Gourmet Love! - The Gay Gourmet!™

A Gay Gourmet!™ Caricature by Jason Simon of Simple Simon Designs! What do you think? OH and have you seen the new picture on my Facebook page? Like me there if you haven't already!

The Quick & Easy! The Gay Gourmet™

Sometimes I get home late from work and the last thing I want to do is cook! Much like tonight. I'm feeling like a cold or something is trying to inch it's way into my body (don't you get any ideas), it's snowing, Bravo Housewives re-runs on and the last thing I want to do is cook but I'M STARVING!

What to make???...what to make???... WHAT THE .... TO MAKE!?!

SOUP! I'm really craving it, plus I'm a firm believer in the healing power of a good bowl of soup! UGH! But SOUP!?! It'll take forever.. well not The Gay Gourmet™ way!

Here's the low down

Grab some chicken stock..(3 cups) in this case I used one 26oz carton of Swanson® Chicken Stock.

Throw it in a medium sized pot...and bring to a boil

once it's boiling throw in some salt, pepper, grate 2 cloves of garlic, and add two nice handfuls of Whole Wheat Egg Noodles.

Cook for about 4 to 5 mins, just shy of Al Dente, and then throw in about a cup of your favorite frozen veggies. I used an Italian blend of Zucchini, Cauliflower, Carrots, Lima Beans & Green beans.

Cook for another 5 till veggies are hot yet still crunchy! (You can also throw in some left over chicken breast, rotisserie chicken etc along with the veggies)

Once hot juice half a lemon and stir in.. I also found a little leftover pesto and threw a tablespoon in there!

It came out sooo good & I beasted! It also took less than 30 mins (Eat your heart out Rachel Ray!) and was super fun/easy to just create out of what was in my refrigerator!



Remember my little foodies out there! Cook fearlessly & Live Deliciously!


Michael Muñoz
The Gay Gourmet™


©2011 Michael Muñoz

Interruptus Frankus!!

Now, I'm standing in the kitchen makin' some tomatillo salsa and in storms Franky sayin' you've been screwin' the milkman!! okay.. nooo he didn't say that exactly and he didn't run into my knife 10 times* (not that I didn't think of it) but he did have a lot to say...So without further adieu...(if you need some chips and Tomatillo Salsa first, scroll down & then sit back and enjoy)

(For those of you that didn't get the loose reference click & watch here... shame on you! Fast Forward to 3:55)

Now because of the Holigays, my Big Gay Birthday (which he didn't get me anything nor wish me a happy birthday at this point) and work Frank really hasn't been knocking on my door and I think everything is fine till he comes at me with this..


Frank..The Gay Gourmet™ blog is a springboard to hopefully getting my own variety cooking show one day soon. How many times do I have to tell you! As for the pictures of women..we'll have to have a sit down about that one...get over it..and as for your gift I didn't even get a happy birthday! But without even listening to a word I said he moves on to say...



If you want to see what picture of me he is referencing click here
Now I think he means I look like actor Frank Coraci

I look nothing like this man and am slightly insulted! (wondering why he didn't run into my knife at least once by now..)

Being the nice guy that I am..I offer him a beverage and that sends him into a tizzy about a drink recipe I posted...


(click here if you need the fabulous drink recipe reference)
It's delicious no matter what he says and is worth the trip to the store.

Once again before I could even respond he comes at me with this..

and out the blog door he went! Like a bull in a china shop! Well thanks for the birthday wish Frankus where ever you are... I guess I gotta go shopping for a belated Christmas Present!

TOMATILLO SALSA!

So this was my first attempt ever at making tomatillo salsa and it came out pretty fantastically! I decided to make it because the fruit and veg market where I shop had them for the first time and they looked so cute I couldn't resist! Let me know what you think! Weight Watchers® this is a good, low points, one for you lovelies!

5 medium Tomatillos husked and rinsed
4 cloves of garlic peeled
4 to 5 jalepeños seeds removed and diced or you can substitute a large Chipotle pepper or hot cubano if you want more heat!
1 small to medium yellow or red onion - whatever you like best!
a small batch of cilantro (about 1/2 a cup to 3/4) chopped


Take your husked rinsed tomatillos and your garlic, rub them in a little olive oil and salt and throw them under the broiler till nicely charred. Charred meaning that they have a nice brown/black color starting to appear on them (about 15 mins) Watch them closely so they don't burn!!

