Archive for the ‘Mexican food’ Category

Happy Friday! Working a full week after a holiday is always though, but I’m glad I’m getting back into the swing of things — hanging out with friends, reading awesome books, working out and being productive!! Here’s a snapshot into what’s been going on lately.

1. Thanks everyone on your suggestions for How to Kill a Sugar Craving. I’m so glad I’m not the only one who has a hard time with this. Yesterday I did pretty good by my standards. I only had one TINY truffle all day.

Last night I met some friends/former co-workers at El Beso in Greenfield, WI (be very jealous, Brittney!) I ordered the enchiladas verdes with rice and beans. My only complaint was I wish there was more verde sauce.

Since I’m well aware that this is very indulgent, I ALWAYS bring food home. That way I feel like I’m satisfied by getting what I want, but I don’t feel guilty because I get two meals out of it. From this picture, I took home 2 enchiladas (out of the three), plus some rice and beans. Brenton is going up to Appleton this weekend, so I’ll be a lone chick with Oliver tonight. I also wanted leftovers so I didn’t have to cook tonight :)

2. I am reading such an awesome book for book club that I need to shout it from the rooftops. A friend recommended “Matched” by Ally Condie as a book similar to “The Hunger Games.” They are in fact very similar. It’s about a society in the future and how the government controls citizens by matching them for procreation to produce optimal offspring.  I’m listening to this one on audiobook. I really love Ally’s voice. Sometimes the production company can kill a good book with the wrong voice, but they made a great choice on this one.

3. For me, weekends are all about relaxing and being productive. I love reading the newspaper on Sunday and drinking coffee while watching “The Sunday Morning Show” on CBS. And yes, I’m still one of those people who subscribes to the newspaper. It makes sense since I write for one!

On the flip side, I love getting errands done, cleaning our apartment, catching up on freelance assignments and taking a class or two at the gym. I’m making this the weekend to put all of our Christmas decorations away. Plus, Sun is having one of her clothing swap parties again! I LOVE these and will make sure to post any fun outfits I receive.

If you have some time to relax, consider making these Apple Butter Pancakes from Laurie. Since I have a few jars of Cranberry Apple Butter leftover from canning this summer, I would definitely substitute that for regular apple butter.

TELL ME: Are you more about relaxing on the weekends or catching up from the week? What book are you reading?

In addition to “Matched,” I’m finally reading “A Million Little Pieces” by James Frey. I know there was so much controversy surrounding this book, but I am keeping an open mind.

As I was trolling though my recipe section, I began to notice something. I use pumpkin, a lot. From breakfast to desserts and dinner, nearly every one of my food categories contains a dish with pumpkin. Since it’s fall and canned pumpkin is everywhere, what better time to do my first recipe roundup?

Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Pumpkin Pancakes with Apple Cider Syrup

Pumpkin Pie Dip

How to freeze a Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin and Black Bean Chili

Black Bean and Vegetable Enchiladas with Pumpkin Sauce

Question: Do you like cooking with pumpkin? What do you like to make? Links welcome!

Happy Friday! This morning I kicked my butt at the gym with a 35 minute tempo run as part of my half marathon training plan. I ran at a 8:46 min/mile pace and with a warm-up and cool down, I completed about 4.35 miles on the treadmill.

For some reason, after-work runs aren’t happening as often as I’d like. By the time I get home, it’s almost 6 pm, and by that time I’m starving!

Tonight we’re having a fun Olympics/Chinese takeout party with Brittney…at least, I hope her and Ryan want to watch the Olympics! I can’t wait for the track events coming up (obviously).

On Sunday, I have an article being published in our local paper about an Olympics party menu. I did a bunch of research on the topic, and some people were simply picking different types of cuisine for a party spread (think Mexican with French and Italian). I recently made this tamale pie, which would be perfect for a party or any weeknight dinner. I love how easy it comes together and most of you will already have these ingredients in your own pantry.

On my current to-make list:

These ultra-crunchy crackers from King Arthur Flour look better than anything you can buy at the store. Crackers have been on my list for some time, and I feel this recipe may be it.

I love Jessica’s blog, How Sweet it is. Her recipes and photos are just dynamite. This recipe for Brown Butter Peach Crumble Bars reminded me of the Savannah Bars I bought during our trip to the Appleton Farmer’s Market. Maybe this will be how I’ll finally use up my frozen peaches from last year.

Question: Which Olympic events are you must excited about? In addition to running, I love gymnastics and swimming.

By the way, don’t forget to enter my West Bend Giveaway! One lucky She’s on the Run reader will win a 5-piece home canning kit. To enter, check out the post here. You have until tomorrow morning!

This weekend Brenton and I did something that we hardly ever get to do – date night! I bought a groupon a few weeks ago for La Perla in Milwaukee. I’ve been there a few times, and I swear they have the best Mexican food in the city. The area is a little sketchy, 5th and National, but the food makes it worth it.

Our $25 Groupon got us a dinner for two – one appetizer, two entrées and one dessert. Our appetizer was their steak quesadilla (Brenton’s favorite thing that entire night). The steak was super flavorful. (Please excuse the black and white photos – I was playing with the photo filter on my phone and can’t get these back to color!)

