Monthly Archives: July 2012

Hello Summer!

27 Friday Jul 2012

Posted by in Life, Waffles

≈ Leave a Comment

Happy Birthday to the most amazing woman, my MOM!

A few sights and eats from the week.

Wednesday, a friend and I went to the recreation park De Lilse Bergen, less than a 30 minute drive from Antwerp. We drove back into the woods to find the parking area, and quickly realized we weren’t the only people wanting to take advantage of the nice weather. The place was packed! Apparently they have camping and lots of family activities on site too. We found a grassy spot amongst the other sunbathers, laid out our towels and soaked up some rays for the afternoon. It was hard to believe we were still in Belgium!

Preparations for a fantastic cold zucchini soup. And a knife from my new set that Garrett gifted me! This soup is super easy. Just melt 4 TBs of butter (you could use olive oil) over low heat in a large pot. Add one sliced onion, and 8 or 9 thinly sliced cloves of garlic. Let them sweat for about 10 minutes, don’t let them burn! Peel and chop 4 medium zucchinis. Add to the pot, cook until soft. Add 4 cups of chicken stock (or vegetable stock) and let everything simmer over low heat for 45 minutes. Let cool, then blend with an immersion blender or transfer to a standing blender. When soup is pureed, add 1/2 tsp of ground ginger and salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate. Find the original recipe at thekitchn.com.

Garrett and I are obsessed with tomatoes right now. They are so good! This week I mixed chopped tomatoes with feta, fresh basil, a little olive oil, red wine vinegar, and salt and pepper. I served this “salsa” over grilled chicken breasts and we sat out on our terrace to enjoy it. So fresh and a great way to utilize all these bright tomatoes in season.

Can’t get enough melon right now. I haven’t even thought to buy watermelon this summer because the weather hasn’t really called for it. But, since it’s been in the 80s this week, I’ve been eating TONS of watermelon (especially after my training runs!). I was shocked at how sweet this melon was, but I guess that’s what happens when you buy in season.

There is a little market right by us that I go to for produce when I’m not making a large grocery run. The prices are good, and the people who run the shop are so nice. I am definitely learning how to buy in season produce here in Antwerp, it’s cheaper and the quality difference is unreal. I’m trying to build recipes around an ingredient, like whatever looks good at the market, instead of going in with a plan. It keeps me creative, and my dishes  feel more authentic.

So glad it’s Friday! We don’t have much planned, besides a much anticipated birthday dinner cooked by Garrett tomorrow night! Last Saturday was a National holiday and even the large Saturday market was closed, which meant Garrett couldn’t do his grocery shopping for his planned meal. Fine by me! Something to look forward to! I’ll let you know how it turns out, and if he was able to keep me out of the kitchen…

Have a great weekend!

 

Lately

25 Wednesday Jul 2012

Posted by in Life

≈ Leave a Comment

Despite not having any pictures to show for it, it’s been a good last couple of weeks over here. A brief recap:

First and foremost, the weather has been the best I’ve ever seen it in Antwerp. For the first time I cannot spot one single cloud in the sky, just bright blue out there! Temperatures have reached 80* F and the sun’s heat is INTENSE. It appears we are finally getting our summer after all…Well, at least for a few more days.

Mondays have held some significance these past two weeks. Last Monday was our Anniversary, and this Monday was my Birthday! It’s no wonder why July is my favorite month :o . We’ve been celebrating on the weekend, going out for lovely dinners in the city, trying new restaurants on our radar, and just enjoying the outdoors.

For my birthday cake, I made red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. Which was kind of Garrett’s idea, but then I completely took over in the kitchen because I just can’t help myself. And now someone SERIOUSLY has to get these cupcakes out of our house. Can’t.have.just.one.

This Saturday I have one more birthday surprise in store for me… Yes, I feel it’s necessary to extend my birthday when it falls on a Monday, which is probably the worst day of the week.

Last Saturday we made a trip out to the suburbs for a Belgian style barbecue with a few of Garrett’s colleagues. Sausages, steak, chicken skewers, and various salads filled our plates. Our hosts were wonderful and their two young daughters were the perfect helpers throughout the evening. If only I could have spoken to them in Flemish! I’m so fortunate for these get togethers, especially with the nice weather.

We’re experiencing a brief lull on the visitor front, but I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the downtime while keeping busy with household things and a few new recipes here and there. One of my best friends from college comes mid August and we have just booked cheap flights to Munich for four days. I cannot wait to see her and spend 10 days of good ole fashioned, quality girl time together.

