Life's a Picnic

I'm a Bagel Man

2012-02-18T07:21:00.000-08:00

I love my bagels! In my brain breakfast is not complete without some type of bread. Lately I've picked a bagel as my muse. I prefer the smaller,denser, boiled before baking style. Locally I choose Redwood Bagel Company's whole wheat or poppy seed. I buy a dozen, slice them in half and stow them in the freezer. When breakfast beckons I pop a half in the toaster and top with savories from the refrigerator. Consider the bagel half a blank canvas: Be artistic and create beautiful edible art.

Clockwise from top.Poppy seed with cream cheese,tomato and olive tapenande; whole wheat with cream cheese, smoked salmon and capers; whole wheat with cream cheese, tomato and capers.

Call Me Gregor the Greek

2012-02-14T14:37:00.000-08:00

Avril's lunch salad had a Greek influence today. I tossed cucumbers, tomatoes and onions over romaine lettuce. I topped it with Feta Cheese and made a tangy oregano scented vinaigrette to add at lunch time. If I had olives I would have flung them in there too. OPA!

Greek inspired salad

Shrimp Salad Sando

2012-02-12T09:30:00.000-08:00

This is the triple S sandwich. Since I bashed one local big box last blog I thought I would throw some praise on another. Many times on Friday, when Avril and I commuted together, we would hit the Costco for dinner. There were samples for appetizers while we gathered our meal: A rotisserie chicken, fresh baked bread, shrimp cocktail and a bottle of yummy discount wine. At home, we would throw together a salad and added extra horseradish and Tapatio to the cocktail sauce. This created a respectable family meal with wine for under $30. The added bonus was lots of leftovers for weekend noshing. This sandwich is repository for leftover shrimp.

Remove the tails and chop the shrimp into bite sized pieces, add Best Foods mayo and chopped celery. Salt and pepper to taste. You could add some herbs if available. Scoop into a bolillo roll and add a squeeze of lemon just before eating. Nom Nom!

Triple S Sando- Shrimp Salad Sandwich

The Target of My Ire

2012-02-09T12:13:00.000-08:00

Are You Feeling Lucky?

I went to the local big box the other day. Where else can you get women's opaque-footless tights, cat food and car polish all in one place? I really enjoy dodging sport utility sized shopping carts, pushed by oblivious, texting citizens. This visit was a special one. I watched an out of control seven year old slap and try to bite his older sister thinking the whole while they must be filming "What W ould You Do?" T.V. show. Just about the time I was about to intercede, mom showed up and gave him a "time out." On the way to check out, I passed the new grocery area and spotted some boxed wine called Bandits. We like these for travel. I feel comfortable stowing them in luggage and not risking the sound of broken glass. Two Bandits jumped into the cart.

The lines at checkout were short and the nice employee began posting my order. Near the end of the transaction she requested my drivers license. Somewhat startled by her request I asked why. She pointed to the wine. I am almost three times the legal age but in the interest of consistent sales of alcohol I complied. She told me I would need to remove my license from my wallet. Again I asked why."I need to scan the license into my register" she replied. I explained my whole family had to have our credit cards replaced when our information was compromised, at another local grocery. Now she wanted to have my credit card information and my drivers license in one convenient location. This was the policy. Well my policy is different. You can keep your Bandits this time and in the future you can keep all of your products. I would love to talk to the person who implemented this policy. Just give me your credit card, license, social security number, passport and fingerprint...trust me it will be safe!! Are you feeling lucky?

Update: Read this NYTimes Magazine article "How Companies Learn Your Secrets." Maybe I'm not just a grumpy, old paranoid guy!

Turkey Pain Killer

2012-02-05T14:56:00.000-08:00

This huge panini helped assuage the pain that our favorite team was not in the Super Bowl. Turkey panini with cranberry chutney, herb aioli, caramelized onions and Swiss Cheese filled the void.

Turkey Panini shot on iPhone at Creekside Bakery.

A Blogable Event

2012-02-01T07:57:00.000-08:00

Sometimes the perfectionist side of my personality gets in the way of fun. I want each blog post to the best it can be, so I worry over each dish and photo. This morning, in the dark, I was putting together Avril's Lunch and decided it looked good enough to blog about. The heck with sunlight! With minimal fluffing I present lunch.

Mixed salad with blue cheese and pork medallions - balsamic vinaigrette. Side of crudites with hummus dip.
Cara Cara orange slices and apple wedges. A little citrus juice keeps the apples from browning.

Some of My Favorite Things

2012-01-27T12:21:00.000-08:00

Sometimes the cosmic universe serves up a delicious platter. Let me explain. I have publicly announced my fondness for several T.V. shows, Ellen and Glee being two. About a year ago I saw a duo called 2Cellos perform Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal on The Ellen Show. As fast as my fingers could type I watched them over and over again on YouTube. Crazy good stuff! Since my purchase of an iPhone I have been slowly adding songs for my listening pleasure and sought out their music. I subscribe to Glee's YouTube page so they send my video promos for up coming shows. Next week, Tues 1/31, Glee will air a show featuring Michael Jackson's music titled GleeHee. Guess what? The 2Cellos play Smooth Criminal while cast members Naya Rivera and Grant Gustin have a musical throw-down. Outstanding!! You guys been hacking my iPhone? ;)

Frittata

2012-01-21T09:07:00.000-08:00

April made my morning by whipping up a Florentine Frittata inspired by the Egg Beaters recipe website. She substituted regular Egg Beaters and added chopped spinach. Tomatoes where used in place of bell pepper. I ramped up my portion with some sour cream and Taco Bell hot sauce. This would make a great sandwich on a crusty bolillo roll.

Florentine Frittata photo was taken in the dark of morning with iPhone.

Please Don't Take my Nikon Away!

2012-01-19T10:29:00.000-08:00

I've been a certified photography freak for a long time. When digital cameras hit the market I was slow to adapt from film. Once I did, there was no going back. I guess I applied the same thought process to cell phones. For a long time my wife and kids have been sliding me towards an iPhone. I resisted until my trusty cell required packing tape to hold itself together. I was going to purchase a older style phone to replace it, but it seemed silly to go backwards in technology. After a bit of a iPhone learning curve I have become comfortable using it. The photographs it takes are amazingly good. I can email the photos to myself and edit them on the computer or instantly upload to social media. That's cool... but it still doesn't match my Nikon camera for capturing quality images. Can some mad scientist build me a Nikon phone? For now please don't take my Nikon away!

Here are some photos taken with the iPhone. The salami struck me as a great idea. Cut it from wrapper and you have instant catering. I discovered the price was over $25 a pound! I'll buy the $8 salami and make a pretty circle. The pastries? Jump into my tummy!

iPhone photos

Self portrait "I love the internet!"

