Super Nachos & Fresh Guacamole





Super Nachos

1 large bag of tortilla chips
1 pound lean ground beef
1 package taco seasoning mix
1 15-oz. Can refried beans
1 15-oz. Can black olives, sliced
1 cup cheddar cheese
1 cup Monterrey Jack cheese
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1 15-oz. Can black beans
1 8-oz. Jar pickled jalapeno pepper slices
One half head of lettuce shredded
2 fresh tomatoes chopped
1 onion chopped
8 oz. Sour cream
Fresh Guacamole (recipe follows) 

Brown lean ground beef in pan. Add taco seasoning and water per directions on taco seasoning mix. Cover and cook according to directions. Push taco meat to one side of pan. Add refried beans other side of pan and spread out over the bottom of the pan opposite the taco meat. Cover pan and warm on low heat until refried beans are warm. Cover very large casserole dish with layer of tortilla chips. Place a few spoonfuls of taco meat and refried beans over chips. Add one quarter of each cup of cheese over meat and beans. Sprinkle on a few black olive and jalapeno pepper slices and black beans. Add more chips and repeat process two or three more times with cheese as last ingredient reserving some of the black beans, olives and jalapeno pepper slices to sprinkle on the top of the nachos. Place casserole dish in 300 degree oven and heat until cheese melts throughout. Remove from oven and add shredded lettuce, tomatoes, onions and remaining black beans, olives and jalapeno pickle slices. Add a few scoops of sour cream and Fresh Guacamole and serve.

Fresh Guacamole

2 ripe avocados
1 Tbsp. Fresh lime juice
1 small sweet onion chopped
One quarter cup chopped parsley or cilantro
1 clove garlic, minced

Peel avocados and remove pits, reserving one pit. Mash avocado meat in bowl. Add lime juice and mix. Add remaining ingredients, mix well, add avocado pit then cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes before using. Adding the avocado pit helps to prevent the Guacamole from turning brown.

The Skinny: Use low fat cheese, low fat tortilla chips,
the leanest ground beef you can find and low fat sour cream.

DIY - Holiday Gift Tags

A super easy way to put a unique spin on your holiday gifts this year.  Just make your own gift tags.  You can chose any method you like.  Use ribbons, scrapbook paper, glitter or whatever you find around the house.  Heck why not try birdseed.

See below!  Super Easy.


What you need:

  • Blank Gift Tags (various sizes & colors available at your local craft store)
  • Glitter, Ribbon, or Scrapbooking paper
  • Glue/Glue Pen
Voila !!








DIY - Sugar Scrub Hand Exfoliater



What You Need:

 - White Sugar
- Body Oil
- Jar with a Screw Top
- Something to stir with; Knife, Popsicle Stick, etc

 1. Scoop the white sugar into the jar filling approximately half way. Loosely; No need to pack.

 2. Add the body oil on top so that the jar is about 3/4 full.  

 3. Stir; Carefully so not to spill

 4. Each jar will be different because of the size you choose so you can add a little more body oil if necessary. You want a bit of excess oil compared to sugar so that the sugar mixture will have a coarse liquid consistency.

 5. Enjoy!! Each time you use you will want to stir as the sugar will settle to the bottom. Put a small portion in your hands and then rub, sloughing off dry rough skin. After, rinse your hands in lukewarm water. Pat dry. Immediately use hand lotion; Determining the thickness and healing style of your choice.

 Tips and Tricks

 1. Don't use salt in place of sugar. Salt scrubs will burn any open skin, cuts, and wounds you have.

 2. If you want to recycle then use some light massage oil or cuticle oil that is already under your bathroom sink going unused.

 3. Either purchase a jar with a screw top or reuse an old, clean jar with a screw top. The screw top will help prevent any leaks.

 4.  The bigger the jar the less you will have to refill; however keep in mind to test a little first and see if you like the oil and/or scent.  If not try a different type of oil/scent and if you only filled a small jar first there will be less waste.

