Sun-Starved

Pike Place Market Photo Stroll with the Foodies Night In Seattle gals #FNI

Hello again, my darling Sun-starved! Ryan and I have been very busy with work and soaking up every ray of the sun that took a bit longer to bring Summer along to Seattle. I'm back this time to report a lovely photo stroll that I took with some lovely ladies yesterday. We picked Pike Place Market to wander around with our cameras before heading down to SAM Taste at the Seattle Art Museum for Happy Hour (@tastesam). Want to try a fabulous cocktail? Order their FBR Manhattan, featuring their fig-infused Maker's Mark blend! 

 

Los Angeles: too much to see, too little time

I am going to start saying I could live here.  I definitely could.  This city has a lot of things that I love (starting with the weather and the diversity), and, from time to time, it reminds me of home.  My big complaint, though, is the absolute need for a car.  But other than that, I am loving every single inch of it.  

So is Ryan (even though he is reluctant to the possibility of moving here).  We have covered so much in two-and-a-half days that I am only going to post a few photos today.  I believe I will need several posts to talk about Los Angeles!

Please enjoy a little random collection of food and Malibu photos. 

Dolphin "marroncito" for me at Coupa Cafe

Our delightful meal at Malibu Seafood. Very fresh, phenomenal service with a "side" of view.

Us, "standing" at the view you get from Malibu Seafood. Simply stunning. Plus, this has been Ryan's first encounter with the Pacific Ocean.

Who wins the "handsome competition"?

Him?

Or him?

Brunch at Square One, famous for great French Toast. It was great French Toast, indeed. The fruit bowl was great (but I have to confess WA peaches are better), and the grits were fantastic.

Hibiscus or Cayenas always make me remember home. There a plenty around Los Angeles. 

Pie: visual love (Pies by Kate Lebo)

Just a short post to show the photos I am submitting for the Cake Vs. Pie Photo Contest in Edible Seattle Magazine.  I am sad I wasn't able to attend the fabulous event put together by Edible Seattle, Jenise Silva and Cake Spy Shop.  But I was able to spend the afternoon with Poet and Pie Woman extraordinaire, Kate Lebo, to document her pie-making process.  These five images are for the photo contest, but I shot a whole 2 gigabytes worth of pie-making goodness that I'll be posting very soon. 

At last: new date for the Arepa class!

Dear Seattle lovelies,

Lunch and sweet and savory fantasy sandwiches

There has been a battle about who invented the Monte Cristo sandwich.  The battleground: Los Angeles, CA.  I say, no matter who conceived it, French Croque-Monsieur's little American brother is a fantasy come true for those who, like me, enjoy the blend of sweet and savory.

Look at this beautiful, perfect gastronomic equation:  egg-soaked brioche bread, ham, turkey, usually Swiss cheese, honey mustard, and confectioner sugar sprinkled on top.  I had it with rhubarb compote.  Yes, it was good.  Yes, you can die and go to heaven with that.

This was lunch today (I know, I know, I'm a lucky girl).  If you want to try it, find a Grand Central Bakery location (Seattle/Portland) and get it there.  It's one of their seasonal offers, so keep it out of your "to-do" list and...go get it!

(Just a little note: this Monte Cristo was pressed, not fried.  Still, it was amazing!)

Watching Christina from @nettletown @ QA farmers market.

Secret Stash Sea Salts in my mailbox! And...do you know what "casabe" is?

It's not surprise to our friends that Ryan and I are trying to buy as many local products as possible.  Seattle is blessed with many small businesses making incredible, high-quality and beautiful products, a treat for us consumers.  I profoundly admire those who have embarked on the adventure of being a business owner (I know first hand how hard it can be).  One of my favorite Seattle-based small business owners is Janna Wemmer, who with Chef Joseph Conrad, are the hearts and souls behind Secret Stash Sea Salts.

I first met Janna at the Queen Anne Farmers Market (which opens today!) at the Secret Stash Sea Salts booth. Their gourmet sea salts are made with hand-harvested sea salt, and do not contain artificial flavors, preservatives, or anti-caking agents. They come in playful and delightful flavors such as Almond Cardamom (which I want to try in a Tres Leches); Smoked Chipotle; Bloody Mary: Cherry Pistachio; and the one I tried this morning, Chorizo. They have other flavors available. 

What I used to try this savory, well-balanced and fresh (yes, I used the word fresh for a salt) salt was a very simple, typical Venezuelan breakfast concoction: casabe and cheese, slightly toasted in the oven, sprinkled with the Chorizo salt.  The chorizo flavor is there, noticeable, palatable, but not overpowering the qualities of the salt.  The pairing with the casabe and the mozarella, both slightly on the less-intense flavor side, was a winning one.

I'm fairly sure you're asking...what in the world is "casabe"?  Casabe is an old, native type of dry, gritty flatbread made from yuca (or tapioca), and can be found Venezuela, Suriname and Guyana. Arawak natives were the first to make it, but other tribes in Venezuela (Caribes, Yanomamis, Ye-Kuanas, Kari-Ñas and Guaraos) still make casabe.  In Venezuela, it's a very popular item to eat as breakfast, with soups, seafood, and to scoop dips.  Because it's very low in calories, lasts forever (if stored in a fresh, dark pantry for example), and has a very high content of fiber, it's also an indispensable item for those who want to achieve or keep a healthy weight.

Every time my father comes to the US, the first thing I ask for is casabe. He always includes some in his "From Caracas with Love" care packages!  There are many different ways to buy it: big rounds (tortas), slices (like the one in the photo) and medium-small chips (perfect for hors d'oeuvre, now very popular in parties).  I can have it any way, I adore it.  It's fullfiling, simple, a little bit on the bland side, with a crunchy chewiness that is hard to describe, and an earthy flavor and grittiness that makes me feel energized and whole.

Is there a better thing to try these amazing salts?  It was ¡perfecto! Cultural pairs in food, I'd say.  This one is an affair to remember.  

Delicious taco lunch, courtesy of @elcamionseattle

Delicious noodles with pork short rib for lunch today at Nettletown.

Food Photography by Valentina Vitols