Erikurious

I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t the chance to update much. Mike and I just got back from visiting family in Alabama and are still recovering from all the socializing, eating, and drinking... mostly eating. Haha =P Actually, it felt good to go back. I got to revisit family and places from my past and experience how much has changed since I moved away. A lot it appears. Montgomery seems to be going through an evolution of sorts that is affecting all aspects of life. Diverse communities are bringing a more colorful and exciting cuisines to the once stagnant culinary backdrop dominated by fast food restaurants. Fast food is definitely very much present and thriving but for people looking for something more stimulating the choices have grown. Now you can choose from growing number of Mexican, Korean, and Thai restaurants as well as the regional BBQ and fried fish joints.

In addition to restaurants, the night scene seems to be improving as well. Niche bars and lounges have cropped up in the downtown area targeting the more cosmopolitan youth with much success. During our stay, we went to a bar featuring a live band that played old covers on popular alternative music (sorry, no country for us!) and although pretty small the atmosphere was pleasant. We sat outdoors and enjoyed the warm southern climate drinking beer and enjoying the company of family and friends. The nightlife differed much from what we’ve grown used to in NJ, but its laidback, unpretentious feel definitely has its appeal. Ultimately, it ended up being one of the best and longest impromptu nights out we’ve had in a long time!

For months on end, I’ve had to endure the Food Network talk of nothing else but BBQ. So, taking the opportunity that we were going to be smack dab in the heart of the South, the one must-do thing on my list was to experience some REAL Southern BBQ. I’m referring to mouth-watering ribs, crispy fried okra, cornbread, gooey yummy macaroni and cheese, corn nuggets… the works. However, due to some bad planning, we waited until the weekend when they’re all shut down (who knew they would be closed??), so in the end I didn’t get to satisfy my appetite for juicy delicious fall off the bone Southern BBQ ribs. But, we DID get to enjoy sweet, juicy deliciously tender Korean BBQ, so all in all it was a wonderful, great trip. Oh, I made my family teach me a couple of Korean recipes to incorporate into my repertoire, so I can’t wait to try them out for myself and share all I’ve learned!

After a long week filled with the everyday stresses of work and life, I like to have my Sundays free from social obligations and open to relaxation! Weekends are usually the time when I feel most inspired to cook and on any given Sunday, you can find Mike and I busy in the kitchen. So much of our lives revolve around cooking, enjoying and searching for good food that it's so nice to share that part of lives with the other. However, lately our schedules have been so so hectic, we haven't had the opportunity to cook much in the weekend. (T_T) This past weekend was particularly draining and feeling hazy and completely exhausted after a long night out, we felt at a loss at what to do to appease our growingly grumbling, demanding stomachs. I was scrambling around the kitchen encouraging my quickly failing brain to kick in and save Mike and I from our hunger when it dawned on me. Wrap! I love the ease of wraps and their charm lies in that anything goes!! So, I did just that threw a bunch of ingredients together and finished product was surprisingly yummy and oh so simple! ^.^

So, that was our dinner…. A simple but deeply satisfying wrap made of ground beef seasoned with thyme, lemon and cayenne pepper with potatoes and scrambled eggs. It was very good served with a side of greek yogurt and sprinkled with creamy goat cheese.

I hate when recipes don’t include pictures so please don’t hate me now. I didn’t think it would be as good as it turned out so I didn’t think ahead and took pictures. I will be sure to upload one soon though!

Mediterranean wraps

Ingredients

8 in. flour tortillas
1 lb ground beef
5 small red potatoes, diced into bite-sized pieces
1 tsp. thyme
3 tbsps. of lemon juice or as desired
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced or finely chopped
cayenne pepper or paprika
kosher salt
2 eggs, scrambled and seasoned with salt black pepper
greek yogurt
goat cheese for sprinkling

Boil potatoes until almost cooked but still slightly firm, depending on the size of the chopped potatoes that should range between 5-7 minutes. While the potatoes are cooking, heat a large skillet and add olive oil. Sauté onions for a few minutes then add the garlic. Cook until onions are translucent and garlic has softened, around 3 minutes. Raise the temperature to medium high and brown the ground beef. At this time, drain the potatoes and add into the skillet. Season with thyme, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper/ paprika and sprinkle in lemon juice. Lower temperature to medium and continue to cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add scrambled eggs and cook until just set and well combined with other ingredients. Sprinkle a little more cayenne pepper/ paprika for added smokiness and pop of color. Serve over warmed tortillas with a side of green yogurt and a bowl of goat cheese for sprinkling as desired.

^.^*