Foodie Adventures: Tasty Eats Tonight ~ Only the Bold Look On!

Tonight's menu was a tasty one. If you can hang, read on!

A delicious meal was created tonight in my kitchen. :-) Check out a few pics.

Starting line up: This scrumptious meal means leveraging good things to make a delish, quick meal that allows you more time to do the things you love. To do that I choose efficient options. My sister recommended this Private Selection White wine & garlic mussels. It's tasty, even more so with a nice splash of Guinness! Boom! The Jim Beam featured here is the signature craft aged 12 years edition. It is the appetizer. Not for the faint of heart. :-) 

Mussels sautéing in Guinness, believe it.

Tantalizing food alert: Added local diced tomatoes. Beautiful color!  Threw in a handful of Italian parsley. Pretty & Mmmm! 

Lovely edible art! Gaga~Gorgeous local lettuce I picked up at South of the James this Sat. Nature is The Genius of Creative. Second to none.

I make my own salad dressing with fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, crushed Himalayan pink salt. Usually, I crack fresh black pepper, but tonight I'm out. Oh well, that won't stop me.:-)

My delishhhh salad. Beautiful local greens, Persian cucumber, local tomatoes & kalamata olive with my yummy dressing. So great!

Finally, my delicious mussels on a bed of thin pasta. Drink pairing: Guinness:-)

Dessert was fresh mango (not pictured because I inhaled it :-)) & homemade local tropical coconut gelato from Gelati Celesti. BOOM!:-D

What wicked delicious meals were you up to tonight? Fess up!:-)

STOKED! Lonely Planet Food Lover's Guide to the World book arrived!!

UBER stoked to the max about receiving this beeeaaauuuutttiiiiiffffulllll book! It is Lonely Planet's Food Lover's Guide to the World. Beautifully bound.. feels good against your fingers. Fires up my happy feet and googly eyes.. it will excite the adventurer in you.. seeing pictures from around the world.. information, photos, AND recipes... this is like the PERFECT book for me.

I'm so honored and pleased to have won the @TravelMagazine contest on Twitter that resulted in me winning this gorgeous book. I just know it will inspire me to cook new, exciting dishes and it will entice me to get out and see more of this wonderous world to sample the real dishes there!

Thank you @TravelMagazine for this wonderful gift and the visual adventure that comes with discovering each page!! You can visit their site: www.thetravelmagazine.net for all kinds of awesome travel details and even order books, including this one, from their site. Check them out!!

I have to say.. I was so pleased when I tweeted them about an upcoming trip and they shared with me an article they had on Toronto. Legit!!!

Readers ~ what are some of you favorite dishes from around the world? Fess up, I want to know:)

Pics:
Here's me all smiles exciting about my new book!!!

Gorgeously bound book... this is going to be one of my favorites with travel information, tips AND recipes.. YES!!!!

Ewwwwiiiieeee :D Excited to check out all these sections. WOO HOOO!

Already peeking at some of my favorites spots in the world to see what recipes are included!

Mmmmm spaghetti bolognes is definitely one of my favorites.. just learned how to make fresh pasta at that Sur La Table class.... yummmy things in my near future :)

Mmmmmm - this book is going to fill me up with delicious thoughts. Good thing I was born ready for adventures!

Cooking Adventures ~ Sur La Table

Great way to spend $5! Went to this pasta demo at Sur La Table at Stony Point Fashion Mall in Richmond, Virginia. I enjoy cooking & fancy the shop. Been interested in checking out their cooking classes. This demo was only $5, where all proceeds go to Wholesole Wave.. a national non profit that supports local farms & providing fresh, local produce to all, regardless of income... Come on now ~ how can you not check this out!:)

My sister & I checked it out. Chef Lynn explained & showed us how to make fresh pasta. She cooked up 2 pasta dishes. Spaghetti w Tomato Pecorino Pesto & Fettuccine Carbonara.

I recommend this class if you've ever been curious about making your own pasta.. insightful and Chef Lynn was great... and $5 for a good cause. Glad I went! Here are a few pics to share.

Have you ever gone to a Sur La Table cooking class? If yes, drop me a line and tell me about.. would be interested in hearing about your experience.

Class is about to begin ~ Exciting :) LOVE these colorful pots - WANT :D

Chef Lynn showing us how to make Tomato Pecorino Pesto.. enjoyed the tomato, fresh garlic, and basil.. the pine nuts gave it an interesting texture taste!

More March classes available.. check it out.. $5 and all proceeds towards a great cause/group doing good!