Tracy Calabrese

I went to a work luncheon today. I was expected rubber chicken, mashed potatoes and some kind of veggie and chocolate cake for dessert.

Being on day three of Weight Watchers, I had a snack before I left and figured I could take the skin off the chicken, eat the veggies a bite or two of mashed potatoes and ask the waiter to take the chocolate cake away.

Much to my surprise, they served the strangest lunch I have ever had a luncheon.

• Caeser salad
• Chili with cornbread
• Toppings (cheese, sour cream and onions)
• Apple pie

WTF?! I didn’t plan on eating such a fatty meal, but I think I did pretty well. I ate half the salad, about a cup of chili (no toppings), half a piece of cornbread and exactly three bites of apple pie. I estimated the meal to be about 12 points, which is more than I eat at any meal and more than half of the points allowance I get in one day.

Despite the points debacle, chili is definitely the strangest meal I have ever been served at a luncheon.

I have had a weird craving for brussel sprouts lately. I picked some up on Sunday at the farmer’s market and cooked them for dinner tonight.

Sauteed with garlic, shallots and bacon, they were amazing. I could have skipped the grilled chicken I made with them and ate just the brussel sprouts.

I went out to lunch a few months ago with some colleagues. We walked across the street from our office to Bread Winners Cafe & Bakery, which is a Dallas institution and the place to see and been seen for weekend brunches and lunch during the work week.

I had this wrap with chili cumin chicken salad, lettuce and avocado. It was delicious. Spicy, creamy and not overwhelming with mayo. It was served with homemade chips. It was too much food and I had to take half home to eat for dinner.

I woke up this morning craving this. I might have to hit up Bread Winners today. Or better yet, maybe I will try to make my own version. I can’t find a recipe online, but I found one that sounds close and I think I can wing it.