Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

I loved bacon before it was trendy, while it was trendy, and now while other things are more trendy! Its recession proof and like a great black dress, it never goes out of style.

Finding out my boyfriend and I have the same love for tacos. Its our go-to birthday meal too (even if our birthdays are only 2 days apart). There's no such thing as too many tacos!

Skirt steak in a yummy steak taco.

Homemade no-knead bread, tasty cheese and homemade-canned hot peppers in a sweet tomato base. mmmmmm

Did anyone else have one of those 'hasn't she learned anything!' moments when Lisa told us she was going to make a rice pudding for dessert? I'm incredibly surprised she pulled it out.

I agree with others that I was scared before the final reveal that it actually was going to be Lisa but I was so glad it was Stephanie who I had picked from the beginning.

I also cannot believe the Richard had the nerve to bring out that banana scallop again, but I guess if each day is a new challenge then its technically okay.

Butter! It makes a great finish for anything coming off the grill...whether its a juicy steak or a fresh ear of corn.

In the world of food trends...fried/poached eggs are the new bacon! They are the new 'hot' item to enhance almost any dish and I can't seem to go a day of food blog surfing without seeing a new recipe using it. Just yesterday, Metrocurean even had a deep fried poached egg...which just might have to become my new favorite sin.

Tony Bourdain!

My homemade corn dip - 4 cans of corn, 2 cans green chiles, 4 green onions sliced, 1/4 cup mayo, 2 c. shredded cheese, handful chopped cilantro, LOTS of cumin. Eat it with Fritos scoops....just awesome!

Thanks everyone! We had thought of China Grill so that might work...we are even considering splurging on appitizers and sides at Prime 112. Thankfully this is a business trip! I'm also interested in Calle 8 now that its been mentioned...mmmm :)

Although I can't speak for it personally, one of my best friends once dredged cooked bacon in maple syrup, covered it in pancake batter and deep fried it...definitely a heart attack in strip form!

Soup is a winter must and I call my 'go to' recipe "Man Soup" because if you have a guy in your life who shies away from soup - there's no excuse not to love this one!

¾ lb bulk Italian sausage
½ c. Chopped onion
5 c. Beef broth
(1) 14.5 oz can Italian style tomatoes, cut up and undrained
1 c. Thinly sliced carrot
1 teas. Dried basil
1 teas. Dried parsley
2 cloves of garlic mixed (I just use the stuff from the jar)
1/8 t pepper
1 c. Sliced zucchini or summer squash
1 c. Rotini or small shell macaroni
¼ c. Grated parm cheese

In large saucepan or Dutch oven cook Italian sausage and onion until no longer pink. Pour sausage mixture into a colander to drain off fat; rinse meat and drain again. Return sausage mixture to saucepan or Dutch oven and stir in beef broth, undrained tomatoes, carrot, basil, parsley, garlic and pepper.

Bring to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer covered for 10 mins. Stir in zucchini or squash and rotini or mac.

Return to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer covered 10-15 mins or til mac and veggies are tender.

Sprinkle each serving with parm cheese.

One of my best meals in Lisbon was from eleven (looking down over the city, above the hill from the Four Seasons Ritz) and Kais is another good stop. Kais has an atmosphere that is different from any restaurant I've been too. Enjoy!