Hello from the road.
Today, we're on our way to Omaha.
Yeah. I know. Not the most glamorous road trip destination, but not the worst by any stretch of the imagination. We are leaving Chicago well rested and full of love, after quite the "hello/goodbye" type-party at Matt's mom's yesterday.

So, needless to say, I probably won't have recipes for a while. And though this may not mean much to many of you, I figured it'd be nice to share some of our final moments in the city that has been Home, to me, for the past ten years. Between the freezing temperatures, the packing of all our worldly possessions, and the well-attended farewell party we had last weekend-- it was the absolute definition of bittersweet to say goodbye to our friends, our apartment, my parents' house, our favorite stomping grounds... everything.

I don't know what this adventure will bring. I don't know what California will hold.
All I know is I will miss these moments, these faces, these places, that lobster roll (obv), and everything else my fair city has offered me over the past decade.

Oh, Boston. I love you so. But I've got to go.

I'm currently sitting in a living room in Chicago, watching more snow relentlessly drop from a gray sky. We are halfway along on our cross-country voyage to Los Angeles, and I have a lot of photos and recipes I need to sort through from our final days in Boston. Our last few weeks out there passed in quite the blur-- after a decade in the city, it took all I had to sort it out, pack it up, and move on out. It still hasn't really hit me that we don't live in Massachusetts anymore. There's so many people and things I am going to miss.

Toward the top of my Boston miss list is, of course, Mei Mei.
I've been on team Li kids since the beginning -- watching them turn their food truck dreams into reality like the smart, scrappy business owners they are. This past November, the siblings did it again and opened their brick-and-mortar restaurant in Audobon Circle.

At this time next week, I'll be finishing packing up my stuff to load onto a few "relocubes" the next morning, which will meet us out in LA. The fact that we are leaving so soon is just starting to hit me-- it's going to be pretty crazy adventure. But for this week, we're still in a pretty normal routine around here-- comprised of viral videos and TV as much as always.

Hello, Hello!

Back again with much less intense things to talk about than last night.

Like, you know, french fries.
And homemade ketchup.
Because some sportsing is happening tomorrow, we've already addressed that you should make some snacks. I'd been itching to make my own ketchup again ever since I took a Condiment Making class at the BCAE last Spring. This recipe is pretty simple, comprised of things you may just have handy already. The fries themselves are super simple and turn out pretty perfect-- that lovely combination of crispy outside and tender potato inside. The secret is soaking them, thoroughly drying them, and frying them--twice. These stay nice and warm in a oven set to 220 or so while you wait for your game day guests to arrive. And the ketchup keeps for a week or two in the fridge--and tastes good on just about everything.

So. Whip this up tomorrow.
Because sports!

2008 sounds like a long time ago.

I suppose it wasn't, in the grand scheme of things. But to me, right now-- it feels like worlds away.

I was still pretty fresh out of college, reeling from a breakup with a dude whom I'd thought, at least for a few moments, could have been "the one."

(Spoiler alert: I was way wrong.)

I had just landed a "real" job, working for a mobile startup, that I thought could be the dream gig. (Spoilers again. I was so right.)

And then I found myself in an apartment in Medford, California scheming with one of my roommates and best friends.

We'd head out west for a week.

Or ten days, actually, because when you're twenty three, somewhat reckless, and armed with paid vacation time-- why the fuck not?

So we did. We hopped a 5AM flight from Logan to LAX-- our cab driver on the way to the airport gawking at the length of our trip.
"You gonna come back and the birds a be chirpin," he remarked.
We laughed. And hoped it was true.
Seven hours and one Atlanta layover later, we found ourselves in paradise, crashing with two of our buddies from Chicago, who'd lived in Boston for a bit before this stint in Los Angeles.

And then it happened. Around 4AM Pacific standard time, the day after we arrived, with gin on my breath and my heart in my chest, I leaned in and planted a kiss on Matty.

We'd always been friends.

I'd always had a crush.

But I never thought it would happen like this.

Can I say Super Bowl on here? Am I going to get sued by the NFL? I'm sure this blog is totally on their radar. If so-- I meant Superb Owl instead.

