Tasty Tuesday: Cooking Class at Terzo Piano + This City Girl = Pure Satisfaction.

Remember how I mushed and gushed over the Terzo Piano cooking class I attended this past December? Well, you’re going to hear me do it again as I just returned from another class at Terzo Piano this past Saturday. As much as I’d like to keep these classes a secret as they’re already very hard to get into, they’re too delectable to do that to you.

Chef Tony Mantuano and Cathy Mantuano at Terzo Piano

Set on top the Modern Wing, behind the dining room of Terzo Piano, the setting is idyllic for a Chicago lover. Floor-to-ceiling windows look out onto Michigan Ave architecture. If the class itself wasn’t so good, I’d be a happy camper simply day-dreaming out the windows.

But the class itself was so good. Fantastic really. This month’s class was perfectly paired with the new Matisse exhibit and was focused around food and drink inspired by the regions where the artist spent time. There was even an Art Institute docent there who gave great insight into Matisse’s world- where he lived and traveled, and what inspired his painting. What a nice touch to incorporate the exhibit and artist into this cooking class – as probably 80-90% of the attending audience were museum members - whoever decided on the topic for the class hit the mark.

But I know you, dear readers, love to hear about the food. So I won’t drone on (anymore) about atmosphere or subject matter, but just know I give my highest praise!

If you read CGC (the blog acronym!) at all, you’ve probably gathered I love shellfish. (and if not, you can read about them here, or here, or here) So starting the class off with a Whispering Angel Rose wine, mussels, and then a pairing of Goose Island Matilda ale was already a homerun in my book. Attending with my mother, who is an art teacher and food lover extraordinaire, we were afraid we'd run out of mussels for our table of 6. As soon as the thought crossed our minds we were served a second round, which left the class very happy indeed.

leek tart ~ beautiful, delicate flavors

Next up was a delectable leek tart, paired with specialty cocktail. The number of cocktails, vinos and ales one is able to try at the Terzo Piano classes is dazzling. The table of ladies we sat with were all giddy learning about (and tasting!) the house-made syrups crafted for cocktails and sodas, the wine pairings that give exquisite taste and value, and the liquors which pack a punch.

Another cool thing about these classes which I’ve yet to find at another venue, is the entire time the class is enjoying their food and beverage, the chefs (Tony Mantuano, Meg Colleran) and beverage experts (Cathy Mantuano, Ryan Paykert) are expounding their words of wisdom. It’s really quite a comfortable, relaxed learning environment- a big part of the reason why these are so fun.

my favorite dish! Moroccan-spiced braised chicken

My favorite dish of the class was a braised chicken leg with Moroccan spices and Anise bread, served with veggies and crisped skin to perfection. During this portion of the class, samples of the spices used in the chicken recipe were passed around on a platter, and the challenge was on: Name as many of the spices by smelling and / or tasting them and write it all down for scoring. I believe I correctly identified all 8 spices, however I lost the 2nd part of the challenge which was to name 3 works of art that are in the Matisse exhibit currently. I looked to my art teacher mother for assistance, but neither of us had attended the exhibit (YET). Darn! Is this my 2nd or 3rd time not winning the Wine Bar Food cookbook?!

The lavendar-caramel sauce was to die for

The class was rounded out by a scrumptious ice cream and profiterole combination, with a dose of amazing lavendar-infused caramel sauce. And I certainly can’t forget the ginger cocktail (made with hum liqueur) that packed a punch, and had mom and I happily walking home with recipes in hand.

I love a great cooking class, and the classes at Terzo are the best I've been to. Terzo Piano cooking classes are a great way to spend an afternoon in the city, taking in the beautiful setting, location (next door to Millenium Park!), and of course, fantastic food and drink.

Happy Tasty Tuesday~

Succulent Sunday ~ Steak marinade and Pork belly potato hash

The votes are in, majority wins ~ It's time to share the recipe from this past Tuesday's teaser! Thanks to all of you who voted and gave your opinion via the comments ~ I love reading them, responding to them, and reacting to them. Today's reaction is the shared recipe for... (drum roll please, let's add a little drama)

A succulent steak marinated in bourbon with a quick and easy potato hash. This recipe came about when the husband requested a steak dinner for his big birthday. More specifically, he requested a marinated steak. So with him in mind, I altered the marinade and potato recipes I already had to hopefully kick them up a notch. And you know what? It worked :)

Bourbon steak marinade
Bourbon gives such a smoky flavor, even though I cooked the steaks stovetop they honestly tasted as if they'd come off the grill.

