2011 Here I come!

2010 has just come and go so quickly in just a blink.  One minute Halloween is sneaking up on you, the next it's two days till the New Year.   It seams so cliche to say that time flys, but it is completely true! I have big plans for the new year, but what I have learned from the past is to look forward and most importantly be present.  I am constantly in the want to try new things, go new places, that I sometimes forget what is going on right here right now.  Don't worry.....I will still continue to dream and aspire for a new and better life, but I will enjoy the little things a long the way.

Here is my bucket list for 2011 (in no particular order).

1. Eat seasonal as much as possible
2. Take a sewing class ( I brought this over from last year :(   )
3. Go on at least 6 hikes from my Take a Hike book.
4. Host a brunch
5. Go on a picnic
6. Try 8 restaurants I have not been too  ( I tend to savor familiar tastes.  The Corson Building is a must this year!)
7. Go to a wine tasting
8. Take a vegetable gardening class
9. Clean out the garage  (This makes me feel to grown up to see those words)
10. Clear out the bushes on the side of the house to house a larger vegetable garden
11. Take 6 cooking classes
12. Reduce waste ( I need to be better at recycling at home)
13. Cook a dish with goat meat
14. Cook a duck
15. Go surfing
16. Go to Paris
17. Learn how to can food ( I think this was from last year too)
18. Run a 5k
19. Try 30 new recipes!  This will not include the first duck and goat recipe
20. Clear out George's  room (yes my kitty  has a room) and make it into a reading room slash office.
21. Go to the Edmond's farmers market.
22. Attend a concert-I haven't been to one in years!
23. Edit, print, and put together albums of my past trips
24. Do and try everything whole heartily

I have a head start on a few above, but not completed.  Stay with me this year as it is going to be an exciting one! 

No time is better then now!

I've been a way for too long.  I miss this spot where my words are free and no interruptions.  A lot has happened in the past few months, which leaves me wondering why the sudden stop?  I guess things happen the way they do and then your ready to pick up where you left off, or go to a new direction. 

As far as new things for myself, I have gone and returned from Malaysia this summer, attained a new puppy (his name is Frank), received a promotion, and have planned and booked a huge trip with girlfriends (more to come).  I would say 2010 was a great year in a general sense.

I am so excited as 2011 seems to be rushing our way.  I have a long list of resolutions, "cliche," but whatever you want to call it.  I believe everyone has goals, needs them and if you make them, you can see goals come to fruition.  I will save my little checklist till my next posting as I am continuing to add and DREAM.

Frank at Cannon Beach

Practice makes perfect

Learn to crochet.  I have been practicing and practicing.  I am far from perfect, but I get the picture.  Counting my stitches has made my crochet practice a breeze, who knew?  For awhile I have been making little triangles because I kept skipping a stitch.
 I can never stay still or even watch a movie without picking up a project, so crocheting is perfect for me.  I need busy work to keep me sane.  I'm working on a little lap blanket right now, or maybe my cat George can use it, hehe.  Oh George!

Skipping stitches, not on purpose.

He loves a good blanket ;)

Almost Time!

I have invested a lot of time into what is going to be my first substantial vegetable garden, but I am a little nervous with how the weather is going to be this summer.  We have had frost long after the forecast has said "last frost today." 
Nevertheless, I am very excited to start the cycle of of having fresh and seasonal vegetables from my own back yard.  I am mostly container gardening for my first year.  I have my deck cleaned of winter moss and what-nots, outdoor furniture in place and my containers ready to go.  Not only will I have edible scapes, but will have have pretty greens and color from the vegetables on my deck.  Please sun come out this year!

To the left I have artichokes, mmmmm, and I have my metal containers insulated (keeps the soil from from over heating, if it gets hot this summer.)

Eating My Way Through B.C.

First, Richmond B.C.,  then Vancouver, then Richmond again!  I'm not sure where I fit all the food I ate in two days, but I sure found room.  My family and I decided to go up to Vancouver B.C.  for a night to shop, see  it "post-Olympics," and of course eat. 
Now your probably thinking there's great food in Seattle, why drive 3 hours out to eat?  Yes, Seattle is privileged to have some of the best flavors and cooks, but not necessarily for the Chinese community.  Chinese food here lacks the knowing flavor of home, that extra ingredient that leaves you satisfied, the taste that brings you to the comfort of childhood.  I did not necessarily go up there for a fancy feast, just some simple eats that made my trip worthwhile. So, my main objective was really to eat, as you can see how this blog is going.  Follow me as I gently graze through B.C.

Japadog!  All the years of visiting B.C. I've run into a lot of hotdog street vendors but never the Japadog.  How could I have missed it?  I saw Japadog featured on a rerun of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations a week before my trip to B.C.  I found out that this stand is known world wide and features Japanese style hotdogs!  People in Japan come to B.C. to try the Japadog. I knew I had to make a stop.  I was definitely not disappointed.  There are options of quality meat: Kobe beef, Kurobuta (Black hog) a highly prized hog of all Japan.  I  personally tried Okonomiyaki-Flavor with Kurobuta.  Yum, yum.  The meat didn't taste mystery, what a concept.  Japadog was a fun and tasty visit.

