TV Dinner

When in Holland Pt. II

2009-09-14T20:31:00.000-07:00

Stop 4: Zoetemeer

An Indonesian family dinner. Salad with peanut sauce. Fried shrimp chips. Savory and saucy beef and chicken. All on a bed of rice. Fantastic! This meal really hit the spot.

When in Holland

2009-09-14T20:28:00.001-07:00

Stop 3: Amsterdam

There is nothing like a Dutch pancake. This one had bacon and tomatoes in it. You top it with a brown sugar syrup. Mmmm....Plus, I had it with a cappucino. Can I say it was the most satisfying meal ever?

When in Brussels Part II

2009-09-14T20:26:00.001-07:00

Oh, the waffles. Life the ones Walter used to make. This one also came with pistacio gelato. OMG.

Next time I'm getting it topped with strawberries and cream.

When in Brussels

2009-09-14T20:25:00.001-07:00

Stop 2. Brussels

Oh, the mussels in Brussels. The chocolates are pretty good too.

When in London

2009-09-14T20:22:00.000-07:00

Just got back from 2 weeks in Europe. There were definitely some good eats.

Stop 1: London

Here is our English brunch dotted with some brown sauce -- gotta have the brown sauce. Topped it off with an Irish cider. The beans are my fave.

It Didn't Suck

2009-09-14T20:06:00.000-07:00

After quite a long hiatus from the movies (busy + traveling), we got back to doing what we do best and saw Inglorious Basterds this past weekend. I had heard a lot of good things about it (even Ann Curry liked it), so I was curious yet skeptical. I had sworn off of Quentin Tarantino movies forever after his last debacle, the one before that, and the whole unfortunate Kill Bill series.

But this movie didn't suck. In fact, it was quite good. There were still those signature ultra-violent moments. But they did not seem super gratuitous. Plus, it was impeccably cast. I quite enjoyed it, even if it was a war movie. And, most of it was subtitled with actors actually speaking the language which the characters would actually speak. Love that! And there was humor. The characters were smart and interesting. So, Tarantino is redeemed -- for now.

Ponyo

2009-08-19T22:07:00.001-07:00

Took the kids to see Ponyo, the new Miyazaki film. Think an eastern take on the Little Mermaid. Everyone gave it a thumbs up - which is pretty good for the 6, 9, and 12-year old. It's hard to find a movie that they all agree on these days. Oh, yes. I liked it too.

Rainy Day

2009-08-10T23:08:00.000-07:00

It's been so long since I've felt like cooking. It's been one hot, dry summer. I've definitely grilled. There have been days where it was too hot to even grill. But today it's a mild 68 and rainy. And I decided to cook!

Nothing special. Nothing even from a recipe. Just whatever I had in the fridge. Bacon and scallops sauteed with spinach. French potato salad with green beans. And the before mentioned bruschetta (I threw in some fresh mozarella). Not too bad if I say so myself. I'm stuffed.

Oh, and for tomorrow morning some homemade granola.

Julie & Julia

2009-08-10T23:03:00.000-07:00

This movie combines my 2 favorite things. Oh, wait -- make that 3! Julie and Julia is a movie about food, love, finding your passion and Paris. I shall always remember how sweet the line is, "you are the butter to my bread."

Normally a matinee on a Saturday at Lincoln Square is pretty quiet. But on this day, and in one of the larger theaters, it was packed, packed, packed. We even had to sit in the front section. But I enjoyed it nonetheless. It made me want to discover Paris all over again. I think a certain kind of person can win over the French. And Julia Child was one of those people. The French are just waiting to be charmed. There is this scene where Julie makes and eats some bruschetta. I was not going to be satisfied until I had some - which I did tonight. It was delicious. I didn't even use a recipe. Just threw together some tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, basalmic and fresh basil from my nephew's herb pot. Delicieux!

This Could Be My New Favorite Movie of All Time

2009-07-21T21:51:00.000-07:00

Or at least in the top 10. But I will say that it's my favorite movie of the week. I give it 9.5 stars out of 5.

Brilliant. Poinant. Funny. Heart breaking. All of the above. I loved pretty much every moment of it from the previews (they showed the BEST previews with this film) to the rolling of the credits. Which, by the way, featured a song I had never heard that I knew immediately that I must have. 500 Days of Summer.

Away We Go

2009-07-08T23:05:00.000-07:00

I have to mention seeing Away We Go. I've been dying to see this movie - and it didn't disappoint. Brilliant comedy with a huge heart. I was feeling a little teary and got a good cry in as well. Maya Rudolph and John Krasinski were both excellent, creating a couple that you'd want to know, hang out with.

We also checked out Year One - which had all the elements of a movie that I'd like. Sadly, not to be. Pretty much groaned through the whole thing. And even worse, yawned through it too!

Whistler Eats

2009-07-08T22:57:00.000-07:00

We've been planning to meet up with my sister and her family for a jaunt to Whistler and eat all the great food I've been hearing about year after year. Number one on my agenda: crepes. This was a place after my own heart, bringing me back to the south of france where I had the most fabulous savory crepe.

Crepe Montagne focuses on authentic crepes, wholesome and fun. I coordinated a savory and sweet one with my sister to get both my fixes. A ham, tomato and egg, and chocolate and banana (of course!). They use buckwheat flour which was very nice.

We also hit the Irish pub, Sandwich shop (where I had a fabulous falafel wrap) and pub pub. We ate well!

Where the people flock for ice cream

2009-07-08T22:45:00.000-07:00

Can Molly Moon's ice cream really be that good? Every time I drive past it (on 45th in Wallingford), there is a line out the door. This time, we decided to wait in that line and find out for ourselves. What is the big dealio here?

Well, the ice cream is all natural, uses local ingredients, focuses on some exotic flavors. I had the strawberry - not terribly exotic, but if the strawberries are local, I'm totally in. It was a subtle flavor, but excellent. And they were making the waffle cones as fast as people were eating them so mine was still a little warm and soft. Nice!

I think I'm going to request banana. You can never find banana ice cream anywhere. Then, my life will be complete.

I Went To There

2009-07-08T22:40:00.000-07:00

Spam musubi and a kalbi beef taco from Marination. Oh, my. Talk about yummy. There were quite a few other varieties of taco including a ginger pork, tofu, and some kind of chicken. I want to try each one.

I also sampled the kimchee fried rice, which was blissfully topped with a fired egg. Spicy and delicious!

People, this is good stuff. Find it. Eat. Be happy.

I Want to Go to There

2009-06-10T20:48:00.000-07:00

Marination Mobile. They serve up (when they open up in mid-June) a delectable combo of Hawaiian and Korean curbside food. I am intrigued. Did you get the part that they are mobile? Following! Get a load of their menu (oh yeah):

Marination’s grub melts Korean heat and aloha love together in corn tortillas, and also in your mouth.

Tacos – two warm corn tortillas stuffed with your choice of sweet and savory kalbi, luscious pork, spicy chicken, or sexy tofu (that’s right, we said sexy tofu) and topped with our saucy, tangy, crunchy signature slaw.

Kalbi – Tender short ribs marinated in Kamala’s version of the iconic Korean recipe. Soy-based marinade all hugged up with garlic, and a mistress of citrus to satisfy your need for salty-sweet variety love. Kalbi tofu is at the ready for the saucy herbivores among us. All of the pleasure with none of the cow.

Spicy pork – A progressive version of classic Korean bulgogi. Rich red pepper smackdown heats up the belly but leaves your mouth in tact. Sliced super thin for flavor galore.

Miso ginger chicken – You don’t need an explanation of this brilliant marriage of simplicity, right? It’s miso ginger chicken. It’s love and soul and flavor. It’s ginger and miso and chicken. ‘Til death do they part.

Sliders – Warm and soft, stuffed with our signature slaw and your choice of spicy, juicy, shredded kalua pork, or SPAM* so good you’ll want more for your inbox. Slider sauce on the side for good measure. *You wouldn’t know it was SPAM if we didn’t tell you, and when you’re done you’ll understand why it’s the unofficial national food of Hawaii.

Kimchi Rice Bowl - You like chopsticks? Coolio. Served with sunny side up fried egg. Add any one of our meats or tofu and tell your friends to call you back in a bit.

Kimchi Quesadilla – a really good thing with another really good thing plus jalapenos and kalua pork. Believe.

SPAM Musubi – The perennial staple of surfers and late-nighters worldwide. Perfectly grilled slice of SPAM makin’ love to a ball of rice wrapped in a seaweed blanket. Think SPAM sushi. No soy sauce necessary. Just a napkin, and possibly a support group.

