Something New - Eat Ethiopian Food

There is a funny little building, right down the street from our house, that looks like an apartment complex. Natch. It's an Ethiopian restaurant. We drive by weekly wondering if it is any good but puzzling over why anyone would put a restaurant there. As the restaurant has endured and actually received many positive reviews we decided to give it a go. And the verdict . . . yummmmmmmmm!

Photo from Bete-Lukas - Were we ate.

Five of us went and we split 2 veggie combos and 2 meat combos. It looked much like the above picture, except I think there were a few other items (we actually went a few weeks ago and now I can't remember the name of anything we had). The whole meal was served on a giant pancake like bread that you pull apart and use to eat with - fun! We also tried Ethiopian beer which in my humble opinion tasted a lot like Heineken. Would I go back? For sure! Overall review of Ethiopian food - yummmmmm!

Too Many Showers

Two baby showers in two days are too many. Saturday’s shower was actually a baby viewing shower since the guest of honor had already been born. The baby was passed to person to person (other than me) as the new mom open up gifts. It is safe to say that I have yet to fall for the “charms” of a baby (now baby clothes are a different matter entirely) and really didn’t care either way about holding the baby. In fact I actually avoided it. Sunday’s shower didn’t start off well but turned into a nice little affair. A few tips on how to have happy guests at your shower: 1) Don’t plan a baby shower on Mother’s Day, 2) Don’t plan your shower from 4:30 – 7:30 on Mother’s Day, and 3) Don’t expect your guests to bring food – gifts and food – my friend you are overreaching. But despite my initial hesitation, which was probably based more on the fact that I had to go to two showers in one weekend then anything, it also was a very nice time.

For the second shower I tried my hand at making a baby blanket. The parents are waiting until the baby’s birth to find out the sex so I picked colors that were gender-neutral. I also wanted fabric that would pop and be visually engaging for a little one to look at. I settled on three Michael Miller prints from the Woodland Delights collection, all three fabrics had the same bright red and beautiful blue hues. The patches were 4 ½ x 4 ½ with a quarter inch seam allowance. I also followed Lisagh’s tip and made sure that all the raw edges were pressed back into the same direction. For the backing I used a plum colored fleece that was similar in color to the zig zags, the fleece was thick enough that I didn’t need any batting for softness. A few of my patches were a little off in size however I was very pleased with my actual stitching and with how the blanket actually turned out. I’ve already started cutting out blocks for a larger queen sized blanket.

Something New: Visit the Portland Classical Chinese Garden

There is something fun about being a tourist in your own city, taking the time to see the sites that are right there in front of you but that you never bother to look at. This weekend my parents, Guy and I went to the Portland Classical Chinese Garden to look at the Colorful Kites of China. We were promised a "garden full of kites," instead I think there were maybe a dozen scattered around. However, we did find an incredibly beautiful and relaxing sanctuary.

Something New: Run a 5k

I finally did it and I am pretty pleased with myself. Last year I set a goal to run a 5k. I got the first mile down, then two but the third mile was a bit of a mental challenge. I kept thinking about my ankles or how I was tired, but in reality my mind was wandering and I was getting a bit complacent about pushing myself. Last year I was convinced that I wouldn't be able to finish a 5k so I never had the courage to try. I decided that this year would be different so I signed myself up for the Shamrock Run, which gives you a beer at the end, and forced myself to train. I didn't run fast but I was able to run from the start to the finish without stopping to walk and I stayed right in the middle of the pack for my start time. I had a GREAT time running downtown and am already looking for another run!

Something New: Eat Spam

This wasn't on my "list" of things to try per se, but when presented with the opportunity to sample this mystery meat I decided to go for it - seriously it's about time I did something new. I present to you . . . Spam Musubi

Spam on rice, wrapped in seaweed. We went for Hawaiian barbecue a few weeks ago and decided to try Spam Musubi as an appetizer. I'm not sure if you knew this but spam and Hawaii seem to get along quite nicely. The verdict: not altogether unpleasant, but salty, very very salty.

Something New: Snowshoeing

Guy and I went snowshoeing for the first time last weekend. I forgot how freaking close the mountain is to our house (and how little we take advantage of it). We left the house at 10:30 and had our shoes strapped on by noon with stops for gas, coffee, snowshoes and parking pass/doughnuts. The weather was perfect, mid-30's and sunny with beautiful mountain views.


On the way up we stuck mostly to the established trail, venturing off from time to time for better views. But on the way back down we were blazing trails right and left, wandering where ever we wanted. I felt like a mini-adventuratrix striking a course towards undiscovered destinations (well we didn't really venture that far off course but still . . . ).


I think the next time we go we are going to head off on our own from the start. We'll pack a lunch, strike an uncharted course, enjoy the view, and then picnic whilst murmuring sweet nothings to each other.

Something New: Cook with My Tagine

For my first foray with the tagine I made, Chicken Tagine with Apricots and Almonds, and yummmmmm. . . . The way this dish smells while cooking is amazing and the taste won't disappoint either. I'll admit that this dish is a bit more complicated then what we usually cook, but we will be making it again for sure. We served it over couscous, which was perfect for picking up the extra sauce. All in all my first efforts with the tagine = SUCCESS!

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 3 tablespoons plus 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 (3-lb) chicken, cut into 6 pieces, wings and backbone discarded
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 medium red onion, halved, then sliced 1/4 inch thick
• 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 5 fresh cilantro
• 5 sprigs fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons mild honey
• 1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick -I didn't use these and it turned out fine.
  
• 1/2 cup dried Turkish apricots, separated into halves
• 1/3 cup whole blanched almonds
• Based on reader comments I also added 1/2 teaspoon of cumin and coriander.
  

How to:

Stir together ground cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons oil in a large bowl. Add chicken and turn to coat well.

Heat butter and 1 tablespoon oil in base of tagine (or in skillet), uncovered, over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then brown half of chicken, skin sides down, turning over once, 8 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Brown remaining chicken in same manner, adding any spice mixture left in bowl.

Add onion and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt to tagine and cook, uncovered, stirring frequently, until soft, about 8 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes. Tie cilantro and parsley into a bundle with kitchen string and add to tagine along with 1/2 cup water, chicken, and any juices accumulated on plate. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, 30 minutes.

While chicken cooks, bring honey, remaining cup water, cinnamon stick, and apricots to a boil in a 1- to 2-quart heavy saucepan, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until apricots are very tender (add more water if necessary). Once apricots are tender, simmer until liquid is reduced to a glaze, 10 to 15 minutes.

While apricots cook, heat remaining 1/4 cup oil in a small skillet over moderate heat and cook almonds, stirring occasionally, until just golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.

Ten minutes before chicken is done, add apricot mixture to tagine. Discard herbs and cinnamon stick, then serve chicken sprinkled with almonds on top.