Tag: food

Ruby’s Roasted Cauliflower Salad

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My relationship with food is nothing like my relationship with people. They say that, if a person shows you who they are, believe them. It’s that age-old belief that you can’t change people — so why try?

Food is the polar opposite. Take Brussels sprouts, for instance. When you’re six years old and somebody gives you what tastes like cooked socks, you vow to never trust another Brussels sprout again. Then fast forward to being 25 years old and sitting at a fancy farm-to-table restaurant and someone in your party orders crispy Brussels sprouts on the menu … and you try some … and suddenly it tastes like Tuscany at dusk. You believe in Brussels sprouts again. You regret all those years you doubted them and you want to spend the rest of your life making things right.

I feel like cauliflower is one of those foods that often needs redemption in this way — but I believe it is worthy of it. When I was a kid, cauliflower was always the vegetable in the frozen bag of vegetables that I would eat around. I just didn’t get it. The taste and the texture disappointed my spirit. No, really: It was that deep. Since then, I have made it my mission every five years or so to attempt to rediscover cauliflower and what it has to offer. About two years ago, my passion was ignited; I fell in love with cauliflower.

When I finally fell in love this bumpy, hard, mildly flavored creature, I realized that what it had to offer was solely based on what I had to give it! I learned a lot about the power of a give-and-take relationship from cauliflower. If I give it water and mash it, it tastes like mushy mush-mush. If I give it chicken stock and cream and parmesan cheese and mash it, it tastes like heaven. If I put it in a 350-degree oven, it sweats so much that it ends up wilted and wobbly. If I put it in a 400-degree oven and don’t overcrowd it, it ends up being this recipe I’m about to share with you right now.

We have a lot to learn from food, y’all. I implore you to challenge yourselves in the way that you think about the things you eat — or rather, the things you won’t eat. If you think you don’t like something, it’s probably more about how you’re preparing it that’s the problem.

All I’m saying … is give peas a chance.

Listen to John Lennon right now. He was really talking about peas, didn’t you know?

Ingredients

Kosher salt
Ground coriander
Coarse black pepper
Safflower or Grapeseed Oil
Granulated garlic (100 percent, y’all. No silicone dioxide or any of that other filler mess, please.)
1 head of cauliflower, sliced into 1/4 inch slices (as much as you can manage to do, but leave 1-2 inches of the stem on each slice)
2 cups cremini or baby portabella mushrooms, sliced
1/2 cup green scallions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup Italian flat leaf parsley, chopped
1/4 cup chiffonade of lemon balm or mint (do not substitute basil; it’s just not the same)
5 red radishes, halved, then sliced very thinly
10 large mixed olives, pits removed (I prefer green and kalamata)

For the dressing:
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of ½ lemon (approximately 1 Tbsp)
2 cloves of garlic, grated (Be careful, Paw!)
1 tsp honey
1 tsp good aged balsamic vinegar (or reduce some yourself in a sauce pot by half)
2 Tbsp good extra virgin olive oil (nothing cheap, please. please. please.)

(Serves 4 people as a side or 2 people as a main dish)

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Dress a large sheet tray with 1 Tbsp safflower or grapeseed oil and spread until pan is covered entirely.

Lay cauliflower pieces 1 to 2 inches apart on sheet tray. Sprinkle cauliflower lightly with kosher salt, ground coriander, black pepper, and granulated garlic. Flip cauliflower over and repeat this step.

On a separate sheet tray, do the exact same thing to the sliced mushrooms, but only use 1 Tbsp of oil or your mushrooms will steam and not crisp. Place both sheet trays in the oven with the cauliflower on the lower rack and the mushrooms in the middle rack. Remove the mushrooms after 10 minutes. Remove the cauliflower after 20 minutes.

Transfer the cauliflower to a cooling rack to stop the cooking. You really wanna do this step, if you want this dish to stop traffic.

While cauliflower cools to room temperature, place remaining ingredients in a bowl. Then add cooled cauliflower and drizzle dressing over top and lightly toss with a spatula.

Plate and enjoy!

Traveler: Your Guide to Olympia, Washington

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The great out-of-doors is the name of the game in Olympia, Washington. The natural beauty of the state’s park-filled capital offers views of the Olympic Mountains, Mount Rainier, and Capitol Lake, all from downtown. With a population of around 42,000 and a total count of 40 city parks on 963 acres, Olympia’s ratio of people to parks ensures plenty of green space for all. Olympia’s vibe is informed by its rich past of feminist musical history, political dealings, and spectacular scenery.

Getting There

The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport — referred to as “Sea-Tac” — is an hour north of Olympia and is accessible via the Sound Transit route 592, going from downtown Seattle to downtown Olympia during weekday rush hours. Otherwise, taxis and rideshare apps are your best bet getting into the city.

