coconut . lime . mussels

Image: Megan.Christine

After having split a delicious bowl of mussels (with shallots and garlic) at Whisknladle in La Jolla with my girlfriend earlier in the week, I decided this weekend that I needed to make my own dish.  I picked up a pound of fresh mussels, which I came to realize that this is not really much food, hence it quickly became an appetizer.  I've been on this Asian cuisine kick for some time now, so I found an easy recipe (by Jeff Morgan) for Coconut Lime Mussels and was pleased that I had everything on hand except the lemongrass (found at most grocers).  It only took about 20 minutes to prep and cook and the end product was light and flavorful -- now only if I can find another use for this amazing broth!

(For those that enjoy wine pairing, a good Pinot Grigio worked well for cooking & drinking)

COCONUT LIME MUSSELS

2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 shallots, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp peeled and grated fresh ginger
2 tsp minced lemongrass
3 tbsp fresh lime juice
2 cups/480 ml dry white wine
1 cup/240 ml unsweetened coconut milk
2 to 2 1/2 lb/910 g to 1.2 kg mussels, scrubbed and debearded 
2 tbsp minced fresh flat-leaf (Italian) parsley or scallions

In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and sauté until translucent, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger, and lemongrass and stir to mix well. Simmer until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the lime juice. Add the wine and stir, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits that have stuck to the bottom of the pot.

Bring the wine mixture to a boil and cook for about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the coconut milk. Add the mussels to the pot, discarding any that do not close to the touch, and stir gently to coat them with the liquid. Cover and cook until all the shells have opened, about 5 minutes. Discard any mussels that remain closed.

Divide the mussels among warmed bowls and ladle in the hot broth. Garnish with the parsley or scallions and serve at once.

checked bag

I am about to embark on a cross-country trip back to my home state of Virginia for a long weekend full of family and friends.  While I have mastered the art of packing for any trip, regardless of length and destination, into a single carry-on, I have recently run into issues (thanks to the liquid restrictions imposed by the Transportation Security Administration).  Said liquids have, in every case thus far, been wine.  In Portland, in New Zealand, in Germany and most recently in Napa.  I have either been swindled into purchasing a case for shipment, bought a "skin" and checked my bag with a solo bottle or two, or sadly walked away empty handed.  On this specific trip today, I am attempting to bring home local infused olive oil from Temecula Olive Oil Company.  But as I pack my bag up tightly and say farewell as it drifts off on the conveyor belt, I will carry that ounce of anxiety, "will it arrive at my destination."  Then, as you stand at baggage claim watching bag after bag tumble out, they all begin to look alike, black.  Many people fear that someone else may grab their bag, so it was fitting this morning, as I read the NY Times, that there was an article about Tumi's new line of luggage.  With it's loud large graffiti print, artist John Matos covers Tumi's Vapor cases with a distinguishable design.  Scoop up this limited collection while you can, as Tumi is only producing 1,000 of each case.  As long as the airline delivers, you'll not only be sure to walk away with your bag, but you'll strut in style too!

eye.salt

It's that time of year when I have my annual eye exam and come to terms with the fact that with each passing day, I am slowly becoming more blind.  I have yet to seriously consider lasik surgery, although it's appeal is fast approaching.  In the meantime, I need (ie, I have the insurance to cover) a new pair of glasses.  I have always liked SALT sunglasses, and have also discovered that I equally appreciate their optics collection.  Established in 2006, SALT, a coastal California (Costa Mesa) based eye wear company, provides the optics industry with stylish, technologically advanced designs.  Their mission,  People Who Like Simple Things Made Well, is conveyed through a series of advertisements of chic models sporting SALT eye wear, which capture the essence of the SoCal lifestyle.  They offer a great selection of minimalist designs, which has made choosing the exact model to purchase a challenge, I want so many of them!  (images, saltoptics.com)

feast : γιορτή

Friends, food, + wine.  Simple elements that are great in their own right, but fantastic when combined together.  The other night I had the pleasure of spending an evening in the kitchen with my girl friends, as we whipped up a Greek feast (γιορτή) and dined over belly laughs.  The menu, all from scratch, consisted of: garlic hummus & tzatziki with toasted pita, spanakopita, lamb and chicken soulvaki skewers over a bed of mixed greens, and deconstructed baklava over frozen yogurt.  Each course was paired with a complimenting wine: a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, a tart Viognier, a smooth Pinot Noir, and finished with a liquorish Ouzo.  This is definitely the first of many dinner parties to come.

* images Megan.Christine

  

skoy .... scrub

*images Megan.Christine

Last month I had the pleasure of shooting a series of product photography for SKOY cloth.  The Encinitas, California based company, was established by two friends that wanted to provide a 100% biodegradable and environmentally friendly all-purpose cloth.  The SKOY cloth is durable and absorbent, which makes it the perfect replacement for a sponge, wash cloth or paper towel.  Having now used the SKOY cloth since the shoot, I can attest that they stand up to a good scrub.

I decided that Mixture would be the perfect backdrop to capture the SKOY cloth in action.  Mixture is a modern furniture and home accessories store in San Diego's Little Italy.  With high-style elements, and many exclusive hard-to-find lines, this store is a must for any design buff.

cup*cake

*images Megan.Christine

I recently went to a birthday party in North Park and had the guilty pleasure of sampling a tasty selection of cupcakes (my favorite was the vanilla bean cup with chocolate mousse center topped with a sliced strawberry).  No longer are the days of plain chocolate or vanilla, and now even marble or funfetti seems so simple.   It may seems fashionable, even Food Network has reaped the benefits of this popular pastry with the Cupcake Wars series, but today's treats have put cupcakes in the dessert spotlight.  Cupcake only bakeries have proliferated in the recent years, and that's clearly evident in San Diego.  With flavors like lemon coconut, guava mango, pistachio, and black forest, these daily baked bites of heaven are hard to resist.  

If you're anything like me, and lack baking skills, you're in luck.  There are a handful of cupcake boutiques and bakeries in San Diego that offer a large selection of decadent treats.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Heavenly Cupcake, 518 6th Ave, Downtown

Babycakes, 3766 5th Avenue, Hillcrest

Heaven Sent Desserts, 3001 University (corner 30th St), North Park

Sprinkles, 8855 Villa La Jolla Drive, La Jolla

Elizabethan Desserts, 155 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas

Cups, 7857 Girard Avenue, La Jolla

CB's Cupcakes, 5620 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad

i spot blu dot

I am a sucker for contemporary furniture, especially chairs.  I receive in the mail the catalogue for Blu Dot, a design and manufacturing company based out of Minneapolis that makes incredible modern and contemporary pieces for home and office.  Started in 1997 by three friends, they collaborate to bring functional and affordable products, built on the premise that "Good Design is Good."  I was thrilled when I discovered that Grounded (in Encinitas) was a retailer for Blu Dot.  Now I can actually touch, sit and get even more tempted to purchase.