Foodie – Page 2 – …on the B.L.

French Silk Pie

February 9, 2019February 9, 2019 RaeAnna

Beau wanted to help with the pie… | Sweatshirt Dress | Sherpa Socks

French Silk Pie is one of those treats I have only ever bought because it’s French Silk Pie. It’s a hard pie to make, right? Actually, no. This pie was requested in place of a Birthday cake. Birthday people get what they want on their birthday, so I obliged. I did a bunch of researching online to find a good recipe. Which is when I realized, French Silk Pies have raw eggs in them… I had no idea. None at all.

I do what I always do. I found recipes and took the bits I like from several ones and added my own flair. I’m terrible at following recipes. I rarely find a perfect recipe, so I make the perfect recipe… Well, I think it’s perfect, but you should try it and let me know!!!

I like to make my own pie crust, but store bought are lovely too. Use your favorite pie crust recipes or a store bought. Either taste wonderful.

Ingredients

1 pie crust

Chocolate Filling

½ cup white sugar
½ cup butter
3 oz unsweetened or semi-sweet chocolate (whatever you like best)*
2 tsp cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla
Pinch of salt
2 eggs room temperature or 3 eggs refrigerated
½ cup heavy whipping cream, whipped

Whipped Cream Topping

1 cup heavy whipping cream
3 TBS powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

*The eggs are more elastic when they’re room temperature. To get the silky texture it’s important to have have that quality. So if they’re chilled add another egg to get the same property.

Instructions

Make and bake the pie crust according to the instructions. Allow it to cool completely before filling.
Whip ½ cup of the heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Place in a bowl in the refrigerator to keep cold.
Whip 1 cup heavy whipping cream in a bowl with powdered sugar and vanilla (you can substitute almond if you prefer) until stiff peaks form. Place in a bowl in the refrigerator to keep cold.
Melt the chocolate in the microwave or a double boiler until smooth. Set aside to cool.
In a mixer, combine butter and sugar on medium speed for three minutes until a light yellow color and fluffy.
Mix in vanilla, salt, cocoa powder, and melted chocolate for a minute until well combined.
Add in the eggs one at a time beating for two minutes between each egg. The mixture will be silky and fluffy.
Carefully fold in the ½ cup of whipped cream.
Fill the pie with the chocolate filling.
You can either spread the 1 cup of whipped cream or pipe it (for a decorative effect) on top of the pie.
Place in the refrigerator for a minimum of two hours.
If you want you can shave or get fancy and twirl chocolate and sprinkle it over the top as decoration.

Cut and enjoy! It’s incredibly easy. It only takes about 20 minutes to assemble if you use a store bought crust. This is one of those classic pies I grew up eating on special occasions. I absolutely love how surprised I was at the ease of making this pie. I highly suggest it for your next event! Even Valentine’s Day or Galentine’s Day, which is coming up quickly!!!

Shop the Post
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”3471222″]

I love this sweatshirt dress. It is so cozy. Perfect for the Houston winters. I wear it a lot. Like a lot a lot. At home I live in these red sherpa socks. My new apartment has wood floors, and these keep my feet warm and padded from the hard flooring.

Baked Goods, In The Kitchen

Pumpkin Scones

October 16, 2018April 15, 2019 RaeAnna

Pumpkin Scones

It’s that time of year. Pumpkin time. They’re everywhere. Is it just me, or do they increase in popularity annually? Not that I mind. I live and breathe for the three months a year pumpkin pie is an acceptable dinner option… Is that just me? Whatever, I’m gonna keep consuming whole pies.

As much as I love pumpkin, I am actually really picky about the pumpkin pie alternatives. I hate Pumpkin Spice Lattes. They’re not my jam. I want to show you a few of my favorite fall pumpkin recipes, which I have fine tuned over the years. They’re not super pumpkin punchy, but they’ll get you in the spirit.

The first of many recipes to come is a fabulous breakfast option to go with your morning coffee or PSL or cocoa or apple cider. Fall options are the best options. Anyways! Here’s my quick and easy pumpkin scone recipe. The glaze is not necessary, but a yummy, sugary addition. I made my own pumpkin puree, but canned pumpkin is just as good. I suggest chilling it in a container, so it doesn’t get that metallic flavor.

Ingredients
Scone

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/3 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter* – cold and grated
3/4 canned pumpkin puree – chilled (don’t chill in can)
4 Tbsp buttermilk
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extrac

Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
2 Tbsp half and half , then more as needed
1 tbs pumpkin puree
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp ginger
1/8 tsp nutmeg

*Note on butter. I like to freeze the butter and grate it frozen. It takes a lot of the effort out of cutting it into the flour mixture, in my opinion. Keeping the butter cold is important because that’s what gives the scones a flaky texture. So the faster you work the better! Also if it’s frozen, it stays colder that much longer.

