Not really! But I’ve been wanting to use that title since we started watching LOST : )
I actually put on professional clothes today and went into the office to work. I do a lot of behind the scenes business for the bakery. Today was all about website + marketing updates for Chocolate Daze of February! Since I usually go to the bakery in jeans and a t-shirt, it was kind of fun to dress up. And I really think the feeling of completing tasks and leaving an office is so satisfying.
I snacked on a big slice of Dakota with peanut butter while I worked!
We also met with a prospective Great Harvest owner and told her about our experiences opening a business (scary) but how glad we are that we went through with it because we’re so happy now (thank goodness!). The meeting inspired me to give a shout out to Matt – he has done an amazing job these past 8 months!
Our dinners normally take us 10 minutes to assemble and cook. This one took a bit longer – but was still a shortcut thanks to The Karen!
She made a double batch of bison meatloaf and brought us a loaf to bake off.
I whipped up a nice glaze to go on top – the best part! 1/2 cup ketchup mixed with 1 tbsp brown sugar
Baked for 40 minutes at 350*
Matt’s dish tonight was making some smashed taters. He was going to try Ellen’s recipe for pan-fried smashed potatoes but our russets didn’t work too well, so they just got smashed into one big pot with some warm milk, butter, s+p and roasted garlic oil
And lastly, I made side salads. Caesar-inspired thanks to big homemade croutons and some whole foods Caesar dressing that I found in our fridge.
And then we proceeded to watch a handful of LOST episodes. Just finished Numbers!
A while later, I filled a tiny bowl with mint chocolate chip and added a dash of milk. Back in middle school, my friend Kirst and I would make these “milkshakes” as an afternoon snack. We’d fill a glass with ice cream and add about 1/3 the volume of milk and just mash it around until it becomes the consistency of a thick milkshake. Divine! I love Breyers ice creams so much because they are lite enough to taste refreshing and not too rich – perfect texture and real ingredients, too.
Moving from one adventure to the next: LOST –> Hunger Games.
{ 56 comments… read them below or add one }
I love the mini milkshake idea!!!! I’m so using that!
Love that “milkshake” idea. I’ve got vanilla in the freezer I could jazz up with a bunch of toppings
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Aahhhhh!!!!
Bwahahahhaha
I add milk to my Breyer’s Mint Chocolate Chip every time I have it!! It’s the only ice cream that I do it to and it makes it so much tastier
Wow, looks so tasty!! What a fabulous dinner! My husband and I finished lost on Netflix a couple months ago. It’s good! And Oh my gosh I can NOT WAIT for the hunger games!!
I am surprised by the salad dressing, I remember you stating before that you find bottled dressings to be “nasty”, I guess you’ve changed your mind?
I normally do – mostly ones that are vinegar based. But Karen discovered this Caesar and it’s really tasty
I have never tried bison. Does bison meat taste gamey? I am sure it is good.
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
I wouldn’t really call it gamey….it’s more like lean beef. But it has a really nice flavor.
Comfort food yo!! My mom used to make meatloaf for us and I remember the ketchup glaze as the best part. Ketchup rules!
Love the 10 sec. milkshake idea. A nice way to add volume to ice cream too.
I like your spin on milkshake. My husband does that with ice cream..and Cool Whip. Lol.
And ketchup is always great with brown sugar, and sometimes some ACV..makes a great glaze for sure.
All over the milkshake baby!
I like Matt’s “Food Person” tshirt – awesome!!
oh my goodness, i just got so excited that you said you added milk to your ice cream bowl to make a little “milkshake”… i do that ALL the time! it’s my favorite way to eat ice cream. i’ve been doing it since high school.
bison meatloaf sounds amazing!! i love bison… and meatloaf… i need to try that some time!
Lost is so addicting!! Mmmm that milkshake in a bowl looks delish!
Please tell me the new owner is opening a store in San Diego. That would be the best news ever.
Unfortunately, no, Virginia. But we are all coming to San Diego for convention in a month! There is also a store in Temecula that opened a year ago or so
That meals looks so tasty – meatloaf & mashed potatoes is definitely a favorite comfort meal of mine
A meatloaf glaze which I love is ketchup, honey, and balsamic..delicious!
What a good dinner. I used to add milk to my ice cream too! Makes it almost like soft serve
Everything looks so delicious! It looks like that meal was a lot of fun to cook. That is definitely the best way to eat. Also, I loved the book Hunger Games. Have you read it yet? I hope you enjoy it!
Haha! I remember those days
I think I might go whip one up right now!
Haha – I was hoping you would see that!!! Best milkshakes ever!
I am so glad the Bakery is working out for you, it seems like such a perfect fit. If you’re interested I just posted a video of my oat roller I got for Christmas. Of course I thought of you.
I haven’t had meatloaf in awhile. So comforting and would be nice on a cold winter day like yesterday. I need to work on a loaf and some potatoes.
