Tag: Foodie

Travel, Travel Eats

La Fournette

RaeAnna

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My best friend has been talking about La Fournette for longer than I’ve known her. I finally got to go. After a less than pleasant experience to The J. Parker, we decided we needed to have something exceptional. So Kelsey took us to La Fournette in Old Town Chicago.

I love macarons and coffee. The first time I had macarons was when I was living in Southern France. Not to sound uppity, but I have high standards. La Fournette is owned and run by a French family. There macarons and eclairs are authentic. Nothing to fear here.

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They had some really inventive flavors like Moscow Mule and Tequila Sunrise with more traditional pistachio, espresso, raspberry, and a whole bunch more in between. I only ordered three because they are surprisingly filling. Also the macarons are very reasonably priced at $1.80. I can hardly find any in Houston for that price! The coffee is strong and yummy.

The atmosphere is lovely. There is a lot of wood giving a rustic french vibe with sun streaming in through the windows. The music was strictly in French. I loved it!

Instagram: @lafournettebakery
1547 N Wells Street
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 624-9430

Books

Kitchens of the Great Midwest

RaeAnna

Read Meh
Length 310
Quick Review Through the eyes and flavors of many, the story of a great midwestern chef, Eva Thorvald, is told from her childhood to success. I enjoyed it because I’m a Midwestern girl.

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I snagged Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal because I am a born and raised Iowa girl. I lived in the Midwest for 25 years. It was on the title alone. It was an enjoyable read. Many of the cities mentioned I have spent time in. The recipes, culture, and flavor were all familiar.

Eva Thorvald has good food in her blood. She moves throughout the Midwest collecting flavors along with experiences that contribute to her culinary success. Only the second chapter is told from Eva’s point of view. The other chapters are told from people who encounter or are close to her. The plot begins before Eva’s birth with each chapter jumping years into the future. I did enjoy how each chapter was left on a cliffhanger leaving you wondering. Though, the cliffhangers were on the predictable side.  

There were a lot of interesting aspects to the novel. I’m not sure if I liked it or not. I thought the ending was nothing special and largely guessable. It was interesting the Midwestern foods Stradal chose to highlight. Throughout the novel there are classic recipes most of us middle-americans are familiar with.

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Though Eva is the main protagonist, she plays a minor role in most of the stories comprising the novel. The other characters range from likeable to abhorrent. Each character plays a role in Eva’s journey whether she is aware of it or not. Overall, the book is a lesson in someone being a sum of all of their parts, as well as, it’s a small world. I think it’s a state of mind most Midwesterners share.  

I suggest reading it. Although, I wish there were a few Midwestern recipes he left out.

Memorable Quotes
“Iowans knew how to appreciate the two most precious things in life – family and warm weather.”

Title: Kitchens of the Great Midwest
Author: J. Ryan Stradal
Publisher: Penguin Books
Copyright: 2015
ISBN: 9780143109419

 

Travel, Travel Eats

Fly-By-Must-Eats in Chicago

RaeAnna

I love Chicago. I lived in the area for two and a half years. I worked in downtown for a while. It’s a city I can’t spend enough time in. There are so many things to do and see and taste. Seriously, it is a foodie’s city. So many amazing restaurants, and infinitely more I haven’t been yet. I could probably talk about the food in Chicago for just about ever, but I won’t.

I want to talk about four of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. I could dedicate an entire blog to the food I love in Chicago, so I’m just including my fly-by-musts for when I’m home for a day or two.

Naf Naf Grill

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I LOVE Naf Naf. I found it when I worked in downtown. I ate it all the time. Almost every day. This is not a hyperbole. It’s cheap. It’s quick. It’s healthy. It is beyond scrumptious.

I love Middle Eastern food. They have a garlic sauce I still crave on a weekly basis, but the tahini is excellent too! The shawarma and steak are great, but honestly I eat strictly vegetarian here because the falafel is that good. Have it in a pita or a bowl with rice, lettuce, hummus, or couscous and top it with great stuff. You have options. The lentil soup is worth a try. Everything is cooked in house and in plain view. I love watching pitas made in their bakery.

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Naf Naf means ‘fan the flame’ in the context of bringing people together for a sense of community over a shared meal. They come through. I have never entered without being greeted and treated well. Their staff is attentive, kind, and full of personality. #Nafon     

In downtown Chicago, you can spend a pretty penny on food. You won’t at Naf Naf. Unless I felt like eating myself into a coma, I would never spend more than $9. Believe me, you will leave stuffed. Hold my pita, I’m going back for seconds!

