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Johnna’s Pick of the Week (Travel Edition): Giordano’s, Chicago

July 31, 2008 By 1 Comment

Ever tasted something that made you feel instantly in a state of pure bliss?? Well, this is the feeling JKGF got when tasting Chicago’s world famous stuffed pizza from Giordano’s…tingles literally ran down the spine! Giordano’s has made it’s mark as “The” pizzeria to go to when visiting Chicago and wanting to indulge in Chicago’s world famous deep dish pizza (*Upon taking this trip, JKGF received numerous recommendations on this spot when looking for the best deep dish pizza in Chicago).

The Low Down:
It took the cooks about 45 minutes to an hour to make the pizza and bring it out…we must say, it was definitely worth the wait;-) The pizza’s all start out with a thick deep crust, then the center is filled with pretty much whatever you like (*spinach, mushrooms, peppers, tomatoes, etc.) and mixed with mozzarella cheese, and the top layer is a thick tomato sauce….is your mouth not watering yet?!? This pizza, by itself, is worth a trip to Chicago! (*Side note: JKGF definitely recommends a summer trip to Chicago at least once in life…this is an awesome city with sites and food for days!)

Extra Incentives:
To make a dieters matters worse (*for those thinking you can avoid this calorie unfriendly binge by not being in Chicago), if you can’t make it to Chicago:-(…you can order this pizza online and they’ll deliver it to your front door!! (*Although we at JKGF seriously recommend a trip to Chicago…)

Go and enjoy Chicago’s finest deep dish…but as a WARNING: Don’t go to hungry because it WILL take 45 minutes to an hour for you to eat. Other than that…just Eat!

Giordano's Pizza on Urbanspoon

Filed Under: Announcements, Food.Fun.Stuff., Johnna's Pick of the Week, Travels

The Caesar Salad

July 31, 2008 By Leave a Comment

The Caesar Salad

Fresh ground pepper
1 garlic clove (crushed)
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
3 tbsp. red wine vinegar
1 coddled egg (cooked for 1 minute in shell)
3/4 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 head of Romaine lettuce (chopped into salad form)
1/2 cup croutons
1/2 lemon
Shredded Parmesan cheese

In a bowl, combine the pepper, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, egg and mustard. In another bowl add the Romaine lettuce; add in the croutons. Squeeze the juice of the lemon over the lettuce and mix. Add in the egg dressing and mix well. Sprinkle any remaining croutons on top of salad and sprinkle on the Parmesan cheese to taste; add a dash of pepper. Serve!

*Johnna’s tip: Caesar salad is soo simple to make and is a great side salad to take to work or to have as your main lunch dish. JKGF posted a salad today and yesterday because salads are great foods to make during the summer when its hot and you really don’t feel up to cooking over a hot stove. They are simple and easy to make and give you energy in all this heat! Make them to your liking and see how much breezier you feel when the heat is pouncing in on you;-)
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Filed Under: appetizers, health concious, main dish, side dish, vegetarian

The Fruit Smoothie (Non-Alcoholic)

July 31, 2008 By Leave a Comment

Drinks on Me:

The Fruit Smoothie

3 oz. low fat vanilla ice cream
Crushed ice
Equal parts of fresh strawberry’s, bananas and mango’s (chopped)

In a blender, blend all ingredients together; blend well. Serve.

*Johnna’s tip: This is a great post workout drink. Smoothies are so apart of the eating/drinking world right now because they provide nutrients and make for a good breakfast or snack instead of indulging in junk. Decorate the rim of your glass with your favorite fruits and enjoy!

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Filed Under: health concious, non-alcoholic beverages

Food.Fun.Stuff: Happy Hour with a Pinch

July 30, 2008 By 1 Comment

Happy hour is one of the best parts of being an urban professional. Many cities have an array of bars offering the best drink and food specials that a foodie could dream of. They compete with one another to see who can draw in the best after work crowds with the best specials. JKGF is a proud and true member of the Happy Hour club (“HHC“):-) As a member of HHC and devotee to delivering the best food news around, JKGF did a small poll to see what was hot in the city (Washington, D.C.) right now for happy hours. Check out what we found:

1. The Outdoor Lounge

Lima- Lima’s outdoor couches on a warm summer evening make you feel like your chillin‘ at home with a couple of your friends while taking “some” back. The “Patio Menu”, as they call it, is made up of an array of eclectic Latin infused dishes and works perfect with a Don Julio tequila mix drink after a hards day work. Try the air out here, it’s reaaal coool.

2. The Dark Flashing Lights

Tattoo Bar- This is where your days been long and hard and your in need of some GM Shots and Captain Morgan on a low budget. The GM shots are $5, Belve for $7 and Captain for $5…sounds like our kinda spot! But they keep you full and happy with such treats as the “Knee High” (shrimp basket) and the “Fishnet Stockings” (Cajun fried fish basket)…we love, love, love the names of their traditional bar food dishes! Another reason this dimly light drinking haven is good for happy hour is because it is from 5:30-9:00 pm (Tuesday-Friday), so for all the late workers…you have time;-)

3. Tequila and Senoritas

Ceiba- Right in the middle of the city is planted a tequila lovers dream. Some of the best Latin American cuisine in the city mixed with good drinks and a hip atmosphere equals double the pleasure. Monday thru Friday, Ceiba offers $5 drink specials from 2:30 pm-10:30 pm! How is this possible that there is not a line out the door of this place everyday of the week?? Even if your not the biggest drinker in the world, the food specials should encourage a trip or two to this spot. Complimentary appetizers are served with the drinks at the bar. Mondays and Tuesdays are our favorite days: Mondays=Mini Pressed Cuban Sandwiches and Tuesdays=Grilled Chorizo Sausage and a Chimichurri Sauce…is it Monday already?!?

During this last days of summer, enjoy the perks of living in the city life…find a good happy hour!:-)
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Filed Under: Food.Fun.Stuff., restaurant reviews, Various Cooking Styles, Washington D.C.

Shrimp+Crab= Summer Cocktail Salad

July 30, 2008 By 1 Comment

Shrimp+Crab= Summer Cocktail Salad

1 head of lettuce (chopped)

10 cooked shrimp (chopped)
1 lb. crab meat (cleaned and picked free of shells)
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1/4 cup shredded carrots
1 tbsp. sliced green onions

Combine all of these ingredients together in a bowl.

Now for the Dressing:

1 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp. grated lemon zest
1 tbsp. fat-free mayonnaise
1 1/2 tsp. olive oil

Mix all ingredients together; mix well. Add to the shrimp/crab mixture; mix well. Top chopped lettuce with mixture; serve.

*Johnna’s tip: Crab and shrimp are the perfect summer foods. They are light and healthy and when combined with the right ingredients, they add just enough flavor and meatiness to a dish. Serve at your summer cookout as a side dish or make as a lunch meal that you take during the week. During the summer with all the hot heat, the less you have to slave over a stove, the better;-) Enjoy!
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Filed Under: appetizers, health concious, main dish, seafood, side dish
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