Monthly Archives: November 2011

Pumpkin cupcakes with a kick: Thanksgiving’s new best friend

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Yes, I’m still thinking about the cupcakes I made for Thanksgiving.

Presenting…

Pumpkin cupcakes with salted caramel buttercream frosting. Complete with homemade salted caramel. They were delicious if I don’t say so myself. These cupcakes were a big hit, even next to their biggest competitor (pumpkin pie).

I have to admit it. I got the recipe and idea from Pinterest. Go figure. It originally came from a blog called Made in Melissa’s Kitchen. You can find the recipe here.

This was my first time using a pastry bag to ice cupcakes, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the results. Using a pastry bag adds an instant touch of professionalism to the cupcakes and of course I had to find a garnish…I felt like I was mimicking an episode of Cupcake Wars. (great show by the way)

Oh, and I was using my dad’s awesome Canon camera. I will hopefully be receiving one for Christmas, so you can expect high quality photos like the above photos. Great news for That Foodie Girl!

And for your viewing pleasure, I have some photos of the amazing Christmas lights around Oklahoma City.

And it’s not too late to make pumpkin cupcakes. Forget that it’s December tomorrow. With the holidays, anything goes. Happy holidays.

Bon appétit,

ThatFoodieGirl

Cool Greens, wine cellars and pedicures

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We had a wonderful time being with the family for Thanksgiving break in Oklahoma City. I got to see my whole family (brothers flew in from LA) and my little sister and parents. We hung out at my paternal grandparent’s house and even got to see some more extended family (aunt, cousins, second cousins, etc)

Instead of a full food review, I will give you my break in the form of pictures and captions. I did bake a special Thanksgiving treat…that will be featured in the next post! Stay tuned.

photo by dad

A delicious coconut curried soup at a little restaurant called Cool Greens.

photo by dad

My soup + spinach salad. A much needed healthy light lunch after the big feast.

photo by matthew

Or make a wrap out of it!

My twin brother Travis in the wine closet at my grandparent’s house. They keep wine from the date we were born until the day we get married.

And pedis with the girls. This is my little sister Maddy, off in the oddly placed pedicure chair.

All in all it was a restful and great time. Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving.

Bon appétit,

ThatFoodieGirl

It’s time to get thankful

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I stumbled upon this gem of a photo. Taken about 4-5 years ago in Oklahoma City, where I will be later on today. Pictured are my siblings, cousins, second cousin and myself.(Front row, left to right: Travis, Matthew, Teddy, Steven.; Back row, left to right: me, Caroline, Maddy, Phil)

As Thanksgiving approaches rather quickly, it’s time to reflect on what we’re thankful for. Yes, this is a food blog, but I thought it was important to show you a little bit of my family.

I’m thankful for my relationship with God.

My caring and supportive family.

My loving other half, Ryan.

My friends, old and new.

My grandparents who are still so in love:


(I love this photo)

My education.

Delicious food.

Akumal.

and my wonderful readers who have inspired me so much! (that means YOU)

I hope this inspires you all to really think about what you’re most thankful for.

I’m off to Oklahoma City to see my grandparents, family, cousins, aunts, uncles, etc.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Love,

That Foodie Girl

Oddfellows: a hip yet cozy spot for any meal

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Oddfellows

What: comfort food

Where: Bishop Arts District (Dallas)

After having driven past Oddfellows once or twice in the Bishop Arts District, the outside of the building was enough to get me to want to come in. With a cute wrap around bar seating area on the outside and the painted wood with the quaint awning, it just screams cozy. Add a bike rack to it, and it’s hip.

The inside was no different. Comortable as can be, the lighting is just right and you feel like you’re at home. Perfect for a romantic date and even for a big group of friends, Oddfellows is great for any type of meal and outing.

The number of Four Square check-ins at Oddfellows was shocking. So were the number of tips (37 of them). To me, this means it’s a great restaurant, especially for the hip and trendy. And there were plenty of hipster patrons–from the red puffy vest with the tag still on it (is that cool now?) to the dapper-looking flannel clad young father and his family, holding his phone up to “Shazam” what song was playing at that moment. But no worries if you don’t feel “cool”, the waiters and waitresses are extremely accommodating and very friendly to all.


