tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69636620871384308982024-03-13T12:29:10.589-07:00my food obsessionswords and pictures of food i eat, bake, cook, buy, and most definitely indulge injoey armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01571903129979486798noreply@blogger.comBlogger172125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963662087138430898.post-70587615433551751732012-09-21T17:43:00.000-07:002012-12-23T01:00:26.816-08:00about: food. photos. blogging.i will be surprised if anyone is still following this blog - considering the fact that my last two posts were in december and then in may. but, if you are... know that i have not forsaken writing about or taking photos of food. i have merely redirected my food-loving energy to other mediums.<br />
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the first: i thoroughly enjoy taking photos & writing short captions on my instagram (@joey_arm_strong).<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JLGh973VHqk/UF0HKAgsuSI/AAAAAAAAAxw/HS5nsY8LcV4/s1600/2012-08-07+18.40.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JLGh973VHqk/UF0HKAgsuSI/AAAAAAAAAxw/HS5nsY8LcV4/s400/2012-08-07+18.40.25.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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the second: i spend a few hours each week dedicated to blogging for <i><a href="http://www.dirtyapron.com/" target="_blank">the dirty apron</a></i>, my place of work, at <a href="http://dirtyapronblog.com/">dirtyapronblog.com</a> <br />
please do follow my writing there, as we share recipes, talk about food, and share about what's going on at the dirty apron delicatessen & cooking school.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dirtyapronblog.com/blog/2012/8/29/staff-recipes-chocolate-truffle-fig-dessert-plate.html" target="_blank">callebaut chocolate</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CTOyn72jJHs/UF0IEDVIG_I/AAAAAAAAAx4/yvusD1dD8Uo/s1600/thedirtyapron-summer2012-3-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CTOyn72jJHs/UF0IEDVIG_I/AAAAAAAAAx4/yvusD1dD8Uo/s400/thedirtyapron-summer2012-3-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the <a href="http://www.dirtyapronblog.com/blog/2012/8/19/a-little-look-inside.html" target="_blank">dining room</a> at the dirty apron</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://itstodiefor.ca/banana-bread/" target="_blank">to die for</a> banana bread</td></tr>
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p.s. i got married just about 4 weeks ago! :)</div>
<br />joey armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01571903129979486798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963662087138430898.post-686030688616598452012-05-01T14:35:00.000-07:002012-05-01T14:36:34.161-07:00may<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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happy may!<br />
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please forgive my lack of posting in the last 4 months: <br />
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1. i got <a href="http://joeyarmstrong.ca/blog/2012/03/byron-me/" target="_blank">engaged</a>! and am busy busy busy planning our wedding.<br />
2. i am posting more on my photo blog: <a href="http://joeyarmstrong.ca/blog" target="_blank">joeyarmstrong.ca/blog</a><br />
3. started working full time at a local gourmet <a href="http://deli.dirtyapron.com/" target="_blank">delicatessen</a>.<br />
4.
i am posting food photos fairly often on my instagram (@joeyarmstrong).
if you don't have instagram you can follow my feed on my facebook page:
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Joey-Armstrong-lifestyle-photography/155315577864436?sk=app_267091300008193" target="_blank">joey armstrong lifestyle photography. </a><br />
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and i leave you with a few photos from my phone. a few great meals i've had, along with wonderful coffees. <br />
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<i>chicken baked w/ butter, olives, prunes, <br />apple juice, thyme, leek, garlic.</i> <br />
<i>served with mashed potatoes & steamed green beans w/ coconut oil</i></div>
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<i>summery salad: </i></div>
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<i>chickpeas, mint, olives, cucumbers, yellow peppers, lime juice, olive oil.</i></div>
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<i>coffee with friends is important. </i></div>
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<i>even when life is busy. </i></div>
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<i>(@ <a href="http://www.nelsontheseagull.com/" target="_blank">nelson the seagull</a>)</i></div>
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<i>(@ <a href="http://www.matchstickcoffee.com/" target="_blank">matchstick coffee</a>)</i><i> </i></div>
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<i> (@ <a href="http://www.jjbeancoffee.com/cafes" target="_blank">jjbean</a>)</i></div>
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<i>(@ <a href="http://www.jjbeancoffee.com/cafes" target="_blank">jjbean</a>)</i><i> </i></div>
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<i> (@ <a href="http://www.bumpngrindcafe.com/" target="_blank">bump n grind</a>)</i> </div>
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<i><u></u>pasta with prawns & garlic sauted in butter, </i></div>
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<i>tossed w/ olives, parsley, cilantro</i></div>
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<i> </i><i>salad: butter lettuce, mango, toasted pecans, </i></div>
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<i>hemp hearts, honey mustard dressing<br />
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<i>orzo pasta tossed w/ pesto, olives, parsley, raisins</i></div>
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<br />joey armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01571903129979486798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963662087138430898.post-77205737971169588592011-12-24T18:00:00.000-08:002011-12-24T23:17:01.917-08:00palki | indian cuisine on commercial drive<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7016/6558273127_9088f69e9b_z.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 551px; height: 367px;" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7016/6558273127_9088f69e9b_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>last week, the boyfriend & i ate at palki, an indian restaurant on commercial drive. i quite enjoyed this food experience. (which in this case involved me stuffing myself then proceeding to take the leftovers home & stuff myself again. i don't eat leftovers. unless its ethiopian or otherwise amazing)<br /><br /><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7003/6558368987_b3724c96b2_z.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 550px; height: 388px;" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7003/6558368987_b3724c96b2_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">palki</span> is located where the restaurants <span style="font-style: italic;">rime</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">li</span><span style="font-style: italic;">me</span> used to be. it doesn't stand out from the sidewalk, & i know i have walked past it a few times not knowing it was there. but inside, it is spacious, simple, & classy. it isn't overly elegant, but the decor also isn't tacky. the tables are all a dark wood, which i love, and the color scheme is simple with greys, blacks & bits of purple.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7021/6558269445_31ae146340_z.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 551px; height: 367px;" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7021/6558269445_31ae146340_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7146/6558371855_e895fe5f70_z.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 550px; height: 412px;" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7146/6558371855_e895fe5f70_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>we sat at a window table & enjoyed the sun streaming in while we people watched. (people-watching on the drive is always quite fun.)