RECIPE: Ultimate Mac-n-Cheeseposted by snekse

Recently Paul Urban and the rest of his crew at Darwin Bistro won the Ultimate Mac & Cheese Challenge at the Comfort Food Classic. Paul was nice enough to share his winning recipe with me and has also agreed to let me share it with our readers.

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INGREDIENTS:
8 oz. cooked pasta (shells)
1/2 cup cream
1/2 cup Bechamel (see below)
1/4 cup Havarti cheese - grated
1/4 cup white cheddar - grated
5 ea. p&d shrimp (16/20 count)
1/2 oz. langostino meat
2 teaspoons truffle oil (preferably white)
1/5 cup chopped mushrooms
1 oz. caramelized onions
2 tsp. chopped garlic
2 tsp. chopped shallot
1 oz. white wine
1 crab claw for garnish
shaved Grana Padano for garnish
1 green onion sliced razor thin and shocked for garnish
salt & pepper to taste
1 tsp. canola or blended oil

INSTRUCTIONS:

* get a large saute pan hot with blended oil in it, medium heat. add the garlic and shallot and saute until lightly browned, then add the onion and mushroom.
* saute vegetables until 90% cooked, about 2 minutes and deglaze with white wine.
* return the pan to the heat and reduce the wine - 2 minutes. Add your bechamel and cream. Allow the bechamel and cream at least 2 minutes to combine and slightly thicken.
* add your shrimp and langostino meat to the Bechamel, continue to simmer 2 minutes.
* add both Havarti and white cheddar to the pan and toss to combine and melt
* add the noodles, truffle oil and s&p, toss to combine.
* taste and adjust seasoning

** to plate - pour the pasta into a bowl. stab the meat end of the claw into the pasta and garnish with grana and prepared green onions.

For the Béchamel Sauce

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup milk (1%)
1 oz. butter
1 oz. flour
1 tsp. of each of the following:
chopped garlic
chopped shallot
fresh thyme
fresh rosemary
1 oz. white wine
1 tsp. olive or canola oil

INSTRUCTIONS:

*in a small pan, melt the butter and add the flour. whisk to combine until a pale yellow consistency forms. Set this pan aside.
*in a sauce pot, sautee all remaining dry ingredients in oil over medium heat
*when fragrant - about 2 minutes, deglaze with white wine
*after wine has reduced, add cream and milk and bring just to a simmer
*simmer for approximately 10 minutes, stirring occasionally
*vigorously whisk in roux and simmer an additional 5 minutes until thickened
*pass bechamel through a fine mesh strainer while still hot

yield: 1/2 cup - 3/4 cup

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Thanks to Paul for sharing this recipe. If you make it, share your pictures with us and we'll post them here.

Tags || RECIPE | MAC-N-CHEESE | DARWIN BISTRO | PAUL URBAN | COMFORT FOOD | CONTEST | more... | MACARONI AND CHEESE | FOOD | GFC |

Omaha on $40 a Dayposted by snekse

We've all seen the show. Pick a city and see how well you can eat for just $40 a day. Well, we decided to throw a little contest to see who could do it best. And now we have a winner!

I'd like to truly thank all those who participated. I really wish I had enough prizes to give to everyone because they really all were great menus for different reasons. But alas, we had to make a decision. Before we reveal the winner, let me present the menus we received. In no particular order, here is Omaha on $40 a Day.

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By Nan T

Breakfast @ Summer Kitchen

• Prince Charles Omelette: 3 egg omelette with grilled chicken breast, broccoli, almonds, onions, Monterey Jack cheese, and hollandaise, served with hashbrowns or fruit and toast or a fresh-baked muffin - $7.99
• 9-oz juice of your choice - $1.59

Cost : $11.79 with 7% tax and 15% tip

Lunch @ Jaipur

• Vegetable Curry with Rice, served with Mulligatawny soup and salad. - $7.50
• Mango Lassi - $2.75

Cost: $12.62 with 7% tax and 15% tip

Morning or Afternoon Snack @ Crane Coffee

• Turtle Latte - Espresso, steamed milk, chocolate, caramel and praline, whipped topping ($3.30 for 16-oz size)

Cost: $4.00 with 7% tax and $0.47 in tip bucket

Dinner @ Mediterranean Bistro

• Combo Kabob - 3 pieces chicken kabob & 2 pieces of shish (beef tenderloin) with grilled fresh vegetables, served with basmati rice & choice of soup or salad - $7.75
• Persian Hot Tea - $1.50
  

