GREEDY FOOD CHIC

coconut

2012-01-16T23:30:00.000-08:00

my favorite bev at the moment...so darn good...get it while it's cold!

german

2012-01-16T23:09:00.000-08:00

chocolate cake, that is. made by mom! look at those pecans and that frosting...000lala

brunch

2012-01-16T22:46:00.000-08:00

beignets + grits with andouille sausage, toast, salmon scramble, and mimosas at a terrace in atlanta.

you are donuts

2012-01-16T22:38:00.000-08:00

her illustrations are fabulous!

cheesy

2012-01-14T19:54:00.000-08:00

the meat and noodles

all in together now

it's ready..so lets eat!

recipe found here

velvet

2012-01-11T17:56:00.000-08:00

via

red velvet cake +
cream cheese frosting =
so000oo0 good.

panera

2011-10-01T21:08:00.001-07:00

today's lunch

guac...chic...chips

2011-10-01T21:04:00.001-07:00

chipotle really knows what they're doing...

PMS

2011-10-01T21:00:00.001-07:00

This is what PMS will make you do late @ nite- run to the bakery!

today is national ice cream pie day

2011-08-18T05:26:00.001-07:00

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who would've thought..today is ice cream pie day! if you're in chicago this weekend, celebrate this joyous occasion at the chicago ice cream & gelato festival which starts today and ends friday. some of the city's top pastry chefs and soda shops will be in tow. and get this- a homemade ice cream demo is waiting for you! now how exciting is it to know that you can learn how to make your own ice cream in the comfort of your own home? i'm sure you'll be able to learn a few pointers (flavors, last minute add-in ingredients) out of this demo as well. there's a grill area on site too for some savory pickings that'll help balance out your urge to want to climb a wall and embarrass yourself in public from your much anticipated sugar rush.

opens at 6pm, shuts down at 9pm each day. $25 entry fee. 1431 west taylor street at the grand piazza. go get it while it's cold!

trader day tuesday

2011-08-16T20:52:00.001-07:00

gummy bears. these aren't your typical bears...they are all natural and made with real fruit and vegetable extracts. there's no artificial flavors or preservatives. and for the first time ever since this universal chewy, gummy goodness was manufactured in the 1920s, now you can get your daily fruit and veggie allowances too. well, don't quote me exactly on that one...but it can be a small bit of a contribution in some sort of way...hehe

strawberry, apple, orange, lemon, pineapple, and cherry are the flavors of the gummy rainbow that are included in this bag that reminds you of the bunny holiday. the bears are the perfect texture and the flavor is present in each candy yet subtle at the same time. i'm addicted. so addicted i'm going to buy a few more bags at trader's tomorrow. so go get a bag too. let me know how much you enjoy them. or didn't. oh, and tell trader greedy food chic sent you. like they know who i am. one day they might. enjoy! $1.99/bag

eats off the street

2011-08-14T21:44:00.000-07:00

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stop the press...food trucks are totally invading the streets of chicago. from frozen yogurt, gourmet mac & cheese, cupcakes, slider sammiches...you name it. trucks are the new restaurants. so does this mean restaurants will eventually become extinct? well, maybe not totally written off...i meeeean you couldn't have a business lunch or dinner meeting in front of a truck on the street or gather all your friends for happy hour while you dangle in front of the truck buying off all their goods with your libations in hand. so restaurants are not really going anywhere. but trucks are definitely a good alternative for something quick and conveinient...and if you wanted to plan to eat out of a truck everyday of the week, you could. go here to view a map, get tweet updates, links to their menus, and trucks new to the scene.

reuben, i'm stuttering

2011-08-14T21:38:00.000-07:00

corn beef

sauerkraut (broiled in the corn beef prior to placing it on the sammich to grill)

mustard

homemade rye bread slathered & grilled in butter

all made by daddy ham.

i'm a stir-fry fanatic

2011-08-04T17:40:00.000-07:00

so good...so easy....

chicken chow mein stir-fry (trader joe's)

i added extra broccoli

brussel sprouts

corn

tuna (sauteed in olive oil, cayenne pepper, & seasoning salt)

all mixed & bundled in thai sauce

...it's about to go down...ciao, baby!

dole whip from disney

2011-06-03T12:29:00.000-07:00

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can i get to disney world and get one of these like asap! i mean...how delicious does this look!?! i was thinking i could make this somehow by going to pick up some soft serve and pouring pineapple juice all over it. that easy, right? so for those of you thinking the same thing, let me know how you like it! and for those of you that just so happen to have a soft serve machine on hand and want to buy the dry mix from the manufacturer, go here and thank me later.

grilled cheese social

2011-05-31T22:16:00.000-07:00

can you believe the 'bread' on this sandwich here is pound cake:

i am so making this stack of french toast as soon as i can find someone to share it with! nutella, strawberries, whipped cream, and challah bread! c'mon...there's NO way i'm eating this all by myself. must.share. ...do i see a family get together in the near future? you all know you're so coming over.

another absolute in divine order..ha! honey, morbier and gorgonzola cheese shelled into english muffins...ooowweeee!! although she used blue cheese..well, blue is just bold and in your face. gorgon has a smoother approach. need i say more?

what a genius. see everything she has to offer in the social world here.

getting over it all

2011-05-31T22:03:00.000-07:00

ginger tea

honey (not pictured)

fresh cut lemons

along with tons of homeopathic medicine that help clear the sinuses up! who has time to be sick..not me. happy spring!

a grand time

2011-05-31T22:02:00.000-07:00

take 1: chicken meatballs marinara

take 2: duck triangles with spicy soy dipping sauce

main course: chicken royale- tenderized breaded chicken, garlic butter mashed potatoes, slow roasted carrots, and whole cut green beans...mmmmm!

thanks j, for joining me. what a feast..compliments of..but of course, the grand luxe cafe.

extra avo and evoo please

2011-05-31T21:57:00.000-07:00

tomatoes topped w/liquid aminos

avocado lightly drizzled in olive oil

smoked applewood peppered turkey bacon

mushroom & onion stir-fry topped with hummus

such a yummy dinner and so good for you!

cupcake wars

2011-05-30T23:03:00.000-07:00

following sunday service, i had the pleasure of participating in the first ever war at our church: cupcake wars. it was a fun, yet delicious experience to say the least. if you are familiar with the television show, then you would have enjoyed our version of watching the contestants get down and bring it! here they are in action as the countdown has began:

while the contestants were getting their mix, stir, and bake on, we the judges were having dinner and reviewing the rules and regulations of the war:

after the 35 minutes was completed, we had the opportunity to chat with the contestants as they presented the finished product one by one. first up, was a chocolate cupcake glazed with a velvety chocolate frosting and topped with sunflowers, surrounded by a bed of sprinkled grass. yum.

next contestant served us a vanilla cupcake with buttercream frosting and sprinkles. another treat that was tastefully enjoyed.

last but not least came the caramel french toast cupcake. myself and the other judge sitting beside me were able to witness the contestant frosting the cupcake(s) upon their exit out of the oven. since it was sort of a frosting mess, we were really not looking forward to sampling; however, to our surprise, these cupcakes were pretty delicious. proved to us that the more of a mess you make, the better the cupcake will taste. :) again, great job bri.

although all the contestants were winners today, we had to pick one. 3rd place went to the vanilla buttercream cupcake...2nd to the caramel french toast cupcake..and the 1st place winner was the chocolate sunflower garden cupcake. in the end, it all boiled down to presentation, moisture, texture, and the overall taste of the cupcake. what a pleasant experience this was. a fun time was had by all as we are certainly looking forward to the next round of cupcake wars. until next time, cheers!

turkey soup for the soul

2011-05-07T21:53:00.000-07:00

my father always makes this soup with the leftover turkey particularly after a major holiday. never tried it with chicken..hmmmm and come to think of it, not sure if it would yield the same results taste wise. nonetheless, this recipe is in my daddy's top secret archives so i haven't a clue as to how this is prepared but i will give you a 'guess' list:

turkey

green peas

carrots

heavy whipping cream

wine (cooking wine..i really dunno)

broth (??...unsure as to how much or if any is used)

butter

but one thing i'm sure of is that garlic bread. oh, was that bread delicious:

bread (whatever you use)

butter (melted)

parmesan

parsley

garlic (of course, sprinkle in the melting butter concoction)

i think that's it. oh and paprika!