SF 49ers Road to the Superbowl Sandwich

2012-01-15T15:09:00.000-08:00

Saturday was a great day. We celebrated Avril's birthday, Christmas part two for away kids, and the 49ers playoff win. What a day! In honor of the win Avril concocted the '49ers Road to the Superbowl Sandwich.' This is a big, bold, the underdog kicks butt sandwich. It consists of meatloaf, macaroni & cheese, sliced provolone and cheddar cheese. A swipe of barbeque sauce on buttered bread and the sandwich hits the George Foreman. When the cheese begins to bubble out, it's sliced and eaten. Go Niners! Cheers to "The Catch 2012."

49ers Road to the Superbowl Sandwich
Assembling the sandwich

Old School Recipe

2012-01-08T10:40:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I don't know how I come up with dinner ideas. I was scanning the fridge for dinner fixings. What the heck can I do different with boneless, skinless chicken breast? The little jar of capers that I use on my bagels in the morning literally leaped from the refrigerator door. With my cat like reflexes I snatched it mid air. Was it a sign? I've got several Meyer lemons, how about some old school Chicken Piccatta? I hit Google for a recipe, and used Giada De Laurentis / Food Network as a starting point. I reduced the lemon a bit and added more butter at the end. The result was splendid.

Chicken Picatta with Quinoa and tomatoes

Shared Eating

2012-01-04T09:14:00.000-08:00

I ordered apple pie and she ordered black bean turkey chili. Isn't it funny how what the other person ordered always looks better when it arrives. Our solution was shared eating. Yummy!

Holiday Cheer

2012-01-01T12:16:00.000-08:00

We have a habit of staying home on New Year's Eve. Safe from all the amateurs out on the road, we enjoy dinner and cocktails and each other's company. On New Year's day a brunch with bloody Marys and football. Having worked in the hospitality industry for years, it is wonderful to have quality time with family.

My special cocktail for New Year's Eve was Korbel Blanc De Noirs, enhanced with a splash of triple sec and some frozen berries. For New Year's brunch, I made Bloody Marys in the salad style. It looks almost healthy!

Holidaze

2011-12-23T09:46:00.000-08:00

It is a crazy time of year for most. I tend to be a blah humbug, Grinch- like character during the holidays so I allow myself a treat now and again. A happy, mood enhancing trip to the bakery is what I needed. The best gingerbread house display and an apple pastry made my day. Happy Holidays!

Apple pastry and gingerbread house- Creekside Bakery, Novato Ca.

Breakfast Included!

2011-12-19T08:52:00.000-08:00

If I ruled the world, breakfast would be included with every hotel stay: No twenty dollar scrambled eggs or five dollar coffee. We took Amtrak's Capital Corridor to Roseville, to pick up a used car for my ghetto fleet. Rather than drive home in the fog we stayed the night a the Hallmark Inn near U.C. Davis. In the morning, we were greeted by a wonderful assortment of breakfast goodies. I had the ham-cheese omelet . April had a huge waffle with fresh fruit. Coffee and juice completed the feast. Alright I confess! I had a slab of lemon-poppy seed cake. If you arrive during happy hour, adult beverages are included too!

Breakfast included at Hallmark Inn, Davis Ca,

It's a Wrap!

2011-12-11T08:56:00.001-08:00

Days 6-7

It's time to head home. We catch the hotel shuttle to the Amtrak Station in Solana Beach, a cute town that begs for future exploration. We catch the 4:55 north bound Surfliner train to Los Angeles. It passes through some beautiful beach towns and I had hoped for some daylight photos but this time of year night comes early. I do capture photos of a stunning, crazy red/orange sky sunset.

Sunset from the Amtrak Surfliner

In addition to the great views the Surfliner offers an amenity for the internet set, free wireless connection. According to a conductor who we chatted with on our journey, Amtrak plans to install internet on most trains in the near future. We reach LA and cab it to The Sheraton Hotel (Hotwire $83). The room is comfy and the huge pillows are wonderful. We hit the lobby bar, sip wine and eat fried calamari. On a full stomach we say goodnight.

The next day we catch a cab to Union Station after being shouted at by a large group of' occupy protesters. They shout, "Shame on you!" Nothing like a large, threatening gang of people to start your morning adrenaline. I'm not sure what I should be ashamed about. I guess because I'm older and well dressed I'm a target. I try to dialogue with the loudest of the bunch but he will have none of this. Seemed more like a lynch mob than a revolution. The cab driver who sounded Russian does not appear intimidated as he whisks us past the fray.

At Union Station I observe the closed off space I had blogged about earlier is now being set up for a fashion shoot. Great location! BTW unless this is a police sting don't leave several thousand dollars worth of camera, unguarded, within reaching distance of potential opportunists. Grab, run, gone!

Fashion shoot LA Union Station

We check bags, receive our seating assignment and then we have an unusual breakfast. A Wetzel's Pretzel! They do have these in the Bay Area but I had not tried one until now. April got me a salted buttered one and OMG it was good!

Wetzel's Pretzel LA Union Station - All Aboard!

We board the train and head north to Emeryville. I was rocked to sleep by the motion of the train but awoke in time to capture this video just outside of Santa Barbara.

After San Luis Obispo we climb a little mountain and I grab some still photos.

Amrtak Coast Starlight 14 north of San Luis Obispo

April cranks up the computer and we watch The Green Lantern movie. I wasn't expecting much, but it was quite entertaining. After a twelve hour journey we arrive in Emeryville only five minutes late. We disembark and watch the train head north on to Seattle. It's good to be home.

Tough Job

2011-12-10T08:11:00.001-08:00

Days 4-5

Monday has arrived and the lovely Avril has to return to work. Her company is located a five minute walk from the hotel. I walk with her and we have coffee and breakfast together in the Green Leaf Cafe, located in the adjacent business park. We are greeted each morning by the cute, effervescent Crystal who welcomes everyone with a smile. The food is great and inexpensive for breakfast and lunch. It offers an alternative to the hotel restaurant high prices. The hotel has great happy hour prices, but the rest of the menu would make it difficult to remain in bounds of even Avril's generous meal stipend.

Green Leaf Cafe Chicken Caesar Wrap & Sunrise Sandwich

When Avril goes to work I am left to my own devices, what will I do? My room has high speed internet access, a huge screen t.v. and a free morning newspaper. The hotel has a pool, spa, fitness center and beautiful grounds with a large collection of my favorite flower, bird of paradise. So many things to do, so little time. It's a tough job but someone has to do it - at least until happy hour and the wife returns.

Bird of Paradise Garden, Doubletree Hotel San Diego Del Mar

Happy Hour and Avril's return!

Fish Taco $4 & Thai Shrimp Skewer $7 - Nom nom!

LA to San D

2011-12-07T09:18:00.001-08:00

Day 3
We sleep in a bit to make up for our late check in. Our room is twenty five floors above downtown LA. I have to admit I find downtown LA a bit intimidating. I'm used to San Francisco where it seems more pedestrian friendly. On our mile and half cab ride to and from Union Station we transverse two bits of freeway, cars coming and going in every direction. Google Maps says it is walkable, but I'll trust the cab driver. Check out the view from our hotel room.

