Denver Eats: Quiero Arepas

I have a new obsession. And its called arepas. For the past couple of years I've seen the Quiero Arepas Truck a few places around Denver but it wasnt until two weeks ago at the Pearl Street Farmers Market that I actually decided to sample the goods. I then proceeded to go 3 times in 4 days.And then an additional two times this past week. For those who dont know, Arepas are a type of Venezuelan sandwich that is made using a home made grilled corn based flat bread that is out of this world. Everything on their menu is gluteon free and fresh and the service is amazing! Check out what I ordered below.

Reina Pepiada: An amazing take on chicken salad. Delicious rotisserie chicken mixed with avocado and light mayo and their signature avocado citrus dressing (it comes standard on all areapas). My favorite thing on the menu, hands down.
La Orginal: A mix of black beans, sweet plantains and avocado (pictured above). Black beans arent my fav but the plantains were the best ive ever tasted. 
La Queso: A mix of avocado, sweet plantains, and big huge slices of fresh mozzarella and shredded american cheese. Super refreshing and amazing when topped with cholula. The mozzerlla chunks are big enough that they stay nice and cold (as fresh motz should always be) even on top of the tasty sweet roasted plantains.
Refescos: A drink made of fresh squeezed guava, passion fruit, and orange juices (pictured above). They call it "heaven on your lips" and they arent lying. Its refreshing without being overly sweet or tart, tastes wholly natural and is served in a tall glass over lots of crushed ice.

Motivation Monday

New Surprising Favorite Breakfast

I've never never been found of tomatoes. I think they are soggy, watery, over used, and often ruin a good sandwich. However, lately I have found myself strangely drawn to them. I still wont be ordering them on a burger or a turkey sandwich anytime soon but after hearing my friend Emily rave about a wonderful heirloom tomato that she had purchased at whole foods and ate seasoned and topped with Burrata I felt myself compelled to try one. Since buying one on Monday I have been semi addicted to the firm, yet sweet and flavorful fruit. The past few mornings I have enjoyed a thick slice of itm heavily seasoned with salt and pepper on top on an English muffin with a light smear of Burrata. Last night I even found myself cutting up a few slices and placing them on a plate and eating them with nothing more then olive oil, salt, pepper, and some sprinkling of basil leaves taken from my balcony garden. Considering its been over 100 degrees for the past few days, I've gladly welcomed this new item into my diet. I highly suggest you all hit up whole foods and take advantage of these tomatoes before the season ends!!

Cooking 1.0.1: Salami, Arugula, and Jalapeno Cream Cheese Sandwich

This isnt the first time I've spoken about my love for a simple salami sandwich. I like them so much that I usually cant even keep salami in the house because I eat it to excess. However, after coming across this decadent sandwich on Martha Stewarts Website and realizing I had all the ingredients besides the Salami, I decided to go for it. It was one of the best sandwich combinations I have created. I used oatnut bread (which is so good it doesnt even need to be toasted), lots of spicy arugula, simple oscar meyer beef salami (why paint the peacock), and a generous spread of Philadelphia's jalapeno cream cheese. I even recreated it this morning open-faced on a whole grain english muffin for breakfast and it kept me full for hours. YUM!

Shiny Objects

Where can I buy this?

White Girl Problems

It's very hot out. I get spray tans. I have an hour long commute. I wear lots of white shirts. This equals poo brown sweat stains on the back of my shirt(s) from sitting in the car. And lots more dry cleaning bills

I have alot of friends. Sometimes there just isnt a table big enough to house them all. Sorry.

Two Words: Combination Skin

Girls kiss my ass because they want to hook up with my guy friends.

I dont like weather that is over 85 degrees or below 40 degrees. I hate wind, snow, and humidity. This means that I'm pissed off about the weather about 345 days out of the year.

Motivation Monday

Friday Five

1. The last time your answer was “No,” what was the question?

Hmmm. Probably yesterday when the guy at Iron Mountain asked me if I was satisfied with the service he provided.

2.What’s a rule in your life that just doesn’t make any sense?

That I have to put 5 mins on my time card If I go down to my car, but everyone else in my office can leave for a week and not even put in PTO.

3. What were the professional or personal circumstances surrounding your last passing of the buck?

I forgot to send an important Fed Ex out and I lied to the lady in the Lincoln office and said that Fed Ex lost the package. Oops.

