Bacon + Ice Cream = Food heaven

About this time last year, a group of friends were over for a late summer get together. Plenty of wine was poured, much food was served, and for dessert, something that combines the best of both worlds of bacon and ice cream. As one would expect, awesomeness ensues.

I learned about this recipe while watching Gourmet Magazine's excellent Diary of a Foodie show. In it Ruth Reichl made it and I was memorized. During this episode they even featured Heston Blumenthal's take on it. After watching the ep, I knew I had to give this recipe a try.

The thought of combining ingredients that are so polar to each other could be a head scratcher. On one hand you have the smoky, salty, savory perfection of bacon. On the other is the cool, creamy, sweet, decadence of ice cream. Distinct flavors indeed. But if you take a step back, you can see how they go well together. It's the salty, sweet balance that so many people love. It's why so many people like kettle corn.

At the party, some of my friends were skeptical of the melding of breakfast and dessert, but everyone gave it a shot. It wasn't for everyone, but what I loved most is that everyone at least tried it. That's one of the things that I love about food and would like for most people to do; to experiment, stepping outside your comfort zone. I'd qualify having bacon ice cream as pretty adventurous eating.



Photos By Ricky Carioti -- The Washington Post

Bite of Seattle

Along with the Northwest Folklife Festival in May and Bumbershoot in September, the Bite of Seattle is part of the triumvirate of community events at Seattle Center. The Bite hits the good folks of Seattle in July and it's the city's crowning achievement of food, gluttony, excess, and awesomeness. The Bite has always been one of my favorite events, and as I've gotten older I've grown to appreciate it even more.

The beauty of nostalgia has deepened the colors for me when it comes to the Bite. When I was younger my family would always go and I loved it! In my mind, Seattle Center was this huge massive grounds, there were food vendors everywhere, it wasn't anywhere near as crowded as it is now, and we would be there until the sun would set. It's a little different now, mostly in that it's super crowded and there are really only about four dozen food vendors there

The vibe at the Bite has definitely changed in recent years. Is that bad? No, if anything it's different, and the glow of my memory only enhances my appreciation of the event. It's a chance for many to wear their 'Bite outfit' they've been saving all summer. It's a chance to walk around with friends and feel important. And you can eat till your more full than you could imagine.

My favorite thing to eat when I was younger were the Filet Mignon sandwiches from Metropolitan Grill. I loved those things. These were one of the things I most looked forward to as I got out of school. Sadly, The Met no longer participates in the Bite, but scores of other great places offer new discoveries.

What are some of your favorite foods at the Bite of Seattle? Is it the roasted corn? Funnel Cakes? Shiskaberries? No matter what, all of these are the right choice!

"The Force is strong with this one...."

"Try not. Do or do not. There is no try."

Thus says Yoda, greatest of all the Jedis. In it, Yoda was attempting to motivate young Luke Skywalker to go beyond himself and put behind his self doubt. To bring down the walls of what you think you can do, and just do it.

And thus begins my blog. It is my goal to be another resource to your world of food and wine. And under that umbrella we'll spend some time with restaurants, books, news, trends, with a Northwest focus but an eye to the world. It's my hope that you enjoy food and wine as much as I do and that you'll be compelled to find out new information about your favorite things.

When I really started to get 'into' food and wine, I realized that it was a big world with a lot to learn. I was excited by this challenge to learn, which brought me to where I am today. I look forward to learning more about food and wine and sharing it with you. Come along for the ride, we'll have a great time.

Before I get too far ahead of myself, I'll quote Han Solo:

"Great kid. Now don't get cocky."