Need a Skin Detox? Official Glowing Green Smoothie (R) Recipe

I’ve been trying to eat a bit healthier these days. This morning I woke up and began making the greenest smoothie I’ve ever had. I knew it would be good for me but what about the taste? That was my excuse for sitting on the recipe for, well…months.

My blender isn’t very big so I used about half what the recipe calls for in spinach and romaine but used all of the fruit and still had enough for two servings this morning and another two for tomorrow. I don’t need to tell you how healthy this is, one serving has about as many greens as most people have in a week, makes your skin glow, helps you lose weight, etc. What I need to tell you is this is good. Not just kind of good but, for real good. There is really no reason you shouldn’t make it. The fruit gives it a sweet taste, it is very filling and it is very easy to make. You can easily change up the greens (kale, arugula) and the fruit (strawberries, blueberries) to suit your taste.

Image via kimberlysnyder.net

The original recipe is at the link below but these are the proportions I used:

• 1 ½- 2 cups very cold, filtered water
• 2 cups spinach, chopped
• 1 cups organic romaine lettuce, chopped
• 2 stalks of organic celery
• 1 organic apple, cored and chopped
• 1 organic pear, cored and chopped
• 1 organic banana
• 2 Tbs. fresh organic lemon juice
• Ice cubes (the extra coldness can help newbies with the taste)

Check out Kimberly Snyder’s site for more recipes and information.

Kimberly Snyder’s Official Glowing Green Smoothie (R) Recipe.

Anthony Bourdain’s The Layover Sneak Peek Video – Travel Channel

 

“Writer, traveler, professional eater.” Now, that’s what I’d like the title of my business card to say someday. I wrote about this show back in August but wanted to give an update now that the premiere date is around the corner.

Format of the show will have Anthony Bourdain spend 24-48 hours in each city. Bourdain will “cut to the chase” and give his list of “dive bars to five-stars.” Chicago didn’t make the list but I am sure if there is a second season it will be on. Looking forward to this show. Here is the city line-up:

New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Hong Kong, Singapore, London, Rome, Montreal, and Amsterdam

The Layover premieres Monday, November 21 at 9 E/P.

The Layover Sneak Peek – The Layover Video – Travel Channel.

Chicago Beach Polo World Cup 2011 – North Avenue Beach

The weather was so nice on Sunday I was looking for something to do outside. Looking on the internets I saw, “Chicago Beach Polo World Cup” and was confused. Beach polo and Chicago don’t seem to go hand-in-hand but there it was. The first annual Chicago Beach Polo World Cup was this past weekend at North Avenue Beach.

Beach polo is played with three players per side vs. the regular four players in polo. This variation of polo is very young, starting in Dubai in 2004. Both men and women’s teams played in the cup. I missed seeing any of the women play but did catch the championship game. It was the perfect day to sit and watch something new with the Chicago skyline in the background.

The VIP ticket allowed access to the Kick-Off and Closing Party at Crimson, After-party at Cuvee and another Kick-Off party at Union Sushi & BBQ  (wonder how much alligator was consumed). Also to the high-end food and wine tents. I wish I could say that I attended and/or ate at any of these places but I was not a lucky VIP ticket holder. Maybe next year. I have a feeling this event will get bigger and bigger.

General admission is reasonable and it really is a great way to experience Chicago — no polo shirt required but the crowd, as you probably guessed, is very upscale. Great people watching, if you want to see some South American dandies  strut their stuff this is the place. But this being Chicago, everyone is welcome.

Chicago Beach Polo | Venue.

Empanadas Brought to You by the Recession

Image via chicagoreader.com

Like many in the last few years, Nicolas Ibarzabal’s  job was in danger of being a casualty of the economic downturn.  He decided to channel his energy into creating his own business based around what he described as one of his “passions” — the empanada. With two other fellow Argentines 5411 Empanadas was  created.

Chicago has more than a few hoops food trucks have to jump through but 5411 Empanadas has managed to grow a following with regular daily spots. There are also plans to open a restaurant in Lincoln Park.

Seems like a silver lining to the economy can be that people are deciding to try a hand at doing what they love for a living.

Latin American Herald Tribune – Empanadas Catch On with Chicago Street Food Consumers.

“A beautiful setting full of happy people” – Dose Market Chicago

The next Dose Market is this Sunday September 25th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m in the River East Art Center. Dose is a year-round monthly event that features local vendors that are handpicked for their food or fashion innovation. Food and fashion — can’t think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Especially as the weather cools off and you need to escape indoors. The hot cider and looking at one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry will make the cold weather bearable.  If hot cider doesn’t do it for you they have drinks as well:

Image via dosemarket.com

You can find a list of vendors and event information here. I am looking forward to tasting the food, drinking the drinks and trying on the wares. I’ll post pictures and keep you updated on the next Dose Market.

A peek at some of the food line-up:
• Wild-caught Alaskan salmon and smoked salmon on New York Bagel + Bialy bagels with Zingerman’s cream cheese
• New candy company Sea & Cane’s sea salt caramels, pistachio cherry nougat and chocolate “sausage” logs
• City Provisions’ Bloody Marys, plus two exclusive beers brewed by chef Cleetus Friedman
• Sweet Cakes Bakery’s brioche bostock (think portable French toast), individual bread puddings and quiche
• Franks ‘N’ Dawgs’ fanciful sausage sandwiches

Some fashion visuals:

Image via mineralogydesign.blogspot.com

Image via cultureclubfashion.com

Market Info.

