Category Archives: EAT

Portland Photo Diary: Part I

September 29, 2011

Filed Under : EAT - STYLE - TRAVEL

portland

I thought I’d be able to make just one post on Portland and be satisfied but clearly we’re being a little self-indulgent over here because I have quite a few more photos to post after this one.  Just call me an over-sharer.  Anyway, so Portland is kind of amazing.  Especially when the sun is shining and the sky’s a bright blue and bloody marys are being served to you.  No but seriously, it’s such a lovely city!  The transportation system is easy, the buildings are old and ornate, the streets run alphabetical (no but for serious), people still do tricks with yo-yos, and the food is absolutely incomparable.

After we arrived in Portland, we had dinner at Gruner, a German-inspired restaurant with all of my favorite things, like pretzel bread and deviled eggs.  The meal was perfection in every way.

The next day, we had brunch at Tasty & Sons (a MUST GO if you’re in Portland) and filled ourselves with real healthy things like biscuits and fried chicken.  We also shopped at Ink & Peat, Larkpress, Collage, and Townshend Teas.

Later in the afternoon, we walked around downtown and shopped at Alder & Co (my new favorite place), Canoe, Frances May (an AMAZING women’s/men’s store!!), Tanner Goods, and Blackbird.  Portland has REALLY GOOD shopping!  Who knew!

We stopped for a snack at Lovejoy Bakers and walked around the Pearl District – my favorite district by far.  It’s so cute and has street names like “Lovejoy” – how could you not dig this area?

We had dinner at Clyde Common that night (next door to our hotel) – was too busy stuffing my face to take photos though.  I just realized that I’m giving you a literal play-by-play of my trip.  Is this TMI?  Yeah, probably.

More on Monday where I’ll dive into the glories of Stumptown coffee and the breathtaking Portland Farmer’s Market.  Tomorrow is Friday Love List of course!

Guest Post: Danielle of “Little Sincerity”

September 22, 2011

Filed Under : EAT - STYLE

Dear gentle The Style Eater reader,

The lovely Janelle has somehow lost any sense of self (blog) preservation and has asked me to do a guest post on her gorg endeavor.

So what can I, a girl who spends most of her evenings trying to find viable CatPaint options have to offer you that won’t make you want to chase after Janelle with (electronic and metaphorical) pitchforks and torches?

Well, in the spirit of a new, strange girl coming around + the lack of first-days-of-schools for me for, well, ever, I’m going to give you a whirlwind answer to the timeless question of “Oh em gee, how was your summer?!” in Instagrammed form:

  1. La Scala chopped salad + Maroon 5 at the Hollywood Bowl = all my favorite things in one place
  2. Comic-Con, where I’m sure my future boyfriend was clad in a Pikachu costume somewhere in the masses
  3. My nephew’s farm-themed first birthday party, which was easily more extravagant than anything I will ever have thrown in my honor. Also featured: authentic props
  4. S’mores. In. A. Cup. Hey.
  5. My Starbucks gold card, since this summer was ALL TRENTAS, ALL THE TIME
  6. And finally, my good imaginary friend Aziz topped this delightful summer off with the Food & Fashion project on his tumblr. Never have I ever heard anyone wax poetic about creamed corned polenta the way I always want to.

And with that, I bid you adieu!

Never change and KIT! (Waaaait, I think I just mixed my school metaphors…)

Danielle // @idkdanielle // Little Sincerity tumblr

Homemade Salsa

September 8, 2011

Filed Under : EAT - RECIPES

homemade salsa

I recently decided that I want to make salsas from scratch.  Sure, I never tire from a Pace Picante but sometimes it’s nice to create your own varieties.  Plus, it’s my boyfriend’s favorite food.  I kid you not, he brushed his teeth this morning, went downstairs and had chips and salsa for a snack, came back upstairs and Listerine’ed.  That’s probably not dentist-recommended but he can’t help it.  He loves that salsa.

