Tourists

Yesterday, my husband and I decided to be Boston tourists. Kinda.

We took the T into the city with no real destination except to walk around the Faneuil Hall area. Tourist central. The weather was gorgeous, sunny and warm with a nice breeze.

We got off at the Park St. stop and headed over Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market where it was plenty crowded.

We decide never go into Boston A. when it's nice out and B. during the day. It is always bad weather or at night. We really got to appreciate the beautiful greenery and buildings around the city like don't normally get to.

We then walked by the area near the aquarium then stumbled upon a restaurant called Warehouse Bar & Grille for lunch. They were still serving brunch so obviously we had to eat there. It had a cool, industrial vibe and we were able to sit outside. 

I had a Breakfast Mojito (Blueberry Pancake Liquor with lime juice and mint and Tim had the "Raven" with maple bacon vodka, muddled cherries and oranges, and and whiskey aged bitters.

Then the food.

I had the Green Omelette which had avocado, spinach, feta, asparagus and a side of mixed greens.

Tim had the Eggs Benedict

We split a side of Sweet Potato tots that came with ketchup and some kind of sweet, cinnamon-y, amazing dipping sauce.

The little basket just made them all the more delicious.

We then wondered down to the Newbury St. area and ended up at Rattlesnake Bar & Grille. We knew that there was a rooftop bar but had never been on it (we had eaten there a few times). The roof ttop bar area was...meh. 

But our drinks (Cranberry Jalapeno Margarita and Pineapple Sage Margarita) were perfect while sitting outside.

We split chips with different kinds of salsas and guacamole

After snack time, we walked back to the T via the Common which was packed and full of amazing people-watching.

Once we got home, I decided to do a "Sunday Cook-up."

Coconut Butter Granola from How Sweet Eats.

And unpictured hummus. Sorry.

Dinner was Eggplant and Lemon Risotto which was from Yotam Ottolenghi's Plenty. This cookbook is full of amazing vegetable recipes inspired by his restaurants in London. I originally was very intimidated by the cookbook when I first got it a few years ago but now I feel ready enough to tackle it. 

Risotto is a bit of a labor of love in that you cook the aromatics and veggies, add the rice and cook, then ladle-ful by ladle-ful, add stock and stir until absorbed. You do this over and over again with 3 cups of the stock. The rice becomes creamy (with no cream!) after about a half hour of doing this routine. You also have to use Arborio rice which becomes creamy due to its high starch content.

It also called for a bit of wine. Now, I hate opening up a full bottle of wine for 1/2 cup. Yes, I know I could drink it but I don't always want to. So I buy these instead:

Baby bottles of wine. Perfect for the small portions you need for cooking. Or college students.

Buon Appetito!

Exquisito

To start this post, I just want to give a thank you to all of those who read my blog out there! I appreciate the support and love hearing when you are inspired by a post. 

It seems like as the warmer weather approaches, the weekends are getting busier and busier (even the weekdays). Which, no complaints at all. Especially after a long winter of not being able to do anything. Often times, this means more blog material! 

On Thursday night, I made these Chocolate-Dipped Coffee Kisses for my sister-in-law, Sarah. She was hosting a bridal shower as the maid of honor/only bridesmaid and needed some help with the food. 

They were good! I cooked them at 225 degrees Farenheit for an hour and a half then left them in the oven overnight. This makes sure that the meringues are crunchy by drying them out. I also read that is difficult to make these when it is humid out so luckily it was not. I obviously had to taste-test at least one of them to make sure they were edible.

Yes, that is a cow spatula.

The meringues had a coffee flavor and the next morning I melted dark chocolate and dipped them in. Mocha flavored!

I joked to Sarah and my mother-in-law that they looked more like poops than kisses but hey, at least they tasted good right? Actually, they look like peeps too.

Saturday morning was rise and shine for a 5K in Abington. The best part was that we were sponsored by a local bar and was able to go back to the bar to have beers and a free buffet.

So we ate and drank all of the calories we burned (and them some, I'm sure).

Later that night, we went to the movies with our friends Ashley, Shawn, Kate, and Brian. We met at La Scala in Randolph for dinner. La Scala is a very well-known Italian restaurant in the South Shore area but I had only been once before.  

