READER CONTRIBUTION: Gyro... in Greece

My girl Tanya is in Greece and just texted me her gyro.  Nuff said.  I need to get out more.

GOOD FIND: Santa Cruz Peach or Cherry Lemonade

I haven't posted a "Good Find" in a minute but holy frijoles these are so good.  Just found peach lemonade and cherry lemonade at Whole Foods.  So great and refreshing for the summer and I'm thinking not a bad mixer with some vodka crushed ice and mint garish.

steak and cheese sub

So there's a ton of varieties of how you want your steak and cheese and at some point you have to try all of them.  This is a super fun version that's GREAT for a cookout or to prep for a back yard keg party.  Get a better-quality cut of beef and cut it into bit-sized cubes or strips.  Personally for this I like tenderloin since they'll be small chunks and its better if they're not chewy or tendonous.  Combine with some chopped green peppers and onions, season with some salt and just a bit of olive oil then either toss in a grill wok over fire or sautee on high in a shallow pan on the stove.  Once it's cooked to your liking spoon some in a toasted sub roll and here's the kicker, ladle about a half cup of melted Velveeta over top.  That might sound ridiculous but it's fantastic.  A little class, a little Kmart, this tenderloin-Velveeta steak and cheese will be the talk of your party.  Oh and to stay with the street vendor tradition, be sure to serve in aluminum foil!

REVIEW: Tsunami Sushi & Lounge, Washington, DC

FANTASTIC!  I've been a sushi/japanese food snob for years and this was amazing and a great price.  Tanya got one of the sushi lunch specials (they actually have real-size sashimi) and I grabbed the tonkatsu (fried pork) which maybe have been hands-down the best I've had outside of Osaka.  Weekday lunch time is empty so no problem if you're a larger group. Tsunami Sushi & Lounge, Upstairs from ThaiTanic, 1326 14th Street NorthwestWashington D.C., DC 20005-3611(202) 588-5889

yellow rice and seafood.

Seafood and yellow rice- 25 minute total cheat recipe that 100% of the ingredients can be hiding in your freezer or cupboard.  Prep a standard yellow saffron rice, if you want even get the already seasoned dry rice, get your water to boil and just when you drop in the rice (for 4 people), throw in two cups of frozen chopped mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, onion), and 3-4 cups of cut frozen mixed seafood (scallops, shrimp, calamari), add butter or oil as directed on whatever rice  you choose, let that come to another full boil (covered), then shut off the heat and let that steam itself for 15-20 minutes.  If the rice is still watery, turn the heat back on and simmer uncovered for a few minutes and if it's to dry and slightly crunchy, simmer gently uncovered and add water 3/4 of a cup at a time till its perfect. Add some chopped parsley and you're DONE.

cavatelli with minced chicken, peppers, mushroom and tomato

This is a great pasta dish (pasta alternatives listed at the bottom) if you're looking for some lean protein and fresh vegetables.  Heat some olive oil and caramelize half an onion some garlic then add some hot pepper flakes.  To that, add two chopped green peppers, 4-5 diced plum tomatoes, a handful of chopped mushrooms and a pack of ground chicken  (I prefer to cut my own chicken breast in cubes then mince through a food processor-that way I know exactly whats in my ground meat).  Season with some salt and stir occasionally till the chicken is fully cooked and the peppers are tender.  Mix with cavatelli or your favorite pasta, add fresh parsley and your done!  If you're being anti-pasta for diet or gluten reasons try over brown rice, quinoa or even over a bed of fresh baby spinach. 

REVIEW: La Molienda - 14th Street Columbia Heights

More outdoor seating on upper 14th Street in Columbia Heights!!!!!.  14th and Perry to be exact. Great Mexican and Salvadorian cuisine, margaritas, and rumor has it that there's karaoke every night upstairs.

READER CONTRIBUTION: closing your bird

"After 5 years I finally did it."  hahahaha.  Photo from my friend Sunny's kitchen.  She finally managed to "close" her chicken like me.  I can't recall when or why I started threading legs like this but I think it looks neat and you eliminate the need for a ball of string.

READER CONTRIBUTION: killer breakfast sandwich

Now THAT is a a breakfast sandwich.  Scrambled eggs with ham, cheddar and apparently tomatoes. I think I'd have to eat it with a fork though!

I made one like this once but it had sausage and sour cream- total artery clogger.

Thanks for sharing!

mixed seafood with kimchi

This is a variation of something I had in Korea over the summer.  Its a hearty, yummy dish and you can make it as spicy as you like.  In a large pan with a bit of canola oil, quickly sautee about a cup of chopped kimchi,  a tablespoon of crushed or chopped garlic, and a chili pepper or two.  Once that starts to cook and the garlic browns add two diced potatoes, a small can of crushed tomatoes (and that same can's worth of water), and let it gently simmer.  Season with a bit of fish sauce (if you don't have fish sauce you can substitute with soy sauce) and after the potatoes soften and the sauce reduces (15-20 minutes) add a bag of frozen mixed seafood (I usually get the squid/mussel/shrimp mix)- let that cook for about another 5 minutes then serve with some white rice, chopped scallions and chili paste on the side.  Goes great with edamame or pickled green beans for appetizer and a plain spinach salad on the side. Quick and easy way to bring some flavors of the Yellow Sea into your home.