I’m home.
I begged Vegas to stay in Italy.
We’re home… and I’m more than a little sad. But here we are. In this election cycle… oy… I can’t even go there.
We have at least eaten well! Brunch at Royal Stone was amazing our first week back. It’s the one thing we do better here in America.
Brunch:
It made me a teensy bit glad to be back in the States. The only thing Italians don’t know how to do right when it comes to food is brunch!
I had the Vegetable Hash with eggs over easy, carnival cauliflower, rainbow carrots, purple sweet potato, chard, jalapeño vinaigrette, and sourdough toast. Vegas had the Patty Mac with sausage, eggs, and butternut mustard (so good!) on brioche with Japanese sweet potato fries. We also shared a side of mimosas… and by side I mean the whole bottle.
We couldn’t decide who’s order “won”!
Read on for my whole day of post-Italy eats, and link up to Jenn’s WIAW baby right here!
Lunch:
We met a friend for lunch at an all you can eat sushi place post-work out. It was good (well, as good as expected for unlimited sushi). I will say – I missed the sushi in America!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BLrc9zmDYW1/
Dinner:
We are actually trying to be a bit lighter since returning. Dinner was a super-easy meatball and zucchini noodle dish. I mixed some lean ground beef with spinach and garlic-infused olive oil for a baked meatball dish. The sauce was a simple pureed tomato blend.
[Tweet “The #WIAW link up post Italy: spinach meatballs and zoodles!”]
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Don’t miss my Piedmont recap… more to come!
What do you miss post-vacation?
What’s you favorite sushi meal?
Emily says
Hmm… Post vacation I usually miss just having no early morning responsibilities and getting to spend a little more quiet time. 🙂
But.. I do love coming home and eating cereal at night. 😀
That sushi looked epic; I haven’t had sushi in a long time. 🙂
Laura says
You won’t believe this… but it’s been literally years since I’ve had cereal. LOL! I do love my yogurt bowls though!
Jen @ Chase the Red Grape says
Alas my backlink isn’t working again… 🙁 Hope it’s an easy fix…
I too am just back from my hols – what do I miss the most? Probably the freshly made sourdough bread that we picked up from a bakery in the middle of nowhere. I think it might just be the best thing I have ever ate. Seriously!
Cora says
Hey Jen. I’ve learned that if I just copy and paste the peasandcrayons.com url in, it doesn’t work. I need to manually then type the “www.” before it, and then it works. Not sure if this is your issue as well.
Laura says
Thanks for that, Cora! I had no idea why some worked and others didn’t!
Cora says
Welcome back!! Good lord I want sushi.
Stephanie @ Wholesome Paradise says
No kidding about this election. I don’t have a TV so I don’t watch the news but I still can’t escape it. I need to make meatballs like the ones you made. Yum!
Laura says
I wish we didn’t have a TV. Vegas insists. *sigh*
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
I’m not going to say anything about this election other than the fact that Canada has some delicious food and Italy now has a public wine barrel fountain and that seems like a good idea. And old dogs can be taught new tricks, like teach Italians how to do brunch.
Laura says
I am BEGGING Vegas to move us to Italy. We’re actually starting Italian lessons… baby steps!
Khushboo says
I can’t imagine sushi being great in Italy but fortunately they have so much other deliciousness to compensate. When I am out at sushi, my go-to roll is salmon-avocado alongside some seaweed salad and loads of sashimi- mmm!! By the end of almost any vacation, all I seem to crave is ALL the veggies and super simple meals!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says
I feel like brunch and breakfast is sort of lacking with all European countries. They just don’t do it like we do!
Patricia @Sweet and Strong says
Brunch is so important, I can’t believe Italians don’t. But they sure know how to do pretty much everything else. And I haven’t had sushi in awhile, definitely craving that now after this post.
Melissa says
Your trip looks so amazing!! I can’t wait to hear more about it. All of your Instagram posts look incredible. I love all kinds of sushi. Especially sashimi!! Yay for delicious raw fish!
Lee says
I really like sashimi (specifically salmon) except I never feel full after I eat it.
Laura says
That’s the problem with all Asian food for me… I’m ready for another meal like 2 hours later!
Trish says
Welcome back… Foods look so good!!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets says
Welcome home. Happy Brunching. I’m on day three on my mimosa kick and going strong.
Laura says
I’m so proud of you!!!
rachel @ athletic avocado says
Haha I don’t blame you for wanting to stay in Italy, its amazing over there! But I do agree that breakfast in Europe is nothing like it here in the U.S! We totally win for breakfast and brunch 🙂
Laura says
Maybe we need to move and open a brunch restaurant… hmmm…
Kelly @ Kelly Runs For Food says
Brunch is the best meal of all the meals. I had meatballs for dinner last night, too, but they were made by my hotel and not nearly as good looking as yours!
After a vacation, I’m always excited to get back to my own coffee at home. Hotel coffee is never as good!
Laura says
Vegas was homesick for coffee. Their idea of coffee is an espresso, which was NOT ok with her. Haha!
Stephanie Leduc says
When I went to Europe, brunch was the one thing I missed the most! One can only eat some many croissants….
Laura says
Too many croissants??? Hush yo’ mouth… 😉
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says
Welcome back from vacation! Your eats look just divine. And I know dinner is supposed to be one of the lighter meals of the day, but I never seem to get that right. 🙂 Happy Wednesday and thanks for hosting the link-up party, Laura! It’s working a little funky for me, so hopefully you get me on there! hahah
Jess @ Keeping It Real Food says
Yum! That sushi looks great!
Tara @ Sweat like a Pig says
I actually managed to find really great sushi in Florence, because an Italian took me there. I would have no idea where to go on my own! But I’m with you on the American/English brunches….
Laura says
I’m sure they exist… but I just couldn’t even bring myself to try it while surrounded by all the pasta! If we’d had more time, I’d eventually have branched out! One day… when I move…
Kate says
I know when I travel there are still certain things I crave from back home. I do the same and indulge in them once we return.
Anne Murphy says
Butternut mustard? I gotta go play…
Seriously, what a cool idea.
Oh, and welcome home!
Laura says
Yassss! It was a good as it sounds, too.
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
I do find it hard to get back on track after a long vacation. All your meals look delish!
Allie says
I want IN on that unlimited sushi!!!!
Ange // Cowgirl Runs says
I really missed all the amazing fresh food post-Hawaii vacation. But I do always appreciate getting back into my normal eating routine.
dixya @food, pleasure, and health says
I wait for sunday mainly because of brunch..I hope Italy get on board with this soon….sushi is another happy food 🙂
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness says
Oh my goodness…all you can eat sushi…..yes please! My friend and I have been talking about going to one last week and it didn’t work out with our schedule. Hopefully this week it will. That sushi looks so good!
GiGi Eats says
I’ve said it about 20 times since being back. American Food Sucks.
I didn’t have any stomach problems when I was gone (except ONE day)… But the second I get back here, I am in so much pain and nausea. F THIS PLACE! Ha.
Laura says
We were just saying the same thing! We didn’t have headaches, digestion was good… it only took 2 days back and BOOM. Ugh. Can we get a doctor’s note for a permeant Visa???
Joyce @ The Hungry Caterpillar says
I wouldn’t blame you for wanting to stay in Italy during this election cycle, either! Glad at least you got to finally enjoy a good brunch 😉
Heather McClees says
Yum! Veggie hash. That sounds awesome! I’m consistently amazed what you can do with veggies and eggs. Welcome home! 🙂
Laura says
Seriously! Eggs go on anything, and eating the rainbow just makes everything better!