Cooking - Summer Night Italian Dinner

August 5, 2015

(Listen to the playlist for the full experience)

We are all generally on good terms with summer nights. Summer nights are like the angel that gracefully descends onto your sweaty head after a long hot day. Summer nights are an excuse to party on a weekday. Summer nights make you want to dine al fresco just because you can. Summer nights usually involve good food, drinks, and good company. Summer nights make you feel like you can eat lots of ice cream and never get fat.

I threw in some home-grown cherry tomatoes I got from a colleague and they were amazing — I threw in some home-grown cherry tomatoes I got from a colleague and they were amazing

On a random Tuesday night, I decided to cook some fun, SUPER EASY, Italian-inspired dishes for a romantic dinner on the patio. Thankfully there were no turkeys outside (refer to this post for the turkey story), so we could actually enjoy the dinner in peace.

I used whole wheat pasta to feel less guilty about the dessert..

I cannot stress enough how easy yet delicious these dishes are. The only thing you even need to use heat for is to cook the pasta noodles. In literally 15 minutes, we had this dinner on the table.

Italian wine is something I know absolutely nothing about. Hoping for better luck next time I choose an Italian white wine (suggestions welcomed in the comments).

To end the dinner, we made some affogato with local ice cream from Mission Hill Creamery and Nespresso. Never appreciated the Nespresso machine in the house 'til I discovered I can make affogato in 10 seconds.

Note to self: Get an ice cream scooper. But seriously, this affogato was amaaaazing. Perfect way to end the beautiful meal.

Watermelon Salad

By Susie Song

Published 08/05/2015

Ingredients

1/4 watermelon, cubed
Sunflower sprouts
Goat cheese, crumbled
Balsamic vinegar
Edible flowers for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Spread the cubes of watermelon on a flat plate
Toss a generous amount of sunflower sprouts on top of the watermelon
Throw a generous amount of goat cheese crumbles
Drizzle two tbsp of balsamic vinegar on the salad
Garnish with edible flowers

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 00 hrs. 05 mins.

Cook time: 00 hrs. 05 mins.

Total time: 10 mins.

Tags: watermelon, salad, summer, summer salad

Summer Pasta

By Susie Song

Published 08/05/2015

Ingredients

1/2 box of pasta noodles (linguine, spaghetti, thin spaghetti, etc.)
2 tbsp minced garlic
Tomatoes (amount can be adjusted as desired; usually about 3-4), seeds removed
10 large basil leaves, julienned
4 tbsp olive oil
Salt
Fresh ground black pepper
Parmesan cheese, grated
Extra basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Boil a pot of water, and cook the pasta noodles with salt
In a large bowl, mix all other ingredients
Drain the pasta and toss in the large bowl. Mix well
Place the pasta on a plate, and top with a generous amount of parmesan cheese
Garnish with small basil leaves (optional)

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 00 hrs. 05 mins.

Cook time: 00 hrs. 10 mins.

Total time: 15 mins.

Tags: pasta, summer, summer pasta, italian

Destination - Havana, Cuba

June 15, 2015

(Listen to the playlist for the full experience)

Ever since I saw Buena Vista Social Club for the first time about 15 years ago, Cuba has been my #1 dream destination. That's such a typical story for all the Cuba-lovers out there, but I almost believe there are certain people who are destined to be attracted to this country. And the movie is just one of the many ways the country calls your name - IF you are chosen, that is.

Sipping on Hemingway's favorite mojito and listening to this band @ La Bodeguita Del Medio — Sipping on Hemingway's favorite mojito and listening to this band @ **La Bodeguita Del Medio**

The best way to visit Cuba is to go with absolutely no expectations. Because whatever you expect, the country will show you the exact opposite, and you will often find yourself being disappointed. During my short trip, I was disappointed and depressed at so many moments, but also exhilarated, inspired, then in love. I'd never felt so bipolar in my life 'til this trip.

Visiting Cuba is like that crazy relationship you could never get out of - there's no way to have any sort of control over how things will go. It's exactly like that, and more.

Now that it has been legalized for Americans to freely visit the country, I expect there to be a lot of changes - both good and bad. But the Cuba in my memories will never change. The innocent people who also happen to be scammers, the heart-wrenching music you hear in every corner, the kids and dogs on the streets, the sunsets.. Everything romantic and disgusting, I will remember.

Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos @ Plaza de la Revolucion — Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos @ **Plaza de la Revolucion**

Hemingway's favorite daiquiri @ El Floridita — Hemingway's favorite daiquiri @ El **Floridita**

Adios, my Cuba.

Destination - Eating My Way Through Portland

June 10, 2015

(Listen to the playlist for the full experience)

Tasty Mary @ Tasty & Alder — Tasty Mary @ **Tasty & Alder**

You have to agree with me that the best travel itineraries are the ones that are built around food. And Portland is one of the best cities for such itineraries.

Coalition Dill Pickle Gose @ Lardo — Coalition Dill Pickle Gose @ **Lardo**

Chocolate Potato Doughnut @ Tasty & Alder — Chocolate Potato Doughnut @ **Tasty & Alder**

Korean Fried Chicken @ Tasty & Alder — Korean Fried Chicken @ **Tasty & Alder**

In the beautiful city of roses, you will find some well-done American cuisine as well as ethnic dishes, solid microbrews, the finest coffee, amazing local pinot noir, the world's best donuts, and yards full of food carts.

With the freshest local ingredients and adventurous cooking styles, the dishes Portland puts out are nothing like what you can find elsewhere.