Cravings: WSK

Alright, I have a dirty secret. I am addicted to taking pictures of my food. Full on, need therapy, cannot stop myself problem. And I’m no photographer…. just….cannot….. stop.

like even during a work lunch problem….

Slyly reaching for that iPhone…. act like I’m checking my email… you know.. all Stealth like.

However can you blame me? It was my first time at World Street Kitchen and we all know what happens when I’m eating something for the first time.

Documentation people!

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I was beyond excited to check this place out, as my love for street food knows no bounds. Especially when the cuisine is inspired from around the world. I completely built this place up in my mind.  Any disappointment was going to hurt, big time.

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I went with the Korean BBQ Beef Short Ribs Lettuce Wraps, accompanied by Kimchi. Now I’ve been spoiled with handed down Korean BBQ and Kimchi recipies, but hello delicious.  The flavors hit every note I was expecting.

Really, get up close and personal with this BBQ:

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I will be craving this again soon. And when I do, I’m sure I’ll still be dealing with this picture taking addiction of mine.

Are you trying anywhere new this weekend?

Ode to the Squash

Tis the squash season right? I see squash recipes everywhere, Pinterest, Blogs, Instagram; the squash praises are being sung.

When G was in town she treated me to a little squash dish, one I just had to recreate.

However I admit, I bought a different type of squash. It was in the carton labeled squash, I just grabbed…. and this one took like an hour in the oven…

And I know I did not follow her recipe, as my mind has been inundated with squash!

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Cutting these suckers in half leads to grabbing my largest, sharpest knife; stabbing the middle and inevitably pounding them onto the counter…

Which I’m sure the new neighbors loved.. the ugly new counter just fell victim to my squash technique… sorry new landlord, not sorry.

Spooning out what I lovingly refer to as the GUTS is the worst part…. that texture… reminds me why I was never a big pumpkin fan.

I know, I just admitted to the worst fall sin; I don’t get pumpkins. (cue Halloween Shriek)

For the most simple squash dish ever:

Brown Italian Sausage, then sauté in some kale and a few cloves of garlic.

Where the GUTS once lived, spoon in the sausage/kale mixture and top with shredded Jarlsberg cheese and bread crumbs.

Voila!

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Now go enjoy some squash!

What is on your menu this week?

Treat Yourself-P.B.S.

Treat yourself Tuesday again! If you are not familiar with Treat Yourself Tuesday, head over to Becky’s blog and discover what it is all about!

Today’s TYT is all about P. B. S.

Puppy Birthday Style

That’s right, little furball Olive turned the big 2 years old yesterday 🙂

The day I brought you home was truly my biggest treat. (until that first 3am wake up call…..kidding)

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Watching you grow, play, destroy my yoga pants, chow down on my coffee table, and shower me with unconditional love every single day…. I cannot imagine a better treat.

So for your second birthday, here is your favorite treat…

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I had to help you out with these…

Which led to the necessary…

nap.

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I call that a successful treat. How have you treated yourself this week?

Now head over and check out the other TYTs.

Sterotypical Loungin…

When the raindrops just wont stop…

And the rumors of snow are swirling…. yes snow in October…. (why did I move back again?)

Nothing beats a Saturday morning, spent like this:

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Wrapped in the arms of my furball..

Knowing I had to drag myself out of this cuddle was awful…. off to help Brother move in the rain…

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And my breath is officially taken away.

So brother, when can I move in?

Moving calls for pizza. No demands pizza.

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You can sample this deliciousness at Pizzeria Lola. And yes I inevitably ate the entire thing, which meant I spent Yoga Sculpt in pure self hate…. why why… ugh my thighs… glutes.. everything is burning.

Due to said burning, I applauded myself for having chili cooking away early in the day. I mean who doesn’t cook chili on a rainy, borderline snow weekend. Everyone does, as there was only one brand of diced tomatoes left at the store. There was an all out traffic jam by the beans… and the cilantro was a down and dirty grab war.

I need to rethink my grocery store choices…

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I like a meaty chili… if I wanted soup, I’d make soup. This is chili. Again I don’t measure, but here is an idea:

2 pounds of grass fed beef

1 pound spicy Italian Sausage

1 can black beans

1 large jar of unknown brand diced tomatoes

some cups of beef broth

diced yellow onion, diced green pepper

1 jalapeno, seeds included

cumin,salt, pepper, white pepper, chili powder, red pepper flakes and garlic to taste

To cap off my weekend, I FINALLY discovered that Greek yogurt tastes exactly like sour cream on chili. Perfect.

How was your weekend? Cook anything?

MKE in MPLS Part 2

Happy Thursday! Who is already thinking about the weekend? I am, even though I was able to celebrate Columbus Day…. and by celebrate, I mean nap.

When a little piece of Milwaukee lands in Minneapolis, naps on Mondays are inevitable.

You may have seen our bacon brunch, shopping adventures and French Fries indulgence…. which all had to be topped off with a Saturday night out on the town.

I needed a restaurant with an entertaining atmosphere, somewhat party-ish, and cuisine G does not normally go out for at home.

