Tuesday, January 18, 2011

M: Oh What a Weekend (plus a recipe of course)

So how do I follow-up an amazing announcement post yesterday? With my boring weekend and a turkey meatloaf recipe, of course =)

I can’t even begin to express how happy I’ve been for miss Erica and J. I think you all know what an extraordinary couple these two are and I’ve been just beaming for them! If you missed yesterday’s announcement post, then go here to get filled in. Such an exciting time for the other half of Itzy’s Kitchen!

Ok, I’ll let you in on a little bit of my weekend, although it’s not nearly as exciting! B and I were lucky enough to have a long weekend. Saturday night was an amazing date night at SNOB (Slightly North of Broad) in downtown Charleston. Bryan and I:

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Such a unique atmosphere – my favorite part is the exposed brick in the back and the wide open kitchen

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We started with some apps, B got the sirloin with mushroom jus and I got the pan seared flounder with chilled green bean salad – FANTASTIC

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And ended with B getting the raisin bread pudding and me with (of course) the chocolate pudding cake – no words to describe these desserts – no words

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Sunday was such a beautiful day. B and I decided we’d forego all of our chores and do something to enjoy the weather =) So, we went to Vickery’s in Mt. Pleasant to their roof top bar…

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…for a couple of drinks.

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Ok, here is why I live here – it is January and it was 60 degrees and gorgeous outside. And you get to go to a bar right down the road and see this from the rooftop

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The food here might not be award-winning, but the views are to-die-for

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What an awesome, relaxing weekend with the hubs, enjoying the area we live in and taking in the nice weather =)

I also made up a batch of turkey meatloaf. The recipe I found from miss Ina Garten of course. I have always been weary of a turkey meatloaf for fear it would never live up to my mama’s beef meatloaf I ate growing up.

But this one was SO flavorful and tasty, I am definitely keeping this in my regular dinner rotations. You incorporate a sauce into the meat mixture made of worcestershire sauce, onions, chicken broth, spices, and tomato paste. This is what gives all of the outstanding flavor.

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I also used my mom’s meatloaf sauce on the top instead of just the ketchup that was called for. This is made up of 3/4 to 1 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 2 tsp. mustard, all mixed together well.

I spread this on top of the loaf halfway through cooking so the sauce wouldn’t get too dry. The final result:

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Paired with mixed fruit and succotash, our meal was ah-mazing!

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Go here for the full recipe – I will say I cut this recipe in half and it was MORE than enough. There was just no way the hubs and I would eat 5 lbs. of meat! LOL

Enjoy! How was everyone else’s weekend? Did you have a long weekend?

21 comments:

lee said...

We have a Vickery's here in Atlanta. I've never been but it definitely doesn't have the view that yours does!

Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg said...

Aw, Vickery's and SNOB-- two of my faves when I lived in Charleston! I miss Charleston restaurants so much!

Heather (Where's the Beach) said...

Sounds like a very nice weekend. Cute picture of you guys! I've never been to Charleston but it's on my list of places I'd love to visit.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a fun weekend!
We just hung out at home....=D
That turkey meatloaf sounds really good!!!!!!!!!!!

CaSaundraLeigh said...

I'd say you had a successful weekend! And lots of good food too :-) I love the idea of the open kitchen in restaurants--it makes for a unique dining experience!

Liz Bridges said...

I LOVE both of those restaurants! Sometimes we go to Vickery's for brunch when we are in town. Also, SNOB is DE-LISH.

Beth @ DiningAndDishing said...

So jealous of that beautiful weather! DC is one giant sheet of ice right now. Glad you took some time to enjoy it :).

Megan D said...

Gotta love Ina Garten! Haha glad you had a great weekend :)

Kerr said...

gorgeous view from vicks!

Anonymous said...

Looks like you had a fun weekend! I did have a long weekend, and it was so nice!

Naomi(Onefitfoodie) said...

INA ROCKS! love her! :)

Pound said...

oh what i would have done to have gone to SNOB and had drinks on a rooftop bar this wknd ;)

Stephanie in Suburbia said...

I love a turkey meatloaf! I typically just make mine with a little ketchup, mustard, steak sauce and herbs. This one looks much heartier!

Simply Life said...

oh what a great looking meal!

Hannah said...

I think it's lovely to have this "regular" post come straight after the exciting announcement! It kinda shows that life can be stupendously happy on a day-to-day level too. :) (Particularly when the day-to-day involves amazing desserts...)

teresa said...

what a nice weekend! i really love turkey meatloaf, i'll have to give it a try!

mr. pineapple man said...

everything looks delicious!

vanillasugarblog said...

oh i only wish i could have your weather. its either raining, snowing or sunless here :-( so depressing erica.
glad you had a fun weekend filled with good eats! good stuff!

Together We Save said...

Those pictures look amazing!!

Anonymous said...

Hey! Nice to *meet* you Mandi!! :) I used to blog a whiiile back and i loved it so much, then life got craz-ayy so I kind of took a hiatus- but I'm back in action and I think it's so sweet that you and Erica are co-blogging!
So jeal of your weather...I moved to Boston last year from Southern California- um ya..as GREAT as it sounds :/ hahaha ooo well gotta deal I guess!? Have a great night! :)

Lea @ Healthy Coconut said...

I worked on Monday so no long weekend for me, but that's alright...it was fun breezing thru without traffic.

Love all the cake puddings on the pictures.

Sometimes when the food isn't too stellar, the ambience can make up for it.