Food is The Magical Elixir
The BUB and I were watching the Food Network and on comes this show where the host visits these landmark restaurants known for their gigantic portions and then he tries to eat the entire portion.
We witnessed an 11 pound pizza. Now I will admit that pizza is in my top 3 but 11 pounds? Next up was the Dagwood. He selected 3 meats, a little over a quarter pound of each (pastrami, corned beef, ham). The chef then grills the meats, adds cheese, puts each meat on grilled French bread and then loads it with toppings including a large handful of french fries. OK, you think you can eat one? Sure. But the trick at this place is that you have eat all 3! The fries comes in at one pound between the 3 sandwiches.
We love watching stuff like this. Hot dog eating contests, donut eating contests, rib cook-offs, best place for steak sandwiches, onion rings and milk shakes. One reason we love to watch is that we can imagine eating the foods the host is eating or showing us. It’s also fun to watch knowing that you can enjoy without the calories.
Food is the magical elixir. When all else is lousy, you can always depend on food to get you going. Now mind you, all food doesn’t have to be high fat or high caloric to be good. Just because someone can eat the Ben & Jerry Trough which consists of 4 pints of assorted ice cream, toppings, whipped cream, nuts, bananas and a cherry, doesn’t mean you have to.
One of my favorite pre-dinner snacks is a veggie called Aspiration. It is also known as Broccolini. It’s a breed of asparagus and broccoli. To serve, cut off the stalks, separate the heads to liking, drizzle with olive oil, and grated parmesan cheese. Guaranteed you will eat the entire thing standing up.
And what’s better than snacks or appetizers? We love small bites, big bites, hot bites, cold bites, heck, we love everything. What’s your favorite snack? And what’s your favorite splurge?
I will end this because I know you are getting hungry, but one more story. One restaurant was famous for their Hamburger by Death. Half pound ground round grilled and steamed and then covered with special peppers, sauce and cheese and then transferred to a hot buttered bun served with hot crispy fries. Yikes!
Happy Monday!
January 26th, 2009 at 11:14 am
I have been on a Summer squash kick lately. I had it for lunch and dinner on saturday and dinner last night…. but now… a huge burger with fries sounds really good! and its only 10 in the morning.. thanks LG
January 26th, 2009 at 11:39 am
One of my favorite appetizers is the chicken tortilla soup from Max and Ermas! It is soooo good
I’m also a sucker for anything that’s carbs. I can never stay away from the bread basket. Anything with cheese too!
January 26th, 2009 at 11:48 am
My favorite appetizer is egg rolls – LOVE them a close second is potato skins never met one I didnt like. My splurge is chili cheese fries. I dont know what it is but they are fantastic. I hardly ever get them any more because they are soooo bad for you but oh so good…..
January 26th, 2009 at 11:49 am
I like to eat things that give me energy and make me feel healthy. But the guilty pleasures I can’t say no to would be Southwestern Egg Rolls from Chili’s, Crazy Bread from Little Caesars, and my mom’s homemade lasagna with lots of cheese
But those are the once in awhile treats I allow myself.
January 26th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Cheese is definitely my favorite snack. I am hooked on Sargento’s light sharp cheese sticks! MMMMMMM they are so good (and you can have 2 sticks for 1 WW point)!
I have not heard of Aspiration before but on my next trip to the fruit and veggie market, I will be sure to check it out. I love broccoli and asaparagus so I am sure I would love this too! Thanks for the tip LG.
As for my favorite splurge, I would have to say anything with pasta. I have switched to Whole Wheat pasta and love the way my dishes come out! Very healthy and delicious!
January 26th, 2009 at 11:57 am
My favorite snack is Chex Mix hands down. I loooove it and eat it all the time (everyone here can probably see that) and it’s def. not good for you.
My favorite splurge is Spinach Artichoke dip from a restuarant in Royal Oak called Oak City Grill. My sisters, Mom and I go there once a month and order it every time. Amazing, seriously. Tortilla soup from Max & Ermas is a close second!
Broccolini is amazing, and another good one if Brocciflower. It’s a mix between Cauliflower and Broccoli.
January 26th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Yea, talking about food at 10 in the morning isn’t such a great start on Monday…now I’m going to be hungry all day. Good think I made pulled pork in the crock pot last night…hmmm…pulled pork sandwiches for dinner tonight. I can’t wait. My weaknesses is the bread basket and just like Kelly…CHEESE! I looove cheese! The chicken Tortilla Soup from Max and Ermas is AMAZING too! haha
January 26th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
My favorite snack is anything chocolate. Yes, I know it isn’t all that good for me and I do try to control how much I have. But. . . ! And if that chocolate is combined with pretzels, that’s even better.
January 26th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Anyone remember the Pig Trough at Farrell’s?
There is a restaurant in SanDestin, FL that has a 3# hamburger. If you eat it, it’s free. I’ll have to ask my son the name of the place-his was free and he got a t-shirt!
Allen Park bar used to have some crazy-big hamburger too. Don’t know if they still do.
January 26th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Also try sweet potato, thin sliced, sprinkle with parm cheese (and olive oil) lay flat in a pan and bake.
P.S. Kate, I did the Farrell’s trough!!! (it was a chain, also in Maryland)
January 26th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
My favorite snack is tortilla chips and salsa……favorite splurges are pizza and tacos.
January 26th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
I like the 94% fat free microwave kettle corn as a snack…and my fav. splurge is M&M’s!!!
January 26th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
My favorite treat is pineapple chunks soaked in red wine.
January 26th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Strawberry Haagen-Dazs (the whole pint)
Popcorn
Glass of red wine
In that order!
January 26th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Julie loves bar burgers!!! A juicy, cheesy one, with the cheese fries. Speedboat in Wyandotte is on her mind right now, any one want to go?
I love Bettermade BBQ chips & Pizza. MMMmmm, and I drink milk 24/7.
January 26th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Favorite snack is baked pita chips and hummous…tabouleh is a close second.
January 27th, 2009 at 10:59 am
My favorite snack is freshly made pico de gallo with tortilla chips.
January 27th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
With everything I just read I could not decide what my favorite would be.
Yumm Yumm!!
January 27th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
KELLY ~ I HAVE AN AWESOME RECIPE FOR YOU! CHICKEN TORILLA SOUP (HOMEMADE) MY FAV. REALLY LOW IN FAT TOO!!!
*SAUTEE 1 GRN PEPPER, 1 ONION, AND ADD SOME GARLIC W/ OLIVEOIL
*ADD 2-3 CANS OF CHICKEN BROTH
*ADD 1-2 CANS OF DICED TOMATOES
*ADD 4-5 DRUMBSTICKS OR 2-3 CHICKEN BREASTS
LET SIMMER TILL CHICKEN IS DONE(usually 45 min.), REMOVE CKN (CUT UP & PUT BACK IN POT)
SERVE WITH SHREADED CHEESE, TORTILLA CHIPS, PARSLEY OR CILANTRO,
** YOU CAN ADD SALSA OR SOURCREAM IF YOU WANT***