But I do enjoy going out to dinner by myself. I know it sounds kind of weird, but I've grown to really like it and don't feel self-conscious at all. Granted, the reason I've gotten so used to it is because I'm often forced to either do that or eat over-priced room service in a hotel room. So, there is that. Sometimes during my work travels, I'm with various members of my team, so we take clients out and eat delicious steaks. But often I'm on my own and when dinner time comes around, eating a room service sandwich doesn't sound so good. So I usually venture out somewhere with my iPad and sit at the bar for a good meal and glass (ugh, okay! Two glasses!) of wine. Its nice to enjoy my solitude and have a relaxing meal.
What is not nice is people who can't (or don't) read the non-verbal signals that indicate that I don't feel like chatting. I brought my iPad and am reading a book for a reason, people! The other night I was at a steakhouse in Kansas City, sitting at the bar, sipping my Cab and reading 50 Shades of Grey (don't judge!!!). The bartender stands in front of me until I look up. "I like your shirt!" he says. Um, thanks? It IS pretty fabulous (Thanks Anthropologie!), but really? You like my shirt? I looked up from reading about the dreamy Christian Grey for this?? 10 minutes later, the chick next to me is all, "Is that a good book?". Why yes, yes it is!! THAT'S WHY I'M READING IT RIGHT NOW! I tell her yes, she's like, "what's it about?". Uhh, you don't even want to know, lady. 5 minutes later, bartender returns with my steak (filet cooked medium rare, perfection), and is all, "So, are you here for work?" I know what he meant, but I SO wanted to be like, "No! I'm here for steak, now let me eat it!". But I didn't because, well, I didn't think of that comeback until just now.
So, if you ever see a girl sitting at the bar of a nice restaurant, reading and sipping her wine, for the love of all that's good in the world, leave her alone! She'll talk to you if she wants to chat, count on it.
Anyway! These chicken wings have nothing to do with that story besides that fact that I've eaten chicken wings at a bar before, alone, while reading a book and sipping my wine.
I could eat this blue cheese dressing with a spoon. And I did it, too. The wing sauce was awfully hot, and the extra jalapenos probably weren't necessary, but they were awfully tasty. And besides, that's what blue cheese dressing is for, right? Right!
Enjoy!
Spicy Buffalo Chicken Wings
Source: Adapted from Pip and Ebby
4 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 jalapenos, seeds removed finely diced
2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons honey
1 cup Frank's Red Hot Sauce
1/4 cup Cholula Hot Sauce
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for 2 to 3 minutes over medium-low heat.
Add the jalapenos, red pepper flakes, honey, and both hot sauces. Mix well and increase the heat to medium, but do not allow to boil. Turn the heat back down to low and cook for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Rinse and pat dry 20-30 chicken wing drummies. In a large bowl, toss the wings with 2/3 of the sauce and let sit for an hour or so in the fridge.
Heat grill to medium-high and grill wings until done. Toss with the remaining sauce and serve with blue cheese dressing.
Blue Cheese Dressing
Source: Adapted from Pip and Ebby
1 1/2 cups sour cream (I used low fat)
2 1/4 cups mayonnaise (I used low fat)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
8 oz. blue cheese, crumbled (use the good stuff!)
Mix all ingredients through the salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Stir in blue cheese crumbles. Chill until ready to serve.
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