Italian sausage and peppers

A simple, colorful, and tasty dinner!

Italian sausage and peppers

Ingredients (makes 2 servings):
2 spicy turkey Italian sausage links
1/4 red onion
1/2 red bell pepper
1/2 orange bell pepper
1/2 yellow bell pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
Pepper
Salt

1. Remove casing from the Italian sausage, and cut into large chunks. Cut onion and peppers into large chunks.
2. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, and cook on all sides until all sides are browned. Add pepper and salt.
3. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in another skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, and cook until it turns translucent, about 2 minutes. Add the peppers, and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring and flipping often.
4. Mix the Italian sausage, onion, and peppers in a bowl together, and serve.

Bites Asian Tapas

Between jobs and amidst our crazy schedules, my partner and I managed to find the time to meet each other for dinner at Bites Asian Tapas on Clark St between Buckingham Pl and School St in Lakeview.

We ordered the Crab Croquette together. It was interesting, tasty, and served on a perfect plate for sharing.



I ordered the Korean Burger, which is spicy pork, lettuce, tomatoes, egg, and bim bap sauce. I liked it a lot. It came with taro fries and a sriracha ketchup.

Harold's Chicken Shack

We recently went to the Harold's Chicken Shack on N Milwaukee Ave between Wood St and Wolcott Ave in Wicker Park. Harold's is a chain based out of Chicago.

Two of us ordered the 1/2 Dark Chicken Dinner to share. It comes with 2 legs, 2 thighs, and french fries served over white bread. We chose the mild sauce, which covered everything.

It takes about 20 minutes for them to prepare your food.

Honestly, I didn't really like it. I didn't like the sauce, and that there was so much of it. I thought the fries were plain, and the chicken was bland. Many people rave about this chicken, but I just didn't get it.

Windy City Smokeout

Windy City Smokeout is quickly becoming one of my favorite food festivals in the city. Here's what I ate...

The Salt Lick: Sausage.
The staff was very nice, and it was good.


Bub City: Pulled Pork Sandwich & BBQ Cheese Fries.
The Pulled Pork Sandwich was less than mediocre, but the BBQ Cheese Fries was the perfect blend of flavors.



Smoque BBQ: Jalapeño-Cheddar Sausage.
This was my favorite thing at the festival, just above the BBQ Cheese Fries. It was fantastic.

Taste of Chicago

I've been waiting for a free minute to write my thoughts about Taste of Chicago 2014. My partner and I shared 60 tickets just like last year, but this time we tried more "Taste" items than last year, which are smaller portions. Here's the rundown of what we tasted, and your SKIP IT or EAT IT suggestions:

Brasserie by LM: Taste of Croque Monsieur Sandwich.
This was from a pop-up restaurant that was only there for a few days. It was pretty good, but the serving was very small. SKIP IT.


Carbon Live Fire Mexican Grill: Tequila-Lime Marinated Chicken Taco.
I just tried a small bite, but my partner loved this. It was one of her favorite things at Taste. EAT IT.


The Noodle Vietnamese: Taste of Crab Rangoon.
We had had this before, and it's not our favorite, but sometimes we just crave crab rangoon. SKIP IT.


Chicago's Dog House: Taste of Infused Cheddar Bacon Sausage.
This was one of the more interesting things I tried, and it was presented well. I liked it a lot. EAT IT.


Lawrence's Fisheries: Taste of Large Fried Shrimp.
It was a small serving, and was very dry without much flavor. SKIP IT.


Billy Goat Inn: Taste of 1/2 Cheeseburger.
The bun was bulky and dry, and the patty was thin, and there wasn't much flavor. SKIP IT.


Caffe Gelato: Bacio (Chocolate Hazelnut).
It was hot. There was cold gelato. EAT/SKIP IT.


Connie's Pizza: Taste of Half Deep Dish Cheese.
Lots of cheese, and a bargain. EAT IT.


M Burger: Taste of Bacon Grilled Cheese Sandwich.
It was very plain, and nothing special. SKIP IT.


Franco's Ristorante: Italian Watermelon Ice.
Did I mention is was hot out? EAT/SKIP IT.


BJ's Market & Bakery: Taste of Mustard-Fried Catfish.
I liked this a lot, and the serving was a good size. EAT IT.


The Fat Shallot: Taste of Truffle Fries
This was from a food truck stationed there for a few days. We both loved the fries! EAT IT.

Blaze Pizza

Blaze Pizza on Belmont Ave between Wilton Ave and Sheffield Ave in Lakeview has become one of my favorite quick meals near work. They're a chain, but didn't open in Chicago until late last year. They utilize an assembly line system much like Chipotle, Subway, and Potbelly, then your pizza cooks in a fiery oven for 180 seconds. It's fast, and there's many options to choose from for sauces, cheeses, meats, and vegetables.

Here's a normal crust, classic red sauce, mozzarella, Italian sausage pizza.

The Waterfront Cafe

I recently went to The Waterfront Cafe on N Sheridan Rd between Granville Ave and Rosemont Ave in Edgewater with a friend. The charm of this place is that it's away from the busy streets, there's sand beneath your feet, and there's a beautiful view of the lake. It's all outdoor seating. The seating isn't very comfortable. It's mainly picnic tables. The menu is boring and the food is mediocre at best. I ordered the the Turkey Apple Bacon Ranch, which is wrap that also includes tomato, Brie, and mixed greens, and it was served with chips. Dining on the lakefront is great, but the food here just isn't good enough.