Successful Movie Weekend

2009-06-08T22:19:00.000-07:00

It was going to be a 4 movie weekend, but it ended up being 3. Not too shabby.

Movie 1: One of the best movies I've seen in awhile, the Brothers Bloom is super cool. It looks cool - characters are dressed in a neo-retro fashion. Think steamer trunks mixed with 80's rad. The characters are cool. Quirky and sweet. And it's one of those films that's funny, touching, real, unreal - all at the same time. I knew from the first 10 seconds that it was going to be brilliant. Yes, brilliant.

Movie 2: The Hangover. OMG. All I can say is "so funny". I laughed (out loud) through the whole thing. The real gem here is the character of Alan played by Zach Galifianakis. His is a brilliant performance. He may look like a young John Goodman, but I think he's an original in this movie. Sure, it's a dude movie, but I think it's funny on lots of levels.

This brings me to movie 3. Unfortunately, this is the one you should not bother with. Eventhough I am the biggest Will Ferrell fan, Land of the Lost was a true disappointment. So sorry.

UP

2009-05-31T23:13:00.000-07:00

Took the kids to see Up today. What a fantastic tale of friendship, life, connections, dreams. The movie set off on the most sweet, sad, sentimental note that I shed tears. And then they kept coming! Really very heartwarming. You'll notice the same.

The 3-d was less showy than in Monsters Inc. It really blended with the whole story, adding to the magic without distracting from it. Cool glasses - and recyclable.

Bourdain and Batali

2009-05-31T23:05:00.000-07:00

It was a night of fantastic food -- eating and hearing about it. First a 2-hour meal at Txori. Tapas and the best cocktails I've had in a long time. We ate here back in November, but it warranted another go. In fact, I'm ready to go back again anytime! The 2 things that stick out particularly this time were the desserts! An orange flan that was to die for and a chocolate cake sweetened with beets. OMG. Plus I had the best cocktail. Pirat rum. Lime. Grenadine. A slice of heaven on a beautiful spring evening sitting out of doors and having someone bring you small plate after small plate...

Bourdain was as entertaining as always. He's got stories to tell. Opinions to opine. My favorite was the thought he left us with - the rudeness of being a traveler and vegetarian. They just don't mix. You can't go against thousands of years of tradition, culture, and hospitality.

Flight of the Conchords, Baby

2009-05-13T21:12:00.000-07:00

My favorite novelty band from New Zealand was in town at the Paramount theater. I got tix for my b-day. It's all part of the joy that is the month of May.

They played all the faves - including my newest favorite -- Hurt Feelings. "The day after my birthday is not my birthday, mum".

The guys are pros at banter. Don't try it at home!

I'm so glad I got to see them play a whole show live. They are brilliant! I think after seeing them live, I have a clear preference for Jemaine -- you know how it is. Hard to decide. But he's kooky, and I love that.

Arj Barker aka "Dave" from the show opened up. Hilarious!

Go Boldly...

2009-05-13T21:09:00.000-07:00

It did not disappoint. Star Trek totally lived up to the hype and more. Delayed from a holiday release, I think the summer season does it justice. It was fun, exciting, thoughtful. The characters were cool and funny. Plus, a surprise visit from you-know-who.

I even want to see it again -- but on a much bigger screen.

Breakfast at Salish Lodge

2009-05-13T21:04:00.000-07:00

I wish I had a picture of the actual breakfast we had -- immense. incredible. Two words I could use to describe it. An early mom's day brunch, the kids had the 4 course special breakfast which included 1. kid coffee (an amazing hot chocolate concoction) 2. pastry basket - including a really good rhubarb bun 3. oatmeal and fruit - the fruit had the best creme fraiche dip 4. pancakes -- yes, those famouse snoqualmie pancakes 5. eggs, bacon, ham and sausage.

whoa. That's a lot for an 8-year old. So I helped out. I had pancakes, which I ate for 3 days. Even better the day after toasted with butter and maple syrup.

And for good measure, here is a photo of the falls. It was a super nice day!

Shnoo

2009-05-04T20:29:00.000-07:00

Go ahead and say it with me....:Shnoo". Fun, right? I was never the biggest frozen yogurt fan (I preferred the sinful creaminess of ice cream). But I've opened my mind when I became more lactose intolerant than I would like. And, my friend introduced me to the best frozen yogurt around. It's light and easy to eat. It goes down so easily, you'll never know how you ate a whole bowl but not feel the least bit full or weighed down. Plus, there are over 30 lovely toppings. And we're not talking stale brownie pieces like at Coldstone. Beautiful fruit and more junk foodie kinds of stuff like cookie bits and stuff like that. I always go for the fruit, because it's always nice, fresh and high quality.

Located in downtown Kirkland (and Seattle), it's close enough to me that I have been frequenting it often enough that the last time I decided to start a punch card.

Shnoo.

Better Off Ted

2009-05-04T20:21:00.000-07:00

The best sit-com on TV. Now that that other office related show has seen better days, you realize how brilliant Better Off Ted is. Trust me. You can catch the season finale on Tuesday. The mock commercials for Veridian Dynamics are priceless. Sharp, smart writing. Quirky, interesting characters. Hilarity ensues. You'll thank me for the sideache.

The Summer Movie Season Has Commenced

2009-05-04T20:08:00.003-07:00

I've been eagerly awaiting the start of the summer movie season. Karl and I even mapped out the nearly 40 movies we're interested in seeing between now and the end of August. One down. X-Men: Wolverine was the best of the series yet, in my opinion. Since I'm not one of the fan boys, I'm not intrenched in the mythology of the comic and thus not that interested in the cast of mutant characters that show up in the X-Men movies. But this told the back story of Wolverine. Granted, it read like many other of these back stories. A tragic childhood. Love lost. Then forced to make their way alone in the world, they face their destiny.

You know what I mean. But I liked it. Next week is when things really heat up with Star Trek (yet another prequel). I do believe it will rock.

The Gastropub

2009-04-05T20:55:00.000-07:00

I was wondering as I sat on the second floor of Quinn's in Capitol Hill -- what exactly is a Gastropub? According to Wikipedia:

A gastropub (or gastro pub) is a British term for a public house which specializes in high-quality food a step above the more basic "pub grub." The name is a combination of pub and gastronomy and was coined in 1991 when David Eyre and Mike Belben opened a pub called The Eagle in Clerkenwell, London.[1][2]
The concept "helped create a truly British culinary scene" and "arose from a conscious effort to promote great food in well-loved places."[2] Gastropubs have been described as the Anglo-equivalent of the French brasserie or the Japanese izakaya [3]

There was some pretty interesting menu items at this particular gastropub -- kind of french in influence, but also pubby. Such things as fried frog legs with bleu cheese and hot sauce, wild boar sloppy joe, beef tongue po boy. I personally had the duck on toast with quail eggs and sweet onions, mussels with chorizo sausage and a rubarb tart. Pretty tasty stuff. Sure, there were lots of thing boasting foie gras and other frenchy delicacies, but I went with what I knew I would like and I have to say that they did it pretty well. Try it if you're looking for something familiar -- and adventurous at the same time.

Monsters Vs. Aliens in IMAX 3D!

2009-04-05T20:48:00.000-07:00

Wow -- I'm not really into new gadgets or technology, but this new 3-D is really something. Took the kids to see Monsters Vs. Aliens in IMAX 3D. Got there an hour early to make sure we got excellent seats and snacks. The sad part is that we got 10 minutes into the movie -- a good 10 minutes mind you. We saw a ball bounce like it was right in front of our faces. We soared through space with meteors in 3D. It was a cool as anything I've seen. Then the projector broke. It was only day 3 of IMAX 3d at Lincoln Center Cinemas and they hadn't smoothed out the wrinkles yet. Boo!

Went back the next day to check it out -- so excellent. Will take the kids this week. Eventhough they only saw 10 minutes, they couldn't stop talking about it. Think about what they'll say about the whole movie!

Battlestar Gallactica -- the final episodes

2009-03-08T22:06:00.000-07:00

I heard that the payoff was going to be good. Very good. So far, each episode of this final season of Battlestar Gallactica is blowing my mind. The final 5. Cylon alliances with humans. Dissention among the ranks of Cylons. If you haven't seen this series at all -- what are you waiting for? No, I'm not talking about the series from 1979 (although it has it own value itself), I'm talking the revamped version of today where Cylons look, act, feel, and yes, procreate like humans.

My New Favorite Thing

2009-03-07T15:22:00.000-08:00

Important Things With Demetri Martin. I think you will enjoy it as much as me. Comedy Central, Wednesdays at 10pm. I'll see you there.

Here's a little sampling. Enjoy.

