Happy Halloween!

Bret and I had a jam-packed weekend in Portland and Boothbay...and I will be writing about these Maine experiences all week!  Until then, I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Halloween!  We celebrated yesterday evening with a Halloween party in Boothbay.

I decided to dress up as....MUSTARD!  Since I'm a mustard hoarder, I thought this costume was pretty fitting.

Of course, one cannot live on mustard alone and Bret dressed up as a hot dog!

Happy Halloween!  Did you dress up this weekend?  If so, what did you dress up as?

Portland, Maine: Residence Inn by Marriott

Greetings from Portland, Maine! As I mentioned yesterday, Bret and I are spending this weekend in two of our favorite places - Portland and Boothbay, Maine!  Bret picked me up from work a little after two and we zipped (literally in a Zipcar) up to Maine in no time at all.

I am judging the Hood New England Chef's Challenge this afternoon and the folks at Hood graciously reserved a complimentary hotel room for me last night.  We are staying in the Residence Inn by Marriott Portland Downtown Waterfront. 

As its name indicates, it is downtown by the waterfront.  The hotel is comprised of suites and we have a lovely suite with a bedroom, living room (with pull-out couch) and a kitchen.  Although our kitchen at home is definitely a lot larger, I'm a bit envious of the stainless steel appliances (including a dishwasher, which we definitely don't have in Beacon Hill)!

After checking in and unwinding, Bret and I were both starving so we headed off to Nosh for an early dinner.  I'll blog about our experience there later but I'll say that I had the most ridiculously loaded burger there!  We walked around for a bit until we found ourselves a bit thirsty and decided to stop in at Sebago Brewing Company for some local pints.  More to come on this blog later but I'll mention that we stayed there for a bit to watch the first half of the Celtics game until we decided to call it a night and head back to the hotel for some R&R.  And by rest, I mean convincing Bret to go swimming with me at the hotel pool!

Bret and I both had a great night's sleep - something neither of us have had in over a week.  I'm feeling so relaxed and refreshed.  We've got a few things to do before my judging duties begin so I'll sign off now! 

How is your weekend going so far?

Fun and Fearless Friday Five

Can I just say one more time how long this week has been?  I feel absolutely drained from the craziness of this week and I am so ready for the weekend!  So, I wanted to share five things that I'm truly excited about today:

1.  Breakfast tacos!  Back in August, Tristan of Enjoy Life With Breakfast asked me if I'd like to contribute a guest blog post for his blog.  Since I love whipping up a hearty breakfast on the weekends, I was definitely interested but traveling, work, and life in general had me put this guest blog post on the back burner.  Last weekend I finally decided to get to work on my guest blog post, which led me to make egg white and mushroom breakfast tacos!

If you love breakfast as much as I do, please head over to my guest blog post and check out my breakfast tacos!

2.  Hood New England Chef's Challenge: The folks at Hood have asked me (along with my fellow local food bloggers Meghan and Athena) to serve as judges for Hood New England Chef's Challenge.  From what I understand, a number of New England chefs will create a holiday-themed recipe featuring Hood Sour Cream.  They will be given 60 minutes to prepare, cook and serve their recipes to the judges.  It's a tough job but somebody's got to do it!  I've never judged a food competition before so this should be interesting and I'll definitely recap the event here on my blog.

3.  Portland, Maine:  The folks at Hood were gracious enough to give me a complimentary hotel room for the contest so Bret and I decided to make an entire weekend out of it.  Since we had such a blast in Portland during our last visit, we're planning on hitting up a few of our favorite spots, along with trying out some new food-related destinations!

We'll definitely be grabbing some more bagels from Scratch!

And we'll be stocking up on some oils and vinegars from LeRoux!

4.  Boothbay, Maine: On Saturday night, Bret and I are planning on heading up to Boothbay to visit our good friends Alan and Tanya.  From my first visit to trips where the car broke down, I've never had a bad time in Boothbay and I'm excited for a return visit.  I'm especially excited since Alan and Tanya are expecting their first child and I haven't seen them since we heard the good news!

5.  Halloween: Okay, I actually am not a huge fan of Halloween.  I hate dressing up in costumes and I don't find the appeal in dressing as a "sexy" ______ (fill in the blank) to be appealing.  That being said, Bret adores Halloween and in an effort of compromise, I try to cheerfully dress up when he coerces asks me to.  Since Alan and Tanya are having a Halloween party on Saturday night, I bought a costume.  I won't tell you all what it is but I will say that it is food-related.  Until then, I'll leave you with a picture of me from last year's Halloween when I dressed up as Britney Spears (a la Circus).

Happy Friday! What fun plans do you have this weekend?