<br /><br /><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7154/6558371373_7c5291ae61_z.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 550px; height: 183px;" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7154/6558371373_7c5291ae61_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>the boyfriend is great: waiting patiently for me to take photos, before he can eat. he also doubles as a hand model in his spare time.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7022/6558371073_28cc97c9af_z.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 550px; height: 183px;" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7022/6558371073_28cc97c9af_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>full liquor bar at the back of the restaurant. water is served in beautiful jars made of panchaloha (mixture of 5 metals that keeps water cooler than room temperature, with no need for ice)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7028/6558270635_f88e0f22b3_z.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 551px; height: 367px;" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7028/6558270635_f88e0f22b3_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7153/6558270807_8319c4da22_z.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 551px; height: 367px;" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7153/6558270807_8319c4da22_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>appetizer platter: veggie pakora, chicken pakora, veggie samosas. 3 dips: green chutney, tamarind sauce, & raita (yogurt & herbs). my favorite appetizer combination: veggie pakora dipped in the tamarind & the raita.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7153/6558273289_e3743e9fae_z.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 551px; height: 367px;" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7153/6558273289_e3743e9fae_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>channa masala. it was good, but not the best i've ever had. i love that they serve the entrees on dishes with candles underneath to keep them warm. your food will not get too cold here.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7009/6558274817_62144ccce1_z.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 551px; height: 367px;" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7009/6558274817_62144ccce1_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>butter chicken. so creamy. so tasty.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6558369633_baa03519e5_z.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 550px; height: 412px;" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6558369633_baa03519e5_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7154/6558370337_2ec2ee577a_z.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 550px; height: 412px;" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7154/6558370337_2ec2ee577a_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>mixed grill platter from the tandoor oven. lamb shishkabobs, tandoori chicken, chicken tikka (murgmalai tikka), and prawn tikka. marinated in their housemade yogurt raita, the chicken & prawn tikka were tender & delicious. i didn't fancy the lamb shishkabobs much, but the chicken tikka is a definite must order, in my humble opinion.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6558273665_2351c91a2a_z.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 550px; height: 367px;" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6558273665_2351c91a2a_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">this</span> is the raita made from their own yogurt. yeah. pretty <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> delicious.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6558372555_6560f845db_z.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 550px; height: 388px;" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6558372555_6560f845db_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>your indian food experience just isn't the same without naan. we had both the plain naan & the garlic naan. the garlic naan could be inhaled on its own it is so flavorful. but the plain naan is good for dipping in the curries or eating with the meat. or just dipping into the raita. (i really love the raita. can you tell?)<br /><br /><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7010/6558274627_d58ab8c06c_b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 551px; height: 825px;" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7010/6558274627_d58ab8c06c_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>next time you are looking for excellent indian food for an average budget, definitely check out palki. if you are new to indian cuisine, this is a great place to start your journey. you won't look back.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.palkirestaurant.com/">palki restaurant</a><br /><span class="street-address">1130 commercial drive<br />604.215.1130</span><br />lunch buffet m-f 11:30-2:30<br />s & s lunch 11:30 - 2:30<br />dinner everyday 2:30 - 10:00<br /><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/14/1542850/restaurant/Commercial-Drive-Grandview/Palki-Indian-Restaurant-Vancouver"><img alt="Palki Indian Restaurant on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1542850/minilogo.gif" style="border:none;width:104px;height:15px" /></a>joey armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01571903129979486798noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963662087138430898.post-18623310556411574272011-12-09T23:58:00.000-08:002011-12-10T00:06:38.178-08:00gingerbread menfirst of my christmas baking this year.<br />not that i'm going to be baking tons...<br />but its fun to bake with my mom.<br />haven't had christmas with my whole family in 5 years so it'll be pretty fun!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6485630295_d313c107a1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6485630295_d313c107a1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />p.s. if you are in vancouver and need some local, unique gifts, head over to the <a href="http://oneofakindvancouver.com/">One Of A Kind </a>show at the convention centre! its still on tomorrow from 10am til 9pm and sunday from 10am til 5pm. my <a href="http://andreaarmstrong.com/blog/one-of-a-kind-vancouver/">sister</a> has some paintings there, and i'll be there for quite a while tomorrow (saturday)!joey armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01571903129979486798noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963662087138430898.post-44456830861092728142011-11-30T14:06:00.000-08:002011-11-30T18:00:57.208-08:00elysian coffee - perfect cup of clover<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7146/6432988053_fdf857e332.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7146/6432988053_fdf857e332.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.elysiancoffee.com/">elysian coffee</a>.<br />broadway & ash.<br />(also a location at 5th & burrard.)<br />they frequently change their coffee selection<br />(always using freshly roasted beans)<br />but i believe (don't quote me on this) they use mostly (or a lot of) <a href="http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/">intelligentsia</a> coffee.<br /><br />while i normally drink americanos, at elysian i drink their coffee by the cup.<br />they use a clover & make it to perfection.<br />if you normally take sugar, you probably won't with this coffee, i promise you.<br />they also serve tasty goodies made fresh on site.<br />i'm always drawn to their chocolate cookie with the dusting of icing sugar on top.<br />i used to make those cookies in high school, so they taste nostalgic to me.<br />(can things taste nostalgic?)<br />there's a tap on the bar for water. sparkling or still. your choice.<br />sparkling water isn't my cup of tea, a bit too fancy for me.<br />but it might just be your cup of tea. (or water.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7034/6432988817_2daf5a311f.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7034/6432988817_2daf5a311f.