Scones are a popular breakfast, brunch, or tea-time treat. Linked historically to Scotland, Ireland, and England, it is unclear who really deserves the credit of invention. The original scone was made of oats, shaped into a round, cut into 4 to 6 wedges, and baked over an open fire. Nowadays, scones are similar to biscuits, made with wheat flour and baking soda or powder, producing a hard, dry texture.
Finished scones fresh from the oven
Scones can be plain or “fancy”, with added raisins, orange rind, chocolate bits, honey, or other added flavorings. They are usually served with clotted cream, also called Devonshire cream. It’s quite easy to make with just a few things you likely have in your fridge. Check out TheNibble for a history of both. For a very large list of scones you can try, wander over to The Kitchen Project.
Blueberry-lemon scone with Devonshire cream and apricot preserves. It was just as delicious as it looks!
I had been given a boxed mix for scones some time ago, and when blueberries went on sale, I knew it was time. I also had a few fresh lemons, and so it was destiny. If you are feeling brave, feel free to try making your own scones, perhaps using the Pioneer Woman’s recipe.
Ingredients:
1 box scone mix (or your own)
1 egg
1 cup milk
1 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen
1 fresh lemon (juice + rind)
2 tbsp melted butter or margarine
Devonshire cream:
1 package cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
4 tbsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup milk
Step 1: Pour dry mix into a large bowl. Add the milk and eggs, and stir until it becomes smooth.
Step 2: Grate the lemon rind onto a plate, save the lemon as well. Add the blueberries, lemon juice, and rind to the dough and mix well. (Feel free to add a splash of vanilla or almond flavoring here for an extra dose of yummy)
The blueberries marbled the dough with their juices.
Step 3: Take 1/4 cup of dough at a time, and shape into small rolls on a buttered cookie sheet. (You can also do the classic whole round, then cut into triangles. Or make whatever shape you want). Brush the melted butter onto the scones.
Step 4: Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes, until browned all over and solid. They smell delicious!
Now you have fresh, warm scones! You can eat them naked, add some butter and/or honey, or make some cream and serve with jam. Clearly, I’m all for sugar-shock when it comes to breakfast treats. I made these over the weekend, so calories don’t count. 😉
To remind you, here is what you need for your very own clotted cream. It’s best to let it all come to room temperature to mix, then refrigerate for an hour or so. Don’t fret too much if you can’t do so.
Devonshire cream:
1 package cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
4 tbsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup milk
Step 1: Add all ingredients to a bowl, and use a hand mixer to beat together. It should take about 2-3 minutes to become thick and smooth. Add a little more milk if you want it thinner, don’t add as much or beat for a longer period of time if you like thick cream.
These are the jams I had, which were totally perfect for this. Peach preserves and cherry jam. Both were equally delicious. Good together too!
The finished cream, nice and thick. I could seriously just eat this stuff with a spoon it’s so good!
You can add extra sugar if you want it sweeter, or forget it if you like the tang. Try unflavored Greek yogurt in place of the sour cream if you dare.
Blueberry-lemon scone with Devonshire cream and cherry jam. Simply divine!
More photos, just to make you drool a bit.
If you aren’t convinced to make these on a weekend, there’s nothing more I can do here. Just enjoy pining for them I guess.
Of course, I had to have my scone with a strong cup of English breakfast tea. It’s only right.
You can see the bowl of cream is nearly empty… oops.
And this is the cherry scone my s.o. demolished. I think we both had about 4 each. The box recipe made 8-10, depending on how large you make your scones. I need to have a brunch party so I can make these again.
To remind readers, this is the second part of the first food review article for Budget Epicurean. For reviews, preference will be given to unique, local, family-owned establishments. Food locations will be evaluated based on:
Taste: 1 (wet toast) – 10 (your taste buds have died and gone to heaven)
So we survived 2 days of a 4 day trip so far, and have kayaked along downtown, been filmed for The Cooking Channel, tried tacos of all sorts, and experienced food trucks, dive bars, and fine dining in Part 1 of Austin food reviews. Upcoming adventures include skydiving, hipster bars, ice cream, burritos, and of course you can’t leave Texas without some classic Texas BBQ!
After a late brunch at the Roaring Fork, we were pretty well sated. However, that same friend who was kind enough to introduce us to Gourdough’s had more late-night epicurious adventures planned.
This time, the lovely silver sporty car rolled to a stop in front of local hot spot Easy Tiger. Bake shop by day (and night) and hopping hipster bar scene by night, I was wowed by the atmosphere here. At 709 East Sixth Street, the place was wall-to-wall packed with locals laughing and talking, sipping on craft brewed beers from a huuuuuuuuge blackboard list, munching on various ethnic appetizers, and playing various bar games. Not surprising for a Friday night.
The indoor portion offers tempting-smelling baked goods at street level, convenient for anyone stumbling home from the famous 6th street drink-fest at 1am. If one is still coordinated enough to descend the steep staircase, a large tavern area greets you with a not-too-loud mix of music playing, several bar areas, and plentiful seating.