4.  What’s an annoying bit of paperwork you have to do with some regularity?

My timecard. And basically everything else I do at work.

5. In some places, employees are entitled to regular smoking breaks. Whether you smoke or not, what would be another thing you’d love to take a fifteen-minute break for, every few hours?

Call bomb threats into my office.

Denver Eats: Hey PBJ

Peanut Butter and Jelly is one of my vices. I'm obsessed with it. I'm actually just obsessed with peanut butter in general but there is something about an old school PB and Jay that really hits the spot. Once I heard that there was a gourmet PB&J food truck roaming around Denver, I naturally made every effort possible to track it down. And then ate it twice in 5 days. I can safely say it's one of the best things i've eaten in Denver.  Check out my picks below. Ps: they only serve milk, diet coke, and water to drink. How cute is that?

• The Barcelona: An AMAZING combination of almond butter, date jam, manchengo, applewood smoked bacon, and sherry onions. At first I thought it was going to be too over whelming but its actually perfect. The bacon is never chewy, the onions are perfectly cooked, and its surprisingly easy to eat (they give you a wet nap just in case).
• The Figgy Piggy: a Combo of almond butter, fig jam, goat cheese, bacon, and rosemary honey. I actually thought that this would be my first pick but it turned out to be a little sweet for me. It was still delicious though and I'd def recommenced it to anyone who prefers sweet over savory! 

Cooking 1.0.1: Almond, Raspberry Wasabi Mustard, and Cheddar Grilled Cheese

It's probably pretty obvious by now that I will not be making my goal of cooking 101 new recipes in 2013. That being said, I'm still continuing to try and cook the highest amount of recipes I can without A. Breaking the bank and B. gaining 10000 lbs. Last week I cooked my 41st dish, a good but slightly strange version of a grilled cheese that I saw on pinterest. If I were to do it again I'd skip the almonds and make it with American cheese instead. I'm not going to list the recipe since I think it is pretty self explanatory (and because im lazy as fuck right now). While this sandwich wasnt my favorite thing that I have made, the mustard I used in it is fantastic (and I'm not even a big mustard fan). It can be purchased here.

Boulder Eats: Cheese Louise

Everyone loves grilled cheese. Everyone also loves a good food truck. I was lucky enough to bump into the Cheese Louise Food Truck in Boulder the other day. While I was super super tempted by "The Bries Knees" and "The Salami Mami" I got suckered into ordering the "Ol'yella" since it was the trucks two year anniversary and they were offering the yella for $3. The brown sugar and mustard went perfectly together, creating a tangy and crunchy combination that melted in my mouth. Oh and the bread? It comes straight from The Med restaurant. Decadent!

Ps: sorry I have been slacking on the blog. Job and grad school aps and eating have been taking up all of my energy. 

Friday Five

Has anyone heard of the Friday 5? It's this ridiculous website that posts five very strange questions for people to answer every Friday. Check out this weeks questions and my answers below.

1. The Seven Dwarfs are Sleepy, Sneezy, Bashful, Grumpy, Dopey, Happy, and Doc. Which would be the easiest role for you to play today?

Definietly Grumpy. As of late, I've been a real miserable dick about everything as a result of my unhappiness over my job. And why is there a dwarf named Doc?

2.Santa’s eight tiny reindeer are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen. Which would be the most apt nickname for you today?

Today I would have to say I am Blitzen because I fully intend on getting Blitzed tonight.

3.The kids on Eight is Enough were David, Mary, Joanie, Susan, Nancy, Elizabeth, Tommy, and Nicholas. Which of these names have you known the highest number of? Which of these the least?

Obviously, Elizabeth is the most. In real life I only know one Joanie and zero Susans or Nancys. 

4.The creatures in the Chinese zodiac are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, goat, horse, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. Forget which one you are according to the calendar; which one do you imagine yourself most like?

As much as it pains me to say it, probably a pig. I'm a messy person by nature and I also love to eat and my hair is curly like that of the tail of a pig.

5.Each of the Five Chinese Brothers had a special talent: One could swallow the entire sea; one had an iron neck; one could hold his breath forever, one could stretch his legs as far as he needed; one could withstand fire. Which of these peculiarities would have been most useful to you this past week?

Withstanding fire. It's been hot as fuck this week and I dont like it. Anytime its above 85 or below 30 my miserable dickness reaches epic highs.

