Look at the a-m-a-z-i-n-g trifle my sister made! She’s even using what seems a proper trifle dish? Oh yeah, she made the poundcake from scratch.
I have been cooking, yes, I have been cooking. But my camera battery ain’t what it used to be, and nevertheless I am often with folk who avoid the paparazzi aim of my lens. So lemme show off my sister who is the cat’s meow.
Photo credit: Julie T.
I enjoy every moment spent at this wonderful, warm home of 13. Everyone is inclusive, interesting, kind, and welcoming. Household members share cooking duties, and this night Alice “cleaned the fridge”, finding red quinoa (true?), lentils, golden and chioggia beets, carrots, cabbage, favas, and potatoes. Let me set the stage. I arrive to find Alice in the kitchen with her “Yodeling Mad: Best of Country Yodel” CD playing, and she greets me with the phrase, “Everything is going in.” Into what, you might ask? Eight shepherd pies! She’s bought yummy vegan crusts, and we step by step assemble her vision into mounds of comfort and belly joy. After topping each pie with a generous helping of mashed potatoes, Alice drizzled them with olive oil, and applied pinches of sea salt and rosemary. I want to eat like this every night.
(photo credit – Glenn Bachmann)
I’ve had a lot of eggplant banter lately, and finally made some. It was a sign. Fish sauce, sugar, soy sauce, garlic, basil and eggplant. Plus, I added some gluten for meaty goodness! Of course I secured my bounty at GP. Two thanks in this one: thanks for the sweet cherries and thanks for the butterflies!! I love them.
I loved my continuing education getaway. Long walks, pie, christmas tree lights, strawberry farms, fireworks, tangy frozen yogurt, periodic roller coaster screaming and especially…app-le ched-dar qui-i-iche quiche!!
Not too many people would get creative in a strange kitchen, let alone a hotel kitchen, but those rules seem not apply to Alice! She thought to secure tortillas, salsa, avocado, pintos, watermelon, and sardines, which led to a handful of delicious meals.
Half a watermelon serves as more than just breakfast. It serves your breakfast!
(Updated May 20, 2008 )
The breakfast consisted of pintos, salsa, and avocado on corn tortillas with watermelon on the side. Didn’t realize it looked like a watermelon salsa (which to me also would be good). I ended up having all of the watermelon “juice”, shown in cup, because I am greedy-greedy with fruit. Mmmm!
Alice, are you enjoying that delectable bite of sardines in mustard on yer rye toast?
Highlights include accordion solos, and a trip to the Crystal Cathedral – replete with
“free” bus ride. Is there such a thing? No, I guess not. No matter!
Get a load of this organ [my photo didn't come out in the low light so I appropriated this
(lower front view of organ) from the crystalcathedral dot org etc website]. All the rest are legit.
MMM! When we got back we had 2 salads extraordinaire, featuring lettuce, garbanzo beans,
cucumber, carrot, tomatoes, and another with jicama, lime, and chili powder. Topped with fried
egg! Usually I expect to freak out at least once when traveling with another…this trip – I slept
like a baby.
Feast your eyes on this! Claudette and Leah came over with dinner the other night: hand crafted, lovingly patted, cheese stuffed pupusas. Thank you, Claudette, for sharing your special culinary creation, and your warm heart.
As always, this night was full of laughs.
The final plating shows the pupusa with refried beans, black beans, curtido, and salsa. I took a bite and was transported back to my early childhood. Funny how smells and tastes can do that. I described dinner to my mom, and she told me that it sounded similar to the hot water cornbread my grandma and aunt used to make. “It’s one world”, she said. I am so grateful for my friends and family. This means you!
This one was a great recipe from Deborah Madison’s Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone. Delish! I only made it (honestly it was before the holidays and I forgot to post the photos) because I wanted some breakfast cake, but didn’t want to go shopping. Well, look no further. This one was so short, I will include the recipe. Moisty!!!
