Archive for October, 2007
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guess who’s got a DSLR…
By Karen | Sunday, October 21st, 2007 | No Comments »
Yippee! My birthday’s come early this year!
Kurt was planning to keep my present stashed at his office until my actual birthday (the 28th), but after much threatening pleading on my part, he capitulated and brought home a large parcel on Friday afternoon.
So Dixon, as you requested, we documented the unravelling of said camera with the last few stills taken with my Powershot S2 IS. Here’s my new baby:
The past two days have been spent absorbing the user manual from cover to cover and testing the limits of the kit lens. Preliminary subjects ranged from a girls’ night out at our local izakaya haunt to orchids to the board games we wound up playing this weekend. Still getting a handle on proper focus and exposure now that I’m looking through a viewfinder, so nothing’s perfectly composed yet. Perhaps will also need to start wearing contacts on photography days.
You’ll see more of this same photo randomness over the upcoming week so my apologies in advance.
Le yay!
chicken, chorizo, and bean bake.
By Karen | Monday, October 15th, 2007 | 1 Comment »
- Serving Size: 2
- Source: ChichaJo
- Photos: see Flickr photoset
Our recipe notes:
Our version is an adaptation of a recipe from food blogger ChichaJo (her recipe and rationale behind her adaptations here). She, in turn, had adapted it from the Smoked Paprika Chicken and Lemon Bake recipe seen in Donna Hay magazine (Issue #32, Autumn 2007).
Use a wide enough baking dish so that the chicken broth does not submerge your chicken or your chorizo. Also ensure that it’s wide enough that your lemon slices can be staggered in between your chicken pieces. We had chosen a round baking dish that was far too small, so our meat didn’t get the nice caramelization that ChichaJo’s had, nor did the chicken get much direct contact with the smoked paprika. It was still absolutely delicious, mind you; just not as pretty to photograph (and you know me and visuals!).
My husband is still unconvinced of the briny delight that is olives, so we had tossed in capers as well. Both of us agreed that while olives provided a nice colour contrast, capers complemented the flavours of the dish far better. Next time we make this, we will a) omit the olives, b) bump up our caper love to 2 tablespoons and c) use a variety of beans to make up for the colour and texture that the black olives would otherwise provide. You are welcome to throw in your favourite salty accoutrement: olives, capers, both, or other.
Feel free to diversify your choice of bean. The white kidney beans we went with absorbed the broth well but I was craving a navy bean or two. We are definitely doing the mixed-bean route for next time.
A note about the smoked paprika. This baby has a darker, richer spice, and is a lot more potent than the usual stuff. A little bit goes a super-long way. This may not be an easy ingredient to find in your city. We are fortunate that the ultra-gourmet Urban Fare is a short walk away from our apartment, and that we were able to find the exact brand of smoked paprika that this recipe calls for. Make sure you pick the piquante / hot Pimentón de la Vera as there is also a dulce / sweet variety. If you are unable to find this brand, ask next for Spanish paprika, then Hungarian (or regular?) paprika.
Despite the possible difficulty in finding smoked paprika, this recipe was incredibly easy to throw together and really fits the bill on a chill autumn night.
Bon appétit!
Ingredients:
- 4 pieces of chicken (whatever floats your boat—we used thighs)
- 1 400g or 500g can of beans, drained
- Half a lemon, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon capers or 1/3 cup black olives (we preferred the capers)
- 1 link of wine chorizo, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, bashed a bit but still in their skins
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1/2 teaspoon Pimentón de la Vera smoked paprika, hot / piquante
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper
Directions:
- Place the beans in a baking dish, then pour the chicken stock over them.
- Arrange the chicken pieces and chorizo over the beans.
- Layer the garlic, lemon, and olives / capers next, taking care to allow some or most of the chicken to remain exposed.
- Drizzle olive oil over the whole lot. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and pimentón to taste.
- Roast uncovered in a 400F / 200C oven for 45 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Serve with thick crusty bread to sop up the broth!
missing: one jack-in-the-box antenna head.
