The Adventures of Bob & Shan

an unfolding story of food & adventure.

Fig, Prosciutto & Melon Salad

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Shan and I were in fresh fruit heaven while perusing the market in Seattle. Peaches, plums, mangoes, and of course fresh figs. Living in Saskatoon, figs are somewhat of a mystery, so when we came across them in Seattle, we had to try and bring some home with us. Luckily, we had no issues getting them into Canada, and as soon as we crossed into Alberta from Montana, we started daydreaming about all the things we could do. Fig tarts, figs for breakfast, figs in cocktails… The options were endless, and oh so beautiful! We started simple, mixing up these delicious Fig & Bourbon Sours, followed by this fresh salad, inspired by the popular combo of fig, prosciutto, and melon. …

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Fig & Bourbon Sour

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Our afternoon in Pike Place Market was easily a highlight of our day in Seattle. We wandered through, admiring flowers, produce, and bug eyed fresh fish. (A joy for the girl who’s afraid of fish…) One stand that really appealed to me enticed us with fresh peach slices to sample, and alongside those, figs! Now, living in Saskatchewan, I can’t say I’ve seen many figs. They seem to be quite season specific, and a bit of a treat. We decided to seize this opportunity, and pick up both green and purple figs.  Leaving the market that day, I didn’t have a specific plan for the figs. I was much more enamored with my massive $5 bouquet of flowers to be honest. However, on a long drive home, I began to think about all the fun things we could use them for. I came across so many tarts and desserts, but why eat dessert when you can drink it?…

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Going to the Sun

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I didn’t want to leave Seattle. I fought fleeting thoughts to change the locks on our downtown loft, and claim it for our own. We were within walking distance to Pier 57, a quick drive to Ballard, which we so loved, and far from Saskatchewan’s impending winters. I was sold. Bob, however, said something about having a career and being an adult. Wishful thinking, on my part….

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Seattle

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After spending three great days in Newport, Oregon, Shan and I were definitely craving the city. We absolutely loved all the time spent outdoors hiking, kayaking, and exploring the coast. Now we were yearning for hip restaurants, unique shops, and coffee served by tattooed baristas. Seattle was the perfect medicine! Making the most of our day and a half there, we arrived around 5pm, briefly settling into our Airbnb loft before venturing to The Walrus & The Carpenter, a fantastic little restaurant in Seattle’s Ballard district. Arriving to a full restaurant, with a 45 minute wait, we knew we had picked a good spot. The fact that we could wait at The Barnacle next door was even better. They served us three great cocktails and the finest of Lay’s potato chips (yes, they served potato chips while waiting, it was awesome). When offered more chips, I hesitated, but Shan enthusiastically replied “I love chips!” Pleasantly buzzed and ready for food, we took our seat at The Walrus & The Carpenter….

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Coastal living

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I’m not about to say the city rushed us, but something about heading to the coast provides a completely different mindset. We left Lake Oswego, headed down a scenic highway with wineries left and right. Had we more time, or a limo driver, Bob and I would’ve been happily tipsy. Since that wasn’t the case, (but a girl can dream), we headed to a winery recommended by Food & Wine, Stoller Wine. Stoller, named one of the best in Oregon, boasted a solar-powered, sunlit tasting room with 180 degree views of the rolling hills of their estate. Sold. If we had one winery to visit, this would be it!…

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Turkey Pot Pie

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Thanksgiving dinner is great. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, GRAVY, pumpkin pie…the list goes on. But what’s even better than Thanksgiving dinner, is the leftovers. Thanks to my mom’s habit of cooking turkeys bigger than your youngest cousin, there were always plenty of those.

When I think of turkey, soup usually follows, and pot pie comes to mind shortly after that. Pot pie is magical. Accidentally overcooked your turkey on Thanksgiving? Don’t worry, you can save it the next day! Cook it in broth, cream, and butter, wrap it in pie dough and toss it in the oven. Thirty minutes later, you have the pique of comfort food. Tender turkey, rich creamy sauce, rounded out with fresh veggies, all encompassed by a flaky crust. How can you go wrong with that?…

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Turkey & Wild Rice Soup

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I love bringing work home with me.

Okay, I work from home, so technically it’s always home with me… Fortunately, it’s usually edible! After one of my latest work projects, a “How to Roast Turkey” video for Co-op, I was left with a big ‘ol turkey. Never one to waste, I plotted all that could be done with it. After whipping up a delicious batch of Turkey Stock, I got to work on this….

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Homemade Turkey Stock

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One of the best parts of roasting a turkey, are all the wonderful things you can do with it after. Many of those things start with a flavourful base of homemade turkey stock. Whether you’re making a big batch of Turkey & Wild Rice Soup or Turkey Pot Pie, having fresh stock makes everything that much better. There is something very satisfying about breaking the turkey down, tossing it in a stock pot, filling it with water and letting it simmer. Maybe it’s the transformation that takes place. Water becoming a delicious, golden hued stock, or maybe it’s just how good it smells!? Seriously. Make me a turkey stock candle or something!

When I make stock, I typically let it simmer overnight. Partly because of the flavour it brings out, and partly because it just smells so damn good! Waking up to a house smelling of turkey stock may not sound appealing, but don’t knock it ’til you try it people! If I could, I would simmer turkey stock every night. Maybe I should start a Master Stock……

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Near PDX

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A short distance from Portland lies some of the most luscious greenery and hidden waterfalls you could want to step away and experience. Bob and I found that it’s so easy to get lost – in the best way. Lost on the trails, enjoying nature, snapping photos, with no sound aside from soft footfall and rushing water.

I started the day by dressing in a bikini and athletic clothes, with brand new hikers on, intending to tackle a series of challenges. We packed a lunch and hit the road, venturing just beyond Portland’s bounds, to Multnomah falls. Now, I had been here many times previously, but as renowned as it is, I knew we had to go there. I’ll admit, I was antsy. We took photos, ascended to the bridge a short distance up the path, and ventured a few miles up to the top to take it all in. We battled a little bit of smoke clouding the Columbia River Gorge due to forest fires. During this time, I had one focus – getting to Oneonta Gorge. Despite this, we decided to take the advice of a friendly hiker we encountered and take the back trail leading from Multnomah to Wahkeena Falls. Incredible. Each turn surprised us with a rocky ridge, small falls, or one particularly enchanting waterfall possibly more stunning than Wahkeena itself. We never did find the name of that one, but enjoyed its refreshing mist. We pressed forward for an hour or so, drank from Wahkeena Falls’ icy waters, and concluded our hike. Finally, time for my big thrill. Oneonta Gorge, known for it’s limited access, deep waters, and rewarding waterfall at the end of a tough scramble. It was the reason I bought hiking boots….

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