1 cup rolled oats, preferably noninstant
1/4 pound (1/2 cup) butter
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 eggs at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup Pecan Streusel, which is just your choice of nut (I used almonds), sugar, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a 1/2 cup flour all crumbled together
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray or butter and flour a 9 x 12 inch baking dish.
Pour 1 1/2 cups boiling water over the oats and set them aside. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then add the eggs one at a time. Scrape down the bowl and continue beating until the mixture is smooth, then add the vanilla, cinnamon, and oats. Combine the dry ingredients and stir them in with a rubber scraper or wooden spoon. Pour into the prepared baking dish, cover with streusel, and bake until a skewer comes out clean – about 35 minutes.
I have been poking around in the kitchen here and there, but I haven’t made a meal worth blogging in a while. This one is in celebration of my favorite vegetable purveyor (Golden Produce) opening their new grocery establishment — Golden Natural Foods!!! I truly love this family, and am very happy for their success. I also should note that I am grateful for the MLK holiday, and appreciative of what it took of others for me to be who I am today.
This new store is beautiful, and if you’ve never had the pleasure of visiting their produce market, GP, you should. That is, if you enjoy fresh, organic, low cost, high quality, abundant produce. I picked up some orecchiette pasta, some fresh parmesan, and anchovy fillets. There was rosemary in the refrigerator, and honey on the countertop. I spied a carrot in the crisper, and took all these ingredients as a sign. I sauteed the carrots in a couple tablespoons of olive oil, added the honey and rosemary, and seasoned with salt and pepper. When the pasta was done, I added it to the pan, along with the anchovies, and topped with peels of the parmesan:
By the way, have you ever tried Lindemans‘ lambic/gueuze called Cuvée René?
It is delicious, my new favorite beer ever. I mean ever. And I like many beer flavors. Long story short, it is available at GNF, along with a pretty nice selection of beer and wine. I was pleased. Go find out for yourselves!
PS. I love the GP family.
Thanks for the kabocha cuteness, i can has cheeseburgers !!
This was originally planned for the Harvest Dinner menu, but by the end of dinner I was still carving into the pumpkin. Another time, perhaps? Yes.
I couldn’t find a pumpkin so I used this kabocha squash, which has a very hard, green, bumpy skin and shocking orange flesh. Since the end result has a lid I took off the stem and thin layer before cooking. Safety first when cutting into this thing!! First I brushed the kabocha with oil, seasoned it with salt, and I baked the whole thing for 30 min at 350, then 30 min at 400.
I scooped the insides (could not take out the inner flesh while raw – this is a very hard squash) after it baked and spooned in the stew. This made me happy!
You are!!
I’m back to my old self, and in the kitchen now that school applications are finished. Yay!! Okay, these gnocchi were really good. I made approximately three dozen, and I still have half the dough. I read that once the gnocchi are cooked they can be frozen for up to six weeks. This is my plan of action.
These are sweet potato gnocchi in a brown butter and sage sauce. I usually don’t like cream or butter sauces, but this was perfect and simple. I likely will try another sauce with the leftovers – lots of options! First you make the dough. This was pretty straightforward, but I think my process could have been improved by a potato ricer or a food mill. Then you roll out ropes, cut bite sized pieces, and plop them in the salted boiling water. Finish the gnocchi in the pan with browned butter and sage.
I did find a helpful video online. Now I can finesse!
(photo credits: larisa and bianca)
Day of, Larisa arrives with her cart (name pending) containing the following items:
potatoes, thin green beans and maple
broccoli with sicilian sauce
squash with chestnuts and pomegranates
scary cheese ball with garlic crisps
pear beet greens with champagne vinaigrette
magical sangria ingredients
pumpkin roll cake
pumpkin cookies with brown butter icing
savory stuffed puff pastry roll
and a totally yummy dessert that is just like my mom’s prized pumpkin bread!
Usually this blog displays foodvisuals, but this night was captured in a slightly different way. Thanks to all of our friends who shared their nights and hearts. And a special thank you, Larisa, for making this a truly mesmerizing day and evening!
