Snow from my condo window.
The Best Laid Plans
This was the weekend I intended to go to the farm. I’ve not been there since Thanksgiving! I even made a double recipe of minestrone to take with me. I told you about my recent visit to The Hill to get the ditalini noodles I like to toss in the Italian soup. Yes, I was ready to hit the road for a long weekend in the country.
Mother Nature on a Winter Rampage
But then we got the snow dump and icy roads along I-44. Yes, Mother Nature can be a Wicked Witch on a bender. Friends sent me photos of cars piled up along the highway. At least, two of our weekend group came down with the “creeping crud.” (I’m not sure that’s a medical term, but it’s a lingering and debilitating winter ailment.)
I was about to freeze my soup to have for the next farm trip, but not before having a bowl for breakfast. (Before you snort at my decision, I’m sure all those vegetables were healthier than a bowl of processed and sugar-packed cereal.) My daughter said not to freeze all the soup. She and JC would be right over and take some off my hands.
Try Balkan Treat Box Again
When they arrived, I mentioned that I wanted to eat at Balkan Treat Box, if they were up for that. They were. It was nearing lunch time so off we headed to Webster Groves. (I mentioned in a previous post, that I went there on Tuesday and they didn’t open for business until Wednesday.)
This time they were definitely open and there was no line out the door! Skip-a-dee-doo-dah! At long last I could have one of those pide “boats,” that reviewers and customers have been rhapsodizing over ever since Balkan began as a food truck.
Looking in the window at Balkan Treat Box.
In and Out of the Box
Once in the door, I was shocked! Aggh! It was standing room only! The place only seats about 40.
“How long a wait?” I asked of the sweet, but frenzied server, trying to weave her way through the maze. “Oh, about a half hour in line and another 15 minutes at the table,” she said. She apologized when she learned it was my second failed attempt at eating Balkan this week.
We moved on, but not before I caught a glimpse of that foot-long pide—a freshy baked bread boat topped with seasoned meat, tangy red pepper spread, herbs and cabbage. I’ll definitely be back. Perhaps third time will be the charm.
Pide made on freshly-baked bread. Photo from Food and Wine coverage of Balkan Treat Box
Next Stop
Going elsewhere was not all bad, because JC—one of the ailing I mentioned earlier—wanted some good Vietnamese chicken soup.
So we headed to Mai Lee’s. It was just as crowded, but in a much larger space with far more tables. But that all changed by the time we left. The overcrowded entry looked like a Greyhound bus had just unloaded in the doorway.
Vegetable Noodle stir fry
A hearty, steaming bowl of rich, brothy Vietnamese Pho is good for what ails you.
Successful Plan B
Once home, I realized nothing had gone as intended this weekend. But all of the Plan B’s had worked out just fine and it’s hard to complain when that happens.
I further reclaimed my Almost Lost Weekend by baking a batch of chocolate chip cookie, something I’ve not done in months. The smell alone is therapeutic. If you’re needing a bit of solace, try this recipe. Then share the cookies with someone you enjoy.
