Random Things I Like

I was putting this post together and was going to do this whole bit about fast dinners. But, I ended up just writing about this condiment and microwavable rice I really like. So, fast dinners will come at another time, I guess.

If I'm eating dinner in a hurry, or preparing it in a hurry, I always include some kind of rice or whole grain. It'll keep me full for a long time and it's easy to pair with other random things. I try to have pre-cooked rice ready in the fridge or freezer, but some weeks are too busy for even that. So, I buy a few Seeds of Change ready-to-heat rice. I actually really like the Quinoa and Brown Rice blend.

I also really like gomasio as a topping for rice bowls. Gomasio is a blend of sesame seeds and salt, pounded together lightly. I like the kind with seaweed mixed into it. You can find it with all kinds of mix ins or just plain. Our co-op and our regular grocery stores sell the Eden brand, and one of our Asian markets sells a bunch of various brands and varieties. I love sesame seeds/oil so I end up using it an awful lot. I feel like this would also be good sprinkled on top of a veggie pizza. We'll see!

Winter Sangria

I love sangria. We served a red wine sangria at our wedding reception along with a spiked apple cider. It was all delicious, and I think a few of the guests (myself included) learned a valuable lesson: eating fruit that's been soaking in liquor overnight is a real choice you have to consider carefully before making it. Because it might taste good (it probably won't), but you also might mess up your night. And the next morning. In the case of this sangria, don't eat the fruit. That being said, I think sangria is a drink for all seasons!

It's pretty easy to find a yummy sangria recipe, so you might already have your own favorite. I like a peach white wine sangria I have from an old page of Gourmet during the summer. It's light and refreshing, with a splash of sparkling water.

During the winter, I crave something a little heavier. Something with a bit of warming brandy, that's not too sweet and just a little tart, to be drunk warm or cold. This sangria is pretty much perfect for just that craving.

Winter Sangria

The recipe makes a large enough batch for 4 people to enjoy at least two glasses each. It can be served over ice or just straight from the fridge. It'd even be good warmed a bit, but I think you'd want each serving to be smaller in that case. This sangria packs a punch. We used Cara Cara oranges and a Granny Smith apple, but I think you could just use your favorite variations. If you want, this would be lovely garnished with a blood orange slice and floating fruit inside. One word of caution: don't eat the fruit that's been floating in the sangria. It soaks up mostly the brandy flavor and does not make for a pleasant experience.

1.5 liter bottle of red wine, I prefer Cabernet Sauvignon 

1 cup Lillet Rouge

1/4 cup Triple Sec

1/4 cup brandy

1 cup orange juice

2 tablespoons agave nectar

2 oranges, sliced into rounds

1 apple, cored and sliced

Mix all the liquids in a pitcher. Whisk in the agave nectar, spend about 30 seconds at least so that you know it's broken up. Add the fruit slices and refrigerate at least 5 hours, 24 hours would probably be even better. If you want to serve with fruit floating in glasses, slice fresh fruit to use for that.

Weekend in Review

My friend Andrew visited over the long weekend and we spent some quality time catching up, eating good food, drinking wine and shopping. It's always fun to show your city to a far-away friend!

Guest bed, prepared

Winter Sangria

Shoe twins! (Andrew and I)

Brunch table, set

Savory Bread Pudding

Notes:
-Andrew and I made up the sangria recipe somewhat on the fly, and it turned out to be delicious. It's definitely a bit boozier than your standard sangria, but yummy.
-We didn't plan matching outfits, but when it works out that way, you just gotta roll with it!
-My friend Ashley joined A, Andrew and I for brunch Saturday and it was low-key and delicious, I made Savory Bread Pudding. It's my go-to when making breakfast or brunch for a crowd. I'll post a recipe for the sangria and the bread pudding later this week. Hope you all enjoyed the long weekend!

T-shirts Tee-shirts Tea-shirts

I have a dear friend coming into town today and staying through the long weekend. So, I'll be away. But, I do have a random bit of shopping recommendation:

If you're looking for some basic tanks/t-shirts check out Threads for Thought.I'd been looking for t-shirts that 1) are long enough for my torso 2) are well-made 3) are affordable and 4) can be dressed up a bit with a blazer or jacket. I also have a few tanks for yoga class, which the last place you want to worry about a too-short tank top!

These are also made by a company that works towards a sustainable business ethic. The only hitch might be that they might be too long for short-waisted women, but the return policy is super generous. Also, they carry a full line of clothing, not just basics. I've never quite found anything I loved in their overall collection, but that might be worth checking out as well.

**This seems like a weird thing to have to say, but I got two emails asking this question over the past week so I just thought I'd answer here. When you see a paragraph like the one above, it's just about something I like and randomly decide to tell you about. There aren't any sponsored posts, and the blog itself isn't sponsored at all. It's just me, telling you about well-made t-shirts because I care. I care.

Dog Personality

We have two dogs, June (a 3 year old mutt, with some boxer, some pit and maybe some kind of hound mixed in) and Bailey (a 5 year old Golden Retriever). Both were adopted, and between the two of them they make our little family pretty hilarious.

Bailey+A's rabbit costume

Frisbee catch

Napping June

We found her sitting here, she allowed a few regal shots

The actual weekend, in review

carrot+sesame+miso soup

blood orange

overnight waffles

Bailey+morning light

A's notes+plans

frozen yogurt, fruit, salted caramel sauce

Notes:
-The soup is from Smitten Kitchen and it's great. I froze a bunch (without miso, always add that after heating soup up)
-Lots of citrus eating going on here, our co-op has a ridiculous amount of blood oranges, cara cara navels and satsumas.
-Waffles from this book. Really delicious and super easy to throw together.
-We bought an ice cream maker and immediately used it to make frozen yogurt. The caramel sauce is from Yummy Supper. I let the sugar cook to a really dark brown rather than just amber and I use a bit more salt than called for.
-I think A is working on a chair in those plans.

Everything up to the weekend, in review

I went away for awhile, to enjoy the time post-Christmas and the New Year celebrations. But, now it's back to business as usual. And for January, that means lots of visits and lots of travel. Here's what I've been up to:

The start of a giant pot of veg chili

Winter fruit salad

A friend leaves part of her Christmas decorations up and calls them "winter decorations"

NYE Bubbly, all class, all the time

A sweet friend shows off THE BEST SALSA you can buy in a jar

I make coffee, all the coffee.

Not shown:

Watching half of the first season of Breaking Bad (it's just as good as everyone says), listening to lots of this guy, thanks to a big box set we got on major discount at a local record store, eating so much citrus fruit that my mouth kind of hurts and taking lots of naps.