Portland Pie-Off: The recap

I ran out of town so soon after the Portland Pie-Off, I didn't get a chance to write a proper reflection on the event. This is when it pays to rub elbows with the likes of Lelo in Nopo, who's put together a great piece here.

My gorgeous pork pie above did not win because as usual, I crack under food performance pressure. It was a little dry. I thought draining all the liquid was the way to go. It wasn't. Nonetheless, it was a wonderful event filled with creative and interesting people.

PS: Check out the fab Byron Beck's photo montage of the event.

How to lose 20 pounds in 3 months - or phase 2

Staircase up to the Temple of 10,000 Buddhas

Phew.

I just got back from Hong Kong and it was amazing. Just so you know, Chinese food is as calorie laden as it is in America. I was under the impression that it was a little lighter fare, but it isn't. The sweetness is cut by half but the sauces are equal parts heavy and delicious. I had one salad and more beers than I can account for in my memory. Nine days of indulgence has lead to a bit of belly pooch. I don't mind - I cranked out three months dating only Gym and I got the 6% body fat loss I was looking for and I enjoyed a guilt-free vacation. A few days off was just what my body needed to kick off phase two.

Phase two of my workout plan is to lose the 20 pounds that just don't seem to want to remove themselves from my body. I've been trying for two years. I tone up just fine but the weight just won't go away. In the beginning of 2008, I did two months of boot camp. I lost 3% body fat but not an ounce of weight. UGH. My current trainer at Lloyd Athletic Club, Michael, is convinced he can make this happen for me and I am ready to give in an let him. He cut 6% body fat and 7 pounds. He's proven himself.

Most of this work is going to be mine. I have to cut the cocktails and the weekend cheats. This is all that might be preventing my success. September is going to be a month of cleansing to see if we can make this weight budge. Cross your fingers!

Cuban pie

I made a three pies this week; one for the office, one for the KGW Pie Off interview, and the third - and best - for the Portland Pie Off this afternoon. The peach and blueberry pie was sweet and delicious but I was saving my love for the Cuban pie. Check out the pictures:



Cuban Pie

Meat:
2 lbs. boneless pork shoulder
10 cloves garlic, crushed
1 shallot, diced
1/4 cup oregano
1 tbsp salt
juice of 4 limes and 1 cup of OJ
1 cup white vinegar

Wash your pork and put it in a slowcooker. Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl then pour over the pork. Put the cooker on low and let it go for about 8 hours. When it's done, shred it and put it to the side over night.

Beans:
1 can black beans
Handful of oregano
1 tsp vinegar
pinch of salt

Drain the beans and put in a bowl. Toss all the ingredients together.

Plantains:
Pick a plantain at the store (if you don't know what it is, ask the guys at the produce section) that is mostly black on the outside. That means its ripe and very sweet. Slice on a bias and fry on low heat with a little bit of olive oil.

Layer the seperate parts in the pie crust. I did pork, beans, then plantains. On the top crust, I drizzled some olive oil. Don't forget to cut air slits in the top. Bake at 350 for an hour.

Pie vs. Gym

I'm a Pie Commissioner for the 2nd Annual Portland Pie Off. Yes, I get to do what I do best: be bossy and deal with food. The thing is my relationship with Gym might block my tasting of dozens of pies. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind an occasional cheat. One cannot survive on protein and vegetables alone. I can have a cupcake or a slice of pizza here and there but I can't shovel the equivalent of an entire pie. What's a committed woman to do?

She stuffs herself with fiber before the pie off so there's no room for pie.

Ok, seriously I won't eat a box of Bran Buds but I will eat a full breakfast of complex carbs (hemp shake and fruit) and protein (eggs) before the pie off. I know I'll be less hungry and only will eat the pies I WANT to taste instead of every single pie because there sitting in front of me. I think this will work for all of us so we don't cry when we are home, alone and staring at our guts in the mirror and regretting that last slice of pork and peach pie (yes, that's my submission).

This is how to survive Pie vs. Gym: we both win in the end.

My first challenge to my Gym relationship

I'm not going to see my boyfriend, Gym for 5 days. WHAT!?!

I have to go on a trip and he can't come with me. He's sending me with some mementos but otherwise, I'm on my own. This is the first time is over two months that I've been without Gym. I'm free to go out at night, sleep in a bit in the morning and my fridge containing protein and veggies isn't coming with me. I've made so much progress in this relationship and I'm a little worried.

I am going to focus on my goal - winning the Just Lose It competition and losing 5% of my body fat - and not give in to the post-workshop cocktails and happy hour foods. I can manage this...I can.

Greens and more greens

My boss is very generous. He is in a fresh food share from Sauvie Island Organics and his home is the delivery point. Every week, freshly picked food is dropped at his front porch and other members of the share come pick it up. For reasons beyond comprehension, some people don't pick up there portion. As an occasionally broke woman, I don't understand those who blithely leave my fresh produce, but whatever. Their loss is my gain.

