What Cathy Eats! – Page 75

Sammoon-another visit

June 12, 2012 Cathy Iraqi Food and Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

Sammoon has closed.

This is mmm-yoso!!! It's a food blog. Kirk is still adjusting to the time zone and not blogging. ed (from Yuma) is adjusting to not having to be at work early each day and is not blogging. Cathy appears to be adjusted and this is a short blog post.

It does seem that my blog posts are about return visits to a bunch of places. This is because when The Mister and I go to eat out, we like to patronize local businesses close to home which are relatively inexpensive and serve really good food. When I first posted about Sammoon, it was after only a few visits. The business is run by recent Iraqi immigrants who make really good food and Sammoon is part of our "regular rotation".

Sammoon is located within walking distance from the El Cajon Courthouse as well as the new El Cajon Police Headquarters and ends up being quite crowded around lunchtime on days when court is in session. However, on Fridays and weekends, business is steadier without the 'rush' and that's when we like to go out for lunch. The owner, takes great pride in putting out a good product and there is a wait for most food orders, because items are prepared fresh.

The oven over there along the wall is where the Sammoon bread and all the sweets are made, daily. You can see the two rotating upright spits of schawarma (beef and chicken) along the other wall. Sammoon bread is shaped in its unique way and is a heartier type of bread, almost the texture of Ciabatta.

The oven is also where this wonderous cheese bread is made. Listed on the wall menu by the cash register, this is only $1. You can see how much cheese is on the fresh baked bread by looking at the cross section with a bite taken out…Fresh baked bread, still hot. The cheese, mixed with parsley does not melt much, but browns. It is firmer than Mozzarella and it has a good flavor- like Feta in texture, but less salty. We've never asked what kind, just ordered.

This is the chicken schawarma salad ($7.99). Yes, it is large. There is lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, onion and Feta and a nice oil and vinegar dressing on the side to pour over all of that freshly cooked thinly sliced chicken. The salads are served with fresh Sammoon bread.

Here is a better photo of the Sammoon bread with my blackened salmon salad ($8.99). The salmon is rubbed in Za'atr- a mix of finely ground oregano and sesame seeds and the flavor is amazing. This is not as much protein as on the chicken salad, but just as satisfying.

Anyhow, glad I could share another meal. Hope everyone is having a good week.

Sammoon 190 Magnolia Avenue, Suite 103 El Cajon 92020 (619) 441-2823 Open 10-10 Sun-Thurs and 10-midnight on Friday & Saturday

Pho Hiep & Grill (revisit)

June 10, 2012 Cathy Vietnamese Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

Well, you've found mmm-yoso!!!, the food blog. Kirk is busy recovering from the last leg of his vacation, ed (from Yuma) is busy recovering from events occurred in Yuma and Cathy, recovering from a sunburn, is able to blog a short post today.

Hi. The other day, it was chilly and The Mister and I both wanted noodles and broth. We could not agree on the type of broth, nor on which the animal we wanted to eat. It occurred to me that we hadn't had any Vietnamese food lately and so we headed to Linda Vista and Pho Hiep & Grill, which I've posted about, and so has Kirk. This location has been here more than 20 years (it originally was Pho Hoa Hiep and the first place The Mister and I ever ordered pho). It is our favorite place, with Pho Lucky Seafood being a very close second.

Not much has changed in all these years.

The condiments on the table are standard. The tables are highly laquered. There are two televisions and on this day, both were playing a black and white Mexican (not translated) Cowboy movie.

The Mister's Dac Biet (small, $5.50)- a rich beef broth, noodles, onion, herbs and thin cut rare lean beef, rare brisket, fatty brisket, flank, tendon and tripe.

The pho add-ins at the top, which includes sawtooth. The Mister and I shared that plate. The ginger sauce is to add into my to my Pho Ga ($5.50) -a very rich chicken broth, noodles, onion, fresh herbs and -my reason for eating here- you are asked if you want only chicken breast meat, or "all of it". Of course, since The Mister got just about every part of the cow, asked for every part of the chicken. As you can see, there was chicken liver and also heart with dark as well as white meat from the bird.

A favorite place where each of us can get exactly what we want, when we want everything. I hope everyone is having a good weekend and will have a nice week.

