Debbie King

Simple & Satisfying – Salad with Endive, Pear & Crumbled Stilton

Organic Greens, Endive and Pear Salad with Crumbled Stilton

I was recently taken out for dinner to La Cigale French Bistro where a friend ordered a starter of endive salad with walnuts and crumbled blue cheese that tasted divine. Unfortunately for this friend three of us dove into his plate & attacked the salad….then decided to order one for ourselves.

Did not ask for the recipe but I do know that….

Cioppino’s Mediterranean Grill has had a very similar salad on the menu since it opened in 1999.

My birthday dinner there a few years back was very memorable and owner/chef Pino Posterero made a visit to our table to check on our meal. He says the secret to the success of this salad is in the vinaigrette which is simple to make, yet has a complex flavour.

Recipe:

120g (4 oz) Organic Salad Greens (including watercress or arugula)

16 leaves of Belgian Endive

1 ripe Bosc pear, skin on, cored and thinly sliced (ideally)

60 ml (2 oz) lemon shallot honey vinaigrette (see recipe blow)

Crumbled Stilton (preferably) or blue cheese (about 2-3 oz) or 80g.

Crumbled walnuts (this is not part of original recipe) but I think it would be a nice addition.

In a mixing bowl, combine salad greens, Belgian endive and pear. Add vinaigrette and toss lightly. To serve, divide the salad among four plates and sprinkle Stilton (& optional walnuts) on top.

Lemon Shallot Honey Vinaigrette

150 ml (1/4 cup) fresh lemon juice

90 ml (5 ½ Tbsp) honey

50 ml (3 Tbsp) white wine vinegar

50 ml (3 Tbsp) Dijon mustard

50 g (2 oz) chopped shallots

80 ml (6 Tbsp) extra-virgin olive oil

pinch of sea salt, pepper

In a mixing bowl, combine lemon juice, honey, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard and shallots. Whisk in olive oil gradually until well emulsified. Season with salt and pepper.

It will keep refrigerated in an airtight container or glass jar for up to one week.

Makes 500 ml. Makes 4 servings. This would make a beautiful side to fish, pasta or almost any dish.

FUN

Scene in the City – what a RIOT!

THE CANUCKS ARE BACK IN THE GAME!

Let’s take a look back at Wednesday, June 15, 2011. That was the date of a rare public disturbance that broke out in the downtown core of Vancouver, British Columbia – known as the Vancouver Stanley Cup riot. A riot to remember. There is good likelihood that this will never happen here again.

We have faith that this will not happen here again – **Vancouver is LOVE**.

The riots happened immediately after the conclusion of the Boston Bruins’ win over the Vancouver Canucks in game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals, which won the Stanley Cup for Boston. At least 140 people were reported as injured during the incident, one critically; at least four people were stabbed, nine police officers were injured, and 101 people were arrested that night, with 16 further arrests following the event. A total f….up.

Real Fans Don't Riot — **Real Fans Don’t Riot**

With anything good…or….bad….there comes ART. Here, some of the artful abuse (aka graffiti) which is preserved at the Vancouver museum on one large wall.

One by one...changes come. — **One by one changes come – now don’t we feel dumb!**

FUN

AWay with Words – quotes on aging

How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?

Lauren Hutton, 69

People don’t grow old. When they stop growing, they become old – Anonymous

Aging can be fun if you lay back and enjoy it – Clint Eastwood

Maturity is a bitter disappointment for which no remedy exists, unless laughter could be said to remedy anything.–Kurt Vonnegut

You can free yourself from aging by reinterpreting your body and by grasping the link between belief and biology – Deepak Chopra
Another belief of mine: that everyone else my age is an adult, whereas I am merely in disguise.–Margaret Atwood

Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.–Franz Kafka

At age 20, we worry about what others think of us.

At 40, we don’t care what they think of us.

At 60, we discover they haven’t been thinking about us at all.–Jock Falkson

60…..I can wait but these women although famous actors/models make it seem effortless & are the role models for aging gracefully. I can only hope.

FUN

B Well – B Vitamins

Are you comfortable in your dry skin?

