Happy New Year 2018 Lobster Dinner

Happy New Year 2018! Every New Year’s Eve we indulge in a lobster dinner. We avoid the cold. We avoid the traffic. We stay safe and warm and toast to the new year and eat lobster. Life is Beautiful! Heart Lanergan Drive I zoi einai oraia! Heart Lanergan DriveNYE Lobster Dinner 2

Yianni is the chef for this particular feast.  Lobster Killer, Qu’est-ce que c’est? (Sorry for the Talking Heads / Julie & Julia mash-up reference. I couldn’t resist.)

Boiling lobster is fairly easy. If you Google it you’ll get 22,500,000 results. Here’s a fun site called “How to Cook the Perfect Lobster.” It’s got an infographic too!

 

NYE Lobster Dinner 3

This year we had two special guests, (not the lobsters, there were 4 of them) our son Rahbi and his girlfriend Jaden. Aren’t they adorable?NYE Lobster Dinner 6

It was Jaden’s first time eating lobster and she definitely enjoyed it.NYE Lobster Dinner

In the past, when we have had quite a few more guests, I’ve made Lobster Fettuccine Alfredo. You can get my recipe here.  And there’s a version on that page that’s printable, so you can file it away and refer to it later. NYE Lobster Dinner 4

It’s a great way to serve lobster to more people, because lobster can be a bit costly. It’s delicious and quite frankly, easier to eat. IMHONYE Lobster Dinner 5

I know, you’re probably thinking, “Hey, wipe the plate before you take the photo!” Doesn’t it look really good though? Kalí órexi!

Merry Christmas treeHappy New Year! Xrónia pollá! Merry Christmas tree

Yianni’s weeknight dinners

Weeknight dinners home-cooked by my hubby are delicious, and I’ve been posting photos of them to my Instagram account. “Chef” Yianni dinner posts are a success with more engagement than any of my others. I’ve embedded some of the most popular ones here for you to see, if you’re not on Instagram. After a hard day’s work, this is what I come home to. I am a lucky gal. #nomnomnom

Weeknight dinners Yianni @Kitoula InstagramFollow me on Instagram. I follow back.  Weeknight dinners Yianni @Kitoula Instagram

Another week night dinner from Yianni. This time, lamb chops and brussel sprouts. #nomnomnom

A photo posted by ? ???????? ???? Kitoula ? ? ???????????????? ???????? ? (@kitoula) on

Roasted breast of chicken and sweet potatoes whipped into submission #chickendinner

A photo posted by ? ???????? ???? Kitoula ? ? ???????????????? ???????? ? (@kitoula) on

Yianni made dinner again Steak, petite red potatoes and peas ????????????????????

A photo posted by ? ???????? ???? Kitoula ? ? ???????????????? ???????? ? (@kitoula) on

BlogHerFood16 Wrap-Up

Better late than never, here’s my BlogHerFood16 Wrap-Up. All I can say is BlogHerFood16 in Austin Texas was amazing! Nah, I can say a lot more.
And I have lots of photos to share with you too.
BlogHerFood16 Wrap-up

Upon check-in I received a canvas tote bag filled with lots of foodie swag and treats from quite a few of the sponsors: Martin’s Famous Potato Rolls, Heluva Good Dip, Lentils.CA,  American Dairy Association, American Egg Board, Enjoy Life Foods, National Confectioners Association, and RX Bar*(s).

BlogHerFood16 Wrap-up

Breakfast was sponsored by Martin’s Famous Potato Rolls & Bread.

Now we’re talkin! #thetoastisgolden #BlogHerFood16

A photo posted by ? ???????? ???? Kitoula ? ? ???????????????? ???????? ? (@kitoula) on

During breakfast, Martin’s @potatorolls had a fun Instagram contest, with the hashtag #thetoastisgolden. It was a cute idea to have the instructions for the contest printed on the place mats.