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6432989085_fe1083c86a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6432989085_fe1083c86a.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6432989825_4e1a70aa4d_b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 748px;" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6432989825_4e1a70aa4d_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7141/6432988585_9c24174f0b_b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 749px;" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7141/6432988585_9c24174f0b_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.elysiancoffee.com/">elysian coffee</a><br /><br />broadway location:<br />7-7 everday<br /><br />5th ave location:<br />mon- thu 7-7:30<br />fri 7-10<br />sat 9-10<br />sun 11-5<br /><br /><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/14/1431670/restaurant/Fairview/Elysian-Coffee-Vancouver"><img alt="Elysian Coffee on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1431670/minilogo.gif" style="border:none;width:104px;height:15px" /></a>joey armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01571903129979486798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963662087138430898.post-46805585561420926322011-11-17T22:35:00.000-08:002011-11-17T22:53:24.179-08:00why you should do the culture crawl this year<a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6035/6357085971_2bfb21038d.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6035/6357085971_2bfb21038d.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>those of you readers who live in vancouver, i have for you 3 reasons to go to the vancouver<a href="http://eastsideculturecrawl.com/"> east side culture crawl</a> this year:<br />(specifically my sister<a href="http://andreaarmstrong.com/blog/her/"> andrea armstrong</a>'s studio)<br /><br />1. this is what one of her walls looked like last year.<br />isn't it pretty?<br />this year's is even better - i've seen it in progress.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6224/6357084081_dbd381209f.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6224/6357084081_dbd381209f.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>2. guess what is across the street from her studio?<br />yeah. jj bean.<br />(keep in mind it closes at 6pm friday, and 5pm saturday & sunday)<br /><br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6103/6357084931_081b5ed37b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6103/6357084931_081b5ed37b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>3. i made cookies last year for andrea's studio.<br />and guess what?! i made more this year too.<br />(and no, my dad didn't make them.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6214/6357084675_dddf6ff045_b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 748px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6214/6357084675_dddf6ff045_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6039/6357084349_d329f2e0f3_b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 749px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6039/6357084349_d329f2e0f3_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6106/6357083949_dbfae8722f.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6106/6357083949_dbfae8722f.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>(i kinda made a lot last year. but this year looks pretty similar.)<br /><br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6240/6357085555_bba07c28b4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6240/6357085555_bba07c28b4.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>(this is what her studio looks like. from the outside.)<br /><br />crawling hours:<br />friday november 18: 5pm-10pm<br />saturday november 19: 11am-6pm<br />sunday november 20: 11am-6pmjoey armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01571903129979486798noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963662087138430898.post-55024684381153004782011-11-14T11:30:00.000-08:002011-11-14T14:34:41.697-08:00bump n grind: chocolate peanut butter cups + americanos<a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6238/6344409765_9b865aa8ef.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6238/6344409765_9b865aa8ef.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.bumpngrindcafe.com/">bump n grind</a><br />corner of commercial + venables, vancouver<br /><br />i've always kind of hated the name of this place, so i never ever went in. but this past summer i tried it out... and honestly i've been missing out. their americanos are pretty great, but the best thing they have is their chocolate peanut butter cups. and what better then to pair chocolate with coffee? not much, i tell you.<br /><br />so go. go now and eat a chocolate peanut butter cup. with an americano. thank your barista. then come back here and thank me (and my <a href="http://andreaarmstrong.com/blog/">sister</a> who introduced me to them).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6238/6344409765_9b865aa8ef.jpg"><br /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6113/6345784628_4a77036ed0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6113/6345784628_4a77036ed0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6213/6345761800_4990c9551e_b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 749px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6213/6345761800_4990c9551e_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6104/6344409923_9c7fe655b7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6104/6344409923_9c7fe655b7.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6044/6345761374_d6efd406b6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6044/6345761374_d6efd406b6.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6111/6345012233_0f16a55aa7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6111/6345012233_0f16a55aa7.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6225/6344410251_238cb1fcdb_b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 499px; height: 747px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6225/6344410251_238cb1fcdb_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6049/6344410635_375b9efaa6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6049/6344410635_375b9efaa6.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6096/6343882770_ee33f997b3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6096/6343882770_ee33f997b3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />bump n grind cafe<br /><span class="street-address">916 commercial drive</span><br />mon - fri 7-7<br />sat + sun 8-7<br />@bumpngrindcafe<br /><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/14/180240/restaurant/Commercial-Drive-Grandview/Bump-n-Grind-Vancouver"><img alt="Bump n Grind on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/180240/minilogo.gif" style="border:none;width:104px;height:15px" /></a>joey armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01571903129979486798noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963662087138430898.post-37190061986465686322011-11-08T01:24:00.000-08:002011-11-08T01:28:19.869-08:00ghost pancakes for next yeari always get great ideas way too late.<br />here's one to store for next year's halloween.<br /><a href="http://zoomyummy.com/2011/10/30/halloween-ghost-pancakes/">ghost pancakes</a>!<br />so cute.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://zoomyummy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/halloween-ghost-pancakes-15.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://zoomyummy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/halloween-ghost-pancakes-15.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>image via petra at <a href="http://zoomyummy.com/">zoom yummy</a><br /></div>joey armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01571903129979486798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963662087138430898.post-62479710696692840102011-11-02T05:30:00.000-07:002011-11-02T05:30:04.604-07:00simply breakfast<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8gFl_XC6wbc/TeY81sHJE-I/AAAAAAAAGT0/gKpzBb_bMjU/s640/6.1.11..jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 361px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8gFl_XC6wbc/TeY81sHJE-I/AAAAAAAAGT0/gKpzBb_bMjU/s640/6.1.11..jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>(photo by jennifer causey at <a href="http://simplybreakfast.blogspot.com/">simply breakfast</a>)<br /></div><br />if you love breakfast as much as i do and haven't discovered simply breakfast yet, you must remedy this dire situation. jennifer causey is a new york based photographer who has a blog solely dedicated to breakfast photography. she also takes beautiful <a href="http://www.jennifercausey.com/index2.php#/gallery1/4/">non-food photography</a>.