Rombello 2013

Hi folks!  I wanted to write a quick post about my recent adventures on the high seas aboard the Norwegian Pearl.  Mr. G is almost finished with his recent tour with Michael Franti & Spearhead, but last week we got to go on Rombello 2, a 4 day musical festival at sea.  It was a BLAST!  There were tons of amazing bands playing throughout the trip and I am so glad I was able to discover some new music.  Here is a snapshot of the trip and I hope to join all of the amazing people on Rombello 3!

For a complete list of the lineup click here.

Some of my favorite bands were Ozomatli, Tribal Seeds, Space Capone, Full Service, Greenhouse Lounge,  Brother Joscephus and the Love Revolution, Bumpin Uglies and Naia Kete.



We have arrived!



On board the Norwegian Pearl-Port of Miami

Sailing away to Michael Franti & Spearhead 

Michael Franti & Spearhead

Beautiful, calm sea

View from the balcony in our room

Brother Joscephus and the Love Revolution

Ozomatli with Naia Kete

Mr. and Mrs. G Money

Space Capone 

It's Been A Few

I've been in the mood to write more lately, so get ready for some more blog posts!  I've been really trying to get healthy and be consistent with my healthy eating and getting some exercise in.  I can't wait to share some simple, but good recipes with you.  

Thanks to Spotify, I've also been listening to a lot more music lately.  I go through phases where I am either out of the loop or can't stop listening to anything and everything.  Living in Austin has its perks as well, and there are concerts a plenty coming up.  So many concerts, so little time, right?  

Later, I will share my trip to Port Aransas.  This is the second summer Little S has been to the coast and she had the best time.  She is such an easy going kid.  Always happy and loves doing just about anything.  Mr. G and I have a cruise coming up as well.  Anyone else going to Rombello on the Norwegian Pearl?  Mr. G was going on the cruise for work so he invited me along.  Since our 5 year anniversary is in December, I figured we could use that as our anniversary trip.  

I'll leave you with a song that has been in my head for the last 2 weeks or so.  Enjoy.

Grizzly Bear-Two Weeks

Some Like It Hot

It's chile season...again!  Truer words have never been spoken.  I wish I could say I grew some Hatch chiles in my garden, but I did not.  I purchased some at the local grocery store, where the chiles are overflowing in the produce department. 

Mr. G is home this week so I usually ask him what he wants to eat while he is home.  He convinced me to buy
a pork tenderloin and the chiles.  I was going to roast the pork and make some sort of Hatch chile stuffing, but we must have been on the same wavelength, and figured a green chile pork stew would be better.  My taste buds died and went to heaven last night. 

I will give Mr. G the credit for this one since he did most of the work.  The recipe used is here.  However, there were a few modifications.  We used a pork tenderloin cut into chunks which I think cooked perfectly in the stew.  We used one can of diced tomatoes, liquid drained, in place of the fresh tomatoes.  I only bought 4 Hatch chiles, instead of the 8 in the recipe, so we added 1 roasted red pepper.  We did not add the jalapeno only because we didn't have any.  Vegetable broth was used in the Gagnon version, intead of the chicken or beef.  We had a small can of green enchilada sauce that was thrown in as well, but does not need to be added.  Mr. G and I like to add everything but the kitchen sink into our recipes.  Additional seasoning was added-about 1 tablespoon of cumin, 1 tablespoon of garlic power, and I sliced about 8 garlic cloves instead of only 1.  Seriously, I can never have too much garlic.  All of this cooked in ONE pot (hooray for easy cleanup), for about 2 hours.  It was served with rice, diced avacado, sour cream and fresh cilantro.  Try this recipe and you can thank me later!

California, Rest In Peace

So I took my FIRST trip to Los Angeles last month.  I emphasize the word FIRST, because I will be going back again soon.  I loved, loved, loved it.  I kind of hate myself for loving it so much because I just think money, celebrity, plastic surgery, and mansions.  What it ended up being like for me was the perfect weather, pretty beaches, gorgeous views, and incredible food.

Having a husband that works in the entertainment industry certainly has its perks.  Such as taking an impromtu trip to Los Angeles for a few days with hotel paid for with said husband and his brother, my partner in crime during the trip.  Mr. G unfortunately had to work most of the time we were there.  I had four whole days to take everything in and wanted to make sure I used my time wisely.  Luckily, there are direct flights from Austin to LA, so we made it in to LAX bright and early.

