Weekend Finds

Weekend Finds 6:15:14

June 15, 2014February 10, 2017

My summer craziness has begun! How about yours? Hopefully these weekend finds can help us slow down a bit and remember to enjoy the summer season.

1. Romesco Sauce

Romesco Sauce // Weekend Finds on Serious Crust — Romesco is made with roasted bell peppers, toasted almonds, tomato paste, garlic, oil, and spices.

I’ve had romesco sauce plenty of times, but it was really last summer when my dad put it over some roasted cauliflower that it won my heart. I think grilling season is a perfect time of year to keep a batch of the stuff in your fridge, as it makes a really flavor packed topping for those lightly charred vegetables.

2. PedalPalooza 2014

PedalPalooza 2014, PDX // Weekend Finds on Serious Crust — Get your pedal on!

So Portland, being the bike-centric city we are, has this month-long event called Pedalpalooza, with all these themed bike rides around the city. Jonah’s co-worker even led a Beyoncé themed ride last week! But there are a few rides for foodies: today there’s a homebrews and community gardens ride, tomorrow there’s a food cart ride, on Wednesday there’s a bees vs. Monsanto ride (yes, you dress up as bees and farmers and stop at the offices of food influencers in the city), and on Friday there’s both a coffee and carousing ride as well as breakfast on bridges (a stand set up with coffee and donuts where you can stop on your way to work). And of course, Friday night, there’s a champagne ride. So what else do you need? Get riding!

3. Warm-weather Whiskey Drinks

Warm Weather Whiskey Drinks // Weekend Finds on Serious Crust — Whiskey in the morning, whiskey in the evening, whiskey at bath too! (Ok, maybe not in the morning or at bath time.)

I’ll be honest, when I think of whiskey, I often think of being in a cozy bar on a cold night. But that shouldn’t really be the case. You can drink whiskey year round, and Saveur is going to give you a little help. Check out these refreshing whiskey cocktails, perfect for a hot day.

4. Time Magazine says “Eat Butter.”

Time: Eat Butter // Weekend Finds on Serious Crust — Let’s learn about fats!

Have you seen the new Time Magazine cover? I’m glad my roommate subscribes, because I’ll admit I’m looking forward to reading this article about how fat isn’t really the bad guy everyone thinks it is.

5. Jamaica

Jamaica // Weekend Finds on Serious Crust — I love the ruby hue of this cold refreshing hibiscus tea!

I gotta say, if you’ve never had jamaica, you’re missing out. It’s a refreshing, tart, fruity drink, a la lemonade, and is perfect for summer time. I love hibiscus tea, and this is really just a cold version of that. I found bulk hibiscus at my grocery store, but you can usually find bags of the petals in the latin foods section. In case you needed another reason to make this beverage, it’s also a great mixer for cocktails.

Weekend Finds 6:8:14

June 8, 2014February 10, 2017

Happy weekend! I hope it’s as beautiful wherever you are as it is here in Oregon. Enjoy these weekend finds!

1. Using Strawberry Tops

Use your strawberry tops // Weekend Finds on Serious Crust — Strawberry infused water sounds perfect on a hot day.

I always feel bad tossing overripe strawberries or strawberry tops. Sometimes I toss them in smoothies, but this strawberry water seems like a perfectly refreshing idea to have in my back pocket this summer.

2. Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

Homemade Teriyaki Sauce // Weekend Finds on Serious Crust — Look at that teriyaki glaze on that chicken.

I’m into teriyaki sauce, especially in the summer on top of some grilled salmon or grilled chicken or other grilled things. I’d love to try making it myself using this recipe from A Cozy Kitchen.

3. Camping Trip Recipes

Camping Recipes // Weekend Finds on Serious Crust — Charred corn with avocado and lime? I’ll eat that while camping.

We’re planning a few camping trips this summer, and I have a feeling some of these recipes might come in handy. I’m especially interested in the bulgogi jerky, the charred corn and avocado salad, and the roasted potatoes with za’atar.

4. Sangria Time

The best wine for your sangria // Weekend Finds on Serious Crust — Now you know what wine to pick for you sangria.

I often find myself wondering what wines are best for what. I’ve never made Sangria, but I sure do love drinking it. This article over at the Kitchn can help you figure out which wine is best in your Sangria this summer. (And here’s a recipe to help you make it, too.)

5. Food Rules Print

Food Print // Weekend Finds on Serious Crust — Food: Don’t waste it!

I love love love this print. I’ve seen it a few places, and it just doesn’t get old. I think it’s perfect for a kitchen with some vintage touches.

Weekend Finds 6:1:14

June 1, 2014February 10, 2017

Well friends, today marks the beginning of June. That’s a pretty crazy thing. This year is flying by, and it seems like if I blink, it’ll be Christmas. But I’m working on taking things a little slower and enjoying what I’ve got going on. These finds are what I’ve been liking this week.

1. Davenport

Davenport, PDX // Weekend Finds on Serious Crust — The fried octopus atop frisee. (Photo from Portland Monthly.)

When family is in town, we eat. And we eat well. Last night, after finally winnowing down our list of places to dine, my dad, Darla, Jonah, and I went to Davenport. The kitchen is helmed by Kevin Gibson, of Evoe, and they’ve been open for about 6 months. I’d been wanting to go for all of those 6 months. Located in the old June space on E. Burnside, the restaurant is cozy and clean. Last night it was warm enough that the big garage door was open. Our servers were so kind, the wine was perfect (a red sancerre) and the food was impeccable. Highlights included: roasted fava beans with pancetta, fried octopus over frisee, asparagus with porcini/breadcrumbs/parmesan, and grilled duck breast with a walnut aioli.