<br /><br />one day i want to have a huge window in my kitchen, and a beautiful wooden table (but no varnishes & no oak please!). oh, and 5 extra cupboards just for extra dishes & napkins for props. i don't think this day is coming anytime soon, but i can only hope.<br /><br />so enjoy your breakfast, and while your at it, visit <a href="http://simplybreakfast.blogspot.com/">simply breakfast</a> for some inspiration.joey armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01571903129979486798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963662087138430898.post-54683254989564506922011-10-30T19:00:00.000-07:002011-10-30T19:27:27.178-07:00a recipe for delicious baked eggs<a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6118/6278018735_ac1d27f457.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6118/6278018735_ac1d27f457.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>i mentioned in my last post that i was giving more energy to my <a href="http://joeyarmstrong.ca/blog/">photo blog</a>.<br />however, when i want to post recipes i will post over here.<br />somehow, someday, i want to combine the 2 blogs in some way - i like the format over there much better, but i still want to write about food, but i don't want to be double posting all the time when i take pretty photos of the food i write about. that sounded complicated. it is. thereby my wanting simplicity in joining the 2 somehow...<br /><br />but i digress.<br /><br />i have for you a recipe of sorts for baked eggs.<br />a delicious way to eat eggs when you have some extra time on the weekend.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6103/6278018865_9807f794a3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6103/6278018865_9807f794a3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>what you need:<br />(1 serving)<br />- 2 eggs, preferably room temperature (take them out night before)<br />- 2 tablespoons cream<br />- handful of fresh herbs - thyme, sage & rosemary (thyme is the most important)<br />- butter<br />- salt & pepper<br />- toast<br />- prosciutto (optional)<br />- ramekin<br />- baking tray deeper than your ramekin<br /><br />what to do:<br />- turn kettle on to boil<br />- turn oven on to 375*<br />- chop herbs into tiny pieces<br />- grease ramekin with butter<br />- place 1 tablespoon cream into ramekin<br />- sprinkle with a few herbs, salt & pepper<br />- crack 2 eggs in<br />- sprinkle with more herbs, salt & pepper<br />- spoon 1 tablspoon cream on top<br />- (optional) add more butter to the top<br />- place ramekin into deeper baking tray, and fill halfway with boiling water<br />- place tray in oven<br />- bake for 10-15 minutes (i don't have the timing perfectly. its a bit tricky to keep the yolks runny while not having runny whites so i often overbake it) until cooked to your liking<br />- enjoy with a slice of toast and coffee<br /><br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6109/6278540544_045be53449_b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 501px; height: 750px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6109/6278540544_045be53449_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />another variant on this dish is to line your ramekin with prosciutto first, and then proceed with the next steps.<br /><br />other recipes you can look at:<br />- <a href="http://www.seasaltwithfood.com/2010/11/baked-eggs-recipe.html">seasaltwithfood blog </a><br />- <a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/simple-baked-eggs-10000001687642/">simple baked eggs recipe </a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6055/6278019105_0fefe53e27_b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 749px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6055/6278019105_0fefe53e27_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>joey armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01571903129979486798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963662087138430898.post-80826167625823430082011-10-27T07:00:00.000-07:002011-10-27T07:00:07.723-07:00happy thursday morning<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6038/6285155105_222e5f806d_b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6038/6285155105_222e5f806d_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>good morning.<br /><p>have yourself a lovely breakfast.<br />if not today, definitely this weekend.<br /></p>if you want to venture out from fried or scrambled eggs, might i suggest <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2010/03/breakfast-pizza/">breakfast pizza</a>? <a href="http://myfoodobsessions.blogspot.com/2010/04/wednesday.html">eggs benedict</a>? <a href="http://spoonforkbacon.com/2011/06/quiche-recipe/">quiche</a>? or <a href="http://notwithoutsalt.com/2010/08/25/pancakes-with-blueberry-butter/">pancakes</a>?<br /><br />apologies for being slightly absent lately from this blog.<br />i'm starting to give more energy to my <a href="http://joeyarmstrong.ca/blog">photo blog</a> these days, come visit me there!<br />more photos, less words, so it'll be less demanding of you to read.joey armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01571903129979486798noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963662087138430898.post-15745483680996528512011-10-07T08:07:00.000-07:002011-10-07T08:07:00.474-07:00food + drink | my websitethis is a glimpse of my website:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://joeyarmstrong.ca"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 281px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6214/6219714224_9ae096c84c.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>it's new.<br />i'm fairly excited about it.<br />:)<br /><br />you should go check it out. i have an entire gallery dedicated to food.<br /><br /><a href="http://joeyarmstrong.ca">joeyarmstrong.ca</a>joey armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01571903129979486798noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963662087138430898.post-34237276695179209822011-09-29T22:49:00.000-07:002011-09-29T23:25:27.919-07:00my chicken fajitasi'm (still) really horrible at intentional meal planning. this week, though, i decided i wanted to make chicken fajitas at some point. one accomplishment at a time here, lets not get TOO crazy.<br /><br />so. i bought some chicken (free run, non-medicated, at <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/catfish927">wheelhouse seafoods</a>), peppers, sour cream, and <a href="http://www.foodforlife.com/product-catalog/sprouted-grain/ezekiel-49/whole-grain-flourless-tortillas">sprouted grain tortillas</a>.<br /><br />here they are.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6177/6197273836_81b807ff98.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6177/6197273836_81b807ff98.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6160/6197273332_83253fe164.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6160/6197273332_83253fe164.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>i cut the 2 chicken breasts into strips and marinated them for about 1/2 an hour while i chopped everything else up. for the marinade i used: half a dried chili, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, garlic, and some kind of mexican chipotle chili mix i got from a friend. you can probably use chili flakes or whatever spice you like. (i like to avoid the fajita seasoning packets in the stores, because i'm not a fan of colors, corn syrup solids, modified corn starch and 'natural flavor')<br /><br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6134/6196757037_7785d4137e.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6134/6196757037_7785d4137e.