Thursday, September 16, 2010

Chickpea Tagine Recipe

Prep Time: 15 min Cook Time: 45 min
Makes: 4 servings

Nutrition Information: 350 calories, 11 g protein, 64 g carbs, 8 g fat (1 g sat), 12 g fiber


Ingredients:
1 1/2 tbsp extra-viring olive oil
1 red onion, quartered and thickly sliced
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus additional to taste
2 small carrots, sliced lengthwise, cut into 1/2 inch thick slices (about 3/4cup)
1 1/2 cups cubed, peeled butternut squash (6 ounces)
2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
3 quarter-size pieces peeled fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon harissa paste (available in most grocery stores), plus additoinal to taste
2 teaspoons honey, plus additional to taste
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 whole cinnamon stick
1/4 teaspoon tumeric
4 plum tomatoes, cored and chopped ( 1 pound)
1 medium zucchini, quartered and cut into 1/2 inch chuncks (2 cups)
10 dried apricots, sliced (1/4 cup packed)
1/2 cup water
1 19-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
Freshly squeezed juice of 1/2 lemon, plus additional to taste
1 cup whole-wheat couscous, cooked according to package directions (optional)
4 teaspoons sliced, toasted almonds

1. In a large heavy pot over medium to low heat, warm the olive oil; add the onion and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 mins. Add the carrots and continue to cook for 5 more minutes.

2. Add the butternut squash, garlic, and ginger and raise the heat to medium. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes.

3. Add the harissa, honey, cumin, cinnamon stick, and tumeric and stir until fragrant, 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, zucchini, and apricots and stir well. Pour in the water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cover and reduce the heat as needed to simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender but not mush, 20 to 25 minutes.

4. Add the chickpeas and lemon juice. Raise the heat and simmer, uncovered, until the chickpeas are heated through and the liquid has thickened slightly, 5 to 10 minutes.

5. Season to taste with additional salt, harissa, honey, and lemon. Serve over couscous if desired and garnish with sliced almonds.

Found this recipe from a February 2010 Fitness Magazine edition. You can check out their site at: Fitnessmagazine.com

Sunday, September 5, 2010

The Lobster Shop Restaurant at Dash Point


Alaskan King Crab


 Curb Appeal: The Lobster Shop at Dash Point is an unknown gem in Tacoma that has been around since 1981. You can find this charming and cozy restaurant nestled amongst a residential area on Puget Sound overlooking the vast ocean. The views are endless with its open windows and perfect shots of the sun-setting. You get views of Vashon Island, Des Moines, and a bit of Seattle. The drive down here may be a bit daunting, but it is well worth it. You instantly can tell how stunning this place would be on a special night with its cozy and romantic feel.


Dungeness Crab Cakes

Its unique placement was due to the fact that the Lobster Shop was once a residential home remodeled into a restaurant. You go through Brown’s Point, and right when you think you’re in the middle of nowhere, you’ve found the place. It’s a smallish restaurant that has about a 100-person occupancy.  This small feel  makes the service even more special and personalized as your every need is taken care of here.

To read more about the Lobster Shop Story…
Customer Service: We came here, late one evening, when the sun has already settled, but the beautiful candlelit tables and the soft blows of the ocean wind made the night much more romantic. We were seated right away by one lady, who seemed to be the only one working at the time. We ordered our meals, and the lady was very attentive and offered up her own suggestions. She immediately brought us iced water and remained attentive throughout the night to meet our needs. Like other reviews have said, it's true they do treat you like royalty here.


Lobster Shop Signature Salad

Food Quality: The crab cakes were ok, there wasn't anything special about them, but I loved their Signature Salad with the walnuts, bleu cheese crumbles, and sliced apples. I also loved their King Crab Legs and Lobster with the warm butter sauce dip. The steak my date ordered to be medium-rare came out overcooked and charred. He did complain and our server did not charge us for the steak, but we didn't want to wait for another one. I felt that she should've not charged my date's whole meal which was the Lobster Tail and Top Sirloin Steak, as it pretty much ruined his appetite. But my crab legs were delicious. So in spite of that, I'd recommend going there for their Seafood, great views, charming seating areas, and personal attention. I blame the overcooked steak on the chef who was gone by the time we complained.


Steak and Australian Lobster Tail. Does the steak look rare-medium to you?
*Note: According to their menu, they "serve Nebraska corn fed Black Angus beef, aged 21 days for flavor and tenderness," and "all the steaks are basted with the Lobster Shop's Signature Maitre'd butter."

Price: Pricey like any other Seafood joint, but well worth it! Dungeness Crab Cakes $16.95 for two, Lobster Shop Signature Salad $7.95, Lobster and Crab prices vary among the Market rate. Entrees alone are $20-40 each. I definitely advise coming during the Twilight hours (4:30-6pm), especially in the winter when the sun sets earlier.


We brought our own wine from a wine tasting event in Leavenworth. You can bring your own bottle too for a corking fee of $15.

Specials/Happy Hour: Between 4:30-6pm they have a Twilight Menu where you can choose between a two-course meal for $14.99 or a three-course meal for $16.99.


The three-course meal offers chowder or salad, entree, and dessert. The two-course meal offers an entree with salad, chowder, or desert. You may also add a Shrimp Cocktail or Dungeness Crab Crostinis for only $1.00.


Hours of Operation:
Dinner Only
Sunday - Thursday 4:30pm - 9:00pm

Friday - Saturday 4:30pm - 10:00pm

Phone: (253) 927-1513

Address:
6912 Soundview Drive Northeast
Tacoma, WA 98422





Read Other's Reviews:




You can also try their newest location at Commencement Bay in Tacoma click here.