Bordeaux-Crowne Plaza Lansing West

925 S Creyts Rd. (Inside Crowne Plaza Lansing West)

Lansing Charter Township, MI 48917

517-323-4190

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/194/1025468/restaurant/Lansing/Lansing/Bordeaux-Lansing-Charter-Township

My office mate Steffany and I had the opportunity to attend an Autism conference in Lansing, unfortunately our room was not ready, however the staff gave us two free drink vouchers which we were forced to take. Starving from sitting down all day we ordered an appetizer and partook in some cocktails while we waited for our room. We had wonderful service, checked into our room an hour later and then wandered back down for happy hour and dinner and office-mates sis in law to join us. Bordeaux offered a drink special -last nights was a berry margarita....went quite well with the beer cheese and pretzel basket (so hungry I forgot to take a picture..oopsies)  The restaurant was quite busy due to two other conferences, this added some entertainment to our evening and a much later bedtime then planned. Service continued to be excellent, food was good, pretty flowers on tables and drink specials were yummy.



Grilled Greek Flatbread $8

Tomato, red onion, olives, feta cheese, pepperoncini, artichoke hearts, and Greek Dressing on the side. I loved the huge chunks of artichoke and all of the feta. Enough for my full meal, but would also be great as a split appetizer.  

Baked Polenta- Wyclef Jean Radio

I love polenta...super easy, gluten free vegetarian option. You can use it as an appetizer, for breakfast with eggs or as a main meal piled high with veggies.  This recipe is the appetizer version. Polenta can be found at Meijer's usually in the pasta aisle. Less then four dollars for one roll or you can make your own at home. I have not tried the homemade version, but I imagine it is pretty simple and tastes like grits...mmmmmm mmmmm do I love some cheesy grits.  

One roll of Polenta sliced (about 20 pieces)

One cup of sliced mushrooms

Two roma tomatoes sliced

Rondele cheese (I used artichoke)

1/3 cup of feta cheese

1/3 cup of shredded parmesan

Salt and Pepper and garlic powder

Olive oil spray

Pre-heat oven to 350. To make my polenta less mushy I used a griddle, to crisp up a little prior to baking. You can do either way. If you do not have a griddle, you can use a skillet with a little bit of olive oil. Slice the polenta, one roll gave me about twenty pieces. Spray a skillet or pan with olive oil. Add the polenta and sprinkle salt, pepper and garlic powder. Repeat after flipping. After you have crisped your polenta to a nice golden yellow on either side. Lay on a cookie sheet.

Take a small amount of rondele cheese and add a small teaspoon side dollop to each polenta. Place one sliced roma tomato on top of the rondele cheese.

Add a sliced mushroom on top of tomato and sprinkle with feta and parmesan.  

 

 Bake at 350 for fifteen minutes. If you did not crisp your polenta before, you can bake at a higher temperature or broil for the last 5 minutes.  

ENJOY!!!

Green Pepper Puff Pastry Rolls

Prison Bound-Social Distortion

This is one of my favorite appetizers to make. I try to always have some puff pastry in my fridge to make yummy cheesy snackers. This method is quicker then doing individual biscuits, but it still yummy. You can also switch green pepper out for whatever your favorite veggie is. You can pack these little bites of warm goodness full of whatever your heart desires.


1 1/2 blocks of cream cheese.
1 diced green pepper (or your favorite veggie)
10 shakes of garlic powder
1/3 cup of shredded Swiss cheese
1/3 cup of shredded parmesan cheese
1/2 cup of white chopped onion
Pepper and Salt
1/4 cup of egg whites


Pre-heat oven to 400. Make sure you have thawed your puff pastry for at least two hours prior to using. Package comes with two sheets, prior to thawing, put one sheet in zip lock bag and stick back in freezer if you aren't using right away. It does not freeze well once thawed. Add cream cheese to bowl, mix in green pepper, onion, garlic powder, as well as egg whites. Set aside.
Roll out one sheet of puff pastry, I don't have a roller, so I tossed and turned it until it was perfect size for my pan. Sprinkle parmesan and Swiss cheese on sheet of pastry. I added pepper and salt here as well.




Spread cream cheese mixture on puff pastry sheet, making sure to cover all areas.  

Starting closest to you, roll puff pastry, it will stretch as you roll it. Once rolled into a lovely cheese filled log, spray cookie sheet or parchment paper. Cut log into 1/2 inch wheels and lay cut side down on pan. Bake for 20 minutes, making sure not to burn bottoms. Mine were a little crispy here, but still turned out nice. My batch baked at least 20 rolls. This is the quicker version. Generally I cut individual squares and make pouches. Takes a little more time, but works well if you are adding extra veggies, like artichoke, spinach and asparagus. More recipes coming soon : )

ENJOY!!!

Zeb's Trading Co.

7990 S 8th St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-6778 

http://www.allmenus.com/mi/texas/42439-zebs-trading-co/menu/

At first I was a little bit skeptical of driving out of my normal five mile radius, however Zeb's was totally worth it! $1.00 bloody Mary's and yummy vegetarian food. Can't be beat! They also have outdoor seating. Service was great too! I have been back since and tried the potato skins. Also deeeelish!