ATX 360 XMAS 2012

The Christmas tradition in Austin is to randomly select and decorate a living tree on Highway 360.  At first, a few trees would randomly be done overnight keeping the decorators identity a mystery.  From what I can tell this had been going on for a little more than a decade.  An old article I found last year reported that a journalist tried to contact the local highway department who had never condoned the act but instead just looked away.  Well it eventually caught on as now more than a hundred trees and growing are decorated in just one quarter mile stretch of the highway.  Starting Thanksgiving week you will find cars lined up the side of the road as its owner is searching for the perfect tree.  In fact, if you haven't put up your tree by Thanksgiving Saturday then good luck to you in finding one that can be seen from the highway!!  Other cities may hop on to the trend but just remember Austin was the original.   KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD.

This is our very first tree:






A few articles if you would like to read up and plan your next Christmas in the ATX !!!






Check out some of the other trees and some of the other decorators that I caught out and about Thanksgiving weekend.  I do apologize that I could not get everyone's tree posted as I had over 300 pictures just from that weekend.  And as of today there are soooo many more trees that have been added.





































A few active participants :-)


























******UPDATE*******
- 2013 CHRISTMAS - 

The FSU one was put up just before the bowl games!!





6 Tips to Avert a Turkey Day Disaster (Pets)


This information is actually from a Tomlinson's email, but the 6 tips are great and I wanted to share them with anyone who has a pet this holiday season.  Happy Thanksgiving!  ~Angela O'



6 Tips to Avert a Turkey Day Disaster
 
As you gather ‘round the table this Thanksgiving Thursday, your furrier family members will likely be licking their chops close by. Yes, their sad eyes are near impossible to deny, and thankfully, you don’t always have to. You can share some leftovers guilt-free by following these few tips:

1. No Bones About It
Dogs, and especially cats, are made to eat meat, so it’s ok to give them a few scraps of the meal’s main event, be it turkey, beef, pork or any other protein. Just be sure any pieces are clear of bones that could splinter and is fully cooked through to avoid salmonella contamination.

2. Not Much Thyme
Herbs like sage, rosemary, and thyme can cause gastrointestinal problems and central nervous system depression to pets if eaten in large quantities. Cats are especially sensitive to the effects of certain essential oils, so keep your feline family members off the herbs.

3. No Raw Dough 
According to ASPCA experts, when raw bread dough is eaten, an animal’s body heat causes the dough to rise in his stomach. As it expands, the pet may experience vomiting, severe abdominal pain and bloating, which could become life-threatening and require surgery. Skip the trip to the emergency vet and deny your pet the dough.

4. Careful with Uncooked Desserts
Even pets know that the pumpkin pie and spice cake is the best part. But if the batter contains raw eggs, keep your pet’s snout out of the scraps—they could contain salmonella bacteria that may lead to food poisoning. Chances of salmonella contamination can be reduced by purchasing the freshest eggs.

5. Too Much of a Good Thing
It may be tradition to stuff your face, but don’t allow your pets to overindulge, lest they get an stomach upset, diarrhea or even worse—an inflammatory condition of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. Aim to keep pets on their regular diets during the holidays.

6. Make ‘Em Work for It
Make your pets earn their reward by stuffing any leftovers you give them into toys like Kongs or Busy Buddies. This will keep their bodies and minds active, spurring brain development. It will also keep them occupied during dinner so they’re not poking their noses in the wrong places under the table.


Allison!!!!

Doing what we do best, just being our goofy selves!  Allison thank you for coming to visit me in Austin!  I have missed you so much...I can't believe it has been 3 years since we have seen each other.

Sorry I didn't get to make you ham & gouda or the strawberry & chocolate crepes.  Next time you come!  Or when you move here :-)































GROSS Buzzards!








True Texans Brunch


The first bite of pecan pie I have ever had!