Now you can do one of two things with your onions and I'll let you decide how you want your salsa cause either way is delicious! The first way is to husk and slice the onion up and let it char with the tomatillos and garlic. easy..

Or you can husk your onion, slice it up and throw it in a pan over medium heat with a little olive oil and let it caramelize! Now this is slightly time consuming and if you are gonna do it this way make the onions first before you do anything. You want to let the onions brown so stir every so often but not too much as they wont brown easily that way. Once the browning starts and they start to stick to the bottom of the pan then you can stir and scrap a little more often. I like this because it adds a nice sweetness to the savory and spicy that this salsa can be. It's totally worth it!!

Either way make all of that and throw it in a food processor with about a tablespoon of olive oil, some salt & pepper and the cilantro (save a little for garnish) and pulse a couple times till combined yet still chunky! pour it in a bowl and serve with your favorite chips, put it on your eggs in the morning, serve on tacos, over steak the possibilities are endless!




Remember Cook fearlessly, Live deliciously!

Michael Muñoz
The Gay Gourmet™

©2011 Michael Muñoz

Gourmet Discovery!! - The Gay Gourmet!™

So I was perusing the interweb and I came across this new friendly blog called TwoBewts. It's a little bit of everything and once you get past the funny spelling of words and are jiving with the lingo (I feel old all of a sudden) you realize it'll definitely be a fun and informative look at what's happening around us if it keeps going!

I mention this not only because it's fun but also because I came across a video which I am newly obsessed with! Ms. Syndee Winters is giving us a fun new gance track...yes I said GANCE! Gay + Dance = Gance...learn it! And let me tell you if Kim Zolciak can have a hit with Tardy for the Party (which I love..who are you to judge me?) Syndee Winters can be a superstar with Gimme (What I like).

She's cute, the video is fun, it makes me wanna shake my booty and Gimme (What I Like) makes me crave bad things...you know...Buffalo WIngs.. Fried Cheese Curds.. Ranch Dressing...Nachos.. YES GERL GIMME WHAT I LIKE!! OOOOH YEEEES!!

Anywho, I digress... really.. the girl can sing... How do I know? She's a working musical theatre actor...on quality projects..so it's no joke folks..just read her resume on her website!

Or Just watch the video and gay it forward!


Oh an remember you heard/saw it here first cause this girl is gonna BLOW UP!

And No she's not a friend of mine...yet..

Gaying it Forward & Deliciously Living!

Michael Muñoz
The Gay Gourmet™

©2011 Michael Muñoz

A Gourmet Safety Message...Delivered Frankly!™

So here I am munching on some brisket, mac & cheese and collard greens from one of my favorite places Peter's Since 1969. (P.S. They now have Brisket & Turkey permanently on their menu..ooo and the most delicious soups & homemade croutons as well!!) Click the pink link to go to their site! I digress...

So here I am enjoying my take out and in to my blogosphere storms Frank very concerned about my Eat Me Out! Segment. (Once again click the pink link to catch yourself up) Granted he's a little behind on my blog times...but he makes a point and I was so moved that I myself had to video respond!

Watch On!!

Frank says...


Michael responds...



Deliciously LIving,

Michael Muñoz
The Gay Gourmet™


©2011 Michael Muñoz

Queery The Gay Gourmet Vol 2!! BRUNCH!

So the other day on Twitter Ms. Alix Davis (@AlixDavis) of Seattle Washington, who runs a blog called 23rd Somewhere Olive, tweeted me asking me how to make Eggs Benedict for her brunch this weekend. So I decided to whip up a quick blog for my friendly little chica follower and all of you..

So here's the thing... Poached Eggs = easy to make... Canadian bacon (or spinach or salmon) = also easily done... Toast = OMG So easy.. Traditional Hollandaise Sauce = really not easy to make.. let me take you through all of this info.

