Roasted Shiitake and Eggplant Pasta

I bought eggplant to make this great grilled eggplant dip that you eat with sticky rice (we had it in Laos), but was struggling to figure out what to cook to go with it.  Similarly, I had purchased mushrooms to make this creamy mushroom soup I saw via Pinterest.  Somehow neither of these dishes have yet to materialize (don't count them out yet, though, they're still on the list), but their ingredients ended up in this tasty pasta dish.

Doesn't look like much, but this dish has a really great rich, meaty flavor from the roasted mushrooms and a hint of spice from the sambal (PS: I used Sriracha because the only sambal I had in the house was called "Heboh Pedassssssnya," which translates to "Excited Spiiiiiiiiiciness!" and it will burn your face off).  Good stuff! 

I used thyme instead of oregano (although not 2 TBS of it- more like a couple sprigs), plus I topped the whole mess with fresh cilantro at the end.

Christmas Dress

Continuing the American trend of thinking about Christmas entirely too early, I was looking around at my fabric stash (which keeps getting bigger despite all my recent efforts to sew through it... I am turning into the Real Martha!) and I realized that I had a whole pile of Christmas fabric left over from a few years ago when I made reusable fabric gift bags to cut down on paper waste during the holidays.  I figured a good way to use up some of it would be to make Miss Zoe a Christmas dress... ta da!

 

Using one of the patterns that the Real Martha sent me, Simplicity 3511, I whipped up this cute little dress made from faux patchwork Christmas themed quilting cotton (which looks a little more gold and less tan in real life than it does in these photos) and some forest green accent fabric.

This was a great next-step dress for me to learn some new skills: using fusible interfacing to make the neckline, sewing a couple more buttonholes, gathering the bodice, topstitching around the neckline, arms and bottom panel (the pattern didn't call for this, but I saw that someone else online had done it and I thought it made it look really professional)...

I read that the pattern ran big, so I made a size 1... hopefully it fits her in December!!

I like the pattern.  This time I did version D, but with the sleeves from B.  I think next I may make the short sleeve tunic version (E) plus the pants (G)... quite cute.

Knit Raglan Pullover

I knitted this cute little raglan sweater for Zoe while flying from Jakarta to Bangkok, Bangkok to Vientiane, Vientiane to Bangkok, Bangkok to Jakarta.  Knitting is so portable and fills the travel time really well. 
 

I used this basic pattern from Sun Rise Sister, but made my own modifications:

- 8 rows of garter stitch on the neck before getting into the raglan increases

- 8 stitches in garter stitch centered in the front of the sweater to make the vertical textured stripe

- 8 rows of garter stitch around each arm and the bottom hem

I think that this sweater would work with a cool cable down the front, too, but I am not quite there yet. Maybe my next sweater!

Made in Lily Sugar n' Cream cotton yarn in "Chrysanthemums" color. I used just slightly less than 4 balls of yarn and used the remainder to make a little matching headband based on this pattern.

Smoked Brisket - Aaron Franklin Style

Anthony Bourdain went to Austin, TX a couple of weeks ago as part of his final season of No Reservations.  He spent time with a guy by the name of Aaron Franklin, the chef/owner of Franklin Barbecue.  Tony declared Aaron's Texas-style brisket to be the best he'd ever tasted.

So, I decided to replicate Aaron's masterpiece - Butcher Paper Brisket.  This entailed not only finding everything I could about how he works his magic online and scouring the web for tips from every other BBQ source out there, but also investing in a new gas grill and learning how to turn it into a smoker.

New grill waiting assembly

Several hours (and drinks) later...

Sweet new natural gas supplied Weber

9 lbs USDA choice brisket from Iowa Meat Farms

Kosher salt and pepper rub

Brisket wrapped in foil and kept overnight in fridge

Acadian Oak smoking chips

Making wood chip packets for the smoker

10 am - brisket and wood chip packet in place

1 pm - wood chip packets replaced every 1-2 hours

Watermelon Cucumber Basil Salad courtesy of Martha Stewart

Jicama Slaw courtesy of Bobby Flay

Aaron Franklin's Espresso BBQ Sauce (modified with two Starbucks instant medium roast packets, chipotle pepper, brown sugar and less ketchup)

8 pm - Slicing up the brisket

Ming's stacked brisket sandwich

Ming enjoying a fully loaded sandwich

Very good.  But, did not have enough time to let it rest properly (they all recommend resting for 2+ hours) since I had dinner guests who were rather hungry.  Next time would start earlier and let it enjoy the full resting period.

Not Meant to be Pajamas

So... when I started these little toddler play clothes, I did not intend for them to look like sleep wear.  Oops.

 

I used fabric that the Real Martha sent, a baby blue seersucker* printed with pink roses that is probably vintage 1970.  I accented the delicate fabric with some loud, hot pink bias tape that is definitely circa 1970, as it says so on the tag. 

I used a pattern, also from the Real Martha, Butterick 4173**, as the basis for the dress (view C) and tank and shorts set (view A and D)...  however, I skipped the facings in favor of the bias tape.  I also skipped the ruffles, as I thought they were a little twee, but ultimately ended up adding my own twee bow to the dress when I realized how nightgown-y it was looking.  Not sure it helped.  Oh well!

* A story about seersucker: our cleaning lady, Mugi, who does our laundry twice a week (I know, life is hard), makes judgments on our clothing choices when putting our clean clothes away.  Specifically, she refuses to acknowledge that Tim's seersucker pants are not women's pants, putting them away in my drawer each time she washes them. Clearly seersucker is not a thing men wear here in Indonesia.

** I asked Tim which version of the Butterick 4173 pattern I should make... he couldn't answer except to say "Why are those little girls wearing make-up like they are going out to the clubs on the Jersey Shore?!"   He disapproves of Butterick's fashion drawing style choices:

Another Grainline Scout T-Shirt!

In anticipation of our upcoming trip to Laos (where I understand it will be hot and humid), I wanted another Grainline Scout T-Shirt made out of a light and flowy fabric.  Luckily, Chuck sent me this really pretty, light and linen-y fabric that is perfect for the job...

I never get sick of this pattern- it's super easy to make, easy to wear, can be dressed up or dressed down.  Good stuff.

Summer Play Outfit

Another pattern from the Real Martha's vintage stash (although this is one of the more modern patterns in the bunch)...  super cute shorts and cross-back top for Zoe for next summer:

I really like the cross-over back on the top... kinda hard to see in my photo, but I know Zoe will rock it:

The fabric is some gorgeous Amy Butler fabric that Jenny sent me (thanks, Jenny!!): Daisy Chain Deco Rose Navy.  The pattern is Butterick B3832, view B and was pretty straightforward, with the exception of the shoulders on the top.  It's a fully lined top, and the last place that the lining and front come together is the shoulders... I struggled with that area and mine are a little strange looking as a result, but you have to look pretty close to notice. 

Lincoln didn't notice the shoulders:

He did appreciate the top's easy-on, easy-off/no closures look. 

 Particularly the easy-off aspect of it: