Monday, July 29, 2013

What's For Dinner

Pork Chops with Basil Creamed Corn

Ingredients:


  • 4 bone in pork chops
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion - sliced
  • 1 pint mushrooms
  • 3 ears corn - shucked and cut from the cob
  • salt & pepper
  • crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 lime - zest & juice (separated)
  • 1 jalapeno - sliced
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tbsp sour cream
  • 1/2 cup loosely packed basil (torn)

Directions:

  • In a cast iron skillet over medium high heat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Season the pork chops generously with salt and freshly ground pepper. Once pan is hot, add the pork chops and cook 3 to 4 minutes per side. Set aside to rest.

  • In another skillet over medium high heat, add the remaining tablespoon olive oil. Add the onion and mushrooms and cook until mushrooms begin to crisp. Add the corn and jalapeno and season with salt, pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, and lime zest. Cook 2 minutes and then deglaze the pan with water. Once water has mostly evaporated, add lime juice, remove from heat and stir in the sour cream and basil.

  • Serve the pork chops with the basil creamed corn. 

This meal was delicious and perfect for a summer evening. 

Monday, July 22, 2013

Acrobatics & Alpacas

This weekend Brian and I had fun trying some new things and going to new places. Saturday we attended a birthday party in the evening at the Hyatt in Bellevue. I have only been out to Bellevue twice now (to enjoy dinner and drinks) and both times without a doubt felt like I didn't quite belong there. Meaning there are always fancy expensive cars parked out front, all the girls look like they could be the cast of "real housewives of Bellevue" and the men are typically "bro"ish. It's just not my style is all. So, one of the redeeming things about this party was the entertainment. There was a lady, and when I say lady I really mean she wasn't a young gal (mid to late 40's?), who did acrobatics. So that was certainly fun to watch and also slightly embarrassing as I have the flexibility of an 80 year old and actually in my 20's. 


Sunday Brian and I went to Kirkland. We had lunch, walked around the street fair and checked out the boat show. The boats were beautiful, most were the typical boats you see on the lake and then there was this little one on the end that truly belonged in the movie Moonrise Kingdom. I wanted it!! We came across this alpaca petting station and of course I had to stop and pet. This alpaca in particular was so funny because as he was eating carrots out of my hand he was whining uncontrollably. It was the funniest sound! And boy were these animals hungry/greedy! It was like a shark pit in there. 


Once we were home we went for a bike ride and I got a great leg workout. Yikes I'm out of shape but it was really nice to do together on a sunny day. 




 

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Vancouver

This past weekend Brian and I were able to get away to Vancouver for the weekend. We had a lovely time, Vancouver was very nice and most importantly it was SO nice to be able to spend a whole weekend together (sans distractions). 


The train ride was BEAUTIFUL



I ask Brian if he brought the toothpaste...







Why so many instructions for simple ear bud headphones?! 








Brian having fun with the Buddha Board





Stanley Park


These electric bikes were so fun we rented them two days in a row



Not bad for continental breakfast