Today was the annual Race For Our Kids, which is my favorite race. This was the fifth year I have signed up to run this race - time flies, literally!
This is the third year my husband and I have both signed up for the race, which is special. We ran the entire 6.2 miles together and had a blast. The course is mostly flat, except for the last .6 mile or so, which is entirely uphill!
What a great way to spend an early morning on the first full day of fall! There was a chill in the air which made for perfect running conditions - so long to the heat and humidity from summer and hello fall.
Only 364 days until the next race! Let the countdown begin.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Leek, kale and corn flatbread
Saturday night I made the Leek, chard and corn flatbread from Smitten Kitchen, my favorite foodie website! Super easy and delicious.
I substituted kale for the chard, which was delicious. This was my second time eating kale and I loved it. A lot like spinach, but perhaps even better.
I used dough from Trader Joe's (next time I'll give making my own another go) for this recipe, which turned out great! I used 2 pounds of frozen leeks, which turned out to be a bit much. I had a bunch leftover and consequently don't want to look at another leek for a while!
The flatbreads were awesome - a nice early fall dish, heavy on the veggies. But, not to forget the goat cheese, one of my favorite things in the world. It goes with everything!
I forgot to take a picture, but both flatbreads look exactly as they do on Smitten Kitchen, which means I must have been successful!
The flatbreads were perfect for dinner last night because my husband and I ran the Race For Our Kids 10K (6.2 miles) Sunday morning, so we wanted to enjoy some carbs in preparation for the race. We did fairly well, so this must have been the right recipe!
Next time I want to make a flatbread I'm planning to make one with pumpkin and gorgonzola! Two of my favorite flavors - together. Can't go wrong (hopefully)!
I substituted kale for the chard, which was delicious. This was my second time eating kale and I loved it. A lot like spinach, but perhaps even better.
I used dough from Trader Joe's (next time I'll give making my own another go) for this recipe, which turned out great! I used 2 pounds of frozen leeks, which turned out to be a bit much. I had a bunch leftover and consequently don't want to look at another leek for a while!
The flatbreads were awesome - a nice early fall dish, heavy on the veggies. But, not to forget the goat cheese, one of my favorite things in the world. It goes with everything!
I forgot to take a picture, but both flatbreads look exactly as they do on Smitten Kitchen, which means I must have been successful!
The flatbreads were perfect for dinner last night because my husband and I ran the Race For Our Kids 10K (6.2 miles) Sunday morning, so we wanted to enjoy some carbs in preparation for the race. We did fairly well, so this must have been the right recipe!
Next time I want to make a flatbread I'm planning to make one with pumpkin and gorgonzola! Two of my favorite flavors - together. Can't go wrong (hopefully)!
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Lobster, lobster, lobster
At Rehoboth Beach last weekend, James and I stumbled upon a lobster dinner special at Claws Seafood Restaurant on "the main drag"(Rehoboth Avenue) and couldn't resist. Our quest for finding a restaurant ended then and there. For a ridiculously good price, we each enjoyed 1 1/4 pound lobsters and two sides (I enjoyed hush puppies and the fresh vegetable of the day).
Experienced at eating crabs, neither of us had eaten a whole lobster before. We weren't entirely sure how to tackle it. Our waitress was gracious enough to give us a quick tutorial. As it turns out, eating lobster is much like eating crabs, just not nearly as messy, but equally as delicious.
I should have taken a picture of the beautiful, red lobster, but alas I forgot. This is a restaurant I look forward to visiting again next summer!
Experienced at eating crabs, neither of us had eaten a whole lobster before. We weren't entirely sure how to tackle it. Our waitress was gracious enough to give us a quick tutorial. As it turns out, eating lobster is much like eating crabs, just not nearly as messy, but equally as delicious.
I should have taken a picture of the beautiful, red lobster, but alas I forgot. This is a restaurant I look forward to visiting again next summer!
So long, summer
James and I spent one day of the long Labor Day weekend - the "unofficial" end to summer - at the beach.
