Korean Tacos and Bibim-Bop

Tucked away on Atlanta's West side, right where the "industrial area" starts sits Hankook Taqueria; the local Korean taco joint.  Yes, that's right, Korean tacos.  These tacos mix so many flavors, that I am familiar with and love, in a way that I had never had before and love.  Flavors like cilantro, soy, lime, and hoisin with chicken, beef, pork, or fish are topped with green cabbage and wrapped in soft tortilla.  Each taco is $3.50 or less and amazingly savory and delicious.  I have been eating at this taco place for about a year, sticking with the tacos; calamari, pork and shrimp are my favorite, and sometimes adding in a Street Snack from the bottom of the menu: nachos, sesame fries, or dumplings.  Then last week I noticed something else on the menu..Bibim-bop...the description read: beef, vegetables, fried egg with pepper sauce on top of rice.  To say I was intrigued is an understatement.  I was quite hungry and I love a fried egg on anything so I tried it, and OMG it was delicious!  Like lick the styrofoam container the food was served in good.  The pepper sauce is not for the faint of heart, and the beef was cooked perfectly along with the rice and veggies it was a great mix of perfect.  I loved this dish and  cannot wait to eat Bibim-bop every where I see it on the menu!

What is your favorite ethnic food?  Do you have any "hidden Atlanta gems" to share?
Sincerely Loving Food,
Lainey

For 2: Chorizo Hash

I feel like a hash is the south's frittata...or something like that.  Potatoes, veggies, meat, eggs, same ingredients, different way of putting it together.  The Hash process is simple and the ingredients can be as basic or fancy as you like, or what you have around for that matter.  Sports Dude (I used to call him the FH future husband, but now he is the husband, but that sounds a little lame, so I am going to go with Sports Dude) anyway back to the point, he LOVES chorizo so anything that  bleeds greases (is that a word?) orange is good in his book.  The potatoes and onions are slightly spicy (and orange) from the chorizo, but the cheese and egg create a creamy, savory, smoothness that is just perfect for mellowing out the spice.  This was great for Saturday morning brunch, and I was so full I didn't eat again until Saturday dinner.   I think next time I want to make a hash with Italian Sausage and  mozzarella; doesn't that sound good?  I'll keep you updated... What are your favorite hash ingredients?  Is there a breakfast meat that you LOVE?
Sincerely Loving Food,
Lainey

Boil potatoes for about 10 minutes to start the cooking process (not cook all the way through) then dice onion and potatoes

Brown sausage in a large skillet, remove to a plate, add onions and potatoes to skillet (do not remove any drippings from the meat) and cook until onions are tender and translucent and potatoes are tender, about 7-10 minutes .  Add sausage back to the pan and stir it all together. Turn off the heat and let the flavors mingle in the skillet while you cook 2 eggs to your liking.

Place a healthy (as in big, not good for you) portion of the sausage mixture on a plate

Top with a piece of cheese

Top with eggs, Enjoy!

For 2: Hot Dog Bun French Toast

I love to throw a couple of hot dogs on the grill for a great summer supper.  But, I hate that hot dog buns are sold in packages of 8 because there are only 2 of us in our house and we do not need to each eat 4 hot dogs.  So, what the heck am I supposed to do with those other hot dog buns?  Make French Toast – duh!  I know you think I am crazy, but trust me this really works!  And you can barely tell they are hot dog buns and that is only from the way they look, the taste is pure French Toast…try it this weekend, hot dogs (or these chicken sausages) for dinner on Friday and French toast for breakfast on Saturday!  Winner! (sorry I couldn’t help myself…I am so glad its Friday).

Sincerely Loving Food,

Lainey

For 2: Chipotle Chicken Enchiladas

I made up these Chipotle Chicken Enchiladas the other week when I was in the middle of a Mexican kick, right before I made Deep Space 9 Layer Dip for a Star Trek Birthday party, but more on that later.  For now let’s talk about these enchiladas: spicy from the chipotles, creamy from the milk, gooey from the cheese and sour cream and delicious from the combination of all previously mentioned.  Hello - sour cream, chipotles and cheese in the same dish - can that be bad?  I cooked 2 chicken breasts specifically for the enchiladas, but leftover chicken would work perfect too!  I served these with Mexican Cole Slaw: napa cabbage that was tossed in mayo, lime juice, and a little more adobe sauce – the cool crunchy texture was a great compliment to the warm, cheesy enchiladas.  These will be a repeat performer in our menu line up for sure.  Do you ever make Mexican food at home?  What is  your favorite Mexican dish?

Sincerely Loving Food,

Lainey

New Thing!

I have a problem.  Not serious, not life-threatening, I’m not crying or anything…but I might get fired.  Ok, that was a little dramatic, I’m not gonna get fired.  BUT, I have to find a way to stop looking at pinterest.  I will think I am just going to look at 1 thing, or I just need to check this and then before you know it, 3 hours have passed.  I do love it!  It is like inspiration crack, and I just can’t stop looking!  Have you “joined” this site?  Do you look at it for hours on end?  Have you created boards?  Please let me know I would love to have some more to look at!  