Wander further and you reach the outdoor area. Aforementioned huuuuuuge list of beers is a reminder as you walk out into an iron-fenced cobblestone yard littered with picnic benches right next to a gorgeous river. With several bridges over the water, lighted lampposts, strings of lights, and wall-climbing ivy, the whole area is reminiscent of a European alleyway. At the furthest end there is a netted area for ping-pong, where a rowdy group of people is playing a heated game.
We sit at a weathered wooden picnic table and intently study the drink menu. Nowhere near hungry enough for a full meal, we defer to our friend’s expert opinion. He puts in our order, and then the waitress looks to me for my drink. Still a bit overwhelmed by the selection, I ask her opinion on a light, fruity beer. She gives me full details on several on the menu, and I end up choosing a Real Ale Fireman’s #4.
The beers are delivered in frosty, heavy glass mugs in record time. The Real Ale was still a bit hoppy for me, but I’m a beer novice. I had gone against my friend’s advice, who wanted me to try a local Austin beer, and I regret it a bit. However, there is a flavor for every taste and plenty of opportunity to go back and try another.
They do have a “Mug Club” with the cryptic “ask your server for details” on the menu. I can only assume that means some sort of challenge whereby you pay a large price upfront then get to try each and every beer they offer. If I were an Austin local, I may be up to the challenge.
As we chatted in the breezy evening air and listened to the water flowing by, our server brought out the surprise appetizers: the Mixed Grill and a house soft pretzel.
The mixed grill consisted of a perfectly balanced four-point spread of beef sirloin with cilantro chimichurri, pork tenderloin with stout maple glaze, grilled corn, and house-made kielbasa with sauerkraut and honey mustard.
As there was only one piece of corn, and I did not consume it, I cannot attest to the caliber of the vegetables here. The meat however… How can I even describe the beef sirloin? Delectable. Melt in your mouth. Perfect. It was cooked just right, crisp brown exterior with a butter-soft pink interior. The chimichurri sauce was a flavor explosion of fresh herbs and spices.
The pork tenderloin was tender and juicy, sweet with a subtle beer flavor. And the kielbasa made the pollock inside me swoon with happiness. The honey mustard was a bit too overpowering for my taste, and the sauerkraut doesn’t hold a candle to my grammy’s. However, the kielbasa itself was perfect just as it was. Though quite pricey for the amount of meat, the Mixed Grill is an indulgence worth trying at least once.
The soft pretzel was roughly the size of a large person’s head. It was perfectly soft and doughy, and liberally sprinkled with sea salt. I’m not sure if there was anything other than butter in the dipping sauce, but it was sure addictive. It all disappeared faster than we probably wanted.
Overall, I’d give Easy Tiger:
8 for taste
10 for atmosphere
7 for value
Though it would have been perfect enough to sit and enjoy the view and atmosphere of Easy Tiger, we were a three-block walk from the most famous drinking and debauchery location in Austin, so we had to explore further.
While we ate nothing further that night, I can attest that 6th Street is indeed quite the party place. As it was also graduation weekend for many local universities, I’m sure the crowds were even rowdier than usual. And local establishment The Jackalope has decent Kamikaze shots. Lemony and burny, just what one needs before dancing the night away.
What’s the best thing to do the next day on little sleep? Indoor skydiving of course! Austin iFLY is a giant indoor skydiving destination. Using the same technology professional skydivers practice with, you can experience what it’s like to float and free-fall.
It is quite the experience to be wearing a fitted flight suit and lean forward into an enormous upward air stream to be completely supported in midair.
Conveniently, right next door is a local favorite ice cream spot, Amy’s Ice Creams. With several locations, this one offers those who have done the iFLY experience an extra free topping. Jackpot.
The website lists over twenty pages of rotating ice cream flavors. They also offer all the standard toppings like hot fudge, caramel, nuts, and whipped cream, along with a dizzying array of specialty toppings. Chocolate dipped strawberries, sundaes, frozen yogurt, ice cream cakes, floats and milkshakes round out the full menu of delicious desserts.
They also have a question on the board which if you answer correctly, you get a bonus topping! It’s worth knowing your Disney trivia for extra chocolate or candy goodness. See if you know the featured question from when I went.
What movie is this quote from: “Cause I’m a lady, that’s why”?
I’m not telling the answer, in case that question is still up. =) I knew it because I’m a Disney girl through and through. That meant I could have up to two extra toppings! I’m such a sucker for warm brownies and ice cream. So I ended up with a warm brownie sundae with vanilla bean ice cream, hot fudge, caramel, nuts, whipped cream, and butterfinger bits.
Yeah, it was just as mouth-watering as you’re thinking it was.
The ice cream was distinctly vanilla flavored, with flecks of the bean throughout. The chocolate fudge was molten liquid, slightly melting the ice cream. A soft, fudgy brownie waited at the center for anyone daring enough to dig for it. And dig I did. The crunchy Butterfinger pieces were the perfect topping, and I just love peanutty things stuck permanently in my teeth.
