Tell Me About You

What are your favorite foods to cook and eat? 

Holly's Top Picks Chicago

On my trip to Chicago a couple weeks ago I had the fabulous opportunity to experience quite the culinary adventure.  Here is a quick synopsis of my favorite foods while visiting Chi-Town:

1) Quartino's-best Italian food ever!
2) Ghiardino's-best Chicago deep dish pizza but not great service
3) Portillo's-best Chicago-style hot dogs and cheese fries
4) Russian Tea Time-super tasty Russian food (I recommend the stuffed cabbage) and amazing tea!
5) The Purple Pig: pork, swine, and wine-best cheese and wine selection in town, the service is a bit slow so don't go if you're in a hurry
6) Billy Goat Tavern-best cheeseburgers and local beer
7) Volare-super tasty risotto :)

So next time you're in the Windy City, I'd give these a try!  Let me know what you think.

Pesto Presto Chicken

What you'll need:

• 5.2 oz. Garlic and Herbs Boursin Cheese
• 8-10 fresh basil leaves 
• 1/4 cup or handful of parsley leaves
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese
• 4 chicken breasts
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper
• 2 fresh tomatoes

How to make it:

1. Preheat your oven to 450
2. Butterfly your chicken so they open like a book, add salt and pepper to taste
3. Prepare your pesto: place parsley, basil, boursin cheese, and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese in a food processor and blend until you have a smooth paste
4. Place chicken in a baking dish and stuff them evenly with the pesto paste
5. Close the chicken and top each chicken breast with 2-3 slices of tomato
6. Top each chicken breast off with some EVOO and the remaining Parmesan cheese
7. Bake for 20 minutes or until done

Serve it up:

• I recommend serving it with a salad, some fresh steamed veggies, or if you're really hungry some pasta.  This time I made mine with a side of cheddar and broccoli pasta.

Recipe from: Rachael Ray's Look and Cook Book

Enjoy!

Hello Foodie Friends!

Welcome to my new blog for all true foodies at heart!

For those of you who know me, I LOVE food and I love experimenting with new recipes and types of foods.  I must confess, my favorite type of food is Italian and anything with pasta in it so you will probably see some favoritism there!  That and I love comfort foods-who doesn't? 

Unfortunately we live in such a fast paced world that people don't really share recipes anymore.  Every time I get an email chain for recipes, I'll send a recipe but I NEVER get anything in return.  So I thought, hmmmm....why don't I start a blog instead! 

I am so excited to go on this journey with all my foodie fanatics and share my love for food!  After all, the best of relationships develop over a wonderful meal.  :)

Holly