Archive for the 'Food' Category

Vegetarian Mysteries

Published on March 23, 2010 in Food. 0 Comments Tags: .

The Sunday afternoon that things were starting to give way, when the walls began to feel more hollow than before, was that strange moment when it seems like things would fall apart, if they could. It was because of the sudden shifts that this would be recognized not necessarily for its first power, nor second, but somewhere in the long line of powers it was there somewhere. It wasn’t that we were scared of each other, it was that we were realizing that we had never really met each other before.

Every couple goes through it, surely, and sometimes it happens on a vacation, when you are both waking up after 8 years, wondering what this was really for. It’s not necessarily important that it be kept secret at this point, because you’ve certainly been talking about it, although in very metaphorical ways, but perhaps in a place like this , where there’s everything in the world you would ever want right on the menu, best to keep it friendly.

Both of us having recently taken an ahimsa , this would be a good place to eat, and it might also open up other possibilities. I was convinced that something was about to happen, and it was about to happen to us. It was also bound for occurrence right in this city.

It was in fact, ready to happen at any given moment. This was a new adventure. We didn’t know why, exactly, but we knew that it was immanent. This was a place where it felt like walking into an entirely different room than we’d ever seen, and it was already starting to feel more refreshing than anything had for a very long time. That was the moment that is was clear, and more clear than a rainbow , surely. This branch went this way, and that branch went that way, and it was like that for as long as anyone could remember.

Valentines Day at Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder

Published on February 19, 2010 in Food, Leisure and Travel. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

My boyfriend planned the most romantic adventure for us today and not only did it really surprise me, as he’s not typically a romantic acting individual, but it was also incredibly touching because I know how much attention and thought he put into the whole thing. Anyway the day started with a phone call. He innocently and casually asked what I was doing. I had just finished doing some laundry so while that wasn’t terribly exciting that’s what I told him. Then he asked if he could stop over later and asked what I would be doing. I didn’t think anything was odd and just said it would be fine though I would be going to the store in a minute. As I walked out of my house there was a beautiful vase of roses sitting on my car with a large box of chocolates.

I had to smile and thought Paul must have called me from out there and wanted to get me to walk outside. I looked around and didn’t see him when suddenly a large plum of red and white balloons floated over my carport.
A moment later he walked around from the side of the house carrying a picnic basket and a smile.

That would have been more than enough for me as I was already so touched and pleased that I really didn’t expect anything else. However, we got into his car and headed out of town in the direction of Boulder. We met at the University of Colorado during our senior year and our first date was at a place called Frasca Food and Wine. Sure enough we pulled in to their parking lot and went in for lunch. I asked what the picnic basket was for if that’s where we were eating and he told me not to worry about it. We had a great lunch and passed by the Boulder hotel we planned to return to one day after we’re married. We went out to a beautiful country area and he threw down a blanket and we had a great conversation and enjoyed the strawberries, cheesecake and wine he had in the basket. It was really an amazing day.

Singapore Restaurant Living is a Delight

Published on December 22, 2009 in Food. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

There’s no better place for an enchanting meal, and it’s very possible to remain enchanted for as long as you’re here.  Singapore has an amazing selection of restaurants, and there is really no end to the scrumptious dishes to be sampled here.  If you’re in the mood to try something new every night for a month, then this is the place for you.  If you only like Chinese food, however, this is also the place for you.  The same could be said for so many other kinds of cuisine, whether it’s Indian, Malaysian, Japanese, Italian, and the list goes on.  Singapore’s swift rank to the top of the lists for the best places to eat has been a long time coming.

Many travelers have known for years that this is the place.  It makes perfect sense, because it’s proximity to other countries makes it peculiarly capable of bringing both the ingredients and the culinary artists with expertise to make the perfect meal.  It also happens to be close to different types of water, so that any kind of seafood is in ready, and very fresh, supply.  For every cuisine offered here, there are chefs who are adept at performing magical feats that speak to the centuries of tradition that go into the cooking, and it’s a great place to discover how things are supposed to taste.

