Chimichurri Steak (from Bon Appetit)

I love Bon Appetit Magazine.  Inspiring and approachable recipes.  GREAT food photos.  Clever writing.

The Grilling Issue from July 2011 is all "fooded up" because of how many times I've referenced it in the last few months in the kitchen while cooking.  One of which was the Chimichurri marinade and sauce.  The truth is, I made it three times before I got all the photos.  I kept making it and forgetting to snap the finishing shots.  I would look the other way and poof- GONE?!  It was that fabulous.

The story goes that a meat loving English man came up with this traditional sauce while attempting to bring wonderful Argentinian meats to the UK.  His spice and sauce combinations became famous while in Argentina, and while his name was Jimmy Curry, his landlady couldn't remember his name after his return home.  The Argentinians continued to remember the great sauce man as "Chimichurri".  Oops, oh well.  I guess it's all about the food anyway, right?

Pasta with Red Bell Pepper Cream Sauce

Bell Peppers.  They are just so beautiful.  Peppers are my "go to veggie" (OK, they're technically a fruit) when I need to dress up a salad or throw some color in a dish.  And so many colors to choose from!  I eat them whole, chopped, sears, grilled, you name it.

I came across this recipes online by accident.  I was getting a little bored of tomato sauce (did I just say that out loud?) a few months back and was trying to brainstorm some ideas for my vegetarian friends.  I feel like I'm always making them lasagna and salad.  Veggies can be exciting too you know!  Thanks allrecipes.com

Dining Out: Nana's Irish Pub, Newport, OR

Some of you may be planning a day on the coast soon- if you happen to be on the Oregon coast and you happen to be in Newport, you may want to skip (or do a jig) on over to Nana’s Irish Pub.

Entering with great friends is always the way to any great dining experience

We were a “bunch of messers” as they say in Ireland (a.k.a. a rowdy group interfering in the name of good fun) as we all paraded down to Nana’s after watching our East coaster friend Bobby Krier cross the finish line of the Newport Marathon.  It was the most beautiful day of 2011 that Oregon had seen yet.

Good Potato Salad (it's all about the salsa!)

My dad would always request mom's "Taaate-a" salad.  He's not from the south or anything, but his father grew up in North "Caroliiiiine-a" so I guess that's where we got it from.  While the recipe is nothing southern, it is the best, HANDS DOWN, potato salad I've ever had to this day.

Pork Sandwich with Homemade BBQ Sauce

In the mood for a killer sandwich?  Tired of chicken?  PORK... so good.

And who knew BBQ sauce could be so easy?  I literally just pulled these items out of my pantry.

But first, the meat.  I had a 2-3 pound piece of pork shoulder, bone out and bound up.

Thanks to a little help from Tyler Florence's Pulled Pork Recipe (same ingredients, but to my liking), I was off like a chef on espresso, and so excited!  That is...

Back In Action: Alaskan Cruise Eating Highlights and Inspiration

  

Hello out there.  I have been VERY busy with work and summer activities.  To cap it all off Chris and I just returned from a fabulous Alaskan Cruise with our friends and family.  I know, it's our first summer in Portland and where do we choose to go?  But it was a week to remember.  Such beauty, nature and of course good food and drink!

Here's a little taste of our week, and I promise that