BREAKING: Jen is no longer at Salt House!

Breaking news everyone. Jen has left Salt House Restaurant for new endeavors. She will be spending time with family and traveling for a while before returning to the culinary world, but look out when she does because she will come out blazing once again.

The folks at Salt House sent her off on her last day today with a very nice bottle of 1997 vintage Laurant Perrier Champagne. She will miss many who made her days bright.

Cabbage rolls a plenty

Cabbage Rolls,
originally uploaded by InnerSpirit.

Jen made a favorite from her childhood last night, her mom's cabbage rolls. It's an eastern European dish that typically fills cabbage leaves with ground beef and rice covered with a tomato sauce. Jen's version uses ground turkey and quinoa, a small grain used much like rice but an excellent source of protein largely used in Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and other South American countries. She also adds sautéed onions, garlic, salt, pepper, and herbs. After boiling the cabbage, individual leaves are peeled off and stuffed with the combined ingredients. When the rolls are completed, they were then placed into a large pan and cover with tomato sauce. Covered with foil, they were baked for about an hour at 350. "That was a pretty good dish" says the cook, herself.

Happy 1st Birthday, Isaiah

Happy 1st Birthday, Isaiah,
originally uploaded by InnerSpirit.

Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday to Isaiah!
Happy birthday to you!

Here's our little nephew, Isaiah, playing in his cupboard on his first birthday.