A really good friend of mine, who lives in Portland, Oregon, took this photo.

So crazy looking!

I wanted to share that piece of Portland since today’s music is out of Portland.

But, first some dinner.

What is so cool about this soup is that you can make it as hot as you like. Just up the wasabi ante.

The beef marinade gives the meat incredible flavor. It’s a light tasting meal that comes together in a flash. And you’ve got to love Ramen noodles.

Wasabi Beef Ramen

Ingredients:

500g beef rump or sirloin steak
2 inch piece of ginger
3 Tbs wasabi paste, plus extra to serve
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbs sesame oil
1 large red chile
1.5 liters of water
3 (3 oz each) packets of ramen noodles with their flavor packets. I used the Oriental flavor.
5 Tbs soy sauce, plus extra to serve
3 Tbs fish sauce
3 baby bok choy (pak choi)
2 green onions, sliced
small bunch of cilantro, chopped
sesame seeds and pickled ginger, to serve

Directions:

1. Rub steak all over with half of the ginger, wasabi, garlic and sesame oil. Cover and chill for 2 hours or overnight. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before cooking.

2. Heat the remaining sesame oil, ginger and garlic with the chili in a wok or deep pan. When the ingredients are sizzling, add the water, flavor packets, soy and fish sauce. Bring to a simmer.

3. Cook the noodles following package directions. Set aside.

4. Heat a griddle pan or grill and cook steaks over medium-high heat for a few minutes each side. Remove to a cutting board to rest. Cover with foil.

5. Add the noodles and chopped bok choy to the broth and simmer for 4 minutes. Ladle the ramen into bowls, top with slices of the beef, green onions and cilantro. Allow diners to season with extra soy sauce and sesame seeds. Garnish with more wasabi and pickled ginger if you like.

Serves 4

Recipe from Olive Magazine

The Helio Sequence have a new album coming out in September.

One of my favorite duos from one of my favorite towns (Portland, OR), has released the first song from ‘Negotions’.

October is pure HS magic. Solid beat, jittery guitar and Brandon Summers’ dreamy vocals. See for yourself.
The Helio Sequence-October

This is pretty cool:

“If you pre-order ‘Negotiations’ from SubPop.com or buy it from select retailers on CD or LP, it will come with a quadrophonic companion CD called ‘Aces’. ‘Aces ‘is meant to be played simultaneously with ‘Negotiations’ on two different stereo systems to create an enhanced spatial experience .”

I really want to try that.

Check out The Helio Sequence on Facebook and Myspace. Buy the music over at Sub Pop Records, where you can learn more about upcoming tour dates.

Cheers!