Dirty Martini

A dirty smoothie, that is. This dirty smoothie was prepared with health & energy proponents in mind: frozen banana, fresh cut spinach, raw almond butter, and blueberries. It was far more delicious than it looks. It looks more like a chocolate smoothie, right..yummalicious!

Eat Dessert First

That's exactly what I did this weekend! How about a trip to Sweet Mandy B's to kick things off:

Followed by cheesecake. Don't you just love a cheesecake that's so yummy and it doesn't have to be baked in the oven! Ummm can we say perfect for summer!!? I will update with the recipe soon! [more like never..just message me and request it]

Aaaah...and now for homemade vanilla ice cream. So delicious...homemade ice cream is my absolute fave by far!

So yes, I finally did manage to have something spicy, savory, & just plain ole' satisfying:


...thai curry chicken & broccoli served over jasmine rice. What a perfect start & end to a weekend of perfect eats!

Walk While You Work

As if I'm not doing this anyway..but with this, you can really eat what you want!

7 Layer Mexican Salad

So I attended VBS at my church the other day and the dinner theme for the nite was Mexican. There was this 7 Layer Mexican Salad the Pastor's wife made which was pretty darn good. I'm so impatient, I just can't wait until Sunday to ask her for the recipe. So what's a girl to do? That's right, find it on the internet! Here's one from recipezaar.com that sounds pretty similar to what we had:

7 Layer Mexican Salad Recipe
15 min | 15 min prep

SERVES 8
4 cups red cabbage, chopped fine
1 cup tomato, chopped
1/2 cup green onion, chopped
4 1/2 ounces sliced ripe olives, drained
15 1/2 ounces black beans, drained
1 cup mild cheddar cheese, shredded

1 pkg. taco seasoning mix

1 cup Miracle Whip

1/2 cup of sour cream
1 cup salsa ( I would have this on the side to avoid a soupy consistency)
1 cup tortilla chips, crushed (optional)

1.Layer lettuce, tomato, onions, olives, black beans, cheese, and dressing (miracle whip & sour cream) in a 3-quart bowl.
2.Refrigerate.
3.Top with crushed tortilla chips and toss lightly just before serving.

Greedy Food Chic Suggestion: Serve with nachos topped with a mixture of queso and ground turkey, salsa, & jalepenos.

Enjoy!

Fa La La La La...Falafel

A falafel for lunch today was a great way to close out the week. Doesn't it look yummy! I had a bag of chips & a pickle to go with but I was too hungry to even photograph that...yeah. I still gotta get to the grocery store to pick up the falafels that are sold in the frozen section. I hope these taste just as good as they would at a restaurant. We shall see!

I will be posting a few links to some amazing recipes I've come across from other food bloggies this week. I'm talking food that looks so good, you're gonna wanna eat your screen! Be back soon...

White House Apple Pie Filling

While following my sister and neice in the grocery store, I picked up a magazine to escape the time. I came across this Apple Pie recipe by the pastry chef that prepares dessert for the Obama's at the White House! I immediately took a picture because I have to have what the Obama's have or at least a taste, right! Here it is:

Ingredient Listing:

Directions:

**Update!! Here's the recipe for the pie crust!!!

• 3 cups (about 13 oz ) all purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 10 oz. (2 ½ sticks) cool room temperature, unsalted butter, cut into ¼-inch pieces
• 6-7 tablespoons ice water
• 1 egg and 1 teaspoon salt for egg wash

Place flour and salt in a food processor and pulse five times. Add butter and pulse until mixture forms chickpea-sized pieces, about 20 seconds. Add ice water 1 tablespoon at a time and pulse until mixture just holds together. Divide dough and form into two equal-sized balls, then press each ball down to form a 5-inch disc. Wrap each disc in plastic and refrigerate for at least two hours and up to two days. On a lightly floured surface roll out each disc into a 14-inch circle. Place one circle between sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper and refrigerate.

Grease a 10-inch deep-dish pie pan and gently place the other circle in the pan, leaving a one-inch overhang. Chill the dough in the pie pan for at least 30 minutes and up to overnight.

Preheat oven to 375ºF. Remove the pie pan with the bottom crust from the refrigerator and let soften for five to ten minutes. Fold the edge of the overhang under itself and pinch the dough to form a fluted edge. Line with foil and fill with pie weights, rice, or navy beans. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and lift out foil and pie weights; allow pie shell to cool for 10 minutes.

Salmon Burger with Asparagus over Mozzerella

Now you see it....

Now you don't...

Aaaah...now for dessert!

*Meal prepared exclusively by Greedy's lovely sister for Greedy Food Chic

Chocolate Chip Cake

1 pkg. Devil’s Food Cake Mix, 1 lg. pkg. chocolate pudding (instant), 1 cup sour cream, 1 cup vegetable oil, 4 eggs (beaten), ½ cup warm water, 12 oz. chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. In large bowl, mix cake and pudding mixes, sour cream, oil, eggs, and water. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour batter into well-greased Bundt pan. Bake 50 – 55 minutes or until top is springy to touch. After cooling in pan, place on cake plate. Serve plain, sprinkle with powdered sugar, drizzle with your favorite icing, or serve with ice cream.

