Cilantro Lime lettuce wraps:

1 8oz package of savory flavored tofu (soyboy brand smoked flavor works well)

1 box earthboun farms orgainc butter lettuce leaves

3/4 cup of loosely packed fresh cilantro

1 cup of chopped baby bella mushrooms

1 cup of loosely packed chopped cilantro

2 garlic cloves

2 julienned carrots

2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

3 limes

salt & additional lime juice to taste

Saute garlic, chopped mushrooms & 1 tsp tammari sauce in 1/4 cup water until mushrooms are fully cooked. Remove from heat, drain & discard any liquid that is left in the pan.

While the mushrooms are cooking, cut the tofu into thin strips for frying. In a separate large skillet fry tofu with enough oil to thinly coat the pan. Turn frequently to keep from burning. Squeeze one lime wedge directly on the tofu while cooking. Once the strips are crispy and browned on both sides remove from heat.

Dice tofu into smaller pieces. In a large bowl combine mushrooms, cilantro, tofu, carrots, the juice of 2 1/2 limes, 2 Tbs. tamari sauce, the crushed red pepper flakes, and salt.

To serve place the pre washed lettuce on a plate with limes as garnish & filling in a small bowl. Guests can assemble their own wraps. Serves 4 – 6

Cilantro Lime Lettuce Wraps

1 8oz package of savory flavored tofu (soyboy brand smoked flavor works well)
1 box earthboun farms orgainc butter lettuce leaves
1 cup of chopped baby bella mushrooms
1 cup of loosely packed chopped cilantro
2 garlic cloves
2 julienned carrots
2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
3 limes
salt & additional lime juice to taste

Saute garlic, chopped mushrooms & 1 tsp tammari sauce in 1/4 cup water until mushrooms are fully cooked. Remove from heat, drain & discard any liquid that is left in the pan.

While the mushrooms are cooking, cut the tofu into thin strips for frying. In a separate large skillet fry tofu with enough oil to thinly coat the pan. Turn frequently to keep from burning. Squeeze one lime wedge directly on the tofu while cooking. Once the strips are crispy and browned on both sides remove from heat.

Dice tofu into smaller pieces. In a large bowl combine mushrooms, cilantro, tofu, carrots, the juice of 2 1/2 limes, 2 Tbs. tamari sauce, the crushed red pepper flakes, and salt.

To serve place the pre-washed lettuce on a plate with limes as garnish & filling in a small bowl. Guests can assemble their own wraps.

Serves 4 – 6

Are you desperately trying to find a long lost love? Want to stealthy follow a potential cheater? Need to make sure no one stumbles on your hidden treasure? Or maybe you just want to eavesdrop on the conversations of bums while waiting for the bus? Here is what you’ll need to make sure your meddling goes unnoticed.

1. Secret Message Decoder Pen Set
2. Nancy Drew’s Guide to Life
3. Lipstick Ball-point Pen
4. Self-adhesive Mustaches
5. Sonic Ears

A new addition to the family! I found this love-seat at an antique store on Lorain Ave. this weekend. At $100 this was steal, especially because it is in like new condition. Take that hours of searching on Craig’s List! I guess you find the things you need when you stop looking for them.

On my recent trip to Amsterdam I was very inspired by the picturesque city.

Wooden shoes: the precursor to the steel-toed boot.

One of the many political charged slogans near the University.

The beautiful terra-cotta rooftops.

The Dutch love their cheese …

but not as much as their bikes!

Here is an except from the 1958 edition of Good Housekeeping’s Book of Breads & Sandwiches. Not only does it serve as some good party or picnic inspiration, it is an adorable illustration.

 

Don’t let a dull knife get in the way of good cooking. Today Kevin Noon will be sharpening knives at the Tremont Farmers’ Market. Bring your knives, scissors, sheers, and even food processor blades. He will make them like new again using old world techniques. Don’t worry, if kevin is not there, he and Garth Proctor alternate weeks at the market. Also, each freshly sharpened knife comes with a complimentary BAND-AID.

Lincoln Park, on W.14th Street between Starkweather & Kenilworth Ave.
Tuesdays from 4:30 – 7:30 pm
June 16 – October 20
www.tremontfarmersmarket.com

Make a seasonal center piece with fruit, greenery and flowers from your yard. (or your neighbor’s.) Simply place your findings in a bowl of water and arrange the way you like. When styling the center piece remember to group things in threes or odd numbers. Symmetry is not always pleasing to eye! Floral foam & picks are ideal but not necessary, as the life expectancy of your clippings may be short. 

Finally some dinning hall relief! This makes me so happy. I wish they had this when I was attending school, especially since most of the CSU dorms have a kitchen in each suite. I am glad Cleveland State is making it easy for both students who live on campus and busy commuter students to eat healthfully. Thursdays is great day because the West Side Market is closed that day. If you are need of fresh veggies or will be busy over the weekend you can just stop here. If you work downtown this is also a great thing for you too! ($1 parking?!) Thank you CSU!

Living in small city apartments has always inspried creative uses for conserving and creating more space. The best method I believe is converting rooftops into patios and outdoor living areas. In Hong Kong, an apartment with roof access is usually considered the crown jewel of real estate. With warmer temperatures all year long, a great rooftop is a wonderful place to entertain friends and familys, hold bbqs and just step away from the hustle and bustle of the crowded city streets. Out of my bedroom window I can view my neighbors rooftop (see below) which is absolutely breathtaking.

(For the record, I have never ONCE seen them use said rooftop which is just a shame). Note the built in stone bench, the Large Potted plants. The enclosed space to shield from rain (as Hong Kong is also known for its overcast skys during typhoon season), is made out of bamboo a favorite building material in this country. If I were the owner of this rooftop not only would I be throwing a lot more rooftop parties and all out shindigs, I would also spice up the plants with more color. On my own rooftop I have a beautiful bougainvillea bush which is easy to maintain and blooms with these spectacular pink blossoms all summer long. Sunflowers, daisies, or a lilac bush are also great ideas for some cheerful color. For the green thumb, a small garden is also an idea, even if it is just herbs. Or for the un-green thumb, maybe a rock garden. Most importantly these ideas don’t require a rooftop and can easily be translated to a more suburban tradition of a patio. No matter what you choose … Happy Roofing!

—Stephanie Hauk

Ms. Hauk is a native Clevelander, but is guest bloging from Hong Honk. She is obsessed with all things beautiful. See her blog here http://vicioushawk.blogspot.com/

 

Red Pepper Tea Sandwiches

1 jar of Trader Joe’s roasted red pepper & eggplant spread
6 slices of Italian bread
1 broccoli floret, all the stems removed
10 cherry tomatoes, halved
1 small bunch of fresh cilantro, chopped finely

To assemble the sandwiches, spread a thin layer of the red pepper spread on each slice of bread, and top with the cherry tomatoes, cilantro & sprinkle on the broccoli spores. Remove the crusts before cutting into triangles. Arrange on lovely dish and you are ready for tea!