Aficionadough

All food. All the time. From a girl who is always thinking about her next meal.

Lunch in the Loop

Grabbed lunch Monday with a friend of mine at Protein Bar in the Loop. I opted for the Quinoa Chili (which of course I pronounced Kwin-oh-uh the first time like I always do). Organic quinoa topped with chicken chili, fresh shredded cheese, and a dollop of fat-free Greek yogurt. Yum! I bet I could make a mean quinoa chili. I’d like to go back to check out breakfast specifically the “Pancake in a Bowl”. Intriguing.

First homemade pizza I’ve made since I’ve been in Chicago.makin’ pizza and feelin’ nostalgic

First homemade pizza I’ve made since I’ve been in Chicago.
makin’ pizza and feelin’ nostalgic

jamesnord: Fun fact, the Mister Softee trucks in NYC can only play the iconic jingle whilst moving to cut down on noise pollution in the city.  One of my favorite sweet treats when I’m in NYC. Don’t forget the rainbow sprinkles!

jamesnord:

Fun fact, the Mister Softee trucks in NYC can only play the iconic jingle whilst moving to cut down on noise pollution in the city. 

One of my favorite sweet treats when I’m in NYC. Don’t forget the rainbow sprinkles!

Yolk

My Aunt Marcie visited me this weekend from Marina Del Rey, California. Marcie and I are very close and I’ve visited her numerous times in California so I was thrilled that she came. The tables were turned as it was my hosting her! We must have walked over 15 miles in the few days she was here. And nothing goes better with walking than eating (not while walking — you know what I mean). Our first attempt at visiting the Shedd Aquarium worked out so that a trip to Yolk made sense. Yolk has come to be one of my favorite breakfast/lunch places in Chicago so far! They always have the most interesting, tasty things on the menu and it also happens to be pretty affordable! Pictured here is the Tour de France. Three breads french toasted! Banana Nut topped with bananas, Sweet Orange topped with strawberries, and Lemon Poppy Seed topped with blueberries. A variety of breads french toasted?! Sign me up! How clever! I will have to try this for myself.

And they read my mind with the side of peanut butter. I know a Sus who would have loved this. For the savory part of our meal we had a carnitas breakfast sandwich with a fried egg, goat cheese, and mango salsa on a pretzel roll. Also delish!

What would you like to try french toasted?
Yaaaaawn. Oh, hello. I didn’t see you there. Here in the central time zone we are mere hours away from the weekend. A chance to (potentially) slow it down — take it easy — accomplish things you can’t find time for during the week. Something that has been managing to stay near the top of my weekend to-do list for a couple months now is enjoy a cappuccino . Just can’t get enough of the deep, rich flavor and foamy goodness. Like I said, this pastime has snuck up on me only recently. But now as it gets closer to the weekend my mind wanders here and there to where will I get my cappuccino fix? You may think: Well, Alison, if you like cappuccino so much why don’t you have them during the week? Isn’t there a Starbucks - like - right in the lobby of your building? Good point, friend. But. I seem to have established certain no-no’s when it comes to enjoying a cappuccino without even realizing it. One of which is. It’s a treat! An indulgence. During the week I don’t drink much other than water. I have the occasional Americano (hot water with a shot of espresso) when I need a boost, unsweetened iced tea or green tea. When you are a fan of sweet treats but not the chubyou gotta cut calories where you can. Another no-no is cappuccinos on the go-go. I tend to have a hard time taking it easy. Always feel like I need to be doing something or have some sort of purpose. Go-go-go! Enjoying a cappuccino is an excuse to just sit. Chat with whoever I may be with. Or if I’m by myself just relax and people watch out the window. Enjoy life as well as my cappuccino. The exception is strolling. Strolling with a cappuccino in hand is okay but only if absolutely necessary. For instance if you’re near 14th Street and 9th Avenue in the late afternoon in New York or watching the sun rise in Marina Del Rey, California. Anyway. Given that they are a current favorite of mine. You’ll probably hear about them from time to time. Pictured here is one I had in Wicker Park here in Chicago at a nice little spot called The Wormhole. A friend of mine claims this one is more like how they are done in Europe and I can safely say it did not disappoint.

