Reasons to love summer: Sunday breakfast

Frog Hollow peaches on Saint Benoit yogurt and Dorset muesli. 

Hapa Ramen warms soul, cures pneumonia

I don't eat them often, but I love me some good noodles. When I heard former Nopa sous chef Richie Nakano (@linecook) was starting a ramen noodle street food pop up, Hapa Ramen, I knew I'd be reexamining this misunderstood college food as soon as I had the chance.

Luckily for me, that chance was yesterday at the Thursday farmers market (you can also find Hapa Ramen on Friday nights at Off The Grid). By the time I got there half the menu was sold out, which didn't bother me in the least since pork was still available. I garnished my bowl with pickled Tokyo turnips, edamame and a dash of flavorful, not-too-spicy chili oil.

From what I can tell, every aspect of the bowl was perfect. The broth was luscious, the noodles light and flavorful, the meat succulent, and kale so good it was actually competing with the pork as my favorite part of the dish (I'll call it a tie).

I ate the whole thing, and it felt like the perfect amount of food. Be warned, however, that it will keep you full all day; seven hours later I still wasn't hungry so skipped dinner in favor of a few slices of cheese and a handful of walnuts.

Lastly, I know this doesn't make sense, but I haven't heard the icky pneumonia rattle in my chest since I slurped my last bite.

Yes, I think this soup might be magical.

Limbo is a breathtaking single player strategy game

The BF and I just finished Limbo on the XBOX 360. It's single player, but the game design is so fascinating and beautiful/dark/creepy it's a pleasure to take turns playing and just watch the action. It also helps to have 2 minds working on the puzzles, which are more intellectual than skill-based. 

Be warned though that puzzles failures tend to end in gruesome deaths. This game is not for the faint of heart.

The Myth Of Superfoods

I've been meaning to write about superfoods for awhile, and my article finally went live this morning at Summer Tomato.

I don't have anything against a specific "superfood," I just want to point out that we still don't know everything that is important about diet/health so focusing on certain foods at the exclusion of others is shortsighted. You might notice that whenever we learn something new about nutrition a new "superfood" gets pushed into the limelight. 

I imagine that for one reason or another all natural foods will be considered super someday, it's just a matter of time before science catches up enough to explain it all.

Read it here: The Myth Of Superfoods

Late summer inspires Southwestern flavors at the farmers market

I love the way the seasons inspire me to make meals I would have never thought of on my own. This past weekend I found poblano peppers, sweet corn, ripe tomatoes, summer squash and fresh cilantro at the farmers market. How could my thoughts not turn to Southwestern flavors and meal ideas?

I haven't made anything yet, but I'm very excited to play around with my ingredients. Suggestions welcome!

p.s. My new Facebook page needs some fans so I can snag a custom URL. Help me out by becoming a fan?

Paula at Spa Bar is a goddess

I'm not some massage aficionado. In fact, I've never understood massages until today. Yet in under 5 minutes with Paula at Spa Bar I'd had the best massage of my life. Within 10 I was a born again convert. Best hour and a half ever.

Thanks Paula!!