Burger Tap and Shake Restaurant Review

I have been severely lacking my my restaurant reviews as of late. I have a bunch in my head that I have been meaning to get to writing but some how I have just not found the time to sit down and write them. When I decided to make an effort to pull a few together Burger, Tap and Shake was at the top of my list.

The hubs and I took B into the city the other weekend to grab some documents from his office and thought we would pick up up a quick lunch on our way. It was post swimming and B was super tired so I figured we were likely to have a melt down if we tried to stretch him too far. Since BTS is conveniently located on Washington Circle, right on our way to the office we decided that we would check it out and boy am I glad we did.

While the hubs decided to go for the traditional burger I went all out, ordering the Southern Comfort. A delicious burger topped with pimento cheese, vidalia onions and sweet pickle slices. We split a side of sweet potato fries dipped in their signature sauce which tasted like a thousand island with a kick. Little B enjoyed pieces of our burgers and fries and ended up acting like a perfect gentleman!

While there were no changing tables available they do have several high chairs. I did have to ask for a chair to be brought out from the back but the service was superb and the food was just what this mama needed.

Sweet Potato Chicken Chili

After making my chicken, bean and sweet potato burritos, I had a boat load of extra filler laying around. I knew I wanted to re-purpose the items to make a new and exciting meal so I headed over to the internets to do some research. I finally decided on a sweet and savory chicken chili, and man was it a good call.

Sweet Potato Chicken Chili

This recipe is a mix of a couple of other chicken or pumpkin chili recipes I found. Since I had the sweet potatoes already made I figured I would just go with what I had replacing the pumpkin with my mashed sweet potato and bean mixture. I have to say I LOVE how it turned out. The hubs said he didnt think it was “chili” but still agreed that it was damn good.

1 bone in chicken breast, meat shredded off
3 cups of mashed sweet potato/kidney bean mixture (from chicken, bean and sweet potato burrito recipe)
1 can black beans
1 sweet potato, chopped into bite size chunks
1 onion, chopped
1 tbs EVOO
4 cloves of garlic, minced
2 c frozen corn (I used trader joes fire roasted corn)
2 c chicken broth
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
½ tsp salt
1 tsp oregano

I just threw it all in the crock pot and cooked it on low for an hour but since everything except the onion and sweet potato are cooked you could definitely just cook it on the stove until the potatoes are soft. 

Bouillabaisse for my Valentine

Bouillabaisse for my Valentine

One of my hubbies favorite meals is this family style fish stew so I thought I would give it a try for this Valentines day. Fortunately for me little B gave me the great gift of a 3 hour nap giving me plenty of time to create my masterpiece, unfortunately for daddy, I had planned to pick up the mussels and clams from the seafood market around the corner after he woke but since he didnt wake up until 5:15 we were out of luck. Because of this the stew was a bit lacking in depth but it was still tasty and I would totally try it again. The “recipe” I used was based on a version of Julia Child’s shared on the blog Family Style Food.

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 cup each chopped onion and leek
• 4 cloves mashed garlic
• 4-5 cups, ripe tomatoes (I used grape tomatoes)
• 4 cups of chicken stock
• 4 cups lobster water
• Fresh herb sprigs: thyme, parsley, basil (in any combination)
• 1/2 teaspoon saffron
• 1 tablespoon sea salt
• 2 yukon gold potatoes
• 1 1/2 pounds each lobster (use the shell for the stock); white fish such as cod, halibut or rockfish cut into chunks, and debearded, scrubbed mussels or clams
• Toasted rustic bread
• Rouille sauce (recipe below)
• Parmesan
• I served mine over a bed of pasta with sundried tomato pesto that was left over from our play date this afternoon but next time I would probably leave out the pasta all together.

Heat oil in a stock pot and add onion and leek cooking until soft. Add garlic and stir for another minute. Add the tomatoes, potatoes, stock, water, herbs, saffron, salt and lobster shell. Bring to a simmer and reduce heat so broth bubbles without boiling. Cook for 30 minutes and pull lobster shells out. Bring the base back to a boil and add the fish and the rest of the shellfish, cover and simmer until the mussels or clams open or in my case until the fish is done (which took about 8 minutes.) Taste the broth and add more salt and pepper if needed.Serve  the soup with a scoop of rouille and cheese on the top and extra rouille on the side to dip the bread in. 

Rouille
1 cup roasted red peppers
⅛ tsp cayenne pepper 
1 tbs lemon juice
1 garlic clove
¼ c bread crumbs
¼ c parsley 
¼ c basil
⅓ c EVOO
½ tsp salt
Puree everything except EVOO in a food processor until smooth. Slowly add the EVOO while processing to form a paste.

Hey Cupid, Take Your Pick!

Happy Valentines Day! I know its cheesy but I cant help myself, I just love valentines day. I think its so important to show the people in your life how much you love them and while this is just another day to do that it makes me melt when I see how everyone else does it.

