Monday, April 12, 2010

Weekend & Cinnamon Walnut Apple Bread

Hope everyone had a nice weekend! Ours was great, too quick as usual, but great. Friday, I taught Body Attack and then Josh and I headed out to a fancy dinner to celebrate some of his recent work accomplishments. We went to Grill 225 in Charleston.

The restaurant was VERY classy and the servers were extremely knowledgeable. Josh loves a good steak and had been looking forward to our meal at Grill 225 for quite some time. From the menu, he selected a Caesar salad and filet and shared some of my meal with me. As a vegetarian, a steak house probably doesn’t seem like it would be the BEST dining option, but the side selections usually provide some great choices. I ordered the linguine with roasted garlic, fresh basil and olive oil and asparagus and meshed them into one. It was more than enough food to feed a family of four, so we went home with lots of leftovers.



Grill 225 on Urbanspoon

Saturday morning, I taught Body Step, worked on adjusting my step/pump choreography, and then grilled out with Josh. I made spicy chicken breasts topped with cheese for him (one as a sandwich, one on the side), a chickpea burger for myself, grilled pineapple and asparagus:











Sunday, I woke up early to make a little baked apple bread treat for my parents. I eliminated the all spice from this recipe and sprinkled the top of the bread with walnuts, sugar in the raw, and cinnamon before baking.

Prior to baking:



And after:


Then we headed to brunch. I got my usual apple parfait (is it sad that the waitress stated my order vs. asking me ;)).

My parents opted for lunch and got a soup and salad combo.
Me & My Dad:

The rest of the day was been spent watching Julie and Julia, enjoying some sunshine filled walks with Frank:



…running errands, and doing work.

Whats on tap this week?

64 comments:

Jessica @ How Sweet said...

You guys are so cute! Love your dress. Looks like you had an awesome weekend! Wish it wasn't over!

Diana said...

I agree with Jessica, you ARE cute :)
THose chickpea burgers look delish, I just might have to make them sometime soon!

Lauren said...

Girl, you look AMAZING!!! Love that dress! :)

It sounds like such a nice weekend. I am now starting to crave these apple parfaits! :) Haha, I just need to recreate it.

Have a wonderful day hun!

Anonymous said...

I love your pics of Frank :)
I have never had a chickpea burger, how do you keep it from falling apart on the grill?

Heather said...

You look so pretty in your dress - HOT couple!! :)

Did you make your own chickpea burger? Sounds fantastic!

The Purple Carrot said...

Okay, everyone's said it already, but I love your dress too!! :)

We grilled yesterday too ... I love Spring!

homecookedem said...

You look gorgeous as always!! Sounds like a lovely weekend. I love grilling pineapple, it is so wonderful!! And I need to try your chickpea burger out, I know I would love it!!

Lindsay @ http://pancakesnpajamas.blogspot.com/ said...

Love Grill 225!! Did you hit up the Rooftop while you were there? Congrats to Josh on his accomplishments! :) I loved Julie and Julia. The book and the movie were great.

Britt said...

Sounds like a great weekend! You both look so nice all dressed up!

I'm with ya, the weekend goes by WAY too fast.

Unknown said...

I love seeing all your family members So happy...very refreshing!

What a catch you are there Josh!...lucky girl Erica!....he's a keeper....acomplishments, loves good food and YOU!....superb!..he he!

HEEEELLLLOOO! FRANKSTER!...you handsome devil you!...xoxo!

xoxo!

Jenn (eating bender) said...

First of all, can I just say that I am obsessed with your dress? That color purple is a lot like the one I'm using in my wedding. Plus, you look gorgeous in it!

Secondly, congrats to Josh on his recent work accomplishments. That's great!

Your baked apple bread looks phenomenal and I love that the waitress quoted your order before you even had to open your mouth ;o)

Last but not least, I was catching up on some of your awesome posts recently and saw your BAoK. This is SO something that Miss Erica would do - you are too sweet and I think it's a great idea! There are so many fantastic bloggers out there who are deserving. I can't wait to see how it all unfolds!

Have a lovely Monday, Erica!

Molly said...

Ahh FRANK! Love that dog!
Looks like you all had a great weekend, and those burgers sound delicious!
Hope you have a great week too!

