sandwiches

white cheddar tequila trout (it’s not what you think)

Oooo how gross is that title? But it got you to click, right? Bwahaha my master plan is working – shock and awe will keep you all coming back for more! In all seriousness, though, isn’t it funny how you can churn out content almost daily for entire blog posts and then it’s time to come up with a title and you’re like “Uhhh….”. Oh the irony….

I promise I’ll have a recap soon of my juice cleanse attempt (emphasis on the word attempt) but I really feel like I’ve committed a major blogger sin by skipping out on “What I Ate Wednesday”. When I first started reading food blogs (Kath Eats Real Food was my gateway drug) that was my favorite part! Scrolling through photo after photo of snacks, sandwiches, skillets, and everything in between got me through the day when I was working at my first summer internship. One of the first realities I faced when I started blogging was no, you can’t just upload iPhone photos of fish and veggies every single day and call it a healthy living blog. These types of outlets require covering a vast number of topics, and food is just the tip of the iceberg. But hey, we all love a good photo dump every once in awhile, right? So in homage to my blog-obsession roots, I’m going to share some of the best things I’ve eaten in the past week or so.

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Lentil soup – it never sounds good but 9 out of 10 times it knocks my socks off

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Trader Joe’s chicken and verde salsa burritos (an incredibly easy frozen food option) alongside some tortilla chips, salsa and peas. I’m a pea freak lately!

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Tequila and good conversation mix very well 🙂

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Why has no one told me about this white cheddar mac and cheese before? I about died and went to heaven

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Deep dish from the Art of Pizza in Lakeview – my new favorite (the two pounds of cheese per slice helped)

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Overnight oats – never pretty, always delicious

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Easily the best sandwich I’ve had in awhile: chicken, roasted tomatoes, pesto, arugula and provolone.

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Food Ease hot bar inside Water Tower place: Joe’s Crab Shack Roasted Tomatoes, Herb Roasted Trout, and Roasted Potatoes. Talk about a high-class lunch!

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I will never turn down a Chipotle date with Zman 🙂

Let’s end the post with something I’m grateful for today: I’m grateful for the ability to read! Can you imagine never learning that basic skill? I love reading about other people’s life experiences and creative writing pieces so I’m very appreciative that I grew up in a place that values education.

Okay…now let’s hear from you!

  • What’s the best thing you’ve eaten in the past week?
  • What’s one thing you’re grateful for today?

Tomato-Basil & Havarti Grilled Cheese (recipe)

You guys, it would be a sin, a downright sin, if I didn’t share this recipe with you. I’ve never been an easy girl to please in the grilled cheese department. If you hand me some Kraft singles in between Wonder Bread I’ll shoot you a stink eye like none other. That kind of simplicity just doesn’t do it for me. But hey, I’m an American, so of course I love throwing cheese, butter and bread together and calling it a meal. Here’s the quick, easy, and did I mention cheap recipe I threw together last night. PS whatever you do, do not be afraid of Havarti. It tastes like butter. It’s basically a butter and butter sandwich. So just make it.

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Tomato-Basil & Havarti Grilled Cheese

Makes 2 sandwiches

Ingredients:

  • Loaf of fresh Italian bread
  • 1 tomato, sliced
  • 1 bunch basil (3 leaves per sandwich)
  • Butter
  • 2 slices of Havarti cheese

Directions:

  • Heat skillet to medium heat
  • Soften the butter so it’s spreadable
  • Slice four pieces of Italian bread, about ½ inch thick each
  • Spread the butter on one side of all four pieces of bread
  • Once the skillet is hot, place two slices of bread butter-side down in the pan
  • Layer each piece with the cheese first, then topped with the tomato and three leaves of basil
  • Top the sandwiches with the final two slices of bread, butter-side up
  • Put lid on top to help the cheese melt
  • After about three minutes, check if the bottoms of the sandwiches are crispy and light brown. If so, flip ‘em over!
  • Press down on the sandwiches periodically. It’s not a Panini but the cheese and veggies will mesh perfectly together with just a few nudges
  • Once the other side is light brown and crispy, you’re all set!

I ate my sandwich in two minutes. So there’s that. Enjoy!

Question:

  • What’s your favorite style of grilled cheese? For me, there has to be tomato in there.