Happy What I Ate Wednesday!
Don’t forget to head on over to Peas and Crayons (when you’re done here, obviously) to check out our lovely hostess, Ms Jenn.
For those of you new to this game, where the hell have you been? Just kidding; I promise I’m nice and I don’t bite…often.
Today is What I Ate Wednesday (WIAW) in the food blogging world, where all us crazies get together and post an entire day’s worth of eats: the good, the bad, and the ugly. While I generally try to showcase the good, every so often a little ugly sneaks in there.
U-G-L-Y! You ain’t got no alibi. You ugly. Eh Heh You ugly.
Contrary to popular belief, I was not a cheerleader in a former life, although I do like to sing and dance. I’m not very good at the former, but dancing on the other hand, I can bust a move with the best of them. Bear in mind, I’m talking bar or wedding dancing, not So You Think You Can Dance dancing. Yeah, I can’t do that shit; not without injuring myself or someone else.
Enough about me though; I divulged plenty yesterday.
You’re here for the food.
I’m sharing with you my Sunday eats because Sandy knocked out my power, and Sunday was the first time I cooked in over a week.
Breakfast was simple, light and easy: an apple and some toast along with my morning cup of Joe. I know this isn’t much, but unless I’ve been up for hours with a huge emphasis on plural hours, I generally don’t have a big breakfast. Don’t get me wrong; breakfast is my all time favorite meal, but I usually end up eating it for lunch or even dinner.
After a week of no cooking and cold temperatures, even indoors, I was craving comfort food in the worst way and hot comfort food, in particular. So, I checked out my newly cleaned fridge (contented sigh for order) and decided to whip up a hearty bowl of Cauliflower Cheddar soup. I love this soup and have eaten it multiple times in the past few weeks. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy all over, and no I haven’t been drinking, although based on the amount of alcohol in my fridge, I need to start.
*Disclaimer: I threw the asparagus in the picture because I thought it added a little somethin’ somethin’, but I didn’t actual eat it on Sunday. I know, it’s false advertising, which is why I decided to come clean. I did however use the spoon to lap up my soup.
For a midday snack, I opted for a banana mango smoothie and a prickly pear. Yep, you read that correctly: a prickly pear. You know why being a food blogger rocks? Because friends bring you weird things they find in the grocery store so you can experiment.
You know why losing power sucks? Because by the time you slice open your prickly pear, its rotten on the inside. The internet, again the source of all knowledge and power, describes the taste as a cross between natural bubble gum and watermelon. Sadly, I will never know.
Moving on, since I was still feeling soup-esque, I decided to throw together a batch of Three Bean Vegetarian Chili. I was out of jalapeno peppers, but I had a couple Habanero Chili peppers (dance ladies, dance) hanging around, so I threw them into the crock pot, seeds and all. It’s safe to say this was my hottest batch of chili yet, and I loved every sweaty bite of it. It definitely sent my body temperature soaring, and I even threw in some rice to absorb some of the heat.
Now I mentioned earlier, sometimes it can get ugly, and up until this point, I was really pleased with my eats, and then this happened…..
Sunday was trick or treating in my neighborhood, since Sandy forced the city to postpone it. As a result, we had some big ass Costco sized bags of candy in the house, and I took a header right into them. It’s been a long time since I’ve eaten this stuff, and now I remember why. I’m not against a little indulgence (in fact, I think indulging every so often is a necessity), but if I’m going to do it, I wanna make sure it’s quality stuff, worth the calories and doesn’t leave me a stomach ache afterwards. Next time, I’ll stick to the good stuff with real ingredients. Oh well, lesson learned.
What’s your favorite fall soup? What’s you favorite candy? Have you ever eaten a prickly pear?
Shannon - Healthiful Balance says
Glad the power is back!
So many yummy looking eats! A prickly pear? Sounds interesting!
Meghan says
Sadly, I’ll never know. It was really prickly though.
Heather @ In Her Chucks says
I have never eaten a prickly pear. But now I want to 🙂
Thanks for sharing! Happy WIAW…
Meghan says
You and me both. Happy WIAW to you too.
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
Omg I have never had a prickly pear, but now I have to try it! I always think of the Jungle Book when I hear of it!
Meghan says
The Jungle Book is the only time I’d heard of it before too. I didn’t even know they were real!
caren @ voodies says
exactly how do you eat a prickly pear?
Meghan says
Very very carefully.
Seriously, you remove the skin and then the seeds, and the rest is yours. I had to google it because that sucker really is prickly.
Allie says
I’m usually a real-dark-chocolate over processed-candy fan, but man, if there are Reese’s involved? I have no control. And soup, I’m a big fall chili fan too–and yes, the more mouth-burning involved, the better. Although tomato soup may take home the trophy as my all-time favorite soup. It’s just so comforting! Especially with a big ol’ grilled cheese sandwich.
Meghan says
Nothing gets more comforting than tomato soup and grilled cheese.
Reese’s seem to be my nemesis too. Something about chocolate and peanut butter combined. Yum.
Allie says
Right? And I’ve tried the “healthier” Reese’s alternatives by Justin’s and Newman’s Own…and they’re good, but somehow, the trashier version is better when it comes to PB+chocolate.
Meghan says
Ain’t that the truth. Why God Why?!
Sunnie@moderngirlnutrition says
All of your eats look amazing, as usual:) I have always wanted to try a prickly pair too! We will get accomplish that one day haha
Meghan says
It was crazy and I do hope we get to try one someday. I’ve never seen them in the store before; I was fortunate someone grabbed me one.
Carli says
I’ve never had cauliflower chedder soup but I can only imagine it is great. Must try!
I’m a chili person myself. Yours looks fab! Favorite candy is Kit Kat. In general, I’m not a soup or candy person.
