UnRecipe: Brock's Burgers and a Valentine's Day Redux

I know, it's not Valentine's Day. It's not even February anymore! But I don't care, I felt the need to share a post that perfectly illustrates how food and daily life are perfectly entwined, and that the date shouldn't matter -- we shouldn't require excuses to have special meals. What we eat isn't just fuel, it's a way of expressing our appreciation for others when we dine on something special or make someone their favorite dish -- it's a personal way to celebrate a loved one. Ironic that it's a priority on one of the most impersonal/faux-emotion day of the year: Valentine's Day.

Babe, this burger's for you - from the wonderfully amusing series, Bob's Burgers (no, not Brock's Burgers)

FoodTrek: Lunch With a Sprinkle of Salty Seattle

Since it's so close to Valentine's Day, the Prime wanted to continue to share the heart-shaped love for local bloggers. I was truly lucky and fortunate to be able to meet with the fabulous Salty Seattle, aka, Linda Miller Nicholson, who is nothing less than a true Foodie Force of Nature, and her blog is an inspiration to be aware of what we eat and to value the care in what we prepare for our loved ones.

So long, and thanks for all the fish -- it was tasty! - Photo by Wasabi Prime

A few weeks ago, I was blessed with a lunch invite to visit Madame Salty Seattle at her amazing and beautiful home. We chatted for hours over a divine lunch of seared tuna and her hearty, rich pasta e fagioli -- pasta and bean soup with homemade bacon and pasta. Yes, you heard that right -- homemade bacon! And a sprinkle of her own homemade salt, too!! You can read her post here, with all the tasty details. So much incredible talent and smarts -- you'd  be tempted cast the Evil Green-Eyed Monster of Envy, but it's impossible because Linda is so sweet, her blog is written with such self-awareness, and she has a sincere love and appreciation for all the blessings in life.

Lunch, wine, and orchids at Casa de Salty Seattle - Photos by Wasabi Prime

Linda's focused passion in the kitchen is for a good cause -- a happy, healthy family. She takes an involved interest in the preparation of foods so that her husband and wee one can enjoy incredible homecooked meals and sleep soundly in the knowledge that she keeps a vigil over the quality of ingredients that pass through her door. Inspired by living abroad in Italy, she and her husband became very familiar with an artisanal lifestyle that is actively involved with the meals that reach one's table.

True, not everyone has the schedule to bake bread every week or make pasta from scratch, but the power of Salty Seattle compels one to rethink the way one looks at eating. For the price of an extra bit of time, it really is worth it to prepare at least one ingredient for a dish from scratch. Whether it's learning to make homemade cheese, pickling vegetables from one's own garden, or just making stock, it's a wonderful sense of accomplishment and empowering to feel involved on such a granular level with a homecooked meal.

If there's truth in wine, it's to have a second glass! - Photos by Wasabi Prime

Probably the best lesson was a reminder that it's good to take the blogging lifestyle out of the computer and make it a point to meet a bloggy neighbor in the real world. It was a beautiful chance to get a glimpse of Linda's world and it was easy to understand why she's so inspired to share her passions, as she is surrounded by creativity and wonder every day. As I've had the chance to meet more individuals who are taking the time to invest in their talents, it really feels like there is an overall movement for people to seek out their bliss, and that is a comforting thing. Cheers and thanks to Linda and her blog, Salty Seattle -- a truly memorable and foodie-fabulous afternoon!