Little B has gotten quite popular in his 1.5 years with multiple engagements to attend this week. With all these parties to attend we had to get on this valentine thing so here are our top three contenders for parties we will be attending

Our I Choo Choo Choose You Valentines (Gotta love Ralph)

A photo card 40 for $10 through CVS attached to a cellophane bag (leftover from his 1st birthday) with a Choo Choo Train from Target. These cute little gifts ranged between $2-5 since I was able to snag many of the trains from the dollar section in the store!

We go together like Apples and Bananas

For this super cute valentine I printed out circle labels using the 2.5 inch round template from Paper Source and then a larger 4 inch circle on card stock using my awesome Martha Stewart circle cutter. I glued each of the paper labels onto the card stock and then attached them to the fruit with kitchen twine. The organic fruit came from Whole Foods and cost me less than $10 for seven bananas and a bag of apples.

Of course this post wouldn’t be complete without a super cute pic of my little Valentine. I have to say he is quite stylish in his polo sweater (purchased for Christmas) from Marshall’s, his super cute black and white plaid button up from Heartstrings, jeans and of course those little black Chuck Taylors!

This post will also be linked up at Mummys Busy World for Trendy Tot Tues. Check them out if you haven’t already. Maria (Mummy) is a fellow Duke and blogger extraordinaire.

Chicken, Bean and Sweet Potato Burritos

This super easy meal was another one of my go to meals back in my breastfeeding days as a dairy free diva. I love the sweet and savory combination and of course the fact that its another prep and forget type of meal that can cook all day while little B and I play. 

Bone in Chicken Breasts
2-3 medium sweet potatoes, skinned and chopped
1 can red kidney beans
adobo seasoning
1 tbs chili powder
salt and pepper
whole wheat tortillas
peach, mango or pineapple salsa
*shredded cheese optional

Sprinkle chicken with adobo seasoning and place in the crock pot with sweet potatoes. Cook on low for 4 hours. Pull the chicken out and set aside to cool. Add washed kidney beans and chili powder to the crock pot and mash the mixture with a potato masher. Shred chicken. Fill each tortilla with sweet potato/bean mixture, sprinkle shredded chicken on top, add cheese if desired and top with salsa. Wrap burrito up and serve. I even made little B a baby burrito by adding thin layers of each of the ingredients and rolling the tortilla. He loved it and it made for a perfect tot sized finger food.

Fantastic Finds: Indoor Play Areas

When the weather is cold, wet or just dreary, the week days are long for this stay at home mommy and her little man. Thankfully, I have my play group mamas to help keep us on the move. Established in November 2010, mere months after out little ones were born, our play group has grown into the most awesome support network I could have dreamed of. From sharing knowledge and parenting anxieties to swapping sitter hours and creative play activities these mommies have become the best “co-workers” I could ever ask for. 

We officially meet once a week for play group but many of us also attend classes together and often do sporadic meet-ups for other fun activities around the area. Since we always seem to be out on the town, I thought it would be fun to share a few of our favorite “finds” with you too. Hopefully these finds will help to keep us all out of our weekly rut. This weeks entry This kick off entry is all about indoor play facilities. These play gyms are popping up lie crazy, each offers their own special appeal and of course limitations so I thought it would be fun to talk about a couple of our favorites in the area. 

MOBU (Monkey Business)
They offer classes and unlimited free play hours while you are registered for a session but I have never actually registered for a class there. They also offer pay by the session open play on a regular basis. They have a large variety of equipment, including a “tree house structure” but floor space is limited and it can get crowded. The big bonus is that the gym is located right next to the Elevation Burger in Falls Church which makes it a perfect place for a pre or post lunch outing. 


Kneehigh Ninjas- Falls Plaza Shops
This martial arts studio offers open plays regularly on Wednesday mornings. They do ask that you call ahead to reserve a spot but I have called right before heading over and had no problem getting in. I loved how large the space is and the vast array of toys provided. It is conveniently located next to a Giant and several restaurants making a two for one outing totally possible. My only complaint is that they they have such a limited scheduled hours.


Tysons Indoor play area The best thing about this one is that it is FREE! Located right beside the movie theater and food court in the mall. This play area is a maze of colorful enchanted forest type structures. The play area is not monitored and therefore can get a bit past overcrowded on weekends and after school hours but it is a great place to check out on a cold or rainy day when you also need to sneak in a couple errands on the side. 

Next on our list to check out… Barcroft Indoor Play. What is your favorite indoor play area? 

For a more complete listing of indoor play areas in the 703 check out the list put together by our friends over at Our Kids http://www.our-kids.com/public/t/?f=2&s=107

Steak and Cheese Pizza

Pizza junkies beware. I just cant help myself when it comes to pizza. I love trying new combinations (like butternut squash, smoked pork and roasted Brussels) or making a play on an old traditional staple like this steak and cheese pizza. I know pizza gets a bad reputation for being a junk food but when you make it at home and load it with veggies it can actually be a really healthy and satisfying treat.

