Spokane Food Blog

The Nathan Sports Steel 700 ml Flip Straw Bottle is my favorite BPA-Free bottle on the market.

1. The straw makes it easy to drink when out and about
2. It is a spill proof bottle, when the straw is flipped down
3. The quick clip comes in handy when you least expect it
4. Wide mouth that makes it easy to clean and fill with ice
5. BPA-Free and comes in 9 different designs

Pick one up at REI or Mountain Gear in Spokane, WA.

Step 1. Find items in your house to pawn.
Step 2. Pawn said items (DVDs, CDs, etc.) and take your cash.
Step 3. Order the NEW vegetarian sandwich ($7) and in-case pasta salad, full order ($4).
Step 4. Pay ($11) from the pawn shop money, an amazing meal for two

Alternate method:

Step 1. Find books in your house to sell.
Step 2. Sell said books to Auntie’s Bookstore.
Step 3. If Auntie’s buys your books they provide in-store credit.
Step 4. Think of Auntie’s credit as cash.
Step 5. Order the NEW vegetarian sandwich ($7) and in-case pasta salad, full order ($4).
Step 6. Pay ($11) from your pocket and feel great now that you have Auntie’s credit, this still equals an amazing meal for two.

Stefanie’s Bakery is the “ace of cakes” of Spokane, WA.

My extremely creative friend and I went to Stefanie’s to order her wedding cake.  The bride handed Stefanie a few sketches, magazine ads, and figurines to decorate the elaborate cake she dreamed up.  Like a true “ace of cake,” Stefanie made her vision into a masterpiece even better than the bride imagined. We were also sent home with a box of cake samples to test the different frosting and fillings – they were all true to flavor and not sickly sweet.

The shop is decorated with elaborate cakes.  Stefanie also provides classes and other fun events at the bakery.  For more information check out the website or the TEO entry for it.

Babycook lets you make organic, fresh baby food in minimal time with minimal effort.  Just add water to the steaming section, chop your favorite fruit or veggie, and turn the dial.  About 30 minutes later you have fresh baby food.  Buy some ice cube trays and freeze the extras for use later.

Even if you don’t have a baby, you can use this product.  The apples make a wonderful sauce.  You can make butternut squash, freeze a cube and melt it over rice instead of using butter.  You can also make a quick thick base for soups.  YUM! Everyone can use Babycook.

From the Back Kitchen posted about the process of making bread a few days ago.  It has always been on my list to make “real” bread on my own, but, after reading more about the 24+ hour process to make a baguette, I have no desire to make artisan bread without the help of professionals.

After tasting the loaves of bread at Petit Chat Village Bakery, I just can’t bring myself to buy grocery store bread anymore either.  For around $5.00 for a Tuscan loaf, it is well worth the cost to eat a fresh product.

A North-Side friend started brining boxes of baked goods from Petit Chat Village Bakery to her work to “show the South Hill-Snobs” that the North Side has a destination bakery.  Here is a sample of what she orders from the bakery, and proof that she is right.

Petit Chat is located on 9910 N Waikiki Road. Check out TEO for reviews and map.

It is block party season. An “Off Government Way” Neighborhood held a block party to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.  They had Qdoba cater and two kegs delivered. Qdoba is not a bad idea for a block party set up.

Do you know of any upcoming block parties?

One World Spokane: if you haven’t been there yet, you should move it to the top of your to-do list. The food is served buffet style as you pick what you want to eat, and how much you want to eat. It is a unique restaurant as there isn’t a formal menu.

Check out the One World Spokane Twitter account to follow their daily offerings. Find out more information about their mission, garden, volunteer opportunities, and more on their website.

One World Spokane is a non profit Organic Community Kitchen with a purpose, where you customize your meal by choosing your own portions of creatively crafted food & then you price your own plate based on what  is fair and respectable for what you’ve eaten. Additionally patrons will have the opportunity to pay a little extra to help provide for those in need.