Okay so you want to get your favorite bread to start.. English muffins are the traditional way in this dish and they are delicious but a crusty bread sliced up could really work nicely AND you could take a garlic clove after you toast it up and rub it all up on there to give it something a little extra! I'm gonna call that some gay pizzaz! Easy right?!?! yes!

Next if you are making traditional Eggs Benedict it calls for Canadian Bacon - lightly grease a pan and preheat over medium high..when pan is hot but oil is NOT smoking throw the Canadian Bacon in till browned on each side..about two mins or so each side! EASY!

Eggs Florentine call for sauteed Spinach - Grease a non stick pan and preheat over medium high... Throw dry, fresh, spinach in the pan and let wilt. Stir every so often with some tongs.. As it's cooking you can mix in a couple fresh chopped garlic cloves or a little lemon juice or both! EASY!

Eggs Montreal (I've seen it referred to as Norwegian as well) call for smoked salmon..just go to the store and buy it..SOOO EASY!

I could go on but let's not complicate things here..just yet.

SO You wanna poach some eggs watch this video!


4 cups water
1 Tbs White Vinegar
Eggs crack individualy into a bowl
plate covered in tea towel or paper towels

Combine water and vinegar into a sauce pot and bring to a boil. Once the water is boiling create whirlpool by stirring water with the back of a wooden spoon or other apparatus. (Thank you momma Gladys!) Slowly drop egg in the whirlpool from bowl. Cook for 4 mins. Remove with Slotted Spoon onto plate with paper towels or tea towel. Cover with tented foil to keep warm.


Onto the Hollandaise Sauce.. it's hard I'm not gonna lie but in doing some research I found two recipes that were all reviewed as the easiest and tastiest way to make it! Here is one from Epicurious.com that is real close to the traditional way to make this sauce

Hollandaise via Epicurious

I took me a good while to get it..cause first time through it certainly curdled! But never fear cause you just need to budget some extra time if you F it up.

The other recipe I found was from Allrecipes.com and you make it in a blender. I haven't had a moment to try it but it seems like people really like it and it works!! After reading the comments make sure your butter is real hot then pour it in slowly in small batches!! Careful not to burn the butter!!

Allrecipes.com Hollandaise!


If you just want to be lazy go buy some McCormick powdered Hollandaise and doctor it up a little..throw some fresh dill in there or some cayenne pepper...Not ideal but in a pinch.. (It'll be our little secret ladies!!)


The order you want to do things is pour your self a Hendricks Bloody Maraget and begin Make hollandaise. Keep warm sitting on stove, start to boil water to poach eggs, make Canadian bacon or the like, throw the bread in toaster or oven, poach eggs, remove toast, assemble & serve!

Good Luck Alix and thanks for the QUEERY!!

You too can Queery The Gay Gourmet™!! Feel free to tweet me @thegaygourmet or email me @ hesthegaygourmet@gmail.com

Deliciously Living,

Michael Muñoz
The Gay Gourmet

©2011 Michael Muñoz

Gourmet Soup du Jour for a Blizzardy Night!

I think I have perfected what is a delicious Autumn/Winter Soup to warm the soul & heart!

It's my Pumpkin, Sweet Potato & carrot soup! Yes PointsPlus® Weight Watchers you too can eat your big hearts out without feeling guilty but enjoying all the pleasure! (Don't You get any ideas!)

Run to your local hottie grocer and get;

2/3 can of Pumpkin
2 small to med Carrots - peeled and cubed
2 Sweet potato - peeled & cubed
2 stalks Celery - wash 'em well and cube them
1 Parsnip - peeled and cubed
1 Sweet yellow onion - cube it up
1 small Fennel bulb - cut & reserve fronds for garnish..chop it up!
1TBS of Olive Oil

1 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 a fresh grated Nutmeg
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cloves
5 whole Star anise
1/4 cup Maple syrup
1/2 tsp Cayenne pepper
Sea Salt & pepper to taste.. I used about a TBS of both
4.5 cups Vegetable or Chicken stock plus 1 cup to thin as needed


In a stock pot or heavy bottomed deep pot preheat oil over medium heat. Add cubed parsnips, carrot, celery, onion and cook till onion is clear/veggies start getting soft.

