Introducing….Adrian
It has been too long. I have gone too long without being more than a bit player in Guiltykitchen.com. I have watched my lovely wife build Guilty Kitchen from nothing to thousands of hits per month, thousands of followers on Twitter and hundreds of fans on Facebook. She works tirelessly every day and nightto bring you, our kind readers, food and photography of all kinds.
But enough about Elizabeth. This post is introducing me! Ha!
I was born and raised in northern British Columbia in a small town called Terrace (population: about 10,000 people). By north, I mean so far north that in the summer the sun only sets for a short period of time. I was far away from anything resembling “foodie” food and it was never a thought in my mind. Good food was bought from “Subway” by money my sister gave me. McDonald’s was the place to work and Tim Horton’s had 3, yes, 3 locations to serve the small population. I still remember the day that a 7-11 opened for the first time. WOW! 7-11 in Terrace! We had finally made it as a town.
Fast forward about 10 years and I moved to Victoria via Prince George and Kelowna (Don’t get me started on those towns… ). I moved to Victoria with my girlfriend of the time into a small one bedroom apartment near downtown. She went to the University of Victoria and I tried my hand at Camosun College since University in Prince George amounted to a lot of marijuana, beer and debt instead of learning. Camosun was amazing and I ended up working for a local IT firm in town called Smart Dolphins in between semesters. The funny thing about college is, I never finished. I ended up staying with Smart Dolphins and 10 years later, I regret nothing.
I met Elizabeth for the first time when her roommate (my girlfriend at the time) herself and I, all rendezvoused at a pub in Victoria. Elizabeth was this firey red head with short hair and a great job. After Elizabeth’s roomate and I broke up the only thing I thought to do was to date Elizabeth. During my time dating her roomate I learned so much about Liz. Her habits, her work ethic, her bra size… wait…. nevermind. I always thought that we would work together. We wanted the same things in life: a career, a car and a routine. I know, it sounds lame, but that is what I look for in a woman… mmmm routine…sounds like poutine…
After a short period of time (about a month) Liz and I moved in together and we started planning a trip to Mexico for my birthday. MY BIRTHDAY! She took us to Mexico for my birthday… what a woman right? I told myself during that trip, about 6 months into our relationship, that if it went well, I would buy her a ring. Yes, that ring. Let’s just say, the trip went well. We continued to “click” and within a week of coming back home I went out and bought Liz the ring she wears today. Then, knowing myself, I gave the ring to my mother so I wouldn’t give it to Liz in a drunken happiness stuper that I tend to fall into after about two beers.
I waited from October, when I purchased the ring, to December 21st to give it to her. I got my buddies to help me stage it. A bottle of red wine in a paper bag and some candles were setup along the waterfront in Victoria. I took Liz for a walk and we moved into my chosen location. The bag was sitting on the bench and the candles had all been blown out by the stormy weather. I was so nervous that I dont remember what I said to Liz that night. I just know I got down on one knee and asked her to never leave me for the rest of our lives. Instead of just saying yes, her head was swiveling around. My friends both ran up from where they were hiding in the bushes with a video camera and a still camera. (For the record: Liz thought that it was bums running up to take back the wine in the paper bag on the bench). After she realized it was my buddies, she said yes and the rest is history.
Over time, dear readers, I will try and be a part of this blog even more. I hope my writing is interesting enough to keep you coming back. I promise I will only be around from time to time, this is still Elizabeth’s Guilty Kitchen. Not Adrian’s. With that, onto Elizabeth, and the recipe.
Until next time!
