Ripening Avocados at Home

I've been snatching up avocados whenever I see them for a good deal, even if they aren't quite ripe, yet. The trick is to also buy bananas or any other climacteric fruit and then store them in the same container to accelerate the ripening process. A brown paper bag works.

These avocados were a little on the firm side when I bought them yesterday evening and after a night with the bananas they ripened up really well. So much so that the remaining avocados are now quarantined in the fridge so they don't die on me by tomorrow.

By the way, this combination above- fresh avocado and fried egg on buttered toast sprinkled with salt and pepper... it's a divine breakfast that can be made in about five minutes.

Ich Bin Ein Hamburger?

I almost forgot about this. On Saturday, I kayaked 25km. On Sunday, I ran a half marathon. Never again will I attempt such idiocy in one weekend. I say that.

At any rate, after the run I needed something to make me feel better. My running mate Josh and I decided to hit up Cypress Street Pint and Plate for their $3 house draught (which is a local Sweetwater IPA!). Additionally, I ordered the monster of all burgers, their Cypress Sublime Burger: "Cypress Burger topped with applewood smoked bacon, caramelized onions, cheddar, barbecue sauce, topped with TWO local Sublime glazed donuts as the bun." Of course, I asked them to add a fried egg! This, ladies and gentlemen, is Atlanta in a meal.

Cypress Sublime Burger

It was delicious! Definitely a fork and knife type of burger- the French would be proud- but dang, this is what brunch ought to be! Sweet, savory, gooey, meaty, gummy, full of fried, full of smokiness and full of soul.

But I'm insatiable, so I scoured the menu in search of something more. I was also quite drunk by this point after two IPAs (after a 13.1 mile run, mind you). Poutine, anyone? Not on the menu, but they have fries. They have breakfast gravy for biscuits. They have bacon. This is anything but traditional, but we're not in Canada, anyway, so it matters not. The server was surprisingly accommodating and put the order in.

Brunch Poutine?

Most certainly drunk food. Their breakfast gravy had a bit of a kick to it, but overall, I was satisfied. Like Canadian cheese fries, but with gravy instead of cheese. Genius.

Now I gotta detox and run another half marathon to work this all off.

Week in Review

I don't know how I manage to fit all of these things in my schedule.

Wednesday? Katie invited me over for stuffed peppers that evening. They were huge! And scrumptious. I've just begun training for a half marathon, so I devoured half a baguette in addition to the meal she prepared. I also baked some cookies (best recipe ever) and made ice cream sandwiches with them. I'm such a fat ass!

Katie's stuffed pepper, salad with strawberries and balsamic vinaigrette

mmm... ice cream sandwich

Thursday evening? Michael made these ridiculously delicious Thai ribs from a Bon Appetit recipe. It had all sorts of awesome flavors, ranging from creamy coconut milk to bright notes of lemongrass. Yum. I made the po-white fried rice.

Michael's Thai ribs, my basic fried rice

Saturday evening? David and I have had a hankering to check out the poutine on the late night menu at Leon's Full Service in Decatur. It was alright, but it's a pretty cheap late night pleasure. Their interpretation used a melting cheese in lieu of curds and there was also the addition of a fried egg on top. I was honestly expecting something a tad richer. Otherwise, the chicken liver plate was absolutely divine and the fried camembert was equally pleasing. Drinks aside, those shared plates probably cost no more than $24 split four ways. Yay, recession!

poutine at Leon's Full Service

Fried Eggs on Pizza

[Just based on what food I've photographed and posted thus far, I think it's pretty evident that I'm in love with eggs- poached, fried, scrambled... yeah.]

My wonderful friend Anna hosted her own birthday party last night with "make your own pizza," as she's done for the past three years. She makes the dough and the sauce- the guests bring toppings. Also, "The keg has been ordered. If you want other beverages, please don't bring them. I need you to drink PBR." Pretty epic, haha.

Johanna getting praise for her most excellently rounded pie dough

I brought my tiny saucepan, lid and a dozen eggs! Two years ago when I did this, there was a rather tepid response, but something was in the air last night. Maybe I just had the technique down or eggs have been more prevalent in cuisine, but the other guests could not get enough of it. I didn't know most of them and they just kept coming up to me randomly in between my swigs of beer, "Those eggs..." Lol. Almost comical.

fried egg on pizza!

But yeah. You see this in a lot of pizza places abroad... France, Italy... the runny yolk goes really well with a subtly spicy tomato sauce. It drips and gets all over the place, but then you just take the crust and mop it all up. Yum.

Rice Bowls with Leftovers

More leftovers: braised beef ribs, brussel sprouts and carrots, leeks and a freshly fried egg.

rice bowl: braised beef ribs, brussel sprouts + carrots, leeks, fried egg