Sugarbaby's and Crave: Houston Cupcakes Are Taking Over

Sugarbaby's is an experience. When you walk into the store you feel like you have entered into a little girl's or little boy's (because I was that kind of boy too) big, pink, and extravagant idea of a tea party. It is cute and there is no other way to describe it. The assortment of cupcakes is overwhelming. There are so many choices and so far all of my choices have been delicious ones.

My visit to Crave was an accident. Buster and I were headed to Uptown Sushi (very good sushi) and saw this place in the same plaza. After dinner we stopped and it was like Jesus wanted us to get these cupcakes. When we walked in the girl behind the counter informed us that they had 5 strawberry cupcakes left. We ordered our two and they other three were gone with an a minute, after which many people left Crave very disappointed and empty handed.

I now know why they run out of all of their cupcakes. These little cakes are wonderful. The icing was nice and sweet and the cake was moist. If this is what the cupcake tastes like at the end of the day I can't wait to try one when they have been freshly baked.

Chinese Burger Joints!

Is it just me or is there a trend in Chinese burger places. Buster took me to Lucky Burger here in Houston. The menu consisted of your typical greasy-burger joint favorites: Burgers, Tater Tots, Fries...and FRIED RICE!

We just got burgers and I am sure the pics let you know what I thought of the food. I am tempted to try the fried rice next time. C&H Burger is another greasy-burger spot in Houston that serves some pretty good Chinese food and some really good and unique burgers. I don't know who came up with this combo but I have to say I love it! Two of my favorite food groups, saucy, fried Chinese food and a greasy burger.

What kind of Mexican am I?

It came to my attention the other day that I don't know how to make much Mexican food. I can make quesadillas, chorizo and eggs, and super-quick tortilla soup, but that's about it. I figured it was time to step up and represent my culture.

My mom had bought 6 dozen corn tortillas and sent me home with half so I needed to get rid of them. I found a from scratch enchilada sauce recipe on-line and after watching Martha's Cooking School segment on making rice, I decided to make Spanish rice.

The rice was a disaster. I went to the store to buy all the ingredients thinking that I had rice, which I did but it was brown rice. I decided to use it any way. I consulted my sister and some online recipes. It looked promising but after the 20 minutes of cooking the rice didn't absorb the liquid.

The enchiladas were good. I got the recipe for the sauce from Recipezaar. It was easy to make and tasted good. My aunt makes some really good enchiladas at her restaurant, El Matador in Dumas, Texas. This sauce doesn't compare to that one, but I am happy with it and now I feel like a Mexican.

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.