by Krista | Feb 9, 2010 | Spring
Our exploration of the Old Fort in Corfu, Greece was exhilarating, beautiful, and roasting hot! As we clambered down steep wooden steps and entered the cobbled tunnel leading out we groaned with joy as great gusts of cold sea air whistled through the tunnel cooling us off deliciously.
We left the gorgeous views of ocean and town and entered the labyrinthine streets of Old Town Corfu.
As we wandered, we found lovely shops filled with soft pashminas, gorgeous hand-crafted jewelry, and exquisite antiques. Soon we were famished and parched and ready for a break. We found the perfect respite in a bustling little cafe set under an arbor of vines.
As we nibbled on fresh bread dipped in olive oil – is there any better way to start a meal? – we perused the menus handed to us by our jovial and hilarious elderly waiter.
I always love looking at the English version of menus while traveling. There’s always something lost in translation that amuses me. Impregnanted sardines? I think I’ll pass. 🙂
I settled on marinated, grilled chicken and pepper skewers on a bed of rice with heavenly crispy, fried potatoes and a big bottle of water.
The view from our table.
We thoroughly enjoyed our leisurely lunch where we were highly entertained by the colorful characters around us:
This guy talked on his cell phone in this posture the entire time – flexing his muscles for anyone who might be watching. We were watching. And laughing. 🙂
And these chaps who we are QUITE certain were mafia. 🙂 They sat facing the doorway for hours, smoking, drinking copious amounts of wine and an array of folks would wander in to confer with them in hushed or animated fashion. We had grand fun making up stories about them. 🙂
Then we were off for more exploring, eventually making our way over to the New Fort. But I’ll have to share that with you next week or I shall be late for work! 🙂
by Krista | Feb 8, 2010 | Bootstrap Monday
Good morning! 🙂 I am happy to report that I’m feeling better than I have in WEEKS! With rest, sunshine, and more rest, pain has ebbed and I’m so very grateful. 🙂
It was a lovely weekend, starting with Foyle’s War with Mike and Toby at Toby’s place. He made us all sorts of goodies – popcorn, chips and pico de gallo, but my favorite were oven roasted carrot chips with dill. Delish! Even though I’ve seen all the episodes of Foyle’s War, I can never remember whodunnit! It’s like I’m watching a new movie every time, and I’m not complaining one bit. 🙂
Saturday morning dawned beautifully sunny and after a lovely sleep in I trundled out to my sunshiny kitchen for breakfast. First I juiced a bowl of apples with a pile of grated ginger. Mmm, so fresh and tart.
Thus fortified I bustled about organizing my pantry, doing laundry and washing dishes until I was good and ravenous. Then I gathered ingredients for my absolute favorite hot cereal. Millet porridge with ground almonds, unsweetened coconut and dates. It’s my Mum’s invention and I love it!
Mixed with almond milk, honey and topped with slivered almonds, it’s a creamy, satisfying bowl of goodness.
By this time the afternoon sun was blazing through my windows, so I opened my door, spread a blanket on the floor and stretched out in the doorway with a good book. Protected from the icy wind all I felt was glorious warmth and I basked in it like a lazy cat, soaking up those healing rays, reading happily and eventually napping. Bliss. 🙂
Late afternoon I got inspired to try something I’ve been wanting to try for ages: molded gelatin. Of course I’ve made Jell-O salads and such, but these are different. I found them in an old Victoria magazine with a feature on banquets of old where chefs would create glistening molded jellies in wonderful shapes, colors and flavors.
The first one I tried was rich and creamy, two layers of almond gelatin sandwiching a thick, chocolatey latte one. Mmm! I did this in a Nordicware Bundt pan and served it in great quivery wedges.
Although the taste was great, the almond layers were softer than I would’ve liked (hence the photo not showing the mushed bottom :-)), and next time I will add more gelatin.
For the next batch I layered hibiscus gelatin with almond, and did mini ones in lovely molded muffin tins.
They were light and fruity, with delicate flavors that made me think of balmy summer mornings.
