simple weekend recap: edition 23

Eek, looks like I haven't done a simple weekend recap in the past month! Whoa, oops! This weekend wasn't very simple, rather it was quite busy...it started off on the right foot with a delivery of the gift I bought myself for getting into school, a beautiful Smythson organizer.

 

Friday evening cocktails & sushi at Thelonius Monkfish in Central for some fairytale sushi...

 

 

 

 

 

...before a bit more gallivanting before calling it an early night in time to wake up early for a busy busy Saturday. The day started with brunch at Masa, a well-known brunch in Boston for the value of the dishes. Tasty & so reasonably priced, we loaded up on cornbread, multiple types of butter, and fiestas all around.

 

We headed out to the Drink Craft Beer Springfest event at the Revere Hotel. With 70+ beers from 25 New England breweries (and unlimited samples) & samples of snacks, I can actually say I found a few beers I really liked (and I am not a beer gal). Although most of the beers were hops-focused, I really liked the pale ale offered at High Horse brewery (and no, it's not just because they had the nicest cup-cleaner, the coolest logo, or a horse...but those didn't hurt). Also of note, Enlightenment Ales had a surprising champagne beer, which was unlike anything I have ever had before.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With crowds moving in, and our stomachs full of beer, we went out in search of sandwiches. We ended up at one of my favorite spots in the Fort Point Channel neighborhood, the well-known Flour bakery (more later this week).

 

We ended the day with my new favorite shop in all the world...the Bee's Knees Supply Company, which my friend, Kelsey, gave me a heads up about. Located right next to Flour, it is amazing. Period. I guess I'll write a bit more about it tomorrow, to show you just how perfect it is.

 

Sunday was uneventful, full of errands, flowers & a perfectly-prepared chicken for dinner. Now it's time to rest up for a long week ahead, and a Spring soiree next weekend.

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chicken cacciatore

I can't believe I never posted about chicken cacciatore! I meant to, I really promise, I did mean to, but I must have forgotten. I've been having chicken cacciatore since I was little, and I still crave it to the day, I actually made it 2x this month. Simmering healthy chicken with onions, mushrooms, garlic, herbs & cheese creates the most tender moist filling meal even on it's own. To make it even better, make some whole-wheat pasta to absorb all of the saucy goodness.

Ingredients (for 3 dinner-servings):
1 tbs olive oil
1 lb organic free-range chicken breast, cut into small chunks
1 onion, diced
1 container of button mushrooms, sliced
5 cloves of garlic, minced
1 cup grated fresh parmesan
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp parsley flakes
1 tsp oregano
28oz crushed tomatoes
1 cup water

 
Directions:
1. Add olive oil to a large pan, heat over medium-high heat. Add chicken, onions, mushrooms, a pinch of salt & pepper, a drizzle of olive oil and stir to coat.  Cook until bubbles subside and chicken begins to brown, about 12 minutes.

 

 

 

2.  Add garlic, cheese, pepper flakes, parsley flakes, and oregano, along with another another pinch of salt & pepper.

 

3. Stir to fully mix, add tomatoes and water. Lower heat, cover & simmer for 60 minutes, stirring occasionally.

 

4. Make pasta & serve with ladles-ful of the chicken, mushrooms, and sauce. Uncover the sauce to thicken if desired. Enjoy the most tender chicken in the world!   

 

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cracked conch

For our last meal in Grand Cayman, we headed up to West Bay again on the northwest end, past the turtle farm, to the Cracked Conch for a lunch. With the hot Caymanian sun, we sat inside near the windows, under the breezy fans, looking out on the gorgeous blue water.

 

 

 

We all started with a round of the dangerously delicious house rum punch...mmmm perfect.
 

 

We shared a bunch of appetizers: the conch ceviche with tomatoes, red onions, cucumber, lime juice, avocado, and cilantro...
 

...the conch chowder with spicy tomato, bacon, leeks & coconut milk (which I was very excited for, but it wasn't spicy and the flavors melded a bit too much). We also split the cracked conch with pickled fennel and the best curried tartar sauce, along with some super fresh crispy calamari with cardamom marinated carrots, homemade hot sauce, and tomato mayonnaise (this was my faaaavorite).

For our main courses, I had the open faced braised short rib sandwich with baked homemade flat bread & pomegrante seeds (which was delicious but large) and T had the  chef's burger with a beef patty, brie cheese, sweet soy caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato and truffle parmesan fries, which was also massive. Full of food, we headed to the jet to fly back to the Keys.

 

 

Halfway through the (short) trip, T started to let the jet get to him and he enjoyed partaking in the free snacks.

 

 

Upon our return to the Keys, the remainder of our stay was spent relaxing with the pelicans...
 

 

...and out fishing on the boat. Mind you, although this fish may look small, I caught smaller, the second is a barracuda (which gains me some credit), and for my middle school graduation I was gifted a fishing pole.

 

 

After rummikub tournaments every night, a quick ER trip for a pulled ligament, and a bunch of relaxation, we headed back home to Boston.

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