I don’t have to tell you that the combination of low temperatures, decreased humidity, and blasting heaters can leave your skin flaky and itchy. But here’s what you may not know: because the outermost layer of our skin helps keep bacteria from entering your body, the cracks created by water loss can make you more vulnerable to infection.

Using a humidifier and lotion will help, but you can also moisturize from within. Research suggests that ceramides (lipid molecules that help prevent skin from becoming dry) found in whole grains may help build up the barrier that keeps moisture in. Add more biotin-rich foods (like swiss chard, eggs and nuts) to your diet – they’re members of the B vitamin family and promote the production of moisture-retaining fatty acids.

Dr. Oz on Winterproofing your Health from “O” magazine.

**B Vitamins should be added to your diet if you wish to achieve healthy skin. Vitamin B1, for instance, boosts circulation in the body and gives your skin a certain glow. If you’re a woman taking birth control pills then you are at risk of Vitamin B1 deficiency. Egg yolks, nuts and raisins are great sources of Vitamin B1. Niacin of Vitamin B3 helps your skin receive plenty of oxygen, which prevents development of acne among other benefits. Niacin-rich foods include tomatoes, broccoli and carrots.

***Don’t miss listening to “Transforming Health” with host Brad King for the most up-to-the-minute interviews with leading health professionals – Live every Wednesday @ 12PM-PST/3PM-EST on VoiceAmerica.com – #1 internet radio station in North America. Here’s the link: http://www.voiceamerica.com/show/1686/transforming-health

FUN

décor & design – vintage finds and elegant objects

**After 11 years at their 6th Ave location Heather Ross [ in house ] has recently moved & rebranded their art salon/boutique to heather ross (natural eclectic). See address below.

NATURE is a constant source of information for Artist & Designer Heather Ross who is known for her wonderful sense of color & keen eye. Her paintings, while abstracted, draw upon the elements of earth, water, air & sky with soothing color palettes.

Her boutique is a favorite amongst designers, art directors and decorators who covet Heathers unique vision & the way she brings unexpectedly beautiful items together with warmth & sensitivity.

In her inviting space she creates a compelling mix of new and old. Lush pillows, antique textiles and unique finds from the flea markets of Europe mingle with contemporary ceramics, fresh décor & endearing gifts. Her clientele will discover art in her paintings and photos which grace the walls in an inviting atmosphere.

Here is what a few magazine’s have written:

This is the thinking decorator’s dream shop. I could not extricate myself from its intelligent, captivating spell. It has the feeling of an underwater garden, inspired no doubt by Heather’s upbringing on the coast and her love for all things natural’

“Heather Ross [natural eclectic] conjures a home dressed in driftwood hues, vintage finds and elegant objects… rather than a typical store, poured concrete floors, clean white walls and a purposefully raw atmosphere form an uncluttered setting for her restrained vignettes”
Canadian House & Home Jan 2010

“One third each evocative gallery, chic boutique, and European Atelier, Heather Ross (natural eclectic) offers an eclectic collection of hip items for the home.” Style at Home Magazine

AND I add to that “you must look up at the ceiling.”

Heather is currently working on a book & design blog, The Natural Eclectic™

New Location is at 2170 Fir Street at 6^th in Vancouver (they’re just getting set up).

Stay connected & inspired at heatherrossnaturaleclectic.com

FUN

Simple & Satisfying – Powerball Cookies

Powerball Cookies with Quinoa

These healthy energy cookies are packed with natural flavor and are bound to give you a nice boost after your workout or anytime you need it.

Recipe:

3 large ripe bananas

1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla

1 cup (250 ml) cooked organic quinoa (cook like regular rice 1-1)

1 cup (250 ml) organic rolled oats

1 cup (250 ml) coconut flakes, unsweetened

½ cup (125 ml) coconut sugar

½ cup (125 ml) dark chocolate chips

chopped ginger & dates, optional

Preheat oven to 325 F.

In a large mixing bowl, mash bananas with a fork and add vanilla, quinoa, coconut and coconut sugar. Mix until well combined. Stir in chocolate chips (& ginger and/or pitted dates if using).

