Perfect Sunday Roast

Superbowl Sunday Victory

The big game is just days away! I am all about eating the typical Super Bowl snacks like fried chicken, buffalo wings, potato skins, nachos, etc. - BUT - I am really trying to be kind to my almost 30 waistline.  SO - I will be making my favorite Sunday Roast - it's totally amazing, with a slowly simmered onion gravy and tangy/peppery arugula salad.  I promise if you make this for your game-day groupies, they will be singing your praises all night.  Keep reading for the how-to.

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Ch-EASY Croque Monsieur

Better than your average grilled cheese

The scariest part of this recipe is making the béchamel, one of the classic French mother sauces! But really, it's just melting some butter, and adding flour and milk to it. That's it. You can do it! After that, it's just like slapping together a grilled cheese sandwich amped up with ham, a creamy sauce, and all the cheddar cheese you can find in your, let's face it, over-crowded cheese drawer. Follow the easy step-by-step guide below and make one for yourself tonight!

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First Look: Ruta Del Vino

Latin American Tastiness

Ya'll know I love Petworth.  And GUESS WHAT?! There's a new guy on the block and he is AWESOME.  That guy is a restaurant called Ruta Del Vino, a Latin American food and wine spot on Upshur St. that is drawing in the crowds - and for good reason.  This corner bar leaves traditional tapas behind, and instead opts for larger share plates, appetizers, sandwiches and a handful of entrees to choose from.  Check out my first look below.

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Sips & Suppers - A DC Party with Purpose!

Help Fight DC Hanger & Raise Vital Funds for DC Nonprofits

Now that holiday shopping is over, DC based philanthropic partners DC Central Kitchen and Martha’s Table are thrilled to announce that tickets for the 9th Annual Sips & Suppers fundraising event are now on sale!  Now is the time to buy a gift with a purpose.

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Crostini Craze!

The Ultimate Finger Food

I LOVE crostinis! You can literally take a bunch of random ingredients from your fridge and turn them into something snack worthy by putting them on a piece of toasted bread.  I am always creating crostinis out of leftover ingredients and I am going to share some of my favorites with you below!  Let me know what your favorite crostini toppers are by using #hangrydistrict in your posts!

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B-Holes: From Phobia to Phenom

Entrepreneur Grant Sarvis Stuffs the Competition with his Homemade, Filled, Bagel Holes

B-Holes Bakery is the brain child of founder/owner Grant Sarvis, who came up with the idea while joking around with his buddy.  I wish all of my jokes turned into a business with a cult-like following!  Check out what Grant's up to in December's Hangry Hero spotlight!

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Raspberry Brie Puffs

Holiday Hors D'oeuvres

These brie and jam puffs are one of the first recipes I ever came up with for my first catering gigs. I absolutely love baked brie and wanted a bite sized version to serve as passed hors d'oeuvres.  Behold the brie and jam puffs.  A party favorite for all seasons, these bite sized beauties can be transformed into a savory snack with bacon jam or nuts, or served as a sweet treat with fruit preserves and a sprinkle of powdered sugar.  Whatever you decide, they are destined to delight!

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DC Harvest

Is upscale casual a thing?

So, you may know by know that I am very into all things H Street.  What I didn't know about was this little hidden gem called DC Harvest.  Tucked away amongst construction and office buildings is DC Harvest, an upscale casual restaurant specializing in mostly local and all homemade ingredients utilizing what's in season - my fave.  Check out how I filled my belly below!

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Homestead

Comfort in the city

Petworth's Summer opening of Homestead came with mounting anticipation during the past year, as their name had been emblazoned on the wooden slats at the start of construction outlining what would soon be one of their three outdoor dining spaces. The restaurant is in the heart of Petworth, attracting millennials and foodies alike for a taste of the newest hot spot in the ever growing DC food scene.  I was excited.  I had been following the progress on Instagram, checking out the tentative menu and waiting patiently for the doors to open.  What I experienced was incredible service with passionate employees; a warm, buzzing atmosphere; and overpriced food and drink. Here's how it all went down...