The whole experience was fantastic, though my eyes were far bigger than my stomach. I could have split this with someone and still had extra left over. The ice creamery was right next to the bakery part of Amy’s and though I did not try any of the food from there, it smelled divine. The inside had televisions showing live-image feed from the skydiving going on next door. And there was a gorgeous shaded play area out back with lots of toys and playground equipment to keep the sugared-up kids that go there happy.
Overall, I’d give Amy’s Ice Creams:
8 for taste
7 for atmosphere
7 for value
To head off the sugar coma which was sure to follow this treat, we decided to do a quick hike up Mount Bonnell. This is the generally accepted highest point in Austin at 775 feet. Named for the Commissioner of Indian Affairs for the Texas Republic, George Bonnell who moved to Austin in 1839, spectacular views of Lake Austin and occasionally downtown are offered from the peak.
After a quick jaunt up the 190 feet incline of steps and some photo ops of the Lake view, we have worked up enough hunger to round out our journey with a stop at Freebird’s World Burrito.
Begun in 1987 in Santa Barbara, California and made popular by UC Santa Barbara students, Freebird’s four tortilla flavors and four sizes of burritos quickly spread like wildfire and grew in popularity.
Each Freebird’s location boasts a life-sized “Libby” statue of liberty riding a custom-built bike exploding out of the wall.
There are many choices to be made, first up: what size of burrito? There is the original FREEBIRD size. Then if you’ve a smaller appetite, the HYBRID. (S.O. says “that one is for wimps”). If you’ve got a mighty appetite, you can try the MONSTER. And if you’ve a death wish, go ahead and take on the SUPER MONSTER. Those bad boys weigh in at about seven pounds of meat, cheese, rice, and toppings. Holy heart attack.
I decide that in the interest of not dying I’d like the wimpy hybrid. Now, what kind of wrap? They offer four flavors: Spinach, Cayenne, Flour, or Wheat, each with its own unique color. Let’s try spinach, to pretend like a massive burrito is a healthy choice.
From top to bottom, the MONSTER, the FREEBIRD, and the HYBRID.
Layered up with meat of your choice, beans, salsas, lettuce, cheese, and/or sour cream, rolled into a tight bundle and wrapped in aluminum foil, we grab our giant bag of goodness and head on home. But not without first admiring all the tin foil art around the building. Apparently it is a thing to take your foil from an eaten burrito and turn it into a piece of art. Then you leave it scattered about the building for future burrito-lovers to enjoy. It’s amazing how creative people can get sometimes…
“Fresh. Natural. Scratch-made on the daily. That’s the way FREEBIRDS rolls.” The website does not lie, this burrito tastes like all the ingredients came out of a garden just this morning. The steak is seasoned perfectly, the veggies are crisp and delicious, the salsa isn’t too spicy as to make it inedible, and the green tomatillo sauce is just right. This is a similar and yet different experience from Chipotle, with its own unique offerings.
Overall, I’d give Freebird’s World Burrito:
8 for taste
7 for atmosphere
7 for value
With the Austin trip coming to a close, we realized we had still not had any Texas BBQ. As we had to head to the airport the following afternoon, the best option was to have the Salt Lick BBQ at the Austin International Airport.
Want to know what makes the Salt Lick BBQ so unique and darn delicious? They say “The barbeque sauce has no tomatoes so it won’t burn or become bitter. It does have sugar so it will easily caramelize. We sear the meat and then move it away from the hottest part of the fire to cook slowly. We finish our products over an open fire fed by live oak wood.” Whoa.
Though I was assured that the airport version is nowhere near the same as the sit-down location in Round Rock, TX, it sure smelled like heaven waiting in line at the airport. We had to go with the brisket meal deal, because we all know brisket is simply the world’s greatest meat. It comes with classic baked beans and a pickle, on a square sesame seed bun.
The brisket was divine. The BBQ sauce was indeed not tomato-ey or tart, but it had a sweetness and smoky depth of flavor. The meat is tender and juicy, good enough to eat alone by the pound. The beans were interesting… too much black pepper for my taste, and not enough brown sugar or bacon. But who cares when you have the world’s best meat sandwich right?
The sandwich was so filling that I only finished half of it. Luckily I could take the rest on the plane ride home, and had a little piece of Texas for lunch the following day. At about ten bucks for the meal, getting two meals out of it was a bonus.
While the airport offered plentiful seating near the location, it was in an airport. So I cannot judge what the atmosphere of the sit-down location is like.
Overall, I’d give the Salt Lick:
9 for taste
5 for atmosphere
7 for value
And there you have it. Eight food destinations in Austin Texas, from all different food genres and price points. Each one unique and with outstanding offerings, I hope dear readers that you have the chance to visit all of them at some point.
If you have a food location you’d like to see featured here, please email me at Jennifer (at) budgetepicurean (dot) com with details.
As this is a food blog, I’ve decided to expand it to include reviews of notable food locations. Preference will be given to unique, local, family-owned establishments. Food locations will be evaluated based on:
Taste: 1 (wet toast) – 10 (your taste buds have died and gone to heaven)
For the very first food review article, you lucky readers get a two-part special of notable food experiences in Austin Texas! From taco trucks to ice cream to upscale waterfront dining, Austin offers an array of options to satisfy any foodie’s curiosity and taste buds. Having never been to Texas before, my hosts were set on showing me as much of the town as I could handle in 3 ½ days. And they did exactly that.
