sunday crafting

i spent the better part of sunday afternoon working on this little project. it was cold and drizzly outside, and i was glad to have something to keep my hands busy while my mind sorted through some heavy thoughts that have been looming lately (my 25th birthday is right around the corner, and like clockwork, i've been having a bit of a quarter-life crisis). painting these brightly-colored wooden spoons cheered me right up! another thing that eased my twenty-something existential woes? watching the latest episodes from season two of girls.

broiled grapefruit with coconut cardamom cream

this is one of those recipes that you could argue belongs in the dessert category, as it's supremely decadent, but it could also pass as breakfast. it tastes way more unhealthy than it actually is—always a good thing in my book!

broiled grapefruit with coconut cardamom cream adapted from here

1 grapefruit, sliced in half

1/2 tbsp raw turbinado sugar

1 can full-fat coconut milk, placed in the fridge overnight

1/4 tsp ground cardamom

preheat your oven to the broil setting. place the grapefruit halves, cut side up, on a baking sheet. distribute the sugar evenly over both halves and place under the broiler for 4-5 minutes. open the can of coconut milk and carefully scrape the "cream" off the top—be careful not to get any of the remaining liquid mixed in with it! put your muscles to the test and whisk the cream in a bowl for about five minutes, or until it resembles whipped cream. whisk in the cardamom and serve over the broiled grapefruit.

for an extra fancy step, garnish with some fresh mint or crushed pistachios. or both!

friday

happy friday! i know my friends and family back east are experiencing frigid temperatures right now, so i won't complain about the cold portland rain. i will say that i've discovered the perfect antidote: smitten kitchen's spicy chana masala over brown rice with a giant glass of reisling. listen to the new christopher owens (of girls) album, too, for good measure!

my recent eyes + edge posts:
>> maven collective 
<< streets of chrome photo contest 
>> local choice produce market

recent photos

1. my calendar from terrain

2. coffee and a flourless double chocolate cookie

3. soy latte

4. a favorite christmas present from drew

5. finally stuck out the long wait to eat at broder

6. brussels sprout, smoked salmon and swedish farmer's cheese scramble with a mimosa

7. the most thoughtful gift from a sweet friend

8. old portland building

9. sun! in january! celebratory walk to the grocery store

10. i heart you too, spinach

pasta with roasted cauliflower, hazelnuts and spinach

since i spend an inordinate amount of time reading food blogs, i'm always (subconsciously) aware of what is in season. perhaps that's why i came home from the grocery store the other day with a head of cauliflower, despite not having a clear recipe in mind. luckily, i had some roasted hazelnuts leftover from my quinoa flake breakfasts and a bag of baby spinach on hand. add in some garlic, onion, olive oil and throw it over pasta? you can't possibly go wrong with that.

pasta with roasted cauliflower, hazelnuts and spinach adapted from here

1 box (8 oz.) pasta
1 head cauliflower 
olive oil (about 2-3 tbsp)
salt
red pepper flakes
1 yellow onion, sliced thin
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 cup baby spinach
juice from 1 small lemon
1/2 cup chopped toasted hazelnuts
parmigiano cheese

preheat oven to 425 degrees f. wash and chop your cauliflower into florets and arrange on a baking sheet with a drizzle of olive oil, pinch of salt and a shake of red pepper flakes. roast for about 30 minutes, or until brown and crispy.

while the cauliflower is roasting, cook pasta until al dente. drain and set aside.

meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat a tablespoon or two of olive oil over medium-low heat. add in the onion slices, stirring occasionally for about 20 minutes, or until the onions become slightly caramelized and extremely soft. turn the heat up to medium-high and add the garlic, cook for about one minute. next, add in spinach, the roasted cauliflower, the pasta and some fresh lemon juice, stirring to combine all ingredients and allow the spinach to wilt.

remove the skillet from heat, add in the chopped hazelnuts and stir to combine. serve pasta in bowls and top with parmigiano cheese.

friday

happy friday! i added a new tab up at the top with my portland favorites. there are plenty of spots that go unmentioned, but i wanted to create a guide based on personal experience, not buzz from others. i've never been to fan favorites like pokpok or schoolhouse electric, so i didn't feel it was right to add them to the list. tell me, what are you favorites? i'd love to hear!

por que no — for a house margarita, tacos and fresh tortilla chips

navarre — for french, italian and spanish small plates in the coziest candle-lit room

salt & straw — for the most innovative and delicious ice cream flavors

nedd ludd — for high-quality pacific northwest cuisine

tasty n sons — for a decadent brunch, served family style

little t american baker — for pastries, freshly baked (spelt!) bread and house-cured lox

screen door — for southern classics with a local, gourmet twist

pix patisserie — for french macarons, handmade chocolates and a glass of champagne

bamboo sushi — for sustainable seafood and impeccable service

firehouse — for wood-fired pizzas, salads and small bites in a gorgeous old firehouse

the bye and bye — for hip vegans and boozy cocktails in mason jars

sip juice cart (or canteen) — for fruit and vegetable juices and other healthy elixirs

townshend's tea — for a huge selection of loose leaf or a chai latte

heart roasters — for a cup of coffee made from a small micro-roasting company

cascade brewing barrel house — for sour beers aged in oak barrels

palace — for a well-curated selection of clothes, jewelry, perfume, linens, bags and more

maven collective — for vintage furniture and other goodies hand-selected by four local ladies

local choice produce market — for hyper-local produce and grocery items like jacobsen salt

the meadow — for exquisite salts, chocolates and cocktail bitters

nationale — for an art gallery that happens to sell beautiful books and fragrances

meet the locals and grab a bite to eat at the portland state university farmers market

take a hike!

see a live show at the wonder ballroom, the doug fir or the aladdin theater

make your own terrarium at artemesia

visit the portland art museum

see a movie at cinemagic or laurelhurst theater

pick up a new or used book for your trip home at powell's

taste wines from four local vineyards at the southeast wine collective

make your own cheese or soap at a portland homestead supply class

quick trip to the coast

i drove up to seaside, oregon this past saturday to visit my man (he was at a conference for school). before drew started his program, i'd only been to seaside in the summer and didn't really care for it; the beach was so crowded with tourists and the boardwalk reminded me of coney island (which i'm strangely terrified of). but, for the past two winters, i've lucked out with beautiful cold, sunny days and desolate beaches. i think that's enough to make me have a change of heart. i made sure to pay a visit to the pendleton outlet and got to spend some time with drew's classmates and professors—all such lovely, warm people. and how about that sunset view from the top of the hotel? pretty dreamy.