Cooking with the Flying Carpet

I had the great priviledge of cooking with Maria Souktourri of the Flying Carpet in their home in Austin last night.  I'll update the blog with the full story later, but wanted to post the video and recipe while it's hot.

Short lil minute and a half video on how we cooked the dish.

Moroccan Lemon Butter & Olive Chicken w/ French Fries


1 whole large Chicken - washed and dried skin on

In a bowl combine:

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 stalk cilantro finely chopped
• 1 med. onion finely chopped
• 3 sm garlic cloves finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp. ginger
• 2 tsp. paprika
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp tumeric
• 2 tsp Fine Sea Salt
• 1 tsp Coarse Black Pepper
• Juice of one med-large lemon
• 1/2 stick of salted butter slightly softened

Mix ingredients together making a paste. Cover chicken with paste outside and inside the skin.  Insert lemon halves used for their juice inside the chicken

Cook at 350 for 1 1/12 hours or until done.  Every 20-30 baste chicken in it's own juices with a spoon

Add 1 1/2 c. green olives (no brine) to the chicken the last 10-15 min. of cook time.  Olives will fall to the sides and into the chicken's juices- this is what you want.

This chicken is often served with a cucumber/tomato salad, french fries & bread to sop up the sauce.

Much love,

the Souktouri Family

Table for One - Not Anymore

I recently stumbled upon this popular tumblr site: Table for One and it got me thinking.  We weren't meant to eat alone.  We were made to create and share food together.  As primitive people, we hunted in groups and gathered in groups and cooked and ate in groups.  It's in our DNA.  Yet so many of us eat in isolation either becuase it's faster or easier than preparing a meal for one.  I will admit there are times in life when eating alone is the way to go, like if you're sick, or if you just want to hunker down with a good book and hearty snacks.  And I'm not suggesting that every meal needs to be shared here in the 21st century hectic lifestyle.  Rather, I am encouraging you to eat one less meal alone this week.  Find a meal buddy and cook something together, or get a group together and eat something local.   

Facing a meal 'alone' is often the reason I resort to protein shakes over a wholesome meal. It's no fun cooking for one. I'm not much of a leftover-eater anyways. A potential 'meal alone' is also something that prevents me from my duty of trying new trailer food. So to remedy my newly acknowledged conundrum I am going to take one person to lunch at least once a week in 2011. Join me at the trailers!

These pictures were taken from my first trailer food crawl in Austin, TX in February 2010.

Two trailers participating in Sip & Savor Austin

Sip & Savor Austin is a two-week event featuring a representative sample of local food and drink that is reflective of the variety of choices we have available in Austin.  From upscale restaurants and swanky night clubs to gourmet food trailers and dive bars, this event showcases some of our favorite eats.  A full listing of particpants can be found at their site: http://sipandsavoraustin.com/ The event will be peppered throughout Austin January 16-30, 2011 and there is still time to participate as a vendor or sponsor. The deadline for participation is Wed, Dec 22nd - contact carrie@launch787.com

Meanwhile, I want to highlight two of the trailer food vendors that are currently in the line up.  Both came to the Gypsy Picnic and are continuing to make their mark in the trailer food scene here in town:  Colibri Cuisine and the Holy Cacao.  

Former accountant and teacher Anthony Alaniz alongside his bride to be, Candy, are dishing out such authentic Mexican cuisine as Barbacoa, Tamales, Quesadillas, Nacho-dillas, Taco-dillas and Tostadas down at their trailer Colibri Cuisine.  Check them out at their permanent location on W. 6th and Nueces in the trailer across the street from Little Woodrows.  They are open for dinner and late night Tuesday - Sunday 7:30pm to 2:30am.  Being from the Rio Grande Valley area, Anthony's roots in good food and hospitality come naturally. 

I'm also excited that Ellen and John of the Holy Cacao will be participating in the event with their famous cake ball trailer that also serves frozen hot chocolate and cake shakes.  They have a rich publicity history including 'best dessert' from the Gypsy Picnic, 'best frozen hot chocolate in America' from Travel & Leisure Magazine and were featured on the Food Network's 'Kid in a Candy Store'.   They are parked in the famous South Austin Trailer Park & Eatery (by Torchy's Tacos and Man Bites Dog) at 1311 S. 1st and are open for business seven days a week from noon til 8p, with two extra hours on Friday and Saturday. 

Check out their food during Sip & Savor week and tell them Trailer Food Diaries sent you!

 



Trailer of Lights: Cancelled

Hi guys, With all the last minute red tape from yesterdays walk through, we are not in a position to proceed for the trailer of lights this year. While I admit I'm disappointed, my chin is up and for those of you who know me well, you know I'm busy making lemonade. No one loves the trailer food scene more than I do. The trailer food scene exploded overnight in Austin and I have been there documenting it every step of the way with my company Trailer Food Diaries. Austin is becoming as much a destination location for the food vendor culture as the live music scene and I remain optimistic in the future successes of this industry. Thank you for your patience, support and understanding. Please feel free to call and email me. Emailing's a little easier right now if possible just due to the influx :).

My official statement:
We are cancelling the Trailer of Lights of event, unofrtunately because of existing contradictions in policy between our fire code and health department that the event cannot sustain. While this may look like a hassle of red tape, ultimately, once we all know and understand the playing field, these are the regulations that will set our city up for success within the mobile food vending industry.

Happy trailers,
Tiffany Harelik, MA

Trailer of Lights is ON: Dec 18th

Exciting!  Trailer Food Diaries and partners are bringing another unique event to Austinites and those visiting our city during the Holidays.

If you're in need of family-friendly Christmas nostalgia in a funky Austin setting, come check out the first-annual Trailer of Lights event at Seaholm (the Power Plant) just off Ceaser Chavez. Trailer food vendors will be there to offer you samples from their menus at $5 or less and local artisans will provide you with some unique gifts for a fun shopping experience. Rumor has it we will be playing a classic holiday film between small sets from local musicians. Experience the swanky light display and come get your hot cocoa on for an eco-friendly celebration all for a good cause.


Saturday, December 18th
12p(noon)-10p


Seaholm Power Plant

*Free to the public; suggested donation of 1+ canned food item benefitting the Capital Area Food Bank

Please help us plan by with your support on Facebook: Trailer of Lights

Contact Tiffany@trailerfooddiaries.com if you would like to be an artist vendor or trailer food vendor.

A current list of trailer food vendors includes:
Hey Cupcake
Chi'Lantro
Torchy's (trailer repair willing)
Austin Daily Press
Crepe Crazy
Sugar Shack BBQ
Short Bus Subs
Colibri Cuisine
the Peached Tortilla
Kate's Southern Comfort
the Flying Carpet
Cutie Pie Wagon

Video Clip from Gypsy Picnic

Check it out!

http://vimeo.com/17422311

Password: tfd