The Pelican "Brief"

Okay, I'm not talking about the movie.  But, I'm talking about a fabulous restaurant that is a local unknown gem!  Last week I accompanied "A" to an awards ceremony ("A" was up for a big award.....Best Featured Actress among others in her category from various plays held at the Jewel Box Theater).  The ceremony took place at Tinker Air Force Base.  We got there too early to enter (high security), so we drove around to waste some time.  On our drive, we passed a restaurant that I grew up on (and had forgotten about.  it's in Midwest City, which I don't frequent that often).  It brought back memories, and a great idea!  This past three weeks we took a walk down memory lane on our childhood favorites (meals cooked at home).  So, these next three weeks we are going to frequent establishments that either A. We grew up on or B. That remind us of those special occasion restaurants we grew up going to.  Pelican's was that for me.

To spin it even further, myself and "A" decided to make it a surprise for "J"!  He's worked so hard over these past 22 weeks (yes folks, 22 weeks going strong!).  We thought it would be fun for him to take a needed break and enjoy the "ride".  So, we strapped him in.  Blind-folded him.  And off we went!  Along the way "J" was getting every turn and exit we were making.  So, "A" directed me (with motions only, so he wouldn't know...ha) to take an earlier exit, and drive around the long-way.  That definitely got him turned around!  When we arrived, and the blind-fold was removed, he had NO clue where we were.  Of course, no idea what restaurant we were at....but also, no clue where we were directionally speaking.

This is "J" getting out of the car and removing his blind-fold for the first time.  Although the storms were heavy, the sun was really bright for being blind-folded in a 30-minute car ride!  It took him almost 10 minutes to get acclimated and comfortable with where he was.  So funny.

This is Pelican's!  Isn't it so quaint?

The cute, and extensive (lots of great offerings), menu!

The best part of Pelican's is their salad bar.  It is amazing, and all the items are the freshest.  I mean, look at this salad!  The salad bar comes with each entree, plus one side.  Great deal!

What I remember most of Pelican's is their French Onion Soup.  It was on the salad bar that night, but the waiter hooked me up, with putting croutons and cheese on top and heating it up.  Great waiter!  And, great memory came true again.  It was fabulous, as I remembered it to be.

We just HAD to order the Fried Zucchini as an appetizer.  They could have been more thinly sliced, for me (I like them potato chip thin).  But, they were good.

I ordered the Petite Teriyaki Sirloin.  My side, a baked potato.  This potato was cooked perfectly!  Don't you just love when you get a huge potato, and it's cooked to perfection.  The butter and sour cream melt, and it becomes an ooey gooey dream!  My tab included this steak, which came with the baked potato, salad bar and soup, plus a beer and my total was only a little over $18.00.  Great deal!

Now I'm sorry, but I have no idea why the next two photos are flipped.  I saved them rotated, and the blog still uploads them upside down!  Nevertheless, this is "J's" meal.  Coconut Fried Shrimp.  It was yummo!

"A" enjoyed the special they offered that night, the Orange Roughy. 

It was a fun trip, and both "J" and "A" (so they say) really enjoyed it.  If you are local, I recommend a trip to Midwest City to enjoy this establishment.  It's located off of Air Depot, in the parking lot of the old Heritage Park Mall. 

I couldn't write this post, without posting the picture that started it all.  Congratulations to my beautiful friend, "A".  She didn't win the category of Best Featured Actress, but she won something BETTER!  "Best Newcomer"!  It was a total surprise (didn't even know the category was up), and priceless.  The presenter started talking about the character she played, and she looked at me and said "hey, they are talking about me!".  Her acceptance speech was perfect.  "A": I'm so proud of you, but even prouder to call you my friend.  Love all around (and on our side, as this dang picture is flipped again!).  ha! 

Until next time.....A la cuisine!

I'd also like to send thoughts, via this blog, to the Oklahoman's that faced the horrible storms last night.  Many lost their homes, and some lost loved one's.  We are praying for you.





JAK's Campground

This past Monday ended the 3 week journey we took on "Childhood Favorites", by celebrating "J's" favorite(s).  As a child, "J" remembered most BBQ Chicken, Hashbrown Casserole and Chocolate Pie.  Both "A" and myself were okay with this menu.  :)

What I loved about this meal: "J" used exactly what was used when he was a kid.  You got it, he didn't prepare a homemade BBQ sauce.  Why would he?  He had Head Country...which is the best!

