Sort of. In getting ready for the new semester, I’m trying out new healthier recipes for lunch so I don’t have to subsist on hamburgers every day (which, while delicious, would be bad), so here are two experiments:

First, pan fried wheat noodles with tofu in a Dr. Pepper/soy reduction. Yesh, the Dr. Pepper isn’t too healthy, and it doesn’t do anything for the flavor other than add a bit of a caramel finish. I think I’d be better off using Sprinte or white wine the next time.

Next is brown rice risotto with veg. I completely understand now why risotto is such a delicacy: it took me and hour of constant stirring to get the rice cooked! However, it was totally worth the effort. Fresh lemon juice just before serving gives it a nice finish.





YUM!

…BREAKFAST CUPCAKES! They’re butter cupcakes with maple frosting and a sausage link on top.

Next: meatloaf cupcakes!

I LOVE Weird City Theatre, not only because I’m a company member and because next summer they’re doing a superhero play that I’m writing (!!!), but because they put on some innovative shows, and Hallowe’en is our favorite season. Last year, we did “Night of the Living Dead“, and this year WTC has adapted F. W. Murnau’s “Nosferatu” for the Austin stage (picture to come soon). Early reviews say it’s a hit, and I’ve been fortunate enough to house manage the show, and to provide concessions, particularly, Elvis cupcakes: banana cupcakes with peanut butter frosting and candied bacon. So far, people seem to like them.

Since I’ve been asked for the recipe, I’m going to post it here; however, I’m going to start with a disclaimer: these aren’t my recipes. I’m not even sure this is an original idea (I’m actually too scared to google it). The other day I was thinking about what would be a great treat for the show, and this came to mind.

Banana cupcakes:

* 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
* 3/4 cup sugar
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
* 1 1/2 cups mashed bananas (about 4 ripe bananas), plus 1 whole banana, for garnish (optional)
* 2 large eggs
* 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a standard 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
2. Make a well in center of flour mixture. In well, mix together butter, mashed bananas, eggs, and vanilla. Stir to incorporate flour mixture (do not overmix). Dividing evenly, spoon batter into muffin cups.
3. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of a cupcake comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pan; cool completely on a wire rack.

Peanut butter frosting:

* 1/2 cup butter, softened
* 1 cup creamy peanut butter
* 3 tablespoons milk, or as needed
* 2 cups confectioners’ sugar

1. Place the butter and peanut butter into a medium bowl, and beat with an electric mixer. Gradually mix in the sugar, and when it starts to get thick, incorporate milk one tablespoon at a time until all of the sugar is mixed in and the frosting is thick and spreadable. Beat for at least 3 minutes for it to get good and fluffy.

Candied bacon:

1. Preheat over to 425.
2. Place bacon on a rack inside a cookie sheet and sprinkle liberally with brown sugar.
3. Bake until shiny and crisp (about 25 minutes)

Assemble all the parts. Try them at your next party and let me know how they go over.

Eli’s Tavern at 1002 W 26th St, whose website I would link to if they had one, but they don’t because it’s a little hole-in-the-wall neighborhood bar in Erie, PA and needs to stay that way, serves the best wings I’ve ever had. And I’ve eaten a lot of wings in my day. They boast a menu of 47 different sauces and 12 dry rubs – some are much more successful than others, but in general, you can’t go wrong with any of them. The wings are meaty and juicy, the skin is crisp and snaps when you bite into it.

Dear lord, I’m so sorry I’m back in Austin. I’m hungry for these wings!!!!!!

My brother, his friend Michelle and I got wings from Eli’s two days before I left for Austin, and as you can see from the picture above, we got quite a bit – deep fried pretzels with jalapeño cheese, 20 regular buffalo wings, 8 teriyaki jalapeño, 8 hot honey and 8 24 karat gold (spicy mustard sauce). I also had two draughts of Yuengling at the bar while I waited for dinner to be made. All told, the bill was $32.

Gotta love a small town neighborhood bar! Get you some Eli’s next time you’re in Erie!!