Dim Sum (to touch your heart)  A Chinese "tapas" eaten for brunch.  We had this at the Chinatown of B.C.

Hainanese chicken rice.  This is what I have been craving.  I eat this twice, yikes.  This dish origin is of Chinese but is mostly prepared in southeast Asia such as Singapore and Malaysia.  This is one of those comfort foods of childhood I was was referring to earlier.  This is my equivalent to mac and cheese.   The rice is so yummy with its aromatic flavor and scents, boiled chicken, and special ginger and chili sauce.  It looks so bland, but the flavors explode in your mouth.

Singapore Laksa.  This is a dish merged with Chinese and Malay influence.  It is a noodle soup with a coconut soup curry base.  There is nothing in any other culture that comes close to this soup, and I can't make it right to save my life.  Another comfort food worth the drive. 

 The last two pics were found in the local food court of Richmond B.C., known as little Hong Kong.  Why can't we have a food court like that?  In B.C. Chinese chefs cook their food with the flavors, and style of it's origin.  Here in Seattle they change the presentation and even alter the flavor (I'm not sure if it's on purpose.)  I think it is such a disservice to everyone and gives a bad name to Chinese food........okay I had to rant a little bit.  When you have to go to a different country to have great Chinese food it becomes a little tiresome.  Someone please open up a great Hong Kong style or S.E. Asian restaurant!

Go Green!

We have had such a mild winter, so I have decided to start sowing my seeds for the vegetable garden.  I have artichoke and zucchini waiting to sprout.  I need to do more, but I am nervous that I will get the garden out of hand and not be able to tend to it as I should.   Maybe I will just do one packet of seeds.  Next, I am going to sow corn, brussel spouts, carrots, spinach and beans.

Luv Elle_Dash

Ode To Jennifer......

I love soup, love, love, love!  I could have soup every day.  My friend Jennifer shares the same sensation about soup, so I always have her in mind when I have it- good  or bad.  She mentioned a couple days ago that the broth of the soup was the most important element for her and that she could leave the rest behind.  For me, I enjoy the heartiness in a soup, but there is big judgment when the broth fails to be flavorful.  The right amount of herbs, spices, vegetable pairings, meat (if you use it), and balanced amount of salt (salt is a flavor enhancer; not a flavor substitute!) is what shapes the base of your soup.  Without all the above mentioned, you might as well not even waste your time- make a sandwich.  At the end of the day I love all the fix-ins of a soup, but like Jennifer says, a good broth speaks to our soul.

Jennifer and I have been talking about Kimchi (Korean fermented cabbage) in fried rice (which she made very well), in hamburgers,  and Korean BBQ, so I thought I would make something with Kimchi in it.  What do you know, I made Kimchi tofu soup.  MMMMmmmmmmm, it was so easy to make and it hit the right spot for my constant soup craving.

1lb of cubed pork ( you can find this in any Asian grocery store already cut and it says "pork for soup.")
4 whole cloves of garlic
1 pint of Kimchi ( I purchase this at a Korean grocer)
4 cups of mung bean sprouts
1 lb of silken organic tofu
8 cups of water
salt for taste ( Let the the soup simmer for an hour before tasting to salt.  Kimchi has salt in it already so you don't need much at all.

Brown the pork with garlic.  Add in Kimchi and simmer for five minutes.  Add water and mung bean sprouts.  Bring the soup to a boil and then turn the heat to low to a simmer for 45 min.  Add in silken tofu and simmer for another 15 min.  taste the soup to see if it needs salt.  Eat and enjoy!

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Experimental Quiche........

I love waking up in the morning and having a great savory breakfast that is homemade.  I always love  a good quiche, but having that every morning isn't going to do very good things to your waist line.  So, I decided to revamp the crust and filling recipe.  There was an unexpected turn, which left my morning of hard work unsatisfied :(

For the crust:

3/4 cup quick cooking dry oats
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup shredded coconut
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2    tbs  ice water

Well, I got this recipe from http://www.myrecipes.com/ and I don't think I will use it again for quiche.  It was very bland!  If I were to use it again I would add a half cup of brown sugar and use it for a fruit tart.  I will be in search for another healthy crust recipe.

For the filling:

2 eggs
2 egg whites
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 salt
1/2 pepper
2 cups chopped spinach
2 cups sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup onions
1/2 cups milk( fat-free)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Strike two, I omitted the Swiss cheese, which I feel left out that extra je ne sais quoi.  What the heck is going on with my quiche?!?!  I would never serve this to anyone!  All the healthy goodness, but no taste.  I will have to go back to the drawing board.  I woke up this morning and executed this dish without doing any altering of the original recipe, strike three.  I am out! 