Ingredients:
1/4 cup bourbon
1 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons water
1 clove garlic, crushed

Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl
Place steaks in the bowl covered in plastic wrap (Note: you can really use any cut of steak you prefer. I used top sirloin and it turned out beautifully)
Marinate the steaks overnight
Cook on grill or stovetop, until desired doneness (medium rare ~135 degrees F)

Potato hash (with pork belly - yum!)
This is such a quick and simple recipe, it's easy enough to incorporate into a weeknight meal. The original recipe called for bacon, but I saw the perfect cut of pork belly at Whole Foods and decided to go for it.

Ingredients
pork belly, cut to large dice
yukon gold potatoes, washed and cut to medium dice
1 tablespoon chives, minced
salt & pepper to taste
creme fraiche or sour cream (for topping)

Heat a nonstick saute pan over medium low heat and add the pork belly. Gently saute until the pork belly is just crisping, about 7-8 minutes. Add the diced potatoes and continue to cook, tossing occasionally, until the potatoes are golden brown and cooked through (a fork should easily pierce through them). Toss in the chives and season with salt and pepper to taste. (Taste before serving and readjust seasoning if necessary)

Top with a dollop of sour cream or creme fraiche if desired.

Enjoy and savor this meat and potatoes meal!

Foodie Friday: A city girl's review of Grocery Bistro

This past Friday, the husband and I ventured out to our first dinner in the West Loop as neighborhood residents. We decided to try somewhere that had the potential to become our "neighborhood hangout" - you know, casual and cozy, with great food and an unpretentious atmosphere. A place you can stop into after work, or Sunday brunch - a place you want to take your friends. We decided on testing out the small BYOB Grocery Bistro to see if it might fit the bill.

The consensus? I don't know quite yet. I know, not helpful, but hear me out. We went on a Friday. Would I go on a Friday again? Probably not. And the reason why is both a curse and a blessing for this little restaurant. The place is too small for their Friday night crowd! We waited in line about half an hour after our reservation before we sat down; it was just so packed. But when we sat down and took our first bite of food, we understood why.

But before I get to the food, let's talk atmosphere. I love a good communal table. Some people (ok, many people) do not. The great thing about Grocery Bistro is they have the best of both worlds ~ an elegant communal table flanks the room from end to end, but against the walls lay white-clothed tables for two or four. It's a brilliant solution to the whole communal table debate.

And the other components of atmosphere don't fall short either. For a restaurant known for its farm-fresh laid back gourmet(-ish) cuisine, the atmosphere does a great job setting the stage. I found the juxtapositions slightly humorous as well ~ as I said, rustic communal table paired with white tablecloths. Chalkboard menu on one wall, modern art on another. The vibe is hip and cool without trying too hard.

And the food? The food was de.lect.ab.le. Yummy. Scrumptious. Unpretentious. Get the point? After hearing the specials, we decided to split a veggie quiche to start - caramelized onions, mushrooms, spinach, and more. It's a dish that sounds so simple to whip up, but then why is a good quiche so hard to come by? This was just right. Delicate pastry crust, great flavor in the cheese, and just a comforting dish perfect for a chilly March night.

Next up were fish entrees for the both of us. I ordered the whole rainbow trout, my husband the fish special for the evening (Australian Kingfish). And you know what? I was actually disappointed my fish was not true to its word. It was not whole! They tried to spare me the gruesome act of only leaving a fish head on my plate - - but if you know me, you know I don't hesitate to do this (like in this post here). But that is my only complaint. :) The fish was cooked nicely, still moist, served with delicious mashed potatoes. All together, a very hearty meal indeed. (Apologies for the lack of pictures here dear readers, would you believe I actually forgot my camera!)

