All posts filed under: gourmet cooking

Food: Dessert or Breakfast

Published by

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 – Craving BBQ Chicken added to a Salad of Choice

Published by

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 – Szechuan Noodles with Chicken

Published by

This recipe is perfect and I plan to change nothing – for dinner tonight, on this rainy cold Wednesday – while I contemplate refreshing or enhancing my blog. INGREDIENTS 1/3 cup peanut oil 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced or smashed 1-2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1 inch fresh ginger, grated 1/4 cup raw sesame seeds 8 ounces Chinese egg noodles 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce 1/4 cup rice vinegar 2 tablespoons honey 1-2 tablespoons chili paste (sambal oelek) 1/2 pound ground chicken or pork (optional) 1 red onion thinly, sliced 4 green onions, chopped, plus more for serving 4 baby bok choy or green cabbage, chopped {more} On another note, I was sad to have watched the last episode of Victoria Season 3 on Sunday, but the commercials for Beecham House after the finale got me feeling hopeful – will you watch it once a premiere date is set for the US? And if elsewhere offering up this show – have you seen it?   

Recap and a Brioche Bread Recipe

Published by

I realized while pacing the airport waiting for a flight to board, that I haven’t added my two or three cents here for your reading pleasure or boredom – depending on your mood while scrolling through the madness otherwise known as the web and stumbling upon my blog. But truth be told, I was also being mindful of the black Friday extending to the weekend after Thanksgiving and cyber Monday shopping frenzy we are conditioned to embark upon – in the U.S. So, now on Wednesday, I am hopeful you have survived the Turkey feast, the family in town or otherwise, the Friendsgiving, and doorbuster shopping you may have done over the long weekend. I actually spent a soft (stress-free) thanksgiving with one of my favorite gals –  a last-minute shifting gears from the normal meal planned at home. I simply got in the car, drove down south and spend a few days in a pretty mellow environment – away from the ash and smoke-filled skies over the bay area. Although the day I left, it …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Red Wine Braised Short Ribs

Published by

After turkey on Thursday, and leftovers on Friday, I am ready for this recipe – an interesting one for short ribs. I mean what is there more to say, expect if the family is visiting from out of town, and easy dinner prep is the idea, then go here for the recipe: INGREDIENTS 5 pounds bone in, beef short ribs kosher salt and black pepper 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced 2 shallots, thinly sliced 4 carrots, chopped 2 cups dry red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon 2 cups low sodium beef broth 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey 4 sprigs fresh thyme 2 sprigs fresh rosemary 2 bay leaves 2 cups fresh cranberries mashed potatoes, for serving {Featured image source} How about this recipe for cranberry Thyme Spritz and a good old-fashioned board game after dinner  

Food: Marble Pound Cake

Published by

When I was a child, there was a tradition established where relatives – mostly the women – visit one another on a particular date each month. The date was determined based on a symbolic event for that certain family – such as a birthday or a wedding date.  The hostess would bake a cake or two or make brioche and other wonderful baked goods, fresh lemonade in the summer and cinnamon spiced tea in the winter and sometimes even ice cream or jello would be added – for the kids that behaved during the visit. I don’t recall behaving until the cake and ice cream was served and then I had to glance over to my mother to make sure I was entitled to getting my share. So in light of traditions, and hosting a tea party or Sunday brunch or even a simple get-together just because, I share with you this wonderful old-world, easy marble cake recipe, just like the ones my mother and aunts made – right  here: Ingredients 3 eggs about 210 g 210 g of cane …

Food: A New Take on Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Published by

Whatever this year’s Indian summer is in San Francisco; it seems to last only from noon to four in the afternoon. The rest of the time its been crispy, windy and chilly outdoors and indoors to the point I was actually freezing last night, and needed to bundle up while reading, before turning in for the night. This very chilly morning, I decided it was time to craft soup for dinner  or adjust a few existing recipes to fit my dietary need. So on my hunt for soup recipes, I came across this perfect  one to kick-start the soup season. INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 3 tablespoons butter 1 small sweet onion, diced 1 carrot, diced 1/4 cup all-purpose flour  (omit for my Keto diet) 2 cups whole milk  (I will use 1 cup coconut milk instead and one can of pure coconut cream ) 2 cups low sodium veggie or chicken broth 1 12 ounce pumpkin beer  (This is going to be my cheat, but you can remove it if you wish) 3-4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, plus more for serving 2 bay leaves 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon cayenne, or …

Food: London Vegan Eateries

Published by

Before my trip to London for a few days in May, I made a list of restaurants I wanted to try, and out of the list of ten places, we only experienced two – which were mostly based on hype and the food not as spectacular as the menu made it sound to be. So I won’t mention them here. But the following places on this list are ones I intend to try when I return to London in December. You might also find this article interesting – When to buy organic and when not

Travel: New York’s Best Restaurants

Published by

I had trouble deciding how to categorize this post. Meaning, whether I should link it to Food, Decor or Travel. Because you see…it covers all and how it came to be on my radar? Well, because a friend of mine is headed to New York soon and my helping to figure out how to get around led to this wonderful discovery of best restaurants in New York in terms of decor and food.  Although, I can imagine just how many wonderful list of eateries there are in this famous city. Let me know if you agree or have other recommends you want to tack on here: {featured image source}  

Food: Dinner Tonight – Shrimp Cobb Salad

Published by

I am presently what  is referred to as – the salad bowl of Calfornia. Otherwise knows as California’s central coast. The place where all the beautiful farming takes place. I love being here because it is the best getaway for this city girl, tired of the steel, stone and glass all around, and too much construction throughout the city of San Francisco. Which I am not certain if it’s to beautify it or add to the chaos. I’ve lived in the city all my life, and watched it grow into something, I am not sure I appreciate as much as the simpleness the city once was. Sure I live in the outer sunset, which is a bit quitter than downtown, but still, the city is growing in a direction I am having trouble with truly appreciating the older I get. With that said, I make a conscious effort to escape to the countryside, whether east of the city, or south, I take a drive or a flight to somewhere surrounded by farms, where downtown consists …