Gift Ideas for Father�s Day
Nespresso Pixie
While in Italy I noticed Nespresso boutiques everywhere. Nespresso machines use little pods of coffee that come in many different varieties and the stores are a convenient place to try them out or buy coffee. The machine I know best is the Pixie. It has a 16 bar pressure pump, is ready to brew in about 30 seconds and easily makes both espresso and lungo style coffee at the push of a button. It also takes very little room. The dimensions are just 12.83-Inch length by 4.33-Inch width by 9-1/4-Inch height.
If you want to make a cappuccino, you�ll need to purchase an optional Aeroccino milk frother which would also make a good gift. Both are very stylish machines and just imagine, your dad will think about you every single day when he makes coffee! You can find some models for under $200 on Amazon, but if you purchase it from Nespresso for $229 you�ll get a $75 credit for coffee.
ThermoWorks ChefAlarmI am a huge fan of the Thermopen which I use daily. It�s the best thermometer ever. But for dad, I think the ChefAlarm is great idea. It has a temperature probe that attaches to an alarm that has a plethora of features.
Not only is it backlit and easy to read, it has count down and count up timers, adjusts for both high and low temperaures as well as minimum and maximum temperatures, an adjustable volume setting for the alarm and an optional extra needle probe for thin cuts. Because it is designed for commercial kitchens it's also splash proof. It�s less expensive than the Thermopen, but has lots of whistles and bells. $59.99
Not only is it backlit and easy to read, it has count down and count up timers, adjusts for both high and low temperaures as well as minimum and maximum temperatures, an adjustable volume setting for the alarm and an optional extra needle probe for thin cuts. Because it is designed for commercial kitchens it's also splash proof. It�s less expensive than the Thermopen, but has lots of whistles and bells. $59.99
Recently I received a box of Recchiuti chocolates as a thank you. I think I had forgotten how good they are. It was fun choosing the different flavors from the guide and savoring each bite. But one of the confections that Recchiuti is most known for, are burnt caramel truffles. These rich little squares aren�t really burnt, but cooked until the darker notes are stronger than the sweet ones.
While perhaps not the traditional Father�s Day gift, why not? Recchiuti has long supported the nonprofit Creativity Explored with a selection that features a design by an artist, this time James Miles has created Whimsical Cyclists which definitely has a manly feel about it. A box of 9 is $27
While perhaps not the traditional Father�s Day gift, why not? Recchiuti has long supported the nonprofit Creativity Explored with a selection that features a design by an artist, this time James Miles has created Whimsical Cyclists which definitely has a manly feel about it. A box of 9 is $27
Kermit Lynch Vin de Pays de Vaucluse
This is my new favorite house red wine and one I plan on sharing with my dad. It's an easy wine to pair with food but just as enjoyable on its own. I first tried it with some sausages and grilled vegetables.It�s a blend from the Southern Rhone and is mostly grenache, syrah, merlot and just a touch of marselan. A medium body juicy wine, it has limestone minerality, lots of red fruit like raspberries as well as violet and licorice and a bit of leather.
It is not an expensive or fancy wine, but will show dad your good taste and eye for value, $12.99 at Whole Foods Market wine department.
This post includes some Amazon affiliate links
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New & Notable Restaurants in San Francisco
One of the nice perks of writing about food is being invited to restaurants and even getting to preview ones that have not yet opened. While busy writing the cookbook I have taken some breaks to see what's going on around town. Here are some highlights:
Hog Island Oyster Co. Bar has long been one of my favorite little hideaways at the San Francisco Ferry Plaza. Tucked away in an awkward spot, it had fantastic views of the Bay Bridge and soul soothing clam chowder, not to mention an always stellar range of oysters on the half shell. The space is certainly not awkward any longer. Now that the oyster bar has taken over the adjacent spot, it�s a spacious and nicely unified expanse with two bars and plenty of outdoor seating. The menu is larger too. My picks are still the classic clam chowder that has no flour so it�s rich and creamy, not goopy, and the white anchovies. Served with piquillo pepper aioli, chopped eggs and green herb sauce on baguette slices, the anchovies are are bright and juicy, nothing like what you get out of a can. In case you didn't know, Hog Island was founded by two marine biologists who are passionate about the future of sustainable seafood.
San Francisco Ferry Building, #11A, San Francisco
Originally founded in 1893, Schroeder�s was long overdue for an overhaul. The German style beer hall has a brighter, cleaner, more sophisticated look and also a much greater emphasis on food. Chef Manfred Wrembel has German parents but grew up in California so he has a lighter touch with the more traditionally heavy cuisine. At a recent preview my favorite dishes were the delicate beef tongue, sliced paper thin and served with capers, radishes and creme fraiche and the beet salad with crisp thin pumpernickel wafers and goat cheese; a very refined version of what�s become a classic salad.