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Tomato & Onion Tarts with Herbed Goat Cheese

Brunch Hero

These tomato and onion tarts have been part of my recipe arsenal since my dad sent a similar recipe to me in 2010.  I had graduated college and secured a big girl job in Northern VA.  Having lived with my parents for about a year after college, they really started to understand my passion for food.  I think I even inspired them, because I started coming home to coq au vin and chicken with mushroom cream sauce -- things that were a far cry from the hamburger helper and spaghetti my brothers and I grew up on. When Dad sent me the tomato and onion tart recipe I thought two things:  1.  I absolutely HAVE to make them, because he has never sent me a recipe before and he must have faith in my abilities now; and 2. Dad HATES tomatoes, so challenge accepted. I made them for Easter brunch and watched from afar as Dad ate not one, but TWO glorious tomato puffs and I smiled to myself and kept right on cooking. Keep reading to find out how you can be the brunch hero of your family.

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Tail Up Goat

G.O.A.T

I find it quite necessary to write about one of DC's G.O.A.T (Greatest Of All Time) restaurants during the final week of the 2016 Summer Olympics.  What's more fitting? The restaurant's name, Tail Up GOAT, even alludes to its greatness.  This Adams Morgan eatery is inviting, cheerful and delicious, scoring high enough marks to earn it a gold medal in the Hangry District rankings.  Even more appealing is knowing that this restaurant is sourcing from local farmers around the area, including one of my all-time faves, Whitmore Farm.

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Shrimp & Pineapple Lettuce Cups

So Fresh & So Clean

SUMMER: The time of year when a lot of my favorite foods come together at peak ripeness and everything is available at the FRESHEST of fresh.  Why not combine all of the things into one tasty, fresh, and healthy dinner that can be eaten around a table full of friends, or standing up in your kitchen because you're too excited to eat it and you never make it to the table (guilty). These shrimp and pineapple lettuce cups are a breeze to make, and you can practice your knife skills during the prep. The pineapple lends sweetness to the tender shrimp, while the summer pico de gallo adds tang and brightness.  A little crunch from some water chestnuts and bibb lettuce, and you're on your way to a super summer supper.  Keep reading for the recipe...

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Radish Toast with Herb Butter

The Best thing ON Sliced Bread

I have basically had radishes on hand since March thanks to my wonderful CSA share from Three Part Harmony Farm.  You may have read my pickling method for them, but they are also delicious in their natural state with softened, salted butter (what isn't?).  Here's an quick and super inexpensive appetizer utilizing herbs and radishes you have on hand to serve for guests or to bring for a light lunch at work.  I also tend to eat this for breakfast when I'm hangry! Keep reading to find out how to get your radish toast on.

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Sally's Middle Name

Sharing is Caring

Sally's Middle Name has been attracting lots of buzz since opening in June of 2015.  It has joined the likes of other H Street treasures such as Maketto, DC Harvest, H St. Country Club, and Granville Moore's. The menu changes daily and the small plates are intended to be shared - my favorite way to eat.  I'm totally the girl that reaches across the table for a bite of whatever my dining companion is eating before I try my own, #hatersgonnahate. Sally's is the perfect place to go with close friends or family for unique flavors; fresh, local ingredients; and impeccable service.  Keep reading to find out what we tried!

- See more at: https://michelle-scholtes.squarespace.com/blog/2016/7/11/sallys-middle-name#sthash.bATVHbcG.dpuf

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I Got a Pickle

Get Yourself Into a One

It's travel season for Hangry District and that means my CSA share from Three Part Harmony Farm has to be preserved in fun and interesting ways so that it's not wasted while I'm away.  With an abundance of fresh vegetables these past few weeks, I decided the best way to preserve would have to be my favorite way - PICKLING.  I haven't quite mastered canning yet, so I chose to quick pickle - or quickle.  Below you'll find the recipe for a variety of quickles that I made using what I already had in my pantry.  I've already polished off all of the cucumbers and I hope you'll enjoy this quick and easy technique as much as I do.  Happy pickling!

- See more at: https://michelle-scholtes.squarespace.com/blog/2016/7/8/i-got-a-pickle#sthash.zfviWzML.dpuf

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Strawberry Rhubarb Galette

For the Lazy Baker

Strawberry rhubarb.  Two of my favorite flavor friends.  I first discovered the wonders of rhubarb at my best friend's house when I was in middle school.  We had just spent a warm Summer day at the Spring Ridge pool and we came home to a rhubarb pie baked by her grandma!  It was love at first bite.  The aggressive tang from the rhubarb lends a perfect complement to the sweet strawberries.  They were meant to be together.  So, I combined my lovely seasonal strawberries and rhubarb from my Three Part Harmony Farm CSA share to make these purrrrfect hand pies and a rustic galette.  I hope you enjoy!

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