Liberty Kitchen

Wouldn't you know that during my not-able-to-eat-solid phrase, I would have a work dinner to attend.

Truly, I was just grateful my face wasn't so beat up to meet the boss' boss.  At first, they picked a place that had no soft food, no soup, nothing... So, I was "that" person that asked to change. 

Here, at least I can get a Lobster Bisque.  Couldn't taste the chunks but can drink the soup.  They do it up-right though, lobster meat and you can taste the port.

I can also have the lobster mashed potato, again, can't really eat the lobster, but the mashed potato was nice.  They added Boursin cheese in the mashed potato, so not only is it buttery, it's also very creamy to boot.  Can't have the bread either, but ah well.

This is how people can't eat solid go out to eat - somehow feel like this is my future 40 years from now.  Sigh.

Liberty Kitchen

4224 San Felipe

Houston, TX 77027

713-622-1010

https://libertykitchenoysterette.com/

 

Soyent

Guess who's the crazy lady that had that accident and decided to go to Disney for Spring Break? 

That'll be me.   So since I won't have a blender there, I ordered these on Amazon and had them delivered to the hotel.  

Each bottle is about 500 calories, and I picked a different flavors in a box so I get some variety.  The one I picked had Cafe Mocha, Cafe Latte and Chai.  I knew that I'd be ok with Mocha, the Latte was not bad, but definitely full of coffee.  The Chai was my least favorite, it's too Chai with the spices than coffee, but does the job.

As I mentioned, you can have stuff shipped to the hotel at Disney, or any hotel really, just have to check their policy about packages, ours have a surcharge for holding it per every 5 pounds.  So know all the details before you hit the Place Order button.  

For a trip that cannot enjoy yummy food at Disney was definitely disappointing, but to make do I did a lot of prep work on that.  I bought individually insulated pouch to keep these cool.  Of course, Disney does not allow plastic disposable straws, so I brought my own straws for ease.   Like I said, each is 500 cals, so this helps fill me up, and I did not feel hungry at all.  But sometimes I forget that because I'm drinking these that I also need to be drinking water, especially at the amusement park which had you walking and walking.  

I think the product is good, did the job I need it to, but want to try other flavors if they're available individually.

Soylent

https://soylent.com/products/soylent-cafe-bundle

Blendtopia Pops

Another product that Blendtopia sell but cannot find at the local grocery store are these pops.

They come already in smoothie form if at cool temps.  

One box has 6 of these, good for on-the-go.

It was too cold, so I microwaved it a bit so I can have it right away.  It has a thick smoothie consistency. This one is mango with turmeric and you can taste that out-right.   So I psuedo- felt like I'm having something healthy.

Each box comes in 6 pops.  And each serving is 3 and that's about 130 calories, not good for getting nutrition in terms of fat or protein since most contents are all fruits.  But last pretty good, and works perfectly for on-the-go.

Blendtopia

https://www.blendtopia.com/products/supermango-smoothie-pops

 

Blendtopia Smoothie

At first, after my mouth was busted and have to be on liquid diet, I was pretty bummed, what am I going to post here?  A friend teased about looking forward to my hospital food review, and in jest I did it. 

But then, another friend suggested that I can review the soup and smoothie I've tried, and that's a great silver lining, isn't it?

To start, the office sent over a giant box of Blendtopia.  Never heard of them, and not sure what they were, but it came in a box of dried ice packed box, so why not.

Once we opened it, we realized why it has to be packed in ice.  It is basically ingredients and all in frozen form.

It's basically a recipe all ready to blend.

But you are to add 12-16oz of milk, we went ahead and added protein powder and almond butter to get more protein in the mix to make it a 'meal'.

It really did give the blender a good work out there.

Churns out a good two 12oz bottle of smoothie.  Is it full as a meal replacement?  Not all the way, but I can only have soft food or liquid, that's what going to have to do.

In terms of taste, don't need to worry if it's sweet, because it's not.  As a matter of fact, the veggie and avocado is more dominate than fruit.  So don't worry too much about the sugar in there.  The package per serving is only 80 cal, but by the time you add milk and almond butter or peanut butter, and other stuff, it all adds up.  

I got the sampler box, which has Glow, Immunity, Detox, Energy.  They even have Keto version for Green or Berry Smoothie.  Again, none of them are overly sugary or sweet.  You do taste the veggie, so no need to worry if it's gets overly sweet, it's not. 

