Leena Eats This Blog

Gastro Fridays: Food on a Stick

2009-07-17T20:35:32Z

The infamous pickle on a stick. Sure, you might lose a few friends, but you also get to eat a pickle on a stick, so...awesome.

I recently had the joy of attending the Putnam County Festival, a wild three days filled with tractor pulls, judging the merits of various pigs, cows and pygmy goats, and of course, eating a million deep fried things on a stick.

It certainly is the season for eating things on a stick as counties, cities and towns across the U.S. hold fairs, festivals and carnivals during the summer months. According to the New York Times (via Serious Eats), last year's Minnesota State Fair had over 60 foods on a stick available. 60! Spaghetti and meatball on a stick, anyone?

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Leena Eats: A heap of veggies @ Handlebar

2009-07-16T12:00:00Z

My green meanie sandwich with carrot saffron soup. Yum!

As much as I love--LOVE--bacon, I also appreciate a properly made vegetarian meal. Nothing can compare when a meal with healthy ingredients tastes so delicious, you don't even miss the meat, and you are doing your body a favor. The problem is, not very many people know how to do this. Ethiopians do. Middle Easterners do.

And apparently? So does Chicago. I met up with an old friend for some delicious vego food at The Handlebar. Check it out.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Leena Eats: Wally n Agador's Gourmet Sandwich Shop--Hot damn!

2009-07-15T12:00:00Z

Welcome to Wally n Agador's! We love delicious, fatty food here!

Once upon a time, I was reading up on Metromix Chicago about new Chicago restaurants and happened upon a Boystown sandwich shop that had a sandwich with chicken liver mousse. I LURVE chicken liver mousse so much, I am willing to spell "love" incorrectly. I screamed, ran around yelling for a bit, and then a bitch went to get her some food, YOU KNOW!

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Chicken 'n Waffles food podcast, episode #19: Kids n Food n Bobby Magoo

2009-07-14T21:35:21Z

There is a much better photo of Bobby and I that I wanted to post. I look like a happy handicapped person and Bobby is making his infamous camel face. But really, one day, I want a real job. And if I posted that photo, the real job people are gonna want to know how I escaped out of that asylum. So enjoy this safer one.

Join us this week as guest host Bobby and I chat about the Tang of the wine world, fancy fast food, and teaching kids with and about food. We highly suggest you pair this episode with bacon. And maybe a beer.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Leena Cooks: Bad Ass Chocolate Mousse

2009-07-13T23:05:18Z

Homemade chocolate mousse with locally grown strawberries and pistachios. I wish one of these bad boys would appear after a bad day. Maybe with a pint of hard cider:)

I caught a freaking squirrel eating my neighbor's "urban" herb garden the other day and threw a rock at it. A small one, just something to get his attention and deliver a friendly, subtle message. Something like, hey, squirrel! Steal anymore food and I'll cut you.

Because I too own a two lovely "urban" herb gardens that are my pride and joy. I do enough on my own to kill the poor damn herbs. The least the squirrel could do is leave me my four damn leaves of basil and sate himself with leftovers from the local 7-11.

I'm also letting the cat hang out on the back porch more often. I got an army, squirrel. Don't ef with me.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Gastro Fridays: Misleading Corn

2009-07-10T13:26:14Z

This old ad says it all--early advertising signs that are now killing our country! It's been a bitch of a week here at Leena Eats, so feel free to add your own captions to this photo. It's all you're getting this week.

My caption is, "Nu'uh, Hybrid corn!"

Happy Friday!

~LTG!

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Leena Eats: Dinner by Top Chef's Dale Levitski

2009-07-08T12:00:00Z

My first Dinner w/ Dale @ Relax!

He's fun. He was beat by Hung (but barely). And now? He's cooking a three course meal every Thursday @ Relax Lounge in Chicago. Holla!

Every Thursday, Top Chef Season 3 final Dale Levitski takes over the back of Relax Lounge to cook a three course meal in a makeshift kitchen (two seatings, @ 7pm & 8:30pm). Seating and reservations are limited (read more about it here), but I managed to get in a few weeks ago with a small group of friends.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Leena Cooks: Melted Caprese Salad

2009-07-06T17:42:18Z

My favorite breakfast, lunch or dinner in the summer months: melted caprese salad.

We got our first ripe tomato in our CSA box last week, and I'm not gonna lie--I danced a little. My own little fretful version of booty dance that--in some instances--could be just as painful as Chinese water torture. Needless to say, it takes a lot of freaking joy to get me to booty dance, which that tomato brought.

It also takes a little Jay-Z.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.