We flew in late at night on a Wednesday, and headed straight to bed. We were greeted the next morning with fresh, homemade blueberry pancakes. I’m never upset about pancakes.
That morning was filled with outdoor adventures in a nearby park, exploring a natural spring, and kayaking along a beautiful downtown view.
After our picturesque exercise, we wanted some fuel. But we had big plans that night, so it had to be something quick and small. Trailer Park & Eatery was just down the road, so we headed over to the corner of S. 1st St. & Elizabeth St. West. The parking lot fits the food trucks and a picnic seating area only, so we parked across the street. At just past noon, there wasn’t much of a crowd yet. There was however a van and filming crew. That’s right, The Cooking Channel’s “Food Truck Face-Off” was filming right then and there!
Two new food trucks would later be vying for top truck to win. But at the moment, all we were concerned about was the one truck we came here for: Torchy’s Tacos.
For those of you who don’t know, Torchy’s is kind of a big deal. People know about it.
Former executive chef Michael Rypka left the fine food world to pursue his dream of creating and serving Damn Good tacos. As their own website says: “Mike realized he had bet his life savings on green chili pork and fajitas mixed with his own desire for some great street food. With no customers in sight, Mike hopped on his scooter and handed out free chips and his award-winning salsa to personally invite everyone to stop by the trailer for some tacos. It worked.”
From a humble beginning with one food truck, Torchy’s Tacos now operates several stores as well as the trailer park. They regularly have long lines and happy customers. After one bite of my own, I saw why.
I ordered two tacos, “The Independent” and a “Beef Fajita”. The Independent is a vegetarian dream that even a meat-lover would love. With thick, marinated, hand-battered and fried portobello mushroom strips, smooth refried black beans, crispy chunks of falafel, charred roasted corn, crunchy escabeche carrots, queso fresco, fresh cilantro and avocado, all drizzled with an ancho aioli heaped high onto a flour tortilla, the Independent was filling in every way.
The flavors and textures contrasted and complimented to create a perfect bite every time. The ancho aioli had a bit of a kick to it, but was controlled by the creamy avocado and salty cheese. I loved everything about this taco, I wouldn’t have even known it was vegetarian.
Meanwhile, I had to give equal attention to my Beef Fajita. Simpler in a way, yet more complex in others, the beef fajita consisted of marinated and grilled skirt steak, smothered in sweet grilled onions and peppers, and topped off with coarsely shredded cheese & pico de gallo. I got mine in a flour tortilla with green tomatillo sauce. The flavors and spices of the marinade and rub made a steak so tender and flavorful I could eat it alone all day long. The grilled onions and pepper completed the flavor profile as only they can.
The ingredient list for this taco was short, but it packs a powerful punch of flavor. The beef was tender and cooked perfectly, and no one flavor overpowered the mix. Two tacos was a perfect light lunch, filling without being heavy. One of the many beautiful things about Torchy’s is that you can pick and choose and order as many of each taco as you like to try all the tastes that catch your eye.
Diners can enjoy their tortilla-ed treats at an outdoor picnic bench area shaded by large trees wrapped in lights. No doubt nighttime here is beautiful. There is also an indoor garage area with two televisions and a large community bulletin board advertising local dance classes and such. An indoor option is critical for when weather threatens, and the outdoor seating is chill and relaxing. The loud traffic from the road right behind you can be a bit obnoxious though.
While we were blissfully enjoying our tacos, a representative of the The Cooking Channel came over to ask if we minded being filmed. Why of course not! We signed our wavers, and got our nom on. Who knows, maybe in a few months I’ll have my first 15 seconds of on-screen fame!
Stuffed from our “snack”, we piled back in the car to head home for some games and a nap. We needed to be refreshed and hungry again in a few hours.
Overall, I’d give Torchy’s Tacos:
10 for taste
6 for atmosphere
8 for value
En route to dinner, the secret was finally let out: our destination was the famous “Oasis on Lake Travis”, the sunset capital of Texas. Located at 6550 Comanche Trail, The Oasis does live up to its reputation, a towering stone building four decks high sits alone atop a cliff overlooking the (unfortunately low) Lake Travis. The entrance-way is a collage of greenery, flowers, and a hodge-podge of statues. A woman with an umbrella and a child watch from a balcony while a gymnast is forever frozen mid-flip and a cowboy rides a bucking bronco under a majestic soaring eagle. All the bronze work at The Oasis is for sale, if you’d like a heavy and expensive memento of this unique dining experience.
We arrived early, around 6 pm, and already the bottom three decks were packed with people. On the uppermost deck, the live band was setting up for the night. We snagged a front-row lakeside table on the second-highest deck and ordered a round of chips & salsa, and a “Famous Margarita” which was served salt-rimmed and frosty in a heavy glass embossed with the Oasis symbol and name.