240 Front St. San Francisco
Chino is one of the newest restaurants in town, it opened just this week. It was inspired by owner Joe Hargrave�s love of Chinese dumplings and cocktails and desire to enjoy them together. I tried several dishes and the dumplings were superb. They should be, they hired a veteran dumpling maker previously at The Mandarin. The gingery chicken dumpling was my favorite. I also loved the rich and sticky pork tamarind hoisin riblets and the super tangy and crisp chicken wings a recipe from Nick Balla, currently the chef at Bar Tartine, from when he was cooking Asian food.
3198 16th St, San Francisco
Last but not least, a restaurant that has not yet opened, Pabu is a collaboration between Michael Mina and Ken Tominaga who is known for his much acclaimed sushi spot Hana in Rohnert Park (he also previously worked with Cindy Pawlcyn at Go Fish in Napa). The restaurant will be opening up in the old Atrium space at 101 California Street. The preview pop-up just had a few nibbles, but the Happy Spoon is reason enough to check it out. It�s basically some of the tastiest things all combined�a raw oyster, salmon roe, Santa Barbara sea urchin, tobiko and a ponzu creme fraiche. This is a tried and true dish from Pabu in Baltimore, and sure to make a splash here as well.
101 California St. San Francisco
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The Chinese Lady�s A Pot of Rice to the Wonders of Wonton
I can�t remember exactly when I met my friend Lorraine aka "the Chinese Lady" cooking personality of YouTube fame, but I can tell you she is the zing of hot sauce on your plate! Even when faced with obstacles she has an infectious joie de vivre and she positively bubbles with enthusiasm, especially when she talks about food and family. Needless to say, I was charmed by her right away. She shared with me her dream of writing a cookbook so she could share her treasured won ton recipes and stories from her childhood in Hawaii and life in San Francisco, Hollywood and beyond. She asked if I would test some recipes for her and I said yes.
I provided my detailed feedback on Lorraine�s recipes, but really, they were all delicious and worthy of making it into her book. Some of her recipes are very traditional with pork or shrimp and others are her own inventions. Two of my favorites were her Shrimp & Lime Wontons with tangy kaffir lime, galangal and lime juice and also the Snapper�s Bag, a beggar�s purse style dumpling with snapper served in soup flavored with ginger, star anise and red onion.
The Chinese Lady�s A Pot of Rice to the Wonders of Wonton is now available on the ibook store. It�s a gorgeous book, thanks to beautiful photos and tech wizardry from Lorraine�s talented friend and business partner, Josimar. Some features of the book that I particularly like are the embedded videos that show you exactly how to fold wontons in 6 different styles, and Lorraine�s wonderfully told personal stories. But most of all I look forward to trying even more of her wonton recipes.
The book is available for iPad and Kindle on the itunes store for $4.99 but you can also download a free sample to check it out before you buy so I do hope you'll check it out!
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Poke Bar at Costco in San Francisco
One of the many things I enjoy eating in Hawaii is poke. It�s a raw fish dish, that generally combines fresh yellowfin tuna, also known as ahi, with local ingredients like seaweed, Hawaiian salt and kukui nuts. There are seemingly infinite varieties, with ingredients such as green onions, sesame seeds, mayonnaise, tobiko, wasabi, sriracha, etc. In Hawaii you can find it at delis but also in supermarkets where there is often a poke bar in the seafood department.
Well, guess what just arrived at Costco in San Francisco? A poke bar! It features fresh wild ahi from different regions of the world including the Philippines and Sri Lanka and marinades flown in directly from Hawaii. It�s all prepared fresh at the store and sold only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Prices range from $15.99 to $17.99 per pound.
Varieties include ahi shoyu poke, ahi wasabi poke, and ahi spicy poke. They also had two cooked shrimp styles of poke. I tried the ahi limu poke which had onions, ogo (Hawaiian seaweed) Hawaiian salt, kukui nut, sesame seed and sesame oil. The limu was my favorite, it was very fresh and had a particularly nice balance of flavors and brightness. It's cool and savory, but has an intensity from the dense fish and slightly nutty and spicy flavors.
I also tried the ahi wasabi poke with wasabi, tobiko, green onion, kukui nut, hawaiian salt and sesame seeds. It was good but really spicy! You definitely want to try this one with a beer.
