10 things I love about America:
Enjoy the holiday!
Why is it that Italian cuisine is almost better as a leftover? I made a generous amount of pasta the other night and I turned into a ravenous beast when I reheated it for dinner last night. This is the most simple recipe and even those who feel like they can't even boil water correctly will find that not only does this taste really damn good, but it's unbelievably quick and easy. I initially saw this on Everyday Italian, but I added the shrimp to it (Doesn't everything taste better with some form of protein in it?) and I used the spinach and chive linguine to add extra flavor, so feel free to play and add whatever you like to this super simple recipe.
Quick Shrimp and Linguine
Sea Salt
1 pound linguine (I got the spinach chive linguine at Trader Joe's)
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, room temperature
1 1/4 cups very finely grated Pecorino Romano Cheese
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 cup coarsely chopped arugula
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1/2 tablespoon thyme leaves
24 deveined, tail on shrimp
For the pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the linguine and cook until tender, stirring frequently, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
For the shrimp:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. On a large pan cover with aluminum foil and place shrimp evenly on the pan. Drizzle olive oil, sprinkle salt, pepper, garlic, and thyme leaves to coat the shrimp. Place in the oven for about 5-8 minutes. You don't want the shrimp to dry out, but the timing depends on your oven and how well done you like your shrimp.
When the water and shrimp are done, toss the hot pasta in a large bowl with the butter. Add the grated cheese, the pepper, and shrimp. The water, butter, and cheese make an excellent, surprisingly light sauce. Add the arugula (it wilts easily so wait to do this right before you serve) and toss to combine. Season the pasta, to taste, with salt. It tastes like an alfredo without the heavy creaminess of alfredo. I promise. Shit. Is. Good. Feeds 4-6 and make double to have plenty of leftovers to be enjoyed over the next few meals.
Eating in this city can be a joy and a pain. A million different restaurants (I've been to Burmese place since I've been here. What that means I'm not sure but I liked it.) and a million different grocery stores. I've been eating in a lot (which is the truest definition of joy and pain) and I've come to realize there are certain things I can't live without in the kitchen. I think you see where this is going... LIST TIME!
5 Items That Stay Stocked In My Kitchen:
Myth: Guys can't drink Cosmos.
Fact: Guys can drink White Cosmos.
After a fantastic dinner at El Mundo the other night, post-dinner cocktails at Proof hit the spot in more ways than one. It's difficult to justify $10 cocktails, but when it's this good, you pay exactly for what you get.
White Cosmo
1 ounce Pepe Lopez Tequila
1/2 ounce Triple sec
1 ounce white cranberry juice
1/2 slice lime for garnish
In a shaker with cracked ice, combine the tequila, triple sec, and cranberry juice. Shake well. Strain into a martini glass, garnish with the lime, and serve at once.
These are best appreciated on a late spring night at the Proof bar where your eyes is pulled in every direction to take in the mid-century pop art, black and white boobie photos, and apple-toting bronzed nymph that sits atop the bar.
I can't believe there are only a few days left in 2007. There were surprises, disappointments, delicious meals, newly cemented friendships, long nights, fantastic parties, and most of all, the discovery of my new favorite things. When I think about 2007 fifty years from now I'm not sure how I would describe it, but perhaps these ten things will jog my memory:
Now that there's a chill in the air and the temperatures have dropped, I can't think of a better relief from the cold than a nice big bowl of chili. The cacophony of flavors and soothing warmth make it an essential dish for the winter. My friend Stephanie, director at the excellent Gallery Nulu here in Louisville, gave me a recipe for some of the best chili I've ever had the pleasure of consuming. I had thirds the first night I made it and over the course of the next few days it got better as the flavors infused together coalescing into one of the best meals I've made for myself. Here's her original recipe:
2 tsp. olive oil
1 big tsp of red curry paste
2 diced onions
3 diced bell peppers (any color)
5 minced cloves garlic
2 tbsp oregano
3 cans black beans, undrained
2 cans diced tomatoes
1/4 cup garlic chili pepper sauce
1/4 tsp salt
Heat oil, add curry paste and saute until bubbling. Add onions and cook until they begin to soften. Add peppers, garlic, oregano. Saute two minutes. Add all that other ingredients, reduce heat and simmer for 40 minutes (or longer if you got the time). I added ground chuck to the recipe to satisfy my inner carnivore, but this could be prepared minus meat. I topped mine with shredded colby cheese but sour cream can also be used. Make it yours and not only will you think me but the next time you see Stephanie you'll want to give her a big bear hug.
What happens when The Look-See, Bitch, Please, and Gold Digger wreak havoc in Cincinnati for a weekend bender of boozery, excess, inconvenient bowel movements, trashy cable television movies, boozery, and fine new threads? Something like this. Rough, I know. In the style of a book my first grade class wrote and illustrated, the weekend can be summed up in a manner of unfortunately, but fortunately statements.