For his entrée, Brenton chose chicken chimichangas. They were the best chimi’s I’ve ever had in my life!

I opted for shrimp fajitas, which were super good except the shrimp weren’t deveined.

I love fried ice cream at Mexican restaurants, but this teaser for Banana Nutella Chimichangas featuring Milwaukee’s own Purple Door ice cream pulled us in.

The live version did not disappoint. The vanilla bean ice cream was creamy and rich, pairing really nicely with the chocolate oozing out of the hot chimichangas.

I know this looks like a ton of food, but Brenton and I brought two nearly full boxes home. We even had enough of the fajitas to both eat it for dinner the next night. And we used some leftover rice and beans to make a separate quesadilla on the stove (I added some Swiss cheese from our fridge). Brenton also ate a leftover chimi for breakfast the next morning. Next time I go to La Perla, I am definitely ordering those.

Question: Do you like bringing leftovers home? Do you ever adapt them into another dish? Personally, I do that quesadilla trick all the time with leftover rice and beans. I’ve also used leftover rice from Chinese takeout in enchiladas.

I’ve been seeing this food survey popping up everywhere (most recently on Erica’s blog). Since I was always a sucker for surveys in high school, I couldn’t resist doing one again.

1) Coke or Pepsi?

Diet coke! (if I’m feeling naughty, if not, it’s water, coffee or tea)

2) Lemonade or fruit punch?

Lemonade. Fruit punch makes we think of Whop (remember that!?)

3) Caramel apple or cotton candy?

Caramel apples! I have to buy these every year.

4) Butterfinger or Snickers?

Butterfinger (too bad they don’t make BB’s anymore!)

5) Pudding or Jell-O?

I’m going gourmet and saying homemade custard – like that used in my Whiskey Tiramisu.

6) Turkey or chicken?

Chicken, because it’s so versatile. In fact, this Mexican Chicken Chowder is one of my favorite soups.

7) American or Provolone?

Neither – Cheddar! (I am from Wisconsin)

8) Crackers or cookies?

Cookies. I love baking them and decorating them (I made these for my sister’s baby shower)
9) Pretzels or chips?

Who am I kidding, chips!

10) Mexican food or Japanese food?

Mexican!! I got my enchilada/tamale/chimichanga fix last week.

11) Chinese food or Italian food?

Italian food is awesome (lasagna, homemade pizza, gnocchi), but I can’t say no to the occasional Chinese takeout.

12) Ice cream or cookies?

Both. Cookies in winter, ice cream in summer.

13) Pasta or pizza?

Homemade pizza

14) Soda or juice?

Trop 50 orange juice

15) Chocolate bars or chocolate truffles?

How about Chocolate Cookie Dough Truffles – my fav!

16) Apples or bananas?

I can’t live without either. Bananas are awesome, especially in Chocolate Overnight Oats.

17) Salad or soup?

Soup (except now when it’s 80 degrees and 100% humidity)

18) Cauliflower or broccoli?

Broccoli

19) Onion rings or French fries?

Cheese fries!

20) Blizzard or McFlurry?

Blizzard (especially their xs size)

21) Fried or poached eggs?

Scrambled with cheese

22) Crepes or pancakes?

Pancakes – regular and potato/ Zucchini, Carrot, Potato Pancakes

23) Hashbrowns or roasted potatoes?

I’m on a sweet potato kick

24) Oatmeal or cereal?

Oatmeal when it’s cold, cereal when it’s warm

Your turn…

Pasta or pizza?

Italian food or Chinese food?

Ice cream or cookies?

This week has been quite a whirlwind – with work, working out, you get the gist. Right now I’m listening to Coldplay’s Mylo Xyloto album while considering to run the Fox Cities Half Marathon in Appleton, Wisconsin for the third year in a row. I need to get on it because the price jumps from $50 to $60 on May 1. I think either of those prices are pretty decent for the Fox Cities race because it’s so well organized, they have a ton of volunteers, aid stations and bathrooms along the way.

I’m trying to get Brenton to run with me, but I think I have a better chance of getting Oliver into the race than him (at least Oliver is a willing partner!)

Since the weather has been getting nicer out, I’ve been taking Oliver for jogs in the morning and on weekends. He loves it. I like doing it for him, just as much as me, because he can get some exercise while we are at work all day. Even 2 1/2 miles is enough for him to be cashed all day.

Date Night!

On Friday I finally met Brittney from Brittney Breathing in person. Her and her fiancé are just as fun and sweet in person as they appear on the blog.

We met at El Beso in Greenfield. I’d only been there for happy hours prior, but I was just as impressed with their food. At the coaxing of Brittney and Ryan, Brenton and I ordered our enchilada/chimichanga with chorizo. Our combination plate, which we shared, also came with a tamale and rice and beans…and we still couldn’t finish it all. We also split a really strong pitcher of strawberry margarita. Sorry, there aren’t any pictures of the actual meal – I think we felt silly getting into “blog mode” in front of our significant others. :)

When we got home, I passed out shortly thereafter only to wake up at 5:24 to Oliver wanting to go to the bathroom. At least I made it to bodypump!

Question: What’s the most you’ve ever paid for a race? Also, do you ever split a meal with your significant other while eating out?