"Enchilada" Pasta

Mmmmm cheesy, meaty, pasta-y goodness

Most nights when I ask Mark what he thinks of the dinner I made he says "it's good, I like it". To me that is a success, especially because most of our dinners are really healthy and full of vegetables (which Mark isn't the most fond of). But every once in awhile my question is met with an enthusiastic "this is delicious, what's in it!", such is the case with this recipe for "enchilada" pasta as Mark lovingly named it.

It's the perfect dish for us because it combines meat, pasta, veggies, and cheese while staying relatively healthy until we decide to eat all 4 servings in one sitting.... It was an accident, I promise. But I don't even feel the need to justify, sometimes you just need a big bowl of pasta, sauce, and cheese.

No need to feel ashamed.

Grilled Chicken with Tomato, Corn, and Barley Salad

Something happened the other day. I was browsing my favorite food blogs when I happened upon Iowa Girl Eats recipe for grilled chicken with barley corn salad. The second I saw the picture of the final product I knew I had to make it, which is exactly what I did tonight (with some minor changes).

Since I still had some leftover salsa I used it to marinade the chicken in a ziplock bag for a couple hours. I also used medium sized beefsteak tomatoes as that is what I had on hand and omitted both the bacon & avocado because I didn't have either (that needs to change soon). To make up for not having bacon I added some chicken broth to the barley. And lastly, I kept the barley salad warm.

I don't know how all my substitutions affected the flavor the dish was suppose to produce, but I do know that both Mark and I thought it was pretty tasty! Mark even dug in with no complains after learning that the tomatoes and corn were raw (so proud)! I will take it as a sign that he would't mind if I made it again ;).

The recipe does take a little prep work, but keeps you busy enough that you don't really notice.

Restaurant Review: Buca di Beppo (Maple Grove Location

Most of us at Buca fro Daren's 25th birthday

Back in June our good friend Daren turned the ripe age of 52... I mean 25. It was a big one because he is the first of my friends to do so. If you couldn't already tell, we are pretty tight with Daren and his family. We try to get together once a week, and you will often find us over at his house where Mark will be playing MLB The Show with Daren's little brother Jeff. So when his birthday rolled around he and his family kindly invited us along for a birthday dinner at Buca. If you recall, Mark and I had recently tried Buca for the first time and were anxious to try it again.

We went with Daren, Jeff, their parents (Daryl & Sue), their aunt (Cheryl), and her roommate (Patty). Once we were seated the complimentary bread basket was delivered. Forgetting our previous experience, we made the mistake of eating some. It was a regrettable decision; sorry Buca two strikes and you are out with the bread basket.

Next we started looking at the menu, which turned into Mark and I getting schooled on the way Buca works. As it turns out each entree serves at least two people and there is still a good chance you will have leftovers. So Mark and I sat back and let Daren and his family take care of the ordering because we were rather lost.

Restaurant Review: California Pizza Kitchen (Maple Grove Location)

Lunch date at California Pizza Kitchen

Every Sunday we take Chloe to the dog park because it's our day off from running and she deserves to be able to sprint at her speed every once in awhile. We usually take her to the Fish Lake dog park over by where we go grocery shopping. It’s a nice fenced in area within a big park, but sometimes we like to spoil her and make the drive over to the massive Elm Creek dog park.

The Elm Creek dog park is 30 acres of fully fenced dog paradise. It also has a swimming pond for the dogs to cool off in so yes, this is quite the treat for Chloe.

One Sunday at the beginning of June (6.3.12) I needed to go to Victoria’s Secret to look for a strapless bra and there just so happened to be one located relatively close to the Elm Creek park meaning on this day Chloe would be a lucky dog.

Getting ready to run into the pond

Cooling off at Elm Creek dog park

Fast-forward past wet, smelly dog and success at Victoria’s Secret and it was lunch time. We usually try to plan when we eat out as it keeps us conscious of the fact that we are doing it. Something that has helped our overall physical and financial health, but when hunger calls we listen.

Restaurant Review: Hooters

In Mark's and my relationship sometimes the stereotypical roles each of us is suppose to play is backwards. For instance, when we first started dating I was way more into sports then Mark, begging him to watch games with me. Another role in which I play the guy, and one that most find more surprising, is my love for Hooters and their wings. Mark had never been before we started dating until I finally convinced him to go with me. I will say though, that I consider myself luck to be with a guy who doesn't check out other women right in front of me, commenting on their looks.

Back to their wings. I fell in love with them when I was in middle school or high school when my cousins' grandmother took us there because we wanted to go. I know what you are thinking, Clara is pretty kick ass and its more than true. Hippest grandma around, hands down. And after the first time Mark and I went he was hooked too.

Unfortunately, the only open Hooters in the Cities anymore is in the Mall of America.... Which Mark and I don't frequent very often. However, one afternoon in April (4.25.12) we found ourselves in the vicinity. You see, Mark is an Actuarial Analyst working his way to ASA and he had a test in Woodbury that day. It was a double score because not only was his test FINALLY over, it was a Wednesday.... Or should I sat Wingsday. That's right, all you can eat wings at Hooters.