All Things Chill

I wanted to make a special breakfast before Steve and Jade flew back to SF, so I grabbed a few things from the Ballard market and mashed it up with the leftover grub from Saturday’s BBQ. Enter: HUEVOS RANCHEROS. WHHEEEEEEEE.
Here’s how I layered these bad boys (from bottom to top):
Fried corn tortilla
Black beans [...]

Again, for the party on Saturday. Hee hee. The iPhone remote.app can now request and vote on songs in an iTunes playlist… as long as the computer is connected to WiFi via the Apple Airport Express. It’s pretty freaking cool.
For example, if I find a song that I want to [...]

Bastille! Totally had fun at “neighborhood night” at the restaurant’s soft opening. We said hello to Tracy and Kevin from MoshiMoshi (seriously, thanks for the tip!) and passed along a few food samples to the guys and gals of Ocho. Lorna got a chance to get a sneak peek into the restaurant early [...]

WHOOO HOOO. I bought a handful of new tracks for the “Rock Band” station for Saturday. Everyone likes karaoke as long as it’s masked with plastic drums and guitars, right? Hee hee.
“Are You Gonna Go My Way” Lenny Kravitz
“The Joker” Steve Miller Band
“Shining Star” Earth, Wind & Fire
“Pick Up the Pieces” Average [...]

HD video here. REALLY short, but uber cute surprise breakfast that Liana’s office threw for her. I had NO hand in any of it and everyone pitched in to make her feel warm and fuzzy inside. Frittatas from Stacy, Hashbrowns from Emi, fancy yogurt, Deb and her freaking Belgian waffle maker (lol), [...]

SUUUUPER excited for Liana’s Bday on Saturday. I made a small “what you’d expect” list and a “sign up to bring stuffs” page for some of the invited guests. I’ll be doing some more grilling that day, but these are just things that I can get started on this week. [...]

They’re giving away free softserve ice cream cones for the first week of operation!
Yay Ballard!
~Spec

Pork Tenderloin Stuffed with Cremini Mushrooms, Goat Cheese and Herbs served with Roasted Spring Onion Bulbs

Larger view here. Pork tenderloin is available at most supermarkets, but it’s really the quality of the meat that prohibits most people from cooking this tender and juicy cut of meat a second time. Because “today’s modern” pig [...]

Oh hi there! This is Liana. She’s been my sweetheart for 2+ years. This is not her normal face. LOL. She’s my harshest food critic and has the UNCANNY ability to determine who left his socks in the couch from the previous night or who left the toilet seat up. [...]

Vegetarian: Shiitake Mushrooms, Garlic Scapes, and Spring Onions

Beef Noisettes with Shiitake Mushrooms, Garlic Scapes, and Spring Onions
We’re in garlic scape season, which means you really should be hitting up your local farmers’ market and asking for them. This is what they should look like. They’re a crisp, young stalk and impart a garlicy [...]

Grilled Pork Belly Kimchi Buta with Halibut Cheek and Leek Scrape Buchimgae

I managed to get my hands on a few fatty pieces of pork belly from Ballard Market a few weeks ago and finally found the time to cook it. YAY. I was so excited I jumped out of bed, washed my [...]

Happy birthday Georgia! Also, happy birthday Emi! Celebrating in Ballard! I hope this lil’ guy makes it though the night!
~Spec

Mt. Townsend Cirrus with Homemade Strawberry, Rhubarb and Basil Jam
On the bus, so quick recipe!
3 strawberries, diced
1 stalk of rhubarb, diced
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup water
Throw everything in a pot and bring to a strong boil for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Allow to cool to room temp – about 30 minutes (it’ll thicken up a [...]