Davanti Enoteca

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This is my favorite restaurant. As the foodie I am, I do not say that lightly. So much so, I am dedicating a whole post to this place. 

Authentic Italian food in Little Italy. I accidentally happened upon it one day several years ago. I keep going back because everything is amazing. A testament to this, is they are always busy. So make a reservation. The menu is always changing. Thankfully, my favorite dessert, the Brown Butter Blondie, is always there! Plates are made to share, although I don’t always.

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I wouldn’t call this a cheap restaurant, but you can find far more extravagant in Chicago. Go for a beautiful meal and leave a few pounds heavier.  

Portillo’s

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Portillo’s is an institution in Chicago. Have you even been to Chicago if you didn’t eat Portillo’s? I didn’t grow up in Chicago or Illinois, so I don’t have that innate love for the place natives do, but I always stop by.

Known for their Italian Beef, they also have hot dogs, salads, desserts, and more. I suggest an Italian Beef Sandwich dipped. I get mine with cheese on it because cheese. Dipped means they dip the sandwich in “gravy” or what the rest of the world would call the juice. It’s a messy sandwich. Roll up your sleeves and dig in. You won’t regret taking part in this institution.

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I don’t think I have ever been to an empty Portillo’s. There are always people and usually a line. The drive-through around-ish lunch or dinner consists of two lines with quite the wait. It’s worth it. Everyone thinks so.

Argo Tea at Connors Park

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This one isn’t a restaurant so much as a specific little cafe I love to visit. You can definitely grab a cup of tea and a nibble, so it counts. I found Argo Tea while living in Chicago. Their tea shops are all over. The tea is great. It’s yummy, and there are tons of unique flavors hot or iced. Buy a cup of tea, tea leaves, bottles of tea, or stock up on some swag. They brew the tea in front of you and offer yummy snacks.

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This specific little gem is located in downtown Chicago at Connors Park. In a historic area full of beautiful architecture, it stands out. Modern and made of glass, it’s perfect for a respite. I found it one frigid winter day as I was wandering. My hands and nose were numb. I saw it and dashed for the door. Inside the transparent walls, I felt warm and cozy like I was in a greenhouse. A fountain only added to the affect. I love going and sitting because I feel like I’m watching the city without having to be a part of it. Also the tea is delightful.

I highly suggest taking a break from the bustle for tea time. It’s small, but you’ll love it. It’s hard to find, so here’s the address.

Argo Tea at Connors Park
871 N. Wabash Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611

 

In The Kitchen, Sides

Red, White, & Blue Recipes for the 4th

RaeAnna

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The fourth of July is an excuse to invite a bunch of friends over and heat up the grill. If you’re looking for a patriotic and healthy addition to your celebration, look no further! Here’s some red, white, and blue for the day.
One of the best things about summer is watermelon, at least, according to me. I decided to add a fun twist to an old favorite. Grilled watermelon is not new, but it still remains fairly unknown. I’ve read included a couple of super yum variations. For the white and blue, I topped vanilla yogurt with homemade blueberry compote; it’s great for breakfast, a snack, or dessert.

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INGREDIENT LIST
Grilled Watermelon
~ Watermelon

Feta, Basil Grilled Watermelon
~ Watermelon
~ Feta
~ Fresh Basil
~ Kosher Salt

Cilantro, Lime Grilled Watermelon
~ Watermelon
~ Fresh Cilantro
~ 1 Fresh Lime

Vanilla with Blueberry Compote
~ Vanilla Yogurt
~ 12 oz of Blueberries
~ ¼ of Water
~ ¼ of Sugar

Grilled Watermelon
Grilling watermelon is incredibly easy. The hardest part is cutting the watermelon. I promise, it is worth the effort! Tip: You can cut and dice everything up to the day before and keep it chilled in the refrigerator. I like to have all the ingredients in cups, so people can make their own buffet style!

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  • Cut the watermelon into pie shaped slices about ½ an inch thick.
  • Heat the grill to medium-high heat.
  • Put the watermelon on the grill for between 3-5 minutes each side until char marks appear.
  • Pull off grill, and it’s ready to enjoy. Or continue below…

Feta, Basil Variation

  • Cut basil into thin strips and sprinkle on top of watermelon
  • Sprinkle feta crumbles onto watermelon
  • Drizzle with balsamic vinegar (I used chocolate balsamic vinegar just because)
  • Add a dash of kosher salt (or any I just prefer kosher)
  • Dig in! This is my favorite variation!!!

