Full from NYC, Hungry for Writing

For the past three weeks, I experienced some cravings, as any food-obsessive gal would expect. First, it was adventure. I managed to push through four extremely demanding work weeks before heading to exciting destinations, each with a culinary-crafted bucket list in hand. The list of Caramelized Critiques drafts has never been so lengthy. Oy.

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Then, it was the gin with tonic and cucumber. I sought the cocktail refresher at Terranea in Los Angeles, Madison Rooftop in Memphis, and Girl and the Goat in Chicago. Don't worry, I only ordered one at each spot.

Then, it was avocado toast. I enjoyed that one at St. Roch Market in New Orleans and The Smith in New York City.

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But now, on this beautiful Monday afternoon in July, I realized what I was genuinely hungry for: writing. My everyday commitments have indirectly pushed my true passion of recreational writing to the bottom of the list. Or I guess I have just been too busy eating...?

I aim to sit down with a cup of coffee tonight, tomorrow, and Wednesday to share the nationwide delicacies I have savored this past month. Maybe it'll serve as a form of a diet -- writing about food instead of eating it? Stay tuned for so many restaurants and recipes in so little time. I won't let you down.

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Ghost River Beer Mac and Cheese

Don't blame me for ruining your diet. Alex's birthday was Sunday, and his number one request was homemade mac. Yet when discussing the dish at our Fourth of July party in New Orleans, a friend mentioned her beer mac and cheese version. If only you could have seen Alex's reaction to the suggested ingredient whilest sipping on a beer. Game over.

Once back in Memphis, we grabbed a bottle of local Ghost River Golden ale from the fridge and got cookin'. The result was perfection. I highly recommend this side for a summer cookout -- it goes well with the grill, which, on ours, boasted bone-in ribeyes. Let me know if you try out this cheesy life-changer!

Makes 6 servings

2 1/2 cups uncooked whole wheat elbow noodles 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons flour 8 ounces milk 8 ounces Ghost River beer 8 ounces freshly grated cheddar cheese 4 ounces freshly grated parmesan cheese 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika pinch of black pepper pinch of nutmeg 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Boil pasta according to box directions, though cut off 2 minutes of cook time since noodles will cook further in the oven. Drain and set in a casserole dish.

2. Heat a saucepan over medium high heat and add butter. Once melted, whisk in flour and cook until bubbly and golden in color, about 2 minutes. Add milk and beer into saucepan, whisking constantly. Add cheeses and stir until melted. Turn heat down to medium and continue to stir for 5-6 minutes while mixture thickens. It will most likely not thicken like regular mac and cheese because of the beer. Stir in pepper, paprika and nutmeg.

3. Pour cheese mixture directly over pasta and gently toss to coat noodles evenly. Top with panko bread crumbs and an additional sprinkle of cheese. Bake for 25 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly on top.

4. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes.

recipe inspired by how sweet eats

Summer House Santa Monica (Chicago)

That central "YES" mark on the crisp white backdrop spoke to me upon entering Summer House Santa Monica this past Sunday afternoon. I quickly learned its first impression is a lasting impression amongst the crowd, who harmoniously affirms every aspect of the establishment. The bright and open space, the eclectic menu, the spectacular service, and the cookie-lined sweet shop collectively sing "yes" to every dining guest.

The well-versed menu isn't overwhelming or unfocused like many "American" spots; it's selective and sophisticated, from the lobster tempura sushi roll and ahi tuna taco to the squid ink pasta and brioche lobster roll. Of course, I had issues choosing an entrée, but that's primarily due to my indecisiveness. I chose the freshly baked brioche bun with lobster and a crisp green salad. I was very content with my decision.

The smooth guacamole and smoked salsa appetizer was a home run, naturally. We squeezed fresh lime over the tortilla chips to mimic Chipotle's infamous tang. The dish disappeared within minutes.

The cauliflower side was a surprise winner. Roasted with a jalapeño pesto and then topped with a fascinating textural mix of candied lemon and parmesan. Bread crumbs to finish, and bam. The presentation was stunning, as well.

On the way out, we couldn't help ourselves but order an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie to-go. I highly recommend a similar ritual -- Wouldn't you love to carry the spirit of Summer House with you home? The answer? YES.

Ralph Lauren Restaurant (Chicago)

My Memphis interlude between weekends in Chicago and New Orleans has served as a breath of fresh air. Summertime travels have been a doozy, though they've been no less than exhilarating. And as I flipped through the new July issue of Bon Appetit this morning, I realized, "Oh crap! Fourth of July is in four days and I don't have a red, white and blue recipe for the blog." Then, I realized, "Oh, yeah. I balance Caramelized with a full-time and part-time job, am in the midst of possibly purchasing a town home, and am staring at a bare fridge due to my insane travel schedule."

Reality check. And though I most likely will find the time to pick up fresh berries for a blueberry cobbler (priorities), the recipe may not arise in time for your holiday planning. My apologies, truly!

However, while scrolling through photos from this past girls' weekend in Chicago, the Ralph Lauren restaurant brunch shots kept catching my eye. Quintessentially patriotic from the iconic Polo symbol to the American classics menu, RL Restaurant had me swooning over every red, white and blue flourish. I prepared myself for a blog post without even realizing!

