Last we spoke, I made some alterations to that avocado sandwich. The flavor was fine, but it needed something - something to really give it a flavor. Avocado, sprouts, radishes and snow peas are all tasty, but none have a really defining flavor. I now see the purpose of the onion. Also, 3/4 of an avocado was WAY too much and made the bread slightly soggy by 1PM, thus making it difficult to eat. Live and learn, though!
Wednesday night was Blake's turn to cook. Here is Blake:
Blake spent the last 15-ish months being awesome and living life to the fullest. He sold off his stuff and moved to New Zealand for a year. Following that, he spent about 3 months traveling around Asia. He picked up some AWESOME recipes and has started a dinner club so he can share his love of cooking and exotic cuisine.
All day Wednesday I was looking forward to dinner at Blake's. He had been talking about cooking for me [and others, too] since before he left the Eastern Hemisphere. I ended up stuck at work (and now, I don't remember what I was doing, but it was something that really stressed me out) and I didn't arrive to the party until just after 8pm. Start time was 7:30. Luckily, I arrived while the cooking was in full swing, and my fabulous girlfriends (Rachel and Carlen) take a look at me and both said "Honey, you need a drink!" and shoved a glass of wine into my hand.
Rachel
Carlen
The dinner did NOT disappoint! Here's what Blake made:
Jasmine rice
topped with butter paneer masala (curry-like with fermented cheese)
cucumber raita - think along the lines of tzatziki sauce (the white stuff on gyros)
butter chapati (bread made in the skillet)
followed up with chai masala
Everything was so great. The raita really mellowed the spice of the butter paneer masala. It was the most filling, satisfying vegetarian dish I have ever had. I am ready to let Blake cook any time he wants if results are similar to those of last Wednesday. I HATE that I forgot to take pictures. Next time I definitely will.
My meals for the rest of the week are a blur. Nothing significant. Thursday lunch: a turkey/pimento cheese sandwich on deli select bread (highly recommend). Thursday night dinner was something to talk about!
Hometown Barbeque on Hwy 29 (Lawrenceville). My parents consider themselves to be something of barbeque connoisseurs. George - owner of Hometown - has really hit the nail on the head with A-MAZING bbq. This is bbq so fab that it has caused quite the stir in my family. George's ribs caused us to be late to my cousin Jami's wedding. The same ribs convinced my cousin Jimmy to visit George's for TWO meals on his Memorial day WEEKEND visit. I'm telling you - the food there is legendary. Thursday night was pretty cold and my lunch didn't do much for me, so I started with Brunswick stew. Incredible. Mom, Dad and I split a thing of potato salad - not as good as my Nanny's, but good all the same. I was still craving something, so I finished it all off with a chili-slaw dog with onions. YUM.
Friday consisted of a can of Progresso New England clam chowder followed by a dinner from Chick-fil-A. All fine, but nothing to write home about.
Saturday I stayed in to finish up that dreaded gifted work. I completed the majority by 4:30, where I took a break to shop for Snowpocalypse 2011. I stopped at Target to stock up on essentials (well, wine and board games) only to find out that the Target in Edgewood doesn't sell wine. WHAT?!?!?!?! Here's how that convo went:
Me: Do you have wine cubes?
Girl: Huh?
Me: Wine cubes. Do you have wine cubes here?
Girl to boy: Do you know what she is talking about?
Boy to me: What are you looking for?
Me: Wine cubes. You know, boxed wine... but in a cube. Target sells it in a cube.
Boy: Oh, I don't drink... (WHAT?????), but no, we don't have our liquor license.
Me: horrified/disgusted/confused look on my face
Boy: We're.... In DeKalb county....
What a terrible experience. I did come out of the mix with several snacks and two board games, so it wasn't a completely negative experience... I then had to brave Kroger at Edgewood, which was surprisingly easy to access. Easier than normal. I went straight for the wine aisle and learned that there was NO shortage of necessities... Wine is a necessity during a blizzard. Why do people stock up on milk when they are worried the power will go out? THE MILK IS GOING TO SPOIL, FOLKS!
