Explore the Flavors of Authentic Thai Cuisine at Madam Mam’s

Born in Bangkok, Madam Mam learned Royal- and family-style Thai cuisine in her grandmother’s kitchen. She grew up to run restaurants and be a food critic in her native country before coming to Austin in 2001.

Here, she combines family-style cuisine in a slick but comfortable atmosphere, boasting the closest thing to Thai home cooking this side of the Pacific. Ex-pats tend to agree, calling Madam Mam’s a taste of home, with no concessions or compromises for American palates. Natives love it too; they praise the huge menu across the board, saying that the classic noodle dishes and curries give them a new perspective on Thai cooking.

Prices are decent considering the quality and portion size, and there are frequent specials. Take-out is available.

Madam Mam’s
2700 West Anderson Lane
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 371-9930
www.madammam.com
www.yelp.com/biz/madam-mams-austin-2

Happy Memorial Day

Today we remember those who have sacrificed their lives for our great country. We hope you have a great Memorial Day!

Expect Farm-to-Table Dining at Ajo Restaurant in Round Rock

“A hidden gem in the heart of downtown Round Rock.” That’s how one local patron describes Ajo Restaurant, a family-owned and -operated restaurant serving farm-to-table fare in Round Rock. The restaurant has a peaceful and comfortable atmosphere, with soft blues music playing in the background. It’s definitely ideal for your next date night.

It’s easy to tell that each item on Ajo’s menu has been well planned. The Asian-style ribs with ponzu sauce, peanuts, and celery carrots are a perfect starter to your meal. As for the entree, the red snapper is a crowd favorite. The snapper has lobster sauce, crispy fried kale, and toasted almonds. Don’t leave without trying the bread pudding for dessert, which is a decadent combo of white chocolate, black cherries, and vanilla ice cream.

Ajo Restaurant
121 East Main Street
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 992-2335
www.ajorestaurant.com

Allergic to Eggs? These 3 Webpages Provide Info About Egg Substitutions

Vegans and those with egg allergies may think that certain foods are off limits, but thanks to egg substitutes, you can still enjoy things like cakes, breads, and other baked goods. These helpful websites are full of tips for using egg substitutes to help you create egg-free dishes that taste just as good as the originals.

PETA
Though this website is tailored toward vegans, its tips are helpful for anyone who wants to remove eggs from their diet. The Egg Replacements page features information about all of the different types of egg substitutes, including silken tofu, potato starch, ground flax seed, and canned pumpkin. There’s also a list full of tips about egg substitutions.

The Kitchn
The Kitchn’s Vegan Egg Substitutes page helps you to choose the perfect egg substitute for any dish. It offers full descriptions of everything from tofu to applesauce, and it also provides information about the best brands of commercial egg replacers.

About.com
The vegetarian section of About.com is a wonderful resource to learn more about egg substitutes. It answers readers’ most pressing questions about cooking without eggs, and it also describes which egg substitutes work best in different types of recipes.

Enjoy the Art and the View at HOPE Outdoor Gallery

HOPE is a collection of artists dedicated to making the world a more beautiful place, and they've made great strides in Austin. A previously desolate part of the city now exudes color and personality thanks to both local and international talents who've covered crumbling walls in bright, colorful panoramas.

Graffiti artists and muralists collaborate to create a masterpiece on the concrete walls that were once a blank canvas. According to those who've visited, the portraits are "mesmerizing" and "awe-inspiring." Each piece presents a different inspirational or educational message, and the collaborative piece is growing all the time. It doesn't hurt that HOPE Outdoor Gallery overlooks Austin's skyline, another breathtaking masterpiece in its own right. So if you have an afternoon to spare and you're looking for a photo op, head to this fresh-air gallery in downtown Austin.

HOPE Outdoor Gallery
1101 Baylor Street
Austin, TX 78703
www.hopecampaign.org/hopeprojects/hope-outdoor-gallery
www.yelp.com/biz/hope-outdoor-gallery-austin

Happy Mother’s Day!

Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate Mom! Are you doing anything special for your mother today?

