Monthly Review: April 2013

I feel like April went by in a flash, where did it go?  Fortunately, it looks like spring is (finally) upon DC, and I’m looking forward to some warmer weather!  Check out what photos I have capture on my iPhone this month!

Interested what we did in the past?
2013: January February March
2012: May June July August November December

After running the Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon in DC, I needed some new shoes.  For running apparel, one of the best places to go in DC (or Virginia) is Pacers.  After trying out a bunch I chose these Mizuno‘s- they’re probably a little flashier than I prefer, but fantastic to run in!  What races are others running?  Any favorites one’s you’ve done before?

While training for a full or half marathon it’s important to get some delicious food, here are some suggestions for great fueling: Garlic Hummus, Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, Fall Granola, Sausage, Egg & Cheese Breakfast Casserole.

Spring days are the best for exploring new neighborhoods and restaurants.  Which is exactly what we did when we stopped by Union Market’s Rappahannock Oyster Bar– check out what we ate in our blog post recap!  I also mentioned Union Market in the March review, see what I got then!

I had a great Sunday night dinner party with some DC bloggers (Anne, Ericka, Sarah, Sarah, Amy).  Sarah, of Why Food Works, wanted to spread the word about her new business in DC, and we got to see how her dinner parties work.  Definitely check out the post-  Why Food Works: A Dinner Party, and call Sarah to book a fun Friday night activity!

This month was busy for our new house, we had a housewarming with our friends, a brunch housewarming with Sam’s family, and both of our families came to check out the new digs!  It was a little hard to choose recipes for people to snack and nibble on (so many choices)!  Here are some links to what we made for our visitors: Herbed Almonds, Cream Cheese and Arugula Baguette Bites, Mediterranean Turkey Balls with Herbed Yogurt Sauce, Creamy Ranch Dressing, Lemon Bars, lox and cream cheese, Smokey Quiche, No-Bake Coconut “Cheesecake”, vegetables, fruit.  What are your favorite go-to ideas when you host parties?

Thanks to some expert advice from Emily, we tried making a pizza on the grill!  So delicious- would anyone be interested in a post on how to do it?  What are your favorite pizzas?  Some of our creations include: Apple & Smoked Cheese on Whole Wheat and Mushroom & Broccoli Pizza.  The one in the photo above is actually a “clean out your fridge” pizza.

When my parents were visiting DC, we took a day trip to Annapolis.  As we wandered through the cute city, we stumbled upon Seasons.  It’s an olive oil and vinegar taproom- a way to sample delicious oils and vinegars.  After trying out some, we each bough a couple to try out in our salads!

Coincidentally, salads have been taking over our Food Matters Project posts!  But they are all so delicious!  Check out the Bulgur Wheat Mango Salad with Avocado (above) or the Spinach Cobb Salad with Caper-Anchovy Vinaigrette.  Or see what other recipes we’ve made from the Food Matters Project.

I went to Nashville, Tennessee this past weekend to run the Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon.  Thanks to a great Food & Wine article and from Lindsay of Love and Olive Oil, we got some great food recommendations.  I’ll be doing a post about the delicious meals soon.

Lastly, while at the expo- we got to hear Kara Goucher speak and take a photo with her!  It was really exciting for all of us.  The girls running weekend turned out great, even though we had some crummy weather.  Thanks for an awesome time: Becky, Beth, Cassie, Katie, Katie, Lianne, and Sarah!  (two of these ladies are bloggers, so definitely check their blogs out for more Nashville fun)

Monthly Review: February 2013

This past month has flown by for us, check out what photos I have captured on my iPhone!

Interested in what we’ve done in past months?
2012: May June July August November December
2013: January

The month of February started off with my birthday on Groundhog’s Day!  Sam made me a delicious Birthday Fruit Tart (just like last year!).  Do you have friend’s birthdays coming up?  Check out the Cherry-Chocolate Birthday Cake or this delicious steak meal!

With other Back on My Feet members I ran the Love the Run You’re with 5K, sponsored by Pacers!  Although it was a little cold, we had sunny weather that was perfect for a morning run.  In March, I’m running the Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon in DC.  This Sausage, Egg & Cheese Breakfast Casserole is a perfect post-run breakfast!  What races did you run, or are planning on running?

Our friends Stephanie and Jack were out of town, so we got a chance to spend time with their dog Mia!  Isn’t she adorable?  Do any readers out there have dogs?

For my birthday lunch, my friend Jess took me to the new Matchbox on 14th.  The restaurant has an open feel, and very well lit- it was great to try some new things on their menu.  I know the sliders and pizzas are the most popular, but do any of you have any favorites?  I’d love to hear suggestions.

Jess and I also made these fun cookies for our husbands for Valentine’s Day!

If you’d like try a new cookie recipe, try the Sesame Seed & Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies I made!

