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blogspot has been good to me, but I decided to move to WordPress. It was hook, line and sinker when I discovered the better user interface and features that blogspot was lacking. good bye!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Dee's Bday
We had a little get together to celebrate Dee's bday. It was so hard deciding what to cook b/c usually I want to make everything. This time I managed to finish cooking everything before the last guest arrived. Prior occasions you'd find us slaving away in the kitchen all night and missing out on all the fun. I guess finally I've learned a thing or two from watching all those episodes of Barefoot Contessa.
Menu:
Gruyere puff pastry
Salad
Veggie platter w/ dip
Corn cheddar chowder w/ a side of crispy bacon to top the chowder
Buttermilk Biscuits to go w/ the chowder
Mini Burgers
Bread Pudding w/ vanilla ice cream
Mini Burgers
I used Costco dinner rolls which turned out well. I was going to use King's Hawaiian rolls but since we were already at Costco we picked up these instead. We got the ground beef from Costco also and the burgers turned out so juicy and delicious!
Gruyere puff pastry
I got the idea of making these from a wedding we went to back in October. We couldn't stay for the reception b/c we had another wedding to go to that night (yes I know two weddings in one night!! what are the odds?), but those cheese pinwheels that we had stuck in my mind. I just had to try to recreate it. This isn't exactly how they were but still tasty.
I bought frozen puff pastry from TJ's - one box contained two sheets of puff pastry. Grated gruyere (one of my favorite cheeses!) and sprinkled it on the puff pastry. Rolled it up like a jelly roll and put it back into the freezer for a little bit so it would cut easier. then just sliced them and baked them until they were golden brown. Serve warm!
Corn Cheddar Chowder
my first soup that didn't come from a recipe! Here's how I made it.
In my Le Creuset dutch oven I browned some chopped bacon until they were crispy. These were drained on paper towels and put aside for topping the chowder later.
I removed most of the bacon grease from the pot leaving just a little bit to cook the chopped onions. Added carrots and celery. Deglazed w/ some white wine. Added potatoes, red bell peppers and thyme.
Then added one whole container of organic chicken broth that I got from TJ's. Also added one bay leaf. Simmered until the potatoes were almost done. Added frozen white corn since corn isn't in season right now. The frozen white corn from TJ's is delicous and sweet. I wasn't sure when to add the corn but I didn't really want the corn to get all mooshy, so I added it when the potatoes were almost done.
Poured in about 1/2 cup cream but you can leave it out if you want to cut calories. divided by 10 people it's not a lot of cream. I also added shredded cheddar cheese just b/c I had some leftover... probably added about 1/2 a cup.
Then what I did was take about two cups of the soup and pureed it in the food processor or if you have a blender that would work also. Added it back to the soup - this thickens it up nicely. You can thicken up the soup by doing this instead of adding cream. that's basically it! sorry for no measurements... I usually just throw in whatever when I cook. Oh yeah remember to salt and pepper along the way!! I forgot to mention that. I guess next time I should keep track of my steps as I cook.
Buttermilk Biscuits
I got the recipe from Martha Stewart online. I actually saw them make it on their Everyday Food show. It looked so good and I was thinking it would be great w/ the soup but I must have done something wrong b/c they were not delicious at all. I might have worked the dough too much or added too much flour. I won't be using that recipe again. I will try again until I succeed!
Had some leftover buttermilk and made some pancakes for breakfast. delicious!!
Menu:
Gruyere puff pastry
Salad
Veggie platter w/ dip
Corn cheddar chowder w/ a side of crispy bacon to top the chowder
Buttermilk Biscuits to go w/ the chowder
Mini Burgers
Bread Pudding w/ vanilla ice cream
Mini Burgers
I used Costco dinner rolls which turned out well. I was going to use King's Hawaiian rolls but since we were already at Costco we picked up these instead. We got the ground beef from Costco also and the burgers turned out so juicy and delicious!
Gruyere puff pastry
I got the idea of making these from a wedding we went to back in October. We couldn't stay for the reception b/c we had another wedding to go to that night (yes I know two weddings in one night!! what are the odds?), but those cheese pinwheels that we had stuck in my mind. I just had to try to recreate it. This isn't exactly how they were but still tasty.
