| Yvearl

Yvearl takes on VELVET TACO

Posted by Yvearl on Jul 24, 2012 in Cooking, Places I love | 2 comments

I only had a few minutes to grab a quick lunch while I was downtown today, and I’ve been dying to try a friend’s new restaurant. {Well, it opened in 2011, so not really new, but new to me!} VELVET TACO is in a prime location: Henderson and 75. It has a nice little patio and it was rockin’. I couldn’t wait to try it! {And I was ravenous}

I went into decision overload when I looked at the menu. Knowing that I could probably only eat 2, I had to think quickly and just go with my decision. I went with the #1 and #15.

Creamy Avocado Dressing – Umm…YUM!

Posted by Yvearl on Jul 22, 2012 in Cooking, FOOD, Recipes | 0 comments

I am always looking for yummy avocado recipes because, well, avocados are freakin’ amazing! So, I found this recipe on Pinterest and it is fabulous! Here is the original recipe: Creamy Avocado Dressing. And, as par for the course, I changed the original recipe because I didn’t have some of the ingredients on hand. As it turned out, I believe the changes I made make it a bit healthier since I left out the buttermilk and mayo. I used 2 avocados, 1 whole jalepeño, about 3 oz of goat cheese, and I used Greek Yogurt instead of buttermilk. I also was void of any fresh herbs so I opted for a small amount of dried parsley and a little cajun spice mix to give it flavor. And O.M.G…it is to die for. I’ve already used it in the salad pictured above, as a dip for my Amy’s burrito for lunch, and a few Fritos! {I made the dang recipe this morning!} I can only imagine the many uses for this dip/dressing.

Are there any avocado recipes you are willing to give up?? Pretty please??

Decisions Decisions

Posted by Yvearl on Jul 16, 2012 in Passing time | 0 comments

I’m beginning dinner early {3:30ish} and I go to the fridge for ingredients, which I still haven’t come back with, and I see these two gems, side-by-side. Herein lies the dilemma.

I think I’ll go for both!

Warm Goat Cheese and Bacon Dressing over Romaine Hearts, Cucumbers, and Compari Tomatoes

Posted by Yvearl on Jul 16, 2012 in Cooking | 0 comments

Let me begin my first recipe post with a HUGE asterisk. I am, by far, no recipe writer, food photographer, nor am I a chef. I am, however, completely in love with food. So any recipes, pictures, or posts you see on this blog about food, are either completely my own or I’ve changed the original recipe somehow. I will give credit where credit is due.

Saying that, I hope you take these recipes and make them your own!

Also, here’s the kicker: I don’t usually measure anything. Everything is approximate. So, good luck!

Warm Goat Cheese and Bacon Dressing over Romaine Hearts with Cucumbers and Compari Tomatoes

Ingredients

2 tbs EVOO
1/2 of a yellow onion thinly sliced
1 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
3 oz goat cheese
1/4 cup Greek yogurt
2 tbs rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup water
S & P to taste

Romain hearts chopped
2 mini cucumbers or 1 large sliced thinly
3 Compari tomatoes quartered

Directions

In a medium saucepan heat EVOO and add onions. Cook on medium high until translucent. {I cooked them until they were mushy b/c my husband likes them that way!}

Add the crumbled bacon and goat cheese. Stir until melted and mixed well. Then add the yogurt, vinegar, and water. Taste before adding the salt and pepper. The goat cheese usually adds enough salt. Lower the heat and let the flavors come together. If the dressing is too thick, add a tsp of water at a time.

Lastly, pour the dressing over the salad right before serving and mix well.

Rave reviews from my 8, 6, and 2 year old! Here he is with his thumb up, salad devoured, and the rest of his dinner yet to be eaten. {This also goes with my theory that you can put bacon in any dish and it will taste great!}

Enjoy!