View from twenty fifth floor of Westin Bonavneture LA

After a quick trip to Union Station, we arrive way early. It gives me a chance to snap a few photos. I imagine the golden years of Union Station, much of it is off limits but shines of yesterday's glory. Beautiful wood fixtures, stone and ornate windows - I bet this space is used for events; if not it should be! Ticketing and information booths in use now are sealed with plexiglass, which I suppose is necessary but not as gracious as the old school booths.

Old school information and ticket booth - LA's Union Station

We board the Pacific Surfliner and head out for San Diego. The train ride experience is at least as beautiful as the view from the Coast Starlight but I stupidly put myself in a seat with no window and hope to shoot some cool view pictures on return trip. At the San Diego Amtrak Station I suffer from a bit of deja vu before I realize that I had passed this spot on my only other trip to San Diego ten years ago. A $60 cab ride gets us to The DoubleTree Hotel located in a business park in the suburb of Del Mar. It appears nondescript from the entrance but once inside it is beautiful; particularly the pool and grounds. The best part of our day is the hotel happy hour. House wine is four dollars, triple play of mini-burger with fries and pickles seven dollars and pizza with artichoke,olives,tomatoes and feta cheese five dollars. Happy hour makes me happy!

Happy hour at the Doubletree Hotel San Diego Del Mar

I Left my Bag In San Diego

2011-12-06T19:00:00.000-08:00

Day two - Amtrak Ride

We are up early to catch the Amtrak Coast Starlight. It arrives and departs exactly on time and we settle into our seats. I like to think of the seating on Amtrak as a Barcalounger on wheels. These comfortable chairs recline, have raise-up foot rests and drop down trays. We watch DVDs, gaze out the windows, chat, snooze and enjoy the changing scenery through the central valley. The southern leg of the trip runs along the beach and I manage to grab some beautiful shots of the sunset from the moving train. At the cocktail hour we toast the ride and settle in for the last few hours on the train.

We arrive in LA's Union Station a good half hour ahead of schedule. It is possible to transfer directly from the Coast Starlight to the Pacific Surfliner to San Diego and arrive after one a.m. in the morning. We elected to stay overnight in LA and continue into San Diego the next morning. After standing in line and watching everyone else getting their checked luggage, I look at my luggage tag and realize that our bags are on their way to San Diego! I contact the luggage agent and she and her crew spring into action and rescue our bags from the San Diego train. Thanks to them, I get to brush my teeth before bed.

During the luggage rescue April had the sense to secure a Subway sandwich and two drinks for $7. After a short cab ride to the Westin Boneventure (booked on Hotwire for $103) we are amazed at modern towers and are given a fantastic room on the twenty-fifth floor. A quick check of the hotel dining scene validates the Subway choice, a similar meal would have been over $50! We sink into the most comfortable king bed I have ever slept in and drop into a sound sleep.

Southern California Sunset from Amrtak Coast Starlight.

Logistical Consultant Tag Along

2011-12-05T09:45:00.001-08:00

The wife had to travel to San Diego for some training so I decided to tag along as a logistical consultant. What pray tell is a logistical consultant? Every one has a title these days, so I gave myself a lofty one. Logistics defined per Dictionary.com: "The planning, implementation, and coordination of the details of a business or other operation." I am part travel agent, luggage handler, food procurement person, activities coordinator and all around man Friday. But most of all I am a husband who likes to spend time with the wife.

We decided to train it down to San Diego on the weekend, and I decided it would be fun to do a photo-documentary of our travels

Day one we head to Emeryville to the Hyatt Summerfield Suites where I like to stay the night before our train journeys. We splurge on wine but split a Caesar Salad and burger to save a little loot. Jacob the bartender is a pro and has kitchen split our dishes. To get into the spirit, we have chocolate martinis for desert.

Note about photography here - I actually read the owner's manual of my several year old Nikon point and shoot and realized it has a low light setting that takes pictures in very limited light. They are a little grainy but I prefer to think about the lighting as romantic.

Dinner at the Emeryville Hyatt Summerfield Suites

Leftover Madness Sandwich

2011-11-27T13:13:00.001-08:00

We cook a backup turkey on Thanksgiving, just so we will have leftovers. It seemed like a easy plan up until the oven decided not to work. I guess it was tired from the first turkey. After the initial panic we fired up the barbecue and cooked with the help of a large flashlight. All is well that ends well. We call this sandwich "leftover madness." Load some toasted bread with turkey and sage dressing and slather with mayo and cranberry sauce. The essence of Thanksgiving on sandwich. Bread on bread we must be mad!

Post Thankgiving Food Coma

2011-11-25T07:16:00.001-08:00

Snapped a few photos of the Thanksgiving day festivities but sunk into a food coma before posting. After a good night's sleep I am revived enough to jump on the computer.Have a great weekend.

Free style turkey

Table top landscape gathered by two youngest daughters

Chicken crescent roll cozy- lift wing to receive roll

Roy's Chicago Hot Dogs

2011-11-20T07:51:00.001-08:00

After a short trip to Sonoma Wine Country we stopped in the town of Petaluma to try a taste of Chicago. What you talkin' about Willis? That's right, you read it correctly, Chicago in Petaluma. One of my informants told me about this place and we decided it was high time we tried it. Roy's Chicago Hot Dogs and Beef Shop is located in a live stock auction yard near a bunch of car dealerships; a bit hard to find but worth it. It is the kind of place you would see on Guy Fieri's Triple D show. Guy, if you haven't been there yet - this is your kind of place in your neighborhood. We had their namesake, Chicago Hot Dog ($4) and it rocked. My wife, a Chicago ex-pat, testifies to the authenticity of the dog. One of the staff told us that they ship all their product in from Chicago. Noted was the use of Vienna Beef and neon green relish. While we waited, we observed Italian Beef sandwiches being served and I have vowed to return and try one or maybe a half pound pastrami sandwich or chili fries.....drool!

Chicago Hot Dog - Roy's Petaluma Ca.

They even have their own rock and roll theme song!

Chopped Salad

2011-11-17T09:57:00.001-08:00

I'm always trying to come up with exciting new ideas for my lovely April's packed lunch. I stumbled across a couple of recipes for "chopped salad." The light bulb went on and I realized this style of salad was the perfect vehicle for using up vegetables that might shortly hit the compost. I started with some romaine lettuce, celery, carrots, cucumber, green onions and cherry tomatoes all chopped in bite size pieces. I rolled turkey, salami and provolone in a cigar like shape and sliced it chiffonade style into ribbons. In a separate jar I packed a vinaigrette of olive oil, balsamic, dried oregano, granulated garlic, salt and pepper. All she has to do at lunch is shake the jar of vinaigrette, add it to the salad and mix. Easy money! Vary the veg or dressing and you can have a different salad every day. Enjoy!

