Archive for April, 2010

Blackened Mahi Mahi Tacos

The other day we went to Dukes for lunch. Isaac and I each got fish tacos, though we got different kinds. They were unbelievably yummy. Inspired me to make my own. I didn’t work from a single recipe, but gathered bits and pieces from a couple. Essentially what we have here is mahi mahi coated in a 8-spice rub (comprised largely of paprika), blackened in my cast iron skillet. Two corn tortillas were topped with slaw, the fish, cilantro/lime laced sour cream, cucumber/avocado pico de gallo and feta cheese. So far I’d say this was an acid reflux friendly (or is that unfriendly?) meal.

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Topped off dinner with blackberry pie and fat-free whipped cream. I’m full, but not in pain. Success!

Posted April 20th, 2010 by Carrielyn

Heavenly

What a weekend. I’m exhausted and I have a headache but I’m not complaining. Beautiful weather as well. I wish I had had my camera with me today for the zoo and the boat parade we weren’t expecting while we had lunch at Duke’s on the Tacoma waterfront. What a great find!

In my last post I mentioned I had cinnamon raisin bread in the oven. Here is the resulting yumminess.

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Since I’m doing so much  more cooking lately I’ve needed to better organize my kitchen. I have 42 spices. Forty-two. I got those suckers in line, thanks to some stuff I got at IKEA. My fancy pants knives are now on a magnetic strip where I can get at them easily.

No Kitchen Aid stand mixer, but Isaac goes to Portland on the 29th for the day so he’ll get one for me then.

Here are some photos of my small and crowded, but organized kitchen.

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Posted April 18th, 2010 by Carrielyn

Who needs a blog post title any way?

I posted this originally with no title. I’m not very witty, but there should be some kind of title at least, no matter how lame.

I’m itching for change people. I waffle all the time on whether or not to continue my freelance business, and there’s a bazillion house projects I want to do (but don’t have the $$ to do). I could just paint my downstairs and that *might* cure the itch but I’m not so sure. Plus, though I’ve been thinking about it for awhile and I’m fairly certain I will eventually repaint, I shudder at the thought of how much work it is. Still, it’s usually a 2-day process.

colorsBehr has me though. They’ve got primer/paint combos so I can eliminate the pesky task of first priming the walls. Yea! I’m going to go from buttercream and brown/green (looks better than it sounds - Behr calls it “Elk” I think) to pear and grape green. All you have to do is look at my photos to see the current wall colors. Them’s the new colors over there to the right. The red is my accent color, my favorite color. The brown is the closest approximation to the current color of my cabinets, though they are darker. Some day we’ll redo the cabinets. I just know it!

I may be getting my first Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer this weekend. Costco has them on sale right now. We may actually drive down to Portland to save on taxes, plus our membership is due, so that’ll even out. As much bread making as I do the stand mixer will be very helpful. Ella’s b-day is around the corner and I’m making some awesome looking (tasting) cupcakes so I’ll get lots of initial use out of this somewhat expensive kitchen appliance.

Speaking of bread, the below was a delicious Italian Semolina loaf(s).

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In the oven *right now*: formed buttermilk cinnamon raisin bread. mmm!

Posted April 17th, 2010 by Carrielyn

He is Risen (and so is my cake!)

Happy Easter every one! I can hardly believe that we are so far in to this year.

Just a few pictures today. I don’t have much to speak of.

My food contributions today were deviled eggs, a tossed salad with fruit, and a white cake with lemon curd and Italian meringue frosting. Pictures of the cake below!

pressing curd through sieve

pressing curd through sieve

cooking the lemon curd

cooking the lemon curd

ingredients for cake ready to go

ingredients for cake ready to go

cooling cake

cooling cake

cakes layered with lemon curd

cakes layered with lemon curd

finished cake, frosted with Italian meringue

finished cake, frosted with Italian meringue

mmmmm

mmmmm

Posted April 4th, 2010 by Carrielyn