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Our Yummy Caramel Sauce Recipe

We use this on our Sunday Caramel French Toast as well as our Fried Plantains Dessert with Ice Cream.

I've put plenty of warnings on this, but please read carefully...the recipe is easy, but this can get VERY DANGEROUS...DO NOT COOK WITH ANY YOUNG KIDS AROUND...AND YOU BE CAREFUL TOO!  :)

This is the exact recipe I use for our in house caramel that I remember you liked so much,
PLEASE BE CAREFUL, but the recipe is really easy, just follow it and be careful both when you add the butter AND when you add the cream.
THIS MIXTURE IS EXTREMELY HOT, AND MAY SPUTTER A BIT WHEN YOU ADD BUTTER AND LATER WHEN YOU ADD CREAM.

You don't need extreme heat, so adjust if you feel its getting too hot.  In the case that you end up with chunks of sugar in the caramel, just strain after you're finished.

This should hold at room temp for a couple weeks, just fine.

Feel free to let me know how it works for you!!

Caramel Sauce Recipe

(Courtesy of SimplyRecipes.com)

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of sugar
  • 6 Tbsp butter
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Method

1 First, before you begin, make sure you have everything ready to go - the cream and the butter next to the pan, ready to put in. Making caramel is a fast process that cannot wait for hunting around for ingredients. If you don't work fast, the sugar will burn. Safety first - make sure there are no children under foot and you may want to wear oven mitts; the caramelized sugar will be much hotter than boiling water.

caramel-sauce-1.jpg

2 Heat sugar on moderately high heat in a heavy-bottomed 2-quart or 3-quart saucepan. As the sugar begins to melt, stir vigorously with a whisk or wooden spoon. As soon as the sugar comes to a boil, stop stirring. You can swirl the pan a bit if you want, from this point on. Note that this recipe works best if you are using a thick-bottomed pan. If you find that you end up burning some of the sugar before the rest of it is melted, the next time you attempt it, add a half cup of water to the sugar at the beginning of the process, this will help the sugar to cook more evenly, though it will take longer as the water will need to evaporate before the sugar will caramelize.

caramel-sauce-2.jpg caramel-sauce-3.jpg
caramel-sauce-4.jpg caramel-sauce-5.jpg

3 As soon as all of the sugar crystals have melted (the liquid sugar should be dark amber in color), immediately add the butter to the pan. Whisk until the butter has melted.

caramel-sauce-6.jpg

4 Once the butter has melted, take the pan off the heat. Count to three, then slowly add the cream to the pan and continue to whisk to incorporate. Note than when you add the butter and the cream, the mixture will foam up considerably. This is why you must use a pan that is at least 2-quarts (preferably 3-quarts) big. (Check here for an explanation of why adding the cream makes the mixture bubble up so much.)

5 Whisk until caramel sauce is smooth. Let cool in the pan for a couple minutes, then pour into a glass mason jar and let sit to cool to room temperature. (Remember to use pot holders when handling the jar filled with hot caramel sauce.) Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Warm before serving.

Makes a little over one cup of sauce.

Intro to my Podcast, play right here!

As I mentioned in my "year end, Happy New Year" type post, one of my new years plans is to get back to podcasting.  I probably make it too hard and need to learn all the back end technical stuff, but seems like I have it working.

Below is an audio player (just click the triangle) for my Podcast, just a quick listen...anyone who has any topics of interest, questions or comments, just email me and I'll work ya into my show!

Thanks for your support, talk soon...

Intro to Visions New Podcast for 2010

Or Subscribe in iTunes!

It's FREE and Fun!

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

How’s Your Year in Review? Here’s Ours…

First, thank you for reading. As a technology buff, I spend a lot of time online, and realize that attention spans are short, so hopefully I can capture your attention for a moment!

Visions has been my passion for the last two years since we opened in November of 2007. In that time, the economy has tanked, consumer spending has decreased by 25% or more, and many restaurants have closed. We are here still through the storm for a number of reasons, but the most important to me is the continued support and selfless promotion of our WONDERFUL GUESTS! So many of you have us as your first choice in Bethesda dining and bring so many of your friends and family to enjoy our restaurant. I have to extend to you as proprietor and Chef my sincere thanks, it really means the world to me and in reality, is what carries us forward through some tough days.

Many restaurants have websites, most to me are pretty boring. My hope is that ours is entertaining, personal and connects you (whether you've been here or not) to our experience and hopefully you become part of our family. My question to you is...

What kinds of topics would you find interesting in a Chef/Restaurant blog that I have not been writing about?

One of my goals this year is to consistently update my website and blog more regularly. I know that stale blog=less readers, and I'm truly excited to connect with my readers and continue conversations and relationships. Help me out by emailing me your thoughts. I'd love to respond and get direction of what I may be able to help you learn or discover through my 23 years of restauranteuring.

As well, I LOVE PODCASTING. The first thing I assume is to see people reading and saying "What is Podcasting?". It's basically a show (audio or video) where the host talks about a focus topic or industry, answers viewers/listener questions and may have guest interviews. The difference is that these are all Internet based and can be consumed whenever the viewer/listener chooses to either on thier iPod (or other MP3 device) or on the computer.  Well, I've had a podcast before, and I loved it, but unfortunately fell victim to "podfading"...basically lost energy and time for the project and put it on "hold".  One of my 2010 plans is to start a podcast back up, with the focus being my years of experience in the restaurant business, answering food questions, talking about seafood in many directions, and showing my listeners and viewers what the behind the scenes restaurant business is all about.