Life's a Picnic Chopped Salad

Hometown Vacation

2011-11-14T07:22:00.001-08:00

The time/money equation put a hold on vacation plans this year. Since a vacation is an escape from the normal routine we celebrated vacation hometown style: Sunday morning Italian-French style pastries, coffee and good company. We talked about movies, current events and food. That's a short vacation without the travel expense.

Don't forget the cannoli!

What Really Big Eyes You Have

2011-11-11T06:45:00.001-08:00

I went to the bakery to buy a loaf of their house-made bread, Dutch Crunch to be exact. There you were in the case. Your big cherry and apricot eyes are enticing. You must jump into my tummy you tasty pastry!

Creekside Bakery Novato

Sandwich Day

2011-11-06T13:42:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday was Sandwich Day! How in the heck did I miss that? I created this Italian meats sandwich as a homage to the day I missed. I layered provolone, mortadella, salami and dry coppa on ciabatta bread dressed with a balsamic vinaigrette. Normally this would have been end of story, but I had some dead ripe homegrown tomatoes so I added them. It was fantastico!

Italian Meats Sandwich

The Elusive McRib

2011-10-30T09:07:00.000-07:00

McRib...for a limited time only! Talk about great marketing. Like pop-up restaurants, the McRib shows up for a short time and then disappears. This plan adds a certain romance to the food. A cache value to the experience, so only those cognoscente amongst us know it exists. Even though my doctor wants me to be on the "if it tastes good spit it out diet" I had to check out the McRib. With small fries and drink the calorie count crept up to around nine hundred. Was it tasty? Why yes it was.It tastes more like a seasoned pork sausage than an actual rib. Dressed with a sweet barbecue sauce, onions and pickles it pleases me. Go check it out and tell then G. sent you.

McRib Sandwich October 2011

G's Video Thursday is Back

2011-10-27T08:26:00.000-07:00

Rhett and Link are two wild and crazy video producers/actors/singers. This video commercial was shot for the Food Network. Sing it with me..Guacamole!

Home Style Deli

2011-10-23T12:25:00.000-07:00

Pastrami, Swiss cheese, thousand island and cole slaw on rye. By some definitions a Rachel sandwich. By any name a tasty lunch.

Rachel Sandwich

Tomatoes for Breakfast?

2011-10-20T09:51:00.000-07:00

Use them or lose them. Redwood Bagel topped with whipped cream cheese, capers, extremely ripe toms, salt pepper and olive oil drizzle.

Back on the Horse

2011-10-13T10:58:00.000-07:00

I could not stay away forever. Motivated by the tomatoes that have finally ripened even when I had given up hope. Smaller sized but tasty this year. I could not help but post pictures of the crop. We even had a couple of nosy maters.

High 8 Us!

2011-09-27T07:33:00.000-07:00

Life has been dragging me in different directions. Not necessarily bad directions, but definitely different. I have not been a regular blogger or commenter. I have decided to take a short self imposed hiatus/vacation/break to recharge my batteries. An attitude adjustment, if you will. Hopefully I will climb back on the horse soon. Be well!

Pizza Weekend

2011-09-20T13:42:00.000-07:00

We spent most of the weekend on projects. The largest of which was interior house painting. The older I get the harder the job becomes. Up and down ladders and reaching up to paint makes this old body tired and sore. Eating and blogging took a back seat to labor. We did manage to prepare a pizza from our frozen par-baked crust. Sofia Pizza based on the pizza we had at Coppola Winery Rustic Restaurant on our last visit. Mozzarella baked on the crust and topped with prosciutto, arugula and Parmesan cheese.

G's Video Thursday 5

2011-09-15T08:43:00.000-07:00

Today's video is a Public Service Ad with Matt Damon. One of the food blogs that I follow is Cooking with Amy. In a series of blogs Amy and others are attempted to eat on $4.72 a day, which is the amount a person on food stamps in California has to spend. The Hunger Challenge is part of The San Francisco/Marin Food Bank programs to aid those that go hungry in our area. Check it out.

The Gift of Pears

2011-09-10T08:23:00.000-07:00

Fellow blogger cookiecrumb and her husband gifted us with a "sack o pears" from their prolific tree. I cruised the web for a friendly recipe for pear chutney. I picked the pear chutney for dummies recipe because it seemed to fit the bill. I had no raisins in house and I hate cloves so they were left out. I added some touch of nutmeg for no good reason. It took three hours of simmering, during which the house was perfumed with cooked sugar, fruit and spice.The resulting chutney was sweet, tart, spicy and just plain wonderful. Thank you guys!

Turkey sando on whole wheat with mayo and pear chutney

G's Video Thursday 4 - Two For One

2011-09-08T09:38:00.000-07:00

In the sense of shameless self promotion, this self produced video shows even a chubby cheese-ball blogger like me can get over eight thousand views. I received a note from Weber asking if they could use my video to encourage others to do parodies of the commercial. Of course! Next year I volunteer to be in the real commercial. I work cheap and am a great griller! ;) P.S. That video was thirty five pounds more of me to love. Ready for my Hollywood moment!

The second video is the full version of the Open Sky's "You Light Me Up" the commercial's music. It is available to download for free here at Weber.com.

Labor of Love

2011-09-06T08:49:00.000-07:00

We spent the weekend cooking like crazy for the family. A lot of work but a labor of love doing something I really like to do. We made tri-tip, chicken, grilled veg and fettucini alfredo. Avril baked bread, lemon bars and whipped up strawberry ice cream. Together we made pear chutney, thanks to a gift from cookiecrumb and cranky. Monday we took a long walk in the park and then crashed at home. In days gone by, we might have called a local pizza joint for a pie. Sadly, the joint went out of business after twenty some years. Of course, there are alternatives but twenty to thirty dollars for pizza delivery makes us sad. In response Avril made homemade pizza dough, par baked it and stowed it in the freezer. When we have no energy, we pull it out throw on some toppings and we have pizza in less time than delivery. The cost is about four dollars. Easy money!

Par baked pizza crust makes pizza in a hurry

G's Video Thursday 3

2011-09-01T16:24:00.000-07:00

Big fan of the flash mob! Yeah, I know it is another commercial. Deal with it. Be happy!

Bread Makes a Sandwich

2011-08-30T12:04:00.000-07:00

Most of the people who read my blog know that I am motivated cook, a crazy geek photo nut and an avid sandwich maker. One of the things that makes a sandwich is the bread. I have relied on local markets and my bread making bride to provide me with great bread. I never wanted anything to do with making bread because it requires chemistry and patience, two things I am not really good at. This last weekend I took the leap of faith after reading Jim Lahey's book, My Bread. He describes his recipe as forgiving, but I would would call it pretty much idiot proof. I can attest. Even after making mistakes I turned out loaves that would beat most anything I could buy locally. Yes, I know I am late to the party. The recipe has been out there for years, but I am a bit of a slow learner. Buy the book or check it out of the library as I did. The recipe is online but the book adds some personal reference and romance to the story. There is little hands on time but the results rock!

Jim Lahey's no knead bread.