It’s also a fabulous place for culinary innovation.  The culture at large here has a great love for anything new and modern, and they’re always looking ahead to see what the next trend might be.  This translates into some fantastic innovations in food, where the highly skilled and trained chefs need to meet the tastes of a very discerning public.  The quality is always high, and the level of fun is also extraordinary.  If you take your food seriously, or if you just happen to have a great love for the good life, you’ll find yourself right at home in Singapore restaurants.

Bonding by the Hearth Fireplace

Published on December 17, 2009 in Food and Home & Garden. 0 Comments Tags: , .

It’s wintertime and the holiday season, which means families with fire places are going to be buying lots of wood and stoking fires — but what do you do once you’ve got the kids gathered around.  Staring at flames for two or three hours, as interesting as fire may be, still seems a bit unproductive.  But, with the right activities, a nearby cozy fire can help make an evening with the family fly by.

Telling stories around the fireplace is one of the oldest activities of human beings.  In the past, they may have been about the hunt of the day, or the movement of the sun or moon.  Often, around a camp fire, the stories are spooky; ghost stories seem to work well under settings of low light and crackling, flickering flames.  However, the joy of the holiday season may not lend itself to ghost stories.  In that case, the family could tell stories about the family.  It’s an excellent time to let children know the adventures of their parents when they were kids, reliving the more interesting or exciting times of life.  Sharing these memories (the positive ones, at least) can be a real bonding experience for a family.  Why not bring out your old photo albums and scrapbooks while everyone is gathered around the fireplace? There’s nothing more entertaining than looking at old photographs and sharing forgotten memories. This activity can help to bring you closer as a family.

I remember, too, toasting marshmallows in the fire place on untwisted wire coat hangers (although I’d be hard pressed to find wire hangers in my home today).  Still, making molasses cookies (a favorite of my father’s) or heating up some hot chocolate — essentially, bonding with food, seems like a decent way to go, as long as you’re not eating this way every night (in the past, we never thought about the calories, but today, it seems, it’s essential).

Consider card games or board games, too.  These activities are excellent ways to spend time with each other at a level on which everyone can relate, the spirit of friendly competition.  Considering how much time we spend on our computers and video games, we may find actual cards and boards a welcome break.

Time gathered around a hearth fireplace is not only a way to heat your house, but it’s also a way to warm up the relationships you have with your friends and family.

Grill Islands and Slow Cooking Meat Dishes

Published on November 19, 2009 in Food. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

If you plan to cook a lot of meat in your backyard kitchen, one of the best additions you can make on grill islands is that of a professional smoker.  Slow cooking meat requires attention, but with a proper smoker you will have more time to relax, more time to anticipate.  You will no longer be required to keep an eye on the temperature, to add fuel, to spritz moisture, the smoker takes care of all these issues for you.  Your meal will never be over or under cooked, and the clean up of ash and soot will not longer be something to contend with.

When shopping for your smoker, keep an eye on those with advanced temperature control options.  This is the most important part, and unfortunately many outdoor grills are not set with a thermostat, one thing that is in every indoor kitchen oven does have.  And to attempt to control the temperature on a wood or charcoal grill is near to impossible unless the grill is very well designed and constructed.  If you do choose to go with the charcoal cookers to slow roast your meat dishes, then make certain that it is made with heavy steel, and is built with insulation.  The seals and the seams must be perfect so inspect these grills before you bring one home.  A Barbecue Guru is a machine that could help out, as it does have a thermostat automated blower that will keep the oxygen levels correct.

The electric smokers have this control, and it will save you a lot of time and frustration, running back and forth, and under or over cooking will cease to be an issue.  Now, there is one thing to consider, if you are ready to take your backyard skills to BBQ competitions. Most competitions will only accept dishes that were prepared on wood or charcoal grills.  It is the fact that the gas grills and the smokers make the preparation easy, and in competitions they are looking for skill.  In your own back yard however, it should be easy to make and serve a great meal, so look at the options, and fire up your grill.