Meghan says
If you are a cauliflower and cheese fan, this soup is a winner. You’ll have to let me know what you think.
Not a soup person….man, I could eat a bowl of soup everyday in the winter.
Amanda Fraijo-Tobin (@FraijoManda) says
I’ve never had a dang prickly pear! Now I’m going to be on the lookout for one. I’m totally opposite with breakfast. I want to roll out of bed and stuff my face – and I’m like a bear if you get in my way.
Yay for power!! I also had some candy….. repeated several times. Whatcha gonna do. I found an almond snickers in my kids things and it was tasty. Who knew.
Meghan says
My Hubby is like that too…must eat right away.
Me, I go hours without food in the a.m., but it’s a fine line. If I go too long, I get hangry (hungry+angry) and it ain’t pretty. This is usually why I force myself to drink a smoothie before work.
Almond snickers….now that’s new. I can only imagine it was good.
Vesna says
Your snack is the same as mine! Lol! And my sister-in-law is a huge fan of prickly pears. All of your eats look delish… and don’t beat yourself up – I have candy leftover too and I have a piece (or 3) every night! Ha.
Meghan says
I’ve never even since a prickly pear before and your sister-in-law gets them all the time. Lucky lady or perhaps she just lives in the right climate for these things. I really want to try one again. I’m over the candy, but I did give all the leftovers to the Hubby. He can get the stomach ache if he wants.
Tara@Sugar Spice and Bacon says
That cauliflower soup looks fantastic! I’ve been looking for a good recipe – I’m definitely going to have to try that one out!
Meghan says
You definitely should and then I would love to hear what you think. The recipe comes from Eating Well which is one of my favorite food magazines because the dishes are simple and easy. Happy WIAW.
Jessie says
I’ve seen those prickly pears around here before, just never had an idea on what they were ( I mean I guess I could’ve read the sign above, but hey I’ve never thought of that until now ).
I’m more of a chilly person than a soup person & my favorite candy would be Reeses PB Cups 🙂
Meghan says
Reese used to be my absolute favorite too, which is why I couldn’t resist them.
You have to buy a prickly pear and then let me know what it tastes like….pretty please. Just be careful, they are dangerous on the outsite with all the little prickers.
Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli says
Aww, so sad about the prickly pear. I’ve never tried one either, but if it really tastes like watermelon bubble gum, I need to get my hands on one soon! I’m so so glad you used a spoon for the soup…I’m sure it was much more efficient than trying make use of your “decorative” asparagus! 😉 I can’t believe you threw a whole habenero in your chili! That would frickin’ KILL me!
Favorite fall soup: nothing like a good hearty bowl of chili…especially if it’s topped with CHEEEEEEEEEESE!
Favorite candy: I like Reese’s but you know me…I’m much more of a cookie gal! I wasn’t even phased this year with all the Halloween candy at work!
Meghan says
I know: I want to find another prickly pear so bad. Here I get some exotic food and then it rots on me…dammit.
I actually threw two habenero’s in the chili. My lips were on fire…in a good way, but I like it hot.
Reese always was my favorite.. I have to find a clean way to make these. You are a cookie girl, but I haven’t seen on of your Birdie cookies in awhile. Was it a summer affair?
Eating 4 Balance says
I just love soup in general. So filling and there are so many kinds! Let’s see, my church always made really really good chicken noodle soup with really big slices of carrots and celery, and really wide noodles. My mom made the best broccoli and cheese soup ever… (Yet to find an unprocessed dairy-free version. Hmm…) Chili is always great. And the best soup recipe that I’ve personally ever made was low fat chicken and dumpling soup. Ohmygosh good. It just melts you from the inside 😀
Glad that you have your power back! There was always something primal, but cool about losing power, what with the candles and playing games in the dark. Then you remember… No showers. No hot (or cold) food. No lights. No electricity. No TV!!! How did you survive? 😛
Never eaten a prickly pear before. Hope you get another shot!
Meghan says
Nothing beats homemade chicken noodle soup. I do love Broccoli Cheese Soup too, and this version is vegetarian. I use almond milk for the dairy, and you could always use a vegan cheese. http://cleaneatsfastfeets.com/?page_id=733
Thankfully, we still had hot water, but doing everything in the dark was rough. Thankfully, my job had power so I was able to escape to work everyday.
MassachusEATS says
Holy moly, the chili and the soup look AMAZING!! I love soup 🙂 (And Halloween candy!)
Glad that your power is back and you are safe after the storm! Sandy didn’t do much damage near me thankfully but I feel awful for everyone affect by it.
Meghan says
I know, Sandy was ridiculous and people further east had it so much worse. A little power loss is nothing in comparison to what they’re experiencing.
Luv What You Do says
Those soups look fantastic! I have a tough time picking my favorite soup. I just made an awesome lentil soup, but I think this is one of the best soups…
http://luvwhatyoudo.wordpress.com/2011/12/11/its-the-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year/
Meghan says
This soup looks great, and I love anything with lentils. I can’t wait to try it. Thanks for sharing.
Kristina says
I want a prickly pear now too – I have to go find one.
…and now I have that song in my head… you ain’t got no alibi…
Meghan says
Sorry about the song. It’s been stuck in my head for 25 years. I remember it from Goldie Hawn’s 1986 movie, Wildcats, where she coached a high school football team. How does this stuff stay trapped in our brains for so long?!
Liz @ iheartvegetables says
I’m glad I’m not the only one OBSESSED With soup lately!!! Now that the weather has gotten cold, I’m craving it all the time!!! I’ve been making a lot of lentil soups 🙂 so filling and hearty (and CHEAP!)
I’ve never had a prickly pear!
Meghan says
Lentils are great too, and I’m not passing up a bowl of soup for anything. I love it this time of year.