Hearty Ixtapa-Style Tortilla Soup

The best tortilla soup I’ve ever had came from a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Ixtapa, Mexico called Mama Norma’s. I’ve been here plenty of times as a child and this soup holds a special place in my memory. Common restaurant tortilla soup is always a huge letdown. Since unfortunately, I can’t visit Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo every day, I made up this soup at home and I swear-it tastes exactly like the original. I use toasted Ancho chili peppers to give this hearty soup its deep, smoky flavor without being too spicy. Continue reading

Best of The US: Fishing at North Fork River, Oregon

North Fork River isn’t far from Portland, Oregon, but you’d think you’ve stepped into a different world. Miles away from the bustling city, the river is quiet and serene.

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This stretch of water in the middle of the Willamette River is officially named North Fork Middle Fork Willamette River. Located an hour or so outside of Portland, this marked the scene of my first ever fishing trip! Continue reading

Deep in Winter: Turntable Kitchen Review: January Pairings Box

This month’s Turntable Kitchen Pairings box arrived just in time for the end of January! I am excited to plan a great night of music and seasonal food.

One of my favorite things about subscription service Turntable Kitchen is access to all of the music and mixtapes online since you’ve been a subscriber. I can access all the curated mixes and download zipfiles so I can enjoy this great music all the time. Matthew, the music editor of Turntable Kitchen does a fantastic job of finding music that pairs perfectly with an evening of fine dining, or just for putting you in a great mood.

This month’s tunes are no exception.  Continue reading