Olive Does The City

Adventures in Cooking for One: Redemption Risotto

Posted on March 1, 2013April 16, 2013 by Christina

You may recall my risotto disaster of prior months. I had wanted to celebrate a year in this new city, and attempt something new. And it was a big fat failure. However, Friend Who Makes Me Risotto, (FWMMR for future reference), driven by utter disgust of my first attempt, emailed me her recipe and directions. Strict instructions I must say.

Hence, the theme of this post will be FWMMR’s strict instructions:

WOODEN SPOON

MEDIUM HEAT ALWAYS MEDIUM

STIR LIKE CRAZY!

(FWMMR sent this to me in all caps.)

I pledge to follow these to a T. Wooden Spoon, check! Medium Heat, always medium, check! Stir like crazy, (good, I don’t have to do an arm workout today), check!

Yes this is what I do after work. Grate fresh Parm. Highly recommend this as a stress reliever, just watch your fingers….. and you may want to avoid that glass of wine until grating completion.

And do not worry FWMMR, I was chopping these realllllllll FINE.

Proof I was stirring like crazy! With wooden spoon I might add…

After killing my arm, sweating, and adding about eight cups of chicken stock; I did it.

It “blobbed”!(Blobbed: an extremely technical description of final product texture) Success. While it is still not perfect, I achieved redemption. Risotto Redemption. Thank you FWMMR for your strict instructions and encouragement!

Remember, WOODEN SPOON, MEDIUM HEAT ALWAYS MEDIUM HEAT, STIR LIKE CRAZY.

What is your biggest challenge in the kitchen?

Parents do the City

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Christina

The Parents came to town for the weekend. And you know what that means? Eating drinking and exploring. I mean, what I do best. I took it upon myself to be the local tour guide, explorer extraodinaire. All in all, a real Local.

So of course we must begin with brunch, (the designated official meal of the city), and my new love.

Even if Father will not drink this City’s official drink, I still must order one and give him a partial experience. HMmm yes, its spicy. Wasabi spicy to be exact.

Next, it is off to the Italian Market we go. Because what could be better than Italian Father in Italian Market? I think we were successful. Father even discovered items from Grandma’s kitchen.

Sardines anyone?

Next, what could be better after excessive Italian grocery shopping, than a brewery tour. Yes, that makes sense.

Does it get any more local than that? I mean, cheese curds? And beer. We just covered every local stereotype. Check.

Confession: Please note I am not including the three delicious dinners we consumed. I downed Rainbow Trout, New York Strip, Ahi Tuna, Lamb Bolongese, Mussels and more. I will not post these photos as it will lead to conclusions of over indulgence.

However, it may help to know, Father insisted on a gym trip and I still cannot stand up straight due to absolutely kiling my calfs… (That is my body saying, “Karma.”)

How was your weekend?

Dose of Olive

Posted on February 20, 2013April 18, 2013 by Christina

Per a Reader’s request, Olive, (this blog’s namesake), will make a small appearance. And why not include a few tips for a novice puppy owner? It was always on my bucket list to raise a puppy. Moving to this new city somehow pulled the trigger.

Day one: Warning, they may puke all over themselves upon arrival to their new home. This is a great introduction to bath time.

Cuddle time can happen any time. And it makes any terrible day at the office better.

Puppies may or may not enjoy their training graduation caps…

Puppy haircuts are important. Get them use to a groomer early. Your groomer will appreciate this.

Beware: NOT all groomers are the same: Even if they work at the same place!

Clarify what they mean by “short”. Otherwise, your puppy may get the nickname, Haircut Olive, at doggy daycare…

Halloween Costumes are totally appropriate.

And when you live in the frigid tundra, winter attire is a must!

And there you have it Reader, your Dose of Olive. What are your favorite puppy tips?

Ode to 26

Posted on February 18, 2013 by Christina

I prefer Birthday celebrations to New Years Eve Celebrations. Birthdays are your own personal New Years. Your time to ponder. So, as Saturday came and passed, so did another year. Another year older, another year wiser right?

When you thought of your new year (number), what did you see? What were you told to see? What expectations were set for you? What expectations did you set for yourself? What were you striving to achieve?

(I saw a lot of sushi and wine)

As my new year comes into view; the things I thought, or was told I should have, by the time 26 fades away….