The poke tasted just like what I�ve had in Hawaii. It�s those local Hawaiian ingredients that really make this dish so special, and something that�s hard to make on the mainland. In Hawaii it's served as a snack or appetizer and is popular with rice. With all due respect to the Costco food court, it sure beats pizza or hot dogs!
According to the blog Chomping Board, the weekend poke bar is also available at the Redwood City, Concord and Almaden locations.
I know this isn't "local" but sometimes you just need a little Hawaii fix. I wish I could tell you if the fish was sustainable, but I really don�t know. Several years ago Costco stopped selling 12 of the most �at risk� fish such as Atlantic cod and halibut, Chilean sea bass, swordfish and bluefin tuna, but I don�t know much about their ahi sourcing other than what I was told by someone in the Costco meat department.
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From Tanzania to Peru to Texas (or lunch at your place) Cookbooks
Any fans of Lisa Fain�s first cookbook, Homesick Texan or her blog, Homesick Texan, will surely enjoy Homesick Texan's Family Table, her latest cookbook of recipes inspired by family favorites. Fain always manages to put her own twist on the recipes, updating them, making them even better than you might remember and her stories of growing up in Texas will charm even those who have never been to the Lone Star state. There are plenty of guilty pleasure recipes like Bacon and Chipotle Corn Pudding, Stacked Jalape�o Cheese Enchiladas and Potato Chorizo Breakfast Tacos, but also more modern fare like Blueberry Granola, Turkey Enchiladas with Sweet Potato Chipotle Sauce and Tuna with Avocado and Red Pepper Baked in Parchment.
I tend to shy away from self-published books, but I was intrigued by Taste of Tanzania Modern Swahili Recipes for the West. I�ve not seen very many African cookbooks and even fewer designed for a Western audience. There are many indigenous ingredients that you won�t be able to find, and author Miriam Kinunda has made substations and focused on recipes that are more practical. The recipes show a wide range of influences, Persian, Portuguese, Indian and also some Asian and European and has a lot of soup, stew and vegetable dishes. Some particularly appealing recipes include Swahili Beans, red beans cooked with coconut milk, onions, ginger, tomatoes and cilantro, Fish in Peanut Sauce and Ginger Tea.
With the title �Ceviche� you might be inclined to think this is a cookbook of ceviche recipes. But it�s actually Ceviche Peruvian Cuisine is a cookbook of recipes from a Peruvian restaurant in London named �Ceviche.� Ok, now that we have that out of the way, this is a really cool book. It�s all about Peruvian cuisine which is a pretty interesting thanks to influences from Spain, Italy, Africa, China and Japan and of course indigenous ingredients (think quinoa, potatoes and pisco). The cooking techniques are different too, like the staple Huancaina sauce with onion, garlic, amarilla chile paste, fresh cheese, evaporated milk all bound together with crushed cream crackers. There are actually recipes for ceviche, and plenty of other seafood, as well as vegetable dishes like avocado and rice fritters, potato based �causas,� a kind of mashed potato cake, Andean pork and potato casserole and classics like lomo saltado, a Pervuican style beef stir dry. There is also a section on cocktails. Some ingredients like rocoto, goldenberries and chulpe corn may be unfamiliar, this is a cuisine worth getting to know and the book is a great place to start.
I love the idea behind Lunch at the Shop which is to cook a mid day meal at your office. The photographs and styling by Christopher Hirsheimer and Melissa Hamilton is lovely, unfortunately I found the recipes to be more like a mishmash of ideas that generally involved a lot of the same ingredients�beans, pasta, and avocado. Also many of the recipes require cooking something at home, then basically reheating it at the office. One recipe suggests stretching store-bought sushi with a salad of bibb lettuce and some orange and avocado. I get it. Be creative and use what's at your disposal. But I didn�t find the recipes (such as that one) worthy of book status. Nor do I believe, despite what the author says, that spaghetti and clams is a good dish to reheat and serve at work.Disclaimer: These books provided to me as review copies, this post includes affiliate links
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A Kitchen to Call Home
Last year I told you about Azalina, a chef who shares her Malaysian and Mamak heritage through food. She is a 5th generation street food vendor, but the first to find success in America. And her success so far has been amazing. She is a fixture at farmer�s markets, street food events and large outdoor concerts. Her products including her peanut sauce and coconut jam are sold at Whole Foods. Bon Apetit magazine even chose her lacy crepes as one of the top 10 things to eat at farmer�s markets.
But Azalina needs a kitchen, her own kitchen now that her business is expanding and she is about to embark on the process of opening a restaurant. I know there are tons of crowd source funding campaigns, but this is one I wholeheartedly support because I know Azalina, I know her exciting food and her inspiring story. She is a single mom, an entrepreneur and a role model.