The salsa was a little too watery for my taste, I would like more of the chunks of fresh tomato. But the overall flavor was great, with bits of onion and cilantro, and a slight heat from jalapenos. The margarita earns it’s fame, with a smooth, refreshing taste with no bite at all from the tequila. These are dangerous as they are easy sipping and go down fast.
The plastic cups in which the water was served are included as a souvenir for each diner.
After a leisurely hour of chatting and taking advantage of the many photo-op locations, we ordered our meal. I chose the fish tacos, because the lime margarita compliments fish, and the night was balmy and perfect for such things. The tilapia was perfectly seasoned and grilled, served in small corn tortillas and topped with generous amounts of purple cabbage slaw, pico de gallo, guacamole, and spicy ranch sauce.
The two mini corn tacos were the perfect size to get all the big flavors without feeling too stuffed. The rice on the side was a bit lack-luster in flavor, but the taco toppings (pico de gallo, tomatillo sauce, salsa) could be mixed in and kick it up a notch.
Around the table we had the loaded nacho platter to share, as well as the “Spicy Beef” enchiladas which have no spice. (The menu puts a pepper symbol next to “spicy” dishes. The Spicy Beef mysteriously had no spice). The loaded nachos came smothered in cheese, salsa, pico de gallo, jalapenos, and sour cream, with the option of refried or black beans or meat if you so chose. The drinks were great, the food was good, but what you really go to the Oasis for is the experience.
Then the magic moment arrived. The little kids in the establishment were all herded towards an old-looking bronze bell with a thick rope attached. The sun was kissing the horizon, turning the ambient light deep amber and scarlet. The excitement was palpable.
Sunset at the Oasis is quite the event. Everyone holds their breath as the ruby blaze of sun sinks lower and lower, until finally the light extinguishes and the children throw their weight against the rope, ringing the bell loudly across the water and the entire place erupts in cheers and applause.
Overall, I’d give The Oasis:
6 for taste
10 for atmosphere
6 for value
After the applause died down and a few more photos to commemorate the moment, we headed back to end the night quietly at home. Or so I thought. Turns out, a local friend had other plans for us.
We were picked up in a lovely silver sporty car and whisked downtown. Pulling into the parking lot of our final destination, I looked up to see a glowing doughtnut-man sign declaring we had arrived at “Gourdough’s”.
Opened in a vintage trailer in 2011, Gourdough’s has exploded in popularity and press. Everything on their extensive and imaginative menu is served either on or with a donut. And these aren’t the sticky-sweet donuts you’re used to, they are giant savory chunks of deep-fried delicious that go perfectly with chicken fingers, honey butter, and honey mustard dipping sauce (The Mother Clucker) or fried crispy-caramelized bananas with cream cheese frosting and brown sugar (The Funky Monkey), both of which we tried.
The inside area is a typical bar, mostly wooden with tables and booths. We weren’t interested in drinking for now, so we headed out into the gorgeous night to the outdoor seating area, a rock-carpeted fenced-in yard with multiple picnic tables, several giant televisions, and the classic vintage trailer on display. The area was nice enough, but they were playing some very strange and occasionally disturbing show on the TVs. Perhaps blame it on the late hour and the assumption that most customers by now would be drunk.
Mine was the Funky Monkey, and it positively oozed deliciousness. I love fried bananas, and this thing was loaded with ’em! The donut was indeed thick and savory, and smothered in sweet cream cheese frosting with brown sugar sprinkled all about. It was a bit overwhelming though, I couldn’t finish the whole thing. Of course, I also had to try a bite of the other three around the table, which likely contributed to my over-full tummy…
the Mother cluckerthe Funky monkey
Each donut on the menu sounds as amazing as the next, with burgers using donuts as the bun, savory “Drunken Hunk” bacon-wrapped meatloaf, and sweet-tooth satisfying sugar-coma inducing confections. Even the salads come with a donut on the side. If you’re on a diet, steer clear of this place. But if you want a unique taste experience, pull on in and grab a picnic bench!
Overall, I’d give Gourdough’s:
9 for taste
5 for atmosphere
8 for value
It was getting late, and the bar was near closing time, so we finally called it a night and headed home. After a good long rest, the next morning was fend-for-yourself as we all prepared for a big graduation ceremony. Life accomplishments are always exciting! I’m sure the graduate had such nerves they wouldn’t have been able to hold down a big meal anyhow. With the help of some cereal and a big Starbucks frappuccino, I held out until brunch. Boy was I glad I did!
We pull up into a tree-shaded parking lot next to a fenced-in reservoir. People are jogging and walking their dogs, or paddle-boarding and kayaking in the sun. We head towards a large, pale brick building with a huge “RF” branded on the side. This is the famous Roaring Fork. Founders Guy and Larry own and operate a string of upscale dining establishments in the west and southwest, as well as some more wacky concepts like the Salty Sow.
Guests are greeted by an open, curved kitchen space with marble countertops, stainless steel and glass, and a giant open fire pit with roaring flames. The spacious interior has soaring ceilings and windows the width of the walls, giving the whole space an airy feel. We are seated out on the glassed-in wooden deck overlooking the small reservoir that was once a rock quarry.
