WFD? Pasta Fresca

There are a lot of things that I miss about living in Dallas.

First is the shopping.  No more needs to be said about that.

The second, is the food.  I miss the vast variety of fine dining and casual eateries.  Don't get me wrong, food in Joplin is good, but there are restaurants I miss desperately.

So speaking of shopping and dining, I found myself thinking of The Grand Luxe Cafe last night. It was a place I would stop in often while shopping in the Galleria (that I used to live only 2 short exits away from....oh yes, it was dangerous).

I recently made a trip to D-town for my bestie Kim's big 30th celebration.  While I was there, I filled up on as much Tex-Mex as possible, of course.  I hit up the N Bistro at Nordstrom (the fries and olive aoli - my god).  I even managed to sneak some Pinkberry in.  But I never got around to visitng the Grand Luxe Cafe.

I also hit up Central Market.  One of my greatest thrills in life is shopping at a fabulous grocery store.  I often walk into Central Market, breath it in, and I am convinced that it is the happiest place on earth.  It truly rivals Disney World for me.  And while I was there this last trip, I picked up the most beautiful baby eggplants and colorful cherry tomatoes.

WFD? Smokey Three Bean Chili

I thought about calling this Texas Three Bean Chili, because the flavor reminds me of Texas BBQ in a sort of  way.  However, it's SO not a traditional Texas chili (or traditional chili in a lot of ways).  Chili is the official dish of the state of Texas and Texans take their chili very seriously.

I think the Texan in me just wont let me call it Texas Three Bean Chili.  It would be near blasphemous...

I digress...

I wanted to make a chili that didn't have ground beef or turkey or chicken or whatever in it.  I know traditionally chili is made with chopped meat and no beans (we're talking back on the chuckwagon in Texas  folks).  But you know me, I thought let's do the opposite and use ALL beans!  And maybe a little of this too!  NO ONE WILL SUSPECT BUTTERNUT SQUASH!!

So NOT a Texas chili.  It's anti-Texas chili.  Maybe I should have called it that.  

Anyway...