Thursday's Thoughts

It's been a bit of a whirlwind week here for me! Bret and I have both been working maniac hours and we've honestly been too pooped to do a lot of cooking for dinner.  It is times like this that I am so grateful that I froze portions of my turkey and spinach lasagna or "kitchen sink" spicy vegetable soup.  They are a perfect alternative when I don't feel like cooking but don't want to eat take-out or bowls of cereal for dinner.  Honestly, they re-heat wonderfully for dinner during busy weeks like this and I only wish I had a bigger freezer to freeze more meals all the time!

While I haven't been cooking too much this past week, I did spend a decent amount of time in my kitchen this past weekend.  I haven't posted any of these recipes on my blog because I have been doing some cooking and baking for some guest blog posts I'm writing!  I'll definitely let you know when these blog posts are published on these other food blogs.  Until then, here is a bit of a teaser....

Breakfast Tacos

Salted Cashew-Crunch Cookies

In other exciting news, the folks at Le Creuset recently reached out to me to send me some information about Harvard University's Science and Cooking Lecture Series.  Le Creuset is one of the sponsors of the series and they are providing funding to help support this great lecture series.  Le Creuset generously offered me to not only attend some of these lectures, but they also asked me if I had any need for any Le Creuset products. Um, yes please!  I meekly asked for the one item that I have been drooling over for quite some time...and that I intended to ask for a gift for Hanukkah or Christmas.

Yes, Le Creuset sent me a complimentary 5 1/2 quart round French oven in cherry red!  I stared at the box all day in my office and I couldn't wait to get home to open it!  Thank you, thank you, thank you to Le Creuset for making my day and quite possibly, my month! I can't wait to start using it in my kitchen!

And finally, one other great news....the Boston A-List has nominated me for Best Local Blogger!  Voting doesn't open until November 1st (and I will definitely be reminding you again once it is open) but I would totally appreciate your vote for me! This is quite the honor and I'm truly excited to just be nominated!

I've got lots of other exciting things going on right now at work...with wedding planning...and with my friends.  I can't share all of these great things right now but I will once the timing is right and details have been finalized.
Until then, tell me...What exciting or good thing is going on in your life this week - whether big or small?

A Sweet Treat at Finale (Harvard Square)

After our lovely dinner at Casablanca on Saturday night, Bret and I had tickets to see the Social Network.  We had a few hours to kill between dinner and the movie, so we wandered around Harvard Square and popped into a few stores.  We soon found ourselves in front of Finale and decided to stop in to grab a sweet treat before the movie.

I'm not sure if it was because it was just the typical Saturday night crowd or the spectators from the Head of the Charles Regatta, but Finale was packed!  This wasn't a problem though as we weren't in any rush.  We used the waiting time to peruse the pastry display cases.

When it was finally our turn, we placed our order and took our desserts outside to share.  I should add that Bret and I used a complimentary $5 gift card that I received from a StyleFixx VIP bag earlier this year.

Bret and I split two desserts.

Boston Cream Cake - Bavarian cream, yellow cake, chocolate ganache

Tiramisu - Mascarpone mousse, coffee-soaked ladyfingers

Both desserts were the perfect size for sharing.  I found the Boston cream cake to be a tad too sweet but the tiramisu had a lot of great espresso flavor!

While I've been to the Finale located at Boston's Park Plaza, I've never been to the Cambridge location before.  I found the desserts to be consistently good and always a great way to satisfy your craving for a sweet treat.

Finale Desserterie & Bakery has three locations in Massachusetts and their Harvard Square location can be found at 30 Dunster Street, Cambridge, MA.

Date Night at Casablanca

On Saturday night, Bret and I decided to head to Harvard Square for date night.  We started the evening off at Casablanca for dinner.  Bret and I have been here several times for drinks and small bites but we usually sit on the bar side.  This time we sat in the dining room, which had a mural with scenes from its namesake movie.

To start the night off, I ordered a glass of Pretty Things Jack D'Or.

Bret ordered an Allagash White.

Our server brought a bowl filled with slices of chewy sourdough bread and some very unremarkable pita bread.

I liked that the bread bowl came with olive oil, coarse salt and pepper.

To start, Bret and I decided to split an appetizer - Grilled Marinated Peaches, which came on top a bed of arugula tossed in a chardonnay vinaigrette, candied cashews and goat cheese.

We were both starving and ate every last bite.  For our entrees, we both ordered something from the small plates menu.  Bret ordered the baby back ribs, which came with baked beans and taboulleh.

While he loved it, he said that he wished it had just one more rib to satisfy his appetite.  On the other hand, I found my flatbread pizza to be incredibly delightful and had absolutely no complaints.  The soft flatbread was topped with slices of figs, serrano ham, arugula, goat cheese and balsamic vinaigrette drizzle. 

It was a lovely meal with great service.  Even though I usually go to Casablanca for the cocktails, I found that it was a great intimate spot for dinner as well.

Casablanca is located at 40 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA.

