>Beef Tenderloin Canape with Red Onion Marmalade

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Beef Tenderloin Canapé with Red Onion Marmalade

Yield: about 32 pieces
32 buttered toast points
1/2 cup mayonnaise mixed with 2 tablespoons horseradish
   1 pound beef tenderloin, cooked medium rare and chilled
   1 cup red onion marmalade (see recipe)
   3 tablespoons minced parsley

Arrange the toast points on a work surface, and using the tip of a spoon or a small pastry bag, place a dot (about 1/2 teaspoon) of the horseradish mayonnaise on each. Slice the tenderloin very thin and arrange it attractively on the toast points also. Garnish each canapé with the red onion marmalade and minced parsley. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Red Onion Marmalade

Yield: about 2 cups
   1 medium red onion, peeled, halved, and sliced very thin
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
3/4 cup sugar
   3 ounces cold water, divided
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
   1 tablespoon cornstarch

In a small skillet combine the sliced onion, red wine vinegar, sugar, two ounces of the water, salt, and pepper. Bring the pan to a boil, and then lower it to a simmer. Cook the onions for about five minutes, stirring often. Dissolve the cornstarch in the remaining 1 ounce of cold water and stir it into the onion mixture. Cook the marmalade for another two minutes. Transfer it to a glass bowl and refrigerate until chilled.

Urban Simplicity.

It’s Different on a Bike

It’s different on a bike…it just is. Sure you’re pedaling and using your own power, but you see things differently…at least I do. When I’m in my vehicle I tend to zone out…get comfortable on my car-couch and flip stations on the radio, get annoyed at the person cutting me off or going too slow, put a little more pressure on the gas pedal, you get the picture. But when I’m on my bike I’m free. There is a breeze on my face and in my (ever-thinning) hair and I feel good. I can stop and go as I please and I see things and drive places I wouldn’t normally go if I were in my truck. Everyday errands go from drudgery to enjoyment…instead of pushing the gas pedal to get from one destination to another, the trip becomes a bicycle ride with brief stops. This morning, for example, was a beautiful and sunny one…I didn’t have to work until 3pm so I went for a relaxing ride with some stops in between (i.e. I did errands on bike), and in the process I managed to log 14 miles on the bike…didn’t have to go to the gym today, nor did I burn any fossil fuel (just calories). Here’s some of the things I saw along the way (that I most likely wouldn’t saw have if I were in my vehicle).

One of the best things, I think, about being on a bike is taking short-cuts (which usually turn into long-cuts); today was a perfect example. After stopping for a coffee at Spot on Elmwood (and carrying it in my groovy cup holder; click here to see it) I took a “short-cut” through beautiful Forest Lawn Cemetery…yes, I think many cemeteries are beautiful; Holy ground…a sort of sanctuary (Pere Lachaise is one of my favorites). I hadn’t been through Forest Lawn in a few years and was looking for Rick James’ grave, the original Super Freak (while I’m not a fan of disco, I did come of age during the early 1980s and he is Buffalo born-and-bred). I found it and stopped for a brief rest while I sipped my coffee (it’s also where I snapped the photo of the truly inspiring photo of the statue above).

After visiting a hardware store and supermarket (and loaded up the Mundo) I headed home, taking another short-cut through Delaware Park. I pedaled up the curly bridge and at the top stopped to look at the below vista (can you believe this is in the middle of a city?).

After arriving back to Allentown, I took yet another short-cut through the side and rear of St. Louis Church on Main Street. Before going down the side entrance I stopped at the front and as usual was in awe (I never tire of this view).

Would I have seen these things in a car? Doubtful. Would I have driven past them? Maybe. But I certainly would not have been as inspired. If I were in a car I would have had a radio to listen to, but I didn’t need one on my bike because while I pedaled the sound of Rick James whistled through the air…”she’s a super freak…super freak…she’s super freaky…” (click here to watch the video).

Urban Simplicity.