Stay

Photo credit: swantowninn.com

Green bed & breakfast the Fertile Ground could be from an episode of Portlandia with its grown-on-site breakfast from their six chickens, organic cotton sheets, and commitment to composting all waste … and we’re into it. If you want to splurge on a more decadent room, the Swantown Inn is a 17-room Victorian mansion built in 1889 which is now an inn and spa. And it’s not even as pricey as you might think — rooms range from $119-$179.

See

Photo credit: Olympia Farmers’ Market

How could a town this au naturale not have a bomb-ass farmers’ market? An outdoor bee farm, fresh oysters, and live music are all staples at the Olympia Farmers’ Market. Head to the Swantown Marina nearby to watch boats dock in the Port of Olympia after perusing produce.

Photo credit: Port of Olympia

The Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is a crossroads for the freshwater of the Nisqually River and the saltwater of Puget Sound, forming an unspoiled estuary, rich in nutrients and perfect for wildlife watching with a $3 price tag. Then, throw yourself to the wolves, literally, at Wolf Haven International, an 80-acre wolf sanctuary where guided tours are given every hour on the hour. The 287-foot-high dome at the Washington State Capitol is the fourth tallest in the world and a staple to see while you’re there, with its marble walls, floors, and pillars from different countries. It’s worth the free tour and even has two-hour free parking.

Sip

Photo credit: burialgroundscoffee.com

Burial Grounds Coffee is a delightfully morbid coffee shop, offering some skull-ful latte art atop their death-themed lattes. For brews hop, err … hops, on over to Three Magnets Brewing Company for sandwiches, local microbrews, and ginger beer on draft. Fish Brewing Company boasts bargain beer and cider in 20-ounce pours for $4.50. Spar Café, called “the Spar” by locals, is in a 1930s building with a bohemian vibe and a 22-foot shuffleboard, plus pub grub and craft beer.

Do

Photo credit: levoyeurolympia.com

Energetic art and music scenes are thriving cornerstones of Olympia’s culture. With the feminist riot grrrl movement barely in the rearview mirror, Olympia’s grunge scene remains alive and kickin’. However, rock ‘n’ roll isn’t the only genre around: Olympia’s folk, blues, and jazz scenes thrive. The best places to catch shows include the restored 1920s Capitol Theater and Le Voyeur, the quintessential Olympia lounge. The city’s DIY scene makes use of nearly every vacant building, bar, and basement as a music venue.

Photo credit: Last Word Books

What’s an eclectic town to do without a bustling bookstore? Luckily, Olympia has Last Word Books, touting itself as a “radical, independent bookstore” selling mostly used books. Speaking of grungy, enter the town’s best vintage clothing store, Dumpster Values, and don’t ignore the Sleater-Kinney discount bin at Rainy Day Records.

Eat

Olympia’s culinary scene has everything from Pad Thai to Adobo to a good ol’ American “John Wayne” burger. Check out Cebu for authentic Filipino food in a strip mall next to a gas station. Get your Pad Thai fix at the Lemon Grass, and grab a John Wayne burger from Norma’s Burgers — a local chain voted best burger in Washington State. Da Nang’s authentic Vietnamese food is also a staple in the city, and we hear it’s pho-cking great!

Lede photo credit: dreamsjung via Foter.com / CC BY-SA

A Minute in Harrisonburg with the Steel Wheels

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Welcome to “A Minute In …” — a BGS feature that turns our favorite artists into hometown reporters. In our latest column, Trent Wagler from the Steel Wheels takes us on a tour of Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Little Grill Collective: This was one of the first venues we ever played — it’s also the stage where Jay and I first played together before we were a band. That stage boasts legendary stories of early shows by Old Crow Medicine Show, Hackensaw Boys, and Larry Keel, and Little Grill’s heart for the local community inspired Our Community Place, a community center across the street. We recommend Lambert’s Platter or the Blue Monkey pancakes. Good luck getting a table on Sunday morning!

Shenandoah Bicycle Company: Harrisonburg is a biking town. There are great mountain biking trails, road cycling opportunities, and a bike coalition that’s working to build commuting infrastructure into the city planning for everyone. Shenandoah Bicycle Company has been a hub for the cycling community for years. The Steel Wheels are a bike-friendly band, and you can find many of us pedaling around on and off tour.

Wonder Records: When I need help with my record player — or need to sift through new or used albums — I go to Wonder. Started as a skate shop, the charm of this store continues to be the owner’s eye for the obscure and weird musical artifacts at auction. He’s constantly getting in vintage amps, instruments, and electronics that he’ll tinker with until he gets it ready to sell. It’s hip enough to make you feel cool when you enter, but authentic to its core. This isn’t a part of the vinyl fad; this is an exploration of all the mediums. That reminds me, I need to get ahold of a tape deck.