Season 2 - Flight of the Conchords

2009-03-07T13:15:00.000-08:00

The highly anticipated Season 2 of Flight of the Conchords is in full swing. So far, the highlight for me is episode #15 -- "The Tough Brets". Bret starts a gang for his own protection. It features my favorite song to date, "Hurt Feelings". Check it out on YouTube, yol.

"The day after my birthday is not my birthday mum."

I love Okonomiyaki!

2009-02-23T22:59:00.000-08:00

And now I have a place to go to that has it on the menu. Kushibar. We went back for more. That makes 2 Saturdays in a row. But we were in the neighborhood. And it was happy hour. And I had to try their okonomiyaki. Mmmm....it was good. They even serve their popcorn with a curry salt. Very tasty. Now I have to try the champon ramen before I can give Kushibar a little break. It is so hard to find ramen in this town. Don't know why. Go figure. I hope it's good! They do always have the okonomiyaki...

Grill Pan

2009-02-23T19:05:00.000-08:00

I got a grill pan for my birthday and I honestly don't know how I've lived this long without it! You can grill anytime quickly and easily -- and very tastily. Grilled vegetables are my favorite, so I've been doing plenty of those. Perfect to toss into salads the next day for a treat.

I highly recommend this method of cooking. It's a little more managable than using the ol' george foreman.

Late Winter Cooking

2009-02-23T19:02:00.000-08:00

I've been trying to make an effort to cook more and eat better. Both have been working out pretty well. It's the snacking thing that gets me. I've had lots of opportunities to try new recipes. All of them which I have enjoyed. This one is going in the repetoire. It's easy and tasty. Who knew I liked soba noodles so much? I'm sure I did not like them as a kid....

Ingredients
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
12 ounces shiitake mushrooms (stems removed), caps thinly sliced
4 scallions, white and green parts separated and thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon peeled and minced fresh ginger
Coarse salt
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/2 package (4.4 ounces) soba (Japanese buckwheat noodles)
1 bunch flat-leaf spinach, torn
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon soy sauce

Directions
In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium. Add mushrooms, scallion whites, garlic, and ginger; season with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are tender, 6 minutes.
Add broth and 3 cups water; bring to a boil. Add soba; reduce to a simmer, and cook 5 minutes. Add spinach; cook just until tender, about 1 minute. Add lime juice and soy sauce. Serve topped with scallion greens.

Thank you Martha Stewart Everyday Food.

My Birthday...

2009-02-18T18:04:00.000-08:00

....was last week. But I took the day off and was treated to many, many wonderful treats.

Lunch at Unicorn Crepes in the International District. I love this place. It has the right amount of kitsche, Japanese and French. With crepes like "Okonomiyaki", you know you're not in Paris! But other varieties like Banana choco cream are very much like a stroll down the Champs Elysee.

A couple of Chinese buns to take home. Then a stop at Paseo's for some awesome Cuban pork sandwiches. Beautiful. It snowed a little bit all day, which was kind of weird for February, but it was a great day.

Just Saturday

2009-02-18T12:26:00.000-08:00

I had the best anti-Valentine's Day ever! Not to say that I would not celebrate this corporate generated holiday, but it's more fun not to plan too much. Here were our Saturday adventures!

Kushibar: Based on the Japanese street food bar concept, I loved this place for the fact that they have this fantastic happy hour! Well drinks for $3.50. We got a whole bunch of delicious food -- grilled meat, fish and veg on a stick. Udon. Croquettes. All my favorite things. Plus they have Champon ramen and Okonomiyaki, so you know that I'm going back! Unlike in Japan, this place is pretty big -- and they have indoor as well as outdoor seating.

Then off to a gallery/studio opening for our photographer -- Kathryn Barnard. Fun people watching. Tasty treats. Fun drinks. Photobooth. Valentine candy. What more could you ask? And because we were in Georgetown, a final drink at Smarty Pants to top off the night.

the holiday movie season

2008-12-28T23:01:00.000-08:00

It's been a little bit slow this season in terms of me getting out to see some flicks. First, I had to dig myself out of a foot of snow, then a parking lot full of slush to get to the theater. Thank goodness we're in the thaw and that is over now. Here's the super abbreviated summary of what I've seen lately:

Yes Man -- funny throwaway Jim Carrey comedy. Zoe Dechanel is, however, very charming in this.

The Day the Earth Stood Still - Bland sci-fi remake. Renter.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Sweeping epic fairy tale of huge proportions. Loved it.

Australia - another sweeping epic that I loved. Loved very much.

Special mention - Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont. This has been in my Netflix queue for years now and I finally caught it on Starz. I found it touching, charming and absolutely lovely. I could be a new Rupert Friend fan as well. Very Orlando Bloom.

Txori

2008-12-22T23:50:00.000-08:00

It's pronounced Cho--ri. And it's pure heaven. I went here with Karl and Angie and Dan 9 days ago -- the first day of Winter Storm 2008. It started snowing as we finished up our nth tapas. From the moment we walked in I was sold. It was casual, yet sophisticated and simple -- and cozy. The staff wore logo'd tees and the tables were intimate.

But mostly the food was fantastic. I can't stop raving about it. But alot of times, the atmosphere of a place can count for quite a bit in overall experience and this place just spoke to me.

Everything was excellent, but especiall the tortill espanola, this oxtail thing, duck with butternut squash puree, and this duo of octopus -- one grilled and one served as a salad. The octopus was so tender. It was quite amazing.

Save Three Sheets!

2008-12-22T23:38:00.001-08:00

My beloved HD drinking program, Three Sheets, is in jeopardy. The MOJO network, which is where it lived until December 7 is going off the air and no other network has yet picked up the series -- including a whole bunch of taped, but yet unaired episodes.

Including LONDON NEW PUB CRAWL. Can you imagine missing that? I think not!

Sign a petition! Write a network to pick up the show! It would be a shame to let this one slide into oblivion. Plepius thanks you.

Here's Comedy Central feedback form:http://www.comedycentral.com/help/questionsCC.jhtml

Here's the Travel Channel form (they also have an HD channel):
http://www.travelchannel.com/About/Viewer_Relations

Here's the form for Discovery Channel (they also have an HD channel):http://extweb.discovery.com/viewerrelations

Cioppino

2008-12-22T23:33:00.000-08:00

I know I poo-poo the Rachel Ray 30-Minute Meal, but I've made a few of her recipes and they usually turn out pretty tasty -- and in 30 -35 minutes or so, no less! I made this (with a few modifications on my part) and it really hit the spot on a cold, cold day.

Ingredients
1/4 cup (3 turns around the pan in a slow stream) extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 to 3 flat fillets of anchovies, drained
6 cloves garlic, crushed
1 bay leaf, fresh or dried
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup good quality dry white wine
1 (14-ounce) container chicken stock
1 (32-ounce) can chunky style crushed tomatoes
4 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves removed (about 1 tablespoon)
1 handful flat-leaf parsley, chopped
1 1/2 pounds cod, cut into 2-inch chunks
Salt and pepper
8 large shrimp, ask for deveined easy-peel or peel and devein
8 sea scallops
16 to 20 raw mussels, scrubbed
A loaf of fresh, crusty bread, for mopping

Directions
In a large pot over moderate heat combine oil, crushed pepper, anchovies, garlic, and bay. Let anchovies melt into oil. The anchovies act as a natural salt, the pepper flakes will infuse the oil, providing heat.

Chop celery and onion near stove and add to the pot as you work. Saute vegetables for a few minutes to begin to soften and add wine to the pot. Reduce wine a minute, then add chicken stock, tomatoes, thyme, and parsley. Bring sauce to a bubble and reduce heat to medium low.
Season fish chunks with salt and pepper. Add fish and simmer 5 minutes, giving the pot a shake now and then. Do not stir your soup with a spoon after the addition of fish or you will break it up. Add shrimp, scallops, and mussels and cover pot. Cook 10 minutes, giving the pot a good shake now and again.

Remove the lid and discard any mussels that do not open. Carefully ladle stew into shallow bowls and pass bread at the table

Here's one that looks good

2008-12-22T23:31:00.000-08:00

Voila! I think the fresh berries really makes this dessert. It's a layered mousse cake king of thing I think. Tres bon!

8 years ago....

2008-12-22T23:26:00.000-08:00

8 years ago I went to cooking school at the Cordon Bleu in Paris. A classmate just posted a bunch of pics online so I downloaded about 100 or them or so. Here is our entire class on croissant day. I remember eating like 10 pain au chocolate that day, fresh out of the oven. Pure heaven. Ahh....good memories. The other bonus? I didn't take very many pictures of the food we made. Now I have some! Really, it looks a lot less appetizing than I would expect. I will post one next....