My changes – I use sugar free pudding (and I use a small package), “lite” or non-fat sour cream, and low cholesterol eggs (Egg Beaters, etc.) – Hardly anyone notices the differences. I usually cut the vegetable oil down to ¾ cup.

I prefer using the mini chocolate chips – but for Steve’s cake – the cake mix I picked up was on sale and it had chocolate chips in the mix already and I happened to have an open bag of the “regular” size from another baking session.

I’ve also heard this cake called “Chocolate Dump Cake” – since ingredients are “all dumped” in a bowl. Recipe a little expensive, if I know I need to make for a special occasion, I start watching for coupons and sales.

If cake isn’t devoured in one setting – store in refrigerator because of the sour cream. I do enjoy this one– especially “chilled”.

Taste of Chicago Is Here

Taste of Chicago, 2009

Is it that time already!?!?! Yes, the Taste of Chicago is yet again amongst us. Pull out those pants with the most elastic in the waistband because it's going to be plenty of vendors on-site to fill 'er up!

A strip of 12 tickets is $8- which will get you a nice individual portion with surrendering about 2 to 4 tickets at most. Once your stomach is full, be sure to feed your ears with the sounds that will be coming from the Pavillion. I'm excited that Salt-N-Pepa will be headlining on opening day (June 25th). Hours of operation are from Fri 25 - Jul 2, 11am-9pm; July 3, 11am-7pm; July 4, 11am-6pm. Feel free to visit their site for additional information: tasteofchicago.us

Flirty Cupcakes

New York has it, LA, and now Chicago. That's right. We no longer have to have cupcake mobile envy here in the Midwest. The mobile van that drives around the loop with cupcakes in tow is now in effect. I always wondered if parking would be an issue but Flirty Cupcakes seems to be doing just fine. Although I'm sure they've given their share of complimentary cupcakes to the authorities in exchange for parking. Founded by a former marketing executive, this is sure to be a definite hit. I hear there will be more vans to come in the near future. Yippee!

Have a look at the menu pictured below or feel free to visit their facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/flirtycupcakes for additional information. They update daily with their whereabouts as far as being stationed at a corner/intersection near you. The ice cream truck is now the cupcake truck. What an awesome concept.

Chick-Fil-A Is Coming To The Midwest!

After living in the south for a decade, Chick Fil-A was that one go to spot when all else failed. Even though they close at 9pm faithfully on a weeknight, their food has always to this day, remained consistent. I'm talking about a tender, melt in your mouth chicken fillet on a bun with those dill pickle slices. Can we say heaven in a drive-thru!?!! Add mayo if you'd like, but it's honestly just as mouthwatering by itself. I'm also hearing that their new spicy chicken sandwich is a must try..that alone just sounds so delicious, I can't stand it! And those waffle fries are like the icing on top. Dip them in their polynesian sauce...it's to die! From their shakes (strawberry is my fave) to their cheesecake, the midwest is in for a consistent treat and good ole' customer friendly service. They are closed every Sunday of the year because the founder is all about having a day of rest, going to church, and what may have you. How thoughtful is that!

They open late this summer in Orland Park, IL. I.can.not.wait!

Let me know what's your favorite at Chick Fil-A!

Summer Chillout Treats

Pictured: Cantaloupe Italian Ice at Carm's located in Little Italy, Chicago

Starfruit www.starfruitcafe.com
Unbelievable, yummy goodness in a bowl. Choose toppings from any fresh fruit, to cereal, or red velvet cake (with the frosting) and rice krispies treats. Anything goes here. They offer shakes as well which I hear are pretty delicious. I am so addicted to the yogurt with fruit toppings, I haven't gotten around to trying those yet.


Berry Chill Yogurt Couture www.berrychill.com
The line is always long here but oh so worth the wait. The original frozen yogurt with banana, strawberry, and kiwi is my favorite combo. The list goes on and on as they have a buffet of toppings to choose from. Literally.


Yogen Fruz www.yogenfruz.com
This place is decent. You can find it housed in a mall. It will satisfy your yogurt cravings as you shop for the next best deal.


Bobtail Ice Cream www.bobtailicecream.com
Some of the best homemade ice cream around. You can also find them on the dessert menu at Anthony's Italian Ice, Boba Bee, Noble Tree, and Second City Subs.


Plush Horse Ice Cream www.theplushhorse.com
Homemade from scratch daily! Any flavor ice cream you want or can dream up- they have it. Like, seriously. My father has been doing business with them for almost 20 years so I was lucky enough to sample most of their creations! The Haiwaian flavored ice cream is to die!!

Notables on my to do list to try:

Black Dog Gelato www.blackdoggelato.com

Scooter's Frozen Custard www.scootersfrozencustard.com

Carm's Italian Ice www.carms.com

What are some of your chillout treats for the summer?

Creme De Fleur

Yes, it was exactly as it looks: delicious! And it's the closest thing I could find to a cupcake at work without leaving the building. Thing is after I devoured it (in point 5 seconds) I still am craving that cupcake. Oh well, I've met my quota for sweets today so it'll have to wait yet again, another day!