Friendly City Food Co-op: Every community needs a food cooperative. It may be a little pricey to get all your groceries there, but it’s good to know you can go to a store where they make it a priority to know where the food comes from and to source it as locally and healthily as they can. On an early bicycle tour, we helped spread the word about Friendly City and, when they opened their doors, we played the party. Getting groceries doesn’t have to be a pain, and it feels good to go to this place. Crystalized ginger, yum.

Natural Chimneys Regional Park: Although the friendly city is a fine place to unwind, to really understand our area, you need to get outside the city limits. No place is better than the beautiful Natural Chimneys Park in Augusta County. It’s a year-round campground with ties to a local jousting club (look it up), but more notably for us, it is where we hold the Red Wing Roots Music Festival each July. This has become one of the highlights of our year as we host a three-day music festival with a wide range of Americana/roots artists in a gorgeous Virginia setting.

Blue Mountain Brewery: Up Afton Mountain, you’ll find another one of the band’s earliest friends in the area, Blue Mountain Brewery. Years ago, when we were first starting out and the brewery was young, we’d play Sunday afternoon gigs on their deck. The brewery grew and built onto the deck, and we don’t get up there to play much anymore, but they still serve great food and beer within miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Taylor and Mandi bring smart, quality products to the table: The Full Nelson IPA or the Dark Hollow are really good, but our favorite is the Steel Wheels ESB with our faces on the bottle.

Klines’s Dairy Bar: They offer three flavors: vanilla, chocolate, and the flavor of the week. It’s a local staple in the Shenandoah Valley. When we first started playing music, we busked in front of the long lines waiting for their ice cream on summer nights. We honed our skills a little more each time and, usually, we’d get a free ice cream cone at the end of the night.

Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint/Laughing Dog Productions: Sitting side by side on Main Street, you’ll find Jack Brown’s and Laughing Dog. We like to stay local as much as possible, so Laughing Dog Productions has always been the screen printer we’ve used for our t-shirts. They’re family-owned and operated and fine artists/craftspeople. If you’re waiting for your shirts and it’s time to eat, you can try to find a spot at Jack Brown’s. This simple and small beer-burgery is known for a small eclectic menu large on beer taps. It’s a comfort-food master class. If burgers aren’t your thing, they do wings at Billy Jack’s next door.

Court Square: In the center of downtown Harrisonburg is Court Square — home to a theater of the same name where we’ve had local release shows in the past. The square is the place where local activists made a ruckus when the travel ban was enacted. Harrisonburg is a proudly diverse community representing many cultures. During the summer, in front of the courthouse, there are free Friday night concerts or films (Fridays on the Square, we’ve played a few) that are fun for the whole family.

Honorable Mention — Foam Henge: In the category of “beguiling roadside attractions,” no other oddity has captured our band more fully than the life-size styrofoam replica of Stonehenge near Natural Bridge, Virginia. According to our sources, Foamhenge is now closed, but it had a beautiful combination of creative/artistic endeavor and mysterious quirk that you had to see to believe. Some of the finer touches included creepy signs from the artist describing how he “hides and watches” visitors to deter vandalism.

Lede photo credit: Sandlin Gaither

Chocolate Raspberry Bars

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As I sit here typing, I am coming down from the inevitable sugar high that occurs when these bars are in my kitchen. I had two of them fresh out of the oven, because of course I did. And that was after I had several bites while kneading the butter in the mixture of flour, oats, and nuts. I just can’t help myself. They are damn good.

So good, in fact, that five years ago, I used these very bars to let a certain fellow know that I wanted to be more than friends. I carefully wrapped each of them in plastic wrap and placed them inside a basket with water bottles and other snacks for a long road trip from Texas to Tennessee. I told myself I was playing it cool since he was traveling with a good friend of mine. The basket was for both of them to share. And, if he happened to conclude that I was amazing and he should love me forever, then that was just a bonus. I’m not saying these bars are a type of love potion, but that man eventually became my husband, so I’ll let you decide! 

Here are a few tips for living your best dessert life:

Buy good chocolate and raspberry jam. I’ve tried to cut corners on these before, but it makes a huge difference. For the chocolate, I recommend Ghirardelli Bittersweet chocolate chips. For the jam, whichever brand you like, just make sure it’s the one with seeds! It’s better that way. 

Don’t skip roasting the pecans. If you’re worried about how long to toast them, keep them in the oven on 350 until they become fragrant! Your “nose knows,” as they say. 

If you are making these for a certain event, make them a day ahead. They will be much too gooey to be cut into squares initially. However, if you don’t have the time for that, pop them in the freezer for a few hours!

