Picasso's Restaurant really is where food is an art

    I have now been to Picassos enough times to truly say it is my favorite restaurant.  You know it's a good place to eat when the only complaint you can think of is its to cold in there.  Picasso's is somewhere between an Italian place, a pizzeria, a bakery , and traditional Florida restaurant.  They have amazing pizza's.  If you have never had pizza sauce "St. Louis style" you have to try it.  It's a thin crust with cheese blended into the marinara that leaves a creamy savory deliciousness i've never had on a pizza.  they also feature 30 different special pizzas including a "meatball Madness", a BBQ chicken, and a chicken cordon bleu.  I have had 4 of them so far and all have been as good as I've had anywhere else.
    The true beauty of Picasso's is there specials.  From fresh trigger fish and salmon, to steaks, to homemade ramen Duck con fit, yo never know what's coming up next.  Several times I have walked out of the gym or work and checked my facebook and the Picasso's specials pop up and I immediately go there for dinner.  Last night I had an herb marinated grilled salmon with creamy polenta and grilled veggies.  All perfectly seasoned, perfectly cooked and delicious.  Even included an edible flower on top (see Pic below)

   Another favorite of many of my coworkers are there salads.  There spinach salad is simple yet flavorful with strawberries, bacon, apples, goat cheese and homemade croutons.  The Greek salad is also a favorite of mine.  And they have 2 of my favorite appetizers around.  Fried Mac and Cheese and St. Louis Toasted Ravioli.  Don't start a meal with out one of these.
    Finally, the desserts.  While those that know me know I'm not a big dessert person, I make an exception for Picasso's.  They tell me someones grandma makes the desserts every day.  The gooey butter cake is ridiculously good and the bread pudding of the day is always worth a shot (sometimes with chocolate, sometimes with strawberries, always changing).
    Give Picasso's a try and you won;t regret.  It is family friendly, has free WiFi (always a plus to me), and has a cheap kids menu.  The food and variety will ensure you come back.  Make sure you like theri facebook and/or follow on twitter to get the daily special updates!


Picasso's


http://jaxpicassos.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/JAXpicassos/141059288645?ref=ts
twitter= @jaxpicassos

Jacksonville Food Truck Rally at Burrito Gallery!

    Mark your calenders for June 9 at Burrito Gallery.  At least 10 local food trucks will be participating in a rally to raise money for second harvest food bank.  1$ donation for admission with lots of great food.  If you haven't checked out any of the local food trucks in Jax you are really missing out.  This is the new wave of innovative cuisine on the first coast.  Check out the story below from the T-U or see the facebook page.

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/423471/gary-mills/2012-05-23/jacksonville-food-truck-rally-set-june-9-burrito-gallery

Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/events/195342653921667/

Summer Fun and Wellness Event at Jax Farmers Market

Come to the Farmers Market off of Beaver Street this Saturday June 2nd!  I will be there with Florida Blue doing free nutritional screenings.  St. vincents will have staff on hand for health screenings as well.  There will be live cooking demos, children's activities, a classic car show, and of course fresh ripe Produce much cheaper then at the grocery. If you have never been to the Beaver Street Farmers market you are missing out on the oldest biggest and best in Jacksonville!  Come see me.


http://www.jaxhealth.com/calendar/event-search-results-detail/?eventId=28e0ddc9-9789-e111-917c-e0cb4ef9b7ad

Read more at Jacksonville.com: 
http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/food-and-dining/2012-05-23/story/summer-fun-and-wellness-fest-comes-june-2

Jacksonville Farmers Market
1810 West Beaver Street
Jacksonville, FL. 32209
http://www.jaxfarmersmarket.com/

Cheese Burger Pie!  Super Fast and Super easy (basically hamburger helper)

Ingredients:

1 Box Macaroni and Cheese (can use kraft or off brand.  I use the Publix brand all the time)
1 lb Ground Beef (the leaner the healthier)
1/4 cup margarine (I like Promise) and 1/4 cup margarine for the mac and cheese
1/2 c milk (again I use skim to make it a little healthier)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
shredded cheddar cheese to taste (I use about 1/2 a bag)
1/2 cup mixed onions and bell peppers (I use the frozen)
Worcestershire sauce to taste

Directions
1.  Brown the beef and onion/peppers mix.  Add worcestershire sauce to taste (I like about 1-2 tbsp)
2.  At the same time cook the boxed macaroni and cheese per directions (boil, drain, add in cheese mix, milk and margarine)
3.  Place the mac and cheese in a large casserole dish.  Add the beef, 1/2 cup milk, and cream of mushroom  and mix.  spread out
4.  Top with shredded cheese to taste.  It really doesn't need that much cheese
5.  Bake in preheated 350 degree oven 10-15 minutes if you just made it or 20-30 minutes if you made ahead and refrigerated it (You may want to wait and add the shredded cheese with 10 minutes left to keep it from burning)
6.  Pull it, check it to make sure its done and let rest 5 minutes.

Some good variations I've done include:
- adding frozen broccoli to veggie it up
- adding frozen peas and carrots to veggie it up
- adding onion/mushroom soup mix in when mixing
- adding taco seasoning to the beef when browning for a taco pie
- putting a layer of mashed potatoes on bottom (or top) to make sheppards pie

This can be made in about 30 minutes and there are a number of ways you can make it healthier if you work on it.  Fast ad easy.

Freshfield Farms, Orlando grocer, coming to Jax!

See the story below from the TU.  They are an Orlando market that specializes in fresh, local, and organic foods and meats.  Apparently they carry no canned or processed foods.  Never been there myself but I will be sure to check it out.  They will be on University Blvd near spring park in the old Liberty Furniture location.

http://jacksonville.com/business/2012-05-08/story/freshfields-farm-coming-jacksonville-grocery-buys-liberty-furniture