enjoy! :)

what i ate wednesday: ANOTHER veggie pasta plate

2011-04-27T19:59:00.001-07:00

it was sooooooooo good here I had to make another:

fried onion

mushroom

green peas

sun-dried tomato

sunflower seeds

marinara sauce

salsa

whole wheat pasta

havarti cheese

make yours today! :)

happy easter

2011-04-24T21:53:00.000-07:00

mac & cheese and sweet potatoes/candied yams (whatever you'd like to call them--is there really a difference? ha!)

sorry i was too busy hogging it out that i (shockingly) didn't get any more photos of the rest of our dinner so here's a quick run down of what else we had:

turkey & gravy

dressing

cranberry sauce

fried corn

collard greens

yeast dinner rolls

oh and dessert of course: pear pie (if you're a big apple pie fan, you'd love this!) and the infamous stop the press sugar cream pie (the sugar pie was truly what was poppin' on the streets!).

the empanada truck

2011-04-23T14:39:00.000-07:00

this is all i got. unfortunately, they were sold out. it was a cold, windy, rainy mid-afternoon and they were sold.out..i got there about 15 minutes after 12. guess the early bird does get the worm! go here for more info and daily locations.

a morning at hoosier

2011-04-23T14:13:00.000-07:00

it all started when I pulled up the saturday morning before easter sunday to a line that looked something like this:

and i thought i was doing something thinking i'd get there when the doors swung open for business at 9am! so i finally got out of my vehicle and decided to join the others in line.

i've never stood in a line where they served you hot chocolate chip scones fresh out of the oven and complimentary coffee while you wait. paula & the hoosier pie company family, you certainly know how to do business! it made me and everyone else that were standing in that line even more excited about our anticipating purchases!

finally in! can you believe at this point i'm still trying to figure out what i'm going to get? yes, i'm the most indecisive person you will ever meet! but look at this entire rack of pies:

misson accomplished! i decided to purchase 2 pies that morning: pear & sugar cream pie.

see my other hoosier post here

which pie(s) would you get?

caffe' mochalicious

2011-04-19T20:58:00.000-07:00

at trader's you have options so take your pick here: caffe latte or mocha choka latte. both have a pretty smooth taste with a hint of vanilla and give you the uumph you need to get up and go in the morning or whenever. for only 99 cents, my only compliant is that they are too small. instead of 6.5 ozs., these cans should be boasting at least 8 ounces or even 10-12 for that matter. enjoy~

havarti monday

2011-04-18T21:46:00.000-07:00

grilled havarti cheese with chicken breast and blackberry preserves on 7 grain sprouted sliced bread

olive oil, chili powder, and garlic sauteed veggies:
carrots
mushrooms
broccoli
garnished with nutritional yeast and goddess dressing (not pictured)

2 days of junk food are done...not it's back to 5 days of total healthy bliss. this was again a delicious dinner. for a split second i thought i was in a restaurant because it was that good! umph

what did you eat for dinner?

chicken & waffles invade chicago

2011-04-16T14:47:00.000-07:00

well they've been in chicago since '08 and i finally got the nerve to try 'em out. very nice atmosphere, attentive service, and the food was magnificent to say the least. my friend was having foodgasms at the table as we were digging into all that chicken & waffle goodness. i mean we really couldn't make up our minds on what to order because there were so many choices and everything was described so deliciously. for example, did you see the french vanilla oatmeal? i bet it's good. i am curious to try the 'darnell' and the pecan waffle as well as the waffle a la mode. mmmm i say. i know i sound like a hogg but i just can't help it right now. i'll just say this: we will definitely be going back.

instead of heading back home to hug up to the delicacy of my bed, we went to the randolph vintage street market. once we pulled up to park, we quickly changed our minds and opted for the goodwill instead. boy were we glad we made that decision. as always, we made some pretty awesome purchases but that's another blog post.

this is of course my goodies from a trader joe's run. i mean what's a saturday if you didn't go to trader joe's...smile.

how's your weekend going?

coq au vin

2011-04-15T19:07:00.000-07:00

chicken & rice. well not your typical chicken & rice...what we have here is breast of chicken in red wine sauce with pearlized onions and mushrooms laying delicately atop curry rice with peas, red pepper, and raisins. was it good? it was mmm mmmm delicious!

this weekend i'm headed towards sweet & savory. what exactly you might ask? well, you'll have to tune in tomorrow to see what ole' time favorite was at the top of the list for this weekend eats.

what do you have planned for the next 2 days?

what i ate wednesday: veggie pasta plate

2011-04-13T19:00:00.000-07:00

whole wheat pasta

spring salad mix

green peas

lentils

avocado

mushrooms

sun-dried tomato

turkey meatballs

all sauteed in truffle oil followed by pouring tomato sauce over the entire concoction and simmering until ready to serve. finished it off with a bed of parmesan. not only delicious but filling & so healthy!

another stir-fried production

2011-04-12T21:33:00.001-07:00

turkey bacon

lentils

mushrooms

brussel sprouts

avocado

melted havarti cheese

spring lettuce mix

not pictured: nutritional yeast, boiled egg, salsa, and goddess dressing!

these days, i am in love with experimenting with veggies in the pan with whatever i have laying around. there's no right or wrong to what you can create. grab those veggies, your favorite condiments, etc. and get to cooking. you'll be surprised at what you can create and how delicious and satisfying it is!

trader day tuesday

2011-04-12T21:21:00.001-07:00

don't let the name fool you. these chips are crunchy, salty, savory, and spicy. not to mention calorie-less. well not exactly free of calories but they are certainly guilt free. have you had these before? pick them up on your next trader run. you'll see what i mean. hooked i tell you. just plain ole' addictive.

fried day

2011-04-08T21:38:00.000-07:00

just got paid...it's friday night

party hunting...feeling right

booty shaking...all around

bought 1 drink...now i'm gettin' down

(song: just got paid by: johnny kemp)

woot woot! to celebrate the end of yet another productive week, we had a trio of salads for lunch: chicken penne, calamari with kalamata olives, feta, and zesty tomatoes, and mexican rice. it was just as yummy as that picture right there captured it!

btw, donut vault opened this past tuesday and i'm going to check it out. stay tuned...

what do you have planned this weekend?

eating veggies

2011-04-07T22:14:00.000-07:00

turkey bacon
fresh mushrooms
green peas
lentils
sun-dried tomato
brussel sprouts
all stir-fried in chili powder, seasoned salt, and a dab of olive oil. topped with parmesan and goddess dressing. very delicious & good for you!

trader day tuesday

2011-04-05T23:54:00.001-07:00

i'm whispering to you like the girl is to her friend there on the lid: pssssst...it's only $1.99, tastes like homemade vanilla ice cream rice custard if there's such a thing. bought it one day, gone the next. go buy it, try it, cuz i think you'll like it.

mundane monday

2011-04-04T20:36:00.000-07:00

monday monday, so good to me,

monday monday, it was all I hoped it would be

oh monday morning, monday morning couldn't guarantee

that monday evening you would still be here with me.

(song: monday, monday by: the mamas and the papas)

this is basically how my day in food looked today- colorful and for the most part healthy. sushi for lunch and channa marsala (indian curry chickpeas) with yellow rice & steamed broccoli. can't forget the buttered up naan. mmmm mmm good!

now for the not so healthy stuff: not pictured was the donut buffet for breakfast that consisted of a 1/4 of a chocolate donut, half of a chocolate long john, and another half of a cake donut. believe me, it sounds worse than what i actually ate of it all. :-/ the late afternoon snack was a bagel and orange juice.

so there you have it- a typical day in food in the life of me!

april fool's you're a fool

2011-04-01T12:58:00.000-07:00

{honey 1 ribs & bbq}

ok here's the weekend list (in no particular order) of places you should eat. if you don't eat at them all, well, there's always next weekend.

ina's (breakfast)

honey 1 ribs & bbq

brown sugar bakery

izola's (fried chicken)

jimmy jam sweet potato pies

yia yia's pancake house (greek style)

scooter's frozen yogurt

dee's place (soul food in wicker park)

racine bakery (go for the paczki's)

sultan's market (mediterranean) alwaaaaaays a go to

taco joint (similar to big star) let us know your opinion on how they measure up

black dog gelato

have a great weekend, ya'll!!

revised

2011-03-31T22:02:00.000-07:00

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guess who got a little cheaper on us. that's right, grahamwich! our boy, graham elliot has made some changes. starting from the standard of all sandwiches priced at $10 to now ranging from $7 - $10 of which 6 of those are new to the menu! additionally, while the large $5 serving size is still around for the side options, now there is a $3 portion size available. i don't know how they are doing this but word on the street is that more seating is available which is great because it can get easily crowded during the lunch rush. catering and delivery is now being offered which is big especially for those interested in ordering for their corporate office events.

