Scrambled eggs are a great go to for breakfast, snack, sandwich, and so much more. Food Hacks for scrambling eggs here.
Scrambled Eggs Food Hacks
There are many ideas on how to create the fluffy moist tastiest scrambled eggs. Many years of working breakfast in food. My tricks and tips are from personal choice and learnings.
Use water instead of milk or cream. The water creates a steam that heats the eggs. Keep them light while cream/milk creates a tougher egg.
Scramble the eggs in a bowl well. Yes this creates more dishes but will add air to create fluffiness and mix the yolk and whites for the best color.
Do not salt and pepper prior to the end of cooking. Adding salt early in preparation will dehydrate the eggs. Pepper will change the color from a bright yellow to dingy yellow.
Recipe
3 large fresh
1 tsp. water
salt and pepper to taste
2 tsp butter
Place cracked eggs in a bowl. While scrambling eggs till well blended heat skillet with 2 tsp. butter on medium low heat. When pan is warm add eggs to pan let settle until eggs slightly cook on the bottom of the pan. Then begin to scramble with a fork until almost completely cooked. Slightly raw and still shiny. Remove from heat scramble a little more then add salt and pepper to taste. You can add to half toast with avocado, over toast, or a favorite scrambled egg sandwich. You can add fresh chopped green onion on top, add all begal seasoning, or Tabasco sauce. Serving size 1
What is your favorite scrambled egg dish? Post on social media using #4chionstyle.
Making cinnamon rolls Food Ellie is excited to create grammy’s cinnamon rolls. Ellie’s favorite treat from grammy is cinnamon rolls.
Ellie comes for a summer visit to celebrate the Juneteenth and swim for the weekend with grammy. She made her first pie crust for a sweet potato pie for the family Juneteenth dinner.
Measuring out the Flour
Loves Washing The Dishes
“always check for eggshells.”
Juneteenth Dinner
Ellie’s advice is to always check the bowl for eggshells and wash up the dishes when done. She was determined to do this herself. She measured each cup of flour to be one cup ( I usually use my senses to measure for bread). It was a wonderful day baking with her. Sharing the tradition I learned from my own grandmother.
Cinnamon Roll Tradition
My grandmothers on my mother’s side were known for their outstanding baking skills. They always used all-purpose flour, white sugar, and no eggs to make cinnamon rolls. Family recipes are fun to create.
I remember reading my great-great grandmother’s story gathering sego lilies and grinding them into flour to bake bread, cinnamon rolls, and creating pies. They did this after settling in Idaho from the Mid-West and food was scare. It is a make it work moment.
In a large bowl or Kitchen Aid, mixing bowl with the bread hook attachment. Add 2 cups of the flour and both yeast pkg. on top of the flour.
In a large pot on the stove on low add whole milk, butter, salt, and sugar heat warm to the touch.
Foodie Ellie Warming Milk
Pour the warm to touch mixture over the flour and yeast. Mix well on low if using Kitchen Aid. When mixed well add
2 eggs blending after adding each egg.
Slowly add the remaining flour (this will vary each time how much) 1 cup at a time. Mix well after each addition. Increase speed on the Kitchen Aid as needed. The dough should be firm and start to pull away from the sides of the bowl when enough flour is added. Knead by hand for 12-14 minutes (stretch and pull using palms of your hands). In the Kitchen Aid mix for two minutes on setting 8. This is equivalent to 12-14 minutes needing by hand.
Food Ellie Measuring out the Flour
Raising Cinnamon Rolls
Butter the sides of a large bowl. Place dough in a buttered bowl and cover with plastic wrap. My grandmothers used a clean dish towel. This does create a slight crust on the dough as it rises. Let dough rise until double size about 1 1/2 hours. Punch down, let rest 10 min.
Cinnamon Roll Dough
Punching Down Dough
Punching Down Dough
Next, roll the cinnamon roll dough into a circle, dust with flour if sticking, roll about 1/4″ thick. Brush the melted butter on the rolled out dough. Then sprinkle the cinnamon and then sugar till well covered. You are welcome to mix the butter, cinnamon, and sugar together then spread on the dough with a butter knife. Roll the dough each roll please pull towards you. Then cut in 2-inch rolls with a sharp knife (children can use a butter knife it will be a change the shape of the cinnamon roll some but good experience for them).
Rolling out Dough
Sprinkling Sugar on Dough
Rolling Out Cinnamon Rolls
Cinnamon Rolls
Finishing Cinnamon Rolls
Place cinnamon rolls in grease baking pan 9×13″. Let rise he cinnamon rolls rise until the are touching each other for about 20 minutes. Bake for 20-25 minutes at 350° f until golden brown. Mix up the icing using a hand mixer. Cool cinnamon rolls until warm to the touch. Frost the cinnamon rolls. This is great to make ahead for a family Sunday brunch or holiday breakfast. Store in an airtight container.
Me, Great Grandma Lucy, Grandma Ruth, and Mother Eileen 1970 something
Teaching family recipes are so important in keeping the traditions and flavors alive. Taking time to recreate and creating new alterations make a life long memory that can last for generations. We enjoyed homemade pizza with the extra dough.
The waffle iron that lasts for decades. The one I still use today comes from a yard sale in Long Beach Washington (1997), the longest beach in the world.
Generational Waffle Iron
Waffle Iron Story
The request while at the beach home was waffles for Sunday breakfast. Just as we drove from a moment downtown Long Beach we find a yard sale. The Hamilton waffle iron is right for the best price of $2. It was a gem for the day if even for the Sunday meal.
This waffle iron has been around since then. It always works and makes perfect waffles. It has gone from the beach to home to the desert in a move. The children have grown and started there own families. The tradition continues with the waffle iron for my granddaughter.
Recently #FoodieEllie (my granddaughter) requested waffles for a Saturday breakfast. She said, “I am going to watch TV while you make me waffles, pleeaassee grammy.” I did take the time to make the waffles.