Azalina is 1/3 of the way there, but just has a week left to reach her goal. I�ve pledged my support. But if for no other reason, make a donation so you can get a taste of each of her signature sauces in the process you�ll be supporting a dream that is on the verge of coming true�
Check out this video produced by Dark Rye that beautifully tells even more of her story then...
I hope you will join me in supporting her
Thank you!
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Vegetarian Cookbooks for Omnivores
The reason cookbooks continue to sell when you can find plenty of recipes online is beautiful photos, illustrations and inventive recipes. The Forest Feast has it all. The pretty and very visual format of recipes with tons of photos as well as pretty watercolor illustrations is easy to follow and ever so appealing. The vegetarian recipes are simple but also attractive, such as Strawberry Salsa, Nectarine and Tomato Salad, Corn & Cauliflower Tacos and Polenta Portobellos. There are also a handful of cocktails. Erin Gleason the blogger behind the stylish vegetarian blog The Forest Feast is self-taught and focuses on seasonal ingredients. Nothing too cheffy here. Easy, pretty and original, it's a great introduction to vegetarian cuisine for omnivores or newbie home cooks looking for inspiration for everything from family meals to cocktails and entertaining.
Vegan cookbooks are nothing new. But a vegan cookbook written by someone who is not only not a vegan but not a vegetarian? Well, that is something new. And frankly, welcome. Myra Goodman and her daughter Marea Goodman are worthy evangelists for eating organic produce, since Myra Goodman is one of the co-founders of Earthbound Farm. She has written some lovely cookbooks in the past, but Straight from the Earth is particularly special. The recipes do not feature dishes that approximate meat, but rather celebrate vegetables, grains, fruit, beans and nuts. The photography is beautiful and recipes are very enticing. There is no attitude, thankfully, just creativity and genuinely appealing recipes like Grilled Fig Sandwiches with Pistachio Pesto and Balsamic Caramelized Onions or Wheat Berry, Baby Kale, Grape and Orange Salad. Some recipes require the best seasonal produce like Crostini with Vine-Ripened Tomatoes and White Bean Puree, but others use things you can easily find all year long such as Miso Roasted Eggplant.
The New Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone is a doorstop of a book, with 665 pages and more recipes than you could cook in a lifetime. Deborah Madison has added 150 recipes and updated countless more to her classic volume. There�s more emphasis on tempeh than tofu, which may or may not be a good thing, depending upon your taste. But the inclusion of ingredients like smoked paprika, curry leaves and farro is definitely good thing. What I particularly like about the book is that it covers so many different cuisines, there are galettes, tagines, risotto, breakfast breads, hearty main dish salads and so much more. I�ve bookmarked Saffron Dumplings, Spicy Quinoa and Potato Croquettes and Braised Artichokes with Leeks and Peas. You will never again wonder what to cook for vegetarians with this book and the emphasis on deliciousness means omnivores will not get bored.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and books were provided as review copies.
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Roasted Garlic and Potato Dip Recipe
Roast garlic is sweet and soft and most important, mellow. It won't overpower most dishes like this skordalia inspired dip made with potatoes, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice and roast garlic, instead of raw. Not only is this dip good for Passover, it's vegetarian (vegan if you use vegan mayo) and gluten free! That is if you use a gluten free mayonnaise, which adds additional creaminess to the dip.
I have been experimenting with "roasting" garlic in the microwave oven, but whatever technique you want to use is fine. The main thing is not to overcook it. It should be soft and creamy but not too darkly caramelized. I use 3-4 cloves, but feel free to use as much as you like. Serve it with fresh vegetables for dipping.
Roasted Garlic and Potato Dip
1 russet potato
4 cloves roasted garlic (use any method you like)
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 Tablespoons mayonnaise
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Water
Salt
Bake or microwave the potato until thoroughly cooked. You are not going to use the skin so however you prefer to cook it is fine. When cool enough to handle, slice open and scoop the potato out of the skin. Place the potato in a bowl with the garlic cloves and mash. Mix in the olive oil, mayonnaise and lemon juice. Add enough water to make a thick dip. Season to taste with salt.
Enjoy!
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Beet Almond Dip Recipe
I'm in the midst of creating 101 recipes for a new cookbook (it was announced March 3rd). As a result, I haven't been cooking anything other than recipes for the book. But Passover is coming up and I've been asked to bring appetizers to the seder dinner. Appetizers for Passover are a bit tricky. If the meal is meat, which is typical, then you can't use any dairy. In addition you can't use legumes, seeds and most grains. So that means things like hummus and baba ghahoush are out so are cheeses and dairy based dips. What's left? Vegetables and nuts. Also eggs and meat (chopped liver is typical).
