Valentine’s Day Inspired Recipes using Strawberries

Valentine’s Day is coming up, and I wanted to reshare some recipes from the past that you might want to consider for a Valentine’s Day with Strawberries. Well, you could use any of these for a Valentine’s Night date, or any date night, at home. I usually go into intense strawberry mode later in the spring/early summer when the intense Hood strawberries appear, but this time of year supermarkets seem to really want to push strawberries too and after walking by them so many times I ultimately cannot resist one of the sale priced big red berries.

Some of the offerings at the Hollywood Farmers market on Saturdays - Sea Scape Strawberries

F doesn’t like going out for Valentine’s Day – the hype is too much, and what says true love more then coming home and being in your comfy pjs snuggling and not worrying about PDA as we share a bottle of bubbly with candles and a home cooked meal? I don’t make all of these as it’s too much strawberry for us and perhaps half our meal is the bubbly – though I guess I’m prepared for a Strawberry themed Iron Chef if called to it.

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Review of Kizuki Ramen and Izakaya

To me, winter = ramen season! Kizuki Ramen and Izakaya, formerly known here as Kukai (and still known as Kukai at other branches although this is the only branch in Oregon) brings authentic ramen as well as some izakaya dishes to enjoy in a family friendly restaurant setting in Beaverton. Located in a upscale strip mall area, there is plenty of parking nearby. They don’t take reservations – once your whole party arrives, you will be seated based on the order of your sign in. The location is pretty spacious and includes the traditional counter seating to quickly get your ramen on, or regular restaurant style tables.
Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya in Beaverton Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya in Beaverton Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya in Beaverton

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Cucumber Roll ups

I’m a sucker for all those cheesy and fried appetizers I’ve been seeing especially with Superbowl Sunday coming up this weekend. I wanted to share an option like these Cucumber Roll Ups that are easy to do that offers a healthy option and can also feed those who are gluten free, vegetarian, even vegan.
Slice cucumbers the long way to make cucumber roll ups for a healthy, vegetarian, gluten free bunch of bites for a party Slice cucumbers the long way to make cucumber roll ups for a healthy, vegetarian, gluten free bunch of bites for a party

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Imperial Session Beer Dinner Recap

Last year, I highlighted a new beer dinner pop up series called Imperial Session. Now here’s a look at my Imperial Session Beer Dinner Recap from that September 18 event. They offered both an omnivore and vegetarian version (vegetarian must have given prior notice so they can prepare accordingly) and each of the five courses was paired with a full pour of a beer.
Imperial Session Beer Dinner from September 2016, 5 courses with each course paired with a beer. 2 of the 5 beers are unavailable in Oregon, 2 are vintages which are no longer available, and 1 is a small batch brewery only release

What is unique about this beer pairing pop up are that Ryan and Spencer can choose whatever food style or beer they want for each course, since they are not representing any particular restaurant or brewery. For this dinner for instance, 2 of the 5 beers were unavailable in Oregon, 2 beers were vintages which are no longer available, and 1 was a small batch brewery only release.
Imperial Session Beer Dinner from September 2016, 5 courses with each course paired with a beer. Pop up proprietors Ryan and Spencer can choose whatever food style or beer they want for each course, since they are not representing any particular restaurant or brewery. Imperial Session Beer Dinner from September 2016, 5 courses with each course paired with a beer. Pop up proprietors Ryan and Spencer can choose whatever food style or beer they want for each course, since they are not representing any particular restaurant or brewery.

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Why you should go to Toast 2017

Coming soon on Saturday February 18 is Toast 2017. This annual event from the Oregon Distillers Guild gives ticket holders a chance to sample and learn about over 120 spirits from across the Northwest, the Country and the Globe.
Booths at Toast, an annual event by the Oregon Distillers Guild that gives ticket holders a chance to sample and learn about over 100 spirits from across the local Northwest, the Country and the Globe (tastings and bite snacks included in admission) Booths at Toast, an annual event by the Oregon Distillers Guild that gives ticket holders a chance to sample and learn about over 100 spirits from across the local Northwest, the Country and the Globe (tastings and bite snacks included in admission)

I am a huge fan of this event in learning especially about locally artisan spirits, and it’s a unique chance to be able to taste these spirits without committing to a whole drink or a bottle. Each of the booths is manned by representatives of that distillery, they are very knowledgeable about their products unlike most regular liquor store employees, so you can really have a conversation to understand what makes their product unique and what goes into each bottle.

A booth at Toast, an annual event by the Oregon Distillers Guild that gives ticket holders a chance to sample and learn about over 100 spirits from across the local Northwest, the Country and the Globe (tastings and bite snacks included in admission) Spirits

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