Against my better judgement, I have decided to run a half marathon at the end of October in Amsterdam. Of course, Garrett will be running it too, but he has actually done races before (ahem, like a MARATHON) and I have never. But, I do run. And I sorta have always wanted to do this. What sealed the deal was the training plan which seems totally doable, dare I say it even looks “fun.” So, now we’re all signed up, so I guess I’ve “committed.” Wish me luck.

And lastly, on a heavier note, I recently lost my Great Grandma Mimi. She was 99, just a month from her 100th birthday. She was not ill, but passed peacefully in her sleep because it was her time. I am so lucky that Mimi was a huge part of my life growing up. When I was just 12, her and my Grandma Dede took me to Paris. That was my first taste of Europe. The memories I have of her fill my heart with so much joy. She was truly one of a kind and taught me how to fall in love with LIFE. I’ve learned that it’s impossible to write about people we’ve lost without feeling like there’s something more to say, like our words don’t do justice to their life lived. So all I’ll say is that I loved her very much. She was an incredible human being who lived an amazingly FULL life. And because of that, I am at peace.

With this weather, it promises to be a great week. Garrett and I have enjoyed dinners out on our terrace and evening walks by the water. Today I am heading to a nearby beach with a friend to soak up some of this short lived sun. Ahh, if only the entire summer could be just like this!

 

What to do with a giant head of red cabbage

18 Wednesday Jul 2012

Posted by in Waffles

≈ Leave a Comment

So I bought this head of red cabbage at the market the other day. I needed it for shrimp tacos. You know, just as a topping, for the crunch factor.

I would say I used about… 1/16 of the head for the tacos. And then I was left with a huge head of cabbage and not a clue what to do with it.

I didn’t make cole slaw. I’m not really into mayo based salads. I’ll never order chicken salad or tuna salad or egg salad out to eat because I have no idea what’s going on with the mayo situation there. Not that I’m against mayo either, I eat it with my fries here in Belgium! Try not to cringe at that last part, I’m just doing what the locals do…

So this AMAZING red cabbage salad is not cole slaw at all. It is packed with different textures and layers of flavor from the sweet raisins, salty blue cheese, smokey pecans and mustard-vinegarette. The warmth from the dressing wilts the cabbage just slightly, but the crunch factor stays in tact. It’s a winner!

This would be a great side dish to bring to a bbq. It can be made ahead of time, served cold or at room temperate and leftovers are very welcome… if you have any left overs. This salad is also kind of addicting.

Red Cabbage Salad with Blue Cheese and Toasted Pecans

adapted from theperfectpantry

4-5 cups thinly shredded red cabbage (about half a head)

1/2 cup pecans

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

2 tsp grainy mustard

1/4 tsp fresh black pepper

1/4 cup (or more!) crumbled blue cheese

1/4 cup golden raisins

a few pinches of salt to taste

Set shredded cabbage aside in a large bowl.

Toast your pecans on a skillet over low heat, just until you start to smell the aroma from the nuts. Watch them carefully, this will only take a few minutes. Transfer pecans to a cutting board and roughly chop them up. Return chopped nuts to the skillet.

Keeping over low heat, add your olive oil, vinegar, mustard and pepper to the chopped pecans. Whisk everything together and let the flavors meddle for a few minutes over the heat.

Pour the dressing over the cabbage. Add your raisins and blue cheese. Gently toss. Taste for seasoning, and add salt as desired.

Let the salad sit at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 15 minutes before serving. Then, enjoy!

1 Year.

17 Tuesday Jul 2012

Posted by in Love

≈ Leave a Comment

One year of Love

Laughter

Travel

Excitement

under our belts.

Makes me very excited for what’s next…

Happy Anniversary (yesterday!!) to us. Xoxo

photo credit!

Greek Yogurt Pancakes

15 Sunday Jul 2012

Posted by in Waffles

≈ 3 Comments

This idea was fueled by my Cousin Josie. Greek yogurt pancakes! Who knew!?

Apparently I’m late to the party.

We have a standard family pancake recipe over here passed down from my Uncle Tommy. And those pancakes truly are the best. They are buttery, ridiculously light, and just… Perfect. All our guests go crazy for them.

But, they’re more of a weekend treat and not the type of thing I’m making for myself on a random Tuesday morning. These, I did make for myself on a Wednesday. Then I doubled the batch and shared with Garrett on Sunday.

I consider this health food because of the oats (hearty grains!), greek yogurt (protein!), and the lack of butter and sugar. I also make a fair attempt to not drown them completely in syrup.

Oh! And this is a total no frills recipe. One bowl, one whisk (or fork, whatever). I love when breakfast makes easy clean up. And all the ingredients I usually have on hand.

