Bring on the Food Comas

You might think that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because it's so focused on food. This used to be the case, and I took my pre-dinner stomach stretching very seriously. But, don't ALL holidays (and every other day of the year) pretty much center around food? So I choose Christmas, hands down. But here are some delicious photos from Thanksgiving at my Aunt and Uncle's house!

Cranberry Slush.

Green Olive Cheese Balls

 Brussel Sprouts, all dressed up.

Twice Baked Potatoes.

Stuffing.

Cranberries.

and Turkey... duh! 

 The beautiful final product...

And later my mom and I made Xmas cookies.

Before...

Icing...

After!

shrimp fried rice and porkgasm

Homemade Shrimp fried rice... Probably a bit healthier than your average chinese take-out, and really simple to make.

Here's the recipe. I used shelled edamame instead of snow peas. And I added a ton of garlic and some red chili garlic sauce.

Also, I went to my friend Terri's house for the Packers game and she made the infamous "Porkgasm," which is pork filled with bacon and cheese and fully wrapped in bacon. I'm probably missing a lot because I don't have the recipe, but anyhow... I was not expecting to like this... But  HOLY CRAP -- soooooo good!!!!!!!!

And here's her sweetheart dog, Bruiser. He was not a part of the Porkgasm.

Seven Year Itch

Last night 'twas the dreaded 7 year mark in my relationship with Jamie. Could good food delay the arrival of the notorious "Seven Year Itch" ?!?! We hit up GRAZE on Madison's capitol square to find out.

We started with the WI Artisan Cheese Board, which included 4 cheeses, walnut date bread, and fruit preserves. Sadly, I forgot to take a photo, but suffice to say it was amazing and included Hook's 12 yr cheddar. Continue viewing for the rest...

Goat Meatballs w/ black truffle goat cheese, spicy tomato sauce, & garlic ciabatta:

 

Pork Buns with pork belly, pickled vegetables, & hoisin:

Bibimbap -- crispy rice, sautéed spinach, winter vegetables, bean sprouts, sunny-side up egg, gochujang, & marinated ground pork:

Artesian Rainbow Trout, broiled with brioche & prosciutto crust served with fingerling potatoes, melted leeks & caper berries:

And for dessert -- Warm Cranberry Streusel Cake with vanilla custard:

Conclusion: A "Seven Year Itch" can be satisfied with good food, you silly adulterers!

The Simpsons make fun of food blogs. I keep eating.

I was watching the Simpsons the other night and the whole show was ripping on food blogs. I couldn't believe my luck! I should be embarrassed (and perhaps am a little bit), but I can't stop laughing. Please listen/see the Simpsons rap about it here.

Next, you should know that my husband Jamie (aka Karp Dawg) and I go out to eat way too much. It's really the only part of our spending habits where we could actually save money. But, we don't. And I can't hide that if I'm going to have a food blog! 

So, here's last weekend summarized by our dinners.

FRIDAY NIGHT:

We live in Wisconsin. And if it's Friday night in Wisconsin... there's a 99% chance you're going out for a fish fry. We met some friends out for dinner. One of them had a bandaid on his head (he was attacked by a bat):

But, bat attacks are beside the point. The point is the fish fry at Avenue Bar. This bar has consistently been voted "Best Fish Fry in Madison." The wait time for a table definitely supports this. While you wait, you have a BRANDY OLD FASHIONED, SWEET, of course. The Old Fashioneds are made the way they should be, with muddled fruit and strength.

After a long wait (and one too many strong drinks), it's time to get down with some fish. Karp Dawg and I shared the fish fry and the fish boil. Now, I have been to the Avenue before, and have left underwhelmed and wondering why they get awards. But, this Friday, they were spot on and both plates were amazing. 

SATURDAY NIGHT:

We had a LivingSocial deal to use at The Old Feed Mill in Mazomanie, WI. This historic building has concrete walls paired with huge wooden beams wrapped in white lights. Candles are the only other lighting... which explains why my food photos suck, although the ambiance is quite romantic. Since my photos aren't the best, I added the menu descriptions of what we got. 

MAPLE STUFFED PORK
Tender frenched pork loin, bone in. Stuffed with maple stuffing and sausage, topped with a garlic cream sauce served with your choice of potato, and seasonal vegetables.

BOURBON MARINATED FLAT IRON STEAK
Steeped in Kentucky bourbon marinade and grilled to perfection. Topped with Hooks bleu cheese, served with choice of potato and seasonal vegetables.

And for dessert, BREAD PUDDING with vanilla and cinnamon icecream.

I would most certainly go back to this restaurant.

A roll down Sweet Street

Was anyone else raised having a homemade dessert after every meal? A big thanks to my mother for developing my sweet tooth at an early age. Luckily I haven't developed diabetes... yet.

Here are some of the best desserts/sweet treats I've had in the last few years (or at least the most fun to look at). Have a look, and feel your hunger (and your cavities) grow.

First, the beautiful homemade wedding cake of our friends Kurlie and Brenna:

Flan made for the bridal shower of Curlo Fry (my best bud):

My mom's infamous "hamburger" cookies:

A schaum torte at Campbellsport's 4th of July picnic:

Adorable frosted cookies at Raina's bridal shower (made by Jesi H.):

Banana cupcakes w/cream cheese frosting for Becky's baby shower (made by me):

A circus peanut pie, made for my dad, by my mom, with love and disgust (circus p-nuts are gross):

Christmas peppermint cheesecake (made by my mom):

 

Halloween "skullcakes" (made by me). Click here for the "how to."

Stawberry cupcakes and White Chocolate Rasperry bites for my bridal shower (made by Curlo Fry):

Maple Glazed Old Fashioned donut, enjoyed by moui in Seattle (from the famous Top Pot):

My wedding cupcakes/cake - almond poppyseed, chocolate, & yellow; All with buttercream frosting.

Cheesecake bites dipped in chocolate (made by me):

Pretty cupcakes from Dani & Tyler's wedding:

Samples of good ol' Wisco-made icecream at a "Breakfast on the Farm" event:

My older brother's birthday cake (designed by Jenny and executed by HyVee):

 

My BFF's classy birthday cake (designed by me, executed by HyVee):

Bakery in NYC, while visiting my fabulous cousin Hannah, of STYLE.SPOT.RUN

And finally, cupcakes with chocolate ganache, made by my Aunt Karen and personalized for party attendees:

grilled flank steak w/ cilantro pesto & chickpea salad

post numero uno! lord knows i eat lots of food every day, but i shall only update when i cook or encounter GOOD food!

i got this recipe from my food network magazine.

IN SHORT: chickpeas and carrots with a cilantro pesto made of: cilantro (duh), green onions, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, hot paprika, and S&P.  Plus the meat. Grilled tomatoes as a bonus side.

VERDICT: simple, flavorful, fresh. will make again. and you can too!