When Rus and I stopped by Lake Tekapo months ago on the way back from Queenstown, we purchased some amazing salmon.  This salmon is organically farmed in the glacial canals that connect Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki in the middle of the South Island.

I decided to make a quick, tasty salmon dish.  Delight or Disaster?

Using just green onions, red onions, fresh garlic, fresh ginger, basmati rice, a leaf of lettuce, and the salmon, here is what I did:

1. Remove skin from salmon; cut into approximately 250g fillets.

2. In a medium sauce pan, place one cup rinsed basmati rice in two cups of water on high heat.  Bring to a boil, then turn heat to low and simmer until rice is cooked.

3. Chop onion, garlic, ginger, and saute in olive oil on medium-high heat.

4. Once onions start carmelizing, place salmon in pan (the idea is to pan sear the salmon fillets).

5. Once crispy, flip and cook the other side.  Make sure the fish is cooked on the inside (sometimes it helps to cover the pan to achieve this).

6. The onions, etc. should be crispy at this point.  Turn off heat.

7. On a plate, lay down a rinsed leaf of lettuce.  Place a serving of the basmati rice on top.

8. Serve salmon on top of the rice, with a generous sprinkling of the onions on top.  Add salt and fresh lemon to taste.  Enjoy with a chilled glass of Chardonnay

Prep time: 25 minutes; serves 3

Rus and I loved this simple salmon dish.  The fish was amazing, no doubt because it is raised in water with a high mineral content.  The crispy onions added a nice complementary texture against the smooth texture of the fish.  The plain rice balanced the other stronger flavours nicely.  All in all, this was a DELIGHT!

Our humble blog has continued to post impressive numbers!  Once again, I feel a bit behind the eight ball with heavy-duty wedding planning taking up a lot of time.  May was often cold and rather miserable - not exactly the inspirational environment for creative writing!

At any rate, May 2009’s statistics summary for www.thestarbuckreport.com is as follows:

Reported period: Month May 2009

First visit: 01 May 2009 - 00:10

Last visit: 31 May 2009 - 23:56

Unique visitors: 339

Number of visits: 1276 (3.76 visits/visitor)

Pages: 5433 (4.25 pages/visit)

Overall, it was a good month in terms of numbers!

As usual, thanks to all of our faithful readers, and a big Kia Ora (welcome) to our new readers!  I encourage you to join our RSS and leave your comments in each article’s comment section.

A few things to look forward to in June:

- More Tasty Tuesdays

- Trip to Blenheim re-cap

- First USA visitor in New Zealand, including a day trip to Hanmer Springs

Stay tuned!

Rus and I returned from Blenheim with hundreds of freshly picked, ripe, New Zealand oranges and grapefruit we picked at the homestead where we stayed while we were there.  There was entirely too much to eat, and we love fresh orange juice (who doesn’t!?), so we decided: “Let’s squeeze ‘em!

This Tasty Tuesday - freshly-squeezed orange juice: Delight or Disaster? Basically, this was going to taste heavenly no matter what.  The “disaster” potential lies in the amount of orange we waste, if the juice has too much pulp, seeds, etc.

Our house is not equipped with a juicer (does it seem from these posts that the house is not stocked with anything?  I assure you it’s not as bad as it seems!), so we went off in search of an inexpensive juicer.  We found one at The Warehouse, plastic (ugh), with a filter built in, for a few dollars a piece; we bought two. Upon returning, we immediately and eagerly started squeezing!

Here is what we did:

1. Rus cut the fruit around the equator.  He squeezed and handed me juicer #1.

2. I dumped the juice into a funnel, which led to a 1.5 litre bottle ready for the finished product.

3. Manually wipe the juicer of extra flesh and seeds into an additional strainer (we used a sifter and a filter bag (normally used for straining hops for beer-making).

4. Pick up juicer #2 and repeat.

5. Squeeze additional juice out of strainers.

Twenty minutes and about fifty oranges later, and we had a beautiful finished product!

The moment of truth: The juice was as delicious, sweet, and tangy as we expected - absolutely spectacular.  Thankfully, over the next few days, we were able to squeeze nearly FIVE LITRES of juice.  We can’t wait to go back to Blenheim for more fruit and do it all again!

This Tasty Tuesday was definitely a Delight!

I am currently reading a book called The Lollipop Shoes, the followup to Chocolat by Joanne Harris (if you have not seen the movie, I highly recommend it!).  In it, the main character, Vianne Rocher, runs a chocalaterie in Paris and constantly makes hot chocolate for her teenage daughter and customers - the old-fashioned way - melting blocks of dark chocolate (”70% cacao or more only”) in a double boiler.  She also makes it with some seemingly unconventional ingredients: with vanilla pods, chilis, star anise, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, brown sugar, rum, even cardamom among them.