2. Pro Pie Tips

Pie Tips // Weekend Finds on Serious Crust — Some key pie advice will lead you to pie nirvana. Pievana? (Photo from Bon Appetit.)

It is officially pie season. The rhubarb is here and the strawberries are starting to trickle in. So do a little prep work and check out these tips from Bon Appetit. I’m especially keen on the recommendations to put the pie at the bottom of the oven and to put it in the freezer for 15 minutes before you bake it. So smart.

3. Rachel W. Cole

Rachel W. Cole // Weekend Finds on Serious Crust — A screenshot from Rachel Cole’s website – all about figuring out what you’re really hungry for.

Now don’t get all judgmental on me here. Rachel Cole is a life coach who focuses on feeding your true hungers. Via her social media outlets (which I follow), she talks a lot about body image and how we fill ourselves, with food and other things in our lives. I recently signed up for her newsletter, and spent a few hours on Friday doing her fulfillment pyramid activity (you can get it too if you sign up for her newsletter on her site). Think of it as making a food pyramid for yourself, but putting all the things you need in your life in it, not just vegetables and grains. It was a really fun, reflective, positive activity, and I definitely recommend it. Trust me, cooking for friends and baking pies definitely made it on to my pyramid.

4. Foodie events in and around Portland

Summer Foodie Events in Portland // Weekend Finds on Serious Crust — Why yes, I will spend my summer drinking rosé out of mason jars in a beautiful field, thank you. (Photo from Feast.)

Perhaps my favorite thing about summer in Portland is all of the foodie events. Seriously: Oregon Brewer’s Fest (plus so many more beer festivals), Portland Monthly’s Country Brunch (and Bloody Mary Smackdown), so many Plate & Pitchfork dinners, and of course Feast. Some blogger friends have rounded up more events on their sites, Pechluck’s Food Adventures and Bakery Bingo, so check them out. There’s no way you can be bored and hungry this summer.

5. Pork Belly

Pork Belly prep tips // Weekend Finds on Serious Crust — Why does cooking pork belly make me so nervous? (Photo from Food52.)

I’ve been itching to try cooking with pork belly, and I think once my schedule becomes normal again, it’d be a great day-long kitchen activity. I’m picturing it seasoned with thyme, and served with a rhubarb chutney. I’ll definitely be re-reading these tips from Food52 before I go for it.

6. Grocery Shopping

Groceries // Weekend Finds on Serious Crust — We all shop for and cook our food differently, but what’s important is that it works for us. (Photo from The Kitchn.)

I like this little meditation on grocery shopping. Jonah and I have been trying to do more meal planning and making enough to have leftovers for lunch and then committing to actually eating those leftovers… It’s all harder than it sounds. But here’s what I’ve realized – as long as we are all feeding ourselves well and trying to be conscious about where the food is coming from, then we’re “doing it right.”

Weekend Finds 5:26:14

May 26, 2014February 10, 2017

I know what you’re thinking. “Annie, here you are, posting weekend finds on a Monday. Again.” BUT it’s Memorial Day weekend. So, I’m going to say it’s still the weekend. So there. Here’s what I’ve been eyeing this week.

1. Food Memoirs

Foodie Memoirs from the Kitchn // Weekend Finds on Serious Crust — My summer reading list just grew by three.

I’ve been really looking forward to reading Molly Wizenberg’s Delancey for a while now, because I just love her writing. Love it. But I’m now excited to add two more books to my summer reading list, thanks to the Kitchn’s little article on new foodie memoirs.

2. Carrot Pancakes with Salted Yogurt

Carrot Pancakes from Bon Appetit // Weekend Finds on Serious Crust — I love the color of these carrot pancakes!

My mom came to visit me (thanks, Mom!) and she brought her most recent issue of Bon Appetit to show me some recipes. This one for carrot pancakes jumped off the page at me, and I am itching to make it.

3. What to know before buying strawberries

All about Strawberries on Food52 // Weekend Finds on Serious Crust — Educate yourselves about strawberries!

I like this list from Food52 linking to articles all about strawberries: different varieties, what to do when they’re over the hill, freezing them, and roasting them. I also like this post also about strawberries. Ingredient education, guys! I can’t wait for Hood season in Portland. It’s a close second to rhubarb season.

4. Crispy Skinned Salmon

Crispy Skinned Salmon on Food52 // Weekend Finds on Serious CrustCrispy Skinned Salmon on Food52 // Weekend Finds on Serious Crust — I love the crunch of crispy fish skin.

These days, whenever we make fish (usually trout), I peel the skin off and fry it up afterwards. I love the crispy skin, the fishy, crunchy, slightly burnt flavor. And I never seem to be able to get that same result when I just pan fry a filet. But I’m going to try Russ Parson’s technique, and enjoy more crispy fish skin.

5. Hibiscus Rum Buck

Hibiscus Rum Buck on Honestly YUM // Weekend Finds on Serious Crust — This cocktail looks so beautiful, I can’t even.

This cocktail from Honestly Yum is looking so crazy good to me right now. This might have something to do with the fact that when I was in California last weekend, I drank as much jamaica as I usually drink in maybe a year. So combining a little hibiscus syrup (a la jamaica) with some rum, lime, and ginger beer sounds delicious, as well as incredibly refreshing.