Family Weekend

Wow - time has flown and I haven't seen my family since Xmas.  So I went out there on Saturday to hang out, and I spent the night at Amy's.  My brother in law was out of town, and it was really fun.  We had dinner at my mom's house, and Molly and the girls even came by the next day!
The boys are getting so big - Joshie is in kindergarden and can count to 100 and he read me two books!
Pictures are after the jump!

Julie Is Cooking Part Trois

Wow.  It's really really cold and very Captain Winter is at the reigns.  This means for me - stocking up on sales at Jewel, Trader Joes, and using every ounce of my weekly Winter Produce Box.  And, of course, utilizing what I have stashed away for days that I really just want to make something with what we have in the house.
I am a self diagnosed soup whore.  I love soup.  I can eat it every day, it being cold out, hot out, or whatever.  I can make Italian soups, Moroccan soups, Vegetarian soups, Vegan soups, Meaty soups, Hearty soups, Winter soups, Summer soups, and Whatever is left in the Fridge soups.

This week, I went for a Kale and White Cannellini Soup.  It was so good I couldn't stop raving about my own cooking!  Pics after the jump.

Restaurants to Dine in 2010!

I guarantee that this list is going to grow and grow and grow....

1. Not fancy - but I have always wanted to try it - Tommy's Guitars and Cafe
2. I would like to RETURN to A Tavola for my 32nd birthday this year. BILL IF YOU ARE READING THIS HINT HINT.
3. Green Zebra
4.  Hot Dougs
5. Great Lake Pizza - voted by GQ one of the best pizzas in America.
6. Cafe Matou - Perfect for Valentines Day!
7. Taxim - Also Perfect for Valentines Day!
8. Breakfast + Brunch time - Pura Belleza Coffee & Art
9. Thank you Puerto Rico!
   
10. This is in my neighborhood. I have no excuse - Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar.
11. 
    

Julie Is Cooking Part Deux.

So I signed up for a winter vegetable box.  Not quite a CSA, but a super affordable version of local, non-local and organic produce.  Two fruits (Bill and I don't eat enough fruit) and four veggies (we eat TONS of veggies) each week - pickup on Mondays.  I'm so excited about it because it means I get different things then what I buy at the store each week. And I get to try new recipes, like the one below.  And I love supporting a local business.  Read all about it on the Green Grocer's website. They're so nice and friendly - I'm happy to be doing business with them.

This week I got some radishes, spinach, sweet potatoes, an acorn squash, bananas and pears.  Awesome! 
So, tonight I went out on a ledge and made Sweet Potato and Sausage soup.  I haven't been eating much meat lately, but at the  Logan Square Farmer's Market Bill and I bought organic sausage from happy pigs on a happy farm.  Ironically,  I'm still struggling to eat it.

But, the soup turned out well!  Check out the pics below!

Happy Sausage from a happy, organic pig.  And a happy farmer - really nice guy!

Onions, garlic, red potatoes,  + sweet potatoes - before adding the organic veggie broth.

Finished product, mashed up the potatoes, added lots of paprika + pepper and a bunch of spinach!

A Tour of my Neighborhoods....Weekend

 Sometimes it happens that I get REALLY REALLY REALLY sick of my neighborhood.  Same people, same places, same food, etc.  It can get really old.  So Friday, Erica and I ventured up to Albany Park and went for a delicious Lebanese dinner at Semiramis.
Hello Delicious!  BYOB and amazingly delicious!  Then we headed to North Center and stopped into a couple of German bars - love them!  http://www.laschetsinn.com/  and http://www.yelp.com/biz/resis-bierstube-restaurant-and-tavern-chicago

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So much fun!
On Saturday, I headed up to Lakeview to get my friend David his sunglasses that he fell in love with while he and Ema were in Chicago. I bought him 4 pairs.  

Saturday night, Bill and I had date night and we went to Honky Tonk BBQ in Pilsen, yet another neighborhood,  and dined on BBQ in a really cool, retro-funky space.  Copper tin ceilings and all!  And, Bill's good friend Kari is the manager there, and we haven't seen her since our wedding!  It was great catching up and pigging out.

Sunday was yet another neighborhood day.  We started our day by recycling our Christmas tree in Humboldt Park

Then we made our way to the Logan Square Farmers Market and bought local farmed honey, meat, some bread, etc. Blew through $50 before the blink of an eye!
I do, however, really wish I was in Las Vegas. Our bestie neighbors Jamesy and Rachel are there with Lex.  Look at all the fun they are having. 

Sigh. I'll just chill with the Best Dog in the WORLD instead. And have a Bloody Mary.

Julie is Cooking

I LOVE cooking - its something I love even more when I have a dishwasher, which I do.
Bill LOVES to eat, so it really makes cooking fun.  One of the best gifts I got for Christmas was a dutch oven. I have wanted one for SO long, and its an awesome orange color.

Bill really wanted a crockpot, and I didn't, but of course my mom bought him one.

Anyway, tonight, upon inspiration from one of Rachel's recipes - I am baking chickpeas with smoked paprika.  When they are out of the oven they should be crispy and I'm going to douse them with a little honey.

1 - 15oz can of chickpeas - rinse and pat dry
2 Tablespoons of olive oil
1 1/2 TS of smoked paprika
1 1/2 TS of kosher salt
1/2 Tablespoon of honey

Bake in oven at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes, take them out, dump them in a bowl and spoon about 1/2 tablespoon of honey over them. Mix well and serve!  Yum!  **Update - Bill ate them all. I had about 10 Chickpeas**

Things to accomplish in 2010

You know how it will be nearing the end of the year, and there are tons of things you wanted to do that you never did?
Just so I can remember everything I want to do, I'm starting a list now.  This will be updated as I accomplish things and remember more things I want to do in 2010.   Places and things I want to go to, try, check out, do, etc.  All that good stuff.
1. Richwell Market - 1835 S. Canal Street
2. Hot Dougs - 3324 N. California
3. Modern Wing @ the Art Institute
4. The BEACH.  Haven't been in at least 3 years.
5. Pho Pho Pho
6. A bike ride
7. The Green Market
8. Use my Chicago Public Radio Membership card for restaurant discounts.
9. Go to the Steppenwolf Theater
10. Get my money's work from my A.I. membership.
11. Visit the Mighty Carmona Family!
12. MAXWELL STREET MARKET!!!!