Dating My Husband: {Good} Coffee on the Beach

We were so young when we married. Wise enough to choose to spend the rest of our lives together but yet too young to know who we were. While that route may not be for everyone I am so glad that Gabe and I have grown up together.

I wasn’t into food when we met (which seems unimaginable to us now). In fact I was pursuing a career in medicine – a very short lived pursuit that eventually turned into an art degree with a teaching certification. Gabe was studying communication, looking ridiculously handsome in his navy peacoat, taking photos whenever he had the chance and not drinking coffee.

Twelve years later he’s drinking coffee, brewing it with over a half dozen methods, roasting his own beans and staying up till nearly dawn to clean and repair our burr grinder. He’s changed (although he still is quite handsome, more so I’d say).

In marriage it’s not an agreement to do life with the person they are on your wedding day, it’s a decision to marry who they are then, who they are now and who they will be. It is a commitment to love them through their growth and support their changes. Even if you marry at 40 you’re not going to be the same person at 60. Life has a way of shaping, refining and changing us. The hope is that you find someone who will continue to be at your side through it all.

My once coffee-loathing husband anticipated the opportunity for us to steal a moment alone on the beach during our recent vacation. He envisioned us lingering over a great cup of coffee while the gentle waves lapped at our feet.

 

So with the proper equipment in hand and a mug of boiling water we set out towards the still beach once the kids had been quieted. I marveled at the scene. Who is this man who will now go through such lengths to have us enjoy great coffee in such a desolate (and quite romantic, mind you) setting? He’s my husband, whom I love more than when he didn’t drink coffee.

I realize coffee is a petty change in the vast ocean of changes that have occurred in either of us through these years but for me it stands in as a sort of symbol for the other ones – the much greater ones. As with the other changes I’ve loved watching this passion for coffee evolve. I’ve cherished the moments that I can support him in this growing interest and if it one day fades or grows even further, I’ll love him still. Probably more so, as hard as that is to imagine.

If any of you are interested here is a list of equipment needed if you too would like great coffee on the beach, in the woods – or anywhere for that matter.
Brewing system: Mypressi Twist – great espresso from a hand held machine. It uses Co2 cartridges.

Beans: Coava Kyochere – Portland, OR (I’ve mentioned Coava before – we’re fans)

Water carrying vessel and drinking cup : Stanley Outdoor Mug With Clip Grip

Grinder: Hario Coffee Hand Grinder Skerton
Thanks so much to Boone for joining us on our coffee date for the sake of taking many of these stunning images of the two of us.

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Sprouted Kitchen’s Greek grilled chicken with tzatziki

I checked the mailbox several times a day once Sara mentioned her book was in the mail. With every rumble of an engine that had the possibility of being a delivery truck I ran down the stairs hoping to greet the delivery man with book in hand. I was wrecked with jealousy when I saw the images of the book popping up in the hands of others when I had yet to receive mine. And then it came. I eagerly flipped through the pages with each more beautiful than the last. Instantly recipes were marked, pages were creased to hold their place and splatters dotted the page as they do with well-loved cookbooks.

While Sara and I have only met in person a few times over the course of one weekend, I consider her a dear friend. With regular pep talks over the phone or email, a dependable ear when I need to vent off some frustrated steam and the tear-filled eyes I had when seeing for the first time their new book, The Sprouted Kitchen, Sara is the very definition of a friend.

I couldn’t be more proud for the stunning book Sara and Hugh have created. The book is a beautiful tribute to nutritious, whole food with inventive recipes that leave me inspired and rapidly creating a grocery list.
This recipe was one of many that I marked through my first scan of the book’s pages. Regardless of the few ingredients that make up the list for this recipe the entire dish is loaded with fresh flavor and because of the few simple ingredients our dinner came together very quickly. My kids eagerly ripped at the tender and flavorful chicken continually asking for seconds, then thirds until nearly bones remained.

Thank you Sara and Hugh for continually inspiring us with incredible food, stunning images and your kindness that far extends beyond the screen.

 

Tzatziki
Sara says to avoid adding the lemon juice, salt and yogurt too far before serving as the cucumbers will release quite a bit of juice. But if you are serving this to a crowd, feel free to combine the cucumber, onion, garlic and herbs then refrigerate until ready to mix in the rest and serve with the chicken. 

2 English cucumber
¼ red onion, finely diced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
1 garlic clove, minced
⅓ cup whole-milk Greek yogurt
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
sea salt and pepper

To make the tzatziki, slice the cucumbers in half lengthwise. Use a small spoon to scoop out the seeds in the center. Slice each half lengthwise into four or five long sticks, then dice. You should have about 3 cups. In a mixing bowl, stir together the cucumbers, red onion, mint, dill, and garlic. Add the yogurt, lemon juice and ½ teaspoon of salt, and pepper to taste.
Serve a large scoop of the tzatziki along side the grilled chicken.

Tomato Salad with Mint
I had a couple pints of beautiful heirloom cherry tomatoes lying around so I made this quick salad using many of the same flavors as Sara. Had I had a bit of Feta in my fridge I would have added that as well.

2 – 3 cups halved cherry tomatoes
1 tablespoon roughly chopped fresh mint
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper

Combine everything in a small bowl. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.

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Greek grilled chicken with tzatziki

adapted from The Sprouted Kitchen: A Tastier Take on Whole Foods Marinade In the book Sara marinates and grills 4 boneless and skinless chicken breast. I have been on a whole-grilled chicken kick lately so I went that route. I made a bit more of the marinade and let it bathe in the herbal mix for several hours before grilling. 1 cup whole-milk Greek yogurt 1 lemon, juice and zest 2 teaspoons ground cumin 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh dill 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh mint leaves 3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon sea salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 1 whole chicken, backbone removed in order to lay flat on the grill Mix all the ingredients together and toss with the chicken. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes or for several hours in the fridge. * If using chicken breasts Sara says to pound them out to an even ½” thickness. Once marinated grill over medium-high heat until cooked through or the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165* - 170*F. Let rest while you finish the tzatziki.   Tzatziki Sara says to avoid adding the lemon juice, salt and yogurt too far before serving as the cucumbers will release quite a bit of juice. But if you are serving this to a crowd, feel free to combine the cucumber, onion, garlic and herbs then refrigerate until ready to mix in the rest and serve with the chicken.  2 English cucumber ¼ red onion, finely diced 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill 1 garlic clove, minced ⅓ cup whole-milk Greek yogurt 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice sea salt and pepper To make the tzatziki, slice the cucumbers in half lengthwise. Use a small spoon to scoop out the seeds in the center. Slice each half lengthwise into four or five long sticks, then dice. You should have about 3 cups. In a mixing bowl, stir together the cucumbers, red onion, mint, dill, and garlic. Add the yogurt, lemon juice and ½ teaspoon of salt, and pepper to taste. Serve a large scoop of the tzatziki along side the grilled chicken. Tomato Salad with Mint I had a couple pints of beautiful heirloom cherry tomatoes lying around so I made this quick salad using many of the same flavors as Sara. Had I had a bit of Feta in my fridge I would have added that as well. 2 - 3 cups halved cherry tomatoes 1 tablespoon roughly chopped fresh mint 1 teaspoon lemon zest 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons olive oil salt and pepper Combine everything in a small bowl. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.

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