Shepard's Pie, Faith Style

I know it's been awhile since I last posted, sorry. I've been working really hard to maintain my grades. School is really important to me. Good news, I've been accepted in the Advanced Placement Program! Woot Woot.  But enough about that for now, let's talk  food :)

Shepard's Pie. I made up this quick and easy version for my family and we ate it a lot this winter. They gobbled it up every time. Hope you like it too. Here are the ingredients you will need:

1 lb ground beef or turkey
2 cans cream of mushroom soup (or one of the large cans)
one cup of cream (you can substitute here- fat free milk or half and half)
1 can of peas
1 can of carrots
mushrooms, you can use either 1 can or fresh (I prefer canned because they cook faster)
1 large onion, diced
dash of salt and pepper
1-2 tbls Worshechire sauce
2 cups left over mashed potatoes  or you can use a ready made crust for more of a pot pie flavor, just roll out the pre-made dough according to the directions and place in the bottom of pie plate, like I did in the picture below. We prefer the mashed potatoes, but either way is yum.

Cook the chopped onion in a large skillet until it's translucent, then add the ground meat. Brown the chop meat, then drain off any excess fat.

Mix in the cream of mushroom soup then add the vegetables and spices to taste. Mix together on medium to low heat  and then add the cream (or milk). Add in only a couple of the ingredients at a time because you want it to be mixed thoroughly.

cook the mixture until it's creamy and bubbly like this

 

Pour mixture into 9 inch pie dish. Scoop mashed potatoes over entire top of pie. Or place 1/2 inch stips of dough down over top. Cook  in 350 oven for approximately twenty minutes or until all ingredients are bubbly and aromatic.

I like to melt a little butter and brush it across the top of the crust to make it nice and brown

There will be extra mixture-this yields enough to make two pies. I make two at once for our family of five to eat but you can freeze the other and save it for another night.

This is a quick, inexpensive and very filling family meal. Hope you enjoy!

The Franklin Food Works

Hi guys! Really sorry  that I'm a day late with this post, but I just had toe surgery and my foot hurts really bad. Now- on to my review. Today I am reviewing the Franklin Foodworks. 

Let me start by saying, I was very surprised at the variety and overall selection The Franklin Food Works offers. They have everything from grilled flank steaks to cheese pizza! This is what Faith's a Foodie is talking about! I love variety and lots of choices like this. So the kids that want the same old chicken nuggets, can get them, but a kid like ME can have something a little different. YAY!

It was my sister's birthday and the cashier, gave her a free ice cream! This is Hall. He was so nice!

We arrived at the Food Works around 12:30 so it was at the hight of the lunch time rush. It was crowded, (and a little loud) but clean and the servers were extremely nice.  It is set up cafeteria style and has very reasonable prices. I sampled a little of every one's food. That included: myself, my two sisters, my dad, my mom and my grandma. We had:

1. Chicken Caesar Salad
2. French Fries
3. Chicken fingers
4. Grilled chicken sandwhich
5. Minestrone soup
6. Corn Chowder (vegan, gluten and dairy free)
7. Chilli
8. Turkey Club
9. Chicken salad sandwhich

My chicken caesar salad had garlicky, buttery, homemade croutons that were delish! It was a big portion, with nice white chicken breast and fresh romaine lettuce. I liked it a lot. The french fries were flash fried and SO good. (Even my grandma had some, and she doesn't eat fries very often)

Me, really enjoying my fries!

The chicken fingers were large, good quality and cook perfectly. The grilled chicken sandwhich was tender and juicy and the portion of chicken breast was nice.

My favorite thing about the Food Works was the soups. You may sample any of the soups you'd like, for  free. And I like! So, my favorite was the minestrone. The base was well seasoned and it was chock full of veg and beans. Loved it!

If you are Kosher, or need  a dairy free choice, a vegan or vegetarian, the  Corn Chowder would be the way to go. My mom ordered it and wanted to lick her bowl! I tasted it, and liked it very much. It's wonderful to have all of these options.

All in all, I was very surpised at how much we liked our experience and food at the Franklin Food Works, and can't wait to go back again.

On the weekend, the Franklin has Kitchen Science Programs! Cool thing to check out.

Remember, if it's not yum, don't eat some!

Hi Remember Me?

Hi - Remember me? Sorry I haven't posted in such a long  time, but this summer has been CRAZY!

