So, my flight was delayed, meaning that I landed at 1am EST. (It was mostly filled with Europeans, which was odd…but I did have a wonderful convo with a nice Italian lady who was really into “cinema”.)  Since we were going to head out early the next morning, the logical idea would have been to pack and go straight to bed.  Instead we went directly to the Toronado Pub. One of the top beer joints in the USA, it was a perfect way to to start the trip.  Grabbed two slices from Mythical Pizza next door (nothing really mythical about it…it was just pizza) and washed it down with a draught Pliny the Elder – nothing like an overly hoppy West Coast IPA to kick things off.  (Andrew drank a Black Diamond Quad – also tasty.  Did I mention yet how different this trip is already since Andrew is of age and we do not have to brown bag it?)

Then we took a drive down Lombard St and topped off the evening with a Ghirardelli frosty (thanks to the Schleifers).  Then to bed.

Andrew made a perfect start-the-trip-right breakfast: omelets with Gorgonzola and some Frisco sourdough from Boudin. This morning we packed and then threw our stuff in the car and hit the road.   Headed to set up base camp and then a day hike.  In the car getting a tour of overcast, gloomy CA. (Em – make sure you pack a lot of warmer stuff…you’re gonna need it.)

Well, despite the fact that I could not find my headlamp, I got everything packed and magically fit into Emily’s backpack (borrowing it…).  So, at 7:30 this morning I set off for work with plans to catch the train to the airport for my 6pm flight.

My hiking boots have probably not been worn since my Dartmouth days – just guessing it would have been that ill-fated, mosquito-plagued AT trip I took with Barbara over Sophomore Summer…so that means I have not worn them since July 2001.  Almost 10 years.  So I was thrilled that they not only still fit, but were super comfy and still in good shape.

Well that quickly changed.  In the course of walking to the train and from the train to work, the soles of the shoes started to crack and the padding started to dissolve.  By the time I left work, the right shoe had become a glorified flip-flop and was making it difficult to walk around Ambler…pretty sure it would not be ideal for the Sierra Nevadas.

Thankfully, Emily got me from the train and rushed me home so that I could change shoes.  I had a pair of Merrells that (I hope) are going to work for hiking; thankfully, this meant that I did not have to buy (and break in) new ones.

Oh well. Crisis averted. Now time to board the plane and get this show on the road.

Well, I figured that since I started this website/blog to document the first Broventure (Andrew’s term), it was only fitting that I continue and post about this one as well.  It has been five years since we bicycled across the county and as part of the pact that we made, we are about to embark on our “every five years following this bike-trek we should do a crazy brother’s something”.

Since Andrew is now out in San Fran and since we both have full-time jobs this trip is not going to be as ambitious as the last one.  Nether of us has two months that we could take off, despite how fun it would be to do another bike trek.  Instead we are going to do some backwoods hiking in Yosemite (based at the Tuolumne Meadows campground) and do a day or two of biking on the Cali coast.

Continue reading The 2nd Broventure Begins HERE

It’s been a busy week, and one that not only kept me away from the market last Saturday, but also out of the kitchen.  With The Thin Man playing at the County and Ambler, the All Star Game (and Home Run Derby), I had the opposite of last week’s alcohol-free/no-meat week, and ended up drinking and eating out  every night.

But, with the haul I got this morning, this week looks a lot more promising in terms of cooking time; I already have all of my meals picked out.   Continue reading Market Haul – Sat, July 17

Sorry to the others, but our favorite stand at the market on Saturday mornings is Eden Valley. This is for two simple reasons: Their fruit tastes amazing and the farmers so really friendly, especially Lem. Well, two weeks ago they had tons of sour cherries – which are the perfect kind to make a pie with. Unfortunately, I did not have time two weeks ago to make a pie, so they have been sitting in the freezer waiting for their moment to come. That moment, turned out to be really tasty.

Continue reading Sour Cherry Pie

If there were such a category as American Provincial, Emily would be the leading exponent of the style.  Where my goal in the kitchen is to make something unique and complex, Em aims for simple but flavorful.  Together, we balance as we never have only one taste or the other.  The recipe below is one that she came up with while in Italy last year, but translates perfectly to an American summer. A simple and easily prepared dish, but one that retains all of the good flavor and crunch of the zucchini.

Continue reading Summer Squash and Beans

I grilled a London Broil last week, but did not marinate it long enough and it came out a bit chewy.  (If there is a reoccurring theme to the past couple posts it would be “making the best of kitchen mistakes”.)  I tried to make it into a sandwich, but the meat was too tough and I could not bite through it.  I did not want to cook it again – risking making it chewier – and with the heat, I wanted to find a way to serve it cold.

Continue reading Beef with Corn Salsa

I bought a bottle of Godiva Chocolate Liqueur six or so years ago after drinking a brilliant chocolate martini.  The fact that I still have the same bottle should say everything about how I fared at recreating that drink.  Not only could I not make it, but I found that I not find any drink that I enjoyed with the stuff.  So, on the shelf it has rested. Until tonight.

After my tasty squash curry, I decided I needed a simple dessert – nothing heavy as it is still pretty freaking hot out. I found some vanilla ice cream in the freezer (thanks to either Emily or Cupcake for purchasing that), but no berries to don it with. When suddenly – I remembered that Godiva languishing on the shelf.  Just a splash on the vanilla bean…heavenly.

Grated zucchini getting a moisture treatment; curry on the stove.

It was 102 in Philly tonight around dinner time, and I needed something light.  In addition to that, tonight is my first night at home with Emily away on her singing program, so I am cooking for myself.  I am never one to go all out in the kitchen for myself; I tend to just end up eating a crust of bread while watching the Phils.  But, I promised Em I would feed myself real meals while she was away.  And, so, I have made it challenge: Cook something that is quick, easy, and is will not give me the meat sweats.

Continue reading Simple Summer Squash Curry

The recipe I got from the James Beard American Cookbook seemed too simple to be believed.  I thought he knew something I didn’t and so I followed it by the letter and I ended up with a sloppy wet mess of a pie — A pie that really wished it was a cobbler.  Don’t get me wrong – it was quite tasty, but not a pie I would not feel comfortable bringing to a party.

Continue reading (Sloppy) Peach Blueberry Pie/Cobbler