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January 20, 2010
On Special
Orange Roughy en Papillote
by Ryan
en pappioteThe term En Papillote is simply a method of cooking in which the food is wrapped in parchment paper and then baked. Parchment paper is the typical choice when baking anything En Papillote, but other paper materials can be used. En Papillote cooking is used to essentially steam the food in its' own juices. Benefits of using this techinque include a low fat method of cooking and easy clean up!



orange roughy en pappioteOn our menu this week is Orange roughy en Papillote. Cooked over a bed of swiss chard and topped with a vodka tomato sauce with bay scallops, shrimp and mussels. Truly, this is one of the best seafood specials I remember having on our menu. This also makes for a light and healthy meal.

Healthy Foods
Coffee: Can it really be the new health food?
by Kris

rx coffeeWant a drug that could lower your risk of diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and colon cancer? That could lift your mood and treat headaches? That could lower your risk of cavities?
If it sounds too good to be true, think again.
Coffee, the much maligned but undoubtedly beloved beverage, has made headlines for possibly cutting the risk of the latest disease epidemic, type 2 diabetes. And the real news seems to be that the more you drink, the better.

It's the latest of hundreds of studies suggesting that coffee may be something of a health food -- especially in higher amounts. After analyzing data on 126,000 people for as long as 18 years, researchers calculate that having two to six cups each day can aid in the following....




*slashed men's diabetes risk by 54% and women's by 30%
*80% less likely to develop Parkinson's. 
*25% reduced risk of colon cancer
*80% drop in liver cirrhosis risk
*boost mood
*help prevent dental cavities
 
Caffeine is also what helps in treating asthma and headaches. Though not widely publicized, a single dose of pain reliever such as Anacin or Excedrin contains up to 120 milligrams -- that is what's in a hefty mug o' Joe.

Coffee is loaded with antioxidants such as chlorogenic acid and tocopherols, and minerals such as magnesium, including a group of compounds called quinines that increases insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. This increased sensitivity improves the body's response to insulin.

Overall, the research shows that coffee is far more healthy than it is harmful. For most people, very little bad comes from drinking it, but a lot of good.

So, stop in for the best "Cup o' Joe" in town and drink to your health.

Web MD article
Behind the Bar
Fernet Branca
by Jimmy
fernetFernet Branca is one of Italy's more unusual drinks.  Its' thick, bitter flavor makes it something of an acquired taste, but those who do like it often love it.

It was created in 1845 in Italy, as a type of bitters that aids in digestion and stimulates the appetite. Its' recipe is a secret but is said to contain 27 different herbs and spices from 4 different continents. A few of the known ingredients include saffron, aloe, rhubarb, galanga (a.k.a Blue Ginger, citrusy, earthy aroma, with hints of pine in the flavor) and zedoary (similar to ginger, except with a bitter aftertaste). 

It is also said that Fernet Branca has many health benefits as well. It has been claimed to cure menstrual cramps, an excellent digestive aid and a cure for a hangover. This drink has gained popularity in Argentina where it is often drank with cola and in San Francisco where it is followed with a ginger ale chaser.

Next time you are looking for an after dinner drink, try something new,  a Fernet Branca, or choose from any one of over 50 liqueurs we offer from the back bar.
Around the Industry
Asian Carp
by Kris

carpFor any of you who have ever been on the Illinois River, for either pleasure boating or fishing, I'm sure that you have experienced the "flying fish".  We have had them jump into the boat on more than one occasion.  Over the past few years this experience has become more and more prevalent.

Recently it has been all over the news that they are about to invade the Great Lakes and there is a movement to try and close the locks and prevent the asian carp, as well as shipping vessels, into the great lakes.  The problem is that the asian carp, who competes with other fish for food, would infest the lakes and cause many problems for the fishing industry that survives from fishing those waters.

The fish were introduced to the U.S. from east Asia in the 1970s to help manage aquaculture ponds and wastewater lagoons. They quickly escaped into the wild in the late 1980s and early 1990s.  Traveling to the north and into the rivers that feed into the Great Lakes, they are very invasive and almost impossible to destroy.

A group from Louisiana is trying to market the asian carp as "Silverfin", said to taste like a cross between scallops and crab meat.  It can be prepared in various ways: fried, broiled, gumbo, bisque and fish cakes.  Marketing it in this manner would be the perfect solution to a growing problem.  By turning this "problem" fish into a sustainable seafood that is abundant, locally harvested and economical. It sounds like Louisiana may be on the right track, let's see if the Northern states will follow suit.

