Another Blog

Some days I'm convinced I start blogs just because I like making cover images. It may not be the worst reason. This is going to be a collection of stuff I like and that I've made. It'll be random and silly and occasionally insightful (if I'm lucky).

Welcoming the snow Imperial-style!

Spicy Chicken Nachos

We've been using the barbeque quite frequently this summer and recently came up with a killer meal: Spicy Chicken Nachos!

I took a few chicken breasts and put 'em on the grill. While one side was cooking I covered the other in Frank's Xtra Hot. When I flipped each one I doused the newly exposed side with hot sauce. I did this about five or six times, building up a wonderfully spicy, crunchy coating on the chicken.

Once the breasts were cooked, I took them inside and cubed them. We then topped chips with the chicken, red pepper and a whole lot of cheese and stuck it into the oven until the cheese was good and melted.

VERDICT: Favourite!

Desperation

This Friday I was busy making preparations for a weekend away and forgot to have lunch, after only having a few cookies for breakfast. The hunger hit me early into an hour long drive. I tried to endure the gnawing, twisting stomach, but knew it was going to be a long drive. This desperation lead me to do the unthinkable. Kristin brought a banana with her for a snack, and ..., and ..., well, I asked her for a bite!
 I took a big bite because I knew that I wouldn't be able to force myself to take another. It was excruciatingly gross. Soft and mushy and gloppy. Chewing it is impossible, it just goops it to new areas of my mouth. I had to focus and slow my breathing so I wouldn't be sick. Eventually I was able to swallow. I lived and didn't need any more food during the drive. Whether it was because the banana was filling, or the overwhelming grossness killed my appetite I'll never know.
VERDICT: GROSS!

Spinach Dip

I've always known that I didn't like spinach dip. It's hard to convince people of this though, so this last weekend I tried Tostitos Spinach Dip. I even used a Tostitos tortilla chip when I tried it, since I figured they would be designed to work best together. I still didn't like it. It isn't gross, but it is nowhere near good.
VERDICT: Owen List - It's not that it's disgusting, but I just can't like it!
photo from: http://www.islandprovisioning.bz/tostitos-creamy-spinach-dip-15oz

Guest Post: I Heart (Ham)burgers

This summer, my husband and I went on trip to Minneapolis, MN. While we were there, we hit up a quaint little Cuban place called Victor's 1959 Café. We went there because we had seen it featured on an episode of the Food Network's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. We were seated outside and given menus. After humming and hawing over what to get, I finally decided on the Black Bean Burger.

According to the menu, the Black Bean Burger is "a veggie burger with a Cuban twist!" On it were black beans, sliced tomato, cheddar cheese, sour cream and spring mix. I opted to add sliced avocado to the burger as well. It was served up on toasted Cuban-style bread with yuca frita on the side.

All I can say is that this burger changed my life. It was no average veggie burger - it was slightly crispy, and flavorful with a delightful texture. The avocado and sour cream were a divine combination to the crispy patty, and the bun...THE BUN! It was lightly toasted on the bottom and insanely soft and no other word but HEAVENLY on the inside.

As you can see, it was also HUGE. Which I didn't mind, as this delicious burger served as both lunch and supper that day (and tasted mighty fine cold to boot!).  And in case you were wondering, the yuca frita (root fries) were also sooo good. Like a potato with a slight hint of sweet potato, and maybe turnip? Hard to explain, but delicious.

In summary, this was probably the best burger I have ever eaten in my entire life. Looking at this is making me drool - can I eat this every day, please??

VERDICT: Favourite! Maybe even Last Meal worthy!

Breakfast Sandwich Win

Sausage patty, fried egg, ketchup, crispy bacon on a fresh biscuit and stacked nearly as tall as a coffee mug.

Gotta love Christmas Brunch!

Chef Boyardee Ravioli

Chef Boyardee is a staple of some people's childhoods. It wasn't for me. I don't recall ever eating it. Kristin was shocked and appalled when she heard this. Chef Boyardee was her version of my Alphaghetti. So, one day we were grocery shopping, as we semi-regulary do. We had to get a can of CB Ravioli, because I hadn't truly lived (or something like that). A little while later I tried it. I probably should have had it as a child. I think the foods we grow up on are imprinted on our brain and no matter what they actually taste like our brain gives a positive response to them. I did not get a positive response from CB Ravioli. It was fine for canned pasta, I guess, but it weren't no Alphaghetti, if you ask me. Then again, maybe Alphaghetti would taste the same without nostalgia?

VERDICT: Polite - Not terrible, but my memories are always going to chose Alphaghetti.