5.06.2008

No Wonder I Love It!!

Rachael Ray is the most fabulous person in the world!! Did you know oregano means joy of the mountain? She just told me that. NO WONDER I LOVE IT SO MUCH!! It is seriously my favorite spice. I put some fries in the oven and went to put salt, pepper and oregano on them and though I just re-arranged my spices (yes, there are that many) after cooking late Saturday night, I COULDN'T FIND IT.

I won't lie.

I panicked.

What?! It was scary! That is seriously my favorite spice and I will put it in every single dish. Even eggs. You know how some people are about hot sauce and ranch dressing? Ketchup and oregano. But oregano goes really well with ranch dressing, too... omg... I just had an epiphany. Ranch dressing, hot sauce, s&p, oregano on fries... there are no words. I'm tempted to go through the 25 minute fry cooking process again just to experience that. That's what the weekend's for, folks. Big plans. LMAO! Why do managers use the word "folks" so much? It's so disingenuous. I've gotten used to team but folks? Especially in the north. Stop it.

Back to business. So after frantic moving around of spices, Worcestershire sauce and Pam, I found the oregano tucked in the back. PHEW!!! Praise God for that one! No really. After chastising it for being so far back, I caressed the bottle a bit and sprinkled liberally on my fries. And just now upon hearing what oregano means, I know it is kismet that I love it. Loosely translated, my name means "beautiful light from the mountain." *throws down mic*

5.03.2008

Mediterranean Chicken Crepes

I wasn't sure what I'd get at S.quare Cafe today until I was waiting for my church homie and I looked down at the specials board. And there it was. Chicken, kalamata olives, onion, capers, mushrooms and red pepper in a lemon white wine sauce wrapped in three golden crepes. Love. Love on a plate. Absolutely marvelous. Simply divine.

Afterwards we walked to this vintage store. FABBBBBBBBBBUUUUUUUUUULLLLLLLLLOUS brooches!! NEED! And a cute hat, too. But I thought they were a bit overpriced. $50 for costume jewelery and $38 for a used hat? Especially when I bought 3 hats for $12 in the parking lot across the street last summer. (Oh and since it's Derby Day, let's talk about how I have a new "need" for the new year. A fabulous Derby-esque hat and not necessarily by her, but I wouldn't complain.) Yeah right, sir. I should've haggled with him. Maybe next time. I'll have to catch him on a Tuesday morning when they're slow. It's a recession, honey. It's time for you to come up off some of that merchandise. "You can do it, you got it in you. No eggs... no baloney!!" :) One of my fave movies.

5.02.2008

The Thrill is Gone

I used to love M.ad Mex. It was my favorite Mexican restaurant in the 'burgh and I would take people there when they came to town. Now... not so much. This is the second time I had some food I wasn't really down for. Recipes they obviously had not perfected yet but put on the menu anyway.

The first was their mole. I know I'm not a chocolate fan but something about the sauce just tasted off. Something was not quite right about it. Last night I had the lamb burrito. First, the waiter seemed to have no idea what I was talking about even though it was on the chalkboard when you walk in. Always know the specials, kid. Always. It's supposed to be "locally raised Elysian Farms Lamb Barbacoa with mint-pineapple salsa." I was wary of the salsa but it was pretty good. I love lamb but that was the part I wasn't so fond of. Some of it was tough and tasted like pork. The burrito had pinto beans in it. That wouldn't have been so bad if the beans were evenly cooked. Some of them were hard, some were soft. Not cute. It came with a blue potato hash which was exquisite. Better than the main dish. I'm so tired of filling out comment cards but these people need to know. Sigh.

I still LOVE the guac and their fire roasted tomato-chipotle salsa is FANTASTICALLY fresh. Love indeed. But the 'ritas... Every Mexican restaurant worth its salt has fab margaritas. Theirs? Not so much. They don't pack a punch like they should. It's mostly just juice. You can never taste the tequila. This, my friends, is a problem.