There is something about guacamole that just makes me incredibly happy.

After my coworker Shannon talked about it on our trip to the grocery store I decided I needed to make it. So tonight I actually brought out a knife and got to chopping!

Delicious.

It made a very boring dinner much better. All my dinners lately have been lazy girl dinners: throw together a bunch of stuff and top it with a sauce or salsa.

Case in point:

Looks ugly right? It might be, but it was great! Red hot blues chips, romaine lettuce, salsa, guacamole, and leftover spicy chicken from my vietnamese dinner last night.

Yes I forced Vietnamese food into my Mexish (is this a word) dinner. I won’t be winning any cooking awards anytime soon but I get by. ;)

Point of this post – guacamole makes me happy. It will probably make you happy too, so go get some!

I love grocery shopping in the US.

Love it.

Everything seems so much less expensive.

What I got:

• Kashi GoLean cereal
• vanilla almond milk
• ground turkey
• taco seasoning
• tortillas
• jalapenos
• fruit
• jello
• string cheese
• mixed veggies
• romain lettuce

Nothing too exciting. Just a standard bit of food for lunch and breakfast for the week.

These days I walk to the grocery store so my grocery hauls are smaller than normal. It’s interesting to see how much I can/want to carry each trip. This seemed like a decent amount!

New to me items….

Whole grain tortillas:

Veggies in a bag:

Reduced sodium taco seasoning:

I really should make my own. But since these two months feel less like real life and more like something to survive I’ll go with what is easy.

Walking to the grocery store is easy. And fun! I actually really enjoy it and it’s got me rethinking my transportation methods regarding grocery shopping in the future.

I have a tendency to forget what I order at restaurants. That is why blogging comes in handy sometimes. A quick search of this here blog helps me avoid defaulting to my first choice which I’ve normally already made.

This happened Friday when I found myself eating at Jasmine Thai & Vegetarian Restaurant in Memphis. I’d been there before but it was a long time ago and I couldn’t remember what I had ordered. I searched the blog quickly and realized I was about to order the exact same thing I had last time! (Chicken with peppers and onions.)

Instead I asked our waitress what she recommended.

That led me to order an egg roll and massaman curry.

Massaman curry is a Southern Thair dish that contains coconut milk, roasted peanuts or cashews, potatoes, bay leaves, cardamom pods, cinnamon, star anise, palm sugar, fish sauce, chili and tamarind sauce.

Thanks for that info Wikipedia. I obviously didn’t know anything about the dish except that it had peanuts in it (I had to ask my boss twice what the name was.)

I really enjoyed the egg roll and the massaman curry. My only real complaint about the food was that the curry wasn’t spicy enough. I ordered it spicy and I was super disappointed that it just wasn’t hot at all. It was more sweet than spicy. Maybe she put the order in wrong or didn’t understand me or just decided I didn’t need it super hot, but I would have preferred more heat.

It did have a good amount of veggies in there and lots of chicken which was nice. The portion was huge though so I took at least half of it home with me. Along with chicken fried rice leftovers offered by a coworker.

I’m not sure if it’s weird to take someone else’s leftovers. Feel free to tell me if it is, but she offered and I’m desperate to save money at the moment so I’ll do whatever I can to make that happen. Free food is great!

It wasn’t the best chicken fried rice I’ve ever had but it was acceptable. And it was free!

Now I’ve had three different things at Jasmine! I’d really love to try another Thai place in Memphis. I enjoy Thai food so it would be nice to keep trying different options.

Of course I’ll record them here so I “remember” what I’ve had and can explore new dishes! ;)

Check out Jasmine on Urban Spoon and Yelp.

When I started cooking dinner tonight I had no idea what I was doing.

Despite my love for meal planning I don’t have a current meal plan. Just feeding myself doesn’t seem worth the work to make a meal plan so I am just winging it. I just went to the kitchen around dinner time and decided to make something with chicken.

Luckily it worked out to be pretty nice!

I started with pre cooked and sliced frozen chicken in a skillet and added half a red bell pepper. After cooking these two things together for a few minutes until the pepper softened the apartment smelled amazing. I love the smell of cooked red peppers.

From there I spent a few minutes wondering what exactly I was planning to make. I had no idea halfway through!

I “borrowed” a can of black beans and a can of corn from the roomies and added that to the mix. Then I realized I need more veggie power so I added some frozen broccoli for a bit of green goodness. Seasoned with salt (eh), pepper, and ground red pepper.