One day I will try the stunning, towering confections like they had in the magazine, but today I’m content with my little gelatin creations. 🙂
Sunday morning my friend Rose gave me a bouquet of pussy willows! (Thank you!!) I learned that you should never, ever, ever put them in water. If you don’t, they last for simply ages. 🙂
Sunday afternoon my pal Johanna did my taxes (THANK YOU!!!) and I made dinner for her and her man. I do love bartering. 🙂 Then we headed over to Mum and Dad’s for birthday cake (Happy Birthday, Johanna!!) and a good ol’ visit. After they left, Dad watched The Game and Mum and I cozied ourselves in the back room and had our own little movie day watching Foyle’s War and Campion whilst sipping Aussie wine and nibbling on Fritos, dark chocolate mint patties and crescent-roll-wrapped-smokies with sweet hot mustard. Clearly we were on a health food kick. 😉
I’m so grateful for such a good weekend, a grand mix of people and solitude, rest and accomplishment, sunshine and rain. 🙂
Millet Porridge
(From Mums)
1 cup millet
4 cups water
3 dates, chopped
1/4 cup almonds
1/4 cup desiccated coconut
Directions:
- Combine millet and water in saucepan. Bring to boil then lower heat and simmer 40-45 minutes.
- In food processor blend almonds, coconut and dates.
- Stir everything together and serve with almond milk and honey or maple syrup.
Almond Jelly
(From Lynn Siy)
Ingredients:
2 pkgs. unflavored gelatin
1 cup cold water
1/2 cup sugar
2 1/2 c. milk
1 tsp. almond extract
Directions:
- Sprinkle gelatin on cold water in a pot. Put on medium heat.
- Stir constantly until dissolved.
- Add 1 cup sugar, stir to dissolve. Remove from heat.
- Add almond flavoring to the milk and pour into the gelatin mix. Stir to blend.
- Pour into 9″ square glass pan and put in fridge to set.
Latte Jelly
(From recipezaar)
Ingredients:
1/2 cup boiling water
1 tablespoon gelatin
1 tablespoon instant coffee granules
1 tablespoon cocoa
1/2 cup sugar
375 ml ca evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions:
- Pour boiling water over gelatine in heatproof bowl.
- Stir till dissolved.
- Put coffee and cocoa in saucepan.
- Add sugar and milk.
- Stir over low heat till coffee is dissolved and mixture is hot but not boiling.
- Remove pan from heat, coll till lukewarm.
- Stir in gelatine mixture and vanilla.
- Pour mixture into 4 cup oiled mould.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours till firm.
- When ready to serve, dip base of mould into hot water then invert onto plate.
by Krista | Feb 5, 2010 | Fabulous Friday
Waaaaay back in December 2009 I read a New Year post by the lovely El over at Fresh New England. She was reflecting on things she’d learned over the last year. Reading through her list I felt alternately teary, affirmed and cheered. When I shared it with a couple of friends I was visiting with online, I had to chuckle because all three of us immediately printed out the list and propped it up on our desks. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked at it over the past month and or two.
It’s such a simple list, and maybe that’s where the magic lies.
For me, being in a cult for seven years left deep scars and a mind chock full of false guilt, fear, and a habit of always thinking the worst of myself. Reading #1 on her list startled me:
1. Never, ever put yourself down. Ever. And don’t let anyone else do it either.
I thought, “Can I really do that? Am I ALLOWED to do that?” Turns out I can, and I am. 🙂 I’ve spent the last while discovering the joy of being kind, gentle and patient with myself. The cult taught me that I should die to myself, crucify myself, suppress myself in favor of what my authorities told me was right and acceptable. They told me there was nothing good in me, credited others with any right I did do, and taught me to always look for ways to give up my rights and die to my dreams, hopes and expectations. They warned that any other behavior would result in me becoming prideful, self-centered and arrogant.
The opposite has happened.
I have never felt so gracious, loving and accepting of others. It has freed me up to see us as we ARE, in all our lovely frailty and strength, beauty and ugliness, wisdom and silliness. I’m no longer afraid or ashamed of myself. When I do something wrong or foolish, I don’t berate myself or wallow in self-loathing, I simply acknowledge it, apologize if necessary, and press on with hope, joy and greater understanding.When someone praises me for something, I can now say THANK YOU with a free and happy heart instead of looking for ways to put myself down or deflect the praise to someone else. I can listen to the hopes and dreams of my dear ones and support them fully, even if I don’t understand or agree, simply because we are all on a journey and have the right to try new things, make whopping mistakes, and putter along as best we can.
I hardly got past #1 when #2 popped up:
2. Every week, plan at least one activity that you’ll look forward to.
I LOVE this! 🙂 I’ve always tried to do at least one happy thing a day, but I love the notion of PLANNING jolly things, giving myself something to anticipate, especially when times are rough.
