Can't Run from Dim Sum

For the last year or so dim sum has become one of the most popular foods on the Eastside.
I'm a huge fan of the Chinese dumplings.  So much so that when the dim sum restaurant Din Tai Fung opened in Bellevue a few years ago, I was so excited.

The front of the restaurant has glass windows that look into the kitchen so, while you're waiting for your table, you can drool shamelessly at the cooks freshly making the dumplings. Surprisingly, it helps pass the time...

Now dinner at the trendy dumpling house has become some what of a regular thing for me and my friend K. She and I like to meet up for a late dinner, gossip and share stories while satisfying our taste buds with delicious dim sum.

Sharing is the best way to do dim sum.
Our usual meal consists of fried rice, pork dumplings, bok choi, and (our personal favorite) vegetable and pork wontons in spicy sauce.

For the full menu click HERE.

Official Member!

It's official: I'm a Paddy Coynes Club Member!

After months of hard work and perseverance, I have finally finished my first Drink Card at Paddy's.

When you fill out the 1st card you get your Membership card, a fancy Polo, and 10% your tab.
When you fill out the 2nd card, you get a membership jacket.
When you fill out the 3rd card, you get nothing.
No, seriously, absolutely nothing.
But when you fill out the 4th card, you get your name on a shiny plaque that sits in the pub forever.

I want the plaque.

And last night I became one card closer to my goal!

To find a Paddy's and start your quest to the plaque, click HERE.

Coastal Crab Cakes

As I mentioned in my last post, I spent the Christmas weekend at my favorite spot on the Oregon coast: Cannon Beach. When it wasn't raining we wondered round the quaint town, drank coffee, ate goodies from the Cannon Beach Bakery, and admired Haystack Rock from the sand.

On Christmas Eve Eve we drove along 101 to Astoria and got ourselves some freshly caught (and boiled) crab. I wanted to make crab cakes from scratch and had a friend from the restaurant write me up a recipe.

They turned out to be more crab fritters than cakes- but that's just because I was impatient to eat them and made them thin. But seeing as I made them from scratch, I figure you can make them whatever size and thickness you want!

Here's what you need:
1-2 lbs of fresh Crab meat
1/2 bunch of Arugula (finely chopped)
1/3 bunch Parsley (finely chopped)
1/3 red onion (finely chopped)
1-2 cups grated Parmigiano reggiano
1-2 cups Panko or bread crumbs
2 eggs
Salt & pepper to taste

Here's what you do:
If you have a full crab like we did, start by cleaning it. Sometimes you can ask to have the crab cleaned (usually they offer anyways) from wherever you purchased it, or else if you get the crab from the grocery store, it most likely has already been cleaned.  

Next comes the fun part: getting out the meat! You can use nutcrackers if you don't have an actual Crab/Lobster set, or just use your handy-dandy hands!

Apron may be required!

Once you have your crab meat, be sure to squeeze out some of the liquid by placing the meat on a paper towel and patting it down thoroughly.

Next, add all ingredients together in a bowl and mix well.
Form the cakes into the desired size and coat the outside with additional Panko.
In a large skillet, add oil and heat pan. When it's hot enough, add the cakes and cook until golden brown.

Serve warm & enjoy!

We served our cakes with brown rice.
A perfectly delicious coastal meal in prime crabbing season!
xx

5 Holiday To-Do's

Tis the Season to get out and soak up the holiday festivities!
Here are a list of 5 fabulous things to go check out or do this December around the Puget Sound:

1. Gingerbread Houses at the Sheraton Hotel, Seattle
  This year is the 20th Anniversary of the Gingerbread Houses and this year's theme is awesome. I won't ruin the fun, but it is definitely worth waiting in line for. Its a free event but if you donate money, all proceeds go to the JDRF foundation that researches the cure for type 1 diabetes. 

2. Christmas Tree's and Teddy Bear Suite at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle
   The Christmas tree's inside the fairmont are absolutely gorgeous. On the 3rd floor you can check out their Teddy Bear suite, it's a suite elaborately decorated for Christmas that houses tons of teddy's of all sizes.

3. Ice Skating, Bellevue Downtown Park
  Frozen on top of the Bellevue pond, this ice rink gets packed as Christmas time gets nearer. My advice, go before dinner at around 4 or 5 and bring a skating buddy with you!

4. Snowflake Lane, Downtown Bellevue
 A newer tradition on the Eastside, and happening every night at 7pm. This is a great little show that includes fun Christmas songs, drummer girls & drummer boys, and a flurry of fake snow. It lasts only about 10 to 12 minutes, but it's a ton of fun for everyone.

5. Sledding / Skiing/ Snowboarding, The Summit at Snoqualmie Pass
  Grab your ski's or your sled and get yourself up to the mountain! The best part of living on the Eastside? Snoqualmie Pass is only 40 minutes away! Since the Tubbing Park and Sledding Park was closed, B & I hiked a trail and built our own sled track. 

What are your favorite things to do during the holiday's? Let me know!
Xx

Contemporary Masquerade

Holiday parties are upon us.
Whether you're going to an Ugly Sweater party or a classy cocktail office party, you're usually guaranteed 2 things:
     1. Good company (or drinks...)
     2. Good stories to share the next day

I was invited to Sugar Mountains' holiday party as Jules plus one:

The theme was "Masquerade" and masks were required. Jules and I had a fun time picking out masks the weekend before, and when Tuesday night came along, we shimmied into our cocktail dresses & heels and headed into Seattle.

Jules & I chatted with her co-workers, played in front of the camera, and I even got my Tarot Cards read by the palm reader!

The first holiday party of the year was quite a success. The company & drinks were great, and the stories the next day were equally exciting!
Xx