Expect Farm-to-Table Fare at Wink in Austin

Wink Restaurant is a fun, fresh and creative eatery in Austin that is consistently voted one of the top restaurants in the city. The kitchen operates on a farm-to-table system, sourcing almost all of its seasonal ingredients from local farms and suppliers in order to create dishes that are distinctly Austin.

The menu at Wink changes just about every day, and it often includes unique combinations such as grilled quail with coconut and lamb sausage and chilled poached flounder with white bean salad. There are also always a few options for vegetarian guests. At the bar, Wink focuses on wines from across Texas and around the world, and you’ll even find additional seating in this more casual area of the restaurant.

The next time you want to celebrate an occasion, have a hearty meal, a decadent dessert, and a perfect wine pairing at this beloved eatery.

Wink
1014 N. Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78703
(512) 482-8868
www.winkrestaurant.com
www.yelp.com/biz/wink-austin

Ng BMT: Banh Mi and More in Austin

Although its name sounds like a secret code that only Austin locals understand, Ng BMT is actually a Vietnamese sandwich spot located within the Hong Kong Supermarket. This unique sandwich cafe-meets-bakery serves traditional Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches on fresh-baked baguettes.

Each banh mi is available with your choice of peppered shrimp, tofu, pork, or other meats to accommodate both meat eaters and vegetarian guests. Diners new to the banh mi might enjoy the pork banh mi, which sandwiches slices of marinated pork within a warm baguette with creamy mayo, pickled carrots, cilantro, and, for a little spicy kick, jalapeno peppers! Counter the heat with the chilled sweet tofu dessert.

Ng BMT is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Regulars note that the prices at Ng BMT are easy on the wallet, so you can grab a cheap lunch that’s bit out of the ordinary.

Ng BMT
8557 Research Boulevard
Austin, TX 78758
(512) 931-1088
www.ngbmt.com
www.yelp.com/biz/ng-bmt-austin

5 Spring Vegetables and How to Choose Them

Lots of things are in bloom in the springtime, including a number of nutritious vegetables. However, it can be difficult to decide what to purchase when you’re faced with the overwhelming possibilities in the produce aisle. Here are a few veggies that are in season in the spring, plus tips for choosing the freshest of the bunch.

1. Artichokes. Look for artichokes with tight, firm leaves that are deep green in color. Be sure to avoid ones with black spots, because this means they’re old and already rotting.

2. Asparagus. The thickness of the asparagus doesn’t matter, but you’ll need to check if it’s bright green and firm. Avoid bunches that are drooping or peeling.

3. Peas. Whether you’re looking for snow, sugar, or snap peas, you want to choose pods that are almost translucent.

4. Spinach. Spinach is one of the most nutrient-rich vegetables, but you should choose only fresh leaves to maximize its health benefits. Look for bunches that are darkly colored with no signs of yellowing or breaking.

5. Rhubarb. This isn’t the most common vegetable, but rhubarb is delicious in a number of sweet dishes from pies to cobblers. Avoid limp stalks and seek out ones that are deep red in color.

Spring Clean Your Diet [Cooking Light]
Spring’s Best Fruits and Vegetables [Real Simple]

Follow Up Your Sandwich With Shaved Ice at the Sweet-n-Cheezy Food Truck

When that lunchtime hunger strikes during the workday in Round Rock, head over to the Sweet-n-Cheezy food truck for the perfect blend of savory and sweet flavors. The recognizable orange truck serves patty melt-style sandwiches with names like The Hungry Hippo and the Razorback, and they’re all piled high with premium meats and deliciously melted cheeses between two slices of thick, grilled Texas toast.

The signature sandwich is the namesake Sweet-n-Cheezy, a unique combination of fresh strawberries with melted brie cheese and raspberry jam on pistachio cranberry bread. If you’re in the mood for something a bit more traditional, you’ll also find perfectly grilled burgers that taste even better when paired with the truck’s soft, fluffy shaved ice.

The Sweet-n-Cheezy truck is closed from Monday to Wednesday.

Sweet-n-Cheezy
5430 US Highway 79
Round Rock, TX 78665
(512) 887-4540
www.sweet-n-cheezy.com

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