Sweaty Guinea Pig Goes Live

We arrived Portland last Monday in the afternoon. It was misty and
gloomy. We were sort of edgy when we arrived because of hunger and
lack of sleep. But everything started to look brighter once we found
the best bar in the city - Belmont Station. (shown in picture-2). It
has many local brews on tap, and there is a joint store stocked with
great tasting beer as well.
 
Day 2 (starting with picture-3) was fantastic. The sky was bright and
it was around 45-degree outside; it was the perfect weather to rent a
bike and explore the city in depth. We biked up Washington Park and
cruised around downtown. Biking up in Washington Park was very
challenging; it was a constant climb of total 800 feet, at least. We
rewarded ourselves with a shot of Jameson and a glass of Guinness
afterward.
 
Day 3 (starting with picture - 6) was just as fabulous as the previous
day, except the near death (ok, I may be exaggerating a little too
much) experience when we went hiking and got lost and had to walk back
in the dark. Multnomah Falls were very beautiful. I'd like to go back
someday and finish the hike...without putting myself in a dangerous
situation. We ended our stay in Portland with a classy dinner in
Paley's Place.
 
For more details and pictures of my stay in Portland, please visit
www.sweatyguineapig.com.

             

Click here to download:

Pacific_Northwest_Road_Trip_Po.zip (15567 KB)

Loading mentions Retweet

Even though I had free wi-fi on the entire trip at northwest, I never
got around to update new entries. I have finally settled down since
coming back last weekend, and it's time for some serious posterousing.
 
Pictures:
1. Our accommodation at Portland. It's the most modern looking house
of the block.
2. Our kitchen and dining room. What a fabulous kitchen!
3. The beautiful backyard.
4. Top view of the livingroom.
5. The master bedroom. (other rooms are very nice and spacious as well)
 
Ok...so this entry kind of turned into an exhibition. Outdoor adventure in
Portland will be posted next!

         

Click here to download:

Pacific_Northwest_Road_Trip_Po.zip (10693 KB)

Loading mentions Retweet

If you'd like to taste President-elect Barack Obama's lunch tomorrow,
here's the menu of his inauguration luncheon. Herb roasted pheasant
and wild rice stuffing sounds very tempting to me ( I will have to use
chicken breast though).
 
http://inaugural.senate.gov/documents/doc-2009-recipes.pdf

Loading mentions Retweet

I had been on road for the last 8 days in pacific northwest region
(will have updates from those days). I had a wonderful time with my
friends exploring different cities and eating incredible foods, but I
missed my kitchen and pantry. I don't necessarily have to make my food
with expensive ingredients. I just crave some leftover and cheap eats
sometimes.
 
First thing I made after coming back back home is congee with refried
beans. A bowl of hearty and hot congee with nutty and spicy refried
pinto beans is the perfect home coming meal.

   

Click here to download:

Missing_My_Pantry.zip (3000 KB)

Loading mentions Retweet

And great food kept on coming...
 
1. Braised pork shoulder and shank with fried crispy pork skin and
sweet potato gnocchi
2. Mushroom-crusted sweetbreads with chanterelle salad
3. Roasted Quail with stuffed prune, chestnut, and bacon
4. Pan seared fillet mignon with oyster mushroom and bacon ravioli.
5. Party like rock stars...classy way.

         

Click here to download:

Some_Inspiration_from_Paleys_E.zip (10284 KB)

Loading mentions Retweet

We went to a very classy restaurant, Paley's Place, in Portland,
Oregon. The experience was extraordinary. Food and wine were flawless.
The ingredients were superb, and every dish was cooked skillfully and
presented beautifully.
 
Pictures:
1. The chef's cookbook
2. Dungeness crab salad with black truffle
3. Prosciutto, terrine, and pickled carrot
4. beef tartar with duck egg yolk
5. one of the most amazing pinot noir - from Oregon

         

Click here to download:

Some_Inspiration_from_Paleys_S.zip (10924 KB)

Loading mentions Retweet

I am currently on a trip in northwest region with my friends. We are
in Seattle for the first 3 days. I went to Pike Place Market this
morning to get some fresh produce and eggs. I cooked a fantastic
brunch for five of us.
 
Breakfast menu:
- Olive oil braise carrots
- fantastic scrambled eggs with creamy butter and wild mushrooms
- crispy home fries
- organic braised tomatoes on vine
 
more live blogging actions later this week...stay tuned!

Loading mentions Retweet

I was craving something citrusy and creamy...and I knew exactly what I
needed to make - Lemon Curd. I also got bored of eating strawberry jam
and needed something new and exciting.
 
Lemon curd goes very well with hard cookies/biscuits like biscotti. I
smeared lemon curd on it...and it was heavenly! Back to work...

       

Click here to download:

Afternoon_Delight_Lemon_Curd_w.zip (7896 KB)

Loading mentions Retweet

I spent all day yesterday and few hours this morning cooking for
Barrel luncheon. This week, I wanted to make simple everyday-dish with
fresh and affordable ingredients. I also wanted to incorporate some
seasonal ingredients, such as cabbage, beets, and turnips.
 
I didn't get much of sleep these few days because of the planning and
cooking. But being able to have gourmet meal in office worth every
minute of the last 48 hours.

             

Click here to download:

NJ-Transiting_Gourmet_Food.zip (13888 KB)

Loading mentions Retweet

A bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup (with homemade stock) makes me
morning enjoyable.

Loading mentions Retweet