Pair these sensual bars with the wonderful Michael Kiwanuka’s Love & Hate 

Ingredients
2 cups + 1/4 cup flour 
2 cups + 1/4 cup brown sugar 
1.5 tsp baking powder 
1/2 tsp salt 
1.5 cups butter softened 
2 cups + 1/4 cup quick-cooking or traditional oats (I use both) 
3/4 cup toasted pecans 
3/4 cup shredded sweetened coconut 
2 cups bittersweet or semi sweet chocolate chips
1 12 oz jar raspberry jam

Directions

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt in large bowl until blended. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or two knives until it resembles course crumbs. Add oats, coconut, and nuts. 

Spray pan with non-stick spray. Press half the mixture into the bottom of a 13 x 9-inch pan sprayed with cooking spray; sprinkle with chocolate. Top with jam and remaining crumb mixture. 

Bake 25 to 30 min or until golden brown.

Traveler: Your Guide to Boulder

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The mountain culture in Boulder, Colorado, is rich and so is the festival-like atmosphere at Boulder Creek on a summer day. It’s the type of town which doesn’t take itself too seriously, hosting events like Tube to Work Day and the Rocky Mountain Tea Festival. Expansive views of the Flatiron Mountains, an abundance of home-brewed kombucha, the number one farmers’ market in the country, and a plethora of readily accessible hiking trails makes Boulder one of the most charming cities in America. It may be a crunchy town, but it has much more to offer than college students and marijuana.

Getting There

Flying into Denver is almost certainly your best bet for getting to Boulder. A quick 45-minute jaunt to Boulder makes Denver a cheaper airport option, plus it’s an international airport that is a favorite among touring artists.

Outdoors

Photo: Boulder County Farmers’ Market

Chatauqua Park is the gem of Boulder, boasting the best views of the Flatirons — five iconic mountains situated within city limits. Go early in the morning or late in the afternoon during the week to avoid packed trails. For a more moderate hike, Arches winds through the Flatirons, ending with quite the view and a flagstone arch. The Sanitas trail is a more strenuous hike, offering expansive well-worth-it views of the surrounding plains. Head to Flagstaff Mountain on the weekends to avoid crowds at more popular trails.

The Boulder Farmers’ Market, a festival-like atmosphere on Boulder Creek, happens every Saturday morning from 8 – 2 pm on 13th Street, April through November. It’s been named the top farmers’ market in the country because Colorado’s climate allows for a diverse offering of fresh produce and flowers, plus locally made kombucha and goat cheese. Go hungry, because the prepared foods are top notch: Don’t miss Sister’s Pantry’s dumplings. Plus, they’ve got beer, if you need a shopping break.

Even when the market is closed, Boulder Creek’s atmosphere is buzzing on hot summer days, running right through town. Tube, bike, fish, or chill and enjoy stacks of creek rocks set by stone-balancing artists. The hippie vibe is strong with this one.

Indoors

Photo credit: Boulder Bookstore

The Pearl Street mall is a pedestrian-only spot with lots of shops. Avoid the chain stores and head to Boulder Bookstore, Goldmine Vintage, and Savvy, to name a few.

The Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art is centrally located along the farmers’ market path, showcasing some of the best art of modern times in a dynamic venue. It’s also an affordable experience with a one-buck price tag.

Music

Photo credit: RockyGrass

The Fox Theatre was voted the fourth best music venue in the country by Rolling Stone magazine, bringing diverse artists to their 625-capacity space. eTown Hall offers a more intimate space for artists to play in an old church and broadcasts a radio show featuring artists like Mavis Staples and Ani DiFranco. The Boulder Theater’s 1906 art deco building is also a hub for shows in town.

Just 15 miles north of Boulder, the Rockygrass Music Festival brings lots of BGS faves like the Earls of Leicester and the Lonely Heartstring Band to the mountains for a weekend of music every July. Vinyl Me Please, a rad record of the month club, is also based in Boulder.

Food & Drink

Photo credit: Brasserie Ten Ten

Two words: Happy. Hour. Since Boulder is a college town, cheap food and drinks abound. When the clock strikes 5, rooftop bars, homemade sangria, and two-for-ones call. Head to the locally owned Med for a sunny patio, sangria, and bacon-wrapped dates. Neighboring Brasserie Ten Ten also has solid happy hour deals, brie-filled crepes, and the best French food in Colorado.

For shockingly good sushi in the mountains, head to Sushi Zanmai where their fish is flown in daily and served by a staff that dons wigs, bursting into song without warning. Of course a granola town like Boulder also has great vegetarian food at Shine and plenty of quinoa at Alpine Modern Café.

Photo credit: Dushanbe Tea House

The Dushanbe Teahouse was completely built by hand without the use of any power tools, constructed in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, and shipped over as a gift to their sister city, Boulder. It’s a hallmark of the town because of its ornate construction and high quality teas. Coffee lovers will like Boxcar Coffee Roasters for your typical hip, local joe spot and the Laughing Goat for a community atmosphere with organic goods.

