Lucile's Creole Cafe in Longmont

Before I moved to Utah....I had a long standing date in May with my friends from Greeley.  We'd go to breakfast (usually at The Egg and I) and then spend the morning buying flowers to plant at The Flower Bin in Longmont.

I wasn't much of foodie 5 years ago and would have never sought out a unusual restaurant.

I was missing out on soooo much!

I've been back in Colorado for 8 months and I was so excited to get our ritual started again!  I convinced my friends to go to Luciles Creole Cafe for breakfast.  I sent them the menu to peruse before hand and they were so excited!

We had to try the Beignets and they were so good...little fluffy pillows of dough!  My 4 year old daughter thought they were the most amazing thing she'd ever eaten.  I wish I'd just ordered her more of them for her breakfast....because the giant Rice Pancakes were just too much for her to handle.

Lucile's has several breakfast drinks to choose from.  I went with the traditional Mimosa and I loved that they brought me a small bottle of champagne, a carafe of orange juice and a lovely glass. Making my own was really fun!

For my meal...I knew I wanted to have a traditional New Orleans dish.  The Eggs Rockefeller jumped out at me because of the fried oysters.  This dish was so delicious and rich....the Rockefeller sauce was salted perfectly.  It arrived with a giant buttermilk biscuit that melted in my mouth, and grits and potatoes.  I'd never had grits before and I really liked them.

Lucile's Creole Cafe has five Colorado locations.  Boulder, Denver, Fort Collins, Longmont and Littleton.  If there is one near you....try it, you will not be disappointed!

Lucile's Creole Cafe
518 Kimbark Street
Longmont, CO 80501
303.774.9814

Quinoa with Nuts and Raisins

This recipe is NOT from the 20 years younger book. But it is very similar to one that is in the book.

Keith and I really liked this recipe. He thinks I added too much lemon...he might be right but I really liked it.

Quinoa with Nuts and Raisins

    *  1 cup quinoa, rinsed well
    * 1/4 cup nuts (pine, walnuts or pecans) chopped
    * 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
    * 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
    * 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
    * 1/4 cup golden raisins
    * 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
    * Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

     Place the quinoa in a saucepan and cook over medium heat until toasted, about 2 minutes. Add 1 3/4 cups water (or use low-sodium chicken broth) and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, until the liquid is absorbed, 15-20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit, still covered.

Toast the pine nuts in a skillet over medium-high heat, stirring, until golden, about 3 minutes; transfer to a plate. Add the olive oil and garlic to the skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring, until golden, about 2 minutes. Transfer the garlic to the plate, reserving the oil.

Fluff the quinoa with a fork. Add the pine nuts, garlic, reserved oil, parsley, raisins and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper and toss.

Nutritional Facts Per Serving:

Calories: 205
Carbs:      27g
Fat:           10g
Protein:     7g
Fiber:        3g
Sodium:   128g

Chad's Grill in Lakewood

Chad's is in my hood. And we overlook it all the time in favor of the big city of Denver. I will overlook no more.....I am HOOKED!

I love comfort food...because I am generally, in need of comfort.  My favorite would have to be Mac and Cheese.  I'm on a personal mission to find THE best Mac and Cheese and I think I already have a tie.

This Grown Up Mac and Cheese has asparagus and sun-dried tomatoes.  It's made with Gouda which has to be one of my favorite cheeses and you can add Chicken, Andouille Sausage, Crawfish or Shrimp.  I went with Andouille and it was perfect! I loved every single bite and it reheats beautifully the next day for lunch.

My husband went with the Spicy Cajun Jambalaya and he loved it.  Again...andouille sausage makes this dish.

My boy, who is 5 years old is a connoisseur of fine cheese pizza.  It's mostly his only food group so he knows his stuff.  He told me this is one of his favorites....and he asks me daily when he can eat it again.

They also have one of the greatest activities for children that are patiently waiting for their food.

Real crayons and stickers!

I'm a fan of dessert.....but I never need a full sized, full fat one.  Chad's has several options of treats in a shot glass.  I choose the Tiramisu.  It's the perfect amount of dessert.

