Love for the Locals: Cowgary Commute - Boogie's Burgers

Last weekend, P and I were in Cowtown, and he took me to an old-fashiony type burger joint called Boogie's Burgers. From the outside, it looks kind of questionable, but inside, a pretty cool place with some pretty good food for pretty good prices!

Boogie's Burgers doesn't look like much from the outside, but inside is another story.

A burger bar! Kewl...

I thoroughly enjoyed their scale of spicy hotness. I'm particularly curious about "don't be a hero"...

Hooray for tacky colours and paradise-y images on the walls :D

At a table near ours, there was a built in old-school Donkey Kong game :D

Our ginormous burgerrrrsss (and fries)! Homemade buns and patties...

Cross-section of P's burger: Sam's Burger ($5.75). Single patty, homemade sauce, tomato, lettuce,  onion, and a fried egg. Looked good, all except for the egg, but that's a personal preference thing. P thoroughly enjoyed it.

Cross-section of my Burger: Fay's Burger ($6). Single patty, bacon, mushrooms, tomato, lettuce, fried onions,  and mushroom sauce. Mmm...mushrooms...

If you're in Cowtown, I think it's definitely worth a try! Peters' Drive-in is great for nostalgia and all, but the burgers at Boogie's are the real deal. Dooo it.

-M

Love for the Locals: Rodeo Burger

(After a month-long absence due to the horror machine that is final exams, I finally managed to get back to posting. Also...this is actually my 50th post! :D I wanted to make it a little bit special, so I figured that a mini blurb in parentheses with italics would do the trick, along with my imaginary fireworks. Woo~ Also...for the longest time, up until actually writing this entry, I thought that "Rodeo Burger" was called "Rodeo Burgers" because that's what P called it, but it was just his I'm-an-international-student-from-Thailand tongue playing tricks on me.)

With two locations in Edmonton (16045-97 Street in Namao and 8525B-112 Street by Newton Place on the U of A campus), Rodeo Burger is a nice change-up from your typical fast-food burger joint. (P took me here for my odd burger fix after we finished an intramurals tournament, and I've already been back for a second visit with him!) When you go in, the place looks pretty much like a sit-down fast food place, but cleaner and a little more snazzy. Rodeo Burger uses AAA Alberta beef for their patties, and they get their other fresh ingredients from local Albertan and BC farmers. I'm not exactly the burger type, but when I'm in the mood, this would definitely be one of my go-to's!

Every now and then, Rodeo Burger will have a special and if you ask, they're nice enough to apply the discount even if you don't have the coupon with you. For instance, a couple of weeks back, P and I got the "2 Lonestars for $8" deal. A Lonestar is essentially their homemade bun with a homemade patty. The rest of the work is up to you. You can add any of 20 free additional toppings including...lettuce, tomato, fresh onions, caramelized onions, pickles, sautéed mushrooms, jalapeños, salsa, green chilies, banana peppers, pickled beets, rodeo sauce (their signature), rodeo relish, ketchup, chipotle ketchup, mayo, BBQ sauce, southwest sauce, mustard, and hot sauce. Other toppings including cheese, bacon, guacamole, or jalapeños and cream cheese are offered for 50 cents extra.

They also have some pre-customized signature burgers including The Rodeo, The Western, and The Aussie as depicted on their website. They even have a Naked Burger which is like a burger salad, as your gluten-free alternative. Interesting?

Now for the burgers...

First visit to Rodeo Burger with P! 

My Western (sauteed mushrooms, guac, caramelized onions, lettuce, green chilies, bacon, "Rodeo sauce", and southwest sauce) complete with a slice of chedda~

P's Rodeo (caramelized onions, tomato, lettuce, pickles, "Rodeo sauce", and "Rodeo relish") because some people like pickles that much. More for you, sir.

The interior of Rodeo Burger~ Essentially, a slightly more snazzy fast food burger joint :)

Visit #2: The 2 Lonestars (just your bun with patty - customization to the max!) for $8 deal. Mine's #1, because I'm cooler. ;P

Rodeo Burger is pretty easy to get to if you're in the U of A campus area, and a better alternative to Wendy's or McDonald's, quality and taste-wise. So, saddle up and give the place a go :)

-M

B-b-b-baking: Peanut Butter Sandwich Bread?...

This past Sunday, I had a really good dose of carbs - 4 toaster waffles, 2 toaster pancakes, and 3 cinnamon buns. Tasted awesome, but probably wasn't too good for my body. In the spirit of planning a no carbs whatsoever day some time in the not too distant future, P sent me a link to a food blog recipe for bread made of peanut butter. No flour, essentially just eggs and peanut butter, plus baking soda to help it rise.

