The Crabby Foodie: 2013

Monday, July 15, 2013

Freddy's Lobster & Clams

This cozy, casual spot in Bethesda turns out some decent food, reminiscent of the shore, but just not the same. It's a great reminder for what we love from NC to ME, but only leaves us wishing we were actually there.

I had the lobster role, but should have gone with my childhood roots and gone with the mayo version and not the warm butter. The mistake cost me countless hours of sleep and porcelain god prayers. My stomach just can't handle that much butter anymore. A side cup of butter would be nice, so I can add it myself.

My fry's were cold, like they came out of the fryer.. went into the cooler and then were delivered. However, upon complaints, the waiter quickly brought a very fresh and hot basket to the table. The fry's are excellent hot.

My fellow patrons went a little healthier as you can see. Everyone else was very happy with their meal and enjoyed the atmosphere. I would go again, but I would choose differently.. or maybe I'd skip this place and just opt for a little more dressy dinner next door at Grapeseed, which was amazing last time I went.

Pan Seared Haddock
Sauteed haddock, grilled asparagus, wheat berry salad, roasted tomato vinaigrette

The Skinny Lobster Roll

Our fresh lobster tossed in mayo, served chilled on a lettuce wrap with a wheatberry and walnut salad

Freddy's Lobster & Clams.

4867 Cordell Ave. Bethesda, MD 20814

www.freddyslobster.com

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Strawberry Jam

That's right, it's strawberry season! So get out there and pick your own or hit up the local farmer's market!
Check out this wonderful pick your own site: http://www.pickyourown.org/ and find the closest farm to you.

This is my first time making strawberry jam, so I grabbed a box of fruit pectin from the grocery store and followed the instructions on the box. It's a little cumbersome the first time you do some canning, but you get the hang of it quick.

1. Sterilize your bottles and lids in the boiling water for around 15 minutes.
2. Cook down your mushed strawberries with the pectin and sugar. Bring them to a boil for 10 minutes. I used around 1/2 cup sugar per cup mushed berries. 8 cups berry mush = 4 cups sugar. 2 teaspons pectin powder, 2 teaspoons calcium water (came with the pectin)
3. skim off the white foam that forms at the top of the pot.
4. Pour in jars, leave 1/4" at the top, put on the lids tight
5. Boil the jars in your water bath for 15 minutes.

That's about it! Homemade jams!
Once you open the jar, it'll be good about 3 weeks in the fridge!

Next batch, I'm going to try a different recipe and see if I can improve the deliciousness!

Friday, March 22, 2013

$5 for $10 at Starbucks

Killer Groupon Deal today. $5 bucks for $10 bucks at Starbucks.

http://www.groupon.com//raf/UserReferral_rp/121015/10r1act/lk/uu8261975

Look for where it says "Save big on your Starbucks run with this $5 for $10 deal. See the Deal"

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Proof

They say it's in the pudding, but here, it's on your plate. Then it's quickly gone and you're left dreaming both of that last bite and the one that's yet to come. By the time you've finished them all, it's nothing but sweet memories.

When I think of the word proof, wine is not the first thing that comes to mine.. it's the hard stuff. At only about 25 proof for wine, it's no 151. Maybe they were talking about the food? Wine is certainly their thing, with 40 bottles by the glass and another 1000 bottles on top of that. You won't be disappointed with the selection, but you will with the dent they can put in your wallet. Our table went by the glass, that's the point anyway, isn't it? More and more I'm going by the glass, because I love to try different wines and it's a great way to do it in a place with a great selection like this.

The food, well.. it's amazing. This is certainly a place for special occasions, and you're going to pay for it. I'd come back in a heart beat. So, without further adoo, let me just introduce you to the outstanding choices we went with on this evening.