By Karen | Sunday, October 14th, 2007 | No Comments »
On Friday night, we discovered that Elisha was sans her JITB antenna cover. Are Canadians so deprived of silly car decor that they must steal ours? Shame on you, Canada.
In memoriam:
notes from the road, part deux.
By Karen | Thursday, October 4th, 2007 | No Comments »
Friday, September 28, 2007: 2271km @ 10:12am
Purchased a coffee-table book as our last souvenir: the California Directory of Fine Wineries from Ramekins. Loaded up the car for the drive north. Realized I left my green winter coat at Rob and Jen’s. Oops.
2274km @ 10:16am
Kurt: “That sucks! I only have 3 days before I have to go back to work! …Do we have time for another drink?”
[Last time he was in the office was July 20th.]
2359km @ 11:15am
Entering Cloverdale and Hwy 128 to the California coast.
2368km @ 11:24am
Listening to: A Tribe Called Quest.
Windy, twisty, backroad and the Yorkville Highlands. Glimpses of hillside vines through the woods. Autumn colours everywhere. Gorgeous against the azure sky and golden grass. The grass has a life of its own, like a lion pelt covering the hills, suede and svelte. Kurt is rounding the curves with much delight (and a tiny bit of reckless abandon).
2389km @ 11:42am
Redwoods are starting to creep in from the west.
2403km @ 11:52am
Driving through the tiny town of Boonville. It looks like it’s all of 5 blocks, and yet it still has a drive-through espresso shop.
Revisiting potential car names. Eloisa? Eliza? Elisha? Yes! Elisha!
2415km @ 12pm
Driving through miles of apple orchard. Reminiscing about our server from girl & the fig that I couldn’t stop staring at. He probably thought I was checking him out all night. Unfortunately for him, the truth was that it had taken me all night to determine that he was an emo version of Kenneth from 30 Rock.
2426km @ 12:08pm
Sign for town of Navarro. Population: 67.
2428km @ 12:10pm
Entering the Navarro River Redwoods State Park. In an instant, we are swallowed up by towering trees and the sun is completely blocked from view.
2450km @ 12:27pm
End of redwood forest. Start of the scenic #1 Hwy along the California coast. Fantastic views of…dense fog.
2496km @ 1:10pm
Listening to: TV on the Radio.
Pit stop north of Fort Bragg. Rocks jutting out of the sand as the surf roars. Someone left their old jeans on a rock near our parking spot. Sand is suprisingly warm and silken to the touch, despite the bitterness of the wind.
2514km @ 1:41pm
Clusters of feathery reeds grow along the coast. Feels like we’re on the inside of a goose-down pillow.
2534km @ 2:00pm
Listening to: The Who: Greatest Hits.
Forest innuendo. Amazing how many you can come up with relating to “wood”.
2580km @ 2:49pm
Cheesy roadside attractions include:
- Real Treehouse! Believe It!
- Confusion Hill of Mystery!
- Legend of Bigfoot!
- Hobbiton, USA
- The Giant Living Chimney Tree!
2605km @ 3:04pm
Ran across a post office in Phillipsville. Finally bought a stamp to send Sunday’s postcard to Kurt’s parents.
2607km @ 3:07pm
That was quick–already by the Avenue of the Giants. Hugged our respective trees and briefly pretended that we were in the Forest of Endor.
2696km @ 4:13am
In Eureka, CA for some eats. Missed the turn for Taco Bell so we would up trying a local place called Philly Cheese Steak Shoppe. Kurt had one with mushrooms and green peppers while I dared to be different with mushrooms and spinach. I was feeling particularly famished so a side of coleslaw was in order. Kurt got excited by the presence of Cherry Coke on the soda fountain machine, so that is what we chose for our shared beverage.
After lunch, it was my turn to drive. Kurt’s entries follow.
2768km @ 5:50pm
Passing through Orick, CA. Orick Brewery installed in the old town movie theatre has a marquee that reads “WELCOME HOTTIES”.
2772km @ 5:54pm
Had to stop abruptly for actual elk crossing the road…I guess the signs were right.
