New York....New. York.Ahhhh how a weekend in this city can re-energize my soul and tire my legs.Our anniversary is in October, so Andrew decided the perfect way to celebrate was with an east coast "stay-cation" to NY on one of the last beautiful "indian summer" weekends this past fall. We like to stay at this little brownstone on the Upper West Side where the streets are quiet, friendly, and Central Park is a mere 1/2 block to the east. So we packed our bags and rolled towards the city on Friday morning.The city was wonderful: "quiet" and 65 degrees cool as we took our morning walking down 3rd Avenue from Grand Central to SoHo (yes we walked from E 42nd street to below Houston...44 blocks). We explored for a bit, shopped, and headed north to the UWS. 20 minutes and a cat nap later we were walking down Columbus to our favorite West side lunchery: Nanoosh. They are a little Middle Eastern place between 68/69th on Broadway just north of Lincoln Center. We love their hummus, tabbouleh, and especially their mint iced tea. It's perfection. Plus, outdoor seating to people watch on a beautiful fall day.For dessert, another west side find...Levain Bakery.Um...ya. Only the best, warm, crumbly, delectable chocolate chip walnut cookie in New York City...truly the best cookie you'll ever eat. Not to be beat out by the laundry list of other delicious treats we had during our city-stay. I mean: we had crepes. we had beer. we had panini's. we had the best sweet potato fries i've ever had. The cookie was just a snack on our way back downtown. But oh so good.

apple pomegranate tabbouleh

One thing I have really missed about our neighborhood in Chicago, was you could get good middle eastern food at multiple places within a 3 block radius of our house. I have been making middle eastern food at home for a few years now...things like hummus, tabbouleh, taziki sauce, jerusalem salad; but I think this recipe always is my favorite. You can make it year round since most of these ingredients simple to find. My favorite part is the chopped fresh parsley, crisp apples, and tart pomegranates that pop in your mouth.

• 1 cup bulgur
• 3 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• 2 cucumbers, peeled and chopped
• 1 apple, chopped - any kind (preferably something crunchy but not tart)
• 1 cup of pomegranate seeds (you can buy these at the grocery store if you don't want to seed your own pom)
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/3 cup fresh mint leaves
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 2/3 cup olive oil
• 1/2 tbs paprika

Place bulgar in a pan (I use a longer pyrex glass dish) and cover with 2 cups boiling water. Soak for 30 minutes...the bulgar should soak up all the water. Fluff with a fork.Chop all the above ingredients and combine in a bowl.Toss everything in a bowl with bulgar. Sprinkle paprika and refrigerate for 2-3 hours to let flavors develop. Toss again before serving.

holy crap, day 5. it's getting real in here.for day 5 I was going to write about something else...but then in bed this morning I just kept thinking about all the little things I've picked up in Chicago over the years that had made living here easier. I kept thinking I hope I meet those people in other cities who know all the little "secrets" of New York and Boston and wherever-else I might land.I keep thinking that I need to download all my Chicago thoughts someplace for someone to read, and benefit from. Some of these are really silly...but I don't care.You can find "evening special" parking downtown for $10 (Van Buren/Wabash) or that there is a lot across the street that is $12 or $14 for the whole day on the weekends.That you can park in the 900 N Michigan Ave building in the evening for $6 if you make a purchase in the mall (hello, this is why I have so many wonderful William Sonoma kitchen towels)That you can find free neighborhood parking just about anywhere as long as you read signs and know what time it is.That Sprinkles cupcakes does a "secret word" of the day that if you whisper it to the cashier they'll give you free cupcakes...and you can go everyday but it's only for the first x amount of people.That the best all you can eat sushi place is "Sushi Para II" on Clark/Webster...$18.99 a person.That you can get free museum passes from the library and go even if you don't have kids.If you are craving a slice of Chicago style pizza but don't want to order a whole one, Art of Pizza in Lincoln Park sells Chicago Style by the slice for $3.That the best Chicago Style Hotdog is "George's" in BucktownThat you can furnish an entire apartment (including your mattress if you're brave) on chicago.craigslist.orgThat IKEA is NOT really that far!The best place to go sit by yourself with coffee and toast is Julius Meinl on Southport.That George's ice cream has the best Rocky Road I've ever had.That you only need to get the 2 eggs special at Ann Sathers because it comes with ALL the sides you'll need (including cinnamon rolls!) and it's super cheap.Hunan Wok is the best Chinese you'll ever taste (Get the General Tso's Chicken and you'll see...)That Lawrence Fish market may not be the nicest storefront but you'll go back there for sushi when you're broke and craving it.There is a food court in Whole Foods on Kingsbury that you can eat on their beautiful outdoor deck.Take a food tour in Wicker Park!Go to iCream in Wicker Park.The best falafel is Sultan's Market, and remember the one in Wicker Park is cash only.The best time to go to a "nice" restaurant is lunch if they are open: my favorites is Blackbird or Province in the West Loop.Go to Mindy's Hot Chocolate in Bucktown...and skip the hot chocolate. Get any of their appetizers (I love the mini pretzels and the cheeseboard) and get a dessert. Go with a Restaurant.com certificate.Order Ala Cart from Mayan Palace...the Quesadilla+$4 margarita's on Tuesday/Thursday.Garcia's in Lincoln Square have the best Fajita's (yes, the chicken is orange, but that makes it better)Frasca Pizza is buy one get one free pizza's on Wednesdays.DMK is known for their burgers, but when we go we get ONE burger to split, and order half orders of all the different kinds of french fries on the menu.Big and Littles on Orleans/Oak. Just go and get one shrimp taco, one tilapia taco, and an order of truffle fries....! Don't be scared of the neighborhood.Pretty much any Bikram Yoga studio in the city has a $29/$30 special for the first month...so go try it.The best way to find an apartment here is padmapper.com.The best view of Chicago is from the Ladies Bathroom in the Hancock building.Ride the brownline from Kimball to the Loop and back...it's the best tour of the most neighborhoods in Chicago and it's only $2.25.Do not fear the Tamale Man...he has frequented the Maproom in Logan Square the few times we've been there...and yes he is selling Tamale's out of a cooler.My favorite Chicago beer is Half Acre Gossamer Ale.Best quick bite downtown right of Michigan Ave is M Burger on Huron right behind the Apple Store. It has a window inside that looks into the kitchen of Tru.The only place to get Stumptown Coffee in Chicago is Bagel on Damen (cash only!)I'm sure I'll think of more during the day...check back for updates.

