American – Page 2 – Smriti "Simmi" D. Isaac

Posted on April 25, 2011 by Simmi D. Isaac — 2 Comments

Blueberry Cheesecake Extraordinare: Not Available In Stores!

Holidays are occasions for grand productions in the kitchen so as to produce grand results on the table. The most recent holiday commonly known as Easter was the latest such occasion for one such production. But each production has a pièce de résistance, and in this case, it was dessert. And no ordinary dessert was this: it was a most decadent German Cheesecake made in the authentic style of no-crust and having cottage-cheese as a dominant ingredient. Plus, it was made from scratch with the most wholesome ingredients, no preservatives or artificial anything, thank you very much, and made with all the love we (i.e., my firstborn and I) could spare in an exercise of this magnitude!

And if you think all this is too divine and couldn’t get any better than that, well, it actually could– and did– thanks to the magnificent garnish of the freshest of fresh blueberries that we topped it with. Strawberries are so passe, we think, and so blueberries it was!

See for yourself what I mean!

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Posted on April 23, 2011 by Simmi D. Isaac — 1 Comment

Pumpkin Bread Cupcakes: Made (w/ Love) To Give Away!

So, last weekend, my firstborn was in an exceptionally generous frame of mind– even more so than her normal self which is still excessive in my opinion– and became possessed to bake a batch of Pumpkin Bread Cupcakes. All so that she could give them away to friends. For no special reason at all, I was told. Well, I of course, had no intention to protest whether or not there was a reason for the occasion, and especially because such generous bouts of temperament usually meant that I (and others in the family) would also be the beneficiary of such generosity!

And so here they are: a grand batch of the moistest Pumpkin Bread Cupcakes, glazed with Cream Cheese Frosting and decorated with a simple heart shape. What could say, I’m So Glad You’re My Friend better than that?

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Posted on April 18, 2011March 27, 2015 by Simmi D. Isaac — Leave a comment

The Byblos Burger: Not For The Fainthearted!

Last week, I had the pleasure of going out to lunch with a colleague to a local favorite joint: Byblos. I’d been there before, so I knew what to expect: menus that folded out like newspapers, fast and courteous service, and fare that focused on standard middle-eastern staples. But this time, I wanted to try something more mainstream– and a house favorite, I was told: the Byblos Burger. As you can see, what it was, was an enormous double-patty burger with the works and a side of fries. I polished off the fries without a worry, but the burger I had to deconstruct carefully, and had only the one patty and the top bun! The rest I boxed for later!

My friend had the Mujaddera Wrap, a strictly vegetarian wrap made with red lentils, spinach and cheese (I’m forgetting what kind). I was told that it was delicious, and I confirmed it myself by taking a small bite.

See for yourself some pictures taken of this little hole-in-the-wall campus restaurant. If you’re ever in the neighborhood, you must pop in for lunch!

Posted on April 16, 2011 by Simmi D. Isaac — Leave a comment

Death By A Brownie Sundae

Yes, that’s what it will feel like: death. Death because you’ll feel like you’ve died and gone to heaven! Presented here is a pan of brownies made by my firstborn. Brownies that have both white AND dark chocolate chips in it. And served with a scoop of a premium chocolate icecream, I don’t know if there’s a word out there to describe what that tastes like. Perhaps death? This is TO DIE FOR, for sure!

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Posted on April 14, 2011January 19, 2013 by Simmi D. Isaac — 2 Comments

The Boar's Head: A Chicago-Style Delicatessen

So, here’s the thing: when you go on vacation, make it good so the memories last a while. And you know what else? Share those memories with your loved ones– with your pictures and stories.

Well, here’s my latest offering of an ordinary lunch experience of a hot-dog and kettle chips during one of our fun-filled sightseeing days in San Antonio, Texas from a couple of months ago. We had stopped into this restaurant with a curious name: The Boar’s Head. And we soon discovered that the hotdogs over there were not Texas-style (whatever those might be like!); these were Chicago-style dogs!

The hotdogs were terrific as were the kettle chips that went with it. And the artwork on the walls was cool in the most intriguing way! But best of all was the company I had while chomping down on my dog: my honey, aka, my sweet husband!

Viva la Chicago-style hotdogs at the Boar’s Head!

Posted on March 27, 2011 by Simmi D. Isaac — 2 Comments

Late Night Post-Concert Celebrations At The Neighborhood Grille

Two-and-a-half hours of listening to the most fantastic live music ranging from several marching band tunes to Tchaikowsky’s Symphony No. 4 in F Minor will leave you physically ravenous at the end of the concert. Trust me. I would know, given that I was a thrilled spectator in the audience of just such a concert last evening. And so, one can only imagine how much more ravenous the players in that concert might have been. Well, I would know that too! Given that two of those players belong to me as I was one of the proud parents witnessing the incredible performances that they were part of. A post to aforementioned incredible concert is right here.

Well, so where does one go when its getting late and you want a quick bite? You go to the local neighborhood grille, of course, aka, Applebees. Their Appetizer Sampler is perfect for four people because there’s two of everything: Mozzarella Sticks, Boneless Hot Chicken Fingers, Quesadilla Corners, and lots of Nachos with four kinds of Dips, including a Hot Spinach-Artichoke one. And as for desserts, well, the Triple-Chocolate Meltdown and the Maple Butter Blondie hit the spot right-on.

And what did we wash all this down with? Why, the Classic Mojitos, of course. Oh, and Diet Sodas for the teetotalers, of course.

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Posted on March 25, 2011 by Simmi D. Isaac — 1 Comment

Twice Baked Potatoes with Poached Eggs and Other Goodies

I happen to share a roof with three very creative individuals, two of whom are exceptionally bold and creative in the kitchen. (Hmmm, I wonder where they get that from?!) So, this is a post that is late by a couple of weeks, but is one that is no less a jewel of a post for two reasons: first, it happens to be made by two of the most adorable creatures I know (aforementioned super-creative beings), and second, because these two creatures practically created this out of their imagination– inspired by a chance viewing of a somewhat similar dish on a TV-show.

So, what these are, are Twice Baked Potatoes with Poached Eggs and Other Goodies. Take a look at the slideshow below for how these were put together:

Posted on March 20, 2011 by Simmi D. Isaac — Leave a comment

The Clarkston Union Woodshop: A Great Place to Eat!

So, where do you go to eat when you drive up an hour and a half to meet an old friend? You go downtown, of course. And head out to the most famous little restaurant on Main Street– the Clarkston Union. But then you realize there’s a 45 minute wait for a table, and so you decide to head down the road to the next best place: The Clarkston Union Woodshop.

And you’re pleasantly surprised. Because you find the place just as charming and hopping with the Sunday afternoon crowd of locals and others perhaps like me who’re visiting with friends and family in the area. The place is truly charming, and when the waitress brings out the menus, we learn that the restaurant has recently been christened a 2011 Restaurant of the Year as per the Detroit Free Press. Not bad at all!

And what do we order? A super-sized Burrito that comes with sweet potatoes, spinach, spanish rice, black beans, cheese, and a dollop of sour cream. And a Blackened Catfish Sandwich that comes with a Red Cabbage Slaw and Black Beans and Rice on the side. Mmmm!

Here’s what it all looked like. But the truly best part was catching up with my dear friend, Anu. There’s nothing like facetime. Facebook doesn’t even come close!