(my apologies for the poor quality of the food photo)

I’ve heard the brunch at Oddfellows is awesome. I saw their extensive coffee list and gigantic coffee brewer, so I’m sure it’s a treat. We went in for dinner, and after a night of drinking, the menu was drool-worthy. I got the shroom burger with fries, a panko crusted portabella mushroom sandwich with their Oddfellows sauce and veggies. It was sort of odd the way it was fried…I guess I didn’t read the entire description when I read the menu. I was expecting a grilled portabella burger. The fries were awesome though.

Other menu items that caught my eye were the summer grilled vegetable pasta, the fish and chips and the grilled veggie sandwich press. Oh, and the open-faced ice cream sandwich–I’ll be back for you.

All in all it was a great experience. I won’t be ordering the shroom burger again, but the coziness of the place is well worth the drive from the SMU bubble. Can’t wait to try their brunch.

Bon appétit,

ThatFoodieGirl

Pie Five: Dallas’s newest pizzeria.

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Pie Five Pizza Co.

What: pizza

Where: new location at Knox & 75

The original lunch plan was Potbelly’s. Until we saw the newly filled restaurant space with black and red accents. It’s Pie Five Pizza Co, the new pizza place that has now graced Knox and 75, where Alo used to be. We happened to stumble upon this pizzeria at the best time possible–the day before opening (i.e. their run through/practice day). So pizzas were on the house!

The inside is a clean, sleek and modern space with plenty of tables and areas to grab a quick bite during your lunch break. Their personal pizzas are 9″ for $6.49 for both specialty pizzas and build-your-own. The best part? It comes out super fast.

I tried their Tree Hugger pizza– a vegan pizza with their thin crust, marinara, mushrooms, peppers, red onions, olives and banana peppers. I got really excited to see they had a vegan item on the menu, but then again, there’s no cheese on it, so it’s not that exciting. I think next time I go, I’ll stick with cheese, or maybe they’ll get some vegan cheese in sometime. My favorite part about the pizza was the thin crust– it was the perfect crunch to soft ratio. Yep, I said that.

Ryan got the Pie Five High Five. Classic crust, pepperoni, Italian sausage, bacon, ham, beef, mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Pretty much the opposite of the Tree Hugger. It was tasty, but nothing too special. The crust needed to be cooked a little more, but hey, that’s why it’s called a practice day. I’m sure they’ll iron out all the kinks.

I don’t think it’s fair to completely criticize a brand new restaurant that hadn’t even opened yet, so go try it for yourself. I’m sure it’ll be a new favorite lunch break spot, especially if you’re in the mood for pizza.

Bon appétit,

ThatFoodieGirl

Featured Foodie Product: DRY Soda

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DRY Soda

Ok, I’m not a soda girl, but this soda is good. When I do crave a soda (which happens about once a month or less), I want something bubbly with just a hint of sweetness. And that’s exactly what DRY Soda is.

I was at Central Market when I was introduced to my new favorite soda, and I went straight for my favorite flavor: rhubarb. It’s just a distinctly delicious flavor that’s extremely hard to find! I pounced at the chance of trying a rhubarb product, even if it was a soda. Not only is it super refreshing, there’s just a tinge of rhubarb (but not to little to the point where it just tastes like bubbly water) and it’s only 60 calories. Even better, there’s only 11-19 grams of sugar in each bottle depending on what flavor you get.

Speaking of flavors! They offer wild lime, lavender, lemongrass, blood orange, rhubarb (obviously), juniper berry, vanilla bean and cucumber. YUM. Next stop? Cucumber for me.

Oh, and, thanks to the DRY Soda website, I now know what to mix into my soda if I’m feelin an adult beverage:

How awesome is that? So if you’re ready for an adventurous new drink that’s healthier for you than your Diet sodas, you’ve found your match. Either way, just try one.

Bon appétit,

ThatFoodieGirl

Sharing the wellness: throw a veggie party!

