I Can Make This at Home

I spent the last 144 hours in the great city of Chicago. There are many things that make the city great: food, drink, architecture, colleges, art, museums, good public transportation but the greatest thing is it's the city my daughter calls home. I don't call it her home yet but rather the place where she's a college freshman. There is an interesting dichotomy there. People walk, a lot. They walk to work, school, shopping and to the train. They carry groceries for blocks, in the cold. Some people run. Real running. Like exercise in the snow! All this exercise should make them healthy right? But no. They also smoke. While my lungs heave from climbing train station stairs and trying to keep up with my husbands faster than me pace in exceptionally cold air they inhale tar and nicotine. Gag. Why? Every time we do this kind of trip I think to myself, "I'm half way to being in better shape just because of all the walking we've been doing so just keep doing that at home." I'm a slacker and do not like exercise. If it weren't for walking and stairs at work I'd be considered pretty sedentary. I suppose standing for hours on end cooking fattening food doesn't count for much? Speaking of food I must tell you about my Chicago food adventures.

Guinness, espresso, beer, cookies w/ salted caramel, croque madam, espresso/latte, Creme brûlée, French food, dive bar, chocolate croissant, waffle sandwich w/ Burrata & prosciutto, ribs, pickles, chips, beef sandwiches, braised greens, mac 'n cheese, sweet potato fries, pork belly (no trip is complete without pork belly)

If I did the #thing I guess I'd have # in front of each of the items above. That is my "off the top of my head" list of what I consumed in 144 hours. Several of the items I did more than once and to be honest more than twice. Basically we were able to consume 2 meals a day. Prince Charming and I have little discipline when it comes to ordering small or sharing even when we know we should. I'm the lucky type that sleeps best on a full stomach. Not so much for him. I don't have to eat much to be satisfied. Let's just say I was more than satisfied this trip. (As a side note: I thought it was funny how all our leftovers made it into doggy bags and aforementioned daughter and friend ate very well for several days.) A few bites of something is enough as long as I get to talk about it with someone. I suppose this is where you come in. I'm a simple person. I really only think about a few things each day. I got to experience all those things to the highest level of satisfaction in the last 6 days. Who could ask for a better life?

I think the only thing on the list above that we don't or can't make is Guinness. Ok, I've never tried to make Burrata but its on my list of things to learn. I'm fine with that. Mostly I look at restaurant food as a challenge to be conqured. My montra is "I can make this at home." I'm not trying to be a snob. I really think its true. Because food is one of my passions I want others to share it. Think about something you're passionate about. You want to share it with others right? Because some of my closest friends (Barb, Lori, Debbie S.) think making some of the stuff I do is over their abilities (which it is not) I want to explore making something tasty, not too difficult and high and fluity sounding with you.

Croque Madam.

It's basically a grilled ham and cheese sandwich with a sauce and fried egg. That doesn't sound too hard right? Like all good food it's about the ingredients. Thick sliced bread, good thin cut ham, Emmentaler cheese. The sauce is easy. Butter, flour, milk, nutmeg, salt and pepper. You can put simple things together and get fantastic results. You need to make this. Just think, when you do you get to announce to anyone who'll listen that you made Croque Madam. Say it with your best French accent and people will be even more impressed by you than they already are. Want to know a little secret? That dive bar mentioned above. It had something in it that I've never seen anywhere in any bar or pub in any country. It was a little shocking to be quite honest. Because you read this far you get to ask me about it when you see me next. Now go and cook something please then share the experience with me.

I'll perfect the recipe and add it soon so check back so you can make it too.