Miso Paste

My school had orientation last week and I came home with a bag full of goodies! The Natural Epicurean has a special going on for 2008. If you sign up for the program you will receive a "starter kit" of ingredients, pots/pans and a new knife. This miso paste was part of my kit and I've been itching to try it out but it's been hotter than hell here. Soup when it's hotter than hell= not so much fun.

The weather cooled down and rained for a couple of days so I seized my opportunity to make some miso :)

I wanted a more hearty soup. I added ramen noodles, onions, and sugar snap peas (there always should be some color). The soup was filling and great for a cloudy, grey day.

Over the weekend I did my 3 mile run again. I went much faster this time and I'm proud of myself for that! Next weekend I think I'll try for the 3 1/2 mile run.

Last night Cara and I got a work out of a different kind. We went to a Madonna sing along at the Alamo drafthouse. Basically, the theater plays Madonna's music videos with the words on the bottom and you sing/dance along, with a few pauses for some contests.

When we got home we weren't tired at all so Cara and I had another sing along, this time to Michael Jackson in her bedroom. Needless to say, I'm a little tired today. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat though!! :)

Teddy

Grilled Zucchini

Since moving to Austin I've rediscovered my grill. I've had grilled zucchini, onions, boca burgers and more. Next up I'd like to try and grill some sweet potatoes.

Yesterday's dinner was an open-faced boca (which I don't eat very often) with tomato and grilled zucchini.

Good news, my temporary job has invited me to stay another week!! That gives me more time to find a good job and not be completely worried about the money situation.

Grocery shopping was also on yesterday's agenda. My favorite purchase of the day was my Sweet Caroline Trail Mix! I got it for the name alone but it's turned out to be a great new munchie.

What's your favorite muchie?

Teddy

Masaman Curry

If you've read my blog 2 times you're probably aware that I have a strong affinity for Thai food (to say the very least). Well, Cara told me she doesn't like curry but she's only had Indian curry and she's willing to give some Thai curry a try. This is good for several reasons:

1) Any excuse for Thai curry is a good one

2) I have a chance to open the door on her curry world

3) Any excuse to make a meal for a good friend is always welcome :)

Thus, Thai Masaman curry was prepared, with garbanzo beans instead of tofu because I was out of tofu, and taste tested.

and...

I got a thumbs up!

Thai curries are a go now with Cara.

The week is already up here at my temping job and I'll have to admit that I'm a bit sad. The people here have been kind and welcoming. It looks like you guys will all still have to keep your fingers crossed for me finding a permanent job though. The search is still going strong though.

Happy Friday!

Teddy

Death Proof: Tarantino Food Tour of Austin

The movie Death Proof talks about and visits quite a few Austin hot spots and last Sunday Mike, Cara and I decided to hit them up. First up was the Omelettry for breakfast. Literally just a shack that you could drive by a hundred times without noticing, the restaurant seemed promising from the moment i found out they only accept cash.

It's very important to note that this establishment is cash only. :)

I tried the Spanish omelet topped with salsa, jalapenos and peppers. Also notice the generous amount of delicious crispy potatoes on the side.



I chose fruit instead of bread. A solid choice in my opinion. The watermelon was perfectly ripe, sweet and juicy. Not over ripe and gritty like watermelon can be.

The Omelettry had entertaining decor which included a portrait of Quentin himself (the picture came out a little blurry) and a homey feeling. It was like mom's dining room if mom was an art, painting loving, hippy woman.

We took a break to let our stomachs settle and empty then headed out to the Texas Chili Parlor downtown. Texas Chili Parlor is where the majority of the bar scenes were filmed. What Death Proof tour would be complete without a shot of chartreuse? Quentin drinks a bottle of this liquor "so nice they named a color after it" in the movie. Mike commented that it probably wasn't he favorite drink, a bit strong, but when in Rome...

Gueros was our dinner destination where I ordered vegetarian chalupas and Shiner. I don't know about you but I enjoy when my meal is too big for one sitting. It feels like a bonus, two meals for the price of one!

Cara and I enjoying our Shiner.

Weekend salad

Well it happened. I have a job for the next week. YAY temp jobs haha
Not exactly exciting but I'll take what I can get at this point. So today was definitely a MONDAY for me. However, this weekend was a blast. I think I had this salad Friday night for dinner.
Very simple pairing of ingredients:
baby spinach
pear
avocado
cashews

I should mention that cashews are my least favorite nut and I prefer most salads completely naked- no dressing what-so-ever. I think the avocado substitutes for dressing but if I did dress this salad, it would be a simple vinaigrette.

Saturday night Cara treated me to Dave N Busters. Where I ate:


CARA.... Nope I didn't eat Cara, just a garden burger that I forgot to photo. Doesn't it look like I'm going to take a chunk out of her shoulder though?



We kicked some but at trivia (the BEST game at D&B). D&B does not hold a candle to the amazing DEATHPROOF tour we planned for Sunday- pictures to come next post.

Cara's boyfriend is a big Tarantino fan and DeathProof was filmed here in Austin. We drove around town, tried restaurants from the film and throughly enjoyed a relaxing Sunday.