This is a perfect brunch after the 4th of July holiday weekend. #FoodieEllie loves blueberries and they can be added fresh it gives a nice squeeze of juice inside. Her 4th of July in Champaign Illinois was blueberry waffles. She found the blueberries at the local farmers market. Perfection.
Foodie Ellie Blueberry Pancakes
Waffle Recipe
Waffle Ingredients
Here is the reciepe for a great waffle for your weekend celebration. Children will be a great help with creating this meal.
1 cup all-purpose flour (we used Bob’s Red Mill Unbleached White All-Purpose Organic Flour), spooned and leveled
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk (Difficult to find at times you can do 3/4 cup of milk with 1/4 cup of vinegar), perfect buttermilk
2 large eggs (separated, whip egg whites to soft peaks fold in at the very end)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoon sour cream
Warmed syrup, fresh fruits, whipped cream, Nutella, or chocolate syrup. Fun to make it a selection for children and guests.
Waffle Breakfast
Waffle Directions
Preheat waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk buttermilk and eggs yolks; pour over flour mixture, and whisk gently to combine (don’t overmix). Gently whisk in butter and sour cream. Fold in whipped egg whites.
Following the manufacturer’s instructions, cook waffles until deep brown and crisp. (For a standard waffle iron, pour a generous 1/2 cup of batter into center, spreading to within 1/2 inch of edges, and close; waffle will cook in 2 to 3 minutes.) Allow your guests to top their waffles with their favorite.
Do you have a waffle iron story? Please post your response using #4ChionFoodie. Happy National Waffle Iron Day.
We all love the sweet pancake with maple syrup great childhood memories at the campfire flipping pancakes. Bring pancakes to your brunch as a savory dish.
Roasted corn with spring peas is a great brunch dish this season. Bring this combination to your Sunday brunch.
Recipe
Roasted Corn Pancakes with Spring Pea Puree Poached Egg with Roasted Corn Aioli
2 tsp. fresh mint leaves (1 tsp. fresh mint chopped)
2 TBSP Cold Butter
Sea Salt/Ground Pepper
In a sauce pan over medium heat oil until hot. Add the peas, onions, and garlic until softened. Fresh peas 1 to 2 minutes froze peas 3 to 4 minutes. Add the broth cook until the peas are tender. Remove from the heat add the parsley.
Place in the a blender or use an immersion blender. Add the butter blend till puree. Add the mint, dash of salt and pepper blend well.
Roasted Corn Aioli (can be made the day before)
1 TBSP lemon juice
1 Tsp. lemon zest
2 cloves of garlic
2 eggs
2 TBSP Parsley
1 Tsp. Dijon mustard
1/4 Tsp. Salt
1/8 Tsp. cayenne pepper
1 cup olive oil more may be needed
2 ears of roasted corn (remove kernels from cob)
Combine all ingredients except for the olive oil and corn kernels in a bowl of a food process until smooth. Slowly add the olive oil through the feeding tube while processor is running. This will create a consistency of mayonnaise when all the oil is added. It may need a little more to reach the consistency needed. Transfer to a bowl and fold in the roasted corn in the aioli. Can be store for up to a week in the refrigerator.
1 large egg separated (yolk slightly beaten) (egg white beaten stiff)
1 1/4 cup buttermilk
1 TBSP Canola or Olive Oil
1 jalapeno seeded, deveined, and chopped if heat desired)
1 Tsp. cilantro
1 ear roasted corn (remove kernels from cob)
1 Tsp. butter for cooking
Combine the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and sugar in a large bowl. Whisk together the egg yolk, buttermilk, and oil in a medium bowl. Mix dry ingredients well with wet ingredients. Stir in corn. Gently fold in whipped egg.
Add a pat of butter to a griddle. Heat over medium heat. When the surface is hot pour 1/4 cup of batter to form 5 inch pancake. Cook until bubbles form on the top surface. Flip and cook the other side until cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes.
Poached Eggs (can use a medium over egg, yolk needs to be runny)
6 Eggs
2 TBSP vinegar/rice vinegar
Bring a large pot of water to almost a boil. Add the vinegar, which will help the eggs set.
Swirl the simmering water, and then gently crack each egg into a small bowl and release right above the surface of the water. This is very important in order to present them from breaking and to achieve proper consistency.
Remove the pot from the heart, cover and let stand until the egg whites are fully cooed and the egg looks like a smooth ball about 4 minutes. You want the yolk to be runny.
Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel lined plate.
To serve place the corn pancake on a serving plate, dollop about 1 TBSP of spring pea puree, top with poached egg (over medium egg) drizzle with roasted corn aioli. Top with sprigs of mint and black pepper.
Note you can make variations on this recipe
You can use mashed avocados in place of the peas
Add smoked salmon, Canadian Bacon, or half slices of bacon placed on top of pea puree or avocados.
Breakfast is the best meal of the day. You can enjoy it all day savory or sweet. Breatkfast time is a great time to gather and enjoy.
Cameron Trading Post
The food made from scratch daily and is a fusion of the three food cultures. This place is perfect for travelers with their lodging, restaurant, art gallery, garden with fountains, and a massive gift shop. The trading post opened in 1916 and welcomes everyone like a guest in their homes. Prior to being a trading post, the place served as an apothecary.
Navajo pancake this is a blue corn pancake
Prickly pear stuffed french toast this is French toast served sandwich style with a prickly pear jam and cream cheese
Warrior Surprise is a mini-Navajo Taco topped with one egg
Ranch House Grille
Ranch House Grille
This is a great place to meet with a high school friend and his beautiful wife. We enjoyed breakfast at Ranch House Grille. It is a very local place. Many entering the grill knew other patrons and shared stories of their families and community. It is a wonderful meal. Large portions, good café coffee, and great hash browns are found here.
Joe’s Cafe Breakfast
Orem Utah Reunion Breakfast
Meeting up with my dear friend Lisa Sherman is like we never missed even one day, even though it had been a few decades. Lisa and I have known each other since we were three. We ran the neighborhood streets as two determined little girls could. We enjoy breakfast at Joe’s Cafe. The food is so delish. Lisa even enjoyed the grits. A dish she is convinced she did not like. Joe said, “You will love them. Nothing comes between your lips and my grits.” It is so wonderful catching up with Lisa after all these years.