Lede photo credit: Max and Dee via Foter.com / CC BY

A Minute In Troy with Sean Rowe

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Welcome to “A Minute In …” — a BGS feature that turns our favorite artists into hometown reporters. In our latest column, Troy, New York’s Sean Rowe takes us on a tour of his favorite parks, restaurants, and beer bars. The songwriter just released New Lore.

I’m a Troy Boy, through and through. I was born and raised in and around these streets and have watched Troy, New York, go from being a rundown, forgotten city to the new “upstate Williamsburg.”  The streets I roamed as a kid, and my uncle’s restaurant where I washed dishes as a teenager, are now pretty damn hip — places with names like Peck’s Arcade and Superior Merchandise. And while I love to get a good whiskey on the rocks at Peck’s and a fancy cortado at Superior, my old favorites still stick with me, just like the old blues records I listened to while daydreaming of my rock and roll career as a kid on 15th Street. Here are a few of my old and current haunts.

Peebles Island State Park: Now, while this place is not in Troy proper, it’s close enough and so magical that I couldn’t leave it out. The three-mile island overlooks the place where the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers meet, and it’s an incredibly beautiful and historic place in the Mohawk creation story. The deer are everywhere here. It is my place of peace — where I go when I am road-weary and I need a way to reconnect. In early March of 2007, I found a young, lifeless buck lying in the walking trail. At the time, I was attending a wilderness survival school and I was eager to use my newfound skills to process the deer for food, tools, and clothing. Still got the deer hide with me to this day. This place, it’s unparalleled for me.  ​

Louis Rubin Approach (a.k.a. “The Steps”): Now this … this is classic Troy. It’s the view from the top of the “steps” at RPI (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) which were built in 1907. Over the years, the huge staircase has gotten several makeovers, and now it’s where I go to run, Rocky-style. I still dream that Mick will be waiting for me at the top with some sides of beef to punch, but … hasn’t happened yet.  

The Ale House: If you are a Trojan, as you would be called, then you’ve frequented the Ale House. It’s a classic, and it’s my Cheers bar … Ya know, everyone knows my name. The place is tiny — I’ve graduated from playing here to playing at their venue across the street called the Hangar — but it’s just that coziness that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. That might also be the amazing wings … or the beers … or the Hembold’s hot dogs … or the Mexican night menu on Wednesdays …

Muza: You know when you’re super hungry and you don’t want to risk going somewhere you might be disappointed, so you have your standby restaurant that you know is going to hit the spot every single time? That’s Muza. Every. Single. Time. This place is a Polish feast that I would eat at every night if not for pesky things like heart disease. The food is incredible — kielbasa, pierogis, and crepes. Oh my. They’ve recently opened up a Biergarten called the Hill that is for the fancy folks. And while I love grabbing a Zywiec porter and a mushroom toastie up there, it’s the original Muza that has my heart.

Shrimp Quesadilla Pockets

Posted on by Editor

I think and talk a lot about the power of interpretation. When I left college to become a professional musician, one of the things I did to put food on the table was singing jingles and demos. With the jingles, I had to sell products — anything from clothing to Taco Bell. If I didn’t sound excited to be singing about those products, no one would have wanted to buy what I was selling. The same applied to the demo sessions I was a part of. I learned early on that my job wasn’t just to sing well; it was to help the songwriter properly translate their message. The more I did it, the deeper I delved into the lyrics I was singing, causing such a profound personal connection to the songs, making it feel like the stories were only mine to tell. I found the power of interpretation through music, then, and have continued to explore that power in other areas in my life ever since.

Two years ago, I did something that I’ve never done before: I sang songs written by other people and put them out on an album under my own name. Was it challenging? Yes. Not because I was too proud to sing someone else’s songs, but because I had so much respect for the artists who had released those songs in the first place. I wanted to honor their creativity and make sure that I wasn’t doing a disservice to the art itself. Now that I cook nearly as much as I sing, the same principles apply to the food I make.

There are so many cultures whose cuisines I admire. I cook a lot of food that is not from the culture I was born into or raised in. I used to be afraid to cook anything not American or Ghanaian, but then I began to get inside various, unique dishes and study them from the inside out. Once I realized what flavors and techniques make up a dish, as well as the love given to the food from the culture it came from, I gained the confidence to engage in the interpretation of those dishes and I’ve learned how to honor them in my own way. My fiancé, Sam, is originally from California. To him, Mexican cuisine is almost synonymous with comfort. I love Mexican food and I love Tex-Mex, as well. Tex-Mex is a direct interpretation. It is a cuisine brought to Texas by Mexican descendants that reinvents a traditional way of eating while remaining respectful of its origin.

