Wednesday Weekend Recap

It’s Wednesday and we’re recapping the weekend. Things have been busy! But I think a Wednesday weekend recap will do, especially for one as scrumptious as this.

Friday was spent with my sweet old high school friends at Cornerstone Brewing Company in Berea Square. Looking so adorable still dressed up for Christmas! Although their food doesn’t really light my fire, their Seven IPA is as delicious as they come and I can’t say no to that.

Saturday was so (rainy but) warm! A perfect winter day for a trip to the Westside Market. We bought ingredients for that evening’s dinner, healthier “fried” chicken and minty Greek salad. Plus a delightful loaf of fresh bread from my favorite, Mediterra Bakehouse. It was a lighter yet yummy supper, perfect for a January I’m-so-sick-of-resolutions-already dinner.

Post-dinner we crossed the first item off my 2014 CL Bucket List and attended the late show at Hilarities. Yannis Pappas was the headliner and as with all of the night’s comedians – just. too. funny. And only $18 a ticket! Why don’t we do that more often.

Sunday’s breakfast was rather decadent, another product of our WSM shopping trip. Sausage gravy and homemade biscuits. Dare I say better than Lucky’s? Perhaps not but certainly closer to home and impressively delicious for our first try!

Followed by way too much television time but who can resist all those gorgeous (and not so gorgeous) Red Carpet fashions? Not I. And so there’s last weekend. Likely, I’ll see you again after the next :).

xo Beth

Maple Pumpkin Oatmeal Bake

Happy Thanksgiving! And here’s to the many lucky things we have to be thankful for.

We’ve got a delicious bird and all of it’s trimmings to look forward to later – but first, we’re going to need to fuel up for this most important day of cooking.

Of course in anticipation of what’s to come, we can hardly settle for an ordinary breakfast on Thanksgiving morning. We’ll need something to share – delicious and decadent but not too rich. We’ll get to too rich later :).

So this morning, I took inspiration from a favorite baked oatmeal recipe and added an Autumnal twist.

Adapted from Maple Nut Baked Oatmeal by Eat Live Run

Maple Pumpkin Oatmeal Bake

• 2 1/4 cups old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
• Generous shake of cinnamon (plus more for serving)
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 1/2 cups whole milk (plus more for serving)
• 4 tbsp melted butter
• 1/4 cup Ohio maple syrup (plus more for serving)
• 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a 9×13 inch pan with cooking spray and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, walnuts, cinnamon, salt and baking powder.

In another bowl, combine eggs, milk, butter, maple syrup and pumpkin. Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix well. Pour finished mixture into greased pan.

Bake for 45-55 minutes until bake is golden brown along the edges.

Serve cut into squares, drizzled with milk and syrup and sprinkled with cinnamon. If you’re feeling especially decadent (and I always do), a blob of cream from last night’s pumpkin pie dessert will do nicely.

Serves Six

And enjoy, with the ones you feel most thankful for.

xo Beth

The Things I Love

Well, well, here come the holidays. Unlike some people, I don’t mind a little Christmas before Thanksgiving. Christmastime is beautiful and magical and happy and I see no problem with pulling a little of that inspiration into life prior to indulging in a Thanksgiving feast.

The holidays are lovely because, among other reasons, they’re a wonderful reminder to slow down and enjoy the things you love and often forget about. Like Indian Food? Oh yes. 

I just adore Indian food, such flavor! And it reminds me of our family in England because we all know how much those crazy Brits love their Indian takeaway. So I was very happy to give Cafe Tandoor a try the other night. Rich Butter Chicken, spicy Tandoori Lamb Masala, fluffy Saffron Rice and pillow soft naan. Indian food heaven.

And breakfast! Like a really solid, leisurely long breakfast with friends who make you laugh.

I’d heard Horseshoe Casino’s breakfast buffet was quite the fancy feast and the rumors are true indeed. We’re only talking weekday breakfast here and it was an epic spread. Fresh and warm too, which we’ve got to expect from any good meal.  Plus $3 mimosas! Who says no to that. Bring your stretchy pants, plan for a nap – casino brunch is not the fanciest of brunches, but it sure is fun :). 

