Ever seen a fresh fig?

From a tree in our backyard:



We picked a few yesterday, and there are lots more ripening on the branches. If you've never had a fresh fig before, I highly suggest it. It's the most damned delicious fruit I've ever tasted... ever

Mom and I also took a trip to the farmer's market yesterday, and along with some corn, okra, green beans, peaches and a disc of fresh Crottin cheese from the local Goat Lady Dairy Farm, we scored some gorgeous heirloom tomatoes:



A bunch of German Johnson and a couple of the same in a black variety (the one on top). You haven't had a tomato until you've had a black German Johnson.

Holy shit. I'm in fresh fruit heaven.

What's for (TV) dinner?

A homemade TV dinner: Butternut squash, carrot and cauliflower soup; red bean veggie chili; and mixed greens in blood orange olive oil with heirloom tomatoes, sliced kiwi and fresh basil picked from the garden. Kiwi in salad is, I must say, pretty damn delicious.

...All on a tray on my lap with a ginger ale as a treat.

Now for some Sleepless in Seattle, and maybe later some sleep for me.

A thousand words

I was sifting through some old photos, and I found this from a visit to Din Tai Fung with Ryan, Patty, Ben and Ruth last year:



Our waiter happened to place a basket of freshly steamed dumplings on the table just as this photo was being snapped. Note that Ryan stays properly posed for the camera while I dive straight for the dumplings, teeth bared. I'm surprised I don't have spittle running down my chin.

What's for dinner?

Broiled Alaskan king salmon with toasted rosemary on mixed baby greens with chevre, manchego and previously mentioned tomatoes in a homemade lemon/garlic/olive oil/fresh basil dressing.

The two cheeses were almost too much, but I still maintain that everything is awesome with more cheese. I went a little crazy at Earth Fare the other day when I decided I don't eat enough goat cheese. Now the chevre needs eatin' and I've been slowly cutting away at the big chunk of manchego in my fridge. It makes me think of Cobras and Matadors every time I cut into it.

My mom made some roasted asparagus, shiitake mushrooms in garlic and olive oil and some quinoa in sesame oil. Dinner, I must say, was a treat.

Now we're off to veg in front of the TV for a while and watch Two Brothers, a movie about tigers separated as cubs, starring real tiger cubs. It's so ridiculously cute, it'll make you pee your pants.