Back to Breakfasts

Cheese grits and bacon bits

Do people eat grits in the Pacific NW? I don't see them often in grocery stores here. My family loves grits...It has a slightly grainy texture that can also be creamy. Depending on your preference, it can be served as a solid block (like polenta), or porridge form. 

I've noticed the grits purchased here in WA need more water and a longer cooking time than those purchased in the south. Most people cook grits with water only. I like to substitute 1/3 of the water with milk for a creamier result. Although I've heard that grits can be served sweetened, I've never seen it that way. Probably because that would be really freaking gross. Grits come with bacon and eggs in the south, not brown sugar and cinnamon. Why not just eat oatmeal if you want a sweetened porridge?

Strawberry muffins

I've been staying with a couple of friends while in Alexandria. Tonight is my last night here, so to thank them for their hospitality, I baked and made a mess of their kitchen. 

Strawberry muffins

The recipe was a really easy one from Allrecipes, but I followed the tips from other bakers in the comments section.

These muffins were light, fluffy, moist, and only slightly sweet. The greatest thing about them is that you can freeze them, and just microwave one or two at a time for breakfast each morning. Amazing.

Pita House in Old Town Alexandria

Went to a restaurant in Old Town last night called "Pita House." I ordered their "choose your own 3" platter: rice, beef souvlaki, and falafel. It was good food, and moderately priced. I've been there before, and both times it was a pleasant experience. This time however, I discovered something new that I've never had before. Please don't laugh at me if you've had this before, but I tried their lemonade. Yes. Lemonade, but with rosewater. eiad lkjdoaijd elakd AMAZING.

I love you.

It was lightly sweet, not too tart, and the rosewater added a fragrance and pleasure that I don't often find in a non-alcoholic beverage. It was simple, but new to me. I now have dreams of making my own rosewater so that I can add it to other things...strawberry lemonade, cakes, tea, butter cookies, popsicles, coffee...Ok, maybe not coffee. I'll have to work on that list a bit more...

Alexandria, Va

Had dinner with a few friends from college tonight. The plan was that I would make dinner, and my friend Chucklebum and I would bake together for the blog. This is what actually happened:

Dinner: Kona chicken with rice and steamed veggies

Start making dessert

"Let's have some wine!" "YAY!!!"

"Let's slosh our way through dessert making!" "Gyurrrggghhhh..."

Result: Ice cream cupcakes

We tried four different kinds of ice cream for our cupcakes: strawberry, chocolate, mint chocolate chip, and banana. Considering that it was messy, and the brownie bottoms baked a little too long, the result was pretty fantastic! It was easy and tasty! Check out the link above for "Joy the Baker's" recipe.

The chicken was just as effortless and tasty, although I omitted the honey and baked it instead of using a slow cooker. It was such a relief to be cooking/baking again after eating out every day for a week! I really, really missed being able to choose my ingredients and be part of the cooking process...isn't that sad?

vegetarian eating

During the summer, I'll sometimes lapse into a vegetarian menu. It's not for health or moral reasons, but because I'm too friggin' lazy and hot to cook a real meal.

 Giggity.

It's a Boca Chik'n patty on onion bagel with melted mozzarella. All fresh, all good. There's no recipe. Just stick the patty in the toaster oven, toast the bagel, put cheese on the patty while it's still hot. Add fresh veggies.Then, you eat it.

Still super tired from traveling and convention. 3 different time zones in a week is a bit exhausting. However, I really loved most of my experience at convention. I got to hang out with an amazing assortment of musicians, and hope that I'll get to work with them again in the future. For more info about the organization, go to www.inafa.org.

out of town

Have been out of town for the past week for a flute conference in Wisconsin. Currently am in DC with some friends, will return to Seattle next week.

I had one or two interesting meals in WI. Most of my meals were either at a dining hall, or brought to me from someone else. Now that I'm in DC however, I hope to be baking or eating some really interesting foods. Starting with this:
http://www.omnomicon.com/rainbowcake

aoiej adslkje adhg aljd wlekj daljf! I cannot WAIT to try this!

I will never look at Skittles the same again...

Did you watch the full video? (You really should.) What kinds of drugs is this guy on? Is he having a rainborgasm? No clue, but I laughed for 3 min and 29 seconds during the video AFTER having just done an ab workout. Please. Watch. This.