The Great, Great America

You want to know why I go to Great America every year? No it's not for the terrifying roller coasters I do not ride. It's not for long lines and gazillions of people. It's for their funnel cake sundae's. People always ask... "You go all the way to Great America just for that?" YES I DO! Sure restaurants like IHop have gotten hip to this delicious treat and have released "their versions", but nobody does them like the G.A.! This is how my family and I close out our trip every year. A hot fudge and strawberry funnel cake sundae topped with vanilla ice cream and powdered sugar ($9.99 each)

P.S... Dear Great America,

Get more flavors. I'm thinking pineapple and caramel for starters. Thanks!

Sincerely,

A fan

Happily Married....A Foody Contribution

One thing I love about my friend Kyla is the way she prepares food for her family. This is one example she sent me and I told her she would be a contributing foody. Awww, doesn't this plate scream "LOVE?" Strawberry french toast, cheese eggs, and turkey sausage complete this perfect picture she prepared for her husband.

Am I the only one that can see how this kind of meal can lead to the kitchen counter *wink wink*

XOXO

Going Green...

When my grandmother told me she was hosting a "Scrabble" party I insisted on adding my two cents. What better addition to a ladies lunch then a nice green salad. But since I am a fan of a lot of ingredients I made sure this salad was a mouthful. I combined a spring mix with baby spinach and tossed the two together. I added carrots, red onions, cucumbers, shredded cheese, green peppers, and eggs. The ladies loved it. Here's hoping they contract me to do all of their game parties :)

MARGARITAVILLE: Lalo's

My quest for the best Margarita continues with Lalo's Mexican Restaurant. A friend and I decided that a huge Margarita is just what our Friday night called for. When in need of a big glass of satisfaction Lalo's is the place to go. During the week it is a quiet placed nestled in the UIC campus area....but on the weekends it turns into party central! Fridays and Saturdays are made up of live bands during the early evening hours and a DJ to dance the night away with until close. They even offer free salsa lessons on Wednesday's. It can get loud but after 1 glass or 1 pitcher of their perfectly blended Margaritas you hardly notice. This time I decided on peach-mango (right) while my friend enjoyed the pretty mixture of strawberry-mango (left). They have a pretty good menu. I have enjoyed the selections I've tried but it's the Margarita's that keep me coming back.

733 W. Maxwell St.Chicago, IL 60607Phone: 312.455.9380

Business HoursSunday - Tuesday 11am - 11pmWednesday & Friday 11am - 2amSat 11am - 3am

Paradise in a Glass

I have been to paradise. I am hooked on Keylime Cove in Gurnee, Illinois. This resort is a playground for children as well as adults. During a weekend visit we stopped by a bar located inside the resort called "The Crazy Toucan Margarita Grille" where we were served these pretty and potent Pineapple Margaritas. This place was made for grown-ups to hangout while their children played in the water park (if you even brought children). Their motto..."Vacation in a glass and Paradise on every plate"

Cinco de Mayo: Mexican Lasagna

In honor of Cinco de Mayo I decided to pass on the Italian version and celebrate Mexican style. The ingredients are amazing! Soft tortilla shells, cilantro, corn, ricotta cheese, roasted tomatoes, chicken...the list goes on and on. If I continue to name all that this great recipe entails I'm going to get hungry again. And of course this went well with my favorite tequila concoction.

Tequila Celebration
white tequila
1 can frozen limeade concentrate
1 cup strawberries (fresh or frozen)

In a blender combine limeade and strawberries. Fill 1/2 limeade can with tequila and add to blender. Fill with ice and blend until smooth. Garnish with a strawberry or a lime.

It's a Party!!!

When my friend decided to give her 5 year old a birthday party she asked me to do my legendary kids favorite fruit kabobs. However, the pineapples had already been sliced so I decided to add a fruit tray to her menu. These are the before pics. By the time I arrived, the only thing left were the sticks and empty platters.

P.S...This fruit turns a kid party into an adult after party once you throw some into a blended with your favorite spirit beverage and some ice!

I'm Dreaming of...

I went on a field trip for my son's birthday to Dave & Busters and imagine my surprise when I visited their dessert menu and discovered this >>>>>>

Needless to say I have been dreaming about this fondue everyday for the last two weeks. Bite sized pound cake, brownies, bananas, graham crackers, marshmallows, and strawberries have put this on my "must do list". This is perfect for two lovers to get lost in. I can't wait to go on a sexy date. I just want someone to feed me and lick the chocolate that drops on my chin.

