Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

A Pulled Pork Sandwich and Cole Slaw, which may be my last meal this year at the Orange County Fair.  Sadly it’s only open 4 more days, but I could possibly squeeze in one more visit.

Since 2008’s theme relates to Cheese, as in “Say Cheese” and the kind you eat, they’re carving up a large block for the entertainment.  It was cool to see, but it also kind of grossed me out, because it had that shiny room temperature look about it.

I was going to try the Fried Spam or Fried Avocado, even though they didn’t sound good, but all had already been fried and were just sitting in the window.  It wasn’t appealing.  If I’m willing to try it I want it made fresh.

Related Link:

http://www.ocfair.com/ocf/

Smoking Meats, Blooming Onions, Chili Cheese Fries, Sausage, Hot Dogs, Chicken, Smoked Turkey Legs, Grilled Corn on the Cob, Smoking Brisket, Kabobs, and a blur of Candy, respectively. 🙂

OC Fair Info – http://www.ocfair.com/ocf/

Some food is great and some just novel experiments.  This day was a combination of both.  We started with Australian Battered Potatoes with Cheese Sauce and Ranch Dressing.  I had read that they’re loved by many, so had to give them a try — And we liked them too.  The batter was cooked perfectly, but they can get heavy after a couple.  I’d probably share them with a few people again.

These Smoked Pork Ribs had a generous amount of meat and flavor.  They were definitely more than fair fare at the Fair. 🙂

And on a different note, there was the Fried White Castle Burger, which I won’t be getting again.  My friend liked it, but it tasted way too greasy for me.  Granted we had already eaten the above, but overall I don’t see its value — But it was fun to try.

The following pictures respectively relate to the three above.

Orange County Fair Info – http://www.ocfair.com/ocf/

This year the cooking / baking contests are rotating, due to lack of refrigeration and cost associated with same.  It makes sense too, since the items are perishable and naturally breakdown.  Last year some entries looked terrible towards the later days of the Fair.  It was somewhat comical to look through the glass to see a shriveled up dessert and say to your friends — I can’t believe that won First Place – HA.

The Contest Categories on display this opening day appeared to be Fudge, Cakes, Scones, Biscuits and Breads.  Next year I’m in.  Registration begins in March 2009 — It’s the Home Arts Division.

There’s also a Table Setting Competition.  The table on the far left won First Place, and the other two are my favorites.  Check the link below to learn about more food related contests and competitions happening at the Fair.

More Orange County Fair Info – http://www.ocfair.com/ocf/

It’s definitely a FOOD FEST and I started with my favorite Brisket Sandwich at Texas BBQ.  It’s the best.  I make sure to get (at least) one every year.  Here’s pics of the stand.  It has a cow on top.

The food options appear never ending at the Orange County Fair.  There truly is something interesting around every corner.  This is just a  small taste of 2008’s opening day, and the first of several reports regarding food at this year’s Fair. 

Enjoy the Rotisserie Chicken, Kabobs, Roasted Corn, Smoked Ribs, Turkey Legs, Hamburgers and Sausage — And save room because there’s a lot more.

OC Fair Information – http://www.ocfair.com/ocf/

I recently went to a concert at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.  We were lucky to have a Suite, A-16 to be exact.  And this Dessert Cart appeared at our door.  It had quite the impressive selection.  My friends loved the Red Velvet Cake and the Brownie Bar.  I was eating a CPK Pizza at the time, so skipped it later wishing I got something.

Here’s a concert peek, our Suite, and more of the Dessert Cart.  TIP:  If purchasing a Suite, bring a small flashlight so you can see.  The lights stay off during a concert and it’s pretty dark.

Related Links:

http://www.staplescenter.com/

We had marinated and grilled Carne Asada, Chorizo & Beans, flavorful Pasta Salad, juicy Watermelon, homemade Salsa, a Layered Dip with homemade Guacamole*, Tortilla Chips, fix-ins for Tacos and Burritos, fresh baked Brownies, Strawberry Lemonade, Coronas, Cactus Coolers and Big Sticks.  The food was excellent and we had a BLAST.

To keep away the pesty bugs associated with many backyard parties, it’s a must to have these netted food tents.

Related Links:

http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/tabletop-food-tent-large

*  Unfortunately the Layered Dip PICS weren’t up to par — It looked and tasted great in person though.

Morrison & Foerster, a well known international law firm just closed its Orange County office in Irvine — I once worked there as a Paralegal.  Last week I returned to enjoy one last lunch there with former co-workers and friends.  It appeared to be a reunion of twenty years of legal services.

The Lawyers, Paralegals, and Staff have scattered throughout various good firms in Orange County.  We’ll still meet for lunch and Morrison & Foerster will be okay.  I’m sure they didn’t expect a food angle to this story. 🙂

Related Links:

http://www.mofo.com/

http://abajournal.com/news/morrison_foerster_closes_orange_county_office/

These Scones were PERFECT.  I’ll never need another Scone recipe.  I mean it!  One of my very dear friends hosted this lovely High Tea to celebrate a couple birthdays.  We had a wonderful time and meal. 

While getting ready to just show up, I thought to myself, she’s probably working hard right now.  I appreciate her efforts even before tasting the fruits of her labor.  In particular, the Scones were better than any I’ve had.  We all said the same thing.  She sent a copy of the recipe, so I attached it below.

The Victorian House table setting was cute and cozy.  She served Tea Sandwiches, aka Canapes, made of Chicken & Rosemary, and Cucumber & Cream Cheese — Along with all was Clotted Cream, Preserves, and Fresh Fruit.

And mustn’t forget the Tea, an Orange flavored combination made by Monks.  It was exceptionally aromatic.  We all thought we were done when she comes out of the kitchen with Key Lime Squares.  Come on now.  She did the High Tea right.

The food and the company couldn’t be beat.  Thank YOU!

Related Links:

cream-scones.pdf – Cream Scone and Mock Clotted Cream Recipe

http://www.joyofbaking.com/

http://www.recipesource.com/

Bonus Link: 

http://www.theritzlondon.com/tea/ – You’ll see that The Ritz in London serves the same at their High Tea.  I wonder if it’s as good?

A friend just had a party catered by a couple guys attending the Culinary Program at The Art Institute of California, Orange County.  While sitting at a bar one night with my friend talking about a networking party she was going to be hosting, our conversation was overheard.  We were discussing food for the party and what to do.  And Randall, a fellow sitting next to us happened to be attending the culinary school — He sounded knowledgeable about food and came up with some sophisticated suggestions.  We were initially impressed.  It was a bit tricky, since the party theme was PINK and my friend wanted all the food to be pink-ish in color. 

To make a long story short, she ended up hiring him and another student from the Institute to make the food.  We ultimately decided on the following MENU:

* Asian Marinated Lamb Chops
* Sweet Bacon Wrapped Chicken with Brown Sugar & Chili Powder
* Polenta Cakes with Sun Dried Tomato Mousse 
* Tomato Cups with Mozzarella, Basil and Balsamic Gastrique  
* White Chocolate Covered Strawberries with Pink Stripes

Read more…