Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Marty's Lunch

Chicken Tarragon Sandwich


It's my last week of Seattle (sigh), so I decided this week I was going to cook Marty a fab tastic, amazeball lunch for the last 5 days Im here. Today, I decided to kick it off with Chicken Salad Sandwiches. So easy to make, and only took about 15 minutes. It also helped that I had some frozen chicken from a prior dinner that was already seasoned and ready to go! Again thanks to Ina Garten for another fantastic recipe.


We found this Mayo at a organic hippie shack called Trader Joe's, it was pretty cheap and darn good! Now,tarragon is a interesting herb, smells like black licorice, but gives food a great depth of flavor. ( I know it sounds insane but trust me). If you have never cooked or used it, I recommend just a tad, take a taste, if you like it add more, 1 tablespoon should do the trick!


Any rustic bread will do, I went with this one!


chicken breast(I did 3), well seasoned, bake at 375 and then cut it into chunks while still warm. I seasoned with salt, pepper, parsley, rosemary, and thyme.



Meanwhile cut your celery.. make it as chunky or as thin as you like!


Then mix your chicken, mayo ( I did two spoonfuls), salt, pepper, tarragon( 1 tablespoon), and celery all together!

Toss well my friend!


Marty said best sandwich he has ever had!







Here is how ol Barefoot did it. ( taken from the food network)

Ingredients
4 split (2 whole) chicken breasts, bone-in, skin on
Good olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup good mayonnaise, plus more for the bread
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon leaves
1 cup small-diced celery (2 stalks)
8 to 10 slices health or seven-grain bread
1 package mesclun salad mix
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Place the chicken breasts, skin side up, on a sheet pan and rub them with olive oil. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Roast for 35 to 40 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. Set aside to cool.

When the chicken is cool, remove and discard the skin and bones and cut the chicken into 3/4-inch dice. Place the chicken in a bowl and add the mayonnaise, tarragon, celery, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper and toss well.

To assemble, spread a little mayonnaise on half the bread slices, top with the chicken salad and mesclun mix, and cover with the remaining slices of bread. Cut in half and serve.






Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Eva



For Marty's 29th birthday we went to a local restaurant called, Eva which is located in our Green Lake neighborhood. It had charm from the time we stepped in the restaurant. As for the food? The flavors were so complex, and the was food laid out and prepared beautifully. We left nothing on our plate. Marty quickly decided when both sides of our parents come to visit, we will have to visit this darling restaurant again.

The charm started as soon as we got to the door..

All I want for christmas is this kitchen....

yep charm... all the way down to the menu!

yes, please!

Sure, we will have some of that too!

Even MORE good Eats!



These last few weeks I have caught the cooking bug! Here are a couple of dishes Marty has been stuffing his face with lately....

Yummy Eggplant Parm... ( this time I actually remembered to peel the dang thing.)

Kabobs marinated with greek yogurt, lemon, and rosemary....

Banana Nut Bread.. this was ridiculously good..

Its been a good summer!

Marinated Lamb Kabobs- taken from food network by Ina Garten

I used steak instead of lamb.. still delish!

Ingredients
1 pound plain yogurt (regular or lowfat)
1/4 cup good olive oil, plus more for brushing grill
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
5 tablespoons fresh whole rosemary leaves
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 pounds top round lamb
1 red onion
Directions
Combine the yogurt, olive oil, lemon zest and juice, rosemary, salt, and pepper in a large, non-reactive bowl. Add the lamb, making sure it is covered with the marinade, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or for up to 2 days.

Prepare a charcoal grill with hot coals. Spread the coals in one tight layer on the grill.

Cut the lamb in 1 1/2-inch cubes. You should have about 20 cubes.

Cut the red onion in 8 pieces and separate each piece into 3 or 4 sections. Loosely thread 3 or 4 pieces of lamb onto skewers alternately with sections of onion. Sprinkle both sides of the lamb cubes with salt and pepper. Place the skewers on the hot grill and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, turning 2 or 3 times, until the lamb is medium-rare.



Enjoy!

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Downtown Seattle

Steep hill to walk down towards Pike.

Yesterday, Marty and I took advantage of the vivid blue skies and hopped a bus to downtown Seattle. Downtown was in a buzz as numerous events were going on and Pike's Place was in full swing. There even was a Medicare rally, complete with a jazz band, that played to the beat of their protest. Beautiful day, beautiful people, and beautiful food.

A outdoor picnic seemed like a must...

Our view for lunch

Women protesting to bring our troops home.

A vintage library with some books you don't normally see...
Fresh veggies for sale...

For the seafood lover in you.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Zoe's Yogurt Shop!

Fro-yo and yummy toppings to boot.

There is this cute fro-yo shop by our little condo that I have been dying to go to.Today since it was hot, Marty and I took a stroll to Zoe's Yogurt. It was also fun, because my one of my dear friend's Tiffany, has a newborn at home named Zoe and I knew I had to take some pics of this fun and quirky yogurt shop! So here's to you Zoe, you make some darn good yogurt for a 6 month old!

Cake batter with oreo cookies and brownie pieces...


What to choose?


Cool treat for a hot day...


Nom, Nom!

Zoe making some critical company decisions....

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

The best Chocolate Chip Cookie... ever.

The dough actually came out brown... good sign? For me? OH YES!



I have been looking for years for the perfect chocolate chip cookie. When I first started dating Marty, we were in a store one day and he took me in the baking section. He then whispered ever so gently in my ear, "my mother always baked for me." Then kissed me on the forehead and walked off.. ha ha! I then realized that I better zone in on my baking skills if this relationship was going to go anywhere. So finally after 2 and half years of trying to get it perfect.. I think I finally did ( Thanks to the kitchen aide mixer of course!).

So far so good...

Looking real good!

A happy Marty!



pretty refreshing with a nice glass of cold milk!

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Wedding FEVER @ Cypress Grove Park!



7 more months until Marty and I get hitched and wedding planning is in FULL swing. I was so excited when I saw Cypress Grove Park has a facebook page, with tons of photos to get inspired by! Big thanks to Mom and Dad, and future Mom & Dad for all your help thus far!


The Altar....


Bridal Room


Tented Reception

( All photos taken from Cypress Grove Park Facebook Page)


Engagement shoot done at Cypress Grove Park




Current song running through my head




Praying for blue skies on March 24th, 2012!