What's On the Menu Monday

Happy Monday!  I thought I would share a yummy casserole that I made last week from the Cooking Light website.  I made the Chicken Poblano Casserole and it was so good!  It took a little while to prepare (about and hour and a half), but next time I might prepare this the day before I want to bake it.  Try this recipe and you won't be disappointed!  Click here for the recipe.

I also made Grilled Artichokes a few weeks ago.  If you love the grilled artichoke from Houston's like I do, then you will love this recipe.  (Recipe Here) 

What's on your menu this week?  Enjoy these recipes and Bon Appetite!

XOXO -E

What's Cookin'

Happy Tuesday!  It is a cool 60 degrees in Dallas today and that makes me want some warm, comfort food.  This week I have made two tasty dishes that fit this bill.  Sunday, I made a new Macaroni and Cheese recipe that I saw on the new ABC show called The Chew.  If I were to make this again, I would probably add some more cheese, but overall this was a very tasty dish.

Yesterday, I made White Chicken Chili .  I have made this soup many times and it is always good.  I usually double the recipe, so we have plenty of leftovers!  Thank you Amy Hannon for posting this recipe.....it has quickly become a fam favorite!

Enjoy these recipes and this cooler weather!
Bon Appetite!

XOXO -E

Catch Up!

Happy Tuesday!  Life has been a little busy lately.....2 weekends ago my parents came to visit. We ate lots of good food, went to a cooking class at Sur la Table, watched Arkansas beat Texas A&M, and had lots of fun just hanging out in Dallas.  Last weekend was the big Texas vs. OU football game......there was a ton of orange and red around town.  

Today, I want to let you know about one of the best and probably the most unique restaurants here in Dallas.  David and I took my parents there 2 weekends ago.  We love this place!  Rise No*1  is a souffle restaurant located in Inwood Village off Lovers Lane and Inwood. Everything is fabulous and always enough to share.  Between David and I, we have probably tried almost everything on the menu.  This last visit we ordered the Rise No*1 salad, Southwest Chicken Souffle, Crab Souffle, Brie and Artichoke Souffle, and Pumpkin Souffle for dessert.  Everything was so filling and flavorful.  So if you are looking for a new place to try in Dallas, I suggest Rise No*1.  You will not be disappointed and you might even see Former President and First Lady George and Laura Bush (this is known as their favorite place to eat in Dallas).  Bon Appetite! 

The Pumpkin Souffle with clove and nutmeg sauce and real whipped cream!

XOXO -E

Happy National Coffee Day!

I don't really know who makes up these days, but this is a day I can celebrate!  David and I LOVE coffee....we are maybe slightly obsessed.  All that said, here are our favorite ways to make coffee and some of our favorite places to get coffee.

David and I received this coffee maker as a wedding gift and we love it!  It is so simple to use; all you do is place grounds in the cone-shaped filter at the top and pour hot water over them.  This drip style of coffee is so smooth and tastes so much better than our automatic coffee maker.   Go to Williams-Sonoma and pick one up today!  (Click here to see more info) 



The French Press is also another wonderful way to make smooth coffee without using a coffee maker.  David and I love ours. (Click here to see more info) 


Here are a few of our favorite coffee spots in Dallas: 
Crooked Tree Coffeehouse: Uptown
Espumoso: Bishop Arts District 
Cafe Brazil: Various locations around Dallas 


Go out today and celebrate!
Happy National Coffee Day!


XOXO
-E

Restaurant Spotlight: Oddfellows

The Bishop Arts district is one of David and my favorite places to eat.  It is such a fun place to have dinner with friends and family;  this area is a "Dallas Must See".  Oddfellows is a new restaurant to this area but has quickly become a favorite for many.  They have traditional american fare with a twist, and they use fresh, in-season ingredients.  I have only been for dinner, but David raves about their breakfast as well.  They also have some of the best coffee in Dallas!  Check out the menu here .  I promise if you go you will not be disappointed.

Here are my suggestions if you go for dinner:
Appetizer:  Crispy Pickles or Asian Carnitas Tacos ( I have never tried them but I have heard the Texas Poutine, their version of amped up cheese fries, are amazing)
Dinner:  Buffalo Chicken Mac N' Cheese, Fried Chicken and Honey Butter Biscuits, 'Shroom Burger and Fries
Dessert:  The Cast Iron Cobbler is a must try, a la mode of course

Classic Roast Chicken

Last night I made Classic Roast Chicken-a recipe I found in my new cookbook "The Weeknight Chef" by Williams-Sonoma .  It turned out so tender and delicious, and, best of all, there were a ton of leftovers for sandwiches for the week.  Here is the recipe:

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Classic Roast Chicken
1 4 lb. Whole Chicken
2 T  Rosemary
3/4 Cup Chicken Broth
1/4 Cup Dry White Wine or Chicken broth ( I just used 1 Cup of chicken stock)
Salt and Pepper
Olive Oil

Preheat the oven to 450*F.  Place the chicken, breast side up, on a rack in a large roasting pan.  Rub with olive oil, rosemary, and generous amounts of salt and pepper.  Roast for 20 minutes.  Reduce the oven temperature to 400*F and continue to roast about 40-50 minutes longer.  Transfer to a carving board and let rest for 10 minutes.

While the chicken is resting, use the juices to make the pan sauce.  I almost skipped this step, but it really did add good flavor to the chicken.  Pour off all but about 1 1/2 teaspoons fat from the roasting pan. Place over medium-high heat and add the broth and wine.  Bring to a boil and stir, scraping up the browned bits on the bottom of the pan.  Cook until slightly reduced, about 1 minute.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  Carve the chicken , top with the sauce and serve.
* I served my chicken with roasted brussel sprouts.

*Here is a great video on How to Carve a Whole Chicken 

Fall Trend: The Cape

I am OBSESSED with this fabulous fall trend.   Now that Fall is in sight, I plan on buying a versatile cape that I will pair with my J.Crew pixie pant or skinny jeans, turtleneck, and riding boots.  Here are some great Capes that I adore:

* The One

*Mad for Plaid

*The Capelet (the collar is to die for)

*Stella McCartney - great for work or play

*Tweed + Beautiful Gold Hardware

*Classic, Wool, and Black