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Cilantro, Lime Variation

  • Chop parsley and sprinkle on top of watermelon
  • Cut limes and squeeze over the watermelon
  • Dig in! This is light and delicious

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Vanilla Yogurt with Blueberry Compote
I love my yogurt with things mixed in. It’s great any time of the day. This is great for the holiday because it’s sweet, cool, and light for a healthy dessert. The blueberry compote needs to be made ahead of time, so it can cool down. It’s also amazing with bread pudding, pound cake, and so many other things.

  • Pour blueberries into a sauce pan with water and sugar (I saved a few berries for garnish later.)
  • Over medium heat, bring the ingredients to a simmer
  • Stir constantly until the berries have popped and the sauce thickens considerably
  • Pour compote into a container and set aside to cool completely
  • Once cooled, this can be poured over yogurt or saved for a week in the refrigerator


I hope you enjoy! I really had a blast making this and mostly eating! It just tastes like summer!

Baked Goods, In The Kitchen

Banana Bread Surprise

RaeAnna

Banana Bread Surprise

It’s not a secret I like to eat… or cook… or bake. If you follow along on Instagram, you’ll probably see the ridiculous amount of things I consume by way of my stories. I like food. Nay, I love food. It’s the perfect partner while reading.*

I have always had a soft spot for banana bread. It’s the right amount of sweet and nutty because I fill mine up with nuts. The other day, I was craving banana bread and cheesecake simultaneously. I decided to make banana bread. I wanted to add a little something extra because I’m adventurous like that. You can imagine where this is going… Banana bread with a cheesecake surprise filling!!! “How?” you ask… I’ll tell you because we’re friends!

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Ingredients
Banana Bread

  • 3 ripe bananas
  • ⅓ cup butter
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • Pinch of salt
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup crushed nuts *optional* (I prefer pecans but walnuts are great too)

Cheesecake Filling

  1. 8 oz cream cheese
  2. 1 egg
  3. ½ cup sugar

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F, and butter a 4×8-inch loaf pan.
  • In a bowl, mix together cream cheese, egg, and sugar until smooth. Set aside for later.
  • In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until completely smooth. Then on high speed mix butter and sugar into mashed banana until light and fluffy.
  • Mix in the egg. Add baking soda, salt, and vanilla extract. Mix in the flour.
  • Fold in the nuts.
  • Pour half of the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Pour the cream cheese mixture onto the batter. Then pour the remaining batter to cover the cream cheese mixture.
  • Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for a few minutes. Then remove the banana bread from the pan and let cool completely before serving.
  • When slicing there should be a layer of cheesecake between the banana bread layers.
I came up with this idea because I have weird cravings, which are absolutely not pregnancy related! I am just a weirdie. It looks like a normal loaf of banana bread until you cut into it.

I explained this recipe to several people. Several were hesitant, but they all tried it. Much to their surprise, I’m a secret genius… I ended up making a few batches because it was so popular!

*Aside from my dog, but she is a given. Assume Beau is the best pawtner in everything I do!

 

Baked Goods, In The Kitchen

Thumbprint Cookies

RaeAnna

I love baking. In my family, like many others, recipes become part of the landscape of our lives. The recipes are handed down through generations.

Thumbprint cookies are some of my favorite cookies, and they come straight from my Great Grandmother’s recipe box. Although, she never baked them for me, my mom always did. I had never baked them myself until last year because they were always her specialty, and I was teensy bit scared I would ruin them. They’re amazing throughout the year, but I grew up with them during the Christmas season. They melt in your mouth with a nutty outside. Not too sweet, you can eat dozens of them if you’re not careful! I absolutely adore them with a cup of black tea and a book. The perfect afternoon snack.

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup Butter
  • ½ cup Brown Sugar
  • 2 Eggs Yolks
  • 2 Egg Whites Beaten
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla
  • 2 cups Flour
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • Chopped Nuts (I prefer pecans or walnuts)
  • Favorite Jam or Frosting

 

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350॰ F. Ungreased cookie sheet.
  • Mix together butter, sugar, egg yolks, and vanilla. Add flour and salt. Blend well.
  • Roll dough into balls. Dip the balls in egg whites then roll in chopped nuts. I rolled them in pecans this time. Place cookies on ungreased cookie sheet at least an inch and a half a part.
  • Bake for five minutes. Take out and press thumb into the middle of the cookie to create a shallow bowl. Put back in oven and bake for eight more minutes.
  • Pull cookies out of the oven when golden brown and firm to the touch.
  • Cool completely
  • Fill the thumbprint with your favorite jam or frosting or leave unfilled! My favorites are blackberry jam, buttercream frosting, or pastry cream. They’re so delicious!