We sat on the breezy Chicago Avenue patio and ordered from the model-esque waiter, whom I swear could have been featured in a Ralph Lauren catalogue. Once complimentary pastries and a few coffees were served in the classic "RL" labeled coffee cup and saucer, we ordered two hearty dishes between the three of us; one sweet, one savory.

The gold coast benedict was simply too good. Who needs an English muffin when you can base your benedict with a perfectly prepared potato pancake? I felt like I had just received a new favorite Jewish holiday present: a golden latke that doubly served as a new breakfast concept. Happy Chanukah to me. Poached eggs and smoked salmon toppers, with hollandaise on the side, comprised the total package.

More notably of the thematic color palette was the berry and granola parfait. Sure, you think you have had a yogurt parfait before...But no parfait beats the RL version. Piped layers of extra dense, honey Greek yogurt were flecked with fragrant vanilla bean. Every berry was, of course, delectable, and the honey granola served as a mild, complementary texture to the other two ingredients.

Though I know most of you will not be residing in Chicago for the holiday weekend, I hope Ralph Lauren's iconic inspiration serves you well for Independence Day. I'll be road-tripping to New Orleans to Bacchanal and St. Roch Market, among others.

Cheers to red, white, blue, and latkes!

Six Ingredients, Four Plates

This past week, I took on a self-created culinary challenge to rethink how I purchase groceries and utilize them creatively. It began Monday evening when I forced myself to Fresh Market in five o'clock traffic to fill my empty fridge after a weekend in California. Instead of wasting time in every aisle, I entered the store without a list. I picked out the very best of the seasonal produce, those of which seemed colorful, healthy and multi-functional. It turned an errand into somewhat of entertainment? I checked out with the following ingredients, all of which were under $25 (score!). Then, the fun began. Grocery items: Part-skim ricotta Arugula Avocado Half dozen brown eggs Black mission figs Haricot verts Gulf shrimp

The allocation of these fine ingredients over the course of a week may seem difficult to most, primarily because I was only cooking for one. However, it was intriguing to craft recipes on-the-spot with an empty canvas. Arugula, for example, could served as a bed for grilled shrimp, a base for a vegetarian Nicoise, or the binding element of soft scrambled eggs. Dollops of ricotta and slices of avocado added a rich note of satisfaction that, in actuality, was light and rather healthy.

Scroll through this week's meals, which I hope will serve as inspiration for your weekly grocery trips. Zero percent waste and 100 percent beauty.

MONDAY DINNER ::

TUESDAY LUNCH ::

WEDNESDAY LUNCH ::

THURSDAY BREAKFAST ::

Terranea Resort (Rancho Palos Verdes)

I believe I found Heaven, or at least a close measure of it, amidst the rocky cliffs of the Southern California peninsula Rancho Palos Verdes. The motive of our three-day trip was the wedding of Ashley and Jeremy Dowdy, who hired my mother (of Shindigs By Sheril) to plan and coordinate. She executed flawlessly. Though aside from the In-n-Out food truck rehearsal dinner and jaw-dropping wedding (captured by Brandon and Kristen Kidd, both of whom I have a total crush on), my family was free to explore the massive grounds of pools, patios and impressive restaurants at Terranea Resort.

Kevin, the hotel's acclaimed concierge, learned and remembered every guest's name. You could expect to hear his voice call, "Hey, Sheril!" upon walking out of the lobby elevator.

Happy hour(s) next to the fire pits and succulent bushes became the ritual, especially when cucumber, lime and gin coolers were on the menu. And in the morning, Sea Beans (the resort's cafe) handed over iced coffees and plump blueberry muffins like clockwork. I treated myself to a classic California acai bowl by the Spa pool yesterday morning before leaving.

Our Thursday and Friday dinners, Bashi Japanese and Marsél, respectively, stood out most. Bashi's staff warned us of the large portions; but of course that did not stop the Greensteins. I could have ordered two helpings of the crispy tofu and wild mushrooms with snap peas! The "sizzling steak" had a more impressive presentation than taste, though we didn't regret the order. And the sweet short ribs were sensational. We fell into an eleven-hour food coma (unheard of for my family) following the late dinner.

Marsél, the fanciest of all, was saved for Friday evening. The pricier menu was well worthwhile, as most of the dishes offered local offerings such as Santa Barbara rock prawns (unreal), California jumbo asparagus and bay scallops. The arugula leaves in my burrata and prosciutto salad were from the restaurant's garden, which we passed on our way to the entrance. A crisp glass of Napa Chardonnay carried us from salads to seafood entrées and sides -- my favorite being the skillet-baked Japanese eggplant with ricotta and Thai basil. We couldn't manage to even wrap our head around a dessert menu, but our perky waitress insisted upon bringing dark chocolate truffles on a clam shell for our final bite.

Terranea truly outdid itself. I didn't even mind the morning "June gloom" of smog and marine layers that prevented ocean views; for the views of the surrounding resort landscaping blew us away on their own. Until next time, California.