Outdoor Fall Dinner Party

Outdoor Fall Dinner Party 

The goal of this Outdoor Fall Dinner Party was to achieve good old-fashioned camaraderie while being seated at the dinner table.  More often than not it is has become extremely difficult to find a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner table that everyone can actually sit down together and enjoy their meal.  The hustle and bustle of everyone trying to find someplace to sit has worn me down.  Partially because I wanted to be in an adult setting (kids were welcome of course) and partially because I love to entertain I wanted to find a way for us all to enjoy a true dinner party for the holidays.  An event where no-one felt obligated to provide space for and everyone nearby could enjoy.  In some way we were all connected, either neighbors or co-workers who have become friends over the past year or two.  The location was the mini playground in between our apartment buildings.  Most of us could just walk out our front door.

November 3rd was the chosen date so that it did not interfere with anyone's Thanksgiving plans during the week of the bird.  Again a way to avoid the rush of people coming and going as most of us have multiple friends and family dwellings to visit.  The time was early afternoon of course as I despise evening holiday meals because you waste your whole day in anticipation and preparation rather than enjoying.  Thank you to Gramma Sharon for instilling the good value of lunch as the main holiday dinner meal.  Besides why remove the option of being able to eat leftovers for dinner?!

This dinner party was Co-Op style so that there was absolutely no need for a host or hostess.  Everyone was in charge of a minimum of two things on the list whether they were dishes of food, beverages, ice, coolers, tables, chairs, etc.  The Co-Op made this style of dinner unique and a fun way to refresh a potluck!  To be honest I did play the role of a coordinator so that all the items on the list were accounted for however to clarify for your own co-op party there was no actual hosting. In order to make sure everyone had a fair shot of being involved I did send out a letter with the co-op ideas and commitment requests.  That was only to ease the process of set-up and food.

The Food: 
Michelle and Brian your mashed potatoes were absolutely delicious!!  Leah and John thank goodness for your double batch of green bean casserole to provide for those wheat monsters and those GF.  And that was quite possibly the best homemade cranberry sauce ever.  Nadine, gosh darn those sweet potatoes were the most beautiful I have ever seen served at a holiday dinner. And thank goodness those were real and not the yucky traditional ones from a can with brown sugar and marshmallows poured on top.   Emma and Adam, you always have the best beverage selection and we can always count on your sommelier mind to guide us through any occasion.  Ben and Rose, ummm THANK YOU for bringing us a pie from Quacks on 43rd.  Bless you!  Brittany, we definitely could not have called this a holiday dinner without your rolls and pumpkin pies.  Additionally, I am glad that you brought your dad to carve the turkey!!  One spoiled thing that I did gain from my family was that we always had an electric knife to carve the turkey so when it came to manually carving this year I was out!  Too bad as John and I actually made the turkey!!  At least we didn't have to cut up our sage dressing and cheeseball!! And thank you to all the guys as they put up our emergency tents in the case of rain.  We only had about 10 minutes of droplets though, just enough to make the tablescapes appear as if there was a purposeful dew sprayed on them.

And of course since we live in Texas I suspected that someone would want to dump BBQ sauce on their food. Haha!  Brian you were the one...had I known earlier I would have sent that gigant-o bottle of Rudy's BBQ sauce home with you.






The table scatters were mini plastic acorns.

A fun and clean way to add crackers on the table.  Get a couple of
mini pails from your craft store and stuff with tissue paper.


































Why I Love Fall

- The Semi Cool Weather
- The pumpkin crazy comes out in all of us
-Long sleeves
-Boots!
-Sweaters
-Scarves (not that I've ever stopped off-season)
-Gala Apples
-Caramel Dips and Apples
-The Beautiful Leaves
-Bonfires
-Roasted Marshmallows (I don't like the taste, just the idea)
-Pumpkin bread
-Pumpkin pie
-Pumpkin cake
-Pumpkin ravioli
-Pumpkin Pie Blizzards from Dairy Queen, that include the actual pie crust
-Family Dinners
-Baking Just Because It Feels Good
-Ummm Halloween!  A reason to dress up pets and yourself without getting made fun of.

 Please remind me what I forgot?!

