// Faking domesticity

Happy Monday lovelies! Hope you all had a fabulous weekend...

Over the weekend I stumbled onto these little Mason Jar pies (and the recipes) over on Our Best Bites.

I think these are just the most deliciously brilliant idea. They're single serving size (which would eliminate gorging)... They're ridiculously cute... AND you can freeze them for late night pie cravings, unexpected guest, etc...

The girls are going to be so impressed (and confused) next time they pop over and I serve tea and warm homemade pie!

// 3rd Annual Red Cross Soiree

If you're going to be in Vancouver May 6th, I can't think of anywhere you should be other than at the 3rd annual Red Cross Soiree. Strap on some heels and nibble on tasty canapés from Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar, sip fine wine donated by Vincor, get a style consultation from pro stylists, bid on fabulous silent auction goodies and mingle with incredible people -- who like you, are there celebrating and supporting the Canadian Red Cross. Like I said -- what else could be more important May 6th??

Check out photos from last years event here... and get all the info here.

[all photos by Daniel deRegt]

// Dreaming of a farm in Morocco

[all photos by Habit/PaperPistol]

When M & I were in Morocco back in January, we discovered a fabulous organic vegetarian restaurant called Earth Cafe. It was hands down the best vegetarian food we'd ever eaten. We were fortunate to get to know Ben, the owner, and were invited to spend the day at his farm just outside of Marrakesh. It was truly one of those days that we'll never forget. Ben's property is enclosed by a tall handmade wall of straw and mud. Inside the enclosure live hundreds of rabbits, dozens of chickens, several horses, donkeys and dogs. Organic vegetables, olives and lemons grow abundantly. We drank fresh mint tea and ate bread made right before our eyes and cooked in a straw/mud oven. It was incredible.

Last night M & I tried to re-create our favorite dish from the Earth Cafe -- the veggie patty. (shown above) Nothing will ever compare to Ben's veggie patty, but I dare say we came pretty close!

Here our [very rough] adaption of the recipe - it serves two.
You can see the original recipe for "veggie burgers" on the Earth Cafe website.

2 x potatos
2 x carrots
1 x zuccinni chopped
1 x onion diced
1 can kidney beans - rinsed
1 can chic peas - rinsed
juice of one lemon
curry powder
paprika
garlic - minsed
salt & pepper
olive oil

boil the potato & carrots. drain & set aside.

in a bowl, combine the rinsed chicpeas, juice the lemon, some diced garlic, a glug of olive oil, 1/4cup of water and a few dashes of curry powder & paprika (to taste). mash it up - either by hand, or in a food processor. it's ok if it's chunky.

in a pan, grill the garlic, onion & zucchini until soft.

combine all above ingredients (including the rinsed kidney beans) & mash it all together!

heat a frying pan with a little olive oil & pan fry "patties" until they're a little crisp.

enjoy!!

// Vancouver Eats

Our fair city, Vancouver BC, is in the midst of hosting the 2010 winter Olympics. While we're trilled to be here in Croatia, a part of us wishes we were home to celebrate, take in some of the Olympic festivities... and eat at our favorite restaurants that we miss dearly!

If you happen to be in Vancouver for the Olympics (or anytime, really!) here are our top three places to eat/drink in Vancouver...

You can't beat the Black Frog pub in Gastown for casual drinks/eats with friends. Not only do they have impeccable musical taste (seriously... where else can you hear Black Mountain, Andrew Bird and Smog within seven minutes), but the drinks & food are cheap, the staff are great and the crowd is diverse. I'm a sucker for their grilled cheese & a pint of the local lager. ($)

For sushi, venture West to The Eatery for a less traditional dining experience. Eclectic music & decor, hipster waitresses, university crowd... and sushi that makes all that worthwhile. Try the Bob Marley roll, full of avocado, mango and tuna, topped with a cucumber wasabi paste. ($$)

M & my all time favorite place to indulge gastronomically in Vancouver is BIN 942 tapas bar. Heavenly tapas made with fresh local ingredients, lots of wine by the glass (so you can try a few!) and a cozy, but loud, atmosphere. Try the Garlic Butter Mussels and Beef Tenderloin Wellington. Go early to avoid waiting in a looong line. ($$$)

// LAZY SUNDAYS

While our weekend was crazy busy, M & I managed to have a nice lazy Sunday, involving lots of coffee/tea, good food, conversation & music. I made these killer, healthy bennies... they were soooo good.

Ingredients (add or subtract as you wish):
Organic sesame bread (for the base), poached eggs, roasted yams & onion, black beans, red cabbage, tomato, avocado, feta cheese, lime & cilantro.

We also make a dinner version of this dish.... substitute wild rice for the eggs, and put everything in a wrap.

Enjoy!

Think Pink

M & I, as I've likely mentioned before, are big wine nuts and have been drinking a lot of great rose wines of late. I'd mentioned the Joie rose & the Kettle Valley pinot gris earlier (both from the interior of BC), but our new favorite has got to be the Vieille Ferme rose that our friends B & L recently introduced us to.

Light & dry - perfect for the patio and reasonably priced at about $13/bottle.

[photo of the boys from Sunday night... when a lot of La Vielle Ferme, Joie & Kettle Valley were consumed]