Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Recipe of the Week: Lentil Fritter Pitas with Red Cabbage Slaw

Lentil Fritter Pitas with Red Cabbage Slaw
From Real Simple



30 Ounces cooked lentils (or 2 cans, but I couldn't find the cans) 
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, plus more for serving
1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1/2 cup bread crumbs
Kosher salt and black pepper
1/4 head red cabbage, shredded (about 1 1/2 cups)
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup low-fat Greek yogurt
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper, plus more for serving 
4 pocket-less pitas, warmed

In a food processor, puree 1 can of the lentils with the cilantro, parsley, and garlic until nearly smooth. Transfer to a bowl and mix in the bread crumbs, the remaining can of lentils, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Form into sixteen 1/2-inch-thick patties.

In a large bowl, using a wooden spoon, lightly mash the cabbage with the lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of the oil, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and black pepper; set aside. In a small bowl, stir together the yogurt, crushed red pepper, and 1/4 cup water. (When I made it I just put the plain yogurt on it and sprinkled the red pepper)

Heat 1 tablespoon of the remaining oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Working in 2 batches, cook the patties until browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side, adding the remaining tablespoon of the oil to the skillet for the second batch.

Dividing evenly, top each pita with the patties, cabbage mixture, yogurt sauce, and the additional cilantro and crushed red pepper. 

For a change of pace, form the lentil mixture into 4 large patties, cook in oil until browned, and serve on buns with your desired toppings. 


Monday, July 15, 2013

Most Recent Read: Dracula

http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Dracula/book-p2OX4F6poE-8r5JcIzNa1Q/page1.html

Dracula, by Bram Stoker is one of the first few books to feature vampires. I feel like Dracula is to vampire literature what Blade Runner is to the Cyber Punk genre. Dracula had classic blood sucking, sharp teethed, voluminous red lipped vampires. But no fast paced, fighting, or romance for that matter. Dracula was actually extremely slowly paced. It took Stoker forever to get to the point, and by the time he got to the point, I was confused, and bored. 



The Daily Bite: Green Leaf

The dishes at the Green Leaf Vietnamese Restaurant in the International District were incredible.

http://greenleaftaste.com/#!/our-menu/


We had Deep Fried Shrimp Rolls, Stir-Fried Curry Chicken and Deep Fried Squid. The Curry Chicken was possibly the best I have ever tasted, which is saying something because I am a connoisseur of curry chicken.

The Daily Bite: Pie


http://www.sweetandsavorypie.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pie-Fremont-Seattle-WA/165289150170021?id=165289150170021&sk=photos_stream




https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pie-Fremont-Seattle-WA/165289150170021?id=165289150170021&sk=photos_stream

I enjoyed Key Lime Pie ad Berry Awesome Pie. My Husband had Key Lime and Macaroni and Cheese.

The Daily Bite: Sea Star


Seared Alaskan Halibut. Photo by Sean D.
http://www.seattleite.com/food-porn-seastar-restaurant-and-raw-bar/


My Father-in-Law, my Husband and I enjoyed some sea food at the Seastar restaurant in South Lake Union. I had Alaskan Halibut with Morel Mushrooms, White and Green Asparagus, English Peas and Meyer Lemon Juice. It was good, but the Morel Mushrooms were divine.

http://growyourownmushrooms.net/moral-mushrooms/

At Fifty Dollars for 1/4th of a pound, Morels are an expensive treat. I made sure to savor them. 


The Daily Bite: Revel

My Father-in-Law treats us to dinner when he is in town and we have eaten at some amazing places. One of the first places we ate was Revel in Fremont.  The food was absolutely delicious. 

http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/revel-seattle?select=ikiloUhnm08y-DVBhta6jA#wCfIFc7UV2_qO7qtHnzbZw


http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/revel-seattle?select=ikiloUhnm08y-DVBhta6jA#FPzyWyZC2y0c6RLcXCYY9A


We had Enjoyed Crab and Seaweed Noodles in a Spicy Red Curry Sauce Topped with Creme Fraiche


http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/revel-seattle?select=ikiloUhnm08y-DVBhta6jA#4wYqn8NbhcvfkF-rRs0Q_g


A Pork Belly, Kimchi and Bean Sprout Pancake


http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/revel-seattle?select=ikiloUhnm08y-DVBhta6jA#kCdZvwr-SGwUfmvWwz5Quw


Short Rib Sambai Daikon and Mustard Greens with Rice and Egg Yolk


dumplings
http://foodiesdilemma.com/2013/06/an-evening-at-revel.html

Pork, Cilantro, Hot Peanut Chili Oil Dumplings 


http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/revel-seattle?select=ikiloUhnm08y-DVBhta6jA#B1oUBgnwVytqdR3FTjIlZg


Shrimp, Long Beans and Tamarind Vinaigrette Salad

For dessert we had Chocolate Malt Cake, with Blackberry, Orange Blossom and Creme Anglaise and A Rose Panna Cotta, with a Pistachio Macaroon with Pink Peppercorn Honey.

When we go again In the future, I would like to try the Lime Kaffir, Mango, Black Puff Rice, & Mint; the Dutch Baby with Apples and Cheese or a Kalbi Burger.

Monday, July 8, 2013

The Daily Bite: La Medusa



La Medusa in Columbia City was amazing. The subtle blend of flavors was extraordinary and delicious.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=568625909843420&set=a.192233144149367.45769.191564344216247&type=1&theater


Burrata is an italian cheese made from mozzarella and fresh cream with a unique flavor and soft texture. 

Saffron is the most expensive spice, as it is the tiny little rust colored bits you see in the flowers above. They all have to be plucked by hand! Crazy, but delicious.

For appetizers we enjoyed the Saffron Risotto Croquettes and Burrata salad. I then ordered the spaghetti with meatballs, which was the best spaghetti and meatballs I have ever had. Seriously, I think I may have cried a little. It was so beautiful.

The Spaghetti and Meatballs was actually featured in Seattle Magazine:
"Making the simple taste sublime is a trick best left to the pros—and the grandmas. The chefs at Columbia City’s La Medusa are the former, but this dish—with supple meatballs perched alongside al dente spaghetti dressed in a satisfying, bright, herby tomato sauce—proves there’s some grandma in there somewhere, too". 
http://www.seattlemag.com/article/best-pasta-dishes-local-italian-restaurants


Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Mediterranean Kitchen

http://trialx.com/i/2012/06/26/tahini-sauce-yummy-looking-and-delicious-tasting/


For my birthday lunch, my husband took me to the Mediterranean Kitchen in Bellevue Washington. It was the best gourmet middle eastern cuisine I have ever had! To start off we had pita bread dipped in butter garlic sauce. Then we both ordered the Lamb Shawarma (Lamb tenderloin marinated in a mixture of Mediterranean spices cooked with onions, green onions, red cabbage and tomatoes, topped with
 sauce). Seriously. Try it. It was amazing.