ChiliFest 2009

Thank you everyone who came to our First Annual Chili Fest! Sorry the post is two weeks late; thanks for your patience. Chili Fest was a raging success. We had six chilis - three vegetarian and three meat - plus cornbread, desserts, beer, and wine. The thirty or so people we packed into our tiny apartment voted on a veggie and meat chili winner, but everyone agreed every dish was delicious.

Here's the insane chili paste I made with a combo of hot hot dried and fresh peppers. My fingers were burning for days.

All the accoutrements: chili paste, chopped hot peppers, red and green sweet peppers, avacado, sour cream, cheese, lime, and adobo.

Peter's Team ATM killer Lucha Libre meat chili.

Some of the veggie chilis (including a family recipe and Keegan's winning chili).

My meat chili - secret ingredients included dark beer and chocolate.

And don't forget the desserts! Lindsay made heavenly mini chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter icing.
And Vicky made the best carrot cake with cream cheese frosting I've ever eaten. This picture does not do it justice.

Excuse the poor and missing pictures - I was so busy eating, I practically forgot to document the night! Again, thanks everyone for coming; this will definitely be an annual event. I heard lots of discussion about possible future food-centered activities. Can't wait. Bake-off, anyone?

Out on the Town: Live Bait

Well, I am officially back in the U.S. and back to my hectic schedule. How is it that even without a job I feel so busy? Friday I saw my former students and then met up for drinks with coworkers. Of the six of us there, only three remain at the school - what does that tell you? We went for happy hour (half price drinks!) at the Bruckner Bar and Grill, and we ended up pigging out too. Between the six of us we had two large orders of calamari, three large orders of sweet thai wings, and an order of chili nachos. Yum.

Needless to say when it came time to meet Evan for dinner at 8 I wasn't that hungry. But, not one to say no to food, I rallied. Live Bait is a Louisiana style barbecue restaurant-raw bar-and bar in one. We go there somewhat regularly for their awesome burgers and because it is conveniently located between Evan's jiujitsu school and our subway line. Although the bar can get crowded the table area never seems to be too busy. They give you a basket of scrumptious mini corn muffins while you wait. I usually get the grilled chicken sandwich with caramelized onions, Gouda, and barbecue sauce. Friday I opted for the chili served over brown rice. It wasn't the best chili I ever had, and I felt like there was way more rice than chili, but it was good. Certainly considering I wasn't starving.


Evan had another one of our regular selections - the BBQ Bait Burger, which comes with andouille sausage, onion rings, American Cheese, and bbq sauce. It is massive and delicious. All those flavors really work together. It comes with your choice of salad or fries. While they make excellent fries, the salad is a nice counterpoint to the meal.