When you read Baltimore, did you immediately think of Channing Tatum in
Step Up? If your answer is even 50% yes, then we should be friends. I went to Baltimore this month, and when I told people I was going to Baltimore, no one really understood why. Well what they don't understand, is that Baltimore is actually a little gem of a city. This was my second time to Baltimore, and while I realize parts are dangerous, in what I saw, Baltimore is a big city with a small town feel. It's where you stop on walks and talk to strangers about their rescue dog. It's where they know your order at the coffee shop. It's where all the houses are beautiful because they are big, old, and wooden with front porches to drink lemonade on.
I went to Baltimore to visit my friend Hannah, who may very well affect my total view of Charm City because she and her family are those kind people who smile at strangers and will invite you over for lemonade. But anyway, both times I've been in Baltimore, I have thoroughly enjoyed it.
Once upon a time, Hannah and I lived in Tanzania together. We taught a rural village about HIV prevention. Teaching and living there was bonkers great, but the lifestyle of Tanzania 1) has a lot of down time and 2) does not have dairy products. While food was the least of our worries while we were there, Hannah and I found common ground in talking about all the food we would eat when we got back home. We talked about meatloaf and macaroni and cheese and found that we shared a love of Martha Stewart's mac! We discussed Trader Joe's peanut butter cups, how much cheese we'd be eating when we got home, even if it made us sick, and chocolate ganache milkshakes. While torturous, it was so fun. Our eating talk, and our friendship have continued into present day. So this Baltimore trip was largely about food. We went to various eateries and we baked of course!
Let's re-live!
The chocolate ganache milkshakes? Those are at Good Stuff Eatery in DC. We found our dreams of ganache ended up being more of a hot fudge milkshake. But in
pursuit of this milkshake, we tried the ultimate winner: a toasted
marshmallow milkshake. Literally, campfire in your mouth! Our homegirl (we
pretend) Joy the Baker has a
recipe! We also ate our fair share in burgers and french fries. Hannah's had a fried egg on it, how can you go wrong with that? I got the Obama Burger: onion marmalade, bacon, and horseradish mayo. What up Obama! I'm glad we are both swayed by the word "horseradish" on a menu! By the time we got to Good Stuff, we were so hungry that we ordered enough to feed at least two more people. Hannah is afraid for what we will be feeling 30 minutes from this picture. Rightfully so.
We made Momofuku's corn cookies from the box. It's like cornbread in cookie form. I have to say, we both thought they were a bit strange and that they needed something. I want to try their compost cookies next!
Meet Huck. He is 5 months old and Hannah's new best friend! I have selflessly volunteered myself as the far away aunt that spoils him. I painted him a dog dish. He liked biting my hands and stealing my socks from deep in my luggage.
Pretty tomatoes at Belvedere Market!
This one frequented talks in Tanzania. It is the Hannah made infamous Neopol's Smoked Salmon BLT on Sunflower Flax bread. While Hannah does talk things up, this one took the cake. Delicious. You know how after you eat a sandwich and the roof of your mouth is all torn up? I secretly love that, as long as the sandwich was worth it. In this case, this one definitely is. Smoked Salmon, Apple-wood Smoked Bacon, the L and T, some added red onion, and some dilly dijon mustard. Try to tell me you aren't drooling!
Mojitos and conversations at the top of the
American Visionary Arts Museum. I had no idea this museum existed and I really loved it. Beautiful.
I've talked this meal up over the last couple years. Hannah took me to Donna's the first time I came to Baltimore and I have been thinking about this meal since. Grilled Romaine Steak Salad and Truffle Mac and Cheese. The truffle mac I think is the best I've had. I dream about truffles. This mac and cheese is mature and luxurious. It's rich and fancy. If it were a person it would lounge on velvet couches and wear emeralds. But let's not overlook the Grilled Romaine. Grilling Romaine! What an idea. I love it. It wilts the leaves to a point, but gives them a charred taste and still keeps the crunch from the veins and the heart of the leaf. On top of that, throw on some sweet caramelized onions, ripe tomatoes, juicy steak, and goat cheese. I literally have said before that it could be a contender for my Last Supper. It is definitely in the running.
Baltimore is a place where at brunch they give you complimentary warm cinnamon rolls. That sounds like dreamland doesn't it? Sunday morning brunch we shared french toast and a Baltimore Crab Benedict! We had to get crab in the trip at some point, but didn't make it back to Faidley's for the famous crabcakes.
We then had a baking adventure and made Joy the Baker's Peanut Butter Cake in bundt form (post to come soon). Bundts are my new fave, and Hannah's mom gave me her spare as a handmedown! Thanks Jane!
Our last lunch we went back to Belvedere Market to Neopols and got smoked Cubanos, shared some bacon brussels sprouts, and enjoyed a refreshing cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom lemonade. That one I need to figure out how to make for spring time because I finished mine and drank most of Hannah's sister's lemonade too!
Baltimore, Hannah, and family, thanks for the eats! I'm already excited for my next visit and more food adventures!