If it wouldn't have been for Chicago, I...wouldn't have learned how glorious food is.I also wouldn't be contently running marathons to burn it all off, but that's not important in this moment.Can I tell you a little story?I am 18 years old, the freshest you can get as a freshman, and I am downtown at Billy Goats Tavern with a group of friends. If you have watched this SNL skit...this is the "Cheezbourger Cheezbourger Cheezbourger" place..."Chips, no fries."My friends are telling me they've been to this place before, and you cannot order anything else but a cheeseburger (I have learned this is not quite true depending on who's working). Do not ask for any substitutions. No questions. Just a double cheeseburger.I. Am. Horrified.I have never had a cheeseburger!! (Dun dun dunnn)So I suck it up (being the naive 18 year old Yooper I am) and order a Double Cheeseburger, Vitners Chips and a Root beer. No hesitation, no questions. I sit down with my meal and confess to my friends I've never had a cheeseburger. I take a bite. It is GLORIOUS. Who would have thought that cheese on a hamburger could be such a great idea!?Flash forward today: my meals today consisted of Salmon Dill Quiche from Tre Kroner for breakfast and Crunch Shrimp, Crunchy Spicy Tuna, and Cucumber Salad from my favorite sushi place, Dib. Things that I have tried that I hadn't tried then are: mustard, peanut butter and jelly, and pretty much any Mexican food.If you were to tell anyone these days that I use to be the pickiest eater on the planet, I doubt they'd believe you.Heck, I use to eat plain spaghetti noodles with salt on them for dinner because I was "tired" of spaghetti sauce.Chicago, if it wasn't for you...this blog wouldn't exist. I wouldn't be so eager to try to recreate my favorite dishes in my kitchen. Hummus, Falafel, Sushi, Vegan dishes, homemade pizzas, cookies, cupcakes, pastas, sushi, even Chicagostyle Hotdogs wouldn't be on my personal menu of creations if it wasn't for Chicago. I wouldn't know what a Sprinkles cupcake tastes like, I wouldn't know what it's like to dine in a four star restaurant. I wouldn't know what GOOD food tastes like. I wouldln't know how to appreciate exploring other cities for tiny "special" places like the ones I have found here.Chicago--thank you for your restaurants. Echoing my post from yesterday, if it wasn't for the variety and bounty of eateries in this city, I wouldn't know half the people I'm friends with. I wouldn't share meals with them at our favorite places. I wouldn't have dared try anything new if it wasn't for the people I've eaten out with in the years.A toast to you, Chicago. I promise I will bring my "foodiness" to the East Coast to teach it a thing or two.*Also, please check out my 'Chicago' page for a small portion of my "Favorite Restaurants in Chicago" list!

i fell off the wagon this weekend.well...i think the wagon pushed me.I read an article the other day about how eating out and take out affect our lives and it got me thinking:

"For better or worse, we live in an age of multitasking, and being so busy means that many of us take shortcuts when it comes to food. According to the National Restaurant Association, nearly a third of adults say that take-out food is essential to the way they live. Not just helpful — essential."  -Article By: Amanda Genge

So why do I say the wagon pushed me? My wagon is my day to day life I think...life here for me is full of commuting, quick decisions & distractions and just plain busy. We are always going from this meeting to work to this lunch to running to the grocery store, and finally home; exhausted, hungry, and unwilling to leave the couch+netflix/magazine/iphone/computer(whatever is my newest distraction at home).Is this a city-dwellers problem, or just a plain old human kind problem? I think a little of both.Ok so I got my fill of DELICIOUS food that I didn't make this weekend...but here is what I did make last night. And I want to tell you now, O_M_G the old bay season is the secret trick ingredient.