Recently I received some samples of Melissa's Organic Baby Beets, peeled and steamed and ready to eat. These cooked beets are great for salads but I decided to try use them to make a dip. Instead of tahini, I used blanched almonds. Beets and almonds are really nice together. But they are both sweet, so I added ginger and lemon to cut the sweetness. It also needs plenty of salt.
You can serve this dip with chips or fresh vegetables. It's creamy and smooth and even though I felt like I was cheating on my Vitamix, I did test it in my ancient Cuisinart food processor and got great results. I am thinking about making another dip using roasted carrots and almonds. What do you think?
Beet Almond Dip
Ingredients
1/4 cup blanched almonds
2 Tablespoons water
1 cup sliced cooked beets
1 Tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
Salt
Instructions
Process the almonds and water in the food processor for a minute or so, until white and creamy but not completely smooth. Add the beets and process, scraping down the sides from time to time. Finally add the lemon juice and olive oil and ginger. Season to taste with salt.
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: My thanks to Melissa's for providing me with the beets
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Brassicas, Souffl�s & Okra: Single Subject Cookbooks
Remember when people hated broccoli? And Brussels sprouts? And kale and collard greens were something only Southerners ate, but that was about it. Happily the brassicas which also include bok choy, cauliflower, cabbage, kohlrabi, mizuna and tatsoi are in vogue. But if you only know a few ways to cook those glorious cruciferous greens, you should check out this book. The recipes sound like dishes you�d find on a trendy menu� Kimchi Pancakes, Moroccan Turnip and Chickpea Braise, Smoky Kale Salad with Toasted Almonds and Eggs. While it's a shame this book didn't come out in the Fall, that is my only quibble with it.
The French Cook: Souffl�sI love souffl�s. I just need the encouragement and reminder to make them more frequently. That is the role of Greg Patent aka The Baking Wizard, who offers up sound advice regarding the importance of separating whites and yolks, the freshness of eggs, the use of salt and sugar and the most crucial question of all, when are the whites beaten enough? As a chronic overbeater, this is something I desperately need to learn. From savory to sweet to frozen, there are recipes for 2, 4-6 and 8-10 so for just about any occasion. If you�ve only ever had a cheese or chocolate souffl�, try your hand at the Spinach and Mushroom Souffl�, Fresh Apricot and St. Germain Souffl� or Meyer Lemon Souffl�.
Okra: A Savor the SouthA whole cookbook on okra? Yes! This book takes on a vegetable that some love and others don�t. But seasoned chef and all around charmer, Virginia Willis can do magic with okra, frying it crisp, turning it into gumbo and also shares African, Mediterranean, Caribbean and Indian recipes for this odd vegetable. This book is a must for okra lovers, but also those, like me who don�t have a clue how to prepare it. I bought some okra just the other day and plan on making the West African Chicken Stew with Okra and Peanuts as well as the Limpin� Susan, with rice, okra and bacon. When tomatoes are in season I want to try the Old School Okra and Tomatoes.
Disclaimer: These book were provided to me as review copies. This post includes Amazon affiliate links.
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Off The Grid Fort Mason, 2014
So what�s new this year? There is no theme as there has been in some previous years, and the food is a little more approachable, perhaps a little less adventurous. But it�s still pretty darn delicious. Also this year? A DJ before and after the live music begins, arcade style games and extended hours (5-11pm). Here�s an inside tip, if you can�t deal with crowds, arrive between 5 and 6:30 pm before it gets too jam-packed.
I got a chance to check out a number of the new vendors and some of the new food from returning vendors. Here are some my top picks:
Nora Spanish Cuisine featured a savory paella with pancetta, bacon and chicken. It's a great dish for sharing.
This is just a sample of the shrimp taco done nacho style from The Taco Guys. Plump juicy perfectly cooked spicy shrimp are offset by cool and creamy avocado. If the taco tastes like the nachos, I�m in!
From Il Pipila, Guadalupe Guerrero�s nopales sope was bright a fresh tasting, very herbal and earthy. This is a specialty from Guanajuato, by the way.
From Il Pipila, Guadalupe Guerrero�s nopales sope was bright a fresh tasting, very herbal and earthy. This is a specialty from Guanajuato, by the way.
Drewski�s fried macaroni and cheese bacon balls were ooey gooey comfort food, reimagined.
