Skirt Steak, Caramelized Shallots, Red Wine Jus
To begin. I really wanna say something, but I am afraid I’ll jinx myself.
What the heck. Okay, here it goes! I think 2010 is going to be pretty much ridiculously awesome. Now, that the proclamation is over, I want to tell you about my trip to Portland for anniversary/food tour/new years eve celebration which started off the ridiculous awesomeness.
Portland is my new favorite city to dine. Okay, okay. It is no Paris, but I truly was impressed. I mean, my brain was on oh-ver-load with the amount of restaurants I wanted to try from many, many recommendations. Basically, our conclusion at the end of the week, as Erik and I gnawed on red vines driving north on I-5, was that Portland rocks when it comes to food. It was totally worth the new fat roll I gained on the trip. I think. Read the rest of this entry »
Capellini, Plugra, Parmigiano Reggiano, Cracked Pepper
The bookshelf sat in the kitchen, in a sunny nook where the four person table and the golden retriever also shared it’s space. It was black metal, with inclining shelves that got shorter has they got further from the floor. Those shelves were packed with books. So, packed, in fact, that you would almost pull it over when you pried one out of its home. Read the rest of this entry »
Roasted Squash Loaf + Acorn, Butternut, Pumpkin
It had been two and a half years. Right around the time that I started this blog. As I stepped off the plane, I felt a sense of security and peace. People smiled at me, genuinely making eye contact, and saying, “Pardon me” and “How y’all doin’ today?” in their southern twang. Big hair, pink lips, and dressed to the nines. I was home.
The first thing I did was order a sweet tea, which I regret because it was nothing like I remembered and within that first sip, I destroyed any special memory I had coveted in my mind. Read the rest of this entry »
Salmon, Lobster Mushroom, Corn, Baby Tomato, Oregano
So, as you know, I can now claim myself to be a former ballet dancer. And, BTW, it feels freaking fantastic. And, can I be quite frank? I didn’t really know how I was going to react. I mean, I have been saying I am a ballet dancer for over a decade. I didn’t know if I would feel lost, like I was losing a part of myself to dethrone myself from the ballet world. But, I have only felt liberated and excited for what is next. The only trouble is, what do I call myself now? I certainly don’t feel like a Chef. Obviously.
Halibut Steaks with Braised Leeks
I know, I know. Where have I been? Well, I am actually house sitting for my Moma while she is in Costa Rica. She is retiring there, so visiting may times BEFORE she retires is a must.
I wasn’t invited (boo!), but she does have a hot tub which is an added “vacation-like” bonus. It is also good for Cashew because he does have a major love interest in my Moma’s teacup poodle, Zoe. But, alas, the excitement dwindles when we are stuck with dismal rain here in Seattle. Being in a hot tub just isn’t as fun when your head is cold. Read the rest of this entry »
Yukon Gold Cinnamon Rolls
Yukon Gold and Cinnamon Roll are not really synonymous.
But, once you try these, you will understand that they are beyond amazing, and who cares if the ingredients seem weird.
I have never made cinnamon rolls before. Actually, to be completely honest, I have never even purchased a packet of yeast. Ha! When it started to foam, I thought I had done something wrong.
This was a long recipe. About two hours. But, well worth the effort.
Smoky Ham and Corn Chowder
Sunday Night Dinner. A weekly tradition. A bunch of hungry boys over six-feet tall. And me.
This is a recipe from a cookbook that I got from my mother in law, Colleen, for Christmas. I love it because it is titled “Big Night In”, which is of course right up my alley. Every single recipe in the book could be cooked for Sunday Night Dinner. And will be.
What you see to the left of the soup is a popover. Yes. I know, it looks nothing like a popover. I used popover batter and ended up putting it in muffin tins. Delicious, but definitely not “popping” over the muffin tin. Rob, however, made me make a second batch. Read the rest of this entry »
Molly’s Coffee Crunch Bars
A baker, I am not.
But, these looked too good to resist after reading Orangette’s Molly Wizenberg’s article in Bon Appetit this month. She bribed her friend for her secret recipe by promising her that it would be published in Bon Appetit. Smart girl!
I am getting back into my life routine after our travels to Amsterdam.
However, I don’t know why I refuse to learn that I will always be sore the first week back to work, regardless of how much I prepare my body. My
thighs are destroyed, and it is difficult for me to sit down on the toilet. But, the most important part of me coming back is getting back in my
kitchen. Tonight, I am having a dinner party for our friends Rob and Dane that we have not seen since we have gotten back. These little bars will
be our sweet end to the long work week.
Thanks Molly for this delicious recipe!
Celeriac Potato Puree with Truffle Oil
We are back! Did you miss me?
We had the most amazing time in Amsterdam bicycling through the city, eating dutch cheese toasties on benches looking over canals, watching families caravan on tandem bikes with groceries in tow, and visiting some of the most beautiful museums I have ever experienced.
Erik and I, however, are horribly jet-lagged. Our trip was smooth on the way there. We arrived on December 31, and we were so excited to ring in the New Year with our best friends that we hardly even thought about our exhaustion. Yet, when we arrived home on Saturday, both of us were passed out by 6pm and woke up at 4am. It has been a similar pattern ever since.
I was so excited to get back into my kitchen. I hardly cooked in Amsterdam, but I have to say, I was inspired many times, which you will be seeing in the coming posts. One of my favorite moments was when my best friend Drew ordered a mint tea (thee), she was always given a glass of hot water stuffed full of fresh mint leaves! It was very impressive.
While I was in Amsterdam, my friend Holly decided to start the beginning of 2009 by getting all of her foodie buddies together to start a monthly cooking club. This month’s theme was France. This is what I came up with….
Caramel Apple Croissant French Toast
I have decided I am going to start using my MANY cookbooks as resources for recipes. I get so lazy with the convenience of the web. However, there is something so satisfying when you curl up on the couch with a beautiful cookbook. Inspiration just seems to permeate from the pages.
This morning it was Tyler Florence’s Real Kitchen. The pictures and simple stories intrigue me, like a novel. His recipes are clean and straight forward, but far from boring. Each recipe has an unassuming sophistication, and you can tell he really put his heart and soul into the cookbook.
This french toast is AMAZING! It is surprisingly “light” tasting even though it uses a croissant. The apples are also delicious and could be used on their own as a base for a crisp/crumble, or over a big bowl of vanilla ice-cream. I served this with fresh fruit, and a big cup of coffee. It definitely could be seen on a restaurant menu, and is impressive enough to entertain with.