This Autumn, I will have the honor of calling three children, ages 13 and under, my official bonus children. That’s so much cooler than saying “step children” — and they’re so much cooler than that, too. I cook for them often and they help me in the kitchen a lot, as well. Before I came along, my fiancé’s go-to dinner for the kiddos was often some kind of Mexican cuisine — tacos or quesadillas, usually. It’s one of the few things that certain little people I know will eat joyfully! Yet, being the cook that I am, I bore easily if I’m making the same thing the same way over and over again. I want to make my family’s bellies happy, but I also want to make my creative soul happy in the process.

This belly/soul happy recipe, Shrimp* Quesadilla Pockets, is an interpretation of a traditional one. A traditional quesadilla involves two tortillas filled with cheese, stacked on top of each other. When sliced, it’s reminiscent of a pizza to me. Although I very much like pizza and traditional quesadillas (and all of the yummy toppings that fall off or out of them when you pick them up), I needed to create an easy, pocket-sized version for quick pick-up-and-go meals. Call it my new mom short-cut. I’m learning! They store well and the filling doesn’t dry out because it’s not exposed and can be reheated in a flash.

Interpret away, people. It’s the stuff we’re made of. Take Herbie Hancock’s tribute album to Joni Mitchell, River: The Joni Letters, for instance. Put it on right now. Um, wow. Yeah, that’s some power right there.

SHRIMP* QUESADILLA POCKETS
*Omit shrimp for allergies, etc., and sub with any protein of choice

Ingredients

Serves 5 (2 each)
1/2 lb cooked shrimp, sliced in half lengthwise
1/8 tsp red pepper/chili flakes (or omit)
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (or omit)
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp lime juice**
2 cloves garlic, minced
Safflower or grape seed oil
10 soft, large, white tortillas
2 cups shredded pepper jack, monterey jack, or cheddar cheese
1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups cooked white rice
Condiments of choice — salsa, sour cream, and limes for us.

**I forgot to grab the limes from my house when I came over to Sam’s to try this recipe out on him and the kids … but a bright young man of 11 pointed out that “maybe some lime” would have helped to make it brighter. Don’t forget the limes. Alfie’s orders.

Directions

Preheat your oven to 250° and place a sheet tray lined with parchment paper or foil inside of it. This is where you will keep the quesadillas warm while you’re making a stack of ’em.

Place shrimp and all the ingredients up to (but not including) the oil in a bowl and massage into shrimp and let sit in the fridge for 15 minutes.

Lay out tortillas and sprinkle ingredients lightly onto tortilla in a V shape (reference my tutorial photos) in the following order — cheese, two slices of shrimp in a vertical line, beans, rice, more cheese. Reference tutorial photos for folding.

Heat 1-2 Tbsp oil on medium heat (no higher!) in a non-stick pan. Place folded tortilla in pan, seam side down. Hold a spatula on top of each quesadilla pocket for a few seconds to ensure a proper seal. Check for brownness after one minute and flip when desired color is achieved. Repeat the last step to brown the other side.

Garnish with cilantro and dip in salsa or sour cream.

Traveler: Louisville

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Loo-a-vul, Lou-e-ville, Loo-a-ville, Looey-ville: Ask a local and you might get mixed responses on the correct pronunciation of its name, but anyway you spin it, the city boasts a lot more than their slugger. Louisville is proving itself as a destination, not just a stop along Highway 65. In addition to the unmistakably Kentucky traditions of bourbon and basketball, the town has a storied cultural history, a thriving food culture, and an evolving music scene. Derbies and juleps are great, but we did a deep dive of Louisville’s local spots.

Getting There

Smack dab in the middle of the eastern U.S., Louisville’s geography lends itself well to a quick weekend trip from various surrounding cities, like Nashville (two+ hours), Cincinnati (four hours), and St. Louis (four hours). Take the Bourbon Trail through Lexington to Louisville or, if you’re feeling ambitious, bike it. Louisville International Airport is 10 minutes from downtown.

Accommodations

Photo credit: Seelbach Hilton

If you like your accommodations with a side of cocktails and modern art, check out the 21C Hotel. If a hotel with an art museum isn’t in your budget, you should still stop by for cocktails and art browsing. For the lit nerds, F. Scott Fitzgerald hung around the Seelbach Hilton’s bar, meeting a gangster who inspired his socialite character, Jay Gatsby, in The Great Gatsby.

Eats

Photo credit: Rye on Market

UPS is headquartered in the town, so local chefs have extra speedy access to fresh ingredients overnighted, thus fostering a killer food scene. From restaurants which have endured the times — like Jack Fry’s — to new kids on the block — like Rye — Louisville’s food scene is rooted in Southern food with a finger on the contemporary foodie pulse. Chef Edward Lee’s 610 Magnolia is also a great choice for a fancy meal that’s worth it.

