You know what they say about the best laid plans? Last week the three of us spent six days in Chicago. Paul and I both lived in Chicago for a long time. I went to college and graduate school there and it's where we met, and so we're always looking for excuses to go back there. Last week my family threw an 85th (!) birthday party for my grandma in Chicago, so we decided to make a vacation of it. Knowing that I'd be away, I made the couscous and red peppers a couple of weeks ago as part of a family dinner. I thought that way I could be sure to get both posts up on time. Oops! It turns out that vacationing with extended family and a 14 month old is anything but relaxing. We had a lot of fun seeing friends, family, and the city (Chicago will always be my favorite), but there wasn't a lot of down time. When I did have time to sit, I found myself catching up on work, reading my book, or doing Red Eye*** crossword puzzles with Paul. So, my blog post didn't get written. Then last night Charlotte had a touch of insomnia and kept us all up from 11PM-3AM, so now I'm late with this post too. Oh well!
I served the couscous and red peppers with grilled chicken and corn, and salad. My mom made blueberry pie. Everybody loved the peppers (except for my picky father who doesn't eat them). Next time I make them I'll use the grill instead of the oven (so much easier in the summer), but these were a definite winner. The couscous salad was okay but not as good as the one I made for CCC, which I'll be writing about soon. If I made it again I would definitely halve the recipe.
I love Chicago! Such a great city. I lived there post college until I moved to Germany and used to read either the Red Eye or the Reader on my way to work each morning. I'm getting all notstalgic just thinking about it.
ReplyDeleteWe love Chicago, too, and hope we get a long weekend up there this fall. Glad you had a great time with your family and could share these dishes with your loved ones :)
ReplyDeleteLove your peppers and the salad and the rest of the food sound yummy too!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful vacation and well worth waiting to post about these recipes! It sounds like you made a great meal with both these dishes.
ReplyDeleteNever heard of the Red Eye but you had me laughing about them being the ones you two complete- too cute. Love Chicago. Big time. My best friend/maid of honor moved there right out of college (where we were roommates) and I went to see her often. By myself, with hubby, with toddlers. Loved Pennys Noodles, Ann Sathers Swedish, Garretts Popcorn and then all the places that did not involve food too. Gold star for making this ahead of time, and I am with you on the grilling next time :)
ReplyDeleteI love Chicago. The architecture is wonderful. Glad you had a good trip. I did like this one, so much more than I expected to. I'm trying out CCC this month, and plan to make that couscous salad. I'm excited now that you said it's even better than this one!
ReplyDeleteAs a midwesterner, I love Chicago. I am also a forever-loyal Chicago Cubs fan. Michael got all his degrees at Northwestern and our Lindsay graduated from Northwestern also. Again, I love Chicago. Never heard of the Red Eye or the Express. Loved the peppers also. I liked the couscous. Haven't made the CCC version yet.
ReplyDeleteI've traveled quite a bit but somehow never made it out of the Chicago airport! I hear how lovely Chicago is and one of these days I'll make it there. I will check out the Red Eye. Oklahoma City definitely has no such paper! When I'm traveling the same thing always happens. I will have the BEST plans but they just don't work out. I am too distracted by new places and people.Hopefully Charlotte is not providing you with too many late nights!
ReplyDeleteLike Guyla I never made it to Chicago, one day. I hope you can recover from your vacation and Charlotte gets back on a normal sleeping schedule. We loved this couscous, sorry you didn't. I also grill peppers and leave the skin on, so much easier. Happy cooking.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to Grandma.
ReplyDeleteTravel messes up sleep schedules - I don't care how old (or young) you are :-)
Your buffet of food looks delicious!
I have been to many places but Chicago was not one of them. Happy you had
ReplyDeletea lovely vacation. Everything looks quite delicious.
I seem to be perpetually late. Chicago is on my list of places to spend time other than dashing through the airport.
ReplyDeleteHope all is well and you had a great birthday party for your Grandma!