Aug
2012

Light and Fresh – Summer Food

categories: Recipes

The last time I posted a recipe for you was over a month ago!  Oh my goodness!  You have my deepest apologies, dear readers, and to make it up to you I will post not 1, not 2, but 3 delicious summer recipes for you!

Let’s start with this gorgeous zucchini tart from Closet Cooking (which is a blog that I highly recommend). Puff pastry is topped with a mixture of ricotta, feta, lemon, fresh herbs, and an egg along with thinly sliced zucchini and baked to puffy, golden perfection.  Served on its own or with a side salad, this is the perfect summer lunch.

Next up, take advantage of those juicy summer tomatoes in a slightly different take on a fresh tomato pasta with a Roasted Tomato Sauce. (more…)


Aug
2012

Joel Robuchon Las Vegas

categories: Reviews

After years of wanting to go and not being able to due to finances or timing, we were finally able to make a trip to the best restaurant in Las Vegas.  Located in the MGM Grand, Joel Robuchon is one of the highest rated and most awarded restaurants in the country, including being one of only a dozen 3-star Michelin rated.  So, as you can imagine, it’s kind of a big deal.

image courtesy of bestofvegas.com

And they certainly give you the start treatment.  Reservations are required and if you are staying on the strip they will send a golden limousine to pick you up and take you to the private entrance at the back of the casino.  Through a big set of iron gates is the entrance to The Mansions at MGM Grand (exclusive villas for high-rollers); here the hostess will meet you and escort you through the property to the restaurant, passing though a gorgeous temperature controlled atrium with custom scents piped in (I’m not even kidding).

image courtesy of lasvegasrestaurants.com

The interior of the restaurant is beautiful – opulent, but not old fashioned, and decked out in rich purple.  The flower arrangements and table settings change seasonally – ours were bright orange and gold.  There is also a lovely enclosed terrace with a vertical garden that I would love to be seated in next time. (more…)


Aug
2012

Las Vegas 2012 Pt 2: The Food

categories: Reviews

The Cosmopolitan Hotel has lots of great food options which was a nice bonus for staying there.  My favorite has to be Holstein’s Burgers, which has a huge selection of glam burgers and adult milkshakes.  They also have a good bar with a whole menu of drinks based around my favorite liquor – St Germain.

This was my first meal at the trendy burger spot (yes, I went back) – The Billionaire Burger with Kobe beef, foie gras, port onion marmalade, frisee, and truffle mayo. Fan-freaking-tastic.  I got it with sweet potato fries and the Drunken Monkey Shake (Reese’s, banana, malt, Frangelico).

(more…)


Aug
2012

Las Vegas 2012 Pt 1: The Hotels

categories: Reviews

So sorry for the long break!  Being in Las Vegas and then recuperating from the trip have taken some time.  Every year at the end of July, my husband gets sent to Vegas for training.  Since the hotel room is payed for, I like to tag along and relax while he is working hard (poor guy).  The food scene in Vegas is pretty stellar, so we always like to try some new places in addition to hitting up old favorites.

The first half of the week of training is located at Caesar’s Palace.  Sometimes we stay there, but this year we wanted to try out the brand new Cosmopolitan Hotel.  The photo is the amazing view from our balcony out over the Bellagio fountain show (which I totally love).  Yes, the Cosmo decided to be risky and is one of very few places in Vegas with balconies! (more…)


Jul
2012

4th of July

categories: Recipes

It’s a little late, I know.  But I did some cool things for the holiday that I thought would be worth sharing.

First up, burgers:

I thought that mixing shredded cheddar and diced bacon into the burgers themselves instead of using them as a topping would be pretty tasty, and I was right!  I also added in pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, mustard powder, and paprika (no salt b/c I figured the bacon would be enough).  I didn’t really measure, but you can get an idea for the proportions here.

Next up – jello shots!

I am kind of obsessed with jello shots right now.  Not the kind you made in college in the little cups that tasted like Everclear, but the fun, creative, tasty kinds found on Jelly Shot Test Kitchen.  These are solid enough to stand on their own in little cubes (or whatever shape you cut them into).  I haven’t gotten too fancy with cutouts and shapes yet, but I am getting pretty good at doing layers. (more…)


Jul
2012

Update

categories: Uncategorized

We are attempting to really fine tune our diet to be as healthy as possible while still being tasty.  Hopefully you will see that reflected here with use of whole grains and lean proteins among other changes.  I still want to bake from time to time, but maybe only for parties or something where other people eat most of the sugary stuff.

Restaurants, however, are free zones with no restrictions, which brings me to my next update – Las Vegas week is next week, so keep an eye out for a big post when we get back!


Jul
2012

Zucchini, Pea, Mint, and Feta Tart

categories: Recipes

I am so excited about zucchini season it isn’t even funny.  I have literally been dreaming about zucchini!  The very first thing that I wanted to make was this gorgeous vegetable tart.  Flaky, buttery puff pastry is topped with thinly shaved zucchini, bright peas, tangy feta, and fresh mint.  Yum, oh yum. (more…)


Jul
2012

Creamy Shrimp Rolls

categories: Recipes

It has gotten hot, hot, hot out here – plants and people alike are wilting in the heat.  On days like these where you can’t bear to be outside for more than 5 minutes, slaving over a stove is out of the question.  These shrimp rolls are the perfect thing for oppressively hot days: fast, easy, cool, and refreshing.

All you have to do is mix together cold, cooked shrimp with celery, scallions, mayonnaise, and lemon juice. Put a piece of butter lettuce on a bun, top with the shrimp mixture, done!  Dinner in less than 10 minutes.

Creamy Shrimp Rolls
adapted from Real Simple
Makes 4 rolls

1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
kosher salt and pepper
1 1/2 lbs cooked medium shrimp, cut in half crosswise
2 stalks celery, chopped
1/4 cup sliced scallion greens
4 soft buns
1 small head butter lettuce, torn into pieces

In a medium bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Fold in the shrimp, celery, and scallions. Line the buns with the lettuce and fill with the shrimp mixture.