Food

Blessed Are the Pizza Makers

Victor Lazlo — Mon, 12 May 2008 11:41:31 -0600

Every now and again, Melanie and I take a class from the experimental college. Last year it was dancing - we had fun and we got out of the house for some social engagement. This time, we signed up for a pizza making class. It was a small class, with space for only five students, so we signed up the moment we saw the class. We got in, but there was a mix up at admissions and they enrolled seven. Oh well, that just meant more pizza!

Wake Of The Flood

Victor Lazlo — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 21:53:10 -0600

This last winter, western Washington was hit by heavy rains and runoff that caused major flooding. One of the worst places to have been hit was the valley surrounding the Chehalis river. It was such a natural disaster that Governor Christine Gregoire called on FEMA to provide federal aid to the flood zones. The news showed us amazing images of flood damage across I-5, but being miles and miles away from it all, it was difficult to embrace how heavily it affected those who live in and around the valley.

CSA Baby!

Victor Lazlo — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 21:20:22 -0600

About a year ago, we decided that we wanted to eat more locally grown food. We've always been the kind of people who eat whole, fresh foods. We buy bulk and stay as far away from packaged foods as possible (aside from canned beans and such). Melanie loves to cook and I love to help her, it is our way of decompressing after a day at work. At lunch time, coworkers are always more interested in my leftovers than they are in their own lunches.

This Old Gingerbread Shack

Victor Lazlo — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 21:11:34 -0700

Since gingerbread houses aren't meant to last more than a week, it seemed silly to spend a lot of time with structural design and materials. We banged out a quick template for our shack, figuring that the decoration would be the selling point for this twenty four square inch beauty. In no time flat, the landscaping and exterior crew turned it from four plain walls into a destination of sweetness.

Making butter

Victor Lazlo — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 18:50:15 -0700

I'd never made butter before, and didn't even know it could be made at home or in small batches. The recipe that Mel found had us start with heavy cream - real cream without any stabilizers or whatnot and with as much butterfat as you can get. Then we whisked in some yogurt, covered it and let it stand at room temperature overnight.

Portland loves me, and I think I love it back!

Victor Lazlo — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 01:13:14 -0700

Took a quick weekend trip to Ptown (Stumptown, the Rose City, whatever you like) to visit the new home of brotha' Dave. Even though he's still fishing off the coast of Ventura right now, braving 30-40 ft. swells, we felt compelled to see it without his presence. It's a nice place in a nice neighborhood (not counting the crazy drunk across the street - but he's harmless, we think). We met some of his neighbors and took many walks.

Ono Hawai'ian Food (and other ono grinds)

Victor Lazlo — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 20:11:10 -0600

When vacationing, it is easy to overlook the really good places to eat for a number of reasons: the place looks dicey, the staff has attitude, its in an alley behind the gas station, etc. Sometimes these are the very things that make a place charming and homey. Other times, despite these things, the food is outstanding. Either way, to get a taste of the real local flavor, dispell your preconceived notions and ask a local where THEY think is a good place to go. This rarely turns against you. So, following this advice, I will share my culinary adventure through Hawai'i.