the journey inward

A great article from the NYTimes…

http://fish.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/01/faith-and-deficits/

Sometimes it’s just nice to sit down to a big fat juicy burger and fries… So that’s exactly what I did tonight. Here is what I made…

Gordon Ramsey inspired burger:

• 1 lb ground sirloin
• 1/2 Red onion, minced
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 tablespoon sun-dried tomato, cut thinly
• 1/4 cup garlic, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon Stout mustard
• 2 eggs (Probably will only do 1 next time)

Mix all the ingredients above in a bowl and form into patties. Cook over grill for 5 mins each side for a medium well burger.

Baked Garlic Fries:

• 1 potato
• 1/2 tsp garlic (or regular) salt
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp pepper

Toss the cut potato wedges into a bowl with vegetable oil, salt and pepper. Bake at 400 degrees F for about 40 minutes. 

In a pan, heat up olive oil and add freshly minced garlic. Cook on medium for about 5 until garlic bits start turning golden brown. Don’t let it sit too long, your garlic will burn and taste nasssty. 

Once the garlic and potatoes are done, toss the garlic-infused olive oil in with the potatoes. Served topped with some parsley. 

Yummmm…. everything turned out pretty good. Although, I’m not sure how the burger tasted since I devoured that thing like a beast.

You know you’re turning NorCal when…

You enjoy going into REI (and other outdoor goods store). So much so in fact, you would claim that REI is your favorite store.

You enjoy perusing the aisle and aisle of outdoor goods, knowing that you can actually use the stuff that is in this door on your next hiking/camping/snowboarding/ski trip. And no matter what time of year it is, REI is always full of people. People who don’t mind shelling out the dough for the newest and best gear; and to be able to return it for ANY reason, at ANY time just because you held onto your receipt. 

When you’re NorCal any trip can/will involve a trip to REI. Whether it’s to pick up a headlight or a lift ticket – you can find a way to make a stop to REI. And if REI doesn’t have it, it doesn’t exist.

So here is a salute to you REI. You make us NorCal.