Baked Rigatoni with Brussell Sprouts, Figs and Blue Cheese

This week the Food Matters Project recipe is Rigatoni with Brussell Sprouts, Figs and Blue Cheese.  The recipe was chosen by Twenty by Sixty, click here to get the recipe.  OK, I like all the stuff, but together?  We'll see...

I had hoped to get brussell spouts from the farmers market, but no luck, however, I was able to find organic brussell sprouts in the produce department at my local grocery store.  No luck with the figs, but I had frozen some, so I used those.  The figs were a little mushy, but I tasted them and their delicate flavor was still there.  I was a little worried, because dried figs were the alternative choice, and I think dried taste so different.  Oh well...

I used an Oregon Blue Cheese, Oregonzola, very yummy by the way!

I'm not a fan of whole wheat pasta, but I chose one that was organic and made in Italy, should be fine!

I have to admit, I wasn't excited for this recipe, especially since I missed the first three.  OK, not pretty, but not bad.  I had a second serving and really enjoyed it with a nice Pinot Noir. 

Give it a try!

New Stuff: Lunchbox Laboratory,Bellevue



After a long, long wait, Lunchbox Laboratory finally opened in Bellevue.  I attended the Grand Opening VIP Party benefiting Hopelink.  Thank You Lunchbox Laboratory for supporting such a great organization.

After a quick tour of the place, the eating began.  One of the Appetizers available at Lunchbox Laboratory - The Rinds of Life: Fresh pork rinds served with tapatio dipping sauce and ranch dressing.  These "chicharrones" come warm  and crunchy!

Nutella and Oreo (in back) Hand-Dipped Shakes greeted us at the door.  I've since gone back to Lunchbox Laboratory and ordered the shake to-go.  I would rather have a fun cocktail or draft beer with my burger.

Sweet Potato Fries, a better choice over the regular fries, for me or you can get tater tots with your burger.

Not in the mood for a burger?  Order a Dogstick!  "Mini all-beef corndogs dipped in a sweet white corn batter with original corndog ketchup and black pepper mustardaise".  


 OK, so I tasted EVERY burger on the night of the opening, but I since went back when my son was home form college...Go Cougs!!!
He ordered the Tear Jerker – Super-beef patty, pepperjack cheese, lunchbox onions, jalapenos, habanero mayo, Satan’s-tears ketchup. Ever wonder what it’s like when your mouth cries? Now you’ll know.   $13.99 with a side of tater tots.  I had tasted this before, quite good, spicy, but not too much.  He also got the Nutella Milkshake.


I ordered the Native New Yorker – Super-beef patty, Montereyjack cheese, lunchbox onions, buffalo ketchup, ranch.   $13.99 with a side of skinny fries (not a fan- I should've paid extra for the mac n cheese).  Why not go for one of the other "designer" burgers? I didn't feel like it.  That is the beauty of Lunchbox Laboratory, you can get a plain old burger if you want.  I also ordered the Milkshake of the day, Birthday Cake, to go.


The Husband ordered the DORK...HA, HA.  Seriously, we did not try the DORK at the opening, but we looked forward to coming back to check it out.  Dork – House blended duck & pork patty, Monterey jack cheese, lunchbox onions, garlic mayo.   $14.99 with sweet potato fries - THE WINNER!!!  When I come back, I am ordering the DORK.  The patty was juicy and delishy!!!


Cocktails made with TANG!!!

 

I had the Tang-O-Rita – Sauza Gold, Triple sec,  Fresh Muddled Limes, Tang & Sour.   $6   (w/ Patron: $12) and my sister had the
Toxic Tang – Malibu Coconut , Midori, Cruzan 151, Tang & KOW.   $6.  Tang was a funny touch, but I ordered the Tang-O-Rita on my next visit...mmmmm.  Reminded me of my childhood, with a kick!

I'll be back!

Partly Cloudy – Cruzan Blackstrap Rum, Fresh Muddled Limes & Ginger Ale.



I went to Happy Hour this week: The Urban Farmer, Portland, OR

 Right in the heart of Downtown Portland.  Interesting seating...

 Local Beers on tap...A+

 I had the Cocktail of th Day: Doom and Gloom...delicious!

Go for the Cheese plate, a few local touches with some imported cheeses.  Kobe beef slider in the background (very good), every bar has their own version.  To be honest, if I didn't already have dinner plans at another location, I would have ordered everything on the menu.  Next time...

Where I went this week: The Nines, Portland OR

A colleague of mine said to me, "staying at the Nines is like living in a Tiffany's box". So true!