New Poll

Simliar, but different...

Whoever voted for Fabio last week, was clearly wrong (that's ok, he was on my team).

So this week I really want to know -- Who do you think will be the next Top Chef????

Don't forget to watch Wednesday February 25 at 10 EST on Bravo.

If you haven't read Tom Colichhio's Blog I highly suggest it! It offers lots of unique insights into the eipsodes: http://www.bravotv.com/top-chef/blogs/tom-colicchio

No Reservations - Disappearing Manhattan

I am so excited to check out this episode of No Reservations tonight. Since I am still a new New Yorker/Manhanttanite (I guess a year and half is still new right?) I can't wait to see which restaurants I must eat at before they "disappear".

Did anyone catch the episode from last week? Philippine cuisine looks interesting, but in a good way. I never really thought about how it was kind of left out of the whole "Asian food" scene...

Anyways, I would definitely suggest checking out the Disappearing Manhattan episode tonight at 10 EST on the Travel channel!

Pomegrante Harvest

Someone from Zodiac Vodka sent me this recipe and it sounds incredible!! Definitely appropiate for Friday or really any day of the week when you need a drink.

Ingredients:

1½ oz. Zodiac Vodka

¾ oz. Pomegranate Schnapps

1 oz. Sweet & Sour

1 oz. Apple Juice

1 oz. Pineapple Juice

1 oz. Sierra Mist

Directions

Couldn't be easier -- Mix Zodiac vodka, pomegranate schnapps, sweet & sour, apple juice and pineapple juice then simply top with a splash of Sierra Mist.

Hello delicious!

Happy Friday and have a good weekend!!!

Red Wine Vinaigrette

There are so many variations of a red wine vinaigrette, its hard to have a favorite. However, this recipe has quickly moved up in my ranks. It's a small recipe so its perfect for one or two salads and if you like what you taste -- make more.

It's a variation on this recipe I wrote about a while ago.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 2 tsp sugar
• pinch of salt
• 1/2 tsp Oregano (really just a pinch)
• 1 small shallot (use half of one if it seems big)
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Honey

Directions:

Combine red wine vinegar, sugar, salt, oregano, shallot and just a touch of honey and whisk together in a bowl. Once that combination is mixed together well slllllllooowwwwwwwwly stream in some EVOO, I would say about 2-3 tablespoons worth, and whisk away.

It's really that easy, the only hard part is trying to hold the bottle of EVOO and whisk at the same time, but you'll manage.

Now if you wondering "why honey?" Good news. I'll tell you. I've made this dressing more times than I can count and I love it, but sometimes the red wine is just too bitter for me. So I find that adding the honey cuts out that bite a bit.

If you like your dressings a little less sweet and a little more, garlic-y (sure, why not), instead of shallow chop up a clove of garlic.

This is great on any salad!

Spice Rubbed Salmon

A little spicy, a little smokey, a lot of good.

This whole meal can be put together in about 15 minutes and is tasty, healthy and delicious.

Ingredients:

- 1 salmon filet

- 1 tsp cumin

- 1 tsp chili powder

- Extra Virgin Olive Oil

- Salt

- Pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl mix together cumin and chili powder (really just a dash of each).

Rub EVOO on salmon, salt and pepper filet, then sprinkle spice mixture on top and pat into the salmon filets.

Place in the oven for 8-10 minutes, and there you go. Done.

Come on how good does that sounds/look?

Lotssssssss of Improvements

So today I spent a good part of the day updating the Frugal Foodies Facebook page and hopefully there will be a lot more to come. If you haven't become a fan I think you should...immediately. Like right now.

Also, I have created a twitter account and am somehow going to connect it to this blog so there will be a mix of RSS feed of post and my own special commentary. 

In addition, you will note that there is now a POLL off to the left hand side, asking you to cast your vote as to who will be the next Top Chef. 

So here is what I need everyone to do: Join my facebook page, follow me on Twitter, and of course, take part in this very scientific and important poll. 

No Reservations - Philippines

So I am going to try out something new here on the Frugal Foodies…every Monday I am going to be writing about the upcoming episode of "No Reservations" which airs on the Travel Channel and features one of my favorite celebrity chefs (although I am sure he would hate me calling him that) Anthony Bourdain.

For those of you that are not familiar with the show, Anthony (or Tony rather), travels around from place to place submerging himself in local culture and cuisine. His no-nonsense attitude makes for an opinionated fair sure to entertain anyone slightly interesting in traveling or food.

This week he travels to the Philippines and form the preview (seen below) it looks like it's going to be a good one!

To read more about Tony's adventures you can check out his blog here.

Let me know if anyone watches the show, I would love to hear what you think!!