-Adrian
A note from Elizabeth:
In honour of our new partnership in this venture, I decided to feature one of Adrian’s all time favourite foods. Curry. In any form, shape, colour, consistency or spiciness. Curry will conquer his heart. This recipe is one of our regular rotation dinners, I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
One year ago: Edamame Cilantro Dip
Two years ago: Soft Corn Taco Shells
Coconut Lentil Curry
Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 60 minutes1 tbsp cumin seeds
1 tbsp sesame oil
9 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp fresh ginger, grated very fine
2 cups tomatoes, pureed (canned without salt is fine)
2 tsp turmeric
1 tsp fenugreek, ground
2 tbsp coriander, ground
1 tsp salt
10 curry leaves
1/4-1/2 tsp cayenne
1 cup toor lentils (aka pigeon peas or yellow lentils)
3/4 lb guy lan (or use broccolini or broccoli)
1/2 small pumpkin, cubed (about 1.5 lbs) (You could also use sweet potatoes, regular potatoes or any other starchy vegetable)
2 cups water
400ml coconut water, shaken
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, minced1. Heat sesame oil in a large, heavy bottomed deep pan. When hot, add cumin seeds and stir around until they darken slightly, about 1-2 minutes.
2. Add garlic and ginger and sauté for another 2-3 minutes or until slightly browned.
3. Add tomatoes and spices and cook for five more minutes or until oil glistens on top of the tomatoes.
4. Add the water and lentils. Bring to a boil then lower to a simmer. Add vegetables, cover and cook for 30 minutes. Lentils will have a firm bite to them but should not be crunchy.
5. Stir in the coconut milk, bring to a boil and simmer for 2-3 minutes (longer if you want a thicker curry). Stir in cilantro and serve over brown rice.
Similarly delicious recipes from other fabulous food blogs:
Island Coconut Chicken Curry from Green Mountain Cafe
Italian Sausage Stew with Lentils from Jungle Frog
Curried Lentil Soup from Simble Bites
Puran Poli from A Pinch of Love
Curry Roasted Cauliflower from Healthy Seasonal Recipes
Nice one Adrian, keep writing and sharing the delicious receipes. I spent a year working at Re-Bar, yummy food memories and good friends. Victoria is a great city.
ReBar is one of our favourite places. We had out first unofficial “date” there…:)
Love Re-Bar. We went there as a part of a date about 3 weeks ago and still loved it. Thanks for the comment!
Greetings Adrian! Red heads will rule the world someday – Liz could certainly be at the forefront. Always fun to hear about how people met…and then continue to torture each other until death do they part 😉 Welcome!
Redheads ARE ruling the world! We’ve sucessfully spread a false rumour that we are going to go extinct, when in fact we are multiplying at ever more faster rates. *insert evil laughter here*
Thanks Amy! I am excited to be writing and helping Liz out more than ever now. Keep watching for a new project we have been slaving over for the last 5 days. Coming soon!
Not to worry Adrian – Jay will always be here for you also if you need him….
You guys would be the first people we called Nancy!
Hi Nancy! Thanks for reading! I always know Jay is available for me to pour him a drink 😉 Can’t wait to see you guys again!
I love it…absolutely love this new part of your blog…great story and great writing.
norma recently posted..Guasacaca
Thank you Norma, I’m glad you appreciate it. As one of our most loyal and vocal readers, we really appreciate that!
Hello Norma,
Thanks so much for the comment! I will try and hone my writing skills as they are more tailored to business writing than to blog writing.
Adrian
This made my day. I think both of you are sort of fabulous.
Bev Weidner recently posted..Rustic Ramekin Pecan Pies
Well, we think you are pretty fabulous too Bev. Is it weird we both follow you on Instagram…?
Now if I could just bottle that fabulous we could be millionaires! Thanks Bev!
What a sweet post. Adrian it’s lovely to meet you…you are quite the romantic! I think it’s great that you and Liz will be sharing some time together here in her Guilty Kitchen.
P.S. Great curry dish Liz 🙂
Paula recently posted..Gingerbread Christmas Cookie Wreath
You should see how much time we spend together in out real kitchen!
Hello Paula!
Nice to meet you too! I take only a small credit since Elizabeth did my editing 🙂
Ade
So nice to finally meet you, Adrian! So sweet of you to join Liz in the kitchen… You two are a perfect pair. And, the curry dish looks fabulous (even to me, and I’m always a bit shy of curries).
Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction recently posted..Friday Favorites – Episode 114
I hope you brave the curries one day soon Jen, I know this one may seem intimidating. Is it the spices? Omit the cayenne and it’s perfectly mild and fragrant!
Hi Jen!
