Food and Wine Fest 2012: Round Two

Round Two was another warm, clear day. I woke up my appetite and  turned my car toward Disney World for more tasty treats. I have to admit, I'm a bit of a planner when it comes to Food and Wine Fest. There are so many things to try, only a certain number of weeks to get there, and just a limited amount of room in my stomach, so to get them all in requires a plan.

Once again, I started with one of last year's favorites, this time in...

MEXICO

Taco de Camaron (crispy shrimp taco with chipotle-lime mayo and cabbage on a flour tortilla).

This was the perfect way to begin: a dish I know I will love and nice, bright flavors to get my taste buds warmed up. There is just the perfect amount of contract between the crispy shrimp, the soft tortilla and the crunchy shredded cabbage. The flavors are amazing together, none overpowering the others, despite the fact that none of them are shy about making their presence known. Plus, this dish is crazy photogenic! How do you go wrong? (Hint: You don't.)


And then it was onward, for another favorite, this one several years over...

SOUTH KOREA

Lettuce Wrap with Roast Pork and Kimchi Slaw.

I remember the first time I tried this, I wasn't too sure how "kimchi slaw" would be, but this remains a dish I look forward to enjoying now. The pork is moist and flavorful. The kimchi slaw is not "too much." The biggest trouble with this is how messy it is to eat. That does not deter me. I just know to grab several napkins and head to my favorite spot, tucked out of the way. (What? You didn't think I would explicitly tell you where it is, did you? I don't know who might happen upon this post and suddenly my guaranteed open spot will become common knowledge and I will need to seek a new one.)


I was getting into my groove now. Time for something the same...yet different!

CHEESE

Trio of Artisan Cheeses. Sterling Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc.

Every year, there is a trio of cheeses at the cheese booth. However, each year brings a new trio! See? The same, yet different! Unfortunately, I found this trio underwhelming. (from left to right) Beecher's Flagship Reserve Cheddar was my favorite. It was drizzled in honey and the sweet and sharp was a good contrast of flavors. But it's a cheddar. Rogue River Creamery Echo Mountain Blue Cheese was interesting. I don't know if it's a trait of this cheese or just the lovely Florida humidity, but every blue cheese I am familiar with crumbles and this one was almost...soft and spreadable on the little crispy whole grain cracker-toast thing with dried cranberry. It was a strong blue, not bad, but a little strong for my palette. La Bonne Vie Goat Brie. Perhaps the most boring brie I have ever had. It was certainly the most forgettable. Merely a vehicle for the cherry relish. As for the wine, at first, I was tricked into thinking it had some flavor to it...until I realized it tasted exactly like whatever sweet flavor I had most recently tasted. In reality, it was a simple, dry white that played nicely with the various flavors I was eating.


Time for something of substance. Time for...

ITALY

Ravioli di Formaggio all'Emiliana (baked cheese ravioli with creamy beef bolognese sauce, Parmesan and mozzarella).

This had more substance, no question about it. In the Florida heat, it was almost too heavy. There were layers of ravioli and cheese with a tasty meat sauce. My only complaint was they went skimpy on the sauce. I know many prefer it that way, but I tend to opt for more sauce on my pasta, and this was just enough to qualify as a teaser.


It was time to do some walking. I was full and there wasn't room for much more. But there is *always * room for...

DESSERTS and CHAMPAGNE

Dessert Trio. Moet & Chanson Rose Imperial.

The champagne was champagne: dry and bubbly. Just the way it should be. Let's just get something straight: there was no way this Libra could pick just one of these desserts to go with it. They are sold in a trio, probably for people just like me. I was intrigued by all three selections. I anticipated liking the chocolate one best, but the only way to know is to grab a spoon and dig in!

Lemon Custard Verrine with Blueberry Compote.
Wow. Sweet and tart and spicy. It explodes in your mouth (not literally). The lemon custard is creamy, which plays off the firm but juicy berries and the crunchy cinnamon crumble topping.

Yogurt Panna Cotta with Orange Cake, Raspberries and Pomegranate.
I'll be honest, I didn't expect to like this one. I am picky about orange in my sweets. However, the orange was a mild taste, especially when tempered by the creaminess of the panna cotta, and really, it was the raspberry puree and the crunchy (not really, but I can never figure out how to describe it) pomegranate that took center stage.