Every time I would read about hot chocolate with chilis in it, I kept thinking: Is that honestly any good?

So this Tasty Tuesday, we will find out!  I am making hot chocolate using a double boiler and experimenting with added flavours. Delight or Disaster?

Here is what I used: Whittaker’s Dark Chocolate (1/3 bar), 1 pod star anise, 1 whole dried chili, 1 tsp. double-strength pure vanilla extract (the real stuff, not imitation), 1 tsp. cinnamon, and 1 cup of milk.

1. In a double boiler (since we do not have a real double boiler, I used a saucepan and metal mixing bowl), melt the chocolate bar.  I also added some organic chocolate powder so as not to use all of the chocolate bar.

2. Add chili, vanilla, cinnamon, and star anise.  Stir.

3. Add a few tablespoons of  milk.  Simmer while stirring continuously.  This will bring out the flavours of the ingredients in Step 2.

4. Slowly add the rest of the milk.  Bring to nearly a boil, continuing to stir.

Remove the chili and star anise pods.  Pour into espresso or small coffee cups and enjoy!

Results:

I loved this hot chocolate.  It was smooth and very rich, definitely worthy of slow sipping, and only a small amount needed to satisfy.  The flavour of the star anise really stood out, with a hint of spice from the chili.  The vanilla and cinnamon were just discernible.  Rus thought it was too rich and wanted more milk added to his.  Monique loved it, saying it the added flavours gave it an unexpected tang and depth that was missing from the cafe hot chocolate she bought on her way home from work.  Dylan called it “beautiful”; he liked the warmth the chili brought.

Next time, I might experiment with cardamom and another dried chili.  Perhaps try adding some dark rum and brown sugar, with no milk - black - as one of the book’s characters takes it.  The possibilities are endless!

This Tasty Tuesday was a DELIGHT!

The last several months have been exciting indeed!  Rus and I have done some weekend travelling to Kaikoura, Mt. Herbert, Hanmer Springs (which I did not write about because it was such a brief trip, and we took no pictures), and Blenheim/Picton.  We have seen the mild Summer blend into a delightfully crisp Autumn (with a few cold and rainy tastes of Winter thrown in!).  Snow now covers the tops of the distant Alps and is breathtaking to see.  I have further delayed starting a job until after we return from our long holiday to United States starting in late June.  Our Austrian roommate has relocated to a flat down the street, paving the way for a new resident at 20 Derby any day now.  Above all, Rus and I continue to learn and discover.  Here are a couple of new observations we have made:

1. The houses are, indeed, drafty (or “draughty”, as it is spelled).  No central heating, single-pane windows, and poor insulation mean chilly days and cold nights.  While the temperatures do not stay below freezing for long, it is hard to get and stay warm.  As I naturally prone to feeling cold, this also means that I constantly wear a beanie and my turquoise puffy vest off (inside or outside).  We now understand why Kiwis drink so much hot tea (4-8 cups per day!) and have likewise followed suit.

2. People constantly lose their pets.

We have had three fliers delivered to our door regarding missing cats.  Furthermore, we see fliers in the supermarket and shopping areas, on utility poles, on TradeMe, etc. - everywhere!  I have certainly seen fliers for missing animals in the States, but it has been many years since a person has knocked on the door and hand-delivered notices about their missing pet.

3. The Christchurch police do not carry weapons.

Having come from a place where the police are to be feared and incidents of police brutality and mistreatment run rampant (type in “police brutality” on YouTube for thousands of examples caught on video), this is a welcome and pleasant change.  The police are friendly and have a laissez-faire attitude.  For example, all last summer, Rus and I routinely witnessed kids openly walking around with and drinking beer, seemingly drunk, with police around.  As long as they were not bothering people or damaging property, the police just left them alone.  I feel like I could actually go to them for help if necessary.

4. Mobile phone use, especially in public, is not often seen.

Since talking on a mobile phone is expensive, most people communicate via text message.  This means that while we see a lot of people focused on their phones, feverishly texting back and forth, there are few people who are yakking while driving, shopping, or riding the bus (although, curiously, we have both seen several people texting while cycling?!).

5.  The moon is upside down.

The “face” of the moon, typically tilted toward 10 o’clock, is now situated at 4 0′clock.  It also waxes and wanes in the opposite direction, too.

6. Kiwis are notoriously poor spellers.

From advertisements to menus and everything in between (see the photo I took of a Blenheim grocery store aisle label), it is surprising - albeit amusing - how many misspellings the Kiwis make.  As a self-proclaimed “grammar queen” and a fan, I think I could also keep Bethany over at the “Blog” of “Unnecessary” Quotation Marks busy for months!