Anyway. We've already established I'm not totally into football (owls, however, are a different story), but this weekend I'll make an exception and "watch" the game-- mostly for the beer, snacks, and commercials. In that order.

In addition to the pork taquitos we talked about yesterday, these wings would make a great dish to lay out with your game day spread-- and so much more exciting than wings drenched in buffalo sauce. They're super simple and pretty hands off-- ideal for a day when you're probably trying to make multiple snacks for lots of people. These are also baked, not fried, yet still incredibly crispy and perhaps a touch more "healthy?" Maybe?

Whatever. Pretty sure Sunday isn't about eating right. Also, it's just about February, so you should have completely abandoned that whole "eat better" New Year's Resolution by now. If not-- do so on Sunday. Charge into that Super Bowl spread with complete reckless abandon. Also, get drunk.

It's the American way.

Apparently there's some sort of sporting event this weekend?
Although I was a cheerleader for many, many years (seriously), I'll go ahead and admit I'm not all that into football. So, unless Tom Brady and the boys are involved, I really can't be bothered to get all that into it.
But this Sunday is about so much more than yards and downs and spandex pants and all that. It's about more glorious things.
Like friends.
And beer.
And food.
Which I am always interested in.

In the past few weeks, I've used the upcoming epic Sunday Funday as an excuse to play in the kitchen with all things snackable. First up are these taquitos, which are, in my humble opinion, the perfect game day treat. I made the pork overnight in the slow cooker the night before, so these came together pretty quick the next day. The best part is you can fry the tortillas, assemble the taquitos, and then easily pop them in the oven immediately, or at your game day destination. Pack a jar of dipping sauce and tote along a variety pack of beers, and you're immediately the game day MVP. Better start working on your end zone dance.

Or don't.
You look like an asshole.

Stick to cooking stuff, alright?
Start with these.

...I'd like to thank whoever placed this basket of delightful soft stuff that matches my fur on the floor. I know you did so with me in mind.



I mean, why else would it be here?
Did you get your damn photo yet? Because this basket is clearly built for napping.
Good day.

It was right before the holidays when I last shared some bits of what's making me happy. Figured it was time! I'm also going to shake this up a bit and add a bit of a personal touch-- in addition to whatever articles/shows/products/noms I enjoyed on the web or out and about, I'd also like to share some photos of what else made me smile. This is an easy week to do so-- my BFF just had a baby. Without further ado--

Apparently, I have a thing for making ice cream in January.

Perhaps it's the fact that there's ample space in my freezer for the Kitchen Aid attachment.
Or maybe it's my subconscious way of saying this, too, shall pass, as even more snow falls from the grey Boston skies.
I suppose there is no "right" season for ice cream, when you're churning it yourself.

I mentioned last time that I absolutely love this book, The Perfect Scoop, from David Lebovitz. I have yet to make ice cream that is not adapted from one of his recipes-- they've all proven to turn out way too well to stray.

I had leftover salted caramel sauce that I'd given as gifts for Christmas, which was a really nice addition to this. I added just a bit while it was churning toward the end, and then drizzled some over the top before serving. It complimented the sweet, roasty banana flavor so well.

So, if the snow is falling and you've got some time to kill, churn out a batch of this. You'll be so glad that you did.

**UPDATE!**
I've made this about three times now, and have tried adding salted caramel, as depicted here, chopped dark chocolate (delicious, and the crunch was a nice texture element to add) and finally, rum raisins! This might have been my favorite yet. Soak some raisins in rum for a few hours, drain (reserve rum for a delicious shot after? Just me?) and add while the ice cream churns. Adds a nice little boozy kick!

New Year's Day was a good one.

We dragged ourselves out of bed around noon and ventured down the street to our friend's house-- he's kind of a big deal chef in Boston-- on the promise of homemade sausage gravy and buttermilk biscuits.

He and his wife put together an amazing last minute brunch that featured all kinds of delicious treats, a few hours of Cards Against Humanity, and mimosas until the sun set.

We capped the night at our local dive before heading home.

Happy New Year to all.