A friend told me about the virtual pinboard Pinterest a few months ago and I knew nothing about it. I visited the website and was hooked - immediately. It covers topics including food, exercise, weddings, home decorating - the list goes on and on.
I haven't looked at it in months and decided that today was as good as any day to check it out again. The photos of food that makes your mouth water and there are amazing recipes listed (cranberry oatmeal bars, curry chicken with ginger and yogurt, jalapeno popper grilled cheese). There are too many to mention.
I also love the home decorating ideas, wedding ideas and inspirational quotes! This particular quote (search "lovely words") resonated with me today: "Someday everything will make perfect sense. So, for now, laugh at the confusion, smile through the tears and keep reminding yourself that everything happens for a reason."
If you haven't visited the site before (it seems like everyone has), check it out.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Milk & Honey Market owners select second location
It looks like the owners of Milk & Honey Market have selected the location for their second shop!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Cooking a birthday dinner
James celebrated his brithday last week so we celebrated Saturday night with a homecooked meal, made by me. I enjoyed making it as much as he enjoyed eating it!
We started the evening with gouda cheese and goat brie cheese - two of my favorites! For dinner I made asparagus (I cooked the stalks perfectly - not too hard or soft),
pork tenderloin with with balsamic plum reduction and blood orange olive oil cake, all of which were a success! I had never before made the pork tenderloin or the cake, so I was thrilled that they came out well. However, we ate the cake shortly after it came out of the oven and it 1. either needed a lot more time to cool (it tasted far better on Sunday) 2. the honey-blood orange compote to accompany it or 3. different oranges. I'm not sure if the oranges weren't ripe or if they were bad, but the cake was extremely bitter!
Now that I know how to make pork tenderloin, I might be hooked on the meat and this recipe. And, if you've never checked out Smitten Kitchen, check it out ASAP.
I think that I'll just have to make it again to be sure...
We started the evening with gouda cheese and goat brie cheese - two of my favorites! For dinner I made asparagus (I cooked the stalks perfectly - not too hard or soft),
pork tenderloin with with balsamic plum reduction and blood orange olive oil cake, all of which were a success! I had never before made the pork tenderloin or the cake, so I was thrilled that they came out well. However, we ate the cake shortly after it came out of the oven and it 1. either needed a lot more time to cool (it tasted far better on Sunday) 2. the honey-blood orange compote to accompany it or 3. different oranges. I'm not sure if the oranges weren't ripe or if they were bad, but the cake was extremely bitter!
Now that I know how to make pork tenderloin, I might be hooked on the meat and this recipe. And, if you've never checked out Smitten Kitchen, check it out ASAP.
I think that I'll just have to make it again to be sure...
Winter arrives... with winter restaurant week
Baltimoreans woke up Saturday morning to a light blanket of snow and a thin layer of ice - the first storm of the season (unless you count the snow we had in October!). I wasn't brave enough to run outside on Saturday, and didn't want to run on the treadmill, so I waited until Sunday to do my six mile run (for half marathon training) - and for some company!
James and I headed to Druid Hill Park Sunday morning and ran around the lake, dodging some ice and snow - the path was far less dangerous than I thought. The run was cold (my car said it was 27 degress out) but so beautiful - not too many people were out early Sunday morning and the views from the park are quite gorgeous. You really have a bird's-eye view from the lake.
I'm getting pumped up for the March 31 half marathon!
Despite the Ravens 23-20 loss to the Patriots (they played a good game and came so far), the day ended as lovely as it began with a family dinner for Baltimore's winter restaurant week at Blue Hill Tavern. I enjoyed Rabbit Confit Spring Rolls (carrots, napa cabbage, scallions, garlic, ginger plum sauce), Sous Vide Beef Wellington (mushroom duxelle, spinach, feta cheese, puff pastry, cabernet sauvignon veal demi glaze) and Smores Pie (graham cracker crust, chocolate custard and ganache, toasted marshmallow). Yum, yum and yum.
I've had the pleasure of dining at Blue Hill Tavern four times now and each experience has been exceptional. I'm excited for a girls night out at Pazo later this week!
James and I headed to Druid Hill Park Sunday morning and ran around the lake, dodging some ice and snow - the path was far less dangerous than I thought. The run was cold (my car said it was 27 degress out) but so beautiful - not too many people were out early Sunday morning and the views from the park are quite gorgeous. You really have a bird's-eye view from the lake.
I'm getting pumped up for the March 31 half marathon!
Despite the Ravens 23-20 loss to the Patriots (they played a good game and came so far), the day ended as lovely as it began with a family dinner for Baltimore's winter restaurant week at Blue Hill Tavern. I enjoyed Rabbit Confit Spring Rolls (carrots, napa cabbage, scallions, garlic, ginger plum sauce), Sous Vide Beef Wellington (mushroom duxelle, spinach, feta cheese, puff pastry, cabernet sauvignon veal demi glaze) and Smores Pie (graham cracker crust, chocolate custard and ganache, toasted marshmallow). Yum, yum and yum.