i blogged about them here weeks ago. the experience was quite impressing but with all these upgrades, i'm certainly planning my next visit much sooner than later.

menu goes into effect april 1st. i doubt it but i can't help to think if this whole revamp is an april fools joke! hope not.

celebrity cooks

2011-03-31T21:44:00.001-07:00

Wow these ladies' are on the move...and have moved right into the kitchen! All books available via amazon.

what i had to drink wednesday: starbucks

2011-03-30T20:31:00.000-07:00

officially addicted: starbucks iced coffee with milk, sweetened. i had no idea that starbucks actually sweetens your drink by request. is this a new service or am i just absolutely out of the loop? this will probably be one of my favorite drinks for the summer! by the way, i'm still getting used to the new logo in the store, on the cup, etc. i kinda like/miss the old logo already.

see some facts you may or may not know about starbucks click here

what will be your go to drink this summer?

trader day tuesday

2011-03-29T22:56:00.000-07:00

all i have to say is that when you're at trader's you should give this a try. very tender & juicy filet of sole with wholesome butter beans and sauteed spinach. i had this for lunch and it was seasoned absolutely perfect. it also unbelievably held me throughout the afternoon. buy it.

monday madness

2011-03-28T21:26:00.001-07:00

relax from all of what the beginning of the week can bring by making this carrot souffle recipe:

1 1/2 pounds peeled carrots (about 9 medium)
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/3 cup high-gluten or bread flour
4 eggs
1/2 cup (1 stick) melted margarine or butter
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar

Steam carrots until extra soft, about 30 minutes in a steamer basket set over boiling water. (You may do this in a microwave, placing the whole carrots in a covered container with about 1/4 cup water; cook on high about 10 minutes, or as your microwave instructions dictate.) Drain well.

While the carrots are still warm, transfer to large bowl of an electric mixer and add granulated sugar, baking powder, vanilla and flour. Beat slowly until carrots mash, then increase speed to medium and beat 3 minutes, or until very smooth.

With the mixer on low, add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Gradually add the melted margarine.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 1 1/2-quart casserole or a deep, 9-inch round pan lightly with vegetable oil. Spoon in the carrot mixture. (The mixture will rise, so pan should not be more than half full.)

Bake about 1 1/2 hours, or until the top is a light golden brown. Sprinkle lightly with confectioners' sugar and serve immediately. (The souffle will fall after being taken out of the oven)

now go make you a batch double the recipe if you can and let me know how fantastic you love this! I kidd you not..this side dish right here is LIFE CHANGING!!

all about anderson

2011-03-26T18:44:00.001-07:00

welcome to andersonville. come as I take you through a day filled with food, fun, and shopping!

first stop: brunch at big jones. my homegirl knew what she was ordering when we walked through the doors; however, indecisive me thought i had it all figured out from looking at the menu the nite before. there were plenty of surprises that didn't make the cut that were featured on the restaurant menu versus the menu online. decisions, decisions i say.

after finally choosing what i was going to brunch out on, we placed our orders. as we were awaiting our entrees, we were greeted with a plate of powdery, complimentary, beignets. yesssss, complimentary! who does that, right?! i'm here to tell you big jones does. it's their 'bread basket.' normally, they are all you can stand to eat, but we found out the hard way that you really are allotted 1 plate. specifically when they are slammed. blaaaaah

aaaaah...now enters the main course. j ordered her fave- eggs new orleans. boasting with poached eggs, crab cakes, popovers, bearnaise sauce, and green pepper hashbrowns. i was able to sample and i gotta say, what a nice balance of textures. i assumed that the egg would be too runny as they were poached which could cause eventual sogginess. not the case at all. it was just pure deliciousness!

oh behold, the fish and grits. now these are not just your typical fish and grits. what we have here is rushing water trout battered in a coat of golden brown cornmeal perfection, cheddar cheese grits, scrambled eggs, and a buttery cornbread biscuit filled with corn kernals. it was just a matter of time when we made our way down to what would be the clear visual of our clean plates.

after chatting for a while, and letting our food settle, we decided to walk it off a bit by perusing through town. we made our way into a thrift store:

there were treasures in every angle of this place. the owner shared with me that they had been open for 16 years. i'm not even sure what the name of this store is. i did pick up a very classic, can have forever, piece of outerwear. all that will have to be in explained in another post.

next up we made a stop at the middle eastern grocery store. look at all the fresh baklava spilling off the shelves! well, not exactly spilling, but there's just a ton to choose from here including chocolate covered baklava. they also had plenty of fresh kalamata olives, and pita bread on sale by the pound.

what's a saturday without having something sweet?! eventually, we made our way back into the city and we of course, had to make a pit stop at sweet mandy b's. have you ever been? if not, you need to stop reading this and head there. now. i mean as soon as you walk into this whimsical space of a bakery, you are hypnotized by what seems to be the smell of fresh sugar, caramel, and homemade cake batter. instead of buying the entire inventory of baked goods, j ended up with a few snickerdoodle and chocolate chip cookies. i ended up with a caramel apple piece of cake and a red velvet cupcake to save for later.

take 2: here it is up, close, and personal just in case you couldn't see how good this actually looked in the first place ;-)

are you still there or did you head to andersonville or to the bakery? i wouldn't blame you one bit. but as you can see, this area is perfect for dining and shopping. there's some outdoor benches you can take advantage of during the summer months if you just want to sip on your fave coffee drink and people watch. if you go to big jones, you'll have to let me know how you liked it. if you try another restaurant around, please do share your opinion in the comments. until next time, cheers.

it's fried day

2011-03-25T18:38:00.000-07:00

-david lebovitz is in town. did anyone go to his book(s) signing at the allegro hotel this past thursday evening?

-magnolia bakery is coming to chicago! they plan on opening in block 37 this coming june. now we can reminisce and role play scenes from sex and the city with our homegirls while noshing on cupcakes.

-it's almost april and it's still cold in chicago. can someone explain why this is so?

-heading to andersonville this weekend. highlights to come..

-bulls win- wooohooo! as if you didn't know this already...they are currently ranked #1 in the eastern conference. also, playoff tickets went on sale thursday. and now they're almost sold out. womp.

what do you have planned this weekend?

top places to eat near 5 shopping centers in chicago

2011-03-24T19:08:00.000-07:00

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orland square mall: hamada of japan, portillo's, & cooper's hawk

-hamada of japan is not as close to orland square as the other listed suggestions; however, it's in the vicinity and worth the drive. like most habachi grills, they have those hours where they are closed between lunch/dinner. so be sure to call ahead for reservations.

-cooper's hawk has an excellent wine list. the food doesn't disappoint either. go here after you've done your shopping. you'll leave feeling quite relaxed and ready to go home to put your feet up.

oakbrook mall: mcdonald's (note: this is the freshest mcdonald's ever. across the street from thier corporate offices probably explains that)

yorktown mall: labriola bakery & cafe & sweet tomatoes

-labriola has excellent bread of course. anything on the menu including the pizza are hard to pass up. the desserts are amaze. don't leave without a cup of their homemade gelato. mmm mmm good.

-sweet tomatoes is an all you can eat salad buffet. it's always fresh, consistent, and they keep the spread served up and ready for you to come back for seconds. they promote coupons so be sure to sign up on the site or check your local paper.

water tower center: bandera & grand lux cafe

-if you've eaten at houston's and loved it, you'll definitely like bandera. this place is basically houston's with the name bandera slapped on the front door. same ambiance, spinach dip, and luscious desserts.

-owned by the same company as the cheesecake factory, grand lux cafe is coming at you with a long list of drink selections, pages of entrees to choose, and desserts you should order 30 minutes in advance. appetizer to try is the asian nachos. get the beignets or the molten chocolate cake...it will not fail you. promise.