They sell it by the box, you can do it by 12, 18, or 24, or do a 7-day Cleanse program (which has 14), or by subscription.  Is it worth it?  For busy, on-the-go folks want to be somewhat healthy, this is pretty good.  Think Snap Meal or prepared meal that's prep ahead of time.  All they need is to add milk and blend.  Works very well, ingredients are frozen and can keep.  For the price point, if you want to mix the frozen fruit on your own, that's definitely doable, but not hard to do.  Again, depends on what you value.  For taste, ease of use and price point, this is a good program.  At least, you know it's healthy from the source. 

Blendtopia

https://www.blendtopia.com/products/glow-smoothie

 

Hospital Food

As mentioned earlier, I got a big o' box of cookie was only able to enjoy 1.  Here's why: had an unfortunately fall at the Rodeo, and landed me in the hospital. 

Per instructions, I can only have soft food.  So here we go... must have: coffee, juice, and...

Oatmeal.  At Texas Women's you can call for food like room service, the starting price is $8.95, and while they say to expect 45 minutes, they delivered much shorter time than that.  For all the bowls and what not, that is just to keep food warm and keep from falling and ruin the food.  It came pretty secured, and warm.  But eating was a whole different challenge.  So, more soft food to come.

 

Brian's Bitchin' Bakery

Got to visit Brian's again.

This time got some goodies.

This is Thai Green Tea Cookie Butter Blondie

With all that ingredients cannot go wrong.  They have brown butter, biscoff cookie bits, which chocolate chip and cookie butter drizzle.  So good.

As usual, I heat it up in the microwave for 10 seconds, and it's nice and warm for my belly.

Here's to new packaging for the Tea-misu

Bigger serving, but don't worry, I'm not complaining. 

Just as flavorful and just as good.

I was able to get the cookie box, but was only able to have 1 of the cookies (long story). 

When he said Chantilly, he wasn't lying.  It has vanilla taste, dried strawberry and blueberries, white chocolate and drizzled on top.  

So proud of Brian that he always churns out these delicious combos.  Very happy to support small businesses that delivers - and I knew he worked hard for that.  

Brian's Bitchin' Bakery

https://briansbitchinbakery.com/ 

 

Foreign Policy

Was eyeing Foreign Policy for a while.  Finally got a chance.

Got a gyro plate and some fries.  When they asked if I wanted cheese on top, of course I'd say yes.  Didn't realized it's feta cheese, but good nonetheless.  The sandwich is huge for what they give you, and yes messy.  The fries with feta cheese is a first for me, but it was tasty.   Never had that combo before.  

So depends on where they park the truck, there's certain rules the truck is expected to abide, like if they park at NRG, they are expected to sell drinks provided by Aramark, and charge that price.  So, you best bring your own.  They serve Greek, Korean, Mexican and American, so there's something for everyone.  

Foreign Policy

https://www.foreignpolicytruck.com/

 

Sweethoney Dessert

Since I was already in Katy, might as well pick up some sweets.

Excited to come back to Sweethoney.

Cute little container.

Got the Mango Pomelo Sago again. 

You can see the chunks of fruit and bits of sago.  It's a nostalgia thing, but it brings back sweet memories thru flavors.  

I will say, this visit, I realize how much else they do sell.  Like tea, they do fruit tea, milk tea, various latte with fillings.  Not what I came here to get, but will keep that in mind going forward.   Also next time I really want to try the soufflé pancakes.  Hope I get to one of these days.

Sweethoney Dessert

23330 Grand Circle Pkwy

#160

Katy, TX 77449

832-437-0263

https://www.sweethoneydessert-texas.com/

 

Tim Ho Wan

Finally made it out to Katy to try Tim Ho Wan.

Have been waiting for them for 3 long years.

They're known for their dim sum, as a matter of fact, originated in Hong Kong and has a Michelin Star.  Which you don't get too many non-shi-shi place on the Michelin Star list except for food in Asia. 

Their claim to fame - their Char Siu Bao.

Their Pork bun are baked not steamed like the traditional way.  Not only that, it has little crumbs on top like the Cantonese Pineapple Bun, it's different for sure.

You can see they give you all the filling of the HK BBQ pork in there. 