And finally, a really good beer. I love craft beer although often ignore it since I also happen to love good wine and cocktails too (help). But happily Streat Burger leaves you with no choice, as beer is their only alcohol offering. But with a 99 Bottles of Beer menu, that’s quite alright! If you like (real) ginger ale then this Spiced Orange Ginger Beer by Crabbie’s has to be one of the best things I’ve tasted of late. What a refreshingly spicy brew!

Just an eclectic mix of a few of The Things I Love (and often forget). Happy *almost* Holidays dear reader.

xo Beth

Eastside, Westside

I love you Fall, please don’t go. Sadly, time seems to be flying, although not surprising given all that’s going on lately. My very best friend Emily and her two adorable boys are in town for two weeks. I’m dog sitting on the Eastside, but cruising back to the Westside every day to see Em. And back again! This is when a teleportation device sure would come in handy.

But I won’t complain about life being full of people and plans because that’s never a bad thing at all. Plus, all this back and forth allows for the best of both sides of town to find their way into my snack and mealtime rituals :).

On the Eastside: I read Cleveland Magazine’s ‘Best of Cleveland’ issue recently and of course took note of all of the Bests that I needed to check out for myself. Admittedly, they were all food-centric. Above you’ll see one of those delightful treats, a Katz Diner homemade pop tart. This one filled with cinnamon sugar, although I hear they come in a variety of flavors. Is it bad to admit I still love store bought pop tarts? Although I haven’t had one in a few years. This was of course much different and way better than that – so very adorable too. A more worthy splurge!

On the Westside: Smitten Kitchen’s Apple Slab Pie, made by the talented Emily herself. Filled with apples from Mapleside after a daytime visit this week. You’ll see the view from the farm at the very top of this post and I think I love Ohio a little more every time I look back at that picture. We have the very best Falls for sure.

Also of note, Big Fun for nostalgic toy shopping with the kiddos, Piccadilly for the most wonderful fro yo in C-town (I say), Brew Kettle for some delicious craft beer and catch up conversations and two very delicious meals at Em’s brother’s restaurant, Spice. Eastside, Westside, I love it all. The drive is not so hot but the people on either end are more than worth it. The food’s pretty good too :).

xo Beth

Birthday Feasting

 

October is a big month for my family as my mum and sister enjoy birthdays just a few days apart. So this past weekend called for a joint celebration, mostly in the form of lots of togetherness and (delicious) food. Louisa trekked home from DC, I made breakfast, my mum lunch and my dad dinner. Happy Birthday(s) indeed!

We began our Saturday with Eat, Live, Run’s Maple Nut Baked Oatmeal which is the stuff my breakfasty dreams are made of. I love breakfast, I have a lot. Especially delicious once cut into squares, dropped into bowls and drizzled with maple syrup and cream. Oh yes, happy Fall.

Although my dad is an incredible cook, for me there is one recipe that tops them all. In that case, I request it every Fall. And this Fall, my mum took over. Delia Smith’s Roasted Pumpkin Soup with Melting Cheese. I mean, pumpkin soup is amazing in most any form but this soup takes the cake for sure. Once served, little hunks of gruyere are dropped into each bowl, which is then topped with homemade croutons, fresh parsley, creme fraiche and another sprinkle of cheese. As you pull each delicious spoonful out of your bowl, little hunks of melty cheese come too, for a savory-sweet-creamy-rich-Autumn overload. It is heaven.

And finally, Jamie Oliver’s Upside Down Fish Pie. Served with lots of white wine and followed by one very giant carrot cake for dessert (the birthday girls’ favorite), compliments of our dear friend Kate.

A delicious Saturday! Our little family, good food, good wine, good friends, lots of presents and lots of laughter. How much fun is that.

xo Beth

Lago, Katz Club Diner and Marotta’s

A weekend full of good food, fun company, lots of sunshine and lots of outdoor time is rather close to perfection if you ask me. Lucky for me, this weekend was just that :).

