The Dream of the 90's at Park Ivy?

Have you seen the Portlandia video "The Dream of the 90's is Alive in Portland?" Whenever I see it, I picture the 9th & 9th neighborhood circa 1996, particularly the crowd in and around the Coffee Garden and Park Ivy.

But Park Ivy Garden Cafe was more than a scene, and more than a restaurant. Besides the hipster clientele, the garden murals, the maze-like dining areas, the animal figurines as table markers, and the eclectic bulletin boards, there were the rumors. I remember hearing about the place being run by a cult, company-forced meditation and yoga practice, employees banned from alcohol and drugs, and employees forced to use psychedelic mushrooms to enhance spirit quests. Maybe it was apathetic of me, but I didn't care one way or another what was up behind the counter, because the food was AWESOME.

And the New Age-y vibe didn't scare anyone else away, either, as far as I could tell; the place was always hopping. It was the one vegetarian restaurant we had no problem taking omnivores to, since the wheat-meat "chicken" dishes made their menu welcoming to non-veg guests - even my in-laws liked the place.

So when they announced their imminent closure in 2000, the only thing that mitigated the pain was that they were selling cookbooks. I wouldn't have to live in a dystopian nightmare future without Park Ivy Lemon Rice Soup, the one thing that made Salt Lake's winters bearable!

Then, in 2012, a horrible thing happened. One day, I couldn't find my Park Ivy cookbook. So I did what any normal 21st century citizen would do - and Google failed me! Nowhere on the wide wide world of web could I find this cookbook, or any Park Ivy recipes for that matter. Luckily for me - and for you - the cookbook turned up. But this close call inspired me to make a record of the treasures within for posterity, and for myself in anticipation of the next time this happens. Please to enjoy this blog of the Park Ivy Garden Cafe Cookbook!

Friday, September 28, 2012

Blueberry Lime Bundt Cake

1 cup Mori-Nu Silken Tofu
3/4 cup Water
1/2 cup Lime Juice
1/2 cup Canola Oil
1 teaspoon Vanilla
2 cups Unbleached Flour
1 3/4 cup Sugar
1/2 tablespoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 cup Blueberries

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Blend tofu, water, lime juice, oil, and vanilla in a blender; transfer to a large bowl.

In another bowl mix flour, sugar, soda, and salt.

Mix dry ingredients into wet, and mix well. Fold in blueberries.

Pour into an oiled bundt pan and bake for 35 to 40 minutes.

Cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the middle comes back clean or it "bounces back" when pressed on with finger.

---Lime Icing---

2 2/3 cups Powdered Sugar
2 tablespoons Lime Juice
1/2 Lime (juice and zest)

With a hand mixer, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth.


Make sure icing is of the right consistency. It should drizzle off your spoon. You are not trying to frost the cake from head to toe, just drizzle across the top.

No comments:

Post a Comment