My favorite growing up - steamed rice roll (Cheung fun) with BBQ Pork inside.  It's drenched in soy sauce and makes it all salty and stuff, and it's just nostalgic to have.

Here comes the standards - turnip cake - pretty freshly made and you can tell.

Siu Mai with goji berry, which I failed to see the attraction here.  It's a good siu mai, but nothing outstanding on that one.

Same with the har gow which I think the skin was a bit thicker than I'm used to.  The filling is good though.  Meanwhile the shrimp filling mixture they used fresh ingredients. 

Another one of my favorite - lotus sticky rice.  I like it because it's has chicken, mushroom bits in the mix and maybe because it's sticky or maybe because it was cooked in lotus leaf, the flavor came out nicely. 

Another childhood favorite, steamed egg cake.  This one however is shorter than what I'm used to.  The ones I grew up with is nice and rise up quite high.  This one was a tad deflated.  But flavoring is the same. 

Also pan fried noodle.  This is a good kid dish because it has just noodle and soy sauce, of course lots of times they add veggies in there, but the kids know none the better.  I was surprised to see sesame on top, that's not where I've seen most.  I will say this one was drier than how I like them.

We got there early by accident, though I've heard that you do have to wait in line.  I will say I've heard people start waiting 30 mins before open on the weekend.  The day I went the line started about 10 mins before.  And they are pretty strict about not seating you until your entire party is there.  So, coordinate it well.  Within minutes the whole floor is seated full.  Not only that they dishes starts to fly out of the kitchen.  As fast as the folks sit down and order, and as fast as the server can run to the kitchen grab them and serve.  The system is fast but can be chaotic at times.  When asked for a to-go box for leftover, each of the boxes are tiny, so be sure to ask for a few.  By the way, this is not the push-cart system, it's an order on paper system.  So, if you want the push-cart experience, this is not the place.  But if you want to try different kinds of dim sum, this is it.

Tim Ho Wan

23330 Grand Circle Blvd

Ste 180

Katy, TX 77449

832-222-6588

https://timhowanusa.com/

 

Dumpling Haus

So excited to come to the Dumpling Haus storefront.  As most of the time, we only see them at festivals around town.

Super excited to have some good authentic Cantonese food for once.  This is HK BBQ pork over rice.  Hong Kong style BBQ pork is honey glazed and then charred in a charcoal furnace to get that crisp on the outside.  Of course the sauce that came from the honey, meat and charr makes it for me.  When I was little, the more burnt the better.  

Also got a BBQ Chicken over rice. The chicken is honey soy marinated, and I asked them to replace the rice with their famous garlic rice.  You can smell that a mile away, and it smell super delicious even with the left over.  

Dumpling Haus

at Sawyer Yards

2313 Edwards St

Ste 180

Houston, TX 77007

832-781-1807

https://www.dumplinghaushtx.com/

 

Rodeo Cookoff

It's been a few years since I've been to the Cookoff.

We got there a few mins before they start serving food, and the line was already getting long.

Whole crew does alot of work to put it altogether.  And as tradition goes, they do ring the triangle to let you know the meal line is open.

They have all sorts of meat and sides... let the Rodeo begin!

What did I get: Rib, brisket, sausage, potato salad, (lots of BBQ sauce - not shown) and my fav peach pie. YES please!  To have some good BBQ is not hard to find around town but to find something truly good, it's not easy to do.  This is technically a private party catering, so it's not your run of the mill place.  It's pretty good to be competing at the cookoff, plus this is a once a year thing.  It's pretty neat chance to eat something good.  Plus an awesome band playing music and well decorated porto-potty, you can't get that experience anywhere else.

Yes, cook off are basically private parties, so you need to have an 'in' somewhere to get some good stuff.  But even if you don't, the rodeo does have a general admission tent for BBQ, and they do serve basic plate of BBQ so you don't feel like you missed out on the experience.  

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo

https://www.rodeohouston.com/
 

Ritz cracker with chocolate filling

Here's another round of random snacks I find in the Asian Grocery store.

This is Ritz cracker with chocolate in the middle.

I love how the Asian snack pack them into smaller packs so you're less likely to over-snack.

As you can imagine, it's 2 Ritz cracker with chocolate cream in the middle.  It is pretty dang good.  Move over Oreo!  I'm going to this from now on.  It has a bit of salty, a bit of sweet, not at all super rich and filling.   The packaging size is just right for a snack.  It got my vote!