Beet & Goat Cheese Napoleons

Last Friday, The Curley's invited a few of us over to help eat up some leftover veggies they had from their farm share. Maegen introduced us all to Beet & Goat Cheese Napoleons, a recipe she found on a blog titled, "Eggs on Sunday." They looked just splendid with their cute little beet hats and tasted even better. They were a great start to our summer meal. Thanks Maegen!

Ingredients

4 medium beets, greens trimmed off and reserved (leave about 1 inch of stem on the beet)

a 4-ounce log of goat cheese (you may not use it all)

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1 bunch (a handful) of chives

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the beets on a large rectangle of aluminum foil and fold the sides of the foil up around the beets to form a package. Before you seal the package, put a little bit of water in the bottom of the foil with the beets. Seal the package, place on a baking sheet, and roast in the oven for 1 hour.

Meanwhile, make the chive oil: first, set aside a few chives to chop for garnish. In a blender or food processor, puree the rest of the chives together with the olive oil. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a container, pressing on the solids. You won’t use all the chive oil in this recipe, so you can save the remainder in the fridge.

When the beets are done, remove them from the foil and let them cool completely. You can then slip the skins off of the beets: do this carefully, so that you preserve the thin, long tails of the beets. Slice each beet across its diameter into 4 total slices (see pictures above), and set aside.

Using a sharp knife, cut 12 thin slices of goat cheese from the log, and set aside. Wash and spin dry the beet greens, then stack them (whole) on top of one another. Cut the greens crosswise into slivers, then use your fingers to gently mix the slivers together.

Make the balsamic reduction by placing the balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan, bringing to a boil, turning down the heat just a bit and simmering until it’s reduced to a thicker, syrupy consistency, about 5 minutes. Keep an eye on it – it goes fast! Set aside in a small dish while you plate the napoleon and greens.

Plate the beets and greens: Divide the slivers of greens among 4 plates, piling them in the corner of each plate. Construct a napoleon on each plate by layering the slices of beets and goat cheese. Begin with a beet slice, top with a goat cheese slice, and continue alternating the remaining 3 beet slices and 2 goat cheese slices, ending the layers with the piece of beet that has the tail attached. Basically, you’re reconstructing the beet, just layering goat cheese in between the slices.

Season the beet napoleon and the greens with a little sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Drizzle the chive oil and balsamic reduction artfully over the greens and napoleon, sprinkle a few of the chopped remaining chives over the top, and serve.

The Zoo!

I've been out in Fort Wayne, Indiana for the past few days visiting with family. Yesterday, my Dad and I went to The Fort Wayne Zoo! I adore catching a glimpse of these exotic creatures up close but, in the past I've found that seeing the animals in captivity and living in less than ideal environments is heartbreaking. Dad and Jane said they were pleased with their experience at the FWZ in the past. So, off we went. 

These animals seemed to be living it up in their mud bogs, pools and leafy treetops! The zoo was in great shape and felt as natural as a zoo can feel. 

The kangaroos looked the most pleased with their surroundings. They were not confined by anything! There was a thin, low sitting wire around the perimeter of their living area. It wasn't electrified. Even if it was, these animals can jump up to 10 ft and could escape with one good leap. So, why aren't they confined? I asked the zookeeper and she said, "They seemed to have all they need: shade, food and companionship." My dad and I watched them and thought about it...we agreed. They probably were quite content. 

Comfort food in July?

I tried a couple of new recipes this evening. I was pleasantly surprised! The salad was a bit too heavy on the cilantro for my taste but, I still enjoyed it. I am not the best at coupling dishes together. I just pick out what looks good to me in the moment. I think I made a summer salad and a winter entree tonight. I've done this before...oh well. I learn. The tilapia was really rich and just what I was in the mood for on this cold and rainy July night. Where, oh where is the summer weather? Here are the recipes...