Add sweet potato, spices & stir it up

Add pumpkin then stock and bring to a boil. Once it's boiling lower heat and cover. Cook till potatoes are soft about 30 mins or so.

Once potatoes are soft remove all 5 whole star anise seeds.

If using an immersion blender carefully blend once you add pumpkin.
If using a regular blender/food processor carefully ladle out in batches and blend. (I suggest using a blender as it comes out creamier and we know how I like it creamy!) add veg stock as needed to thin it out a bit.

Once all blended and back in the pot add maple syrup, salt & pepper and stir

This soup is one of my favorites and it's really great the day of but once it has sat for a day is even more brilliant! Quick and easy (don’t you get any ideas) and delicioso!

For you freaks out there who like a little decadence (Weight Watchers close your eyes) I like to add about a half cup of creme fraiche and it adds a delicious richness!

I like to serve it with

Grilled Blue Cheese croutons:

Crusty Whole Wheat Sourdough or your favorite bread White or Even Arnold's Sandwich Thins even work for you WW's!

Blue cheese/laughing cow make a blue cheese triangle that’s low points & probably just as delicious as the real thing Weight Watchers!!
Butter/Pam

Heat grill pan or nonstick pan over medium high heat.

Pam® the bottom of the pan if using Pam®. If not using Pam® leave pan ungreased for the moment.

Assemble blue cheese sandwiches by spreading generous amounts of blue cheese between two slices of bread.

Once assembled butter top of sandwich and lay it butter side down on the pan.

Place heavy plate or use spatula to press the sandwich down.

Let grill for 3-5 mins till bottom side is nice an brown..if using butter as you flip the sandwich place a small pat down in pan underneath sandwich as you flip.

Cook for another 2 mins.

Place on a cutting board and let cook for a couple mins.

Once cooled cut off crusts and cut into cute triangles to place in soup as a garnish with pieces of the fennel fronds!! Uh-mazing!!

Deliciously Living,

Michael Muñoz
The Gay Gourmet™

©Michael Muñoz 2011

A Few of My Favorite Things!

Happy 2011 to all of my fabulous followers/readers out there!! I hope everyone had a safe and joyous holiday season & new year!

Now it's back to the grind stone!

Resolutions in place...Intentions set...oh yeah and my BIRTHDAY IS ON JANUARY 5TH!!! WOO!

Since the beginning of this year marks my 30th birthday I figured that I would dedicate my first blog of the year to yours fabulously! MOI!

How often does one get a forum to express what he would truly want for not messing things up too much in the 30 years one has been living?!?! Of course I want all my friends to spend lots of time with me and give me lots of love etc etc but when else can I ask for random presents!?!? Plus it doesn't look like I'm getting married anytime soon (not that it's legal) SO without further adieu...

These are a few of my favorite things...or Better put 30 GOURMET things I want for my Dirty 30th Birthday! (In no particular order) >wink<

(As always Pink = Link! click away on anything that's bold pink!)

1. A Kitchen Aid Mixer
I've been obsessed with this mixer forever! It's stylish, practical & it's time..who knows where I would put it in my tiny apartment but I sure as heck would figure it out!

2. Mini Rice Cooker
Yes I can cook rice the old fashioned way.... Momma Gladys taught me well but when you're working in a kitchen that's 2ft big it would be nice to set and forget so I can focus on other things!

3. Moleskine Recipe Diary
My friend Meaghan received one of these as a gift and I thought what a great idea! I'm a grandma style cooker...meaning I feel and taste my way through cooking which doesn't really help me when I need to translate it to you all so you can make the fabulous things I create! So this would certainly keep me in check.

4. Olive Tree in Italy
I mean...olive oil fresh from the source?!?! Nuff said...DELICIOSO!

5. Benriner Mandoline
I know..I know..why don't I own a good mandoline? Well I do own a mandoline it just sucks..so there..I need a new one..

6. Fort Lauderdale
My best friend Rich lives & owns a house in Ft. Lauderdale. He's been begging for me to come down forever! Plus this winter baby could sure use a little sunshine!