I got the Chicken Bona Boca which was chicken stuffed with prosciutto and cheese and had a marsala and mushroom sauce.

My husband had the Shrimp Exquisito which was fried shrimp sauteed in butter, brandy, and marsala wine. 

For dessert, we had "off menu" (a.k.a. we just really wanted them and asked if they could be made) Espresso Martinis. Ashley double-fisted a martini and a hot espresso. Crazy. A couple of others had non-liquid desserts, too. Our plan was to go see the Avengers but it wasn't playing until after 10 and it was about 8 at this time. We killed the remaining time at a Bertuccis next to the movie theater by drinking more. Because we didn't drink enough during the day (they all also ran the 5K).

More weekend updates to come!

Accidentally Plated

I accidentally ended up with Plated this week!

My husband says "accidentally" but it truly was an accident. I was experimenting to see if I could get the first-time user discount (as a second-time user). It didn't work, lesson to all. And somehow I ended up with an order of three meals at my doorstep. I swear I never even hit submit! Nonetheless, it was a happy accident.

In the spirit of keeping Cinco de Mayo alive (just kidding), this recipe was Steak Fajitas with Peppers, Onions, and Cholula Guacamole.

The serving was huge as it came with 3 fajitas per person. I also decided to add some Chili-Lime Roasted Carrots on the side. My own recipe. I just took 6 carrots and halved them. I tossed them with lime olive oil, chili powder, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and garlic powder. In a 425 oven, I roasted them for about 20-25 minutes.

The combination of the cool and creamy guac mixed with the tender steak and sweet red peppers and onions was a really good combination.

Eat on, folks.

Weekend Eats

Hellooo my friends.

I hope you had a great weekend. It is feeling like summer!

Friday, my husband and I went out to eat with our friends Sara and Brendan. Sara is an adorably expectant mother so we are making the most of hanging out pre-baby. We went to Alba in the center of Quincy. They have an awesome roofdeck but for some reason, it was cooler on Friday compared to Thursday. Weird.

I had a Brick Chicken with mashed potatoes and veggies. The skin was so crispy on the outside and moist and flavorful on the inside.

My husband had Duck Two Ways with squash and pureed sweet potatoes (he took this picture. Apologies)

We all had some good cocktails none of which I can remember. I mean, we didn't have much to drink. I just can't remember what the drinks were. No judgments people.

Saturday was girls night at Cait's place where she made me and my friend Ashley mojitos. The best part was that they could be customized with the choices of strawberries, blackberries, and/or raspberries! Very cool. 

The master at work

She even made a homemade mint simple syrup

And had bought local rum from Dirty Water Distillery in Plymouth

They were good! Also, the mason jars just make the experience all the more better. We went out for sushi for dinner then came back to watch Fifty Shades of Grey because we are classy like that.

Sunday was a cookout at my parents' house for Mother's Day. Yes, I forgot to take pictures. Yes, I'm a terrible food blogger. My contribution was Giada de Laurentiis's grilled potato salad that I made a little while ago and Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies I made the night before. My mom made bomb burgers and we had toppings like cheddar cheese, sauteed onions and mushrooms, and bacon. For an appetizer was bacon-wrapped dates (sensing a theme) and a watermelon sangria. For dessert was a strawberry shortcake. Perfect summer-y day.

Early Cinco de Mayo

Where did this week go? It's almost Friday, woohoo!

On Sunday, we went to the Beehive in Boston for brunch with our friends Mandy and Robbie. I just love brunch. This was a jazz brunch and on the late side (1pm) but it was the only time a reservation was available. 

We had some drinks obviously.

My husband's Bloody Mary

My "Queen Bee" with vodka, grapefruit juice, elderflower liquor, and champagne

For an appetizer, we all shared a banana walnut coffee cake with honey butter

My entree was Shakshuka. Shakshuka is an Israeli breakfast dish with eggs poached in a tomato sauce often with peppers, onions, etc with spices. This one was served with a creamy polenta, Moroccan sausage, and pita bread to sop up the liquid.

After brunch, we walked over to SOWA which is an outdoor market that is in the South End of Boston on Sundays. It has part craft fair, part vintage market, and part farmer's market with food trucks. Amazing really. Today was packed as it was opening day for the summer and gorgeous out. 

