Things I'll Miss About Dallas Part II

My movie boyfriend, Jill, and our ability to always sit next to the craziest people.  She might not miss me dragging her to romantic, lame movies, but it just won't be the same without her.  I'll miss her sarcasm and our obsession with our puppies.

Little Jack!  I actually had one last weekend with the little guy as his owner was out of town on my last weekend in Dallas.  I'll miss his little face and Mia will miss her buddy.

Last, but not least, my friend Hus-pants.  Seen here looking her finest on my last night out in Dallas.  I will miss chatting throughout the day, our obsession with T, our similar anxieties, and her support for the changes I"m making in my life right now.

These places and people (and dogs) are going to be all very missed, and am proud of have had them all in my life.  I have one more Dallas restaurant review next week, but other than that I'm officially a Tempe, Arizona resident.  Thank you Dallas for great times and some amazing people and experiences.  Bring on the next step!

Company Cafe - Dallas, TX

I have been meaning to try Company Cafe for a while, and finally got around to it last week.  It's a newer restaurant to the Dallas scene, and one of the first farm-to-table places.  I love that they are using local Texas foods, all organic and in most cases gluten free.  Best part is you don't feel as guilty as you indulge in your amazing meal!  We started with wine, a local beer and some girl talk :)

I ordered the chicken pesto risotto.  The chicken was stuffed with mozzarella and sun dried tomatoes, over a delicious pesto risotto.  It was so amazing!!  Tasted fresh and the ingredients mixed together so nicely.  I would order this again, but their menu has many other amazing sounding dishes.  They also have specials every night so make sure you take those into consideration as well.

My friend ordered the chicken fried steak, gluten free.  It came with mashed sweet potatoes, green beans and a jalapeno gravy.  It was very tasty, I snuck a bite off her plate and was not disappointed.  

If I'm ever in Dallas again I will be back.  They have a great looking breakfast menu with many other options, and I'm looking forward to trying more of their creations.

Wordless Wednesday

Things I'll Miss About Dallas Part I

Spring Creek Natural Area.  It was my favorite place to walk Mia, and even thought the heat is making outdoor activities a little harder, it's still such a great park!

Plus it has little streams, where Mia first learned to swim.

Downtown Plano.  I've lived here for the last year, and really enjoyed this historic downtown area.  The restaurants are great and it's so charming.

Haggard Park, located right next to downtown Plano.  Perfect walk from my apartment, and it's a great place to sit and read a book.  They also have concerts and different activities at night!

And of course, Central Market.  I will miss wandering around the aisles gawking at all the amazing food.  I will miss the many cooking classes I've taken.  I will miss the quick meals I could pick up if I didn't feel like cooking.  

And the desserts, this picture says it all.  I hope Arizona has a grocery store that can compete!

Ye Ole Butcher Shop - Plano, TX

It's officially my last week in Dallas.  C is flying back from Arizona on Friday and the drive begins Saturday morning.  It's going to be a busy week of tying everything up, but I'm getting more and more excited by the day.  I'm dedicating this whole week to posts about the Dallas area, things I'll miss and some final restaurant reviews.  Starting with Ye Ole Butcher Shop, which was literally a block away from where I've been living  for the past year and I just now finally ventured in.  We went when C's parents were in town for his graduation, and it was a great lunch!  We got a kick out of the decor, and C's Mom found a furry friend :) 

I had to laugh at this little tid-bit on the bottom of their menu.  No veggie burgers here! 

Along with lunch they serve breakfast, dessert, and fresh cut meat for you to take home and cook however you wish!  Did I mention the employees were super friendly?  I knew it was going to be tasty before I even ordered.

They had a pretty extensive menu, and it was hard to narrow down.  I decided on a hot sliced turkey sandwich, or the "I'm a Turkey." 

Everyone else got burgers and were not disappointed.  Yum! 

This reminded me of leftover Thanksgiving turkey, but better.  It was so delicious, messy and amazing.  The fries were really great too, which is always bonus points with me.  This place is a little off the beaten path, but for sure worth a trip if you want some home cooking! 

Check out their website here, and try not to get too hungry. 

Happy Monday! 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake

It has been a busy few weeks: graduation, visitors, C's birthday, packing, moving across country.  I'm still in Dallas for the next week but C has officially moved (and taken all my stuff) to Phoenix.  So, although it's been a busy time, I still wanted to make C something special for this birthday so we could celebrate before left.  I think we both agree the best thing is chocolate and peanut butter together, and I think C's favorite dessert is cheesecake. I put them all together for this awesome dessert.  Please forgive my lack of pictures on how I made this, I didn't have my camera with me at the time!  

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.  Crush oreo's into fine crumbs and add melted butter.  Combine well and press into the bottom of a 9 inch spring form pan.  Beat softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth.  add eggs one at a time beating in between each one.  Add remaining ingredients, beating until all is smooth.  Pour into crust and allow to sit at room temperature 30 minutes.  Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 60 minutes.  Allow to sit in the oven with the door open for another 30 minutes.  Remove from the oven and run a knife around the edge.  Allow to come to room temperature while you make the additional toppings.