Cost: $11.39 with 7% tax and 15% tip

Total: $39.80

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By Brian O'M **

Breakfast @ Miracle Hills Cafe

• Anything - Between $5 to $7
  

Cost: Less than $10.00 with 7% tax and 15% tip

Lunch @ Stokes

• WORLD FAMOUS (ALMOST) SHARON'S CHICKEN ENCHILADAS:
  chicken & cheese enchiladas with white sauce, poblano sauce, beans & rice - $8.65
  
• -OR-
  
• YAYA'S SAUSAGE:
  andouille & chorizo sausages with cowboy beans, green chile & tortillas - $8.95

Cost: ~$11.00 with 7% tax and 15% tip

Dinner @ Surfside Club

• Fried Catfish - $12.00
• -OR-
• Fried Chicken - $10.00
• Corn Fritters - FREE
  

Cost: ~$15.00 with 7% tax and 15% tip

Total: ~$36.00

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By Stacy W

Breakfast @ 11-Worth Cafe

• Biscuits and Gravy (really any breakfast item on the menu is excellent) - $4.50

Cost: $5.54 with 7% tax and 15% tip

Lunch @ Stella's

• Cheeseburger - $3.25
• Fries - $1.00
• Ice Tea - $1.00
  

Cost: $6.46 with 7% tax and 15% tip

Dinner @ Nicola's

• Tortellini al Formaggio & Prosciutto - $12.95
  (includes salad and bruschetta)
  

Cost: $15.93 with 7% tax and 15% tip

After Dinner Dessert @ Jobber's Canyon

• Chocolate Bread Pudding - $4.50

Cost $5.54 with 7% tax and 15% tip

Total: $33.47 (Allowing for a couple of drinks in there somewhere)

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By Amy P

Breakfast @ Radial Cafe

• One can't miss this traditional diner in the heart of midtown. Must try the gut-busting Radial Raft, a huge plate of hashbrowns, biscuits, gravy, and eggs cooked to order - $5.95
  

Cost: $7.35 with 7% tax and 15% tip

Lunch @ Bohemian Cafe

• As if the huge breakfast wasn't enough, a trip to the "Bohem" is a must for anyone with roots in eastern Europe. The Czech goulash is ridiculously good, and make sure to add a side of dumplings and gravy for the full experience. A favorite of my grandmother, the Bohemian is in my rotating cycle of where to take guests visiting Omaha for the first time.
• Goulash - 6.75
• Side Dumplings - $2.15
  

Cost: $10.95 with 7% tax and 15% tip

Dinner @ Darwin Bistro

• Run by culinary students, this bargain restaurant gives the glamour of fine dining without the pricetag. Great service and high quality food, even with a free amuse bouche, Darwin is somewhere to come again and again. Great entree choice- Crispy Duck, a bargain at only - $17. [ED: Darwin has recently raised their prices, this dish is now $21 ]
  

Cost: $25.84 with 7% tax and 15% tip

Total: $39.35 [ED: $44.14]

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By Foodie E **

Brunch @ Taxi's

• Belgian Waffle with strawberries and whipped cream served with fruit or potatoes $7.50

Cost: $9.23 with 7% tax and 15% tip

Lunch @ Barrett's Barleycorn

• Famous Pork Tenderloin sandwich: pork tenderloin lightly breaded and served with cheese, mayo, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and onions. Served with chips and a pickle. Only served on Thursdays and Fridays - $7.95

Cost: $9.78 with 7% tax and 15% tip

Happy Hour @ Bianco's

• Spedini di calimari: skewered squid with seasoned bread crumbs, grilled, flash-fried with fresh lemon, tomato basil sauce - $4

Cost: $4.92 with 7% tax and 15% tip

Small Dinner @ TasTe

• Beet & Goat Cheese Salad - $5.5
• Sweet Potato Fries with Basil Aioli -$4.5
  

Cost: $12.31 with 7% tax and 15% tip

Dessert @ Gelato Jo's

• Small cup of any tasty gelato - $2.50

Cost: $2.95 with 7% tax and 10% tip

Total: $39.19

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By snekse

Brunch @ Taxi's Grill

• Blackstone Eggs: Poached eggs, tomatoes, bacon on English muffin with jalapeño hollandaise - $8.95

Cost: $11.02 with 7% tax and 15% tip

Lunch @ Amsterdam Falafel & Kabob

• Doner Kabob & Curry Fries: Thin sliced lamb, fresh vegetable salad and choice of garlic or spicy sauce in toasted bread - $7.50

Cost: $9.02 with 7% tax and $1 tip

Dinner @ Spezia

• Gnocchi Alla Pollo - Seared chicken breast, cremini mushrooms and fresh baby spinach served over gorgonzola cream - $15.95

Cost: $19.63 with 7% tax and 15% tip

Total: $39.67

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And the winner is...

