Empanadas!

Wow, I have been completely neglecting this blog! Will try to be more diligent about posting.

Anyway, a friend and I spent yesterday assembling and making some really tasty treats. It was raining/sleeting/snowing outside with terrible gusty winds, so it was an absolute treat to be indoors cooking. There's really not much better than the smell of caramelizing onions on the stove, the feel of slippery tomatoes being chopped, and the comfort of good conversation!

We diced up potatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, and cilantro to cook up with some ground beef, and wrapped it all in a soft, masa (corn flour) based dough. Pop into some oil for about 4 minutes, and we have these lovely beauties!

Golden Brown and delicious

The corn dough had a crunchy/textured consistency that tasted more complex than the flour-based empanadas I usually have. The outer shell wasn't greasy at all, and the innards combo of potato and ground beef provided a hearty warmth.

Pretty presentation, along with vinegar-based dipping sauce

I'm pretty excited to have learned how to make this, and am already thinking up ways to tweak the fillings and flavors for my own purposes!

Waterfalls and babies

Today's destination: the gorgeous Multnomah Falls, located about a half hour away from central Portland.

;

Hana says 'hi!'

Portlandia

In the blink of an eye, I have already arrived at the last stop in my trip before I head home to New York. I am in Portland, Oregon to visit some friends who moved here last year. Portland has clean suburbs, lots of bustling local restaurants, and an affordable standard of living that makes this place very desirable for young families.

Since this is my last stop, I have been feeling quite lazy. It has been enough to hang out with my friends, eat some good food, play with babies, and take afternoon naps. Since I will be quite busy once I do reach New York, this will be a relaxing week for me. And of course, "relaxing" also means "eat lots and lots of foooooood".

Sunset view around Oregon farmlands

Delicious brunch dish; sausage ragu, mozzarella, and a fried egg on
top of polenta from Tasty n Sons.

I was hungry and started eating before I remembered to take a picture!
Half rack baby back ribs, mac and cheese, and candied yams from
Russell Street Bar-B-Que

Sampling very special local beer at the
Fresh Hops festival.

Am amazingly sweet corn chowder, made in the Glasby-Miyake home!

Food coma alert! Brunch at the very popular Screen Door (we were in line
for 40 minutes waiting for the place to open at 9am!!). This is fried chicken
in a biscuit, smothered with gravy, and roasted potatoes.