POLL

I have a family obligation this summer in Myrtle Creek Oregon. Not quite family reunion, but almost. Rob and I are flying into Portland and then driving down, planning to stay in Roseburg, not far from Myrtle Creek. I found this amazing looking place and trying to decide if we should fork over the extra 50$/ night or suck it up and stay in the Howard Johnson. Quick poll:

A. Go for it, we might as well enjoy ourselves even if we can't really afford it.

B. Suck it up. This isn't a holiday, its a family gathering.

Getting reaccquainted

Last week, I had the pleasure of having lunch with a friend I hadn't seen in over two years. We reconnected, thanks to my latest addiction Facebook, over Japanese food in downtown Vancouver

I started with a sunomono salad, one of my favourite non-sushi items. It is so refreshing when done right and this was not a bad example at all.

 

Milena had Yakisoba, and laughed good naturedly as I took its picture. It arrived sizzling hot and looked very appealing.

 

I followed my salad up with an order of tuna and wild salmon sashimi. Delicious buttery fish. What more could you ask for?

 

We also shared a bottle of Sapporo as we sat at the bar and talked and talked and ate.

Life is spinning out of control

Well, that statement might be a little overly dramatic, but I think its safe to say that it is changing A LOT. I have started going to the gym very regularly - another 1.5 hrs of my day gone, as well as working more hours. Plus Rob is now working more than full time. We have turned into one of those couples that barely get to see each other, let alone sit down to a delicious meal. We make the effort, but cooking is becoming more and more difficult. I think this blog is going to change ~ maybe a little less food centric and a little more like my own personal diary. I could do without feeling guilty for neglecting this!

Linda likes to

I discovered this fun little meme through a friend's Facebook posting "the exercise is type "[your name] likes to" in quotations in Google and put in the first 10 things that come up."
LInda likes to open the floor to specific questions from the audience.
Linda likes to play electric and acoustic bass as well as other instruments.
Linda likes to play with her friend Virginia who is in her Brownie troop.
Linda “likes to make love quietly and slowly. ...
Linda likes to travel and has built an album of beautiful world sceneries over the years.
Linda likes to play tennis, talk, and use the computer.
Linda likes to unwind through her hobby of decorative painting. ...
Linda likes to paint, take photographs, and practice her violin.
Linda likes to paint native animals and plants, and prefers to paint in the natural colours of the particular animal or plant she is painting. ...
Linda likes to garden.
Funny thing is, several of this are a good description of me..... But now I must run. 90210 is coming on soon and a I plan to have a cocktail while I watch (I am taking some me time, ok!).

Denmark

Anyone ever been? Any trip reccs ~ hotels, things to see etc. I am looking ahead a year or two, but we want to start saving (and planning) now.

I made gnocchi

 

from scratch. I know they aren't beautiful, but I got the texture right and that to me is the most important part.

Thursday

 

After the nightmare at the passport office, I managed to make a good dinner. Seared duck with apricot lavender glaze, wild rice pilaf and roasted brussels sprouts.

I also purchased new gear for the gym I joined starting Monday. Crazy me...

Well

It takes 10 hours to get a Canadian Passport in Vancouver. And a month for it to arrive. Three months if you don't get into the interminable lineups.

Wish me luck

I am going to the passport office tomorrow. Hopefully I won't have to wait too long!

Monday

 

Sometimes I am so happy with the crazy things I think up. Last night was no exception. I had a vague image in my mind of halibut, poached, a mushroomy broth, rice noodles, chinese broccoli. And I made it happen. I made a broth from chicken stock, water, sake, rice vinegar, tamari, flowering chives and dried mushrooms. To this I added the most beautiful fresh shiitake mushrooms, then poached my halibut gently. I purchased fresh rice noodles from South China Seas, sauteed them in garlic, ladle a small amount of broth over them and popped them in the oven to continue heating through. I sauteed Chinese broccoli with fresh ginger and more sake. Everything came together in a bowl with a garnish of fresh cilantro. Quite possibly the best fish dish I have ever made. And thanks to another educated recommendation from Liberty Wines, the Mas Rabell white wine I sipped was a perfect match.

