Saturday, July 28, 2007

Something unusual we found on YouTube...


Apparently, back in 1987 our kitchen was occupied as a recording studio during an art opening. We're currently pretending that we remember this. Here's the link to watch the video.

"Velotrace Jazz Project live at The Magnolia Cafe, Austin,TX 1987. Provided family fun for our friend Jonathan's art opening. Vincent O'Brien-guitar, Thor Harris-drums, Brett Bowen-bass."

Thanks for the memories!

Monday, July 2, 2007

Red, White and Blue - Pancakes - for the 4th



Count on us to be open all day and night, as usual, on the 4th of July.

To celebrate the holiday, we'll be serving red, white and blue pancakes from 9 am to 2 pm.

Saturday, June 9, 2007

Recipe from the Austin Farmer's Market dinner special




We shopped this morning at the Downtown Austin Farmer's Market and brought back a selection of fresh organic arugula (Animal Farm Permaculture Center), garden tomatoes (P/2 Organics)and fresh basil.

Here is the recipe for the salad on tonight's dinner menu:

Arugula and Parmesan Salad
Make a paste out of 1 garlic clove and 1/4 t. salt by mashing them together.

Add: (another) 1/4 t. salt, 4 T. balsamic vinegar, 3 T. minced fresh basil, 1/4 c. finely grated fresh parmesan, 1/4 t. freshly ground black pepper.

Continue whisking and slowly adding oil until well blended: 1/2 c. extra virgin olive oil.

We added quartered ripe garden tomatoes and homemade croutons.

Enjoy!

Friday, June 8, 2007

From the Farm to Magnolia Cafe



We periodically shop for fresh ingredients at one of the local farms or farmers markets. Recently we've joined forces with local farmers by advertising Magnolia Cafe in a wonderful new magazine that just hit the stands: Edible Austin.

With its beautiful photography and interesting articles -- well -- it just whetted our appetite for farm-fresh goodies.

So look here in coming weeks as we explore recipes for using local foods for our Saturday dinner blackboard specials.

Meanwhile, you can be inspired in a number of ways:

Read the Austin Fresh Food Newsletter with a map and hours of Austin farmer's markets.

Visit the Edible Austin website and pick up a copy at your favorite restaurants and stores.

Saturday, you're invited to a giant party celebrating the Sunset Valley Farmer's Market 10th Anniversary.

Sunday June 10th, meet and eat with the celebrated people behind lots of good local food: Edible Austin Farmers Fair fundraiser ($10 suggested donation).

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Monday, May 14, 2007

Knocked out at the Magnolia!


Found in our in-box:
Subject: Maddie Sue - Another Satisfied Magnolia Customer!

Thought y'all would like this! My daughter, Maddie Stratton, has NEVER fallen asleep in a restaurant before. But obviously, she LOVED her Magnolia experience. Please feel free to use this, and thanks again for a GREAT meal, especially since it was my Yankee in-laws first time here. Keep it weird, y'all! :-)

Regards,
E.S.

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Roses for Mom at our Mother's Day Brunch

We'll be offering an amazing brunch for Mother's Day complete with complimentary roses for the mom in your family.

Serving Sunday brunch featuring eggs benedict, eggs florentine, bagels with lox, fruit parfaits with yogurt and granola, french toast, migas, breakfast tacos, and a world of omelette selections from the traditional (ham and cheese or spinach and bacon) to the eclectic (marinated portabella or smoked turkey and pico de gallo). Homemade pancakes include buttermilk, whole wheat, cornmeal and gingerbread.

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Tuesday, May 1, 2007

Hungry in Manhattan


It was just another busy day at the Magnolia Cafe office. Noses to the grindstone, except when someone would walk in with a plate of fragrant hot food from the cafe next door. Ahhh! THEN, suddenly the phone rang:

ATTENTION: "Customer of ours now lives in Manhattan. Is pregnant. Must have Cream Cheese Artichoke Enchiladas. Could we freeze-dry them and send them on up?"

No joke. This dame was for real -- and serious!

We don't know much about freeze drying and don't have a 'to go' menu for NASA. So we'll send you a recipe. We've given it our best effort, so here it goes:

Dear Melanie in Manhattan,
We’re happy to help you with your Cream Cheese Artichoke Enchiladas dilemna. The solution is a bit complex but you seem motivated!

The filling:
Artichoke hearts and cream cheese (softened)

The Lemon Sour Cream Sauce: this is easy, ratio-wise

In a double boiler so it won’t burn, heat ½ water and ½ sour cream. While it’s heating, make a roux (Heat butter til it’s nutty brown and quickly stir in white flour and cook and stir until it’s pasty) and slowly stir the roux into the hot water/sour cream mixture until it thickens up a little. If the mixture is not as hot as the double boiler allows, it might not thicken the roux.

The Verde Sauce: this is harder on ratios because we make big batches of the sauces and I’m not sure of the portions for a home size but you can divide it up. Maybe you would prefer to buy off the shelf verde sauce at the store. If so, just heat it up.

In food processor:
5 bunches cilantro, washed and stemmed
20 serranos, stemmed
1 and ½ cup garlic cloves
8 medium onions

Puree til smooth. Pour into bowl.

In food processor, puree 3 #10 cans tomatillos. Pour into the bowl.

Add spices:
1/3 cup cumin
¼ cup oregano
¼ Tablespoon honey
a little salt

Whisk thoroughly.

Wet both sides of the corn tortillas and heat them in a very hot fry pan. Remove and roll the filling into them . Top with the two sauces and serve with Spanish rice and black beans. Top the black beans with shredded cheddar and/or white jack cheese and one ring of onion.

Hope this helps and good luck with your Manhattan phase.

Yours,
Kent
P.S.-- It takes a LOT of people and heavy equipment to cook like we do. It's ALWAYS EASIER to come join us to eat at the Magnolia Cafe. We're professionals. We can handle it.
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