Like LinkedIn for Dinner!

Just learned about this....

http://www.grubwith.us/referrals/b5a35af03967

Stir Crazy

One word: Underwhelmed

Pan-Seared Lobster Potstickers
with Thai Red Curry Dipping Sauce & cucumber salad

Seared Scallops in Miso Sauce

Szechwan Peppercorn Crusted Chicken

Po' Excuse for a Po' Boy

Jerry's Sandwiches (jerryssandwiches.com) is one of my favorite sandwich shops ever.  Their extensive menu was proof that there are infinite possibilities of what you can put between two slices of bread.    


While I was disappointed to learn that Jerry's West Loop location was closing, I had high hopes of the new po' boy shop that would open in it's place.  As I've said before, I hold Cajun food as the gold standard of culinary perfection.  And because Mac & Mins is just another restaurant concept by the same husband and wife team that owns Jerry's, I figured this was going to take the mufulletta to a whole 'nother level!


Ummm....not so much.


All I have to say is that if you really want to try Mac & Min's, go soon.  I don't think this place will survive.....


Here's their attempt at a muffuletta.  (Maybe I should send them my pics from Central Grocery??? http://feastwithfriends.blogspot.com/2010/04/new-orleans-my-food-mecca.html  Not even close!  

Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese

Buffalo Chicken Macaroni & Cheese
Buffalo Pulled Chicken
Sharp Cheddar, Colby Jack & Blue Cheeses
with Homemade Sourdough Breadcrumb Crust

Start with a cup and a half each of shredded
extra sharp cheddar cheese and colby jack cheese.

Make the cheese sauce.
Melt butter, then add a tablespoon of flour.
Cook for a few minutes before adding milk.
Once milk is hot, add one cup of cheese at a time, stirring

with whisk until melted.

Stir in Greek yogurt. Add cooked pasta.

Saute garlic and celery in oil until tender.
Season with salt and pepper.

Add cooked chicken
and a generous amount of Franks Hot Sauce

If this dish isn't loaded with enough fat and carbs for you,
 Boneless, breaded buffalo chicken strips would be great here too...

Bring it all together!
Layer the chicken and mac & cheese

...top with crumbled blue cheese, parsley, breadcrumbs
& a pat of butter.

I typically LOVE to use panko breadcrumbs to top my mac & cheese.  But this time, I used homemade breadcrumbs with the sourdough bread I had on hand.  I just cut a few cubes and ran 'em in my food processor.  It actually worked really well!  The chewy, crustiness was perfect as a topper.

Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes

Le Colonial

This place is aesthetically pleasing in every way!  The French-Vietnamese food is good but the atmosphere is what makes this place really special.  Giant shutters, potted palms and antiqued tile ceilings made us feel like we were on vacation in the tropics.  BEAUTIFUL!!! 

Le Colonial is definitely the perfect backdrop for a romantic date.... but, tonight, it was the perfect spot for dinner with my girls!  =)

 

Bo Bia
Soft salad rolls of julienned carrots & jicama, bean sprouts,
 egg, peanuts, & aromatic herbs in rice paper,
with peanut plum dipping sauce

Ca Bam Xuc Banh Trang
Wok-seared monkfish with chili, turmeric, lemongrass, peanuts, & crisp toasted sesame crackers

Banh Uot
Grilled sesame beef rolled in flat rice noodles,
with cucumber, lettuce, basil, & lime garlic sauce

Ca Nuong La Chuoi
Grilled trout with oyster mushrooms, dried mushrooms & cellophane noodles, served steamed in a banana leaf with curry sauce on the side 

Ca Hap
Steamed fillets of Chilean sea bass, with cellophane noodles, oyster mushrooms,
tomatoes, scallions, & fried ginger in a light ginger broth

Ga Xao Xa Ot
Wok-seared lemongrass chicken breast strips with portobello mushrooms, & a basil chili sauce

Le Colonial Macaroon
Vanilla ice cream in a coconut macaroon shell
drizzled with dark chocolate sauce

Mango Sundae
Vanilla Ice Cream and Mango Puree
topped with freshly diced mango and chopped cashews

Le Colonial

937 North Rush Street

Chicago, IL

www.lecolonialchicago.com

Back at Millers....