Poor Man's Payday


This treat signals the beloved time of year again.  Autumn.  Just as soon as the first batch of the season is distributed, candy corn lovers hit the stores like there is no tomorrow. Two years ago Kim Dean, my former supervisor and Halloween costume buyer introduced my coworkers and I to Poor Man's Payday.  One year she brought us our own individual treat cups filled with the mixture, another year she brought in a giant bowl which did not last more than the day.  Regardless of how she delivered it to us, she still had to make several batches to leave at home for her family.  This year I made my own individual treat bags using scrapbook paper and embellishments to hand out to my husband's coworkers at Terminal Reality.  I filled the baggies with just enough for an afternoon snack and well... to tickle the seasonal craving for weeks to come.  For those of you who dislike the Payday candy bar you must try this fresh replacement as I, myself did not dare eat that dry hard candy brick. The best ratio to pop into your mouth is 2 peanuts to 1 candy corn.  But experiment for yourself and find out how many peanuts to candy corn will balance your taste buds...



Ingredients:
1 - 12.5 oz can of Spanish peanuts (redskin)
1 - 22 oz bag of candy corn




Tips:
-Do not substitute party peanuts (no skin) for the Spanish peanuts.  During the process of roasting the peanuts without the skin take on too much of the roast smoky flavor for this recipe.
-Brach's candy corn is great.  No matter what you use make sure that your candy corn is made with honey.
-You better double your recipe if you want it to last.
-Purchase the candy corn early in the season before it becomes difficult to find.
-Brach's candy corn is usually at Walgreen's and CVS even when you cannot find it in your local grocer.  
-Make your own treat bags using clear 4x6 inch treat bags with ties found at craft stores like Michael's and Jo-Ann's.  Fill the bag and tie or staple shut.  Using a hot glue gun attach the bag to scrapbook paper or cardstock that you have cut down to the size of the bag.






Update 10/16/2013:  
Just thought I would share some of the new cardstock designs that I used for this year's treats.  Last week, I cut 100 pieces of cardstock and assembled them for my husbands game studio co-workers at Edge of Reality.  Yesterday, I finished them off by adding the labels.

And a great tip! Randall's and Tom Thumb is now carrying the large 40 ounce bag of Brach's candy corn this year.  If using a bag of this size then you will also need to double up your peanuts to two 12.5 ounce cans.  From the 40 ounce bag of candy corn and the 2 cans of peanuts my single batch ranged from 41 to 45 treat bags.  I made 2.5 batches using this method this fall for treat bags and had the other half batch for our home.

Now here's the shocker! Monday while I was at Randall's I spotted a new version of the candy corn mix that Brach's produces.  Get this...It was candy corn and regular cocktail peanuts.  OMG! First of all, I can tell you this handmade version is older and secondly using cocktail peanuts is blasphemy because it changes the flavor entirely.  If there is anyone out there who could tell me the date that Brach's first introduced their version I would be quite interested.

Happy Halloween!!




Vintage Frames

It has been over a year and a half since I made these frames but I wanted to share with you some of my creations.  These frames are very simple but kind of dangerous if you are trying to avoid cuts from wire.  Be sure to have work gloves on hand.  I searched out the untold antique shops and hidden auction houses where prices have not paralleled today's vintage trend. Originally these frames were made to house my feather clips and brooches that I hand make and sell in the Austin area however I have since hung them in our bedroom to liven up our apartment.










Autumn Caramel Apple Dip

This is my favorite caramel apple recipe.  My Aunt Shirley introduced this version of caramel apples to me while I was still living in Florida.  I have never purchased caramel apple dip since.  This is perfect for a fall party, bonfire, or anything you wish.

Apples that I photographed at Kapnick Orchards, Michigan last fall.

*Use a double-broiler pan or similar type of set-up so the caramel is melted by the heat of the water.

1 16oz bag of individually wrapped caramels (my aunt uses Kraft brand)

1 can eagle brand sweetened condensed milk

1 container of cool whip

While heating water in the bottom portion of the double broiler open caramels to place in the top pan.   Continue stirring caramel as it melts.  Then add sweetened milk, stirring.  Then add cool whip,  stirring.  Done.