Pho Hiep and Grill 6947 Linda Vista Road (at Ulrich) San Diego 92111 (619) 268-8406

open 7 days, 7:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.

This location has no website, but the other two locations in Chula Vista share This Website

Carnival Supermarket-Lunch in the Store

June 7, 2012 Cathy Markets & Grocers, What Cathy Eats!

Well. You've found yourself at the mmm-yoso!!! food blog again. Kirk is vacationing in a colorful part of the world, ed (from Yuma) is having fun in Yuma, a colorful part of the United States and Cathy has ventured to a colorful part of San Diego.

Hello again. If you've ever been on Convoy street at Mesa College Drive, in the parking lot where K Sandwiches and Anh Hong are, or maybe parked in that parking lot and walked over to Mien Trung or Sushi Diner and then left the parking lot on the side street (onto Mesa College Drive), you have to turn right and at the signal light, which is Ashford Street, make a U-Turn to get back to Convoy, (or you can turn right into that parking lot, where Homestyle Hawaiian is located).

If you make a right on Ashford, about a half mile through that neighborhood of houses is a signal light (which is Beagle Street and Stalmer Street) and Carnival Market is about 100 feet further, on the West side of Ashford.

Carnival is a local, neighborhood Supermarket. It is small. When you walk in the main door, you are in the Produce Department. To your left are the check out counters.

To your right are the Ready to Eat counters.

Yes. Lamb shanks- this is not just a Mexican Market; several Middle Eastern items are made and sold here, but not flatbreads. The Chicharron in Salsa Verde is a specialty that not many markets or restaurants sell; it is really good.

Whole roasted chickens, various pork preparations…

We'll be back to this counter for lunch after a short tour.

There is a bakery section, which makes all sorts of desserts.

Five floor-to-taller-than-me doors of small baked goods. (Made without preservatives or lard).

The small (10 for $1.10) and large (4 for $1) bolillos are made fresh several times a day.

As are the tortillas, which I always purchase.

The seafood counter is small, but has good choices.

As does the meat counter.

and the cheese counter.

Just enough selection and variety and good prices to get me to visit here regularly.

Then there is the Eat In Area. A visit here isn't complete without a ready to eat item or three…

The tables are next to the Taqueria and there is a salsa bar available.

There are several house made salsas (which you can purchase in the cases) and other condiments available. You get your hot foods and pay at the front cash registers then walk back here to the tables to eat.

The Guisado of the day was $5.99 a pound. This much was $5.27. It was Beef Birria -essentially pot roast- definitely made with garlic, cumin, cloves, cinnamon and I am sure many other spices as well as several types of chilies. The meat was very tender, the sauce very rich and deep flavored.

This is about 1/2 pound of shrimp and octopus cocktail ($4.27). Fresh, fresh made. Fresh, plump, large shrimp. The sauce is very mild and salsa and hot sauce were added while I was eating.

I'm sure you noticed above that the fried tilapia, whole or fillets, was $2.99. Add rice, beans and four hot, fresh tortillas and this plate was…$3.99. You know I had to. The lady behind the counter was surprised I wanted the whole fish and went to some trouble to select one of the larger, meatier ones for me.

Once again, I finished it all.

Carnival Market isn't large, but it has everything you might want or need. And then some.

Carnival Supermarket 3560 Ashford Street San Diego 92111 (858) 277-1505 Open 7 am-10 pm, seven days

Los Palmitos Taco Shop-Salads, Soup and Fish

June 6, 2012 Cathy Taco Shops, What Cathy Eats!

Yes, you're reading mmm-yoso!!!, the food blog. Kirk is enjoying a vacation and doesn't have the bandwidth to blog. ed (from Yuma) is doing lots of things (in Yuma) and blogging isn't one of them. Cathy is the blogger for today.

Hello. I blogged about Los Palmitos in 2008 and thought the food was really good, but the taco shop did not become part of the "regular rotation" for The Mister or me, since it is not near home or work for either of us. However, I do have friends who give me recommendations about their favorite places and items to try and so when driving around town, I have stopped here on a more regular basis have found some standout selections for the times when I don't want a taco or burrito.

You can tell by the architecture of the building that Los Palmitos used to be a Taco Bell. The kitchen is intact and used as a kitchen. There are no other similarities.

