Safari Supper: Round Two

Last night, was our second Safari Supper. My room had appetizers. I was a little nervous we were going to run into to problems when my roommate and I didn't get back from the movie theater (Bridesmaids, go see it) and grocery until a half hour before our start time. We agreed to "Top Chef" it (or work really fast). Luckily everyone else was running behind too and it all worked out. In fact, we agreed this dinner was even better than our last.

For appetizers we used this recipe for French Fries with Three Dips from Epicurious, except we only made two dips. I'm ashamed to say I have never used the method of boiling and then baking potatoes described in the recipe to make the french fries, but I vow to from this point forward. The dips were the real stars of the show. We made the curry ketchup and rosemary mayo. I loved the curry ketchup, I'll definitely be making it again.

We also cut up a loaf of Italian bread and served it with a selection of tasty jams and EVOO w/ dill and chives. 

The entree was mac n' cheese, fried chicken and green beans prepared by the boys room. Everything was so good. For dessert we have frozen kiwi pops covered in chocolate served by the 8th floor girls, so delicious and light.

Next time we will be serving dessert, any suggestions?

Safari Supper

Sunday morning I biked to Belle Isle with three other students in my program. It was the perfect day for a ride and we stumbled upon the Heidelberg Project on the way (I actually ended up there again today). As I understand the project was intended to give Detroit residents an alternative view of the blighted neighborhoods they know all to well. Pretty interesting stuff. I think there may be a similar neighborhood elsewhere in Detroit that I heard about on NPR too.

...and then my camera battery died, so no pictures of Belle Isle this time. BUT, if your unfamiliar with Belle Isle it is a city park/island in the Detroit River. You can get there via bridge and once there have a good view of the Detroit and Windsor, Canada skylines. We biked around the island a bit and visited the Conservatory.

We couldn't stay too late though because my classmates and I had planned a progressive dinner (or Safari supper) Sunday evening. Since we are divided nicely into three apartments, one room did appetizers, another the entree and the last desserts.

Appetizers included some tasty breads and oil, deconstructed bruschetta and mozzarella sticks.

My roommates and I were in charge of the entree and we made spaghetti and roasted carrots, served alongside some bread sticks we bought at Eastern Market the day before. The spaghetti sauce ended up being quite the event. We made a meat and vegetarian version. My roommate "Manni" did a great job with the veggie version and really my only job with sauce was to cook the meat. We haven't been eating too much meat here and so we borrowed some frozen meat from the boys apartment. In an effort to split up the 4lbs of frozen ground beef I snapped off the tip of my chefs knife (thanks TJ Maxx) in the meat as well has "butchering" it in a variety of other ways. The boys think it is still edible though, so that's good. 

Finally, dessert was served in the boys room. This dessert may in fact illustrate how awesome the people in my program are. Warm chocolate chip cookies with two choices of ice cream AND an option of coconut cream pie AND candlelight AND music. It was a great end to a great evening with friends. Next Safari Supper on the calendar - can't wait!

Another One Bites the Dust

And just like that, another year of college done. I can't believe that I can graduate college a year from now (although, I'd love to stretch it into three semesters - what do you say, Dad?). I am sure that it has something to do with me transferring to U of M after a brief stint at another college and three semesters of community college - but didn't I just start college yesterday?

In celebration of this momentous occasion (and my empty refrigerator), I enjoyed a few delicious meals out this weekend. On Friday night my roommates, little sister and I went to Sabor Latino for some delicious Latin fare. I had the Mexican Combo with a spicy pork tamal, chorizo taco, and enchilada with veggies. . .and lots of chips, salsa and queso dip. All in all, a pretty delicious dinner. I think I will add Taco Tuesday and Margarita Monday at Sabor to my senior year bucket list.

Yesterday - the most beautiful day this spring to date - started with my very last yogurt and some Kashi Toasted Berry Crumble GoLean Crunch. Then I was supposed to be packing but I HAD to be outside. So little sister and I went to Zingerman's for coffee and then walked around for forty five minutes or so. Once we got back and I packed my kitchen stuff, we ordered lunch from Jerusalem Garden with friends Jenna and Abby. I ordered the Stuffed Grape Leaves plate, yummmm. I'm not sure what was better- the food or eating outside. Jerusalem Garden is going on the bucket list too (because I should have gone more than once this year).

And despite being stuffed like my grape leaves, I found enough room for some Whole Foods hot bar last night with Caroline. No picture. Spinach salad and dollops of pulled pork and mac n' cheese were munched on.

P.S. BREAKING NEWS: As this post was being typed I received a text message at work from Caroline: "What do you want from Starbucks?" She must have seen my early morning Facebook post "there is no place to get an iced latte on State St. at 6:40am." So excited, my first latte since March 8th.