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6176/6196757257_89f53f008b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6176/6196757257_89f53f008b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>here's a recipe for making your own seasoning: <a href="http://busycooks.about.com/od/homemademixes/r/fajitaseasonmix.htm">http://busycooks.about.com/od/homemademixes/r/fajitaseasonmix.htm</a><br /><br />wish i'd thought of looking up a recipe earlier. oops.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6160/6197274094_b3a3a67aa9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6160/6197274094_b3a3a67aa9.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>i sauted peppers & onion in olive oil, salt & pepper. until they were soft & caramelized.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6168/6197273964_38a315f67e.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6168/6197273964_38a315f67e.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>then its easy! i grated some cheese, heated up my tortillas in the oven, chopped up some cilantro, & put out my sour cream & salsa. wrap it all up & enjoy.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6177/6196759055_9d6d7d4157.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 353px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6177/6196759055_9d6d7d4157.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6165/6197274540_525040745a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 166px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6165/6197274540_525040745a.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6154/6197273588_1398bc60ce_b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 748px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6154/6197273588_1398bc60ce_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>two related photos <a href="http://joeyarmstrong.ca/blog/2011/09/555/">HERE</a> on my photo blog!joey armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01571903129979486798noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963662087138430898.post-44436319595632409112011-09-09T00:06:00.000-07:002011-09-09T00:32:29.046-07:00making noodles & motivational issues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6079/6129043757_fdfcfbb653_z.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6079/6129043757_fdfcfbb653_z.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">for some reason i find it easier to work on new projects then to work on projects that have been piling up all summer. summer has been busy. also i've been having motivation/inspiration issues lately. so it is not only exciting that i actually wanted to pick up my camera before (& during) eating today, but it is also exciting that i am actually writing this blog with these images right now. you probably aren't as excited as i am. you may have even disappeared because of my horribly inconsistent blogging. but i do hope you enjoy my photos of this half-eaten pasta, and be patient with me as i attempt to catch up on posts. like making salmon on a campfire, my favorite brunch spot in vancouver, and a recently opened <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeyarmstrong/6126022071/in/photostream">coffee brew bar</a>.<br /><br />at any rate, i made a really tasty pasta tonight. got home from work late, and decided to try my hand at homemade noodles, even though i knew it would take a while, and i knew i was hungry. i think maybe i was excited to use our food processor. slowly loving this machine more and more. (hummus takes almost 5 seconds to make now. this makes me so happy!!)<br /><br />i was supposed to use 2 cups of flour, 3 eggs, & a teaspoon of salt for these noodles. somehow, though, i used 1 cup of flour, 2 eggs & 1/2 a teaspoon of salt. and a little bit of olive oil. they turned out though. kind of clumpy, but nevertheless tasty. i pulsed it in the processor until it came together (drizzling a little bit of oil in), turned it out onto a floured surface, kneaded it a bit, and covered it in the fridge for 30 minutes. i then used my sister's noodle maker machine of awesomeness, but you can also roll out the dough (with flour), and cut it with a knife or something. less consistent this way, but more rustic - giving your noodles the 'i am most definitely homemade' kind of look.<br /><br />for the sauce i sauted a chorizo sausage in some olive oil & bacon fat (yes, i keep my bacon fat for further use. it is amazing. you should do this too. if you eat bacon.), added onions & garlic, rosemary & thyme, zuchinni & roma tomatoes, salt & pepper. after the veggies were cooked to my liking, and the noodles were finished cooking (3-5 minutes in boiling salted water with a touch of olive oil), i just tossed the noodles straight into my veggie/sauce, added a 1/4 cup of the pasta water, stirred it all up, and served it with freshly grated parmesan. seriously delicious.<br /><br />oh yeah and i had to take a photo of this zuchinni because it is hilarious. a friend of my sister's gave it to her from their garden. i love the random shape. and the tomatoes were from our awesome landlords (i also borrowed on onion from them), and the herbs were from our garden, so our meal was relatively cheap. isn't that the best? cheap AND delicious? what's not to like about that?<br /></div></div><br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6209/6129593364_903fe74db2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style="width: 245px; height: 368px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6209/6129593364_903fe74db2.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6184/6129043301_f2deab9bc6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style="width: 245px; height: 368px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6184/6129043301_f2deab9bc6.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6202/6129043487_dfd15dabcc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6202/6129043487_dfd15dabcc.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6079/6129043757_fdfcfbb653_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6197/6129593800_989ddca2e9_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6197/6129593800_989ddca2e9_z.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>joey armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01571903129979486798noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963662087138430898.post-40271970163982206412011-08-24T03:24:00.000-07:002011-08-24T03:28:21.177-07:00how to eat when campingthis, my friends, is how to eat whilst camping:
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6195/6075712427_ac52271bff_z.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6195/6075712427_ac52271bff_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>salmon cooked over the fire, grilled veggies, warm bread & butter.
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<br />am i right?
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<br />i have much more food photos from a couple camping trips i've taken this summer. i'm not going to promise that i will post them soon, but i hope to.
<br />joey armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01571903129979486798noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963662087138430898.post-35470501280052370192011-08-17T20:19:00.000-07:002011-08-17T20:32:42.566-07:00kafka's coffeewent to <a href="http://kafkascoffee.ca/">kafka</a>'s today with my sister. we had el salvadore syphon coffee and a gluten free hazelnut chocolate cookie. both were tasty.
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<br />the syphon coffee is a bit pricey, but it is worth the indulgence once in a while. make sure you watch the barista make it, its a beautiful process. the pour-over coffees are cheaper, but smooth & delicious as well. don't drink this coffee with sugar. please. if you drink it with a sweet treat on the side, however, that's a different story. you should definitely do that.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6055030008_d3c06837a5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6055030008_d3c06837a5.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>beautiful space. delicious coffee. friendly staff.
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<br />you should go.