This is the poster in the side window, if you need a reason or want an excuse to stop here. Yes, beer. At a Taco Shop.

The salsa bar, which has rules, is filled with four fresh made salsas and other condiments.

The brown-ish salsa is habañero. It is *very* good; there is heat but the other flavors come through. The next hottest is the green salsa, which has a touch of garlic in the flavor. The darker red one is my favorite: it is a chipotle- a roasted jalapeño- and tastes 'full' and rich, almost creamy to me. The lightest red one is very mild; almost like just tomato sauce with a bit of onion, especially after you taste the stronger flavors and then go back to this mildest salsa. Fresh chips come with all orders.

Ground Beef Tostada ($6.10)- simple meal that isn't a burrito. Beans on the bottom, ground beef, cheese, sour cream, guacamole and salsa fresca (chopped tomato/onion/cilantro) all inside an edible flour tortilla bowl. This is very good. However, for a few pennies more-

The Carne Asada Salad ($6.25) is beautifully presented. It isn't in a flour tortilla bowl and there are no beans (less carbohydrates!). It is flavorful and quite large and filling. Lettuce topped with a mild, creamy house dressing, cucumbers, carne asada, cheese and shredded tortilla strips. This is a healthy, filling choice for a meal here.

Caldo de Res ($6.99) Beef soup, with add ins. Rich beefy broth, corn,carrots, squash and a lot of tender pieces of beef. I usually eat half the soup 'as is' and then add in the lime, onions and cilantro and rice…it's like having two different main courses.

Whole fish, fried ($10.05). Usually listed on menus as mojarra frita, this traditional Mexican tilapia preparation is perfectly done at Los Palmitos. The cleaned fish is slit (so it won't curl when being fried) and then rubbed with a marinade of lime juice, garlic, salt and pepper. Then the fish is pan fried in olive oil. The fish is served with rice, beans (the beans are really good here), tomatoes, salsa fresca, cucumbers, pickled onions, sour cream, guacamole and tortillas.

The day I ordered this fish, the chef from the kitchen brought it out to me. I think he was proud of this presentation, and the fact that someone had ordered something other than burritos. Usually the nice lady working the cash register will hand the fish to me over the counter. This fish was large and the meat was moist and had a good fresh flavor.

Once again, I ate every last bit.

I think Los Palmitos is a hidden gem.

Los Palmitos Taco Shop 5145 Clairmont Mesa Boulevard (between Limerick and Longford) San Diego 92117

(858)974-1946 Open 8 a.m.-midnight, daily Website

KNB Wine Cellars-Lunch

June 3, 2012 Cathy Pubs and Pub Grub, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is a food blog. You somehow have found it on your computer. A few of us share the blogging duties: Kirk, who is globetrotting, ed (from Yuma) who is hanging around Yuma right now and Cathy, who has somehow found her way to the SDSU area of town.

Hi. One block North of Interstate 8 at the College Avenue exit, is the signal light for Del Cerro Boulevard. Turn right, look to your left and you'll see Windmill Farms, a Community Market and all around great grocery store close to San Diego State University. Some students shop here, but the location, in a University neighborhood, means the locals also shop at this wonderful market.

Right next door, attached to the Windmill Farms building, is KNB Wine Cellars. It takes up a small storefront. The sign on the front clarifies the name- Keg and Bottle.

When you step up to the doorway, you can see this space is deep.

Walk in and the selection of non-refrigerated beers is extensive. Opposite these shelves and around the back of the store is a wall of refrigerators.

The liquors, spirits and wine selection is also extensive.

Within this maze is a Bistro. Yes. Not hidden, but maybe you wouldn't think this was a place to stop for a meal, other that the other part of the outdoor signage "Fine Foods"… There are seats indoors and also on a patio out front.

I had a non-alcohol lunch here recently. I did notice the beer tap selection was quite large and the menu has a variety of not only wines but also Flights (a number of small samples of reds or whites) but also mentions monthly events.

This lunch started with one order of Huevos Diablo ($1).

Deviled eggs. The yolk is mixed with beer and then piped back into the whites and topped with a jalapeño. A few of these would be a perfect snack or small meal for me.

The West Coast Caprese Salad ($9.50) has a beautiful presentation.