Here is a little rundown of my adventure...........

Coffee Co. Restaurant
Santa Monica/Venice Beach
Katsu-Ya Studio City
Blu Jam Cafe-Melrose
Kogi BBQ truck-Beverly Hills
Mulholland Overlook
Laurel Canyon
Greek Theater
Griffith Observatory
Mel's Drive-In
Watts Towers
In N Out Burger
Pinkberry
Los Angeles Farmers Market
Koreatown
Forest Lawn Cemetery-Hollywood Hills
Myung In Dumplings
Hollywood Farmers Market
Coldwater Canyon Park
Point Dume State Beach-Malibu
Pizzeria Mozza

View from Griffith Observatory

Hollywood Farmers Market picnic

Driving through Laurel Canyon

Mmmm dinner

Santa Monica

Forest Lawn Cemetery-Hollywood Hills

Santa Monica Pier

Photos courtesy of Mr. G

Have You Ever Seen The Rain?

It's that time of year in Texas.  It's raining.  April showers really do bring May flowers.  The blue bonnetts are out and my roses have popped.  Mr. G has planted a ton in the garden and we will soon have onions, peppers, tomatoes, artichokes, cucumbers, and plenty of herbs. 

It is dark and raining out this morning and it would be the perfect day to bake.  I have a zuchinni bread and beet cake lined up for later this week/weekend.  The beets came from my mother in law's garden and the zuchinni I have had on hand and they need to be used. 

I recently made a coconut cream pie and I wanted to share the recipe.  I've made banana cream and chocolate cream pies in the past and making homemade pudding is one of my favorite things to do now.  The recipe I used for the coconut cream was really easy and very tasty. 

 

Coconut Cream Pie-Recipe courtesy of Epicurious

 

Crust

• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 3 tablespoons chilled solid vegetable shortening, cut into small pieces
• 4 tablespoons (or more) ice water

Filling

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 large egg yolk
• 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1 1/2 cups sweetened flaked coconut
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon coconut extract

Topping

• 2/3 cup sweetened flaked coconut
• 1 1/4 cups chilled whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon coconut extract

What is your favorite thing to do on rainy days?  Favorite dessert?  Feel free to leave me some love!

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

I should have dated this Saturday March 30, 2013 because that is when I actually wrote it :)


So, tomorrow is Easter and I am over my head with all that I have to prepare for brunch with the family. Next year, I am going out. I don't care how much it costs. I don't even celebrate Easter. But regardless, it should be a good spread and I'll share more tomorrow. Any holiday is a good excuse for family to get together and eat.

My partner and crime, Little S, is as tired as I am writing this post and I'm ready to pass out but there is still more to do.

I did want to share a quick recipe with you before I say goodnight. It was so quick and easy and something my brother in law made that I have since replicated twice this past month. I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter and enjoys their time with family tomorrow.

Sweet Potatoes with Swiss Chard

1 sweet potato, cut into small dice
1 bunch of Swiss or Rainbow Chard (about 6-8 stalks) stems cut into small dice and leaves roughly chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 to 1 teaspoon cayenne
Salt to taste

Heat the oil on medium high heat and add the sweet potato. Cook until brown then lower the heat to low and allow the sweet potatoes to cook through, about 15 min. Add the stalks and cook 5 more min. Add the leaves. Season with salt and cayenne. Voila! Goes great with fish or just by itself.

Take Me To The Mediterranean

I have been obsessed with chickpeas lately.  Which is weird, because I generally don't like them, especially in salads.  But I have been using them a lot more in dishes lately.  Anything from Indian dishes like Chana Masala to Mediterranean salads.  Chickpeas, or garbanzo beans, are nutty and more firm than other beans which adds a nice texture to a chopped salad.  If eating them whole isn't your thing, throw them in a food processor with some lemon and tahini and you're in hummus making business. 

Mediterranean Salad

1 cucumber, seeded and diced
1 handful of cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 whole roasted red pepper, chopped
1 can or jar of marinated artichokes, chopped
1/2 cup of feta cheese
1/4 cup of fresh mint leaves, chopped fine
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
4 TBS olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Combine all of the ingredients together and serve immediately or refrigerate for an hour or two first to let the flavors combine.  You can also serve on top of some field greens. 

What is your favorite way to use chickpeas?