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<br /><a href="http://kafkascoffee.ca/">kafka's coffee and tea</a>
<br />2525 main st, vancouver
<br />604.569.2967
<br />week day: 7am - 7:30pm
<br />week end: 8:30am - 8:30pm
<br /><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/14/1522115/restaurant/Mount-Pleasant-Main-Street/Kafkas-Coffee-and-Tea-Vancouver"><img alt="Kafka's Coffee and Tea on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1522115/minilogo.gif" style="border:none;width:104px;height:15px" /></a>
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<br />joey armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01571903129979486798noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963662087138430898.post-38892881870441772072011-07-19T21:15:00.000-07:002011-11-15T17:21:22.585-08:00another breakfast at the red wagoni spent a day with a friend from out of town a couple weeks ago. i took some lovely photos of her, you can see them <a href="http://joeyarmstrong.ca/blog/2011/07/steph/">here</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6130/5956925536_464c8076d3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6130/5956925536_464c8076d3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>to start our day, we ate at <a href="http://myfoodobsessions.blogspot.com/2010/11/new-diner-in-my-hood-red-wagon.html">the red wagon</a>. i've eaten there several times since i first went when they opened last november. i really love it.<br /><br />steph got a breakfast sandwich:<br /><br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6001/5956365529_a74ffdf338.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6001/5956365529_a74ffdf338.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>andrea got an omelet of some sort. i think it was an asparagus & goat cheese special:<br /><br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6125/5956924726_e269599f9e.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6125/5956924726_e269599f9e.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />and i got something i've been eyeing on their menu for a long, long time:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6131/5956924502_c93def62db.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6131/5956924502_c93def62db.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>pulled pork pancakes with jack daniels syrup.<br /><br />i finally did it. i finally ordered it. and i can say.... it was quite worth it. maybe not an every day kind of meal, but most definitely a meal you need to order once in your life (if you eat pork, that is. if you don't, well, maybe you should avoid this one).<br /><br />i know there are others who like to combine sweet & savory together. i know i am not the only one. otherwise there would be no pulled pork pancakes on a menu, right? i am glad menu items like these exist. they make me happy.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/14/1553089/restaurant/Commercial-Drive-Grandview/The-Red-Wagon-Vancouver"><img alt="The Red Wagon on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1553089/minilogo.gif" style="border:none;width:104px;height:15px" /></a>joey armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01571903129979486798noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963662087138430898.post-23905905267314262912011-06-28T15:04:00.000-07:002011-06-28T17:26:48.184-07:00salad with crispy bacon + poached eggi was inspired to make this salad from one i ate at the <a href="http://myfoodobsessions.blogspot.com/search?q=red+wagon">red wagon</a> recently. the lardon frisee salad. typically its made with curly endives, crispy bacon, and a poached egg on top.<br /><br />i don't know what i used, but it was some kind of curly lettuce i got at the farmer's market.<br /><br />what i did:<br /><ul><li>i tossed my lettuce with some chopped tomatoes + a homemade mustard vinaigrette, and sprinkled some fresh thyme leaves (from my garden!) on top.</li><li>i chopped up some bacon from <a href="http://www.moccia.ca/">moccia</a>'s, and fried it crispy. sprinkled on top of salad.</li><li><a href="http://myfoodobsessions.blogspot.com/2010/05/poached-eggs.html">poached an egg</a> (though 2 eggs would have been even better)</li><li>set egg(s) on top of salad, sprinkle with sea salt + freshly ground pepper, and enjoy.</li></ul>seriously. amazing salad. light + flavorful + filling all at the same time.<br /> <br />for my vinaigrette i whisked together olive oil, vinegar, dijon mustard, honey (or maple syrup), chopped fresh thyme leaves, salt,+ pepper. i don't measure, i just make it to taste. for some better information about making vinaigrettes, go <a href="http://www.vinaigretterecipe.com/index.htm">here</a>.<br /><br />and here's a recipe from epicurious for a traditional <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Frisee-Salad-with-Lardons-and-Poached-Eggs-100876">frisee salad with lardons and poached eggs</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6020/5882932350_a97c3edee4_o.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 749px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6020/5882932350_a97c3edee4_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5265/5882932622_1e2dca3aa4_b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 749px;" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5265/5882932622_1e2dca3aa4_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5188/5882371277_a3d3fcc152_b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 743px;" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5188/5882371277_a3d3fcc152_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>joey armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01571903129979486798noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963662087138430898.post-88652918004104358312011-06-27T00:03:00.000-07:002011-06-27T00:33:41.113-07:00my food affair with eggs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5068/5875764703_b3febcb8c1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5068/5875764703_b3febcb8c1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>love eggs.<br />so.<br />much.<br />i made this delicious omelet couple weeks ago.<br />however... i don't exactly remember what i put in it.<br />looks like maybe spinach, mushrooms, zuchinni?<br />i think i used gouda. yum.<br /><br />i'm pretty particular about omelets.<br />i used to flip the omelet before i put filling in.<br />now i put the filling in and then close it up.<br />yummier.<br />and doesn't get that 'rubbery' texture.<br />hate that.<br />they sometimes fall apart.<br />but that's okay.<br />quality of taste, not aesthetic, is what matters, in the end.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5227/5875765047_2a32d30d66_b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 750px;" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5227/5875765047_2a32d30d66_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>the only affair my boyfriend has to worry about me having is with food.<br />particularly this bread, of course from <a href="http://www.abreadaffair.com/">a bread affair</a>.<br />(i'm really bad at jokes. but its true - i love this bread excessively much.)<br />this particular bread: french country miche.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5031/5876324372_756daf35dc_b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 751px;" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5031/5876324372_756daf35dc_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>joey armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01571903129979486798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963662087138430898.post-1273713024870002192011-06-14T01:03:00.001-07:002011-06-15T01:18:06.958-07:00sangrias, workshops & photo blogs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5265/5832049504_de75240bb8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5265/5832049504_de75240bb8.