2834km @ 6:43pm
In Crescent City, CA. Gas station washroom had “freedom”-scented air freshener. God bless America!
2900km @ 7:35pm
Listening to: Kurt’s NLDC 2001 CD mix.
Welcome to Oregon! Bye, California =(
3081km @ 9:30pm
Listening to: Greatest hits from the Greatest Hits of the Eighties, Vols I and II.
Kurt now back behind the wheel at Roseburg, OR. He is a dismal documenter. Perhaps he was in thrall of my amazing driving ability.
3292km @ 11:26pm
Tried to fight my terrible car narcolepsy but alas, I succumbed. Guess I’m a poor documenter too.
Pulled into the Holiday Express Inn in Salem, OR. For $90, we somehow got a room with a deliciously luxurious king-sized bed and a 4-person jacuzzi tub. Kurt took advantage of the jets and worked out the giant knot on his shoulder from driving most of the day.
Saturday, September 29, 2007: 3292km @ 9:35am
Left the hotel after a quick breakfast and a fun episode of Mythbusters (Do you get less wet if you run through the rain? Nope!).
3332km @ 10:02am
If you find yourself in Oregon, listen to 94.7FM. It’s a really cool station for alternative music. I miss Nirvana. Gotta learn “The Man Who Sold the World” on the ol’ acoustic.
3351km @ 10:12am
Listening to: Sports radio…again.
Kurt feels adventurous so we take the Portland bypass instead of driving straight through. Managed to miss most of the morning traffic. Go Kurt!
3393km @ 10:36am
Crossing the Columbia river into Washington state.
3542km @ 11:52am
Listening to: Arctic Monkeys!
Waterslide of awesome springs into view just south of Olympia. Got belated shots of it this time, despite having the camera at the ready for the past 20 miles.
3571km @ 12:07pm
Was somewhat more prepared for the drive-by shooting of the Washington state capitol building. Even with that, had to contort myself into odd angles to get a fuzzy shot of it from the back passenger window.
3588km @ 12:17pm
Listening to: Karen’s salsa mix.
Kurt shakes his booty to a little Celia Cruz.
3595km @ 12:20pm
Took 5 seconds to take off my fleece. Consequently, missed the photo op of the little town of Tillicum. (Heh.)
3606km @ 12:27pm
Kurt: “Welcome to Tacoma: Seattle’s ugly little sister.”
3666km @ 1:05pm
Gathered photos of Safeco Field and Qwest Field. Sped through Seattle this time; the express lanes were open in our favour.
3700km @ 1:30pm
Pit stop at a Taco Bell in Everett, WA. A little wiser, we avoided the spicy chicken crunchwrap combo that came with an extra soft taco.
My turn to drive again.
3847km @ 3:37pm
Damn you Kurt, you were supposed to write in this travelogue!
Arrived at the Peace Arch border crossing 10 minutes ago and we’re nearly at the gate! Panicked at the thought of being interrogated by the customs officer. I’d have probably confessed to our 4 extra wine bottles plus the refugees hiding in our trunk. So made Kurt take the wheel.
But note to self: aim for a Saturday afternoon border crossing the next time we are States-bound.
3847km @ 3:43pm
Exchange with the Canadian customs officer.
CO: Where’s home?
Kurt: Vancouver!
CO: How long were you gone for?
Kurt: Uh, since last Friday.
CO: So what went on?
Kurt: (Pausing to figure out what the heck that was supposed to mean)
Kurt: Um, we visited some friends in San Francisco.
CO: Total value of goods bought?
Kurt: Not much …about $200 (which is sort of true…)
CO: Okay! So long! (waves us through)
Sigh…it’s good to be back in Canada.
Observation from Kurt: As soon as we crossed into BC, it started to rain.
3895km @ 4:36pm
Elisha parked safe and sound in our spot as we lug our California spoils and car-weary selves into the comfort of our little home.
i wouldn’t want bonsai chickens in my strategic performance plan.
By Karen | Wednesday, October 3rd, 2007 | No Comments »
Note to self: don’t leave computer unlocked around Ching-Yin. She’s mildly malevolent =)
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