My father passed away in 2005, but he still is with me every day – sitting across from me on the MUNI train, in a stranger’s smile, and in the person i strive to be. I’ve never known a more patient, kind person. Ask anyone who knew him. This gingerbread cake is a childhood favorite (my mom’s recipe), with my own twist. She can bake like the dickens and he loved every pie, cake, tea cookie, and pumpkin bread from her kitchen.
I love you, Dad!
John Robinson
October 21, 1940 – February 10, 2005
These were twice inspired (and you’re both in PA). The first one is “curly’s kale, corn and queso tamales” (not the sum of ingredients, but I wanted to capitalize on the alliteration). I wanted to make an extra special kale tidbit (even better that it lives in a cozy wrapper!) to honor dear, sweet Larisa who is the sole reason I’m blogging at all, and the curliest kale I know. <3 The second is “shauna-shortcake mixed fruit tamales.” Shauna, I will not disclose the meaning of your nickname, but if I may tell a side story…I visited Shauna (& Skimmy) in LA many years ago, and during that trip we went to a food stand. ‘Member? It could have been free standing in a neighborhood, or at the farmers market. Anyway, we had dessert tamales with fruit and white chocolate inside. (!) I think of that experience often. So when I was thinking fruit, creme and dough I thought, “shortcake” and therefore, Shauna. Now that I’m finished with the back story, here’s the savory one in prep. The filling consists of kale, green onion, jack cheese, corn, shredded squash, and green chiles.
And the finished plate (The Tomatoes shown on vacation):
The dessert tamales have cinnamon sugar in the dough, and blueberries, nectarine, and extra dark organic chocolate inside. 
and here is the finished version with crème fraîche and dutch cocoa dusting.
I’ve always loved meatloaf. Even when it contained meat! This is one of my favorite dishes to make. Very easy, you just take some veggie ground beef (I like Yves “Meatless Ground – original”), a 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, 1 diced bell pepper, a 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs, chopped shallot or mild onion, and about 1, maybe 2 eggs. Mix ingredients, and bake for about 4o minutes at 375 degrees. My secret is to crumble Semifreddi’s “Super Garlic Croutons” in the blender/food processor and make my own breadcrumbs. I made a tomato sauce for the top out of thinned tomato paste, oregano, salt and pepper, and placed golden heirloom tomato slices as a finish. Thanks, GP!
As for the frites…basic russet potatoes, sliced into quarter inch width pieces. I read that in order to have crispy fries you need to soak them in cold water to remove excess starch, dry thoroughly, then fry them twice. The first fry was 325 degrees for about 4-5 minutes. The second fry was 375 for about 3-4 minutes or until golden. This method worked very well, I recommend it. Extra crispy and light!
And the very best part of all is that I get to have it for lunch tomorrow!! Yum.
Here is my first non-vegetarian, or pescatarian meal. On rare occasions I eat seafood (I miss you already, veggies!). This being one, I grilled a small trout, stuffed with lemon, onion, cilantro, garlic, and oregano. I also made tempura (see batter), remembering in a previous post comment that Niece recommended I try using lemon slices. This worked very well! The rind is bitter, but I like bitter, and mellowed by cooking. Perfect company with fish. Mmm. I also prepared broccoli, carrot, onion, yellow potato, and zucchini tempura. To drink I had a refreshing pomegranate spritzer! Give this one a try!
This tiny, sweet pear is one of the last of the crop from my boss’ tree. 
This bread tested me. I had so much doubt while making it! The dough needed to rise twice, in 3 hr increments, doubling, then tripling in size. The process spanned two days, and I often wondered if I’d have to let go and try again, thinking to myself, if this is a sign of the New Year, what exactly was this challah saying? I’ve just torn off the first piece. It is warm, it is sweet, rich, aromatic, and I feel better.