Ta-da!

Not bad tasting for a meal concocted without a plan or recipe. I love one skillet/pot meals like this because they are so ridiculously easy and still taste great. I might actually make this one for Kepa at some point in the future as a super fast meal.

After dinner I got sucked into the world of Memphis food blogs and restaurants. There are so. many. good. places. here. So many new places to try!  There is going to be a food truck rodeo downtown on Thursday so you better believe I’m eating at that. I love a good food truck!

Reminder to self: take Kepa here.

Yes, this blog is pretty much now just a list of reminders to myself. I haven’t been cooking lately so there hasn’t been much to share! I have been eating some amazing food though and it’s worth sharing even if the photos aren’t (iphone photos on my phone lately have been BAD).

Last week I ate at Bookseller’s Bistro for the first time. It was wonderful!

Tomato & Blue Cheese Soup

Homemade Soup        Cup ~ 3.95 ~        Bowl ~ 4.95 ~
You can choose between our signature soups “Tomato Blue Cheese” or the soup of the day.

This soup is amazing. Definitely get it.

Black and Bleu Salad

Black and Blue Salad          ~ 10.95 ~
A little heat with a lot of flavor.  Blackened chicken served on mixed greens and topped with fresh bleu cheese crumbles, red onion, tomatoes, and our Buttermilk Ranch dressing.

I enjoyed this salad without the ranch (I’m not a huge fan of ranch for lots of reasons). I had leftovers the next day too and it was surprisingly just as good. Lots of times that doesn’t happen with salads!

Definitely a place to visit/revisit. I’m going to guess almost anything on their menu would be good and I LOVE the idea that it all comes from cookbooks and books because it’s in a bookstore. Clever little idea!

Y’all I just found something Kepa is going to love: 100 Things To Eat In Memphis.

It’s basically just a list of things that are great to eat in Memphis created by the Yelp community. It’s actually up to 125 at this point. Something to do for when we eventually move here?

I’ve highlighted the things I’ve already had.

100+ Things To Eat In Memphis

1. Tuna sandwich from Chinese Sub Shop
2. BBQ plate from Germantown Commissary
3. Fried chicken breast from Gus’s
4. Soul Burger from Earnestine and Hazel’s
5. Peach cheesecake from Cheesecake Corner
6. Chorizo tortuga from Las Tortugas
7. Sea bass at Tsunami
8. Ribeye from Folk’s Folly
9. John Deere snow cone from Jerry’s
10. Joyce roll from Sakura
11. Dry rub ribs from Bar-B-Que Shop
12. San Diegan from Brother Juniper’s
13. Guacamole from Las Delicias
14. Homeroom Chicken and Grids from Lunchbox Eats
15. Red velvet donuts from Gibson’s
16. Greek burger from Alex’s Tavern
17. Gas station sushi
18. Uptown burger from Roxie’s Grocery
19. Muffaletta from Kwik Chek
20. Gyro from Castle
21. Key Lime Pie ice cream from La Michoacana
22. Twice-baked potato salad from One and Only BBQ
23. Cheesesteak from Yang’s
24. Shrimp and grits from Sweet Grass
25. Buffalo tenderloin from Erling Jensen
26. Barbecue pizza from Coletta’s
27. Cornish game hen from Cozy Corner
28. Grilled cabbage from Deja Vu
29. Bulgogi from Du Won Jong
30. Roast duck from New Asia
31. Rib tips from Tom’s Barbecue
32. Capote cupcake from Muddy’s Bakeshop
33. Barbecue tofu nachos from R.P. Tracks
34. Chips (aka fries) from Brass Door Tavern
35. Ravioli from Vanelli’s Deli
36. Mac’n'cheese from Mollie Fontaine Lounge
37. Voodoo Chocolate Passion Cake at King’s Palace
38. Banana pudding from Cozy Corner
39. Turkey leg from a vendor outside of a Melrose High football game
40. Salmon cakes from Elegant Farmer
41. Almond croissants from Off the Square Catering
42. Crazy noodle bowl from Bhan Thai
43. Banana pudding from Germantown Commissary
44. Tiger Bleu Chips from Brookhaven Pub
45. Barbecue nachos from Central BBQ
46. Blueberry donuts from Gibson’s
47. Hot wings from Ching’s
48. Pimento cheese stuffed okra from Restaurant Iris
49. Shrimp salad from Bogie’s
50. Chilean sea bass from McEwan’s
51. Wedding cake supreme snow cone from Jerry’s
52. Hummus and falafel from Casablanca
53. Chicken salad sandwich from Young Ave. Deli
54. French fries / sweet potato fries from Young Ave. Deli
55. Pineapple shake from Shanghai
56. Coconut cake from Beauty Shop
57. Spicy crab soup from Ryu
58. Goat taco from La Guadalupana
59. Turkey and dressing from the Four Way
60. Reuben from Trolley Stop Market
61. Thai Gumbo from Tao
62. Honey gold wings from All-Star
63. BLT from Links of Galloway
64. Pan-fried dumplings from Panda Garden
65. Hot wing rolls from Blue Monkey
66. Barbecue pizza from Pete and Sam’s
67. Mussels from Bari
68. Ribs from A&R Barbecue
69. Salsa Tayde from Las Tortugas
70. Baklava from Cafe Med
71. Pickled green tomatoes from Soul Fish
72. Vegan Memphis barbecue sandwich from Imagine Vegan Cafe
73. Lentil tacos from Fuel Food Truck
74. Brussels sprouts from South of Beale
75. Bi Bim Bop from Kwik Check
76. Ribs from Central Barbecue
77. Wings from Molly’s La Casita
78. Burger from Huey’s
79. Cheese grits from Republic Coffee
80. Homemade chips from Pop’s Deli
81. Nachos from Interstate Barbecue
82. Steak sandwich from Jack Pirtle’s
83. Pork chop sandwich from Tom’s BBQ
84. Stone Hero hoagie from Skunx Chef’s Pub
85. Meat-stuffed pizza at Little Italy
86. Chocolate milkshake from Wiles-Smith
87. Breakfast sampler from Bryant’s
88. Crab eggs benedict from Sweet Grass
89. All-in-one from Las Delicias
90. Pronto Pup
91. Lobster roll from Slider Inn
92. Nuts and chocolate from Peanut Shoppe
93. Lunch buffet from Pho Hoa Binh
94. Self-serve frozen yogurt from Yolo
95. Dirty Fries from Revival Food Truck
96. Island Club from Bardog Tavern
97. Lobster pronto pup from Rizzo’s Diner
98. Monte Cristo from Half Shell
99. High tea from Chez Philippe
100. Chili pineapple paleta from La Michoacana