900 north michigan: goddess & grocer

-goddess & grocer is certainly a god in itself. the wraps are superb. if you're a veggie lover or want to become one, then you want to be sure to order the garden goddess wrap. there's something about those beets...they are either marinated or sun-dried. the bread, salads, fruit, dessert..man, their everything- it's all spectacular. you will not go wrong with whatever you decide to order here. again, it's that good. thank me later.

what i wish i could eat wednesday: di fara pizza

2011-03-23T20:26:00.000-07:00

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i have had this place on my radar since it first crossed my path while watching hit show the best thing i ever ate on the food network like months ago. woweee is all i kept saying as i kept myself from drooling over the tv while watching owner dom demarco create the perfect pie from start to finish. i think what got me was the fresh sliced basil and the drizzle of olive oil atop the finished product. open since 1965, new yorkers call it the best pizza hands down in the city. and i believe 'em. i mean the picture alone should be edible already! it's pizza paradise for crying out loud. the pie master, dom, uses some of the finest imported ingredients and him and his family are not stopping anytime soon. a matter of fact, they are spreading the melty cheese love out west opening this summer in good ole' las vegas. so the next time you're near brooklyn or slotting the machines in vegas, check them out.

di fara pizza

1424 avenue j

brooklyn, 11230

718.258.1357

toasted marshmallow shake

2011-03-23T19:53:00.000-07:00

{source}

recipe by chef spike mendelsohn

1 bag jumbo marshmallows
2 cups milk
1 Tbsp. sour cream
2 cups creamy vanilla ice cream

Directions

On a medium-size cookie sheet, place 1/2 bag of marshmallows in a row. Place under your burner in the oven for 2 to 3 minutes, until completely charred. Take out of oven and let cool. Repeat this step but only let the marshmallows toast, so they are slightly burnt. Take out of oven and let cool. In a blender, pour milk, sour cream, ice cream and charred marshmallows. Mix for 5 minutes. Pour in a large glass and top with 2 to 3 toasted marshmallows.

chick-fil-a takes chicago

2011-03-22T22:54:00.000-07:00

i am obsessed with chick-fil-a. i previously blogged here and here when they were opening their doors in the suburbs and in the downtown area of chicago. now i have even better news. i have the address to that downtown location! it's 30 e. chicago avenue. as mentioned a while back, they will be located near water tower place and they are gearing up to open their doors in may. so it's practically april and may will be here before you know it. chicago will totally be eating more chicken and i absolutely can not wait...get excited!!

peanut butter cup

2011-03-22T22:14:00.000-07:00

who knew this:

could become this:

with just 2 ingredients...yes, 2! picky palate is a genius...go here for the simple recipe!

trader day tuesday

2011-03-22T18:35:00.001-07:00

look at this! all the faves at trader joe's found on a list and not throughout their aisles. that's a good idea actually- have a aisle dedicated to the best selling, highly favored items. makes me wonder would all the rest of the items throughout the store go stale. it would seem no one would shop the rest of the store because, well, everyone wants the best. and highly favored. then again, there are some pretty great runner up products, (i.e., simply the best trail mix, cinnamon sugar pita chips, lentil chips, mango tea, and the bourbon vanilla extract to name a few) and believe it or not, i'd find it kinda hard to just shop the favorite of all favorites aisle. what is your most favored favorite product at trader joe's? did it make the list?

chgo chef week

2011-03-21T21:07:00.000-07:00

yes, it kicked off on sunday. this means a 3 course lunch for 22 and a 3 course dinner at 33. menus are prix fixe for both courses. there's a nice list of participants this year including sushisamba, big star, avec, hot chocolate, and big jones. go here to see the full shebang.

wkend

2011-03-21T20:48:00.000-07:00

what's a weekend without a little mickey d's and red velvet cupcakes. oh, and say hello to spring for me! it was supposedly official yesterday. we'll see how she warms up to the midwest in the coming weeks. notice how i said 'she'...yes, spring is a girl...that's why she's so moody..cold one day, warm the next..then raining for a full week. um. yeah.

french fried day

2011-03-18T19:22:00.000-07:00

{donut vault}

happy friday! today kicks off the weekend when i eat whatever i want up until sunday early evening. i think this is a great way to balance off a week of eating healthy (or at least trying to) and being able to cheat for 2 days. i call it the 5/2 plan. how many of you out there do the same? come on...i know you're out there and like myself, you just don't give a darn. admit it. life's short so eat dessert first. with that said, here's some direction on where to channel that "i don't give a care it's the weekend and i can eat the whole world if i wanted to" energy:

head over to eat and take note of the 38 essential restaurants for 2011. you could eat at one of the selected locations this weekend and so on.

running errands this weekend? no problem! chase the hunger away by hauling down a food truck. there's the empanada truck, the mac-n-cheese truck, cupcakes, meatball sandwiches...i'm telling you- it's not about the ice cream being sold out of a truck these days. the list goes on and on and so can the line!

how about perfecting your crepe flipping skills? the chopping block is offering classes beginning next month; however, you may register now.

stop reading my blog right now and head over to the donut vault for the next 2 days and have yourself a couple of these bad boys. i won't tell anyone. as hard as you've worked this week, you deserve it.

have a fab weekend, y'all!

random acts of foodisms

2011-03-17T19:53:00.000-07:00

i was going through my camera earlier and thought i'd create a random post of eats that obviously were delicious and unfortunately forgotten about. you can tell that i have a love for hot chocolate & chai with whipped cream and nutmeg on top. heck, i can't help it..i have a sweet tooth. i've even developed an immense love for prosciutto. i mean where have you been all of my life and why have i always rejected you?? anyway, those weissella gingerbread cookies had a cake like texture and were just ok- they did, however, taste better dipped a few times in the hot chocolate. the sliced avocados layered atop all that mexican fare- well, that is from big star. the pumpkin pancake and waffle mix is a must try. no, of course i haven't tried it yet so i'm reminding myself and you that you have to try this. and yes, i hear it's delicious. has anyone made any of martha's cupcakes from that recipe book? by the way, those chocolate chip cookies were fabulous. they were compliments from the peninsula hotel and all you had to add was milk, butter, and i believe one egg. so good. they are also responsible for those plates pictured right below the cookies- yes, with the brioche french toast, pastries, and fruit salad. following comes the sliced homemade deep dish pizza, with tomato soup, and fresh green salad. speaking of salad, that mexican salad is ultimately, beyond words fabulous. try it. dip with lime tortilla chips. umph, i think you'll like it. breakfast was made my yours truly during the 2011 25 inch snowstorm here in chicago. i even stamped my initial signature on that one via the mug.

there you have it. all my gone but not forgotten random eats detailed in random order. cheers.

green day

2011-03-17T08:22:00.000-07:00

i went and looked at green waterfalls today for st. patti's. anyone go get a shamrock shuffle shake from mcdonalds or starbucks?

lovely

2011-03-16T15:07:00.001-07:00

isn't it lovely to live in a city that has a ton of food options? isn't it lovely to indulge in the change of seasons and look forward to the amazing fruit that you can eat for the next 5 months or so? i mean all i can think about and look forward to is having a big wedge of watermelon for dinner after a long days work. but isn't it lovely when you stumble upon a bakery which is ever so called but what else: lovely [a bake shop]. we're talking s'mores pie, buttermilk scones, fruit jams, and homemade breakfast buttery crossiants loaded with egg and cheese. i mean really! can you tell that i'm already in love?! as if i need another reason other than shopping to head over to wicker park. i am totally gonna pay for this but i just can't help loving the fact that my stomach is gonna love me even more. cheers.

lovely

1130 north milwaukee; chicago

773.572.4766
www.lovelybakeshop.com

chicken

2011-03-16T14:34:00.000-07:00

{source}

i used to hate chicken pot pie growing up. vegetables were so not my favorite back then. but certainly over time, i've grown to accept that i must eat them..or pretend to. i definitely don't mind eating them in a buttery pastry shell filled with chicken, broth gravy, and melt in your mouth green peas, carrots, and potatoes. can you eat chicken pot pie all year round? i sure hope so. however, as i think about it..there aren't any rules. i can eat it all year round if i wanted. that's how much i'm enjoying this supreme comfort food delight right now. if you're in chicago, check out hoosier mama for a slice of heaven or order online nationwide at harry and david.

what i wanna eat wednesday: kristoffer's cafe & bakery

2011-03-16T11:39:00.000-07:00

{source}

have you ever had tres leches cake- i.e. 3 milk cake? love, love, love this stuff! i know this place isn't the prettiest but who cares when they supposedly have the best tres leches cake in chicago. not only can you get dessert here but you can stop in and grab yourself a sandwich for lunch or whenever as well. their hot chocolate with whipped cream isn't short stopping either. not to mention they have free wi-fi here. but then again, that's pretty common these days, right? can't believe i haven't been here yet. i see many trips to the gym in my future.

kristoffer's cafe & bakery
1733 s. halsted, chicago
312.829.4150
www.kristofferscafe.com

cake batter

2011-03-15T19:33:00.001-07:00

ultimately delicious. that is all.

grahamwich

2011-03-15T19:02:00.000-07:00

graham elliot is behind the new sandwich shop grahamwich. gourmet sandwiches, homemade kolas, and decadent desserts are the highlight of this place. myself and my friend mary decided to give it a try during lunch one day last week. i had the turkey confit (pictured 2nd to last) and she had the grilled cheese (pictured above) my sandwich reminded me of thanksgiving with all the trimmings of candied yams, cranberries, and sage mayo rolled up into a hawaiian roll. mary's sandwich was the ultimate comfort food. cheddar, prosciutto, and cheese curds grilled to perfection to make for a smooth spin right into your stomach. we were stuffed and ready for a nap following all this grubbin'. we didn't have any dessert but we did witness another customer with the greek yogurt dessert. that.is.a.must. on the next visit. it looked amaze. beautiful decor and european seating.

grahamwich

615 north state st.