Once we got annoyed with the crowds, we went back to Mandy and Robbie's house and for dinner we (they) made a taco-riffic feast!

Since it was so nice out, they grilled steak and tandoori chicken (homage to Robbie's Indian roots).

We also had salsa that was homemade by their Colombian neighbor. It was so fresh and amazing

We also had grilled corn

It was all so good. On the side was the corn, a coleslaw, and potatoes. I guess we were a couple of days early for Cinco de Mayo.

Blu

On Sunday, I went with my family down to my sister Rachel's wedding venue in Warwick, Rhode Island (Harbor Lights). It was nice to see it on a sunny day as the last time we went, it was cold and rainy. My father had yet to view the venue so it was a good chance for him to see it.

Gorgeous, right? The ceremony is going to take place right in front of the marina, just to the left of this picture. 

After the tour of the venue, we headed to BLU On The Water in East Greenwich, RI. It was the perfect day for eating at a restaurant on the water. Although we did not eat outside. But the option was there.

Three of us started off with Strawberry Basil Sangrias. Very refreshing. 

Props to my mom for taking this picture

Next, all 7 of us split an order of pillowy, round Clam Cakes (near) and Calamari (far).

My entree was a Watermelon Arugula salad with feta and a cranberry-citrus vinaigrette. It was BOMB. Definitely keep an eye out for a recreation here on Onion Tears. It was a combination of sweet, salty, and peppery. My mother and I also split an order of Truffle Parmesan Fries. 

I just have to show a picture of my sister Emily's order which was Scallops and Applewood Bacon. On a bacon STEAK. 

You can see the steak under the scallops. 

After that, I hung out with my parents for a bit (playing badminton with my mom. Well, we just hit the birdie back and forth in the driveway until one of us drops it) then headed home. The husband was with the guys for the night watching "the fight."

Yesterday, we had brunch in Boston so more to come about that.

I Just Wanna Take Your Thyme

While cleaning my spice rack this morning, I heard Sam Hunt's "Take Your Time" while I was holding the thyme. Isn't that hilarious?? I texted it to my husband who said I had good thyming. Food humor.

Anyways, sorry for the lack of updates. I haven't been around after work much this past week. Tuesday night we visited my friend Mandy whose husband, Robbie, was on business travel and downed two bottles of wine. Typical.

Then, it was Wine Wednesday at the Whole Foods in Dedham. As you know, I have been to a few of their demonstrations/classes/wine tastings (here for example) in the past. Martin the wine buyer for Whole Foods at this location is awesome. He is so knowledgeable but extremely approachable and down to earth. He doesn't go into all specifics about each wine but his main goal is to make sure you walk away with ideas of wines you like. We tried rosé wines tonight! I'm usually not a huge fan so this was a good way to push through that barrier.

The class wasn't about pairing particular wines with particular foods as rosés tend to go with nearly everything. The wines were from different regions like France, Argentina, California, and Italy. He also threw in a White Zinfandel to show off its extreme sweetness. Rosés are often seen as a refreshing summer wine. French rosés are only sold in the spring/summer so that is why people associate rosés with summertime. My friends Liz and Mandy also went and our favorite was this one (it was only $10!!):

We tried a variety of foods to show that anything can really work with rosés.

Marinated shrimp skewers. There was also a piece of comte cheese
that somehow didn't make it in.

Steak with kimchi.

Garbanzo bean cake with hummus and tabbouleh. This was one of our favorite bites.

Buffalo wings with a blue cheese dressing purposely paired with a sweeter wine.

Lemon macaron and a cracker/cookie with goat cheese and honey.

The aftermath

Somewhere along the way this week, I made this White Been and Sausage Ragout with Rosemary Polenta from Cooking Light. It was a hearty meal without being too heavy. I loved the sauciness of the ragout paired with the creamy polenta. 

The surprise ingredient in this was

The recipe called for a turkey or regular Italian sausage but in shopping at Wegman's, I came across this (but really my husband peer-pressured me into buying it) and decided to switch it up. It was good! I didn't get any super distinct flavors from it in comparison to a pork sausage, though. Has anyone out there had boar in some form before?

Today, my family and I went to my sister's wedding venue in Warwick, Rhode Island then had dinner at Blu On The Water in East Greenwich. That is a post for another day :).