While sadly the Hapa SF truck has ceased operation, Jeepney Guy�s deep fried kettle pork is destined to become a new classic. It�s basically a riff on Filipino lechon.
I�m a big fan of Casey�s Pizza. While normally I would never choose pepperoni, Casey�s is made by Zoe�s Meats in Petaluma and is outstanding. It's spicy and dry and makes this pizza something special.
New this year is a roaming beer cart from Magnolia. I recommend the Oysterhead Stout.
The Boneyard is offering Texas style brisket and pulled pork. I wrote about The Boneyard for 7x7 last year.
Looking for something sweet to nibble on while waiting for your turn at skeeball or shuffleboard? You might want to try some Sugar and Spun cotton candy in flavors such as li hing or matcha green tea. A little too sweet for me!
Another sweet treat that�s messy but not a bad choice if you�re willing to share, is the Johnny Doughnuts version of a Cronut, the CroDo with layers of flaky dough and a pastry cream filling. Next time I think I�ll try the lime mascarpone bismark�.
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Bok Choy Salad Recipe
As luck would have it, at a Chinese New Year's dinner I stumbled upon a terrific dish at Fang restaurant. It was served raw, as a salad with a soy and sesame vinaigrette alongside some chunks of short rib. Bok choy is very mild flavored but it has great texture. The leaves are tender and somewhat herbal without being bitter, and the stems are very juicy and crisp. I had never considered using bok choy in salad but after trying that dish, I couldn't stop thinking about it.
Looking around online I found plenty of Asian inspired recipes for bok choy salad, and a few takes on coleslaw and even a chopped salad. My idea was to make a more Italian style salad using extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice and Parmigiano Reggiano. The result is a salad at once familiar and yet fresh. It's a great choice for a potluck or dinner party, because it is very sturdy and won't easily wilt. You could mix in other greens, add cherry tomatoes or even fresh fava beans when in season.
Bok Choy Salad
1 serving (multiply for as many servings as you like)
Ingredients
1 cup sliced bok choy
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
Salt
Parmigiano reggiano, preferably young less than 18 months
Croutons
Freshly ground pepper
Instructions
Toss the bok choy in a bowl with the lemon juice and olive oil and a tiny pinch of salt. Shave long strips of Parmigiano using a vegetable peeler and add those and about five or so croutons to the bok choy. Season with pepper before serving.
Enjoy!
More inspiring bok choy salad recipes:
Bok Choy and Avocado Salad
Thai Steak and Bok Choy Salad
Bok Choy Salad with Corn & Edamame
Turkey Bacon & Bok Choy Salad with Shaved Parmesan (chopped salad style)
Bok Choy with Sesame Soy Vinaigrette
Bok Choy Salad (with ramen noodles and almonds)
Crunchy Bok Choy Slaw (like coleslaw)
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A16 turns 10
Recently I got the chance to speak with Wine Director and Owner, Shelley Lindgren to talk about Italian food, wine and the success of the restaurant.
How much does travel play a role at A16?
A lot! This year I�ll be going to VinItaly. I�ve been able to send people, but it�s been years since I�ve gone. Most people catch the bug when they go to Italy and want to get back there again. It�s important because it�s where things start clicking. We try to make wine trips happen. It brings the products to life. It�s the stories you hear and every winery has stories. Investing in our people makes us better. Going to Naples to get our pizzaiolo certified was a big deal too.
When chefs change at A16, how do you maintain consistency?
This is a really important question, it�s the way our first chef Christophe (Hille) set up the kitchen, the prep, which is big because we use very fresh ingredients. Certain dishes have stayed on the menu since day one, burrata, the meatballs, the tripe, but there has to be room for changes in emphasis too. When Nate (Appleman) was promoted he wanted to make his own mark with meat. Liza (Shaw) was more into pasta. Everyone wants to do their own thing and I understand that.
How has the wine list changed at A16 over the last 10 years?
Our opening list was less than a quarter of what�s on the list now. There is so much more available. Fianos, Tauarasi, when we opened there were something like only 3 Etna Rossos available, now there are around 50. Even Chianti is going through a renaissance. There are more great wines and better prices. People have a much better understanding of Italian wine now and I�m still researching Southern Italian wines and varietals.
Italian food has changed in the Bay Area, who do you think is doing a good job?
There�s so much good Italian food now. La Ciccia and La Nebbia. Owner and chef Massimo helped me edit our first wine list. Acquerello. Quince and Cotogna. Delfina. Sociale does a great job, a perfect neighborhood place. And I love Una Pizza Napoletana.
What makes a restaurant a classic?