Cilantro, Avocado, Tomato and Feta Salad

Ingredients:

8 roma (plum) tomatoes, diced

3 jalapeno peppers, seeded and diced

3 bunches green onion, sliced

4 ounces crumbled garlic and herb feta cheese

4 avocados, peeled pitted and diced

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

3 bunches cilantro, chopped

salt and ground black pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients except avocado and lemon. After mixing, add avocado and drizzle the lemon juice over avocado to keep it from turning brown. Mix again and serve.

Broiled Tilapia Parmesan

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup butter, softened

3 tablespoons mayo 

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon dried basil

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/8 teaspoon onion powder

1/8 teaspoon celery salt

2 pounds tilapia fillets

Preheat your broiler. Mix Parm, butter, mayo and lemon juice. Season with dried basil pepper, onion powder and celery salt. Mix and set aside. Broil fillets without mixture for 2 minutes. Flip and broil for 2 more minutes. Remove fillets from oven and cover them with Parm mixture on top side. Broil for 2 more minutes or until topping is brown and fish flakes easily with a fork. 

Yummy!

Why are weekends only two days long?

I'm sad to see the weekend come to an end. I could use a few more days like yesterday & today to relax, regroup, and refresh. 

On Saturday, I was able to hit a few garage sales in the morning, lounge by the lake with Craig, Gina and some new friends in the afternoon, and visit with Hannah, Isaac, and Vanessa for drinks and a movie in the evening. Fun!

After making a pancake breakfast at home this morning, Steve and I met up and headed to Camel’s Hump (4,079 ft) for a hike. At first, the clouds in the sky looked a bit ominous. But, as we hiked up the sun began to peek through the trees. The trail was quite muddy from all of the rain we’ve gotten but, we managed to find our way around the small bogs and up to the top. 

Steve checked in at one point to see where his iphone said we were. Surprise! It told us that we were actually in the middle of the woods.

As always, it was chilly on the west side of the mountain.

A large number of us were enjoying the view from the east side when, all of a sudden, a hiker launched a kite into the sky from a laying down position. The wind was whipping. We were all pretty sure that either he was going to get swept away by the power of the wind underneath his kite or we were going to die due to head trauma upon kite impact. The loud sound the kite made was very unsettling. Finally, a group decision was made among the other hikers and one woman went over to the kite flyer and asked him to kindly bring his kite down. He did. Shortly after that…Steve and I started our hike down. Our trip up and down the mountain took a total of 3 hours.

Somehow it’s already 8:30pm. This day has flown by. I think I'll sleep well tonight. Goodnight!

A couple of updates...

Ingrid is making great progress! She is pushing out some beautiful, new healthy leaves. Check her out!

As for the hundreds of tadpoles living in my mom's backyard pond...they are still growing.  

 The squirrels at the cabin have won the battle this year. All but, one pot of Geraniums remains. Sad.

That was a GOOD-bye!

Yesterday was a doozy of a day but, the last quarter of it was sure amazing and just what I needed. Our little community is constantly changing: people are moving away for new jobs, leaving the security of a salaried job to embrace the world of freelance, or heading off to graduate school. 

Last night, friends said au revoir to Zak who is moving to New Haven, CT (where they have their own style of pizza, Apizza?) for graduate school. Ross will be heading to Colorado to dive into his new life as a freelance videographer and editor. Angela is moving to Atlanta to be closer to family. They will all do really well. A bunch of us met up at a local bar called, Esox and chatted it up. What an amazing group. Thanks for being super fun everybody. Next time, I'll bring my own Kleenex. Oh...and Chris, thanks for the impromptu currency exchange. I woke up his morning with more American money than I started with last night. Excellent. 

Fair Weather Grouch

Why do I feel so grouchy on the first sunny day we've had in, what feels like, two months? Hmm...

• My 1998 Honda is dying a slow death at the young age of 108,000 miles.  I'm on the verge of losing REVERSE and 3rd gear and I need a new muffler, (say it with me, "ALREADY?").

