Chicago Food Pictures

There are a few different pictures here that I didn't put into the right order from my trip to Chicago. Yet, I hope you all enjoy just taking a look at them. I tend to put discriptions on my pictures in my food blog but the reality is that we ate about two main meals over a three day period. The picture of the meat were taken at dinner on Friday night at a Argentine location which was really good and bring your own. Thus, all the pictures of the wine bottles. The other was when we ate deep dish pizza at DonkeyPuncher's place. I also wanted to thank DP for such a great weekend and choice food.

Food With The Baby

Above is a picture of my little cousin, Sarah (AKA The Baby) who was in town for the week a few weeks back and so these are some pictures of the food we shared together in the city. If you are looking for other times we had in the city you can go HERE



This is a salad we had at a new pizza/pasta joint that opened in the city. The food was good and the service was also good. I forget the name of the place but it has gotten good reviews and it should be around for a long while.



The second picture is from the actual PeanutButter Company flagship store. What can is say, we were hungry and we thought a P&J would hit the spot. It was good and something different that you don't find everywhere.



If in NYC you have to eat Lombardi's. Nuff said. I do really like the pizza here and I would have to vote it like probably top 3 easy.



At my favorite dive bar, Night Cafe they have Doodles. I guess they are like cheetoes or something. I really liked them and The Baby loved them.



The last picture is of a fridge of prime aged steaks. The Baby mentioned that her Father loved steaks so we took a picture for him. Looks good, no?

Mom's Chile Verde....CHURCH!

Here is a picture of my folks and the people who taught me how to cook. I'm not sure who is a better cook between the two but I would say they both have their specials. But I went home and they pulled out all the stops for me. This was my first meal when I got home: Chile Verde a la Rosie.



This first picture is of the Chile Verde that my Mommy makes. When I come home there is one meal that I want and this is it. Just looking at this picture conjures up memories of my childhood. Without a doubt the one plate that nobody in my family can touch. My Daddy has a great hand when it comes to cooking but he knows that my Mommy's Chile Verde is Da Bomb! Funny thing is that I did all the prep for this dish and right away my Dad said, Joaquin, you cut the meat didn't you? I was like, sure did Papa...I got the vibe that my Daddy didn't like the way I cut the meat. My Mom quickly said, told you the chunks were too small. Now tell me if that isn't two people who know one another's cooking.



Snap! The key to a good Chile Verde in my opinion is the rice. Serious, the rice has to be bangin for the Chile Verde's taste to surface. It isn't so much a thing where the rice is a side...it is more a part of the main dish. Esp. when the Chile Verde's sauce mixes with the rice...snap, that in itself is a meal.



I can't tell you how old this pot is. Serious, we have been cooking beans in this thing since I can remember. And till this day it is just the right amount of beans to last two days. Sometimes we eat them right out of the pot like this. I like to combine it with my Mom's rice and it is a meal inself with some chile and a tortilla...yummy.



This is what a Mexican Dinner looks like at my home. And it taste better in person to be honest with you. I can't tell you enough how this is my favorite meal that my Mom makes. I mean I love her tamales and all but this is the day in and day out meal that lets me know I'm home.



This is what a Mexican breakfast looks like at our home. Take note of the beans, they were above in the Hoya now they are mushed up and done refried style. I tell you this in the morning can cure any hangover and the smell just brings a smile to my face when I'm home.

In closing, mommy y papi gracias a dios y uds. por este gran comida que siempre me espera cuando llego a casa. Un abrazo, tu mijo, Joaquin Manuel Ochoa