312.265.0434

trader day tuesday

2011-03-15T18:40:00.001-07:00

these are some of my favorite picks from my last shopping run at trader joes. the green mango is absolutely delicious. i love the mediterranean hummus paired with the falafel. you can't go wrong with the milk chocolate peanut butter cups..try using them as your chip in your next batch of chocolate chip cookies. i can't get enough of trader joes. i should seriously consider working there. ok, maybe not.

intelligentsia

2011-03-15T18:36:00.000-07:00

dessert this afternoon following lunch. i love intelligentsia and their coffee art.

optimistic

2011-02-05T04:21:00.000-08:00

{source}

superbowl shuffle

2011-02-02T18:07:00.000-08:00

don't know what to prepare for your super bowl party on sunday? here's some great ideas i picked up while shuffling through some of the best online food blogger sites:

fried green tomato blt

olive cheese bread

bbq chicken pasta bake

layered baked buffalo chicken nachos

walking tacos

butter toffee crunch

old fashioned banana pudding

deep dish chocolate chip cookies

i am soooo hungry now!

what i wanna eat wednesday: pierrot gourmet

2011-02-02T17:53:00.001-08:00

apple pie a la mode, marscapone crepes, cheese and meat trays....when this weather breaks, this is where my first spring brunch will be held!

{photos via yelp}

Then There Was Trenta

2011-01-23T13:03:00.001-08:00

source

Yep, on May 3rd, you can now expand your drinking horizons and get the zing of all zings with loading your favorite Starbucks drink in a trenta. Here's to going to the restroom a trillion-ta times more!

Great News

2011-01-15T07:07:00.000-08:00

Chick-fil-A is coming to downtown Chicago! The new location is set to be near Water Tower Place. This is the best news I've gotten since the start of 2011...well, not the best.... but it's pretty darn close!!! Here is what I found this morning while the dork side of me was exploring some online headlines: source

With 3 locations in the suburbs, it's about time they got serious and put one where it counts: the city! Now I will never have to drive to the burbs again (yeah right)!

{via google images}

2011, Here You Come!

2010-12-31T10:34:00.000-08:00

Dear 2010 ,

you were an exceptional year. there were certainly some highs and lows but for the most part you were very stable. this year was filled with plenty of cupcakes, veggie pizza, dagwood sammiches from chicago diner, lattes, brunch dates, turkey toms from jimmy johns, plenty of guacamole, lovely bottomless cups of frozen yogurt topped with fresh fruit, smoothies, endless bags of potato chips, bowls of candied yams and mac & cheese, and a constant spin on the elliptical at the gym. {you didn't think I could get away with eating all that without a reality check at the gym. ha} not to mention the many awesome trips throughout the U.S. including louisville, savannah, atlanta, nashville, and los angeles! {oh, the memories}

in spite of the high taxes, crappy weather, and whatever else that can make you go blah, getting to know the city of chicago again has been surprisingly a blast. from all the walks and all the eye candy in the great neighborhoods i adore to finding hidden treasures whether it be in my next favorite foodie place to eat or a thrifty boutique housing the glorious styles of clothing that take my breath away. oh and how could i forget, i got a new set a wheels this year. what a blessing that has been. every time i get in that truck, i give thanks for continuing to put in hard work on a daily in exchange for the blessings that have come my way.

enough of my chatter {ha} here's a look back on 2010 in photos:

cupcakes...did i say this already but i love love love 'em!

i love a green smoothie! next fave flavor on the 2011 agenda: pumpkin smoothies

this picture was taken from my sister's party at rumba in late january.

all the brunch in its glory! getting hungry right about now:)

shopping my butt off!

told ya i had a million cups of frozen yogurt!

road trippin' it! aaaaah, nature.

so this past summer, we (mom, sis, niece, and moi) took a bomb trip to the south stopping in nash-v, atlanta, savannah, and south cack-a-lackee! fun freakin' times were had! one of the best moments of 2010.

pit stop for pancakes in tennessee

!!!!!!!!

can't take a trip to savannah without heading to lady & son's

what's hilton head if one didn't go to the beach!

this past october, our family celebrated grandmother's 75th birthday with a surprise party. oh she was pretty shocked. yet another memorable moment.

that following weekend after her party, i had my first experience with cali:

LA, that is!!

2010, i gotta say you've been pretty amaze. i look forward to what 2011 has in store for me...BRING IT!

Praline Pumpkin Cake with Whipped Cream Topping

2010-12-30T17:03:00.001-08:00

Need I say more:

{source}

Havarti & Blackberry Preserves Grilled Cheese

2010-12-30T13:23:00.000-08:00

Man, with a little inspiration from Giada in the latest Real Simple mag, who knew I could throw this number together:

This was so easy. I heated some olive oil in a non-stick pan, sprinkled some basil and thyme in the olive oil, and laid a slice of bread atop my little oil concoction. I then sliced some havarti cheese and placed that on top of the bread. As that was starting to heat up in the skillet, I went ahead and took my other slice of bread and slathered it with plenty of blackberry preserves (mmmhmmm). Once I slipped that baby on top of the cheese, I flipped the sandwich a few times to get that brown, toasty finish that I oh so love. Then I took it out the skillet, sliced it in half, and voila! It was amaze. Will definitely be making this again. Now off to have my fix of chai!

Better Than Starbucks Chai

2010-12-28T18:09:00.001-08:00

My new addiction...guess I won't ever have to buy one from there again!

It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

2010-11-27T15:46:00.000-08:00

Now bring on the eggnog and gingerbread man cookies!

thankful.

2010-11-24T21:54:00.000-08:00

turkey & dressing from easter sunday, 2010

thankful to be the person i am today. although things may not have turned out the way i "planned," i'm certainly happy with the results of me thus far.

thankful to be living back in my hometown, chicago. yeah yeah yeah- sometimes I dislike it but deep down I'm happy to be home with the people who love me best.

thankful for my mother who listens to everything I talk about, from rants to whatever else. thankful she comes shopping or eating with me whenever possible. thankful she's always there for me. without fail. i love you more than words.

thankful for my father who raised me with the motto "the world doesn't owe you anything cuz you're here." thankful for his lectures about growing up and the ways of the world. "don't you hear me talking to you," he would always add. yep, i was listening, dad. and it has certainly paid off.

thankful my mom and dad are a true example of marriage and what it should be.

thankful for my sister who is my best friend. i can literally tell her anything and not feel like i'm being judged. thankful for her loyalty and commitment to all that she does. to watch how she raises my niece and is a wife to my brother in law wows me as she always gives not 100%, but beyond the call of measure. not to mention, she's pretty successful too. she inspires me everyday.

thankful overall for a close knit extended family. we've certainly had our ups and downs- instances that i'm not proud of. all and all, we've managed, learned, and hey, life goes on.

thankful for loving friends who i can talk to in the wee hours of the nite or just hold the phone in silence.

thankful for peace of mind

thankful to have faith and know the best is yet to come.

Best.Gelato.Ever.

2010-11-23T23:03:00.000-08:00

To purchase in the grocery store, that is. Enough said.

Jessica Ashley Desserts

2010-11-22T23:12:00.001-08:00

Back in October, our family celebrated our Grandmother's 75th birthday. She's really into hats. [has been since forever] I mean she has a hat for every suit she wears to church and every occasion. Nonetheless, we ordered the perfect cake for her special day:

cake prepared by alliance bakery

Since myself, sister, and cousins were responsible for presenting a fantastic cake for this momentous occasion, I can't help but to look at the work of what other bakers/bakeries showcase. It was a fun process putting this together and maybe in the the near future, I'll have the pleasure of doing so once again!