7. Chicago
My other besty Michael lives in Chi town and although it's cold as heck why not? Lord knows I love me some White boys from the Midwest & Chicago is full of them!

8. Barcelona
If you haven't been go!! It's amazing here and I considered moving when I spent some time there a few years back. Since then I've been dying to go back!!

9. Yves St Laurent La Nuit De L'Homme
This is my new scent! LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT!

10. Bond No. 9 - Chez Bond
This scent smells like sex and that's why I think it's SO expensive! I could be the spokeslady for Bond no.9 Im so obsessed with it!

11. Korres
I recently discovered Korres body butter and once again I'm obsessed! Most if not all of their stuff is 90+% all natural and deeeeeeeelicious!

12. Face to Face NYC
I've been stalking Face to Face NYC Spa since it opened and although I've never been I hear great things daily! Don't you think I should be pampered as I turn 30?!?! I do!

13. Wonder Woman Cuff
Okay...So this is a little ridiculous I KNOW! But ever since I discovered nOir Jewelery and after receiving their Archer Sword Necklace for Christmas I'm completely obsessed! And really?!? That cuff is fierce enough to battle the trials & tribulations of New York City Life!

14. Blowfish Tee & 15. Gay Pride Tee
I Heart Threadless.com! I mean they foster and support creativity and the T-shits are fab & funny! Plus if they run out of my size (small) you can request a reprint!! So Cool!


16. Kenneth Cole or Steve Madden Brown Oxfords
I need a brown shoe in my life and I love these..nuff said.

17. Bow Ties from Beau Ties
They have the cutest bow ties and I look cute in cute bow ties!

18. Alexander McQueen Cuff Links
What?!?! I'm totally an accessory whore!

19. Toys from Toys in Babeland
It can't be my Dirty 30th if there isn't something scandelous on my list! Every boy needs some personal accessories to live! I told you I'M AN ACCESSORY WHORE! Nuff said!

20. Pajama Jeans
I'm just curious! Are they really that comfortable? and really if I hate them I get to keep the gray crew neck tee just for trying! PAJAMA JEANS!

21. Ikea Armoire
I just need a new smaller but taller one so i can maybe put in a little more counter space in my tiny apartment.

22. This Gay Gourmet LP Framed
Marie Merrington may have been the original Gay Gourmet but I'm sure as hell trying to lead a close second! I need this LP for inspiration and to pray to Marie for guidance!

23. A Cake from LuLu Cake Boutique
Everything is so delicious here!! Check out my previous blog Concrete Jungle Where Cakes are Made for a full review or just stop in cause it's SOOOO GOOD!

24. Andy Cohen to walk in with the cake from Lulu!
I mean he's funny, super cute & gay! What could be better?!?!

Well...
25. Lecresia Campbell right behind him singing Happy Birthday & Lonely Old Woman is the only thing that could possibly be better! Click the lonely old woman vid link...Uh-mazing!

26. An Endless Supply of Gay Gourmet™ Wrapping paper
When my other besty Johnny gave my faboo necklace for Christmas he wrapped it in this fabulous wrapping paper that had me all over it! I love it!

27. Apple TV
Does this really need an explanation?

28. The Nanny Entire Series on DVD
I love Fran Dresher and this series! I watch it like it's my job!

29. An Endless supply of Molton Brown Blu Maquis Hand Soap & Lush Snowcake!
I know these are two things but they are both soaps! SO just deal! Molton Brown Hand soaps and hand creams are delicious, although expensive, for everyday use and definitely makes me feel papmered! And soaps from LUSH are indescribably amazing & delicious!


30. A Broadway Contract...fiiiine...I'll settle for a Gay Gourmet™ T.V. deal.
Really though..
More recipes, videos, production numbers, Franklys and Gourmet findings to come in 2011!!


Lastly for any of you out there that want to give on this joyous 30th year you can by tweeting me up all week!! @thegaygourmet then tag #BigGayBirthday #TheGayGourmet


Stay tuned as I'm working on lot's exciting things just for you this year!!!


Deliciously Living,

Michael Muñoz
The Gay Gourmet™


©Michael Munoz 2011