Roasted Butter Beans and Veggies

On Friday night, after a really long week, I was ready to come home and bake something hearty yet simple for dinner.  I had a few different vegetables in my fridge that I definitely needed to use so I decided to do a side dish of simple roasted vegetables.

First, I sliced up three carrots and one yellow squash.

I then drained and rinsed a can of butter beans.

I put the butter beans and the vegetables in a bowl and tossed it with olive oil.  I did my typical seasonings of salt and pepper but I decided to add a few more seasonings to keep it interesting.

I typically add herbs de Provence to add a nice mix of dried herbs but I decided to also add some cayenne for heat and cinnamon for sweetness.  I spread the vegetables and beans out on a baking sheet that I prepared with aluminum foil and cooking spray. 

I put the tray in the oven at 375 degrees for twenty-five minutes and then broiled it for an additional five minutes.  The vegetables came out roasted perfectly. 

While I've had plenty of roasted vegetables, I've never had roasted butter beans and this added a nice flavor and texture to them.

The roasted butter beans and vegetables were a perfect side to my baked chicken breast seasoned with salt, pepper and herbs de Provence.

This was a simple dinner made with very little preparation and with ingredients I already had in my fridge and pantry.  I think this is why I love roasting vegetables during fall's cold weather. 

What are your favorite roasted vegetables?

Snacking and Sharing

Before I start the "sharing" part of this blog post, I wanted to talk about snacking!  Since my office is my second home, I like to stock it with lots of snacks to help me get through the day.  For instance, I always have string cheese in the fridge whenever I'm feeling the urge for a healthy little pick-me-up.  My only issue with snacking on string cheese is that there is absolutely no variety whatsoever.  Sure you can choose between 1% or no fat but other than that....it is the same thing every day.  So when the folks at Cabot Creamery Cooperative asked me if I'd like to try samples of their new Serious Snacking cheddar, I was thrilled because I could finally add some variety to my work snack habits!

I received two different kinds of cheddar:

50% Reduced Fat Garlic & Herb Cheddar Cheese

75% Reduced Fat Habanero Cheddar Cheese

I broke into the Habanero cheddar, which is one of my favorite types of Cabot cheddar, on Friday and I loved it.  It had the same level of heat as the typical dairy bar and I didn't notice any difference in flavor with it being reduced fat.  To my understanding, these haven't yet been tried outside of the Cabot Team, so I'm looking forward to purchasing them when they are in grocery stores soon!

Okay...enough about snacking and onto the sharing....

This past week, Jennifurla of Indigo's Sugar Spectrum, tagged me in a blog post that asked me to share some information about myself.  I typically don't do a lot of questionnaire type blog posts but I thought the questions were fun and I thought I'd give it a try!

1.  If you could eat anything without any health repercussions or guilt, what would your meal be?
I'd have to say pasta! I absolutely love, love, love a warm bowl of Italian noodles.  I try not to eat too many carbs and have actually limited myself to just one pasta dish a week.

My most recent pasta dish - Linguine with Brie, Tomatoes & Basil

2.  If you could meet anyone living or dead who would it be and why?
I'd definitely say my maternal grandmother.  She passed away before I was born and she has been such a huge influence on my mother's life.  My father tells me that every kind, considerate and loving trait that my mother has is a direct reflection of her mother.  It has always saddened me that I never got to meet this extraordinary woman.

3.  Why did you start blogging and what did you expect when you started?
I started writing a blog as a personal journal, which is probably why I chose a long title that is always a mouthful to repeat!  I didn't expect much of my blog except to find stress relief and explore my creative energy.  But as my blog turned into a lifestyle blog (with a strong emphasis on food), it really changed into something so much bigger than that!  I have met so many new people, tried lots of different foods, interacted with readers, and learned so much....I would never have thought my little personal blog could turn into something like this!

4.  What is the one book you could read over and over again?
"Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen is my ultimate favorite novel.  There are so many elements of Elizabeth Bennett that I can relate to and I truly find it to be the ultimate "chick lit".  That being said, I also have two sets of the entire "Little House on the Prairie" series and have probably read them all at least thirty times.

5.  If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?
I would fly to South Korea in a heartbeat.  Although I grew up in the United States, being Korean is a huge part of my identity.  I've traveled to Korea before but I haven't returned in the past ten years.  I miss a lot of my family there and the wonderful Korean food and lifestyle.

6.  If you could have a TV show on the Food Network, what would it be?
I'd have to pass on the Food Network and head straight to the Travel Channel to be Anthony Bourdain's partner in crime on No Reservations.  I'm reading his most recent book, Medium Raw, and am absolutely loving it.

7.  What was the best meal you ever had?
As to date, the best meal I ever had was the tasting menu at Arrows in Ogunquit, Maine.  I went there just a few short months ago and I wish I could relive the experience.  Over three hours and ten courses, I experienced the most indulgent meal.  The ingredients were so fresh and most came straight from the restaurant's garden, which I had the opportunity to stroll through before and during the meal (seriously, we strolled after the seventh course).  Amazing, amazing, amazing...