Stacy W

We liked his off-the-beaten-path/not-in-many-tourist-guide-books selections, yet finishes elegantly at Nicola's which is said to be one of the more underrated places in the Old Market. Congratulations Stacy!

For all of his hard work, he had won a snazzy Omaha Prime Discount Card.

Other dishes mentioned as potential contenders included Cinnamon rolls at Sweet Magnolias, Imperial Chicken at the Rice Bowl, pizza at Mama's, the Bo-Pork or the Ranchera Enchiladas at Rivera's Mexican, Steak Philly and Fries at PepperJax, Chocolate Gelato at Gelato Jo's , The Bagel Bin, Donut Stop on 13th, a Little King 6" sandwich, the Prix Fixe menu at Sage Bistro and an enthusiastic "Runza, Runza, Runza!"

If you'd like to submit your own version of Omaha on $40 a Day, send your menu to us and we'll add it to this list.

** These people were not eligible to win, but we appreciate their participation.

RELATED LINKS:
CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENT: Omaha on $40 a Day
Tags || RACHEL RAY | $40 A DAY | OMAHA | RESTAURANTS | TRAVEL | TIPS | more... | FOOD | CONTEST | GFC |

CONTEST: Omaha on $40 a Dayposted by snekse

Announcing GFC's first contest!

Omaha on $40 a Day

I hinted about it earlier, now it's official. Time to put your thinking caps on and create a menu ala Rachael Ray that would highlight what Omaha has to offer for those on a budget. The winner gets a small prize that will help stretch those dollars even further - a 2007/2008 Omaha Prime Discount Card full of BOGO coupons for Omaha restaurants and more.

All you have to do to win this fabulous prize is to your recommendations of how to best feed yourself with just $40. Judging will be completely subjective, but bonus consideration will be given to the lists that exhibit both culinary and fiscal creativity and those that showcase local Omaha spots that uniquely represent our city. And of course it has to be Yumm-O.

RULES

• Must stay within the greater Omaha area (Lincoln is too far)
  
• Must specify 3+ restaurants to visit
• Must provide example dishes you might order along with the estimated price of the item
• Must include 7% tax (the highest amount in Omaha)
• Must include gratuity (15% standard, 10% buffet, etc...)
• Cannot use discounts that expire (happy hours are fine)
  
• Cannot exceed $40 total
  
• Entries must be received by July 25th (winner announced on the 27th)
  

EXAMPLE

I was waiting to officially announce the contest until after I had my own $40 a Day menu planned out. It proved a lot more difficult than I had anticipated, so I'm giving a "version" here. I might have another version ready when the winner is announced. So until then, here is my Omaha on $40 a Day menu.

Taxi's Grill (Brunch)
Blackstone Eggs - Poached eggs, tomatoes, bacon on English muffin with jalapeño hollandaise
$8.95 ($11.02 w/ tax + 15% tip)

Amsterdam Falafel & Kabob (Lunch)
Doner Kabob & Curry Fries - Thin sliced lamb, fresh vegetable salad and choice of garlic or spicy sauce in toasted bread
$7.50 ($9.02 w/ tax + $1 tip)

Spezia (Dinner)
Gnocchi Alla Pollo - Seared chicken breast, cremini mushrooms and fresh baby spinach served over gorgonzola cream
$15.95 ($19.63 w/ tax + 15% tip)

TOTAL: $39.67

Of course the last one could be substituted with any good Italian restaurant here in Omaha. Pasta is cheap, so it's a great budget meal.

To help you keep under budget, here are two great resources to browse menus of local area eateries.
List of Omaha Restaurants with Websites
Omaha Menus Online

Can you do better? Let's hope so. GOOD LUCK!

RELATED LINKS:
RESTAURANT REVIEW: Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano
RESTAURANT REVIEW: Bianco Ristorante Italiano

Tags || DISCOUNTS | OMAHA | RESTAURANTS | $40 A DAY | RACHAEL RAY | FOOD | more... | GFC |