Weekend Update

While I've learned a thing or two about cooking since living in an apartment for the last two years, Joel's a different story.  During college Joel mostly lived off chicken nuggets, ramen noodles, and probably a slew of other things I don't even want to know about.  Needless to say, he's not entirely domesticated, but we're working on it.  As you look below you'll notice Joel featured as professional cutter for this meal.  We enjoyed a lazy Sunday together while listening to some fun music, which I'm finding Joel really enjoys to do while cooking, and got cookin'! We made white bean chicken chili, which I prefer over beef chili.  I even got Joel to wear an anthro apron, but he refused to let me take a photo of it.  Sad, I know.

What you'll need:

-peppers of your choice

-onion

-garlic

-can of white beans

-chili powder

-ground cumin

-chili seasoning packet

-bag of frozen cor

-chicken

-cheese

Put the peppers, onion, and garlic in pot for 10 minutes before adding other ingredients.

Add chicken, spices, corn, and beans.  Let sit for two hours.

Enjoy!

Tea for Two

Things I love about living together: lazy afternoons filled with tea and look-alike mugs. 

Scallop Gratin

My sister recently told me about this dish who heard about it from here.  It sounded easy and delicious, two very important things when I tackle a new dish.  Within the past couple of years I've really taken to cooking, but I am still learning, so when I have a foreign, but successful dish I'm easily excited.  Joel and I count this as a success (Even if it wasn't true, which it is, I do feel completely comfortable putting words in his mouth, just an fyi).

I paired the dish with sautéed spinach and sprinkled leftover prosciutto on top as a side dish.

And voila, scallop gratin!

1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter

at room temperature
1 large garlic clove minced

1 small shallot minced


1/2 ounce thinly sliced prosciutto minced

1 tablespoon minced parsley


1 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice


1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil


2 tablespoons panko
bread crumbs

2 tablespoon dry white wine


1/2 pound fresh scallops

Triple D

Last stop on the Portland Post express, Maine Diner.  Joel and I found this little gem after watching an episode of Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.  The mouth watering dishes looked so delicious in the episode that we were easily convinced to make a quick stop on our way home.  While my corn beef and hash was scrumptious, the real winner was Joel's cod cake benedict, one of the most amazing breakfast dishes I've eaten!

Maine Diner 

2265 Post Road

Wells, ME

Duckfat

Did I mention that this week's posts would all involve some fun Portland photos, well they will.  Here's a few photos from its adorable downtown and the most delicious lunch spot!  We enjoyed fries cooked in duck fat, a duck confit sandwich with blueberry jam and brie cheese, and if that wasn't rich enough, a bacon, goat cheese, and tomato sandwich as well.  Delish.

Duckfat

43 Middle Street

Portland, ME

Weekend Update

Yes, believe it or not I actually ate/tried more food from this fabulous fair they call the Big E.  I'm starting to think the E in Big E stands for eating extremely eloquently.  Just a guess.  

It was such a great day not only because I ate my way through it, but because I got to spend it with some of my very best friends!  And yes, that it a burger with a donut bun.  

Weekend Update

Friday was an absolutely perfect night!  The BF and I, who I will refer to as Joel from here on out, or as long as I feel like it, met up with two of our best friends for delicious food, fun drinks, and even funnier faces.

Food For Thought

Since staying with my sister I've eaten like a complete Queen!  Her and my brother-in-law are such wonderful cooks that I'll miss their cooking next week.  Last nights menu: Pizza, or as my mother would call it, "Za." Despite it being morning, this meal still looks so delicious to me!

A Side of Homefries, Please

This is yet again another continution of my long labor day weekend. While still in Newton as this point, Joel and I set out to find a breakfast place while simultaneously checking out a few surrounding towns.  Our mutual love for food and all things greasy makes us an easy pair to please.  After a simple google search we set out for Sorella's in Jamaica Plain.  I'm pretty sure they have the largest array of omlette selections I've seen at one restaurant, and yet, neither Joel or I got one. 

Weekend Update: Boston, Beers, and Backyard Brunches

This was the perfect wind down summer weekend.  On Saturday my family and BF came to visit Newton(my temporary residence for a few weeks, thank you, sister).  While my dad, sister, brother-in-law, and BF attended a Red Sox game, my mom and I participated in a sport I'm slightly more familiar with, shopping.  It was the perfect sunny day filled with fun purchases(including a $30 Lilly skirt from a second hand store, score), fun drinks with my mom, and an absolutely delicious dinner at Citizen Public House with the whole crew.  

Oh, the only catch, I took not one picture while out and about because I forgot my camera at home.  

One point-innocent bystanders.  Zero points-Me.

But lucky for you, we had a tasty brunch in my sister and brother-in-law's pretty backyard.

More to come from the weekend!

Good Eats

Shocking, I know.  Good Eats, really?  I swear I do more than eat on vacation, much to the contradiction of my recent post.

This little Italian place has been one of my families favorites since we started coming to the island.  Not only are the portions enormous so you have delicious leftovers for next day's lunch, but the dishes themselves are so artfully prepared that it's hard to imagine such a small place could produce such big flavors!