Oh, that meal looks so good. I am doing a 7 day recharge eating super super clean, as soon as Sunday comes, it will be over. Then I will be just eating regular “clean eats”. After this post, I know for my Sunday dinner I am going have to make my vegan lentil loaf with spicy bbq glaze!!!!! I think I will also make some light cauliflower/potato mash and roast root veggies. THANK YOU. I need the comfort food inspiration. I am stopping at the store today to make sure I am loaded up!
Salad with creamy dressing goes so well with meatloaf. Ever since I was little I always had to have a salad on my plate w/my meatloaf, roasted veggies and mashed potatoes. 4. 8. 15. 16. 23. 42.
Are you about to start reading the Hunger Games? If so, you will love it! They can be addicting. I just might have to go to the midnight showing when it finally comes out in theaters!
Book II!
Enjoy the book. I loved it too. Eagerly awaiting the movie.
Imma make that milkshake for breakfast, yeah!
so glad to hear that you’ve been enjoying the bakery- I love that you both have done this together!
I think Ive mentioned this before but my husband is also setting up a deli (pizzeria!!) when we return from our trip to the states – its scary (and hard enough work) already… so yes total Well Done Matt!! Its great that u guys can work on it together as well!
ever tried Mayfield ice cream or Blue Bell ice cream? They are big players in the TN ice cream games and oh so delicious. Love the milkshake idea
I don’t know if I’ve had either, but I love the Blue Bell song!!
“Blue-Bell ice-cream….”
Gosh, I haven’t had meatloaf in such a long time! A childhood favourite…loved the ketchup topping! A real homey comfort meal with the mashed potatoes.
My mom adds a splash of milk to her ice cream and so do I! It makes it taste so creamy
I used to love Breyer’s mint chocolate chip when I was a kid… until they started adding “May contain traces of nuts” to their labels so that I could no longer eat it!
That meatloaf looks so good! I’ve always wanted to try bison. Do you know if it’s leaner than beef? I know that a lot of game meats are!
Yes, it’s definitely leaner than beef – and tastes better too!
A well-deserved shout out to Matt for his strong work ethic and for leading the bakery to success so quickly…way to go Matt!!!
Coincidentally, my Dad was describing a similiar Breyer’s-based concoction with me last night. He is sure passionate re. his Breyers!
Are you on Catching Fire?? I’m about finished with it!
I am extremely jealous that you usually cook dinner in 10 minutes. It takes me anywhere from 30-60 minutes! I wonder what the heck I’m doing wrong?
I’m also usually making my lunch and breakfast for the next day during that time, so that might have something to do with it.
Thank you Kath – I now have a major milkshake craving! Great idea with the ice cream + milk + stir idea though! So easy and I don’t have to clean the blender!
LOST is the best! So addicting! I started watching it on DVD like 4 years ago and it turned into an unhealthy relationship with blockbuster, ice cream, and my couch!
Ah! I had turkey meatloaf and salad last night! Sometimes we’re so on the same food page it’s scary! (Even down to the jar we prepare our overnight oats in!
)
Y’know… I’m not normally a fan of meatloaf. I haven’t had or made it in almost two years. But I think the time is coming back around for me to make it again!
Oh, boy, I think “Numbers” might have been my very favorite episode! I think that’s because I saw it, or most of it, before I was actually watching the show, and it was so insanely complicated and interesting even without context. Then later when we actually became viewers, it was so much more meaningful. Plus I love Hurley so much.
Great idea with the mini milkshake! And in a bowl too – classy
Growing up, my BFF & I would mash either chocolate ice cream or vanilla with some Quik until it resembled pate. We’d then spread it on graham crackers, and talk in English accents about how “divine” our pate was. Total dork <–
Love, love, love Bryer’s mint! And Hunger Games for that matter…
I love mini milkshakes and have done the exact same thing for years! Though vanilla bean ice cream is my flavor of choice with some wild frozen blueberries mixed in occasionally.
Everyone here is all about the Blue Bell icecream, but I LOVE Breyers mint chocolate chip the best. I have never been able to find a brand that comes close to it, until recently. Would you believe Aldi’s “Belmont” brand actually comes very close. I checked and saw that you do not have Aldi near you. I will have to try your milkshake trick. Yum!
I’m so glad to read that you and Matt are so happy with the bakery. You two seem to have a great life.
I am in Dallas, TX and we are just about to get a Great Harvest in Plano, TX. Not exactly convenient for me, but I will find a way to get up there once in a while.
When I lived in SC in the late 90s we had one in Irmo. I loved having lunch there and I miss it when I go home.
I was wondering a couple of things about how Great Harvest works. Do they provide you with your recipes, or do you create your own, or both?
Keep up the good work!
I lived in Plano one summer
We can create our own recipes or use the thousands of tested recipes that they provide. It’s up to use. But more often than not we use theirs since they are so good!
WOW that milkshake idea is brilliant. And the meatloaf – I need to make meatloaf. It’s been ages since I’ve done it – I usually use Turkey but I’ve never put brown sugar into my ketchup mix. I’m dying to try it out.
great post! i’ve been wondering where you got that beautiful spoon thats in the milkshake picture. would you mind letting me know where you bought it?
I believe it’s Crate + Barrel