I know I should blog about a few things:
- 4th of July weekend
- The rest of my Utah trip
And by a few things I really mean 2. However, I have about 349 photos to browse through of my new little nephew, first. Priorities, people.
Hopefully this will be done by Saturday. If not, add the "American Idol Live" concert to that list.
Yep, I'm that cool.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Amateur Eater Followup, II
In true European fashion, we strongly adhere to the large lunch, light dinner (light meaning cupcake) schedule. Today was the perfect vacation day: kind of sleep in, read, take a morning jog (in 68 degree weather, no less. Sorry, East Coast friends), do some yoga, get ready, and head out for lunch. After lunch I promptly found myself in a lovely nap while the kids watched Extreme Makeover, Home Edition and Phineas and Ferb (hilarious show, check it out). My sleeping arrangements included a memory foam pad, so life was goooood.
Tonight will include some fresh, homemade pesto, and we already made the run to get some cupcakes. Yes, folks - two trips in less then 24 hours. Be rest assured, it really is that good. I'm actually still full from lunch but eating a Madagascar Vanilla Vanilla as we speak. With that, you are warned of any food-drunk typing. Actually, you must be doubly warned, for all pictures are taken with my iPhone. Not the best quality, but I think you can get a decent idea.
Onward to the food.
Pizzeria 712: check. The meal started with complimentary homemade pita bread and hummus. Best pita bread I've ever had - soft, thin, and a little taste of the fire it was cooked over. We began the main course with a shared spinach salad mixed with house smoked bacon, croutons, pickled shallot, whole grain mustard vinaigrette (AMAZING. I must figure out to recreate it), and goat cheese. Simply put, perfection in a bowl. Each flavor came out, complemented each other, and left me completely satisfied. I loved the little kick of the mustard behind it all.
Next, we decided two pizzas were in order - we could bring home leftovers, no doubt. My co-eating partner in crime got the potato, red onion, parmesan, and ricotta pizza. It was good, but I definitely preferred my order - tomato sauce, scallion oregano, serrano chile, hand pulled mozzarella, and farm egg. They crack a fresh egg atop the pizza just before baking and comes a perfect over easy to sop up the yolk with your crust. I N C R E D I B L E. By my last piece, I picked off a few chilies, because it was getting to be a bit too much heat for me. Again, this came together perfectly. The tomatoes were a perfect fresh flavor and I loved it with the egg.
For the grand finale, we had fantastic plum tart. It was in a kind of phyllo bread pastry, topped with some vanilla ice cream. Yum. With the receipt, we received a free sample of Amano Chocolate. 70% dark, Madagascar. It is locally made and the best dark chocolate I've ever had - not super bitter with some fruity hints.
This was worth the entire trip out. While leaving, I commented that I hope I die after a meal like unto this. I would die a totally content, however full, but definitely an extremely gratified woman.
Sigh.
Oh, here are the cupcakes, for later. I want to try a bit of each flavor (Mexican Chocolate, Madagascar Vanilla Vanilla, Party in Your Mouth aka Nutella filled, Grasshopper, and Coconut Lime). Tomorrow I'm going back for the raspberry cheesecake (I'm limiting myself to half a dozen a day max, and I got two Vanillas, because all of the kids love the vanilla). I should have a review of the various cupcakes by tomorrow, also.
Go ahead, keep on drooling. I know I am.
TMI again? Sorry.
Tonight will include some fresh, homemade pesto, and we already made the run to get some cupcakes. Yes, folks - two trips in less then 24 hours. Be rest assured, it really is that good. I'm actually still full from lunch but eating a Madagascar Vanilla Vanilla as we speak. With that, you are warned of any food-drunk typing. Actually, you must be doubly warned, for all pictures are taken with my iPhone. Not the best quality, but I think you can get a decent idea.
Onward to the food.
Pizzeria 712: check. The meal started with complimentary homemade pita bread and hummus. Best pita bread I've ever had - soft, thin, and a little taste of the fire it was cooked over. We began the main course with a shared spinach salad mixed with house smoked bacon, croutons, pickled shallot, whole grain mustard vinaigrette (AMAZING. I must figure out to recreate it), and goat cheese. Simply put, perfection in a bowl. Each flavor came out, complemented each other, and left me completely satisfied. I loved the little kick of the mustard behind it all.
Next, we decided two pizzas were in order - we could bring home leftovers, no doubt. My co-eating partner in crime got the potato, red onion, parmesan, and ricotta pizza. It was good, but I definitely preferred my order - tomato sauce, scallion oregano, serrano chile, hand pulled mozzarella, and farm egg. They crack a fresh egg atop the pizza just before baking and comes a perfect over easy to sop up the yolk with your crust. I N C R E D I B L E. By my last piece, I picked off a few chilies, because it was getting to be a bit too much heat for me. Again, this came together perfectly. The tomatoes were a perfect fresh flavor and I loved it with the egg.
For the grand finale, we had fantastic plum tart. It was in a kind of phyllo bread pastry, topped with some vanilla ice cream. Yum. With the receipt, we received a free sample of Amano Chocolate. 70% dark, Madagascar. It is locally made and the best dark chocolate I've ever had - not super bitter with some fruity hints.
This was worth the entire trip out. While leaving, I commented that I hope I die after a meal like unto this. I would die a totally content, however full, but definitely an extremely gratified woman.
Sigh.
Oh, here are the cupcakes, for later. I want to try a bit of each flavor (Mexican Chocolate, Madagascar Vanilla Vanilla, Party in Your Mouth aka Nutella filled, Grasshopper, and Coconut Lime). Tomorrow I'm going back for the raspberry cheesecake (I'm limiting myself to half a dozen a day max, and I got two Vanillas, because all of the kids love the vanilla). I should have a review of the various cupcakes by tomorrow, also.