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This past Friday, my lovely mother came to visit me from Austin. We had been planning on throwing a wellness party/presentation for a long time, and we finally found a good weekend to do it. A big group of about 15 friends of mine came over to my apartment, snacked on veggies and pizza, and enjoyed some wine and beer.

As a distributor of Juice Plus (my mom is a Juice Plus Qualified National Marketing Director), I wanted my friends to learn a little bit about why it’s so important to take Juice Plus and be healthy. We put on a short video of different athletes highlighting why JP is much better than any multivitamin out there (JP is a whole food supplement) and how JP is the most researched nutritional product out there. So let’s get healthy!

My whole philosophy is balance. If you want to eat a brownie, be sure to have an apple after. Orrr…something like that. Basically, eat and drink what you want, but be sure to balance it out with exercise and plenty of fruits and veggies.

For our wellness party, we didn’t want to focus too much on the facts and research on Juice Plus, but a bit more on how eating healthy doesn’t have to be painful. And you can drink wine and beer! (see our own little wine bar)

The veggie display was put together after being inspired by seeing a photo on Pinterest (of course). For flowers, I bought hydrangeas and 2 pink roses and cut them down to make a unique display:

Made a few other simple, fall inspired vases. Placed candles everywhere to give it a cozy feel.

And to put the fun back into parties, we put together party favors! Don’t you remember the good old days? Fully stocked with chocolate almonds, Juice Plus chewables and a little postcard with some info about JP.

Successful party thanks to my mom and to my wonderful friends! Also, if you’d like more info on Juice Plus or would like to give it a try, just email me at nblankensh@smu.edu or check out my website. (www.nblankenshipjuiceplus.com)

Bon appétit,

ThatFoodieGirl

Dallas’s first vegan food truck: Jackalope

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Jackalope Vegan

What: vegan cuisine

Where: all over Dallas

Dallas’s first vegan food truck is finally up and running. Jackalope currently serves 3 menu items, all of which are $7. The choices: BLT sandwich (made with thinly sliced tofu marinated in a smoky marinade in place of the tofu), “meat”ball sub (with tomato sauce and melted Daiya “cheese”) and the soy glazed tofu sandwich, much like a banh mi sandwich.

I had the BLT and it was delicious. I was so hungry I ate the whole thing. Since I made it towards the end of the shift, mine didn’t come with walnut pesto. Just got to make it over there when they first open shop before they run out of ingredients!

You can find them several days a week for lunch and sometimes for dinner. There’s no schedule, so the best way to track them down is to follow them on Twitter @jackalopevegan or fan them on Facebook. Their truck is currently unmarked, so it’s kind of difficult to find. Just search for a white food truck.

And even if you’re not a vegan or a vegetarian, this place creates the healthier version of all your lunchtime favorites. So why not?

Oh, and I got a chance to chat with Alex Salas, co-owner of Jackalope. He and his wife run it together, and sometimes his Dad is even there to help. Check it out:

How did you come up with the vegan truck concept?

AS: We [he and his wife] moved here from Chicago a couple months ago, and found it difficult to find a decent meal. We’re hip to the food truck thing and we wanted to provide Dallas with an option that’s currently not out there.

When did you all open up shop?

AS: Oct. 23 was an event for the Texas State Veggie Fair. This is our second week of full-on service.

What kinds of food do you serve?

AS: Right now we’re doing a light menu, a preview menu: a meatball sandwich—primarily made with walnuts, served with a tomato sauce. A peanut soy glazed tofu sandwich with slaw on a hoagie bun. A BLT—we make tofu taste like bacon with a marinade with smoky characteristics, then put it on a sandwich bread with walnut pesto, lettuce and tomatoes. We will have more dishes, but for now we’re taking it easy.

What’s the most popular item on the menu?

AS: It’s hard to say because everything is ordered across the board. Somebody posted on Twitter last night that they’re in love with our BLT sandwich. I think that one’s really gaining popularity.

What are your plans for the future?

AS: We want to eventually have a blue plate special. I’m working on a sausage menu. Also in the works is an additional truck, a vegan concept, we’re going to serve Tex-Mex food. We’re going to “veganize” my mom’s Tex-Mex menus. It’s going to be cheese-less, but very flavorful.

