always sunny.
Okay, okay, so I lied about posting more in the month of May. I really meant to, life just got in the way. But now I am back with another Adventure and (bonus!) another recipe!
This weekend was a tornado of activity running straight through the state. In Carrolltown, two co-workers were married by an officiant from the Church of the SubGenious in a crazy barn wedding. There was camping in 30° weather and delicious BBQ ribs. There were no barn animals, which might account for the ribs.
Since Carroltown is half-ish way to Philly it only made sense to continue the rest of the way. On to OCP Live! The Last Known God was a wonderful tour guide through the city, bringing a unique sense of disdain to local landmarks.
The group started off at old city hall and took the underground train to the Italian Market. After walking, walking, and still more walking lunch was purchased at Sarcone's Bakery. If you crave more than subs you are sure to find it on S. 9th Street. Classic Italian coffee houses, gelato stands, and fish on ice are all at hand.
If you continue walking long enough, eventually you will run into Pat's and Geno's, two Philly Cheesesteak shops at the center of a bitter rivalry. Don't plan to eat at either unless you really want to stand in a long line. Our resident tour-guide wasn't a fan of the local sandwich, but another member of the group claimed the best cheesesteak is always the one you end up eating.
Eventually we made our way up to South Street and stopped for drinks at the Tattooed Mom. For the most part it was a pretty standard bar, but it did have a playful theme. The walls were lined with clocks that all pointed to a different time (an OCD person's worst nightmare), and various toy figurines. Even if your companions are less than entertaining, the bar conveniently puts out classic childhood toys on each table. Ours had plastic frogs that jump when you press a tab on their butts.
Buildings in Philly are often built incredibly close to one another and yet, they still have windows. The Tattooed Mom makes the best of this weirdness by putting brightly colored, psychedelic sculptures in the tiny alleyway so they are viewable from the windows.
More walking ensued, honestly, we walked so much I can't remember if this next stop happened before or after South Street. The important thing to know is at some point we ended up at Philadelphia's Magic Gardens. According to the Last Known God it's a glimpse into the mind of madman. Over the course of seventeen years artist Isiah Zagar transformed his home, inside and out, into a magnificent mosaic, even the bathroom. I can't even begin to properly explain the sight, especially on a sunny day. So instead, here are some photos of the insanity.
For dinner we retraced our steps to a small alley off of South Street. There is just one door that opens onto S. Leithgow Street. You must ring the doorbell to gain entry to this unique Moroccan restaurant, Marrakesh. After you are seated the menu is explained to your party and the host washes your hands in rose water and passes out towels in lieu of napkins. This meal has the potential to become incredibly messy.
It is a seven course meal that takes approximately three hours to consume. The first is a plate of marinated eggplant, carrots, cucumber and tomatoes that you eat with pita bread. Be sure to hang onto some pita for the next course. Next you are presented with bastilla, a dish that shouldn't work at all, and yet... It is a hot dish: phyllo dough stuffed with chicken, nuts, and eggs then doused in powdered sugar. This is where the pita bread comes in handy, the phyllo dough is incredibly hot when they bring it to you so you can use the pita bread to break it up without burning your hands. By now you are probably starting to feel your pants start to tighten, but keep going, it is well worth it.
The roasted chicken is marinated in lemon and spice making it incredibly juicy and tender. Couscous comes next, you may like it, but I personally skipped this dish. Eating from a communal plate doesn't freak me out, but couscous? That stuff is weird. Moving on... beef kabobs! After this point, buttons may be bursting, but you must go on, you must try the baklava! Now let me say, I have had baklava before, homemade baklava even, but I never found it to be all that, too nutty. This time around I was pleasantly surprised, it was so sweet and moist you almost forgot there were nuts at all. To round out the rest of desert you are served whole fruit on a tray and mint tea. After all the walking we did, this meal really hit the spot.
There were other notable spots we visited, we walked past the Betsy Ross house, stared at a stone slab underneath which Ben Franklin is buried, there was even a curiosity shop. The buildings aren't as traditional as one would expect from a city that has so much history and the Liberty Bell is housed inside. For these and a few other reasons, I don't know if I would recommend going to Philly for the sake of going to Philly, but if you find yourself in town, you should definitely take a walk around.
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In the past I've presented you with Flatbread White Pizza, but that requires effort and flour. What about days when you don't have either? Never fear, tortilla pizza is here! Born out of a pairing of complete laziness and a lack of prepackaged flatbread, this pizza is quick, easy, and oooooh so tasty.