Certain types of food that are timeless versus trendy. Like Zuni for chicken or caesar salad. Consistency. Paying attention, forging ahead and striving to improve. It�s not just pizza at A16, it�s something we hold dear. It�s important to be a part of the City, part of the community, so people feel like they�re being taken care of. We are a place where people can go and celebrate and be comfortable and leave happy!
I walk in to A16 and I love the energy and the people we have working for us who are passionate about food and wine. We have our own built in community of people. We need to not forget our focus and help each other out. It takes effort to maintain that.
Words to live by?
There can never be too much pizza.
Thanks Shelley! I couldn�t agree more.
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Is Certified Chocolate Better?
Certifications are all about transparency, but I couldn�t find details on the fees on the Rainforest Alliance website and a representative of the Rainforest Alliance didn�t supply them to me (some details on the comments section). In speaking with people who work both for companies that do and don�t carry the Rainforest Alliance logo I learned that the fees that are charged for verification and certification are not insignificant and it's likely those costs are passed on to consumers.
The cost for independent certifiers who can reportedly charge as much as $750 per day, in countries where the average monthly salary is only $50. Also only 30% of cacao might meet the standards and other ingredients might not meet any of the standards, one such ingredient is palm oil which can be very destructive to the environment. So is certified better?
The cost for independent certifiers who can reportedly charge as much as $750 per day, in countries where the average monthly salary is only $50. Also only 30% of cacao might meet the standards and other ingredients might not meet any of the standards, one such ingredient is palm oil which can be very destructive to the environment. So is certified better?
I think certifications programs are intended to do good, but ultimately, knowing the company that produces your chocolate is even better than any logo. Some chocolate companies I greatly respect for their products as well as their values include Amano Chocolate, Guittard and Pacari. Some have the Rainforest Alliance certification and some don't.
Read more about the FairTrade, UTZ and Rainforest Alliance certifications and what they mean, the positive and the negative.
Disclosure: My thanks to the Rainforest Alliance for sending me samples
Disclosure: My thanks to the Rainforest Alliance for sending me samples
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The Lucky Pig Recipe
I am somewhat obsessed with a dish called the Lucky Pig, it�s served at Solbar in Calistoga and I order it almost every time I dine there. It�s basically tender roast pork served with a lot of other goodies�sesame pancakes, peanuts, jalape�os, herbs and lettuce, sauces, and even a little noodle salad.
SolBar is a Michelin star restaurant at the Solage resort, but it�s got an approachable menu that has both healthy light options as well as more indulgent food and the staff couldn�t be nicer or more accommodating. Speaking of accommodating, to order the Lucky Pig I have to cajole other diners at my table to share it with me. The size of the roast pork shoulder varies, but it�s quite a lot of food. I also have to convince someone to go to Calistoga with me and since it�s about an hour and half drive, !�ve been working on my own version of it to enjoy at home.
I�ve simplified the recipe quite a bit. In my opinion there are only a few elements that are really crucial, specifically the roast pork, sesame pancakes, pineapple pickles and lime wedges. You can see the original recipe from Chef Brandon Sharp as well as a scaled back version from The Mad Priest, I referred to both in creating my own recipe. It would be great for a dinner party, just be sure to start the day before. And by all means do try the original version next time you're in Calistoga. Note: The dish is on the lounge menu, but the restaurant happily serves it in the main dining room to anyone who requests it.
The Lucky Pig
Serves about 4- 6
Roast pork
Sesame pancakes
Pineapple pickles
Roasted salted (or unsalted) peanuts
Sliced scallions
Sriracha sauce, optional
Serve the roast pork hot, and the rest of the ingredients cool or at room temperature. Allow each guest to "roll their own" little pork stuffed pancakes with as many of the garnishes as they like.
Roast pork
4 lbs (more or less) boneless pork shoulder
Kosher salt
10 cloves unpeeled garlic
Kosher salt
10 cloves unpeeled garlic
Cut the pork into 2 pieces, pat dry, score the fat and and salt liberally on all sides. Place on a plate and let refrigerate uncovered, for 8 hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Heat a Dutch oven and sear the pork on all sides until brown. This will take about 15 minutes. Place the garlic cloves in the Dutch oven with the pork, cover and roast for about 3 hours or until very tender. I start checking it after 2 hours.
