NEWEST BOOKS ON MY NIGHTSTAND

I PICKED UP THESE BOOKS WHILE ON MY VACATION IN SEATTLE. CAN'T WAIT TO SETTLE INTO MY BED AND DO SOME NIGHTTIME READING.

Pike Place Market

I was in heaven. An absolute food lovers delight. I would love to have a Market like this at home so I could be creative with so many fantastic ingredients.

Crab Cakes Benedict at Shady's

My husband took me to this place called Shady's for breakfast. The waitresses were older women who took great pride in their appearance and in their jobs. We received fantastic service. I was surprised to see such fare in what looked like a small town diner. I had the crab cakes with eggs Benedict on top and hash browns. I loved this meal. It was one of the favorites of this trip.

The Gum Wall-Seattle

The Gum Wall is a local landmark in downtown Seattle, in Post Alley under Pike Place Market. Similar to Bubblegum Alley in California, the Gum Wall is a brick wall now covered in used chewing gum. The wall is covered several inches thick, 15 feet high for 50 feet.
The wall is by the waiting line for the Market Theater, and the tradition began around 1993 when patrons of Unexpected Productions' Seattle Theatresports stuck gum to the wall. Theater workers scraped the gum away twice, but eventually gave up after market officials deemed the gum wall a tourist attraction in around 1999. People initially stuck coins to the wall using the gum, and some people create small works of art out of gum.
It was named one of the top 5 germiest tourist attractions in 2009, second to the Blarney Stone. It is the location of the start of a ghost tour, and it is a popular site with wedding photographers. A scene for the 2009 Jennifer Aniston film Love Happens was shot at the wall in 2008.

Von's Seattle,Wa

I had heard this was supposed to be the best Bloody Mary in Seattle. It was large and heavily garnished but it wasn't a very good drink.
This was definitely spicy. Wish I would have picked up a bottle

Me after a long flight stopping in at Von's

My husband at Von's

La Buona Tavola- Truffle Cafe

La Buona Tavola - Truffle Cafe
Italian Food & Wines - Pike Place Market, Seattle WA. OPEN DAILY 10AM-6PM Wine Tastings begin 11am

We were given a sample of potato soup with a dot of Truffle oil. It was a sublime . This is the mecca for foodies. I could have stayed there all day . Exquisitely chosen items, and the passion in which the owner Rei Hanscomb speaks of food was a spiritual experience.

I purchased the following

White Truffle Oil

Black Truffle Salt


Black Truffle Oil

What does La Buona Tavola Mean?
For the Italians, it's a phrase used to pay tribute to Hosts who joyfully serve their guests the absolute best they have to offer. Whether it's simple fare prepared with gusto, or more intricately composed menus featuring regional delicacies, when you have a Buona Tavola, your guests will sense that you cherish THEIR enjoyment - and that you haven't forgotten to join in the pleasure, as well!
Someone with a Buona Tavola knows that having people over is not about slaving over handmade invitations and complicated recipes, but about relaxing and enjoying time with friends and family. Preparing the meal with a glass of wine in hand, listening to music, chatting with the early arrivals and enlisting their aid in the final preparations.
As our own Chef Alexandra advised her California Culinary Academy students, "Keep it simple: buy fresh, good quality ingredients - and then stay out of their way!"
To that end, we've tasted every item we stock; we sell only the things we've fallen in love with. That's our promise to you: 100% Satisfaction - whether you buy our Italian Truffles and Pate, or an affordable bottle of Wine with a bag of Croccantini, you can be sure that you're getting the best.
When you're in Seattle, stop by our Shop at the World Famous Pike Place Market! Sample our Truffle products, the aged Balsamicos, the carefully selected Italian Wines made from hand-picked grapes - share our enjoyment of the Specialty Foods we have personally selected for you - our guests.

SAVOR SEATTLE TOUR----

Gelatiamo

1400 3rd Ave

206-467-9563

This is by far the best Gelato I have ever had.

We made several repeat visits here during our stay in Seattle.

Pike Pub and Brewing Company

we tried 2 types of beer Kilt Lifter and Pike Tandem. We also tried two cheeses. One was a locally made and aged cheddar which was fantastic. The bread was made of spent grain and it was fabulous. It had a sweet flavor. This was one of my favorite stops on the tour

Visit Il Bistro and spend a night in Italy.
For 30 years, Il Bistro, tucked away underneath the Pike Place Market, has provided Seattle with Romance and Intimate Fine Dining. As with some of Il Bistro's long-term customer relationships, there are still staff members who have been involved with the restaurant since the beginning.Market Fresh Meats, Seafood and Produce are always our number one priority. Our Chef can often be seen in the late afternoon browsing the Pike Place Market looking for the fresh catch of the day or searching for exotic mushrooms.

The chef was polite and courteous, the decor was very posh. We were served a risotto and a mussel. It was my least favorite sample of the tour. My husband had dined at this restaurant when he lived in Seattle previously and didn't care for it. The menu looks fab, but I wasn't awed by the food.

Anduluca

407 Olive Way

206-382-6999

We had a Spiced House made Sangria and Duck Cakes with a Cucumber Raita. The manager was charming and very open and happy to discuss recipes. A lovely place.

ART

99 Union St.

206-749-7070

Located in the four Seasons Hotel. It was lush and lavish. The manager was awesome he was dressed to euro perfection, and portrayed a savoire faire. We tried Blood Orange dry soda and the best mini burgers I have ever tasted. I am still craving them.

