watching, reading, listening, looking, cooking

watching - Frazier reruns
reading - A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg (I highly recommend!)
listening - to hip hop
looking - at lots and lots and lots of blogs
cooking - not sure yet, hoping for some inspiration later today at the farmer's market

Oy Vey

Why did I try one? They were a gift from an associate at work, to say hello and Happy Purim! And to enlighten us with some of the lovely (and tasty) Jewish traditions. They sent a box of Hamantashen from a bakery in Brooklyn. Damn these things are delightful!

Your average square meal

Turkey Meatloaf with parsley garlic potatoes,
and roasted broccoli and cauliflower

The everyday square meals don't get the credit they deserve. They're not flashy, they're sustenance. They are peace of mind. We often make something with ground turkey, in an attempt to be healthy. Usually turkey tacos, or turkey burgers. I felt the need to pull up an old favorite this time, plus I wasn't quite starving yet (meatloaf takes time). So, mid-week meatloaf with veggies. Tomorrow night (leftover) meatloaf sandwiches!

Pork Sunset

I have a convoluted method for putting my images to posts in this blog. It usually involves me emailing myself images from my phone, opening them on a big screen, and evaluating and editing what to include, then writing. When I emailed these photos, I wrote "Pork Sunset" as the subject. A couple days later when I saw the email, I had no idea what the subject meant, but got all daydreamy thinking about what it could mean. Then I remembered I had gotten the recipe from Sunset Magazine. Ah-ha! That makes sense. Kind of a boring reason, when Pork Sunset just sounds so exciting and intriguing. Maybe even disturbing. Think: what does Pork Sunset mean to you?

Anyway- I often make rosemary pork tenderloin with brussels, and know that I love that combination. This recipe is different and even combines a few more of my favorite flavors. It is Pork and Charred Brussels Sprouts with Chile Lime Sauce. It was delicious.

Ready

Set

Go

Arizona

Recently took a trip to Arizona with the husband. We stayed in Scottsdale for two nights at the Saguaro, then drove to the mountains, and stayed in Jerome for one night. We saw many saguaro cacti, rows upon rows of lady slippers, and all other sorts of desert plants. Went to the Botanical Gardens in Scottsdale. I wish we had had more time (and sweatshirts) because it was beautiful, I could have spent hours there. We also visited an art compound (?) called Costanti. We saw Louis C.K. perform (the impetus for our trip), drank nummy wine, ate delicious food and relaxed a bit by the pool. All in all, a perfect getaway! Here are some pics..

Scottsdale

Cosanti

Jerome, photo by Greg Jacobs

Caduceus Tasting Room, Jerome

Park Avenue in Stanton

I finally tried this place, and the only pic I took was of the cool-ass starburst lamps they had hanging in the bar. This post will be a reminder for me to return and take better pictures, and get there early so there's time to hang in the bar and admire the lamps again.

My review:
The decor and ambiance - awesome. These lamps - fantastic. The fact that they grow their vegetables in the back, and you can walk the grounds and see the garden - wonderful. The service - mostly really good. But the food was a little hit or miss. My steak was totally overcooked, but the vegetable dishes were fantastic. So I have mixed feelings. Overall I think there was enough happening on the positive side to warrant another visit.

Olive Oil Cake with candied kumquats and whipped cream

Thank goodness, it's finally kumquat season again!

vanilla bean

citrus zest

cake

candying the kumquats

delightful

Great sandwiches in San Pedro

The other day I took the husband on a day-date to San Pedro. He hoped I might be taking him to the Chowder Barge (that'll be next time). I had heard about this great sandwich joint called Busy Bee, and had to try it. And the husband loves a good sandwich. It was delicious. Must return and try the torpedo. Plus San Pedro is an interesting place! I need to remember it exists.

Time for a Sazerac

Boxty

Veggie Boxty at K.C. Branaghan's over the weekend. Delicious! How come so few Irish Bars offer or have even heard of these delicious crepe-like treats?

some fave bourbon drinks