What did I do with all the bread? Make sandwiches!

French inspired Tartine/ open-faced sandwich

Ham and Brie Sandwich

2011-08-27T11:13:00.000-07:00

Back to the sandwich zone this week. Some nights the urge to produce extravagant meals just doesn't happen. We try to keep on hand ingredients for snacks and sandwiches. Today's selection is a snap. A swath of Dijon mustard, good sliced ham and brie cheese. Sandwich time! Miss Avril decided to freelance some Sukhi's mango chutney on her sando to tart it up a bit.

Ham and brie sandwich

G's Video Thursday

2011-08-25T09:28:00.000-07:00

A unique view of the recent royal wedding. I find the fascinators fascinating!

Onion Confit

2011-08-20T07:31:00.000-07:00

This is a condiment we make on occasion that has many applications. If you want a recipe, Google onion confit, onion marmalade, or perhaps onion chutney. There are tons of recipes with little variations to try. My method is simple. I start with at least four big red onions, a quarter stick of butter (olive oil works too) and saute on low-medium heat until the moisture is gone and you are left with rather unattractive mass of really sweet onion confit. Taste it. Is it sweet enough? Onions vary according to season or type. In this recent application I added two tablespoons each brown sugar and balsamic vinegar. Oh man that's good!

You can use it on sandwiches, as a garnish for some grilled steak, or bruschetta with Parm cheese for a sweet and salty tidbit. My most recent discovery is using it as a topper for a bacon hotdog. It was just an accident - I did this because I was trying to come up with photo that made the confit appear more attractive. Lo and behold, it turned out wonderful. It stores well in a jar in the refrigerator. Enjoy!

Hot dog with applewood smoked bacon and sweet onion confit

G's Video Thursday

2011-08-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

I have decided to try a new idea for my blog. On Thursdays I will post a random video selection for your viewing. Be warned that cruising YouTube can draw you in and become addictive.

Today's selection is Kellen the Mini Warbler. He is a rock star! I am such a Gleek!!

For all my underdogs. I want a blazer like that.

Steakhouse Dinner

2011-08-12T10:17:00.000-07:00

The original impetus for this blog came from the Los Angeles Times Test Kitchen. In the online edition there is a library of tested recipes including seriously good pictures. I chose Bistecca fiorentina (Tuscan steak) because it was simple. Just meat, olive oil, salt and pepper. I was already familiar with the process of letting meat come room temperature before cooking and resting after. It is sage advise, follow it and will have a pleasant effect on the finished steak. I have a habit of not following or changing recipes so of course I enhanced this one. A squeeze of lemon with the olive oil wakes up the taste buds.

Bistecca fiorentina -Tuscan Steak

For plating I matched up a baked potato with butter, sour cream and chives. A side of grilled homegrown zucchini. It wasn't until reviewing the photos that it dawned on me. This may be Tuscan influenced but on the plate it is a good old steakhouse dinner.

Steakhouse Dinner

Cheeseburger Redux

2011-08-08T14:41:00.000-07:00

Last month I blogged about cheeseburgers and homemade brioche buns. The recipe made a dozen and we just used two so we froze them up for later use. I had a bit of free time so I challenged myself to retake the photo to make the burger the star of the photo. I was happy with the results and got to eat cheeseburgers again. Now that's what I call a win - win!

Cheese burger on a homemade brioche bun

Just for a little humor I am throwing in a shot of my daughter watching as I flip burgers.

What's your choice for a caption?
'Watch and be amazed,' or 'Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.'

What's for Dinner?

2011-08-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

I know I have the skills to create recipes but sometimes it is just plain easier to answer the question of what's for dinner with a quality prepared product. This time I tried Trader Joe's Maui style Hawaiian beef short ribs. There in the meat case they await you, all marinated and ready to go. I threw them on the grill at home and in short order dinner was ready. The marinade caramelized a bit on the grill giving them a nice crust. The meat is appropriately chewy and would adapt nicely to a taco or flat bread. I sliced the meat and served it over rice and garlic mushrooms. Most of the packages contain about a pound, which is a bit much for just the two of us. I got double duty by packing lunch for Avril and myself the next day.

Trader Joe's Hawaiian beef short ribs

On the left dinner is served. On the right packaged for lunch the next day.

Tacos My Way

2011-08-02T09:36:00.000-07:00

We celebrated a family birthday Sunday and I used a food resource that I have shopped a number of times but never blogged about. Mi Pueblo Food Center in San Rafael has taken the Hispanic/Latino market to a level of excellence not matched by any I visited here or in Mexico. The place is clean, bright and well displayed. The produce is beautiful. There is a full service bakery, meat - fish counter and a deli. In addition there is a grill where you can purchase prepared hot foods to eat on premise or takeout (loved the carnitas!) The staff are bi-lingual so I don't have to embarrass myself with my horrible Spanish. My favorite thing of all is the prices. Good food cheap always brings me to the door. Even local items like Clover Dairy Products are priced lower than most other markets in the area. Enough said.

Mi Pueblo Food Center San Rafael

On this visit we purchased a number of different salsas from the deli. From the meat counter some meat for carne asada; tortillas and Corona beer landed in the cart. The hot grill provided carnitas. We went home and put on a pot of beans and by dinner time the feast was ready. Everything was set on the table and each person got to choose their own fillings. Tacos the way you like!

Tacos my way!

Beanie Weenie

2011-07-28T11:36:00.000-07:00

Call it what you will. I call it beanie weenies. An upscale version accompanied by a ridiculously healthy arugula, tomato salad with shallot vinaigrette. Yes I "blackened" my dogs like that on purpose, because that's the way I like it.

Not really a recipe
Schwartz Swiss Brand Bockwurst "blackened"
Trader Joe's Organic Baked Beans fortified with Bull's Eye BBQ Sauce and Tapatio Hot Sauce

Beanie Weenies

I've Got Shoes Older Than That!

2011-07-24T08:08:00.000-07:00

My father had a saying, "I've got shoes older than that!" It was applied when he felt someone declared profound knowledge at a young age. I must say I think about this saying when I view the latest telegenic youngster pop up on food shows or in print. The standard premise is they went to culinary school and traveled outside the U.S. and found the secrets to food. Well, that accounts for three years. I've got shoes older than that!

Recently I had to change my thought process. I was watching Kelsey Nixon on The Cooking Channel. She said you could cook turkey breast in the slow cooker and come up with a moist turkey meat sandwich and jus for dipping. I thought that was a horrible idea but I tried it and it works. You lose the crispy skin that comes with roasting but you get in return a buttery, onion broth. I subbed cheddar cheese for Gruyere because it was available. Even though I've got shoes older than her, I must admit the girl has some skills!

Turkey, cheddar sandwich with dipping sauce.

What the Heck? Call it a Cocktail!