BlogHerFood16 Wrap-up

Of course, I had to take a ridiculous selfie donning a Martin’s baker hat. In case anyone should accuse me of being a stuffy, serious, food blogger.   🙄

BlogHerFood16 Wrap-up

The conference was held at Austin’s downtown Hilton. The food was delicious and plentiful. There was almost TOO much food. Is that possible for a food bloggers conference?   😕

BlogHerFood16 Wrap-up

BTW the future of BlogHerFood is safe and illustrated here… because BABIES!!! 😉

*** 🙂 😉 🙂 ***

atasteofkoko

My favorite speaker and break-out session was with Jane Ko, travel & restaurant expert, and blogger @  A Taste of Koko.

In the workshop, Jane shared her secrets about photography composition, styling, and maximizing natural light. She covered 3 main topics:

  • How to take better photos using the features and apps on your mobile phone
  • How to creatively style your photos
  • How to use apps made just for mobile to edit your photos

How generous of Jane to share all her Instagram tricks and tips. I’ve been using her techniques on my Instagram account since the workshop. They work. I’ve been getting more Followers and more engagement.

BlogHerFood16 Wrap-up

Did you know that lentils grow in Canada?  Canadian Lentils, Lentils.CA, one of the conference sponsors, is a brand funded by Saskatchewan Pulse Growers. SPG is accountable to and funded by over 17,000 farmers in Saskatchewan. The organization’s mission is to nourish the world through profitable pulse production.

Pulses are a protein-packed, and earth-friendly food we know as beans, chickpeas, lentils and dry peas. So, eat lentils for your health and for social good. Lentils! Who knew?

BlogHerFood16 Wrap-up

A bag of bars were waiting in my hotel room Friday afternoon. RX Bar*s have no gluten, no soy, no dairy, and no added sugar. Their main ingredients are dates, egg whites, almonds and cashews. I like the chocolate ones the best.

BlogHerFood16 Wrap-up

Sometime you need a break from even the best of food blogger conferences. By the pool with Bloody Mary; need I say more?

BlogHerFood16 Wrap-up

Across the street from the Hilton is the Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill. Moonshine’s craft cocktail, “The Waterloo,” made with Waterloo gin, cucumbers, and grapefruit juice was very enjoyable, but their hot pretzel sticks, with whipped pimento dip… OMG! (Who had 2 orders? 😛 )

BlogHerFood16 Wrap-up

Did I mention Yianni came along on the trip? It was our first time in Austin.

Here he is at The Driskill, an historic hotel more than 100 years old. It was built in 1886 as the showplace of cattle baron Jesse Driskill. Fun fact: Former President Lyndon B. Johnson awaited news of his successful 1964 election as President of the United States from the mezzanine-level Jim Hogg room.

Heart Lanergan DriveGood times! Thank you BlogHerFood16! Heart Lanergan Drive

Iron Works BBQ Austin TX

I attended BlogHerFood16 last weekend. It was a very informative conference, and I’ll post about all I learned next.  But first, here’s my restaurant review of Iron Works BBQ, Austin TX.

I definitely wanted to taste Texas BBQ when I got to Austin. And just a few blocks from the Hilton hotel stands Iron Works BBQ, offering “Official Texas BBQ.”

Iron Works BBQ Austin TX

The history of Iron Works BBQ can be found here. It’s the story of a German ironworker looking for a better life for his family in America.

Iron Works BBQ Austin TX

When you walk into Iron Works BBQ, you are immediately struck by its charm, not to mention all of the yummy items on their chalkboard menu.

Iron Works BBQ Austin TX

Choosing your beverage includes plunging your arm into an ice bath. It’s worth the chill. They have two coolers with a very nice assortment of beer and soda.

Iron Works BBQ Austin TX

I opted for the BBQ beef brisket plate with a side of cole slaw and creamed corn.

Iron Works BBQ Austin TX

Yianni chose a slab of BBQ pork ribs and potato salad. We were not disappointed! Iron Works BBQ is absolutely delicious. And it’s no wonder Jay Leno, and Leonardo DiCaprio are a couple of its biggest fans. When you visit Austin, put it on your “must-have” BBQ list.