Lobster Bisque Soup

I'm in the market for new training shoes. I run occasionally but I do more weight lifting. Reebok has some great cross trainer shoes but the ones I like are $119 dollars. Which isn't worth it at the moment. But we'll see. I did see these cool shoes from ALP - Load N' Launch Technology. They have the technology to help launch you forward. Pretty cool huh? Might not be good for actual sports though as you could have an advantage over your opponents.

We've also been seeing the Solowheel around downtown a lot. We first thought they were segways when we saw them, but they're really a singular wheel. It is such a COOL concept! If it weren't so much money, I would definitely buy one. It looks easy to use and I like how it is rechargeable.

Today we went and explored Discovery Park. We took the bus and it wasn't that bad of a ride. It took like 45 minutes to get there. Man, it was such a gorgeous day. It was like 60 degrees out with the sun shining. It's still hard to believe that this is the winter weather here. I'll take this any day. We went down Discovery Park Loop Trail till we hit the West Point Light House. The Puget Sound was beautiful and it was so calming to hear the ocean waves lap on the shore. We also saw on the south part of the park that there was a sewage treatment plant which is pretty interesting.

There were a lot of dog walkers, runners and families out there. Even though it were a number of people around, it didn't feel congested. It would be very different if it were a Chicago Park. Then everyone would be on top of each other.  Even though it has been a few weeks, it just feels right being here in Seattle. This is why we originally came out here to experience nature. There is no way we could do this in Chicago. It would take more than an hour to go out and see Wisconsin. It's so great that we're able to go to a park that's 45 minutes away and experience nature right there.

Anyways, Friday night I made a Paleo Lobster Bisque soup from Paleo Takes 5-Or-Fewer by Paleo Dish. I know what you're thinking...LOBSTER KILLER! Naw, not really. I copped out and didn't want to get an actual real lobster.  Plus I was walking around Pike Market and did not want to carry it all the way home. Maybe I'll cross it off my list in the spring. I think I would need to get a deeper/bigger pot to accomplish my task of cooking a real live lobster. Let's get started!

First, I chopped up some pearl onions. I didn't like doing this. It was kind of a waste of time because they're so hard to peel. I think next time I will just use a regular onion. It'll save time and be more efficient. I cooked up the onions then added the coconut cream, some chicken broth and tomato paste. 

I've never actually used "coconut cream" before. I generally use coconut milk. I guess coconut cream is more concentrated. While coconut milk is the grated meat of a brown coconut. It has a higher oil and saturated fat. 

Then I added the lobster meat. Instead of a live lobster I got fresh lobster meat from the frozen section. Let me tell you, this s**t was freaking expensive, but boy was it worth it!

I then added some red curry powder and cayenne. Omg, this is what made this soup. It was the perfect amount of spice but had the nice kick at the end.

I tried using an old immersion blender that I got from my mom's house. It was alright. I might need to get a new one though as the lobster meat got caught in the blade. As I say to my parents, everything in their house is an antique. :)

Ta-da! Finished product! Isn't it so pretty!? I topped it with some avocado, dill and a side of grapes. Omg this was pretty darn good. If I'm ever craving a seafood soup and clear a cold, this would be it. So good but kind of spicy. 

Paleo Dish has her recipe in her book. But I'm sure I'll try out some more of her recipes. :)

Emma 

Brown Butter Ginger Cookies

Today, I made Not Without Salt's Brown Butter Ginger cookies. I was craving something a little sweet and wanted to do something a bit more creative. OMG, these were really *effing good. It smelled like gingerbread in my apartment. 

To be honest, I was kind of in a rush to make these. I got off work and then got going on making these before heading out of the house. I had to double check twice to make sure I turned off the oven! That's how rushed I was!

But it was good. I got to meet up with a friend I haven't seen in a long time. It was good catching up with her and talking to her reminded me of the Midwest a bit. I think a part of me is a little worried I won't make friends out here in the PNW. I guess a part of me really misses my friends back home and I truly cherish those friendships. I'm worried the increased distance will make it harder for me to stay in touch with them. But I'm going to still try and make an effort to stay connected. 

I guess, I just need to stay positive (which can be hard since I am pretty pessimistic sometimes.) I know I'm doing some stuff and not just sitting on my butt all day. I'm working out regularly and am meeting some people in the apartment complex. I also signed up for a charity gala event in late February. Wayne and I will get to dress up and go support a charity. 

I'm hoping I'll be able to meet some more people and at least get some people to hang out with occasionally... I also just signed up to get notifications to get on a soccer team. I'm not sure how it'll work out but hopefully I'll hear back and be able to play in the spring.

