VM- (Vagina Monologues not Voicemail) and Ralph's (Rockin) Diner

Today I went to the Vagina Monologues. For those of you who are not familiar with the Vagina Monologues (written by Eve Ensler), you can learn more Here!  My very loose, but personal, interpretation of the Vagina Monologues is that through recognizing and vocalizing the varied and diverse experiences each woman encounters through her life, we can empower each other to continue to have a voice and bring forward experiences that have previously been left in the shadows or locked away under layers of pain or embarrassment. That can only lead to better things, and the empowering of more women.

Here are some photos of the setting, including some footage of the fabulous host: Ralph's Diner.

Ralph's Diner, Outside

All tucked behind this building....

Fish Tacos with Kiwi and Nectarine Salsa

Okay, fish tacos! It's my message to Mother Nature that I'm thankful Spring is on it's way and that I'm thinking "the sooner the better."  I found the recipe when I was looking for the marinade for yesterday's salmon (which was for tilapia, but I repurposed on the salmon).

Presenting tilapia tacos with kiwi-nectarine salsa.

The 'recipe' is fairly simple:

Fish: Lightly bread tilapia in a mixture of flour, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper, and broil it for about ten minutes. Cute into small pieces for taco.

Salsa: Lime juice, garlic, white balsamic vinaigrette, cucumber, shallots, 1 kiwi, 1/2 nectarine, dash of red pepper flakes. I prepared part this the day before (garlic, lime, white balsamic, red pepper flakes, and cucumber slices the day before)...and I accidentally made pickles! I am going to have to have another dedicate post to this happy accident.

Topped with a little greek yogurt and chopped parsley. Definitely added an extra fresh element. Yum.

Ed Hyder's Market & Salmon Saturday

Today I checked out, that very cool, Ed Hyder's market. I wasn't sure what to expect and I wasn't prepared for this delightful market with an abundance of items...just not many on my shopping list.

I ended up buying a nice, affordable bottle of white burgundy and tabouleh, freshly made by one of the great people working in the market.

And then I went to the local 'regular' grocery store and got salmon and some other necessities for my weekend cooking.

Here's what this Saturday's salmon looked like:

Coconut-lime salmon, with a side of the delicious tabouleh

(although I added the Persian cucumber slices).

Coppertop Lounge

Okay, Friday was a landmark day. The sale of my condo went off without a hitch. I went to Wachusett Ski Resort (30 minutes from Worcester) for some socializing through the Young Professional Women's Association here in Worcester. There was a fun blues band and good company.

Coppertop Lounge: Gurus of Blues

And I had this funny tab:

"Girl, left" (of the person on the right).

The Fix

Yesterday was a damp day... it was overcast, it snowed a little.
On my way home, I started craving a burger. I needed "a fix" (pun intended) and I happened to walk by The Fix (click me!) on my way home.

Awesome place!

Yummy, I'm hungry and in the mood for:

This turkey burger was a special for restaurant week, which I was unaware was happening.

But totally happy to take advantage of it.

It was delicious.

I did not have dessert... but this was tempting:

Dark chocolate sea salt gelato...come on, where's a friend to share with when I need one?

Nothing Boring, Including Woot-Worthy Chili

As some of you know, I'm relatively new to Worcester. But, even though I've only been in Worcester two months (this coming week), and had virtually no experience with the city prior to moving here, I already enjoy being here immensely... for same reasons as the sentiment expressed in this article: As I See It: Nothing Boring About Worcester (click me!).  It's also nice to see an article with places written down, so I can check them out... Some I've been to, but others I've only heard in passing and never had a chance to write them down to look them up later.

Today, along with the predictable fish, I decided to make... chili! I've never, ever made chili. But, two of my dear neighbors had me over for dinner a few months ago and fed me some delicious chili. I've had a craving ever since.  I decided to look up recipes and mix and match ingredients to make a Woot-Worthy Chili. It was a success!

I will be able to have this for a week of lunches, and then some!

And, just for some proof, here is my salmon for today...marinated in balsamic vinegar, and laid over a tortellini, kale, corn, and chicken broth.  As usual, a delectable lunch.

42nd Street

Today was the big day: 42nd St, at Hanover Theater. No pictures of the show but it was fabulous!

Here's the theater:

Beautiful theater. Talented Cast.

