Beer Summit 09

What would you choose to drink if the President invited you over for a cold beer?

The Washington Post asks DC's bartenders here:



I'd have a Corona Light, with a lime.

Farmers Market Challenge: Sweet Corn, Green Beans, Local Feta

At today's Penn Quarter farmers market, I picked up an ear of sweet corn, a quart of green beans and feta cheese from Blue Ridge Dairy in nearby Leesburg, VA.


I decided to whip it into tonight's dinner by combining it with the grape tomatoes I had in the refrigerator from Whole Foods. here was the "recipe" (aka winging it) that I followed:


1. Boiled the ear of corn for 7 minutes in husk.
2. Trim edges off green beans tossed them in the boiling water with the corn for another 2 minutes.
3. Remove corn (remove niblets from the cobb after cooking) and green beans from water and immerse them in an ice bath to stop the cooking process.
4. Halve a handful of grape tomatoes and toss them in the ice bath with the corn and beans.
5. Let it sit for a minute and then pour strain into a serving bowl.
6. Crumble feta on top and tossed with a splash of olive oil and balsamic vinegrette, and salt and pepper to taste.
7. Toss & enjoy!



Time from start to table: about 15 minutes (not counting waiting for the water to boil)


Penn Quarter Farmers Market, Thursdays from 3-7 at 8th and E NW, Washington, DC.

Top 10 Outrageously Fabulous, But Delusional Birthday Wishes: by Tammy Gordon

Things I Want For My Birthday That Are Not Going to Happen... but it's fun to wish for:

1. Domino magazine to keep publishing
2. A book deal (so that I can make smart ass observations for a living)
3. Christian Louboutin heels
4. The Watergate Hotel
5. This Elizabeth & James dress
6. These awesome Lanvin peeptoe heels
7. Week on Isla Mujeres at Hotel Secreto with my man
8. Week at Kelea Surf Spa in Costa Rica with the girls
9. Upgrade to the BMW Convertible
10. Vegan bacon that tastes the same as real farm fresh bacon.

Food Challege: Avocado, Mango & Watermelon Summer Salad

You may recll my recent post from Whole Foods where I picked up watermelon, avocado and mangos - with no plan about what the heck to do with them.

I ended up using a salad entree that I got at Houston's in LA as inspiration and whipped up this colorful, sweet and spicy salad that is perfect for a summer BBQ or healthy lunch.

Here's what went into it:
- Half a medium watermelon, cubed
- small handful of cilantro, chopped
- one mango, cubed
- 3 small cucumbers, sliced (1/2 inch sized)
- 2 avocados, cubed
- half a red pepper, diced
- quarter of red onion, diced
- quarter cup of feta, crumbled

Sprinkle with balsamic vinagrette and toss. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Project Vegetarian: Hank's

Great option for wannabe vegs, the market plate at Hank's Oyster Bar, 17th and Q in DC.



You can choose between their side items. Today I picked zucchini, sugar snap peas, onion rings, mac n cheese and cole slaw.



Don't tell my Mom, but my favorite was the zucchini!



DELISH!!!!!

Fave DC Spots for Sunny Days: Cantina Marina

Cantina Marina
Cantina Marina is a little slice of Florida feel in Washington. Nestled down on the docks of the Potomac River amid tourist boats and liveaboards, it caters to a mix of barflies from preppy Georgetowners to visiting sailors to neighborhood characters. I think most places with a view typically have abysmal food, but Cantina Marina is fairly solid. I'm a huge fan of the greek salad, the fish tacos -- and have long-been a sucker for the mini corn dog appetizer. Drink specials and pre-Nats game deals abound.

This Floridian pronounces it the closest you're gonna get to Key West in DC. And that ain't half bad.

Last Night at Nathan's: Part 1

Next Challenge

What should I make with avocado, mango and watermelon?

Summer Cocktail: Blueberry Margaritas

Go immediately to Arugula Files for the recipe. AMAZING summer cocktail, especially with all of the blueberries availble right now.

Market to Table: Fried Green Tomatoes

So, here's the evolution of my Annapolis green tomoatoes from market to plate. I used this Epicurious.com recipe as a basis, but subbed safflower oil instead of vegetable oil, and I used Whole Foods panko instead of cornmeal.

They were delish, although the panko may not have adhered as well as a cornmeal batter, but they still had the awesome tartness and crispy crunch.

I would definitely make again.

Question for the vegan crew... how does one fry things without using egg? [This could be the death knell of the movement for me if I have to forgo all things fried...]

