Thursday, January 17, 2008

This place is going Wok and Roll!!!!!

The Observer recently reported
Grand Asia Market coming to STALLINGS --This western Union County town is getting a large Asian grocery market, the first in Union County and one of the biggest in the state. Grand Asia Market, which has operated a 30,000 square-foot grocery store, bakery and in-house restaurant in Cary for 10 years, plans to open in the former Winn-Dixie in Potters Square by the end of the year, according to co-owner Alice Chang. The Winn Dixie building, at Old Monroe and Potter roads in Stallings, has been vacant since 2005, despite efforts by town officials, residents and business owners to recruit another grocery store to fill the space. “So what is the big deal?” you may be asking yourself. The Godfather had done a bit of investigating and this place is going Wok and Roll!!!!!

Grand Asia Market has been providing the community of Cary, North Carolina with the highest quality Asian groceries since 1997. The Cary store carries thousands of products from China, Japan, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, etc. They have bulk packages of Thai Jasmine rice, fresh soymilk, chrysanthemum tea, and ginseng from Mainland China, Japanese seaweed, miso paste, bamboo shoots, tamarind paste, various chili sauces and cooking sauces, Asian snacks and other imported foodstuffs. Asian vegetables in the Produce department include fresh bok choy, bean sprouts, leek, ginger, gailan, lotus root, cilantro, basil, lemongrass, fresh mint, and mustard. In the Meat department, they carry items such as goat, duck, livers, blood, tripe’s, and Chinese sausages. From the aquariums, they sell a variety of live fish and seafood: tilapia, catfish, clams, crabs, lobsters, and oysters, just to name a few! Delicacies such as sea cucumber, and shark fin are also available. They also carry cookware and dinnerware. You will find an assortment of Japanese rice cookers, Asian-style bowls, plates, spoons, cups and woks. These items are also popular as gifts.
Grand Asia Market is also home to Andy's Bakery and The Joy Luck Club Restaurant. Andy's Bakery not only sells Asian bread, pastries, cakes and cookies baked right on the premises, but also prepares many flavors of bubble tea and smoothies. Andy's Bakery is the only fresh Asian bakery in the community. The Joy Luck Club's specialty is authentic, home-style, Chinese cuisine. You can even purchase live seafood from Grand Asia Market and have The Joy Luck Club prepare and cook your seafood to your preference right before your very eyes!
If the new store slated for opening in Stallings is going to be on the same level as the one in Cary it will be a true culinary destination for foodies throughout the Charlotte area. I’m eager for them to open. I really have a Yen to shop here.

Friday, January 11, 2008

Scintillating Salmon

Scintillating Salmon / A Poem and Recipe

Take a salmon filet and spread it with mayo.
Spread it thick so it looks all white.
I know it’s a lot of Mayonnaise but hey it’s all right.

Now sprinkle the top with lots of dried dill, just keep on sprinklin its part of the thrill.

When you’re done sprinkling you will see only green, thats ok you’ll see what I mean.

Turn up the oven high as she goes. Bake about twenty minutes but stay on your toes.
The salmon is safe inside of the mayo. Hiding inside, as not to get dry it stays nice and moist, so give it a try.

Flavorful and tasting of dill you’ll give people pleasure and one heck of a thrill and of course a peek at your skill.

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Big Daddy's is the “Real Deal”

Big Daddy's is the “Real Deal”

Big Daddy’s Burger Bar – Located on East Blvd, in the former location of Jaimama.
The atmosphere is cool and casual, sort of industrial, with comfortable booths and stainless steel on the walls. I felt a kind of a Macs vibe. They feature an awesome beer list and more importantly Charlotte’s finest and cheeriest waitress Cassie. If she can’t make you smile you no doubt have had a lobotomy.

The basic concept here is to build your own burger or salad. They use 100% grass fed hormone free beef. Or you can go for one of the meat substitutes. You can pick your meat, chicken breast, black bean, turkey or my favorite Buffalo Burger. Buffalo not only tastes great it is also healthy. It has half the fat and cholesterol of beef. Have it on a whole-wheat bun and it’s a healthy choice that tastes amazing.
Choices include some great bread options, cheeses such as Swiss cheddar, pimento blue, veggies; interesting sauces and premium toppings like apple wood smoked bacon, avocado, sausage, ham, jalapeƱo bacon and fried egg to name a few. All burgers are served with a choice of French fries, sweet potato fries, onion straws, tater tots, black bean and corn salsa or a chopped wedge salad. On the weekend they have French fries cooked in duck fat. Pretty exotic huh?
I am pleased to report the bun was fresh the burger juicy. and delicious. I am talking one first-rate top notch all American Burger.
I am pleased to proclaim
Big Daddy’s Burger Bar is indeed the” Real Deal” The Godfather will return very soon. Save me a seat in Cassie’s section.