Drinks

Photo: Please & Thank You

Bourbon. And lots of it. Declared “America’s Official Native Spirit,” more than 95 percent of the world’s bourbon is distilled and aged in Kentucky. Downtown Louisville has a free Urban Bourbon Trail, which consists of bars which all serve at least 50 different kinds of bourbon. For the hops enthusiasts, Falls City Brewery is in the midst of reinventing itself and has been a Louisville staple for years. Apocalypse Brewing has quality brews made in an environmentally conscious process and a Yappy Hour for you and your pup.

For your coffee fix, Quill’s Coffee and Please & Thank You will fit the hip coffee bill of big cities. Head to the back of Please & Thank You to shop for records, while you sip their Thai iced coffee and eat “Louisville’s Best Chocolate Chip Cookie.” Wander over to Bardstown Road for local shops, food, and bars in one spot.

Cultural Sights

Photo credit: Muhammad Ali Center

Pay homage to the greatest of all time at the Muhammad Ali Center, a spot well worth the $12 price tag. It’s just as much about civil rights as it is his career, plus we could all take a cue from his motto, and the museum’s tagline: “Be great. Do great things.” It’s not open on Mondays and has spotty hours, so check before you go.

If you’re planning on geeking out on museums, consider getting “The Main Ticket,” which bundles admission to six downtown Louisville attractions, including the Frazier History Museum, Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, Kentucky Science Center, KentuckyShow!, Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, and the Muhammad Ali Center for 30 bucks.

On top of that, the Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest is a great day hang and hosts all kinds of nerdy plant events, like wildflower walks and updates on the American Woodcocks’ nesting.

Photo credit: louisvillemegacavern.org

Louisville Mega Cavern boasts the world’s only underground zipline. Yep, that’s a thing, and they’ve got six of them which run year round.

Music

Louisville’s upped its festival game with Forecastle every July, and Bourbon And Beyond in September. If you’re looking for low-key, down-home Kentucky bluegrass, look no further than Barret Bar. For bluegrass with your bloody mary, check out the Monkey Wrench. Louisville’s quirky Zanzabar brings under the radar artists to their pinball arcade/venue combo, and has been open since the ’30s.

Lede photo credit: Scott Oves

Red Cabbage Salad With Marcona Almonds & Blue Cheese

Posted on by Editor

Tasting new foods with people I love accounts for many of my favorite memories. I think of baking a pie with my dear friend Shannon, after we were inspired by the “Pie-Maker” from a show called Pushing Daisies. It was filled with a white chocolate ganache, orange zest, macadamia nuts, and a drizzle of dark chocolate on top. It was delicious and whimsical.

Before my husband and I were anything, we were friends who constantly talked about food and music. (Okay, so maybe we liked each other, but neither of us said anything for a while.) Once, he came over to help record some demos of my songs. Afterward, we decided to make eggs benedict for dinner. In case you were wondering, it is challenging to poach eggs while trying to appear cool and casual in front of for the person you are falling for.

Still today, we spend a lot of time in the kitchen together. We eat at home more often than not, but every now and then, we love to save up and go somewhere really wonderful. Last month, it was new restaurant called Barcalona. We were hesitant to go, partially because it is somewhat of a chain and partially because we have been dissapointed by many hip-looking restaurants that have sprung up in Nashville. I am happy to report that the food is original, delicious, and resonablly priced. The wine choices are available in half glasses, which is wonderful news for the kind of person who wants to try everything.

One particular dish we had stole the show: a salad with cabbage, hazelnuts, pears, and a Spanish blue cheese called Valdeón. It was a perfect combination of flavor and texture. We decided we wanted to try try and replicate it. The tricky thing about recipes like this is that they seem simple, but can be difficult to execute. Still, I think my recipe turned out pretty damn good!

I used Marcona almonds instead of hazelnuts, simply because they are the food of the gods. I also added quinoa and roasted broccoli for some added texture and heartiness. 

I recommend pairing this salad with My Piece of Land by Amanda Shires.

Ingredients

For the salad:
1/4 head of cabbage
2 cups cooked quinoa 
4 cups water or vegetable broth 
4 oz blue cheese crumbled
16 oz cups broccoli florets 
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for seasoning 
1/2 cup marcona almonds 
1 pear thinly sliced pear, or 1/4 cup golden raisins if you can’t find a good pear
2 TB olive oil

For the vinaigrette:
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 cup olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Begin by turning the oven to 350. Place broccoli on roasting pan. Drizzle with about two tablespoons of olive oil. Mix with your hands and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt and a few cracks of pepper. Place in oven for about 30 minutes. Chop cabbage into longs strips, and then cut those in half, so they are shorter in length. Slice pear thinly.