3 Sisters Cafe Breakfast
3 Sisters Cafe
The first food stop of the trip is 3 Sisters Cafe in Indianapolis, Indiana, in business for 20 years. They serve a large choice of elegant breakfasts from sweet to savory and great lunch menu as well.
They have great beverages (no alcohol) with flair. I enjoyed the turmeric and ginger iced tea. It is a great flavor not too sweet or sugary. The brunch is perfect a great hollandaise sauce over Scottish lox, poached eggs, fresh tomato, and locally made English muffins with caviar on top. The English muffin is fresh with a nice sourdough flavor. The hollandaise sauce is perfect with just a little heat. The porridge is a new experience. It is creamy with a hint of cinnamon.
Courier Café
The Courier Café Urbana
The Courier Café brings Champaign history and old Victorian styling in the decor. The main dining room has:
A large palace chandelier from the Opera House in Erie Pennsylvania
The cash register is the first electric cash register
The courier clock pendulum filled with mercury makes the time keeping right
The stained glass comes from a Danville church predating the Civil War
The Pullman lamps light the aisle for passengers on the Pullman railroad cars
The brass chimes a gift from George Malford, a Nickelodeon Maker, they are steamed powered
The Café’s name is for the Courier newspaper that operated for decades in the building. The building is almost lost to fire and remained empty for decades. In 1980, the current owners began remodeling and opened for business on November 10, 1980. They are a farm to table restaurant with the garden and bees on the property for the freshest ingredients.
The menu is a hearty all American menu with breakfast served daily until 11 AM then lunch and dinner menu until closing. The breakfast is traditional eggs, omelets, fantastic pancakes, and hash browns. Their coffee is fresh ground daily and they have special blends. The lunch/dinner menu is hearty with a ribeye sandwich, fries, soups, and steak. The food has that home cooked look and feel. They do have a few items for vegetarians including breakfast sausage. They do have one special treat “Courier water this is sparkling water from deep below the café. It is a great place for large parties and a sense of the community in Champaign.
Scone City
Scone City located in Wicker Park is wonderful for a morning after bar hopping or late night in Chicago. Jessica and Tim Canning along with chef Laurie McNamara took on the endeavor in a specialized sweet and savory scone menu. This place is a perfect stop as my sister Cherie is heading to the airport to return to her family in Idaho. It is so wonderful sharing this experience with here. Seeing places and enjoying the cross-country journey. I truly miss her every day. She enjoyed a sweet blueberry w/ lemon glaze scone she says, “It is delicious!! Sweet. Soft. Perfection!!! Soooo tasty.” They have savory scones as well. I enjoyed a hot Vanilla Bean Latte with the house-made vanilla syrup. It is a perfect start to a day of exploring Chicago..
Kanela Breakfast in Chicago
The last morning of the road trip in the Midwest is brunch at Kanela, the Greek name for Cinnamon. This restaurant place is Wicker Park neighborhood on a street with many older shops. It is a great place, voted best in Chicago by USA Today, for a Sunday morning brunch. The coffee tops and wonderful after an evening at Bangers and Lace.
Brunch includes California Benedict and Fried Egg Sandwich this is an exceptional meal. The hollandaise sauce perfection with a nice touch of heat, the poach egg picture perfect. The sandwich is fabulous with the chili aioli brings the flavors together. The seasoned potatoes nicely cooked not too soft or undercooked. It is a nice brunch with my sister. We do agree that this is a great place for brunch.
Milk Bar NYC
Milk Bar NYC
Super excited to try crack pie and coffee for breakfast. This is a planned find in NYC. Watching Chef’s Table on Netflix. I knew I needed to try Milk Bar. This is Christine Tosi’s and is part of the Manhattan-based Momofuku restaurant. This is my first stop in the morning. The little shop has great cookies, cakes, pies, and bagel bombs. I order an iced coffee, bagel bomb with spinach, and crack pie. The bagel bomb is warm and filled with spinach and cheese. It is a nice bite for the start of touring NYC. I save the crack pie for a little later, but it is delicious. The filling is something like a custard, but buttery. The oat crust is light and flaky. This is a must stop and see.
What is your favorite breakfast? Share on social media using #4chionfoodie
Traveling across the country you find a variety of traditional American food to traditions for each region. There is beautiful colors, smells, sounds, and exceptional people to meet. Here are a few of the food finds from Arizona to North Carolina.
Arizona Food
Chesapeake Bay Bistro
Chesapeake Bay Bistro
Pulling out of a local shopping plaza fish sounded good for dinner. As I Google the nearest location I did not have a clue that there was one tucked in the shopping center, Chesapeake Bay Bistro, this is was a treasure find.
The restaurant owned by James and Yolanda Brown ventured to open this location during the height of the pandemic. It was an exceptional decision.
Chef Zandra (Zantastic) Vaughn creates fish your way everyday. The menu is created to make your fish your way. The fish is homemade with fresh fish with every effort to use sustainable methods and recyclable goods. The hushpuppies are scrumptious.
The fish is fresh and crabs are live and flown in from the Chesapeake Bay in the East Coast on a daily basis. We make sure that our ingredients are of the highest quality.
The fun is adding your name to a flip flop and looking for an open space for your addition. The customer service the best. Yolanda is passionate and full of energy. The food was delicious and enough for a few meals.
Cameron Trading Post Highway 89
Cameron Trading Post
The food made from scratch daily and is a fusion of the three food cultures. This place is perfect for travelers with their lodging, restaurant, art gallery, garden with fountains, and a massive gift shop. The trading post opened in 1916 and welcomes everyone like a guest in their homes. Prior to being a trading post, the place served as an apothecary.