I emailed a special order to One World Spokane to purchase a birthday cake.  They exceeded my expectation.  It was beautiful and delicious.

Need Cinco de Mayo plans?  Check out this event courtesy of Friends of the Falls.

May 5, 2009 at  7:30 pm, all are invited to the benefit dinner at the Bitterroot Lodge in Liberty Lake’s River District, where Gary Lacey, an expert kayaker and designer of the Spokane whitewater park, will give a brief update on the Whitewater Park and award prizes for the day’s kayak events. Admission is just $25/plate, with complementary beverages. Proceeds will benefit Friends of the Falls. Dinner seating is limited.

For more information about pre dinner events read Out There Monthly or Friends of the Falls.

Spokane Falls picture courtesy of Becky

Bloomsday: Run, walk, or wheel, and drink free water and Gatorade-like sponsored products.  Of course, check out the trade show at the Convention Center and get personal with your favorite infomercial products.

Magic Lantern Theater and Isabella’s: Saturday May 2, celebrate diversity and inclusion and stop by to view “Right to Risk”, a 1-hour documentary about a 15-day whitewater raft trip with 8 individuals with significant physical disabilities. This is a film for all ages.  Check out the art exhibit in the Saranac Building lobby (25 W Main), resource tables, meet elite Bloomsday athletes between 2-3pm, enter to win a 1-day whitewater raft trip with ROW or a gift from REI. A special carbo-load meal will be offered next door at Isabella’s.

De Leon’s Sunday:
A pre Cinco de Mayo post Bloomsday event at the Francis De Leon’s location from 1-4.

SODO District:
All of the neighbors in the self-named “SO-DO” District (SO-DO = South Downtown) are offering a huge SIDEWALK SALE this weekend, Friday & Saturday May 1 & 2.  It is no surprise Farm Girl Candy or OMO, short for “on my own,” will not be participating in a group event, but eat some of Marta’s truffles anyway.  She is always passing out free stuff. Follow OMO on Facebook.

Participating Stores:
Vino! – WineShop, Saunders Cheese Market, Town & Country Floral, Lolo Boutique, Robert Karl Winery, 1900 – Unique  Items for the Home, Left Bank Wine Bar, Concept Home, Monterey Cafe, Nosey Parker, Precision Pilates, Wild Walls, Aroma, Aqua Body Bar, Bella Boutique

Follow on Twitter:

• ZaneLamprey – King of drinking around the world, is in a contest against some guy from “Punk’d” to get the most followers by June 1. Follow him even if you don’t know who he is.

• OneWorldSpokane – This is a great restaurant and they are now on Twitter, posting their daily specials.  They need your support so, stop by and grab some delicious food.

Vote For:
Artists, brothers, and Starbucks lovers,  Tood and Cain Benson.  Their unbelievable art can be seen around town.  Help them win a poster contest (you do have to register to vote but, it is quick and easy).

This cake may sound a bit odd when you read they ingredients but, it really is a perfect fun Spring recipe.  A friend recently tried this Floridan/Ohioan Family’s 1950s recipe for her son’s birthday.  It was a hit and quick to make. You might want to give it a try for your Bloomsday BBQ this weekend.

STRAWBERRY POP CAKE RECIPE
-From TL’s Grandma Keener 1950

• One package yellow cake mix
• 2 packages strawberry Jell-O
• 8-9 ounces of strawberry pop
• 1 large package (5.1 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 cup milk
• 1 container (12 oz) Cool Whip

CAKE:

Make one yellow cake mix according to directions in 13×9 pan. Cool at least 15 minutes. Poke cake all over with meat fork.

Mix strawberry Jell-O with 1 1/2 cup boiling water. Add 8-9 oz strawberry pop. Pour over cake. Cool over night.

FROSTING:

Mix instant vanilla pudding mix with 1 cup milk. Fold in Cool Whip. Cover cake and keep refrigerated.

Will serve 16- 20 people.