NPR Article

Silverfin Video
Around the Uptown
Foodie Fight
by Kris

foodie fightAs many of you know we have trivia cards at the bar called "Foodie Fight".  We have been doing this for almost a  year and many of our regulars are getting pretty good at it.  So we thought that we would put out a challenge. 

Each week in the newsletter we will ask 3 questions from the Foodie Fight cards.  The first person to email us (see link below) the correct answers to all three questions will receive a complimentary free lunch.  The winner has to have the correct answer for all three questions, no exceptions.  The following week we will publish the correct answers and the winner from the previous week.  So come on in and have a drink, study the cards, test each other and have fun.    Good Luck!

This weeks questions are...

1. What Mexican, reddish-brown, thick, smooth sauce is a complex combination of chiles, ground seeds, onions, garlic, and chocolate?

2. What ingredient served with chicken won Anna Ginsberg one million dollars at the 2006 Pillsbury Bake-Off contest?

3. Who opened a London restaurant that is also a school for disadvantaged youths wanting to become chefs - complete with an accompanying book and TV series?
foodiefight@uptowngrill.com

Fine Print...
You must be the first person to respond with all three correct answers.
The response must go to the email address in the above link.
You must reply within 24 hours from the time the newsletter is published.

Last Week answers

1. "I Hate To Cook" book

2. The center, no taste buds

3.  The Easy Bake Oven

Winner ... Deb Wackerline

On Our Special
Tatamagouche Oysters on the Half Shell
"Inside out" Grilled Cheese
Stuffed Roasted Poblano Pepper
Wagyu Beef Burger
Panini - Genoa Salami, Roasted Red Peppers, Provolone Cheese and Pesto Aioli 
Roasted Vegetable Salad
Orange Roughy en Papillote
Shepherds Pie
Smoked Sausage and Roasted Vegetable Penne
Butter Garlic Infused Chicken Breasts
Maple Glazed Carrots
Double Dhocolate Torte
Mexican Chocolate Pot de Creme
Playlist Theater
By Kris

Who would have thought when all this started that a few years down the road we would have a list of PAST shows that look like this.  Keep your eyes pealed... there is much more to come!  

Past Shows                                                                           
                                                                                                         
March 2006 Ray Bonneville
May 2006 Bo Ramsey and Pieta Brown
Sept 2006 Tim Easton
October 2006 Kelly Pardekooper
Nov 2006 Chip Taylor and Carrie Rodriguez
Nov 2006 Griffin House
Dec 2006 Dave Moore
Jan 2007 Bo Ramsey
Feb 2007 Mary Gauthier
March 2007 Fred Eaglesmith
March 2007 Ray Bonneville
April 2007 Everybody Fields
April 2007 Terry Evans
May 2007 Griffin House
June 2007 Carrie Rodriguez and Tim Easton
June 2007 Ramsey Midwood
August 2007 David Lindley
August 2007 Chris Knight
Sept 2007 Fred Eaglesmith
Oct 2007 Karen Savoca and Pette Heitzman
Nov 2007 John Hammond
Dec 2007 Pieta Brown
Jan 2008 Willy Porter
Feb 2008 David Olney
Feb 2008 Griffin House
March 2008 Kelly Jo Phelps
April 2008 Sam Baker and Gurf Morlix
May 2008 Everybody Fields
July 2008 Terry Evans
July 2008 Roy Davis
Sept 2008 Slaid Cleaves
Sep 2008 David Lindley
Oct 2008 Chris Knight
Oct 2008 Fred Eaglesmith
Nov 2008 William Elliott Whitmore
Jan 2009 Robbie Fulks
Feb 2009 Kathleen Edwards
Feb 2009 Griffin House
March 2009 Jim Lauderdale
April 2009 Doug MacLeod
May 2009  Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks
June 2009 Terry Evans
June 2009 Bill Kirchen
August 2009 Amy LaVere
Sept 2009 Paul Cebar and Tomorrow Sound Now For Yes Music People
November 2009  Romi Mayes
November 2009  Steve Forbert
Playlist Theater
 Tickets on sale now.           

Next Show                                                                            
                                                                                                         
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Friday
January 29th








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Uptown Grill
601 First St.
La Salle, Il 61301
815-224-4545
Mon - Thur 11 am to 10pm  - Fri & Sat 11 am to 11 pm
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