To make the peanut butter topping  put whipping cream into a saucepan and heat just until bubbling at the edges.  Turn off the heat and add peanut butter chips, cover and allow to sit for 5 minutes.  To make the chocolate topping put whipping cream into saucepan and heat until bubbling at the edges.  Turn heat off, add the chocolate chips, cover and allow to sit for 5 minutes.  After 5 minutes stir both until smooth.  Pour peanut butter over the top of the cheesecake, smooth to edges.  Refrigerate for 10 minutes.  Pour chocolate over peanut butter and smooth into a center circle.  Decorate as desired.  I topped with extra peanut butter and chocolate chips.

Refrigerate overnight before serving for best consistency.  This was a really hard task, to wait an entire night to try this amazing dessert.  If  you're a peanut butter & chocolate fan this is the dessert for you.  It's very rich, but it's the perfect birthday treat. 

And what a Happy Birthday it was :) 

Have a great weekend everyone! 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake

Cheesecake:

9 oz oreo's

1/4 cup butter

2 8oz packages cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup sugar

3 eggs

1 cups dark chocolate chips

1 cup heavy whipping cream

2 tablespoon butter

3 teaspoons vanilla

Chocolate Topping:

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1/2 cup chocolate chips

Peanut Butter Topping:

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1 cup peanut butter chips

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.  

Crush oreo's into fine crumbs and add melted butter. 

Combine well and press into the bottom of a 9 inch spring form pan.  

Beat softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth.  

Add eggs one at a time beating in between each one.  

Add remaining ingredients, beating until all is smooth.  

Pour into crust and allow to sit at room temperature 30 minutes.  

Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 60 minutes.  

Allow to sit in the oven with the door open for another 30 minutes.  

Remove from the oven and run a knife around the edge.  

Allow to come to room temperature while you make the additional toppings.

To make the peanut butter topping  put whipping cream into a saucepan and heat just until bubbling at the edges.  
Turn off the heat and add peanut butter chips, cover and allow to sit for 5 minutes.  
To make the chocolate topping put whipping cream into saucepan and heat until bubbling at the edges.  
Turn heat off, add the chocolate chips, cover and allow to sit for 5 minutes.  
After 5 minutes stir both until smooth.  
Pour peanut butter over the top of the cheesecake, smooth to edges. 
 Refrigerate for 10 minutes.  
Pour chocolate over peanut butter and smooth into a center circle.  
Decorate as desired.
Refrigerate overnight before serving for best consistency. 

Upstream Brewing Company - Omaha, NE

Last stop in Omaha before we left for the weekend was Upstream Brewing Company.  We went for dinner on Saturday night and I was really impressed.  It was a really cool building in Old Town, the service was excellent, and the food well...read on!

One of the first things I noticed was cards that were stuck to the ceiling with different people's names written on them.  I asked our waiter what the deal was, and he told me a couple nights a week they have a magician come and its part of one of his magic tricks.  If anyone has seen the trick in real life please let me know.  I'm sad I missed it. 

Drinks all around!

We started with the flash fried calamari.  It was served with fresh hot peppers and it was delicious!

My brother and I split the pork schnitzel, I was glad we did.  It was HUGE!  It was really tasty, and had a garlic aioli drizzled on top. To split it was the perfect amount, and I would definitely recommend this dish to anyone who goes to Upstream.

My Mom had the raspberry chicken.  I was too full to taste it, but she said it was very good and the veggies looked like they were cooked perfectly.

My Dad ordered the swordfish special, and he said it was awesome.  The specials are always great to order if your server recommends them because it's only served for a limited time.  The whole place was great, and I hope we go back next year so I can try a couple other dishes.  

See you back here tomorrow! 

Three Things I'm Loving Right Now

1.  Oatmeal with bananas and almonds.  Because it's a pretty awesome breakfast.

2.  This awesome bedroom.  With C and I moving in together I get to redecorate and am using this as inspiration for our new bedroom! Before and after pictures to come.

3.  Storage.  Because the OCD part of me loves this, a place for everything = best feeling ever.

Bruschetta Chicken Sandwich

Last week I posted this bruschetta chicken recipe, and promised an awesome recipe for the leftovers.  Keeping my promise, here it is!  Bruschetta chicken sandwich, yum! 

Essentially you follow the same recipe for the brushetta chicken, but instead of eating it kind of like salad, I shredded the chicken and made it into a sandwich.  Toast two pieces of bread with butter in a pan over medium heat, like you're making grilled cheese :)

Add lettuce.

Top with the shredded chicken.

Spread avocado on the other slice of bread.

Add the tomato mix and shred fresh Parmesan cheese on top.