Anyways, enough of my moping. I know I'll be fine. I think it just will take a while longer than it did when I was in Chicago. Let's get started!

I boiled some butter. Paula Deen would be proud...

Again, I was a little rushed, so I think I boiled the butter a bit longer than needed. But it was a nice nutty dark brown. Still smelled really good.

Then I added the sugar with the browned butter mixture. Let me just say, these stainless steel mixing bowls I got are AMAZING. They are the perfect weight and are easy to clean up. I think once you go stainless you can't go back! I do not miss my plastic mixing bowls at all!

Then added some other ingredients and flour and rolled them into balls. They see me rollin...they hatin...patrolling they tryin to catch me ridin dirtyyyyy. Okay, okay...no more rap lyrics.

I got a brand new cookie pan! I swear, it was hard making a decision after getting a gift cards from Sur La Table or Williams-Sonoma for the holidays. I practically want all the kitchen gadgets! 

While they were baking, I made some of the Honey Marscapone Cream to go with these. 

Why hello Mr. Honey Bear! I mixed the cream, honey and a vanilla bean together. Oh so heavenly. 

Fresh out of the oven!  I nearly burned my mouth but these puppies were worth it! 

I dolloped some marscapone cream on one of them. Yummy!

Seriously though, these were really really good. I was afraid I would eat them all so I gave them to a few people! I love gingerbread/gingery cookies. I remember my Grandpa would like eating gingersnaps and my mom would make gingerbread boys for Xmas. I think the flavor brings back a lot of fond memories. 

Not Without Salt's Brown Butter Ginger Cookie recipe found here.

Please check out Ashley Rodriguez's website if you ever get a chance. I adore looking at her recipes. I've got a few tucked away in my recipe binder to someday try out. Also, her new cookbook, Date Night In, is on my list of cook books to buy. But currently, a new dining room table, bike helmet, bike lock, work printer and work shredder take precedence over my love of cookbooks :( I'll some day complete my dream cookbook collection with some of my favorite bloggers/Instagram folks. 

Emma 

Parchment Poached Salmon Pouches

The good thing about today is I do not have to work. Since my company runs with the educational system, we get school holidays off. So, that being said, Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I thought that working from home would get better. It's not. It still is difficult waking up at 5:00am/5:30am to work. Tonight I made Simply Gourmet's Parchment Poached Salmon Pouches.

Anyways, I made some goals for 2015. I'm excited to accomplish them.

1. No Excuses - 

I have a gym in my apartment complex, I can work out 6 times a week. I have been doing pretty good on this one.

2. Make new friends - 

I don't know a lot of people out in Seattle. I want to get to know some people so I can hang out with them ever so often.

3. Stay Connected - 

I miss my friends and family back in Michigan and want to try and make an effort to stay in touch.

4. Explore Seattle - 

This is a brand new city and I want to explore it.

5. Leave town with no plan - 

because...why not? It would be fun to be adventurous for a day!

6. Hike to a sunset or sunrise viewpoint - 

I think it'd be beautiful to see the sunset or sunrise near the ocean.

7. Learn how to clean a fish - 

I want to up my cooking game. Since I'm in the pacific northwest, might as well learn how to clean a fish!

8. Cook a lobster - 

Again, something I have always wanted to try at least once. I think it might be hard to kill a live lobster but I'm willing to learn how to do it.

9. Make more time for ME - 

I think the past couple of years I have been lacking on this. I need to put myself as a priority. My health, my happiness comes first. Then those I care about.

10. Eliminate my undergraduate student loans - 

I AM SO CLOSE! CANNOT WAIT UNTIL THESE ARE DONE.
11. Get back into soccer
I haven't played in a long time and I think it'd be a good way to get to know people. Might check out some of the open leagues in the summer. We'll see though.

Yesterday, the Seawhawks game was crazy! I watched some of the game and we were sucking SO bad. Then it was a complete turn around! People ask me if I am a Seahawks fan. I like watching them play but I wouldn't say I'm a football fan. I guess, I'm a Seattle fan?  I'm fine joining the bandwagon in this instance. I can enjoy watching the games and getting fired up.

Growing up, I just had the Detroit Lions to watch. It was fun during Thanksgiving with my family, but I never got hardcore into it. I guess, I would say, I can see myself being more a Seattle Sounders fan. I know more about soccer than I do football. Either way, I am really excited though to watch the Super Bowl. I've never experienced a Superbowl playoff in the actual city and I think it could be a lot of fun here. 

