Heading to Las Vegas for ICSC

So much has happened in the last few weeks. I have officially changed jobs. I am now working for a commercial real estate company. I am thrilled about this job and hope it lasts a long time. Cion has also booked us for a meeting with a River Oaks client on catering a rehearsal dinner for 50 people. We should be meeting with the client upon my return from Las Vegas.

No I am not traveling to Las Vegas for personal and fun. Strictly work, 100% of the time. Not even staying on the strip. I will eat breathe and live this convention. Kind of sad. I am at least hoping to get some good dinners in. I know that no matter what I will hit the In-n-Out there. If you guys are familiar with the In-N-Out burger chain I highly recommend you check them out. Great cheap burgers all freshly made. No freezers on sight. Similar to the new Five Guys that opened off I10 and Bunker Hill but In-N-Out is way better.

I promise to post more. I know I have been lagging.

Cheers!!

What Else... Food AGAIN

I am on a Benjy's kick again. Ate an amazing lunch with Cion last week. Had a bottle of Schramsberg Rose with spinach/portabella crepes. I need to learn to make crepes. I think it would be a cute addition to a catering menu although we have zero clients. At least I could eat them. Anyways... Will be dining at Benjy's again tomorrow with a previous work colleague. Still debating what delicious dish I want. Her stepson is partner's in Benjy's so I am sure she will know what we should order.

On another note tonight I am making homemade spaghetti and meatballs. Not very healthy considering a)I complained about my weight last week, b)ate Chick-Fil-A for lunch and c)did I mention I am dining at Benjy's again tomorrow?? I prefer a homemade tomato sauce using San Marzano tomatoes, basil, garlic, olive oil, splash of red wine and red pepper. Will post recipe tomorrow if I am not in another food coma.

My Obession with Food

Some people are addicted to cigarettes, drugs, tv shows, etc. My addiction is food. Terrible. I am consumed by it. Always wondering what my next decadent meal will be before I have even finished my current meal. It's really pathetic. Even worse I don't crave good food, I crave bad food. Lucky Charms, Filets covered in butter, Au Gratin potatoes with Gruyere cheese and heavy cream, Artichoke Spinach Dip... well you get the idea.

To futher illustrate my point my twitter name is HoustonFoodie, I must read 20 food blogs, I subscribe to every single cooking or food magazine and I live for the Food Network. When did I become this way?? I used to be a thin, broke college student who just ate to live. Now my age has increased as well as my pants size. Sometimes, ok I am lying, every time I step on the scale I pray to the weight fairy to make the number go down. I do what I call the Scale Dance. Has to be early in the morning before you have consumed anything, have to have gone to the bathroom and of course be completely naked. I know scary thought. The number is continually going up.

Which is why I am freaking out. Summer is around the corner and Cion and I are going to Florida for a week. What can I do to drop 40lbs in 2 months? I can't afford lipo and besides I heard you only lose like maybe 5lbs and it comes back in odd places. So anyone out there have a lazy, food addict diet I can do?

Why am I so lazy at blogging?

So I haven't posted since February. Not sure what my excuse is other than i have nothing exciting going on. Catering business is nonexistent except for our one client. Cion and I still chat daily and see each other just as much. I don't think I could exist without his friendship. He truly has been the best friend I could ask for. That being said we are an awful influence on each other. It's amazing that our husbands put up with us.

Sunday started out same as any other. Saturday night was drag night and we both drank a bit that night. So Sunday morning comes around and Cion wants to make waffles, eggs and bacon for Dave and me. Of course my instructions are to bring booze. We all sat in the sun eating our fabulous breakfast and drinking bloody marys. Then Dave left to go home and that's when trouble started. Hehe.

We drank the bottle of champagne from the Cava region and then moved back to the vodka. We wanted more champagne but it wasn't even 12 yet. Once the hour struck 12 Randy was so kind to get us a bottle of Moet. Which we drank up. By 2:30 we noticed we were burning and headed in. (Did I mention neither of us were wearing sunblock?)

Within 2 hours I had become a lobster. Of course I was Hollywood and never took my shades off so I looked like a reverse raccoon. I am an idiot. Fun day had by all but note to self always wear sunblock.

Twitter

FYI - You can follow me on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/houstonfoodie

Eating to much and being lazy

Okay so my title of this blog speaks for itself. I am addicted to great food and of course alcohol. I personally think my love affair with food began when Dave came into my life. Before Dave I was a drunk (wait still am) who could only afford an El Chico frozen dinner smothered in sour cream to make it appetizing. My idea of a gourmet dinner out was the free meal I got when I worked at the Olive Garden and my shift ended. So when Dave came around he opened my eyes. He was the first guy I dated who actually had a real job with a pay check. On our first date he took me to Ruggles. That's where my food affair started.

So let's fast forward almost 10 years. My weight is out of control, I have developed into a wine snob and I am constantly on the hunt of the next greatest restaurant. I have also formed a side job of catering with Cion when we can get the work. Catering business is slow but boy Cion and I are still eating and drinking in style. Now once again due to my past experience waiting tables I shudder at the mere thought of entering a restaurant on the dreaded Valentine's Day. So this year Cion and I gathered to share a meal together. His husband, Randy and of course mine joined us. Cion cooked beef tenderloin with a red wine reduction served with garlic mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach. I brought the Kahlua chocolate cake with vanilla bean fresh whip cream. I also brought a 2005 Neals Cabernet, a 2004 Groth Cabernet and a 2005 Frogs Leap Zinfandel. It was a great evening that resulted in a half day recovery on Sunday.

Anyways I digress. Every week on Monday I make a promise to eat healthier and to drink less. This is primarily due to the fact that my pants are to tight and I have seen a drunk picture of myself from the previous weekend. Once again by Tuesday the promise is broken and I am gorging rich, sinfully good food.

So what exactly is my purpose of this confession? Nothing really I just hoped that maybe if I put it in writing it would mean something. Guess not. Anyways below is a recipe I did for a new potato salad. Let me know what you think:

Mustard-Green Onion Potato Salad

Ingredients
3 pounds new potatoes, boiled and sliced into 1/4-inch thick rounds
4 green onions, thinly sliced
1 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons whole grain mustard
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1/4 cup chopped parsley
Salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions
Place the warm potatoes and green onions in a large bowl. Whisk together the mayonnaise, mustards, garlic, vinegar and parsley and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add the dressing to the potatoes and carefully mix until combined.

PS - It's Girl Scout cookie time!

Supper Club

Since I don't have enough to do Dave and we joined a Supper Club. It's a group of 10 people that meet once a month and do a themed dinner. The idea is that each "couple" contribute an item. For example The host will supply the entree, one person brings an appetizer, one a dessert and 2 bring sides. Our very first meeting will be this Saturday and of course I am hosting the first.

Our theme this time is american comfort food. The main course will be meatloaf which I like to make quite often. I am not sure what the other items will be but I am excited to find out. I even made little place cards since the group is not familiar with each other.

I will report back on Sunday and let you all know how it went.

PS - made homemade sloppy joes last night. I have decided not to do the canned manwich crap anymore.

Here's recipe:
1 tbl vegetable oil
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
salt & pepper
2lbs ground sirloin
8 oz. tomato sauce
3 tbl tomato paste
1 cup bbq sauce
1 tbl worcheshire
1 tsp hot sauce

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet with sides. Cook peppers and garlic till softened, about 3 min. Season with salt & pepper. Add ground beef and cook till meat is no longer pink. Add remaining ingredients and cook till sauce is thickened, about 10 minutes. Serve on hamburger buns and top with monterrey jack cheese.