Houston Bucket List

So, I cannot wait to move out of Houston, but I do awknowledge that this city does offer many distractions. The following is my "everything I want to do in Houston before I move in (less than) 2 years:

-sam houston park
-hermann park X
-one's a meal X
-katz's X
-waterwall (galleria area)
-discovery green X
-miller outdoor theater
-zoo X
-museum district X
-theater district
-breakfast klub
-sushi raku X
-memorial park
-lankford X
-niko niko's
-hair lab X
-studio 31 X
-washington street X
-two rows X
-west U X
-paul mitchell hair school
-22 hair salon
-harwin street X
-woodlands
-times barber shop
-space center
-kemah X
-galveston

I have a few things still to X off the list, and, yes, I have been to Galveston/Woodlands/Space Center but the husband hasn't, so I am keeping them on the "to-do" list! The Breakfast Klub is supposed to have great chicken and waffles and all of Bud's law school friends rave about it, so I think we need to go soon.

We were less than thrilled with Kemah, we rode the Ferris wheel which was fun, but the rest was pretty boring and overpriced. I have been looking for a good show to go and see in Houston, but nothing has caught my eye yet...and I love theater, I'm just being picky. I really want to do the Nutcracker ballet that is put on every year, but it usually conflicts with going out of town and seeing family during the holidays.

The best Houston restaurants have been Katz's deli and One's A Meal (and they happen to be next door to one another in Montrose. I love Greek food and One's A Meal is simple, delicious and has a wonderful, relaxed family atmosphere. I highly recommend it to anyone. Sushi Raku is a beautiful restaurant with GREAT sushi. Bud and I went to a store called "High Fashion Fabrics" right across the street after doing lunch there and it made me really wish that I could sew.

Any other Houston happenings I should visit before leaving? I plan on moving to a town no bigger than 50 people so that we'll finally have some space and I can run for mayor, so I need to get all of the big city fun out of the way before then.

Layne's Sauce



Attention all Aggies: This is a spot-on Layne's sauce recipe. Warning: Highly addictive and very accessible. I love being able to have a little taste of Aggieland right in my own home (I buy the pre-made Texas Toast, crinkle cut fries and popcorn chicken all in the freezer section of HEB to go with the sauce), but this is highly addictive and I have had to restrain myself from eating nothing but fried chicken and Layne's sauce for every meal. For the record, I have only made this twice and once was for a party...but, full disclosure, I made a huge batch so I would have extras.  Anyway here it is and remember to let it sit for at least three days:

3/4 c. Mayo

1/4 c. Ketchup

5 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp. Black Pepper

1/2 tsp. Garlic powder

Combine all ingredients well and refridgerate for at least 72 hours before serving.

Greek Pasta Salad

GREEK PASTA SALAD WITH RED WINE


VINAIGRETTE



1 lb. spiral tri-color pasta, undercooked & drained

1 lb. feta cheese, crumbled

1-2 bell peppers: green, red, yellow, sliced or chopped

1 lg. can sliced black or green olives

1 can marinated artichoke hearts, quartered (use marinade as part of dressing)

1-2 cans anchovies, finely chopped (optional)

1 lg. yellow or white onion, chopped



Gently fold pasta and cheese with other ingredients in large bowl. Toss with 2 cups red wine vinaigrette dressing. Cover and store in refrigerator. Keeps at least 1 week and is better with time for flavors to blend.



RED WINE VINAIGRETTE:



3/4 c. red wine vinegar

3/4 c. olive oil + 3/4 c. vegetable oil

2 tsp. dry mustard

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. black pepper

Pinch of sugar


Optional: Minced garlic, marjoram, thyme, basil and Tabasco. Whisk vinegar and oils together. Add herbs and spices to taste. Makes about 3 cups and will keep in refrigerator for weeks.