So now I’m going to make it on the regular.  I’ve started with a basic salsa, only using the most essential ingredients needed: tomatoes, jalapeno, lime, white onion, garlic, and salt & pepper.  I’m missing cilantro, which is a KEY ingredient in salsa-making, but I never remember to buy it at the grocery store.  I have like ass-loads of basil but zero cilantro.

Before I give the recipe, please note that roma tomatoes (the ones I used) are the worst kinds of tomatoes on the planet.  Don’t use them in your salsa (I had to redo mine).  Unless romas are roasted, they taste like water.  We’re talkin’ zero flavor.  Sure, maybe roma tomatoes in other parts of the world are better tasting, but from the Ralph’s in Los Angeles, they’re bad.

Homemade Salsa
2-3 tomatoes
the juice of a lime
1 garlic clove, peeled
1/2 of a jalapeno
1/3 cup of white onion
handful of cilantro
salt & pepper to taste

You can either chop all the ingredients and mix together if you’d rather it look like a pico de gallo or you can blend all ingredients together in a food processor.  I took the food processor route because I like it a little more blended.  Store in an air-tight container, extra points if it’s a french terrine.

homemade salsa

homemade salsa

homemade salsa

Friday Love List

September 2, 2011

Filed Under : EAT - MY LIFE - RECIPES - STYLE

FRIDAY LOVE LIST

Three-day weekends are probably the best invention ever.  A whole extra day of hanging out?!  Sign me up, please.  This weekend is full of fun activities, starting tonight with First Fridays in Venice.  FF is an artwalk on Abbot Kinney (in Venice) and literally hundreds of food trucks line the streets.  It’s one of my favorite things to do!  As for what I’m loving this week?  Here are a few things:

  • Yes I’ve already expressed my love for Emersonmade here, but I can’t get over how amazing her fall collection is.  And even though I’ll never need a coat down in these parts, I’m particularly loving this camel coat (pictured above).
  • You guys, I went and bought myself a nice camera.  YAY!  Now I’m in the market for a camera bag and this one from ONA is EXACTLY what I’m looking for!
  • The minute I saw this recipe for grilled flatbread with blistered tomatoes, sauteed kale, and cheese, I died of happiness.  Then I came back to life and was very hungry.
  • I wish I could bake/eat these Bakerella chocolate chunk muffins EVERY SINGLE DAY of my life.  I would, you know.  I really would.
  • This weekend, I’m going to a wedding!  My friend from work is getting married and I’m real excited to celebrate her with all of my coworkers.

What are your plans for the 3 days?  Happy weekend!!

[Image via Emersonmade]

Did you know…

August 31, 2011

Filed Under : EAT

indonesian food

Ok so maybe only a little bit…1/4 of me, to be exact.  But my mom’s whole side of the family is and guess what?  They like to eat Indo food.  And lucky for me, they are real good at making Indo dishes.  And double lucky for me, Indo food is the best ever.  I went back home this past weekend to celebrate my Oma’s (grandmother) 85th birthday and my mom and her cousin had made a feast for the party.

I’m still full.

I don’t know how to spell any of the dishes but I will just explain them to you instead:

  1. (photo above) Chicken, tofu, and hard-boiled eggs in a white curry sauce.
  2. Tiny bay shrimp and pete (the green flecks you see in the dish and I believe they are a type of bean…full of flavor and delicious) simmered in a coconut milk broth with Indonesian spices.
  3. Shrimp chips.  If you’ve never had them, you are missing out in life, let me tell you.  They’re light, airy, crispy chips and although you don’t taste the shrimp, there is definitely shrimp in them.
  4. Zucchini simmered in a spicy broth and coconut milk.
  5. Beef with tofu, hard-boiled eggs, and pete.
One day I’m going to learn how to make all of these dishes and when I do, I will share them with you.  Sharing is caring and this food is damn good.

indonesian food