It didn't taste as good as it looks, till next time.

Luv Elle_Dash

Multi-Purpose Marinade/Sauce/Dressing

I fired up some energy this evening to cook an amazing and easy dinner after a trip to Gas Works Park and walking Green Lake on this rare beautiful day in Seattle.  I have a recipe for a marinade that is tried and true and also grew up with.  I said multi-purpose in my title because you can really use it for any Asian inspired dish.  I love to cook fish with it, salads, tofu and noodles.  Tonight I used it to marinade some salmon and dressed my sauteed mung bean sprouts and spinach.

Here is my recipe, use it for whatever you wish.

1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
2Tbs honey (helps  to balance the tartness of the vinegar.  I like to use honey because it has better health benefits)
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 cup chopped cilantro*
1/4 cup chopped green onions*
I like to add some olive oil if I am using this as a dressing 1/4 cup.



Mix all ingredients together and marinade, dress, and enjoy! 
*chop extra for garnish

Luv Elle_Dash

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

I miss the the stockings, the decorated Christmas tree, and the festive colors through out the house, so I decided to add a little bit of life back in for this Valentines Day.  I've only really put up decorations for two holidays: Christmas and Halloween.   Moving forward this year, I am going to keep up with the seasons and my holidays of choice.
Having constant visual change helps me look forward to what is to come and creates a lifted atmosphere.  Living in Seattle you have to create your own environment with its constant rain and dreary sky.

Floating Hearts, my Husband just put up my shelves.  Thank You!

I made these hearts out of felt fabric that I had left over from my ugly

Christmas sweater making party.

I hope everyone has a great Valentines Day!

Luv Elle_Dash

Fun Finds and a garden show................

Wednesday was a day of inspiration.  I found some fun items for later projects at an "antique" store that I couldn't live without.  I thought I could use these items later for scrap booking.

My friend Amy and I went to the Home and Garden Show in Seattle and found some great ideas for vegetable gardening.  The most interesting thing I learned was the use of space that the gardeners planned out.  Very resourceful.

Vintage Valentine Card.

Yellow Buttons

1950's Autograph book

Vertical gardening, strawberrys are planted in the tall boxes.

A pickup truck turned into a vegetable garden.  Not that I would ever do this, but I thought it was interesting how little space was needed and how the space was used.

Luv Elle_Dash

Chicken Soup To The Rescue!

I stopped by the grocery store last night on the way home to pick up some items for home made chicken noodle soup.  I have a big boy at home sick, so I thought I would make him something comforting :) . 

1 Whole Organic Chicken
4 Whole Cloves of garlic
2 pinches of whole peppercorns
2 cups of chopped carrots
2 cups of celery
1/2 head of kale, chopped ( I wanted to make this soup a little heartier, this made the soup very delicious!)
10 cups of water
1 cup of whole grain pasta
1/4 cup parsley
2tbs of dill paste (you can find this in the herb specialty section at your grocery store)

This was one of my best chicken soups to date.  I think I found my recipe.

Back Yard Part 1

I have a late start at work today, so I decided to be productive.  I cleaned all the leaves off the deck, got the leaves out of the would be flower beds, and started making landscape and gardening plans.  I feel like every time summer rolls around I am out there working on double time trying to get the yard presentable, so I decided to do what most normal homeowners do and maintain!

I have bigger plans this year besides keeping the grass cut and bushes trimmed back.  I am on a mission to have my vegetable garden I've been talking about year after year.  I have a pretty good size deck and thought I would make the most of it with a potted vegetable garden.  I am so excited.  I am currently planning the vegetables and herbs that I want and figuring out the resources I will need to get before spring.

Wheres George?

Pretty bleak at the moment.

This is where I want to put my compost bin and hopefully pave by next year.

Can't wait to see my backyard this summer!

Luv Elle_Dash

Learning to crochet

So, I have set some goals up for myself this year and I am starting right in on them.  I went out and purchased my crochet needles, yarn and a teach-yourself-how-to-crochet book.  I am really just learning the basics.  I have figured out how to do a slip knot, make a chain, and single crochet.  I am far away from making pretty afghans, and scarfs but I am excited about my journey.

Inspiration Board

etsy.com has a lot of great artists and of course inspiration.

Luv Elle_Dash

Seafood and Pizza Night!

I haven't had much inspiration to cook anything worth sharing for the past week but today I thought I would run into Metropolitan Market to get some. I love that store, they have an amazing cheese section, deli, seafood and crisp, fresh produce.

I ended up picking some Brie cheese, clams, shrimp, cocktail sauce, and arugula. I decided to reinvent some dishes I have previously cooked before with what I already had and the items I purchased above. I made roasted shrimp and cocktail sauce to start and brie cheese pizza topped with pecans and arugula, and clams in a wine tomato broth.

This ended up being a great light dinner!