Monthly Archives: August 2008

Eating on the Empire Builder

Before I took a recent train trip from Chicago to Portland, I looked for information on what to expect from the Amtrak dining car.  My search was largely fruitless. To help fill this gap for future riders, I posted an account of my dining experience at Gapers Block, a Chicago-based website that I also write […]

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The Best Granola

About one year ago I made my first batch of homemade granola using the Rancho La Puerta recipe.  The results were good and I gave away small gift bags of it around the holidays. I spent some time trying to modify the recipe to exactly suit my tastes — but on a recent vacation to […]

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Illanna - I bought all the ingredients to make this, I’m going to try it today. There are some items in the granola I have never tried, like millet and flax seed meal. I’m looking forward to eating the granola with some yogurt and berries! Thanks for the recipe!

Illanna - I bought all the ingredients to make this, I’m going to try it today. There are some items in the granola I have never tried, like millet and flax seed meal. I’m looking forward to eating the granola with some yogurt and berries! Thanks for the recipe!

George - But isnt buying them so much easier? ;) j/k, they look delicious!

George - But isnt buying them so much easier? ;) j/k, they look delicious!

Sasha - I’m surprised to see steel cut oats in granola, they aren’t too dry…?

Sasha - I’m surprised to see steel cut oats in granola, they aren’t too dry…?

Jenni - I made this granola over the weekend — it’s delicious! Next time, I’m going to substitute rolled oats for some of the steel cut oats. I think it would make a better breakfast cereal that way. Thanks!

Jenni - I made this granola over the weekend — it’s delicious! Next time, I’m going to substitute rolled oats for some of the steel cut oats. I think it would make a better breakfast cereal that way. Thanks!

AmyRuth - Excited to find a granola similar to one I enjoyed in Playa del Carmen at http://www.lacuevadelchango.com/ La Cueva del Chango. They have wonderful fresh, flavorful food. Breakfast choices are amazing and they serve their granola with your choice with or without a combo of yogurt, fresh fruit and oatmeal. Ymmmm It can’t get any better than that. Besides its a wonderful place to enjoy those you love.

AmyRuth - Excited to find a granola similar to one I enjoyed in Playa del Carmen at http://www.lacuevadelchango.com/ La Cueva del Chango. They have wonderful fresh, flavorful food. Breakfast choices are amazing and they serve their granola with your choice with or without a combo of yogurt, fresh fruit and oatmeal. Ymmmm It can’t get any better than that. Besides its a wonderful place to enjoy those you love.

Rikki - OMG!! I have been dying to find a recipe for this granola after I tries it on the island. Thank you so much! It’s heavenly. :)

Rikki - OMG!! I have been dying to find a recipe for this granola after I tries it on the island. Thank you so much! It’s heavenly. :)

Gemma - You are welcome Rikki! I’m glad you were able to enjoy it on the island, too. I think it is pretty amazing.

Gemma - You are welcome Rikki! I’m glad you were able to enjoy it on the island, too. I think it is pretty amazing.

Blueberry Stout Mustard

Nick and I are embarking on vacation.  We are taking the Empire Builder from Chicago to Portland, Oregon where we will meet up with my family for my  Matt and Anastasia’s wedding. From there we will travel to Mt. Rainier, the San Juan Islands, and Seattle. I leave you with this quick recipe for blueberry […]

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RebeccaC - Have a great time on your trip — it sounds fabulous…as does the mustard. I love blueberry stout and will need to try this sometime!

RebeccaC - Have a great time on your trip — it sounds fabulous…as does the mustard. I love blueberry stout and will need to try this sometime!

Jen - I saw this post on my feed burner, and my mind raced.
“Blueberry?…Stout?…Mustard?….yesss!!”

Jen - I saw this post on my feed burner, and my mind raced.
“Blueberry?…Stout?…Mustard?….yesss!!”

Michelle - Stout mustard,cool! Didn’t realize mustard was an easy thing.

Michelle - Stout mustard,cool! Didn’t realize mustard was an easy thing.