I shouted in my usual animated way that I would gladly take the leftovers because as I'm prone to say, "I'm a single lady with two cats an no prospects." I don't know how much longer I can play that card but I will keep doing it as long as possible. With that, I now have Russian Red Kale, Swiss Chard, green beans, carrots, squash and some stuff that is unfamiliar but could be used in a lovely bouquet.

I cooked the chard first. I think its a great side dish to whatever you are cooking and perfect to bring to a backyard BBQ.

1 bunch of chard (shredded)

1/2 cup pancetta, cubed (bacon works, too)

1 shallot, diced

Juice of 1/2 lemon

1 tbsp olive oil

Saute pancetta and shallots in the oil on medium for about 5 mintes. Add in the chard and toss around for another 5 or so mintues. Put in a bowl to cool. After it's cooled, toss with lemon juice and serve. Yummy, fiber-y (you know I love fiber) and filling.

What Lola wants, Lola gets

I'm going to the coast today to get some much needed time away from Portland. I'm going with three lovely ladies who are strapped down with wine and tequila. I asked for food requests and I got only one: Peach pie. I've never made peach pie but I think I did pretty well.

I fully admit that I do not make pie crust. It's f$%^ing hard, painstaking, annoying, bothersome, and easier to buy at the store. The store is way better than my crust, trust me. Lelo in Nopo has a great recipe for it if you feel like spending an afternoon going insane.

Peach Pie

2lbs. peaches - peeled and pitted

1/2 cup raw sugar

juice of 1/2 lemon

1 tbsp. cornstarch

This is really simple. Cut the peaches in even slices and put in a soup pot with all the ingredients. Turn the stove on medium. Stir the peaches until the liquid at the bottom thickens and the peaches start to get translucent and the ends. Don't let the peaches cook all the way through. No one likes mush pie. No one. This whole thing should not take longer than 10 minutes. If it does, you messed it up. Put the peaches in your pie shell and cover over with the other pie shell dough. Rub the top of the pie crust with butter and then sprinkle with a bit of raw sugar. Bake at 350 (don't preheat) for about 40 to 50 minutes. Watch your pie after the 40th minute. Voila, holiday pie.

Salsa for beginners

Lately, I've been making friends with people on Twitter. We gossip, share random tidbits and we ask for advice. I've been asked by a fabulous new friend to share some easy and impressive cooking ideas. It's warm out and I thought what could be better than salsa? It's pretty easy, but done wrong it can be watery and weird. There is nothing worse that scooping up yucky pink liquid on a chip or spreading it in your taco.

Roasted Serrano salsa

1 can diced tomato

2 Serrano chiles (unless heat is a problem, then just one)

1 cup cooked corn

1/2 red onion

2 garlic cloves

A few leaves of fresh basil and oregano

A handful of fresh cilantro

Juice of a whole lime + lime zest

Salt to taste

Cut the tops of your Serranos and roast at 450 degrees for 20 minutes. In the meantime, put the rest of the ingredients - except the tomatoes and zest - in a food processor and blend until everything is in itty bitty bits. Mix the blend with the tomatoes in a bowl. When the Serranos are roasted (you'll know because the chile skin will be brown) dice them up pretty small and add to your salsa. I always include the seeds because I like it hot. If you don't, slice the chiles lengthwise before you roast and remove the seeds. Reduce the roasting time by 5 minutes.

Perfect salsa and it will taste nice and smoky.

I love Emily and Brenden

Nice summer night, homemade brick oven, and fabulous friends. More details and pictures to come!

I am what I eat

Oh, cursed tape measure and calipers!

This morning my boyfriend - Gym - took my weight, measurements and body fat percentage. I smiled the entire time, but there is nothing like a grown woman being pinched in order to grab flab (26% body fat). I made jokes about giant boobs and the positive aspects of hair on one's belly. Fun fact: One of my thighs is almost as big around as Dr. Meredith Grey. The final humiliation was the "before" picture. Now honestly it wasn't that bad because I've already been working out twice a day for 5 weeks and I don't look half bad, but still, Gym was weilding a camera and telling me to stick out my gut. Argh.

Now I have to keep a food journal. You see, I entered the Just Lose It competition. Gym said it would help me get to my goal for an ultimate 30 year old fit body. He also said I have a good chance of winning because of my latent aggression and my need to win every competition. I'm also driven to fight when Gym whispers in my ear, "How bad do you want it, Karol Ann?" Seriously, that is a hot sentence.

I believe in my new man, so I signed up. now I have to write down every little thing, including my occasional monkey muffin that I stuff down my throat at Grand Central Bakery. I love those damn muffins. I am what I eat so the muffins are taking a back seat to quinoa and cauliflower. It sounds bad but I'm here to tell you; I caught a glimpse of myself in the elevator reflection today. Totally worth it.