Breakfast:
Navajo pancake this is a blue corn pancake
Prickly pear stuffed french toast this is French toast served sandwich style with a prickly pear jam and cream cheese
Warrior Surprise is a mini-Navajo Taco topped with one egg
Lunch:
Southwest taco salad served with a prickly pear cactus fruit vinaigrette
Gunslinger ham and cheese with diced green chile to the classic ham and American cheese sandwich
Navajo burger A juicy burger patty served on Fry Bread with salsa and all the trimmings (this was a delicious choice)
Dinner:
Nakahee Becheeyeh ( means south of the border) includes a pork tamale, a meaty beef taco, and one cheese enchilada
Served with tortilla chips, our spicy homemade salsa, refried beans, rice, and your choice of red or green chile
Trout dinner with lightly breaded grilled fish
Liver and Onions Beef liver grilled with onions and bacon
served with soup or salad, a fresh mini loaf and a choice of mashed potatoes, baked potato, French fries, sautéed vegetables or rice pilaf.
Each dish enjoyed this evening brought a new experience to something familiar. We enjoyed the Navajo burger (with a vegetarian patty), club sandwich (served gluten-free) and Navajo taco (made with Blue Bird flour). Ellie enjoyed a milkshake and nibbling off everyone’s plate. Miss “Foodie” (Ellie) really recommends their fantastic french fries. The menu includes the Navajo language providing a fun conversation with the staff. We enjoyed the local flavors and expansion of cultures. The food to the ambiance provided a complete experience with cultural diversity.
Ranch House Grille
Ranch House Grille
This was a great place to meet with a high school friend and his beautiful wife. We enjoyed breakfast at Ranch House Grille. It was a very local place. Many entering the grill knew other patrons and shared stories of their families and community. It was a wonderful meal. Large portions, good café coffee, and great hash browns.
Utah Food
Ray’s Tavern
We stop in Green River just before Colorado. Lisa Sherman recommended having lunch at Ray’s Tavern. This was our first travel contest. Congrats, to Wes Hawkins at Utah Travels for knowing what city we were enjoying lunch. We ordered the chicken sandwich and a Garden Burger®. They had a Utah tradition on fry sauce, created by Don Carlos Edwards in the 1950s. It is as simple as ketchup and mayonnaise whipped together. I have seen variations with adding sour cream or buttermilk. This was a treat for sure. It was a great place. The waitress extremely friendly and the food fresh, including the fries.
Spicy Thai and Joe’s Cafe
Orem Utah Reunion Time Road Trip
Meeting up with my dear friend Lisa Sherman was like we never missed even one day, even though it had been a few decades. Lisa and I have known each other since we were three. We ran the neighborhood streets as two determined little girls could. We enjoyed breakfast at Joe’s Cafe. The food was so delish. Lisa even enjoyed the grits. A dish she was convinced she did not like. Joe said, “You will love them. Nothing comes between your lips and my grits.” It was so wonderful catching up with Lisa after all these years.
Dinner was a fabulous reunion with my bestie from high school, Brenda Anderson. She and I meet at the Spicy Thai in Orem. This was an excellent choice for the food was excellent. Their menu had a great selection of Thai food with the ability to choose your heat. The evening ended at her home where we spent time catching-up, relationships talk, and a little (very little) drinking. Her cute little dogs entertained up throughout the evening. They are both such a ball of energy.
Colorado Food
Aloha Poké Co.
Aloha Poké Co. provides a light refreshing meal with a wide choice of vegetables and rice. This is a perfect meal for this long day of road travel. Cherie and I sit outside enjoying lunch in the spring sun and looking back at the Rocky Mountains thinking a strong contrast from the last two days to the journey that lays in front of us.
Missouri Food
Sugarfire Smokehouse BBQ
Sugarfire Smokehouse BBQ St. Louis Missouri
St. Louis is known for its arch and barbecue. This being a late Sunday afternoon we realize that many locations are not open, but find one near the ball field, Sugarfire SmokeHouse BBQ! This is an award-winning restaurant under Chef Mike Johnson has studied with Myron Mixon, cooked under Emeril Lagasse and Charlie Trotter. It was a great experience of community, exceptional food (sweet potatoes the best) and BBQ pork and salmon.
Cincinnati, Hebron, and Indianapolis Food
3 Sisters Cafe
The first food stop of the trip is 3 Sisters Cafe in Indianapolis, Indiana, in business for 20 years. They serve a large choice of elegant breakfasts from sweet to savory and great lunch menu as well.
They have great beverages (no alcohol) with flair. I enjoyed the turmeric and ginger iced tea. It was a great flavor not too sweet or sugary. The brunch was perfect a great hollandaise sauce over Scottish lox, poached eggs, fresh tomato, and locally made English muffins with caviar on top. The English muffin was fresh with a nice sourdough flavor. The hollandaise sauce was perfect with just a little heat. The porridge was a new experience. It was creamy with a hint of cinnamon.
Hebron Grille
The evening meal was a quaint place in Hebron Kentucky called Hebron Grille. The waitress, Brenda, was so friendly and informative. She provides insight into the southern menu. I decide on the Catfish Grand Bayou. This was a meal for two. It was perfect for a later time as well.
The fish was perfectly cooked with Cajun spice, white wine, lemon, capers, diced tomatoes, grilled shrimp, crawfish, angel hair pasta, and grilled asparagus. The capers brought an exceptional flavor and salt to the dish. The crawfish is a wonderful additional treat.
Abby Girl Sweets Cupcakes
Saturday afternoon in Cincinnati Ohio, my niece and I stop by Abby Girl Sweets Cupcakes. This was a delightful find in the lobby of the Hilton Netherlands Hotel lobby. This little shop has a variety of sweet and moist cupcakes. We enjoyed the coconut, black raspberry chip, red velvet, and peanut butter cup. They were perfect after a long of competition at the USA Gymnastics event.
This business is owned and operated by Nathan & Andrea Thompson (husband and wife). The name comes from their daughter, Abby Girl, she is the top taster for the cupcakes. The cupcakes are sweet and well-flavored.
Champaign Illinois Food
The Midwest food is all American. The area settled by Europeans including Germans, British, Italian, Hungarians, and Scandinavians. The simple hearty foods with strong Christian influences continue today. The fusion food trend is not found here as much. You will find that true honest food as it was from the beginning.
