Persona 6 officially revealed
1 day ago
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thanksgiving 2008
We spent Thanksgiving this year with brother Jimmie. The day went just how I like to spend my days off... Cooking! Ozten and I started cooking up some snacks at home then we moved the cooking party over to Jimmie's so we could snack and drink and cook some more.
We started eating the snacks...
- Stuffed Mushrooms from Vegan Fusion
- Roasted Pumpkin with Cheese "Fondue" from Gourmet Magazine
- Cheese plate a la Jimmie
- Squash Soup from SOUPS Cookbook
- Tricolore Salad of Endive, Beet and Arugula
- Tofu and Leek Tart with Lentil Sauce from the Voluptuous Vegan
Stuffed Mushrooms from Vegan Fusion
Stuffed mushrooms, originally uploaded by Patty OK.
These were really good. I added all of the optional ingredients - I love the Miso and the Nutritional yeast gave the spinach mixture an almost cheesy consistency. It took a little longer to cook than suggested (closer to 20 minutes and still not soft), we eventually turned the broiler and cooked them a few more minutes until the tops were brown.
The recipe wasnt totally clear whether to remove the mushrooms from the marinade to cook them or to leave them in. I left them in - maybe thats why it took longer to cook?
Anyways these were really good and I would definitely cook them again.
Roasted Pumpkin with Cheese "Fondue" from Gourmet Magazine
The Fondue is in quotes perhaps cause its not really fondue that you dip something into but a pile of cheese that is cooked up with bread and the pumpkin. You scoop out the goo and the bread catching some of the pumpkin on the way and serve it in a bowl. Made for a not so tidy presentation. If I made it again I would try making it in individual sized pumpkins.
Squash Soup from SOUPS Cookbook
This was a pureed soup with sauteed pears, cranberries and pear cider added at the end. We also called it Jimmie's Autumnal Goodness in a Bowl. The cookbook is from the Soup Maker at the Hop Vine in Capitol Hill. As we ate it we discussed why they have so many awesome soups in their cookbook but serve only four different soups there and why is their service so slow...
Tricolore Salad of Endive, Beet and Arugula
Another great pick. This recipe has you roast the beets on a bed of salt which I have never done before but it made for some really tasty beets. They were really flavorful and not too beet-y.
The endive added some nice crunch and mellowed out the flavor of the dressing which was a little strong, but good. Whoever came up with the recipe must never have watched Saturday Morning cartoons to learn to not drown your food. The recipe called for 2 beets, I had a ton on hand so I cooked them all (4 big and 8 small). I dressed them all and still had lots of dressing leftover. Its good and re-usable so no big whoop but you could safely cut the recipe in half. We topped it with garlic chips instead of nuts on account of it being a holiday and all.
Tofu and Leek Tart with Lentil Sauce from the Voluptuous Vegan
And finally the main course. The Voluptuous Vegan cookbook is awesome for some festive meals. Sometimes they require a bit of work but everything Ive made out of the cookbook has been awesome. This one actually was not too hard at all and totally yummy. We used a selection of mushrooms - chantrelles, shitaki and crimini. We served it with the lentil sauce and a rice pilaf that Jimmie made. The tart had a little bit of tartness to it (imagine that) and the lentils offset that well. The lentils also went well with the rice - long grain and wild rice cooked in veggie broth with pecans and dried cranberries.
And of course Dessert...
Bourbon-Orange Pecan Pie with Bourbon Orange Cream
Austin fixed up this one... I'm not a big fan of Pecan Pie but this was pretty good. I really liked the orange in there. Its a bit of an involved recipe, we found candied orange peel at the Ballard Market, but he did make his own crust.
We finished the night with a walk around the block and a game of Scrabble that I totally dominated...
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
A brand new gently used sink.
Uninspired and flabbergasted at the prices of new sinks, we focused our sink search at the salvage shops. Namely the Re-store, Earthwise and Second Use. We found a much better selection than at the new stores and of course better bargains, not to mention that buying used is just better in many cases.
We found this little number at Second Use which will fit nicely in our little space and comes with a faucet that we dont have to change if we dont want to. Sweet. Best of all we used a gift certificate that I purchased at a discounted rate from the Tilth Auction last year. Everybody wins!
Our progress on the bathroom continues slow but sure.
A brand new gently used sink., originally uploaded by Patty OK.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
BrunchBQ Viddles
What better way to spend a hot Labor Day in SF but at a BrunchBQ. While visiting our pals Pam and Asa we decided to have a morning BBQ before our flight left town. We made french toast on the grill, Yum. Pam made the most delicious potatoes ever. Then we experimented with eggs. Cooking them in bell peppers right on the grill. The recipe could use some refinement, but it had some serious potential.
The peppers got a little blackened, which I didn't mind, but it did not please our top chef. Most disturbing was that the cooking process took a while, a while long enough for the eggs to develop a plastic-y skin around them. I think we could work on that by pre-heating the peppers? Cooking it at a higher temp? Not sure, but will keep perfecting the BrunchBQ menu.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
Project Bathroom Begins!
We've been in our house almost five years now, and while we've made much progress on the yard, the inside has remained fairly untouched (with the exception of one minor wall removal project).
Ozten and I have been working on our grand master plan which involves some major work that we're not quite ready to start. But we're fairly certain at this point that the current bathroom will remain where it is so we can commence with the much needed update.
I'm still in the planning stages, trying to decide on colors, tiles etc. We know we will keep the bathtub, and replace everything else, keeping everything where it is.
I love color and I am in love with the glass tile. I found Modwalls online and love everything they have. The Lush Blend Horizon is awesome, but a lot out of the price range. So I requested some samples of their smaller (cheaper) tiles. They arrived today. I totally love the Cool Pool.
We are also looking at tiling the floor, but have no clue which way to go there. Modwalls have the Moddotz which are very cute, but we're not totally sold. They sent a variety of samples for a small fee. So much better to see them in person than online.
Someday when we get a Saturday free, we will go to some physical tile shops in town.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
One of many cute Portland restaurants
One of many cute Portland restaurants, originally uploaded by Patty OK.
Why does Portland have so many cute restaurants?
It was about 100 degrees this day, which doesnt make for a big appetite so Japanese food was perfect. Our friend recommended Yakuza, which was perfect. Made even better by the fact that we sat right next to the roll-up door which opens to this backyard. Up the steps is a Hot Tub and outdoor bathtub all "tiled" with river rocks. Oh and the food (and drinks) were damn good too.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Friday, August 1, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Carnivalley
Our neighbors hosted a rad carnival in their alley on Saturday. It was
a fundraiser to help out their friend who suffered from a stroke. It
was a fun showing of what a commmunity can do.
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