Adventures of finding GREAT food!

One of the things Jay and I have in common, is that we like going on adventures to find "The Best of" everywhere we go.

Yes, we have been to the best restaurants with ***** (5 star) ratings and the chef's have trained in every country you can think of, but a lot of times we have discovered tastier foods in some of the most unexpected places.   There are many restaurants that are hidden in each city, with cooks that are not chefs and have no formal training, but have been cooking since they were able to reach their parent's counter top.  They do not cook according to recipes, but to their taste.  The food they make is special, because it has been passed on for generations.  There maybe slight changes, but that's how their great-great-great grandmother cooked.

Last night, we were on a mission to find great Cajun food.  We wanted a true cook from Louisiana and I believe we found it!!  BB's Cafe on Montrose and Westheimer.  I've been craving delicious gumbo for years and have tried MANY restaurants in the city and they all failed.  The restaurant is small, nothing fancy, but the staff is very friendly and honest about the food- EVERYTHING IS DELICIOUS.

The roux is made from scratch.  Flavourful with lots herbs and perfectly sized, seasoned and deveined shrimp.  What I miss about a lot of restaurants is the fact they they forget to season their food.  Not BB's Cafe.  It taste like you are in someone's kitchen in Louisiana and eating from their grandparents.

As far as seasoning goes, isn't that the reason for the Spice Trade in the 15th century with different countries?  Trading spices had been going on for centuries, but countries realized the economic gain for their country and trading become even more popular.  Other civilizations for the first time tasted spices as simple as black pepper, curry and salt...just to name a few.  Most people enjoy the mixing of different flavors and herbs, versus bland food that so many "Distinguished and Award Winning" restaurants offer, but because of the ambiance, everyone flocks there.  Me, I just love great food.  Food prepared by someone that took time and patience and knows how to bring out the best flavors in each dish and understand the importance of spices.  We found that last night, simple, but delicious. 

Chef Tre Wilcox

I must say, the fact that Chef Tre allowed me to pick his brain, felt awesome.  For any "foodie", speaking with people who have worked hard to live their dream, is definitely inspiring! 

The reason I was able to visit this restaurant, is for my really good friend's birthday.   I didn't have high expectations ( sorry Ebo), but it was really yummy!  What really impressed me was the calamari, amongst the other dishes that we ordered.  My favorite calamari has always been at Jasper's, but now, they have competition.

Well stay tuned, because I am an avid pizza lover and can never find pizza that amazes me, but I think I found the spot.  I know we are not in NY, but after I had this pizza made just the way I like it, it was absolutely delish!!

Herb Chicken Wings

Everyone who knows me, would know that I absolutely LOVE chicken.  I can think of so many chicken recipes very easily.  Mainly because, it's really the main protein that I eat.

Chicken can take time, because it has to be cleaned throughly, so this "Herb Chicken" is very quick and easy.   Sometimes I just want to have finger food and have it somewhat healthy at the same time, so I just take my favorite part of the bird and season it with all the herbs that I grew up eating in The Bahamas.

Tell me what you think!

1lb of chicken wings
Kosher salt
Course black pepper
1 half of lemon
1 bunch of thyme
1 bunch of rosemary
1 1/2 tablespoons of crushed garlic
1/2 teaspoon of ground habanero pepper (optional)

Clean chicken wings (I grew up cleaning my chicken with limes).  Season with salt and pepper.   Remove thyme and rosemary leaves and place it in the food processor, add lemon and garlic.  Rub paste on the chicken and marinate for at least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 400 and bake for 20 mins, or until done.   To get the wings crispy on both sides.   Remove from the oven and preheat to high broil.  Turn the wings over on each side until crispy and repeat. They should become crispy in about 4 minutes.

Enjoy!!