More to come...

Teddy

Italian Couscous

Couscous. The food so nice they named it twice! haha

This couscous was made with vegetable stock, some italian flavored frozen veggies and garlic and onions of course. Not all that excited but satisfying and flavorful. I was longing for just a handful of toasted pine nuts to top this dish off but I was out.

I've been trying to work out with Cara and I am not in shape. The heat an humidity doesn't help me much either. Yesterdays work out was amusing though. We did out 3 mile run with myself finishing absolute last and convinced I had just almost died. Once in the moving car I felt better. Cara and Mike had to stop and pick up tickets to a movie they wanted to see so we made a pit stop. I chose to spare the world the discomfort of looking at my red sweaty self by sitting in the car while they got tickets.

By the time the two of them return I'm slightly less disgusting but still in desperate need of a shower and some dinner. Mike turns the key and a soul destroying noise squeaks out. Yep, this noise meant we were walking the rest of the 3 miles home. After a total of 6 miles walked/ran, at almost 10pm at night, I finally got dinner!

It was a marathon evening for us. I expected to not be able to walk today. I'm happy to say I'm perfectly capable of hobbling around and I actually do not hurt. Yet.... haha

Teddy

Capellini pomodoro

While I'm staying with Cara, looking for a job and a place to stay, Cara and I have been doing some cooking. I'm pretty excited for Cara's latest cooking philosophy.
We all get into ruts, even with what we eat. To avoid this Cara is vowing to try one new recipe a week. This week she wanted to try a basic recipe for capellini pomodoro (angel hair pasta with tomato and fresh basil).

This was one of my staples in college. It was a quick, easy and extremely cheap meal. When Cara asked for my help in making it I was more than happy to help out. Judging from the picture above and Cara's "yums" while eating it, I think we did a great job!

What's everyone's favorite dinner recipe? Perhaps Cara and I can give it a try!

Teddy

(512) Brewery Opening

This Saturday (512) brewery celebrated their opening by giving free samples of their 3 brews (IPA, WIN and a Pale Ale) to the public. When Cara, Mike and I heard this we got dressed and moseyed on down the street to give them a try.**



Carrying three beers with small, child-like hands can be a daunting task but I'm proud to say I made it, thank you!


My favorite was the pale ale but that was mostly because it was hot outside and pale ales always seem more refreshing than heavier brews.

Our alcoholic bounty in full glory.

(512) brews can be found at this local bars:
Draught house and pub
Uncle Billy's brew and que
The Ginger Man
The Alamo Draft house cinema- Barton Springs
Crown and anchor pub

The rest of the weekend followed with food, Olympic watching, movie watching and just general hanging out. I'm becoming slightly more familiarized with the area but still tend to get lost quite a bit. Today the job hunt continues! Wish this girl luck :)


**side note: I'm hoping to "fit in" with the locals so I may be practicing some stereotypical Texan vernacular from time to time haha

Kerby Lane Cafe

Austin's collection of hole in the wall, mom n pop shops is nothing short of amazing. While I'm staying with Cara and waiting for school to start I am determined to find some hidden (or not so hidden) treasures.
Ok, so maybe Kerby Lane is a well known cafe. It was voted best late/all night eats this year.
Reasons why, after one short visit, I think this was voted best late/all night in Austin.
1) see pictures below:

Potato Flautas with tons of guacamole and a mango salsa

Just look at that guac!

2) It actually came with THREE flautas, I was just too eager to taste test before any pictures.
3) Very vegetarian/vegan friendly menu.
4) Amazing music. While we ate I heard both ACDC and Pink Floyd.
5) I can only imagine how much better this food and music would be at around 2 or 3am.


If those weren't enough reason to give this place a try then there is just no winning you over in my mind (Pink Floyd AND ACDC people!).
If you still need more convincing I GUESS you could go to their website :)
http://www.kerbeylanecafe.com/

Austin, TX

In Austin

I have officially moved to Austin! I just got into town 2 days ago and am on the job hunt. Thankfully, Cara is here with me and she's helping me out while I get settled in. I'm trying to be uber nice and greatful to her. I made a small dinner last night which she seemed to like and have been ontop of doing dishes like crazy :). If you know me you'll learn quickly that while I LOVE to cook, I HATE dishes haha.

This summer has been a busy one. Below are SOME of the activities I've been involved in:

1) Quit my job
2) Flew to Thailand
3) Flew to Cambodia
4) Flew home
5) Flew to NY to visit family
6) Moved to Austin!!


I've registered in my first classes at the Natural Epicurean as well.
My first two are:
Healthier Desserts and Knife Skills

I'll be showing you as much as possible from these classes and hopefully documenting my progress. But for now, you'll have to scroll through some of my summer adventure pictures

Food on a boat at a floating market. I call it a thai taco.

Mangosteen are my favorite fruit ever. It's called the Queen of fruit in Thailand

Thai cotton candy!!

I had to sneak one picture of me in!

These were steamed muffins from a cart. Made from banana and coconut, not really sure what was in them though.

Sweet potato dough fried. I could eat a million of them.