Jessica said...

The bbq meal looks fantastic! The bread too. Yum.

Have a great week!

Christina said...

are you wearing the tiffany & co open heart necklace? i have the ring and bracelet! :)

Katie said...

Fun date night! I love that you have family brunch... and no, I think when you know what you like, there's no reason to mess around with it!

That apple bread is right up my alley... my dad makes a delicious apple cake that it reminds me of.

I Run for Fun said...

Beautiful pic...you both look so cute!

Sounds like another pleasant weekend. LOL...it's funny the waitress knew what you would order.

Holly said...

I love your dress - that is such a great picture of you two...you look so pretty! And sweet Frank....love that face. :-)

I've never had a chickpea burger...it sounds delicious!

Angharad said...

Mmm steak house! Sounds amazing! You look so lovely in your dress.

Also, loving the sound of your grilled pineapple and asparagus and that chickpea burger - delicious!

Naomi(Onefitfoodie) said...

YUM that banana bread looks so good! I LOVE YOUR DRESS may I ask where you got it? (the purple one)

what a great weekend. Oh I have such a regular order when i go to certain restaurnts, and If I were to go there once a week, the waitresses would know it by heart too!! haha

glad you had a great weekend Erica!

Anonymous said...

You look so beautiful in your pictures!

vanillasugarblog said...

it is kind of funny when the waitress knows your order already...i get that a lot when we go for sushi.
love the grilled pineapple...

Anonymous said...

Love your dress! That is such a great photo of the two of you :) Looks like a great weekend... Hehe, I kind of like when waiters know my orders :) (though it worries me that my diner in NY also brings a fresh bottle of ketchup to my table everytime I go!)

Enjoy your Monday!

Lazaro Cooks said...

Thank you for sharing your interesting experiences. Wonderful photos of the food. Especially the baked apple bread. Whatever you're doing is working because you look like you are in fantastic shape. Cheers!

Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) said...

I love the dress you are wearing in the first picture. It looks great on you!

Grilled pineapple is one of my favorite things to eat! I wish we had a BBQ and could grill.

This week, I have tons of school work to do! The semester is almost over.

Kristie Simmons said...

Love your dress. You look beautiful. Where did you get your dress?

Stephanie @cookinfanatic said...

Agreed, you two are freaking adorable! I can't wait until we get a grill (maybe next weekend yay?!)-your dinner looks fabulous! I hope you have a wonderful week pretty girl :)

~M~ said...

Gorgeous dress! Being a no meater eater too I agree that the best way to go sometimes is ordering off the sides. How sweet that you baked for your parents!

Anonymous said...

I always get an urge to bake when I read your blog. The cake looks really great.

I love Frank. He's so cute.

Therese said...

I love that dress! Rouching in all the right places :)

Anonymous said...

Did you "make" those chickpea burgers? If so, recipe please! Looks yummo!

Krista said...

Sounds like a great weekend, Erica! Your loaves always turn out perfectly! This one sounds yummy, too. I like that you guys grilled pineapple triangles. I'll have to try that, too!

Ana said...

You look soo good in that dress! Sounds like you and Josh had an awesome time at the dinner, and with a perfect reason to celebrate.

Restaurants are not very good in portion control, every-time I go out I always end up with leftovers!

The Blonde Duck said...

I bet Ben would like those chickpea burgers. You looked so CUTE in your dress!

Maria said...

Glad you had a nice weekend and congrats to Josh on his work accomplishments! I love your dress! You are gorgeous my friend! I have a CRAZY busy week. I hope to survive!

tam said...

You look so pretty in that dress, he's a lucky man! Your apple and walnut bread looks amazing! x x

BroccoliHut said...

Yay for grilling season!
Love your dress:)

Angelalovesfood said...

you look great! That is funny about the waitress, I wasn't suprised when I saw the parfait. I probably would've felt special that she was able to remember my orders.

Juliana said...

Erica, you both look great together :-) It seems that you had a great weekend, everything looks yummie, specially the parfait :-)

Kelsey Ann said...

ur so pretty its rediculous :)

Julie said...

awww it looks like the perfect weekend!!! haha my fav sushi place is the same way with me. the guy knows exactly what i want and how i like it :) i think it's fun that way!

can't wait to start bbq-ing!!