This town is a place you find all American food. It is a place worth stopping and checking out the food scene. This area is in Central Illinois about 2.5 hours south of Chicago. The area surrounded by small farm and dairy communities. It is known for farmers markets, fresh dairy (yes you can buy fresh milk at the farm), ethnic foods, and the classic American food.
Sleepy Creek Vineyard Road Trip
Sleepy Creek Vineyards
Driving in from St. Louis, you take exit 206 from I-74. The winery is a great location to come for many events. Weekly they have local musicians, wieners and wine, and Winery Mary Bar Every Sunday. The winery has great yearly events from Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and more.
The wine is sweet not a real full-bodied wine. They have a jalapeño red wine they substitute with vodka in the bloody Mary served on Sunday. The place is beautiful and serene setting. Locals bring their picnic lunches, you can buy cheese and crackers, or at times, a food truck might be here. The day we were there they had a band playing in the large barn, a strong community presence sitting outside by the creek overlooking the vineyard.
The Courier Café Urbana
The Courier Café brings Champaign history and old Victorian styling in the decor. The main dining room has:
A large palace chandelier from the Opera House in Erie Pennsylvania
The cash register is the first electric cash register
The courier clock pendulum filled with mercury makes the time keeping right
The stained glass comes from a Danville church predating the Civil War
The Pullman lamps light the aisle for passengers on the Pullman railroad cars
The brass chimes a gift from George Malford, a Nickelodeon Maker, they are steamed powered
The Café’s name is for the Courier newspaper that operated for decades in the building. The building was almost lost to fire and remained empty for decades. In 1980, the current owners began remodeling and opened for business on November 10, 1980. They are a farm to table restaurant with the garden and bees on the property for the freshest ingredients.
The menu is a hearty all American menu with breakfast served daily until 11 AM then lunch and dinner menu until closing. The breakfast is traditional eggs, omelets, fantastic pancakes, and hash browns. Their coffee is fresh ground daily and they have special blends. The lunch/dinner menu is hearty with a ribeye sandwich, fries, soups, and steak. The food has that home cooked look and feel. They do have a few items for vegetarians including breakfast sausage. They do have one special treat “Courier water that is sparkling water from deep below the café. It is a great place for large parties and a sense of the community in Champaign.
Amaravati Indian Royal Cuisine Champaign
Amaravati Indian Royal Cuisine primarily brings Southern Indian cuisine to Champaign. Southern Indian cuisine based around rice, lentils, and stews. Dishes The authenticity found in the menu. The waitress knowledge of the menu and very helpful with the dishes.
Enjoying Paneer Tikka Masala with cubes of fresh cottage cheese cooked with green peas in an onion, tomato & cashew based sauce. Garnished with Kasturi methi and cashew pieces. The flavors linger on your pallet. The rice is perfectly cooked. Dessert is rasamalai it is juice and cream. It is a sweet and good amount of heat. This dish has a history of being created in Britain by a Bangladeshi chef.
Champaign Food Road Trip
Core Life Eatery Champaign
Entering the eatery, you hear a local band on an early Saturday morning. The eatery is a location of freshness and wholesome. The food is GMO, grass-fed steak, all-natural chicken, and no GMOs. The broths are center to the soups. You pick your ingredients from a fresh selection that looks like a produce stand.
The soup is heavy in a great vegetable broth the Sriracha soaked bean sprouts make a nice substitute for noodles and Sriracha brings heat to the soup. The kale and Napa cabbage are barely cooked by the hot broth this brings a freshness and crunch to the flavor. The shiitake mushrooms add texture to the soup. It is refreshing with flavors that linger on the plate.
Chicago Food
Chicago sits in the Midwest has a history of all American food. This history is changing to one of sophistication and elegance. The dining experience is one set for the various neighborhoods in Chicago. The traditional American and deep dish pizza is found in each area, but the elegance is found with 25 Michelin-starred restaurants. Chicago is known for their yearly Taste of Chicago a food and entertainment weekend usually held the second week of July. There is a covering deep dish pizza this is a bucket list trip with deep dish pizza on the list.
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria Road Trip
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
This was a fantastic place to take a crowd for lunch. There was a little bit of a wait but well worth the wait. They do allow you to order ahead of time. The entire party pizza enjoyed the pizza. They had great selections with gluten-free and vegetarian options. The gluten-free crust was one of the best. They have a real family feeling to the pizzeria.
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria is a local favorite. The first restaurant opened by Lou, an Italian, opened a pizzeria in a Jewish neighborhood on an Irish holiday in 1971. They are always busy at all 51 locations in the Chicago area. Each pizza is hand created to each patron’s desire.
Pequod Pizza Chicago
Pequod Pizza, 25 years in business, is a popular place in Lincoln Park. We arrive with the dreams of deep crust pizza and watch the Cubs play ball. Arriving we realize that the wait is down the street. Heading into the small hostess station they tell us, “there is an hour for a table about another hour for service from seating.” We walk around the block and decide to find a place with appetizers to wait out the hour seating time. We find a great place called Distilled Chicago.
New York City mayor’s press secretary Eric Phillips has put in his vote on Twitter for the best pizza “Chicago pizza is the best pizza in America, and it’s not even close.” The tweet has a photo of Chicago-style deep dish pizza from Pequod’s. We return for our pizza as our buzzer for the table goes off.
We take the pizza back to the Air BNB for snacking and dinner on Saturday evening. It is a fabulous bucket list experience. Normally a thin crust pizza lover this was a true experience. The crust is caramelized and not as heavy as expected. The cheese strings as you take a bite making it a true cheese pizza. The sauce is the best to date. It is loud and excitable as the patrons are enjoying the final innings of the Cubs game.
Distilled Chicago
Distilled Chicago was a fantastic find just down the street from Pequod Pizza in West Lincoln Park. We sit at the bar. The decor is black and gold with an early 19th century feel. The Cub’s are playing on the TV. It is neighborhood experience as locals enter to enjoy the local menu with a modern twist on bar favorites. We enjoy a glass of wine and a beer. It is best known for being a whiskey bar with our 100 varieties. These are paired with the menu items.
