Yesterday was Tim’s 34th birthday. We awoke to unusually sunny skies and temperatures nearing 60 degrees – ideal for a bike ride and lunch at our favorite Portland cafe, Proper Eats. I was fooled into thinking spring had arrived early! Although I think the ridiculous headwind we pedaled into for the first half of our bike ride made me realize winter is holding steady. Check out the clouds looming over downtown Portland:
Onward we pedaled…
Proper Eats is a cozy, welcoming place with super kind folks cooking and serving delicious food. The menu is entirely vegetarian (mostly vegan). They support local farmers, businesses, distributors, and artists. I’ve never had a disappointing meal at Proper Eats and the food is so healthy, nourishing, and well-priced. There is a small grocery/bulk foods section at the front of the cafe. The kitchen is open so you can watch people preparing your food – I love that!
It’s challenging trying to capture decent food photos in eateries (especially with low light conditions). Here is what we enjoyed:
Collard Wraps served with Carrot-Ginger Dressing
Potato & Garlic Soup
Spinach Salad w/ Carrot-Ginger Dressing (and local hazelnuts and cranberries!)
Tempeh Reuben (the only thing Tim ever orders at Proper Eats, it’s his favorite sammie)
The bike ride home was easier since we were riding with the wind (and fueled by yummy foods). When we got back to our place we decided it was okay to have some birthday cake a bit early. This poor cake had a traumatic day – it stuck to my cooling rack, cracked in half as a result, and then stuck to the serving plate. What a stinker! The issue of the naughty cake was resolved and disguised with peanut butter filling and chocolate ganache (plus a side of Coconut Bliss ice cream!).
Tim demands pizza for dinner weekly. His birthday was no exception. He kept reminding me over the weekend to make the dough. We learned from a friend that making the dough several days ahead of time and putting it in the fridge (no rising) creates a chewy, crisp-on-the-bottom, pizza. Just remember to let the dough rest on the counter a few hours before you plan to make your pizza.
And then, of course, we enjoyed more cake and Coconut Bliss after dinner. It was a good day.
Sounds like a great birthday!
Happy belated birthday to Tim! Those eats look super good–love the collard wraps the most!
For some reason, I can’t eat raw collards! Those were for Tim, he can’t avoid ‘em!
yum and fun. that sounds like the perfect bday.
xo
kittee
Yo Kittee. See ya soon!!
Super fun birthday. :) And that cloud picture is lovely!
Thank you, Kelly :)
Ahh that all looks so tasty!
Proper Eats never lets me down. If you ever visit Portland, I recommend going there :)
Happy belated birthday to Tim! The food looks gorgeous!
Thanks! I needed some of your gorgeous bread to eat with the soup and salad!
Happy birthday to Tim! People with January birthdays are rather cool.
I love gratuitus Amy shots! Wee! I also like your sweater.
Hey, about this pizza dough thing, I’m curious – because I make pizza every friday. Do you still do your two rises, then put it in the fridge?
Hey Shel! For the dough, there is so rising (not even once). I shape mine into a ball and place it in a large ziplock. It will puff up in the fridge, but just smoosh it down and reform into a ball. Or, you could leave it as is, but I have not tested the end result. This method will yield a thinner, chewier crust. It should be noted that I used unbleached all-purpose flour. I bet half AP and half whole grain would work okay too!
How many days ahead do you make the dough? I want to try this! I’m a copy-kitty. ;)
Copy kitty!!! I usually make the dough 3 days in advance. Since Saturday is Vegan Pizza Day (best holiday ever in my mind!), I have a batch in my fridge right now. I am testing the 1/2 AP flour and 1/2 WW to see how it turns out!! Yay! Happy pizza munching, Shel!!!
Happy belated Birthday to Tim and that naughty cakes sounds and looks absolutely delicious!
Thank you! Even after slicing, that cake held together with enough frosting/filling!!
Thanks for the tips sweet Amy! How I missed out on Vegan Pizza Day is beyond me…I need to start an Intl. Branch here! Boo :( we’re having pizza tonight, but that *is* Saturday in the U.S!
I’m going to try this method next week – fun!
Those collard wraps are beautiful!