We the Pizza and Good Stuff Eatery

Our last day in Washington DC we asked for a popular local place to grab lunch.  We were told to check out "We the Pizza" or "Good Stuff Eatery."  Both restaurants are owned by a man who has appeared on more than one Food Network show.  It was a fun recommendation, albeit not the healthiest, and a great way to end the trip!

We the Pizza has fancy pizzas.

Good Stuff Eatery has burgers and fries and they also have great shakes.  We stopped there for dessert!

If you're in DC and near the east end of the mall, near the Capitol or Library of Congress, these restaurants are a few minute walk to the east on Pennsylvania Ave.  

Husband Rating:  4 stars

Old Ebbitt Grill

Our first night in Washington DC I wanted to eat as close the White House as possible.  I wanted to go to a place where all the action was!  Plus, I wanted something I could afford and enjoy.  We chose the Old Ebbitt Grill.  It is across the street from the White House.  You don't have a view of the White House because the Treasury Building is in the way, but you're very close!

The restaurant has been around since 1856.  Many Presidents have eaten there.  It is a busy place and I highly recommend going to their site and making a reservation in advance, if possible:  http://www.ebbitt.com

I had New England Clam Chowder for an appetizer.  Then I had cod with asparagus and potatoes.  Everything was delicious.  My husband had steak.  It was cooked exactly the way he likes it.  Usually his steak is over-cooked.  Not this night!

Washington DC is not known for being the least expensive place to eat!  Old Ebbitt Grill had great food and service at a reasonable price.  This was a good way to start our trip!

Husband rating:  4.5 stars

Hill Country Barbecue Market

Hill Country Barbecue Market is an easy walk up the street from the National Archives.  Here you buy your meat by the pound!  You can have sides like corn pudding and corn bread with honey butter.  It's southern-style comfort food at it's best!  I also enjoyed a giant apple crisp ala-mode.  Yum!

I like that the drinks are served in mason jars!

Husband rating:  4.5 stars

Sang Jun Thai Restaurant

My husband and I had an opportunity to travel to the Washington DC area last week.  It was our first time there.  We loved it!  We also loved the food!  Since I wasn't home cooking meals I'll review the places where we ate.  Next time you're in Old Town Alexandria you'll know where to go!

We walked down King Street where there are many shops and restaurants to explore.  We chose Sang Jun Thai Restaurant because my husband loves Thai food.  We both chose Pad Thai.  His had chicken and mine had shrimp.  I love that you can choose the level of heat you want in your dish.  My husband likes it hot and I don't!  So we were both happy.  The flavors were delicious.  The service excellent.  The view of King Street and all the people enjoying an evening stroll was great.  It's closer to the water than to the metro station.  Jump on the free Trolley if you don't feel like walking all the way to the restaurant.  But take time to walk back because the used book stores (sorry, I'm a book worm!) and dessert places will definitely be worth it!

Husband rating:  5 stars!

Cheese's Baked Macaroni and Cheese

from allrecipes.com, submitted by glittergirl94, with a few changes

INGREDIENTS:

1 (16 ounce) package fully cooked kielbasa sausage, cut into 1/2-inch pieces 1 (8 ounce) package elbow macaroni 1/3 cup butter 1 small onion, chopped 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 cups milk 1 (10 ounce) package sharp Cheddar cheese, cubed salt and ground black pepper to taste 1 cup dry bread crumbs, or more as needed

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Cook and stir the cut-up kielbasa in a large skillet over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes, until heated through and beginning to brown. Remove the sausage from the skillet, and set aside.
2.	Fill a pan with lightly salted water, bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stir in the macaroni, and return to a boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through but is still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain well.
3.	Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
4.	Melt the butter in the skillet over medium-low heat, and cook and stir the chopped onion for about 5 minutes, until translucent. Whisk in the flour, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Cook and stir the butter, onion and flour for 2 to 3 minutes to make a roux, and remove from the heat. Whisk in the milk a little at a time, stirring constantly, until all the milk has been incorporated, and return to low heat. Bring the sauce to a simmer, and cook over low heat for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly, to finish cooking the flour. Whisk in the Cheddar cheese, a few cubes at a time, until all the cheese has been incorporated and the sauce is hot and smooth.
5.	Pour the macaroni into the cheese sauce, and stir to combine. Stir in the cooked kielbasa, salt, and pepper.
6.	Spoon the macaroni mixture into the prepared baking dish, and sprinkle the bread crumbs over the top. Bake for about 20 minutes in the preheated oven, until the crumbs are brown and the casserole is bubbling. Let stand for 15 minutes after baking, to set before serving.

It might help you to know that 8 oz's of macaroni is equal to 1.5-2 cups.

I used 1/2 the onion and 1/2 the bread crumbs.  I might melt 3 tbsp of butter and then add the bread crumbs and then top the pasta with that before I bake it, if I make this again.  I made the mistake of putting the onions in the pan I had just heated the kielbasa in and it was too hot.  The onions were on the burned side and it really was the downfall of this dish for us.