Afterwards, I headed to Armsby Abbey.

On the way home, I noticed something new:

I think it's a new restaurant coming to life... can't wait to try it out once opened!

And then when I got home and finished my book, I made what I am calling heavenly hodge-podge broth with tortelini.

Bocado and Wonder Bar Part II

Never fear, I didn't forget about my blog. Instead, I've been exploring places to tell you about. So, hold on to your hats....here we go!

Thursday Night: BOCADO (Winter St., Worcester)! It was National Drink Wine Day. Worth celebrating, I think. I went to a new place, with a new friend. We had delicious tapas. Here's a glimpse inside. Sorry, no food pictures. I was too busy eating it.

Wednesday, the previous night... I made another stop back at Wonder Bar...

Food for Thought...And Recipe Notes

Today on this balmy 52 degree day in Central Massachusetts (just remember, it was -16 Sunday morning, WITHOUT accounting for the windchill), I decided to take an afternoon walk. Here are some mysteries that I came across. If you have thoughts/answers, lemme know...

Remember the Shel Silverstein book, "Where the Sidewalk Ends?".... I feel like this is not what he had in mind....walking down the street and halfway down the block, it just ends. No explanation.

Why does this happen? It's not unique to Worcester, this also happened in my old midwest neighborhood.... you think the sidewalk is leading to the end of the block where it will link up with the corner of the sidewalk perpendicular to it. Not so. Pet-peeve.

Next up:

Private Street.

Dangerous. 

Why?? Deadly pot-holes?

That's my best guess based on the neighborhood and the street (see below).

Now up: Tuesday night's dinner!

Crepe filed with chicken, basil pesto, a splash of white balsamic vinegar, corn, arugula, red onion, mushrooms, and a blend of mozzarella and parmesan cheese.

So, that opens the next topic. I want to make sure that I'm not giving any false impressions.

Almost all of my recipes include some short cuts. Yes, I usually cook on the weekends, but even then I don't usually have the time, or want to take the time to make every dish from scratch.

So, tonight's shortcut(s)? 

1) I made the crepe batter on Sunday, and kept the leftovers (which I used tonight)

2) I used rotisserie chicken

3) I used pre-made pesto, which I bought 

The rest of the ingredients I had in my fridge/pantry (eg, white balsamic).  For things like this I usually just use odds and ends I have around and try to add in healthy and fresh ingredients.

So, what other short cuts have I made in recent recipes? Here's a complete list from the weekend's food posts.

Salmon w/ Mint-Pea Puree & Lemon Brodetto

1) Fresh Salmon-- on-sale, already marinated (and I didn't catch it or clean it =), but I did broil it)

2) Frozen peas--I didn't grow them

3) Mint-- store bought, don't have a fresh mint plant right now

4) Chicken broth-- from a can, healthy choice, low-sodium

5) Parmesan-- from a block, I did grate it myself

6) lemon-- didn't grown it, just juiced it

7) Shallots and garlic-- freshly chopped (but not home-grown)

Roasted Chicken Thigh, with Lemon-Parmesan-Garlic Sauce

1) Roasted Chicken Thigh-- I made this a week earlier, when I was roasting chicken for my home-made chicken dumpling soup

2) Pasta- ordinary boxed stuff

3) Kale-- organic store brand

4) Lemon-Parmesan-Garlic sauce...added garlic, reheated the lemon brodetto simmered it together, added a bit of butter and topped it off with parmesan

Haddock with Quinoa Pineapple, Red Pepper, Black Beans, Corn, and Kale

1) Fresh Haddock-- on sale, au naturale (I seasoned it and broiled it)

2) Quinoa w/ Pineapple, Red Pepper, Black Beans and Corn... came from Archer Farms, thanks Target! I just added in fresh baby kale, a little lemon and some olive oil

Brunch with Crepes...

1) Bought the eggs...don't have the chickens some of my friends do. I think they are a no-no living in a condo

2) Made the crepe batter from scratch

3) Pea Puree leftover from Saturday

4) Arugula from the grocery store

5) Block Parmesan, freshly grated

6) Pre-cooked bacon, just heated to a crispness

So... as you can see...plenty of short-cuts... So, you can probably do it too!! Most of these meals take 30 minutes or less, although I haven't actually set a timer.