The food is fabulous. We order the mac ‘n’ cheese bits, sliders with fries, and Italian beef egg rolls. The Italian beef rolls turn out to be a delightful surprise with the Au Jus Sauce. This fusion of Asian and Italian together well and our the favorite of the night. The mac ‘n’ cheese bits are crispy and tasty. The dipping sauce is house ranch. There is a good textual experience. The fries are crispy and the bacon jam brings the classic slider to a unique experience the arugula brings a fresh peppery flavor, caramelized onions, and the top quality Angus beef takes a bar classic to elegance. This became dinner. It is a great place to enjoy a ball game, the community, and an American classic menu with an elevation.
Scone City
Scone City located in Wicker Park is wonderful for a morning after bar hopping or late night in Chicago. Jessica and Tim Canning along with chef Laurie McNamara took on the endeavor in a specialized sweet and savory scone menu. This place was perfect stop as my sister Cherie is heading to the airport to return to her family in Idaho. It was so wonderful sharing this experience with here. Seeing places and enjoying the cross-country journey. I truly miss her every day. She enjoyed a sweet blueberry w/ lemon glaze scone she says, “It was delicious!! Sweet. Soft. Perfection!!! Soooo tasty.” They have savory scones as well. I enjoyed a hot Vanilla Bean Latte with the house-made vanilla syrup. It is a perfect start to a day of exploring Chicago.
Bangers and Lace
Bangers and Lace, a local bar in Wicker Park, has a rustic lodge atmosphere and is a great place for a good drink and great company. The patrons are friendly. The bartender for the evening was an instant win with a Big Lebowski shirt. The best feature is the is the classic beer tap handles. The restaurant’s name is Bangers for the British term for sausage and Lace for Brussels Lace, the intricate veil of beer foam that clings to the glass side. This was a great evening spot near the Air BNB for cocktails and a glass of wine. They have a menu of sausages, English beans, vegetarian option, and Belgian fries.
The atmosphere is friendly, fun, and did get crowded as the night went on. It is a great place for sports, conversation, and good drinks. What a fun experience.
Kanela Chicago Road Trip
The last morning of the road trip in the Midwest is brunch at Kanela, the Greek name for Cinnamon. This restaurant place is Wicker Park neighborhood on a street with many older shops. It is a great place, voted best in Chicago by USA Today, for a Sunday morning brunch. The coffee tops and wonderful after an evening at Bangers and Lace.
Brunch includes California Benedict and Fried Egg Sandwich this was an exceptional meal. The hollandaise sauce perfection with a nice touch of heat, the poach egg picture perfect. The sandwich was fabulous with the chili aioli brings the flavors together. The seasoned potatoes nicely cooked not too soft or undercooked. It was a nice brunch with my sister. We do agree that this is a great place for brunch.
New York City Food
Wild Ginger NYC
Wild Ginger NYC
This quaint Asian Fusion restaurant is next door to my hotel, Pod 51, in Midtown New York. Thankful for this find after being delayed at the airport. The restaurant is full of large parties enjoying an order your favorite roll and share mine. I can hear them discussing what they like about each other’s choices. That is a fun way to enjoy a menu. The decor is transforming, and fitting for the theme. The menu filled with a variety of traditional Asian and fusion dishes like Singapore thin rice noodles. Enjoyed steamed veggie dumplings, salmon roll, and mermaid roll. The sauce on the plate is sweet, sour, and a little heat. The food is fresh and elegant.
Milk Bar NYC
Milk Bar NYC
Super excited to try crack pie and coffee for breakfast. This is a planned find in NYC. Watching Chef’s Table on Netflix. I knew I needed to try Milk Bar. This is Christine Tosi’s and is part of the Manhattan-based Momofuku restaurant. This is my first stop in the morning. The little shop has great cookies, cakes, pies, and bagel bombs. I order an iced coffee, bagel bomb with spinach, and crack pie. The bagel bomb warm and filled with spinach and cheese. It is a nice bite for the start of touring NYC. I save the crack pie for a little later, but it is delicious. The filling is something like a custard, but buttery. The oat crust is light and flaky. This is a must stop and see.
Pizza NYC
$1 Pizza NYC
The little find during the day is Market Pizza. It is a small little shop off 6th ave. It is $2.99 for two slices of pizza and soda. This is a great place for a traditional New York pizza. It is good, friendly, and always ready. They have a variety of pizzas. There is a small communal area to sit to eat your pizza before heading back on my NYC adventure. Always fun to explore these great places.
Pescatore NYC
Pescatore NYC
Walking Midtown after a day of exploring and the fashion event it is overwhelming with the choices near the hotel. The restaurants’ selection vast and enticing aromas. The dilemma is decided as rain begins to fall. I wonder into Pescatore. It is a traditional setting with the seasonal tulips on each table. My waiter is Bryan Royas. He is very informative about the menu and attentive.
It is a really amazing experience to see spaghetti Carbonaro done tableside. This dish is pancetta, onions, pecorino cheese & egg mixed in a Parmigiano wheel. The family sitting near me order this dish. There is something about seeing the food prepared tableside. The smells, sounds, and visual bring anticipation.
I enjoy pasta ripiena, warm bread, with Bousquet Mendoza Argentina Malbec, and dessert. The staff that brings me zeppoles with fruit dipped in brandy. The ripiena is homemade pasta sheet stuffed with fresh spinach, ricotta, topped with tomato sauce and crispy parmigiana. The homemade pasta is delectable and the tomato sauce fresh. The dessert is light and sweet the vanilla, chocolate, and raspberry sauces. The raspberry sauce is my favorite brings a little tart to the sweet. The fruit with the brandy is scrumptious.
Wilmington North Carolina Food
Kilwins Chocolate Wilmington NC
This is a must stop when visiting Wilmington You can smell the sweetness down the street. This is just the start of the sensory experience provided. When entering the story your eyes are drawn to all the beautiful handcrafted chocolates and sweets. Located in the Historic Downtown. Ice cream is a popular treat in Wilmington. Kilwins makes bomb waffle cones, exceptional chocolates, and it is worth the wait.