The greek yogurt adds a nice tang and texture, the cinnamon gives a little spice and warmth, and the honey brings a touch of natural sweetness. They are filling, but not cakey or dense. I top mine with a thin slather of peanut butter, sliced bananas, and an extra sprinkle of cinnamon. Yum.

Greek Yogurt Pancakes

adapted from various recipes around the Web

makes 3 medium pancakes (when doubling, I used 1 whole egg)

1/4 cup old fashioned oats

1/4 cup AP flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp cinnamon

pinch of salt

1/2 cup plain greek yogurt

1 egg white (you can also use a whole egg, your preference)

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 Tbs honey

Mix all the dry ingredients together. Next, add all the wet ingredients. Stir to combine. Spoon 1/4 cup onto a hot griddle or pan and repeat to make 3 pancakes. Don’t forget to Pam your heating surface! Cook about two minutes on each side, until cooked through and golden brown on top. Serve up with your favorite toppings.

Enjoy!

Wimbledon

14 Saturday Jul 2012

Posted by in Life

≈ Leave a Comment

From champagne to tennis.Thanks to my Dad and the guys at ESPN, we were able to get tickets to Wimbledon, passes into the ESPN suite and Centre Court tickets. What an experience! That, if you can believe it, is Roger Federer serving. And that is Novak Djokovic.

We got to see both super stars in the fourth round. No, they weren’t playing one another, but it was still so cool to see them live in action. Spectacular really.

We enjoyed the benefits of the Centre Court roof both days we were at Wimbledon. On and off, the rain was coming down out there.

The atmosphere was lively, but there was definitely a taste of “sophistication” in the air calling for a respectful audience. I’ll say the environment was very tame, especially in comparison to other sporting events I’ve been to. You did have a few hecklers in the crowd, but they were quickly shut up by the umpire.

We were also able to get a sweet ESPN “behind the scenes” tour. We walked into control rooms and met many of the men and women who help bring the live event to households all over the world. Having grown up around the TV business, I still never get bored seeing all the work it takes to piece together different shots and create a program that runs so seamlessly. Thank you to our wonderful tour guide for giving us an inside look! On set of Breakfast at Wimbledon.

We only scheduled a day and a half in our itinerary to be in London. The first day off the train, we headed straight to the grounds and watched matches from about 2pm to 8pm. Besides watching Centre Court, we were free to roam the grounds and caught a glimpse of some junior matches as well.

The second morning we arrived as early as we could, starting our day with the ESPN tour and hopping to different courts as matches started. I know we were all wishing we didn’t have to catch a train as we started to watch Ferrer and Del Potro battle it out. But alas, we left rainy London and headed back to Antwerp.

All I can say is what a cool experience! One that I’m sure I’ll only get to do once. We’ve watched the tournament on TV for years, but nothing is like being up close and personal. The players are even better than you can imagine, their serves faster and more powerful, their shots so quick and precise. Unbelievable. Thanks for the ticks Dad! We owe you one.

Champagne Region

12 Thursday Jul 2012

Posted by in Life

≈ Leave a Comment

Beautiful country.


The day after my parents’ arrival in Antwerp, we rented a car and drove out to the Champagne Region in France.

Over Christmas break last year, we talked a lot about where we would go for this July visit. We decided rather than jet off somewhere, why not rent a car and explore the countryside. Especially when we found out that we would also be heading to London.

We enjoyed two nights at Chateau de Fere in the Champagne Region near Reims. The setting was breathtaking. We sipped champagne outdoors while staring out to the ruins just ahead. The grounds even had a heated swimming pool and a tennis court. It was the perfect holiday getaway.

My parents favorite champagne is Veuve Clicquot, and we were able to tour their caves and learn about how they make their wines. We sampled and took home several bottles, a few to enjoy now and a few to have over Christmas when my family comes back.

In Reims we visited the Notre Dame Cathedral. The architecture is truly a masterpiece and you wonder how in the world something so detailed and massive was built so many years ago.

We enjoyed sunshine, great food, wonderful wines and champagnes. We toured city streets and drove through the countryside, admiring the vineyards and lush fields. It was a quick trip, but a great one.

Salad Time

10 Tuesday Jul 2012

Posted by in Waffles

≈ Leave a Comment

I plan to eat this salad every day this week. 

Why? Well for starters, the recipe makes a HUGE batch. Which can sometimes be annoying. But not when you are in desperate need of something fresh and light, that is health food without being boring.

Ps, I am also coming off of a very FUN ten-plus days of eating and drinking with family. I’m talking soft cheeses for days, hard salamis, lots of wine, the occasional Belgian beer and Belgian chocolate… etc. We tend to over celebrate when we’re all together. Oh well. 