Return of the Double Feature

2008-11-02T13:40:00.000-08:00

It's been SO long since I've been to the movies, let alone a double feature! And, both choices were good -- equally good.

Zack and Miri Make a Porno -- I'm glad that I didn't know before going that this was a Kevin Smith movie. I like about every 3 movies that he does. But I love Seth Rogan and the rest of the cast was also great. It had a surprisingly large amount of heart. Ok, so it had the usual gratuitous gross factor and tasteless jokes -- but they were more palatable in this package for me.

Rocknrolla -- I like about every third Guy Ritchie movie that comes out as well. But this one is the winner. Funny, entertaining and satisfying. It takes a little while to get going, but comes together well in the end.

Do-Nuts

2008-10-29T21:27:00.000-07:00

Ok, now that I mentioned them, I have to give you the details on the fresh-fried mini donuts at Fall City Farms. They are simply delicious! As you may know, I am not even a fan (not even a little bit) of the donut product. In fact, just the smell can cause feelings of nausea. However, these little delightful morsels are different.

I saw a mini version of this donut frying machine and contemplated getting one to conduct my own fundraisers and such.

Pumpkins and Halloween Candy

2008-10-29T21:24:00.001-07:00

Look at my cute pumpkin! I got it at our annual White River Autumn Bazaar. We roasted up the seeds for a little snack. And had Halloween candy for dessert!

Earlier this month, we took a field trip out to Fall City Farms for some pumpkins -- and got our fresh fried mini-donuts, some leafy greens, beets, and fresh pressed apple cider. Talk about yum!

Pork Chops!

2008-10-29T21:21:00.001-07:00

I made these pork chops with maple glaze that I really liked. Here's the glaze recipe:

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup chicken broth, low-sodium canned

On the side I served roasted acorn squash and some sauteed zucchini and onions. I have to say that it was the perfect autumnal (as MS would say) meal!

I have been a bit remiss on the movies lately -- hopefully that will change soon. Let's pray for some good movies to come out and a little bit of rain to encourage the viewing. The weather's been pretty nice on the weekends. Go figure.

Mexican Soup

2008-10-24T23:58:00.000-07:00

I made a Mexican Tortilla Soup the other night. It came out pretty tasty! I would definitely make it again. Lighter than enchiladas or tacos, it has the same flavors and was very satisfying -- especially topped with a little sour cream and avocados!

Ingredients
4 split (2 whole) chicken breasts, bone in, skin on
Good olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups chopped onions (2 onions)
1 cup chopped celery (2 stalks)
2 cups chopped carrots (4 carrots)
4 large cloves garlic, chopped
2 1/2 quarts chicken stock, preferably homemade
1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes in puree, crushed
2 to 4 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander seed
1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves, optional
6 (6-inch) fresh white corn tortillas

Directions
For serving: sliced avocado, sour cream, grated Cheddar cheese, and tortilla chips
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Place the chicken breasts skin side up on a sheet pan. Rub with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and roast for 35 to 40 minutes, until done. When the chicken is cool enough to handle, discard the skin and bones, and shred the meat. Cover and set aside.
Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add the onions, celery, and carrots and cook over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, or until the onions start to brown. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the chicken stock, tomatoes with their puree, jalapenos, cumin, coriander, 1 tablespoon salt (depending on the saltiness of the chicken stock), 1 teaspoon pepper, and the cilantro, if using. Cut the tortillas in 1/2, then cut them crosswise into 1/2-inch strips and add to the soup. Bring the soup to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 25 minutes. Add the shredded chicken and season to taste. Serve the soup hot topped with sliced avocado, a dollop of sour cream, grated Cheddar cheese, and broken tortilla chips.

Friday Tradition

2008-10-24T23:51:00.000-07:00

Over time, when time allows, our favorite Friday tradition is getting some sushi at Izumi's in Totem Lake. This is as old school as it gets in terms of Japanese restaurants. I'm guessing that it is run by a family -- with the head of the clan being this 65+ old dude (who wears shirts like my dad, by the way) and a gaggle of ladies who remind me of my aunts.

I love it. They have a maguro sushi plate with 8 pieces of my favorite -- both regular and white fin tuna.

My favorite server likes to tease and has captured our hearts. I just want to call her auntie.

Mabuhai!

2008-09-23T23:16:00.000-07:00

The other show I've been in to lately is Three Sheets.

So much so that I was inspired to buy a Three Sheets tee for me and a Pleepleus one for Karl. Yes, we are 3 sheets geeks. The premise? This funny guy goes around the world to drink with people and explore their drinking customs. It is awesome.

Tony's Back!

2008-09-23T23:08:00.000-07:00

It's sexy season 6 of Ellen and much to my surprise and pleasure, Tony is back as DJ. Yay! He really does make the show for me. And you can tell that Ellen is happy about it too. The gang's all here.

You know, it's the little things! The new fall season of shows is just launching. I watched the season premiere of Heroes the other night. I'm glad to see that Hiro and Ando are back together in Tokyo. There is a bunch of time skipping around and characters from the future mucking about. It seems like it's already more violent than usual. All kinds of skull cutting and exposed brains. Looking forward to new episodes of Chuck, The Office and 30 Rock!

3 Days of Steak

2008-09-01T19:29:00.000-07:00

Today is Labor Day and my third day in a row of grilled steak. I'm not complaining or anything, but I think I've had enough meat for awhile! Saturday, we went white water rafting (fun, but wet and COLD!) Then they grilled up some steaks for us. Day 2 was Sunday and my dad's grilled steaks. So you know that we had like 2 steaks for person. I took an extra one home and grilled it up myself tonight. I have to say that it came out fantastic. Even though I am sick of steak, it was damn good!

So I haven't had a chance to go to the movies in weeks now, but sadly there is not even anything to see! We relented and ended up going to see the Mummy -- disregarding all the poor reviews. It was worse than I imagined. Oh well.

I did see a good movie on dvd -- Son of Rambow. Been waiting for this for awhile, and it was excellent. Check it out soon.

Lobstah!

2008-08-25T19:44:00.000-07:00

I just got back from 5 days in Maine. And yes, I got my Lob-stah! See lobster roll to the left from Gilbert's Chowdah House. And, we got a home cooked lobster meal the evening before our departure -- it was all I had dreamt and more! The lobster was sweet and tender and delicious dipped in melted butter. Oh, yeah. Other highlights was a fabulous scallop and shrimp linguini from a wonderful place called Azure in Freeport. Yum! Time to get back to the workout schedule....

Rotating Sushi

2008-08-25T19:38:00.000-07:00

I'm a fan of the conveyer belt sushi -- as long as the sushi is good. So Aa Sushi in Juanita will do -- as long as you go early enough in the dinner service. Go too late and the selection goes down. The fun part of this is that there is no waiting. You eat as much or as little as you want. Plus, they seem to anticipate what you need....it's time for tuna, or a roll or cream puffs for dessert. Karl loved it! So, we will go back when we want a quick bite. And you can never beat sushi for a nice, light dinner.

It Beats the Heat

2008-08-18T23:16:00.000-07:00

It's been nightmarishly hot these last few days. One treat that came out of it was an evening viewing of Tropic Thunder. I've become a matinee kind of gal these last copule of years. Parking is easier. You never have to share a row with anyone. You can do a double feature if you are so inclined. So, the matinee experience has become one that I have come to cherish. But anyway -- we went to the 8:10 Friday evening showing of Tropic Thunder and it was a riot. The theater was packed (where are all the Chinese people coming from?) and it was fun to laugh along with the rest of the crowd. This movie was pretty hi-larious. And how can you really go wrong with Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downy Jr? The mock previews at the beginning of the movie pretty much set the tone and I was hooked from minute one.

Not for my birthday....

2008-08-10T21:34:00.000-07:00

But I'll take it! For Karl's b-day celebration (a couple of weeks early) we went to a matinee showing of Pineapple Express. From the team that brought you Superbad, is one man's tale of life on pot. It takes awhile, but it actually turns out to be a pretty hilarious film. Alot of it is mindless meanderings of non-coherence, but it ends up having sort of a plot (albeit a ridiculous one) and a message of friendship.

The highlight was dinner at Lola. This is Tom Douglas' newest venture. Greek-inspired, I found it to be warm and inviting, with the clientele only somewhat pretentious (is it me, or am I turning into a suburbanite?)

Our selections:

Suckling pig

slow roasted lamb

green beans with tomato and dill

smashed garlic fried potatoes

Loukoumathes (doughnuts)

chocolate pot de creme

We also tried to order the sampler plate which had a whole slew of greek munchies, but our server kindly told us that would be over the top in terms of quantity of food. So we passed and still had leftovers to take home! I guess it gives a reason to go back. The highlights -- a wonderful server who recommded a wonderful wine to us. She was so excellent and cool. This great cocktail -- a fresca vodka or something like that. A mixture of grapefruit juice, vodka and apparently, magic. The company, of course. And....we had a celebrity sighting of Tom Douglas himself. Maybe that's why it seemed so yummy!

He's Irish and He's Proud....

2008-08-05T20:50:00.001-07:00

My new favorite television discovery is the Graham Norton Show on BBC America. He's a flamboyant Irish guy with a biting wit. I regularly guffaw out loud for more than 5 seconds straight when I watch this show!

A typical chat show on the surface, Graham interjects a lot of audience participation, current events, and many-a-joke that makes this refreshing and hilarious.
Check it out!

Movies Continue...

2008-08-03T23:01:00.000-07:00

I took last week off from movies, so there were a couple to catch up on. I heard the X-Files movie was quite bad, so I've decided to wait for dvd. I went to see Step Brothers -- not really meant to be high art or anything, but it really did lack any sort of class or depth, or warmth. There were some funny moments, but the jokes wore thin and after awhile, you were just embarrased for them.

Maybe next week I'll go see the Mummy Returns. It did not fare much better with the critics, but hopefully it will be good fun.

On the other hand, I did a repeat viewing of Once -- one of my favorite movies of 2006. And this never happens, but I was every bit as moved as the first time. Maybe ever more so. It's so worth multiple viewings. And the music is SO good. This may be one of the sweetest stories of all time. And the music is so good.

Blueberry Season

2008-08-03T22:55:00.001-07:00

2 blueberry pies

1 batch lemon poppy seed, blueberry scones

1 batch blueberry muffins

That's what I've made so far with the bounty of blueberries I picked along with the family. We amassed a total of 11 pounds among the 5 of us. Still on the "to make list": peach and blueberry shortcakes, blueberry pancakes, and enough to freeze for the upcoming months. Still weeks of berry picking left so I'll be out in the fields again soon. Blueberries are one of the "perfect" foods that you should eat as much as possible because it's full of anti-oxidents. I'll just say that they are full of yumminess!

Obon 2008

2008-08-03T22:49:00.000-07:00

My dad was not in charge of the Beef Bowl booth at the annual Japanese folk dance festival at my parent's church this year. So, I did not have to cook like I've done every year for the last 10 years or so. But, I did take a shift serving up the dish in the booth. Not quite the same, but it was ok. I ran into old friends from highschool, which is always a trip. Now I don't have to go to the highschool reunion!

Strawberries!

2008-07-22T00:06:00.000-07:00

What kind of food adventures have I been getting in to? I got my local strawberries that I have been craving. And I gorged on them until sick! Just like the old days!

I did not get to do the usual picking event, but there was roadside stand on the way back from Whidbey Island 4th of July weekend. Got the small flat and proceeded to eat my way through it.....and it was heaven.

On another happy strawberry note, we went to Chinooks a couple of times for summer birthdays and they had strawberry shortcake on the menu. Strawberries picked fresh from a Kent farm just that morning. It makes a difference!

My advice to you -- always go local. These little jewels are a whole different ball game. Just like I remember.

It's Dark, Very Dark

2008-07-21T23:56:00.000-07:00

And I mean that figuratively and literally. The low level hum of anxiety and the low level light of a dark soul is what The Dark Knight is all about. A great movie, a puff piece it is not. Not to mention the fact that you are faced with watching the most kick-ass performance of one of my favorite actors who is no longer with us -- Heath Ledger. It seems more of a shame than ever as you watch the brilliance unfold.

So, here's the catch up over the last couple of weeks:

Hancock. It ends up being the tragic tale of a good movie gone bad. It starts out with so much promise, but the storyline takes an unfortunate turn, resulting in what seems like a ridiculous waste. Oh well. It's still some good fun. But you'll tell everyone about how it could've been so much better.

Hellboy. This was actually not bad. It reminded me, however, of a full-length movie based in the Star Wars cantina scene. I mean, it's basically a bunch of crazy creatures and their quirky personalities. I did not say that was a bad thing. Just more of an observation. There were funny moments. Action. A little gore. And in all, a bunch of fun. Too bad, the hell boy himself is not more appealing. He's one of those stunted male personalities who irriate me because of his inability to express himself in any way except lashing out. So old.

on DVD

2008-07-06T22:18:00.000-07:00

One of the absolute best movies I've seen lately came in the form of dvd. Charlie Bartlett is awesome! It's one of those movies that I loved from the moment it started. Quirky characters, really good writing, and pretty good acting = a good thing. I won't get into too much detail. Just rent it. I'm trying to get through some other netflix tonight so with that I sign off. And I hardly ever rate 5 stars on the Flix, which I immediately said I would once the credits were rolling.

Summer Movies

2008-06-29T11:47:00.000-07:00

I've been seeing a bunch of the summer movies, but haven't found the one yet that makes my summer. The most recent was Wanted -- the superspy movie with James MacAvoy (my favorite since The Chronicals of Narnia). It has Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman and claims to have the most surprising and amazing effects since the Matrix. However, I couldn't quite connect to it or like it as much as I wanted.

Summary: Get Smart -- disappointing. The Incredible Hulk. Better but still waiting for something more exciting.

What's Cooking?

2008-06-19T22:27:00.000-07:00

I grilled up some veg and salmon this evening that turned out pretty good. All you need is a little olive oil, salt, pepper and lemon and everything on the grill turns out fantastic.

I also tried cooking up some country pork ribs the other day. That was a bit of mystery meat before as I have never made it before. I used the crock pot, and it came out tender and fall-off-the-bone perfect. Asian seasonings and it was pretty yummy. But talk about fatty!

Another great meal at Alligator Soul. This time I had the jambalaya. Oh, mama. Crawfish, scallops, mussels, clams, shrimp, ham, sausage. This thing has got it all. I got it at the minimum 4 star spiciness, which was perfect. Next week they are having a crawfish boil. You better believe that I am gonna be there.

Worth Every Penny

2008-06-19T22:20:00.000-07:00

I had heard about this movie. A mockumentary, the Grand's final poker tournament scene was a real game -- and they just filmed it as part of the movie. If a particular person lost then they were out of the tournament -- and out of the movie at that time.

This is the kind of humor I love. Quirky characters. Hilarious dialogue. You'll love it. Chris Parnell of Saturday Night Live is a standout here. His character is a social misfit, brilliant, but "off" who takes pieces of Dune to live his life by.

2008-06-16T21:28:00.000-07:00

I loved this movie! And it had pearls of wisdom....such as "we are like water -- if agitated, then the way is not clear"....or something to that effect. I felt like that was totally talking to me.

And I adore Jack Black, so why wouldn't I like his characterization of a chubby panda who, a bit of a misfit, has big dreams.

Oh, the other little tidbit to remember: there is no secret ingredient. The answer is you.

The kids loved it too. I want to see it again! The fight scenes were awesome.

It's About Aliens

2008-06-08T22:27:00.000-07:00

I finally got a little bit caught up on some movies this weekend -- yes, the classic double feature. It was a long day because both of the movies we chose were 2 hours each.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Spoiler alert -- the crystal skull is an actual alien's skull. It seems kind of dumb, but oh well. I was more impress at how well Harrison Ford and Karen Allen have held up after all these year.

You Don't Mess With the Zohan. The premise is ridiculous. An Israeli counter-terrorist just wants to cut and style hair -- and make people silky smooth. Don't forget this is Adam Sandler and he's been way too serious lately, so he pulls out all the stops in making this over the top crazy. I laughed a lot.

I read that popcorn actually has a lot of tryptophan in it. I don't know if it is true, but I was feeling mighty drowsy after gnoshing on my medium bag at the movie. I'm still sleepy!

Mmmm....cupcakes

2008-06-05T21:57:00.000-07:00

I was told that Trophy Cupcakes are the best. I may just believe it. These cupcakes are insane! Talk about rich, moist and delicious. It is not for the faint of heart. And it's definitely a splurge any which way you look at it. The red velvet could be my favorite ever. I've always been against them because of the use of red food coloring. But the hint of cocoa and cream cheese frosting are quite delightful.

And the joint is so charming and retro -- who wouldn't be enchanted. Perhaps I will have my next birthday party here. Yum -o.

Ok, I give in

2008-06-02T21:41:00.000-07:00

I have been resisting Grey's Anatomy for 3 years now. I mean, it seemed like a Sex in the City thing except in a hospital, where life is frivolous and people are shallow. McDreamy. Doctors sleeping together. All the hype. I thought that I'd seen it all before. Well, yes, in a way I was right. There is nothing new here, but I finally got talked into watching the series (season one, at least) and it was not bad! In fact, I rather enjoyed it. The characters were likable and the situations, while sometimes not plausible, still kind of fun and relatable. So, season 2 is in my queue. I'm sure at some point I'll get sick of this soap opera, but there's not much action on my Tivo these days and I get to watch episodes back to back!

