IN SEARCH OF: A new ride

In February I said goodbye to my Volkswagen Cabrio. I had bought it in 1997 after graduating from college and she was with me for over 15 years! I loved that car. There are so many memories of road trips and places visited and the people who shared those moments with me. But after so many reliable years she was ready to retire. I watched as the tow truck took her away to be dismantled and sold for parts. I like to think of bits of her becoming part of other cars having new adventures. It's like being an organ donor. She will live on, I like to think.
Now carless, I have resolved to trade in four wheels for two. I'm considering one of the two Linus bikes above. I'm in love with the Dutchi in cream. Modeled after French city bikes from the 50's and 60's, it feels femanine and had a super comfortable upright ride. But then there is the Mixte model in blue. It has such great clean lines and rides more like a traditional bike. Decisions, decisions. This is so hard. I'd love your vote! Let me know, which do you think is more me?

Inspiration images from Pinterest.

Food Memory

I grew up eating salted cod. There are hundreds of ways to prepare this traditionally Portuguese fish, but there is one dish that is especially dear to my heart. My mom made this dish when I was growing up and still makes it for me when I visit. Bacalhau a Gomes de Sa is a simple three ingredient recipe; salted cod, onions and potatoes. It's such a simple combination, but there is something about the caramelized onions and the cod when they combine that is divine.
Last night I thought I would try my hand at this favorite recipe. It turned out pretty great. Not quite as good as my mom's but pretty close.
Would you give this recipe a try? Don't be intimidated by salt cod. It's just a matter of soaking it for the right amount of time before it's ready to go. It's very simple to make and a really rewarding meal.

Do you love food as much as I do? Check out my Pinterest Food Board  and see what else I've been cooking!

Bacalhau a Gomes de Sa
(adapted from Savoring Spain and Portugal)

1 lb salt cod, soaked
1.5 lb boiling potatoes peeled
6 Tbs olive oil
2 yellow onions thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic minced
.5 c chopped flat leaf parsley
1 tsp fresh ground black pepper
20 cured black olives
2 hard-boiled eggs, peeled sliced

Soak the cod in cold water to cover for 24 to 36 hours, changing the water occasionally, drain.


Drain the cod and place in a saucepan with water to cover. Bring to a gentle simmer over med heat and poach 10-15 min. Drain, let cool and break up with your fingers removing skin and bones.

At the same time boil potatoes in water to cover for 20-25 minutes. Drain and slice 1/4 inch thick.

In a frying pan over med heat warm 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add onions and saute on low heat until caramelized, about 10-15 minutes. Add garlic and cook 2 minutes more. Transfer to a bowl. In the same pan, warm 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Saute potatoes until golden 5 minutes total.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Oil a large gratin dish and lay half the potatoes in the bottom, top with half the cod and then half the onions. Sprinkle with pepper and parsley. Repeat the layers then drizzle top with a bit of oil.

Bake until golden, about 25 minutes. Garnish with olives, hard-boiled eggs and parsley.
Serve and enjoy!

IN SEARCH OF: crazy good fries

This is Kohlrabi. It's technically a cabbage, but pan fry thick slices of this mild, sweet vegetable and you may never go back to the potato. Well, maybe not never... who could give up french fries?!
I was introduced to this strange looking orb when it appeared in our weekly CSA last year. Hmmm, I had never seen or heard of it before. I started researching recipes and tried a few ways to skin and cook this unusual little plant. None of the results were thrilling. So, this year, when it again appeared at the top of the basket, I went for the simplest preparation I could find. Fries!
And I'm so glad I did. They have a delicate, slightly sweet, vegetable taste with all the pleasure of a crisp fried exterior. Dip each tasty stick into the chili aioli and you'll be hooked. I was.

