Morels are brainy

The first time the Chef bought morel mushrooms at the Green City Market in Chicago, I thought what a brainy looking little guy; I wonder if he knows something that I don't know. What it was that I didn't know, was that my life was about to change. I mean, come on, I know my mushrooms - porcini, chanterelle, hen of the woods - but I have never feasted on something that tasted so amazing served in a little jus on a roasted chicken with a side of asparagus. They have a rich, nutty, earthy flavor that makes my mouth water. 

Since three years ago, when my love affair began, it has become such a special thing because it truly means spring is here! There are so many cultivated mushrooms sold as "gourmet" that you can buy year round at Whole Foods and while they are great in their own way, there is not that race to the mushroom stand with my heart beating fast wondering, are they here yet?!!? Sadly though, the season is short and the abundance will actually depend on the air temperature, ground temperature and rain levels - meaning they could be around for a week or for months.

Last weekend the chef and I were at a local Chicago grocery chain called Treasure Island, who boasts themselves as "America's most European Supermarket", looking for some veg to serve with our grass fed steaks.  I squealed with excitement when I saw them - MORELS!! What a perfect accompaniment to a beautifully marbled piece of meat. They were sexy, gorgeous, little beauties and looked even better than the last time I had seen them.  Hello lover.

Get your morel recipes here.

My moment of the crazies

We'll everyone. I have finally made a decision that is truly worth committing me to the loony bin. I have signed up to run the Chicago Marathon. Yes, all 26.2 miles of the Chicago Marathon. I am not a runner. I repeat, I am not a runner. But, I will tell you that since I have made this decision, I have been running, and enjoying it. This year when the masses pass my house at the 9.5 mile marker, I will be one of them and that makes me so excited that I just can't stand it!

Korean BBQ tacos

I was in Austin two weeks ago (yes I know this means that I missed SXSW by one week) and since it was so beautiful outside I spent most of the week walking around downtown from appointment to appointment. After having lunch with my brother and his wife at an adorable little hot dog joint called Frank's, I walked my brother back to work just to prove that chivalry isn't dead. We were on Congress near 2nd and just as we were about to cross over the bridge, I noticed a little trailer truck offering Korean BBQ tacos. My heart beats lumpy custard for bulgogi so I couldn't imagine what a delicious treat this must be done Texas style!

The next day, I prepared myself all morning for the feast and returned to the scene of the crime. No freaking BBQ taco truck was in sight anywhere. Being the psycho that I am, I got on my Iphone and started to google until I found it - www.chilantrobbq.com - and I rushed over to their location of that day. I couldn't pick which one I wanted so obviously I tried all three options. The beef taco was amazing. All the goodness you would expect from bulgogi beef with a Texas twist. It comes wrapped in a corn tortilla and is topped with salsa, cilantro, onion, green onion and sprinkled with sesame seeds. Make sure to ask for it with kimchi if that is your thing. The spicy pork and and chicken tacos were delish as well and I couldn't honestly tell you which one was better. I washed the tacos down with a local Full Moon Pale Rye Ale from the Real Ale brewing company which was quite refreshing.

Who knew that I would be having one of the best lunches that I have ever had in Austin at a picnic table for under $10?