SERIOUS PIE- TOM DOUGLAS

Pizza MENU
Starters
baby lettuces, radish, moscatel vinaigrette 8
roasted beets, caramelized anchovies, pistachio 8
house lonza, sicilian olive oil 8
tuscan kale, pine nuts, parmesan 8
house cured olives, calabria peppers 7
pacific octopus, crispy pancetta, sunchokes 9
Pizza
buffalo mozzarella, san marzano tomato 16
yukon gold potato, rosemary, pecorino 15
delicata squash, roasted garlic, gorgonzola lucifero 16
sweet fennel sausage, roasted peppers 17
chanterelle mushrooms, truffle cheese 16
penn cove clams, house pancetta, lemon thyme 17
guanciale, soft egg, beacon hill arugula 16
prosser pumpkin, pork belly, pistachios 17
Sweets
tiramisu, coffee, mascarpone, chocolate 8
cannoli, figs, tangerine, golden raisins 8
aborio rice pudding, apple,caramel, cinnamon 8
biscotti & vin santo 10
amaretti & espresso 4

MY HUSBAND AND I WENT ON THE SAVOR SEATTLE FOOD TOUR WITH OUR KILTED TOUR GUIDE ERIC.

ERIC WAS A DELIGHT. HE WAS FRIENDLY, FUNNY AND KNOWLEDGEABLE.

I LEARNED THAT THE PIZZA DOUGH HERE IS MADE WITH A SOUR DOUGH BASE AND EACH PIZZA IS COOKED AT 600 DEGREES IN AN APPLE WOOD BURNING OVEN. THE CRUST IS SPRINKLED WITH AUSTRALIAN PINK SEA SALT. WE SAMPLED 2 PIZZAS AND THEY WERE FANTASTIC.

SERIOUS PIE

316 VIRGINA ST.

SEATTLE,WA

206-838-7388

MY IN-LAWS

JUNE, KATHY AND GENE
JUNE,GREG AND GENE

GENE

JUNE

RECIPES FROM JUNE

THESE ARE WONDERFUL. UP IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST THEY CALL THEM MEXICAN WEDDING COOKIES, DOWN HERE IN SOUTH TEXAS WE CALL THEM PECAN SANDIE'S. MY MOTHER IN LAW MADE THESE FOR US WHILE WE WERE VISITING AND THEY WERE HEAVENLY.

THIS IS MY MOTHER IN LAWS RECIPE FOR CHOCOLATE CAKE AND BOILED CHOCOLATE FROSTING. MY HUSBAND HAS BEEN TELLING ME THAT THIS WAS HIS FAVORITE CAKE IN THE WORLD. NOW THAT I HAVE HAD IT, I UNDERSTAND. IT WAS FANTASTIC. YOU CAN'T STOP WITH ONE SLICE.

The Pet Cat

I heard a cute saying the other day.

When referring to someone being the favorite,

he/she is referred to as "The Pet Cat". I had never heard his saying before. I man I heard it from was from Louisiana so maybe its a colloquialism.

TANKA BITES,BARS AND STICKS

Real Food, Real People

Native American foods is proud to share with you our peoples' imaginative cuisine of living flavors harvested in a respectful way. As Lakota from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation,we hope you enjoy the great taste of our Tanka products.

Based on Wasna, a centuries old traditional dish using fruits and herbs to preserve buffalo meat, Tanka products are real food for real people.

We stat with prairie raised buffalo and combine it with tart sweet cranberries. Buffalo meat is raised without the use of hormones

Sustainable Food

We source as many ingredients as possible from Native American producers to help build more sustainable Native food systems. As the buffalo return to the grasslands the bio diversity of the great plains will also return, contributing to the restoration of the prairie and our earth.
To be Tanka s to live in balance with Mind,Body and Spirit

Learn more @ Tankabites.com, 800-416-7217

*info taken from packaging

Today I got in from work , got the mail and had it in a stack on the bed.
Beaujo my Dog Gourmand and boss of me, began pushing thru the stack of mail. While I was on the phone she actually pulled the tab on the envelope and opened it up. I quickly took it from her. I smelled the envelope but didn't detect any scent from it. As I perused the contents I was ecstatic to see it was my samples from Tanka. I read the packaging and it struck a harmony with me. They stand for and believe in the same things I do. They share my mantra of Balance in Mind ,Body and Spirit. Then I opened the first package of Hot Tanka bites. I did have to share with Beaujo . The bite was intensely flavorful , moist and tender. It is 100% natural. I was expecting some hard, dried up greasy jerky, but what I got was something I felt good about eating. The mix of Buffalo, cranberry,sugar,sea salt, black,jalapeno,habanero and red peppers, with onion, garlic and other spices was perfect. It was truly a treat for my taste buds. I will be recommending Tanka Products to my friends and looking to purchase more for my family.

**Special thanks to Linda for sending these wonderful samples and introducing me to a new tasty joy.

GINGERBREAD PANCAKES RECIPE

Gingerbread Pancakes
Homey Breakfast Recipe From Magnolia Cafe, Austin.
3 eggs

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup brewed coffee

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon ginger

1 tablespoon nutmeg

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
Cream eggs and sugar together. Stir in buttermilk, water, and coffee and set aside. In a separate bowl sift together remaining dry ingredients. Stir egg mixture into dry ingredients (do not over-beat), then mix in melted butter. Add more water or buttermilk if necessary, but batter should be thick. Cook until done on a lightly greased hot griddle or in a heavy skillet (turn once when bubbles appear on upper side and start to break). Pancakes will be thick and cake-like in texture.

Makes 8 to 10 five-inch pancakes.