Grilling on the Grill

Summer is right around the corner -- and you know what that means. Grilled food. I am really lucky now because we have an awesome gas grill. It's easy and super nice to just crank on the grill and get grilling. For years I have been using a Weber and charcoal... sometimes with apple wood chips for smoking or other woods (oak always reminds me of Black Bart's steaks -- and can I tell you there's nothing like aged beef cooked over oak coals!!) I use the weber for specialty wood grilled foods -- otherwise, the gas grill really is nice and convenient. Plus, it cleans itself when you crank it up and burn it off. Grilled vegetables are one of my favorites. Skewer them. Roast them right on the grill. Olive oil, freshly ground sea salt, cracked pepper. Delicious. The simplest foods are sometimes the easiest and most delicious. Yummy.

Hell's Backbone Grill

My friend Jen posted this photo on her facebook page and I was inspired. If this doesn't say artisinal bread -- I don't know what does! I'm inspired in many ways by her and her path. She's dedicated her life to her food and her garden and her little restaurant in the middle of Utah. We've known each other since we've been small... and our paths have had a similar commonality. We love food and have made it a huge part of our lives. Not only is she a revered Chef and published author -- her restaurant in Boulder, UT, Hell's Backbone Grill has received brilliant accolades from visitors and press around the globe. I'm looking forward to visiting her there someday. She was on my mind today and I wanted to share. It's this love of food that always makes me smile. I love food so much. I love making it, eating it, shopping for it, and sharing it with everyone. I'm going to get back to this blog and just continue to share what I think about food. And in the meantime... I'm going to research flights to Salt Lake City.

For the love of the MARKET

Some people like to shop for clothes. I like to shop for food. My discovery in the markets here is simple. Great. Fresh. Clean. and Farmers abounding. There are so many farmers markets here in the Portland area you could eat fresh picked produce every day! I can't wait until they start up again... I've been cooking a lot since I've been home (Currently on the hunt for the full-time job!) It takes my mind off of being unemployed and is something I just love to do so much. The smells, the sounds, the TASTES! I'm also appreciating the way my food affects the ones I love. Sharing music and food is really my favorite thing to do. La!

For the love of food... and drink

Last night I met up with a friend who is equally as passionate as I am when it comes to the pleasures of food and drink. It was a great night spent talking shop over tasty treats -- crispy calamari -- and a simple plate of hummus and pita. One discovery. Creme de Violet. Mmmm. I will need to look more into this. Happy to continue to eat well -- thanks to my sweet pals who treat me so nice! A cooking highlight of the week (I know it's only Tuesday) was a last minute lunch -- Zucchini -- cut thin like Angel Hair pasta with napa cabbage, cilantro, thai basil, spinach, daikon and cucumber. Dressing with sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds, lime and soy -- with a splash of Ume vinegar. Delicious. My friend loved it and I was happy. Off to Equinox on Mississippi this Friday for some treasures and looking forward to what Chef Scott will create for my ever craving palete. Cheerio.

My Love Affair with CHEESE

It began at an early age, my love of cheese. It was the all around snack. Cheese & Apples. Sometimes Cheese & Peanuts. This was my staple food from the time I could eat it -- and in truth -- to this day it is one of my favorite things to eat. Now, as I've adventured throughout the world -- Cheese has become a part of my life and a passion I share with many of my friends. In college, I would buy Brie, and serve it to my friends, thinking I was at the pinacle of sophistication -- it wasn't about Cheddar anymore people... I was onto something! Upon moving to Chicago -- I met David Donnavan from the House of Glunz, who hired me to pour wine at his wine tastings. He would have a nice spread of some artisinal cheeses with thinly sliced Genoa Salami and I loved it. Then, I really discovered cheese. My friend Jake from Miami would spend a small fortune at the Epicure market and we would drink wine and eat cheese for hours! Stinky ones too. But soooooo delicious. It was a decadance beyond belief and I was able to partake as my budget would allow! Then, Chef Randy Z came over one day with a little care package. He had a half-loaf of fresh baked Sourdough, an Apple (That he cut so paper thin, I couldn't even believe my eyes -- this was also the first time I'd seen someone use a knife like this!) and he introduced me to more beautiful cheeses that they featured at Norman's restaurant in Coral Gables. I encourage you to get into cheese if you have the $$. Worth every delicious, stinky, creamy, bold moment. This photo is of the incredible array of cheeses at ANDROUET in Paris, France at the market with Gene & Christi in 2006. The other photo is from Bristol Farms' Cheese Selection in LA

The Best Things In Life

I dedicate this blog to my friend Chris Valterza. His contribution to my life since I've been 17 has helped to create and nurture my love of food and wine and service. Way back in the day he came to my apartment (while we were at NAU) with his mom's famous red sauce recipe and it was the first time I had used FRESH HERBS! He later introduced me to the delights of a perfectly cooked steak (Ruth's Chris) and great glass of wine. He and Grobstein treated me like a princess when I was a mere marketing assistant in Chicago -- by taking me out to extravagant dinners like I'd never seen before! He taught me about eating in courses and many elements of great service that have stayed with me. He always kept -- and continues to keep me near the best things in life. He moved to Chicago and is now one of the owners of the 3rd Coast -- one of Chicago's best and most legendary cafe's (25 years and still rocking). When I moved to Portland, he took me to the Coast (the Oregon Coast) for a pep-talk, built a big bonfire and we talked for hours about our mutual passion for food and libations and ingredients and cooking and every other element that is associated. He continues to keep me encouraged and inspired with his everlasting friendship, love, brains and ideas.

Kindred Spirits

I dedicate this blog to my friend Jules. We met back in the day at NAU and for the past two decades she has been a source of inspiration in my life in every way. She encouraged my move to the Pacific Northwest by offering up her home to me until I settled in. Not only was she the first to take me to the top of the San Francisco Peaks on a Snowboard and give me my first push down the mountain... (which defines our fearless nature) but her brilliance in sharing everything from personal endurance mehods to marketing and public relations expertise continues to make me who I am. We cook and drink wine together in Portland and I always look forward to walking into her house and smelling the mouth watering aromas from her kitchen. I mean... when your friend greets you at the door with a big glass of Rex Hill Reserve Pinot Noir (Oregon) you can just imagine what comes next! She continues to add to my life in a way I will never be able to explain. This photo is from Jules appearance on the Food Network with Chef Tyler Florence.