Starting with a Friday night dinner at the new Lago. I’d been to Lago at it’s old location in Tremont a few years ago and remember it being delicious, so I was eager to try out their new version in the Flats. Admittedly, the first impression was not great: It’s got a nightclub-lounge feel now, which is not exactly my desired restaurant atmosphere. And the menu and wine list are quite cluttered, making them a little hard to navigate. But beyond that, our olives and cheese were good to start and my main: LOBSTER GNOCCHI – Ricotta Gnocchi, Tomato, Sweet Corn, Basil, Truœffle Cream Sauce was just as divine as it sounds. Soft gnocchi, generous hunks of lobster, sweet corn and earthy truffle. Whoever dreamt up that combination has captured my foodie heart. We also had a nice visit from their sommelier after expressing some disappointment with our first glasses of wine and ended up with a really lovely bottle: Podere Sapaio 2009. All in all, I really enjoyed our meal and hope they do well in their new spot.

Saturday morning I found myself in breakfast heaven, with a thick stack of Katz Club Diner blueberry pancakes. Crispy on the outside, fluffy-light inside, full of juicy bursts of blueberry. Plus real maple syrup and a good cup of coffee and I couldn’t have been more content. Love that spot.

With full bellies, we took a gorgeous stroll around the new Acacia Reservation – an old golf course turned trail across from Beachwood Place. An easy way to soak up some afternoon sunshine and enjoy the great outdoors.

But then it was so nice, (and how much longer does that last?) we had to make one more outdoor stop: Lakefront Reservation to gaze at our extra sparkly Lake.

Followed by a long nap and a delicious piping hot, extra chewy pizza to-go from Marotta’s for supper.

And finally, a little Mitchell’s to shut it down. Don’t worry, that monster wasn’t mine  – although it makes for a pretty picture!

So yes, good food, fun company, lots of sunshine and lots of outdoor time. I could get used to you Cleveland :).

xo Beth

Frasca Food and Wine

And now for our favorite part, the food. We ate lots of yummy dishes in Colorado (because what else is there in life?) but for the purposes of this post I’ll focus on one type in particular. Along Pearl Street in Boulder are three spots by the same creators: Frasca Food and Wine, Pizzeria Locale and Frasca Caffe. It’s pretty much a little stretch of heaven.

We’ll start with Frasca Caffe, where I enjoyed this indulgent breakfast one Saturday morning before a day at St. Julien Spa (tough life). The flakiest, lightly sweet, nutty-filled croissant paired with a creamy cappuccino and sprinkle of raw sugar. I love breakfast. In my world, this breakfast could not come closer to perfection :).

 

Another day, well okay two other days, we enjoyed lunch at the Pizzeria next door:

Vesuvius – heirloom tomato-basil-mozzarella di bufala

Frittatine – pasta-prosciutto cotto smoked mozzarella

Mais – mozzarella-prosciutto cotto-sweet corn-crème fraiche-garlic chive 

This pizza knocked my socks off so much I ordered it twice. Mountains are great and all but I think I could move to Boulder based on that picture alone :).

And another two days still we dined at Frasca. It’s a show, from the service to the wine presentation to the staging of dishes. Course after course of imaginative food make for one very entertaining evening indeed. I cannot think of anything I love much more than that.

Dinner on night one:

Tonno – Hawaiian Big Eye Tuna, Munson Corn, Heirloom Tomato and Dill

Gnocchi – Spring Onion, Smoked Ricotta, Red, Yellow and Chioggia Beet

Marlino – Hawaiian Striped Marlin, Eggplant, Cherry Tomato, Zucchini and Red Pepper

CROSTATA DI P RUGNA – Golden Plum, Almond, White Chocolate, Brown Butter and Plum Sorbet

You know, just for instance!

So yes, we ate well in Colorado, with much thanks to Frasca and company. From the food to the wine to the company to activity, our Colorado vacation was very good. And now I’m ready to embrace Cleveland once again with renewed zest. Perhaps we can find some cuisine worth comparing :).

xo Beth

The Rib Cage & Katz Club Diner

(Joy the Baker’s dangerously easy Single Girl Melty Chocolate Cakes from Saturday dinner at home)

All that sunset watching, volunteering, shopping and Indians gaming sure works up an appetite. So let’s talk food!

First a visit to The Rib Cage in Cleveland Heights. From their FB page: We are a Slow Food Movement adherent, farm-to-table smokehouse featuring pork, beef, and poultry from local, sustainable, and ethical farmers who share our vision. We have created smoked masterpieces from scratch that we promise are unmatched by any other Cleveland barbecues.