Sesame pancakes
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup bread flour
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
5 Tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
1 Tablespoon sesame oil
5 eggs
1 1/4 cups milk
2 teaspoons black sesame seeds
1/2 cup bread flour
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
5 Tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
1 Tablespoon sesame oil
5 eggs
1 1/4 cups milk
2 teaspoons black sesame seeds
Blend all the ingredients except the sesame seeds, until smooth. Add the sesame seeds and transfer the mixture to the refrigerator to rest for up to 8 hours. Heat an 8 inch non-stick pan and make the crepes using about 2 Tablespoons of batter, be sure to stir the batter so each crepe has plenty of sesame seeds.
Pineapple pickles
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon sriracha sauce
20 ounce can pineapple, drained
Whisk together the apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt and sriracha sauce in a bowl. Add the pineapple and let marinate in a covered container in the refrigerator for 8 hours.
Enjoy!
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More Favorites from the Winter Fancy Food Show 2014
Here is another round up from the Fancy Food Show, the last one actually. It�s a mishmash of products that didn�t really fall into the other categories (or somehow slipped through the cracks).
While not new, I don�t remember ever tasting the fabulous Blenheim apricot preserves from B&R Farms in previous years. I�m pretty sure I would have remembered. The intensely bright, sweet and tangy fresh flavor of these heirloom apricots is such a treat. I liked the preserves best but all the products were great including the chutney and apricot red pepper preserve.
A winner at the Good Food Awards, Rick�s Picks Smokra is a unique smoky okra pickle with a nice texture. I asked how they got the smoky flavor and was told �just smoked paprika.� These would be great in a sandwich or served as part of an antipasti. They really tasted like okra, not just pickling juice.
It�s been a few years since everyone went nuts for Skillet�s bacon jam an oniony bacon condiment that makes everything better. Now Skillet also offers a fennel and black pepper version as well as a line of pumpkin ketchups. They definitely have that ketchup sweet and sour tang. They come in Chipotle, Thai Coconut and Brown Sugar and Apple Vinegar. I tried the Thai Coconut Pumpkin version and liked it a lot.
Since I�m a fan of cocktails with tea I was intrigued by Owl�s Brew teas for cocktails. These brewed teas are lightly sweetened and designed to be mixed with liquor. I tried the English Breakfast which had nice citrus notes from lemon peel and just the right balance of sweetness from agave syrup. I look forward to trying the rest of the line which includes more complex fruit, spice and tea combinations
Apparently GoodPops popsicles were at the Fancy Food Show last year, but I don�t remember trying them. These all organic popsicles are really outstanding, they have a great texture as well as flavors. I tried the Hibiscus, Strawberry and Coldbrewed Coffee and liked all of them. The use of high quality ingredients really does make all the difference.
Grain-free Seedy Crackers from Keep It Real are made from chia, flax, sesame, salt and black pepper only. They are very crisp, peppery and quite good. I haven�t seen them in stores yet, and will be experimenting to come up with my own recipe soon.
Grain-free Seedy Crackers from Keep It Real are made from chia, flax, sesame, salt and black pepper only. They are very crisp, peppery and quite good. I haven�t seen them in stores yet, and will be experimenting to come up with my own recipe soon.
Coquet makes a traditional Spanish tapa, marinated sweet white garlic in a variety of styles and flavors including a spicy and olive version. The amazing thing is, you would never know it was garlic. The garlic tastes almost like almonds, sweet and nutty. I hope I can find these on the shelf soon.
I adore honey and the best I�ve ever had was in Greece so I was excited to try the honey from eco-friendly Melia. Their Wild Forest honey is thick and bold with a luscious caramel texture and a slight herbal bitterness, a bit reminiscent of pollen. This honey definitely takes me back to my time in Greece. I hope they find distribution because I would be their first customer!
In the French pavilion I tried a lovely Chardonnay jelly. A few aisles away I discovered The Preservatory, a line of jams from the Vista d�oro farms in British Columbia that include Craft Beer Jam, which is really a jelly. It�s made from nothing more than heirloom apples grown on their orchard, craft beer, lemon juice and sugar. It has a great balance of sweetness and depth. After that I was intrigued by the rest of their creative seasonal flavors like Green Heirloom Tomato and Garam Masala, Heirloom Beet with Orange and Pink Peppercorns or the summery Peach and Lemon Verbena with Champagne. Pretty cool stuff!
Last but not least, I forgot to mention this crazy cheese I tried in my cheese post. It's made with kimchi. Yes, kimchi! If you love kimchi quesadillas, then this cheese a blend of kimchi and jack from Beechwood Cheese will definitely make you happy.
Last but not least, I forgot to mention this crazy cheese I tried in my cheese post. It's made with kimchi. Yes, kimchi! If you love kimchi quesadillas, then this cheese a blend of kimchi and jack from Beechwood Cheese will definitely make you happy.
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