All posts filed under: Food

Food: Cakes For Easter or Just Cakes

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I am an awful daughter – I didn’t realize it was Palm Sunday yesterday when a few days before my mother asked me to take her to church and I danced around the idea. Still feeling a bit under the weather, I told her I needed more (bed) rest and she graciously nodded without any mention of the religious holiday. But in all reality. Where has time gone? We are midway through April, and although I have a full calendar for the rest of the year, I cannot grasp the idea that the first quarter of the year is done with. Anyway, I promised her church this coming Sunday, which is Easter, and in the middle of it, offered up a cake I wish to make for her from this list of many. The trouble is – I can’t decide which one. I am a fan of carrot cake but that olive oil cake with…. is currently in the lead.

Food: Dinner Tonight – Buttery, Creamy Salmon

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Here’s a shift to this week’s dinner plans – the salmon dinner will be this recipe instead. I don’t know what it is – perhaps the weather shift cold/hot, rain or pretend, when I go from craving summer recipes to comfort meals.  And this one is surely very comforting: INGREDIENTS 4 salmon filets, skin on or off (your preference) kosher salt and black pepper 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons salted butter 1 small shallot, thinly sliced 3 cloves garlic, minced or grated 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1 cup canned full-fat coconut milk, or heavy cream 2 ounces cream cheese, cubed 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese 4 cups fresh baby spinach juice from 1 lemon 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives, plus more for serving {more} {recipe and featured image source}

Food: Dinner Tonight – Beef Stew Vietnamese Style

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San Francisco is filled with wonderful cuisine, fusion or traditional, Asian food has been one of my favorites. But I’ve never tried to make a dish at home, well, except Thai peanut sauce chicken, with store bought Peanut sauce which is no longer available in stores, I imagine because of the growing peanut allergy in this part of the world. Anyway, I have a pound of stew thawing out in the refrigerator, and while scrolling through Instagram this morning, I found this recipe and traced it back to the original article. Dinner tonight is beef stew Vietnamese style. Ingredients 2 pounds trimmed boneless beef chuck, cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks 3 tablespoons fish sauce, plus more as needed  {not a fan of fish sauce, so I will be omitting} 2 teaspoons light or dark brown sugar {also I never add sugar when a recipe requires it} 1 1/2 teaspoons five-spice powder 3 tablespoons canola or other neutral oil, plus more as needed 1 cup chopped shallot or yellow onion 3 tablespoons peeled and finely chopped …

Food: Dessert or Breakfast

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I came across this recipe when trying to figure out what is for dessert tonight – and then I realized if I add my own take on it – I can also have the ‘dessert’ for breakfast or mid-morning snack – Raspberry & Cream Fools with Amaretti Crumble (Original recipe I am having for dessert) 2 pints raspberries, washed 1 tablespoon sugar, divided 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup chilled heavy whipping cream 1 cup amaretti cookies, crushed {more}   My Take for the breakfast option raspberries or strawberries – washed Organic Honey to taste A dash of vanilla extract I cup coconut or almond yogurt Homemade granola crumble or store bought is fine if you are pressed for time and just layer or mix together – either way it will be delicious Undecided about dinner tonight – try this recipe for Frittata or add your favorites (bacon bits, green peppers, mushrooms, cheese) to an egg scramble – to be enjoyed with a couple of slices of rustic Italian bread – toasted of course. 

Food: Dinner Tonight – White Bean Soup

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I love white beans – and normally eat them with a touch of olive oil, and Parmesan cheese and  a dash of cilantro. But today I am craving a soup – and this one is perfect, minus the Crockpot, but for sure with a few slice of rustic baguette and a bottle of cab. INGREDIENTS 6 cups low-sodium chicken or veggie stock 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa 1 small sweet onion, chopped 2 carrots, chopped 1/4 cup basil pesto 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 4 sage leaves kosher salt and pepper 1 parmesan rind 3 tablespoons lemons juice + 1 tablespoon lemon zest 2 cups roughly torn Tuscan kale 2 cans (14 ounces) cans cannelloni beans, drained grated parmesan, for serving  {more} 

Food: Dinner Tonight – Craving BBQ Chicken added to a Salad of Choice

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We’ve had more rain then I remember in a lifetime here in San Francisco, and I couldn’t be happier. We needed it, wish it would be the norm every year – but we know how it goes. Ten years of drought, one year of some rain. This year of course its an exception – or – wait I think we had this much rain back in 2009?  So, yup every ten years. 🙂 Anyway, with this much rain, we’ve had to postpone the idea of BBQ outdoors. But, since I am craving BBQ, and some sort of salad today, it is happening – either in a non-stick skillet, or my indoor grill – which is an older model and a pain to clean – I have a few more hours to decide which way to BBQ – either way, this is the salad I am aiming for tonight. And…I am not changing a thing in the recipe. INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breasts or tenders 1/3 cup barbecue sauce, store-bought or homemade 2 cups fresh grilled or frozen thawed corn …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Oven Fried Chicken

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There are two things I love – Korean BBQ short ribs, and fried or battered chicken of sorts. These are my weaknesses among a million other gastronomical weaknesses. 🙂  Now, although San Francisco has some of the best cuisines or restaurants in the world, I sometimes prefer to try out my favorites at home – in my own kitchen and naturally with a twist to recipes I find here and there. INGREDIENTS 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts or thighs (you can use skin on or off, but I used skin off) 1 cup buttermilk 2 teaspoons kosher salt 3 cups finely crushed corn flakes  {or Panko, which is what I am going to use} 3 tablespoons whole wheat flour 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme extra virgin olive oil, for brushing HOT HONEY 6 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons honey   {I am going to mix in BBQ sauce, what? Haven’t you heard of honey-BBQ} 2-3 teaspoons cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder kosher salt  {more} Side dish – homemade coleslaw – cabbage, Extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, a dash of salt  Just in case you are planning a trip to San Francisco, and of …

Friday Breakfast For A Family Plus one Doggy Visit

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I love spontaneous visits – as my home is always open to family and a handful of friends visiting from out-of-town. In this case, family + her beautiful German Sheppard I cannot wait to hang out with over the weekend. He’s adorable, but not at all interesting to my 15-year old Yokie, who although will have a tough time having T around, I am sure deep down he will be a great host. Here’s the thing about these visits – full on breakfasts and long conversations over coffee, while both of us are curled up on the sofas with our loyal companions at our feet. Best feeling ever, I can assure you. So I looked up  breakfast options to prepare – and this recipe popped up for me to alter a bit to fit our dietary needs: INGREDIENTS MAPLE CANDIED BACON    {I will be using Uncurred Turkey bacon from trader Joe – best I’ve had so far and bypassing the added ingredients} 1/2 pound thick cut bacon use peppered bacon if possible 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup 1/4 cup brown sugar …