The Chicken Legs seasoned up!  I love that "J" only used Chicken Legs (they are my personal favorite).

On the grill getting seared!

Head Country applied.  Beautiful sight!

The start to the Hashbrown Casserole.  Mixing all the yummy seasonings and wet ingredients.

Can't have a casserole without an onion!

The onion sauteing away!  Love the smell of an onion cooking on the stovetop in butter.

Cheese, of course!

The hashbrowns mixed together with all the yummy ingredients.

"J" made two, which between himself and me we could have finished them both off!

Casserole with one last round of cheese before getting a layer of corn flakes.

Chicken, done!  The carmelization of the BBQ sauce, and the crispiness of where the skin was burnt perfectly = perfection!

Potato Casserole, done!  I have to admit, all three of us ate a large corner out of this one before we even headed outside to have dinner.  It was so good!

Rolls ready for the oven.

"J" did something amazing with these.  After they cooked for 15 minutes, he pulled them out and drizzled honey over the tops.  Then placed them in the oven for a few more minutes.  Unbelievable.  I will never again have a hot roll without a drizzle of honey!

The beautiful set-up.  "A" placed us in their back yard, in a cove between several large trees.  It was like our own little campground!

Was so peaceful back here.  "J" even sprayed for bugs earlier in the day, so it was SO enjoyable!

Tablescape.  Very rustic, very pretty.

Hand-tied rope around the silverware/napkin

Rope tied around candles.  So clever.

Awww.....the meal together.  So good!

It wasn't over yet, though.  "J", as always, outdid himself.  Dessert was a homemade chocolate french silk pie. 

Of course, homemade crust.

A tip/trick: Place parchment paper over the crust, and black beans on top.  It helps even out the crust and get rid of any air pockets/bubbles.

Crust cooked to perfection.

Chocolate.....

and chocolate turned into chocolate silk!

Can't have chocolate (silk) pie without an amazing homemade whipped topping.

Finished product.  How beautiful are the chocolate shavings on top?!?!  This was a delicious pie.

I couldn't not post this photo.  This is of Maddy, on the house side of the fence, watching us devour dinner.  How cute is she?!?! 

The childhood favorites adventure we have shared these past three weeks has been so fun.  We've learned a lot about each other, and have been able to individually enjoy remembering our past.  Who knows what is next for JAK.  Tune in next week to find out!

Until next time....A la cuisine (and THUNDER UP!)

Is that Ketchup? No, it's Catalina Dressing.

Oh......the title is one of many great quotes from this past Mundane Monday meal. 

Still sticking with "Childhood Favorites", this Monday meal featured "K's" childhood favorite.  It was really a no-brainer for me.  When asked, immediately I said "fondue".  Any special occasion, wherein I could pick the meal, I wanted my mom to pull out her fondue pot (which my parents got as a wedding gift).  She'd marinade the steak, and we most always had my two other favorites: Broccoli Cheese Casserole and Green Bean Bundles. 

I will give this disclosure statement: "J" truly JAK'd up this childhood favorite.  Mostly in a good way (mostly...we'll get to that.  ha!). 



The beautiful beef

I came over prepared for just the beef, but "J" truly made this special.  Pork was an option as well!

Getting sliced up....

As was Chorizo Sausage!

And, Sweet Potatoes!  Also, not pictured (yet), Shrimp!  I mean, he outdid himself!  What was special?  It was a first for all of us now.  "J" and "A" had never had fondue, and now I was getting to try it new as well (with the pork, sausage, sweet potatoes and shrimp)! 

"J" soft-boiled the sweet potatoes, just so they wouldn't take long in the fondue pot. 

The start of the Broccoli Cheese Casserole.  This is where "J" delivered, most definitely, but just not as good as what my mom does.  Sorry "J".  :)  He used fresh grated cheddar, instead of the cheez whiz my mom's recipe calls for.  Although, I'm not sure if that contributed to the end-result.  More on that......   

Casserole ready to bake!  What he did add, that I'll have my mom start adding, were potato chips crumbled on top.  Gave it a nice crunchy texture!  And, who doesn't like a crunchy, salty topping?