I Grill, Therefore I am

2008-05-19T21:58:00.000-07:00

The grilling season has more than launched. It's been super nice the last few days. Here's an example of some grilling I have been doing. There were also some really nice steaks -- and the surprise were some nice pork chops. I had not really grilled those before. They turned out REALLY GOOD! And, I'm able to just sort of cook away without having to consult guides and recipes anymore. It's really cool. I just grill and it turns out. WOW.

Oh, this is a brat that we did with some onions, peppers and kraut. All on a French roll. Not too shabby. I know this is hard to believe, but I ate this without making a total mess. Whoa.

Go Speed Go!

2008-05-19T21:45:00.000-07:00

It didn't totally suck. Next week is more of the official start to the summer movie season with the new installment of Indiana Jones. So I thought I'd get a few other movies out of the way to make room in the schedule. Speed Racer turned out better than I expected. A purist of the original animated series, I was skeptical. I mean, I grew up watching this stuff. While this was nothing like the series at all, it had a very stylized, saturated, and colorful feel of it's own that was both campy and fun.

I also saw The Chronicals of Narnia: Prince Caspian. I think I was actually a little disappointed. The first movie was a total pleasant surprise. This seemed disjointed to me -- I didn't where or where from it coming or going. I fell asleep for a few minutes (not the fault of the movie) but I did not quite recover from there. It was in no way bad -- it just didn't capture the magic of the first movie for me. The purity and grace of the characters as they were -- innocent and fresh

This was last weekend, but it is definitely noteworthy: Ironman. Robert Downy Jr. is the man. He makes this movie, which is quite good on its own. But he's funny and smart and so is this movie. The action takes some time to pick up, but the buildup is good. It really shows the motivation behind our hero. This has summer blockbuster written all over it.

As next weekend is Memorial Day, the big stuff comes out soon. I will wait till the crowds die down again.

I hear it's also time for the annual Seattle Film Festival. Now that I'm an eastsider, I don't think it is for me anymore. Oh, how sad....

Series 2: Vending Machines

2008-04-20T19:38:00.001-07:00

My other favorite thing in Japan -- the fabulous vending machines. They have everything. I had to try as much as possible. The grapefruit water -- yummy! And the best? An iced cocoa that is SO, so yummy. Hot, cold. No problem.

When I get a chance I will share more food pics. There are so many cool things.

Japan Series 1: plastic food menus

2008-04-20T19:23:00.000-07:00

I love these! One of my favorite things about being in Japan are the plastic food menus.

Picture one: a whole bunch of ice cream flavors. I think there are more than 31....

Picture two: typical Japanese menu items of noodles, bento boxes, etc

Movies on a Plane

2008-04-20T19:19:00.000-07:00

So, I'm now back in town after my adventure in Asia. I'm having a hard time adjusting back to the time change, but had no trouble sleeping over there. Curiuos....

Anyway, i had a chance to check out a bunch of movies on the 10 hour flight over and the 8 hour flight back. While plane movie viewing is never ideal, announcement interruptions have to be made in 2 languages on international flights making it even more annoying.

I Am Legend -- kept my attention and was not as bad as i expected

Sadly, that is the only one I can remember 8 days later. Oh well. They were all on my Netflix queue, which I have now been able to update.

Not as interesting a post as I had hoped...

The Movie Spreadsheet

2008-04-20T19:07:00.000-07:00

We have gotten organized and have a spreadsheet of all the movies we want to see until the end of the summer. I'm sure more will be added as I do some more research into the movies coming out. But it's a good 30 movies long. And we have been making headway!

Leatherheads -- entertaining and often charming (who does not like a George Clooney movie? -- plus as a bonus it has John Kraskinsi) this movie ends up disappointing in the end because the ending does not make sense! The likable hero gets taken down at the end for no good reason except for the truth to come out. So, I won't go on and on, but I really don't like Rene Zellweger and I was left with kind of an icky flabberghasted kind of feeling. Why???

Forgetting Sarah Marshall -- another movie by the Apatow gang. This one is written and stars Jason Segel, who was my favorite on Freaks and Geeks. I'll just say that I laughed out loud many, many times, but there was also some moment of "I did not need to see that" as well as the most male frontal nudity I've seen in any movie -- ever. Gratuitous! But at least the guys get the gratuitous scenes for once.

The Forbidden Kingdom -- Jet Li and Jackie Chan together at last. A big deal, yes? By the looks of the crowd at the matinee I would certainly say so. But while it was good, it was also a bit lackluster. It didn't have the epic "wow" nor was it as funny as the previews would like you to think. The fight scenes went on.... and on.....but overall not bad. Just not what it could've been.

Green Valley Meats

2008-04-20T19:03:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was like 80 degrees (remember that?) Never mind that it's been doing nothing but raining AND snowing since. Anyway, we went to Green Valley meats to pick up some steaks -- and a couple of extra treats too. The best bacon I've had to date and some smoked oysters that were not bad at all.

The steaks ended up being delicious. Super thick cut. I wasn't sure how long to grill, but they turned out great!

That was the end of the good weather....for now anyway.

Run Fat Boy Run

2008-04-02T11:47:00.000-07:00

I loved this movie! It even made me want to be a runner. Not a marathon runner, mind you -- or even a half marathon runner. But the kind of runner who runs often and enjoys it. Anyway, how can you go wrong with a movie written by Micheal Ian Black and Simon Pegg. Run Fat Boy Run chronicles the woes of Dennis, a slacker/loser with a good heart who leaves his pregnant finacee at the alter because he does not feel he is good enough for her. So he spends the entirety of the movie trying to win her back (which involves running) and hilarity ensues. I give this at least 4, maybe 5 stars.

Marinated steak with gorgonzola sauce

2008-03-23T22:14:00.000-07:00

I grilled up some steaks with this marinade that I have to say was pretty tasty! So easy too.

1/2 hour before grilling, marinate steaks in 1 tbs. olive oil, 1 tbs. balsamic vinegar, 2 cloves of chopped garlic, 1 tsp. of brown sugar.

Serve up with a sauce of 2 tbs. gorgonzola, 2 tbs. buttermilk and a dash of Worcherstershire.

I grilled a couple of veg on the side and sauteed baby broccoli, which I have to admit was more fabulous than I expected.

Quick and delicious. I got this recipe from one of those healthy cooking shows so that also made me feel good about gorging on it. I had had some weird 36-hour flu that left me quite famished and craving steak. This was totally satisfying.

Triple Play

2008-03-23T21:58:00.001-07:00

It was a 3-movie weekend. Those are my favorite kinds. All 3 exceeded my expectations and left me feeling completely satisfied. Oddly, I found Drillbit Taylor, a tale about a homeless guy who is hired by a trio of freshman nerds to protect them from the school bully to be really moving and sweet. I guess I love those stories where the underdogs prevail, lessons of life, love and friendship are learned and everyone lives happily ever after. Of course Owen Wilson is the perfect guy to play Drillbit -- perfectly imperfect. Teetering on jerkdom, his soft side pervails in the end. And my heart totally went out to the nerdy kids. Love the nerdy kids.

Miss Pettigrew Lives for A Day. I heard good things about this, so it was no surprise that this was a winner. Sort of a modern day Jane Austen tale (where modern is the 1930's) where a woman who is not born into money has to do what she has to do to make her way in the world where a career is not an option open to her -- I guess she could be an actress, but i mean women were not expected or given many opportunities to make her own living outside of being a governess or something like that. I cried at the end. True love finds a way in the end and who doesn't like that?

Took the kids to see Horton Hears A Who. Now, I don't really remember this Dr. Seuss tale that much and I wasn't sure they could make a whole movie-length story from it, but it was quite brilliant! And sweet and heartwarming and yada yada. A lot of that going on this weekend. And yes, I may have even shed a tear or 2. Honestly -- go see it. It has a moral. It has relevancy. It reminded of the feeling I got when I saw War of the Worlds and witnessing one race try to obliterate another for what reason? Yes, it's cruel, heartless and painful to watch. In any case, i liked it, the kids liked it and the boyfriend liked it. What more could you ask? The animation was top-notch. The voiceovers also great. Jim Carrey and especially Steve Carrell were fantastic.

You should go. Really!