They make their own ice cream from their original recipe with 40 premium, unique and delicious flavors including Mackinac Island Fudge. They use local farms for ingredients. The chocolate creations are amazing.
Mission BBQ Wilmington NC
Mission BBQ Wilmington NC
Always looking for good BBQ traveling across the country. Each area has their own special BBQ. Wilmington’s Mission BBQ is American and traditional to the area. This place brings the flavors of the region to dinner. Enjoying collard greens made with tomatoes, mac-n-cheese, and green beans with bacon, brisket and NC Style pulled pork with the vinegar BBQ (this food tradition is from original settlers, African slaves on plantations and modern ones). This is an Eastern-style sauce that is vinegar and pepper, no tomatoes. Bar-b-que is serious here making it all the way to state Congress to declare the official barbeque.
Mission BBQ opened 09/11/11 ten years after 911. There is a tradition in the 52 restaurants stops at noon on Fridays to honor the military members and stars and stripes. The decor follows this continued theme with a patriotic dining room full of tributes to those who make our country great. There is really nothing more American than a barbeque.
It is a great time to come together and celebrate life.
Brunch Breakfast Sandwich
Opened Faced Egg and Avocado Brunch Sandwich
Serves 4
boil 5 eggs
Egg boiling tips
place eggs in the bottom of a saucepan
cover with cold water
bring to just boiling
cover with the lid and remove from heat
let sit for 12 min (large eggs)
drain immediately
4 English Muffins
3 TSP Hummus, mashed avocado, or Butter to spread on the toasted muffin
2 large almost ripe avocados peeled and sliced lengthwise
avocado ripeness
darker green to black riper that light green
You should be able to apply some pressure when squeezing in the palm of your hand do not use your fingers they cause bruising
Salt and pepper
Boil the eggs, peel, and slice lengthwise set aside. Toast English Muffins to your likeness. We toasted using ToBox 4 slice toaster. It provides great settings for toasting perfect bread every time. Butter or place hummus on each slice of the toasted English muffins. Layer on entire egg slices across the top of the buttered area. Top the eggs with sliced avocados. Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste.
Brunch Breakfast Sandwich
Fruit Bagel Opened Face Brunch Sandwich
Serves 4
8 lengthwise sliced strawberries
4 sliced bananas
4 plain bagels
8 oz package of Neufchatel cheese softened
Toast the bagels to your liking. Our bagels toasted up nicely using the ToBox toaster. It offers a bagel setting that toasts only one side. Spread Neufchatel cheese on each bagel not too heavy. Place the strawberries on the outer edges of the bagel slightly hanging off the edge and bananas on the inside of the bagel.
Sausage Egg Cheese Brunch Sandwich
Scrambled Eggs with Sausage Brunch Sandwich
serves 4
1 lb sausage (your favorite is best) made into 4 patties and cooked in skillet till done
8 large eggs beaten and scrambled salted and peppered to taste
Scrambled eggs tips
Use water instead of milk. This makes them softer milk tends to add a heaviness and tough
Salt right before you pull them off the stove. This keeps them moister.
Pepper right before you pull them off the stove. This helps the eggs keep their bright yell
8 toasted (ToBox toaster is great because it understands bread and toasting to perfection) bread slices buttered
8 slices of sharp cheddar cheese
Lay the cheese on each slice of toast. On one slice of toast place the sausage, then the scrambled eggs. You can add a favorite sauce hot sauce, salsa, or ketchup. Top with the other slice of bread with cheese. Cut the sandwich into quarters.
Fried Egg and Bacon Brunch Opened Faced Sandwich
serves 4
4 slices of bread toasted and buttered
4 slices of sharp cheddar cheese
4 slices of bacon cut in half and cooked
Bacon Tips
cook bacon in the oven
line cookie sheet with wax paper or tin foil
cook for 15 to 20 minutes on 375 (time depends on your likeness)
8 eggs fried until firm but not overcooked salt and peppered to taste
Fried Egg tips
cook eggs one at a time
heat the pan on medium with butter in the pan
when the pan is hot break one egg in the pan
turn heat source down to low immediately
cook slow until the white in the egg is cooked and yolks thicken but not stiff
Set up your toast place a slice of cheese on each toast. 4 slices of toast layer 2 fried eggs, 4 slices of bacon, and place the other 4 slices on top of the bacon.
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Planning the road trip across the US there was a detour from Yellowstone National Park due to weather. The next best stop for national parks was Zions National Park just off highway 89 in Utah. Stopping in Page to meet with high school friends and fill up for the next leg of the journey to Zions and Utah.
Ranch House Grille Road Trip
Page Arizona to Kanab Utah
It was a great morning meeting with Jeff Lott and his beautiful wife at Ranch House Grille where we enjoyed reconnecting and enjoying a beautiful breakfast. Leaving Page Arizona you cross Glen Canyon Dam taking you into the beautiful1.25 million acres of the Glen Canyon National Recreational Area. This area is home to Lake Powell, a place that brings fun, sun, and water sports to the southwest. The white ring you can see is known as the bathtub ring and a formed from calcium carbonate deposits. A few of great activities in the area include:
Boating
Camping
Rainbow bridge (only accessible by boat or 14-mile hike)
Escalante Arm
Fishing (a favorite of foodie Ellie)
Foodie Ellie Fishing Road Trip
Zions National Park is about 104 miles from Page. It is a beautiful drive as the landscape changes from the red rocks to a borderline Mediterranean climate. Kanab is the first town you come to after Page. This town is the center of all sorts of great outdoor adventures including Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Bryce Canyon National Park, the Grand Canyon (North Rim). This is well-known for the great Hollywood film production. A few of the films produced in this region are:
Highway 89 takes you to the stunning and resplendent Zions National Park. This park became a national park when by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919. The park continues to keep the natural beauty with a project called Zions Forever. This project is in place to protect and sustain the park for all living beings and future generations. This is a leave no trace area. You need to make sure that you have trail etiquette and leave nothing behind:
Remove all waste (make sure you use the restroom you must take this waste of the trail)
Keep dogs on a leash
Place trash in designated receptacles
Be considerate of other visitors
Hike quietly
Enjoy the sound of nature
Hike in single file
Ascending hikers have the right of way
Have plenty of water this is a desert terrain
Be ready for changes in weather from rain forecasts, extreme heat or cold
Careful on trailheads they are slippery
You enter the park, there is a $30 fee, but well worth it. The canyon stretches 15 miles long and spans up to half a mile deep. You drive on the Zions-Mount Camel Highway that winds slowly downgrading with gorgeous views of Navajo Sandstone that is tan, cream, pink, and red color. There are locations where you can see hanging moss, trees at different angles, and You follow the Virgin River on the path taken to carve this canyon. It is so It was fantastic seeing the snow against the colored mountains. You pass through several tunnels. There is a tunnel that is more than a mile long. This is one impressive drive even in the dark. You continue down the hill until you reach the visitors center.