• Today, I am barely able to text from my phone without the screen sticking and then powering down...iphone anyone?

• My first month of ridiculously expensive rent is due in just 16 days. I love you Burlington, with all my heart (and money).

• Work, is just that these days.  

• I wish I would could get everywhere I wanted and needed to be in this country, at no cost. 

One step at a time.  

I'm looking for patience today...patience and solutions. Where are you two? Oh, right. It's sunny out. You're both hanging out by the water having an ice coffee. Hmph. I am coming for you...AND WHEN I FIND YOU GUYS!!! (sigh)...everything will be better. 

In the meantime, I'll just look at someone else's silly face and remember, it's just life. With a little hard work, patience, and luck, things will be looking up real soon. 

Eye Candy

I recently visited photoeye.com to check out some of their new arrivals. I found a bunch of photography books that I would love to have in my home someday. Here are a few that look quite interesting. 

Avedon Fashion

1944-2000.

Photographs by Richard Avedon. Text by Carol Squiers, Vince Aletti and Philippe Garner.

Harry N Abrams, New York, 2009. 372 pp., 245 illustrations, 45 in color, 9¾x12½". 

China Paused.

The Plastic Eye Series.

Photographs by Faustinus Deraet.

Tumbona Ediciones, 2008. 128 pp., Numerous black & white illustrations, 6½x6¼".

Works 80-08.

Photographs by Andreas Gursky. Text by Martin Hentschel.

Hatje Cantz, 2009. 272 pp., 174 color illustrations, 8x10".  

His optical fanaticism is not an effect of specific consumerist critique so much as a desire to set before the eye what was deemed too much for the mind, pressing the extreme surfeit of the world's contents against its limits.

Horizons. 

Photographs by Sze Tsung Leong. 

Yossi Milo Gallery, 2008. 40 pp., 36 color illustrations., 11¾x8½". 

http://www.szetsungleong.com/horizons_index.htm

Simen Johan

Published: 10/2004

Kunstnernes Hus, Oslo, Norway, www.kunstnerneshus.no

11"x12" Catalog, 25 color plates, 47 pages

Grandma, your smile sure warms up a room!

This past week, my Grandma Clair ended up in the hospital for a few days. She and my Dad both caught a cold on the flight home from Vermont a few weeks ago. What a drag! It really took a toll on her. At the delicate age of 94, things can get complicated.  She is home now with my Dad and Jane who are taking great care of her but, her body is still weak. I am thinking of her lots these days…and hoping to have a visit with her in the next two weeks.   

Earlier this afternoon, I decided to head down to the cabin to check in on things. I haven’t had the chance-in between renters-to get things looking the way we like them to. By 3pm today, I knew the rain was imminent. I started working on the yard upon arrival. We’re getting to the point where we could use more rocks on the upper portion of the path-they’ve just been raked away. That’s on the agenda for later this summer. The foliage is growing so quickly with all the rain. It's hard to keep up with the new growth! OK. Well...not everything is growing. I’m sorry to report that we’ve lost all but 2 of our 20 Geranium plants. For some reason the squirrels aren't disturbing the pot that sits in between the three Adirondack chairs. Strange. Anyway...

Once inside the cabin, I spent some time straightening, sweeping, mopping, dusting, etc. When things were looking pretty good I decided to tackle a slightly larger project. I have wanted to straighten up the shelves in the living room for some time now. There are so many interesting items in the cabin…sometimes they take over. While I was going through things, I found one small, mustard colored envelope.  I peeked inside and found some old family photos. A few of them were taken on my Grandma’s wedding day. For years and years we’ve had the essence of family weaved throughout the cabin: pictures, poems, notes that are part of our family history. This poem is missing from the kitchen but, I still remember it:

Thank God for dirty dishes;

They have a tale to tell.

While others may go hungry,

We're eating very well

With home, health, and happiness,

I shouldn't want to fuss;

By the stack of evidence,

God's been very good to us. 