World Peace?

Coke and Pepsi in the same fountain machine... Next up Israel and Palestine agree to live side by side in peace?

Vegetarian Kryptonite

Seriously? Why Lord, are you trying to tempt me like this? You know how much I love breakfast meats.

c/o NBC DC

Project Vegetarian*

I cheated a bit over the weekend (ugh, a buffalo chicken finger and a bite of a BBQ rib). I have to tell you, I feel better when I am eating more fresh veggies and locally grown food.

Just read the following post at www.ACleanLife.org which gave me the inspiration to kick it back into gear this week. Here's a sample, but check out the site and join the community to get more.

"You can buy and eat an apple and feel good. You could also buy a can of chopped apples and not feel good. The reason why this is so is simple too.

The fresher your food the better it is. If it was picked yesterday and you ate it today then it was the best for you. It also helps to have it picked during its peak maturity and not when its to young. Almost nothing in your local supermarket is fresh. All of it is picked too early or arriving weeks later. Often items in cans and boxes are months older (some don’t even go bad).

And, the older food is the worse it is for you."

Can't wait to make those fried green tomatoes AND eat the blueberry pie I picked up at Annapolis Farmers Market yesterday. YUM!

Project Vegetarian

These have a future. And it is fried.

Identity Crisis of Neighborhood Proportions

One of my favorite things about living in DC has always been the history, the quaint brick rowhouses, the downstairs coffeeshop, the little local restaurants where the staff recognizes me, the neighborhood characters. So why, after a decade, do I find myself in... Arlington.

And worse, why do I actually LIKE it. This little video can give you a glimpse, but as one of my friends put it, "you may as well be living in Tampa."



So... were all those gritty city loving years less that genuine. Was I playing in my own mental "The City" reality show? Because it's kind of nice having things clean, and safe, and being able to park without hassle.

And I really like guys in brown flip flops.

Guess you can't really take the Florida out of the girl, no matter how long she lives in DC.

Project Vegetarian

Can I reconcile being a vegetarian with my love of playing Big Buck Hunter?

DC: Not Everyone Is Boring Here

Lafayette Park (across from the White House)
Lunchtime
June 29, 2009

Man, I want to know this cat's story. So mad I didn't ask him.

Best. Inventions. Ever. (First in a Series)

Flip flops with bottle opener built in. One of the best inventions ever. My problem is, the guy version is ok... but the girl version is not so cute. Can Reef please parter with Juicy or Havianas to make a cuter version that I can wear with sundresses this summer?

Thanks.

Is This Coffee Cake Smiling At Me?

Dear Starbucks Very Berry Coffee Cake,

Just because I am trying to eat more veg doesn't mean I will fall for your flirtations.

K, thanks!

PS. Although you *are* reduced fat...

Project Vegetarian*

I've tried this once before. Less on moral grounds, and more because meat grosses me out. My friends will recall my run in with a PETA "How to Be a Vegetarian" book on the METRO a few years back. And, I thought, oh, I can totally do this.

By Friday, I was already conceding ground. Bacon was off the table, PETA. Non-negotiable. In fact, as my pal @cdrhoo pointed out, ALL breakfast meats should really be exempt... because the contain crack and we just can't quit.

Saturday brought on game day. Not just any game day. Tailgating in Charlottesville for the UVA-FSU game. And @cdrhoo's mom brought those chicken fingers that are to die for. By the end of the game (FSU lost) and 432 Miller Lites, I had to concede that I was a vegetarian except breakfast meats, chicken of the finger variety, taco meat, pepperoni and cheeseburgers. Oh, and seafood... not really meat, so totally allowed.

So this brings us to attempt number two. I've been reading Skinny Bitch. And meat STILL grosses me out (except the exemptions). I'm trying this again.

Last week, I can report that I fended off boneless chicken wings (yum) and cheeseburgers. Although, I have had seafood, some dairy and bought free-range, organic bacon at the farmers market (for $10 - but worth not having the guilt and chemicals)... I have essentially done it. And, I have to admit, it hasn't sucked.

On Tuesday, I made an awesome cucumber, tomato, feta and red pepper salad. Yesterday, I had an apple for breakfast, a plum for a snack, hummus followed by a arugula, blackberry & camembert salad, and then chips & salsa (and wine!) for dinner.

Perhaps blogging about the journey, and all it's temptations, will keep me (more) honest.

* I'm working to rid myself of the asterik. Baby steps, Bob.