2011-07-20T10:21:00.000-07:00

We bought a watermelon and a Tuscan melon this week. I asked myself, 'What the heck am I going to do with all that melon?' I had just read a blog by Zoomie about a fun drink she consumed at a local upscale restaurant. That gave me this idea for using up the big old watermelon. I pureed the pulp with a bit of water in the blender and strained in through a sieve into a bowl. The watermelon juice was not as sweet as I wanted so I added some agave syrup. I squeezed the juice of a lime into the mixture to add a tart acid taste. It chilled in the refer for a couple hours and became a refreshing hot day summer beverage. Wonderful over ice! If you are inclined you could add your favorite alcohol and call it a cocktail.

What the heck watermelon cocktail

Keeping it Real

2011-07-18T06:47:00.000-07:00

We kept it real this Sunday, real simple. No big production dinner for us. We grilled some Schwartz Garlic Sausage and had a salad of fresh mozzarella and sliced ripe tomatoes. A drizzle of olive oil, sea salt and a few snipped chives dressed the salad. A crusty baquette and some Sauvignon Blanc completed the meal. Yum Zone!

Grilled Schwartz Garlic Sausage and tomato salad

Nice Buns!

2011-07-10T08:42:00.000-07:00

I told my wife, "those are some really nice buns you have!" Hey, I'm talking hamburger buns here! We were sitting round the living room playing dueling laptops and I said, "Cheeseburgers would be good for dinner tonight." She responded, "Great minds think alike, I already started to defrost the ground beef." We had all the fixings on hand except for buns. I have tried many of the burger buns available around town but am constantly disappointed. I would really love some Acme burger rolls but it is a long way to Berkeley or San Fran. April rose to the occasion and said she would make some. I am a lousy baker, so it was with great expectation I anticipated dinner. That said, I took a nap. Here is the recipe she used and below the resulting buns.

Brioche Hamburger Buns

So this would be more of a joint effort, I fired up the grill, seared the beef and added some Tillamook Sharp Cheddar to melt. On the other side of the grill, I placed my cast iron griddle and toasted the buttered buns. Burgers and Buns, oh yes!

April and Greg Burgers

I hope the picture does the burger justice. They tasted incredible. The roll was a perfect foil for the juicy burger, soaking up the juices so none of the goodness escaped.

Breakfast on the Fly

2011-07-02T10:08:00.000-07:00

Breakfast Bruschetta

What do you do with the semi-stale Ciabatta bread left on the counter last night? Observe ingredients available and improvise. That sounds so military but on a laid back Saturday of a three day weekend it is much more casual. I put slices of prosciutto on a parchment lined sheet pan into the oven set at 350 degrees and cooked until crisped. After I sliced the bread, I coated it with our homemade garlic oil and grilled both sides. Soft scrambled eggs in butter topped with some mozzarella cheese provide the cohesion for the ingredients. Top the bread with prosciutto, cheese eggs and tomato. For garnish and a wonderful aroma I placed Thai basil on top. Our Thai basil plant seems indestructible even in our recent heat wave. The best part....eat with gusto!

Breakfast Bruschetta

Breakfast or Lunch?

2011-06-25T08:01:00.000-07:00

I wanted breakfast and she wanted lunch. Why compromise when you can have both? Most local diners can accommodate this request. Recently we hit a local joint that has been reincarnated a number of times since it was originally a Denny's. It's not even fair to compare because this place is much more upscale. I catered to my cheapskate tendencies by having the special breakfast (available until 10:30), four bacon, two eggs, hash browns and toast ($4.99.) April had large delicious burger with hand cut fries ($6.95.). Good food and service without compromise.

Mill's Restaurant - Novato Ca.

Will Work for Wine

2011-06-20T10:31:00.000-07:00

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Today I'm going to risk turning my blog into a photo blog. In my last post I reported on our visit to Sonoma Wine Country. Today's post will actually include wine. After Healdsburg we headed north to the Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Geyserville. On future trips I would devote the entire day to the winery-park. It really is a magnificent destination. Wine, food, swimming pool, bocce ball, live music, shopping and movie memorabilia all in one beautiful location. Let the photos begin!

The pool, cabines and music pavilion at Francis Ford Coppola Winery

Rustic bar, Tucker Car, Rustic Restaurant and tasting room at Francis Ford Coppola Winery

We had lunch in Rustic Restaurant. April had Bumbola con broccoli e salsiccia. A bumble bee shaped pasta with broccolini and sausage mixed with a scrumptious sauce. I had the Sofia pizza. A perfectly dressed arugula salad and shaved Parmesan over a thin crust prosciutto pizza, yummy! For our wine we drank the crisp, fruity Reserve Viognier.

Bumbola pasta, Parrilla Grill, Sofia Pizza and wines display in Rustic Restaurant Geyserville.
What a place! I could get used to this.

Sonoma Wine Country

2011-06-13T08:35:00.000-07:00

We paid another visit to the Healdsburg Farmer's Market last Saturday. A beautiful day and traffic free ride started the day off well. The market was bustling with vendors and buyers when we arrived. The smell of peppers being roasted whet our appetites. It was just then I noticed a sign that said "shop with the chef." The event was set up by Relish Culinary Adventures and overseen by owner Donna del Rey. Relish offers cooking classes, culinary tours, parties and events.The chef this day was Lia Huber who is the founder of Nourish Network, that is dedicated to a healthy lifestyle. The premise is simple. Donna and chef of the day guide you through the market, where they know all the farmers on a first name basis. They gather products and head back to a demonstration area where the food is prepped and cooked. Best of all you get to eat. They hand out recipes in case you what to recreate the food at home. The food today was Vietnamese Pork Patties in Butter Lettuce "Buns" with Herbs and Dipping Sauce. The recipe should be available on the Relish website soon. Here is a photographic journey through the market.

Relish Culinary Adventures - Shop With the Chef

Relish Culinary Adventures Shop with Nourish Network's Lia Huber

This was just the start of our day in Sonoma, more on the next blog.

Update:
During the cooking demonstration two chefs from the nearby Dry Creek Kitchen rolled by pulling a wagon of purchases from the market. I snapped a quick photo of the wagons contents because I was struck by the colorful arrangement. It may have been a random act but was beautiful none the less. A little research revealed the chef's identities. Chef Dustin Valette and Pastry Chef Yulanda Santos thank you for the still life shot.

Farmers' market goodies - Dry Creek Kitchen, Healdsburg

Nate Berkus - How's that for Thrifty?

2011-06-05T07:32:00.000-07:00

Back in my college days I worked at a restaurant that sold hamburgers and hot dogs cooked over charcoal. It sold a double quarter pound with cheese long before McDonalds added one to its menu. The big specialty was the double third pound patty with two slices of cheese and slices of grilled pineapple on a sourdough hamburger roll. My arteries clog as I type these descriptions. One day two flirty coeds came in and convinced the owner that a salad would be a great addition. The owner came up with an iceberg lettuce salad topped with canned beets, garbanzos and kidney beans. You had the choice of thousand island, blue cheese or French dressings. If you were really special you could ask for the cruets of oil and vinegar to dress your own salad.

