Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Jason's Deli

In the mood for a sandwich?


If so, check out Jason's deli. I know it's a chain, but it's actually really good! Located in Cool Springs and on West End, Jason's has almost any sandwich you can imagine and they all taste as good as they sound.


If you like salad bars, Jason's is also a great place to go. They have a large selection of salad toppings, not to mention... the tasty, little cornbread muffins that come with the salad bar! I also enjoy their soups. Everyday the have a variety of different fresh soups to chose from. The tortilla soup is always my favorite!

 I am not a big salad person, so I usually go for the scrumptious, large sandwiches. Some of my favorites are the Ranchero Wrap, the Smokey Jack Panini and my top ultimate favorite the Santa Fe Chicken Sandwich.

Now, don't forget there are many choices. These are just my personal favorites. When I am watching the calories I tend to go with the Ranchero Wrap (with ranch on the side). This wrap is accompanied with jalapeños (I love spicy), cheddar, southwest spices, wheat wrap and served with blue tortilla chips and home made salsa. I enjoy the fresh taste that comes with each bite or this wrap. Very delicious and healthy if you get it without the ranch and maybe sub some fruit instead of those chips.

The Smokey Jack Panini is what I get when I am trying to watch what I eat, but I am feeling a little daring as well. With so many ingredients, it is definitely a party in your mouth! This sandwich is turkey, jalapeños, bacon, pepper jack cheese, roma tomatoes, Russian dressing (which is what makes the sandwich), and homemade guacamole. All these fresh goodies are pressed between two pieces of drench bread, lightly dusted with olive oil. Then, it is pressed just long enough to melt that pepper jack cheese.

Next on the list of tasty delights is the Santa Fe Chicken Sandwich. I think I like this so much, because it is very similar to the Smokey Jack Panini. It consists of marinated chicken breast, guacamole, bacon, tomato, Russian dressing and Swiss (which both those flavors combined is delish). All ingredients are grilled on whole grain wheat bread. This is very good, but it would be even better grilled on a buttery bun.

I always have a hard time deciding between the Smokey Jack Panini and the Santa Fe Chicken, so I get one and my husband gets the other and we trade halves!

Jason's is a great family place to go. However, it has only one flaw. The price. For being a deli, the sandwiches are pretty prices. Two sandwiches with drinks may end up costing you over $20! It is good though, so I gotta say going once a while is definitely worth it! Enjoy and please tell us, what is your favorite Jason's sandwich?

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Buttery Wine Cake

Just in time for the holiday season, we have a buttery wine cake recipe we would like to share.  Now I know I love wine and I know I love cake...but why did I not ever think of combining them?  Well, thanks to a fellow co-worker, she introduced this delectable treat to me and I knew I had to share it!

Ingredients:

Yellow or Butter Cake Mix
3oz Vanilla Pudding (instant)
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
3/4 Cup of Oil
1/2 cup of Chopped Pecans
1/3 cup of Chopped Pecans
1/4 Cup of Sugar
2 tsp. Cinnamon
1/2 Cup of White Wine
4 Eggs

Glaze:

3/4 Cup of Butter
1/3 Cup of Chopped Pecans
1 Cup of Sugar
1/4 Cup of Water
1/2 Cup of White Wine

Directions:
 
Grease and flour a bundt pan. Sprinkle 1/3 cup of pecans on the bottom. Mix cake mix, pudding, sugars, and cinamon.  Add oil and eggs one at a time.  Add 1/2 cup of pecans and mix.

Pour batter into pan and bake at 350 45-55 minutes.  During last 10 mintes make glaze.  Combine, butter, sugar, water and pecans and bring to a boil. Boil 2-3 minutes.  Remove from heat and add wine.  Pour 1/2 of glaze over the cake when removed from the oven.  Wait about 10 minutes and turn cake over onto plate and pour remainder of cake over it.

Enjoy!!

Rose Pepper Cantina



Rose Pepper Cantina in East Nashville is a place where the cheese dip and the margaritas never stop flowing. I must say that Rose Pepper is my favorite Mexican Restaurant in Nashville. I have my birthday there every year, because everything is great from the food to the atmosphere.


It just has many perks. For instance, it has the best white cheese dip in town and is served with thick, fresh homemade tortilla chips and topped with chorizo cooked to perfection. In addition, it has a huge patio perfect for sitting with your friends, drinking margaritas and getting the low-down on the latest gossip. It also helps, that the food is fabulous as well.

Let's talk about what I have had...first of all, no matter what I start with the Buffalo White Cheese Dip, it's what I like to call tradition. Also, they do give you complimentary red and green salsa with chips. The salsas are made fresh daily from scratch. If you are not feeling the white cheese dip, then try the "Mr. C Taquitos." The taquitos are made from yellow corn tortillas, filled with beef, chicken and cheese and then fried to perfection and accompanied with house made guacamole and sour cream. They are soft and crunchy at the same time!

For entrees, I will start my two favorites: The Chimichanga and the Al Carbon tacos. The chimichangas come with shredded beef or chicken and they are topped with delicious buffalo white cheese dip. It's just another excuse for me to eat white cheese dip, which is why I love these so much. The Al Carbon tacos are really my absolute favorite! The are not your ordinary tacos. They come with grilled chicken in corn tortillas and they are topped with cilantro and onions with a little hint of lime. Very tasty and not too filling. They are also served with traditional beans and rice. I enjoy having the fajitas, but I must say the fajita burrito is even better. It is huge, but if you have a big appetite and stay away form too many chips then it is quite satisfying. It comes with grilled chicken or steak, sautéed veggies, cheese, fresh home-made guacamole, and it is topped with a delectable spicy chili rojo sauce.

No matter what your preference is steak, chicken or vegetarian Rose Pepper has many items on the menu to choose from. If you are a first timer, please get the Buffalo White Cheese dip and try one of their fabulous margaritas!! They have so many to chose from it will make your head spin! Have fun and do not forget to wear elastic pants.