Chicken Chili

Ugh, don't you hate these cold, rainy spring-ish days? There's nothing like a big bowl of comfort food to warm your insides. Traditional chili is great but boooooring. I gave chili and update by using boneless skinless chicken breast that makes this dish even more hearty. Two of my friends didn't even think they were a fan of chili until I presented them with this bowl topped with cheese, green onions, sour cream, and honey-butter crackers. To say they are hooked would be an understatement. I remember another taste-tester referring to it as "crack-in-a-bowl".

Caution: Do not make plans, drive, or operate heavy machinery after indulging.

Edible Temptation

With so many brands and flavors of ice cream on the market...How can one decide on what to indulge in? I have discovered the flavors of all flavors. I am listing my top 3 flavors that has my freezer stocked with calories...

1. Pineapple Coconut

2. Caramel Apple Pie

3. Banana Split

Foody Contribution: Chicken Enchilada

A fellow foody was making Chicken Enchiladas yesterday when I went to visit him. The kitchen smelled so good I rolled up my sleeves and began stirring the sauce just to get closer look. I left before the final product was complete but he made sure to send me a picture. I told him I would make sure this gets a spotlight on Foody Things. This blog is about food that speaks to you. I aim to create and display food that makes you want to eat it directly from your screen. I dare you to tell me that this doesn't make you instantly hungry!

Pineapple Upside-Down Rum Pound Cake

I know its a long name but if I left out just one word...you would not fully understand all that this cake entails. The rum cream I added makes you do a double take and ask yourself "did somebody spike my cake?" I didn't think it was wise to share with the kiddies, but I made sure to dust it with powdered sugar and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the adults. This is how you top off Sunday dinner.

(Fat-girl tip)Pair this cake with a scoop of Haagan-Dazs Pineapple-Coconut.

Foody Experiment: Pizza Casserole

What to cook on a Sunday? Tired of the usual crowd pleasers I decided to experiment with a "Pizza Casserole." I made sure to load it with familiar pizza toppings such as mushrooms, onions, green peppers, mozzarella cheese, turkey sausage, and pepperoni.

I also included egg noodles and even added a layer of green onions!

P.S...kids don't even notice the vegetables included. Shhhh...it's a secret worth keeping.

Lust-Have Recipes Ingredients for Stimulation

It's here, it's here! Lust-Have Recipes has arrived to the pre-sale market. My first and hopefully not my last...this aphrodisiac cookbook satisfies all your urges. The recipes are geared to increase your libido, the images are sexy, and who knows what the erotic poetry will do for! I am so excited about this project and I hope you will support it by purchasing your copy. Visit www.cnsmithbooks.com to order your signed copy.

Hope you enjoy and come back for more.

Thanks,

Melissa XOXO

The Never Ending Chicken Nacho

When I sat this plate down in front of my friend, she thought we were sharing. SIKE, what's yours is yours and what's mine is mine! Just because we're ladies doesn't mean we can't eat like the guys right? Sure we don't watch Monday night football or all week long NBA but hey we got our ex-wives, housewives, and bad girls that satisfy our need for t.v. entertainment. And to watch some good t.v. ...you need good food to compliment it. These chicken nachos were never ending as were the toppings. It felt like I couldn't even put a dent in this mountain of chicken, 2 kinds of chips, salsa, sour cream, green onions...OMG, the list goes on and on. I think I'm still full from last night. Pair this with a good margarita and kick back!

Breakfast in Bed

Imagine rolling over on a lazy Saturday morning with your lover. Both of your stomachs are in a growling competition to see who's is the loudest. In your mind your thinking..."what can I make?" This happened to be my problem a few weeks ago. And here is my answer. I bring you "Breakfast in Bed". A skillet featuring potatoes, chicken sausage, peppers and onions topped with a scrambled cheesy egg on top. Nothing else to do after eating this morning delight except roll back over and Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

BEWARE: A Tropical Storm is Brewing!!!

Look out Pina Colada...Move over Bahama Mama...Watch out Margarita and her cousin Daquiri. A Tropical Storm has taken over my kitchen! I could not blend batches of this up for me and my friends fast enough before our glasses were due for a refill. Best served in a chilled hurricane glass although we substituted for chilled wine glasses (hence the numerous refills). This is perfect for your girly get togethers or even the perfect nightcap after a long day. I would share the ingredients but then I would have to kill you! However, I would love to make it for you one day.

This treat proves my theory...

"The world would be a happier place if more drinks were blended!"