So would I go back? Of course. Perhaps it's a sign I'm growing older, but it probably would not be a Friday night. Friday's at GB are for those who are fearless of long wait and raucous crowd, and the chance that said crowd might be your neighbors at the communal table. No, I'll try a Tuesday instead. :)

Happy Foodie Friday~

Pig and pie oh my oh my

In high school I always received the same result on those personality-career match tests: that I should be a chef. At the time I scoffed at the thought – why on earth would I make a good chef? I don’t cook, I don’t want to learn to cook. My how times have changed.

Saturday I spent imagining I was indeed a chef. I sharpened my knives, and hit Whole Foods early. I had my menu planned, and was ready to spend a day in the kitchen preparing it.

It was for the husband’s birthday afterall – as he won’t be in town for his actual birthday, he had requested a feast for Saturday night. And so a feast I did plan. In hopes of appeasing his taste buds, I incorporated one of his favorite ingredients into each course:

White asparagus salad with porcini dressing

(favorite ingredient: white asparagus)

***
Bourbon-marinated steak, with potato and pork belly hash

(favorite ingredient: pork belly)

***
Key lime pie for dessert

(favorite ingredient: key limes)

***

As it’s Tasty Tuesday, I thought I’d (hopefully) make your mouth water with some pics of the outcomes, and then turn to you for your opinion (see poll in right side-bar)

white asparagus salad

bourbon-marinated top sirloin with potato and pork belly hash

homemade key lime pie - apologies it is partly crumbly, that is part of being homemade though right? :)

Of these 3 courses, which recipe would you most like me to share this week?

That’s right – it’s in your hands! Let me know what your pick is and I will share the recipe with the most votes this week.

Happy Tasty Tuesday~

The newest Weekend Warrior - Gina from clothes, inter alia!

A new weekend warrior post my loves! Meet Gina from clothes, inter alia. Though I've yet to meet Gina (though will soon), being an attorney I imagine she's very smart and analytical. Peruse her blog, and I think you'll agree with me. Gina's love for Chicago shines clear through her Weekend Warrior responses, so without further delay, here they are!

Favorite restaurant fit to bring a foodie: I love The Gage on Michigan Avenue. Food is "upscale Irish". Interesting new takes on some old favorites. I've tried chicken livers (very good!), in addition to more traditional well-prepared meats, fish, potatoes and vegetables. Great atmosphere and drinks; pretty outside seating area.

Favorite neighborhood joint: Bentonara Sushi on Belmont and Racine. Small, cozy place with generous servings of tasty fish, and a small bar with a friendly sushi chef.

Favorite place to imbibe: I love Duke of Perth on Clark in Lakeview. The atmosphere has a Scottish pub feel with dark wood and low lighting. No TVs to blare sporting events. Fireplace burning in the winter. Patio seating out back in the summer. Great imported British beers. My favorite is Young's Double Chocolate Stout. Duke of Perth has the perk of being less than a block from Landmark Century Center Cinema (2828 N. Clark), the one theatre in Chicago that you can count on to play independent and limited release films.

For lounging and caffeinating, I like the local chain Argo Tea. Great tasting tea and espresso drinks. Wonderful selection of quiche and pastries. Free wifi. Convenient locations.

My favorite after-work drink and dinner locale is Miller's Pub on Wabash in the Loop. Affordable, good, homestyle cooking. Great burgers. Mean dirty martini. I also like the Custom House on Dearborn and Congress, which has a good selection of wines, tasty appetizers, and a knowledgeable and friendly staff.

Elected ladies night out agenda: Cafe Iberico- Great lively atmosphere with kitschy yet pretty dining areas. Spanish music videos with kooky dancing and wild costuming usually playing on the TVs at the bar. Tasty tapas that remain affordable without sacrificing quality. Try the patatas bravas (spicy potatoes), pulpo a la plancha (octopus topped with french fries) and the queso de cabra (hot goat cheese dip). Amaaaazing sangria in white or red, sold by the pitcher or by the glass (get a pitcher of the red).

