Weekend in Raleigh

This past weekend, I headed to Raleigh with ma girl Ashton to visit our wonderful friend Erica (and to meet her very special boyfriend, Parker).

We arrived Saturday morning just in time for brunch. Parker and Erica took us to a chicken place called Beasley's. Now, normally I wouldn't order fried chicken, but they swore it was delicious and I can't say no to two people convinced this place is delicious. I got the Chicken Biscuit (fried chicken on a homemade biscuit with pickled green tomatoes and spicy mustard) and a side of beets in a citrus vinegar.

Erica and Parker both got a brunch special that they said was delicious - fried chicken on a biscuit with queso and a fried egg. Parker also got a block of pimento cheese mac n' cheese. Aren't they adorbs?

After brunch, we headed back to Erica's house and napped for a few hours. I awoke to the sweet sound of a chip bag opening, and we happy houred with some guacamole. After primping for the night ahead of us, we picked up Ali and Austin and headed to Centro for dinner. Centro is a very cool Mexican place in downtown Raleigh.

We started with a pitcher of delicious, fresh margaritas and I ordered the stuffed poblano pepper with rice, mint, and plantains on a bed of black beans. It was verrrrry delicious and the perfect dinner before a long night of beers and celebrating Marshall's birthday.

The next morning was a bit of a struggle, but we headed out for one last meal together. Erica and I split a frittata with avocado and tomatoes and an omelette with spinach, tomatoes, ricotta, feta, and mozz. Cheesy goodness. The home fries were amazing, as was Parker's outfit.

Sadly, upon my return to Charlotte, I came down with the stomach flu or some stomach virus that left me totally incapacitated for about 36 hours. My eats yesterday consisted of a piece of toast, a bowl of rice, and a popsicle, but I was just relieved to be able to keep any food down. Very happy to be on the road to recovery!!

Can't wait for Parker and Erica to make it down to Charlotte so Ashton and I can take them on a food tour of the Queen City.

Weekend Update!

This three-day weekend has been absolutely perfect. Friday night, I was totally exhausted (and so was Rob -- congrats on finishing his first full week!) so we ate in and watched Safe House with Denzel and Ryan Reynolds. Ehhhhh....decent movie.  For dinner, we had super easy chicken tacos. If you have a slow cooker, make this. It's cheap, foolproof, and delicious. Basically, put chicken breasts (or thighs) in the slow cooker with a jar of salsa. I used spicy salsa verde but any kind of liquid-based sauce will work. Then, we warmed corn tortillas in the oven and piled the tacos with black beans, spinach, tomatoes, Greek yogurt, and guacamole.

Saturday morning, I woke up and made oatmeal pancakes. No pictures, but they were decent -- just mix 1 banana, 1 egg, 1/4 cup oats, 1/4 cup almond milk, vanilla and cinnamon together and cook like a pancake. Rob had to work, so I went to FlyBarre and then bought some new curtains. I guess I'm spoiled by Hilliard, but FlyBarre was not challenging whatsoever which was kind of a bummer. Then, we headed up to Davidson for lunch with Hilary and Collin at Tenders!

Vanilla milkshake for the win

Grilled chicken sandwich, fries, and creamy garlic!

After lunch, we swung by F to see David Levintow who is finally graduating this spring after a tumultuous freshman year plagued by a broken ankle and pneumonia! Yayyyy David! Then we went to the McKillop's house before the game for a beer and to hang out with Brendan's niece, Maggie. She sat behind us at the game and it was the first time Rob has spent more time with his attention focused on a girl instead of the game -- he and Maggie are best buds.

Sunday, I went to FlyWheel in the morning which was an amazing workout. It was a 45 minute spin class that tracks your distance, calories burned, resistance, speed, etc.....I have a bunch of free classes and can't wait to go back. Rob spent the afternoon making three pizzas - Mexican with the leftover salsa chicken and black beans, pesto, and just a plain cheese. They were all amazing. We took them to his co-worker's house around the corner and watched football all afternoon. So sad for Tony Gonzales, but excited to see the HarBowl in two weeks. 

I didn't have work today, so I saw The Impossible (emotionally draining), made some healthified banana bread muffins, and cooked an easy and pretty healthy dinner: spinach fettucini with roasted red pepper sauce and an arugula salad. 

Red Pepper Chicken Pasta

Sauce:

Broil two red peppers lightly coated in olive oil until slightly charred 

Slice the peppers and add 1/3 cup of Greek yogurt, 3 Tbsp of goat cheese, 2 cloves of garlic & salt to a food processor or blender and mix well

Chicken:

I marinated the chicken in lemon, olive oil, balsamic, rosemary, and mustard. I just cooked it on the stove, but you can bake it if that's easier.

Cook the pasta and then mix it all together! I also added portobello mushrooms for some extra oomph.  Nom nom.