I want to reach out to you, and ask...What other types of subjects/questions/show topics would interest you? Please email me ANY thoughts, and we can incorporate in our show!  I plan also to interview other industry players and introduce my listeners to other great local restaurants, because for me, no one is competition, we're all just players in the restaurant game with different flavors.  I understand and embrace that peoples tastes may change from night to night, and I certainly realize that we all have some great foods, just depends what you want!

Looking forward to increased blogging here, and my new show, HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone, and thanks so much for all your support!

Upcoming African Fundraising Dinner @ Visions!

I had the opportunity to speak to Aunti Kadi (Kadiatou Sidibe) at Visions for a few minutes to hear about the amazing story of her childhood and what has driven her to create ACFA (stands for A Child For All) and I'd love for you to hear more in the informal video we shot.

Also realize that we are doing an awesome dinner here on December 13, 2009 and we'd love your support! Please spread the work with us and help us help Kadi in a small way to get closer to her goals..thanks for your time, have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Realize the Power of your Dollar?!

Before you say it, I'll say it..YES, this video is SELF SERVING...BUT...being in the restaurant business for over 23 years, I KNOW the power, size and strength of the restaurant industry.  It impacts so many people in America

If you can give me another 6 minutes, I HIGHLY suggest you watch this video about the size of the industry...

  • In the last 5 years...28% more WOMEN are restaurant owners, along with 30% more Hispanics & 77% more African Americans
  • 2,000,000 more jobs have been created...and we'll create another 2,000,000 more this year.
  • Restaurant industry is bigger than the US Agriculture Industry, Airline Industry and Movie Industry...COMBINED!
  • Restaurant Industry would be the 17th Largest Economy in the World.
  • We serve 135,000,000 people DAILY.  (That's Texas, NY, Floriday, Illinois, Pennsylvanie & California...COMBINED!
  • About HALF of all Americans have worked in a restaurant setting at some time in their career.
  • Over 1,000,000 locations called a restaurant nationwide and
  • $500,000,000,000 (that's 500 billion dollars) a year industry.

Take 6 minutes...you'll like it.

Buying Fresh Seafood…

From our monthly newsletter, here are some quick tips on buying Fresh Seafood...

1) Buy as natural a product as possible. Buying "Thawed for your Convenience" fish is not a good idea.  Not that all frozen fish is bad (I don't buy any) but really when something is frozen,  you are truly trusting many people in the lifeline of that product to have taken care of it well.  Better to buy fresh and natural products whenever you can.  Whole fish is best, less exposure to air and bacteria.  Plus you can evaluate the quality by the skin, the eyes (clear not cloudy) , the touch of the skin if possible (firm, no dent left behind) and never trust a fish monger who won't let you see the fish up close!

2) Buy just what you need for today! Taking a clue from our relatives in Europe and Latin America, families often buy at the market several times a day.  While I realize that's not possible, buying as much as you plan to consume in just a day or day and a half is best.  Take the time to go and get your best fish, and the meal will fall into place naturally.  Accent the natural fish delicately and simply, and your food will always impress.

3) Buy what is in season, giving you freshest product and lower pricing!
Anything which is in season is most likely being caught in plentiful amounts, the stocks are being turned quickly, and since there is so much fish available, fishermen and companies want to move it quickly, so pricing is aggressive!

I hope these quick tips help you to buy seafood when you're out, and remember that...

Starting in October, Visions will make available for sale most of the fresh seafood products that I buy on a daily basis including Fresh Atlantic Salmon, Dry Pack Scallops, PEI Mussles, fish filets and even Live Maine Lobsters!
shellfish stew
shoot me an email with any comments...

Along the same lines...if you ever need something special arranged, perhaps a 3-5 lb Lobster (or any other size), just contact me and I'll be happy to make special arrangements, even just for a small gathering of a few people!  I want you to come, enjoy yourself, and spread the word about Visions...

First Hot Dog on the Grill @ Visions!

Some great pics here of Melanie (like that's hard) and me (I happened to look ok, I think) at her recent Birthday BBQ Bash at Visions last Sunday. Fun was had by all, the back room was full of Tiki lamps, Bubbles and LEIS (insert gratuitous joke here). It was a blast, so many cool Twitter folks came, friends were made, and we got pics to prove it!

Also to let you know, we are ready for any kind of party you may want to throw, let us be your spot of choice to make it happen! Anyone needing superior ground up web design, make sure to see Melanie and her company Sisarina and she'll take care of ya!

(Full Link to all photos)

Melanie and Me Melanie and Me2carlos,alextiki

Hey Mom, check me out on “Think About It!” with Host Sylvia Henderson :)

Hope you enjoy my 28 minutes with Sylvia Henderson, Host and Creator of "Think About It" a weekly show on Channel 16 in Montgomery County, Md.

Love to hear any comments, and what would you "ask a Chef"??

Visions featured on “World Next Door” with Host Sonya Lowrey

Our good friend and newly appointed Travel Guru featured Visions on her recently launched Web Based Travel and local interest show! Take a quick (3 minute) look and let us know what you think!

I’m the next Food Star with “Twincident”!!

Such a great quick interview at our last Tweetup with @twincident (Mommy Blogger Extraordinaire) and what a night!  We tasted Gazpacho, it was 100 degrees, we cut onions, it was 100 degrees.....did I mention it was HOT?!?  :)