It. was. delicious. I had a pulled pork sandwich with bourbon baked beans and creamy coleslaw. The meat was melt-in-your-mouth and so very flavorful. The beans were a  boozy combination of 3 different kinds, (love how pretty that looks) and the coleslaw a crunchy mix of cabbage, radicchio, carrots and thinly sliced apples. I love how much detail went into each element and somehow the food wasn’t too heavy. Cozy atmosphere + friendly service and I think we have a win. (I just typed wine, someone help.)

On Sunday morning, a round II visit to The Katz Club Diner. We went for dinner a few weeks ago when they first opened and it was certainly good enough for a second visit for brunch.

Above, a 3-egg omelet with home fries and toast. It was solidly good, although after seeing someone else with the most gorgeous fluffy pancakes I’ve ever seen in my life, I think we know what I’ll be ordering on visit number III.

So yes! I’d recommend both. Casual-thoughtful neighborhood spots. The best.

xo Beth

Red, White and Blueberry Smoothie

 

July is upon us! Oh boy, did that come quick. And how? One minute we’re ringing in the New Year, the next thing you know we’re half way through and it feels like it all happened in a blink. But 2013 has been so good so far, sometimes it just makes me want to take off my shoes and dance.

July will be a stay-put month for this girl as June was heavy on the travelling adventures, leaving me with the desire for more easy CL summertime fun with Cleveland family and friends.

If a few weeks at home are just what I need after a whole lot of summer travel, then a diet heavy on fruits and veggies is just what I need after a whole lot of summer travel eating. So, let’s whip up a smoothie!

This smoothie is wonderful. Not just because it’s packed with many good-for-you ingredients. It also happens to be red, white and blue. What could be more appropriate on July 4th? Hot dogs, burgers, corn on the cob, watermelon, potato salad, cold beer, ice cream…nope, nothing I can think of.

 

Red, White and Blueberry Smoothie

• 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
• 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 scoop protein powder
• 1 tablespoon of peanut butter

Pop all of your ingredients into a blender, top with the lid and blend at high speed for 30 seconds or so. Pour into a small glass. Serve immediately.

Serves One

xo Beth

California Cuisine

Oh the food…

In case you couldn’t tell, I just love good food. Of course the eating part is fun – but that’s not even it! I love reading about it, talking about it, shopping for it, cooking it, following foodie trends, watching cooking shows, researching recipes, finding new restaurants,  just everything. It’s creative and passionate and beautiful and since you need food to live, I can always justify spending way too much money on it all :).

So one of the reasons I love Northern California so very much is that not only are you surrounded by awesome food, everyone seems to enjoy it just the same. Not in a pretentious way, just like enjoying good food is a part of loving life…and I think it really should be.

My usual strategy is to eat to feel my best (mostly healthy and sometimes decadent). But when in California, on vacation, I say live it up! I don’t know when I’ll be back and there is so much great cuisine to explore.

And explore we did. Foodie highlights include:

• Tartine Bakery in San Fran for flaky almond croissants and creamy fish bowl-sized lattes
• Cafe de la Presse in San Fran for chewy-sweet French toast (pictured)
• Kuleto’s in San Fran for red wine, pillow-soft gnocchi and decadent chocolate dessert (pictured)
• The Girl and the Fig in Sonoma for well, everything <- best ever
• Sunshine Caffe in Sonoma for bacon-studded waffles and fresh fruit smoothies
• Oakville Grocery in Healdsburg for the classiest “boxed lunch” you will ever see
• Chalkboard in Healdsburg for incredible cheese and super creative – did I mention to die for – dessert
• Moustache Baked Goods in Healdsburg for wine-drunk mid-afternoon cupcakes

I realize not everyone can eat this well – and I certainly don’t everyday! Which is what made California so special. I feel very lucky to have been able to enjoy a wonderful vacation full of beautiful scenery, a best friend, amazing wine and outstanding food. California was a fabulous reminder to feel thankful for every delicious part of this very happy life. And I do.

So that’s it California! Normal Cleveland blogging will resume next.

xo Beth