So, here's where the title comes into play.  I myself made the green bean bundles.  One: To contribute and Two: Because they are so easy to make!  haha.  You start with whole green beans and a bottle of, yes, Catalina Dressing.

Drain the green beans.

Can't have a bundle without something bundling them together.  Bacon!

Slice the bacon in half.

Add the green beans and make a bundle with the bacon!

Add pepper, and just a dash of salt (the bacon and dressing has a lot of salt).

Cover with the Catalina and a dollop of butter on each bacon bundle.  These will bake at "J" and "A's" for 30 minutes, or until bacon is done and bubbly.  Note: This serving was from two cans of green beans.

When I brought them over, both "J" and "A" said "is that ketchup?".  It was hilarious.  I immediately responded with "Uh, no!  It's Catalina Dressing!".  We died laughing. 

The beef cubed up. 

Pork cubed up.

Both the Beef and Pork were marinated in bitter orange, lime, and many other great acidic treasures.  Great, great, flavor.

The Chorizo broken up.  Myself and "A" actually weren't sure about this selection.  How long do you cook it?  Is it done (I mean, eating raw meat is one thing, but raw sausage)?

The beautiful Shrimp!

And, the sweet potatoes ready!

"J" used vegetable oil for the pot, as well as a splash of this garlic infused oil.  It was delicious, and another item I would have my mother use next time!  Plus, it made the house smell so good (I'm a garlic smell lover).

There she is.  My parent's fondue pot, with the oil getting heated.  Yep, this pot is over 40 years old (wedding present).  Amazing.  Thanks Mom for letting us borrow it!

We wanted to sit in the living room, but were having problems with getting everything plugged in.  Old homes are sometimes wired funny (a two-prong outlet, when you need a three-prong outlet).  "J" and "A" got it figured out though!

Table, ready!  I tested the sweet potato first to make sure the oil was ready.  :)

Beautiful food.

Cooking away!  The Chorizo was every one's favorite, can you believe it?  If you burnt it really good, it was like an overdone sausage ball!  The Beef and Pork were equally delicious and the Shrimp was such a nice addition!  In close second, for me, were the Sweet Potatoes.  It was like my very own Sweet Potato Fry! 

Surprisingly enough, "J" loved the green bean bundles!  Catalina Dressing, what?!?!  We also got creative, and put part of the bacon (drenched in Catalina Dressing) into the fondue pot.  It was great! 

So, the Broccoli Cheese Casserole?  It was great, but "J" forgot the rice.  An important, to me, ingredient to the dish.  Also, I'm still a fan of cheez whiz even though I respect and understand why "J" couldn't bring himself to put it in his shopping cart.  :)  Mom, you win this.  :)

All in all, a wonderful meal.  It was so fun to go back to my childhood, JAK'd up! 

But........we aren't done!

"J", for dessert, even planned a chocolate fondue!  Growing up, to my memory, we never used my mother's fondue pot for chocolate.  So, this was going to be interesting.

White chocolate and caramel morsels as well as almond slices, marshmallows and sea salt were all dippers.

Along with bananas and strawberries!

Dark chocolate on the stove.  We were going to do a double-boiler....but decided to go for the gold and put it in the fondue pot.

Chocolate morsels with sugar.....

...and cream

Melting beautifully.

Dippers ready!

We enjoyed this dessert in front of the TV, as our Thunder team was playing and we HAD to cheer for them!  Great win boys, in triple overtime!

One of my creations....a marshmallow dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with almond slices.  It was sooooo good!  And, fun to find out the fondue pot works wonderfully with chocolate! 

What a great night.  Great conversation (talked about a lot of things...one of which was our favorite childhood toy....mine was my play kitchen, "A" had a favorite doll and "J" did too..ha!  "A doll for boys" he says.).  :)

Next week is "J's" turn, and I can't wait!

GARDEN UPDATE: 

Hello?!?!?!  Look at that tomato!!!!

Green onions are exploding!  I thought they were ready, but "J" taught me that they aren't ready until the top of the green is dead.

Strawberry plant getting huge!

And, two little one's picked.  We enjoyed them inside with the chocolate, and they were delicious!

Until next time.....A la cuisine!