Dose Market – River East Art Center, 435 E. Illinois St., Chicago, IL

Brilliant Corners of Popular Amusements | September 16-18, 2011 – Eckhart Park

Image via www.popmatters.com

Just another Chicago festival? The more I read about Brilliant Corners of Popular Amusements the more I realized it did not sound like the typical Chicago festival. The About page of their site states, “Our ultimate goal is to create a distinct environment that allows a wide audience to be entertained with the most creative ideas and performers regardless of genre. As a production the event has no stylistic boundaries, it can  incorporate circus artists, music, comedians, short film and hopefully more.”

The creator is Mike Reed of Pitchfork fame. He designed the event to have something for everyone in a unique and oddly entertaining way. Its sounds intriguing enough to go see for yourself. Of course my question: Is there food?  Yes, there is FOOD. There will be a farmers market on Saturday and Sunday featuring some great Midwest vendors.

Besides the farmers market there are also a number of free events as well. Here are a couple:  Walk for Fun and for anyone that missed Renegade Craft Fair  last weekend, a Renegade Craft Fair Pop Up Market.

The website itself is really well designed and is packed with information so go there and check it out for more info:

Brilliant Corners of Popular Amusements | September 16-18, 2011.

Eckhart Park (Chicago Ave. & Noble St.) Chicago, IL 60622

Shut Up And Bake

Bleeding Heart Bakery is not for the faint of heart. Sorry for the kinda-pun but it’s true. Exhibit A: Deep-fried doughnut breakfast sandwich. Yep, a donut that is tempura battered and deep-fried with a fried egg and choice of meat and cheese.

BHB’s new West Town cafe is a beautiful and spacious diner with great artwork, murals and vintage touches.  I cannot wait for the rooftop next year. Cassie, our waitress/new BFF, broke down the large menu in terms of what we should get for first-timers. I also have to say, for Day 2 this place had it together. Everything ran smoothly and everyone that worked there seemed like they had been doing it for years. You might recognize the owners Michelle and Vinny Garcia from various Food Network competitions and their Roscoe Village and Oak Park bakery locations.

Cassie recommended swapping out one of the chai’s on order for The Dim…a banana split mocha…behold:

Next up, Housemade Biscuits & Gravy. I don’t usually get B&G so I wanted to try something different. These were good; some cayenne on top so there is a little kick to the thick and rich gravy. You could tell the biscuits were made from scratch, hearty but flaky. Had the eggs over easy.

My favorite dish of the meal, Veruca Salt Waffle: salted caramel mouse and vanilla anglaise. This was one of the best savory and sweet dishes I have tasted. The warm gooey caramel melting into the sea salt = complete gratification. The waffles were a perfect slight crisp on the outside and light and fluffy inside.

Last up, since it was “healthy”, the Caramelized Grapefruit. Basically crème brulée grapefruit. Sugar combined with tart thirst-quenching juice was the perfect way to end the meal.

Great relaxed vibe with a slight edge. Good for brunch anytime of the day and if you don’t have much time, order sweets/donuts/cakes and coffee from the to go counter. Vegan, vegetarian options and local and organic farm ingredients used. Also open 57 hours straight from Friday until Sunday so if you get some food craving late-night, head there. The A/C was cranked so if you get cold easily might want to bring an extra layer.

Cute bathrooms too:

Will I be back? Yes. Should you go? Definitely.

Join the Punk Rock Brunch at Bleeding Heart Bakery and Café - West Town, 1916 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60622

Let’s Not Be Ashamed of Ketchup

Via Brendan Smialowski for The New York Times

This article caught my attention with this quote from José Andrés, ”Everyone else in the world still thinks of American food as ketchup.” Mr. Andrés, has been in the US working as a chef for a couple of decades and according to Wikipedia is the, “Spanish chef often credited for bringing the small plates dining concept to America.”

He goes on to say he wants to embrace and celebrate ketchup, I say go for it. I am open to any new type of sauce and would love to try any of the eight ketchups Andrés is offering on his menu. In fact, the curry ketchup at Fritz in San Francisco is one of my favorite  to eat with fries.

That said, I love regular old Heinz ketchup and will never be embarrassed to use it, even in fancy French bistros.

Building Respect for Ketchup – NYTimes.com.

Shh, it’s a secret. Diner en Blanc Chicago – a White Pique Nique – August 27, 2011

Image via Wikipedia

Diner en Blanc Chicago – a White Pique Nique – August 27, 2011.

A take on the pop-up dinner that began in France in 1988. Chicago will be premiering their “White Pique Nique.”  Registration starts today and is limited to 500 invitations. Start planning your all-white outfit now!

No Reservations: El Bulli

El Bulli before the “best restaurant in the world” closes its doors for good. Friend and chef Jose Andres joins Tony for the experience of a lifetime. I cannot wait to see this episode. I’ve dreamed of going to El Bulli for years but will have to live, once again, vicariously through Anthony Bourdain. This is airing on the Travel Channel on August 1st.

via El Bulli – Travel Channel.