Fourth Course - Duo of Lobster - Grilled Maine lobster tail and
lemongrass butter poached lobster claw and knuckles served with a Thai red curry sauce.

8.     Who has been the greatest influence on your love for food and learning to cook?
This is not the most inventive answer but the most sincere - my mother.

Mama & Baby Fun and Fearless 

My mother taught almost everything I know about food.  She taught me to rely on my senses (sight, taste, smell) to cook good food and not depend on specific measurements and recipes.  My mother taught me to respect my food and to utilize every ingredient to the fullest.  Her garden proved to be a labor of love and the place where I first learned about the importance of local food.  My mother's cooking of Korean, American and hybrid dishes taught me how food can help you connect and reconnect with your culture.  Most of all, my mother taught me that good food truly comes from your heart and soul...and it can bring people together in ways that you could never imagine.  She is truly my greatest influence and inspiration both inside and outside of the kitchen.

 I'm passing this blog post along and tagging a few bloggers that I'd love to know more about!

• Angie of Entertaining Life Daily - my sorority sister and favorite Midwestern gal;
• Melissa of Beantown Prepster: Part Deux - who finds a way to bring style everywhere, including the law library;
• Bianca of Confessions of a Chocoholic - who I still haven't had the opportunity to meet;
• Moogie of Moogie & Pap - who I've been happy to connect with via emails; and
• Kim of "Teta" Means "Booby" in Spanish - amazing Iron-woman, finance guru, social queen, fashionista, and of course, fabulous friend.

Happy Saturday! I hope its filled with lots of snacking and sharing!

Boston Blogtoberfest Re-Cap

Last night I had the opportunity to attend my first Boston Blogtoberfest! 

Every year, local social media maven Jenny Frazier organizes this event for local Boston bloggers to meet other local bloggers.  It is interesting because there are so many people that I have met through blogging and social media...and so many other that I think I know but haven't actually met!

This year's Blogtoberfest was held at Ginger Park.  I've only been here for cocktails before and they were yummy!  Last night was no different and I loved my fruity Trixitini (with vodka, chambord, lime juice and prosecco).

Ginger Park also provided complimentary appetizers, including these delicious potstickers!

I had a great time seeing some familiar faces but also meeting people that I have exchanged in many conversations with over Twitter and through blogs, including the friendly Michelle of Hit the Bricks.  She is truly a healthy lifestyle blogger who writes about more than just workouts and healthy eating but also about living a balanced life all around.  If you haven't checked her blog out yet, stop on by.  It's worth a peek!

Thanks to Jenny for putting together this great event.  It is always great meeting other local area bloggers who write about so many different topics.  I'm already looking forward to next year's event!

A Lunchtime Vacation at Barracuda Tavern

Earlier this week, I met up with my friend Abby for one of our long overdue lunch dates.  Since we work close by to each other, we like to meet up for lunch to catch up on our always busy lives.  We have a few favorite places that we frequent but this past week we decided to try someplace new - the Barracuda Tavern.

Located at 15 Bosworth Street, the Barracuda Tavern is easy to miss and I only knew of its existence when I saw work being done on the place this summer when I was leaving the Marliave's patio one evening.

The Barracuda Tavern is a small place but it definitely has character! With a high glass ceiling, the bar and restaurant definitely has a lot of natural light, which shows off the interesting maritime decor to this place.  If it weren't for the freezing temperatures in the restaurant and outside, I could have easily envisioned this place in someplace like Key West.

It was quiet at lunchtime with only a few other patrons in the place.  The bartender, who was super friendly and attentive, took care of the customers at the bar and at the tables.  The menu items were a bit heavy for me for lunch, which made me a bit indecisive.  After much deliberation, I finally settled on the fish tacos from the appetizer menu.

The fish tacos came in three grilled soft tacos filled with a spicy citrus slaw, deep fried cod and chipotle aioli.  I was surprised at the preparation and use of cod for the tacos but it was really flavorful and not greasy at all.  Although the bar did have Shipyard Pumpkinhead on tap, I had a long afternoon ahead of me in the office and stuck with a Diet Coke.  I was happy when the bartender offered me a refill but less happy when I discovered that they charged for the refill!

But still, I really liked the vibe of the Barracuda Tavern and the staff was just so nice and friendly.  It sincerely felt like the kind of place you'd stop by when you're on vacation someplace warm, sunny and on the water. In this way, the Barracuda Tavern provided a lunchtime vacation...until I had to head back to work in the office!  I know I'll be back again to check out the happy hour scene since I think it is a perfect place to grab a drink and some bites with friends after work.

Barracuda Tavern is located at 15 Bosworth Street, Boston, MA.