7. There is a man spa called “ManScape“.

Yes, you read that right!  If you do not know the definition as most Americans know it, you can educate yourself from the highly-reputable and equally hilarious Urban Dictionary. Kiwis (clearly) do not use the term in exactly the same way, but Rus and I still continue to have a laugh at the name.  On another note, it is professional and a very hip place for a man to get a haircut or another relaxing spa service (dare I use the word “pamper”?  Nah.).

8. Grapefruits look like oranges (size and color); the oranges are the best we have ever had.

Comparing the two side-by-side, it is difficult to differentiate a New Zealand grapefruit with an orange.  Their skins are the same color, similar texture, and they smell similar too.  A grapefruit here is about the size of an American orange.  When cut open, the flesh is yellow-orange.  The taste is sweet, sour, tangy - almost as if an American orange and an American yellow grapefruit were blended together.  As a fan of Florida oranges, it is hard for me to believe that there are more brilliant oranges.  New Zealand oranges are smaller, sweeter, and picked when ripe, so they are exploding with flavour.  Rus and I lovingly refer to them as “orange candy” for their sweetness and our ability to eat too many.

9.  Amidst all of the world headlines about wars, crises, and flus, it is refreshing to see the main local headlines proclaiming the “pandemic” of people ticketed for driving on the wrong side of the road.  A few months ago, there was also an indepth article about how the recession/depression was affecting the local prostitution industry, and how brothels were having to come up with creative promotions such as “lunchtime specials” and “2-for-1″ deals.  Such a nice change of pace from the stabbings and shootings and other violent crimes in big cities in the States.

The last several months have certainly flown by, and it has been a joy getting to know this country and its people.  Hopefully, as we continue to acclimate and make friends, we continue to enjoy some novelty as well.

Rus and I are off to Blenheim (pronounced BLENN-uhm) for a short weekend getaway.  Blenheim is in the Marlborough region, about four hours by car north of Christchurch, near the top of the South Island.  It is New Zealand’s largest wine region, with 65 vineyards, and famous for its world’s best Sauvignon Blanc.  We will thoroughly check out as much as possible, and, of course, report back to The Starbuck Report!

Cheers!

Earlier in the week, I excitedly emailed my oldest sister (and fellow fan of sustainable living) an article about “Bike to Work Day 2009″. Little did I realise that it is an annual nationwide awareness campaign - and an excellent one!  Commuting by bicycle is a great way to reduce traffic, get exercise, and enjoy the lovely Spring weather.  However, my sister made a point regarding her participation in the campaign: it simply isn’t safe for her to commute via bicycle in downtown Richmond, Virginia.  With no bike lanes and distracted drivers (chatting on the mobile phone, putting on makeup, eating/drinking, shaving, reading the newspaper, etc.), even a cyclist with the best intentions and safest habits is at risk.

Rus and I have been car-free since the beginning of the year, commuting mainly by bicycle, and I have a confession to make:  it is easier to be car-free in Christchurch.  Nearly every road in the metro area has a dedicated bicycle lane, and at night, overhead street lights keep the paths well-lit.  Cyclists can also legally ride on the sidewalks, which is helpful on particularly busy roads when crossing multiple lanes of traffic can be difficult.  In addition, cyclists are not bound by the same traffic laws as motor vehicles; if the light is red, and the intersection is clear, the cyclist can proceed through.  It helps that the terrain in Christchurch is completely flat.

The best part about cycling in the city is that it is often faster to ride than to drive.  Most traffic congestion in Christchurch happens during a literal “rush hour” from about 4:30-5:30PM (in Auckland, apparently, their traffic situation is similar to any large American city, with congested highways and traffic jams) - and basically involves a handful of intersections that are backed up a few light cycles.  There is nothing better than smoothly riding past all of the cars waiting for the light to change to “green”.  Furthermore, it is always entertaining to see the same cars you saw in traffic pull into the same locale you arrived at just moments before.

Of course, that does not mean that it is always a breeze riding around town.  For example, drivers are unforgiving of a cushion of space when going around cyclists, and so “buzz” by at 55-70kmph (35-45mph) or more.  It took me a couple of months (once I learned how to “ride” on the left side of the road!) before getting buzzed by busses didn’t give me a near-heart attack…it has evolved into more of a cheap thrill. Also, many of the bike lanes run alongside street parking…Rus and I have had our fair share of near-misses with opening driver’s side doors.  We have noticed that eating and drinking in the car, as well as talking on the phone, are less prominent here in general; so, theoretically, drivers here are less distracted than their American counterparts.