So Chino Latino it was.

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We got our party atmosphere… pretty sure it was a sorority bachelorette party, singing, chanting and dancing on their table.. Of course I’m thinking, the bride to be is going to slip and fall on a noodle….

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(stop thinking worst case scenario… stop it!)

Just eat your Phuket noodles already…!

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Every table should have smoking sushi..

After ordering and eating way too much food, one cannot leave this party without partaking in the signature drink. Or shot.

The Saki Bomb.

It took a bit of convincing, ok, a ton of peer pressure…

I mean, we needed to blend in with party loving sorority crowd…

But we most definitely had a Saki Bomb success.

I’ll keep the evidence to myself 🙂

What are you doing this weekend?

MKE in MPLS

 A little piece of Milwaukee landed in Minneapolis over the weekend….

So of course I had all the brunch essentials waiting…. A little brie, fruit, an entire package of bacon, fresh flowers, and a cheese magazine.

Fresh flowers are a necessary component of hosting weekend guests.  Fresh flowers are also a necessary pick me up when the condo you rented three weeks ago goes on the market. With the way the condo market is going, I may be the only person ever who moves 4 times in 4 months…..

But I digress…

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An entire package of bacon is necessary, because its bacon. That time I gave up meat, I still craved the bacon. Nothing else, only bacon.

 Enough said.

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A little trip to Saks off 5th is also necessary. If you really need an explanation…..

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Hi G 🙂

One must try on over-sized fur hats…. Especially when the silver fox suggests it… (confession: I like a little silver fox…..)

Where do the single ones go out? Note to self: find silver fox bar…

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And French Fries. Who says no to French Fries?

G and I explored this city, more of our weekend to come.

What did you do over the weekend?

Does anyone else buy themselves fresh flowers?

In Response….

I tried to hold back but then drank too much wine. Or too many PBRs and shots of Jameson…..

  As a Minneapolis resident who recently moved back to the state, I just cannot help but be annoyed with the recent articles and depictions of our city. You can read them here and here.

  Come on, it is time to open your eyes and get over the played out stereotypes. Surprise, its October and 77 degrees out..

I’m not sure what is worse… the dating article or the quotes it is based on…

Dear Big Shot Journalists at Reuters and The New York Times,

Yes we have Prince and burgers stuffed with cheese, but move on. Did you also know or care to research how many James Beard Award Nominees and Winners we have? If you are sticking with the stuffed beef, you’re pathetically missing out. And worse, if you are recommending visitors stop by a national chain sandwich shop, you obviously failed Journalism 101.

Was the point just to perpetuate stereotypes? If so, kudos!

I accept that both articles must be based on a healthy dose of Satire, (at least praying they are) (see here comes in my Minnesota nice)…. when you interview a 31 year old “Graffiti realism” artist who is dating four women, you know you are getting the scoop on dating and mating rituals in Minneapolis. He must speak the truth yo!

What are your specs on interviewees?

How do you big shot writers pick the local locations? You found a flannel shirt and followed it? Where there’s one, there must be two?  You picked a bar i.e. an area where most go to visit on “dive bar crawls”, (no offense bar owners); (See Minnesota Nice) Or bars a majority go to “People Watch.” If you are looking for a horrendous pick up line, its obvious you will find it there.

Really, how did you pick your location? Did you google Northeast Minneapolis and decide there weren’t enough hipsters? Or the $15 drinks downtown were blasé? Perhaps South Minneapolis was too developing? Loring Park wasn’t your style? The North Loop too up and coming (besides Club Jager), wait excuse me, that’s where a guy will “get all up on you dancing.” Or was that downtown, now I’m confused, must be the PBR.

Hmmm wonder what St. Paul thinks of all this… left out?

Did you not care to experience the blossoming brewery scene? The craft cocktail lounges or perhaps any local theater options? I mean, if I am girl number four in your life, I’m going to expect more than a shot of Jamo.

As a reader who actually “goes on dates”, you wrote a ridiculously closed minded approach on the Minneapolis dating scene. But then again, drunken 3 am quotes makes great journalism because here I am writing a response….

You won’t find me on Lyndale, as I’m too busy “having a career, having a job, and not really having fun.” I must have been seduced by the multiple Fortune 500 Companies in and around Minneapolis….

Speaking of wardrobe, I’m still looking for that sequined mini skirt in my closet…. omg I don’t think a single bar downtown will let me in without one! Perhaps it is lost in my “densest layers of flannel.”

Wait, I can’t seem to find my flannel either… one of my multiple love interests must have confiscated them, as “Nobody’s Exclusive” in Minneapolis….

And you seriously have to try to spend $15 on a drink. If we want to really stereotype cities, perhaps you should head to Chicago for that one.

And don’t forget, the new Minneapolis stereotype seems to be that everyone sleeps with everyone, but that’s ok, “its Minneapolis”. Who publishes that crap?

But then again, I must be one of those “short-term” “never wanted to get married” types, the entire reason for my move to “the city.” To find myself…..