Nice to meet you as well. As Elizabeth mentioned, just remove the cayenne and all will be well 🙂
Ade
Two heads are better than one!!!! Love the curry!
Carroll @ Vanilla Lemonade recently posted..Forget the Oven- Grill that Turkey!
Thank you Carroll! Well said.
Hello Carroll,
So are you saying we need to grow more heads? Hmmmm…..
Adrian
Hello Adrian. My husband lived in Terrace back in the day, my future son-in-law is from Prince George and I live in Kelowna. Who knows we may have all crossed paths at some time in our lives. Welcome to The Guilty Kitchen.
bellini recently posted..Old-Fashioned Meatloaf with Chive and Onion Mashed Potatoes
Adrian says your name sounds vaguely familiar…
It’s funny how often we run into people from terrace actually. For such an unpopulated portion of Canada, it spews forth many a harried emigrant.
Hello!
I lived in Terrace until 1999. Then I got the heck out of there! I do miss it to be honest. Well, I dont miss the cold, but I do miss the nature and the people. One day Liz and I plan on travelling through so we can make our way to Whitehorse to see my best friend Stephen.
Thanks for reading!
Adrian
Adrian! The internet, like Victoria, is sometimes a lot smaller than we realize! I remember you poking around my office with the Smart Dolphins crew waaay back when I used to work for Rick B. Nice to “see” you again!
Wow Hi Christine! Blast from the past 🙂 Hope all is well! We’re still working with him at his newer venture. How are you!? Feel free to drop me an email. adrian [at] guiltykitchen [dot] com.
WOW – i wish my hudband would do a food blog with me 🙂 Awesome intro, very cute and really looking forward to reaing your posts. . .
Delishhh recently posted..Pumpkin Fritters
See what you have to do is bring him to IFBC or something like it and have him indoctornated in all of the excitement. 🙂
This is really sweet!I love the photo you have posted here…Thanks for the information…
Thanks for reading!
Hi, I am an unrepentant male, who is forced to visit a cooking blog in order to visit his gaming friend. YO JIGGGGGGERR! (or as you know him, Mr. guilty, aka Adrian). Wazzzzup?
Oh, Lizs food is good too, don’t get me wrong. having shared a table and many meals with them I can vouch for that. I find if she does a vegetarian recipe I can always just add meat to give it the little something extra that I like.
Yes, it was a slow day at work in case you are wondering.
FESTY!! Ya, its true. Food blogging instead of TLBing. Its sad from the outside isnt it? Well, I have got to say, I am loving it! Been really an adventure working on the book this last week. Can’t wait to get it out there.
Thanks for the vote of confidence on Liz’s food as well. (Like she needs it ;))
By the way, I figured it was a slower day 😉
Nice one Adrian. I love stories such as yours. Looking forward to your posts and recipes. My love of food has grown as I grow older – used to be just fry an egg, whack it in-between 2 slices of bread and that’s my meal. I was also very handy with a can opener. These days I do a lot of stir-frys and baking. The family loves it when I cook. A far cry from my early (young) days. Drop by http://www.chefolicious.com – let me know what you think.
Michael recently posted..Caprese Salad – Tossed (Insalata Caprese)
Thanks so much Michael! I think I always wanted to be able to cook more and more, but needed that certain someone to bring it out in me. 🙂 Thanks Elizabeth!
Hi Jayme! They are a bit crunchy, not so delicate that they break at a touch, sturdy enough to take being dipped. I think adding a touch of eggnog won’t hurt, but the chocolate won’t set up as hard, it will be soft. The nutmeg does a great job of mimicking the flavour though.
Congratulations!!Stay strong and you serve as an inspiration to us…
Such a sweet story, Adrian- I look forward to seeing you around these parts more often! Awesome looking curry, too!
Winnie recently posted..Red Curry with Turkey, Sweet Potato, and Baby Bok Choy
Lovely! really nice to meet ya and know a bit more 🙂 Great writing. Hoping to see more of it. Love the recipe, esp. the touch of fenugreek.
What a very interesting moment…This is really one of the best pictures I have found and I thank you for letting us know about this…
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