Favorite place to shop fashion: All bargain stores - H&M, Filene's Basement, Loehman's, Marshall's, Nordstrom Rack and TJ Maxx. Those stores are all over the country, but having lived in some other suburban and rural areas, let me tell you that you just can't beat the stores in a city like Chicago that has several locations of each store and a wide selection of merchandise at each location. So much better for shopping and finding great pieces at bargain prices, than in amore sparsely populated area. Same goes for Thrift Stores. My favorites are Uniqueat on 3000 S.Halsted (everything is half price every Monday), Ragstock and Hollywood Mirror on Belmont in Lakeview, Crossroads Trading on Clark in Lakeview, Buffalo Exchange on Milwaukee in Wicker Park and on Broadway in Lakeview, and Elliott Consignment at 3015 N. Broadway.

The Maxwell Street Market is no longer on Maxwell Street, but this south loop summer market showcases a wide variety of items from higher-end antiques to broken rusty tools sold out of the back of someone's truck. Great food. Variety of merchandise including books, clothes, jewelry, dishes, glasses and other housewares, belts, baby clothes, tools, crafts, and faux designer purses. Every Sunday morning throughout the summer.

Randolph Street Market has more upscale merchandise than Maxwell (which also means more expensive) and features crafts and jewelry and vintage clothing, among other items such as furniture, antiques and housewares. Many etsy sellers display their wares here.

Powell's Books in Hyde Park and The BookTable in Oak Park are my favorite independent book stores.

Ideal place to shop food: Farmer's Markets - Daley Plaza on Thursday, Federal Plaza on Tuesday, Oak Park on the weekends, and Lincoln Park (Armitage and Stockton) on Saturdays. In all honesty, I'm not much of a cook, so while I frequent farmer's markets, I rarely purchase. My boyfriend is the cook, and spring through fall, most of our excellent home-cooked meals are made from produce he gets at farmer's markets.

Best place to sightsee: Downtown! Grant Park. The lakeshore trail.

Favorite way to enjoy Chicago culture:

Regular nights out to some of Chicago's great cultural institutions:

• Joffrey Ballet
• Hubbard Street Dance
• Jazz Showcase
• The Second City
• TJ & Dave at i.O.- Chicago's best kept comedy secret
• Art Institute

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Thank you Gina! This Chicago Weekend Warrior series has been a big hit, and we are near the end (1 more week to go!) If you are a Chicago blogger and would like to keep the series going, please email me!

Happy Weekend all~

Wednesday Wardrobe Wants ~ Walk to Work from the West Loop

Try saying that title ten times fast.

Albeit only a few days, so far I absolutely love living in the West Loop. I have the flexibility to work from home, but I don’t seem to want to anymore now that I am just a quick walk to work. This has provided a slight wardrobe challenge for me though ~ hence the origin of this Wednesday Wardrobe Wants.

Join me in day dreaming of the perfect walk to work / office transition pieces. Comfortable flats in a fun color to walk the mile to the office, paired with a classic trench unveil a perfectly polished look once in the office. Pull out a pair of neutral pumps and a pop of color clutch from your work tote and you’re set for the day.

These are my Wednesday Wardrobe Wants, what are yours?

PS - Happy St. Patrick's Day! :)

Tasty Tuesday ~ Welcome Spring with a Spring Greens Salad

I’ve spent the past week packing, painting, moving, and unpacking. I’m starting to feel a bit settled in to the new home. And the first thing I do to break in a new place? Cook in it.

I stumbled upon this recipe when trying for a relaxing elliptical routine at the gym, cruising and perusing someone’s neglected March issue of Health magazine. Does anyone else feel guilty when tearing a page out of a filmy, filthy magazine which already has torn pages and is at the end of its life? Well I do, but this was too good to pass up. Here I present to you the Super Spring Greens Salad – so good, it had the husband nodding approval (aka – he was speechless for a moment!) and this convinced me to make it 2 nights in a row. Unheard of in this (new) home.

