The Roundup: Good Eats

Before I frolick away to continue with interview prep and reading Gawande's articles, I want to share some seriously tasty eats from the past year! To think that this list doesn't even include the amazing food that I had while visiting my friend, Sammie, in Austin is just at travesty (mostly because their tacos and asian fusion food were superb). First up - some amazing chicken, chorizo, and fish tacos that my friend and I had at Bartaco - a new tapas restaurant that just opened up in Reston Town Center!

And guess what? This litle chickadee has been learning how to cook! Here is one of my most recent favorites adapted from Gimme Some Oven's original Italian Chicken Skillet recipe. It's basically chicken breasts marinating in a lot of tomatoes, red peppers, mushrooms, and basil. Low carb and very tasty!

Recently some fellow Dukies came out to Annadale with me to try Honey Pig - a very popular korean BBQ restaurant in the area. We ended up getting the seafood pancake as an appetizer (so yum!) with the bulbogi, brisket, and pork belly as our protein!

Last but not least - I found an awesome copy-cat recipe for PF Chang's famous chicken lettuce wraps. They are officially my mom's favorite dish (that only I can prepare). Learning how to make this gave me the rare pleasure of knowing how to prepare at least one dish for my mom that she herself didn't teach me and that she really likes! Who knew two petite women could finish a pound of ground chicken?

Lots of things have changed in the past year, but here's one thing that never will - my love for breakfast food and an excellent omelet!

Did I tell you guys that I also joined a local book club? The ladies are great and it's forced me to learn how to make hors d'oeuvres! My go-to nowadays is this easy salmon carpaccio! Honey mustard dill is drizzled over the top - tasty and so so easy. I also recently tried some buffalo chicken pinwheels, which went over quite well with the ladies in book club. They did tell me to go easier on the hot sauce next time, though!

I promise not to go disappearing again in the next few months. I'll need a place to document new eats, new experiences, and the interview trail! I'm excited to be starting the interview process again and hope that the end of 2015 will bring just as many new friends, challenges, and experiences as the beginning did! One last ting before I go - I joined my studio's performance salsa team! Didn't think I had it in me, but it turned out being one of the best decisions I've ever made. The people that I've met through performing and the adrenaline-filled experience of dancing on stage in front of hundreds of people = amazing, to say the least!

My last and final thing: I absolutely love the Fall. Big cozy sweaters, hot chocolate, getting the fireplace going and curling up next to it on the couch with a good read - what's not to like? I also love that it's college application season! I've stayed fairly involved with Duke DC's activities & will hopefully be helping to interview again in the spring. My alumni organization reminds me again and again how lucky I am to be part of a community of people who have shared in the wonderful experience of going to Duke! Here's a picture from the last Women's Forum neighborhood coffee event hosted by Duke DC (with our handsome mascot taking a nap in the middle)!