Tortilla
Basil & Sundried Tomato Infused EVOO
Shredded Italian Blend Cheese
Sun-dried Tomatoes
Prosciutto Ham, sliced thin
Artichokes
Feta Cheese
Slather your tortilla with a thin coat of EVOO, then sprinkle on a thin layer of Italian cheese. I used Giant Eagle brand this time around, but Organic Valley has the best Italian blend.
Here is where the deliciousness comes in. Usually I suggest you add your own toppings, but this combination is so good I suggest you try it for yourself. Start out with a few sun-dried tomatoes, then add the meat of the gods. No, I am not talking about bacon, I'm talking about the mother of bacon, prosciutto! (Literally, prosciutto means ham in Italian.) On top of that add a few artichokes. I recommend picking the leaves apart in lieu of sticking a whole artichoke on the pizza. Top it off with a light dusting of feta cheese and pop that baby in the oven at 400° for ten minutes.
 |
| the happy couple |
 |
| Work Family Photo |
Since Carroltown is half-ish way to Philly it only made sense to continue the rest of the way. On to OCP Live! The Last Known God was a wonderful tour guide through the city, bringing a unique sense of disdain to local landmarks.
The group started off at old city hall and took the underground train to the Italian Market. After walking, walking, and still more walking lunch was purchased at Sarcone's Bakery. If you crave more than subs you are sure to find it on S. 9th Street. Classic Italian coffee houses, gelato stands, and fish on ice are all at hand.
Eventually we made our way up to South Street and stopped for drinks at the Tattooed Mom. For the most part it was a pretty standard bar, but it did have a playful theme. The walls were lined with clocks that all pointed to a different time (an OCD person's worst nightmare), and various toy figurines. Even if your companions are less than entertaining, the bar conveniently puts out classic childhood toys on each table. Ours had plastic frogs that jump when you press a tab on their butts.
Buildings in Philly are often built incredibly close to one another and yet, they still have windows. The Tattooed Mom makes the best of this weirdness by putting brightly colored, psychedelic sculptures in the tiny alleyway so they are viewable from the windows.
More walking ensued, honestly, we walked so much I can't remember if this next stop happened before or after South Street. The important thing to know is at some point we ended up at Philadelphia's Magic Gardens. According to the Last Known God it's a glimpse into the mind of madman. Over the course of seventeen years artist Isiah Zagar transformed his home, inside and out, into a magnificent mosaic, even the bathroom. I can't even begin to properly explain the sight, especially on a sunny day. So instead, here are some photos of the insanity.
For dinner we retraced our steps to a small alley off of South Street. There is just one door that opens onto S. Leithgow Street. You must ring the doorbell to gain entry to this unique Moroccan restaurant, Marrakesh. After you are seated the menu is explained to your party and the host washes your hands in rose water and passes out towels in lieu of napkins. This meal has the potential to become incredibly messy.
It is a seven course meal that takes approximately three hours to consume. The first is a plate of marinated eggplant, carrots, cucumber and tomatoes that you eat with pita bread. Be sure to hang onto some pita for the next course. Next you are presented with bastilla, a dish that shouldn't work at all, and yet... It is a hot dish: phyllo dough stuffed with chicken, nuts, and eggs then doused in powdered sugar. This is where the pita bread comes in handy, the phyllo dough is incredibly hot when they bring it to you so you can use the pita bread to break it up without burning your hands. By now you are probably starting to feel your pants start to tighten, but keep going, it is well worth it.
 |
| full bellies |
 |
| AMURIKA! |
--
In the past I've presented you with Flatbread White Pizza, but that requires effort and flour. What about days when you don't have either? Never fear, tortilla pizza is here! Born out of a pairing of complete laziness and a lack of prepackaged flatbread, this pizza is quick, easy, and oooooh so tasty.
Tortilla Pizza
Ingredients:Tortilla
Basil & Sundried Tomato Infused EVOO
Shredded Italian Blend Cheese
Sun-dried Tomatoes
Prosciutto Ham, sliced thin
Artichokes
Feta Cheese
Slather your tortilla with a thin coat of EVOO, then sprinkle on a thin layer of Italian cheese. I used Giant Eagle brand this time around, but Organic Valley has the best Italian blend.
Here is where the deliciousness comes in. Usually I suggest you add your own toppings, but this combination is so good I suggest you try it for yourself. Start out with a few sun-dried tomatoes, then add the meat of the gods. No, I am not talking about bacon, I'm talking about the mother of bacon, prosciutto! (Literally, prosciutto means ham in Italian.) On top of that add a few artichokes. I recommend picking the leaves apart in lieu of sticking a whole artichoke on the pizza. Top it off with a light dusting of feta cheese and pop that baby in the oven at 400° for ten minutes.
You'll know when it's done because your cheese will be perfectly melted and your crust nice and crispy. Simple. Sweet. Crusty.