Dark Chocolate Mousse with Chili and Salted Caramel.
I've had all kinds of mousse. This one was a little more dense than airy, closer to the consistency of...Cool Whip maybe? It was rich and slightly bittersweet. Nice but nothing extraordinary. It was the salted caramel that stole the show and the chili that baffled the senses by leaving the tongue warm after eating an otherwise cool dessert.


By the time I had finished my bubbles and desserts, I had drawn the conclusion that, while they were all very yummy, the Lemon Custard was my favorite. I wouldn't be shocked if the trio found its way into my final-round-for-favorites this year though. It may have all been too good to have just once.

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The Girl on the Other Coast: October 13, 2012

About a month ago, my friend, G, and I kicked off a new blog series in which we planned to trade off coming up with a blog prompt we'd both do and then each post what the other had composed, linking to our own corresponding post on the other's blog. It was a ton of fun and we meant to do this every other Saturday. But then I went and got married, which made me super busy, so we postponed and postponed, but we're back again!

It was my turn to suggest a prompt for our collaborative blog project. I was looking for some inspiration and, while wandering the internet, I happened upon the blog by the Smithsonian National Museum of American History where they had just done post about an activity called "Who are you? In 5 objects." I immediately wanted to do one for myself and realized it would be a lot of fun to use this as my suggestion for our "Girl on the Other Coast" series!

Are you ready for G in 5 objects?
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So here we go!

Why?

I sang for 8 years. As I got better, I auditioned and successfully made it into progressively harder choir groups. I've done small groups, duets, solos. I've sung at school, in church, and on stage. I've been led by choir teachers and famous directors. I've sung with full orchestras, small instrumental groups, piano, and a cappella (which is my very favorite). Now I sing in the shower. When I began teaching I didn't have time to devote to singing. (Prior to a performance we would rehearse 9+ hours a week.) I truly miss it and would love to get into it again. 

I {used to} scrapbook. This is another favorite hobby that has fallen by the wayside since I started teaching. I vow to get back into this because I used to really enjoy it. There's something about putting pictures on pretty paper and recording your thoughts that is therapeutic and gratifying. And really? How cute are the supplies?! (Thank you Amy Tangerine!)

Although there are good days and bad days, I couldn't imagine myself doing anything other than teaching. Even if I won the lottery and didn't have to have a job I would still teach. It's a part of me and I take great pride in my profession. I work incredibly hard to be the very best I can be for my students. I teach biology, but it's so much more than that. I listen to them when they are upset. I am their confidant. I support them. I attend their games. I help plan their events. I laugh with them and I cry with them. And then I lead them into their graduation ceremony and applaud their achievements and all that their future has to hold. I want to be the one they remember. The one who helped them on their journey...and taught them some science along the way.

He helps make me who I am. I don't know where I'd be without his love and support. When our friends introduced us they knew that we would help each other grow. He builds me up and makes me want to be a better person. And I do the same for him. (And he would tell you if he could!)

Well...I'm Italian! And this is my favorite pasta. Cliche? Possibly. But it's true.
I absolutely love my heritage. Being Italian is who I am. And Italy is my home. It's in my heart, always. The country is gorgeous, the people are passionate, and the food is amazing. I only wish my family didn't live so far away.

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Curious what my objects were? (Humor me. Pretend you're curious.) Take a virtual voyage to Little Italy and find out!

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(edit to add mine)

Dawn in five objects, huh? This took some consideration. I know who I am in nouns and adjectives, but I don't think I've ever tried to define myself in objects. Which five objects can encapsulate who I am?

1. My engagement and wedding rings. (Ok, so, I suppose that's two objects, but I wear them together and they symbolize the same thing, so we're counting them as one.) Two weeks ago, I made promises to an amazing man. Those rings are visual reminders of those promises, of our love and commitment, of emotional safety and the source of great joy. They remind me of the road I took to get to this place, and like both the promises made and the man I made them to, they are precious to me. They define me as a wife, his chosen.

2. A Boston Red Sox ticket. What now? A ticket to a baseball game? Let's just say that from mid-February through late September (sometimes even longer, when I'm extra lucky), there is rarely a Red Sox game that I miss, whether I am watching on television, listening to a radio broadcast online, or begging friends for game updates via text. I have formed friendships through our common fandom. And I have had the amazing opportunity to visit Fenway Park, the cathedral of my "other love," with a couple of my dearest friends a couple of years ago. I saved that ticket. I use it as a bookmark. Every time I see it, I have great memories of that day, but more than that, I smile at the fact that I am a third generation Sox fan.