Super Spring Green Salad

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, divided
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (or whatever mustard you like, I used course grain and it turned out splendid)
1 ½ tablespoons EVOO (extra virgin olive oil), divided
1 tablespoon hot water
8 whole jarred (or canned) pickled beets, drained and quartered
Asparagus (I used about 4 stalks per serving)
Salt & pepper to taste
Spring greens (1 cup per serving)
Pine nuts (you can find these in the bulk food section and just get how much you’d like)
Crumbled goat cheese

Whisk together 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar and the mustard in a small bowl. Slowly whisk in 1 tablespoon EVOO and then 1 tablespoon hot water until well-blended. Toss beets in a small bowl with 1 teaspoon of the vinaigrette, and set aside.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Toss asparagus with remaining EVOO, salt and pepper to taste, and arrange in a shallow baking pan. Roast in oven for about 10 minutes, or until lightly browned and just tender.

Drizzle with remaining balsamic vinegar (1 tablespoon) and return to oven for 1 minute to reduce vinegar to a glaze.

Arrange salad greens, asparagus and reserved beets on plates, sprinkle with pine nuts and goat chees. Drizzle salad with remaining vinaigrette, and sprinkle with pepper.

Serve and savor ~

Moving Week!

Guess what this week is for me? Moving week! A full week of insanity if you ask me. After less than a year, the hubs and I are packing our bags and moving to the West Loop of Chicago. I'm excited, ecstatic, and feeling completely over my head with the number of things which need to get done.

This week consists of packing, painting, cleaning, moving and unpacking. Oh, and working. I am trying to work as close to a normal schedule as I can so I don't fall uber behind in work deadlines.

So, what are some things that keep you going when the going gets tough? I'm looking forward to starting fresh next week - literally. Fresh paint, freshly unpacked, in my new home and new neighborhood. New blog posts, with time to dedicate to them. I can't wait!

Gotta love this Weekend Warrior ~ Meet Jena of ChiCityFashion!

It's Friday, and most of us are counting down the hours until 5 o'clock. Some of us have our weekend plans established, and some of us are more spontaneous. No matter which category you fall in, Jena's ideas of how to spend weekend time in Chicago are worth your while! As I was reading through them, I found a smile kept creeping up on my face. She's a girl after my own heart ~ a foodie, a red wine snob, and a fashionista? Sold. And her blog, ChiCityFashion, is not half bad either (I mean who am I kidding, it's fantastic!)

Enjoy Jena's Weekend Warrior responses dear readers!

Favorite restaurant fit to bring a foodie: This is very difficult for me to answer because I am a huge foodie and there are so many great restaurants in Chicago. Although I've only been there once, I have to say Sunda is one of my favorite places in Chicago. Not only is the food some of the best I've ever had (yes, it's that good), the service and the atmosphere are superb. Obviously, the most important part is the food. The shrimp toast with spicy tuna jam could be one of the most delicious things I've ever eaten in my life.

Another thing I like about Sunda is that it's owned by Billy Dec. I like to support what he does because he is very passionate about making Chicago the best it can be and making it known how awesome Chicago really is. So, like a good Chicagoan...I support Billy. Seriously though...if I find out anyone went to Sunda and did not get the shrimp toast with spicy tuna jam, I will be personally offended.

Favorite place to imbibe: Two of my favorite places to get drinks are mentioned later in this post, but Bluebird and Bin36 are great places to grab a drink. I am one who only drinks beer and wine (for the most part) which is why Bluebird is perfect and Bin36 is a great place to get wine flights. Because these are mentioned later, I will talk about another favorite place of mine, The Fifty/50. Not only do they have great food but some awesome cocktails....beer cocktails. Sounds odd but they're quite delicious. My favorite is the Wild Berry Shandy (great in the summer!) so I definitely recommend that. It's a fun atmosphere with great drinks...what more can you ask for?

Most loved romantic date night consists of: Filippo's (on North Clyborn) and Bluebird (on Damen). Starting off with Filippo's...I first discovered this place on New Year's Eve two years ago. I went with a bunch of friends very last minute but the service was great and I realized that it would be a good place for my boyfriend and I go to because it's small and quaint...and we're both Italian :) We went for New Year's Eve this year and the food is never disappointing. Great food, lovely wine selection, superb service and an overall romantic atmosphere.