Drizzle over apple slices!
Enjoy!

PSA for Texas Drivers

Anyone who has ever lived or visited Texas can validate that it is a Deep-Texan thing to drive without a care to others on the road.  Seriously the state government really needs to address this.

 1) Try driving in your lane.  NOT over the line so that you are half in your lane and half in the shoulder.  NOT over the line so you are half in your lane and half in someone else's lane.
Anoymous Texas Driver heading from Ennis, Texas to Italy, Texas


2) Turn OFF your engine while pumping gas.  There is an extreme amount of offenders in the Ennis, Texas area.  Just because you are ignorant does not mean that I want to blow up.

 3) If you are on the highway then move over and allow people entering from the ramp to get on to the highway.  This is a big problem in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, drivers refuse to let others come in on the entrance ramp resulting in many stopped cars.

 4) Just because you have a truck does not mean that you can use your cow catcher bumper to push your way through traffic.

 5) If there is any moisture on the ground try SLOWING DOWN.  Just because you think that you are invincible does not mean that your car or the others around you are.  
February 2012 Austin, Texas FM2222 at Riverplace Blvd
6)  Please learn how to judge your time accordingly.  Just because you want to pull out on the big hill does not mean that there is no one coming from the other side.  Slamming on your gas pedal doesn't always equate to us being able to slam on our breaks.  Especially if you are on the FM620 hill near Comanche Trial and Steiner Ranch Steakhouse.  

 Come back for regular pictures and updates.  If you have a picture you want to share let me know. Try not include license plates but if you have no choice I can blur them.

Made-to-Order Breads & Baked Goods from Angela O'

Thanks to the Texas revising the Texas Cottage Food Law late last year I am now able to sell my foods.  Of course it is not legal to sell anything that must be refrigerated so my famous gourmet holiday cheese ball, pies and other confections are out of the equation but I am happy to offer my other goodies!!

Some of the baked goods I offer are:

Pumpkin Bread
Pumpkin Bundt
Zucchini Bread
Vanilla-Zucchini Bread
Banana Nut Bread
Banana Chocolate Chip Bread
Irish Soda Bread
Cookie Varieties & More

Loaves typically run between $5.00 to $6.75 depending on the variety


The law only requires that the food must be for sale at my home so in order for this to be followed one of the three options must be chosen by my customer my customer.  1) My customer can choose to visit my home and place the order, 2) My customer may choose to visit my home and pay for the order, or 3) My customer may choose to pick up the order from my home.

Just comment or send me an email if you are interested.  
angelam.omahony@gmail.com

Products I Love - Cosmetics

I wanted to share some of the cosmetic products that I  LOVE using daily!

1.  Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 in Fireberry by Clinique 
Love:  My lips stay so soft when I use this lip gloss.  I was very surprised to find out that I don't have an allergy flare up after using this with my extremely sensitive lips.  The fireberry color is a gorgeous touch to any outfit.  Totally glams you up without any effort. 
Downfall: Well I've gone through two wands and nothing so far. 
 Approximately $15.00
2. High Impact Curling Mascara in black by Clinique
Love: Thanks to this warm-water removal formula this is the only mascara that does not run down my face.  Within 30 minutes of putting on other mascara formulas I look like a raccoon and my eyes furiously burn.  
 Downfall:  The curved brush is a challenge since I have natural, super curly eyelashes.  I would really appreciate a straight brush version to lessen the morning mistakes.
Approximately $16.00


3. Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief by Clinique
Love:  My skin feels comfortable all day long.  I have seriously combination skin where half is a patch of break out and the other half is seriously dry.  It is completely asymmetrical and there is no boundary line for either side of the fence.  This moisturizer makes my face feel balanced throughout the entire day.  No additional breakouts and definitely a lot less dryness.  A little product goes a long way.  
Downfall:  I wish there was more product in the pot for the price point.  Now compared to other high-end brands it isa steal-of-a-deal but since I use it twice-a-day I do wish I got more.  Fortunately, I can get an approximate 3 months use out a 1.7 ounce pot.
Approximately $37.00 to $50.00