Steak and Cheese Pizza

1 lb sirloin steak
EVOO
S&P
2 c chopped kale
2 c of shredded cheese (I use white cheddar)
1 c sliced mushrooms (I use crimini)
2 c chopped peppers (I used red and yellow)
2 c chopped tomatoes
1 whole onion, sliced
1 tbs butter
Pizza crust (I used Pillsbury premade thin crust)

Brush the steak with EVOO, season with salt and pepper and then broil for 5 minutes, flip and then broil for 5 more minutes and set aside to rest. Pre bake the pizza crust per the directions on the packaging. In a small pan add a tbs of EVOO and 1 tbs of butter and the thinly sliced onion. Saute, stirring regularly until the onion begins to caramelize. Strain onions out and set aside. Add mushrooms and peppers to the pan and saute until cooked, about 5 minutes and set aside. In a small bowl toss chopped kale with EVOO and sprinkle with salt. Once all the leaves are covered microwave the kale for 5 minutes or until it is crispy.
Thinly slice the steak and cover the baked crust. Add cooked veggies, chopped tomatoes and cover with cheese. Bake as instructed on dough package. Sprinkle with crispy kale before serving for an extra crunch.

Spiced Orange Pork & Stir Fry

As I previously mentioned, I got a kick a$$ cast iron wok for Hanukkah and I am just now really starting to break it in. I love stir fry, its quick, easy and always packed with veggie goodness. Last week I tested out a new pork recipe which was AWESOME! It takes a bit of work but if you get a large enough piece of meat it makes two different meals so Ill break it down that way showing the stir fry as dinner for night two.

Spiced Orange Pork Stir Fry

Add caption

Crock Pot Spiced Orange Pork.

2 lb Pork Tenderloin
Chinese Five Spice (get this at world market or any Asian grocery)
EVOO
1 onion, sliced thin
2 garlic cloves, smashed
3 Navel oranges, chopped
S&P

Sauce
2 tsp soy sauce
2 tbs honey
1 tsp rice wine vinegar
½ tsp sriracha
½ orange, juiced
1 tsp corn starch (this is what thickens the sauce)

Season the pork with S&P and roll in Chinese 5 spice powder to create a crust. Heat oil in a pan and sear the outside of the pork for two minutes on each side until a char has formed on the outside of the meat. Dump oranges, garlic and onion in a crock pot and rest the meat on top of the aromatics. Cook on low for 3-4 hours.
Remove the meat and set aside to rest. Strain the liquid from the bottom of the crock pot into a pan. Incorporate other ingredients for the sauce and let it simmer until it reduces and thickens to your preferred consistency.

Slice pork and drizzle sauce over the top. Serve immediately. I served mine with a side of smashed potatoes and broccoli and saved leftover pork and sauce for the next night.


Night Two!

Use reserved pork for this awesome stir fry!
1/2 to1 Lb of cooked pork
1 red bell pepper
1 zucchini
2 cups of green beans
1 c shelled edamame
2 c sliced crimini mushrooms
3-4 c chopped pork tenderloin
2 tbs chopped ginger
8 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tbs sesame oil

Heat sesame oil in a wok. Add garlic and ginger and stir fry. Add mushrooms and stir fry until they become soft. Add other vegetables and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Add leftover sauce and pork and mix until incorporated. Serve over rice immediately.

Black Bean and Avocado Salsa

Salsa and Quesadilla

We are a Tex-Mex junkie type of family. Tacos, burritos and quesadillas galore. They are family friendly, there are endless possibilities for fillings and they are super quick and tasty! Since we have been enjoying the not so winter weather the past few weeks I have been spending less time in the kitchen getting those post-nap park dates in.

One of my go-to quesadillas is the standard black and white. Black beans, monetary jack or white cheddar. To add a little color to the meal I topped the quesadilla with a vibrant salsa that is full of both color and flavor.

Black Bean and Avocado Salsa

½ can Black Beans (other half reserved for quesadillas)
1 C grape tomatoes chopped
1 C corn (I use the trader joes fire roasted which is delicious and adds a great smoky flavor)
1 avocado chopped
½ red pepper chopped
3 scallions, chopped
1 tbs EVOO
1 tsp cumin
½ lime, juiced
½ tsp salt
I usually add ¼ c cilantro to this but I didn't have any on hand.

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and serve!

Super Charged Blueberry Muffins

I have decided that I am going to make a serious effort to attempt to bake more. My preference would be once a week but we will see if that happens. For this weeks baking project I decided to take on an awesome healthy muffin recipe I found on joythebaker.com. Her Oatmeal Blueberry Applesauce muffins really excited me because
A. I purchased 3 pints of organic blueberries when they were on sale and B promptly decided he didnt like them anymore.
B. They look super yummy
C. They look super healthy.

I of course made my typical couple of changes and think the recipe really turned out delicious!  So without further introduction: Super Charged Blueberry Muffins

1 c whole wheat flour
¼ c almond flour (the original recipe called for 1 ¼ c whole wheat)
1 c quick oatmeal
¼ c coconut (unsweetened)
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
½ tsp cinnamon
1 c unsweetened applesauce
½ c whole milk yogurt (I used brown cow maple)
½ c packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1 pint blueberries

Preheat to 375. Put liners or grease the tins. Combine flours, oats, coconut, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. In another bowl combine applesauce, yogurt, sugar and egg. Make a well in the dry ingredients and add applesauce mixture. Stir until moist. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin cups and bake for 16-18 min.