Under a Red Roof

Practically Perfect in Every Way

June 3, 2008 in Eating, Gardening + Nature by Colleen | 1 comment

Mary Poppins?! No, peonies! I figured that after a post about rejection I’d better write something cheery. Nobody likes too much gloom, particularly moi. Eek! That just made me think of Miss Piggy and how she’d draw it out, moooiii?! I never liked her, a bit too selfish for my taste. Poor Kermie.

Anyway, I digress. This afternoon, after cancelling this morning because it was pouring buckets, then thinking I might go on Saturday, and calling my friend Bridget twice, I finally went to the peony farm. I made a little pit stop in Tualatin to pick up my bestest buddy Gregory, and we were on our way! The skies were grey and wind chilling, but it did not rain, thank goodness.

I was not disappointed, but I don’t need to tell you that. Look at these delightful blooms! Row upon row of beautiful flowers in many colors and hues – a veritable feast for the eyes! Had there not been such a breeze, I would have wandered around a bit more taking in their gorgeousness and a few more pictures. I know that I’m gushing, but I looove peonies (though the G-Man was pretty impressed too). They are neck and neck with Poppies in my favorite flower horse race. Still in the race, but a bit behind are dahlias, lilac, and lavender. Pur-dee.

For the locals, Adelman’s is about a 45-50 minute drive from my house, so it requires a little planning, but, if you like peonies, it is well worth it. The people are super nice and helpful and, as I’ve already said, the selection is fantastic, especially if you are particular in a Goldilocks or Sally Albright kind of way. Here’s what I want – a red, a true red, nothing pinky-red, but nothing too ‘bomb’ like either, or too frilly, and nothing that needs staking. Thankfully, I didn’t need to verbalize this to anyone except Gregory, because after fifteen years, he’s okay with my idiosynchrasies. We just wandered until I found one that was just right (and then two more). They even gave me a bouquet of Sunny Girl and some fertilizer to thank me for my purchase. How nice is that?

As an aside for all of you who might entertain the idea of taking along someone who might not be the greatest fan of the beloved peony – just across the overpass is a perfect roadside restaurant called the Chalet that is good for bribing. We noshed on a Philly French Dip and a Turkey sandwich with gravy and cranberry sauce before gilding the lily with a slice of coconut meringue and peach pie. That’ll do pig, that’ll do.

And what, you might ask, did I buy before all the eating? A Coral Charm, Buckeye Belle, and Bartzella, but, silly me, I neglected to take a single photo of them. I assure you, they are lovely, just lovely. I can’t wait to cut a bouquet next summer. Thank you Adelman Gardens Peony Farm!

Tunisian Delight

May 19, 2008 in Cooking + Baking, Eating by Colleen | Permalink

A while back, I was reading the blog Orangette when I saw a picture of a Moroccan crepe. It was filled with goat cheese, olives, honey, and harissa (a Tunisian sauce). Right then and there, I had to have it, or at least a variation of it. It made it that day and several times since.

Here’s what I made yesterday, a perfect combination of sweet, sour, spicy, soft, and crunchy. I call it Tunisian Delight, though the picture does not convey the sentiment adequately.

First, I made some pitas – very yummy and once I rolled the dough to the right thickness they puffed up nicely. Then I made some harissa (pressed garlic, tomato sauce, smoked paprika, cayenne, coriander, cumin, salt). Next I baked chicken thighs and coarsely chopped them, mixed in the harissa, and drizzled honey on top.

Gregory and I then stuffed the seasoned chicken into the pitas with lettuce, red pepper, carrot, pimento stuffed olives, bread and butter pickles, and a smidge of parsley.

Unfortunately, we were out of feta cheese this time, so I used some smoked Spanish sheep cheese, which was good, but not quite as good as the feta.

Then we ate until our bellies could take no more. Heaven, sheer heaven, I tell you.

Mutant Cookies

May 7, 2008 in Eating, Giving by Colleen | Permalink

Despite the fact that I’ve never actually wanted children of my own, I am a sucker for them.

Take these cookies. I bought the dough from the cute neighbor boys in support of their little league baseball team.

Next time, I think I’ll just make a donation – straight up, no purchasing of wrapping paper, junk food, chocolates, or cookie dough. It will save me the agony of having all these things that I don’t really need, like Slim Jims and three pounds (yes, pounds!) of peanut butter dough taunting me every time I open the refrigerator.

“You know you want to eat me. I am rather tasty by the spoonful, or you could stud me with chocolate chips (the way Gregory likes), so I get that mutant cookie look, and then bake me up. How great would I be with a glass of milk on a perfect Portland day?”

Well, darn it all if the dough wasn’t right! Now if Monday’s weather would return…

The Berlin Inn: Alles schmeckt sehr gut!

March 21, 2008 in Eating by admin | Permalink

Well, dear readers, it is official. This is my first, but most certainly not my last, post about food.

Oh my goodness! We have lived in Portland for ten years, and this is the first time we’ve actually eaten at The Berlin Inn. It’s a travesty, really. We have no excuse, but don’t fret. I’m sure we’ll be making up for it soon enough.

Our divine dining experience included:

A delicious wine flight – four Reislings and a Gewurtztraminer, crisp, fruity, and delicious.

Smoked Gouda and Garlic Fondue with the Bavarian Oktoberfest dippers: fantastically gooey, mouth watering, smoky, garlicky cheese heaven with apple, bread, pretzel, and sausage. The pretzel was the absolute best part: soft inside, a slight crunch on the outside, yum.

Next, because we wanted there to be some semblance of a balanced meal, we had the Cucumber Salad and the Bavarian Wilted Spinach Salad, but in all truth, the Bavarian salad had bacon on it, so I’m not sure that it really counts.

Despite the fact that we had absolutely no room in our bellies, we ended our meal with coffee and two delicious desserts. Gregory’s was the Chocolate Grand Marnier cake, and I tried the Streusel Cake with Spiced Peaches. Every bite was a mouth watering masterpiece.

To top it off, we received fantastic service, as well. The two women that helped us were cheerful, attentive, and highly knowledgeable.

Heaven, I’m telling you, sheer heaven. Gregory, on the way home in the car, said it best, “I’m giddy it was so good!” We proceeded to giggle the rest of the way home.

www.berlininn.com