Mama Ninfa's Vs. Teotihuacan

Many have urged the Busters to try the original Mama Ninfa's (located on Navigation in Houston, Texas), including that redheaded spitfire Kathy Griffin.

Getting seated...

So we made our way through the traffic at 6 p.m. on a Friday. When we got there the parking lot was packed. After we parked we strolled around the building and saw the line. I went to put our name down with the hostess and she told me just to wait in line, there was no need to leave my name. I was a little concerned. The entrance was packed. It turns out Mama Ninfa prefers a casual seating procedure that makes one appreciate the traditional and comfortable "leave your name, the wait will be 15 to 20 minutes for your name to be called" procedure. We did not stand in line long as another lady made her way down the line offering a seat on the patio. We opted for a seat on the heated patio, since it was freezing Texas-style (I think it was about 50 degrees that night).

Food...

Of course we had to get the queso flameado. It was fantastic. The waitress brought it with home-made flour tortillas. She used two spoons, cut the cheese (insert middle school humor here ) and made four beautiful taquitos. Never once did she touch anything with her hands. The queso was "delicioso." The mix of chorizo and that amazing cheese was perfect. So I was optimistic about the food. I ordered three empanadas, which had three different fillings (it is hard to remember which had what because nothing tasted as it should...I know one had chorizo, another had mole, and the last I can't remember) rice and beans. Buster ordered a combination plate that included an enchilada, taco, rice and beans.

The empandas were decent. The crust was extremely flaky and the filling was edible. When I order something that has the word "mole" in it. I am expecting the sweet, savory sauce that hugs my tummy. I never got that. The rice and beans were good.

Buster felt the same about his plate. Everything was alright. It made me long for Teotihuacan....

Teo's....
Oh MY GOD! I love this place. Not has fancy as Mama Ninfa's. It is very hole in the wall, but it blows Mama Ninfa's out the water. So Saturday morning Buster and I made our way to Teo's (for short) to redeem last nights mediocre meal.

This was our first time eating breakfast there. I got huevos rancheros con fajitas and Buster got chorizo. Both plates came with beans, potatoes, and a tamal. Both dishes were amazing. The tamal was all masa with a sliver of bell pepper. We were worried but it served as a nice bread to help clean the plate.We have been there for dinner a few times...everything we have ordered is good (expect for the shrimp quesdillas). Mama Ninfa's does have a better queso flameado, but Teo's serves them with HOME-MADE CORN TORTILLAS! I am in love.

Verdict:

EAT AT TEOTIHUACAN!

Delicious Disaster! Edamame "Hummus"

I have been wanting to try this recipe for Edamame "Hummus" for a long time and thanks to my mom I was able to. My mom got me a food processor for Christmas this year (actually when it comes to the kitchen I made out this year). This recipe comes from Ellie Krieger on the Food Network. She has such great, simple recipes and offers tons of healthy alternatives.

It is my guess that hummus is quotation marks because this isn't really hummus, but it tastes a lot like hummus and it was so easy to make. I have yet to make traditional hummus so I don't have anything to compare it to.

There is some sadness attached to this delightful green mush. Buster has been so sweet in encouraging me to take pictures and update my blog. Last night while I was making this "Hummus" he grabbed his amazing Panasonic Lumix camera and began taking pics. Being the amazing photographer he set up the bowl and pita chips for the pic below...I picked up the camera and...BOOM...it slipped out of my hands and the lens bent. Now it wont take pictures. B I am so sorry! If anyone knows of an excellent camera repair shop in the Houston area please let me know.

Forgot the Pic of the Bread

Banana Nut Bread...thanks Martha!

I like to make Banana Nut Bread when we have let a bunch of bananas go bad. I found this Banana Nut Bread recipe on-line and made it a few times but it never came out right. This time fate stepped in and I changed my recipe. Buster and I went to HEB to get some missing ingredients and I left my recipe at home. We came back home and I decided to look for a recipe in the Martha Stewart Living Cookbook.

It is a healthy take on the recipe because it calls for whole-wheat flower and ground flax seeds. It was a little dry and needed a little extra kick. I am thinking some cinnamon and nutmeg. If you have any suggestions PLEASE let me know.

I prefer this recipe to my old one and I like the healthy twist. Now I don't feel so guilty for making it.

It's almost the Junk: Sunrise Taquitos 5601 Memorial Drive Houston, Texas

I was sold when I saw the "comadres" in the kitchen: one was working the tortilla dough, the other was cooking in a cast iron skillet, and the other was taking orders.

I ordered a chorizo and potato taco. Buster got a choirzo, egg, and bacon and a migas taco. (Can you tell we love ourselves some chorizo?). The tacos ran about 2 bucks a piece. The salsa was nice and spicy. All and all I recommend it. I wouldn't say it's the junk but it was pretty damn close.