cooking: goat cheese and caramalized onion bruschetta

I love to cook and now that I am done with school I get to explore more in the kitchen. I am still learning, however, I am not afraid of taking a recipe and making it my own. I make changes by adding a little bit of this and a little bit of that...what ever flavors I believe will compliment the dish well. Tony inspired me to get creative with dishes because he is not satisfied until he has taken a dish and perfected it to his liking. While in Oregon I made a goat cheese and caramelized onion bruschetta. It came out delicious! I got the idea from one of the restaurants I visited while in New Zealand. Although we all enjoyed this bruschetta I am not satisfied because I believe I can make it better...maybe I can try a different type of goat cheese...

honeymoon in new zealand: Waihike Island

My honeymoon in New Zealand was magnificent. Every single moment of it was nothing but perfect. The strange part is that it was not planned at all. With all my attention going to the wedding, not much was planned for the honeymoon except accommodations and flight tickets. Luckily, my research on great places to stay paid off. The first place we traveled to is Waihike Island, off of the coast of Auckland. The Island is marvellous, offering multiple vineyards and delectable restaurants. I would describe this place as heaven on earth; picture breathtaking views, exquisite food, and delightful wines. Our experience in Waihike was flawless thanks to the hospitality of Keith and Marilyn from Breakfast on the Beach. This heavenly bed and breakfast/boutique hotel made our honeymoon unbelievable. The place is spectacular; both Keith and Marilyn have delicately selected everything with such an attention to detail that it makes the place look like an art sculpture. Our hosts pretty much planned our whole trip in Waihike, and recommended the most delicious restaurants that never failed to impress us. We also had a private wine tour of a few vineyards on the island. One day, Tony and I took the kayak out to a secluded beach and had a picnic, prepared for us by Keith and Marilyn (and compliments of the wonderful Larry and Angie!). Honestly, I could not have planned such a perfect and relaxing honeymoon. Keith and Marilyn prepared us gourmet breakfasts every morning with fresh fruit and yogurt. I ate like crazy! Also, every afternoon before dinner we would join Keith and Marilyn for wine and canapés where we would take the opportunity to get to know one another. After having the place all to ourselves for two nights we were joined by a mother and daughter, Patty and Alexandra, traveling from Virginia. Getting to know them was wonderful too.

People in in New Zealand are so wonderful and nice. While having lunch in Stonyridge Cafe a couple approached us because they recognized us from dinner the night before. We got to know each other as we walked through the vineyard and olive grove. Chris and Lisa happen to have an olive grove and Bed and Breakfast in the Southern Island. After chatting for a while they offered us a ride back to our place, they are so sweet! Hopefully one day Tony and I will return and visit the South Island, and for sure we will stay with Chris and Lisa.

I can't forget to mention the restaurants we ate at...they were just so amazing!

1. Mudbrick-Restaurant and Winery. This experience was amazing. Tony and I had the restaurant to ourselves for a good half hour (It is low season in Waihike during the winter months). The best part was that we got to enjoy a glass of wine in front of the fireplace before our meal while looking out to the city of Auckland.

2.Stonyridge Vineyards-Winery and Cafe. a French cafe. Our lunch here was amazing and the bruschetta we ate was unforgettable (prosciutto, caramelized onions, and goat cheese). Also, while you eat you get to look out to the vineyards and olive groove. Just wonderful!

3. Thymes Table-This place is very peculiar as it only offers one option for entre and main per day. The day we went it offered a delicious toasted polenta with tomato sauce and goat cheese and for main, a rack of lamb. I loved it!

-that night it was a toss up between Thymes Table and a pizzeria called Stephano's. Because we both wanted something different we compromised and shared an entre and main, then headed a few yards down to Stephano's for a Margherita pizza to go. It was delicious. Tony and I ate it while watching a movie.

4. Te Whau-Restaurant and Winery. I have no words to describe this place, it is so impressive you are left speechless. Te Whau (pronounced te fau) is known as one of the best rural restaurants in the world! It also has the largest wine selection in New Zealand. It is hard to describe this place, it is located at the top of a mountain that overlooks one of the bays. The views are spectacular and the food delicious. This is a place you must visit in your lifetime.

5.Cable Bay-Restaurant and Winery. This is an extremely modern restaurant. The architecture is amazing. This restaurants is one of the top restaurants in Waihike, probably second after Te Whau. Again, Tony and I were able to enjoy a glass of wine next to its fireplace. A wonderful experience.

Honestly, the gastronomic experience in Waihike is one of a kind. A must for a foodie traveller! The wineries we visited were Kennedy Point, Goldwater Estate and the restaurants/wineries mentioned on top.

my oregon trip: a day at the beach

One of the days I was in Oregon I took the doggies to the beach. They really needed it, I could tell from their excitement in the car. When we arrived they were the happiest dogs on the planet, it was so adorable. They ran, got in the water, digged, chased rocks and each other...they just went nuts! I loved watching them because it just made me so happy to see how happy they were. I understand more and more why people love to spend time with dogs, they just make you smile! Lucky dogs; after the beach I took them to the old fashioned handmade fudge store to buy them and myself some ice cream. They got a dog smear and I got a strawberry cone. It was delicious! I had to include the last picture of the Seal Rock store sign. Tamales are being sold with Oregon wine and beer; I thought it was funny...

my oregon trip: kuma, my little friend

In Oregon I have been staying in the cottage house. It is nice, although when I go from the main house to the cottage it is really dark outside. Not an issue for most but I am a wimp. Also, I don't like the idea of sleeping alone. Luckily Jaye and Susan have three dogs on the property, very small but so adorable. I borrow one of the dogs, Kuma (bear in Japanese), for company. She does look like a little teddy bear, so cute and cuddly. Kuma has been keeping me company at nights and it is so nice...I love cats and dogs but I consider myself a cat person. After spending time with the three dogs ( Zoe, Lulu and Kuma) I now see why people can't live without them. With Kuma next to me I feel like I have nothing to worry about.

Uh-oh...I want me a little Kuma.....

my oregon trip: newport farmers market

This past weekend Susan and I drove up to the farmer's market in Newport. I must say I LOVE farmer's markets. They are filled with so much color and such delicious fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as yummy food. At this farmer's market we had a mushroom and spinach flatbread with fontina cheese and garlic. it was so delicious! I fell in love with it. I believe it beats any pizza I had ever eaten prior to this. I am going to try to make it one day because it was just amazing. This time at the farmer's market we also bought some mushrooms for the risotto I was going to cook later in the week...ummm, I can't wait!