Things that I learned today about flourless breads:
- Those on a gluten-free diet often incorporate xanthan gum and guar gum into bread products in order to substitute for the gluten in regular flours. I used to think it was a necessary thing until I discovered flours like almond flour and coconut flour which don't require the use of any gums. You only need to use 1-2 teaspoons of xanthan gum per thing you make, but you can only buy it in 1/2 pound bags, and it costs you about $13-14. You would think that it'd be a worthwhile investment because it would last a long time, but the stuff goes rancid quite easily if not stored properly. I think I'm going to invest in some almond flour, myself.
- Flourless breads are a good way to enjoy carby foods without actually eating so many carbs.
- They do not rise as much as your normal loaf, so baking soda is key.
- You can feel less guilty about consuming carby foods, but for this one...you'll probably feel guilty about eating so much peanut oil. Almond or cashew butter might be better :) I think the balance needs to be worked out a bit, but it's not bad.
- Gluten-free breads do not have to taste like health food!
- Note that eggs are not essential for cakes and breads (except certain types that require a meringue from egg whites), and can be replaced with such things as flax seeds, chia seeds, soy milk, or tofu. There are also bread products that don't even need eggs at all. One good example? Cinnamon rolls. Oh yes...

It's peanut butter...in bread form.

Since the bread didn't rise very much, I created slices by dividing the whole loaf into 6 equal squares (rectangles), and slicing each of those horizontally.

It is quite flat :( Even with the baking soda. Should try a smaller loaf pan, or double the recipe...

The bread itself is actually quite bland, and doesn't have a lot of peanut butter flavour.  So, I added peanut butter like a boss. I also didn't have much to make sandwiches with at home, so I went simple for lunch today. 

Peanut Butter Bread (adapted from 24/7 Low Carb Diner)
*Makes 6 rectangular slices*
1 cup smooth peanut butter
3 eggs
1 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tsp baking soda

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Given all the oil going into this thing, I don't think you really need to grease the loaf pan. I did, but it slid out like nothing, and the bread is a little on the oily side. But, when in doubt, pinkies out ;P
2. Beat three eggs and add to a medium bowl along with peanut butter.
3. Stir in the lemon juice, and lastly, the baking soda. Mix until smooth and well-distributed.
4. Spread evenly in the loaf pan, and bake for about 40 minutes.
5. Remove from the pan and allow to cool completely before use.

Et voila, peanut butter bread for sandwiching with peanut butter. I just love peanut butter. I could probably eat it with practically anything. (Or nothing at all). Buuuut...I would really like to try tweaking it with almond butter and maybe adding some almond flour as well. Maybe even some sliced almonds? Could be good! Who knows!

On another note, I've been thinking of some awesome fillings to try for a switch-up on cinnamon rolls. Like instead of cinnamon sugar filling, trying some berry preserves as a summery dessert. The colours would be awesome. Should totally get P to take good pictures for those. Also...matcha. I really want to bake something with matcha, and one thing would be something like a cinnamon roll minus the cinnamon, with soft, fluffy matcha dough, and a red bean paste filling...I think it would be good. Or even something savoury, perhaps?

My summer baking brain is coming out early this year (right in the brink of final exams)...sigh.

-M

Budget-Friendly Bites: India Garden

In Edmonton, India Garden (4820-76th Ave) in the industrial area near Capilano is my go-to place for East Indian cuisine. The combination of quality food and reasonable price is always appealing to me due to my Asian blood.

India Garden also owns the Meridian Banquet Hall next door which is generally used for weddings and the like. The actual restaurant isn't that big (about 12-14 tables or something), but it normally isn't very full since they do a lot of take-out and catering. The staff are always very friendly and willing to take your requests for refills on naan bread!

The location does seem a little bit sketchy due to its industrial surroundings, but I assure you that the food tells a different story. I have taken a few friends here now between this past summer and last night, and I think it safe to say that they've all enjoyed themselves!

India Garden at daytime (during the summer). 

Last night, some friends, P, and I went to India Garden for the dinner buffet. The dinner buffet is identical to the lunch buffet, except it's nighttime, and they charge a little bit more, but not much. It's still quite a steal. Lunch buffet is something like $11-12, and dinner buffet is $15. So, dinner for 2 is $31.50 including tax! This includes unlimited naan bread, a salad bar, buffet of curries, and a dessert buffet. Drinks other than water would of course have been extra. Sometimes, they have a 2 for 1 deal where the only condition is that everyone at the table purchases a drink like juice, pop, alcohol, coffee, or tea. 

India Garden at night. (We got to be one of the last customers for the day, so it was closed when we left.)

Interior...I wanted to take a picture of the front entrance area, but there were people and they seemed kind of self-conscious when I was pointing my phone camera in their direction.

The buffet is in the background, along with all the East Indian musical instruments propped up on the wall.