Heirloom tomatoes, Cotija cheese and avocado, topped with cilantro and a *really* nice balsamic. This combination has inspired me to experiment a bit more at home. I never had considered Cotija cheese as much more than a garnish, since it doesn't melt. It is salty and has more of a slight soft-to solid texture-like Feta. This combination of flavors was just right. A creative take on a traditional Caprese salad.

My friend had a Buster Keaton Sandwich ($9). Roast beef, Gorgonzola, roasted red peppers, mayonnaise and spinach on a toasted ciabatta. A small spring mix salad was on the side. I am unsure what roast beef has to do with Buster Keaton, a silent film actor. I had a bite of the sandwich and it was very good.

All in all, the KNB Wine Cellars Bistro is a hidden gem. It's a very nice, local place with a very interesting menu. The prices and selection of beers, wines and spirits is extensive. I'll be returning with The Mister to try out more of the menu.

KNB Wine Cellars 6380 Del Cerro Boulevard San Diego 92120 (619) 286-0321 Website

Current Obsession: Mango, Chamango, Mangoneada.

June 2, 2012 Cathy Desserts, Mexican Restaurants, Sandwiches, Stuff, What Cathy Eats!

You are reading mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog. Kirk is busy (with things to do and eat in an exotic part of the world), ed (from Yuma) is busy (with things to do and eat in Yuma) and Cathy is busy (blogging about things she did and ate recently).

So. I was cleaning up 'my' area of the kitchen today and noticed something about my current snacks. There is a commonality in all of these items.

I'm not a chocoholic; never was. Sugary sweets don't interest me. I am currently a craver of a combination of tangy mango with salty-savory-pickled-sour with chile powder heat and occasionally the sweet of gooey tamarind candy. Every possible receptor cell taste bud being active in a single food item. How did this happen?

In December I went on a Major Food Crawl with fellow Bloggers caninecologne (Pink Candles at Ridgemont High), Carol (CAB Cooks) and Dennis (A Radiused Corner)-no, I never wrote about the eight or so places we stopped at; I started to and the post got *huge*. Instead, I have returned to each of the eateries we stopped at and have been enjoying the specialties enjoyed at each. There will be more posts.

This is where the spicy and mango comes into play. We stopped at Teresita's Fruiteria.

Teresita's is located in a mall anchored by a KFC and McDonald's on the Northwest corner of I-805 and Palm Avenue. Technically, it is in San Diego City, but it is way South.

There is an extensive menu, however, not only was it late in the very long day for the four of us, but CC knew what Teresita's sold that nobody else does- Chamango. We ordered four.

A frozen mango smoothie-with chunks of mango, swirled with chamoy liquid and topped with bits of Chaca Chaca– a gooey tamarind candy. The combination of sweet-tart mango with the pickled sour saltiness and chili heat of the chamoy and the gooey fruit candy bits of tamarind was delightful, refreshing and a combination of flavors I had never tasted (and those who know what I do around this time of year know that I have tasted a lot of bizarre stuff). I have returned many times to Teresita's, even though it is a long drive from home.

I really only want the Chamango (small is about $4) but also order a small pico de gallo ($3.50) (the long white pieces on tope are slices of fresh coconut) (really good) and, on this visit a grilled cheese sandwich ($2.50) so as to appear to be eating a healthy meal. The pico, topped with Tajin, or a Tajin-like mix of salt, red chile and lime is a wonderful combination of fruit, vegetable and heat. The grilled cheese is particularly addicting for me. There is only one bread, no choice. It is a *really* nice, chewy whole wheat that is crisped up and…filled (you can see) filled with an unusually high quality sliced processed American cheese. Really. I *hate* Kraft slices and don't even want cheese on burgers, but this cheese, slightly melted with this bread…heaven. Creamy and salty and a great sandwich.

Teresita's Fruiteria 4370 Palm Ave, Suite 5 San Diego 92154

So. I have posted about Tropical Fruit Paradise, a fruiteria right down Mission Gorge Road, closer to where The Mister and I live.

I do enjoy fruiterias because the whole concept of a fruit shop is fascinating. Growing up in colder climates, the idea of walking into a store and finding fresh fruit, much less having it prepared in various ways was never considered by either myself or The Mister.