It was time to start the weekend unwind which could only mean one thing: another thirsty Thursday at Miller's Ale House.  There is NOTHING a little bitchfest with friends over good food and drinks can't fix.  

Ice cream with Nutter Butters helps too.... How can this place not make you happy?


Capt'n Jack's Nutty Brother

Nutter Butter Cookies, Fudge, and Vanilla Ice Cream

Topped with Chocolate and Peanut Butter Sauce

I've come to accept (and embrace!) the fact that this will be on our table everytime we come to Miller's. 

The Zinger Mountain Melt

I didn't even TRY to resist it this time!



The Zinger Wrap

with sweet potato fries and honey butter sauce

Pops for Champagne

Most people go to Pops for Champagne for celebratory cocktails but they have pretty good (and inexpensive!) wine bar food too.

Salmon Rilette
with whole grain mustard aioli, and pickled cauliflower

Mussels
bouillabaisse, crostini with smoked chili aioli

Pops for Champagne
601 North State Street
Chicago, IL
www.popsforchampagne.com

Keepin' the Chocolate Love Alive....

I told you there would be more chocolate to come!  


A girl's gotta take full advantage of the chocolate holiday.  But not all chocolate has to be sweet.... Mole is a prime example.

Beef Chili 
with Ancho, Mole & Cumin

While "mole" is a generic Spanish term for "sauce," the most common mole is mole poblano which is made with chocolate and chiles. 

And for dessert, yummy Belgian chocolate.  Courtesy of my friend Pam! :)

Pam brought my chocolates back with her during a recent trip to Amsterdam, but you can order them online!
Neuhaus   http://www.neuhauschocolate.com/index_en.htm

Mercadito

Quite the hot spot, Mercadito has been on my bucket list for a while.  
I finally got around to eating there tonight...and while I give them credit for their unique selections of margaritas and guacamoles, I'd still have to say that DeCero in Chicago's West Loop, is still my favorite taqueria in the city.

Calabaza Guacamole
pumpkin, cinnamon, pico de gallo,
roasted chile serrano, spicy pumpkin seeds

Pescado Tacos
tilapia, chile poblano, tomatillo-garlic mojo

Chorizo Tacos
homemade chorizo, manchego cheese,
roasted tomato-árbol salsa

Carne Tacos
rosemary marinated skirt steak,
potato-rajas-cactus fundido, avocado

Carnitas de Puerco Tacos
michoacán style braised pork,
chile de árbol coleslaw, toasted peanuts

Chile Relleno
stuffed poblano, scallops, shrimp, 
oaxaca-manchego cheeses,
roasted tomato-árbol salsa

Mango & Blueberry margarita....spicy!

Cucumber margarita

Mercadito

locations in NY, Miami and Chicago

www.mercaditorestaurants.com

Have Your Pancake and Eat It Too!

FRESH VEGETARIAN WITH CHEESE OMELET 
Broccoli, onions, tomatoes and mushrooms 
(I ordered mine made with egg whites)

Walker Bros' omelets are baked....
Just look at how fluffy they are!

SANTA FE
Spicy & Zesty southwestern omelet
with a medley of fresh onions, cilantro, tomatoes and jalapeno peppers.
Filled with habanero cheese and served with homemade salsa on the side 

VENICIA BENEDICT
Poached Eggs
with fresh sautéed spinach, mushrooms and bits of crisp bacon
on a toasted English muffin
blanketed with our rich hollandaise sauce,
a garnish of pico de gallo. 

THE CONTINENTAL
Two Eggs any style with hash browns....

Most items on the menu come with the option of a side of pancakes (or toast or fruit).  I can't stress how much I LOVE the option of getting a side of pancakes!  It's the perfect solution to the question: Do I want something sweet or savory for breakfast?  The pancake option is like getting dessert for free!  

