Coast to Coast dinner

So, what goegraphical feature does the US have two of that most countries have only 1 of, if any?

One of my dearest friends from Europe was in town, and of course, came to dinner. When I asked him what he wanted he said "something interesting, local, something you can't get in Europe." Those rather vague directions and one expensive trip to Whole Foods spawned the Coast to Coast dinner. (In case you haven't figured out the beginning question, the US has coastline on 2 oceans)

Appetizer was wild-caught South Caronlina shrimp over grits
Main course was Colorado Bison, with some hickory seasoning
Sides were wine-braised mushrooms and Southwest Chipotle Cheddar popovers
Desert was candied California Valencia oranges over white chocolate scramble

In all, it was a fantastic dinner. The white chocolate scramble reminded me why I shouldn't ever make deserts without a recipe. While it was very good, the white chocolate, cheescake, and crust all kind of oozed together and came out looking more like an egg-white scramble than the white chocolate tart I was going for. But again, you can't go wrong with chocolate, butter, and sugar.

And the bison wasn't bad either......if one were to like red meat I think it would actually be wonderful. My favorite was, obviously, the popovers. But in all, a great meal. And even better since I came up with it only about 2 hours before I served it. I may be getting better at this entertaining thing!

Cheese is not a diet food

Grilled Goat Cheese Sandwiches with Fig and Honey Recipe - Cheese - MyRecipes.com

I'm sitting at my desk, nibbling very, very slowly on a bagel, cheese, and onion sandwich trying to make it last as long as possible and somehow trick my body into thinking it is a full lunch (when I really wish I was eating the sandwich above). T and I are on a diet, kind of. Well, he wants to lose weight, and I just can't cope with my exercise/gorge/fast/guilt-trip/exercise/repeat process. So we are trying to eat more healthy. Its really hard, he likes to just eat cold canned beans, and I feel bad about eating when someone else isn't, and of course there is the wine that we like to drink. Sigh.

The good news is that my mom and dad are coming and I can probably get them to eat the things I cook. I'm definitely going to make the egg bake that T loves. And it is our anniversay while they are there. Well, we celebrated our anniversary in Whilmington a few weeks ago, but the actual day is coming up. I had wanted to make a really nice dinner, but I guess my ideas of "really nice" also mean "really heavy, fattening, and filling." Another sigh. I'll figure something out. I guess I should see this as a challenge.

I just like to be able to cook things based on what I think they will taste like and look like, it bums me out to make specifically healthy food. It makes me feel like I'm being punished.

Oh well, I'm off to a second lunch. Even though I'm almost full now. I need to get better at managing my calendar, social engagements, and my own darn stomach.

What country am I in?

Well, Sweden was, on average, the 2nd best places for restaurants that I've ever been (Venice being the best, but perhaps it was the company and the cheese........). Everything was extremely flavorful, very colorful, and exquisitely plated. Although I didn't have much traditional Swedish food. Except for the Moose Burger with Reindeer Bacon. I liked it just about as much as I liked Duck Breast or Venison Loin (meaning it fell somewhere above brussel sprouts but below broccholi). Other than that, I had lots of what can best be described as eclectic food that was intensely flavorful. Especially the Asian-style food.

The trip after that was in Washington, DC and consisted of Americanized Irish pub food and mediocre beer. Well, you can't win 'em all. At least I was able to exercise in DC, as opposed to the excessive "experiencing the culture" that happened in Sweden outside of the 12-hour work days. So I guess the motto is, once again:

Work Hard
Play Hard
Eat Well
Drink Well
Sleep on the Ride Home!