Next stop.... Bluebird. This is my boyfriend and I's favorite place to go because we both appreciate good wines and beers. They have a huge selection of domestic and imported wines and beers along with a full bar of everything you can imagine. Last time I went, I ordered Scaldis, a beer for Belgium, and it ended up being the highest percent alcohol of any beer on the menu. You wouldn't know if you tried it...so delicious. My favorite thing about Bluebird is that underneath each wine and beer listing on the menu, there is an in-depth description of the various tastes of the drink which is helpful when deciding which one to try. I think it's a great place for a date because it's small, not very loud and just an overall great romantic atmosphere.

Elected ladies night out agenda: My ladies night out agenda is very convenient because all of my favorite places are very close to each other. I would start off with dinner at Hub51. They have a little bit of everything to eat and drink so there's something for everyone. The Hub Punch is a great start to the night too :) Everyone raves about the fish tacos (which are good) but I personally recommend the chicken tacos. They are delicious! I would then move to Bin36 for some wine flights because I am a BIG fan of wine (especially red). The Spanish Reds flight is my favorite there. I'm not a big club person so I like going to nicer sports bars like Rockit, Theory, and Social 25 so the girls and I would probably hit one of those up...or all 3.

Preferred place to shop fashion: Akira! I absolutely love that place. I usually go to the one on Diversey and the one in Bucktown is pretty cool too. They have great clothes, accessories and shoes AND you don't have to feel bad about buying anything because it's really not that expensive. The first time I ever walked in Akira I thought my wallet would be completely empty once I left, and I was pleasantly surprised at their reasonable prices. It's hard to find clothes that are cheap and don't look cheap. Akira figured out the secret!

Favorite place to shop for fun: Sofia Vintage on Clark. This is a hidden gem! It's in the office building right on Clark and Division so you wouldn't know it's there when walking by. I am a huge vintage junkie and this is the first truly vintage store I've found in Chicago so I'm very excited about it! They have amazing jewelry, clothing, shoes, handbags and other accessories (both designer and not)...all vintage! They even have men's stuff too. The people who work there are so awesome and have a great eye for vintage fashion (which is not an easy eye to have). Whether you're shopping by yourself or with a girlfriend, it's a really great place to go to and I highly recommend it.



Ideal place to shop food: Whole Foods in Lincoln Park. Yes, Whole Foods is a chain and I, too, like to keep it local but I love the little "Chicago venues" they have in the back. It's not only a great place to go grocery shopping but you can eat lunch or dinner there and get anything you want. Anything that represents Chicago is okay in my book!

Best place to sightsee: In May, it was my boyfriend and I's one year anniversary. He took me by the Planetarium and we sat by the lake. He told me it was his favorite place to go to see the Chicago skyline and it's now mine too. You can see everything and if you go later in the day, it's quiet and absolutely beautiful. A word of advice...go when it's warm out :)

Favorite way to enjoy Chicago culture: Most people would probably put something about a museum or a show here but I have three words for you...Deep Dish Pizza. Hey, it's what Chicago is known for. If you're going to experience Chicago, you have to do it right. My personal favorite is Lou Malnati's. My mouth is watering just talking about it. Hands down, the best deep dish pizza. It's a Chicago-favorite and [what I believe] to be a VERY important part of Chicago culture. [clearly it is obvious I like food way too much]

Favorite way to enjoy a Chicago weekend (Friday night through Sunday afternoon): This will obviously involve my two favorite things: food and shopping. I love going to dinner but it can be pricey. I live in Lincoln Park and when it's freezing outside, I'm not willing to go very far. Sopranos is one of my favorite places to eat in Chicago. It's a great Italian restaurant with some amazing food. It's low key, you can wear whatever you want there and the food is consistenly good. I can't even pick a favorite item there because everything on the menu is great, but I definitely recommend any of the pasta dishes.

Saturday would consist of shopping pretty much all day. I really like to shop in Bucktown/Wicker Park because there are so many options and they are all close to each other. My favorite stores are Tangerine (pricey but great unique clothing and accessories), p45 (also pricey but they have fabulous clothes), Intermix (one of my favorite stores ever), and Clothes Minded (reasonably priced, great for basics). Lunch would have to be at Silver Cloud. Ever since I started shopping on Damen, I always went to Silver Cloud for lunch. It's a simple bar/grill type of place with classic comfort food. Doesn't sound like much but then you try the grilled cheese (served with tomato soup of course) and you'll be in heaven.