4. High Impact Lip Color in Red-Y To Wear by Clinique
Love: Can I just say that this is the very first time in my 28 year living history that I have found a lipstick that I feel comfortable and in-my-own skin wearing?  And this is the very first lipstick that my sensitive lips don't fuss over.  This particular color has a great blue undertone so that it is a truly classic red lip.  Excellent in the winter for both color and comfort.  Of course the best way to wear this is fill in your lips with the Quickliner for Lips in Rich Red by Clinique so that it your look will last longer.  
Downfall:  Well...I get a compliment every day that I use this color so I have no qualm.
Approximately $15.00


5. Rainbath Refreshing Shower and Bath Gel in Original by Neutrogena
Love: The fragrance.  It brings me back to my childhood summers (as young as five) when I spent vacations with my Aunt Shirley.  I strongly remember thinking she was a cool, single woman in the 1980's who owned her own house and was a fitness guru.  I felt so good when I got to use her special shower gel.  Now I get to indulge regularly always leaving my skin so soft and a lingering scent the entire day.
Downfall: Can be expensive for a shower gel.  Purchase the larger size to get more for your money.  Use a discount card/coupon for places like Ulta.  Utilize your Costco membership to snag the 40 ounce for as low as $12.00 - $17.00.  Even check out Nordstroms Rack who has been know to carry this lush goodie front and center.
Approximately $8.00 to $27.00

6. The Morroccan Oil Collection
Love: The way my hair looks and feels.  I have naturally curly hair and during the humid summer  it can be especially treacherous.  The shampoo and conditioner smell great and make my hair much more manageable.  The Curl Defining Cream actually does define my curls like no other product I have used before.  I don't have to add any other styling product to my curls such as mousse when I use it.
Downfall:  Pricepoint but if the saying is "You pay for what you get" then it should be applied to the Moroccan Oil.
Approximately: $20.00 per bottle 
 

Update on 11/21/2012:
Regarding #6 Morroccan Oil Collection.  
Over the course of 1.5 months I have been trying to mend my hair after a Keratin disaster which ruined my hair.  This was a no chemical treatment that only used goat protein so it should have been fine but was horrible.   The Keratin treatment took place in June but I had been on the mend since.  Well I finally thought I was getting somewhere but wasn't sure because my hair kept falling out into chunks when I would comb it, and I could only comb wet with conditioner or I couldn't comb it at all.  I decided to take a 1.5 month break from the Morroccan oil and use other products and miraculously my hair immediately showed improvement.  This past weekend I decided to use the Morroccan Oil Collection again and it was awful.  I had a thick chunk of hair with the circumference the size of the palm of my hand come out.  So after having $100 of product sitting in my shower I have now decided it is NOT worth the use and destroying my hair.  While I had a horrible time with the keratin treatment drying out and frizzing up my hair more, the Morroccan Oil Collection literally has been removing my hair from my head!!!  Don't waste your money on this product.  It is horrible for you.

DIY MICROWAVE POPCORN




What you need:

1 Brown Paper Bag, lunch bag size

Whole Kernel Popcorn, unpopped

Seasoning of Your Choice: Sea Salt, Seasoned Salt, Chili Powder, Spray Butter, Grated Parmesan, Rosemary & Olive Oil, Cinnamon & Sugar, Cinnamon & Allspice, or whatever your heart desires


Put 1 to 2 tablespoons of popcorn kernels in the brown paper bag.  Fold down the opening of the bag tightly 2 to 4 times.  I prefer to fold more times to avoid any popping explosions in the microwave.  


Place the bag in the microwave and either using your popcorn presetting or your timer turn it on between 1.5 to 2.5 minutes.  Since there are only 2 tablespoons in the bag less time is needed than a standard size microwave bag.  Regardless of what type of timer you use stay near your microwave so that you can stop it if the popping has quit and been quiet 2 to 3 seconds.  Don't let it burn, there is nothing like burned kernels stinking up the house.


