Lunch at The Dish

The Dish Cafe is a cheerful little diner that serves the classics (think burger dips and tuna melts). The vibe is whimsical, the clientele varied, and the food fresh.

My friend A. and I hit the Ballard location so she could deliver some big news. After a long job search, she's found fab employment that's right up her science-loving, bird-appreciating alley. Sadly, she has to move. Again. (Boo.)

Less sadly, there may be a trip to Vegas in my future...

Anywho, here's a peak at our delish dish-sesh at The Dish.

Firstly, there's flowers at each table. And I snagged a window seat. :)

I enjoyed a tasty beverage while waiting.

There's an extensive menu, including the popular ALL DAY BREAKFAST. Oh yeah.

The decor is awfully cute, too.

Made from a selection of license plates.

 So. Much. Hot. Sauce.

This isn't even all of it.

 A little sugar, sugar.

A had the Seattle to Portland omelet with bacon, tomatoes, spinach and Parmesan, which was, "fantastic," plus a scone and grilled potatoes.

The deMandwich, a grilled sourdough sammy with turkey, (amazing) thick-cut bacon, spinach and Swiss cheese, and turkey noodle soup. And, it might be strange to mention, but that pickle was one of the best I've ever had...

Oh, the bacon.

Our waitress kindly snapped this photo.

If you're looking for a neighborhood experience with charm, sass and (hot) sauce, check it out!

And giant congrats to A.! You deserve all the wonderful things that I know are headed your way.

xoxo,
Robin

Mediterranean Skillet Pasta

I used to date a vegetarian. (He was cute.) This was around the time that I was giving the gluten-free diet thing a try, too. 

As happens, neither of those things worked out for me.

However, I have this *amazing* recipe to share with you as a result. It's got super-foods, healthy fats and tons of flavor! ;)

There's toasted pine nuts.

Buy pine nuts in the bulk foods section to avoid buying a quantity bigger than ya need.

Olives.

There is such a thing as personal olive dishes. Who knew?

Fresh fruit and veg.

And pesto. Everything's better with pesto.

I also had to show you the world's most photogenic tomato. Isn't she cute?

Ready for her close-up, Mr. Demille.

Each bite is different (and delicious) in this pasta! Creamy cheese, salty olives, chewy pasta and the richness of the pesto ties it all together.

Mediterranean Skillet Pasta

Serves 4 generously.

1/4 c. pine nuts

1 T. butter

1 T. olive oil

1 large shallot, chopped

8 oz. crimini mushrooms, cleaned and sliced

1/8 c. whole roasted garlic cloves in olive oil (found at the olive bar)

1 can reduced-sodium white beans

1/2 c. pitted mixed olives, halved

5 cups fresh spinach, chopped

8 oz. brown rice noodles (or regular wheat noodles)

1/3 c. prepared pesto

1/2 c. + 1/3 cup crumbled feta, divided (I used the kind marinated in olive oil and spices)

1 large tomato, chopped

1 lemon, sliced

In a pan, toast pine nuts over medium heat until they are golden brown and fragrant (they’ll sizzle); set aside. 

In the same skillet, sauté shallot in oil and butter over medium heat until translucent.  Add mushrooms and cook until they release their juices and are nicely browned.  Add garlic, white beans and olives; keep warm.

Cook pasta according to directions and drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta water.  Rinse the pasta in cold water. Add reserved pasta water and pesto to the bean mixture.

Over medium heat, add spinach to the skillet; cook until wilted.  Add the pasta and 1/2 cup feta cheese, and heat through. (If the mixture looks a bit dry, add 1/4 cup water.)

Top with toasted pine nuts, remaining feta, tomato and a slice of lemon. 

If only all my dating flops resulted in delicious pasta-ness! (I would have a book. And a larger behind. Truly.)

xoxo,

Robin

Spring!

Okay, okay. I know. There are lots of people in the U.S. with bucket-loads of snow, and spring might seem a million years away.

However, in Seattle, the weather lately has been almost...mild.

Just a few signs.

My namesake.

Yes, this is store-bought. But even the markets are getting their share of new plant-ables...

Hope these warm ya up a little!

xoxo,
Robin

Floored! An Essay on Process

It was my turn to wash the kitchen floor. I know it was my turn, because I asked my housemate to do it last time, and she did. Bless her heart.

And now I've watched as it slowly turned grayish and semi-disgusting again, and regretted that I didn't wait longer to ask her. For surely then the floor would be less bleh right now...