My summer vacation has been filled with  lots of birthdays, parties, fun, and most  importantly, FOOD. My goal is starting September 13th, to be posting more regularly (like every week to two weeks) once I get back to my normal schedule.

School is very important to me and I try very hard to achieve straight A's all year long. That is why in the  summer it's harder for me to focus and write. I also like to give my brain a nice long break.  LOL

My next post will be going up very soon.  If I didn't have to go school shopping today, I would have already been done with my next review. Look for  it in the  very near future, I am reviewing the cafeteria inside the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, PA. An outstanding place to visit and (surprisingly) eat!

Catch you later!

Faith

Reviews for Peter Shields Inn and Restaurant, Cape May, NJ

Hello Everyone! I'd like to give my first fine dining restaurant review on the Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant, in Cape May, New Jersey. I am also being interviewed on my stay at the inn, by Jaybird over at The Bird's Nest. Please check that out as well.

Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant, 1301 Ocean Drive, Cape May, NJ

My biggest thanks to the proprietor Jeff, who made my birthday extra special by bringing me into the kitchen to meet Chef Carl Messick! Chef Carl welcomed me into his kitchen, took me on a tour of his walk ins and allowed me to pepper him with questions while he and his sous chefs were getting ready for dinner service. Amazing!

Jeff, sous chef, Executive Chef Carl Messick, and I

Chef Carl and I, in the kitchen!@!!

I have to admit to being a little "shy" around such a culinary talent, however, Chef Carl was down to earth, kind, approachable and more than eager to answer any and all of my questions. This humble genius encouraged me to keep my passion for food and cooking alive. I hope to one day, be the kind of stand up Chef he is, and make him proud!

NOW, let's start with the dinner service. The dining room has beautiful ocean views and was quiet and relaxing. Our server Chris, was quick, efficient and extremely attentive and helpful with suggestions on what to order. (He even told us that for his birthday celebration, he took his family back to the PSI for dinner.

Our fabulous server Chris!

I tasted a bit of everything that was ordered, so I could give a great description for you all. I was not disappointed with anything I tasted, at all.  For starters our table ordered:
The Crispy Calamari Lemon Chili Gastrique and Micro Cilantro- It was so light and crispy and the cilantro was a great hit at the back of your palette! Chef Carl perfected an old favorite and threw it a modern twist.

The potato leek soup I had anticipated was not on the menu, instead, the more seasonally appropriate Early Summer Corn Soup, Chipolte Lobster Salad was- and what a treat it was too!

This soup is savory and creamy with just the right amount of lobster. Truly outstanding. It appears on the Chef's Tasting Menu, which is highly recommended.   Faith's A  Foodie rates this soup *****
The highest rating!

I ordered the Hudson Valley Foie Gras Grilled Brioche Toast, Cherry Puree and a Rubarb Marmalade. Now, most kids would probably shy away from  ordering the Foie Gras, but I am going to tell you friends, to GO FOR IT. It was delicious!

Hudson Valley Foie Gras Grilled Brioche Toast, Cherry Puree and a Rubarb Marmalade WOW

Yellowfin Tuna Tartare Shooter, a little "present" from Chef Carl, which everyone at my table, proceeded to devour.

My favorite course of the entire evening!

Before our entrees, Chef Carl presented us with another "present"- I believe this was my favorite of all the dishes I sampled- the Jumbo Lump Crab Salad, Smoked Salmon Mache Toasted Almonds and Basil Aioli Faith's a Foodie Highest Rating ***** A simple, must order. Just so you know, I'm not even all that fond of crab. Boy, did Chef Carl change my mind about that!

For the entree, I ordered the PSI Surf& Turf. It was Grilled Hanger Steak Local Day Boat Scallops a Truffle Risotto Asparagus Bordelaise Horseradish Foam

With this entree, you can't go wrong. It was everything I thought it would be, and more. The horseradish foam complimented the hanger steak beautifully. The scallops were seared to perfection! The risotto was a truffle creamy delight to eat. The asparagus had a little bite and I loved it- This is the entree to order.  Faith's A Foodie Highest Rating *****

 

Now, on to what you've all been waiting for:  DESSERT!!! Before we started, Chef Carl sent out, you guessed it,  ANOTHER PRESENT! Mango Sorbet (BTW, best birthday present ever)

The mango sorbet was light, cool and refreshing. The perfect compliment to a hot summer day. It contains no dairy either, if that's a concern. This is yet another  must order for you! I could have eaten scoop after scoop after scoop..well, you get the idea.