Big shot writers, come back and do it again. Branch out. Perhaps do a bit more research than skyways and flannel.

I dare you to come in January. Only then will you know if we are all wanting to “stay at home, cuddle, and watch movies and eat food and be with your pets.”

Sincerely,

Olivedoesthecity aka Ms. I’ve never played Buck Hunter……

Friends who Cook and Pour the Wine

Friends who cook are the best kind of friends.  Friends who cook and invite you over to partake are even better.

The dinner party these days makes a rare appearance. For my circle, it is mainly the restaurant that brings us all together.

I distinctly remember the dinner party making a strong impression upon my childhood. Watching my mother prepare the dishes… assisting by organizing the appetizers… often times serving up the drinks behind the bar, I mean look at that cute 8 year old tending bar! What a dinner party novelty…

Thinking to myself, when I grow up, I want to be a food designer….

Wonder where that dream went and why it was replaced with such an analytical path..

I digress..

Friends who host the dinner party, cook and pour the wine are a favorite of mine…

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These are the type that amaze, that are willing to make a single serving, minus the mushrooms; just for you!

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The type that pours the wine for everyone else.

The type that puts in the time and caters to their partner’s Bffs…

Any time you wanna cook for me, I’m there.

Especially when you are making my fav, Risotto. I’ve totally professed my love for the dish here and here.

And what dinner party is complete without a juicing demonstration?

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I may still not be the biggest beet fan, but hey, I tried it !
A big thank you for the meal and for opening up your home for a weekday dinner party 🙂

And check out www.thekbreport.com the new adventure of Friend’s girlfriend and my friend Kbail.

Toilet Art? Fries and Cocktails

How was your weekend?(Yes I know its Tuesday) Full of food, drinks or maybe a few blurry moments? Perhaps you participated in the Twin Cities Marathon? If so, congrats! I walked by you with my yoga mat and felt somewhat like a motivated individual….

Welcome to another addition of Treat Yourself Tuesday, Becky’s great idea! What are some of the ways you found to treat yourself this week? Maybe the above were some of your indulgences?

My treat this week was a combo of art, food and drinks.  A trip to the Walker Art Center was called for. Its been years since my last visit, so I was due!

Now everyone’s taste in art differs. And I understand I have limited taste/zero knowledge in the art department…

Come on, my personal artwork is still leaning against my new apartment walls, awaiting an able bodied hammer buddy…

While I do love some modern art, I do not and will not understand the Toilet Art.

I’m pretty ignorant…. I am just a curious observer..

of the Toilet….

I did a lot of staring, pondering and chin holding… but it just did not speak to me…

But that is the beauty of art right? So many different kinds and a type to speak to everyone.

Go and check it out, then you will know what I mean…. posting a picture is just not appropriate… It may speak to you!

Post toilet adventure called for craft cocktails at Café Maude..

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And a treating myself/ignoring my art ignorance through French Fries at Republic

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How was your weekend? Head over to www.olivesnwine.com and check out the ways others have treated themselves this week!

You Know When…

There exists this interesting complex here in the Midwest, and who knows, maybe it is the same across the country….

If you cannot recognize the sarcasm dripping from these words, I suggest you end here.

When you enter the “late twenties” and are single in the Midwest… the crazies and the craziness comes out. Often times I equate this to an animal feeding frenzy, or maybe a meat market… or even a complete conundrum to some.. Wait, you are how old and single? Come again…

Really you should ask, you are how young?

I feel like a cautious observer, not sure whether to laugh at the ridiculous or pull my hair out and move to Manhattan.  Or perhaps back to Florence…

When you are the last attending the bachelorette party who can even entertain a naughty thought….

When you find yourself in the land of the high school sweetheart, or the land of “I’ve been to more weddings this summer than most people attend in their lifetime..” When you really cannot handle any more mason jar centerpieces… but your grandma and I are having a blast on the dance floor, she is up on a chair, waving her napkin in the air to Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” and attempting the pelvis thrust …. true story.

Jameson Ginger Ale, stat.

When the groom has unbeknownst to you, scoped out your wedding party options; and the remaining bachelor is ladling the pudding dessert directly into his mouth via the serving spoon..

Hmmmm I’ll pass…

Passing on the dessert too…

When a random mom at the wedding discovers your status, she is delighted, “Omg there is a single doctor over there, go talk to him.”

When you subconsciously start to check other their left hand first…

When a man at the bar approaches seven women and asks those that are single to raise a hand..

When touring one bedroom condos and the broker asks, “Is it just you?’

When the level of blind dates reaches unbelievable and friends half way across the country are trying to set you up… but you never know right?

When balancing a schedule of two dates a week is shocking.. I mean come on, you gotta keep up with the frenzy.

When you’d rather have a coffee date than dinner, because really, I got into the office at 7, I’m going to need caffeine to get through this…

Then you know. You are at that age in the Midwest. The age of the crazies.

I’ll just be over here laughing 🙂

O and balancing that frenzied dating schedule…..

Cheers to grandma and her naughty napkin waving!

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