Dreaming of Carne Asada Fries

So, my resolution to write more has been off to a slow start. Can you believe it's nearly February?!? January has been full of busy days and yummy meals. We are slimming down our diets (with hopes of slimming down ourselves) following a "health hiatus" that ensued over the holidays.

One of the many holiday indulgences was from our old SD fave, El Portal (previously featured here around this same time last year). Their El Portal fries (which are delicious by themselves) are covered in crispy carne asada, creamy guacamole, sour cream, and shredded cheese. After adding our own sprinkle of cilantro and hot sauce, these fries were a dream come true...

Oh, El Portal Fries, I think of you when I'm on the treadmill...you are both by punishment and my reward. Any guilty pleasures you miss when you're on a health kick? :)

Happy Searching!

Happy Thanksgiving!

A few weeks back, one of my sweet students presented me with some adorable, edible acorns.

Aren't they precious?! Who knew that Hershey's kisses, Nilla Wafers, pretzels, and chocolate frosting could result in such a heartwarming and delicious nibble.

Happy Thanksgiving and as always...

Happy Searching!

Thing for Wings

Remember when I told you how I get food crushes? You know, when you can't get enough of something and it's all you can think about? Well, the hubs has had a thing for wings recently. Fortunately, his hankering translates into some deliciousness for me, too!

He followed the Hooters technique of coating the wings with flour and then refrigerating them for an hour (since we've both reluctantly admitted they are our favorite wings). Once they were fried, he tossed them with hot sauce and butter.

Crispy, just the right kick, totally crush-worthy.

Happy searching,

Happy Hallow-eating!

Can you believe it's almost November? But before retailers rush us into decorating for Christmas (before we've even had Thanksgiving), there is a delicious day upon us. Candy? Clever snacks? Creative cocktails? It must be Halloween. And the mister's absolute favorite holiday. Why? See above, beginning with candy...

Ryan created our menu this year, but I did contribute in the way of assembling (and eating) some treats!

First up? Yummy Mummy Dogs.

We followed this recipe, but used garlic breadsticks instead of Crescent Rolls. Very tasty, especially with  a spooky cheese drizzle and fresh blood (or ketchup...whatever you have on hand)!

To wash it down? A crisp apple cider martini. The hubs mixed my childhood favorite beverage...

...with vodka, muddled apple & lime, a splash of maple syrup. Complete with an apple slice garnish. Fall-icious!

Notice the Spooky Snack Mix in the background...the mister's own Munchie mix of pretzels, potato chips, gummy worms, and Cheetos.

Do you have any tricks or treats up your sleeve this Halloween?

Happy searching!


p.s. Instead of trying to catch up and fill you in on everything since the last post, I'm starting with the present. And hopefully, someday, I will have a few extra moments to fill you in on our delicious summer and early fall adventures. 'Cause they were tasty. :)

Vacay

Lately, I've been on extended vacation--from just about everything, except spending time with family, friends, and food.

My vacation has taken me to Colorado where I visited my parents and celebrated 32 years of being in this fabulous food-filled world...to San Diego where I bridal-showered with my best friend and enjoyed my hometown and the company of my in-laws...and to Vegas where I broke even on the slot machines but hit the gastronomical jackpot.

I'll give you a bit of a preview...an amuse bouche, if you will. There have been burgers...

and bacon milkshakes...

and Happy Hours...

and pastries...

and pizzas...

and giant ribeyes.

So, stay tuned for some tasty tidbits!

Happy Searching,

Bison Burgers & Oven Fries

In our efforts to maintain a relatively healthy regime, we regularly integrate protein alternatives into our meals. In lieu of steak, we have chicken. We always have ground turkey on hand instead of ground beef. A lean option that we hadn't explored in our home kitchen: bison. But during a recent grocery trip, we spotted some and thought that bison burgers would be a lighter alternative to the beef burgers we love so much (seen here, here, and here).

I viewed several recipes (although considering that bison seems to be gaining popularity, there aren't as many as you'd think). Before forming patties, I added some smoked paprika, grated onion, crushed garlic, S&P to the meat. The burgers turned out deliciously moist due to the recommended cooking method from this recipe. (Because bison is so lean, they suggest covering the burgers to prevent them from drying out.) Topped with some swiss cheese, tomatoes, and Cabernet carmelized red onions, these bison burgers were stampede-worthy.

To go along with our adventurous burgers, I served up some carrot and parsnip fries. I had just seen the recipe on Mad Hungry earlier in the week (one of my new favorite cooking shows) and had been awaiting an opportunity to try them out. If you've never cooked with parsnips (which I hadn't before today), they are similar to carrots. Fibrous and a bit sweet, parsnips are perfect as a potato alternative for some oven fries.

I love exploring new foods to satisfy some good ol' fashioned culinary curiosity. Is there anything you've tried making recently that was new for you? Or is there something you are thinking about trying? Do tell!

Happy Searching!

Sensational Strawberry & Chicken Salad

When summer rolls around (and you are trying to prevent your own rolls from being around), it's all about lighter meals. But as you know, the hubs and I share the food philosophy that it's possible to eat healthy, nutritious meals without sacrificing flavor or satisfaction.

My ideal salad has lots of different flavors and textures to satisfy all of my senses (I mean, if you're going to eat a salad, that's the least you can do for yourself, right?). So, this salad totally hit the spot.

Tender grilled chicken, sweet sliced strawberries, crunchy toasted almonds, thinly sliced red onion, greens lightly tossed in a homemade balsamic vinaigrette...sensationally satisfying.

What's in your favorite salad?

Happy Searching,