>It’s Different on a Bike

>

It’s different on a bike…it just is. Sure you’re pedaling and using your own power, but you see things differently…at least I do. When I’m in my vehicle I tend to zone out…get comfortable on my car-couch and flip stations on the radio, get annoyed at the person cutting me off or going too slow, put a little more pressure on the gas pedal, you get the picture. But when I’m on my bike I’m free. There is a breeze on my face and in my (ever-thinning) hair and I feel good. I can stop and go as I please and I see things and drive places I wouldn’t normally go if I were in my truck. Everyday errands go from drudgery to enjoyment…instead of pushing the gas pedal to get from one destination to another, the trip becomes a bicycle ride with brief stops. This morning, for example, was a beautiful and sunny one…I didn’t have to work until 3pm so I went for a relaxing ride with some stops in between (i.e. I did errands on bike), and in the process I managed to log 14 miles on the bike…didn’t have to go to the gym today, nor did I burn any fossil fuel (just calories). Here’s some of the things I saw along the way (that I most likely wouldn’t saw have if I were in my vehicle).

One of the best things, I think, about being on a bike is taking short-cuts (which usually turn into long-cuts); today was a perfect example. After stopping for a coffee at Spot on Elmwood (and carrying it in my groovy cup holder; click here to see it) I took a “short-cut” through beautiful Forest Lawn Cemetery…yes, I think many cemeteries are beautiful; Holy ground…a sort of sanctuary (Pere Lachaise is one of my favorites). I hadn’t been through Forest Lawn in a few years and was looking for Rick James’ grave, the original Super Freak (while I’m not a fan of disco, I did come of age during the early 1980s and he is Buffalo born-and-bred). I found it and stopped for a brief rest while I sipped my coffee (it’s also where I snapped the photo of the truly inspiring photo of the statue above).

After visiting a hardware store and supermarket (and loaded up the Mundo) I headed home, taking another short-cut through Delaware Park. I pedaled up the curly bridge and at the top stopped to look at the below vista (can you believe this is in the middle of a city?).

After arriving back to Allentown, I took yet another short-cut through the side and rear of St. Louis Church on Main Street. Before going down the side entrance I stopped at the front and as usual was in awe (I never tire of this view).

Would I have seen these things in a car? Doubtful. Would I have driven past them? Maybe. But I certainly would not have been as inspired. If I were in a car I would have had a radio to listen to, but I didn’t need one on my bike because while I pedaled the sound of Rick James whistled through the air…”she’s a super freak…super freak…she’s super freaky…” (click here to watch the video).

Urban Simplicity.

Video Poem To Biking

The above image was found here

I love this. And no that is not a caricature of me on one of my bikes (but I do have a coffee cup holder on my Mundo).  This is a short video put out by the somewhat new org, People for Bikes. The video (poem) is narrated by a young girl who states all the reasons she rides. My favorite line is in the beginning: If I ride I will know the way the trees smell after the rain (I’m probably paraphrasing, but it’s true). I love how they show people of all ages on all sorts of bikes, including many cargo bikes; showing that bikes are a viable mode of transport for everyone, not just an elite few, and most definitely not only for people who cannot afford to own a car. It’s a conscious decision to ride a bike when you have other options; this short clip echoes these sentiments. Click here to see the video at it’s YouTube location; click here to go to the People for Bikes website (don’t forget to sign their pledge)

Urban Simplicity.

>Video Poem To Biking

>

The above image was found here

I love this. And no that is not a caricature of me on one of my bikes (but I do have a coffee cup holder on my Mundo).  This is a short video put out by the somewhat new org, People for Bikes. The video (poem) is narrated by a young girl who states all the reasons she rides. My favorite line is in the beginning: If I ride I will know the way the trees smell after the rain (I’m probably paraphrasing, but it’s true). I love how they show people of all ages on all sorts of bikes, including many cargo bikes; showing that bikes are a viable mode of transport for everyone, not just an elite few, and most definitely not only for people who cannot afford to own a car. It’s a conscious decision to ride a bike when you have other options; this short clip echoes these sentiments. Click here to see the video at it’s YouTube location; click here to go to the People for Bikes website (don’t forget to sign their pledge)

Urban Simplicity.