I’m poor as a churchmouse these days, maybe worse :-), but that hasn’t stopped me from planning at least one happy thing a week. Sometimes it’s very, very simple (and cheap!): looking through old Victoria magazines, setting aside two hours to talk with a dear friend, or having a slumber party with my goddaughters and letting them plaster my face with make-up and tell me I’m “so beautiful, honey dear”. 🙂
Sometimes it’s just Danish pastries on a Saturday morning while having coffee with my parents and grandies.
Or making scones slathered with lemon curd and piled with Devonshire cream and fresh berries for tea and a good ol’ chin wag with a friend.
One day my friend Stacey and I decided we HAD to see snow (she was visiting from Texas, so this was important!). We got in my car and drove up into the mountains and it started snowing!! We cheered and hollered and got soaked and loved every minute of it.
This weekend I get to watch Foyle’s War with my pals, Toby and Mike, have my goddaughters and their parents/my friends over for Sunday dinner, and watch the Super Bowl with friends at my folks’ house. So much happiness in one little weekend. 🙂
I’m sure El had no idea the impact her simple list would have, but it watered good changes in this girl’s heart and brought much, much joy. 🙂
So, dear ones, what happy thing are you going to do this weekend?
by Krista | Feb 4, 2010 | Plucky Thursday
It was a dark and stormy afternoon – we have those now and then in Washington. 🙂 I got home on lunch break, pulled up the shades to let a bit of light in and there were snowflakes! Stuck there by my roommmate Robyn. 🙂 Aren’t they cheery?
I’ve been bed-ridden so much lately that I simply had to post some pictures of my beautiful Washington. Just looking at them makes me FEEL like I’ve been out and about. 🙂
Dairy country. That’s Mount Baker off in the distance
Nooksack River
Nooksack Falls
Sigh. I feel better already. 🙂
Sometimes in the middle of winter I crave summer. I know you couldn’t tell from all the hot, sunny photos I’ve been posting lately. 🙂 Well, I’ve also been craving summery foods, light, bright and packed with flavor. Like this noodle salad.
I picked up some lovely mung bean noodles – something I’d never cooked with before.
I love how they go all glassy and silvery when they’re cooked.
I added scallions…
…cilantro…
…plump mandarin orange segments…
…and some thinly sliced yellow bell pepper, then made a quick vinaigrette of freshly squeezed lime and orange juices, sesame oil and a bit of kosher salt and pepper.
It suited my craving beautifully. 🙂
by Krista | Feb 3, 2010 | Bits 'n' Bobs
After a long week of illness, I’m finally perking up. Hooray! Just in time for sunshine too. 🙂 Thanks to a chiropractor appointment and some good pain pills I was able to sit outside yesterday with juice, quilt and a good book, soaking up healing rays and fresh air.
I’m reading “The Rose Cafe” reveling in vivid descriptions of the sun-drenched, intrigue-laden Corsica of the 1960’s.
Today I go back to work and my lunches are light and healthy. The first came about when, in my groggy state, I thought I was making a pot of millet porridge and ended up with quinoa. 🙂 Thankfully I had some perfect additions on hand to make a delicious salad. I tossed the quinoa with pesto then added quartered artichoke hearts and thinly sliced red and yellow bell pepper.
The second dish was beautifully simple. I had chilled polenta in the fridge, so I sliced it, fried it in a bit of olive oil with a sprinkling of kosher salt, spooned on a savory blend of mascarpone, chevre and green onion and topped it with marinated roasted bell peppers.
Now I must juice oranges and grapefruit, mix plain yogurt with apple sauce, vanilla and mandarin oranges, brew my tea and head to work. Hope you have a beautiful Wednesday! 🙂
Fried Polenta with Savory Cheese and Roasted Peppers
Ingredients:
10 slices chilled polenta
olive oil
kosher salt
1/4 cup (2 ounces) mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup (2 ounces) goat cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh chives
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 jar roasted marinated red or yellow peppers
Directions:
- Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Place polenta slices in pan, sprinkle with kosher salt, and fry until golden on each side.
- Mix cheeses with chives, pepper and salt.
- Dice peppers.
- Place slices of polenta on platter, spoon 1-2 tsp cheese mixture on each piece and top with bell pepper.
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