Season or don't season as you wish!!


Bon Appetit!


Essentially the popcorn amount of 1 to 2 tablespoons is perfect for a one person snack.  If you are sitting down with your beau or friends to watch a movie pop more!!

This is a very inexpensive and healthy way to eat microwave popcorn.  Standard pre-packaged microwave popcorn bought in the grocery market is loaded with preservatives, artificial flavors, and crazy amounts of sodium.

There are typically two areas of the grocery market where you will find whole, unpopped kernels.  The first is in the snack food aisle that houses chips and standard microwave popcorn.  Usually sold in a 1 to 2 pound bag that ranges from $1.00 to $4.00 depending on the national or store brand you chose.  The second place and many times a better price point is in the markets bulk section where pull down bins of spices, snacks, and dry goods such as popcorn, beans, and rice are located. I have regularly chosen both styles but more recently (blame it on being an Austinite) I have chosen to purchase out of the bulk bins.  In the Austin area, bulk bins are in all of the competing groceries stores: HEB, Central Market, Whole Foods, Wheatsville Co-op, and I am sure that the "coming-soon" Trader Joe's will likely have them as well.

Annie's Cafe & Bar



 I am lucky enough to have been graced with this wonderful place.  My style it is of course.  A bit of French and modern grace, Annie's Cafe & Bar is such a treat.  I can enjoy a posh drink with friends, a nice dinner with my husband or a beautiful brunch during the day.  Annie's was listed as one of Austin360.com Best Places to Brunch in 2011.  

 Annie's Cafe & Bar offers catering services as well.  I have indeed acquired them to produce food for a Tiffany Blue Brunch this weekend.  The menu will include Ham & Gruyere Quiche and Fritata and Chocolate-Filled Croissants.


Love the old French country doors.


A peak of the oven


The Brioche French Toast


The delicious food


A Real Cup of Fruit!



As of August 2012 my husband will have lived Austin for 2.5 years and Annie's Cafe & Bar is the very first place he has received a perfectly delicious cup of cappuccino.


A great summer spot however I can't wait to enjoy myself under Annie's roof this fall.  Mmmmm, I'm already envisioning a warm beignet.

 Your Famous,
~ Angela O'






Sourced from www.anniescafebar.com:
Annies Café & Bar is a modern Brasserie in the heart of downtown Austin. Inspired by the bustling bistros and great sidewalk cafés of Europe, owners Love Nance and Sherry Jameson reinvigorated the legendary Day Building at 319 Congress and created a space not only for dining but for meeting, drinking and enjoying life.
In 2008, longtime Austinites Nance and Jameson lost their lease after running the popular lunchtime café and bakery then known as Apple Annies for 26 years. They recreated the café as Annies and moved it to Congress Avenue, the Main Street of Texas. Annies quickly became a favorite with everyone from morning joggers wanting fresh omelets to legislators insisting on Annie's famous meatloaf to locals enjoying perfectly prepared treasures from that morning's trip to the farmer's market. Longtime Apple Annies patrons and newcomers alike discovered Annies as the perfect place to sit, sip and enjoy the revitalization of downtown Austin.
Annie's menu is filled with seasonal farm-to-market food prepared in simple, innovative ways. The café bustles with energy from early mornings, when the irresistible smell of fresh baguettes fills the restaurant, to the noon hour, when business people flock to Annies for a quick healthy lunch, to late nights, when regulars gather round the zinc bar for Austin's finest creative craft cocktails or decadent deserts.
Stop by and see why Annies is downtown Austin's homegrown favorite.

 Check out the website for yourself!!


www.anniescafebar.com


319 E Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78701

What A Night!