Chad's has something for everyone.  They have brunch on the weekends and offer a gluten free menu.  They also have a really decent happy hour from 3pm-6pm every single day.


Chad's Grill
275 Union Blvd
Lakewood, CO 80228
303.988.5666
Chad's Grill on Facebook
@ChadsGrill on twitter

**I was not compensated for this review. I just really love to eat and sharing my finds with my friends and anyone that happens upon my blog looking for good eats.**

Black Bean Salad

I made a number of new recipes last week from the book. When I read through the recipe section I knew immediately that some of the recipes were not for us.  We aren't smoothie people and my husband didn't know there was any other kind of butter other than peanut.

I may try them down the road....but for now I stuck with stuff he's familiar with.  This week, I'm making the same recipes...but tweaking them ever so slightly.  Because that's what I do.

This recipe takes about 10 minutes to put together.  You can use canned beans or make them yourself from a bag of dried ones.  They are really easy to make if you have time....and have less chemicals and other crap you don't need.  One bag made three meals for us and you can just throw them in a freezer bag in the portion size you need.

Black Bean Salad
adapted from 20 Years Younger

4 cups shredded cabbage
2 cups black beans
2 cups diced cucumber
1/4 cup diced red onion
1 avocado, diced
1 small jalapeno, diced small
Juice of one lime
4 teaspoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt

In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients and stir.  

Makes 4 adult and 1 child size serving.  Serve with a piece of whole wheat bread and a teaspoon of olive oil, and fruit.

Nutritional Facts Per Serving:
Calories: 253
Carbs: 34g
Fat: 10g
Protein: 11g
Fiber: 14g
Sodium: 298

What I'm Eating for Breakfast

My husband and I are following the 20 years younger plan....mostly.  I've had to adjust the plan slightly for my husband because he just can't eat all of this fruit. Twice a day...is too much for him.

He also loves sandwiches.

But today....I'm going to talk about breakfast.  iKeith was already a big fan of Steel Cut Oats.  Except that he likes his plain without fruit or honey and mostly undercooked.  He's an odd ball....he fully admits it.

I had never had the oats until last week.  I've made them for my husband for years but never tried them.  I like cereal but.... I love these oats!! YUM!

Connie's Steel Cut Oats

3 cups of water
1 cup of Steel Cut Oats
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 apple, peeled and diced
2 tablespoons of golden raisins
1 tablespoon walnuts, chopped
2 tablespoons of honey
1 teaspoon cinnamon

 Bring water and salt to a boil, add the oats.  Reduce the heat to a simmer and Cook for 15 minutes.  Add the apple, honey and cinnamon.  Cook for 10 more minutes.  Add raisins and walnuts.  Take off from heat and put into a container with a lid.

You now  have enough breakfast for 4 days.

To serve, slice off a chunk, stir in milk or soy milk and re-heat.  Eat with a side of fruit.

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Twice a week....I like to have eggs. I'm not a fan of egg whites and until the doctor tells me that I have high cholesterol and I have to cut back...then I'm going to keep eating yolks.  If you have issues...then by all means, cut out a yolk or two.

Spinach Scramble with Feta

2 eggs
1/2 cup baby Spinach
2 tablespoons Red Onion, chopped
2 tablespoons Feta Cheese

Heat pan over medium heat and add a smidge of olive oil or use cooking spray. Cook red onions for about 90 seconds until they get soft, add the spinach and cook until it wilts, about another minute.  Add your beaten eggs and cook until done.  Add feta in the last few seconds so that it can melt a little bit.

Serve with a side of fruit.

I'll be posting new recipes all week! 

Summer Wine...Clivus Soave Classico

I picked up this wine at Mile High Wine and Spirits this morning because I liked the review of it. Ripe fruit and candied Citrus. I didn't realize it was a white wine until I got it home.

This will be my new favorite summer wine...while I sit on my patio and dream about visiting Italy! And it's only $10 a bottle.

Mint Chip Maltballs

These Mint Chip Maltballs from Marich Confections.....are amazing!  I can't stop thinking about them.  I found mine at Marczyk's Fine Foods in Denver.

*disclaimer* I was not compensated for this post.  I just love candy and wanted to share my find with my friends.