Big kids, too. Mmm – today I made an egg sandwich and decided to put a child-at-heart twist on breakfast. I hollowed out a poppy seed roll, and hid within it a fried egg on a bed of sharp cheddar cheese. Next, I placed arugula and spinach leaves on top for unsuspecting passers-by, and propped up the bun lid with toothpicks. Finally, I constructed a woodland/jungle scene of veggies (baby artichoke, blue lake beans, The Tomatoes, red onion, pickled daikon radish, bok choy, mushroom caps) and potatoes as the backdrop, on a lagoon of seasoned dried seaweed. At one point I was thinking of crafting a creature that set up this elaborate trap, but I then realized two things: that creature is me, and I’ve got to eat sometime!
There are forces in this world I don’t understand. Not a very profound statement, but I am confused! Am I supposed to just follow signs, “understand”, and live life for what it seemingly brings me or wants of me? Or do I react to messages that run counter to my wishes and wants? Don’t know. Can’t she just stick to the food?, you might wonder. Uh, yes. ‘Cause that I do understand. That, and lemon colored lion t-shirts (see end of post).
So the pursuit of life’s simplicity brings me to today’s post: pizza ‘n beer. This is one of my favorite pizzas! Partially because I was hungry for dinner and didn’t have to make the crust, but mostly because this is really tasty bread. I used a flatbread available for purchase and immediate consumption. My second favorite pizza involves homemade crust with olive oil and cornmeal baked on the bottom. I went again to my loving, family run, local grocer Golden Produce on Church St. For about $10 I got organic components to make my dinner and lunch for the remainder of the week. Today’s toppings: fresh mozzarella, pesto, basil, heirloom tomato slices, and mushroom. Today’s beer: Hoegaarden
Today’s t-shirt: Raaawwr!!!!
I have often been welcome at the family table of one of my best friends – there his mother shared exquisite meals and family recipes. Although my friend has moved away from home, (he now lives with me in SF) his mom still sends foodlove, double ziplocked and tupperwared for safe travel all the way to her son’s tummy. He’s 35! It’s really sweet. The best part is that on many occasions, once she learns your favorites, she’ll send a sizable helping of those, too. Thank you, Mrs. Kim!
I found a marinade online for vegan seitan Korean BBQ, but next time I’ll try this one: “Seitan cut into strips, marinated with tamari (soybean sauce), garlic, ginger, brown sugar, sesame oil, scallions, and [toasted] sesame seeds”. I used hunks of marinated seitan, slices of corn ears, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and orange bell pepper. Very “meaty”! Served over a bed of brown rice.
Also, as promised, a second summer refresher!! Cold brewed “Black Cherry Berry” tea with hibiscus yummy, slices of lemon from our landlord’s tree, and a splash of grapefruit pop. Ahhh…
Leah stopped by, and is shown enjoying a dessert (I will catch hell for this!) of grilled white peaches, honey drizzle, and mascarpone.
I do the best I can as a friend, in my ability to forgive others, in my willingness to forgive myself, and in eeking my heart open a little for those around me. This b-b-q is dedicated to my friend Andy – I’m not always a good friend, but I love you.
I am grateful for today. According to “the first proposal of the holiday”, in the 1880’s, “a street parade to exhibit to the public ‘the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations’ of the community” was in order, along with a festival celebration for “workers and their families”. (Wiki-what? you don’t see too much of this original meaning these days. Today’s SF Gate front page news was about the Bay Bridge closure.)
I did enjoy a day of rest from work, let me tell you! I was invited to brunch with Heather and Arpi (left to right), a couple I find mesmerizing – individually, as well as together in partnership. They celebrated their ninth anniversary this weekend and still made time for me. Wow.
Arpi made a delicious meal! We had gourmet coffee, moist and delicate corn muffins, and omelets. Let’s talk omelets for a moment. These were fluffy, half moon pillows filled with just the right textures, including a perfect dice of creminis, and red bell pepper. Mmm-mmm!
All that, AND we went on a walk to visit with the neighborhood cats! What a day. Thanks, Heather and Arpi!!