3. My camera. I am by no means a professional nor do I wish to be. But I love my camera. I love playing with it, learning about it, and, most of all, capturing people I love and memories I make. Some of my most prized possessions came from cameras. Not just this one, but ones I've grown out of, ones that were held in the hands of my father, my grandparents, and long ago relatives I never had the chance to meet. I get the gift of seeing through their eyes. No one is ever surprised to see me pull out my camera.

4. Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged." This one is multi-faceted symbol. I am a reader. I taught myself to read before I started kindergarten. I enjoy reading: books, magazines, blogs. I read every day. This is also my favorite book. I read it last year and it...taught what I already knew about myself, but never had the words to articulate. It is also a political and financial ideology I personally embrace. Yes, this book captures many pieces of who I am.

5. My Disney World Annual Pass. When I moved to Florida not quite eleven years ago, I had never been to any Disney park. Not long afterward, I had my introduction to the magic. I got my first annual pass and I've never not had one since. I've easily been in the parks somewhere in the ballpark of 200 times since that first day. I never tire of it. It is my happy place. When all else fails, when I am sad or discouraged or can't shake myself out of a funk, I can escape into the "Disney bubble, " and somehow I can sort myself back out.

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TV Loves and Hates: October 11, 2012

**Ray Romano on Parenthood. He doesn't get enough credit.

**Sue showing a little more confidence, while remaining endearingly Sue, on The Middle.

**I finally watched the season finale of Dallas. Man, that shows drops bombs better than any other!

**Person of Interest nails it. Dry humor. Entertaining fight scenes. Well-executed suspense.


**How difficult it is to figure out when Dexter is imagining something vs living in reality.

**The direction they appear to be taking Raj on The Big Bang Theory. It was plenty funny with the subtle references. Please leave it alone!

**Private Practice is starting to feel...whiny to me.

**CSI picking up the second half of the to-be-continued season finale, five months later, with no "previously" sequence to lead off the season premiere.

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Swoon worthy.

Confession: I get a little thrill every time I see that ring on his hand.




You pull me in and I'm a little more brave
It's a first kiss
It's flawless
Really something...
It's fearless
("Fearless," Taylor Swift)

Confession: That kiss? Totally spontaneous. And the best kiss ever.

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Food and Wine Festival 2012: Round One

I did a little jig of delight before setting off to reward my taste buds for their patient waiting. It is once again time to Fest with Food and Wine!

This year's theme is essentially the same as last years: travel.

So I didn't waste much time visually exploring the park decor before diving headlong into tasty treats!

I made a quick right, upon entering World Showcase, and stopped for one of last year's top favorites in...

HAWAII

I do have to say that I am still loving the way they are making the booths more individually themed the last couple of years. I challenged myself to photograph them again this time, since they actually have some visual interest. The line wasn't long at all and in no time I was happily munching on

Kalua Pork Slider with Sweet and Sour Pineapple Chutney and Spicy Mayonnaise.

It did not disappoint in its sophomore appearance! While I generally wish each booth would have at least one new food dish each season (for those showing up in consecutive festivals), I was so glad to see that this one was back for a reprise. The flavors are just to die for. The pineapple goes so well with the pork. The mayo has just enough spice to let you know it's there without overpowering the other flavors. The bun is soft but not soggy. I will have a difficult time not getting this again on subsequent rounds, until I've tasted everything else on my personal list (the rule by which I abide or I would never be able to tear myself away from favorites such as this).


I didn't have to travel far for my second tasty treat, because two booths down, we come to...

CANADA


Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle Butter Sauce. Mission Hill Family Estate Syrah.

This is a new entry for 2012, replacing the salmon dish they've had for as far back as I can recall, and, sweet mercy...if I could have licked that truffle butter sauce off the dish, I would have. (That one little glass of wine, generous pour though it was, was not enough to make me completely not care that people would see me licking my dish.) As T will tell you, I typically partake in mushrooms sparingly. I don't know what they sauteed these mushrooms in, but I forgot about the consistency (not rubbery either) and the fact that they are fungus, because my taste buds were singing like angels. The meat was so tender, I could almost cut it with my fork, and it was juicy and delicious. But the star was that truffle butter sauce. I cannot stop thinking about that sauce! The wine was good (even for a red), well-matched to the dish, able to stand up to everything the food placed on the palette. It started off like a mouthful of berries, almost sweet, but before you started thinking about dessert, BAM! It finished like I had just licked a root cellar. I'll never quite figure out the appeal of that, I guess, but it worked nicely with the food, and that's all I asked.