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5187/5832049612_6f90311b66.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5187/5832049612_6f90311b66.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5308/5832049756_97c0c8bf7e_b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 750px;" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5308/5832049756_97c0c8bf7e_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>summer is a great time for sangrias and for fish. now, its not technically 'summer' yet, nor has it felt like summer lately here in vancouver. but that doesn't mean its not a good time for eating fish & for drinking sangrias.<br /><br />especially white wine sangrias, one of which i had last week (along with some tasty fish - sole almondine) at <a href="http://www.beatniksbistro.com/">beatniks bistro</a> in langley. i was there with a group of ladies from a <a href="http://joeyarmstrong.ca/blog/2011/06/jamie-delaine-workshop/">workshop</a> we were all attending. read about this workshop <a href="http://joeyarmstrong.ca/blog/2011/06/jamie-delaine-workshop/">here</a>, at my new photography blog:<br /><a href="http://joeyarmstrong.ca/blog/"> joeyarmstrong.ca/blog! </a><br /><br />i'll still be blogging here, of course! but maybe not as consistently as i'd ideally like to. life isn't ideal like that all the time. oh well! :)<br /><br />but speaking of sangrias, anyone have a good sangria recipe? or another favorite summertime drink?<br /><br />cheers to summer starting soon!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3509/5832049364_740e5eaabf.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3509/5832049364_740e5eaabf.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>joey armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01571903129979486798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963662087138430898.post-48306464634730368722011-06-10T12:35:00.000-07:002011-06-10T12:45:44.117-07:00how to brew french press - thanks jj bean!thanks <a href="http://www.jjbeancoffee.com/articles/french-press-video">jj bean*</a>!<br />my favorite way to drink coffee, explained in a beautiful tutorial video:<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9B4n-iUW_wI" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="314" width="500"></iframe><br /><br />*<a href="http://www.jjbeancoffee.com/">jj bean</a> is a local coffee roaster in vancouver, plus they have some of the best coffee shops too. there's one 2 blocks from my work & 6 blocks from me.<br /><br />ooh & they have some public coffee tastings coming up:<br /><p><b>thursday, june 16: 1:00 pm</b><br />jj bean on powell street<br />1904 powell street, vancouver</p> <p><b>friday, june 17: 1:00 pm</b><br />jj bean in the granville island public market<br />1689 johnston street, vancouver</p> <p><b>thursday, june 23: 1:00 pm</b><br />jj bean on main street<br />3010 main street, vancouver</p> <p><b>friday, june 24: 1:00 pm</b><br />jj bean at park & tilford<br />333 brooksbank avenue, north vancouver</p> <p><b>thursday, june 30: 1:00 pm</b><br />jj bean on commercial drive<br />2206 commercial drive, vancouver</p> <p><b>friday, july 1: 1:00 pm</b><br />jj bean in yaletown<br />402 davie street, vancouver</p>read more about the tastings <a href="http://www.jjbeancoffee.com/cupping">here</a>. i'm going to try to hit up the tasting at powell street if i can remember to!joey armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01571903129979486798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963662087138430898.post-91560296519328155852011-06-04T22:41:00.000-07:002011-06-04T23:23:48.913-07:00sun + markets + bikes + coffee = happy me<a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5028/5798622639_8178651448.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5028/5798622639_8178651448.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">it's summer guys. this weekend, anyways. I LOVE THE SUN.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />today i went to the <a href="http://www.eatlocal.org/">summer farmer's market</a> at trout lake for the first time this year. i didn't go to the winter market at all this past winter - it moved locations and was just too far for my lazy little self. today however, i met a friend for breakfast at bandidas, then we headed over to the market. took back some of my growing stacks of egg cartons, bought some eggs, bought some herbs, bought some shitaki mushrooms. and enjoyed the sun.<br /><br />the beginnings of summer: it is glorious.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2699/5798622421_ee6e99f9d7_b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 749px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2699/5798622421_ee6e99f9d7_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>tomatoes are pretty...<br /><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2257/5799171852_414cceabfa_b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 749px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2257/5799171852_414cceabfa_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>after so much fun at the market (AND i didn't even spend all the limited cash i had on me. go me!), we were thirsty. so we went to <a href="http://www.jjbeancoffee.com/">jj bean</a> for iced lattes. yum.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5280/5798580539_0a672a279e.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5280/5798580539_0a672a279e.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>OH! what's that you say? yeah that's my new bike.<br /><br />sometimes craigslist is so awesome. like this week when i bought this sweet ass bike from some random stranger. apparently its a czech communist bike.<br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2665/5798581073_2e33e53192_b.jpg"><br /></a><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3092/5799129678_8fbb56f351_b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 749px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3092/5799129678_8fbb56f351_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>took it out for a short ride this evening to see if it works. (yes, i know i should have checked it when purchasing it, but it was POURING rain + dark + i just wanted to hurry it all up and get out of there) it works! hurrah! my legs + lungs, however... don't work quite so well as the bike. on the 8 block, slightly uphill ride home i was suffering. thankfully no one saw me suffer, as everyone else in vancouver was downtown (still is probably) celebrating the vancouver canucks' win of game 2 in the playoffs. speaking of which, i actually watched most of the game, which is a rarity. i'm not a hockey fan, nor am i really a watching-sports-on-tv type of person. but the game was pretty intense, even from my non-partial perspective. oh, and they scored (+ won) 11 seconds into sudden death overtime. crazy. still, i'm glad i'm not downtown. not a fan of hoards of people. especially hoards of people with hockey fever...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2665/5798581073_2e33e53192_b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 749px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2665/5798581073_2e33e53192_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(3 gears! 1 step up from being a hipster bike!)</span><br /></div><br />it was a fantastic day today. so much sun. so much exercise.<br />who else had a beautiful saturday?<br /></div></div>joey armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01571903129979486798noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963662087138430898.post-23271644422929034262011-06-03T13:57:00.000-07:002011-06-03T19:56:36.167-07:00coffee drinking + mennonite thrift stores<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3640/5794780344_6e4d81b935.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3640/5794780344_6e4d81b935.