As a soft breeze whispers through the trees, the waiter comes over to explain to us the specials which are not on the enormous, heavy, leather bound menus. There is fresh-caught fish and chef’s choice of beef, at market price of course. The waiter understood we were there for brunch, and shared the special with us, a choose-two menu called the “Texas Two-Step”. Nearly the whole dining party went that way, since it’s always better to try multiple dishes.
Their chicken is apparently famous by word of mouth, as is their pork shoulder and green chili. They also have the amusingly named “big ass burger” and “half ass burger”. However, when I saw wood-grilled salmon, I had to have that. And when I read mixed green salad with candied walnuts, feta, & a cranberry vinaigrette dressing, the deal was sealed. I’m a sucker for salads that include feta and anything sweet.
Now, once the orders were placed and drinks were brought, some restaurants bring a basket of bread or other such appetite-whetting things. Not classy enough for the Roaring Fork. They bring out two heaping baskets of steaming fresh-from-the-oven muffin bites. They smelled divine, and when asked about them, the waiter informed us that they are corn muffins with shredded cheese, jalapenos, and black currants. It sounds like a strange combination, but one bite and we were all hooked. We joked with each other as one after another kept saying “no, really, this is the last one”.
When the meals came, luckily I was sitting next to someone kind enough to offer a bite of the chicken, and it was indeed delicious and fall-off-the-bone tender. My salmon was sweet and smoky, perfectly flaky, and served on a bed of wilted spinach with garlic and onion, alongside creamy mashed potatoes with just the right consistency.
With a lovely bar area we didn’t have a chance to enjoy and multiple patios, the Roaring Fork has a great, classy atmosphere to relax in and enjoy being pampered.
Overall, I’d give Roaring Fork:
9 for taste
9 for atmosphere
6 for value
Hope you learned a little and drooled a lot! Thus ends the first part of my Tastes of Austin restaurants review. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we indoor skydive, the Statue of Liberty rides a motorcycle, and brisket gets involved.
Tacos are always a popular meal choice. They are great for so many reasons:
Frugal – use up whatever meat or vegetables are in the house
Green – use up vegetables before they go bad & reduce waste
Customizable – you can please meat eaters and vegetarians
Healthy – easy to add tons of extra veggies and fiber with beans
Unfortunately, tacos are also very easy to go overboard with and make into fatty cholesterol nightmares. If you use fatty ground beef and heap on cheese and sour cream, your arteries will not thank you. The good news is, there are simple swaps you can make that don’t have a huge impact on overall taste but will have an impact on how huge your waistline is in 20 years….
Use ground turkey, pork, or chicken instead of beef
Better yet, don’t use meat at all! Use tofu or lots of beans instead
Make sure to cram in as many sneaky veggies as possible
Swap unflavored Greek yogurt for sour cream
These simple switches seem small, but have big long-term impact. You don’t have to go cold-turkey health nut all at once. Try one at a time and see what works for you.
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These turkey tacos are super-charged with healthy greens and multiple veggies. But once rolled up in a warm tortilla, you would never know there is so little fat and far fewer calories than your typical taco. My meat eater s.o. even had to admit that they are delicious!
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Ingredients:
1 pound ground turkey
1 tortilla
1 onion, diced
1 cup diced bell peppers
1/2 head kale
Refried beans
1/2 cup cooked rice
1 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
Sprinkle shredded cheese
Seasoning: garlic salt, cumin, Nature’s Season
Step 1: Brown the ground turkey in a pan. While that is cooking, dice up your veggies. You could use whatever vegetables are in season and that you like, try eggplant, asparagus, spinach, sweet potato…
Step 2: Drain the grease from the meat and season it to your liking. Add in the veggies, hardest ones first. Cook until onion and peppers are soft, and kale is wilted.
Step 3: Open a can of refried beans, or make your own. Heat up in a frying pan or microwave.
Step 4: Warm up a tortilla in the microwave for 10-30 seconds. Layer on the turkey and veggies, 1/4 cup cooked rice, a few tbsp of beans, 1 tbsp Greek yogurt, and a sprinkle of shredded cheddar. Roll it up and enjoy! Alternatively you could use a hard taco shell, or spread over tortilla chips as a fun appetizer.
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Tacos are so endlessly customizable. I love topping mine with salsa, guac, diced avocado, lettuce, spinach, black beans, shredded carrots… the possibilities are endless. They can be extremely frugal too, rice, beans, and tortillas are all easily found for under $1, and make a very filling and healthy meal. It’s super easy to make them vegetarian or vegan too.
Welcome dear readers! I appreciate that you stopped by. You may have noticed that the link up above is no longer attached to Google blogger.
That’s right! BudgetEpicurean.com is now live!
I have my very own self-hosted site now to do as I please. Hopefully that means making your experience even better as a reader. If you have any comments, concerns, or suggestions of topics you want covered, please feel free to contact me at budgetepicurean @ gmail. com
This will be any local, unique food place I or a contributor has visited and thought highly of and wishes to share with you. If you have suggestions for places, or have a restaurant/coffee shop/cafe/bakery you want me to visit and possibly feature, please email me. All input is welcome.