Skillet Shrimp with Orzo

Weight Watchers Points+ 6 servings: 3 points

adapted from Martha Stewart

A few months ago I was walking down Michigan Ave with my sister, and Giada De Laurentiis was doing a demo in front of the Wrigley Building and was passing out boxes and boxes of orzo. Ever since then I have been trying to find ways to use it, and I think I found the perfect place for this pasta to play a leading role.

1 tbs olive oil1 tbs chili infused olive oil (if you don't want to buy it or use it...just use another tbs of regular olive oil)12 oz medium cooked/frozen shrimp1 tsp mustard seeds1 cup shredded carrots2 leeks, sliced into half-moons4 cloves of garlic sliced1/4 tsp old bay seasoning1/4 tsp red pepper flakes1 cup orzo1 1/2  cup chicken broth

1. In a 12-inch skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Toss shrimp with salt and pepper. Saute, tossing, until just cooked through, about 3 minutes. Remove.2. Add remaining tablespoon olive oil to pan; stir in mustard seeds. Cook until seeds begin to pop, about 30 seconds. Add leeks, carrots, and garlic. Cook, stirring often, until leeks are tender, about 5 minutes.3. Add red pepper flakes and old bay.4. Boil the chicken stock5. Stir in orzo, peas, and the boiling chicken stock; season with salt and pepper.6. Remove from heat. Cover; let stand 5 minutes.7. Add shrimp; stir gently.My lesson learned was two fold this week: I can make delicious food at home that is just as good as take out, but sometimes when I'm short on time...it's okay to cheat a little. To make eating out about soaking in time with friends or a breather to my busy day. For me to make take-out food helpful in my life... not essential.Also, check out my new and ever changing list of my favorite places to eat out in Chicago...refinedsugar.wordpress.com/chicago/

So after a long weekend of tramping around town with mom+little sis, 1 chicago style hotdog, a trip to Rosebud (where I got the inspiration for this recipe), the Art Institute and many delicious breakfasts later: I'm back, Wustof in hand, Canon Rebel back in biz to document my fun. I do have to admit though, I love the iPhone pictures, but we'll see how this goes.As I said before, my mom and sister where in town this past weekend for their spring break. On Saturday night, we went from restaurant to restaurant, trying to get a quick table for dinner sans reservations. Finally after walking in circles around River North, we ended up at the doorstep of Rosebud. After shopping and going to museums all afternoon, we were ready for a meal: and boy did we get a treat! I ordered the Fettuccine Boscaiola, which is Mushrooms, Spinach, Garlic in a White Sauce with Toasted Breadcrumbs and White Truffle Oil.  Each bite was divine.  The mushrooms where cooked perfectly to my taste (I like a little bit of cooked crunch...nothing limp when it comes to mushrooms, that's boring!), and the breadcrumbs where a perfect surprise on top. We also had a traditional Spaghetti, and topped our meal off with a giant slice of the Canolli cake. We waddled our way back to the hotel room, and promised that this would be our new dinner place in town.So since I was so inspired, I can't seem to get away from Martha lately, I had to try this. Plus my favorite part is I had all these things in my pantry which makes it all the better. This dish is a carbonara like pasta, quick, easy, ready in 25 minutes.  I opted for turkey bacon instead of pancetta: although next time I may use a high quality bacon. Turkey bacon doesn't give you those delicious crumblies...it was more like bacon chips. I also used about a 1/2 tbs of black truffle oil to give it a little bit of a flourishing aroma and taste.

Fresh Linguine Pasta with Bacon and Peas by Martha Stewart

Ingredients

Serves 4 to 6

• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 4 slices turkey bacon, sliced crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces
• 2 shallots, halved and thinly sliced OR 1 medium onion+2cloves minced garlic
• 1 box (10 ounces) frozen peas, thawed
• 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream or half and half
• 2/3 cup chicken broth
• 18 ounces fresh linguine pasta or any type of fresh cut pasta

Directions

1. Set a large pot of salted water to boil. In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium until crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain (leave fat in skillet).
2. Add shallots/onions+garlic to skillet; season with salt and pepper. Cook over medium, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften, 1 to 2 minutes.
3. Reserve 2/3 cup of pasta water to make chicken broth (if using a boullion cube**).
4. Add peas, chicken broth and whipping cream; season with salt and pepper. Simmer until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.
5. While simmering, drizzle oil over mixture. Toss while continuing to simmer.
6. Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve 2/3 cup pasta water**; drain pasta, and return to pot. Pour sauce over pasta; toss to combine. Sprinkle with bacon, and serve

**I used a bullion cube instead of canned/boxed chicken broth because that's what I had in my cupboard. I made the broth using the water from the pasta so it was more starchy and able to thicken a little better with the peas and onions.  If you don't use a bouillon cube, just reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water and slowly add while tossing with sauce.