Here are a few pictures taken from Jessica Ashley Desserts. If you're in Chicago, or your event will be held in the windy city, don't hesitate to hit her up. I hear her cream cheese pound cake is to die!!!!

visit her facebook or website for addt'l takes of her work or to place an order

Lovely Eats = Lovely Days

2010-11-22T23:09:00.000-08:00

via this site

Veggies on the Go

2010-11-11T18:06:00.000-08:00

all photos in this entry are courtesy of Ste Martaen

Ste Martaen has teamed up with Soul Vegetarian to bring you a 100% veggies on the go. The Soul Vegetarian Express Truck is pretty exciting being that the food looks very appetizing and fresh! They hit the streets from Tuesday - Friday evenings and all day on Saturdays! Here's a look at a sample menu along with a few shots of their cuisine so you can get an idea:

Menu (All menu items are 100% vegan.)

Shredded Chicken Tacos $6

Italian Beef Sub $6

BBQ Beef Sub $6

Bean Curd Soup $4

Garden Salad $4

Baklava Pie $5

Nutty Choco Sticks $4

Soul Veg Daily Special: Rice and Gravy, Greens, Country Fried Steak $10

Vegan Shredded Chicken Tacos

Vegan BBQ Beef Sub

Be on the look out for the Soul Vegetarian Express on a street corner near you by checking their facebook status or simply request them to come to your area!

Got Goat?

2010-11-10T19:53:00.001-08:00

Girl and the Goat, that is. Okay, out of every restaurant list I've come across in the past few days, this restaurant is without a shadow of a doubt within those listings. Executive Chef Stephanie Izard is the mastermind behind this catchy, get your attention name of a dining spot. I kept wondering what is this place? I finally took the time to dig a little deeper and just click the link and read away. Impressive it is. I of course have not been here yet [it's now on my to do list] but this place offers a ton of enticing and curious courses that fall nothing short of a goat appetite. Some that caught my eye:

*smoked goat pizza: apple soffritto, black kale, ricotta, & cipollini

*pan roasted chicken: fermented black bean, nicoise olives, celery, watermelon, & mint

*seared scallops: pumpkin brandade, pecans, fried brussels sprouts (yum), tarragon & pomegranate

*bavaroise: fluffy goat cheese, blueberry, brown sugar cake

*potato dumplings (think donuts) and lemon-poached eggplant

Believe me, there is plenty more where this came from. Check out a sample below and a more extensive menu here.

that goat pizza:

Girl & the Goat

809 West Randolph

(Between Halsted Street & Green Street)

Chicago; 312.492.6262

Brown Sugar Bacon Buttermilk Waffles

2010-11-10T19:37:00.000-08:00

This:

Equals this:

Sometime ago back in August, '09, Brown Eyed Baker made this for breakfast and thanks to her sharing the recipe, now you can too! Who would've thought, right?! Have you ever considered mixing your bacon or even sausage in with your waffle batter for a 2 in 1 crispy concoction that explodes like a firecracker in your mouth? Go ahead & indulge...your taste buds will thank you!

Note To Self

2010-11-09T21:48:00.000-08:00

Just in time for winter: gotta try the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate from Starbucks-

Hot chocolate infused with mocha sauce and toffee nut syrup, topped with sweetened whipped cream, a caramel drizzle and sprinkled with sea salt and Hawaiian Turbinado sugar topping. ...stop drooling! Hahaaa!

Vegan Maple Turtle Cake

2010-11-09T19:17:00.000-08:00

I was perusing through the daily top 9 over at foodbuzz.com and came across this phenomenal creation by vanillagirl:

I don't think I've seen anything better than this in a long while! Just look at the caramel frosting dripping down as it meets the fallen pecans lined carefully around the plate! Umph, I say~

You didn't think I was not going to post the recipe to this decandant piece of cake work, did you! Well here it is and be sure to go over to Amy's site and thank her for sharing! I can not wait to make this!! Hopefully, I won't eat it all myself as it doesn't look hard to do...mmmmm Ok on to the recipe:

Vegan Maple Turtle Cake

Makes 1 6 inch 4 layer cake

2 6 inch cake pans

Cake:

1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I use ghirardelli)

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp sea salt

1 cup maple sugar

1/2 cup coconut oil

1 cup coconut milk

1 Tbsp maple extract

1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract

2 Tbsp cider vinegar

Salted Maple Caramel:

2 cups maple sugar

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup light agave nectar
1/2 cup full fat coconut milk

2 T. Earth balance butter

1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract

1 Tbsp maple extract
2 tsp sea salt

Frosting:
1 1/2 cup agave nectar

2 Tbsp coconut oil

1 Tbsp coconut milk
1 1/2 cups sifted cocoa powder, or more if needed
3/4 tsp sea salt
1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract
2 tsp maple extract

2 1/2 cups toasted pecans

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and position rack in center of oven. Line two six-inch-diameter cake pans with 2-inch-high sides with parchment paper. Coat parchment paper and pan sides with nonstick spray. Whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar in a large bowl to blend well. Whisk oil, coconut milk, maple extract, and vanilla extract together in small bowl to blend well, then whisk into the flour mixture until well blended. Whisk in cider vinegar and stir quickly (pale swirls will be in the batter, which is the baking soda reacting with the vinegar, which allows the cake to rise since there are no eggs). Transfer cake batter to prepared pan and bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 25-30 minutes. Cool cake completely in pan on rack, about 1 hour. Cut around sides of pan to loosen. Turn cake out onto platter; peel off parchment paper. Let cool completely, then place in the fridge to chill until very cold to make slicing easier (since cakes with no eggs crumble easier). When chilled, slice cakes horizontally in half so that you have 4 layers.
To make caramel, in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the sugar, agave nectar and water to a boil, stirring well at first to dissolve the sugar. Turn down the heat to low and cook until the liquid is deep amber in color, about 15-20 minutes, swirling the pan occasionally to ensure even cooking. Remove the pan from heat. Very carefully (the mixture will bubble), stir in the coconut milk, earth balance butter vanilla, maple extract, and sea salt until smooth. Let cool until it is a thicker constency before using on cake (it gets thicker as it cools).
To make frosting, whisk all ingredients together in a medium bowl until very smooth, adding more cocoa powder if the frosting is not thick enough, or more coconut milk if too thick. Place a layer of cake on a plate, and spoon about 1/2 cup frosting over, almost to the sides, then scatter with about 1/2 cup of toasted pecans and drizzle with a heaping 1/4 cup caramel. Top with a another cake layer and repeat. Top with another cake layer, another frosting layer, pecans, caramel, then the top cake layer. Spread the remaining frosting over the top and the sides of the cake, and arrange whole pecans decoratively on the top of the cake. Drizzle with caramel, and let it drip down the sides.

*if you would like a 4 layer 9 inch cake, double this entire recipe and bake in two 9 inch cake pans.

The Essential New York Times Cookbook Launch Event

2010-11-08T22:23:00.000-08:00

New York Times food writer Amanda Hesser will be at Kendall College Tuesday, Nov. 9th signing copies of the updated The Essential New York Times Cookbook. The signing begins promptly at 7 p.m. and will include food prepared by the Gage and Henri executive chef Dirk Flanigan. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased through ChicaGourmets.

for additional info, click source

A Chica Bakes

2010-11-08T22:05:00.000-08:00

Must.make.for.the.holidays! Thanks to ChicaBakes. You certainly have inspired the chic in me to start a shakin' and bakin' in the kitchen!

Chocolate Velvet Pound Cake

Pumpkin Spice Cake w/ Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

Honey Corn Muffins

Big Star

2010-11-08T21:42:00.000-08:00

picture source: yelp

I am so mad I missed this tonite!! Congrats, Big Star! It's your 1 year anniversary. Here's to getting more guacamole and open faced grilled chicken tacos one day soon in my near future. You're an amazing place and I'm totally sure you'll be around for plenty more years to come...

Big Star

1531 North Damen Ave.

773-235-4039

www.bigstarchicago.com

Crumbs Bake Shop Is Coming To Chicago!

2010-11-08T13:59:00.001-08:00

Any day now, Midwesterners will be able to say they can now grab dessert from New York's popular favorite Crumbs Bake Shop! I've never had the pleasure of experiencing the rage that is spoken about this phenomenal place so I'm really looking forward to reviewing it and seeing how it measures up to some of Chicago's finest! If it's as delectable as described, I promise you I will not be leaving one single crumb!