Kohlrabi Fries + Chili Pepper Aioli  (recipe adapted from New York Times)

1.5 lbs kohlrabi

3 tbs flour

sea salt, pepper

2-6 tbs canola oil, as needed

chili powder


1. Peel kohlrabi and cut into thick sticks .5 inches thick and 2 inches long

2. In a heavy skillet (cast iron!) heat oil on medium-high heat.

3. Place flower in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Toss kohlrabi sticks to coat.

4. When oil is hot, you will see the surface ripple, carefully add sticks in batches. Don't crowd them. These guys like some room around them to get nice and crispy. Brown 2-3 minutes and them turn them over. Crisp on other side until prettily crisp all the way around about 5 minutes.

5. Be sure the pan has enough oil, if not throw a bit more in. Crisp another batch until they are all done.

6. Drain on paper towel.

7. Sprinkle with chili powder.

Serve hot with aioli.

Chili Pepper Aioli

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1 tbs chili powder


mix and serve with kohlrabi fries...preferably outdoors during sunset.

IN SEARCH OF: Dinner

Asparagus season has passed, but you can occasionally find a good bunch at the farmer's market. Armed with a small bunch myself, I set out to make a simple summer dinner of salmon, lemon, capers and olive oil. These little parchment packages keep in all the flavor while the fish steams gently inside the oven for a few minutes.

As for the asparagus, they don't need much more than a drizzle of good olive oil and some salt. As always, I favor sea salt these days. Maybe it's just in my blood. I was, after all, born in Figueira da Foz, Portugal home to the salt pans of Corredor da Cobra. We are one of a few working salt harvesting cities in Portugal.

So tonight, go get some wild salmon and try this. It's so easy and amazingly delicious.

Little Salmon Parchment Packages with Roasted Asparagus

2  4oz. fillets wild salmon (thickest part of fish)

1 Tb capers, drained and rinsed

1/2 lemon sliced thin

olive oil

sea salt

black pepper

4 sheets parchment paper

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

cut parchment paper into large squares. Place washed and towel dried salmon on parchment. Drizzle generously with olive oil, add capers, salt and pepper. Place sliced lemon over fish. Seal packages tightly around edges.

Place parchment packages on a roasting pan and roast for 12-15 minutes. Be careful not to overcook the fish. If you are using thin fillets cook for less time.

For the asparagus, snap off tough ends. Place in roasting pan. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper. Roast for 8 minutes.

Serve salmon in parchment.

IN SEARCH OF: Light Summer Lunch

Summer afternoons are for long, lazy naps, reading a book, and snacking. I tend to eat smaller meals in the summer, so at mid day my stomach usually signals it's time to grab a bite to eat. My go to summer food is a simple Caprese Salad (Insalata Caprese if your going for the real thing). I like mine as simple as can be. Just slice tomatoes and fresh mozzarella and alternate on a plate with freshly picked basil. Drizzle with the best Olive Oil you can find. This one transports me to Napa every time I take a bite.

Sprinkle with salt and fresh ground black pepper. The trick to this salad is using a good hearty sea salt. The crunch adds a nice texture and the bites of salt really wake up your taste buds.

Done!

IN SEARCH OF: Summer Snack

Cherries are just about the most beautiful fruit there is. And proper too. There's a little handle built in for eating and not getting your fingers dirty. Genius. Mother nature is the best designer after all.
Have a great weekend and eat so much fruit your stomach aches. It's summer!

IN SEARCH OF: Lunch

Have you ever tried making your own Fresh Shrimp Spring Rolls? Ya, neither have I, until recently. I was craving a tasty meal, but without a lot of heat from a stove to warm up the already balmy apartment. So I went for it and made spring rolls from scratch! They were delicious and easy to make. Although not the prettiest I've seen, they were no less delicious for it. Try it! Not too hard and worth the effort. Don't skip the sauce. It really is the star of the dish. Enjoy!

Fresh Shrimp Spring Rolls
(Recipe adapted from here and here)

Cooking the shrimp

6  cups water
2 inch ginger peeled and thinly sliced
1 lemon halved and juiced
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup sugar
4 bay leaves
2 tbsp chopped green onions
2 tbsp chopped garlic
2 tbsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 lb shrimp peeled and deveined


Combine all ingredients except shrimp in large saucepan. 
Bring to boil
Add shrimp and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
Cut shrimp in half lengthwise when cool.