Tuesday Dinner Round One:

 It was quite the night we had!!!  Okay well by the time this blog is posted last night was quite the night we had.  So I talked my husband into taking a quick trip to Costco with me....I know I know it is so much more fun with a girlfriend but you can't always locate an unoccupied friend!  Anyway so this quick 45 minute trip to Costco ended up taking 3 plus hours out of the house.  Just as soon as we left Costco I had a brainaic thought to stop at one more place for only 10 minutes but it was just too long for our starving tummies.  After much debate we finally decided on stopping in at Cheddar's.  It was John's first time and I had only them once before, 10 years ago in Illinois.  So the atmosphere was nice enough when we walked in but to our dismay the evening was all down-hill from there.  Immediately we devoured our honey butter croissants while waiting for our soup and salad.  My baked potato soup came and it was completely cold, not even lukewarm cold!  John's lettuce tasted dead!  Okay okay no biggie, just have them fix it and we can deal with it.  Then dinner came and John's beef roast ended up being pork and fat on a plate.  But the chef/manager was like oh well it is a packaged veal as we don't carry pork.  WHAT?  Veal? He ordered beef roast...no where on the menu did those animal activists read they were eating veal.  (BTW we are not extreme or even picky about the type of animal meat we eat but it was a WTH moment I had to point out).  I had ordered shepherds pie since all I wanted was a simple home-cooked comfort dish.  Right before my eyes appears peas, corn, and carrots mixed in heavy duty taco-seasoned meat on a plate and a large scoop of mashed potatoes and crispy onion straws thrown on top. Not baked or even a pie, just thrown on a plate.  What happened to the shepherd's pie I ordered and what is this 1/4 inch thick red seasoning on top?  Chili powder? Hmmmm it was definitely time to cut our losses and leave.  After offering to pay for only the food we consumed we politely left.  

Tuesday Dinner Round Two:  

Can't get any worse right...we are moving on to a new place.  Pei Wei here we come!  "How can I help you?" "I'd like a chicken teriyaki bowl" "Okay sir, we are out of rice would you like noodles instead?"  "Excuse Me?"  "We are out of rice".......Really how is an ASIAN restaurant out of rice???????

Tuesday Dinner Round Three:

Finally settled in at Kerbey Lane Cafe.  Yay we got the giant both that I could literally lay down in.  Well I think it is time for a white strawberry sangria after this night.  At least the alcohol will numb my sore throat were as the cold soup could not.  Delicious omelet....yes after all that might as well order some reliable breakfast food....buttermilk pancakes and coffee.  WAIT MY SANGRIA!  Oh I only got half way through it!  Why did that FLY just CHOOSE to do a NOSEDIVE in MY DRINK!!!!!!!!!!

On our way home.....


Asian-Style Chicken Salad

This chicken salad recipe is delicious and very simple to make.  

Prep Time: 20 minutes  
Serves: 4
1 - 6oz package of fully cooked sliced chicken breast
1 - 10oz bag fresh angel hair cole slaw
1 1/2 cups - fresh Matchstix Carrots (julienne cut)
1/4 cup - Cookwell & Co. Asian Ginger Vinaigrette
1 - 8oz bag Mann's Sugar Snap Peas or Snow Peas
1 - small red pepper, halved, seeds and stem removed
Crunchy Toppings - Glazed Walnut and Honey Sesame Sticks
Optional: 1 to 2 cups Chow Mein Noodles, as desired

My tips: I prefer to use fresh cooked chicken (use one to two boneless chicken, skinless chicken breasts sliced up quickly with kitchen shears) and to use the sugar snap peas instead of the snow peas.

 1.  Toss chicken, slaw, carrots and dressing in a large salad bowl; set aside.

2.  Cut peas in half, crosswise, at an angle.  Cut bell pepper into thin slivers.  Toss with salad mixture.
 




 3.  Right before serving, add your favorite crunchy toppings.


**This salad may also be served in a wrap in a lettuce or cabbage leaf, or rolled up in a reduced-calorie burrito-sized tortilla.
** This recipe cannot be gluten free due to the fact that asian-style vinaigrettes typically have soy-sauce in them.  Soy sauce is made using wheat product.

 This recipe idea compliments of my local HEB Four Points.  Thanks Crystal and Terri.