Next, rince the quinoa until the water becomes clear. Combine quinoa with broth or water and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer until water is absorbed and quinoa is tender, about 15 minutes. While that cooks, blend the vinaigrette ingredients together.

Once the quinoa and broccoli are cooled, layer a serving plate with cabbage, quinoa, blue cheese, almonds, and broccoli. Drizzle vinaigrette over salad and serve at room tempurature or after being chilled for 30 minutes. 

Traveler: Your Guide to Marfa, Texas

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A six-hour drive to one stop light in the middle of West Texas has never seemed more appealing until the quaint, artsy town of Marfa, Texas, began to blossom. Drink a Lonestar with a cowboy, see the Marfa lights, and get your artistry on with teeming inspiration in the middle of this changing desert town with a population of 2,121. With little to no nightlife, vegetation that looks like you stepped into a Dr. Seuss story, and a clear desert sky, Marfa is a quite the getaway.

Getting There

Photo credit: ballroommarfa.org

If you’re feeling a road trip through West Texas, take the six-hour drive from Austin, or fly into El Paso’s International Airport and head southeast for about three hours. Midland Airport is also a three-hour drive. Since Marfa is so rural, it’s quite the haul from larger cities in Texas.

Accommodations

Photo courtesy of El Cosmico

If you’re looking to meet other artists (like Queen Bey) and really #liveauthentic, El Cosmico is an 18-acre trailer, tent, and teepee hotel with a hammock grove made for artist meetups. The Hotel Paisano is a restored hotel with original architecture, plus an outdoor restaurant and pool. Thunderbird Hotel is also beloved, with its 1950s minimalist chic vibe. Plus, the top 20 highest-rated Airbnbs in town range from airstream trailers to boats on dry land to “Modern + Minimal” homes.

Eats & Drinks

A hippie meets a cowboy at a local dive for a Lonestar kinda atmosphere, Marfa’s food and drink scene runs the gamut from trippy grilled cheese spots to food trucks to breakfast tacos. Many places are cash only, so be sure to check before you go. Hours are spotty at all of Marfa’s restaurants, but you can take comfort in the fact that Stripes is open 24-7.

Thunderbird Café has gourmet sandwiches, fried chicken, and fluffy biscuits making for a solid lunch spot. Marfa Burrito’s breakfast burritos are a hallmark of the scene, and you can get your fancy coffee fix at Do Your Thing, alongside homemade sourdough toast, unique porridge specials, and Four Barrell Coffee. Grilled Cheese Parlour is filled with 1950s TVs serving late-night grilled cheeses, and Food Shark is an airstream serving tasty Marfalafel and other mediterranean food. Boys2Men is a renowned food truck specializing in breakfast tacos, and Chochineal has an upscale brunch, specializing in Tex-inspired fare like chilaquiles.

Sight Seeing

Photo credit: Lauren Swedenborg

Most shops, restaurants, and galleries are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so plan to take it easy or go exploring outside of town those days. There are two grocery stores and two ATMs in town, so consider bringing snacks and cash with you. Thirty minutes outside of town near Valentine, Texas, lies Marfa’s most recognizable marker: Prada Marfa. A permanent art exhibition co-produced by Ballroom Marfa, this Insta-worthy freestanding store is disorienting as you peek through the glass windows to see the fall 2005 Prada collection … in the middle of West Texas.

Speaking of Ballroom Marfa, their gallery is the town’s go-to for art — especially their immersive video installations. Pretty much every part of town has been converted into a makeshift art gallery, so there’s always eye (and brain!) candy like this installation in the front room of Big Bend Coffee Roaster, “The Listening.”

Photo credit: Maria Perry

If you’re into the unknown — and possibly extraterrestrial — try to catch the Marfa Lights along Route 67, which are unexplained beams of bright lights that flicker across the horizon 10 to 20 times per year. Or just stick with regular ol’ stargazing, sans light pollution, at one of McDonald Observatory’s Star Parties to see the stars in the rural country, 40 minutes from Marfa.

Shopping

Photo credit: Maria Perry

Marfa’s shops have the bare hipster essentials: gemstones, cowboy boots, vintage clothes, and books. At Moonlight Gemstones, you can buy Himalayan pink sea salt by the pound, plus handmade jewelry. The Marfa Book Company doubles as an art gallery and performance space and has been in business for 20 years, located in the Hotel Saint George. Cobra Rock Boot Company makes one handmade pair of ankle boots in many variations. Seeing a theme? Marfa fosters artists. And then there’s Ranch Dressing — a vintage pop-up shop with a bounty of carefully curated used apparel.

Restaurants, shops and bars change often with artists coming and going, so be sure to check marfalist.org, the minimalist site Marfa locals use to stay up-to-date with the most recent changes.

Lede image: One of Donald Judd’s concrete pieces at the Chinati Foundation in Marfa, Texas. Photo credit: K Bennett.