-

101. Tom Yum Soup at Tycoon Noodle Shop.
102. Lou’s fried chicken with love sauce
103. any pizza from boscos as long as it’s served with a pint of midtown brown ale
104. a jumbo BBQ sandwich (hot) from tops
105. Chicken Salad with pepper relish from Lenny’s
106. ANY of the Gelato at YoLo
107. Curry Tofu from Pho Hoa Bhin
108. Tuna Entree from Tsunami
109. Bang Bang Shrimp from Bonefish
110. Margarita Pizza from Trolley Stop
111. Rigatoni from Bari
112. Cuban Sandwich from Soul Fish
113.  Veggie burger from Houston’s
114. Carrot Cake from Soul Fish
115. Girl Scout Mocha from Republic Coffee
116. California Veggie from Bogie’s Deli
117. Beauty Shop has THE BEST Bloody Mary EVER!
118. Crab Cakes from Sekisui Pacific Rim
119. Buffet on Sunday’s at India Palace
120. Onion Kulcha at India Palace
121. Veggie Platter at Abyssinia
122. Margarita at Ciao Bella
123. Green Salsa at La Guadaulapana
124.  Banana Cream Pie at McEwen’s
125.  Lamb Ribs at Alchemy

Of course this is based on people’s personal opions and likes/dislikes. Some of the things on this list I would never order or wnat to order. But I still think it gives a pretty nice look at the variety of awesome things available to eat in Memphis. The I Love Memphis Blog posted this list from Yelp and has another 75 comments of suggestions for the list. I might have to go through those and other at some point too for suggestions of things to eat here!

My boss tipped me off to this hilarious bacon related flowchart created by the guys at ScienceLoveLSD.com:

Basically the answer to bacon is always yes. The guys at Epic Meal Time would definitely agree.

Unfortunately that wasn’t my answer for dinner. My burger missed the bacon but I was fine without it. ;)

Kepa made burgers tonight! Love homemade burgers. Had mine on toast with ketchup and mustard and romaine lettuce… the very basics really. A side of asparagus for more green and another veggie serving for the day. I actually managed to get my 5 servings of fruits and veggies today – go me!