1) A sparkler on that left hand…… (pshhh really? You are young girlfriend.)

2) A dog. (That’s a lot of work. 3am wake up calls. Butt haircuts to remove dangling feces)

3) My ideal body. (Pinterest really points this out, so Kettle Bell, Yoga and Elliptical, here I come.)

4) Direction in Life. ( Law School done, job secured. Happy in job)

5) Stability. (Stays in one place. Job. House. Home. Family.)

6) Bad habits resolved. (Never ever ever ever ever again drink too much. Stop swearing. Give up carbs. Switch coffee for tea. Stop eating out so much.)

All in all, have it figured out. Well NOT sorry to say, I can check off just one. Little Olive. Dog, check. Yep, I give doggy butt haircuts. Proud of it.

Reality Check:

I still pour extra wine into my glass, even if it is just me on the couch. I still eat like i’m 19. Yes I love carbs and this love will never fade. Put a bowl of pasta in front of me and it will never stand a chance.

Yes I still come up with excuses after work to avoid the gym, even after combing through Pinterest, discovering every work out known to man. I’ll go tomorrow for sure.

Conclusion: Bad Habits not yet resolved. Ideal body is a myth. My body is what I choose it to be at this moment. (after I eat that bowl of Carbonara.)

I still wonder what in the world I am doing with my life. I still ask, is this it? I went to school for 7 years for ?????

Conclusion: Direction in life still to be determined, I’ve got more than one dream yo.

Once upon a time, not so long ago, I did envision that sparkly trinket; a vision that ended in a blur yet spurs me on for the want of more…. better.. there has to be more. And yet a year of dates later, I feel I have found less.

Conclusion: Sparkler, no thank you, not yet. But yes I’ll take that spa day you are offering. Oh and dinner at the most expensive restaurant around, twist my arm.

And Stability. No. I find my self exploring a new city, in a state I never considered moving to, until it happened. So here I am, eating, drinking, exploring to my heart’s content. Traveling, meeting people, and partaking in generally non-stable activities. Bring it.

Conclusion: Stability, no way. Who wants that?

So right now, as my new year begins, I see nothing. Nothing but possibilities: and I am not going to put a label on them, timeline them up, or define them. Just possibilities. And so goes my Ode to 26.

Jet Set: Denver Part 2

Posted on February 14, 2013April 16, 2013 by Christina

Denver, not only did you steal my heart, but you stole my skinny body. I think I gained 5 pounds. Or 6. Totally hitting the yoga studio tonight… and maybe the treadmill… O and the free weights.. but it was oo so worth it.

Night One: How about some Tapas?

Scallops anyone?

May I please have another??

In my defense, these were “small plates”…..

And finally Dessert. Even in a brand new city, you run into local connections. The world is small, and I should know.. like 7th grade in London, playing basketball against a friend I knew in Singapore years earlier. The world is small and so interconnected, so why not send us out dessert because we are from the same home state?

Following dinner, one must of course discover the local beverages of Denver.

Once you’ve good and discovered those local beverages, recovery may be needed the next day. Enter Carbs… (Sorry Dad, I know, the evil C word.)

Slice of the day please.

And I think i’ll end this trip right where I began:

Denver, I feel I’ll be seeing you soon.

Jet Set: Denver Part 1

Posted on February 13, 2013April 16, 2013 by Christina

I was bitten. Bitten hard. By the travel bug this year. Denver was calling… that city has been calling for awhile. I just needed the right price….. And along it came.. Off I went to visit College Friend and see a city I’ve somehow never seen.

Ready…. Set… Go.

Denver… Boulder.. I think you stole my heart.

For a sworn and true city girl, I could get use to this…

Ok, well, as a city girl in her skinny jeans and tennis shoes, I am a bit out of place…. But for one second, I am truly lost in a painting. Is this place for real?

And before I am completley inebriated by the beauty of my surroundings, it is back to the city we go.

Ok, now I’m back in my natural setting.

I think I left my heart where the buffalo roam.

Or maybe I left it on Hooker Street? College Friend, you have a great address 🙂

Bringing Back the Weekend Epd. 2

Posted on February 6, 2013April 16, 2013 by Christina

Another local legend I can check off my list. One of Das Boots. Of Men. And of Beer. Lots and lots of beer. O yeah, and a polka band, that yes; makes you raise your stein and cheer, cheer, cheer! ( I may or may not have participated in this…..)