Husband rating:  2.5 stars

Boys say:  thumbs down

Pretty Marinated Chicken

from allrecipes.com, submitted by TaraNicole

I thought this sounded very cheesy-"pretty" chicken.  I mean how pretty can chicken be?  And I'd rather a recipe advertise tasty chicken instead of how it looks!  But I tried it and I'm glad I did.  This was as pretty as it was yummy!

INGREDIENTS:

2/3 cup olive oil 2/3 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce 1/4 cup lemon juice 2 tablespoons liquid smoke flavoring

2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard 2 teaspoons ground black pepper 2 teaspoons garlic powder 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

DIRECTIONS:

1.	In a large bowl, mix the olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, liquid smoke, mustard, pepper, and garlic powder. Place chicken in the bowl, and coat with the marinade. Cover, and allow chicken to marinate a maximum of 4 hours in the refrigerator.
2.	Preheat the grill for high heat.
3.	Oil grill grate. Discard marinade, and place chicken on grate. Cook 6 to 8 minutes on each side, until juices run clear.

I didn't make any changes to this recipe.  It is good just the way it is.  It does give the chicken a "sun-kissed tan" sort of look, as silly as that sounds!

We had this with corn on the cob, baked beans and a fruit salad.  I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!

Husband rating:  4.5 stars

Boys say:  thumbs up

Bolognese Pasta

allrecipes.com, submitted by Greg Johnson, with a few changes

1 pound ground beef (85% lean) 1 cup diced onion 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 carrot, shredded

1 tablespoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 bay leaf salt and ground black pepper to taste 42 ounces canned crushed tomatoes (such as San Marzano®) 2 cups water grated Parmesan cheese

Heat a large skillet over high heat. Stir in the beef, onion, garlic, and carrots. Cook and stir until the beef is crumbly, evenly browned, and no longer pink. Drain and discard any excess grease. Stir in the oregano, garlic powder, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Add the tomatoes and water. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and continue to simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the noodles, and return to a boil.  Cook according to package instructions then drain.

Serve sauce over pasta topped with Parmesan cheese.

I did 1/2 lb italian sausage and 1/2 lb ground beef.  I followed one reviewers tip to let sauce simmer with the lid on or it would be too thick.  I found mine was too thin so I would do this with the lid off next time.  

Husband rating:  3 stars

Boys say:  neutral thumbs 

Pad Thai

slightly modified from allrecipes.com submitted by TRANSMONICON

INGREDIENTS:

1 (12 ounce) package rice noodles 2 tablespoons butter 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into bite-sized pieces 1/4 cup vegetable oil 4 eggs 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

2 tablespoons fish sauce 3 tablespoons white sugar 1/8 tablespoon crushed red pepper 2 cups bean sprouts 1/4 cup crushed peanuts 3 green onions, chopped 1 lemon, cut into wedges

DIRECTIONS:

1.

Soak rice noodles in cold water 30 to 50 minutes, or until soft. Drain, and set aside.

2.

Heat butter in a wok or large heavy skillet. Saute chicken until browned. Remove, and set aside. Heat oil in wok over medium-high heat. Crack eggs into hot oil, and cook until firm. Stir in chicken, and cook for 5 minutes. Add softened noodles, and vinegar, fish sauce, sugar and red pepper. Adjust seasonings to taste. Mix while cooking, until noodles are tender. Add bean sprouts, and mix for 3 minutes.

I didn't soak the noodles for that long.  I followed the package instructions.  One reviewer said to boil the noodles for a minute and then let them sit in the hot water for another 5 minutes or so.  I don't know the best way-mine weren't soft enough so you'll have to experiment.

I heated oil, instead of butter, and added 1 tsp of minced garlic.  I doubled the sauce and added the juice of one lime to the sauce.  We didn't use a lemon.  Fresh bean sprouts are hard to find these days.  Look for the canned ones in the asian food section.

Husband rating:  2 stars (it needs work to live up to the awesome Pad Thai we had in Alexandria!)
Boys say:  thumbs down

Crack Brownies

from Vanessa

**no illegal substances involved**

50 light caramels
1/3 c skim evaporated milk
1 package german chocolate cake mix
3/4 c melted butter
1/3 c skim evaporated milk
2 c milk chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In heavy saucepan, combine caramels and 1/3 c evaporated milk.  Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until caramels are melted.

Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray (like Pam).

In a large mixing bowl, combine dry cake mix, melted butter and the other 1/3 c evaporated milk.  Stir by hand until the dough holds together. Divide dough in half and press first half of dough into prepared baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 9 minutes.

Remove pan from oven and sprinkle chocolate chips over baked crust. Pour caramel mixture over the chocolate chips. Crumble the other half of the dough over caramel layer. Return pan to oven and bake for 20 minutes.

Remove and cool before serving.

My brother-in-law calls these crack brownies because they are so good he can't stop eating them!  They are addicting!

Husband Rating:  5 stars
Boys say:  thumbs way up!

