Top 10 ‘Hautest’ Foods on My List for 2014

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Nothing’s more divine than gathering for a fabulous meal with family or friends!

As a self-proclaimed foodie that was raised in an Italian family where food was considered sacred, the art of eating well was practically a religious experience for me.  Lucky for me, I share my life and my love of fine foods with my spouse. We equally enjoy trying the newest, hip restaurants in this great dining-out town of ours,  as well as cooking at home whatever the hottest treats are that are creating all the current  buzz!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         We are not food critics….fashion, as you know, is my expertise, but we know what we like and have cultivated a pallet for the finer foods in life.  The list could go on and this is by no means a complete list of everything we love to eat but  simply a curated list of the ones that are foremost on our must-eat-now list that are mostly healthy, a strong consideration of ours, with a splurge every now and then.

Here are some of our favorite delights….would love to hear what yours are (and if you’re feeling adventurous, click on the links below the images – most come with recipes)!

Kale

Kale

Newest green of choice; can be served alone or we love it tossed in olive oil and garlic and served either hot or cold in a salad with many other veggies, (white canellini beans are divine); it’s a green that you can be creative with, try it roasted or dried in chip form….here, combined, with one of my favorite foods of all time, thin crusted pizza!

Brussels

Brussels Sprouts

This cabbage-family member, which your parents threatened you as a kid that you MUST eat, has become probably one of the hottest veggies around.  We love them roasted as above, but are also a wonderful taste treat, shredded in salads and again works alone or tossed with other veggies; bacon is a popular garnish for this now super popular side dish.

Charcuterie 1

Charcuterie

I’m not sure if this started being a favorite of ours through our much loved Italian exchange student who educated us or on one of our many trips to Italy where it is definitely a way of eating, I only know that we love that it has made its way to most of the newest menus as a great appetizer selection. This selection of cured meats, ala salumi, prosciutto and others, paired with an array of perfect cheeses that must be accompanied by just the right crusty bread (my downfall for sure) and I’ve made a meal of it.  We love to get creative with the condiments trying fresh or dried fruits, honey, preserves or a tasty gourmet mustard….a touch of a great wine and it’s heaven on earth!

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Quail

This wild game has become the hottest foul on every menu these days.  We’re experimenting so we’ve had it many different ways as appetizers and main courses that I must admit it is a delicacy that I am learning to eat.  What I’m learning is that local quail farmers such as Texas Quail Project & Conservation are saying it must be local, must be organically fed and all-natural for the finest flavor. It can be grilled, deep-fried, partially deboned….again, a lot of adventuring going on here, but the taste is divine and everyone is trying it on their menus, so there are many options out there for tasting!

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Mac n Cheese

Here is a basic comfort food that we all grew up on that has taken on a life of its own.  It’s been dressed up with truffle oils and/or  garnished with fine accompaniments. However, you choose to indulge, it is in fact an indulgence that would not be on our list of the healthiest dishes we can suggest, but hey, order one side for the table….a little goes a long way!

MeatballRoom, Boca

Gourmet Meatballs

As an Italian there is nothing more basic than spaghetti and meatballs, a dish I feel I was fed from birth and is still my go to comfort food for a great family meal. However, meatballs, as a gourmet item, have taken center stage and become an appetizer that can stand alone and something that we love to order and I keep in the freezer for a meal to itself….this basic is so popular these days that they were recently rated as to who had the best meatballs in town by a local food critic…….congrats to Nash on that one!

Pork Sliders

Pulled Pork Sliders

Pork, advertised for years as the other white meat, is gaining in importance as many of the hippest, highest-rated new restaurants that have been opening in our town, feature this now popular delicacy, cooked, sauced and pulled in many different ways!

Quinoa

Quinoa

This is our tribute to healthy eating. Quinoa, which is not the newest grain on the shelf, has established itself as a most versatile option for the health-minded side of all of us. It is a staple in most Vegan diets, is also Gluten-free and Cholesterol-free. Mixed with an assortment of veggies, tasty oils and cheeses, can be served hot or cold. This delicious, health food has taken on a creative edge and is truly a delightful way to eat with conscience!

Spaghetti Squash

Spaghetti Squash

For those of us that could eat pasta 24/7, but know we shouldn’t, here is an alternative that in my home, has even passed the family-test of pretty darn close to eating spaghetti in a much healthier way…..key to this one becoming a favorite is to really learn how to cook that squash correctly and then the right garnish and sauce will make it rock!

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Hamburger

This is our Ode to the Food we just grew up to love…..the most favored dish in America has always been the Hamburger and Burger Joints/Burger Trucks are popping up all over the city, showing us new ways to make this staple their own.  So maybe we didn’t pick the healthiest example to show…..but you can sub a turkey burger, that helps, and un-garnish a bit…..or just go for it, this is one of those splurges, like fried chicken for me,  that you just have to have a fix of every now and then!

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About Julie Weinstein

Julie Lauren is a podcaster, writer, and author. She went to college for fashion merchandising and upon graduating in 2008 she started working in the fashion industry (Intermix followed by Oscar de la Renta) followed by working with Petra Nemcova. Julie started her blog (originally titled “from prosecco to plaid”) in 2011 as well as freelance writing, and she still writes at her website julielauren.com and on various websites. Her first book, "Oops!" came out in 2015 and it’s an insider’s guide to dating, sex, and relationships in your 20s, and she’s currently working on a novel. Her podcast "Hashtag No Filter" launched in January of 2018 and is all about real conversations with real people. No sugar coating and no BS. Her guests include comedians, reality stars, actors, entrepreneurs, and other inspiring and funny men and women. Aside from her own brand, she works with select clients on their social media, content creation, influencer management, and overall brand strategy and partnerships.

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