Yaaaaawn. Oh, hello. I didn’t see you there.

Here in the central time zone we are mere hours away from the weekend. A chance to (potentially) slow it down — take it easy — accomplish things you can’t find time for during the week. Something that has been managing to stay near the top of my weekend to-do list for a couple months now is enjoy a cappuccino . Just can’t get enough of the deep, rich flavor and foamy goodness.

Like I said, this pastime has snuck up on me only recently. But now as it gets closer to the weekend my mind wanders here and there to where will I get my cappuccino fix? You may think: Well, Alison, if you like cappuccino so much why don’t you have them during the week? Isn’t there a Starbucks - like - right in the lobby of your building? Good point, friend. But. I seem to have established certain no-no’s when it comes to enjoying a cappuccino without even realizing it. One of which is. It’s a treat! An indulgence. During the week I don’t drink much other than water. I have the occasional Americano (hot water with a shot of espresso) when I need a boost, unsweetened iced tea or green tea. When you are a fan of sweet treats but not the chubyou gotta cut calories where you can.

Another no-no is cappuccinos on the go-go. I tend to have a hard time taking it easy. Always feel like I need to be doing something or have some sort of purpose. Go-go-go! Enjoying a cappuccino is an excuse to just sit. Chat with whoever I may be with. Or if I’m by myself just relax and people watch out the window. Enjoy life as well as my cappuccino. The exception is strolling. Strolling with a cappuccino in hand is okay but only if absolutely necessary. For instance if you’re near 14th Street and 9th Avenue in the late afternoon in New York or watching the sun rise in Marina Del Rey, California.

Anyway. Given that they are a current favorite of mine. You’ll probably hear about them from time to time. Pictured here is one I had in Wicker Park here in Chicago at a nice little spot called The Wormhole. A friend of mine claims this one is more like how they are done in Europe and I can safely say it did not disappoint.

Salted caramel cupcakes! I had an itch to make something with salted caramel ever since returning from San Francisco where salted caramel is around every corner. I was reasonably successful with these. I may not have mixed the salt into the buttercream well enough because some bites were extremely salty. But then again some bites were heaven.

Salted caramel cupcakes! I had an itch to make something with salted caramel ever since returning from San Francisco where salted caramel is around every corner. I was reasonably successful with these. I may not have mixed the salt into the buttercream well enough because some bites were extremely salty. But then again some bites were heaven.

Yogurt pancakes (me) with a mean blackberry sauce (Grace). Saturday morning breakfast at home. I halved this recipe and used half a cup of oat flour and half a cup of all purpose. Also used vanilla yogurt instead of plain so didn’t add sugar. Could have used a pinch of salt but still yummy!

Yogurt pancakes (me) with a mean blackberry sauce (Grace). Saturday morning breakfast at home.

I halved this recipe and used half a cup of oat flour and half a cup of all purpose. Also used vanilla yogurt instead of plain so didn’t add sugar. Could have used a pinch of salt but still yummy!

Fairy Bread

fritesandfries:

Have you ever had fairy bread?

It’s a pretty and simple snack.

With a handful of colorful sprinkles, a sweet creamy spread (like butter, peanut butter, or nutella)…

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Brilliant! Apparently, sprinkles are a popular sandwich topping in the Netherlands (called chocolade hagelslag)! I’m traveling there next month with two of my sisters, my mother, and my grandmother and you can better I will be seeking it out!
Late night baking: Banana Bread with chocolate and caramelized ginger.

Late night baking: Banana Bread with chocolate and caramelized ginger.

It has been weeks since my graduation brunch at Olivia in Austin yet I still find myself daydreaming about mimosas, grapefruit with bruleed brown sugar, and most of all toast with kumquat marmalade.
Ask me to brunch.