Monday, October 29, 2007

Eastmoreland Dinner Party

Here are some pics from Sunday's dinner party at Kent and Steph's place. Tim, Val and cutie-patootie June joined in as well. Val made a frozen pumpkin ice cream pie with candied ginger. Lucy and Bear gnawed the left over bones from Kent's braised ribs. My contribution was roasted corn polenta served with a roasted red pepper sauce. See recipe below.

It was a spectacular meal, fit for any respectable Wisconsinite.





Roasted Corn Polenta

2 ears corn, shucked
2 cups milk
1 cup yellow cornmeal
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 ounces ricotta cheese
1 ounce shredded parmesan

Preheat broiler and butter an 8-inch square baking pan.
On a rack of a broiler pan broil corn about 4 inches from heat, turning it occasionally, until lightly browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Cool corn and cut kernels from cobs.

In a large heavy saucepan stir together milk and cornmeal and add corn kernels and butter. Bring mixture to a boil and simmer, stirring constantly to keep mixture from sticking and burning and adding water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if mixture becomes too thick 20 minutes. Stir in cheese until incorporated and season with salt. Pour polenta into baking pan spreading evenly, and cool. Chill polenta until cold, 2 to 3 hours. Polenta may be made 2 days ahead and chilled covered.

Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

3 red bell peppers (18 oz)
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped basil
1 large shallot
juice of one lemon

Roast the red peppers, cool, peel, chop
Blend all ingredients
Heat and serve

Thursday, October 18, 2007

The Go! Team @ the Doug Fir

I can't hear or see straight at the moment because The Go! Team just seriously rocked my socks off. Not since Arcade Fire have I been so jaw dropped by a live show. When I'm reincarnated, I hope to have the energy, dance skill, and musical brilliance of these two ladies:



(This pic was stolen from Fickr. My cam is momentarily out of commission.)

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Happy Sushi Birthday

Courtney had a birthday and we all ate A LOT of sushi.

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Fabulous Fall Fun

Ty, Lucy, Harley and I set out into the Oregon countryside this afternoon in search of pumpkins and cider. We also stumbled upon Lake Oswego's Community Garden, Swan Island Dahlias and puppies! I really really really love puppies.




Monday, October 8, 2007

Support Chris Koza on his national tour!

Chris Koza and his bandmates are some of my favorite people to see live. Definitely check out his site, his music, and tour dates (I guarantee he's coming to a city near you). He is also video-blogging the road trip out West, which is so giggly-great. Get ready for it Portlandians - Mississippi Pizza on October 21st at 6pm - you're all coming with me. I will buy you a ticket if you're broke.

Back in action

Thanks to all who offered up their laptops or computer services after mine "crashed" in the middle of a presentation on Friday. Once the Help Desk (convenieniently located in Pittsburgh) finally called back this morning, they informed me that running it in Safe Mode would solve the problem. Who knew? I should have just called Anton or Mader (the computer nerds) and gotten on with it.

Fun weekend nonetheless - here's a picture of whole roasting lambs at Greek Fest:



Oh yeah, I also saw Ira Glass (of NPR's This American Life) speak on Sunday. He was intereviewed by April Baer, who does [among other things] the morning traffic on OPB in the mornings. He was funny and engaging, but I'm glad we didn't pay the $28 they were asking for tickets. The Portland Convention Center is such a crappy venue for something like that.

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Happy Birthday, Dad!





Dad- I hope these absurd pictures I took of us in my hotel room are an acceptable replacement for an actual card. I apologize for Lucy's lack of enthusiasm. Have a fabulous day! Love, Kel