That being said, I am a big proponent of “Safety first!”; I wear a fluorescent yellow, full-length jacket and have blinking head and tail lights when travelling at night (again, the lighted streets help a lot in this regard).  Obviously, I wear a helmet (it is illegal not to do so - and it is enforced!).  Still, my biggest safety feature is being aware of my surroundings.  Similar to defensive driving, I try to anticipate what the cars (and numerous pedestrians and other cyclists) are going to do next. It has helped, I have learned, to figure out the best routes to get from Point A to Point B - and avoid complicated intersections when possible.  We happen to live mere metres from one of the busiest intersections in Christchurch, and it’s a hassle turning onto our street during the day when traffic is heavier.  Often, I will take another road that gets me in “the back way”.  Of course, nothing teaches you faster than a near-death experience, of which I had a few month ago when I pulled out in front of a car.  I managed to get myself out of the way in time, but it gave me (and the driver of the car) a good shake-up that I do not want to repeat.

In conclusion,  I love that “Bike to Work Day” is being promoted nationwide in the United States, especially since European cities like Copenhagen and Amsterdam enjoy, respectively, 36% and 60%+ ridership!  Several U.S. cities, including Portland, OR, have fantastic bike-friendly cultures and infrastructure.  I have a friend at the Greater Philadelphia Bike Coalition who is working tirelessly to create the same there.  BikeShares in Washington, D.C. have been launched, with several other major cities implementing pilot programs.  Americans everywhere are craving an end to the stop-an-go commuting horrors, a corner-turn in the obesity epidemic, relief from the “credit crunch”, and a cure for the overall blues.  Hopefully, promotions like these will be the impetus to get more people out on their bicycles - and supporting cycling infrastructure in their cities.  This way, citizens like my sister, who want to do something good for themselves and society, can ride confidently and safely.

Potato and Leek Soup: Delight or Disaster?

The weather is turning colder, and this means it’s time for SOUP!  Okay, my Northern Hemisphere readers are probably sick of soup, but this Tasty Tuesday, I am making Potato and Leek Soup.

I had some leeks in the fridge that needed to be eaten very soon (or else tossed into the compost bin).  In addition, five medium-sized red potatoes that had started sprouting eyes were added to the ingrediants.  Also on hand, and also included, was a 2/3 full can of coconut cream (left over from a Thai dish late last week), an already-cooked slice of shoulder bacon, and about a cup of shredded colby (cheddar) cheese.  I also used one hot chili, a scallion, fresh ginger, and fresh garlic.

Here is how I made Potato & Leek Soup:

1.  Finely chop garlic, ginger, chili, bacon, and scallions.  Leave some of the green part of the scallion for finishing.

2. Peel and cube the potatoes; slice the leeks length-wise, wash, and finely chop.  Set aside.

3. In a frying pan with lid, saute the chopped garlic, ginger, chili, and scallion in a good amount of olive oil on medium heat.

4. Add the cubed potatoes and four cups (about 1 litre) of hot water. *Hot water will not cool the food already in the pan.

5. Add the chopped leeks and stir.

6. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are soft.

7.  Transfer the mixture from the frying pan to a mixing bowl (or blender or food processor).  Blend until smooth.

8.  Add the coconut milk (about 1/2 cup) and mix.

9.  Pour into bowls, top with shredded cheese, bacon pieces, and scallions.  Enjoy!

Serves: 8

Prep time: 30 minutes

Results:

This soup was absolutely fantastic!  From the creamy coconut flavour to the gentle kick from the chilis, this was a crowd pleaser!  All but one at 20 Derby tried it and loved it - and I had plenty for lunch the next day.  The beauty of this recipe is its versatility; I will be whipping up old vegetables and leftovers into “Potato-and-(Something) Soup” again very soon.  For those not in hot soup mood, this would be a fantastic one to try cold.

This Tasty Tuesday was a definite DELIGHT!

Did you try this receipe?  How did it turn out?  Leave your comments in the “Comments” section!

There are many parks around Christchurch, and Rus and I are fortunate enough to live very close to the large, central park called Hagley Park.  Within this vast park is a public golf course, numerous rugby and soccer fields, a crouquet club, lawn bowling, 42 netball courts, tennis courts, numerous walking and biking paths, and Christchurch’s extensive and popular Botanical Gardens. The beautiful Avon River, with its clear, swift-but-shallow water snakes its way throughout.

On most sunny days, Rus and I walk over through the park.  We bring stale bread and feed the ducks.  We marvel at the massive trees.  We inhale deeply the cool, fresh air.  We watch the fascinating bird life all around us.  We literally stop to  smell the roses from the rose garden.  And, this time of year, we take note of the transformation of the trees as they shed their leaves.  Please enjoy this slideshow of beautiful pictures from the glorious Hagley Park, taken from the height of Summer through Autumn!

The Kindle DX - can it save the world?  Probably not, but it looks like a promising tool to reduce paper and toxic ink printing, litter, and energy usage associated with producing virgin paper or recycling it: Kindle DX