal. (Protein, carb, and fruit and vegetables.

Foodie Engineer

Awww Shoot Rajpoot

Aww Shoot Rajpoot,

During my day job we rarely go to lunch, (I don't know if you have noticed the gas prices....needless o say I pack a lunch) and the only place we go is a small Indian restaurant in Parlin, NJ, called Rajpoot. Being a very inexperienced Indian cuisine foodie, I look to my co-workers to guide me through the experience. I must say the guides were correct in selecting this small establishment. Rajpoot has a lunch buffet that is not so overwhelming that you don't know where to start, and not so small that you leave hungry, and unsatisfied. If I had to pick my top choices at Rajpoot, it would be the Tandoori Chicken, Chickentikka Masala, Chicken Masala is a chicken dish, grilled in the tandoor and reduced with onion, green peppers and creamy tomato sauce garnished fresh coriander, and the carb addict in me has to love the Naan bread. The bread always comes out to the table fresh and crisp. Eating at Rajpoot has given me motivation to go to other Indian restaurants, (Hoysala chat coming soon).

I would like to encourage the un adventurous foodies to step outside your comfort zone of Applebee's, Chili's, Olive Garden, and Qdoba (although I love my grilled chicken burrito), and try your local Rajpoot, or what ever the name of your great indian restaurant.


This blog was posted because I am due for a visit to Rajpoot....overdue infact : )
Foodie Engineer

Oklahoma to New Jersey

Ok, here is the background. I am a mechanical engineer for a big corporation. Although I enjoy my job, my dream career is in the culinary world, so as soon as I have a spare moment, I read about, or explore new restaurants and recipes.

I have been living on my own away from my hometown in Michigan since 2002. Since 2002, I have lived in Oklahoma, Delaware, and now New Jersey. Living in these different states has given me the opportunity to eat at all sorts of restaurants in Oklahoma, Texas, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and New York.

Moving from Oklahoma to Delaware and now New Jersey, the cost of living has given me quite a challenge, and forced me into the kitchen, so I have been honing my skills on the grill this summer, and in the kitchen as well.

I hope to share with you the great restaurants to visit throughout the country, and even around the world.

I like to share what I learn with others, and hope that you will learn and enjoy food along with me as I share with you in my blog.


Foodie Engineer