Please bear with me as I go through archives to be sure everything switched over properly, and figure out this new site.
I’m also right in the thick of the Neuroscience Preliminary Exam, which consists of a written and oral exam, and determines whether or not we proceed to another year of graduate school. Posts may be sporadic for a few weeks. But then it will be summer, and we will get right back to delivering quality content!
Thanks for stopping by, and keep coming back for all the delicious recipes, nutrition and health articles, and finance/budgeting your heart desires. Hope you’re having as much fun reading as I’ve had creating!
This Less Than Five post will be the all-around qualifier: it takes less than 5 ingredients, less than $5, and less than 5 minutes (if you don’t count inactive cook time).
When I have an idea for the main dish but need a quick side, rice is always my first thought. Rice is so versatile, you can put almost anything in it and it will taste great. And since I got my new rice cooker, I eat rice at least 3 days a week because it is so easy! Even if you don’t have a rice cooker, rice is super simple to make.
Stove top: Put 1/2 cup rice and 1 1/2 cup liquid in a pan, heat to boiling. You could use water, broth, tomato sauce, juice, whatever you want. Add any fresh or frozen vegetables too. Lower to simmer, and simmer covered for 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork and enjoy! Microwave: Put 1/2 cup rice and 1 1/2 cup liquid in a microwave-safe bowl with plenty of room for the rice to boil. You could use water, broth, tomato sauce, juice, whatever you want. Add any fresh or frozen vegetables too. Microwave for 15-20 minutes on high, stirring every 5 minutes or so. Fluff and enjoy!
Now, for this spanish rice I cheated a little and used a boxed mix because it was on sale for $0.73. You could also use a tbsp chili powder and a small can of tomato sauce for about the same price and taste. Rice: Bought on sale with spices included. = $0.73 Can of corn: On sale 2 for $1, one for $0.50. = $0.50 Can of diced tomatoes: Usual price is $0.69. = $0.69 Total: $1.92 for about 5 servings = $0.38 per serving! Ingredients: 1 box Spanish Rice mix (Or 1 cup rice, 1 small can tomato sauce, 1 tbsp chili powder) 1 can of corn 1 can of diced tomato 1 cup water
Step 1: Spray the rice pot lining, combine all ingredients. Don’t drain the corn or tomatoes, the juice adds extra flavor.
Step 2: Turn the rice cooker on and let cook for ~20 minutes. Or use one of the above cooking methods.
Step 3: Serve and enjoy. I made chicken legs to go with my rice. But this would be delightful in a taco or burrito, as a side to enchiladas, baked into a frittata, or on its own as a vegetarian meal.
Portobellos are definitely my favorite mushroom for grilling. They are delicious in just about anything else too. I love their thick, meaty texture that feels almost like a burger patty but for only 10 calories per ounce (NutritionData). My favorite marinade for meaty things has to include balsamic vinegar. It gives that salty, umami depth of flavor to whatever you put it on. I got some portobellos on sale and marinated them in this, and they turned out wonderful!
You could put these babies straight on the grill as a burger, or stuff them with grain/veggie combo. I sliced them and put them in a taco, you could also put them in stir fry or on a panini.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp fish sauce
6 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp garlic
1 tbsp Nature’s Seasons mix
Step 1: Mix all marinade ingredients in a bowl or plastic bag. The best route is likely a platic bag so you can flip it, but I just poured the marinade over the mushrooms in a shallow pie pan.
Step 2: Place in the refrigerator and marinate at least 6 hours, preferably overnight. They are like little sponges and will soak up all those tasty flavors. After a few hours they get soft, don’t panic.
Step 3: Put on an oiled grill or fry in a pan. You could also roast in the oven at 400 for 15-20 minutes. I cooked mine for 5-10 minutes each side on the stove top, then sliced into strips.
With some avocado, cooked rice, roma tomatoes, and feta cheese, I had the perfect vegetarian burrito! Portobellos also have 1 gram of protein per ounce, plus the avocado and cheese. It will very filling without feeling heavy. These mushrooms will be a staple part of my summer cooking repertoire for sure.
Broccoli cheddar soup is definitely one of my favorite go-to soups. It is relatively easy and quick to make, and I almost always have frozen broccoli on hand. I’ve tried several ways, adding and taking out ingredients as I had them available, but this batch was the best by far. It was thick, smooth, and creamy, with a perfect balance of flavors. I had some large bread rolls, so I hollowed them out to use as bread bowls, and it was a perfect meal. Try it yourself!
Ingredients:
2 cups chicken stock (veggie stock for veg/vegan)
1 cup milk (plant milk for veg/vegan)
1 cup frozen broccoli florets
1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar
3-4 tbsp butter/margerine
Salt & black pepper
Step 1: In a sauce pot, bring butter, chicken stock, and milk to a simmer. Cook the broccoli for 5-10 minutes in a pan or microwave, until heated through and soft.
Step 2: In a blender, combine the soup, spices, cheese, and sour cream. [You can use an immersion blender if you’re fancy enough to have one]. Reserve 1 cup if you want broccoli chunks in the finished soup. Blend until smooth and return to the pot. Heat through, about 5 minutes.