In addition to the torta sandwiches mentioned in my other post, wraps are offered here.

The chicken wrap costs about 50¢ more than a turkey or ham wrap. All are made with a spinach wrapper and simply filled with lettuce, tomato and Ranch dressing. But the chicken is heated on the grill and tastes that much better.

As with most fruiterias, Tostilocos is (are?) available ($3.99). The version here uses regular cucumber as well as jicama and the hot sauce coating everything is quite spicy hot. A bit different and very good.

The mango-chamoy beverage here is a Mangoneada. It is made with frozen mango chunks and orange juice. The chamoy is nicely distributed as the beverage is poured in the cup. BUT instead of being topped with tamarind pieces- the straw is coated in Chaca Chaca, the chewy, salty tamarind candy…

That's a small Fruit Salad Freeze ($3.75). Also very good -strawberries, peaches and banana.

I hope everyone is having a good weekend and satisfying current cravings. Thanks for introducing me to this one, caninecologne!

Tropical Fruit Paradise 10387 Friars Road San Diego 92120 (619) 584-4786

Balboa International Market-the in store restaurant (revisit)

May 31, 2012 Cathy Markets & Grocers, Mediterranean Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is the blog you are reading. Kirk is off in a foreign land, eating and writing a post. ed (from Yuma) is in Yuma, eating and also writing a post. Cathy is in San Diego. She ate and wrote this post.

Hi. I wrote a post about Balboa International Market around the time it opened, in October of 2010. This is a short update. It is not located directly on Balboa Avenue, but is parallel to it, behind the two banks and mall with a See's Candy store.

There are quite a few Mediterranean Markets in East County, closer to where I live. All have an in store or attached to the store restaurant. Occasionally I travel West and enjoy lunch and do some shopping at Balboa International Market.

Balboa International Market has an excellent selection of pickled vegetables

as well as jarred and canned sauces and many brands of canned seafood

and condiments and spices of all types.

Olive oils from many countries, packaged cookies from many countries and (look at the sign straight ahead) certified Halal meats and other products are sold here.

There is a good selection of fresh fruits

and vegetables at very good prices. Looking straight ahead in the above photo, is the bakery area. Fresh, in store baked flat breads of many types can be purchased here.

I did make such a purchase as The Mister ordered lunch-at the far left corner (from the front door) of the store -at the meat counter.

This bread was labeled as wheat. It was thicker/spongier/had a good 'tooth' than the usual flat bread and still hot when I grabbed it off the shelf and paid for it ($2.29) and took it to the table, where The Mister had started a cup of hot tea ($1) after he had ordered and paid. The sesame seeds and the bottom floured layer of this particular bread made it tasty when re-heated the next morning. Yes, there was bread left over for the next morning because this photo is not some sort of optical illusion: The loaf of bread is about three feet by eight inches.

My fish plate ($7.99). Two very large white fish (tilapia) filets which were very lightly floured and seasoned with a mix of Middle Eastern spices then lightly pan fried. The fish was meaty, moist and had just a bit of crispness. The rice is called 'green rice' -it is basmati rice with fresh dill and topped with a spoonful of the yellow (saffron) rice. This is Persian, as are the seasonings used. The side order of salad with onion, cucumber and tomato is topped with a mustard vinaigrette.

Originally The Mister wanted a chicken salad which is a salad with Feta and olives and a chicken breast kabob. It costs $7.99. But this is the chicken kabob plate with no rice but instead salad substituted for the rice along with the salad the plate comes with and is only $6.99. The kabob is marinated boneless chicken breast which is charbroiled.

The in store bakery at Balboa International Market does not sell sweets, other than one sweet bread, but in the same mall is Balboa Bakery. -Another post- It is a small bakery and just fresh pastries and coffee sold here.

Balboa International Market 5907 Balboa Avenue San Diego 92111 (858) 277-3600 Website

The 2011 San Diego County Fair-Part 3: Sensible Fair Food

May 27, 2012 Cathy Festivals & Events, What Cathy Eats!, yoso-silly

Yes, this is mmm-yoso!!! the blog about food which is usually written by one of three people (and occasionally by some other friends). Kirk is out somewhere in the world enjoying a vacation, ed (from Yuma) is also out enjoying this three day weekend and Cathy is catching up-on a post she thought about writing last July.

