From farm to table

One of my favorite things about summer are the farmers markets that pop up all over the area.  I find myself getting carried away, buying lots of vegetables with no plans and no other mouths to feed.  But I can't help it!  There is something irresistible about fresh produce, locally grown and brought for purchase by the very farmers that grew it.  And so week after week, you can find me wandering the stalls, squeezing fruit, and cooking in my head.  Here is this week's bounty....

Baby Bok Choy

I can't take credit for this dish as my girlfriends brought it over, but they went to the Farmer's market too!  

This is a classic tomato, basil, fresh mozzarella salad.  

I used the zucchini, onion and some leftover asparagus to make this dish.  

It is lemon pepper pappardelle tossed with the veggies, garlic, olive oil and parmesan cheese.

And it wouldn't be summer if there wasn't gazpacho, a cold tomato based soup with cucumbers, peppers, onions and garlic, served with hearty croutons.  Delicious!!

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Blog Bookmark Gadgets

East meets West in Denver

I spent last weekend in Denver, and as always I am impressed with the growing food scene.  We checked out a "new" old neighborhood called the Highlands.  It was quaint and filled with old houses, old growth and new style.  When we saw the menu for Boa, with the right side Asian and the left side Mexican, we just had to try it.  How were they going to pull that off?!?  Very well indeed.

Blue corn chicken taquitos

Wheat-flour yaki-soba noodles tossed with veggies, tofu and beef

Hand battered chicken tossed in organic honey sesame sauce.   

Later that afternoon, we shared a Rockstar sundae at Generous Servings. Vanilla ice cream on a chocolate cupcake, topped with hot fudge, peanut brittle, whipped cream and homemade maraschino cherries.

Dig in....

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Blog Bookmark Gadgets

Sushi, sushi, sushi

I love sushi.  So much so that I could eat it every night.  One of the great things about living in Northern California is the abundance of sushi restaurants, from small affordable, to famous high end establishments.  Here is a sampling.

Iron Chef Morimoto recently opened a sushi restaurant in Napa, called Morimoto and we were there within the week.  We had high expectations, especially because he owns Nobu (if you remember from my very first blog entry, it is my favorite restaurant).  I am sad to report that we weren't impressed.  The service was disappointing, and almost condescending.  Our appetizer was tasty and creatively displayed, but the rest of our meal wasn't anything special. The decor however was really pleasing.

Take a look!

Our appetizer was a hamachi tartare.  It came with little paddles and an assortment of flavorings to dip in.

Nori paste, wasabi, creme fraiche, chives, avocado and puffed rice.

We struck up a conversation with the couple at the next table, and they were nice enough to let us take pictures of their food, and even gave us a taste! I promised I would blog about it, so cheers!

Crispy whole fish with spicy tofu sauce and papaya salad.

Steamed halibut with black bean sauce, ginger and hot oil.  

Next on the sushi journey was Mas Sake, a happening little place on Lombard in San Francisco.  

Its one of those place with a cool scene, loud music and funky sushi rolls.

And sometimes, take out sushi from the grocery store is all you need...

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Blog Bookmark Gadgets

Brunch with the girls... en Francais

Sundays were made for brunch....with the girls...with Mimosas.  It was a beautiful sunny day at Le Garage, a quaint little French bistro in the Sausalito marina.  It earns the name by being located in a converted garage.  And did I mention that all the wait staff speak French?  It gave yours truly a chance to show off, I mean, speak my second language.

Mimosas!

Decisions, decisions...

This omelette was a surprising success.  It was cooked with English peas, pequillo peppers and goat cheese.  I wouldn't have thought of combining those ingredients, but it worked really well.  The peas were fresh and popped in my mouth while the peppers added a contrasting tangy flavor.  Goat cheese, aka chevre, is an acquired taste for most and I am no exception but I can say that I love it now.

The french toast, or pain perdu, is never disappointing.  It is topped with a house made berry compote and is absolutely delicious!

Shoestring french fries with a garlic aioli.

What meal is complete without dessert?  We ordered a Bailey's & espresso creme brulee and the Fondant au Chocolate, which is a molten chocolate cake stuffed with hazelnut milk chocolate ganache & served with whipped cream and a Grand Marnier creme anglaise.  

 Perfect ending to a fabulous meal.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Blog Bookmark Gadgets