I hear Starbucks has a seasonal pumpkin scone, so why not save some money and impress your friends by making it at home!

If dipped warm, the glaze will finish smooth!

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425°
Mix all dry ingredients thoroughly in a large mixing bowl.
Grate frozen butter. If you want to follow tradition: Cut butter into 1/2 inch cubes.
Mix butter into the dry ingredients. Work quickly to incorporate, so the flour holds together without being wet. Don’t overwork. There will be very small chunks of butter incorporated thoroughly.
Make a well in the dry ingredients. Crack the cold egg, cold pumpkin puree, cold buttermilk, and vanilla into the well.
Mix all the ingredients until combined. It will be a firm dough that will hold its shape. It shouldn’t be very sticky.
Form dough into a a 1 ½ to 2 inch thick disk. Cut into eight equal triangles.
Place on baking sheet.
Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown.
While the scones are baking…
- Whisk all the ingredients for the glaze in a bowl. It will be a golden brown color flecked by the spices.
Pull the scones out and place on cooling rack.
Dip the top of the scone into the glaze. OR drizzle the glaze on top of the scones. I like to dip them when they’re still a little warm; this allows the glaze to have a smooth top that drips down the sides.
ENJOY!

I would love to hear all about your favorite pumpkin recipes! Let me know in the comments!

Travel, Travel Eats

Salt + Lime

August 9, 2018 RaeAnna

Salt + Lime is a wonderful Mexican restaurant in downtown Steamboat Springs, Colorado. I wanted to enjoy a rooftop dining experience before leaving town, and I had heard good things about this restaurant.

The decor is really cute and modern. I had to wait a few minutes for a rooftop table to open up – worth the wait. I ordered a mocktail at the bar, which is a concrete with a black and white tile base.

Once at the rooftop table, I enjoyed another mocktail because there were just so many yummy options. The server brought over chips and salsa. I am telling you, they are crack. Whatever seasoning they sprinkle on top, it is addictive, and I am slobbering just thinking about it. As the food connoisseur I am, chips and salsa just wasn’t enough. The chorizo fundido combined with crack chips are fabulous.

I ordered two tacos the al pastor and the lamb. Honestly, all other tacos are trying to be this al pastor taco. So much so, I ordered another one. I just about exploded. The bison burrito: also wonderful. No one gets to go out to eat with me without sharing at least a bite. Not sorry.

I didn’t have room for dessert, but the menu looked yummy.

I highly recommend this fun restaurant. The view is unbeatable. So grab a bite, grab a drink, and send me the recipe for the crack chips!!! I’m desperate!

Salt + Lime
628 Lincoln Avenue
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
970.871.6277
Facebook – @SteamboatDining
Instagram – @saltandlimesteamboat
Twitter – @DineSteamboat
#suckalime

Travel, Travel Eats

Bésame

July 30, 2018 RaeAnna

I hadn’t been to Steamboat Springs, Colorado in nine years. Almost exactly. The first full day in town, I wanted to walk around and scout out all the new stuff. I walked passed Bésame, smelled what was wafting out the door, stopped to look at the menu, and I knew I would be back before long.

Fast forward a couple days.

The decor is fabulous. At the bar, there are blue velvet chairs. Equal parts comfy and luxurious. There are floor to ceiling windows looking onto downtown, which open up during service to let in the fresh mountain air. There is a small patio with four tables. Succulents adorn each table. The dining area is beautiful decorated with dark wood. An upstairs has extra seating for parties or the busy season. Spanish music plays in the background. (I danced on my way in and out.)

These photos are taken from two different trips to Bésame. I was too full for dessert the first time; I had to go back in order to try their kickass desserts. The first time we sat on the patio, and the second time we sat at the bar. There’s just the right amount of shade to make it fabulous.

The service was impeccable. Hayzen was our server and the bartender both times. Being a non-drinker who still likes unique, fancy drinks is not always easy for bartenders. He is my new favorite, so if I come into a pile of money and have an event, I will hire him immediately. I had a virgin peach mojito (fantastic) and then a virgin spicy, sweet passion fruit margarita. Seriously, amazing. Not only is he a talented tender of bars, he is incredibly personable, knowledgeable, and truly passionate about the restaurant.