Last summer I introduced him to the Royal Treat in Rehoboth Beach, Del., an ice cream parlor my parents first took me to in 1988. Other than getting new tables a few years ago, nothing has changed there. Nothing. Which is one of the reasons I love it so, so much - besides the amazing milkshakes they make with good ol' Hershey's ice cream.
Before leaving the beach last weekend, we enjoyed milkshakes (James had vanilla, I had chocolate), a tradition I have been enjoying for more than 20 years.
Hershey's ice cream and a trip to the first beach I ever went to was the perfect way to end summer 2012.
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Last summer I introduced him to the Royal Treat in Rehoboth Beach, Del., an ice cream parlor my parents first took me to in 1988. Other than getting new tables a few years ago, nothing has changed there. Nothing. Which is one of the reasons I love it so, so much - besides the amazing milkshakes they make with good ol' Hershey's ice cream.
Before leaving the beach last weekend, we enjoyed milkshakes (James had vanilla, I had chocolate), a tradition I have been enjoying for more than 20 years.
Hershey's ice cream and a trip to the first beach I ever went to was the perfect way to end summer 2012.
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Monday, September 3, 2012
Cast iron skillet
James and I purchased a cast iron skillet from the new Sur La Table in Towson (an awesome kitchen gadget store) a mere 24 hours ago and have already used it three times!
We have used it to made dinner (Chinese food from Trader Joe's), blueberry cobbler (top photo) and a potato hash for breakfast (bottom photo).
The blueberry cobbler recipe is from Cooking for Seven (a cooking blog site James found which I'm looking forward to exploring) and the potato hash is from Smitten Kitchen (a favorite foodie site). Both are scrumptious dishes and I think turned out particularly awesome because of the skillet.
The cobbler reminded me of a peach dessert we had at Woodberry Kitchen earlier this summer (see my Aug. 26 post), also cooked in a skillet. We made the dessert on a whim, so we only had about half of the blueberries that the recipe called for, but it still turned out well. The crumble on top was made with ground cinnamon, which added that little something extra to the dessert.
The potato hash - bacon, potatoes, corn and an egg - was hearty but not too over-the-top heavy. The bacon was flavorful and infused the entire dish. The potatoes were crispy, thanks to the skillet.
We're planning to make pancakes in the skillet next weekend - looking forward to that treat!
We have used it to made dinner (Chinese food from Trader Joe's), blueberry cobbler (top photo) and a potato hash for breakfast (bottom photo).
The blueberry cobbler recipe is from Cooking for Seven (a cooking blog site James found which I'm looking forward to exploring) and the potato hash is from Smitten Kitchen (a favorite foodie site). Both are scrumptious dishes and I think turned out particularly awesome because of the skillet.
The cobbler reminded me of a peach dessert we had at Woodberry Kitchen earlier this summer (see my Aug. 26 post), also cooked in a skillet. We made the dessert on a whim, so we only had about half of the blueberries that the recipe called for, but it still turned out well. The crumble on top was made with ground cinnamon, which added that little something extra to the dessert.
The potato hash - bacon, potatoes, corn and an egg - was hearty but not too over-the-top heavy. The bacon was flavorful and infused the entire dish. The potatoes were crispy, thanks to the skillet.
We're planning to make pancakes in the skillet next weekend - looking forward to that treat!
Bouchon Bakery cookbook - coming soon!
One of the stops on our honeymoon in April/May was to Bouchon Bakery in Yountville, Ca. (in Napa Valley. There happens to a Bouchon Bakery in Rockefeller Plaza (NY) that I stumbled upon this summer. Lucky me!). The pastries were/area incredible. I forget exactly what we had, but I know we enjoyed a couple macarons that were out of this world.
Yesterday, my husband informed me that the bakery is releasing the Bouchon Bakery cookbook this fall. As the saying goes, never judge a book by it's cover. In this case, I am judging the book by its cover and it looks delicious!