February Dayz

Michigan is a great place to live, but when February comes around and you go from this. . .

. . .to this. . .

. . .AND then back again in a matter of days - frustration and sinus pressure sets in.

An impromptu roommate dinner (organized completely on Facebook) seemed like the perfect way to celebrate the freshly fallen snow (see above). I offered to make a tried and true recipe from Gourmet - Spiced Beef Corn Bread Cobbler. Tonight's version was a little light on spice, I went sans measuring spoon; and heavy on the cornbread. I have always used Jiffy cornbread mix instead of mixing my own when making this. Tonight the ratio was 2:1, box of mix to pound of ground beef - but I think the better ratio is actually closer to 1.5:1.

Here are a few photos from our mini-dinner party this weekend, complete with appetizers (Sweet and Spicy Doritos), Salad Bar, BREAD, and desserts sponsored by V, P & M (not pictured). 

Ann Arbor Restaurant Week

This post brought to you by Cappuccino (fuel) from Lab. The barista said the design would have been prettier if I didn't get skim milk; next time I'll sacrifice myself and take in the extra calories for the sake of the blog. 

And now what you have all been waiting for - Restaurant Week Recap. I celebrated in two locations this week, Shalimar and Blue Tractor, with my dearest friend CMo. 

First up, lunch a Shalimar:
Course One - Daal Soup
Course Two - Saag Paneer, Vegetable Korma, Chana Masala, Rice, Naan, Cucumber Raita, Mango Chutney and Papad
Course Three - Gulub Jaman

Overall, a great and filling sampler meal for only $12. My favorite items on the plate were the Vegetable Korma and Naan.

Next up, dinner at Blue Tractor:

Course One - Artichoke Dip (more than I could possibly eat in one sitting)

Course Two - BBQ Combo Platter: I chose pulled pork and beer can chicken. Served with coleslaw, cheddar grits and bourbon molasses baked beans.

Course Three - Fried Doughnut Bread Pudding (OMG!)

Lets just say I waddled home happy after this meal. I loved the artichoke dip, but I think pita chips would have been a better "dipper" than tortilla chips. Both meats were good, although it is not something I eat too often anymore - so it was a lot to take in at once. And the fried doughnut pudding was as good as it sounds. . .still dreaming about it.

Happy Friday!

Krazy Jim. . .

Friday night brought lots of fun and fried food. I headed to Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger with friends (or should I say, I ran to KJ's Blimpy Burger much later than intended after a schedule mishap at work) and then to my first indoor U of M hockey game versus Ferris State University.

Blimpy Burger is an Ann Arbor institution for students, located in the heart of the Packard-Madison-S. Division student housing area.  It has been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (I think it is classified as a dive, see video below) and more recently, Man Vs. Food. 

Friday night was my first time ordering and dining in at Blimpy Burger. Delicious - but only every once and a while. Important note for first timers: no cell phones in line, and be sure to read the guidelines for ordering. My burger was a double on a regular bun with grilled onions and banana peppers, Swiss, pickles, ketchup and mustard. I also split some onion rings. . .and ate most of the aforementioned in an embarrassing amount of time. 

Then it was off to the hockey game we went (rolled), where Michigan beat FSU 3-2. And then it was time to come HOME!

P.S. Promised Puppy Pics. 

Nephew Adam and new dog-nephew Carlos.

Lucy and Cath's new puppy [unnamed], but we can just call her Blanca for convenience sake. 

Dinner Improv

I heard the weather alarms in the coffee shop Tuesday morning; winter weather was upon us in the Mitten. So the plans for risotto went out the window with the weather. I was missing a few key ingredients and tromping around in the snow to and fro sounded less than appealing, and as a result Tuesdays dinner turned out to be more of an improv event than the performance I had planned (not to mention Abby was sick and couldn't make it). 

We started out with apps. Vermont Cheddar on top of Farrell Razzzberry Jam (obsessed) and Carr's Table Water Crackers. 

Dinner was simple. Salad and Basil, Asiago & Pine Nut Pesto Ravioli (that had been taking up residence in my freezer for a while) from Rising Moon Organics. The sauce I "made" for the ravioli consisted of sauteed onions and mushrooms that were intended for the risotto, a can of tomato sauce, and a little s+p. 

For dessert: Nonpareils. And yes, they are gone now. :(

Coming up soon:

-Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger & A Hockey Game

-Doughnut Muffins or Biscotti?

-Ann Arbor Restaurant Week

-Two New Puppies (!)

What are you doing this weekend? Do you have a 3-Day weekend?