Zions National Park Road Trip
Here is your opportunity to continue to explore more of the park. The concept of keeping the pristine the rest of the park is accessible by shuttle, hiking, backpacking, and hiking. The many activities at include:
This was a wonderful journey on the road trip. Many years as a child this was one place we enjoyed as a family. It was a sunny bright day just as winter was beginning to change to spring. There is plenty of lodging in the area as well as food and restaurants.
Orem, Utah
The remainder of the drive continued on interstate 15 to Orem Utah where I grew up. It was wonderful getting to a warm home with my parents. The days filled with reconnecting with friends and family before continuing the road trip.
Orem Utah Reunion Time Road Trip
Meeting up with my dear friend Lisa Sherman was like we never missed even one day, even though it had been a few decades. Lisa and I have known each other since we were three. We ran the neighborhood streets as two determined little girls could. We enjoyed breakfast at Joe’s Cafe. The food was so delish. Lisa even enjoyed the grits. A dish she was convinced she did not like. Joe said, “You will love them. Nothing comes between your lips and my grits.” It was so wonderful catching up with Lisa after all these years.
Dinner was a fabulous reunion with my bestie from high school, Brenda Anderson. She and I meet at the Spicy Thai in Orem. This was an excellent choice for the food was excellent. Their menu had a great selection of Thai food with the ability to choose your heat. The evening ended at her home where we spent time catching-up, relationships talk, and a little (very little) drinking. Her cute little dogs entertained up throughout the evening. They are both such a ball of energy.
Dennis and Eileen Road Trip
The next day was spent with my parents. We enjoyed dinner at King’s Buffet. My time with my mother we went over old photos, stories, and the fun times we shared in our life. She brought me a photo of my first haircut that she taped back together after tearing. My father enjoyed being the dad he has always been, making sure the car is ready for the next part of the journey. He took to put Rain-X on the windows. This was a great addition to the journey. Stay tuned for all the details in the next part of the journey.
Cameron Trading Post located directly off Highway 89 between Flagstaff and turn off for Tuba City is a mix of American, Mexican, and Native American food. The restaurant is located 21 miles from the Grand Canyon and overlooks the beautiful Colorado River Gorge.
Cameron Trading Post Cameron Arizona
The food is made from scratch daily and a fusion of the three food cultures. This place is perfect for travelers with their lodging, restaurant, art gallery, garden with fountains, and a massive gift shop. The trading post opened in 1916 and welcomes everyone like a guest in their homes. Prior to being a trading post, the place served as an apothecary.
Many who stop here will be hungry after the many outdoor adventures found near the trading post. The adventures include:
The menu is filling for each meal of the day. Accommodating to many foodies, appetites, and diets. You can enjoy breakfast until 11 AM, but the rest of the menu is available until closing. There is no alcohol at this restaurant, but they do offer a wide choice of coffees, juices, teas, sodas, milkshakes including Prickly Pear (a must try if you have never had this great desert fruit), and non-alcoholic beer.
Cameron Trading Post Highway 89 Arizona
Breakfast:
Navajo pancake this is a blue corn pancake
Prickly pear stuffed french toast this is French toast served sandwich style with a prickly pear jam and cream cheese
Warrior Surprise is a mini-Navajo Taco topped with one egg
Lunch:
Southwest taco salad served with a prickly pear cactus fruit vinaigrette
Gunslinger ham and cheese with diced green chile to the classic ham and American cheese sandwich
Navajo burger A juicy burger patty served on Fry Bread with salsa and all the trimmings (this was a delicious choice)
Dinner:
Nakahee Becheeyeh ( means south of the border) includes a pork tamale, a meaty beef taco, and one cheese enchilada
Served with tortilla chips, our spicy homemade salsa, refried beans, rice, and your choice of red or green chile
Trout dinner with lightly breaded fish that is grilled
Liver and Onions Beef liver grilled with onions and bacon
served with soup or salad, a fresh mini loaf and a choice of mashed potatoes, baked potato, French fries, sautéed vegetables or rice pilaf.
Navajo Taco Cameron Trading Post
Each dish enjoyed this evening brought a new experience to something familiar. We enjoyed the Navajo burger (with a vegetarian patty), club sandwich (served gluten-free) and Navajo taco (made with Blue Bird flour). Ellie enjoyed a milkshake and nibbling off everyone’s plate. Miss “Foodie” (Ellie) really recommends their fantastic french fries. The menu includes the Navajo language providing a fun conversation with the staff. We enjoyed the local flavors and an expansion of cultures. The food to the ambiance provided a complete experience with cultural diversity.
Ellie at Cameron Trading Post
The dining room is a place that feels like a large welcoming dining room. It is decorated in traditional Native America artifacts and a large stone fireplace, it was a beautiful addition to the atmosphere and ties well with the menu. The ceiling a pressed tin is so intriguing. The beauty outside the cathedral windows is breathtaking. You can see the gorge and the suspension bridge (built-in 1911 for highway 89 traffic) from this place. The sunsets here are magnificent with the gorge and bridge.
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