Yesterday, my husband informed me that the bakery is releasing the Bouchon Bakery cookbook this fall. As the saying goes, never judge a book by it's cover. In this case, I am judging the book by its cover and it looks delicious!
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Steak dinner
Grauls Market had a sale on filet mignon last weekend - and I took full advantage of it! My husband and I enjoyed two delicious steaks last Sunday with a homemade sauce James whipped up to go with it!
The steaks were cooked to perfection and absolutely mouth watering.
The steaks were cooked to perfection and absolutely mouth watering.
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!
James and I have wanted to make the trip up to Prigel Family Creamery in Glen Arm to try some of their ice cream, but have not made it there yet.
Last week we got lucky and were given a pint of their caramel pretzel ice cream. This isn't a flavor that I would have chosen myself, but it is the right mix of sweet and savory. The vanilla ice cream is smooth and creamy, with chunks of pretzels and caramel mixed in.
I'm not usually one for sweet and savory, but this ice cream takes the cake.
Last week we got lucky and were given a pint of their caramel pretzel ice cream. This isn't a flavor that I would have chosen myself, but it is the right mix of sweet and savory. The vanilla ice cream is smooth and creamy, with chunks of pretzels and caramel mixed in.
I'm not usually one for sweet and savory, but this ice cream takes the cake.
Top dog
Word is out that Kooper's North in Lutherville is open. Three days after its grand opening Aug. 28, my husband, parents and I enjoyed drinks during happy hour and a meal together there.
I've been to Kooper's Tavern in Fells Point once or twice before and liked it, but I enjoyed the restaurant's new venue equally as much.
I enjoyed my burger - basic and juicy - but I'm looking forward to going back for weekend brunch: "City Paper's Best Brunch" - omelets, French toast, Belgian waffles, $12 bottomless bloodies and mimosas.
Each restaurant that has come before Kooper's North has been great - Cafe Isis, Sabor (sad to see it go) - but they haven't survived. Just days after opening, the bar was packed at 5 p.m. and the wait was already two hours. I think Kooper's North is going to do just fine.
This neighborhood joint surely will be a place where everyone knows your name.
I've been to Kooper's Tavern in Fells Point once or twice before and liked it, but I enjoyed the restaurant's new venue equally as much.
I enjoyed my burger - basic and juicy - but I'm looking forward to going back for weekend brunch: "City Paper's Best Brunch" - omelets, French toast, Belgian waffles, $12 bottomless bloodies and mimosas.
Each restaurant that has come before Kooper's North has been great - Cafe Isis, Sabor (sad to see it go) - but they haven't survived. Just days after opening, the bar was packed at 5 p.m. and the wait was already two hours. I think Kooper's North is going to do just fine.
This neighborhood joint surely will be a place where everyone knows your name.
Falling into autumn
My husband and I went to Delaware's Bethany Beach and Rehoboth Beach for one day this weekend. The water was a refreshing 72 degrees, the air was warm, we swam in the ocean and took a stroll on the beach. This was a lovely way to spend the last (unofficial) weekend of the summer.
On our drive to the beach, there was a small sign that fall is right around the corner - one of the nearly dozen fruit and vegetable stands we passed had pumpkins. I felt out of place wearing a bathing suit and flip flops.
As we bid adieu to summer, I am ready for my favorite season to arrive - on Sept. 22!
On our drive to the beach, there was a small sign that fall is right around the corner - one of the nearly dozen fruit and vegetable stands we passed had pumpkins. I felt out of place wearing a bathing suit and flip flops.
As we bid adieu to summer, I am ready for my favorite season to arrive - on Sept. 22!
There's something in the water
I've been adding lemon to my water for a while now - and it's lovely. Recently, I started adding a thin slice of cucumber to my glass of water and I think I like it even more. It's refreshing and I can pretend that I'm at the spa!
If you haven't tried it before, give it a whirl.
If you haven't tried it before, give it a whirl.
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