Unfortunately Vinyl was closed but fortunately the prix fixe menu at Slim's was the culinary saving grace of the weekend. No joke:
Tucked behind The Butterfly Garden Cafe and just behind the alley of The Bristol, a true dining secret can be discovered. Le Gallo Rosso's location may seem inconvenient or easily missed in the Highlands dining scene, but the location adds to its unique and sumptuous quality. Brightly colored laterns hang from vine covered walls in the entrance, encapsulating you in a cove of benevolent Italian bistro cuisine. The stucco walls are washed in a salmon color mixed with veritable rooster accents lending itself to a comfortable and homey decor. Patrons are allowed to bring their own wine (free of corkage fees), making any guest feel as though they are truly at a gathering for a good meal and festive evening. The restaurant is small, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in sheer savory delight on their brief but perfectly edited dinner menu.
Every entree comes included with salad and freshly baked bread, a rare find in the neighborhood. The salad comes wrapped in a beautiful bouquet of fresh mixed greens, pine nuts, and gorgonzola cheese that unravels perfectly on the plate from the ribbon of cucumber. It's just enough salad to satisfy your initial hunger but also enough to complement and hold over your appetite for the main course.
I try to keep this blog as focused as possible but from time to time it does stray a little bit and tiny morsels about me are revealed along the way. I try not to be so intentionally elusive and mysterious, but I think pontificating about Bunuel or Hilary Rhoda's eyebrows is far more interesting than updates about my little life. However, I have been relatively absent for a while due to intense planning for what was an event beyond belief. I have officially lived in my new apartment for a little over a month and what better way to celebrate than by throwing a late night soiree? Friends, co-workers, and the assorted beautiful people made their way through my new place and noshed on everything from stuffed portabella mushrooms, sushi, fresh pico de gallo, brie, bruschetta, and of course, cupcakes. Naturally dancing ensued and I think a good time was had by all, but the party was a true success when two silly ideas were well executed. One: "La Dolce Vita", "Marie Antoinette", and "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" screening on mute as music (Daft Punk, Isaac Hayes, Serge Gainsbourg, and Prince just to name a few) played in the background, inspiring us to party a little harder along the way. Two: A lovely wall of lights framing the partygoers, bathing them in a sexy glow. Highlights:
Even though they're all a little blurry and off, that in a way perfectly describes the evening. I can't say it enough but I thank everyone who came and contributed to an evening of good food, good drinks, and good times. What more can you ask for?
I played a little bit of tennis in between shifts at work today and not only did I learn that I need to work on controlling my forehand, but something more vital became evident to me. Leg sweat is by far the most disgusting form of sweat on the body, particularly behind the knee sweat. I played in my hideous uniform of khaki pants and pique polo, which sounds like it wouldn't induce such copious amounts of perspiration but I was completely mistaken. I raised my moist pant leg to discover my drenched leg hairs pressed against my dewy calf. I was immediately disgusted with myself. Wiping off the unbelievable mess that was my body was simply not enough after my horrid discovery. After a shower and some much needed relaxation, I was awarded the treat that I needed to forget my sopping wet afternoon: frozen fresh blueberries and vanilla bean ice cream. It's my new summer indulgence aside from air conditioning and summer blockbusters. Blackberries had long been my berry of choice, but how can one resist the firm skin and burst of tangy flavor of a blueberry? Distinguished for its singular blue hue, the blueberry is also full of antioxidants and low in calories. Again, what's not to love? Next time you find yourself swimming in your own sweat, grab some vanilla ice cream and top it with some frozen blueberries and everything will seem less unbearable.
courtesy of maegabriel
esquire magazine would have you believe that louisville has a "staid restaurant scene", but i beg to differ. granted, it's not a niche oriented market like every major metropolis in the country or a smorgasbord of chain restaurants like most small towns. i have evangelically referred everyone i know to the simple but scrumptious delights of toast (i more or less inhaled their meatball sandwich the otehr day at lunch), but i have discovered yet another mouth watering restaurant worthy of praise and repeated bites.
havana rumba is a cuban restaurant with a sultry but inviting ambiance and food that justifies its bustling crowds. you can expect white rice and black beans, fried plantains, and vegetables and meats seasoned and roasted to perfection. i started at the bar with a caipirinha, which is my new favorite drink that i cannot pronounce. it's was a potent blend of brazilian cachaca with lime and sugar. at dinner, i tried their equally strong and tart ultimate lime margarita (i know, i go to a cuban restaurant and don't get a mojito. sue me.). the margarita complimented my dinner, the vaca frita. white rice, black beans, grilled vegetables, plantains, shredded beef and a touch of lime juice was an appropriate introduction to their menu as this was my first time. the bill wasn't hefty in the least bit (around $20) and i enjoyed every bit of my meal. the service was friendly and not slow even though they were busy. places such as these a great find in what seems like an expanding palette in louisville. it's food without pretense and doesn't hurt the pocket.
trust me, havana rumba is not to be missed.
check out their menu and tell your belly to be quiet.
i am normally not a breakfast person, but the true highlight of my morning was breakfast at toast. it's a delicious new restaurant located on market that offers a sophisticated yet simple take on breakfast and lunch.
i had the chorizo sausage and shredded white cheddar omelet with a side of their perfect hashbrown casserole. the omelet was light and airy but a decent size and not short on flavor in the least bit. it was slightly spicy, but salty and melted in my mouth. it's easily one of the best omelets i've ever had. if there is any other reason to check out toast it would be for their hashbrown casserole. it is to die for and i could very easily eat heaps upon heaps of it.
take a look at their menu and i'm sure you can find something that will appeal to your palette. it's how breakfast should be.