Pile high and enjoy!  I love when leftovers can be altered a little to made a totally different, yet just as tasty, meal.  Enjoy!

Big News

Recently I read this post listing 15 things that you need to give up to be happy.  The title caught my attention, and as I read on I enjoyed it more and more.  Think positively, be happy with who you are and where you are, don't blame, don't criticize, be present, don't limit yourself.  All great messages, so please make sure you read and think each bullet through and relate it to your life.  The last bullet is what inspired me to write this post about 2 months early (on April 6th to be exact) and to finally say my big news out loud. 

"15. Give up living your life to other people’s expectations. Way too many people are living a life that is not theirs to live. They live their lives according to what others think is best for them, they live their lives according to what their parents think is best for them, to what their friends, their enemies and their teachers, their government and the media think is best for them. They ignore their inner voice, that inner calling. They are so busy with pleasing everybody, with living up to other people’s expectations, that they lose control over their lives. They forget what makes them happy, what they want, what they need….and eventually they forget about themselves. You have one life – this one right now – you must live it, own it, and especially don’t let other people’s opinions distract you from your path."

After 4 1/2 years of working in the retail industry I have decided to make a big career change, and couldn't be more excited.  Ultimately I would like to have my own bakery/cafe, as of now the road that will lead me there is a little fuzzy.  What I do know is I am going to start working in some kind of bakery or restaurant in near future, specifics to come as I come to them myself.  I'll be deciding if I want to start culinary school or continue to work in restaurants soaking up as much as I can. 

The decision to this has been very difficult, the style of living I have become accustomed to over the last years will dramatically change.  I also hope to be happier.  I am no longer going to let my check book and early ideas of what success means hinder my life.  I am going to be doing something I love, everyday.  I'm going to own it and live it, and I couldn't be more excited to share the news and start actually doing it!

Along with this change also comes a move.  C has graduated from school with his masters in electrical engineering and taken a great job in Phoenix, Arizona.  I couldn't be more proud of him, he will be doing something he really enjoys and it's an awesome opportunity for him.  Although I've never thought of Dallas as home, there are things I will miss.  Change is inevitable, and I am excited to take this next leap together. 

Finally, I want to thank YOU.  I started this blog on a whim of boredom and, quite frankly, the need and want to eat some tasty dishes.  It's turned into so much more for me, it's turned into something I want to spend my days doing.  Thank you for reading, commenting and being part of the journey that's gotten me here.  I truly appreciate it, and look forward to sharing the upcoming adventures with you as well!  Guess the only thing left to say is.. wish me luck?  I hope the new adventure will keep C and I  laughing and happy.

Happy Monday! 

Rocky Road Brownies

Even if these chocolate goodies don't tempt you in to today's post (which they should) please make sure you stop by next week.  I have really BIG NEWS for the blog on Monday!! Now onto the goodies.  I made these brownies for a friend's birthday, they take a little time but the multiple layers make these some pretty awesome brownies.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Combine melted butter, sugar, cocoa, salt in a large bowl.

Add in eggs, nuts, flour and whisk together until completely smooth.

Pour into a lightly greased 9x13in pan.  Bake for 20 minutes.

Remove from the oven and top with marshmallows.  Return to the oven and cook for another five minutes or so until the marshmallows start to puff up. Allow to cool before topping with icing.

For the icing, using an electric mixer beat butter until fluffy. Add cocoa powder and vanilla and mix until well combined. 

Gradually add the powdered sugar.  Mix until smooth and creamy, adding evaporated milk as you go until you reach the consistency you want.  This frosting will be a little thicker than normal frosting. 

Spread on top of the marshmallows.

I chose to add some walnuts on top of the frosting as well for a little extra!

These brownies are so gooey and will melt in your mouth.  They can get a little messy, but they're totally worth it.  Enjoy and hope you all have a great weekend!  Don't forget to stop back on Monday :)

Rocky Road Brownies

1 cup melted butter

2 cup sugar

1/3 cup cocoa powder

1 1/2 cup flour

2 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon salt

4 eggs

chopped walnuts or pecans *optional

1 10oz bag mini marshmallows

Icing:

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1/4 cup evaporated milk, more or less

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 cups powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  

Combine melted butter, sugar, cocoa, salt in a large bowl.

Add in eggs, nuts, flour and whisk together until completely smooth.

Pour into a lightly greased 9x13in pan.  
Bake for 20 minutes.
Remove from the oven and top with marshmallows.  
Return to the oven and cook for another five minutes or so until the marshmallows start to puff up. 
Allow to cool before topping with icing.
For the icing, using an electric mixer beat butter until fluffy. 
Add cocoa powder and vanilla and mix until well combined. 
Gradually add the powdered sugar. 
Mix until smooth and creamy, adding evaporated milk as you go until you reach the consistency you want.  

Spread on top of the marshmallows.

Top with nuts if you choose.