I bought frozen puff pastry from TJ's - one box contained two sheets of puff pastry. Grated gruyere (one of my favorite cheeses!) and sprinkled it on the puff pastry. Rolled it up like a jelly roll and put it back into the freezer for a little bit so it would cut easier. then just sliced them and baked them until they were golden brown. Serve warm!
Corn Cheddar Chowder
my first soup that didn't come from a recipe! Here's how I made it.
In my Le Creuset dutch oven I browned some chopped bacon until they were crispy. These were drained on paper towels and put aside for topping the chowder later.
I removed most of the bacon grease from the pot leaving just a little bit to cook the chopped onions. Added carrots and celery. Deglazed w/ some white wine. Added potatoes, red bell peppers and thyme.
Then added one whole container of organic chicken broth that I got from TJ's. Also added one bay leaf. Simmered until the potatoes were almost done. Added frozen white corn since corn isn't in season right now. The frozen white corn from TJ's is delicous and sweet. I wasn't sure when to add the corn but I didn't really want the corn to get all mooshy, so I added it when the potatoes were almost done.
Poured in about 1/2 cup cream but you can leave it out if you want to cut calories. divided by 10 people it's not a lot of cream. I also added shredded cheddar cheese just b/c I had some leftover... probably added about 1/2 a cup.
Then what I did was take about two cups of the soup and pureed it in the food processor or if you have a blender that would work also. Added it back to the soup - this thickens it up nicely. You can thicken up the soup by doing this instead of adding cream. that's basically it! sorry for no measurements... I usually just throw in whatever when I cook. Oh yeah remember to salt and pepper along the way!! I forgot to mention that. I guess next time I should keep track of my steps as I cook.
Buttermilk Biscuits
I got the recipe from Martha Stewart online. I actually saw them make it on their Everyday Food show. It looked so good and I was thinking it would be great w/ the soup but I must have done something wrong b/c they were not delicious at all. I might have worked the dough too much or added too much flour. I won't be using that recipe again. I will try again until I succeed!
Had some leftover buttermilk and made some pancakes for breakfast. delicious!!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Chapeau!
Chapeau!
1408 Clement St
(between 15th Ave & 16th Ave)
San Francisco, CA 94118
M & I have been to Chapeau! once before and I decided it would be a nice place to take Dee out for her bday. We got there at 7:15pm and it quickly filled up once we settled in... surprising for a Wednesday night. They're not open on Tuesdays. Each of us got the three course menu for $38. Not a bad deal. I think they might have an early special that is even cheaper but you'd probably have to get there at or before 6pm.
complimentary asparagus soup
chèvre w/ asparagus
veal sweetbread - really rich and delicious
duck salad - M said not very memorable, adequate
black cod
duck w/ polenta and roasted pears (this was mine and it was delicious!!)
Filet
Basil Napoleon - this was ok. refreshing but different having basil w/ fruit.
apple tart - not good. no flavor. bland
blueberry puff pastry - this was the best of the three
1408 Clement St
(between 15th Ave & 16th Ave)
San Francisco, CA 94118
M & I have been to Chapeau! once before and I decided it would be a nice place to take Dee out for her bday. We got there at 7:15pm and it quickly filled up once we settled in... surprising for a Wednesday night. They're not open on Tuesdays. Each of us got the three course menu for $38. Not a bad deal. I think they might have an early special that is even cheaper but you'd probably have to get there at or before 6pm.
complimentary asparagus soup
chèvre w/ asparagus
veal sweetbread - really rich and delicious
duck salad - M said not very memorable, adequate
black cod
duck w/ polenta and roasted pears (this was mine and it was delicious!!)
Filet
Basil Napoleon - this was ok. refreshing but different having basil w/ fruit.
apple tart - not good. no flavor. bland
blueberry puff pastry - this was the best of the three
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Sunday Brunch @ Foreign Cinema
Foreign Cinema
2534 Mission St
(between 21st St & 22nd St)
San Francisco, CA 94110
One of our favorite "fancy" brunch places is Foreign Cinema in the Mission. Their menu changes which is nice b/c they have the usual faves but also new stuff we can try. We tried dinner here and I really like brunch a lot more. Maybe it will require a few more trips for dinner...
Bloody Caesar - never had one and decided to try it that day. Similar to a Bloody Mary but uses clamato (blend of tomato and clam). Couldn't taste a strong clam flavor which was good. This was spicy although doesn't compare to the Bloody Mary's at Zeitgeist (which will serious make your stomach boil!)
