Dinner

It's not the easiest thing in the world to take a decent picture of steaming food. I have no patience.

Purple jasmine rice, fresh caught Pacific NW halibut, green garlic, fresh ginger, miso broth, oyster mushrooms, and kale. I could eat you forever.

Whidbey Island Daycation

The plan to go morel hunting this past weekend was unfortunately spoiled by flooding and a serious lack of actual mushrooms. Never one to be phased by bad weather or last minute planning- the bff found us a camp site on Whidbey Island, and we drove out on Friday after work. We somehow managed not to plan a single thing- by the time we got to the campground it was pitch black, we had no firewood, and only the light of a dying head lamp. We managed to set up our tent without too many issues, eat a well balanced dinner of hummus and cheese, and crashed out by 10:30.

The next morning we took off and found ourselves a sweet little farm with a creamery and a cafe. I'd be happy to eat pie for breakfast forever.

From there we headed towards Deception Pass, but (of course) found ourselves at a farmers market and Friends of the Library book sale.

I forgot how calm and mellow farmers markets can actually be. Once we finally made it to Deception Pass State Park we spent a good two hours just walking down the beach. It's been way too long since I've done that.

We have another mushroom hunting trip scheduled in a few weeks, so I'm hoping to get at least one trip in before spring is over.

Life, Lately

Things are mostly wonderful, although I've barely had time to breath lately. Camping and morel hunting this weekend, a tutu sewing fest next week, Ski to Sea with co-workers the weekend after that, and it goes on and on.

Link Love! Canning and Putting Things in Jars

Despite our slow turning Seattle spring- asparagus is in full force at the farmers markets, and thanks to my mama and Lizzie I have a giant bag of wild fiddleheads in my fridge, straight outta Southeast Alaska! Take that, TSA. I've been putting my own stash of fiddleheads into pasta, and pretty much anything that goes well with butter. I'm excited now to finally have enough to pickle and can.

And although we still have a little while to go before berries start showing up- it's really never too early to start planning for jam. Never ever. And even then? There are still a million other things that do so well in jars.

Canning Across America and Food in Jars are without a doubt my two favorite canning resources. I'm totally totally smitten with Baked Eggs in Half Pint Jars. I've been dreaming about them since Tuesday.

- Strawberry, Balsamic, and Black Pepper Jam from Melissa Made is really for real. I've never been a huge fan of strawberry jam (too many chunks!) but I'm all sorts of excited about this one.

- Sticking with the pepper theme- Salt and Pepper Cashew Butter from Edible Perspective sounds kind of perfect. I made my own almond butter a few months ago and really loved it. Cashews are kind of dreamy.

 

 - Langdon Cook blogs about Christina's recipe for Pickled Fiddleheads, which is likely the recipe that I'll use for my own. Christina has lots of dishes with fiddleheads happening at Nettletown right now, so if you're curious and in Seattle- get your butt in there!

- I've been wanting to experiment with preserving lemons for a while now. Food in Jars has a short and sweet write up. Lemons and salt, loves. That's all.

I've been meeting so many people lately who are getting into canning. It's so inspiring and I love hearing about it. What are you excited about canning this spring and summer?

Nettlefiddle

Last Sunday I drug my dumpling Julia out into the woods and threatened to torture her if she didn't help me pick nettles.

We also managed to scrounge up a few of the last fiddleheads along the way. I nearly lost a shoe.

What have you been up to? I've been busy with mushroom identification classes, marathon training, a crazy work retreat, hosting a bake sale for Water for People (we raised nearly $500!), eating cheese, and drinking beer. So much good!