One of my favorite meals in the entire world is the Chopped Salad from Portillo's. I literally could eat this salad for every single meal and be happy. I'm not sure why I'm so addicted to this salad, but it might have something to do with the irresistible combination of salty bacon, creamy blue cheese and sweet dressing. Do you want to know the best part about making this salad at home? You can control the quality of product you're putting in it (and it makes it taste a whole lot better)! For ... [ Read More ]
Tomato, Corn & Brie Pasta
Whenever I'm looking for a quick, easy and delicious dinner for my husband, I often default to one of my favorite pasta creations of all time. This dish has crunch, sweetness, tang and creaminess all on one epic plate. It's also great to make for a crowd because it is relatively inexpensive! Tomato, Corn & Brie Pasta This dish has crunch, sweetness, tang and creaminess all on one epic plate. It’s also great to make for a crowd because it is relatively inexpensive! 4 Tomatoes ... [ Read More ]
The Night I found a Lump on my Breast
It was late on a Thursday night. I had just gotten home from an amazing dinner with my husband and felt like I was living on cloud nine. With no cares in the world, I started to slip out of my form fitting, little black dress and into something more suitable for bed. As I was getting undressed, the front strap of my dress got stuck on my bra. When I went to fix it, my hand pressed up against my right breast and I felt something I had never felt before, a giant lump. "What is this?" I ... [ Read More ]
Blue Cheese Stuffed Cobb Salad Burger
Last week, I created a burger that may actually blow your mind. This dish is everything you love about a cobb salad (blue cheese, bacon, tomatoes and iceberg) mixed up with one of the most mouth watering burgers you'll ever taste. I'm simply calling it the cobb salad burger and you just need to try it. Blue Cheese Stuffed Cobb Salad Burger This dish is everything you love about a cobb salad mixed up with one of the most mouth watering burgers you’ll ever taste. 1 lb Ground Beef ... [ Read More ]
My First Chicago Gourmet (and the best things I ate)
It's true, this year was my very first Chicago Gourmet! Now, before you start freaking out and saying, "How is it even possible that this is your FIRST Chicago Gourmet?!", allow me to explain... I moved to Chicago in June of 2013 and didn't start my food blog until October of that year (after the first Chicago Gourmet). The following year, I was out of town, but seeing all the incredible photos from the weekend gave me a huge case of FOMO (look it up) and I knew I had to clear my schedule for ... [ Read More ]
Make Your Own Takeout: Baked Pork Eggrolls
I love greasy, Chinese takeout as much as the next girl. My hips, however, don't agree with this obsession. Simply put, I can't subject my body to the high amounts of sugar, fat, oil and MSG that typically come with your delivery. That's why I've made it my mission to remake these yummy takeout favorites and make them just a little bit healthier for you! Today's creation is a delicious baked pork egg roll. Not only are these so much healthier than the traditional greasy bombs you'll get from ... [ Read More ]
My life is like noosa® yoghurt (no…it really is)
I know what you're thinking. "I don't get it, Erica, how could your life possibly be like noosa® yoghurt?" Allow me to explain... The other morning I received a huge complimentary delivery from noosa® yoghurt. After perusing through the 9 different flavors they sent me, I decided to have some for breakfast. I grabbed the sweet & tart, strawberry rhubarb yoghurt and sat outside on my balcony. As I was eating the farm fresh yoghurt, I started to reflect on how drastically my life ... [ Read More ]
Potato & Chive Waffles and Fried Chicken w/ Apple Honey Compote
L'shana Tova to all my fellow Jews! Tonight I hosted a small dinner to celebrate the Jewish New Year and decided to modernize a traditional Rosh Hashanah meal I have every year (chicken, applesauce and potato pancakes). I made these incredible potato chive and cheddar waffles topped with apple chutney and fried chicken. It was epic. The combination is everything you love about the traditional meal with an exciting new twist. Potato & Chive Waffles and Fried Chicken w/ Apple Honey ... [ Read More ]
Homemade Fried Chicken & Cheddar Chive Biscuit Sandwich
For the most part, I like to stick by the rule of always cooking healthy dishes when I'm dining at home (since it's hard to control what I eat when I go out). Every once in a while, I break this rule because I just feel like cooking some decadent comfort food. This is how I created my latest masterpiece! A fried chicken and cheddar chive biscuit sandwich. Sounds good? It taste even better... Homemade Fried Chicken & Cheddar Chive Biscuit Sandwich You got yourself an award ... [ Read More ]
Pistachio Pesto Pasta
When trying out new recipes, I’m always looking for some inspiration. I usually find that the best inspiration comes from ingredients that are in season. With fall just around the corner, pistachios are being harvested like crazy and I thought they would couple perfectly in a fresh pesto. This beautifully bright pesto can be paired with just about anything. Think pastas, bruschetta, dips, spreads and heck, even your omelets. Instead of pine nuts (what a pesto is usually prepared with), ... [ Read More ]