There are things I like doing a lot more than cleaning floors, like eating chocolate or stabbing myself with sharp sticks, because, when I clean the kitchen floor, this is my process:

1. Firstly, I shall wipe the countertops down, and then I’ll sweep.
2. These countertops are filthy, especially underneath the toaster.
3. Ohmygosh, LOOK at the toaster. I just had people over, and they saw this disgusting toaster. I’ll just wipe that down.
4. And dump, soak and wash the crumb tray.
5. All those crumbs. Some have even ended up on the stove. Which is filthy. Where is my cleaning spray?
6. I’ll just wipe down the oven while I’m at it.
7. And since I’m down here, these cabinets need a wipe down, too. What have I ever made that was pink that could have dripped down these cabinets…?
8. Wait. I haven’t even swept yet.
9. Just finishing up the countertops.
10. And the dish rack. Which has a film.
11. And the microwave.
12. And inside the microwave (how have I allowed so much food to invade the sacred heating space? Does the crusted-on food affect the quality of the food that is being prepared to be eaten? Is that a whole spinach leaf stuck in there?)
13. And the plants on top of the microwave. Those should be watered, too.
14. I’ll just rinse these rags out…in this sink that clearly hasn’t been wiped down in a pig’s ear (or is it age? Neither really makes sense, but at this point, what does?)
15. Cleaning fumes.
16. Okay, the whole kitchen is finally clean!
17. Except, of course, for the floor.
18. Sweep, sweep, sweep.
19. Sweep, sweep, sweep, AGAIN.
20. Mop, mop, mop.
21. Run out of mop pads.
22. Crouch on hands and knees and scrub, scrub, scrub.
23. Ta da!

Three hours later...

Gorgeous, isn't it? And the best part is...next time it's all up to my housemate!

xoxo,

Robin

Karaoke at Tarasco

Why, yes, this happened.

A little Saturday night karaoke in Phinney Ridge at Tarasco.

It started out calmly enough.

I met up with my friend Y. and her beau and his friend.

Love her chevron scarf.

His friend T.

Then these items arrived. I don't even want to tell you what those shots in the lower corner are...

Along with this...

Suddenly. This.

This.

This.

And more of this.

Even selfies. Naturally.

I think we were blinded by the light... Actually, the tiny green blobs in most of these pictures are thanks to these lights.

Can you do karaoke without a fog machine?

Which at times inexplicably displayed a pattern not unlike the Microsoft logo...

Ponderous, yes?

Not for long!

What fun looks like.

What a great, low-key, high-fun place to hang on a Saturday night! We covered everything from Aladdin to the Doors. The vibe was very casual, and the other karaoke-ers super supportive. Not badly priced, either.

Recommend, recommend, recommend.

xoxo,
Robin

Happy Valentine's Day!

From my trip to NYC this past year!

xoxo,

Robin

Easy Oreo Snack Mix

What's black and white and red all over? Ha, ha. It was supposed to be this snack mix, but a few tasty brown (think chocolatey/salty) items crept in, and what can I say?

What's a snack mix without chocolate?!

This mix is so easy.

1. You don't have to dirty any pans melting butter.
2. No measuring spices.
3. No heating the oven and stirring every 15 minutes, etc.

This is a toss together and eat delight. It's purdy. And tasty.

About this mix: you've got Oreos. I think I could stop right there, but I'll go on.

You've also got a little salt from the bagel chips, and a little tang from the cheesified popcorn, and a little peanut butter from the malt balls, and a little tartness from the cherries and a little heat from the cinnamon hearts, and little chew from the licorice, and a little crunch from the cashews.

Enjoy with a big posse of children on Valentine's Day, with your sweetie and/or your friends, or stash on top of the fridge for late-night munching allbyyourself!  ;)

Easy Oreo Snack Mix

Serves 8 - 10

1 cup mini Oreos
3 cups Smartfood cheesy popcorn
1/2 cup roasted, salted cashews
1 cup sea-salted bagel chips or pita chips
1 cup licorice bites (I used Twizzler Cherry)
1/3 cup cinnamon hearts
1/2 cup dried tart cherries
1 cup chocolate peanut butter-covered malt balls or chocolate-covered nuts

Add all ingredients in a large bowl. Stir gently with a spoon until combined. Serve!

Store leftovers in an airtight tin.

xoxo,
Robin