I went and worked out this afternoon and it felt great. I made some cucumber mint detox water.

For dinner, I decided to make some salmon tonight. I've been craving fish and have been wanting to get back into cooking. I think it'll help alleviate the work stress if I cook again. Aside from being at home, cooking is another zen place for me. When I cook, I get in the zone. It's like everything is in slow motion but I'm moving at lightning speed in my Zen mode. 

Now, I can't remember how I stumbled across Simply Gourmet's recipe. But I found it again in my recipe binder and thought why the hell not. I want to make some fish and I want to try making something with Blood Oranges. I think it is because at all the grocery stores have blood oranges on display. I guess they're in season now? Did you know that Blood Oranges become a maroon red because they grow at nightly low temperatures? I did not know that and thought it was an interesting tid bit.

Anyways, let's get started!

First, I bought some nice Salmon filets. 

I washed some fresh spinach and piled it on a piece of parchment paper. Little spinach pile.

Then I sliced some onion that I left over. I know in the recipe she put red onion, but I was lazy and didn't want to slice up another onion.

Then I added the onions to the spinach pile.

Then I made carrot slices. Long swirly ones. 

I added the carrot slices.

I then sliced up the blood oranges. Aren't they pretty?

Then I put them on top of everything.

I forgot to add the zucchini, so I sliced it up and added that too.

Then I added some extra virgin olive oil on top the salmon pile.

Then I clumsily wrapped them in a pouch.

I love the citrus and the thyme on top of the salmon. It gives it a earthy and colorful look.

Ta-da! Finished product! Aren't these pouches so pretty? 

Then I bought some white cake from QFC to celebrate the Seahawks! Whoo Seahawks!

Simply Gourmet's Parchment Poached Salmon Pouches here. 

Emma

We moved to Seattle!

Well, it has been a while! But we finally moved to Seattle!It has been a whirlwind of a week trying to get settled in a new city. We shipped all of our items over and then flew out on January 2nd. Pretty much for New Years Eve we donated our Chicago bed and hung out at a hotel near the airport. Honestly, I think that was the best decision we made in a while. It felt awesome to just relax and not worry. We also saw Into The Woods. I thought it was going to be mediocre, but I actually enjoyed it. The day we flew out there was a crying child on the plane. The whole 4 1/2 hours he was crying...I think I need to invest in better headphones. But once we finally got to our apartment, signed all the extra paperwork, it was better. Here are some photos of our 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom apartment:

View from the back to the front of the apartment.

View to our patio.

We're facing the other sides of the apartment complex, but its semi-quiet and it will be nice to sit outside in the summertime. 

Our new bed! Has an nice sliding door too.

Very spacious bathroom.

Alley kitchen...we'll see how I like this...

Bought a couch off Craigslist for only $225. Not bad!

Workout area in the apartment complex. Complete with a Rock Climbing wall to boulder on.

Rooftop views and lounge areas. But anyways, this first week was hectic. Working from home has a been a huge adjustment. Part of it probably because I have a cardboard box for a desk. No, seriously I do.  But also the whole timezone difference has thrown me off. Since I'm on Pacific Time now and the HQ is on Eastern Time, I'm waking up to work at 5:30am or 6:00am PST. But the good news is I've gotten some new kitchen toys, a bike and my license changed over! Plus I've been trying to workout every day. My new year's resolution is: "No Excuses." I can work out because I have a gym in my apartment complex. So far it has been going pretty good. I've been making some friends in the apartment complex and hanging out with them. 

I got a Vegetable Spiral Slicer, Meat Pounder, Brand new stainless steel mixing bowls and brand new Noritake dishes! I'm excited to try these out.

Then over the weekend, we went and explored Fremont. We walked all the way there from our apartment which is about 40-45 minutes. But it was a nice day so we didn't care.

The waiting for the bus art sculpture.

The Fremont Troll! We tried to see him when we first originally saw Seattle, but we couldn't find him. Ever since I saw the movie, 10 Things I Hate About You, I wanted to see the Troll. Lols! I'm a 90's kid at heart over here. 

Gas Works Park - Kind of interesting how they made a children play structure out of some of the old parts and it is still on the premises. Apparently the park was a coal gasification plant and operated from 1906 to 1956. The park opened in 1975. Which isn't that long ago. lols

Boat houses! Really cool.

What is a food blog without food? Here is one of the dishes I made that first week. First meal in the apartment! Quick and easy! I cooked some spaghetti squash, ground beef, added pasta sauce and provolone cheese on top. Yummy!

I will add some more posts soon!

Emma