Amatuer Dinner Conversation

Talking about one's daily high and low point was a common break-the-ice question asked among BYU co-eds (at least in my day). Answers ranged from terrible exams and over sleeping to gifts of homemade cookies and a sweet new job on campus. I now continue to pose the question, typically around dinner time, mostly interested the daily happening of my family, but also just to spur some decent conversation. While my husband detests it (his low usually consists of me asking the question), I love it. With that, here are a few recent highs and lows:

First, many food highs (shocking, I know!) soft pretzels from work's "Recharge Wednesday" (aka extended cafeteria hours); then a meal which included a french cheese plater, escargot, ratatouille, and creme brulee. Let's just I'm saving up for round two. 

Unfortunately, there was a food low where a terrible raspberry soufflé got even worse when we attempted to save it with chocolate. The pictures are too graphic and disappointing. No one really wants to remember such a sad event.

Moving on with some more highs, not only did I get to visit Panama City, FL (aka heaven) again for work...

...but I also went to see this year's tour of So You Think You Can Dance. I'm thinking the American Idol Live concert this summer was a gateway drug to such behavior. None the less, those dancers are crazy awesome.

Another high was reading Julia Child's My Life in France (read it, asap. France + food + Julia Child = a party in 300+ pages).

The reading low was Diane Rehm's autobiography, Finding My Voice. Diane is one of my heroes, so I had some pretty high expectations. If you love her, just continue listening to her. Do NOT read her. Let's just say a great radio personality does not translate well into great literature. If you've never heard her show, check it out! I promise you, it will not disappoint.

So, what are some of your highs and lows from the last few weeks? I'm thinking my high today is realizing how sneaky I am with this awesome 3-in-1 post. Food, concert, and books all in one night! Aren't you lucky?

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.

Amateur Eater Follow-Up

As you've read, I'm in Utah... so...

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.

Amateur Eater

For most who know me moderately well, they know I adore food. Free cookies in the conference room? I'm there. New restaurant? Let's try it. To be sure, I could eat all day.

With my pending trip back to the sisterland (Virginia will forever remain the motherland), I plan to focus my days around good food and good friends. This includes the following (but is certainly not limited to):
- Red Iguana in SLC; can you say mole?
- Pizzeria 712 in Orem; whatever is seasonal. Which actually means everything on the menu. Yum.
- Spicy Thai in Provo; chicken satay, Angkor Curry, Pad Thai. No worries, I'll go and probably share with a friend. Probably being the key word.
- Bombay House in Provo; naan. More naan. All the naan you can eat. Chicken tikka.
- La dolce Vita in Provo; Ana's Spinach Ravioli or Penne Alla Pesto. I can smell the bread now...
- Sp^rk in Provo; pommes frites, apple martini. Not a real one, duh. This is happy valley, people. Dry as a bone, just the way I like it.
- Nicolitalia Pizzeria in Provo; Strada di Roma and Mahgarita pizza. Again, I'm sharing, friends. Definitely sharing this time.
- The Tree Room, Sundance; If there is time. I know this should take a higher priority, but I only have a week, and this place is pricey. Sadly, I make no promises with this one.
- Communal, and this cupcake place somewhere around University Parkway and Freedom. Both new, both highly recommended from the friend with whom I will eat most of this food.

Man oh man, I haven't even eaten yet and I'm about to burst at the seams (with excitement, of course!). Plus, all of this includes a sweet reunion with my blood family and my non-blood family, AND the blessing of my brand spanking new nephew. Who could ask for more? No one. Absolutely no one, I tell you!

Of course, my goal was to lose five pounds in anticipation of this fine food fest of 2010. Alas, I've only come to GAIN a solid five since Memorial Day.

Hey, I said I really like food, remember?