A few years ago many of the family photos that decorated the walls of the cabin went to Indiana to be with my Grandma. I’ve missed them so much. The soul of the cabin is different without them. So, I can’t tell you how pleased I was to find this short stack of photos of my Grandmother looking so happy! Things feel better already. Here are the before and after photos. Fun!

“Fashion fades, only style remains the same.” -Coco Channel

Fashion...smashion, right? Well, I guess the quote above sort of resonates with me. 

Here are a couple of women that project an amazing personal essence and sense of style. The clothes and accessories they're wearing appear to be fairly basic, although they might have been a pretty penny at retail. Denim and cotton make an appearance, accompanied by summer plaids and some items in essential black, grey, and white. Those details make each outfit look super comfy and totally wearable.  

Style can be defined as having an elegance, a sophistication, a distinct appearance or a unique manner of doing something. I pulled each of these images because a.) I like the outfits and how subtle their lines are AND b.) because I like how the women look like they feel on the inside, (OK- that one below in the leather jacket has amazing hair).

In a couple of these images, the outfits take a back seat to an expression. That is refreshing to see on a fashion blog and something I like seeing promoted. Aspire to be positive and confident in yourself. If you are, it will show. Those qualities will always be fashionable. 

 

These images were pulled straight from fashion blogs so, there is a chance that these women are just really great actresses. They may be on their way home to continue life as The Devil but, who cares! They are fun to look at and they certainly provide a bit of inspiration.  

 

 

Peila's CHERRIES!

I’ve just gotten word that a shipment of cherries is en route to Vermont…all the way from Royal City, WA! My good friend Joe Peila and his family have been picking away on their 50 acre cherry orchard for the last few weeks. Thanks Joe!

He said, “you better share or you’ll be crapping in your pants.”

http://josephpeila.com/home.html

Long weekend!

As I was wandering into work this morning, I realized that I’ve only worked three of the last ten days!  No wonder I am so tired. I think I’ve been making the most of my time away from the office. 

This 4^th of July weekend was a bit different than those in the past - I was sans family (sigh).  But, it was still filled with yummy food, fireworks, friends and of course Wimbledon, Roddick VS. Federer: 7-5, 6-7, 6-7, 6-3, 14-16! This match had me gasping, squeezing my “stress ball” and making strategic trips to the bathroom during commercial breaks.

Last night I wound down from it all by trying out a new restaurant in town called, The Bluebird Tavern. This was an unexpected treat! Maegen, Annie and I sat down at a table on their screened in porch at 5:30pm and didn’t get up for 3 hours. The weather was perfect yesterday so the fresh air was a must. We took our time ordering from their unique menu.

“At Bluebird Tavern we emphasize local, sustainable, and delicious food grown by our friends. We are committed to bringing our guests the best offerings from the market and from the farm. Our menu changes daily, in honor of the subtle shifts in the harvest.”

Throughout the evening we tried, bacon candied almonds, island creek oysters with lemon vinegar (my favorite!), ricotta gnudi with mint, peas and favas, a double burger with boucher blue cheese and frites and finally strawberry shortcake! This was the best food I’ve had in some time.  The service was great (thanks to Pete our super cute server) and the food was perfectly prepared. Check it out!

http://bluebirdvermont.com/

My new water vessel, Ingrid.

The name Hydrangea, comes from two Greek words... hydro meaning "water" and aggeion meaning "vessel". I’m learning that this variety of flowering plant requires lots of it (water)!

I was recently gifted a floundering indoor Hydrangea. Her leaves were parched and she needed a little attention. My mission now, is to revive her so I can watch her reach her full, flowering potential! I’ve learned that Hydrangeas like cool conditions and soil that is not allowed to dry out. They enjoy bright light but no direct sun. So, I have watered her daily and checked in frequently to watch for progress. It’s only been a few days but, I’m seeing something... Check this out!

Rucchi named her for me. Ingrid Hydrangea.