So Monday morning I woke up ready to make something healthy Garrett and I could dive into all week. Especially me, since I eat all my meals at home, for the most part. Rather than attacking the 27 billion loads of laundry I have going, or vacuuming and scrubbing the entire apartment… I made this salad. Which, let me add, forced me to put on clothes and leave the apartment. Huge accomplishment considering my mom left for the States that morning and I really just wanted to cry and lie in bed all day. Pathetic, I know. It also so happens that every time I have guests leave, the sun leaves too and it starts raining and being all cold again. Could that be any more depressing?

The original recipe calls for wheat berries, and I’m pretty positive that is not what I’m using here. Or maybe I am? I do have some form of wheat and they look like puffed up rice grains, perhaps faro? The label on the box simply says “precooked wheat” in three different languages, English not being one of them. I love that I decided to get creative in the kitchen all while living in another country.

Wheat berries, faro, or whatever, this salad is exactly what I wanted. It is fresh and light, but hearty enough because of the grains and beans. I love the crunchy veg, the brightness of lemon and cilantro, and the perfect variety of textures in this salad. It is lovely for lunch and a great side dish for dinner. Most important, it makes me feel good!

Wheat Salad with Chickpeas and Chopped Veg. 

slightly adapted from Oh She Glows. 

1 cup dry wheat berries (or faro, or brown rice, whatever grain you have)

2 15 oz. cans chickpeas (drained and rinsed)

1 large cucumber, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 large tomato, chopped

2 garlic gloves, minced or pressed

4 green onions, chopped

1 cup fresh cilantro, removed from stems and chopped

salt and pepper to taste

Dressing:

2 Tbs extra virgin olive oil

2 Tbs balsamic vinegar

1 tsp dijon mustad

1 Tbs tamari

2 Tbs (or more) of fresh lemon juice. * (I used the juice from one and a half lemons)

Cook your grain per directions in salted boiling water. Set aside, or in the fridge to let cool while you prep the rest of the salad.

Chop veggies, all about the same size, relatively small. Combine chopped veggies in a large bowl with the cilantro and garlic. Add the beans that you have already drained and rinsed.

* feel free to substitute whatever bean you like. I think the original recipe called for black beans.

In a separate bowl make the dressing. Whisking together all the ingredients.

When your grain has cooled, add it to the vegetables and gently toss everything together. Pour the dressing over, and toss again. Taste for seasoning, adding salt and pepper to your liking.

Serve and eat.

Now excuse me while I go see if the “bleach” I bought yesterday is in fact bleach.

Family

09 Monday Jul 2012

Posted by in Love

≈ Leave a Comment

Oh my Gosh, I’m going to miss these faces…

And these two also…My parents flew into Brussels and made their way to Antwerp Thursday morning, June 28. With a trip to the Champagne Region in France and then to London for Wimbledon, it seems like so long ago since their arrival.

At the tail end of my dad’s stay, his sister and her daughter (my aunt and cousin) came to celebrate the fourth of July with us, and stayed for four more days with Garrett, my mom and I.

After a patriotic celebration with family and some of our wonderful friends in Antwerp, it was time for the boys to return to reality. My dad flew back to the States the following morning, and Garrett headed back to work. My mom, Cousin Josie, Aunt Jenny and I spent some quality girl time together, shopping in Antwerp and site seeing in Brugge.

The five of us enjoyed a great final weekend of open air markets, sunny skies, and delicious meals cooked in. Sunday morning we put my aunt and cousin on a train to Paris and said goodbye until the next visit.

Mom flew out this morning. And now the apartment feels so empty and quiet. Thank God I’ve got a lot to do to keep me busy.

I am constantly reminded of how important family is and how lucky I am to celebrate all these great moments with mine. 

Believe me when I say that I will miss waiting for my turn to talk at the dinner table, or taking part in everyone trying to talk over one another. Having a full house, all of us spread out on the couches watching Wimbledon on TV. Long walks in neat cities with great company. And staying up late at night telling stories, laughing so hard tears roll down my cheeks.

Yep, December can’t get here fast enough.

In the meantime, I’m lucky to have this guy by my side every day. He gives me the most joy of all.We’ll be holding down the fort for when you return to Antwerp. Your rooms will be made up and ready for your stay. The fridge will be stocked with all your favorite things. Stella will remember your faces and warm up to your arrival.

… Well, maybe not that last part.

Thank you for reminding me of the best things in life. I’m so happy we had this trip! Till next time. Xoxo