Chicken and Rice Casserole

1 cup uncooked brown rice
1 can cream of mushroom soup, the less fat kind
1 14.5 oz can chicken broth
1/2 package dry onion soup mix
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, chopped into bite-sized pieces

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place chicken in 9x13 pan.  Mix first four ingredients and cover chicken with that.  Cover tightly with foil and bake for 1.5 hours.  I added frozen broccoli to this and topped with sliced almonds.  This was an attempt to copy a dish my sister-in-law made for us over spring break.  It was not nearly as good.  I'll try to get her recipe!  The broccoli was mushy.  I would just do that on the side next time.  I guess it was not flavorful enough for us.  Most everyone had cereal later that night!  I guess this wasn't "better than cereal!"

Husband rating:  2 stars
Boys say:  thumbs down

Sweet and Sour Pork

6 pork chops about 1/2-1 inch thick

sweet and sour sauce

green onions

Place pork chops in a 9x13 dish.  Cover with your favorite sweet and sour sauce.  Sprinkle chopped green onions on top.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.  We then chopped the pork and put it on rice.  We had cooked sugar snap peas with this.  Easy, yummy, cheaper than take out and healthier too!

Husband rating:  3.5 stars

Boys say:  thumbs up

Lemon Herb Chicken

1 3/4 c chicken stock
3 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp dried basil leaves
1 tsp dried thyme leaves
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
4 skinless chicken breast halves

Stir the stock, lemon juice, basil, thyme and pepper in a bowl.  You can grill this and baste the chicken regularly with the mixture.  You could bake the chicken in the lemon mixture for about 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees.

I made the potatoes without the red pepper flakes this time and they were great.

Oven Roasted Potatoes
adapted from allrecipes.com submitted by JMRYGH

1/8 cup olive oil 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1/2 teaspoon dried basil 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine oil, garlic, basil, marjoram, thyme, oregano, parsley, red pepper flakes, and salt. Stir in potatoes until evenly coated. Place potatoes in a single layer on a roasting pan or baking sheet. Roast for around 45 minutes in the preheated oven; turning occasionally to brown on all sides.

I cooked the asparagus in a little water in the microwave for 5-6 minutes.  Then I drained the water and tossed with a little butter, some kosher salt and pepper.

Husband Rating:  3.5 stars
Boys say:  thumbs up

Easter-Ham, Rolls, Apple Walnut Salad, Funeral Potatoes

Slow Cooker Ham from allrecipes.com submitted by LITTLEMSTXTHANG

2 c packed brown sugar
1 8 lb ham

Spread about 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar on the bottom of the slow cooker. Place the ham flat side down into the slow cooker - you might have to trim it a little to make it fit. Use your hands to rub the remaining brown sugar onto the ham. Cover, and cook on Low for 8 hours.

I added a small can of pineapple tidbits and only cooked for about 4 hours, per the recommendations of other reviewers on the site.  It was still a little drier than I like and would probably do it for less time next time.

Apple Walnut Salad  

2 handfuls baby spinach
1 romaine heart chopped
1 apple chopped
1/4 chopped walnuts
1/4-1/2 cup Craisins
poppy seed dressing

Combine spinach and romaine.  Add dressing (I like Brianna's Poppy seed Dressing) and toss to coat.  Add apple, walnuts and craisins.  

Potato Casserole

1 bag hashbrowns

3 tbsp butter

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 c sour cream

1 c milk

3 tbsp finely chopped green onions

3/4 c shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

3/4 c dry bread crumbs

2 tbsp butter, melted

3 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

Place hashbrowns in a a 2 or 3 quart casserole dish.  Pour melted butter over potatoes.  Mix together soup, sour cream, milk, green onions, and cheese.  Pour evenly over potatoes.  Toss crumbs with melted butter and Parmesan cheese; sprinkle on top of casserole.  Bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes.  Makes 8-10 servings.

Husband Rating:  4 stars
Boys say:  thumbs up

Chicken Yakisoba

adapted from recipe submitted on allrecipes.com by Allrecipes

2 tbsp canola oil
1 tbsp sesame oil
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts-cut into bite-size pieces
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tsp Asian-style chile paste
1/2 c soy sauce
3-4 c coleslaw mix
1/2 onion, thinly sliced
2 carrots, cut into matchsticks
12 oz yakisoba noodles

1.  Heat 2 tbsp canola oil and sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Cook and stir chicken and garlic in hot oil until fragrant, about 1 minute.  Stir chile paste into chicken mixture; cook and stir until chicken is completely browned.  Add soy sauce and simmer for 2 minutes. Pour chicken and sauce into a bowl.

2.  Heat 1 tbsp canola oil in the skillet over medium-high heat; cook and stir coleslaw, onion, carrots and salt in hot oil until cabbage in wilted; 3-4 minutes (I put the carrots in first and cooked those for a couple of minutes.  The carrots cook much faster than the coleslaw.  By putting the coleslaw in later they are ready about the same time).

3.  Stir the chicken mixture into the coleslaw mixture.  Add noodles; cook and stir until noodles are hot and chicken is no longer pink inside.

Husband Rating:  3
Boys say:  thumbs up