I got a new phone. It is called a G1 and it is a touch screen similar to the IPhone. It may be too much for me to handle, but I am taking a week to see if I can use it to it’s potential. I have never been one to want a fancy phone, though my palm pilot is indispensible. Since the new computer has Windows Vista (DON’T DO IT!) and that is incompatible with my Palm (and almost everything else!) I am looking for alternatives. Sigh. There are some things that I do not like about the phone, but so far I have not had time to explore it enough to find out what I will really like about it. It seems to work slowly, but coverage at home is pretty spotty so I will see what happens at the cafe today. If any of you have one out there I will take all the advice and tips you may want to give!
This week was far less eventful than last, and that is quite alright with me. Last night I had fun with the Sustainable Bremerton group on the Rooftop at 245 4 av. Every 3rd Tuesday this group gets together for “Green Drinks”, which is a national movement (the notice on their website is outdated from April, though you can sign up for the notifications to find out where it is each month). I saw lots of old friends and plenty of new ones. Henry’s Deli put out a fabulous spread of wonderful heavy hors d’oeuvres, Hale’s Ales from Seattle provided some great beer, and there was wine as well. The same company who owns the old Penney’s building owns this one, and the other rooftop is where they show the movies in the summer. It was a very fun evening and the next one will be great, too, since we are going to provide some goodies for it. It will be down on the breakwater at the marina and boat rides will be involved!
For those of you who like it hot (spicy, that is) and enjoy getting into Gig Harbor for good food, get thee to Moctezuma’s. They have long provided my favorite local margarita: The Acapulco. It is filled with fresh citrus juices, comes in a martini shaker, and is served ‘up’. They also have on called the Jalapeño Margarita: House jalapeño-infused tequila with those same fresh citrus juices, also served through a martini shaker. It has a slice of fresh jalapeño in the glass! Oh man this thing is good. It is too hot for some (read: Mark) and perfect for me! They have great food as well (I love the Mexico City pork tacos)and I would be glad to go with you if you want to get me a margarita. I think we read that Tuesdays is $2 off those margaritas night and that is even better!
Last Friday was the Old Town Art Walk and I think it was quite successful. Our two artists took first and second place (Congratulations Jerry & Dwain!) and we raised $46 and food for the food bank. Lots of folks came out and the weather was great, though it was quite warm in the cafe. The next one is September 11 and it is usually the best weather of all on that one.
We got mentioned on the Pork, Knife & Spoon blog! She refers to ‘a restaurant not too far’ and when you click on the link it comes to us! I think that is so cool and I am very honored that they gave us the shout out. It was SUCH a fun day with them! (That is last week’s blog)
This brings us to CSA Wednesday (today!) and I can’t wait to see what is in our box. We still have some greens from last week, though it will be easy to use them up in the pasta Mark cooked the other night. Lots of leftovers so we will top them off! The recipe today might help if you have some extras as well. If not get to the farmer’s market and get some great produce! Last week I ordered 4 chickens from Red Rooster farm at the Poulsbo Farmer’s Market and we will get them next month. Those are going to be some fabulous meals! They had a few left to sell if you want one; their booth is adjacent to the Pheasant Fields Farm stand at the market.
Have you ever cooked fava beans? They are SO good! Slightly labor intensive, but you can do it while watching tv or having a nice chat with friends. I got some a the market last week and I was so excited to see them since they are so rare around these parts. The pods are long and large and you shell them just like you would peas. Once the beans are out they are still encased in a tough, rubbery shell and have to be extracted. Bring a pot of water to boil and salt it well. Plop the beans in and cook them for about 2 minutes, then drain and cool them. Many of the skins will be split already and those that aren’t are now super easy to open up. Slip the bright green beans out of the skins and NOW they are ready to eat or cook with. When adding them to a dish add them last, so they do not cook much more, they just need a bit of warming up.
Monica’s veggie side for whatever you may be eating: (this serves 2-4, depending on your portion size)
half an onion, diced
a sprinkling of dried red chilies (pepperoncino)
olive oil
broccolini (greens and all), roughly chopped
salt and pepper
if you want more greens (spinach, kale, chard, whatever…)
a bit of white wine (or water or broth)
fava beans
fresh peas, shelled or sugar snaps chopped
shredded pecorino romano (or parmesan or asiago)
Throw the onion and chilies into the olive oil and cook until the onions are starting to sweat and become translucent. Toss in the baby broccoli and greens, sat and pepper to taste, and saute them for a couple of minutes. When those are going well, pour in just a bit of wine, maybe half a cup, and cover the pan for a couple of minutes. Uncover and let the liquid evaporate.
When the broccoli is cooked to your liking and the liquid is gone from the pan, toss in the beans, peas and cheese. The cheese is to taste and should melt in and not be too noticeable other than by flavor. You don’t want huge hunks of cheese in the veggies. Start with a handful and go from there.
Serve them up next to whatever else you cooked (grilled chicken breasts with Lime Chimichurri from Sound Bites and grilled bread was FABULOUS!)Or have it alone. or for breakfast. It is good!!!