The Calcium Kid

2008-03-19T23:05:00.000-07:00

Not yet available on DVD and never released in the States (?) The Calcium Kid is exactly the kind of movie I love. I love the mockumentary. This one takes aim at the boxing industry -- but in a way only the British can do. It stars Orlando Bloom like you've never seen him. Very natural and at home with the wry humor, he is both charming and exudes a wholesome optimism which is refreshing and sweet.

Filmed in 2004, Orlando looks fresh-faced in this low-budget, unpretentious movie. So, the way I got to see this is that it is one of the "see it now" films offered through Netflix. This is the first I've taken advantage of this feature -- it rocks! Nothing on tv....not in the mood for my other Netflix movies. What a great alternative. Now that I have the new laptop that actually works and have actual internet I can take advantage of such technology.

A movie about boxing that is charming? If anything, watch this just so you know it can be done.

My New Addicition

2008-03-17T21:16:00.000-07:00

I've managed to get down to the Pike Place Market a couple of times in the last couple of weeks. I am now hooked on the beautiful cheeses at Beecher's. Cheeses are local and fa-bu-lous. There is a gorgeous camembert that is ooey-gooey delicious on a french baguette. And let me tell you, this brought me right back to my days in Paris. Then there is this Organzola that I have been enjoying on salads. I'm going to do a flank steak and make a sauce with the gorgonzola. I can't think of anything that sounds more tasty. We got some great recommendations this last time and some did some serious sampling. I love cheese.

Made In Kitchen

2008-03-09T22:55:00.000-07:00

I've been wanting to try Made in Kitchen for some time. One of those upscale Vietnamese fusion joints, it's inviting and stylish on the inside. The menu is also inviting with dishes called "meatball treasures" and claypot catfish.

However, it fell short in wowing me overall. I have to say that I prefer Tamarind Tree down the street where they have fabulous cocktails and dishes that i have to say that I am unable to forget about because they were so good. My favorite being a version of the spring roll that is just delectable and unique.

Plus there was an odd scuffle outside during dinner where a bunch of little thugs got into a bit of a fist fight then tried to come in for a bite to eat. Weird and unsettling.

Movie Marathon!

2008-03-09T22:43:00.000-07:00

It's been quite some time since I've done the double feature. I had a couple of short movies selected so it didn't seem like an all day event. But I enjoyed both quite a bit!

Semi-Pro. Nothing new here, but Will Ferrell does it so well. Nothing tops Anchorman in my book, but this movie had its moments. Taking us back to the 70's once again, he wears a 'fro this time. Go for a giggle.

Penelope. While it did not have all of the magic I had hoped for, it was still a pleasant movie about learning to love yourself. It will appeal to the romantic in you. And has the whimsey of a modern fairytale.

Daylight savings is already messing with me. I had time for a couple of dvds. Conan O'Brien's 10th Anniversay Special. At only 64 minutes, this was easy to fit in. Funny stuff. And I also watched Across the Universe. Over 2 hours, if you let yourself, you will become immersed in it. I found it absolutely moving and engrossing. It could have gone all wrong -- it's a fantasy reimagining of the 60's Vietnam war story threaded together with Beatles songs. It worked for me.

Season 6

2008-03-03T19:53:00.000-08:00

Whoa. I just finished Smallville season 6. Is Lana really dead? And what about Chloe? Like every season, the last episode blows your mind. How is Clark going to get out of this one?

Highlights of season 6: the inception of the League of Justice with the Green Arrow, Aquaman and some robot guy (I don't remember him from the cartoon, but I never did read the comic books). Smallville remains true to its roots in that it pretty much follows the original storyboard --I think!

Jimmy Olsen is introduced this season. And the rivalry between Clark and Lex Luthor heats up. Lex is finally seen as a character plunging into the dark side who can not be saved by Clark's friendship. He steals Lana from him and it's irreconcilable.

It can be corny at times and yes, there is gratuitous cleavage at times (as well as beefcake) but I am hooked, even 6 seasons later.

Weekend Movies

2008-03-02T20:58:00.000-08:00

So after the lovely crepes, we headed down to Pike Place Market and picked up some amazing cheeses to snack on for dinner.

Got some kind of runny cheese that was absolutely fabulous on a baguette. Some Oregonzola -- you can guess what I'm talking about. We put it on a salad of greens with sliced apples and cranberries. That was spectacular. And the Beecher classic, which I have yet to break in to.

So then off to the movies to see Be Kind Rewind. It turned out to be way more heartwarming than expected with an actual plot! It took a bit to get started, but once it did, I was charmed.

Then a couple of dvd's to go with all the cheese. Gone Baby Gone. A more complex plotline with some twists and turns than what I would have expected. A frustrating ending where there are no answers really. I could not understand what the characters were saying half the time because aside from the Boston accent being ugly sounding, it's also unintelligible at times. But more than I expected from the Affleck, since I generally see him as an untalented schmuck. Not bad, tho not really my cup of tea.

The it was Starter for Ten -- a surprise hit in my book. Charming coming of age comedy with James MacAvoy (I admit I rented it for this reason alone), but it was sweet and had a kick-butt 80's new wave soundtrack that really took me back. It was the movie John Hughs would have made had he been English.

Unicorn Crepes

2008-03-02T20:52:00.000-08:00

This is my favorite new discovery in the I-District. It's sheer perfection and fun if you are looking for some tasty novelty crepes. I had the chocolate cream crepes with bananas and custard. And the Unicorn crepe, which was teriyaki chicken, eggs, cabbage and mayo. If if they didn't also have the best chai. So GOOD! The atmosphere was rad (fun music playing above -- i think there was some disco in there). The staff was friendly and decidedly Japanese and very hip. The crepes were delicious! The plastic display menu reminded me of my favorite thing Japanese. Ok, and he's the secret -- the bathroom is the most cool, unique thing you've ever seen. Someone went to a lot of trouble to make it special. I can not do it justice, so you'll just have to go and see for yourself. I know I'm going back!

A Seafood Feast

2008-03-02T20:48:00.000-08:00

Here's a picture of the seafood feast we made a few weeks back. We actually shucked our own oysters on the half shell (i'm very impressed by this) and made some mussels in a white wine/saffron broth. Can I just say that it was SO easy and tasted SO good! Top it off with a nice loaf of bread and a simple salad. Bellisimo!

My Birthday Cake

2008-03-02T20:45:00.000-08:00

My sister made me my own little personal cake for my birthday. Too bad no one was well enough to help me celebrate! Plus, I was busy getting ready to travel for a work trade show. But the cake was so cute -- and my mom insisted that we light a couple of candles anyway and sing a song. I think it's completely darling! And the lemon glaze on it made it super yummy as well.

Crock Pot White Chicken Chili

2008-03-02T20:41:00.001-08:00

This has been a hit this winter. Just throw a couple of cans of white beans, chicken broth, green chiles, diced chicken and monterey jack into a crock pot and turn it on. Voila! I've just discovered Trader Joe's corn bread mix. It is really good! Sweet, with whole corn -- I like it.

Oh, Tivo

2008-02-24T23:40:00.000-08:00

I screwed up my taping selection on the Tivo and missed out on the Academy Awards. I only saw about the last half hour. What a drag! I have to read about it on the internet! Boo.

Bob's bacon

2008-02-24T23:38:00.000-08:00

Ok, so finally got the chance to sample the bacon from Bob's and it was literally the best bacon I've ever had. Not too fatty (it didn't fry up into nothing leaving only a bath of grease behind). It wasn't too salty. It cooked up perfectly chewy.

Perfect! I got enough to include in a sandwich and to fry up in a soup or something. I would definitely go back for more -- even tho bacon is not really part of the healthy diet plan I'm trying to follow. Oh, well. Bob won't be back for another week or so anyway.

Bob's!

2008-02-22T23:29:00.000-08:00

For some crazy reason, when I lived in Columbia City I never checked out Bob's Quality Meats. I finally went on a recent field trip to the old 'hood. What luck. They were having a one day blow-out sale because the store was to be closed for 2 weeks. We loaded up on some sausages, the best-looking thick cut bacon you have ever seen, and some pork chops.

We fried up the chops and they were so delectable! I will definitely go back!

Also on the field trip agenda was Mutual Fish for some mussels (we made a steamed saffron mussels dish -- yum!) and some kushi (?) oysters. Fantastic. Oh, man, we shucked the oysters and ate them raw. So good. I remember this place from going with my grandma way back in the day. Freshest seafood in town! My parents will still make a special trip to get the best here.

And finally -- visited the Columbia Street Bakery -- which has been on my list FOREVER! Too bad we got there kind of late and most of the bread was gone. But we did score a white crusty loaf to go with the mussels. While there we also had to sample the sesame tahini cookie and the doughnut muffin. THAT is a stroke of genius!