Contrary to what I was going to order (the creme brulee and lava cake)  I decided to change my mind
and order the: Warm English Date Pudding with homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Caramel
Simply put, it was the BEST dessert I have ever had! Faith's A Foodie ***** Highest Rating

FOR my final recommendation: The Peter Shield Inn & Restaurant is the place to eat in Cape May. They killed it across the board in my review, receiving the FAITH'S A FOODIE ***** Absolute highest rating.  Please go to http://jabirdsnest.blogger.com  for an interview and complete review of the Inn. Thank You!! If any of you have further questions about a particular dish, additional questions and/or recommendations you would like me to make, please feel free to drop me a comment!

IF ANY OF MY FRIENDS HERE ON THE BLOG-O-SPHERE EVER FIND THEMSELVES IN THE CAPE MAY AREA, PLEASE GO VISIT THE PETER SHIELDS INN & RESTAURANT. YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED.  MAKE SURE YOU TELL THEM,  FAITH's A FOODIE SENT YA!!

 As always, DON'T FORGET, If it's not YUM, don't eat some!

Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant

I'm so excited to report that after wanting to get a taste of the menu at the Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant, down in Cape May, I am going to be able to go there for my birthday!!

Out of all the restaurants in Cape May, I want to review and visit the PSI the most. I have poured over every detail of their menu, and have already decided what I want to sample/order.

Here are a couple of pictures of the amazing restaurant, just killing it in their reviews:

As of this moment, here is what I intend to sample and review (in detail) from Executive Chef Carl Messick:

Appetizer: The truffle potato leek bisque, with smoked bacon, creme fraiche and micro herbs

Entree: the PSI surf& turf grilled hanger steak with local day boat scallops, truffle risotto, asparagus, bordelaise with a horseradish foam.

Dessert: I'm torn between the chocolate lava cake with rasberry reduction and the creme brulee. Still a bit undecided. Maybe, because it's my birthday, my parents will let me order both, to share!!

I simply can't wait to go- and then come back and post my review! Look for it in the very near future. Have any of you had the pleasure of eating there? Do you have a recommendation for me to sample? Until I can sample this amazing menu for myself, I will try and contain my excitement. Remember,Faith's #1 Rule, if it's not Yum, Don't Eat Some!!

Kid's Meals: Faith's #1 Pet Peeve

OK, here's my first rant. I have a bone to pick with most chain restaurants. They assume all kids like to eat the same old junk. Three yucky fried chicken nuggets/strips, a hot dog, or mini-cruddy pizza, or one small "slider", mushy mac & cheese? These are not my idea of a great choices for a meal!! I almost never order food off the kid's menu, because the choices they provide stink!

Here, in my opinion, are the worst offenders: #1 TGI Fridays, #2 Applebee's, #3 IHOP, #4 Red Lobster.

In my opinion, here are the best: The Cheesecake Factory, Olive Garden, Cracker Barrel, Outback, The Chicken or The Egg (better known to Jersey Shore residents as The Chegg if you don't live in the area, I feel bad for you. Cause The Chegg is AWESOME:).

I'd like to see more restaurants take note of kids with a more refined palette. Offer something that doesn't taste like cardboard and has some spice/kick to it. Just because we're young, doesn't mean are taste buds aren't working. Ugh.

Always remember my slogan, if it's Yum, eat some. Well, the opposite is also true. If it's not Yum, Don't eat Some.

Spam, It's What's For Dinner

This casserole is cheap, easy, and tastes yum-my! Here's how you do it.

List of Ingredients:
One can-o-Spam
2 tbls. Molasses
Baked Beans
Canned Yams (or you can sub cut up sweet potatoes)
1/2 cup Ketchup
Pineapple chunks (approximately one small can, or to taste)

You can start this recipe by cutting up one can of Spam into small cubes. Fry the Spam until crispy.
(This step is not necessary, but makes a huge taste difference.)
Second: Take a deep casserole dish and add the: baked beans, molasses, Spam, ketchup, yams and pineapple chunks. Stir.
Third: Bake on 375 for approximately 30 minutes or until brown and bubbly.

AND that's it! It's cheap, easy and oh, so yum. Not exactly calorie free, this is a very heavy casserole. But if you find yourself with hungry teenagers and you want to fill them up quick, this will definitely do the trick. Enjoy!