Happy Easter

And Happy Birthday to me! I know, gratuitous self promotion. Turned 28 today. My parents got me the much coveted Silver Spoon Cookbook, Rob is making me my favourite meal and at least one of my sisters has called and wished me a happy day. Burned myself yesterday. Rob promises me that my arm hair doesn't look this disgusting in real life. Oh, and if you are squeamish, you might want to stop reading here.

 

I splashed hot butter over my arm while making a recipe from a fabulous cookbook entitled "Elements of Taste". Highly recommend the cookbook.

A little adventure

I was off on Friday, so I decided to go to Ikea. Don't ask me why! It is a production and a half to get to the Richmond Ikea, so I decided to aim for Coquitlam. I hopped on the Skytrain, got off at the appropriate station and decided I would walk it. Silly me. After 20 minutes of walking on Loughheed Highway, I dashed across three lanes of traffic and waited for the bus! By the time I got there, I was starving, so I broke down and ate in their restaurant.

 

chicken caesar salad

 

Lingonberry mousse.

I had a long trek home with lots of detours and shopping ~ nice to have a day where I didn't have to be anywhere. Although I did have a date with Tony Bourdain. Or rather his cookbook. I was asking for dinner ideas a week or so ago and a BB member suggested a recipe from the Les Halles Cookbook. Can you believe I have had this book for almost a year and haven't cooked anything from it??

 

Pork Cooked in Milk with Polenta and roasted Brussels sprouts.
I am reposting the recipe here as I found it on the internet. I followed it precisely, although my pork was smaller. (1 1/2lbs)

Roti de Porc au lait.

3lb boneless pork loin roast
2 TBL olive oil
1 TBL butter
1 med onion chopped
1 carrot finely chopped
1 leek white part only finely chopped
1 garlic clove finely chopped
1 TBL flour
2 cups whole milk
1 bouquet garni

Season pork with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in the dutch oven. When the oil is hot add the butter. Brown the roast on all sides. Remove the roast from the pan and set aside onthe large plate. Add the onion, carrot, leek, and garlic and stir over high heat unitl soft and caramelized.
Stirring constantly, add the flour and cook for 2 minutes, then add the milk and the bouquet garni. Bring to a boil and cook over high heat for 5 minutes. Add the pork and any juices that have collected on the plate. reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook over low heat for 1 hour, making sure to periodically rotate the pork. (the sugars in the milk can cause sticking and scorching) Remove the pork and allow to rest for 15 minutes.

Remove and discard the bouquet garni. Strain the cooking liquid into a small pot and bring to a boil. Using a hand blender, puree the sauce until foamy. Adjust the seaoning as needed. Carve the pork and arange on a serving platter. Spoon the sauce over and around the pork and serve immdiately.
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Thursday

 

Did I mention Rob started working at a butchershop? Last night he made dinner and tested out the Moroccan meatloaf from his work. The flavour was excellent, the texture interesting. Having really only eaten my own meatloaf, I found this one to be a little solid. But maybe that is the way they are supposed to be?

Wednesday Dinner

 

Salmon with tomato and caper sauce, couscous with wild mushrooms, and roasted asparagus.
Salmon with Tomato Caper Sauce


Couscous With Wild Mushrooms

The asparagus is tossed with olive oil, salt and pepper and roasted at 425 for ten minutes.

New Toy

 

I got my birthday present a little early ~ a new digital camera!!

Musings

I read a rather frightening April Fools Day post on one of my favourite blogs and it got me to thinking. I clicked through to some of the links and read the harsh comments being made, itching to comment, but biting my internet tongue.
I review the occasional restaurant here, for my audience of 5 ( i think... if they haven't given up on me while I was AWOL ). Am I out of line? Is it my place to have an opinion on any given dining establishment?
I eat. I work in the food industry. I love food. I don't try to hide who I am here, but I would never dream of walking into a restaurant and announcing that I am a blogger. I don't make irrational accusations or unfounded criticisms.
More importantly, I am a human being with a right to freedom of expression.

Stepping off my soapbox...

Saturday Dinner

I started work at 5:30 am yesterday, so I was finished early. I took full advantage of the sun and went for a two hour trek around my neighbourhood before heading home to make dinner.

 

Tomato and Brie Tartlett with olive tapenade and butter lettuce salad.

 

Roasted Sablefish with sake and fresh wild mushroom sauce, asparagus and a yam and potato cake.

 

Close up of potato cake; see all the pretty layers!
Rob informed me that the starter was his favourite salad ever.