To Be in Bruges

2008-02-22T23:18:00.000-08:00

I had to see this movie, In Bruges. I mean, how long have I been saying that I want to go to Bruges? It's freaking gorgeous and I have not been to Belgium yet. The movie highlighted how beautiful a place it is -- like a fairytale.

I have to say beyond the scenery, this movie is pure genius! The dialogue is some of the best I can remember. The characters are all pure gold. This is what makes movie going special. Something unexpected like this. The ending wasn't completely to my liking, but it did not lack in any way. A part of me wanted a happier ending, but I think for the film it actually was totally appropriate. Even Colin Farrel pulled out all the stops and put in a brilliant performance as an almost Rain Man kind of child-like novice hitman.

Last Sunday I saw Jumper -- for need of a distraction and lack of anything else to see. Kind of lame. Bad acting. Interesting premise. Just not well executed.

There are actually a bunch of movies coming up that I want to see. It is about time is all I can say! There has been quite a dry spell. But that is soon to end:

Be Kind Rewind -- Jack Black, baby. Hopefully will see this tomorrow.

The Other Boleyn Girl -- horrible title, but i do love my historic chick flicks

Penelope -- about a girl with a pig nose. Romantic comedy of the year! My fave James McAvoy...

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day -- overall looks fantastic

What Was Vegas

2008-02-22T23:16:00.001-08:00

Unfortunately, Vegas turned out to be nothing but 5 days of back-breaking work for me. I did have a couple of good dinners -- one night out for Mediterranean and one Italian. But I did not make it to the strip nor did I make it to Mario's restaurant or Thomas Keller's place. So sad. So sad. The highlight? A field trip to the Zappos office and coming home!

Now the birthday month can continue....

Cocktail

2008-02-10T21:56:00.000-08:00

Umm...I couldn't not show you my Floridita cocktail at the Havana Club. Here's a shot of the bar as well. Swankadelic, Baby.

Birthday Time

2008-02-10T21:42:00.001-08:00

It's been pretty crazy with everything going on at work. I definitely deserved to take a break for my birthday. Karl took me out for a very special birthday dinner at Crush that did not disappoint. We started off with a baby beet salad with gorgonzola sauce, Yakima pears, croutons and arugula in a balsamic vinaigrette. Fabulous.

Then we shared entrees of seared sea scallops with risotto with panchetta and a dish of lobster and gnocci in a caviar sauce. Whoa. We finished off with the best of all world -- a sampler of 5 chocolate desserts that included a chocolate sorbet, chocolate pot de creme, a homemade s'more, a white chocolate truffle and chocolate lava cake. Oh my.

Top it off with a lovely bottle of wine and the most delightful company, and I'm a happy girl. We prefunced at the Havana Club and had some nice cocktails to start the evening. Definitely want to check that place out again. With a cocktail menu that "goes way back" I tried the Floradita, which was a lovely combination of grapefruit and lime juices, white rum and grenadine liquer. Strong....and tasty.

Partying only lasted one evening as I have been working like crazy to prepare for a Vegas tradeshow I'm going to tomorrow morning. I'm hoping to check out some good eats while I am there.

A Hidden Gem

2008-02-10T21:38:00.000-08:00

I got that quote from someone on IMDB who wrote this about I Am Reed Fish: A hidden gem! Don't miss it! I could not agree more. A film within a film, it's an autobiographical tale of a young man from a small town with big shoes to fill when his father dies in a car crash. It's just about finding about who you are, what makes you tick, and getting what you want -- having your own voice. Good stuff. One might even call it charming.

It IS Rocket Science

2008-02-04T21:16:00.000-08:00

Out of the 2 movies on dvd that I watched over the weekend, my choice to recommend to you is Rocket Science. The description on the movie sleeve said this movie was "charming" and I would have to say that I agree. It's about a teenage stutterer who is recruited into the high school debate team by the team's star debater. She is the epitome of ambition gone wrong as it turns out that she is scheming to move schools, leaving her old team with a stutterer on the squad so she can dominate in the state tournement.

But the stutterer finds that he has more in him than he realized -- forced to face this humiliation and he ups his game. He doesn't win. But he does. Anyway, it's worth a viewing. And if you like underdog movies, you will be cheering him on like crazy.

Sunshine was not a bad movie. I liked the pace and the feel of it as it moved along (it's about a group of scientists who need to travel to the sun to jumstart the dying star in the future to save mankind). Then it took a kind of crazy turn toward the end of the movie into a bit of suspense/horror. I watched the credits and realized that this movie was directed by Danny Boyle -- and it all made sense. He also directed 28 Days Later, one of the only zombie movies that I like (also starring Cillian Murphy, by the way). In any case, it was interesting and thought provoking. It's dark, yet sees the light at the end. Yes, much in the same way that the characters in 28 Days Later are doomed, so is the cast of cosmonauts. However, the earth survives and the crew manages to fulfill their mission -- but at a cost.

Tonight's Dinner

2008-02-04T21:11:00.000-08:00

Rigatoni with Eggplant Puree
Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis
Show:
Everyday Italian
Episode:
Warming Up Winter

1 medium eggplant, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 pint cherry tomatoes
3 cloves garlic, whole
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
1 pound rigatoni pasta
1/4 cup torn fresh mint leaves
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl combine the eggplant, cherry tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Spread the vegetables out in an even layer on the baking sheet. Roast in the oven until the vegetables are tender and the eggplant is golden, about 35 minutes.

While the vegetables are roasting, place the pine nuts in a small baking dish. Place in the oven on the rack below the vegetables. Roast until golden, about 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and reserve.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta into a large bowl and reserve 1 1/2 cups of the cooking liquid.

Transfer the roasted vegetables to a food processor. Add the torn mint leaves and extra-virgin olive oil. Puree the vegetables.

Transfer the pureed vegetables to the bowl with the pasta and add the Parmesan. Stir to combine, adding the pasta cooking liquid 1/2 cup at a time until the pasta is saucy. Sprinkle the pine nuts over the top and serve.

I made this for dinner. Because I can't seem to get away from substitutions for whatever reason, here is what I did: I used basil instead of mint. Had ravioli for the pasta, and threw in roasted asparagus and mushrooms into the sauce. It had a nice flavor, and I felt like I got a lot of veg without even trying. I would say I would make it again -- next time with noodles!

Soup's On

2008-01-30T20:18:00.000-08:00

The goal is to start eating a bit lighter. One of my favorite dishes is a lentil soup -- I have combined a bunch of different recipes to come up with my own:

Julie's Sausage & Lentil Soup

1 tbs. olive oil
1 med onion, chopped
1 carrot, diced
2 stalks of celery, chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp dried herbs -- mixed italian, or thyme, basil, oregano (your choice)
1 bay leaf
3/4 cup lentils
1 14oz can diced tomatoes
3 chicken sausages
4 cups chicken stock
1 cup water
a bunch of dark, leafy greens like kale, collards, spinach
salt and pepper to taste

Sautee the veg in the olive oil. Add the rest of the ingredients (except greens). bring to a boil and simmer for 25 min. Last 5 min, add greens. Cook to wilt.

Serve with some crusty bread. Enjoy!

I'm Bored

2008-01-30T20:08:00.000-08:00

With the lack of new television, I feel deprived on my weekly fixes for my shows. The one bright spot is Carpoolers. For some reason, there are new episodes since the new year. I don't know how long it will last, but once it's over, I will be crushed. This show is brilliant. And now every episode is like a little pot of gold. Marmaduke (below) is the funniest character on television. Truly an eccentric. Lately, I'm loving Dougie. It must have been the episode where he belts out "Come on Eileen" at the top of his lungs. He's the quintessential clueless, lovable nerd.

Vegas in 3

2008-01-23T21:44:00.000-08:00

I'm going to be going to Vegas in a few weeks for a trade show. I'm planning on making this all about some good eating. I think I'm going to be exhausted as the show runs from 8am to 6pm daily so I my goal is to get some good eats and catch one show. I think that is about all my pocketbook can afford anyway.

Since I'm going it alone and it is my birthday month -- week even -- I'm going to splurge a little. I've been wanting to try one of Mario Batali's restaurants. He has a casual dining place in the Venetian, San Marco, that I'm definitely going to check out. Do I want a pasta or the crispy duck? Check out the menu! I'm pretty sure I need to try the duck.

Then there is Thomas Keller's Bouchon, also in the Venetian. To me, the prices seem really reasonable for "fine dining". I definitely want some mussels. The salads sound so yummy. No one makes a salad like the French. And at $35, the steak frites seems like a bargain! Check out the menu -- I think I'm going to have to have dessert too! Um... profiteroles, yes!