The Smores Pie:
I've had the pleasure of dining at Blue Hill Tavern four times now and each experience has been exceptional. I'm excited for a girls night out at Pazo later this week!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Calling all chicken salad lovers
Some meals are better and more exciting than others and not every meal is going to make you go "wow." I love a good chicken salad sandwich and am always looking to try one somewhere new and find one that makes me say "wow."
Last month I thought that I found the ultimate chicken salad sandwich at Atwater's at Kennilworth Mall (see my Dec. 8 post). I may have spoken too soon.
Yesterday I had the chicken salad sandwich at Sascha's in Mt. Vernon and it stole the show. The mutigrain bread was soft, fresh and nutty and mounded on top was an extremely generous portion of the chicken salad - with nuts and halved grapes - with a few pieces of lettuce for extra crunch and color. There was more mayo mixed in with the chicken salad than I would have preferred, but it didn't weigh the sandwich down, surprisingly.
Maybe it was becuase I was absolutely starving, but the sandwich was perfect. Sascha's also has a curry chicken salad sandwich which I will have to try the next time.
My fiance and I then split a large chocolate cookie with nuts, which completed the meal and kept me full and satisfied all afternoon.
If you love a good chicken salad sandwich, give it a try - you will not be disappointed.
Last month I thought that I found the ultimate chicken salad sandwich at Atwater's at Kennilworth Mall (see my Dec. 8 post). I may have spoken too soon.
Yesterday I had the chicken salad sandwich at Sascha's in Mt. Vernon and it stole the show. The mutigrain bread was soft, fresh and nutty and mounded on top was an extremely generous portion of the chicken salad - with nuts and halved grapes - with a few pieces of lettuce for extra crunch and color. There was more mayo mixed in with the chicken salad than I would have preferred, but it didn't weigh the sandwich down, surprisingly.
Maybe it was becuase I was absolutely starving, but the sandwich was perfect. Sascha's also has a curry chicken salad sandwich which I will have to try the next time.
My fiance and I then split a large chocolate cookie with nuts, which completed the meal and kept me full and satisfied all afternoon.
If you love a good chicken salad sandwich, give it a try - you will not be disappointed.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
A corner delight
Tonight a friend and I checked out The Corner Bistro & Wine Bar in Ridgely's Delight (213 Penn Street Baltimore). As I walked up to the restaurant I was instantly struck by its curb appeal, which draws you in to the warm and cozy restaurant - especially on a chilly January night!
We followed The Baltimore Sun's recommendation and both had The Philly, their take on the Philly cheese steak sub, which was delicious. I don't think that I've ever eaten a cheese steak sub before, so I didn't have much to compare it to. I would order it again. Although, you have to be pretty hungry to eat the entire sandwich.
We were there between 5 and 7 p.m., so we each had a glass of wine at the happy hour price ($5). I enjoyed Los Ailos Syrah/Malbec, Argentina 2010, which was smooth and robust. I've found Malbec's to be a good - and safe - choice when choosing a a wine and I wasn't disappointed.
The restaurant - tucked into the neighborhood - is a corner delight. There's nothing to be disappointed about there!
We followed The Baltimore Sun's recommendation and both had The Philly, their take on the Philly cheese steak sub, which was delicious. I don't think that I've ever eaten a cheese steak sub before, so I didn't have much to compare it to. I would order it again. Although, you have to be pretty hungry to eat the entire sandwich.
We were there between 5 and 7 p.m., so we each had a glass of wine at the happy hour price ($5). I enjoyed Los Ailos Syrah/Malbec, Argentina 2010, which was smooth and robust. I've found Malbec's to be a good - and safe - choice when choosing a a wine and I wasn't disappointed.
The restaurant - tucked into the neighborhood - is a corner delight. There's nothing to be disappointed about there!
Woodberry Kitchen owners to open new restaurant
This is one of the most exciting foodie things to happen to Baltimore: http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2012/01/09/woodberry-kitchen-owners-to-open-half.html
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Back to basics
Happy New Year!
I didn't overindulge during the holiday season, but I did enjoy some superb hors d'oeuvres, meals, and desserts. Still, sometimes your taste buds take you back to basics and for me that means good ol' spaghetti and meatballs (or rotini and meatsauce). Maybe it's this chilly January night, but the rotini and meatsauce never tasted so good!
I don't have a secret recipe - I just cook my noodles al dente and season the sauce to taste.
80/20 meat sauce simmering. I usually go with the 90/10 (lean) meat, but decided to give this a try.
The steaming plate.
This seems like the perfect meal before what I hope will be a longer run in the morning!
I didn't overindulge during the holiday season, but I did enjoy some superb hors d'oeuvres, meals, and desserts. Still, sometimes your taste buds take you back to basics and for me that means good ol' spaghetti and meatballs (or rotini and meatsauce). Maybe it's this chilly January night, but the rotini and meatsauce never tasted so good!
I don't have a secret recipe - I just cook my noodles al dente and season the sauce to taste.
Rotini noodles cooking.
80/20 meat sauce simmering. I usually go with the 90/10 (lean) meat, but decided to give this a try.
I added various spices, to taste.
The steaming plate.
This seems like the perfect meal before what I hope will be a longer run in the morning!
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