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>i don't have enough posts up about coffee. i love the stuff so much, but i guess it sometimes seems so normal & boring & repetitive that i don't bother to take photos.<br /><br />last month, though, i bought some cheap, new, beautiful mugs, while i was out in manitoba. and new mugs make for more interesting coffee experiences, until the novelty of it wears out anyways.<br /><br />mennonite thrift stores are THE BEST. where else can you get mugs for ten cents? not at for-profit used stores like Value Village, that's for sure.<br /><br />if you haven't heard of <a href="http://www.mcc.org/about/purpose">MCC</a> (mennonite central committee), you should go check them out. if even for their <a href="http://thrift.mcc.org/">thrift shops</a>, which usually have fantastic finds for low prices. but they also do great work in responding to basic human needs, and working for peace and justice through disaster relief and sustainable community development, etc. and i have a lot of respect for that.<br /><br />sometimes when we really need 'new' things for our house, my sister and i will borrow a car and drive all the way to abbotsford (50 minute drive in good traffic) just to visit the MCC there. because its that awesome. two of our beautiful couches are from there. $10 each! yeah.<br /><br />and isn't this a pretty mug? i kinda really like it.<br /><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5075/5794223719_330a2128e8.jpg"><br /></a><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2226/5794780256_049a9da54c.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2226/5794780256_049a9da54c.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>what makes your coffee drinking experience unique from day to day?<br /><br /><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5075/5794223719_330a2128e8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5075/5794223719_330a2128e8.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>joey armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01571903129979486798noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963662087138430898.post-9400732566963595592011-05-31T10:56:00.000-07:002011-05-31T12:06:44.963-07:00egg + mushroom breakfast sandwichi cannot deny my love of breakfast. and if something horrible happened, like i suddenly became allergic to eggs, i would probably still eat them anyways, to the demise of my body.<br />i like them THAT much.<br /><br />sometimes, though, i get a little bored with eggs + toast.<br />i even get bored with my omelets.<br />and so, sometimes...<br />i take a little too much time getting creative whilst making myself breakfast.<br /><br />here's one of my happy little awesome sandwich discoveries.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">egg + mushroom open-faced breakfast sandwich</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">what you will need:</span><br /><ul><li>mushrooms (i used organic crimini mushrooms)</li><li>handful of fresh sage (other fresh herbs like basil, thyme or parsley will do. dried herbs, though, will not do)</li><li>couple cloves garlic, minced</li><li>onion, chopped</li><li>1 large slice bread, or 2 small slices bread</li><li>2 eggs (only one is pictured, but trust me, you want 2)</li><li>olive oil</li><li>butter</li><li>mayonaisse</li><li>salt + pepper<br /></li></ul><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2371/5782713734_60f1c9e2e8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2371/5782713734_60f1c9e2e8.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">directions:</span><br /><ul><li>mince garlic, chop onions, chop herbs</li><li>clean your mushrooms with a mushroom brush, or if you don't have one (i don't. i need to get one), use a slightly damp cloth to clean mushrooms. DO NOT soak mushrooms in water.<br /></li><li>chop mushrooms. i removed the stems, but i'm just weird that way. i don't care if you use the stems or not.</li><li>heat skillet on medium-low heat. throw in some oil + butter. saute your onions + garlic for a few minutes.</li><li>turn up the heat + throw in them mushrooms. saute for a while (10-20 minutes depending how soft & caramelisy you like your mushrooms), adding 1/2 your fresh herbs halfway through.<br /></li><li>when mushrooms look like they are about 5 minutes from done, heat up another frying pan for your eggs. start toasting your bread.</li><li>fry eggs to your liking. while they are frying, butter your toast + spread with mayo if so desired. top with mushrooms, eggs, + a sprinkling of fresh herbs.</li><li>get out your steak knife + a fork, and start devouring, along with a nice cup of fresh coffee.<br /></li></ul><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2300/5782714398_d5a470c230.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2300/5782714398_d5a470c230.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>joey armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01571903129979486798noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963662087138430898.post-69475203351379900122011-05-09T16:55:00.000-07:002011-05-09T17:22:03.386-07:00yesterday - pancakes & butter tartsyesterday was mother's day. i don't really like the commercialization of something we should be doing everyday (telling your mother you love her), but i did call my mom & i told her i loved her. she doesn't live in the same country as me, so i made a lovely pancake breakfast for my sister and i and we ate good food in honor of her. from as long as i can remember, my mother has constantly been teaching me how to cook & bake. i love that she instilled in me a respect for food, and a really close, tangible relationship with it. thanks mommy - i love you! (yeah, i still call her mommy. & i'm okay with that)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2531/5705430430_c5f231911c.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2531/5705430430_c5f231911c.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>it was a decent spring day yesterday, so my sister & i took a walk down to commercial drive to check out the <a href="http://gotcraft.com/">got craft? </a>show. afterwards we stopped at <a href="http://www.jjbeancoffee.com/cafes">jj bean</a> for americanos and butter tarts. have you had the butter tarts at jj bean vancouverites? if you haven't, and you can eat butter & wheat, you need to head to a jj bean immediately. and order a butter tart. you will not regret this. well, hmm.. maybe you will, because you'll be wanting to eat them every single day. if you have an addictive personality, DO NOT try the butter tarts at jj bean. the crust is flaky, crunchy & buttery. the inside is sugary, buttery & melty in your mouth.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2008/5704864377_8f8bbf01b1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2008/5704864377_8f8bbf01b1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>speaking of spring, we've had some bizzare weather here in vancouver lately. one day it is warm & sunny, the next day it is a tropical monsoon and the streets turn into streams of rushing water. our small garden plot was completely covered in water. luckily my sister's been starting some plants inside. she really loves <a href="http://andreaarmstrong.com/blog/seedlings/">these plants</a>. she likes to stare at them in the mornings watching them grow. they grow pretty fast too! i can't wait til they produce tomatoes and cucumbers. mmm...<br /><br /><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5068/5673951388_48eb07275c.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5068/5673951388_48eb07275c.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5030/5673384159_5a0d374f0f.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5030/5673384159_5a0d374f0f.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>joey armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01571903129979486798noreply@blogger.com4