Soulful Soup

Being sick is no fun. My mommy was just diagnosed with bronchitis, so she's over here hacking up a lung and I'm trying to do what I can to help. And, because I'm Portuguese, the best way to cure a cold, is to cook! Or bake, but I just tried to make some pumpkin pecan bread and realized we had no eggs. How do we have no eggs?! Anyhow, earlier today, I made some bad ass soup for my mommy with all kinds of yummy veggies in it: zucchini, leeks, turnips, spinach, green beans, onions, carrots, celery, homemade pesto. And again, given my heritage, I added some potatoes and cannelini beans. It wouldn't have been soup without them! There was also some fresh baked bread to accompany today's meal. My ancestors would be proud. Hopefully, it made my mommy feel a little better, too.

Farmers' Market and Big Sky Cafe

It is Thursday evening in San Luis Obispo, California and you know what that means: Farmers' Market! The first Farmers' Market in San Luis Obispo was started in July 1978, with about a dozen or so different farmers and garden enthusiasts, in a parking lot, way out on Broad Street. Around 1983, the Downtown Association decided to invite local farmers to join promotional events, that were being held on Thursday evenings, in downtown SLO. It was a pretty brilliant move, making Higuera Street the place to be on a Thursday evening.
Mom and I decided to head downtown this evening, partake in the Farmers' tradition, and have a little dinner before we started our shopping. One of our favorite places to eat, just the two of us, is a little restaurant named Big Sky Cafe. The best way to describe the place is a fresh market cuisine. Lots of organic fruits, veggies and farmstead dairy, along with a creative menu, makes for a wonderful place to dine. Tonight I had tomato herb soup with shrimp soft tacos. They also serve dinner with these little cornbread-jalepeno muffins that are super yummy. They just might have crack in them, seeing as how a whole basket can evaporate quickly. Oh, and another cool thing about this restaurant: every month they feature a new local artist's artwork, which is very San Luis Obispo, and in my humble opinion, very cool.


And, if you are wondering, we purchased all of our beautiful veggies for the week, and shockingly, stayed away from the kettle corn vendor. I think I feel a fever coming on...

This one is for Erin...

The potstickers from Mandarin Gourmet, in San Luis Obispo, CA, always make me smile. First of all, they are delicious. Secondly, they remind me of the many evenings that Erin and I would indulge in these delightful, little jewels. Quick "catch-up": Erin is my Big Brother in the Co-ed Fraternity that we joined in college, and we also happened to be roommates in college, as well. These were always a treat for us, along with the "special" sauce that I would make for us to dip them in. :)
Just another example of how food brings up wonderful memories, of some fun times, with a really great friend.

Meat and Tires

I lived in San Luis Obispo, California for many years and I loved it. I still love going there. It's such a wonderful place to relax, and as you might have guessed it, eat. In fact, since we still travel there often, you will see many future blogs that will feature the glory of SLO food and drink.
I just arrived in San Luis Obispo this afternoon, and I was starving. I was traveling there with my Mom, and when she mentioned going to Firestone's for lunch, I couldn't wait! Side note: Who knew my mother liked Firestone's?? Now I know she's Cal Poly Senior status!


Let me first clarify: the actual name of the place is Firestone Grill (located on Higuera Street; downtown San Luis Obispo) and used to be a Firestone tire garage. I don't know exactly what year it became a restaurant, but that really doesn't matter. Here's what matters: The tri-tip sandwich. Oh, and the fries. Let us take a moment of silence to reflect on its awesomeness....



You are probably thinking: Damn, that sandwich looks good! Let me tell you - this picture doesn't do it justice. This sandwich is so amazing, that my husband will order three of them, eat one, then take two home (a 4 hour drive back to Southern California) in one of those hot/cold bags, just to enjoy another one for dinner later that night. The extra one he might give to me, if I've been nice.
And how do I explain the fries? Any college student in town will tell you that they add crack to the fries, this way you keep coming back for more. I have yet to figure out the spice combination they liberally cover them in, but one day I will crack the code. And they are equally joyous dipped in ranch dressing. There is only one (very small) downside to these fries: they are no bueno once they have become cold. Eat 'em quick, baby!
You also notice that I included a picture of the onion rings. If you are wondering whether or not to get either the fries or the rings, then ponder no longer. You must get them both. Ranch dressing is your only dipping option. Because I said so.
There are a few other delightful items on their menu, such as steak cobb salads, ABC Monster Burgers, pulled pork sandwiches, etc., but why mess with a good thing when you can get that tri-tip sandwich? Even if Mom and I did get hamburgers there today. :)

Divine Inspiration

I grew up in Bakersfield, California. Now, this city isn't exactly a cultural mecca, but there are some good aspects to it. Mostly the food. I haven't lived there since 1997, so one of the places I must visit, virtually every time I go there, is Smith's Bakery.
Smith's has been around since 1945 and there are seven different locations in the city. They also happen to be the only Certified Master Baker in Kern County. Now, if you like to kick it old school, such as myself, you need to get yourself over to the Union Avenue location. It's extremely small and the parking is ridiculous, but if you learn to be like a local, just go ahead and park wherever your car fits and/or wherever you damn well feel like parking, you'll do just fine.
From the outside, you might wonder what the heck all the hype is.. until you go inside. The smell is like Jesus Christ's mommy is in the back, baking goodies just for you. It is really delightful. It could also be that the smell just reminds me of being a very little girl and getting a special treat every now and then, but you get the idea.

They have every kind of baked good your little heart can desire and then some. They even do the occasional wedding cake, along with the mid-80's cake topper to go with it. But I digress. Why do I really go here? The cookies, my friends, the cookies.
They are delicious, not-so-nutritious, and incredibly good for you, too. "What makes them so wonderful"? you might ask. The crack. Sugary crack. My favorites are the little thumbprints they make, usually in the colors of whatever current holiday is happening (or about to happen) and I could eat about 30 of them in one sitting. Seriously.

It is because of Smith's Bakery, that I start this Blog and have one of their piggy cookies as my Blog Mascot. I'm sure she will be delicious.