101 in 1001 Update

At the beginning of 2013 I made a list of 101 things I wanted in do in 1001 days. I posted my initial progress a couple of moths ago here. I'm proud to say i'm ahead of schedule and have added several new things to my list! Check out my progress below.

• Go to the Mexican Market in San Antonio
• Stay at the Stanley Hotel
• Spend a weekend in the mountains during the summer
• Go to an Imbibe event to support Casey
• Decorate my apartment in a way that reflects my personal style
• Get furniture for my patio
• Go to Civic Center Eats

Throwback Thursday

Does anyone remember "Barbie Fashion Avenue" outfits??? My God.

Shiny Objects

K she might be the worst actress of all time and maybe the most annoying person on the planet but she also might have the best nose job I've ever seen. In case you are wondering how I came upon this image....it was because I googled "what happened to Meg Ryans face". 

Another (Two) bite the Dust....

      

Within the past 5 days, two of my best friends in the whole world got engaged! Even though I saw it coming its all still very surreal to me. I'm so excited to be part of all the celebrations to come!! Congratulations Megan and Mickey and Emily and Chris!!!

Food Favorite: Avocado Toast

This weekend up in Vail I ran into my friend Kari whom I hadnt seen in over a year. We got to talking about a brunch my friend Teale thru at her house a couple of years ago. Kari told me how much she loved the avocado toast I brought and asked me if she could have the recipe since she liked it so much. Around the time of this brunch, I was going thru a major addiction with avocado toast. I would have maybe three or four slices a day and I was buying avocados in bulk quantities. I was first inspired to try it after reading about it on The Wednesday Chef, who makes hers with a delish combination of mayo and mustard. I soon sought out other versions of the delicious toast, taking inspiration from the Cafe Gitane in NYC. Check out the recipes for my two favorite versions below. Happy Monday!

Ingrendients and Preparartion (makes one slice)

• One slice bread of your choice, toasted.
• 1/2 an avocado

For Wednesday Chef version...

• One teaspoon light mayo mixed with one teaspoon spicy ground mustard (I like mister mustard best)
• Squirt of Lemon Juice
• Red pepper flakes.
• Place Mayo and mustard spread on toast. Top with mashed avocado, lemon juice, and pepper flakes. Eat and enjoy!

For Cafe Giante Version...

• Tapito Hot sauce
• Truffle infused olive oil
• Top toast with mashed avocado. Add olive oil and hot sauce to taste. Eat and Enjoy!

Motivation Monday

Happy 4th of July!

Happy Birthday, America! I am beyond excited to begin a much needed four day weekend. Today my friend Ashley and I are heading up to Vail to stay at the Cascade hotel and indulge in some sunshine,mountains, food, and of course, drinking. I love love love the mountains in the summer time and can't wait to spend my holiday there with some of my besties. I hope everyone has a great weekend!!

Food Favorites: 4th of July Drink

Okay so maybe it didnt look like this, but my friend Belen came up with a 4th of July cocktail using bombpops, which happen to be one of my favorite desserts. Sure, it might be sickeningly sweet and give you a horrible hangover but isnt that what Americas all about? Happy 4th of July, everyone!

Ingredients and Preparation 

• Two Bomb Pops, removed from sticks
• One Cup Ice
• 3/4 cup Sprite
• Three Shots blueberry vodka
• 1/2 a cup frozen or fresh strawberries
• Blend and enjoy!

Sweet God.

Texas Toast. Avocado. Spicy sauce. Bacon. Jalapenos. Pants off. 

How could this burger debute the day I left Texas??? God damn you whataburger. 

Boulder

There are few places that I find as magical as Boulder. I'm a little biased since I went to college there, but I still think you'd be hard pressed to find a city that does summer as well as Boulder. Between the gorgeous creek, the proximity of awesome camping sites in Nederland, and tons of great rooftops bars summer and Boulder are a match made in Heaven. Last week I was lucky enough to venture down to Boulder twice, once for a doctors appointment and once to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon with my friends. I spent my time walking around pearl street, dipping my legs in the creek, eating amazing food (more on that later) and just soaking up the general awesomeness. Everytime I go to Boulder I leave a little sad when I realize how far away those carefree college days really are behind me now (how did I graduate four years ago? Whattttt?) but I also feel a great sense of gratitude of how close I still am to one of my favorite places in the US. 

Motivation Monday