The most exciting news for us this month: we bought a new house!!!  Our 1 bedroom condo sold and we’ve moved to a bigger house!  Yay for extra space!  Still in DC, just a different neighborhood (which means, more adventures)!

With the move, we had to say good-bye to our fifth floor kitchen.  This is where the blog started, but don’t worry, we’ll be sticking to the original blog name.  The last food we made there were the Sesame Seed & Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies.

As we’re slowly unpacking all of our boxes, we also got some new housewarming gifts!  Thanks Aunt Kate for these awesome OXO containers- a perfect gift for a new pantry!

We’ve already had some visitors this past week, our new kitchen and living room layout is perfect for entertaining.  Need some ideas for foods to make when you have visitors?  (Above is the Apple & Smoked Cheese Pizza.)

Appetizers: Apples, Blue Cheese & Honey; Fig & Arugula Flatbread; Fresh Corn Salsa; Roasted Mushrooms with Parsley; Spinach & Artichoke Dip;

Entrees: Beef & Rice Stuffed Zucchini; Vegetable Coq au Vin; Baingan Bharta; Bok Choy & Mushroom Bulgur; Lamb, Carrot & Turnip Stuffed Cabbage;

Brunch: Mushroom Shallot Frittata; Smokey Quiche; Zucchini Bread;

Dessert: Baklava; Blueberry-Rhubarb Crumble; Coconut Macaroons with Chocolate; Rum Raisin Ice Cream; Tart Cherry Pie;

I finished off the month by checking out a new restaurant in Chinatown- Daikaya (the new ramen spot).  The downstairs opened up on February 14th, and currently they are serving 4 different types of traditional ramen soup.

Over the last 5 years I have learned that DC is a small city.  Turns out my new friend Carol, who I met at Back on My Feet, knows a fellow DC blogger who has been participating in the Food Matters Project.  Also a runner, Meg has her own food blog, Fledgling Foodie.  It was wonderful to finally meet her, and it’s always nice to have more foodie friends!

Can’t wait for all new things in March!  Do any of you have any fun plans?

St. Patty’s Day Vegetable Pastries

Happy St. Patty’s Day everyone!  I hope all of you will be indulging in some green beer, corned beef and cabbage or yummy Guinness cupcakes!

This is an exciting weekend for us, we have friends visiting- so it’ll be a full house.  Also, a group of us are running the Rock ‘n Roll USA Half Marathon!  The weather couldn’t be any better for this race.  It’s unbelievable how warm it is, especially since it’s only March.

If you still need a recipe for a fun Irish dish, these pastries are delicious- especially for all of your vegetarian friends.  Today, locals in Ireland tend to gather in pubs for a pint (or two) and some simple home-cooked food.

St. Patty’s Day Vegetable Pastries
Adapted from: Vegetarian Times (March 2011)

I came across this recipe in last year’s magazine.  Although I didn’t make them then, I tried out this recipe this year.  You could change it up and add meat (ground beef or turkey) to these, swapping for the rutabaga or just making more dough since there will be more filling.  They are great appetizers, or just a side treat with a bowl of soup.  This made about 15 pastries, but it depends on how thick your dough will be.

 

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
8 tbsp cold butter
2 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion (or 1/2 big one), chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 rutabaga, peeled & chopped
4 small potatoes, peeled & chopped
2 carrots, peeled & chopped
1/2 tsp thyme
1 egg
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1/4 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

In a stand mixer, mix together flour and salt.  Then add in butter, 1 tbsp at a time.  Meanwhile, stir in the ice water.  Keep mixing until the mixture holds together.  Shape the dough into a ball or disk, and wrap it in parchment paper or plastic wrap.  Chill for 1 hour in the fridge.

Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Stir in onion, celery and garlic, cook for about 5 minutes.  Then add in the rutabaga, potato, carrots and thyme.  Cook the ingredients for another 10-15 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.  Once they are cooked, pour the mixture into a food processor.  Process the veggies so they are smaller pieces, but not until they are pureed.  I held it down for about 3 seconds.

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and mustard.  Then, add the mustard dressing, Gruyere cheese, salt and pepper to the vegetable mixture.  Stir all of the ingredients until the cheese has melted.

Preheat the oven to 400ºF.  Coat the baking sheet with cooking spray.

Take a portion of the dough and roll it out on a flour surface (also remember to flour the rolling pin).  The dough should be between 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch thick.  Cut out 5-inch disks from the dough.  I had used a bowl, but you can use a pastry cutter or anything else you have on hand.  Continue to cut out the pastries until you are done with the dough.  Remember that you can use the remaining dough to add it to the bigger piece, so all of it used.

Place about 1-2 tbsp of filling onto one side of each dough.  Fold the other half of the dough to make a moon shape.  Press the edges of the dough together, you can crimp the edges with a fork.  Repeat with the remaining circles and filling.

Bake the pastries for about 25-30 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.  I did flip them over about halfway through, so both sides would have similar color.