Moving on to Saturday night...I might go out again, but probably not. I would pick up some Pompei (I recommend the spinach pizza or the herb chicken ravioli), invite a few friends over, drink some red wine and watch a movie. Sounds lame but sometimes those are the best nights.

Sunday, I would do breakfast or brunch (depending on what time you wake up). This would lead me to Orange. Great breakfast food...with a twist! Ever tried fruit sushi? Well, they have it. Frushi! No fish involved. So delicious. They have a different kind everyday. They also have pancake flights with a variety of different flavored pancakes everyday. How cool is that?

Thanks to Jena for her awesome Chicago weekend ideas! Happy Weekend to all~

Happy Birthday, Chicago!

Chicago was incorporated as a city on March 4, 1837 - making today Chicago's 173rd birthday! In honor of this great city's past, I wanted to share some fantastic photos my father-in-law sent me ~

Grant Park - 1937*

Museum of Science & Industry - 1933*

Merchandise Mart - 1935* (so pretty)

Chicago Board of Trade - 1933*

Elevated Tracks - 1936* (these are probably about the same today!)

Chicago Cubs - 1907*

Wrigley Field - World Series - 1932* (and people still climb the trees for Cubs games)

Chicago Theater - 1930's*

Oak Street Beach - 1916* (look how few buildings are along the lake!)

Oak Street Beach - 1931*

Loop Bus - 1927* (how come the bus I take to the loop isn't this cool?)

Palmolive Building - 1930* (my favorite building in the city ~ I can see it from my window!)

Chicago Stockyards - 1905* (Chicago is in the Midwest afterall)

Happy Birthday, Chicago!

*all photos are Copyright 2005 David R. Phillps

Wednesday Wardrobe Wants ~ Fabulous Jacket + Scarf combinations

I love a great jacket and scarf combination.

They can take you from work to play, day to evening, and can give one jacket many new possibilities

Chic, stylish and a little playful

I think I just decided what to wear to work today

7 for All Mankind Shrunken Blazer

Alexander McQueen Polka Dot Chiffon scarf

Alexander McQueen yellow skull scarf

Galliano Donna Pink News scarf

What is your favorite, lovelies?

These are my Wednesday Wardrobe Wants~

Tasty Tuesday ~ Lentil Soup Good for Your Heart

Over the holidays my office put together a cookbook full of healthy recipes people were willing to share. Knowing me, I was sure to participate, and since then have tested out a number of the recipes. This Tasty Tuesday I share with you one I adapted from this co-worker cookbook – one for lentil soup!

This is the perfect dinner to make on a Sunday night – when you have a couple hours in the early evening to let it stew. And the leftovers make such perfect weeknight meals, you may just want to double the recipe :)

And it gets better! Lentils have been named a super food for a number of reasons…

• They are 26% protein, lacking only a few of the amino acids that would make them a complete protein food
• Low in fat and high in “good carbs”
• Great source of iron, providing increased energy
• Full of cholesterol lowering soluble fiber
• Known for helping to stabilize blood sugar
• High in dietary fiber

So you can enjoy knowing you are doing something good for your heart ~

[photo courtesy of mydish]

Lentil Soup
14 oz can of diced, unsalted tomatoes
½ cup finely chopped celery
½ cup finely chopped carrot
½ cup finely chopped white or yellow onion
1 cup lentils (green lentils)
1 envelop of onion soup mix
1 can of tomato soup
1 teaspoon cumin
6 cups water
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions: To prep the lentils (if using dry beans), rinse them in a strainer or colander. (You do not need to pre-soak lentils) In a large stovetop pan, soup pan, or dutch oven stovetop, heat oil and sauté onions, celery, and carrots on medium temperature for 5 minutes (not quite soft). Add water, tomatoes, lentils, onion soup mix, and tomato soup and spices. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer covered for 2-3 hours.

Alternative: You can also add bacon or sausage to the soup to make it slightly more hearty and slightly less healthy. I cut up a few haberno turkey sausages into bite sized pieces, cook separately on the stove top until warmed through, and add to the soup the last 30 minutes of simmering time. It’s just delish!

Happy Tasty Tuesday~