Mike Vogel parodies breathless weather news hype.
And Les Schwab, take notice, we’re on to you.
Archives for December 2008
Glühwein conditions in Portland
I wasn’t kidding when I said if we had to postpone our move (again) I’d work on perfecting my glühwein recipe.
Citrus, cloves, and cinnamon are the common elements of virtually all recipes I’ve found. Some recipes also call for cardamom, or ginger. In our experimentation we’ve found that ginger adds a disagreeable medicinal flavor. Our corner market doesn’t have cardamom, so we went with the basics last night. With one notable secret ingredient, if you will.
In our freezer, nearly forgotten since the halcyon days of summer, I found a half-full bottle of Limoncello. While delicious, it’s too sweet for my taste. So it languished in the freezer from September until yesterday; the shortest day of the year.
Winter Solstice Glühwein Recipe
- 1 bottle (750 ml) inexpensive dry red wine
- 4 cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 lemon, sliced
- Sugar (to taste)
- 2/3 cup (approx. 150 ml) Limoncello
In a saucepan heat all ingredients except the Limoncello and sugar. Bring to a low simmer, then take off heat and let steep for an hour (or two).
Add Limoncello, and sugar to taste. Heat to just shy of boiling. Remove cloves, cinnamon, and lemon slices and pour into mugs. Enjoy!
Add more Limoncello, or brandy, if you want a stronger drink. I am going to try replacing the Limoncello with (locally produced at New Deal) LOFT Tangerine-cello or Lemongrass-cello when I get the chance.
Zappadan 2008: Zappa’s Portland General Electric commercial
The Festival of Zappadan ends this weekend. Visit The Aristocrats; they have been solemnly observing the holiday. I found a Portland-Zappa connection to contribute to the celebration:
There’s a higher quality version here.
December 20-21: The Shortest Weekend of the Year
I got nothing.
Around the Sun and PDX Pipeline, however, do.
It’s snowing and icy and we’re planning to move to our new apartment Saturday, so I won’t be doing much else this weekend (unless we’re snowbound, in which case I’ll be perfecting my glühwein recipe).
The winter solstice occurs this weekend, meaning if we could see the sun at all, we’d see it for less time this weekend than any other time of the year. Days will begin getting longer again. If that’s any consolation.
Portland food and drink trends I’m unhappy about
These don’t all qualify as trends, and they are not all Portland specific, but I need to get this off my chest.
Bacon for dessert
It’s just a bad, faddish idea. Soon it will go the way of 80s era yogurt and muffin shops and we’ll wonder what were they thinking?!
Overpriced fish and chips
Most places charge upwards of $13 for “fish” and chips the Gorton’s fisherman would be ashamed of. Kudos to Kells and Horse Brass for real fish and chips which they pegged at $9 for years, though they’ve both creeped up to around $10.
Bars with multiple taps dedicated to IPAs
I know I should count my blessings and appreciate the amazing selection of quality beers we have around here, but how about replacing one of the half dozen IPAs on tap with a porter, an amber, a farmhouse ale? There are lots of other beer styles to choose from!
Stumptown coffee
Sure they have excellent espresso; best Americanos in town. But their air-pot french press coffee sucks. In their defense the other day one of their employees was actually pleasant and friendly . . . I think. I can’t be certain because I couldn’t hear what she said over the absurdly loud disco music. [Ed: You kids get off my lawn!]. And don’t even get me started on the Clover-machine hissy fit.
Gourmet salt
Give me a break. Are wine, chocolate, coffee, and olive oils not enough for you to be snobby about?