Craving Guacamole Salad

Images from foodnetwork.com

I love to cook and I love the cooking channel. I have to admit - this is still a main reason we haven't cancelled our cable. We discuss it. We hash it out. We plan it. And every time I say, "But I won't get to watch the cooking channel."

When I say this, what I really mean is: "I won't be able to watch Ina Garten on The Barefoot Contessa." She may not be flashy and a hipster, but her recipes are fantastic and they always turn out well. ALWAYS! Besides all of that, she has a really nice speaking voice, it's easy to listen to, and she doesn't treat the audience like they are morons who have never heard of water. Oh - and I LOVE her house. :-) Read her bio here, if you want to learn how she went from working in the White House on nuclear energy policy to food.

I recently caught an episode (new or re-run? I 'm not sure) and she made Guacamole Salad. YUM! I then made it for my Moms birthday and it was a hit. The recipe makes 6 servings, but we were feeding a lot of people, so I doubled the recipe and it still turned out awesome. Here it is (the undoubled recipe):

1 pint grape tomatoes - halved

1 yellow bell pepper, seeded & 1/2 inch diced

1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup red onion - small diced

2 tbsp jalapeno - seeded & minced (2 peppers)

1/2 tsp lime zest - freshly grated ( I used more - but I like lime)

1/2 cup lime juice - freshly squeezed ( 2 limes)

1/4 cup good olive oil

1 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp black pepper - freshly ground

1/2 tsp garlic - minced

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper - ground

2 ripe Hass Avocados - seeded, peeled, & 1/2 inch diced. ( I suggest prepping these just when your ready to add them, so they don't turn brown.)

Place tomatoes, yellow pepper, black beans, red onion, jalapeno pepper & lime zest in a large bowl.

Whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic & cayenne pepper. P

Pour over the vegetables and toss well.

Just before your ready to serve the salad, fold the avocados into the salad, check the seasoning and serve at room temperature.

46 Days Until Interstate Farmer's Market Opens

I am trying to wait patiently for the Interstate Farmer's Market to open. The weather this weekend isn't helping. The sun has finally come out, there are flowers blooming in my yard and it feel like time for the market to open. I NEED berries. I can already taste the tomatillo salsa from Hot Mama Salsa...YUM. I can't wait to see my friends from Unger Farms and taste the blueberries. Oh, ya, don't forget the guy who makes the crazy yummy brownies - from traditional chocolate to crazy savory and sweet flavors. Ok, I could go on for a while...

The IFM is just a short MAX (Yellow Line) ride from my house...or a bike ride depending on how much you plan to haul back home. You will find it right across the street from the Kaiser complex, in Overlook Park.

I LOVE the farmer's market. It smells good. It looks good. It tastes good. It helps the little guy.

My Dental Floss is Irish

Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland - Home of my dental floss.

The other day I was flossing my teeth. A bit personal, yes, but I have a point. As I placed the floss back in my medicine cabinet, the bottom of the container caught my eye: Made in Ireland. Really? Who knew? I was intrigued to say the least.

Now, most people might not care, but I do. I often wonder where things are made and more importantly WHO makes all of these items we use. WHO in Ireland is making my dental floss? Who makes the umbrellas that go in fruity drinks? Who makes the staples in the stapler? Or paperclips? Or the soap we use? EVERYTHING we use is made by someone. And, I hope this someone gets treated with respect and makes a living wage....that's a whole other post.

There are people who get up in the morning, shower, dress, eat, kiss their loved ones and head out to the dental floss factory. They call out a "see you tonight" and drive off to make rubber bands all day. The carpool picks them up and heads to the factory to assemble shoe laces until the 5 o'clock whistle. These things fascinate me. Every time I use a simple product I think: SOMEONE has made this. SOMEONE makes their living from making this.

So, I did a little research and came upon an entry titled: Dental Floss: Trends and Prospects in International Trade Is Essential Reading for Relevant Strategic Planners, Senior Company Officials and Importers/Exporters. The report examines international trade and worldwide market trends for dental floss. Dental Floss is apparently serious business.

But WHO is making the floss? Oral-B Laboratories Ireland, Ltd. THAT'S who. Located in Newbridge, County Kildare to be specific. A town 40 km from Dublin that dates back to the 12th century. They have a strong industrial background in making rope and carpet. So there you go. THAT'S a bit about who is making my dental floss.

My Recent Obsession

Photo from the Museum of Glass


So, I am pondering my recent re-obsession with glass. It been an interest for a very long time, but in the past month it's been in in the forefront of my mind. Why? I'm not sure.

The craft absolutely amazes me! The objects these artists can make from what starts out as little pieces and powders that get melted together under extreme heat are wonderful. Maybe it's the extreme heat part of it...a little dangerous. Maybe it's the speed required. Don't work too fast but fast enough that what your making doesn't break. Well whatever it is - I like it.

I would love to take a class, but have yet to save my pennies. Why does everything I'm interested in cost money? LOL Hhhh.... so there you go: not much insight into my recent postings. That's ok. Why analyze...why not just enjoy.

Leah Pellegrini - Glass Mobiles (A Local Gal)

Floating joy... This amazing floating piece of wonder is a mobile by local glass artist Leah Pellegrini.

If you frequent Saturday Market perhaps you have seen her booth there. If not, I suggest hunting her down the next time you are there taking an eyeful of her brightly colored glass mobiles.

I want one. Thanks all there is to it.

Visit http://www.leahglass.com/ to see more of her work, including glass Yoga people, flower plates and much more. Also, click on her links and visit her Etsy store.

Dale Chihuly - Navajo Blanket Cylinders

Photo: Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum

photo: Elliot Brown Gallery

Photo: Elliot Brown Gallery

These beautiful cylinders are all made by Dale Chihuly. He had a large collection of Navajo Blankets and in the 1970's produced numerous cylinders inspired by his blanket collection. I had the chance to see them a few years ago at the Oregon Historical Society Museum in downtown Portland. Both the blankets and the cylinders were shown. I remember watching a video of how they are made too - very interesting.

I have been purposefully avoiding any blog entries about Chihuly (sorry Dale!). Its not that I don't like his work - I love it. His installations (a possible future posting) are incredible. But, here in the Pacific Northwest - especially - he tends to be the first person people conjure when glass artists are mentioned. I wanted to focus on others that maybe haven't had as much exposure.

Today, I broke down and had to do it. I had to post these works of art because I love them. The colors, the weaving, the strong base of the cylinder and the intricacy of the fine pieces of glass that have been added to represent the fabric.

If you ever have to the chance to check these out - I encourage you to do so.

The Importance of Earnest Being Over

Oh my dear friend Oscar Wilde... My wonderful friend Krista and I interpreted The Importance of Being Earnest last night...for the second time. Last season we interpreted it at Portland Community College and were delighted to be able to interpret it at Portland Center Stage this season. How many times do you get to do the same show twice? Krista and I jumped at the chance!

We started this show thinking, hey - we've done this before, how hard can it be? (insert laughter here) We have the upper hand. YA WHOA THERE! A couple of days ago, I told her it was as if I had never interpreted this show before. Well DUH! Analyzing a script for the second time just gives the play more meaning and depth and breadth. I came to the realization that I LOVE this show....despite the fact that its so no interpretable; what with all the puns, play on words, etc. It's funny, and witty, and pokes fun at Victorian society. And PCS performed it fabulously.

Krista and I kicked some Earnest butt last night. :-) And after SWEARING several times in the past two weeks that I will NEVER do this show again and what was I thinking to say I would do it a second time...as we were walking off stage I said to Krista: " I think I would do this again."