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper so batter doesn’t stick. Drop heaping Tablespoons onto baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until cookie holds together. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

*TIP – try toasting the coconut flakes first on their own on unlined baking sheet in oven for about 10 minutes or just until they start to brown.

**You can find unsweetened coconut & coconut sugar at Granville Island or your specialty bulk food shops.

***Dark chocolate chips are getting a bit easier to find although it is difficult
to find anything beyond 60% cacao. You can substitute a higher percentage (72-80%)
by chopping up a chocolate bar instead.

See Food on my Pinterest page at http://pinterest.com/intrigueimports/

FUN

AWay with Words – quotes that get under our skin

quotes1 Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. Samuel Ullman

Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick. Gwyneth Paltrow.

“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.”
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

“When you’re a beautiful person on the inside, nothing in the world can change that about you. Jealousy is the result of one’s lack of self-confidence, self-worth, and self-acceptance. The Lesson: If you can’t accept yourself, then certainly no one else will.”
― Sasha Azevedo

“The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,but true beauty in a Woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she knows.” quote2

― Audrey Hepburn

“Outer beauty attracts, but inner beauty captivates.”

– Kate Angell, Squeeze Play

“There are those who say that spiritual enlightenment is achieved through the denial of oneself; you must deny yourself many things, go and live on a mountaintop, never mingle with other people, talk to the birds..but I say to you, why should you dismantle your home? Where is the meaning in removing the bricks from your walls one by one? What is the purpose in uprooting your floors? Is there any significance in only allowing yourself a tin roof and a muddy bed? Why deny your house its structure? A truly enlightened soul is strong enough, is bright enough to live and shine through, even in a beautiful house! There is no need to ransack the house in order to see an inner beauty etched against a distraught surrounding. A bright and beautiful soul can shine forth even from inside an equally beautiful surrounding.” – C JoyBell C.

FUN

B Well – Saving Face!

THE TRUTH ABOUT SPF & UVA/B. sun2 Listen up, ski bunnies!

You may not think you have to worry about wearing sunscreen in the winter, but the most damaging rays are still wreaking havoc on your face. Save your skin with both UVA and UVB protection. The latest scoop on keeping your skin happy, healthy and younger looking all year long.

When the FDA recently announced it was updating labelling guidelines for sun-protection products, beauty companies noticed. What’s new? The buzz is all about UVA – which has been proven to cause the most long-lasting damage to skin health. Research shows that these rays are the real culprits behind premature wrinkles, dark spots, uneven complexion, inflammation, sagging – even skin cancer. sun1

Right now most products focus on SPF, or Sun Protection Factor as most of you know by now. But we’re learning SPF measures only UVB levels (the rays that cause sunburn). So if you’re concerned with aging (and really, who isn’t?), you need to tune in to UVB and UVA protection. The problem is even if you use broad-spectrum sunscreen, which claims to protect against UVB and UVA, there’s no way of knowing just how much UVA you’re getting because standard guidelines don’t exist in North America.

Enter the FDA’s new labelling regulation, which proposes that suncare products list the UVA protection right on the bottle. You may already be familiar with this practice if you’ve been shopping in a Paris or Tokyo drugstore, where sunscreen bottles feature one important extra symbol: PA+, PA++ or PA+++. Also, in the U.K., they’ve embraced the Boots five-star rating

Now Health Canada is re-evaluating its labelling requirements too, and expects to establish its own guidelines for UVA protection soon. . Until then, look for products that have science behind them like the following:

I personally recommend & use: La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL 50+ tinted extreme fluid. It’s feels weightless, does the trick and gives a nice sheer tint.

Also good & less expensive is Neutrogena age shield repair sunscreen with SPF 55. It goes on light but doesn’t feel sticky or make your face look white.

Clinique broad spectrum moisture surge and Biotherm Skin-Vivo both with SPF 15 were also recommended by Chatelaine Magazine.

**Don’t miss listening to “Transforming Health” with host Brad King for the most up-to-the-minute interviews with leading health experts – Live every Wednesday @ 12PM-PST/3PM-EST on VoiceAmerica.com – #1 internet radio station in North America. Here’s the link: http://www.voiceamerica.com/show/1686/transforming-health

FUN

Gingham Style…

…and Classic Design. FABRIC THAT STANDS THE TEST OF TIME: You can resort to wearing this even if it’s not exactly considered “RESORT” wear.

