Homestyle classic menu Jan25 thru Jan28

Well, the holidays are over & The Cantina is re-opened & I'm done testing margarita & mojito recipes for a little while at least. I've just finished tweeking my recipe for the first annual (I hope) Mighty Mac Battle of the Chefs. I call it the "Mac Off" much to my wife's dismay. The event is to be held at Tortilla Press Cantina on Monday Jan 18th at 6:30, and will be featuring the mac & cheese of at least 10 of the areas chefs. Please make your reservations soon at 856-356-2050. The cost is $10 for adults & $4 for kids. Part of the proceeds will go to The South Jersey Food Bank. We will also have a cash bar available with great drink specials.

My blog this year will be a place to check out upcoming events at The Tortilla Press, Tortilla Press Cantina, South Jersey Culinary Events & SJ Green Dining. But, mainly it will be the musings of an independent restaurateur/chef running two restaurants & the daily triumphs and challenges that arise. Of course, this will be the place to see all special event menus & changes to either restaurants' menu before the rest of the public, so check back often & feel free to comment anytime with suggestions, ideas or ways to improve The Tortilla Press or The Cantina.

Our second annual Homestyle Classics is the first event for South Jersey Culinary Events in 2010 & it will run from Jan 25 thru Jan 28. The event is $30 for 4 courses & it will feature all of the chefs' unique twist on the classics we grew up with. Here is the first draft of the menu to be served at Tortilla Press & The Cantina. Remember, feedback is always welcome here.

Homestyle classics

Choose 1

Fried Cheese Sticks

Breaded chihuahua cheese lightly fried & served with tijauna marinara sauce

Pulled Pork Sandwich

Our award winning chipotle peanut bbq pork served on a toasted mini brioche roll with a side of spicy slaw

Hot Wings

Our twist on the classic buffalo wings served with honey cholula sauce & avocado ranch

Choose 1

Cesar Salad

Romaine lettuce, Aztec salad dressing queso cotija, garlic chile croutons,

roasted red pepper rajas & twin fire-grilled shrimp

Skyline Style Chile

A cup of an Ohio favorite served 5 ways with beef, black beans,

onion & grated cheddar over spaghetti

Vegetable Soup

A rich vegetable, tomato & chile stock with hominy & mixed vegetables

with a tostada, shredded lettuce, diced onion, lime & sliced radish garnish

Choose 1

Friday Night Fish Fry

My mom’s special breading on mild white fish filets

served with french fries, cole slaw & 3 dipping sauces

Mac & Cheese

Cheddar, monteray jack, queso fresco, chihuahua & cotija in a creamy guajillo chile sauce

with crunchy tortilla chip topping. Served with corn mexicana

Chicken & Dumplings

Roasted chicken pulled & simmered in a yellow mole

with masa dumplings served with green beans & carrots

Steak & Potatoes

Carne Asada grilled to your liking with achiote roasted Yukon gold potatoes

& a spicy lime chile dipping sauce

Choose 1

Rice Pudding

Slow cooked till creamy with mexican cinnamon then served

chilled with goat milk caramel sauce & whipped cream

Cream Puffs

Classic shell filled with coffee ice cream & finished with a

Patron XO enhanced coffee sauce & whipped cream

Bread Pudding

Mexican chocolate & challah baked into a rich egg custard with mexican cinnamon & vanilla

served with a spoonful of mixed berry salsa & whipped cream