Who doesn't remember eating Pop Tarts while growing up? This is definitely the fancy version... really fresh and pastry was super flaky and delicious. I might have to try to make this at home although it won't even compare to the pros.
Organic fruit w/ pistachios and goat cheese. We usually get the fruit bowl which never disappoints. Aren't the colors so wonderful?
Poached Egg, grilled duck breast and warm salad greens
Champagne omelet - this one had a little bit of apples in it. not too sweet and mixed w/ the savory filling was delicious. The potatoes were just the way I like them... crispy on the outside and soft inside. Probably one of the best omelets I've had b/c the texture of the eggs were heavenly! I need to learn their secret.
Baked eggs w/ Berkshire pork. Matt said it was a bit too salty which is crazy b/c he likes everything super salty & saucey compared to how I like it. I only had a bite.
2534 Mission St
(between 21st St & 22nd St)
San Francisco, CA 94110
One of our favorite "fancy" brunch places is Foreign Cinema in the Mission. Their menu changes which is nice b/c they have the usual faves but also new stuff we can try. We tried dinner here and I really like brunch a lot more. Maybe it will require a few more trips for dinner...
Bloody Caesar - never had one and decided to try it that day. Similar to a Bloody Mary but uses clamato (blend of tomato and clam). Couldn't taste a strong clam flavor which was good. This was spicy although doesn't compare to the Bloody Mary's at Zeitgeist (which will serious make your stomach boil!)
Who doesn't remember eating Pop Tarts while growing up? This is definitely the fancy version... really fresh and pastry was super flaky and delicious. I might have to try to make this at home although it won't even compare to the pros.
Organic fruit w/ pistachios and goat cheese. We usually get the fruit bowl which never disappoints. Aren't the colors so wonderful?
Poached Egg, grilled duck breast and warm salad greens
Champagne omelet - this one had a little bit of apples in it. not too sweet and mixed w/ the savory filling was delicious. The potatoes were just the way I like them... crispy on the outside and soft inside. Probably one of the best omelets I've had b/c the texture of the eggs were heavenly! I need to learn their secret.
Baked eggs w/ Berkshire pork. Matt said it was a bit too salty which is crazy b/c he likes everything super salty & saucey compared to how I like it. I only had a bite.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Oahu: Mitsu-Ken
Mitsu-Ken
1223 N School St
Honolulu, HI 96817
A serious hole in the wall that I found on yelp. I didn't know it would be all the way in I dunno where. Looks like few tourists come here b/c while we were there ordering and waiting for our food it was all local workers. Glad we found this place b/c they have great breakfast. We didn't know what to order and the girl at the counter was super nice and was going to name all the stuff they had displayed but silly us we didn't want her to go to the trouble... we should have though b/c I was wondering the whole time what certain items were. Parking was a bit hard to find. No place to eat... just grab and go so we took it to go on our way to the North Shore. This place has awesome garlic chicken. Probably not the most healthy thing but oh so delicious. Who cares... we're on vacation!
Deciding what to order
Got our food! yippee!
Breakfast plate: fried rice, eggs, bacon and the best garlic chicken
Not sure what this is called but it has ahi tuna and crab along w/ a sorta cream (mayo-ish) sauce
Beef Stew... it was so hot that day we couldn't each much of this... although I wouldn't have minded eating more garlic chicken
1223 N School St
Honolulu, HI 96817
A serious hole in the wall that I found on yelp. I didn't know it would be all the way in I dunno where. Looks like few tourists come here b/c while we were there ordering and waiting for our food it was all local workers. Glad we found this place b/c they have great breakfast. We didn't know what to order and the girl at the counter was super nice and was going to name all the stuff they had displayed but silly us we didn't want her to go to the trouble... we should have though b/c I was wondering the whole time what certain items were. Parking was a bit hard to find. No place to eat... just grab and go so we took it to go on our way to the North Shore. This place has awesome garlic chicken. Probably not the most healthy thing but oh so delicious. Who cares... we're on vacation!
Deciding what to order
Got our food! yippee!
Breakfast plate: fried rice, eggs, bacon and the best garlic chicken
Not sure what this is called but it has ahi tuna and crab along w/ a sorta cream (mayo-ish) sauce
Beef Stew... it was so hot that day we couldn't each much of this... although I wouldn't have minded eating more garlic chicken
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