Figgy!

Grilled Fresh Figs

Figs were ripe when we came back from the trip. They are overripe in fact…the weight of the fruits were too great so that the branches broke off. Where have you been? We were ready for you a week ago…

I figured out quickly what I should do with them. I called to my husband; ‘Honey, Turn-up the grill’ ‘ We need to smoke’em! I said figuratively.

Grilled fresh figs for ice cream (adapted from Fine Cooking magazine) (Print Recipe here)

Necessary equipment: barbeque grill

• Figs – 10 to12, the magazine recommended Black Mission Figs, we used Desert King, stemmed and halved lengthwise Note: we only grilled 6 figs.
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1-2 Tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar
• 2 Tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• Vanilla ice cream
• 2-3 Tablespoons honey
• 4-5 mint leaves, thinly sliced (optional)

1. Heat up - a gas grill to medium low or prepare a low charcoal fire.
2. Brush - set the figs cut side down and brush the rounded side with oil. Flip and brush the cut side with the balsamic vinegar.
3. Mix - Sugar and chopped thyme in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the figs.
4. Grill - set figs on grill cut side facing up. Cover the grill and cook until the sugary tops start to bubble and the bottom of the figs get light grill marks. 5-8 minutes.
5. Serve immediately over scoops of ice cream, drizzled with honey and sprinkle with mint if using.

We’re blessed to be able to vacation in Hawaii. To see our two gorgeous grandkids then to visit fascinating Big Island, the money was well spent.

 
Akaka Fall has a nice trail.  Azuki special at Matsumoto Shave Ice
 

Sansei’s signature Apple Tart. Ships ahoy to snorkeling tour!

The sprawling, mega hotel has it’s own monorail inside of the hotel. From main lobby to our room was about 10 minutes by foot. By tram also takes 10 minutes, because our compound is 3 stops away.

Flavorful Acai bowl from Tropical Frozen Yogurt in Kona.   
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A petite French patisserie in Hilo with few selection of sweets. The store closes at 4 pm!, we managed to squeeze inside by 3:57pm.  

The Donkey Ball Chocolatier in Kainaliu, I like the silly name.
The original King Kamehameha statue in Hawi, my husband taking photos in heavy rain.

Historical Bamboo’s lilikoi cheese cake. Donkey crossing sign reminded us of the kangaroo crossing signs in Australia. 

See my nice tan?Hawi doing there?…it’s all rain, can’t see the black sand beach.The wooden poster hung in little café in Hawi gave me a chuckle!Sunset at Volcano National ParkA spectacular night view of volcanoI saw this sign in Hwy.19 on the way to Hilo.

I hope you’re enjoying the summer…Oh hi Chelsea! the next door neighbor’s cat was under my feet while we were grilling figs outside…missed me? Yeah?…me too.

Out to Sea

Seared Scallops with Almond Vinaigrette

Sorry Mr. Hitchcock, I was not thrilled with Vertigo (the sensation)…at all! I don’t know how but suddenly it is as if  I was taken to a small boat on rough seas and forced to stay there to experience endless seasickness. Any sudden movement of my head brought spinning of the room and dizziness that freaked me out. I desperately wish to get off the boat this instant.

My day was spent mostly lying on the bed with high volume of HGTV viewing and movie watching. The House Hunter is one of my favorites on HGTV. I will get upset if the buyer didn’t choose a house that I thought would be the best choice. What? I thought you wanted a house in the city, 40 minute drive to your work place on a good day is not short commute. Some couples rejected a house because the garage is upfront or they dislike the carpet but they choose the house near busy street. Hmmm…the carpet thing you could change easily but location isn’t.  You know that, right? A near retirement couple chose a luxurious condo over a house for amenities and view, but that condo fee is $1200 a month! Seriously? But seriously it’s your money, do whatever you want. I wish I have an extra $1200 a month to spend.

Movie watching is getting very easy – just by a push of remote button. The Japanese movie ‘Killer Bride’s Perfect Crime’ is a comedy with little bit of a musical - ok the musical part was too silly but strangely funny. ‘Castaway on the Moon’ is Korean movie. It’s a comedy version of ‘Castaway’. When the Wilson like object he talks with was hilarious. I fall asleep in other movies. The medicine the doctor prescribed for me makes me drowsy. Oh good, I’m already in bed!

My husband made this the other night. It was featured in Bon Appetite magazine. A few ingredients are missing from our pantry but he made some substitutions or just omitted it. It was quite simple,clean and delicious! Wow! It almost looks like in the magazine.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup roasted almonds preferably Marcona
• 5 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil divided
• 1 Tablespoon white wine vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh chives
• Kosher salt, fresh ground pepper
• 8 Large sea scallops
• 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2 sprigs thyme
• 2 Tablespoon peach preserves*
• Fresh herbs, baby arugula or micro greens

*He knows that we don’t have peach preserves but only needs 2 Tablespoon so he peeled a peach (gift from friend, larger than Utah peaches probably from Hood River,Oregon) cut it small and with 4 Tablespoons of sugar and start cooking. Add 1 teaspoon lemon juice simmer to reduce to half the volume. Puree in food processer for smooth texture. He thinks apricot preserve would be good alternate.

1. Finley chop almonds into small pieces but not into a powder. Mix almonds and 4 Tablespoon oil in a medium bowl.
2. Wisk in 1 Tablespoon vinegar and chives. Season with salt and pepper,set it aside.
3. Heat 1 Tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Season scallop with salt and pepper then add to the skillet. Cook until golden on one side.
5. Add butter to the pan and turn over. Cook, frequently tilting skillet and spooning butter over, until deep golden color and caramelized.
6. Stir preserves and 1/2 Tablespoon water in a small bowl to loosen.
7. Plate by smearing 1 Tablespoon of preserve mixture. Top with scallops. Drizzle some vinaigrette over, garnish with arugula or other greens.

 

Friends brought me a meal yesterday because my husband was at a dinner meeting. It was wonderful. I am grateful for their kindness.

Another friend dropped off cookies and crackers.

2 weeks ago- before I got sick, my husband and I were weeding in our garden when I came across this huge dandelion.

We visited a nursery the same afternoon. All roses were 60% off!  I loved this rose. It is called ‘Fiesta’. Ole!

Thank you for your phone calls, emails and visits. I think that my ocean voyage is drawing to an end. I hope so.