Terrible!

Enjoy this picture that has nothing to do with anything!  I haven't abandoned you, I promise!  Life has been busy busy busy lately and sometimes that just gets in the way of blogging!  I am working on a post to share the recipes that I used to cater a wonderful casual lunch this past weekend, and gearing up to go on a million adventures (or four).  We are moving into a different apartment this weekend, and school just ended last week.  Busy, like I said!  I am going to try to get back on a regular blogging schedule once we're settled into the new place a little more- and I promise I'm not going anywhere!

Wild Fennel & Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Wild fennel is coming up like crazy all over Seattle right now.  There just so happens to be a gigantic bush on very public property growing less than a block from our apartment.  We've been adding it to salads and scrambles here and there, but last weekend I decided that I wanted to do something a bit different with it.  So, last night I did!

This is a very, very basic recipe that makes for a much lighter ice cream.  Most call for cooking egg yolks into a custard, or using three to four different types of cream, which I don't keep on hand.  This recipe simply uses milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, and fennel.  Subtract the fennel and it is a good base for whatever flavors you'd like to add.

Ingredients:
- 2 cups whole or 2% milk
- 1 pint heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup organic sugar
- 4 six-inch stalks of wild fennel, coarsley chopped (grocery store variety fennel can be used as well- use the tops and fronds rather than the bulb)
- 1 tbsp dried fennel seeds
- 1 vanilla bean, or 1 tbsp vanilla extract

Directions:
- Gently heat milk, cream, and sugar over medium heat until sugar is melted and mixture is hot but not boiling.
- Turn heat to low.  Add both fresh and dried fennel, as well as vanilla bean (scrape out the insides, and add whole bean as well).
- Simmer for 15-20 minutes, carefully tasting until mixture has reached desired taste.
- Stain mixture into a bowl, pressing the liquid out of the fennel, and refrigerate until cool.
- If using an ice cream maker- pour liquid into base, and run machine until ice cream is desired consistency.  I store mine in a yogurt container in the freezer.
- If you aren't using an ice cream maker- freeze mixture into a container first, then once frozen put through a food processor or blender in batches until smooth, and re-freeze.

Wild fennel is a weed, and grows well all over the place.  It's easy to find in Seattle neighborhoods, and I'm sure in many other areas as well.  If you aren't sure of a source that's okay to pick - ask around.  I don't mind sharing my location either, if you want to send me an email (renai.marie(at)gmail(dot)com). It's easy to identify- as it has tall feathery stalks, and smells just like licorice when broken.  Make sure to carefully wash any that you find, and try to avoid picking along roadways, and never out of someones yard or garden.

 Wild Fennel from Sandy Austin

Necessity

“Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit” -Edward Abbey

Pacific Ocean, Shi-Shi Beach Trail from grilledsteeze

Despite the fact that July 4th weekend is still nearly a month away- I am RIDICULOUSLY excited about newly developed plans.

It all has to do with this crazy amazing place.


Aside from that, there is also a bike camping trip, winery camping trip, and other assorted camping trips planned for the summer already.  I love Seattle- but sometimes I love not being in Seattle even more. 

A Little Weekend Dining

I don't post about food as much as I'd like to- but our regular weekly meals don't seem that exciting since I'm so used to them!  We've made a weekly ritual out of picking up eggs, bacon, and veggies at the Ballard farmers market every Sunday morning and making an absolutely ridiculous brunch.  That definitely happened today.  I also made a few other things that I felt were kind of special.

On Friday night before heading out to the Fremont Art Walk I whipped together this little creation.  And you'll have to excuse my sloppy poached eggs.  I am not the most gentle of egg poachers.  This is beer braised kale with garlic scrapes and spring onions, topped with teenie tiny poached quail eggs.  Yes, quail.  Their yolk to white ratio is fantastic.

This beautiful creation was breakfast on Saturday morning.  Yes, we had cake for breakfast.  We also ate half of it in one sitting.  I am not ashamed.  The recipe is from Smitten Kitchen and I've made it twice now.  This time I used plain yogurt in place of the buttermilk, and 1/3 cup whole wheat flour.  It was still light and perfectly moist.  I am really, really in love with this cake.  Really.

Ughhhh look at that.  I want to eat it again.  It's full of beautiful little raspberry craters and lemon zest.  We are made for each other.

Our Shelter Cats

I just realized that I've never posted any pictures of Ollie, aside from the day we adopted her.  She has settled in so well.  She was really unhealthy and scared when we got her, and she has done a complete 180 in the past few months.

I honestly can't say enough good things about adopting adult cats.  Luna was a year and a half when we got her (now two), and Ollie is just over four.  We don't know much of Luna's history other than she was picked up as a stray- but she seems to have been well socialized.  She had only been at the shelter for two weeks when we adopted her in October.  Ollie's story isn't quite as lovely, but it makes me feel so good that we took her home.  She was found in the woods near a local hiking area (meaning she was dumped) and had been at the shelter for nearly seven months when we adopted her.  She didn't know how to play, had signs of bad previous mite and flea infestations, hated to be touched on her backside, and was very nervous and mean.  We've only had her since February, but her personality is so wonderful already.  She is playful, affectionate, goofy, vocal, and bossy, just like a healthy happy cat should be.