Yes, the HofbrauHaus, or Old German Beer Hall. A local legend around these parts…

I may have had this: (yes it is bigger than my head) I checked.

Warning: Ingesting this may lead to creating a local legend of your own. I may have done this. Proceed at your own risk.

After ingesting half of the above disclaimed beer, I may have gotten into the polka spirit….

Another local legend experience, done. Definitely brought back the weekend.

Cravings: Greek Style

Posted on February 1, 2013April 16, 2013 by Christina

Baby sister works at a delicious Greek restaurant back home. Her boss loves our family and always manages to find/make extra plates of food appear on our table. By the time I leave I can no longer walk and need to fall into a deep food coma on the couch. It just tastes so good.

There is a Greek restaurant a block from my apartment. Have I gone? No. It happens to be that place you always say you are going to check out. That, O yeah, I want to try that place, place. It is just so close. And yet so far because I’ve never gone?

Well I made the decision around noon in the office. I had to go. Finally. I had a haircut planned, but still I must go.

I walked in to an empty restaurant. The parking lot, (yes they have their own parking lot in the city), was empty. Maybe it should have been a sign?

A sweet grandpa like man took my order and instantly we connected. Like a meeting of kindred spirits? Who knows how many years are between us, but something was the same. We talked and talked, and his kind eyes told me, that no matter how the food tasted, I would be back just to chat up this fellow. The owner.

The food was not what I wanted, not what I craved. It did not turn into a food coma situation. It did not transport me home. I think the wrong people (person) is in the kitchen. Or rather, the right person is not in the kitchen. I believe the right chef was standing right in front of me.

Next time, I shall order something else. Something not so “typical” American to order. For I know, I will be back. I want to have a second conversation with my kindred spirit.

Make it Spicy

Posted on January 30, 2013April 16, 2013 by Christina

O the Bloody Mary. How I despised you. When someone asked, Bloody Mary Bar? I asked for the Mimosa.I could not understand this tomato juice thing. (Despite my love for tomatoes) Why this texture? How was this appealing? I did not get it.

The only piece that made sense were the toppings. Strings of Cheese? A beef stick. Maybe some celery and a skewer of shrimp? Can I just order the toppings?

I remember my grandmother’s crooked smile as she ordered the Bloody Mary. She always had this air of mischief as she waited on the drink to arrive. I still did not understand.

Then one day, I woke up, rolled out of bed and decided I needed this drink. I needed the Bloody Mary. I do not know if it was the influence of this city and its obsession with Brunch; or if my grandmother imparted her love of this drink from the heavens. It was a random decision on a random morning. The desire came out of no where.

I ordered it and stared it down. I started with the cheese. And then the beef stick. I played with the straw and pretended I knew what I was doing. I couldn’t procrastinate any longer. The first sip had to be taken.

I discovered this spicy balance of flavors and a texture I did not expect. I liked this drink…. No, I loved this drink. I now understood. Though I do have one requirement. It must be spciy.

Whether it was the influence of this new city, or my grandmother smiling down with that half crooked smile; I may never know.

Now when someone asks, Bloody Mary? I say, make it spicy.

Bringing Back the Weekend

Posted on January 25, 2013April 16, 2013 by Christina

I think I am still recovering from my weekends spent in a law library. I feel I missed out on “Weekend Festivities”. (and I am not yet convinced the sacrifice was worth it; see bitterness) The musty smell of battered books (yes I only studied in the basement); the creepy judge painting staring down at me; caffeine crazed, bulging eyeball, weary students; and a language I spent hours attempting to decipher, took over my precious weekends.

I may be over compensating for these feelings of weekend loss, but these days I try to get the most out of my weekends. I need to be constantly doing something, seeing something, exploring. Could you have a better motto when moving to a new city? Explore Explore Explore…..

So, when New Friend calls to take you on an adventure outside of the city….

Cedarburg it is.

Cedarburg, was apparently voted one of “:America’s 11 prettiest communities”, and “renowned as a favorite small town visit.” I’m all for the city life, but sometimes the small town calls.

Our exploration started with lunch. Check out the pub here. The Anvil Pub was once a historic blacksmith’s shop. Who doesn’t want a bit of history with their lunch?