Hi. The title of this post is *not* a typo. There are two posts written about the 2011 San Diego County Fair and a third post to tie up loose ends was intended to be written…and, well, it never seemed to be the right time. This long weekend, when people are home celebrating Memorial Day and maybe thinking about the 2012 San Diego County Fair seems to be the right time to post. I wrote this because people asked me what I really eat when I go to the Fair.

Now, I have shown the decadent offerings at the Fair…

The truth is, The Mister and I try maybe one of the newer, decadent offerings, but don't make a day of eating all that stuff. For one, it would be expensive and second, I just don't deliberately stuff myself at any meal.

There are smarter choices offered and you can still eat different foods than your usual snacks while enjoying the exhibits on the Fairgrounds. The exhibits and contests are the "heart" of the Fair- why the Fair exists.

Albertsons, one of the Sponsors of the Fair, has had this booth for several years now:

The Albertson's Rejuvenation Station sells a variety of salads, fruits, nuts and more or less 'healthy' beverages.

There are also many booths with grilled food available-

…sometimes next to or within booths offering fried choices…You have to read the smaller print on some of the booths-or just look around:

There are at least ten vendors selling grilled turkey legs at the Fair, and at least another ten selling grilled corn.

Now, what do The Mister and I eat when we go to the County Fair? Well, we do try at least one of the "new" offerings each year, but when it is time for a meal,

The falafel burger and/or the artichoke sandwich from Roxy's is one purchase we make. It's great. Very large, on a wheat bun, topped with fresh, crisp vegetables and…I am not sure what makes it different, but it is. I've never been disappointed with either sandwich.

Also every year, we *must* stop here.

I can't make or buy a fresh cream puff like this- the shells are baked daily in the trailer. When you order, then the shells are filled with fresh whipped cream. Heaven.

One last view of the 2011 Fair- the view from the West.

The 2012 San Diego County Fair has had some exhibits judged and it's being set up…that's another post. It opens June 8. This is a link to the new foods that will be available at the 2012 San Diego County Fair.

I hope everyone is enjoying this weekend and the reason we celebrate Memorial Day. Thank you to those who Serve and Served.

Making “Ricotta” at home; Saturday snacking

May 26, 2012 Cathy Cooking, Recipes, What Cathy Eats!

Welcome back to mmm-yoso!!! It's a long weekend and Kirk is vacationing somewhere in the world, ed (from Yuma) is staycationing (in Yuma) and Cathy is staying at home and blogging today.

Hi. Thought I'd do a quick post about one of my latest food obsessions, fresh 'Ricotta' I make at home. Ricotta means "cooked again" and the name refers to the production process used by the professionals. Ricotta is technically not a cheese, because it is made by coagulating milk proteins, using the whey remaining from other cheese making; re-cooking and not using caseins, which define cheese.

My version is quicker and I don't use leftover whey, since cheesemaking at home would have to happen. I enjoy the taste as well as the texture-like thick sour cream, with a soft, grainy component.

Ricotta is used in many Italian dessert recipes as well as lasagna. This version does taste slightly, pleasantly sweet, in the sort of way cream is sweet. This recipe is pretty versatile and you can eat it with everything…like grains, eggs, olive oil, salad, vegetables, pasta, bread, a spoon…

The ingredients to make about a pound/cup and a half of Ricotta. 3 C whole milk, 1 C heavy cream, 1/2 tsp salt. I use sea salt because it doesn't taste as 'salty' to me. Also, 3 Tbs of fresh squeezed lemon juice will be needed, later.

Put those first three ingredients into a pan (do not use an aluminum or copper pan) and, if you have one, a candy thermometer can be clipped onto the pan also. Stir (with a wooden spoon) while heating. You can see the milk forming bubbles and coating the wooden spoon. At 190º, the mix will begin to boil and basically boil over. As soon as you see the mound of bubbles forming, it *IS* 190º and you need to move the pan immediately to a 'cool' burner so the bottom stops heating. Let the contents of the pan settle down a bit (one or two minutes). Now it will be time to add the 3 Tablespoons of lemon juice.

Here is a photo of lemons on a dwarf tree in my yard. They are not ready to pick yet. I didn't take a picture of the lemon or juice used for this batch of Ricotta.