Sincerely Loving Pinterest,

Lainey

For 2: Steak Cobb Salad

I am a huge fan of the Cobb Salad, mainly because of 3 things: avocado, blue cheese and protein!  I think the combinations are endless, you can use any type of cheese, protein, veggies you like.  For me the avocado and meat are the must haves and I love to change it up with different ingredients.  A few nights ago I put together a version of the Cobb using filet mignon, avocado, boiled egg, tomato, and blue cheese crumbles over a bed of baby field greens.   

For the dressing I used Asiago and Cracked Peppercorn from Cindy’s Kitchen which was to die for. I found it at Whole Foods.

Granted, it wasn’t the lightest /healthiest dressing I have ever used, but it was so good.  The creamy cheesiness of the dressing went so well with the steak.  I am convinced I will love anything with steak, cheese and avocados, and this salad is no exception.  What are you favorite salad toppers?

Sincerely Loving Food,

Lainey

PS - Crystal thanks again for the Omaha Steak wedding gift - this was the last of the meat and I was sad to see it go...

FRIDAY!!!

Hooray!  It’s Friday.  I don’t know about you but this week has been soooo looonnnnggg…I feel like each day has lasted forever!  I am looking forward to getting my hair cut, shopping some of the new Lauren Conrad pieces and Kohl’s and attending a 30^th birthday party.  I am telling you the Lauren Conrad stuff at Kohl’s is cute, affordable and very wearable.  It is one of my favorite things! The t-shirts are great for layering (or super cute on their own), the leggings are so comfortable, and the sweaters are super cozey but nice enough to wear to work.  I am also looking forward to this birthday party.  The guest of honor is a huge Star Trek fan (which I know nothing about), however I do LOVE a theme party so I am helping a little with the menu.  I am bringing a Deep Space 9 Layer dip, and will for sure share with you next week.  I hope everyone has a great weekend!  What do you have in store?

Sincerely Loving Food,

Lainey

*Lauren Conrad does not know me and I was not compensated in anyway for this post; I really do just love those clothes.  However, LC if you are reading this feel free to comment – we could be friends…

For 2: Roasted Tomato Crostini

I LOVE to share a Friday afternoon cocktail with my hubby, and it’s even better with a snack.  Last Friday, we kicked off the weekend with a delicious roasted tomato crostini.  It was so easy to make and would be just as easy to put together for 20 as it was for 2.  The roasted tomatoes have an intense savory flavor and the mozzarella is so creamy when heated through, it’s the perfect combination on crusty bread.  I loved it so much we had it again the next day.  Just a few ingredients and super delicious, what more can you ask for?  You have to try this at your next happy hour, or cocktail party, or just because tomorrow is Friday!  Open a bottle of wine and get the weekend started – oh tomorrow you can’t come soon enough… 

Sincerely Loving Food,

Lainey

For 2: Date Night Ravioli

I love to make my own ravioli, filling that is.  I haven’t tried to make my own pasta yet; for now I am perfectly content to buy the wonton wrappers from Whole Foods, create what ever filling the hubs and I want, stuff the little guys, enjoy them and say we made ravioli.  Ravioli was actually my first post ever on this blog.  Friday night we made a little date night out of it: drank some wine, had a roasted tomato crostini appetizer (recipe to come later this week), made the raviolis and spent some quality time together.  I highly recommend this as a date – so, so fun!  We have done this a few times and each create our own filling, and fight over whose is better, I mean enjoy them both.  The process is simple:

Create the filling and then puree it just a little with a blender (we happen to use the emersion one)

Wet the border of the wraps with your fingers

Put the stuffing in the middle

Fold in half and pinch edges to close

Place on wax paper, cover with a damp cloth and let sit in fridge for at least 30 minutes

Then boil for about 3-4 minutes, cover with a delicious sauce, serve with wine and enjoy!

We used a simple cream sauce, just use whatever you like! 

Have you ever made your own pasta?  What is your favorite ravioli filling?  I hope I have convinced you to try this at home!

Sincerely Loving Food,

Lainey

Stolen Recipe Success

Back in June I did a post called Stolen Recipe Success.  I had this great idea that I would do one post like this a week, about a recipe that I took from someone else's blog or TV show, made myself, and thought was a great success.  I am finally making good on that idea, here we are 2 months later and I am finally posting the second installment of Stole Recipe Success. 

A few nights ago for dinner we had this delicious roast salmon from The Pioneer Woman's post titled Pam's Day of Deliciousness.  I left off the asparagus because it's gross I don't really care for it and opted for a green salad instead.  Just as Ree said, this dish was delicious and so easy to throw together.  Thanks again Pioneer Woman and Pam!

*Lovely photo from Pioneer Woman's site











HOLY OREOS!  I don't really have anything to say about this.  Just go to Jessica's site, drool on yourself, be amazed by this fabulous idea, buy some oreos on the way home from work tonight and make this.  Seriously - oreos, pie crust, peanut butter...you don't even know!

* beautiful photo from The Novice Chef






What blogs, cooking shows, recipes are you loving right now?
Sincerely Loving Food,
Lainey