...And Walker Bros' pancakes are incredibly tender!

Walker Brothers has locations in Arlington Heights, Glenview, Highland Park, Lake Zurich, Lincolnshire and Wilmette.  Just be warned that if you're going during peak breakfast/brunch hours on the weekends, there's almost always a wait.  The good news: the wait is worth it.


Walker Bros
www.walkerbros.net

Tom & Eddies

Five Guys burgers are good, but these Two Guys know how to elevate a burger through upscale ingredient combinations like applewood smoked bacon, smoked gouda, and smoky BBQ sauce.  But as former McDonald's executives, Tom Dentice and Ed Rensi should know a little something about hamburgers.

Still, I give them credit for doing what they do well.  I ordered the Bushel & a Peck burger (Granny Smith apple slices, handmade walnut butter, melted Brie cheese, and caramelized onions....swapping out the standard Angus beef with a turkey burger) and it was really tasty!  The walnut butter was definitely a unique touch.  (I'm a huge fan of compound butters.  I'll have to do a post on that soon.)

All the special touches are what make T&E's good.  They have an extensive assortment of condiments and  their milkshakes are made using Häagen-Dazs ice cream.

The Bushel & A Peck burger
Granny Smith apple slices, handmade walnut butter, 

melted Brie cheese, and caramelized onions

Chicken Capri
Grilled seared chicken breast, oven roasted tomatoes, basil pesto
& fresh mozzarella on a ciabatta roll

The Blue Chip burger
Sliced Haas avocado, roasted garlic aioli,
tomato, blue cheese, topped with fresh made potato chips

Vanilla Shake

Tom & Eddies

348 Yorktown Center
Lombard, IL 60148

1042 Commons Drive
Geneva, IL 60134

Coming Spring 2011:

740 Waukegan Rd
Deerfield, IL 60015

www.tomandeddies.com

Valentine's Day: Celebrating Our Love (...of Chocolate)

I can't say I've ever totally bought into all the Valentine's Day hoopla.  
In fact, I pretty much despise the notion of any holiday that sets "requirements".  New Years Eve is a prime example of a high pressure holiday with obligations.   You have to have big plans.  What fun is "fun" when you're under duress?  


Valentines Day?  It's all expected... and, therefore, completely meaningless.
Romantic dinner?  Blah.  
Flowers?  Overpriced.  (And dead in a week.)
Presents?  Unless it's 3-carats, you can have it.
Chocolates?  Well.... there's a Valentines tradition I can embrace!
The only silver lining of this Hallmark holiday is that it provides an excuse for everyone to rally around the beautiful cacao bean...
Here are three V-Day dessert recipes.... More to come. After all, the 14th is still four days away!  :)


Chocolate Cherry Cobbler

Never say never.  I used to swear that fruit ruined any dessert.  In my mind, dessert had to be chocolate-centric.  But they say that your palate changes every few years....and lately, I've really learned to embrace fruit desserts.  But chocolate is still my favorite.  Chocolate Cherry Cobbler combines the best of both worlds. 

 Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and butter
Cut with pastry blender....

....until crumbs are the size of large peas.

Dump the can of cherries into a 9x13" baking pan.

Melting the chocolate and allow to cool.
Add the egg and milk
and mix until completely combined.
Add to flour mixture.

mmmm....chocolate....

Combine chocolate with flour mixture.

Drop chocolate dough randomly over the cherries

I used walnuts in my cobbler.
Chopped pecans, almonds or any other nut
would work well too. 

Sprinkle nuts all over.

Chocolate Pizza

 Nutella, Dark, Milk & White Chocolate and Toasted Macadamia nuts....

If you wanted to get really cheesy,
make the pizza heart-shaped!

The Richest Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

Red velvet does have cocoa!

To make the whoopie pies, make a batch of red velvet gooey butter cookies and cream cheese frosting (recipes for both below).  Once cookies have cooled to room temperature, spread a tablespoon of frosting on the flat side of one cookie.  Place the flat side of another cookie on top.