Making the rolls

rice paper

warm water in a shallow bowl
1/4 cabbage or kale jullienned

2 carrots thinly sliced

3 scallions chopped

32 fresh basil leaves

Bunch fresh cilantro sprigs

1/2 cup chopped unsalted peanuts

Dip rice paper into warm water for 30 seconds. 
Remove and lay on clean kitchen towel.
Layer two shrimp halves, cabbage, carrots, scallions, basil, cilantro and peanuts in bottom third of rice paper.
Roll tucking in sides half way.
Done.

Dipping Sauce

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

1/4 cup lime juice
1 tablespoon sugar
3 tablespoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons finely diced carrots
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 tbsp chopped unsalted peanuts

In a small bowl combine red pepper flakes, lime juice, sugar, fish sauce, carrots and garlic, peanuts and stir until the sugar dissolves.

IN SEARCH OF: Better Photos

I've been contemplating getting a new camera (based on the last posts, I think I just need shopping therapy to be honest). Anyway, my trusty Lumix LX3 has been good to me over the last couple of years. It is compact, has a great lens and is overall a great camera. So, this itch to replace here has been bothering me. Why? Is it really her, or is it me?
I decided to whip out the owners manual and perhaps reinvigorate my interest in her many features. Turns out, I wasn't taking advantage of all the tricks this little work horse has to offer. Goes to show you, retail therapy is not always the answer.
Here are a few side-by-sides of my favorite test subject, Penny.

I had never gotten the hang of the aperture priority thing. Penny and her paw sat patiently as I clicked, rotated, hit buttons and adjusted settings until I got what I wanted, a crisp in focus foreground and a very blurry background. I think photo three is the winner. It has a clear hierarchy. The paw is the subject of the photo with an interesting secondary component, Penny's very skeptical look in the background. 

I then set out to master the exposure. With my light filled living room as my subject, I tried to get that overexposed vibe I like so much these days. Again, I think three wins. Perhaps it's not the most correctly exposed photo, but it's my favorite. Your eye goes right to the light and then finds the rest of the detail in the photo.
Ok, give me your votes!

There isn't much difference in the above series of Penny's sleepy eyes, but I included it anyway. Couldn't resist.
For those of you who know me well, you know this guy is my brother. You'd think I would have gotten some of those genes. Turns out, no. I ended up with a different set of creative skill, so no complaints here. Thanks mom and dad.

IN SEARCH OF: Vintage Champagne Glasses

I have been dreaming of vintage champagne glasses. You know, the pretty ones with the wide shallow bowls that look so elegant in hand? (think Great Gatsby). It all started when Kat went on a glass breaking rampage and eliminated all but 3 of our champagne flutes. I figured since they were gone forever I may as well replace them with the lovely vintage ones I had been dreaming of.
And so an adventure began. I searched a few of my regular gently used goods outposts and on the third try finally found what I had been looking for.

 They don't look like much sitting on the dusty shelf, but I could see past the layers of grime and banked on their potential. At $1.99 for a set of 4 there was no big loss if they turned out to be duds in the end.
I took my two sets of 4 home (slightly different but similar in shape) and with great care and anticipation cleaned and cleaned. The result...exactly what I had been looking for. I'm in love with the delicate glass and the subtle vintage details. Now I must find an excuse to drink some champagne...

Bonus find, a vintage Italian swing top porcelain cap bottle for $.99. (kind of like this one) See it in the photo above holding water with dill sprigs floating inside? It's a refreshing way to to drink still water in the summer. Try it.

IN SEARCH OF: The Perfect Shade of Red

You know that illusive thing, the perfect red lipstick? It took a while but I have found it!
Yes, it was a journey which began with research...lots and lots of research, continued with trying on many (very wrong) shades and ended with this perfect red.

What do you think? Would you dare to wear this bright shade? I admit, at first I was a little self conscious, but I gave it a few days, got the thumbs up from my girlfriend and now I'm diggin it. What's your favorite shade of red these days?