Crab Cakes~

I had many aspirations for this weekend. I was going to bake and bake and bake with all the pumpkin recipes I had been collecting, but after a very fun Saturday with old friends and lots of dancing at an alumni event I was void of motivation. On Sunday after hitting the snooze button more than a dozen times ( I am being serious*) the blast of sun through my window got me up and out of bed. The Ballard Farmer's Market was a whirl of activity and my grocery store the same. I was able to pick up what I needed and also purchased a fresh Eastern Washington apple and pear from my favorite new farm in Cashmere, WA for working into this weeks menu. I don't think I am eating enough vegetables and fruit right now. I brought out of rotation a old recipe I had collected for a quick dinner utilizing my pantry. I didn't quite follow the recipe- but my version made a wonderful Sunday dinner. I made some direction changes to make it easier to form the cakes and provide the desired product.

Crab Cakes
2 Tablespoons lite mayo
1 Tablespoon mustard
1 Tablespoon lemon zest

Sea salt and Pepper to taste

Cayenne Pepper to taste

5 low-fat saltine crackers crushed
1 6 oz. can fresh premium crab
2 Tablespoons lite butter

Homemade Tartar
2 Tablespoons lite mayo
2 Tablespoons chopped dill pickle
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1 Tablespoon chives
1 Tablespoon parsley
Sea salt and pepper to taste

Combine lite mayo for crab cakes with mustard, zest, and seasonings. Add crab and crushed crackers- mix lightly with fork. Line a suitable pan with plastic wrap. Spoon the crab mixture loosely into a 1/2 cup measure. Turn 1/2 cup over onto plastic wrapped pan and place mound. Repeat. Fold over plastic wrap onto 1/2 cup mounds and lightly pat to form into 3-4 inch rounds. Refrigerate covered crab cakes 1/2 hr- 2 hrs. Mix Tartar ingredients together and refrigerate.

Heat 2 Tablespoons of light butter in a skillet on medium until butter starts to brown. Add crab cakes and cook 6-8 minutes turning once. Cakes are done when heated through and golden brown.

*I made the recipe with canned crab when the original called for lump crab. Next time I will use lump crab since the canned crab did not provided the consistency I was looking for. For the Tartar used fresh chives from my porch, jarred sweet pickle relish, bottled lemon juice, and dried parsley. When I make the Tartar again I will use all fresh herbs, fresh lemon juice, and real chopped dill pickle to make the Tartar taste more authentic and fresh. The sweet chopped pickle was a quick substitution from the store to save time but made the Tartar a little too sweet instead of savory. For the frying I used Brummel and Brown Butter and found that it worked nicely. The crab cakes were too loose at 4 minutes to turn over so I let them cook a while longer before turning. I also popped them in the oven on a low broil for 5 minutes, after I cooked them in the skillet, to ensure that they were heated through. The broiling helped with browning.

Yesterday's Shopping~

fyi* I found Target Anya bags already placed on the floor (LOVE NORTHGATE!) at one of my stops (Yes- I tried more than one... Lynnwood is just never on the ball). I could have danced with glee. I was walking around with 4 on my arm when I was complimented on my finds by a smiling Target employee- who also commented that she was buying the clutch to take out that night. The Target employee totally deserved a hug for the simple fact that she was not being sarcastic. I purchased three Anya bags just in case I went home and changed my mind, and have decided to keep The Spy looking bag- thought it turned out to be an over sized style.

My secret weakness besides Target right now is Grocery Outlet. If you haven't gone because it looked shady and weird- just do it. It is a trip but... It carries brand names, close outs, produce, dairy, frozen(thing cheap Lean Cuisines and Amy's Organic!), organic, pet items, seasonal items. In an effort to eat out of my cupboards and only supplement- yesterday I spent $13 and purchased: Kerry Gold reduced fat aged Irish cheddar, Vive conditioner, large package of turkey & whole wheat batter corn dogs, soy meatballs, Alexa's spinach & feta panko breaded chicken nuggets, & Dannon light yogurt drinks. Crazy* I love treasure hunting at a Grocery store. My best finds so far are a box of Luna bars(18 count?) for $5, a Spiderman lunch box for $4, and Pepperwood wine for $3.

I also shopped for the fun fun task of purchasing a new cellphone in between working out and the Grocery Outlet across the street. There is just too many phones online, and even after I crosscheck them with reviews at cnet.com I am a little lost. I also have the dilemma of being tight with what I want to spend. Do I really need to be connected to the Internet 24-7 or do I need just a good flashy but basic phone? I need suggestions! T-Mobile stores are popping up everywhere and now there is one in my gym LA Fitness' parking lot... serious. I needed phone inspiration and I was happy that I wasn't tackled with "assistance" when walking in to T-Mobile, but let be to browse and ask questions when helpful. I was showed phones are every price point and even told to stay away from some phones (which matched perfectly with what I had read on cnet.com*).

What a random day- but somehow typical... I am glad I am back at the gym daily it makes me centered and I have fun people to look at when working out* Plus, more healthy perspective and body for shopping.

Target Purses~

I love a good find. I have been hunting for the perfect statement leather purse for years now. To fill the void until that perfect purse comes around I pick things up here and there- places like Banana Republic, GAP, and Target. I have to admit I have a weakness for purses and the Target guest designer lines have been filling my need lately. In my wardrobe I have a cream Devi Kroell that I made into a clutch and a brown rossett Loellfler Randall clutch that I am always getting complements on. Currently, Target has Botiker- a brand that I have seen at downscaled version Saks in Seattle. I am truly stalking this gold purse in the Botiker line until it is on supersale. I just saw it drop online to $25 from $50. I hate how restrictive I have become lately- but the flow of excess is just not there anymore.

As of today, what I am really excited about it the guest purse line that Target is launching Oct. 12th (or earlier if you have one of the stores by you that puts things out early like mine does* Northgate Target loads thier designer displays on Fridays). It is by Anya Hindmarch and it looks like luxury. Most purses are at the $50 mark. My research today online told me that many stores who offers a early preview in NY sold out very quickly. I am a little anxious to get one. I do not want my desired bag hunt to be like my Rafe' experience of a couple years ago. I didn't buy the Rafe' Doctors Bag, offered in Black and Navy, and it is still selling on Ebay today for about $100.

Here are some examples of Anya Hindmarch guest Target line~

Two of the purses remind me of other famous designs- The Spy Bag by Fendi & The Shirley Bag by Anya Hindmarch that is sold on the famous British designers site for £575.00.