I know that it's tempting to adopt kittens or get free animals on Craigslist- but if you are thinking about adopting- please, please, please check out a local shelter first.  Shelter animals come with all of their vaccinations and are spayed or neutered before going home.  "Free" animals don't come with any of these guarantees and often end up costing much more in the long run.  We did have to be patient and understanding with both of our cats- but with lots of love they are both absolute joys.  We haven't had any issues with them- behavioral or otherwise.  I can't imagine that someone ever didn't want them.

And Luna being super helpful, as always. 

Giveaway Winner!

The winner of the giveaway is Samantha, of The Samantha Files!  Please shoot me an e-mail with your mailing address at renai.marie(at)gmail(dot)com and I'll get your book and jam to you ASAP!

Thanks to everyone who entered- and as always, I'll try to have another giveaway up soon.  Feel free to recommend any ideas for future giveaways.  I'm always happy to support small businesses and awesome vendors in the name of blogging.

Seattle Green Week

Jam Making III by kirsty

Seattle Green Week started on Wednesday, but there are still a ton of great activities coming up!  A lot of these are perfect for the long weekend.  Here are a few that I am excited about:

- Tonight (5/28) is a free showing of the movie Good Food- airing 7-9 PM at The Phinney Center at 6532 Phinney Ave. N.

"Something remarkable is happening in the fields and orchards of the Pacific Northwest.  Small family farmers are making a comeback.  They're growing much healthier food, and lots  more food per acre, while using less energy and water than factory farms.  For decades Northwest agriculture was focused on a few big crops for export. But to respond to climate change and the end of cheap energy, each region needs to produce more of its own food and to grow food more sustainably.  Good Food visits producers, farmers’ markets, distributors, stores, restaurants and public officials who are developing a more sustainable food system for all."

- This Sunday, May 30th- 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Goods for the Planet is hosting a "no frills" home canning lesson for fruit and tomatoes.  You do need to pre-register via e-mail, and the class fee is $20.  Class info can be found on their website under the "events" tab.

- Monday, June 1st 3:30-5:30 PM at the Ballard Library Seattle Free School has a class on making garden baskets out of recycled paper bags.  

- Thursday, June 3rd 7-9 PM is another free movie night at Phinney Center.  A Sea Change:

"Imagine a world without fish. It’s a frightening premise, and it’s happening right now. “A Sea Change” follows the journey of retired history teacher SvenHuseby on his quest to discover what is happening to the world’s oceans. A must-see! It’s the first documentary about ocean acidification, and it’s winning lots of awards. Directed by Barbara Ettinger and co-produced by Sven Huseby of Niijii Films."

- Saturday, June 5th Earth Corps is hosting a trio of park restoration parties from 10 AM - 2 PM.  The focus is on maintaining restoration sites, planting native trees, and removing non-native species.  

     "1. Seward Park: Work with EarthCorps and the Green Seattle Partnership and the Friends of Seward Park as we continue to maintain our restoration sites, plant native tree and remove English ivy from this stand of old growth forest right in the city! Home to diverse wildlife and impressive trees, Seward Park is enjoyed by walkers, cyclists, and those who love the outdoors.

     2. Cheasty Greenspace: Join EarthCorps, the Green Seattle Partnership and Seattle Parks and Recreation in our ongoing efforts to restore Cheasty Greenspace. Volunteers will be performing maintenance on restoration sites, creating "survival rings" around trees and planting native trees, shrubs and ground cover in this 43 acre south Seattle greenspace. Other work may include non-native plant removal, past restoration site stewardship, or woodchip application.

     3. Kiwanis Ravine: Join EarthCorps, the Green Seattle partnership and the Heron Habitat Helpers as we continue to restore the wildlife corridor adjacent to Kiwanis Ravine. The Kiwanis Ravine in Seattle’s Magnolia neighborhood just east of Discovery Park. At just 14 acres this Seattle Park space is home to Seattle’s largest heron rookery with over 60 active nests. Come help out our herons by installing new native trees & shrubs."

Are any of you participating in any Green Week activities?   Note that attending any of these events will also score you a one-day pass for Seattle Green Festival!

Giveaway! Canning & Preserving by Ashley English, and a Jar of Blueberry Honey Jam!

That's a mouthful!

I've mentioned about a million times before how much I love Ashley English's blog.  I am immeasurably envious of her lifestyle and am a huge fan of her writing style.  About a month and a half ago, she was celebrating the release of the first two books in her Homemade Living Series.  I got my jammy little hands on a copy of Homemade Living: Canning & Preserving, and just so happened to pick up a second copy to share.  With you!  Yes, lovely you.

More than just recipes- this book is full of information on canning methods, necessary equipment, and beautiful photographs. 

Also- because I promised something edible- I'm going to include a jar of my own homemade blueberry and honey jam.  The blueberries are sassy little sour things that I picked in Juneau with my mama last summer, and the honey is local raw Washington blueberry honey.  This jam is wonderfully tart and florally sweet at the same time.  I've been eating it off of my fingers, since we are currently out of bread.  The horror!  Don't tell.

All you need to do to enter to win is leave a comment on this post, telling me what your favorite thing is to eat from a jar!  I will randomly pick a winner, next Sunday, May 30th at 5PM (PST) and announce it here.  Un-registered users please be sure to include your real name and a means to contact you.  United States and Canada only, please.  Shipping is expensive!