The food was fantastic. There is a smatter of South American and Spanish dishes. I saw Patatas Bravas on the menu and, duh, had to order it. Then I ordered the Tostada de Vieja Ropa. I dated a Cuban for a bit in college, and he introduced me to Vieja Ropa, which is now one of my favorite foods. I have high standards and Bésame met them. What I loved about the dish: it was served on a sweet plantain disk. Believe me, it’s awesome! The kitchen accidentally made an extra order of their special of the day, which was a chorizo tostada with a small green salad. Hayzen – being the fabulous man he is – sent it our way. He jokingly said “Just leave a good review!” Little did he know, I was already geared up to write this phenomenal review. I should probably go post on yelp too…. Anyways! The chorizo was awesome. I don’t love refried beans because they usually have an au de tin can after taste. Not these! Yum. The table next to mine wanted me to let you all know the ceviche was the best they’d ever had. I am inclined to believe them because they were older with what seems like a good handful of money by their dress and jewelry. Anyways, the ceviche is always changing depending on the fresh fish market, and that day it was made with salmon.

For dessert on the very last day in Steamboat Springs, I enjoyed the Kaffir Lime Churros and the Banana Bowl. Hayzen said the Kaffir Lime Churros have a slight fruit loop taste because of the unique flavor combination. He is not wrong. It’s not in an intense fruit loop flavor, and it definitely does not have the refined sugar throat coating quality. It’s served with frozen wine grapes and a Mexican hot chocolate dipping sauce. The Banana Bowl came highly recommended, and I will recommend it to you. So good! I can’t even describe it to you in any other words than heavenly.

So the reason the food is so delectable is because everything on the plate is made in house. It’s hard to beat fresh ingredients. It’s even harder to beat food made in house. You can taste the difference in the tortillas and plantains and especially in the refried beans. Pickled onions are amazing when they are freshly pickled. I love that sweet crunch they added to the Vieja Ropa!

I went to Bésame for lunch because we were trying to keep vacation costs low by cooking dinner at home, and lunch tends to be cheaper for equally great food. (Pro tip: go out for lunch on the weekends, you’ll save a bunch!) Anyways, it is definitely more expensive than McDonald’s, but it is affordable and a really wonderful experience. I would like to go back and enjoy dinner; the menu is bigger and looks delightful.

If you’re ever in Steamboat, this is the place you need to go to!

Bésame
818 Lincoln Avenue
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
970.761.2561
Instagram – @besamesteamboat
Facebook – Besame Steamboat

Travel, Travel Eats

Davanti Enoteca

July 11, 2018 RaeAnna

I was really loving my mocktail! Who needs alcohol?

I am not blowing smoke up your ass. Davanti Enoteca is my favorite restaurant I have been to on this earth. It has consistently excellent service, food, atmosphere, and quality. I would keep going back for one of their desserts alone, but it is wonderful. They solidified there place as my favorite restaurant this trip. Keep reading to find out why.

I found Davanti Enoteca in Little Italy on Taylor Street in Chicago almost four years ago. I have brought many friends into the wonder of this little place in the years since. It is owned by Francesca’s, and has a few locations in Chicago and San Diego. I haven’t been to the other locations, but the one in Little Italy is perfect.

The atmosphere is rustic chic. The tables have their numbers painted on their beautiful surface. The lighting is dim and cozy. One wall in the back is lined with wine. Back when I was a drinker, I would always buy a bottle because you’ll want to sit, stay, and revel in the experience. Two walls are lined with floor to ceiling windows. There are high top and regular tables.

The menu changes regularly with the seasons and ingredient availability with a few things staying around for good. The menu is designed as small plates to share. You don’t have to, but I love this. If I’m there with one other person, I usually order between three and five plates plus a dessert. The polenta is so good, but filling. I suggest to order it last otherwise it will fill you up before you’ve even started. They have 10” wood fired pizzas. There salads are great! Actually, everything is delightful. If the gnudi is on the menu, order it! This is a command. You won’t regret it. There are tons of options for vegetarians too.

As far as dessert, you can’t go wrong with anything. If you ask me and anyone else who works there or has tried it, the Brown Butter Blondie is the best thing you’ll ever put in your mouth. I mean it. I can’t go to Davanti Enoteca without ordering it. I refuse to share. I also have to take one home to my best friend if she’s not with me, or she me never speak to me again.

I was so excited about all the desserts!!!

I recommend having a reservation if you are dining on the weekends or during normal dinner hours. Otherwise you might wait a little while. They do have a bar with wonderful cocktails and an excellent beer and wine menu. I suggest their housemade limoncello.

The service is exceptional. I have had a reservtion every time, and my table has always been ready. I’ve never had to wait. The waitstaff is superb. They are attentive and kind and always knowledgable about the menu, specials, and drinks. They are willing to suggest things, but I’m sure you’ll want to try everything like me. I like to order a plate at a time, so I can eat and never feel rushed. It ends up being a course-like experience. With every course, a new plate arrives, so none of the previous flavors affect the new dish.