Best naan bread in Edmonton. YUM...

To date, I have yet to find a place with better naan bread than here. They make them by order, starting from when you walk into the restaurant, so that it's fresh and hot every time. I like eating the naan bread as soon as it arrives at the table when it's piping hot. When you bite into it, the texture is lightly crisp on the outside, but soft and cloud-like on the inside. I usually end up burning my hand or tongue or both in the process, but it is sooo worth it. 

My favourites include the shahi butter chicken and the goat curry. I always grab the tossed salad from the salad bar to complement the curries. There is something so good about the cooling sensation of cucumber in between bites of the various curries interchanging naan bread and basmati rice. The other time that P and I went, they had this really yummy mushroom thing, but I forgot the name of it. I'm sorry for being such a noob blogger. :( But, I am a very big fan of mushrooms, and it was delicious. They also had various fried and battered things, but I'm not very into that stuff.

P's first plate. Just an unorganized pile of curries :P He had a salad of cucumbers, with yogurt and dill that he said was quite good.

Plate #1 for me: India Garden salad (tossed lettuce, cucumber, and tomato), basmati rice, coconut beans, aloo gobi (cauliflower and potatoes),  goat curry, and butter chicken!

Plate #2: More salad, aloo gobi, goat curry, and butter chicken. No rice this time, so I could go full out on naan like a real CBC.

The dessert bar is quite consistent each time, but I always go for their rice pudding and fresh fruit, well, cantaloupe  While they have a seasonal variety of fruits available, I have this strong affinity to cantaloupe. It's sweet and juicy, but acts as a very nice palette cleanser at the end of such a flavourful meal. 

So those of you with cravings for Indian food whilst in Edmonton, skip New Asian Village, and that Saffron place in the West Edmonton Mall food court, and make your way to India Garden for some real naan! I am most definitely coming back for some ;)

-M

Love for the Locals: Bannock Burger

P became a Canadian today. In turn, it was essential for him to pay tribute to all things Canadian.

P's Canadian initiation activities...
- Canadian citizenship ceremony (taking the oath, singing the anthem, getting a fancy certificate, getting a free annual pass to Canada's national parks and museums, and the like)
- Maple goodies at Second Cup
- Lunch at The Great Canadian Bagel
- Double-Double at Tim Horton's
- Awesome maple jar pies ;P
- "Pre-dinner" with yours truly at La Poutine consisting of a large poutine (pictured below).

Fresh cut potato fries, real Canadian cheese curds, bacon, Montreal smoked meat, all topped off with traditional gravy. Awww yea~ 

- A trip to the largest mall in Canada: West Edmonton Mall!
- And...dinner at Bannock Burger.

Bannock Burger (14020-142 Street) is a relatively new establishment. I believe it's the only one of its kind as of yet - an attempt to combine traditional Aboriginal bannock and the burger.

The location is interesting...quite far on the north side, and actually inside the Victoria Soccer Club's Karl Wiedle building, in what appears to be a sports lounge/bar. They are open every day except for Monday until about 9/10pm, and until midnight on Fridays. Seems pretty fitting as most deep-fried cravings come late at night anyways ;)

The Victoria Soccer Club!

Huzzah! We are at the right place! Looking forward to my burger in bannock form!  :)

Not exactly the most visible place, hiding along the wall paralleling the entrance. Ninja food counter!

For what you get, the prices are very reasonable. Your Bannock Burger will come with freshly made bannock and a beef patty, and you can add any or all of tomato, lettuce, mayo, ketchup, mustard, "Bannock Burger"/"BB" sauce, for a total of $4.95. You can also add in cheese, mushrooms, or for an additional $0.95. Fries are traditional potato-ey fries, skins in-tact, with a bit of salt. A small is a dish of about a cup of fries for $3.95, but a "platter" is 4 of those for $9.95. The young lady advised P and I to stick to a small fries because of how filling bannock can be. I don't think we would have wanted to overdo it that much with all this deep-fried crazy in our stomachs (note that we did consume a large poutine only a few hours earlier), but the advisory was very much appreciated!

The Bannock Burger menu. I'm really curious about what "Bannock Salad" would entail...

My Bannock Burger with cheese, lettuce, tomato, and BB sauce.

P opted for lettuce, tomato, ketchup, BB sauce, and onions. He also ended up getting a much thicker slab of Bannock. Poor guy...new Canadian already suffering from heartburn. 

Bannock burgers will probably not become a part of my regular diet any time soon, but I really think it's an innovative creation. The next time I feel I need a little fix of bannock, I will definitely come back! :)

(It is awesome to have company on these little expeditions to find hidden gems in Edmonton :P Thanks to a certain Canadian for driving across the city for the sake of food!)

-M