Re-tasting Summer

This past summer was like a second honeymoon for me and Forest. We were able to spend an entire three months in the Portland area, thanks to a cushy internship provided by Intel.

When our friend Cheryl found out about the internship, she got us a gift certificate to a top-notch Italian restaurant in Portland called "Portofino." My mouth waters just to remember our trip there last July. Now, if you would permit my taste buds to take a brief stroll down memory lane . . .

. . . they would definitely reminisce about the appetizer. We ordered a dish of homemade gnocchi cooked in white truffle oil. The flavor was incredible, and the texture was perfect--every bite seemed to just melt in our mouths.

The dessert was very memorable, as well. Flaming crème brûlée with Oregon berries.

We know that dishes like these are not easily recreated in a conventional (or--perhaps in our case--substandard) kitchen, but for some reason we keep trying anyway.

The other day we attempted some homemade gnocchi . . .

. . . fried up in white truffle oil and sprinkled with grated parmesan cheese.

Let's be honest--it was nowhere near the perfection of Portofino. But not a bad try. The white truffle flavor still came through.

As a slightly early birthday gift, I gave Forest a crème brûlée kit with four mini ramekins and, of course, a blowtorch. Just look at the mischievous grin on his face as he tries out this flame-emitting device for the first time.
He actually told me he wished he had such a toy as a child, which makes me think I should hide the blowtorch if we ever have small boys in our family.

Despite the crafty smile, Forest proceeded to use the torch solely for its intended purpose.

No Oregon berries--but again, not a bad try for a job by Forest and Ivy.