Where can people plan on finding you all?

AS: Facebook is the easiest way to track our schedule. We have a website as well. (www.jackalopevegan.com)

Why did you become a vegan?

AS: Three things. First, humane treatment of animals. Second, for the effects of factory farms. Third, dietary. I have dietary issues, so the vegan diet is the best way for me to keep healthy. Not to mention all the carcinogens that’s found in meat these days. I don’t want cancer or heart disease. (laughs).

What are the benefits of eating vegan?

AS: Better quality of life. You feel better, you’re also being a part of the solution. You feel better mentally and physically. A “kind” life.

Do you notice whether your customers are mostly vegan, or maybe just vegan-curious?

AS: It’s really a heavy vegan following. We get a lot of walk-ups that turn away since there is no meat. A small percentage is willing to try it and leave satisfied.

What might you say to encourage non-vegans to come out and try your food? Maybe some words of encouragement?

AS: The food is familiar to them, it’s just done without meat. We’re not serving strange food. It’s very familiar food.

Plan on heading towards SMU anytime soon?

AS: We’re looking into it. My mother-in-law lives (near there), so we’ve been looking at the storefronts on Hillcrest and trying to park around SMU. We know there are hungry vegans around there as well.

Bon appétit,

ThatFoodieGirl

Smoke: a down to earth kind of place

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Smoke

What: BBQ

Where: Dallas

You’ve never been to Smoke? I was getting that quite a lot, and although Smoke has been on my “to-try list”, I finally made it. Although I’ve been on the vegan track (that means I’ve been trying to avoid dairy and meat as much as possible), I had to cheat at Smoke. Lucky for me, I went with quite a few friends who were nice enough to take photos of their meals and let me try almost everything.

First of all, Smoke is located in south Dallas (or is it west Dallas?) over by the Belmont Hotel. Though it was a long haul from the SMU bubble, it was well worth the drive that sunny Sunday afternoon. We headed in for brunch at around 1pm and were immediately seated at a large table. The outside looks like what you would think of a smokehouse– very Texan complete with cacti and everything. The inside is nothing short of cozy. Because it was a particularly breezy, chilly day, it was nice to see a fireplace and all the homey decor…that is, homey if you’re a Texan. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and so was our waiter. The service was quick, and our waiter was very friendly, always smiling and answering all our questions. Even though Smoke is primarily BBQ, the service and atmosphere make for a slightly more upscale BBQ experience. It’s a dining experience, not just a grab-and-go, is what I’m getting at.

The BBQ was outstanding. As you can see in the first photo, I had the blueberry and ricotta cheese pancakes with vanilla poached apricots and cream. WOW. So rich and indulgent, these pancakes were some of the best I’ve ever had. The sweetness was a bit overpowering, but I should have known what I was getting myself into. Lucky for the rest of the table, my dish was passed around at the end as everyone else’s dessert. The waiter even swooned when I ordered the pancakes…I should have offered him a bite.

I think it’s a bit unfair I didn’t try a bunch of meats at a primarily BBQ place, but I will say I did try the brisket and it was heavenly. It practically melts in your mouth. Oh, and, everyone else who tried the meat dishes seemed to be in heaven too. See photo below for some tongue wagging:

Coffee Cured Beef Brisket sandwich:

Pulled Whole Hog BBQ Eggs Benedict:

And finally… how cute are these plates? They had all sorts of animals. If turn them over, it has a stamp that says “I stole this from Smoke”. We asked the waiter about it and he said they’ve lost so many of the plates, they figured that when the thieves went home with their plates, they might feel guilty once they saw the stamp on the bottom. Or maybe it just encourages more plate theft? It was tempting…

All in all, it was a wonderful experience and I highly recommend the place. If you’re a BBQ lover, even better.

Bon appétit,

ThatFoodieGirl

That Foodie Girl gets a fresh new logo!

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A new logo, thanks to Liz Collingsworth, our Daily Campus graphic designer. We paired my photo of my favorite cocktail at The Porch with her awesome designing skills.

This weekend was packed with homework and projects, and this week won’t be much different. So please excuse the lack of a regular Monday post, and be prepared for my Smoke review!