Back to Life

This has been the longest I have ever gone between blog posts, and I’m somewhat embarrassed. It’s a vicious cycle, really. You think, “well I’ve gone this long without posting, who will notice anymore?” Or, “I’m going to take 100 photos for my future blog post about this” and then realize you don’t have enough storage on your phone. I promised I would never let myself go this long without connecting with my dear readers, but then life happens and your hobby blog suddenly falls lower and lower on the list of priorities. But I’m back, and I’m going to be better than ever!

Let me give you a brief culinary recap of my life since my last post:

• I went to Seattle for the first time in my life and realized how much I miss living in a real city (but I still love you, Napa). I was there for a business trip, but stayed a little longer to indulge in all the culinary delights that the city has to offer.

One morning in Seattle (clockwise from top left): salmon pierogi, Hom Bow, lots of fish at Pike Place Market, Rose and Puget Sound oysters from Taylor Shellfish, and the Starbucks Roastery. Damn.

Fresh summer fruits from a market on Vashon Island, WA

Cider tasting at Dragon’s Head on Vashon Island, WA

Best brunch ever at Revel (clockwise from top left): ramen, savory monkey bread, spicy kimchi bloody mary, BBQ pork waffle, SPAM rice bowl… I could eat this stuff every Sunday.

• I tried some great, new (well, new to me) restaurants in Napa, including Bistro Jeanty, Two Birds One Stone, and Ad Hoc.

Blanquette de Lapin at Bistro Jeanty: Pancetta wrapped rabbit loin and braised leg with pappardelle pasta morels and truffle oil

Ratatouille at Bistro Jeanty

Okonomiyaki at Two Birds One Stone

Roasted whole chicken at Ad Hoc

• I ate a lot of delicious meats. Let’s just say, I know someone at Fatted Calf.

Said Fatted Calf employee (aka my boyfriend @PeterPorker13) raging on shoulder chops at “Butcher’s Happy Hour” – first Thursday of every month in Napa; every Wednesday in SF.

Fig and sausage stuffed quail from Fatted Calf

Wagyu prime rib… and Yorkshire pudding… and roasted potatoes… and Christmas.

• I made Gravlax for the first time (which warrants a separate post), for a super fancy New Years Eve dinner party that was hosted in my newly purchased townhouse! It has been taking up all of my energy and time, but it’s completely worth it.

Before and after of my living room/dining room/kitchen (missing cabinet doors). It’s amazing what floors, lights and paint will do to an old space!

Table setting for our first dinner party, on New Years Eve of course! I learned how to fold cool napkins just for this occasion.

I’m looking forward to getting back into the swing of things, especially now that I finally have a massive open kitchen with plenty of counter space (as well as a dishwasher!!!).

I’ve also set some culinary goals for 2017, including, but not limited to:

• learn to make sushi; more specifically, sushi rice
• make homemade pasta, including ravioli
• master the art of breaking down a chicken
• eat more caviar

My first go at sushi… looks pretty but I really need to work on the rice.

Caviar is served best on homemade chips with Crème fraîche.