Chicago is a foodie city. You can spend hundreds of dollars on a single dinner for one person if you wanted to. I love food, but I also love keeping my money. Davanti Enoteca isn’t cheap, but it won’t kill your wallet either. The food is high quality like the service and atmosphere. The experience is a steal for the price. I wouldn’t go on a lazy Tuesday in sweat pants. It’s a date night, girls night, etc. kind of place. At least, for me and my budget. I can eat a lot, so I probably spend more there than most.

Just look how pretty these cannolis are!

I love being a blogger. Like I mentioned in a previous post, I am not in it for the free stuff. I do have a certain following, and when I feature restaurants it is because I want to not because I am being paid. For them, like the books I feature, it is a new avenue of publicity. It is genuine and honest publicity. (For a bad restaurant review see here.) I went to Davanti Enoteca without telling them because I seriously love this place. I do follow them on Instagram. At dinner, I was taking pictures throughout because I’m a blogger wanted to write this piece. They found out I’m a blogger. My waitress said they were going to send out an Heirloom Tomato Carpaccio. By this point, I was full. So I said so. She said “are you sure? It’s light.” I repeated I wasn’t sure. So she responded, “I’m going to send it out, you can always take it home.” Oh my goodness. It was light, but amazing. The tomatoes were juicy and delightful. It was perfect with tiger prawns and pea sprouts. So good. After that I ordered a cappuccino. Then the kitchen sent out three of their best desserts: the Brown Butter Blondie, Pana Cotta, and Cannolis. Holy bonanazas. It was so much food. So good. It was when the desserts came out, that the thought crossed my mind, “I think this might be free. Oh my God. I’m in heaven” As I was surrounded by too much of my favorite course to eat, I have never loved being a blogger as much as I did in that moment. They sent out a few courses “on them.” They didn’t ask for anything in return. I’m not writing this because they did so. They did however, solidify my undying love for them.

Anyways, if you’re in Chicago or ever have a chance to go, do so! You won’t regret it!!!

Trust me. You deserve this kind of happiness.

Instagram: @davanti_enoteca
@davanti_taylorstreet
1359 W Taylor Street
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 226-5550

Travel, Travel Eats

The J. Parker

July 10, 2018 RaeAnna

I went to The J. Parker, a rooftop bar, at the Hotel Lincoln in Old Town Chicago. I really want to love this place, but I really can’t.

Last weekend, was my little sister’s birthday. She wanted to go to a rooftop bar in downtown Chicago to celebrate. As the loving person I am, who is also always up for fun, food, and cool pictures, I said, “Absolutely! Whatever you want.” So four of us headed to The J. Parker around 1:15 on a Friday afternoon for a fun girls day. I am completely aware this will be a busy time, but that is no excuse. I was a waitress and bartender for years while my freelancing worked on becoming lucrative. I know the business, and I know how hard it is.

When you enter the lobby of the hotel, there is a guy standing behind a podium to the right. He checks ID’s to make sure everyone is 21 and legal before you hop on the elevator to head to the rooftop. There’s a hostess at another podium, who will tell you to take a seat anywhere. First and foremost, the view is to die for. There’s a covered patio, an uncovered patio, a covered patio bar, and a fully enclosed bar. We sat at the bar first to wait for a table outside to open up.

I’m not a drinker, but their mocktails were great and reasonably priced at $5. My friend’s said their drinks – for normal people – were yummy. I wouldn’t call them cheap, but they are what you would expect from an upscale Chicago bar. When we claimed a table with a view, our waitress came up, took our order, and we never saw her again. I had to track her down to get the bill for our food. If I was a lesser person, it would have been very easy to leave without paying. Not even kidding, we didn’t see her for over an hour. She never checked to see how the food was or if we wanted more drinks. We would have spent quite a bit more money on drinks, but decided nah because, frankly, we weren’t being served.

The food was sub par. I ordered a fried chicken sandwich with fries and cheese curds. The flavors were good, but the chicken was only on half of the bun. There was a really thick, gross layer of chicken skin and fat covering the whole piece. It looked disgusting, and made the sandwich pretty much inedible. Not pleasant. I did like their fries and chees curds, but it’s hard to fuck up french fries and fried cheese. My friends had identical experiences with their food. The prices are reasonable for the city, but I do not suggest eating there unless you hate yourself.

They are absolutely banking on the fantastic view and good drinks. However, the service is the worst I have ever had. It was busy, but not busy enough to warrant our AWOL waitress. I suggest it for the Instagram pictures and a fun place to drink with friends, but do not eat there or have a waitress. Just go to the bar.

Instagram: @jparkerchicago
1816 N Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 254-4747