Crazy for Risotto

Risotto is my new favorite food. I sort of discovered it this summer when Everyday Food offered a few variations on one risotto theme, and I gave each one a try.

I think most people are resistant to risotto because it involves a lot of standing over the pot and stirring. The thought of this sometimes turns me off, too, but once I get into doing it, the task becomes rather soothing. In fact, sometimes when I taste my end product, I think that it was the cooking of the risotto I was craving as much as the taste of the dish itself.

And today was definitely the kind of day where you want to come home and do something totally mindless yet rewarding–like ladling warm chicken broth into rice and stirring until absorbed about six or seven times. Yeah, comfort food with a comforting process.

The risotto I made tonight is here. It maybe could have used a little more dimesion in the flavor profile (or maybe my old brick of Parm was just really, really old).

The Hundred

By way of a couple different blogs, I found Very Good Taste’s The Omnivore’s Hundred. A list inspired by the popular one hundred (or 1,000) things you must…lists all over the place these days. So, I’m following the instructions below and challenging myself to try new things.

I think I’ve tried 43 out of 100. Not too shabby.

At the Table, Nashville Meat and Three

A lot of my posts are about restaurants on 12th Avenue. Today’s blog will be no different, though I did venture farther north than usual, and this particular meal contained more pork products than my average.

I drive up 12th Avenue South to work every day, and I’ve had my eye on At the Table for a while. I’m not huge on the meat and three concept, but Carrington’s review in the Scene caught my eye and nudged me through the door. Plus, Aaron and I were on a lunch date on a busy Friday, and At the Table’s cafeteria-style ordering promised a quick meal.

Two Fat Ladies on DVD

I spent this past Saturday morning enraptured with my latest Netflix delivery: Two Fat Ladies, series one from BBC2. Jennifer Paterson and Clarissa Dickson Wright are sisters after my own heart with their unapologetic love of rich food, strong flavors, and boisterous singing. My husband spent most of the morning in bed or in the office with the door closed, so I don’t think he shared my enthusiasm. “British cooking?” he questioned. “No thanks,” he answered himself.

Nashville Restaurant Week

Nashville is holding its first ever Restaurant Week from September 15 to 21! Click here for more information. And don’t wait to make a reservation! Restaurants need to know how many to expect and you need to secure your spot for what is bound to be a popular event.

I have a reservation for the Yellow Porch already and plan to make one for The Acorn as well…and maybe one other…

Another Broken Egg, Huntsville

We visited friends in Huntsville over the weekend in an attempt to distract them during their “baby watch” (due this month, hopefully arriving this week). A requirement of our trip was a second visit to Huntsville’s franchise of Another Broken Egg Cafe. There is something decadent to me about eating out for breakfast. It has to do with the fact that I always, always eat the same breakfast at home every day: cold cereal with milk, one cup of coffee. I love it. But it’s also amazing to do something else. And I had to check the place out again since they are soon to open in Tennessee. I can totally see this place doing awesome in Franklin or Brentwood.

Nashville Greek Festival

Every September, Nashville’s Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church holds the Greek Festival to raise money for its congregation. For kids, there are delights galore, from pony rides to rock climbing to a petting zoo. For adults, it’s all about the food. I rustled up my family to attend the festival this Saturday and reminded everyone to come hungry.

Rumours Wine and Art Bar, Nashville

To sum up before I even start: Most expensive meal I ever consumed while sitting on a bar stool.

Cha Chah & Tabouli’s

Thank you to Carrington Fox over at the Nashville Scene for shedding some light on my Belmont Boulevard restaurant confusion. My info as of my August 3 post was a little wrong. Check out Carrington’s blog on the new and improved Tabouli’s here, and peruse the comments for news on that other new restaurant going in on Belmont. I think the idea of another restaurant run my a member of the Myint family is great news for my neighborhood.

Fortunately we don’t have too long to wait for Tabouli’s to reopen, but how shall I pass the time until Cha Chah flings open its doors?

Christopher Pizza Company Closing

I just heard the word through a friend that Christopher Pizza Company, the narrow little pizza joint down on the Demonbreun strip, will soon be closing its doors. So if you enjoyed a pizza or a live show at Christopher’s, head down there soon to reminisce one last time.