Lohikeitto {Finnish Salmon Soup}

There's nothing I crave more on a cold rainy day than a big bowl of steamy soup, and this Finnish Salmon Soup that Christian found awhile back always hits the spot.  It's super quick and easy to put together with only a few essential ingredients, but the flavors come together so well that I'm always going back for seconds.  Hopefully the weather is clearing up this weekend, but I have a feeling we'll be coming back to this one over and over as the fall rains set in.  Yum!

Lohikeitto {Finnish Salmon Soup}

Ingredients

1/4 cup butter

1 leek {about 2 cups}, sliced

4 cups fish stock

1 lb potatoes, cubed

1-2 carrots, sliced

1 lb salmon cut into large pieces

1 cup 35% cream

Salt & Pepper

Fresh dill

Instructions

1. Heat butter in large saucepan over medium-high heat.  Add leeks and cook, stirring 5 minutes or until leek is softened.

2. Add potatoes, carrot, and fish stock.  Bring to a boil and let vegetables cook for 10-15 minutes.

3. Add salmon & cream and simmer 5-6 minutes until salmon is cooked.  Add salt & pepper to taste.

4. Sprinkle with chopped dill and serve.

Serves 4

adapted from food52

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Harry's Fine Foods

One of the goals of our urban hike to Capitol Hill was to find a yummy place to have a late lunch/early dinner outside.  I've always wanted to try Harry's Fine Foods and when we saw that their happy hour was starting right about the time we were ready to eat, we decided to head that way and see what they had to offer.  The building is pretty unassuming from the outside, but walk through the tiny dining room and the back patio is full of string lights, yellow umbrellas, and people enjoying yummy cocktails.  We immediately placed an order for cocktails {that aperol spritz really hit the spot on such a hot day} and the happy hour fries {so delicious!}, then decided to share a few things for our main course, including the burrata and tomatoes {for a hint of summer}, the mushroom & greens pasta {so fresh}, and Harry's burger, which was one of the best burgers either of us have had {as evidenced below by the half eaten picture}.  Date nights out and about have been few and far between this past year and a half so it was fun to get out with my honey for a yummy dinner outside before the rains came.  We will definitely be back!

my cutest date

fries with fresh herbs & pecorino

burrata with heirloom tomatoes & goddess dressing

harry's hamburger - one of the best we've had!

mushroom & greens strozzapreti

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Urban Hiking {Capitol Hill}

Saturday morning Christian and I headed out on an urban hike we've been talking about for years - from Queen Anne up to Capitol Hill!  It was such a gorgeous late September day and the perfect day to get out and explore the city on foot.  We headed east on Queen Anne {and did our good civilian duties of helping a woman who had fallen and broken her foot} through South Lake Union, then up Lakeview Blvd over I-5 which was a bit terrifying if you looked down.  We headed north toward St. Mark's and Volunteer Park, walking by some of the most beautiful {and giant} homes I've ever seen in this city.  We rarely go through these neighborhoods by car and it was fun to check out all the gated homes and pick out our faves.  We headed back south towards Broadway, stopping at the DeLuxe for a much deserved beer by the open windows then continuing on towards Cal Anderson Park.  We stopped in at Elliott Bay Book Company {is there anything better than a bookstore?} and Bogey Boys before turning back around and heading north again for dinner {more on that tomorrow}.  After dinner we headed back down the hill towards South Lake Union, but after a 10 mile hike in almost 80 degree heat, we were both too wiped to walk back up Queen Anne and decided to treat ourselves to a Lyft home.  All in all it was one of my most favorite walks we've been on and I can't wait to go back and explore some more.  This city never ceases to amaze me :)

{our favorite after work happy hour bar that i miss terribly}

{crossing over i-5}

{lots of gated homes}

{streissguth gardens}

{some of my new favorite streets in seattle}

{much needed beers at the deluxe}

{saying hello to jimi}

{checking out macklemore's new shop}

{i love an old bookstore}

{the best crosswalks in town}

{so many boats out}

xoxo,

stephanie marie

The Weekend {In Pictures}

{trying to start friday off right with donuts}

{the best reuben}

{an insane friday night sunset}

{avocado toast on saturday}

{and pancakes on sunday!}

{an oldie but goodie for sunday night dinner}

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Friday & Breakfast

Happy Finally Friday!  What a week it has been - work is crazy and I'm counting down the days until our deadline at the end of the month.  I had an impromptu breakfast date earlier this week when I had to head up north for an appointment and convinced Dad to wake up early from retirement days and cook me breakfast.  Definitely the best meal I've had all week - thanks Dad!  And now, to the weekend...... Cheers everyone!  We've just about made it :)

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Simple Basil Pesto

A few weeks back I found myself with a lot of extra basil so what did I do?  Made pesto of course!  I found this simple recipe on Cookie & Kate that had lots of tips for substitutions, storing, and how to cook with it.  Homemade pesto is really so delicious and easy, and adding it to some warm pasta with veggies it makes a tasty and healthy dinner for those nights when you just can't be bothered to put more effort into it :)  Enjoy!

Simple Basil Pesto

Ingredients

1/3 cup almonds {or raw pine nuts, walnuts, pecans, or pepitas}

2 cups packed fresh basil

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 Tblsp lemon juice

2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped

1/2 tsp fine sea salt

1/2 cup olive oil

Instructions

1. Combine basil, nuts, Parmesan, lemon juice, garlic, and salt in a food processor or blender.  With machine running slowly, drizzle in olive oil.  Continue blending until well mixed and desired consistency, scraping down sides as necessary.

2. Taste and adjust seasonings accordingly.

3. Store leftovers in refrigerator, covered, for up to one week.

4. To use with pasta: before draining pasta, save about 1 cup pasta water.  Toss pasta with pesto and a few splashes of pasta water to desired consistency.

Makes 1 cup pesto

adapted from cookie & kate

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Boats Afloat Show

Saturday morning between rounds of rain we decided to head over to the Boats Afloat Show on Lake Union and do some dreaming {thanks for the tickets, Ryan!}.  We've been a few times and it always amazes me how beautiful and giant some of these boats are {my fave was a $4 million yacht more luxurious and spacious than most homes I know of}.  We certainly lucked out with the weather and it was fun to stroll along the lake on a sunny fall afternoon, dreaming of boats and soaking up the sunshine.

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Emmy Fashion

TV has been pretty great this year {and let's be honest, has kept us all sane and entertained throughout the pandemic} so I was excited to watch Sunday's Emmy awards to see if any of my favorites won {yay Ted Lasso!}.  The real star of the night though?  Fashion.  Here are a few of my faves of the red carpet, including Ted himself looking oh so dapper :)

Michaela Coel

Olivia Colman

Mandy Moore

Jason Sudeikis

Kaley Cuoco

Kate Winslet

Keri Russell & Matthew Rhys

xoxo,

stephanie marie