STYLE! Kirsten Dunst (cute in gingham dress), Jackie Kennedy (this woman made even wearing gingham look chic) & Marc Jacobs (a sophisticated gingham shirt on model.) A little bit goes a long way with this fun fabric.

Personally the design reminds me of an old fashioned Italian style picnic. But that is why I love my gingham lined wicker picnic basket & pieces of gingham paper lined small wicker trays for storing cheese in the fridge. In summer I sometimes wear a head scarf on the beach with denim on one side & you guessed it….gingham on the other, conjuring up images of Annette Funicello in the movie beach blanket bingo. Don’t even remember the movie but I’m sure they had loads of fun shooting it. Gingham is a timeless piece when it’s not overdone – or It can be too cutesy.

my picnic basket needs to be filled — my picnic basket requires nice weather

Sean Connery as James Bond — Sean Connery wears a manly Gingham shirt as James Bond – nothing cutesy about him.

FYI The word “gingham” is derived from the Malay word “genggang” meaning striped. Gingham fabric first started off as a stripe pattern when it was first imported to Europe in the 17^th century, but crazy folks making fabrics in Manchester England experimented with check versions. Over time the word gingham evolved to be mostly associated with the check pattern.

In the 50s, women wore gingham dresses, but men rarely wore gingham shirts. We know this from watching a few episodes of Mad Men.

In 1963, James Bond (Sean Connery) sported a large blue and white gingham check shirt with his swimsuit in From Russia with Love. Casual stuff.

At some stage (guessing it was in the 70s) someone designed a tablecloth with this pattern and became very successful. Since then gingham has been cursed with the name “table cloth pattern”.

In the 80s and 90s, bankers never took gingham seriously. Neither Patrick Bateman nor Gordon Gekko would even consider wearing it to work.

Even Nike has a cool gingham print — Even Nike has a cool Gingham style print

At some stage, perhaps due to marketing of Ralph Lauren, gingham dress shirts went mainstream. Natty British socialites wore them to rugby matches. Suburban WASPS embraced gingham as the perfect shirt to wear under their blue blazer with their white pants when they went to the country club. Glenn Beck wore them on TV. Frat boys wore them to class. Now wearing a shirt or dress can be fashionable when kept simple.

Fun Fact: Dorothy wore a blue gingham dress in the Wizard of Oz – One of my all time favorite movies.

Research taken from “The Proper Cloth.”

Food + Drink

Argentinian Chimichurri

Flavourful Chimmichuri — Flavorful Chimichurri Sauce

This FRESH HERB Chimichurri is what is commonly used for steak sauce in Argentina and there’s a good chance it may make you leave your regular one behind.

Make it in a blender, food processor or with a mortar. But whatever you do don’t do as I once did camping where chopping everything up by hand with a not too sharp knife became very time consuming. You can make this a few hours or even a day ahead so the flavors really start to meld. To be enjoyed on steak, fish, chicken, macaroni even sandwiches.

½ cup chopped cilantro, packed

½ cup parsley, packed

¼ cup of olive oil

1-2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped

½ tsp. salt

½ tsp. ground black pepper

3 tsp. best quality red wine vinegar

½ tsp. dried oregano

¼ tsp. crushed chillies

¼ cup onion, finely chopped

Cut all ingredients as small as humanly possible to make a nice rustic sauce, or better yet pulse in blender or food processor a few times.

Best served with grilled skirt steak. Cut meat across the grain into thin slices and serve with sauce in between slices.

Here is an equally delicious smoky red version of same sauce:

1 small red onion, finely diced

3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped

¼ cup of aged sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar

1 Tbsp. pureed chipotle in adobo (smoked chillies canned in red sauce)

1 Tbsp. smoked paprika

1 Cup of finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

2 Tbps. Finely chopped fresh oregano

½ cup extra virgin olive oil

Send me your feedback after you make it.

Check my Food Folder out on Pinterest – http://pinterest.com/intrigueimports/