MexiKai has a sweet tagline: Mexican Streetfood with a Pacific Vibe!

You can see how they drew me in, right? Two of the greatest things on earth combined! As soon as I saw their truck at the Sunday Night Market I knew I had to try their offerings.

The tacos on their menu:

• Al Pastor – 20 hour slow smoked pulled pork with a fresh pineapple and coconut salsa
• Puebla – Shredded chicken with a tangy feijoa habanero salsa
• Aztec – Field mushrooms and queso fresco (young cows cheese) with delicious black bean and corn salsa
• Barbacoa – Roasted shredded beef in a barbeque sauce served with a tasty mexi-pacific salad and fresh pico de gallo

We chose the Al Pastor, Puebla, and Barbacoa tacos.

Their food wasn’t spicy at all in my opinion which disappointed me at first. But I love spicy food and put peppers and hot sauce on everything so I’m not to be trusted. Perhaps it was their suggestion that it would be spicy that through me off? The tacos leaned more toward the Pacific (Hawaiian?)/Kiwi flavors in a Mexican style which was not what I was expecting. Still, the food was delicious and very flavorful.

Loves:

• Delicious. No matter what, the food was really good.
• Corn tortillas! I miss these and loooove them.
• Tasted fresh, ingredients were fresh and yummy.
• Nice fruit combinations for their salsas.
• They use local ingredients for the most part according to the website.
• Super cool truck. Love the design and vibe.
• Nice ladies were working there and made our tacos. They did a great job!

Dislikes:

• Super drippy. Not sure that I hated this fact but it was a messy endeavor to eat them.
• As I mentioned, not very spicy which made me want more kick.
• The price was not that great. They were really small (as good corn tacos can be) but were still $5 each or 3 for $12. That’s maybe enough for me for a meal but definitely not for Kepa. I’m know my expectations for price are skewed being from a low cost of living city but I want cheap tacos from a truck!

Despite my few dislikes about them I’ll probably get around to eating from the truck again since overall I really enjoyed the food.

It seems that MexiKai started up in November of last year. They seem to be doing well for running such a short time. Overall it seems Mexican food/flavors are catching on more and more in Auckland, with things like MexiCali expanding and other places opening up. It warms my heart and makes me think I’ll actually *like* living here the next few years. Now if I can only get a traditional Mexican taco serving truck around here I’ll be set. :)

You can find out where the MexiKai truck will be next on their website. Check it out and make sure you find them around because it’s definitely a nice fusion food treat!

I made dinner last night!

Kepa and I usually take turns but lately it’s been a bunch of team efforts where we both make part of the meal or just eat leftovers. It feels like it’s been a while since I made a dinner all on my own.

Last night I made parmesan encrusted white fish with rice and veggies.

In my head i was wanted parmesan tilapia but they don’t have tilapia here. we used another white fish that seemed similar and tasted just as good when finished.

The first was rather easy to do:

• pat 2-4 fish filets dry
• dunk/cover in lemon juice
• add salt and pepper (I just did pepper)
• combine 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup shredded parmesan, onion salt, garlic grandules/powder, pepper on a plate
• put fish filet in mixture and cover
• place in sprayed baking dish
• bake at 400 F for 20 minutes

Lots of steps but pretty easy.

While the fish was baking I steamed some broccoli and cooked some brown rice with mixed vegetables and shredded zucchini.

I pretty much have to mix veggies into rice at this point. I’m not a huge fan of brown rice or rice in general unless it’s got stuff mixed into it. Weird, I know.

This ended up being a great meal and pretty healthy too. Two servings of veggies, good source of protein, and under 500 calories. Win!

Last night’s dinner was a team effort that I wish I had captured with a better camera. I’m probably going to have to buy a new charger because I can’t find my camera battery charger anywhere!

Anyway, last night we decided to use leftover chicken breast from my lunches for the week in a pasta dish.

Kepa cooked the pasta and made a low fat white sauce for the pasta. (He just googled a recipe.)

I roasted red and yellow peppers and added in some shredded raw zucchini. We mixed it all up and stirred for a good mix.

Altogether it worked really well – each bite was flavorful and had enough veggies to feel somewhat healthy. It was really low in fat too (higher in carbs obviously thanks to the pasta).

I think I’d enjoy making something like this with veggie pasta. It’s still on my list to make zucchini/carrot “pasta” so maybe I’ll do that soon. Adding roasted peppers to any meal will make it delicious so I’m sure I’d love it no matter what.