Diana said...

I'm usually skeptical that a restaurant could make a parfait I like as well as one I'd make myself, but that apple one looks good enough to try. So no biggie that the waitress knows your order - you know what you're doin'. :)

fittingbackin said...

aw great pics of you two - love the dress!!

Look at Frank!! He's just so sweet!

Our week should be chill - I hope - then this weekend is a friend in town, my stepdad in town, a wedding/friends in town and a happy hour! Should be fun!

Anonymous said...

YALL ARE SO ADORABLE! you are so hot, girl!!! LOVE that dress!! he is one LUCKY MAN! im so jelous of your brunch EVERY single time! that looks awesome!

Esi said...

So glad you got a great vegetarian meal at a steakhouse! It's going to be another busy week!!

Averie @ Averie Cooks said...

Ok that purple dress fits you like a glove, and the color is perfect on your, Erica! You look amazing! And either your hubs is really tall or you're super petite...you just look lovely no matter what size you are :) I am 5'11" so trust me, I never look small next to anyone, esp when i put on shoes LOL

xoxo

MizFit said...

HOW FRICKIN CUTE ARE YOU.

beyond.

I need a new hairdo (because this is about me--yes? :))

Miz.

madeleine said...

I love your veg and non-veg options!! Great post & that dress is adorable!

CaSaundraLeigh said...

Sometimes getting dressed up and going out to fancy restaurants is really fun--sounds like you had a good time.

So sweet of you to bake your parents a sweet treat :-)

Anonymous said...

AWWW am I a dork for missing Body Attack and Step lessons? I used to have that every other day at the gym near my uni. Too bad gym memberships cost a fortune back home so I'm gymless.

I can understand why you'd order the apple parfait! It makes me wanna take the deep plunge, all the way to the bottom of the yummy lookin' brekkie!

Rose said...

I love that dress! Where did you get it?

My week is all work and no play - again! But I'm almost done :)

erica said...

I absolutely love your purple dress! Gorgeous and you look fabulous in it! Looks like you had a fun weekend. That bread looks divine and I think I just may have to make it!

xo have a fabulous day!

shannonmarie said...

Your relationship reminds me of mine with my hubby. He's the meet eater and I'm the veg. We've been eating similar but separate meals for years.

You're right about the steakhouse thing. Vegetarians can actually eat well at most of those places.

Dawn (HealthySDLiving) said...

Aww I love it--you guys are too cute! :) Looks like a wonderful weekend!!

Unknown said...

what a great weekend! everything looks fabulous, and is making me hungry ;) good thing it's almost lunch time!

Tiffany said...

aww you and josh look FAB in that picture!! i LOVE your dress. looks like you had a great weekend, girl! and the baked apple bread is making my mouth water. always a good thing :)

Kerstin said...

Looks like you had such a fantastic weekend! The bread look so tasty!

teresa said...

your dress is so pretty, you guys make an adorable couple! the chickpea burgers sounds wonderful, i'll have to give that a try sometime!

We Are Not Martha said...

I've been seeing grilled pineapple all over the place lately and am now craving it big time!! I love your dress, too :)

Sues

Andrea @ CanYouStayForDinner.com said...

You are so beautiful! I really enjoyed the pictures! I especially love your dress in the photo with Josh!
Sounds like you had a fantastic weekend filled with delicious food and family time too! I think the cinnamon walnut apple bread looks delightful! Something I would definitely love to slice up and spread with some almond butter!!

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Janetha @ meals + moves said...

i bought a granny smith JUST so i can recreate that parfait i always see you eat! i am IN LOVE with that dress, mind sharing where it is from?

Anonymous said...

Love the dress - you look great!!! I've often been surprised with the extensive menus at steakhouses, but since I like steak, I nearly always order it there.

How cute that the waitress knows your order. :)

Heather @ Side of Sneakers said...

I love grilled pineapple!!! That bread sounds amazing :)

Mack The Knife said...

Wow, sounds like a great weekend and a special time :)

Mack The Knife said...

Wow, sounds like a great weekend and a special time :)