iFoodagraphy

It's time for February's iFoodagraphy (iPhone Food Photography for 

those of you new to this)! 

Check 'em out!

First off was a night out with our dear friend Morgan (Hi Morgan!) at Sweet Hereafter. A fun little speakeasy on Belmont that is also Vegan friendly. We had a ton of fun and I especially liked that I could continue my love affair with Bourbon here. :)

Pantry Meals: Roasted Carrot & Golden Beet Coconut Bisque

You guys this is my best pantry meal to date. 

Hands down. 

And I owe my good friend Nicole (Hi Nicole!) and having my wisdom teeth taken out a big thank you for the idea. She and I were chatting the other day and she mentioned a beet soup she had at a restaurant that was called "Red Velvet." 

Roasted Acorn Squash with Spinach Quinoa Salad

Happy Monday Folks!

Husband and I took another trip to the Farmer's Market the other weekend and got a ton of goodies! I'm so excited to use all our fresh, locally grown produce. 

This salad was the perfect way to start! It was super filling and tasted so good that we were able to have it for dinner and didn't need anything else. 

Happy National Margarita Day!

Happy Friday ya'll!

Did you know that today is National Margarita Day? Well now you know! Every February 22nd from here on out you'll be prepared. 

You can thank me later ;)

Zwicklemania!!!!!

Do you guys like beer? 

What about FREEEEE Beer? 

If the answer is yes. and yes. Well I have to tell you about my weekend. 

Homemade Mint Oreo's

I told you I'd be back with another sweet treat!

I love Oreo's. Well, really I love the frosting inside of Oreo's. I totally twist my Oreo's apart, scrape out the frosting on the inside, and then eat the crunchy chocolate cookie sides one after the other. 

What? You don't? 

Lebanese Tabbouleh

Are you as over chocolate as I am? 

After Valentine's Day, or any holiday really, I feel like I need a MAJOR detox. Especially since I usually eat my body weight in sweets. What? You don't? 

Maybe it's just me ;) 

Well I have the perfect detox for you! 

Kitchen Musings...

A little Saturday morning kitchen musings. I promise I'll post a real recipe on Monday ;) 

I've been reading a lot of blogs lately, about food mostly. Are you surprised?



And I stumbled upon the Sprouted Kitchen. It's safe to say I've fallen in love with this site.

It is beautiful.

But there is one thing, in particular, that really resonated with me.

Portland...I love you.

In honor of Valentine's Day...I decided to write a little bit about my love affair with our new city Portland...

Don't worry, husband's not jealous. 

So if I hadn't mentioned it by now, husband and I are new to the PDX (Portland). We are LOVING it. Portland is the only city I know that has such a special (some may say WEIRD, I say UNIQUE) personality. If you don't know what I'm talking about, just watch one episode of Portlandia and you will understand. 

We haven't been here long, only 7 months, but it's already made a very special place in my heart. I can't wait to discover more. 

Photo taken from Wikipedia

Valentine's Dinner for Two

So, I told you how I'm convinced that the way to any boy's heart is through his stomach when I wrote about these little morsels of deliciousness.

Well, if you want to make your guy love you even more this Valentine's Day, I highly suggest you make him a steak. And not just any steak, but a steak smothered in a Creamy Blue Cheese Sauce. Yeah, I went there. 

Valentine's Day Dessert Ideas

Are you looking for some Valentine's treat ideas? 

I've got you covered. 

I'm convinced the way to a boys heart is through their stomachs. But, more importantly, I'm convinced that a way to a boy's heart is with peanut butter and chocolate. Put those two magical ingredients together, and I promise girls, the boys will come a knockin'. 

When husband cooks dinner...

Husband surprised me with dinner the other night. 

Portland's Winter Farmer's Market Fun

Husband and I went to Portland's Winter Farmer's Market today.

I fell in love. 

This Just In...

Husband surprised me with dinner tonight. 

It smells like an Italian restaurant in our home. 

(Don't worry I'm stealing his recipe)

There's also a little of this....

And he just told me I get to rent a "girly movie" tonight. 

I'm one lucky lady. 

Photo taken by Ifong Chen

Homemade Bloody Maria's

I am so ready for the weekend! Are you? 

Only one more day left (after today that is!) and I have a little Bloody Maria mix for you to start your weekend brunch plans off right. I made this mix for the Super Bowl and it was really really (seriously really) good.

Super Bowl Recap Part II & Jalapeno Poppers

If you're just tuning in, I'm doing a little recap of my Super Bowl eats this week. You can see other Super Bowl recipes here, here, and here. 

Super Bowl Recap & Spinach and Artichoke Dip

So I thought this week, I'd do a little recap of my Super Bowl eats. I've already shared with you Husband's Pulled Pork Sliders and my Mom's Hummus, but what I didn't tell you was that there was also Cheesy Spinach and Artichoke Dip (I think I ate my weight in this - not even kidding) and homemade Jalapeno Poppers that were so spicy  they turned my girlfriend red from head to toe! And then I experimented with Bloody Maria's (Bloody Mary's made with Tequila instead of Vodka) and I think I fell in love. 

Caprese Sandwich

Is everyone recovering from the Super Bowl ok? I definitely had to put the fat pants on after yesterday's game! I have to say, I'm pretty upset with the 49ers losing.

But you know what makes it better? Sharing my absolute FAVORITE sandwich in the whole wide world with you. I'm not kidding. I could eat this Caprese Sandwich every single day of my life and be happy. 

My Life in France...

Is my book for February! 

One month down on my "Read at least one book a month" 30 before 30 checklist. I'm so excited for this next book. Why? Well, it has been my dream to go to Paris. I've been to the south of France, but never Paris, and husband and I are planning a trip for this fall! (I can't stop smiling just thinking about it!)

I also, it seems, LOVE to cook. (If the blog wasn't a clue, I don't know what else would be ;)) I want Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking cookbook, so badly and I just never seem to stop and buy it. (Maybe I need to add buying that to my "30 Before 30" list...hmmmmm) I also LOVE the move, Julie and Julia (I know I'm a dork). But I have a feeling after reading this book, I'm going to want to watch that movie again!!