My appetite whetted, I set off for...

FLORIDA LOCAL


This is a new booth for this year, in keeping with the whole trend of "eating local."

Shrimp Ceviche with Fire Roasted Vegetables, Fried Plantain and Cilantro.

The colors and presentation were beautiful but.... (You had to have known with a introduction like that, there was a 'but' to follow.) The ceviche was all right, but I have had better right at Food and Wine Fest in a previous year. Everything was very fresh but all the flavors just didn't seem to meld together the way I would prefer. And let me state right now: plantains? Decidedly *not* a fan. Weird, pasty, mushy consistency. And I did, honestly, give it a try, despite is similar appearance to a banana. I finished everything but the plantain, but I have no problem never revisiting it.


I packed myself up and moved along, in search of something sweet...

ITALY


Cannoli al Cioccolato (chocolate covered cannoli filled with sweet ricotta, chocolate and candied fruits).

Pretty to look at but another mild disappointment. Last year's cannoli bore the same description, but the candied fruits were a lot less subtle this time. It was as if someone tried to cram a fruit cake into the delicate little chocolate covered shell, disguised by the sweet ricotta. It didn't work. All I could taste was candied citrus this time. It wasn't inedible, but neither was it the best cannoli I'd ever had. ::sigh:: Two strikes in a row.


It was time to cleanse my palette with something I knew would be a winner in...

GERMANY


Apple Strudel with Karamel and Vanilla Sauce. Selbach Riesling QbARed Label.

Now, this was more like it! Crisp-tender apples baked into a flaky pastry. Plump golden raisins. Cinnamon and caramel and vanilla goodness. This perennial favorite never fails to deliver. And the Riesling had a bright, tart green apple flavor that contrasted the warm, mellow dessert in such a way that one sip  made my eyes widen in surprise. It was certainly a Riesling, but whether it was the food and wine pairing or just the characteristics of this particular wine, it was not nearly as sweet as I would have expected, and almost came across as a wee bit dry. I approved of the combination.


Feeling refreshed, I made my way to my next destination, which had a long line and needed to be shelved for this trip. I detoured, instead, to...

ARGENTINA


Grilled Beef Skewer with Chimichurri Sauce and Boniato Puree.

They have had this particular selection since 2009, I believe, and when I tried it the first time, I wasn't overly sold on having it again, in favor of other options. However, after my good friend, Michelle, raved about it and declared that she would have to have it multiple times in 2012, I thought I would give it another shot (especially since last year's Beef Empanada wasn't *that* great and I do try to have at least one selection from each featured location). Wow. Let me say that with a more accurate amount of gusto: WOW!! I am so glad I gave it a second chance. While the first experience I had with this dish was one long piece of meat, threaded like a ribbon on the skewer, that was so tough, it was difficult to eat, *this* was a far better cut of beef. It was so tender, I couldn't tell if it was just pulling apart off the skewer with each bite or if it was actually several smaller pieces of meat on the skewer. The spices were amazing. The chimichurri sauce was like a tasty pesto. And the boniato puree was as wonderful as I recalled from my first try with this dish...and later lamented that it didn't come on its own, because I didn't want another skewer. 2012, you have changed my mind entirely!


I was almost out of room, but there was space for one more, as long as I kept it light, so I made a beeline for...

GREECE


Spanakopita.


I was sad last year, when my beloved spanakopita was omitted from the menu in favor of Greek yogurt and griddled cheese. When I got my first sneak peek of the 2012 booth menus, I actually whooped out loud, because it was back, oh it was back! Those flaky, buttery layers encasing savory cheese and spinach. It was six little bites of perfect heaven. And a great way to end my maiden voyage of the 2012 Festival.


Round Two, just five days away... I am already plotting my next plan of culinary attack!

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I Watch TV: 2012-2013, Premiere

While I was away, busy getting married, new television descended upon my poor DVR like a tidal wave. We've just barely started dipping into the embarrassment of riches, but I need to sneak in what I am watching to start the new year in television!