Don't you wish these images were edible! I sooooo can't wait to taste all this gloriousness~

Crumbs Bake Shop

303 West Madison

*Opening soon via their site

Update: Crumbs made it's mark into Chicago's bake scene by giving away 1,000 mini cupcakes as it's doors swung open for business Friday, January 7th. {source}

Workout Snacks Under 200 Calories

2010-11-06T22:28:00.000-07:00

Are you a gym addict that is conscious of what you're eating but could use a snack in the weeeeee hours of the nite? Being a nite-owl myself, this certainly runs up my alley. So if you're looking to be on the good foot, how about serving yourself up these fast food options:

Starbucks
Skim Latte (Grande)
130 calories
19 grams carbohydrates
13 grams of protein

*Word to the reader: this is actually pretty gross. Myself and a co-worker were waiting for my latte and this bev was up for grabs cuz well, no one claimed it. My co-worker took it as it was free and only had half a sip. Yes. It's that gross. Womp.

Best breakfast option
If you work out in the morning, this wrap will get much-needed protein to your muscles.

Dunkin' Donuts
Egg White and Cheese Wake-Up Wrap
150 calories
13 grams carbohydrates
8 grams protein

Best open 'till 2 a.m. option
For the night owl, Taco Bell has a Fresco menu that offers a few low-cal options that pack a good amount of protein.

Taco Bell
Fresco Crunchy Taco
150 calories
13 carbohydrates
7 grams of protein

Best drive-thru hand held

Burger King

1% Chocolate Low-Fat Milk
190 calories
31 grams carbohydrates
9 grams protein

Best high protein option
Even though this isn't under 200 calories it's very close. And it has a commendable amount of protein and slow-acting good carbs in the form of beans.

Wendy's
Small Chili
220 calories
22 grams carbohydrates
18 grams of protein

Best filling sandwich option for early risers
This sandwich will keep you filled up through to lunch. You can even add some veggie toppings for some more vitamins.

Subway
Black Forest Ham, Egg and Cheese English Muffin
180 calories
18 grams of carbohydrates
15 grams of protein

Best sides as a snack option, plus a high-protein treat
These side dishes are perfect post-workout snacks, combining good carbs and an excellent amount of protein with low-calories.

KFC
Red Beans With Sausage and Rice
160 calories
26 grams of carbohydrates
24 grams of protein

Macaroni and cheese
180 Calories
20 grams carbohydrates
6 grams protein

2 grilled chicken drumsticks
160 calories
0 carbohydrates
20 grams of protein

Best protein splurge option
Remember your childhood with these crispy little bites. While this a higher fat option, this little treat has a good amount of protein for satiety.

McDonald's
4 piece Chicken McNuggets
190 calories
11 grams carbohydrates
10 grams protein

For the full list, go here

Another Curry Production

2010-11-06T21:50:00.000-07:00

Serve this during any season of the year and you'll keep 'em coming back for more! I personally made it for my family eons ago while living in Atlanta during their visit. It was a side that was served along garlic fried chicken and steamed broccoli. I believe we had fruit pizza for dessert. Like I said, it was over a hundred years ago so I can't seem to surprisingly remember. But I do remember how fab this was and different compared to our typical go to side dishes. Here's the recipe courtesy of Ina Garten by way of author Felicia Sullivan:

First off, start boiling the water for your pasta. You’ll come back to this when the water comes to a boil.

On to the dressing. Your main ingredients for the dressing: 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil (the good stuff, not just cooking oil), 1/4 cup plain yogurt (i use lowfat), 1 tea of curry powder, 1/4 tea of cumin (the recipe calls for tumeric, but who has that? forget it, man. and cumin gives this dish, i find, a smokier flavor), 1 1/2 tea of salt (i use coarse or kosher salt, and trust me there is a difference between this and table salt), 1 tea of ground fresh pepper, 1 tea of white wine vinegar (you could use champagne vinegar if you want to get all fancy about it). Now that you’ve got all your wet ingredients well-combined (there is no magic to how they all should be added, i just lump them all in a large mixing bowl, because ultimately, this is where the pasta will go. I always find bringing the pasta into the dressing in this fashion makes it, for some reason, infinitely more flavorful), set the mix aside.

You might notice the water is boiling. Add the pasta, salt the water (this is the ONLY time you get to season the pasta, so do it now. It makes a HUGE difference.) and stir the pasta so it doesn’t cling. Some chefs advise putting olive oil in the pot. Ina got this tip from Martha Stewart and while I think they both speak the gospel, I think this is crap and you’ll waste good olive oil. Just stir the pasta every once in a while and you’re fine.

While the pasta is cooking (al dente, or “to the tooth”) and the dressing is set to the side, get rocking on your veggies. On my bamboo cutting board, I cut up 1/2 cup of fresh flat leafed parsley (none of this curly business), 1/4 cup of red onion (yellow onions are way too acrid for the salad and will ruin the dressing), 2 scallions diced thin, and although the recipe calls for 1/2 cup of shredded carrots, it’s rare that I have shredded carrots on hand, so I either opt out or drop in another veggie (zucchini has worked).

But honestly, if I worried about exact measurements, I’d have a nervous breakdown. While precise measurements are crucial in baking (as there is chemistry involved), it’s not required here. I love parsley, use a lot more of it and I keep it lean on the onion side. I also have 1/2 cup of dried cranberries (I use them more than currants, which are more expensive) and 1/4 cup of sliced, blanched almonds. I think the almonds are crucial for crunch – a nice texture variation to the softer pasta and greens.

Ah, the pasta is done! Drain the pasta, but don’t overdrain as I always love mixing in some of the pasta water. stir the pasta into the dressing so it’s coated and then I toss in the veggies, cranberries and almonds. I keep mixing until all the ingredients are well incorporated and then I set to cool (although this is so damn good I’ve eaten it warm). And the coolest thing? This keeps for a week and I’ve added tofu and chicken to spice it for brown-bagged lunches.

Living & Eating In LA

2010-11-06T21:06:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of visiting LA a few days prior to my 32nd birthday and had the most fabulous, beauteous time eating and exploring the city of all things perfect. Here's my trip in pictures of mostly everything I ate in the land of the plastic and beautiful. Enjoy!

Headed back that way...even if I have to walk, yep!

Curry Chicken Pasta

2010-11-06T20:46:00.001-07:00

Curry Chicken Pasta Salad [Adapted From Cooks.com]
1 cube chicken bouillon
9 ounces skinless, boneless chicken breasts
9 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 (8 ounce) package of pasta
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 clove garlic, chopped
2 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon lime juice
1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 bunch green onions, chopped

(1) Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; add bouillon cube and stir until melted. Add chicken and poach for about 13 to 14 minutes. Remove chicken and leave broth in pot; cool chicken and cut into 1/2 inch chunks; reserve.

(2) Add mushrooms to broth and cook over medium heat; cook for a few minutes and remove mushrooms from stock; reserve.

(3) With remaining stock in pot, add some more water, if needed. Bring water to a boil and add pasta to cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and discard stock. Cool pasta with running water; reserve.

(4) In a small bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic, lime juice, curry powder and salt and pepper to taste.

(5) In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, chicken, mushrooms, sour cream dressing, green onions, and yellow bell pepper; mix well. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours and serve

What a burst of flavor exploding in your mouth, right! Picture and recipe taken from Moptop Maven

Celebrating My Birthday

2010-10-14T13:41:00.000-07:00

It was a yummy, greedy food chic kind of a day. Thanks for all the love my fam & friends!

Boo.Yah.

2010-09-03T11:54:00.001-07:00

So your girl gets up at 5:30am because it's her mother's birthday and she will not have time to commit to a workout after work. She only really has an hour by the time she makes it to the gym because she has to be on the train headed for work by 8am. In that hour she manages to complete 5 miles in record time: 59:04. Progess people...progress.

-------------------------------

Hey, hey..who's that trying to take over my blog post? I guess they spilled the beans...yup, 5 miles in less than an hour! I told that extra 3 minutes mentioned in a previous post that I'd diminish and that's exactly what I did! Booyah!

Gimme Some More Salt Please!

2010-09-01T19:41:00.001-07:00

Um, these chips are better than good. Their great. Forget it, they are so tasty..so salty and vinegary without overdoing it. I overdid it. I ate a whole bag in 2 days...yep, I confess. What are ya gonna do? I can't help it. And while I'm confessing...let me reintroduce myself: My name is Greedy Food Chic and I'm addicted to potato chips. I have tried to deny it in the past but every time I'm grocery shopping, I leave the store with 100 bags. Obviously, the chip aisle is where it's at. I'm talking nacho cheese tortilla chips, salt & cracked pepper chips by cape cod (love, love!) any cheddar chip (ruffles, frito lay, you name it) sour cream flavored, and any kettle chips are my absolute fave because they are the crunchiest! It really doesn't stop here..I'm just trying to control myself. So go out to your nearest Trader Joe's and grab you a bag. I'm heading now...this post has stirred up a craving!