How does all that history relate to today? I have become addicted to watching the Nate Berkus Show. I pay closest attention to the segments on thrift store shopping. I found a wood salad bowl with fork, spoon and four serving bowls and a three compartment condiment dish all for under $10! I am a thrifty guy! I drew on my past life experience to bring back a good old fashion salad bar for our latest dinner party. How retro seventies can I be? Just one thing.....stay out of my thrift store!

Retro seventies salad bar

It's Fair

2011-05-30T10:53:00.000-07:00

I rarely turn down the offer of a free meal but I did on May 14. I got an email from the folks at Fair Trade USA inviting me to a brunch to promote Fair Trade Day. I declined because I had already planned a road trip. They were kind enough to send over a selection of products for me to create a breakfast recipe for my blog. In the box there was a container of LaYapa Golden Royal Quinoa from Bolivia. I had heard about quinoa but had never tasted it. I did the Google thing and looked at recipes but I finally decided on using my Meyer Lemon, shallot vinaigrette to mix into the cooked quinoa. The quinoa cooks just like rice and has nutty aroma and a texture akin to a cross of brown rice and couscous. I threw on cherry tomatoes and sliced green onion. If I had asparagus or peas that would have been a great addition. I know it seems a stretch for breakfast but trust me, it's perfectly addictive hot or cold.

Fair Trade Quinoa Breakfast

Rather than try to explain about Fair Trade I will direct you to their website where this non- profit explains their goals in "What is Fair Trade?"

Recipe
Cook Quinoa per package instructions and allow to cool.
Add Meyer Lemon dressing
Dressing is made by finely chopping one large shallot and adding juice of one large Meyer lemon juice(if Meyers are not available combine half lemon and sweet orange juice.)
Add olive oil (three times the amount of lemon juice), salt and pepper to taste.
Add available vegetables.

Road Trip Photo Throwdown

2011-05-22T09:50:00.000-07:00

Photos...It's my thing!

A fine Marriage

2011-05-18T11:40:00.000-07:00

Whenever we celebrate the kids' birthdays, they get to request what food they want to eat at their party. Two favorites are "smoke roasted" tri-tip and French onion soup. We had a revelation while watching a show on The Cooking Channel called Eat Street. A food truck called Creme de la Creme used French onion soup as the dipper for a French dip sandwich. The idea was fantastic! I dragged out our ancient Weber grill and cooked a couple of tri-tips using hickory wood chips for smoke. April made her sought after French onion soup. We sliced the meat thin and piled it on a soft roll that had been placed under the broiler with Swiss cheese. We stole some onions from the soup and added that to the sandwich. A cup of soup on the side for dipping and Voila! A marriage of two recipes. I now pronounce you soup and sandwich.

Friday Night Cocktails and Snacks

2011-05-04T14:30:00.000-07:00

Friday night can't come soon enough some weeks. We celebrate the beginning of the weekend with cocktails and snacks. Last Friday it was white wine and antipasti.

Antipasti Platter
Consisting of mild coppa,Toscano salami, olives, dry jack, peppers and tomatoes, bread from Basque Boulangerie.

Most of the product was sourced at our local Italian deli Mangia e Bevi in Novato.

Mangia e Bevi

Chinese Chicken Salad with Hoisin Vinaigrette

2011-05-01T08:47:00.000-07:00

We enjoy a casual restaurant in San Francisco's Embardero Center called Fuzio. Almost every time we go, April orders their Chinese Chicken Salad. What makes this salad special is the dressing. I have been experimenting with the formulation and have come up with a hoisin vinaigrette that makes my taste buds dance.

Chinese Chicken Salad with Hoisin Vinaigrette

For the salad
shredded Napa or Savoy cabbage (about half a head)
1 shredded carrot
pickled ginger ( a tablespoon or so - go easy this has some kick)

For the garnish
cilantro leaves
grilled chicken breast
chopped lightly salted peanuts

The dressing
2 Tablespoons Hoisin Sauce ( I prefer Lee Cum Kee brand)
3 Tablespoons seasoned rice wine vinegar
2 teaspoons light soy sauce
2 teaspoons freshly fine grated ginger ( I use a Microplane)
1Tablespoon vegetable oil

I put the dressing ingredients in a saved jar and shake to combine.
Combine salad ingredients with dressing to coat (reserve some to drizzle on chicken.)
Garnish with chicken, cilantro leaves and chopped peanuts.
Drizzle reserved dressing on chicken.

No Polictics Just a Memory

2011-04-27T09:16:00.000-07:00

I know that this blog is primarily a food blog, but the header also says people and places. With that in mind, I will go a little off the beaten track here.

I recently watched a PBS special called The Presidents Photographer, by National Geographic. It follows the day to day job of President Obama's photographer, Pete Souza. In it, Mr Souza mentions the "hand shake" photos that are a staple of his job. It brought back a memory of when I was hired by a local politico to take some head shots of him for advertising. Trust me it did not pay much. When George H.W. Bush (V.P. at the time) decided to stump for the politico I was asked to be the "official" photographer for the event.

The event took place at Dominic's Restaurant in San Rafael. (It is now the home to The Seafood Peddler. There we go, a food reference after all.) I had to provide some information to the secret service and go through a security checkpoint. I received a "lapel pin" that allowed me access. I must admit the sound of helicopters and sirens made me a little nervous. The snipers on the roof and the agents with earphones also fired up my adrenaline a bit. Just then one of agents said, "if you want to get your shots come here now!" The Vice President walked calmly through the door with a big smile. Handshakes and smiles filled the room. I had two cameras and took pictures as fast as the flashes would recycle. In those days the maximum shots on a roll of film was 36. I had to juggle my equipment and try to reload film. It was all a bit of a blur but the results ended up just fine. I sold a bunch of handshake shots and made some money. I also sold some photos to the local press because their photographers were not allowed access. Who knows, if my politico had won the election where would I be now? The photo above was one of my favorites. My new printer/scanner allowed me to format the photo to digital. Next blog back to the food.

Keep on Trucking

2011-04-23T13:59:00.000-07:00

Suzie Q's Lunch Box

We stumbled across a new fun food truck. It was hidden in the far east end of the Marinwood Farmer's Market. I guessed it was a taco truck, but after closer inspection it served Cajun food. We had eaten lunch already but felt the need to try the chocolate bourbon bread pudding. It was so rich and creamy. It would probably make most cardiologists cringe, but man it was good. The truck is seeking more sites to park. Right now I understand they hang out near Marin Civic center lagoon on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at lunch time. They have a Twitter account so check them out. I have to go back and try a Po boy!

Suzie Q's Lunch Box

Update!!
We went back again and tried a fried oyster BLT and spicy chicken salad with Jalapeno corn muffin. Killer!

San Francisco Ferry Plaza

2011-04-21T08:15:00.000-07:00

We don't get to San Francisco as much as I would like. So when we happened to catch a rare sunny day this spring I took advantage of the scenery to take a few photos.