Things That Grow Back

Yup, it’s almost that time of year again…time to start planting vegetables. I look at it with both dread and anticipation…I enjoy doing it but anyone that plants a garden knows how much work it is, especially in the beginning. But one of the things that I enjoy about this time of year, the time when it’s getting warm and sunny but you still haven’t done any work in the garden, is to witness what grows back on it’s own. Most things are regulars, but some are not, some are reseeded on their own (sometimes peppers, tomatoes, and sunflowers will do this), and some will just keep coming back if they’re not picked (like onions and leeks). Anyhow, below are a few things that grew back; the photo above is the herb garden that grows back every year (chives, garlic, oregano, lavender, sage, rosemary) . To see posts from previous seasons with my gardens in various stages of grown (and overgrowth) click here, here, here, here, and here.

This is one of my favorite returns this year: Swiss Chard. Not sure how it returned, because it shouldn’t have, but there it is growing next to a dandelion and some ever-invading lemon balm.

I grew four clusters of leeks last year but never pulled them entirely out of the ground, just cut them…this year their growing back bigger than last.

This is one of my favorites. A few years ago wind must have carried a seed from the herb garden and it landed on fertile ground in a crack in the sidewalk…I don’t eat it because of it’s location, but it’s amazing and beautiful nonetheless.

Urban Simplicity.

>Things That Grow Back

>

Yup, it’s almost that time of year again…time to start planting vegetables. I look at it with both dread and anticipation…I enjoy doing it but anyone that plants a garden knows how much work it is, especially in the beginning. But one of the things that I enjoy about this time of year, the time when it’s getting warm and sunny but you still haven’t done any work in the garden, is to witness what grows back on it’s own. Most things are regulars, but some are not, some are reseeded on their own (sometimes peppers, tomatoes, and sunflowers will do this), and some will just keep coming back if they’re not picked (like onions and leeks). Anyhow, below are a few things that grew back; the photo above is the herb garden that grows back every year (chives, garlic, oregano, lavender, sage, rosemary) . To see posts from previous seasons with my gardens in various stages of grown (and overgrowth) click here, here, here, here, and here.

This is one of my favorite returns this year: Swiss Chard. Not sure how it returned, because it shouldn’t have, but there it is growing next to a dandelion and some ever-invading lemon balm.

I grew four clusters of leeks last year but never pulled them entirely out of the ground, just cut them…this year their growing back bigger than last.

This is one of my favorites. A few years ago wind must have carried a seed from the herb garden and it landed on fertile ground in a crack in the sidewalk…I don’t eat it because of it’s location, but it’s amazing and beautiful nonetheless.

Urban Simplicity.

Just Chillin’

I have been a dog lover my entire life, but my two pugs are the first small dogs that I’ve ever kept (interestingly, they’ve been described as large dogs in a little dog’s body). The pug is a very old breed…possibly as old as 400 BC. They are Chinese in origin and are said to have been originally bread to amuse the Emperor. This photo is evidence that a couple millennium later they are still doing their job…entertaining people (me mostly). This truly is (urban) simplicity.  Sometimes it’s the little things…

We can, I believe, learn a great deal from our canine friends.
Urban Simplicity.

>Just Chillin’

>

I have been a dog lover my entire life, but my two pugs are the first small dogs that I’ve ever kept (interestingly, they’ve been described as large dogs in a little dog’s body). The pug is a very old breed…possibly as old as 400 BC. They are Chinese in origin and are said to have been originally bread to amuse the Emperor. This photo is evidence that a couple millennium later they are still doing their job…entertaining people (me mostly). This truly is (urban) simplicity.  Sometimes it’s the little things…

We can, I believe, learn a great deal from our canine friends.
Urban Simplicity.

Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#157)

A canvas bag containing three books.
Two pounds of mashed potatoes.
A pint of arroz con carne.
A large mixed green salad with grilled flank steak.
Two bags of whole wheat flour, 5-pounds each.
A plastic soda crate.

Urban Simplicity.

120 Salads on a Table

I rarely post pictures from my place of employment but these salads just looked so crisp and fresh on such a beautiful and sunny spring day. They were entree-sized salads, and 5 minutes after taking this picture were topped with grilled and sliced flank steak that was basted with butter…and drizzled with ranch dressing.
Urban Simplicity.