Go ahead, keep on drooling. I know I am.
TMI again? Sorry.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Amateur Eater Follow-Up
As you've read, I'm in Utah... so...
Red Iguana: check. Ate my weight in chips and salsa, got a mole sampler, and had the Wednesday special - 3 small corn tacos, one filled with carnitas, another with sautéed mushrooms, and a third with pork pipian. My wonderful co-eaters had the puntas de filete a la nortena and the enchilada special with a berry mole. Think berry mole is weird? Think again. This time, think of heaven, people.
New Cupcake Place (aka The Cocoa Bean): check. Had a thirst quenching blood orange and pomegranate italian soda with a "Better Than Whatever" cupcake, FRESH FROM THE OVEN. Frosting dripping over ooey-gooey chocolatey goodness? Yes, please! I want to go back for the Mexican Chocolate tomorrow. Speaking of tomorrow, I promise to look more awake. I've been up and traveling/eating/shopping/blogging for a solid 12 hours. No easy feat to accomplish without a few causalities, i.e. chapped lips, frizzy hair, and tired eyes. And no shower (TMI? My flight departed at 7:20 AM from BWI! C'mon.).
Food coma: you better believe it. After a few solid laps on my favorite walk around the LDS Provo Temple, I plan to be out for the count.
On the docket tomorrow: Thai food and pizza. And that aforementioned cupcake, of course. Oh, AND a shower. I do have standards, friends. Sheesh.
LET THE EATING BEGIN!
After typing that, I feel really gluttonous. I'm thinking this sounds better?
Commence the gastronomical tour of Utah, 2010!
much better.
Red Iguana: check. Ate my weight in chips and salsa, got a mole sampler, and had the Wednesday special - 3 small corn tacos, one filled with carnitas, another with sautéed mushrooms, and a third with pork pipian. My wonderful co-eaters had the puntas de filete a la nortena and the enchilada special with a berry mole. Think berry mole is weird? Think again. This time, think of heaven, people.
New Cupcake Place (aka The Cocoa Bean): check. Had a thirst quenching blood orange and pomegranate italian soda with a "Better Than Whatever" cupcake, FRESH FROM THE OVEN. Frosting dripping over ooey-gooey chocolatey goodness? Yes, please! I want to go back for the Mexican Chocolate tomorrow. Speaking of tomorrow, I promise to look more awake. I've been up and traveling/eating/shopping/blogging for a solid 12 hours. No easy feat to accomplish without a few causalities, i.e. chapped lips, frizzy hair, and tired eyes. And no shower (TMI? My flight departed at 7:20 AM from BWI! C'mon.).
Food coma: you better believe it. After a few solid laps on my favorite walk around the LDS Provo Temple, I plan to be out for the count.
On the docket tomorrow: Thai food and pizza. And that aforementioned cupcake, of course. Oh, AND a shower. I do have standards, friends. Sheesh.
Home
I made it. I'm back in good ol' Provo. And let me tell you folks, it feels good.
Upon descent into SLC, I woke up just in time to realize I knew exactly where we were: right over Utah Lake, passing by Y mountain. It was like a subconscious pull, letting me know I was home.
I feel quite fortunate to have quite a few places to call home - Virginia, where I spent most of my childhood; Maryland, with my husband and in-laws; and Utah, where I went to college and lived for the first few years of marriage.
Utah is where I met what I call my "eternal friends." These are people I'm sure that will continue to be a presence not only in this life, but definitely the next. While a few of these friends live in far away places now (like Washington State, Kansas, Indiana, San Francisco, and China), we still have a few very dear friends in Utah. These are the people that make Utah feel like home. I truly believe that home is where the heart is, and my heart is with these people in their various places. How lucky am I to be so blessed with these amazing friendships?
As US Airways flight 457 flew over Utah Valley toward SLC airport, I immediately thought of Brigham Young's quote, "This is the place." For me, right now, this IS the place. This is my place, reuniting with friends and family. I love this place, and these feelings. To be honest, I even kind of teared up a bit while looking outside my window. Have you ever felt that way about a certain place? I can't be the only one.
I'm realizing that most of my travels are either for work, or to go see friends or family. Since we've been married, Scott and I have yet to take a vacation with just the two of us to a random destination. But you know what? I'm okay with that. Actually, I'm more than okay with that. I like the feelings of being at home.
Upon descent into SLC, I woke up just in time to realize I knew exactly where we were: right over Utah Lake, passing by Y mountain. It was like a subconscious pull, letting me know I was home.
I feel quite fortunate to have quite a few places to call home - Virginia, where I spent most of my childhood; Maryland, with my husband and in-laws; and Utah, where I went to college and lived for the first few years of marriage.
Utah is where I met what I call my "eternal friends." These are people I'm sure that will continue to be a presence not only in this life, but definitely the next. While a few of these friends live in far away places now (like Washington State, Kansas, Indiana, San Francisco, and China), we still have a few very dear friends in Utah. These are the people that make Utah feel like home. I truly believe that home is where the heart is, and my heart is with these people in their various places. How lucky am I to be so blessed with these amazing friendships?
As US Airways flight 457 flew over Utah Valley toward SLC airport, I immediately thought of Brigham Young's quote, "This is the place." For me, right now, this IS the place. This is my place, reuniting with friends and family. I love this place, and these feelings. To be honest, I even kind of teared up a bit while looking outside my window. Have you ever felt that way about a certain place? I can't be the only one.
I'm realizing that most of my travels are either for work, or to go see friends or family. Since we've been married, Scott and I have yet to take a vacation with just the two of us to a random destination. But you know what? I'm okay with that. Actually, I'm more than okay with that. I like the feelings of being at home.
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