Menu Monday and Weekend Recap

 Happy Monday, everybody! This past weekend was a busy one -- unfortunately I didn't get nearly enough 'responsible' tasks done, like laundry, my homework, or my housecleaning. However I definitely got a lot of the "fun" things crossed off my to-do list, such as:

1. Make a Caramel Apple Tart

Mine did not come out nearly as beautifully as Deb's, but it was certainly tasty and I got to take my new, totally-unnecessary-purchase mandolin out for a whirl. Plus, I got to learn firsthand why pastry chefs call hot caramel "edible napalm" due to a hot pan gone awry (as documented in this tweet.)

2. Go hiking in Great Falls National Park

When its a beautiful fall day in DC, it's only natural to head out to the wilderness to enjoy the amazing weather and fall colors.

Unfortunately, everyone else in DC will have that same idea. This is the line to enter the park.

It took us over 2 hours to complete a 30 minute trip to Great Falls Park in McLean, VA. However once we FINALLY arrived we made good use of our remaining daylight hours and saw some beautiful views as a result.

We hiked the River Trail, which follows the Potomac and has some truly spectacular views of the Falls.

We stopped on the way home for some fresh cider, then settled in for some dinner and our favorite TV night - Once Upon a Time, Revenge, and Boardwalk Empire!

Dinner - Chicken Milanese with Roasted Broccoli

In food-related news, here's what I had cooking this past week:

1. *Chili Baked Potato*

This was a great way to use up leftover chili, plus stretch a meal into two! We baked the potatoes until they were crispy, then added the chili and our toppings. It doesn't seem like a lot of food but the potato will fill you up fast. Plus when you use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and low-fat cheese, it's really not too bad for you.

2. * Sausage-Stuffed Zucchini, courtesy of SkinnyTaste*

 These turned out to be a huge hit - they were delicious, a cinch to throw together, and infinitely adaptable.

3. *Jambalaya-like concoction, adapted from Beantown Prepster*

 Please excuse the photo, because this was probably the most delicious meal of the week. I started with MVB's recipe for Spicy Skillet Rice, but when I read over the recipe I thought to myself, "This looks sort of like jambalaya." I subbed chicken stock for the water, threw in chicken andouille sausage from Trader Joes, and added a TON of hot sauce -- the result was a pretty tasty substitute for Cajun cooking!

What have you been cooking lately?

xoxo,

b

Friday Five!

Well, we made it to Friday. It was touch and go there for a while, and in the words of SK this morning, "Today will be the day zero fucks were given." However, the weekend is here and here's what's making me happy:

1. *Sushi-Movie Date Night*


Since SK and I started dating, our 'date nights' have evolved into a little tradition we like to call "sushi-movie date night." We're regulars at our favorite place, Momiji. Both of us have been looking forward to seeing Argo and tonight's the night!

 

2. *My TOMS*

Since work has been quiet the past couple of weeks, I've been able to rock my TOMS as much as I want, which make my feet sing. My current pair is giraffe-print, but I've also got my eye on these November-themed ones...

3. *Autumn-Themed Dessert*

I'm going to a dinner party tomorrow night and I've been charged with bringing dessert. I haven't settled on an idea yet but I'm looking for a fall-themed recipe.

*** While I was writing this and putting up my options of what to make, Smitten Kitchen posted an Apple Mosaic Tart with Salted Caramel that put all my other ideas to shame. Winner winner, chicken dinner.***

4. *Riding the Mount Vernon Trail*

Last weekend I discovered the Mount Vernon Trail while on my afternoon bike ride (yes, I know I'm late to the game.) While i didn't make it all the way down the trail, I'm planning on tackling it again this Sunday (and maybe stopping in Old Town for something delicious for lunch.

Scene from Sunday's ride

Also from Sunday - Hey Abe!

5. *The Sadness of Pain au Chocolat*

Well, this is hilarious.

Source

Happy weekend everybody!

xoxo,

b

Roosevelt Island and the Social Safeway

On Sunday we took advantage of the unsettlingly-unseasonal weather to visit the Teddy Roosevelt Memorial, a little-known island in between DC and Virginia on the Potomac.

(Side note: Did you know that Teddy Roosevelt is a very famous NEW YORKER? With a summer home on LONG ISLAND? Obviously a fan favorite in the little b house. Also, did you know that "Teddy Bears" are, according to legend, so named because TR was once hunting and let some bear cubs go because they were too cute to kill?)


While the monument itself was pretty cool, the island overall was more woodsy than I was expecting. Given that TR was an early naturalist and conservationist, it makes a certain amount of sense. The memorial has beautiful wooded trails going around the entire length of the island, with a statue and more traditional memorial in the center.


Afterwards, we stopped at the much-fabled Social Safeway of Georgetown. For those of you not from the DC area, we nickname our Safeways: There's the Unsafe-Safeway (located in South East DC); the Soviet Safeway (so named because they NEVER have anything that you need there. Ever.); The Secret Safeway (it's actually hidden); and the Social Safeway, where the rich and powerful (or young and looking for love) meet.

The Social Safeway underwent an extensive renovation last year and re-opened in 2010 with an unbelievable amount of fanfare. (Don't believe me? Check it out.) Since we were in the neighborhood we decided to check it out.

Believe the hype, people.

In addition to a walk-in, temperature-controlled wine room (selling high-end wines), a ham bar (selling specialty imported hams), an eat-in sushi bar, and a dry cleaners, they have a produce section with foods that I have never in my life seen or heard of:

Exhibit A: A rambutan. (Here you go.)

And of course, what grocery experience would be complete without a visit to the fully-staffed nut bar?

Happy Thanksgiving everybody -- I'll be on my way to New York tomorrow!!!

xoxo,

b

No Explanation Required.

(But if you want one you can find it here.)

Best. Day. Ever.