$1.00 Bloody Mary!! $.25 for green olive skewer, comes with a pickle.

Pictured below is a double for $2.00

 Veggie Pita $6.95

avocado, lettuce, tomato, onion, sprouts and mozzarella cheese on fresh pita bread, served with pasta salad and ranch dressing on the side. I ordered mine toasted, this was large enough for Ben and I to split.

 

Large pasta salad as a side. Was super delish and Ben doesn't like olives so I ate them all : )

Jalapeno Poppers

 I Need a Dollar-Aloe Blacc

This is one of my favorite appetizers to make...actually favorite to eat. The jalapeno's can be a lil' bit tricky to get every seed out. This particular batch I left some seeds in to add some spice, however they were so spicy that I immediately gave myself the hiccups and my sister had a hot mouth for the rest of the evening. Soooo..with that being said. If you don't like kick.....LEAVE NO SEEDS untouched! Otherwise...leave a few and Enjoy!

If you are not a fan of jalapenos you can make this recipe using your favorite pepper or cherry tomato's.

One package of Neufchatel cream cheese (I bought 1/3 less fat)

9 large Jalapenos

1/4 cup of finely chopped white onion

1/3 cup of cheddar cheese

3 chopped garlic cloves

Salt and Pepper

Something crunchy for on top

(I used jalapeno crumbles that you would put on a salad, which could be why they were extra, extra spicy, you can use bread crumbs or potato chips as well)

Turn oven on to 375. In a bowl add cream cheese, its easier to work with if it is room temperature. You can set out on oven while you go to work on the jalapenos. Cut top of each jalapeno off and then cut length wise. Use a knife to remove all seeds from each side and rinse. Lay on paper towel to dry.

Take your cream cheese and add chopped white onion, cheddar cheese, chopped garlic cloves, 5ish grinds of black pepper and mix well.  Add this mixture to your dry jalapenos, sprinkle salt on top and add your favorite crunchy item.

Bake for 15 minutes.

I like to turn up the heat to 475 the last couple of minutes to get an extra crispy top.

ENJOY!! 

Old Chicago

 

5314 S. Westnedge Ave.

Portage, MI 49002

269-344-1111

http://www.oldchicago.com/locations/portage

Benny and I have been searching for a go to spot for Trivia, yummy food and drink specials. We tried Old Chicago on a Friday after work and it had all three : ) Their starters were all half off and drink specials included ALL draft beers and well liqueur's. Even though I  did get my butt beat in Trivia, still had a wonderful time. Service was great (we sat at the bar, but the manager checked on us, as well as two different bar tenders) Ended up being a cheap date for Benny, thanks to their awesome specials. We left very full! Next time we'll have to try the pizza!

Grilled Cheese Panini With Tomato Soup Dip $5.89        

Handmade ciabatta bread stuffed with five cheeses, layered with marinated cherry tomatoes, garlic sauce and black pepper. If you are craving a grilled cheese and tomato soup this is perfect! Couldn't beat the half off price of less than $3.00!! Warm and cheesy with lots of flavor. 

Artichoke Dip $8.09 

Artichoke hearts melted with cream cheese and our own spice blend. Served with fresh garlic bread and veggies. This appetizer came with garlic bread that would have been good on its own, but the dip made it perfect. Tons of veggies hiding underneath the bread too...green pepper, carrots, celery and cucumber made a vegetarian very happy. I like that the dip is made with cream cheese and not mayo as well, lots of garlic. mmmmmmmmmm mmmm good.  

Angry Orchard and Soft Parade with Trivia....Perfect~!

 

Avacado Bean Salad

 You Belong with Me-Taylor Swift

This yummy avocado salad, adds a little extra protein then typical guacamole. Love them beans! You can substitute northern beans for garbanzo, refried or navy beans. Add extra jalapenos for some more flavor. Perfect in quesadillas, on top of tacos, with chips or just plain.

2 firm avocados

1 cup of chopped cilantro

1 green onion chopped

1/2 cup of white onion

1 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup of green pepper

1 can of Great Northern Beans

2 jalapenos

1 tablespoon of garlic powder

3 shakes of salt

tablespoon of lime juice

Open can of beans and rinse in strainer, set aside. In a large bowl chop and add green onion, cilantro, white onion, celery, green pepper. Mix well. Add beans. Take two avocado's and chop lengthwise. Dice into small squares and add to bowl. Take two jalapenos and cut lengthwise. Carefully scrape seeds into garbage (make sure they do not touch your fingers, especially if you wear contacts..YOWSA! My friend Ali says put olive oil on your fingers to avoid the sting, I always forget until after). Dice jalapenos. and add to bowl. If you want some extra kick leave some of the seeds.  Add salt, lime juice, garlic powder. Mix well-I leave the seed in with the mixture to keep the color longer the lime juice helps with this as well.

Enjoy!