Russell St. Chef

Ever since the purchase of my fabulous little camera (which unfortunately for you all appears to be discontinued) I have been on the picture rampage.  I carry it with me everywhere.  However, the best place to work the camera magic is hands-down the kitchen.  And with my budding culinary skills (when I feel like cooking) I can document all of the exquisite meals that I make (and none of the lame ones - i.e. bean burritos).  So behold, a picture montage of my most recent endeavors as an Asian Julia Child.

Vegetable Lasagna: Sweet peppers, spinach, and butternut squash

 

Rhubarb and cranberry compote

  

Wild Alaskan salmon dressed with compote, wild mushroom couscous, and steamed broccoli

  

Sauteed asparagus and mushrooms

  

Seared sea scallops

  

Valentine's Day Meal: Orzo with sauted mushrooms and asparagus topped with seared scallops.  Accompanied with fresh sourdough bread; endive, goat cheese and pear salad; and pomegranate martinis

  

And for dessert - gluten free chocolate pave topped with powdered sugar (in excess thanks to Gabe's artistic abilities).  This turned out to be not that pretty but it was REALLY good - basically a very moist, very chocolaty brownie.

 

All Things Celebratory

As many of you know I recently came one step closer to 30.  I must say it's really not that big of a deal.  Most of my friends are over 30 so I've been rounding up for years.  Now, although I'm not really one for celebrating, at least in the traditional sense of presents, this year I somehow got a whole week of small celebrations.  It started with an afternoon impromptu visit from the parents.  They came bearing a bouquet of candy - excellent!  In case you were not aware - I have a huge sweet tooth.  Luckily I only ate a few and then promptly stashed them away in a cupboard only to be discovered a few days later.  Hey, at least they lasted a few days.

 

The next surprise came early Tuesday morning as I was sitting in my dining room working from home.  A package appeared on my doorstep.  Low and behold...more sweets!  An ingenious little box filled with ready-made cupcakes and little packets to decorate them with frosting, sprinkles, and a candle.  All thanks to my wonderful cousin and her husband - Thanks Chricia!

 

  

I botched the first one (notice the white frosted cupcake with the candle) but the second two turned out okay.  They were delicious!  I saved half of two (equaling a whole) for Gabe.  I'm so thoughtful.

 

 

Lastly, the actual weekend of my wonderful birth.  Unfortunately Gabe had the flu and I was definitely fighting it off so the energy level that weekend was sub-par.  But we did rally and made it down Chuckanut for a wonderful dinner at the Oyster Bar.  It was our first time visiting said restaurant and I would go back although under a few conditions 1) not anytime close to Valentine's Day (too '80's prom night'), 2) not sitting in a side-by-side booth (too fake romantic) and 3) not late in the evening during the winter when the view is a single huge Evergreen enclosed in utter darkness.  The food - totally worth going for.

Well, that's it for this year.  Next year may be the big shebang...we'll see.  I may get lazy as the date nears.