Sunday
Once Upon a Time - What will happen now that the curse is broken?
The Good Wife - Who is waiting for Kalinda on the other side of the door?
The Mentalist - Will Patrick ever get to see Red John's face?
Dexter - What *now*??

Monday
How I Met Your Mother - Barney and Robin? Victoria? Who is the mother of Ted's children?
2 Broke Girls - Will Martha ever call the girls with their big break?
Revolution  - new show

Tuesday
Parenthood - What is next for my beloved Bravermans?
Private Practice - Who will Addison choose?
The Mindy Project - new show

Wednesday
The Middle - Will Sue ever fit in? ::whispers:: Fit in...
Modern Family - How will the family take Gloria's big news?
Law & Order: SVU - Who is setting him up?! And why?
CSI - Will they find DB's granddaughter?
Chicago Fire - new show (starting October 10)

Thursday
The Big Bang Theory - What will happen with Leonard and Penny?
Up All Night - What's next for the Brinkley family?
Last Resort - new show
Person of Interest - Will they find Mr Finch?!
Grey's Anatomy - What new horrors await our medical staff?
Scandal - WHO IS QUINN PERKINS???

Friday
CSI:NY - Will Mac Taylor love again? How soon will the cancellation rumors start torturing me?
Blue Bloods - Will someone (please) get Danny Reagan'd in the season premiere? I am having withdrawals!
Fringe - What made the Observers lose their minds?

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Saturdays Are for Weddings: Looking Back

Quite honestly, one of the best days ever. I am still letting it sink in. Be back soon with some thoughts...

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Snapshot from Along the Broken Road: September 2012

A photo of me:

A moment of down time before the whirlwind began...

1) Candle scents this month:
Coconut Bay. Grapevine & Oak. Seaside Holiday. Mango Peach Salsa. Sun and Sand.

2) What I am reading this month:
I am a little bit further in Knuckler: My Life with Baseball's Most Confounding Pitch (Tim Wakefield with Tony Massarotti), but I didn't have much time to read this month and I had a handful of library books that would be coming due, so I focused mainly on those. I finished Homicide in Hardcover (Kate Carlisle), which I enjoyed quite a bit. It is set in San Francisco, which is a fun personal twist, so close to my vacation there in August, because the trip is still fresh enough in my mind for me to remember and picture many of the places she talks about easily. I look forward to reading more of this series. I re-borrowed The Murderer's Daughters (Randy Susan Meyers) so that I could finally finish it. I just wasn't that thrilled with this story. The blurb sounded so promising, but the story just fell flat for me. I felt like it had no purpose and that even though I spent many pages with these characters, they remained standoffish. The author has a new book coming out early next year, and I will give her another try before I decide it was the author and not just a particular story that didn't work for me. I am nearly done with the second book of the Marjorie McLelland Mystery series, Ghost of a Chance (Amy Patricia Meade) and enjoying it quite a bit. I can't wait to see how it unwinds in the final few chapters!

3) Top three songs I was drawn to:
"I Won't Give Up" by Jason Mraz. "In the Shape of Us," by Ian Britt. "Canon in D," by Pachelbel - had to figure out the timing of the processional!

4) Movies I saw:
Red - We saw this when it was still in the theater. It was crazy and funny (and violent!) then, and it was this time too.

5) Favorite tv moments of the month:
The DVR is fit to explode! I haven't watched much of anything not sports related this month, but I foresee some great tv moments coming soon!

6) New recipe tried this month OR Something yummy I made:
Excuse me while I laugh at either of these being a remote possibility while in the throes of final wedding planning.

7) Restaurants where I ate:
Olive Garden.

8) Five things I am loving this month:
1. Crossing items off a To Do List.
2. Finally finding the shade of fuchsia nail polish I have been seeking for at least three years. I wanted a bright pink that wasn't a "solid creamy" color (I love that look on others but don't on myself, so I look for polishes that have a pearlized, metallic or glittery look) but doesn't scream BARBIE DOLL!! You would not think it would prove to be such a harrowing mission.
3. New television is back!!
4. Diamond Dust eye shadow. Because sometimes a girl just needs a little sparkle.
5. Obviously. Wedding.

9) A goal I had for this month:
Make it to my wedding day in one piece, mentally.

10) This month I looked forward to:
So many people I love in one place, celebrating with T and me.

11) Something I want to remember about this month:
How it felt to promise him myself.

12) A photo I took this month:


Loved my flowers so much!

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