My favorite part of traveling is eating. It’s sad but true. I also like trying to recreate things I ate on the road when I return home.  

I had all day Friday to play in my kitchen.  Armed with inspiration from my Seattle trip I created the following menu.

• Creamy Cauliflower Soup with White Truffle Oil
• Smokey Salty Pork Loin on Curried Coconut Risotto topped with Citrus Salsa
• Pineapple Upside Down Cake

The soup was inspired by a few different cauliflower dishes I sampled in Seattle. My version began with slow-cooked onions and celery . Then I added in one box of College Inn’s White Wine and Herb Culinary Broth and another boxful of plain water. I added in the cauliflower and brought it to boil. I reduced the heat and let it cook for nearly an hour then I removed it from the heat and blended it until creamy. I reheated it and adjusted the seasonings. I served it with a drizzle of truffle oil.

The risotto also relied heavily on a College Inn Culinary Broth. I really like this line.  This time it was the Coconut Curry broth.  I simply caramelized a huge red onion and then toasted the arborio rice. I slowly added the warmed stock one ladle at a time. I finished it with a big handful of chopped basil, cilantro, and a generous squeeze of fresh lime.

The pork was rolled in a mixture of smoked sea salt and fresh ground black pepper. I cut it into medallions and pan cooked them. I topped it with simple citrus salsa I made of navel oranges, blood oranges, one granny smith apple, cilantro, honey, white wine vinegar, and a little red pepper.

I used this recipe for the cake. It was perfectly moist and full of flavor.

I spent my vacation week visiting with friends in Seattle. I had never been there before and I quickly developed a big old crush on the city.  It has everything I look for in city: decent public transit, walkability, a variety of different neighborhoods, and terrific food. For me, the best part was spending time with old friends but here are some other highlights.

The Savor Seattle Tour of Pike Place Market

This tour is educational and delicious. Our tour guide, Tim, had lots of information about the history of the market and its vendors. He was also personable and pleasant.  The treats we nibbled along the way were divine. My absolute favorite was the mac n’ cheese from Beecher’s Handmade Cheese.

Theo Chocolate Tour

I have noticed these lovely little chocolate bars popping up in my local NH markets. They have their factory in Seattle and I am a huge fan of both their business philosophy and their chocolate.

Tilth Restaurant

I think this may be the best meal I’ve ever had.  The play of flavors, the high quality ingredients, and the impeccable preparation made each bite a delight. I am craving the cauliflower flan right now.

Macrina Bakery

We went to breakfast here a few times. I can’t use enough modifiers to aptly describe their Chocolate Grand Marnier Coffee Cake.

Thank you Joits for the gorgeous photo.