Step 3: Hollow out a large round bread roll by cutting at an angle with a sharp knife all along the edges. Pull the middle out, and fill with hot soup. Sprinkle a little cheddar on top, and enjoy!
This soup was so good I had to have two bowls. Luckily the bread roll was big enough that I had plenty left for dipping. If you’d like to make this vegetarian soup vegan, just use a plant milk and omit the cheese, or maybe use some vegan cheese product instead.
Yeah, this one is definitely inspired by my adorable carnivore SO. Meat-man loves beef, pretty sure I only trump steak by a few points. Therefore, when we had a grill-out at a park with some friends and came home with some leftover burger patties, he was a happy camper.
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As I often do on weekends, I woke up early, checked email and Twitter, blogged a bit, and decided what fancy thing I would make for breakfast. I love weekends because there is so much more time in the morning to make something other than pop-tarts or a smoothie. (Don’t get me wrong, I looooooove smoothies.)
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I decided on pancakes.
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About this time, meat-man comes stumbling sleepily into the kitchen, and heads straight to the fridge. Upon noticing the nicely browning pancakes, and seeing the leftover picnic food, his eyes light up. I quickly made the connection too, and though it breaks so many nutrition rules, I had to admit I was curious.
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Yes, I’ll let you have a pancake burger. For science.
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It grosses me out personally, and makes my arteries cringe, but if the happy noises and time it took to demolish (about 15 seconds) is any evidence, it’s damn good. So if you’re feeling brave or want to make a man you know speechless with joy, have at this breakfast beast.
*Not counting this as a less than 5, because individual ingredients (pancake, burger) take several more ingredients to make.
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Step 1: Scramble the eggs in a small bowl. Add to a hot, sprayed pan, and cook into a small patty themselves by pushing the sides into the middle with a spatula as it cooks.
Step 2: If you haven’t yet, make pancakes, at least 2.
Step 3: Make or reheat your burger patty, and place on top of one pancake.
Step 4: Cover with egg, cheese, and some syrup.
Step 5: Top with the other pancake.
This bad boy was about the size of my face.
Then when you finish it all, you can go right back to bed in a food coma. If ever I have a restaurant (le sigh) this will totally be a food challenge on my menu. .
So one day, I was running late at work. I text my SO (significant other) that I would be late, and he asked if I wanted him to start dinner. Bonus points already for asking! Yes please. We had some cooked rice in the fridge, and always have ground turkey on hand. I had mentioned porcupine meatballs previously, to which he responded with a weird look. To explain, adding rice makes meatballs ‘porcupine’. We used to have these all the time growing up, maybe it’s a Polish/Slovak thing.
Anyways, so since I had planted the idea earlier, I suggested that as an option, with some healthy tweaks. An additional can of pinto beans mashed in, plus a can of diced tomatoes or two ups the protein, fiber, and vitamins from the usual just meat/rice combo. Using ground turkey over beef helps cut down on saturated fat as well.
Of course, the only side dish you’re allowed to have with porcupine meatballs is mashed potatoes. Sometimes you can take shortcuts and make them healthy, but sometimes you gotta go all-in: butter, milk, sour cream, and garlic salt. You just know by the look and feel of the potatoes when you’ve added enough of each. Creamy and smooth without being too liquid, with a slight hint of yellow, and a strong smell of garlic. Starting to drool just thinking about it.
And of course, the whole shebang gets drowned in a homemade tomato sauce. Simply perfect.
Ingredients:
1 pound ground turkey
1 cup cooked rice
1 can beans
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
Italian seasonings
Garlic salt
Butter/margerine
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup milk
6-10 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
Step 1: In a bowl, mix turkey, rice, drained beans, drained diced tomatoes, and some seasonings if you like. Form into golf to tennis sized balls and place in an oven-safe pan.
Step 2: Bake these at 350 for 50-60 minutes. You can use a meat thermometer to check, or cut one open and make sure there is no pink inside.
Step 3: For the sauce, combine 1 can undrained tomatoes, 1 can tomato sauce, and spices. Leave chunky or mix in a blender for a smooth sauce.
Step 4: Pour the sauce over the meatballs. You can do this before or after cooking them, if you do it after simply return to the oven for 3-5 minutes to heat through.
Mmmm don’t these look fabulous!?
Step 5: Boil the diced potatoes for 10-15 minutes, until soft when poked with a fork. Drain and return to the cooking pot.
Step 6: Add milk, butter, sour cream, and spices (maybe some cheddar cheese too?) a little at a time, mixing with a potato masher or hand blender, until desired consistency is reached.
Step 7: Scoop a hearty pile of potatoes onto a plate and dollop with extra sauce. Add a meatball, and dive on in!
This is seriously a total bliss flavor combination. Reminds me of childhood and home every time. Definition of comfort food, with less fat and tons more goodness. I’m lucky to have such a good cook to come home to.
What food(s) reminds you of childhood?
The fusion of food, fun, frugality, and curiosity.
