Saturday, September 19, 2015

Good Eats in Austin, TX



As some of you may know, Blake and I are moving to Austin, Texas. He was offered an awesome ministry job and after much prayer we have decided to follow God's lead and be obedient to His call!

During this transition, we have been making the drive from Dallas to Austin at least once a week. We have already found a cute little place to call home and now we are traveling every Tuesday back to ATX so Blake can lead worship for the new college ministry, Continuum! It has been tiring but so much fun.

We have very quickly learned that pretty much anywhere you eat in Austin is insanely good. I thought it would be fun to comply a list of some of our personal favorites to share with y'all just in case you will be visiting Austin soon! Enjoy :)



They have multiple locations in the Austin area, including food trucks! They serve burgers, salads, sandwiches, and more, all served with a donut! Oh, and you can't leave out the dessert donuts, they are ridiculous in the best way. Here's a few of our recommendations :)

Burgers - I like the Plain Jane, I'm a pretty picky eater, especially when it comes to burgers. I added cheddar cheese and it hit the spot! Blake got the Ron Burgundy, and he loved it! If you like fried eggs and guacamole on burgers, this one is for you. They are also served with their homemade kettle chips!


Dessert Donuts - The Nutty Valentine is simple and good, y'all. Nutella, cinnamon sugar and fresh strawberries all on top of a fresh made donut.




This is a more southern-style restaurant with a little of a southwestern twist. They greet you at your table with a plate of Jack’s signature pimiento cheese and flat bread crackers, which is actually really yummy! I don't care for pimiento cheese but I actually liked it! 

Blake and I shared the Chorizo Stuffed Pork Tenderloin Medallions. I also don't like pork, but this meal is hands down the best thing I have ever ate! The roasted garlic cream sauce was so good. It added so much flavor. I'm convinced by this dish alone that anything you order at Jack Allen's will be delicious. 




If you're wanting from scratch, comfort food then this is the place for you! They are known for their Hyde Park Fries & Fry Sauce! They are so crispy and good! I recommend the Chicken Fried Chicken. It's not better than my mommas but its a close second! I'm super picky about my gravy because growing up I always had homemade gravy from scratch and this gravy tasted almost identical to what I had growing up! So yummy and also just a beautiful restaurant with lots of natural light.



Of course I had to include an ice cream shop! (head on over to my family blog to read about how much our sweet baby has made me crave ice cream!) All of their ice cream is homemade from local ingredients! They have flavors ranging from milk chocolate all the way to roasted beets and fresh mint! (my personal fav) Check out our post back in March to read about our trip to Lick! 



Okay, so this isn't a local place, but Blake and I just tried it for the first time when we were in town last Tuesday and loved it! I heard that they had cheese fries and I was sold. 




It's a bit like In-N-Out Burger I think, but better! And this particular location is the cutest! I love when restaurants have big windows all around that make it seem like you're eating outside when you're not! (I have a strange fear of birds so eating outside is not fun for me! Don't judge.) I loved this little place and I'm sure you'll see me here with my laptop, munching on some cheese fries!

These are just a few of the yummy places we love in Austin, Texas! We are excited to adventure around this big city! To keep up with our family during the move and after go subscribe to our Family Blog! Just enter your email underneath "Follow Becoming The Kelchs" on the right side of your screen! 

Have a happy Saturday!

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Classic Monkey Bread


I'm sure many of you already know how to make Monkey Bread, but if you don't (or even if you do), here's a little Kelch twist on Classic Monkey Bread.


Ingredients

3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoon cinnamon 
4 cans (7.5 oz each) Pillsbury refrigerated biscuits
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
Extra 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon

Extras for fun
1/2 cup chopped walnuts/almonds/pecans
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chocolate chips or peanut butter chips

Directions

First, heat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease your bundt pan with oil or cooking spray. Then, in a large plastic bag mix your granulated sugar and cinnamon.

Next, cut each biscuit into quarters. (I then roll mine a little bit to make them rounded) 




Shake in bag to coat. Then place in your pan and add whatever goodies you might like along the way. Today I added peanut butter chips and cinnamon pecans, yum :)

Then, in a small bowl, mix brown sugar, melted butter and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. Then pour over biscuit pieces.
This will make you want to eat it right away!


Lastly, bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown and no longer doughy in center. Cool in your pan for 10 minutes. Then turn upside down onto serving plate and pull apart to serve. 


Serve warm with a cold glass of milk and enjoy :)