As soon as you add three Tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, the hot milk starts to curdle. Stir a few (maybe three) times and let it continue to curdle and cool down.

After it cools down more (but is still warm, ten-15 minutes) and you can see more curds form, you can pour the mix through a cheesecloth lined strainer over a bowl. The creamy stuff in the cheesecloth is curds, the liquid that falls through is whey…curds and whey…Little Miss Muffet…it's coming full circle! Let this strain at least an hour.

You can place this into another container for serving on the table, if you have guests or for some reason would not finish the approximately one cup of creamy, delightful goodness.

Home made "Ricotta"

3C whole milk

1C heavy cream

1/2 tsp sea salt

3 Tbs fresh lemon juice

Mix first three ingredients in a non-reactive (not copper or aluminum) pan with a wooden spoon. Heat on medium , stirring constantly, until the contents reach 190º(the milk begins to boil). IMMEDIATELY move pan. Let cool for about one-two minutes, then add the fresh squeezed lemon juice. Stir gently, just to get curd formation. Leave pan alone for 15 minutes, until most curd formation has occurred. Strain through a cheescloth lined strainer into a bowl for at least one hour. This can be packed into an airtight container and refrigerated overnight. I don't know if it stays fresh for more than two days, since it is gone by then.

Sultan- a lunch or two

May 23, 2012 Cathy Turkish Food, What Cathy Eats!

Yes, this is mmm-yoso!!!, the blog o' food. Today, Cathy is playing the part usually played by Kirk, who is having a blissful time elsewhere. ed (from Yuma) is blissfully enjoying his downtime in Yuma.

Hi. Kirk usually posts about dinners at Sultan. (I've found at least five posts where he has mentioned meals there and that link is to the most recent meal.) As you have read, He and His Missus are elsewhere and since The Mister and I also eat here and I have photos of some light/lunch meals, here's another post.

I took this photo early one morning, as we were driving to Kaelin's Market for goodies. You'll never actually see the front parking places empty when the mall is open.

I don't think Kirk has posted a photo of the open kitchen. I snapped this when I had the chance. That photo montage above the window looks like it's from Kirk's posts about his Turkish vacation. Sultan is the only True Turkish Restaurant in San Diego County.

We always order a salad when we stop here. This is Koylu Salatasi salad (small, $4). Cucumber, tomato and parsley. The dressing is light : oil, vinegar and spices. This is refreshingly fresh.

We almost always also order Mercimek- ($3) made with red lentils, flour, butter and spices. This vegetarian soup is so darn good- deeply rich flavored. You would not think it is vegetarian.

This is the Veggie combo platter ($10). A bit of everything: Start from 11:00-Baba Ganouj (smoky), Hummus(garlicy and lemony), Patlican Salatasi(eggplant, onion, sweet pepper, tomato and parsley),Taze Fasulye (green beans, onions, carrots, sweet pepper and tomato), Tabuli (bulgur, parsley,tomato, onion, cucumber in a lemon-olive oil dressing), Haydari(yogurt, cucumber, dill and mint) and in the center to enjoy with everything if we didn't want to use bread, a roasted eggplant.

Falafel ($7). Made with fresh garbanzos, tomato, hot pepper, onion and served with the hummus/ baba ganouj/haydari from above. A very good version.

On another lunchtime visit…

As I mentioned, we almost always order the Mercimak ($3). It's that good.

This time, we chose the Tabuli salad (small, $4). It's also that good. Just enough bulgur wheat and always perfectly dressed.

Lahmacun ($3) The house made bread topped with a mix of ground beef, tomato, sweet pepper, tomato, parsley and spices. This is quite large, thin and very deeply flavored. The lemon, pickled onions, peppers and pickles are nice to add on, but tasting this as it hits the table, it's perfect.

Then there is this. From the appetizer menu. Simple. Peynirli Borek ($3) Feta, onion and spinach. Made fresh, on crispy still warm filo. This is a perfect food: taste, textures…

We always get tea at the end of every meal, even this meal of small appetizers.

Sultan Kebab and Baklava 131 Jamacha Road (At East Main and North Second), El Cajon 92019 Website (619)440-1901 Open 7 days 11 a.m.-10 p.m.