On my way home I called in an order to Pure - my favorite neighborhood Mexican joint. If you have never been, go. GO NOW. Order the fish tacos (on flour tortillas) and the black beans. If you're a fan of margs, get one. Delicious. The tacos come traditionally on corn tortillas, but after several taste tests, my dad and I agree that the flavor of the corn tortillas overpower the fish. I LOVE THESE TACOS.
Sunday wasn't much to speak of, but I'll recap. I had oatmeal - Quaker Oats Instant maple and brown sugar - and I drank coffee on the way to pick up Liz for church. This is Liz:
Liz and me at my housewarming party
I have to share the food related joke our pastor told in church because it REALLY cracked me up.
KFC Manager: Pastor, business is bad. I'll give you $10 million if you change it from "give us this day our daily bread" to "give us this day our daily chicken"
Pastor: I'm sorry, I can't change the word of God.
KFC: Ok, how about I give you $25 million to make it "daily chicken"
Pastor: I really don't think you understand, I can't change the word of God.
KFC: This is my final offer. I'll give you $50 million to change it from "daily bread" to "daily chicken."
Pastor to bishops: I have good news and bad news. The good news is, we have $50 million to do the works of God. The bad news is, we lost the Panera Bread account.
CRACKED ME UP! Nothing like a good [food related] joke to kick start your Sunday morning!
After church, Liz and I scurried around to attempt to get to the Dali exhibit before it closed. We both had microwave sensations. I had a can of soup - chicken corn chowder with bacon a la Progresso. SUPER YUM. We got to the High - after laps of searching for free parking (for two cars! ha!) - and trekked through the Atlanta wind. At least it wasn't Chicago wind. Anyway, we were freezing and found ourselves staring at an insanely long line, so we turned around and came back to my place.
Dinner was at Parish. Everyone in Inman Park raves about Parish. I think it's highly overrated. I had a mushroom appetizer... the mushrooms were overwhelming (not in a good way) and rubbery. Ick. For dinner I had the trout. The trout was over-peppered but still good. I wasn't exactly pumped about it being served skin-on. The trout was served over Brussels sprouts. They were fine but not fabulous. Served in some sort of lemon-y sauce, they also had a hint of wasabi. I didn't finish it. I finished with the chocolate tart. Dense, not too sweet, yummy chocolate. Best part of the meal by far.
THEN the snow started. IT actually started before I left Parish. While out on the terrace taking pictures of the snow, my neighbor Teresa invited me over for prosecco. We had a fabulous time, even if my iPod touch slipped out of my glove while taking pictures... and shattered. I was devastated.
Parish is in the top-center of this photo.
Monday I woke up sick as a dog - I am slowly recovering (I think...) - but only with the help of some really awful yet wonderful food: powdered donuts and tex mex trail mix.
For the BCS Championship bowl game last night, my neighbors Seth, Teresa and I got together to watch the game. Seth convinced me to leave with him to go pick up our pizza from Savage Pizza (L5P) since they were pretty much the ONLY place open close by. Seth convinced me that his car would handle the ice. I made a big stink and refused to leave in fear of missing the Auburn game (set to start in 2 hours). He pulled out his fancy new iPad with wifi and off we went. After delivering food to his wife, Niki who was on call at AMC that night (Niki is a surgical resident at Atlanta Medical just up the street), we made it safely back.
SAVAGE PIZZA IS DELICIOUS! And cheap! Anddddd FRESH!. All good things. No more Papa John's for me. Sorry Papa. They were heavy on the toppings and you could really tell that the sauce was fresh. and $12 for a large ain't bad!
After waking up in an even worse state today, being gourmet hasn't exactly been on my mind. I've made baked potatoes for lunch the past two days, but decided to kick it up tonight (a hair). Tomato soup and a grilled cheese. Here's how it went:
Campbell's Tomato Soup (made with 1c milk to be creamier than water!)
Gruyere cheese on wheat bread
grilled to buttery perfection on my new Cuisinart Griddler. Thanks, Santa!
The cheese was purely because it was in my fridge. My only other cheese options were laughing cow or shredded cheddar. Slicing up the Gruyere was the best decision for sure. Until I can get back on the roads, I can't promise much more exciting meals... but my creativity will definitely increase! Stay tuned, stay warm, and enjoy these snow days!
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