Nacho Libre'

2010-09-01T18:54:00.000-07:00

For someone who didn't want to run today, I sure performed like I was excited to be at that boring 'ol gym. How about 5 miles in 63 mins. Aaaah....all in a days work. But darn you..you extra 3 minutes, you! You could've been a perfect 60! I will diminish you in the near future..you watch! Here's dinner:

Hahaaaa! I am so kidding. This was dinner at my parents house this evening. I swear if I didn't live 9,999 miles from them, you can bet your nacho chip I would be right there wiping my plate cheesy clean!

My dinner was actually a plate of baked sweet potato fries with a side of organic ketchup. Clearly I'm not putting a picture of that up cuz well, those nachos would just walk all over them...trust me.

Sopralicious

2010-09-01T11:46:00.000-07:00

I carb loaded and cheesed out on my lunch today:

chicken curry pasta with sliced red grapes and slithers of almonds

with a good ol' caprese sammich with jalepenos. It was pretty great.

Now off I go to run...

Mango Banana Yogurt?

2010-08-31T20:03:00.001-07:00

So as you know I didn't make it to the Moon- Berry Moon that is. Since it's located about 1500 miles from my house, I decided to bring the moon to me. Ok, it's not exactly that far, but it's far a ways from my kitchen. Anyway, I pulled some frozen bananas, mangos, and a little almond milk to the blenderistic combustion:

Notice how I have berry chill (www.berrychill.com) bowls surrounding the scene t0 psyche me up as if I'm at a yogurt joint. Btw, if you are a huge fan of frozen yogurt, and you haven't been there, stop reading this and go now! But make sure you come back and let me know how good you thought it was...or wasn't. Seriously, it's delicious. Ok back to the originally scheduled program. It's all done now so let me grab a bowl and pour:

Ooooooo...this is gonna be delicious! Look at the mountains of fruity yogurty goodness waiting to be devoured!

mmmmmmm yummmmmm...this is ultra fab. Not only did I save money and gas, but I also got a cool treat out of it- all you can eat to be exact and again it was for the free free! Score!!

It's On & Poppin Now

2010-08-31T19:27:00.000-07:00

Exercise: 4 miles / 45 mins (today) 5 miles (Monday)

I don't have much to write about except the fact that no, I didn't go to the moon. Although, it can easily seem that way because I haven't checked back in since Saturday. Yogurt was delicious. Actually, it wasn't because I didn't go. I was pretty wiped out on Saturday that I didn't leave the house for the rest of the day. I did make a wannabe yogurt smoothie..I will post that experience soon- promise.

Today's lunch was at 12noon: veggie fried rice, salad with ginger dressing, vegetable tempura, and 3 pieces of sushi..california roll to be exact.

Followed by a snackie snack at 1:45p: Clif kid chocolate chip protein bar & a cup of mango tea with french vanilla creamer. The protein bar is one of my faves. And the tea was fantastico muy bien!

Another snack came later on at 5:10p: raisin toast with a light butter called Balance. I got both the toast and butter from Trader Joe's.

After my workout, I had dinner at 8:00p: steamed veggie stir-fry with brown rice, a glass of water as well as an apple on the side. I wish that were true. Here's what I really ate: tortilla chips and salsa. A few minutes later, I heated up some veggie wings with goddess dressing and ate some hawaiian style salt & vinegar chips. I know right..I'm gonna get enough of just walking in the door and eating whatever it is I see. Oh well...better luck next time. You know what's really suckie- the fact that I'm sitting here thinking about this leftover lemon pie I have in fridge from Sunday...mmm OK- See ya tomorrow! Oh, and sorry no photos.

My First 8

2010-08-28T09:03:00.000-07:00

Elliptical / 8 miles / 1:38

That's right folks I have ran 8 miles in one workout session! I have never done this..ever! As you can see by my time, I took this honey at whatever pace I was feeling at the time. If ya wanna know how it all went..well here goes: A lot of self-talk took place during my run. I first thought geez, 1 mile is equivalent to 12 mins for me..I gotta change that! Then I thought, 'you know what, this is progress..I'm focused, I'm stepping up my routine, and I'm pretty serious about it.' I always want something right now..like rush, rush, rush! This journey right here, is definitely allowing me to learn patience. I can't have what I want when I want it..which is right now! I mean can my time be a 7-8 min mile? Yes, it can eventually. I'm learning to just be patient and focus on having fun with this [cuz that's ultimately why I do this and to indulge in a cupcake or two] I will say that the gym sessions this week have been a great help to making this happen today. I sweated my butt off but it wasn't as bad as I thought it was gonna be. I walked out the door a little nervous too but you know what- I said in my mind I would run 8 miles and that's exactly what I did! That brings my weekly grand total to 27 miles ran!!! In a week, moi??! Go Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...woooohoooooO!

Ok enough talk about the workout, it's time to talk fooooooood. I mean that's what we're all here for, right!? Here's the pre workout snackie snack:

Post workout stir-fry:

This baby was very tasty! Oh, that's spicy hummus on the side for dipping. Here's all the veggies I used to create this bad boy medley:

Brussels sprouts, broccoli, veggieland mixture, and turkey bacon...ooooo la la! I added spicey mustard, hot sauce, jalepenos, a little olive oil to get it sizzling, and some sea salt. I will definitely be making this again! It was more than satisfying!

I'm off to get this:

photo courtesy of yelp.com

Stay tuned. I will let you know how my visit to the moon goes.....

Runners Research

2010-08-27T13:44:00.001-07:00

So I've been doing a little research and here's what's on my list of things I need to eventually get:

Garmin Watch, $199 -So I can have the option of really running outside and having a clue as to what my distance & time is without having to guess.

Runner's World Magazine Subscription, $1 a year..I mean an issue

Mizuno Wave Rider's, $59.99 -I'm gonna try these on at Running Warehouse this weekend. If they don't work out, I'll probably resort to a pair of Asics. I hear these are fantastic shoes though.

Free Friday!

2010-08-27T10:01:00.000-07:00

That's right..I'm free today. I took the day off from running cuz well, I'm just listening to my body. Tomorrow's workout is gonna be extreme though. I have an idea of how much I'm gonna do but not gonna say yet until tomorrow. So the 2 or 3 subscribers [if that] to my blog will just have to log back on tomorrow sometime to see the big blowout results.

Breakfast was a big bowl of oatmeal with almond butter:

With a little trail mix on top thanks to google images.

Lunch was from a throwback I used to frequent waaaay back in the day:

Up, close, & personally drooling

Give it up for Ronny's Steak House. Look at how buttery soft those potatoes are looking and yes, that's a can of LaCroix there in the background. I was told if I dranked it during this meal, it would cancel all the calories out. Is your mouth watering yet? It was yummilicious!

And what's a Friday without dessert:

This was outstanding! Excuse the hunk of crust that's missing from the top edge of the pie. I just couldn't wait until after the photo op. Yep, I'm that impatient. Now that I think of it, I've been getting free desserts now for 2 days in a row. Lets see what I can snag tomorrow to make it a sweet 3!

Wrap Me in Buffalo Sauce

2010-08-26T12:09:00.000-07:00

Lunch was pretty awesomely [is that even a word] overpriced today. I met a friend that's back in the states for a few weeks from the audacious aussieville continent of Australia. I met her from work back in 2008 [man, how time flies..seems like yesterday] She's now been in Australia for well over a year with her beau. What a life, right!!?? She was as awesome as I remember. Too bad I didn't get a picture of her and the group cuz I was too busy chomping on this:

Before I hogged out on the picture contents above, I perused the menu and saw beignets!! Ok, anyone that knows me well and we're discussing New Orleans, knows that beignets are what typically comes up in the conversation! To top it off, the description stated they use Cafe du Monde's mix. I almost flipped outta my seat! Ok, not really..but I came close. You know they sell the mix at Cost Plus World Market. I'm no good at making these though. One, I'm impatient and two, I don't own a candy thermometer and three, yeah, I'm just too impatient. But maybe the recipe doesn't call for patience just understanding. [ha] Shocking that I'm mentioning this but I bought the mix years ago and it just sat in my cabinet forever until I finally threw it out. I was gonna make pancakes with it but I think it pretty much has the wrong agents in it altogether to make that happen. What a mess that would've been.

Oh, here's my dessert for today:

Ice cream bars from the office of the building. They give it to us everyday in the summer months as an incentive for coming to work in their building. [I wish]

With all this food, thank heavens for today's workout: Elliptical 5 miles in 58:48