San Francisco Ferry Plaza Market Place

Cowgirl Creamery has taken over the space next door for Sidekick that sells sandwiches, composed plates and such. We had burrata and prosciutto with greens and tangerines. It seemed pricey at $12.50 but it tasted so good it took the sting out of this tightwad's wallet.

Cowgirl Creamery Sidekick

Sandwiches are Hot!

2011-04-17T07:37:00.000-07:00

'Sandwiches are hot, unless they are cold!' - a sage saying by fellow food blogger cookiecrumb. Everywhere you turn "they be" making sandos. The newspapers, magazines, blogs and television are all about the sandwich lately. Zoomie wrote about bacon sandwiches that reminded me of the gut-busters I got from a greasy spoon joint in Hartford, Connecticut when I worked for G Fox & Company. Chilebrown mentioned an asparagus sandwich in his blog Black Garlic. When I came across some pencil thin asparagus, my brain said let's make a sandwich!

It really is quite a simple sandwich. I started by lightly roasting my spears, so they maintained a bit of crunch. I used a bolillo roll and grilled it in a little butter. On the bottom part of the roll I piled on the asparagus and crowned it with some thin sliced, nutty baby Swiss. A quick thirty seconds under the broiler melted the cheese so nice. While in the broiler I slathered the the top roll with a roasted garlic, Meyer lemon mayonnaise (Best Foods Mayo, Meyer lemon juice, zest and some roasted garlic olive oil). After a quick photo shoot I handed the sandwich to April and stared on making mine. I heard her exclaim, "OMG!"

G's Lunch Box Service

2011-04-11T07:06:00.000-07:00

Trying to come up with different ideas for April's lunch. Today I packed breakfast and lunch for a long day at work. The Menu: Breakfast-Multigrain Cheerios and tangerine slices. Lunch: Black Forest ham, Swiss and Calabrese salame on whole wheat. Sides of crudities and dill pickles. A workday picnic!

Bargain Eats - China Village Novato

2011-04-09T12:15:00.000-07:00

Always on the lookout for bargain eats, we had the lunch special at China Village in Novato today. Huge portions and outstanding piping hot entrees! April had the curry chicken and I, the oyster sauce beef($6.50 ea.) The meal includes steamed or fried rice, small appetizer and killer hot and sour soup. Go enjoy!

Taking a Dive

2011-04-03T09:20:00.000-07:00

Hi Dive - San Francisco

This place I have passed many times but never tried. It is on the waterfront a short distance from AT&T - SF Giants' Park. On game days, it is slamming with Giants fans before and after play. My daughter has a new job nearby and when I asked if we could buy her lunch she strongly recommended Hi Dive. We picked her up a little after 1 p.m. and strolled the short distance to the Embarcadero. The weather was wonderful and we could have dined on the outside patio but elected to stay inside. There is a bar area and lots of tables with bay views. April decided on fish and chips. The fish was good but the stars of the plate were the seasoned french fries and the accompanying remoulade. My daughter had the Sante Fe salad which was a crowd pleaser. I had the BLT&A: A great BLT rendition with the addition of just ripe avocado. Not really a dive at all, but a comfortable, inviting bar/restaurant I wish I had close to my neighborhood.

Street Eats - Gambino's New York Subs

2011-03-30T07:49:00.000-07:00

If you ever have a reason to be in the San Francisco Financial District with some free time on your hands; here's an idea. Make sure it is a weekday and wear black so you fit in. At noon, watch the workers stream out of their offices to procure their lunch. They won't notice you because they are making a beeline to their chosen food vendor. Be careful to avoid a collision with those multitasking texters. They seem to be oblivious to all, including traffic. Look for places that have long lines and observe what people are eating. Many are willing to tell you what they are eating and even let you take pictures. Wait until one o'clock and most of the lines are gone. Grab some food and enjoy the beautiful weather.

On this day I discovered Gambino's New York Subs. Fat sandwiches! I had the #11, The Gambino (ham, salami, hot coppa, mortadella and provolone $6.95). I ordered it "East Coast Style" (shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, onions, olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper and herbs). A substantial. flavorful sando! They also have breakfast subs, bagels, salads, soup and very good coffee.
301 Clay Street
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 834-9120

Some Assembly Required

2011-03-27T11:54:00.000-07:00

Salad of the Day

I've written before that my wife loves a "nice" salad. She can go to the cafe salad bar at her work and put one together for about $8. In the spirit of saving money and eating healthy I've discovered that for the same $8 I can make salads for her for seven days or more. I try to vary the ingredients so it doesn't get boring. Today I used spinach, cucumber, shredded carrots, beets and topped it with walnuts and cranberries. I pack the ingredients in reusable containers and she assembles them and adds the dressing at lunch time. For a while I have been packing the salads in an old canvas insulated bag with blue ice. A functional but not very stylish way to save money. While cruising the blogosphere I came across a beautiful and stylish alternative. The Sachi "lunchin ladies" zebra insulated lunch tote ($19.99). Not only does it look good but does an even better job of keeping things cold. I purchased hers from QVC who got it here fast and now are marketing me like crazy to buy more stuff.

Happy St. Patricks Day

2011-03-17T14:56:00.000-07:00

We changed up our standard St. Patrick's Day feast just a bit. This year we used Robert's Beef again. Instead of the brisket we tried the round cut. I think it is bit leaner but still provides a great finished product. It makes wonderful sandwiches the next day. Another change was in the the making of the side dishes. Instead of boiling, we baked the potatoes with a little olive oil. The cabbage was blanched quickly in boiling water and both potatoes and cabbage were topped with a drizzle of lemon butter. I believe this method added an acid counterpoint to the rich salty beef. Not shown in the photo was a side dipping sauce made by adding a wee teaspoon of horseradish to about half a cup of of creme fraiche. Have a fun and safe holiday!

Are You a Food Critic?

2011-03-15T08:59:00.000-07:00

On a recent journey I was trying to surreptitiously photograph our dinner entrees with my stealth pocket camera. Just then a booming voice asked "are you a food critic ?" I had drawn the attention of a gentleman at the next table. I responded that I was a camera geek and always photographed my food. This seemed to disappoint him, for he was an importer of Peruvian Foods and was looking for a little publicity. We had a nice conversation about food, wine and travel. My identity as a blogger was never revealed.

With the advent of blogs and electronic media we all have become critics. In my world I try to write about the positive in my dining experience and let the negative succeed or fail on its own. I recently visited a local place that I blogged about five years ago. I often visit when I am in the mood for a fantastic pastry, fresh sandwich or a killer soup. To me it is a retro refuge near the library. A great place to read or people watch. On this occasion a lady in front of us was committing culinary kidnapping by asking so many silly questions. It seemed a challenge to her to stump the help. They were kind, gracious and answered all her inquires. The help here is knowledgeable and patient. This food critic says you guys rock!

Bacon, onion and cheese quiche. Huge portion!

Tortilla soup with warm dutch crunch roll.
Creekside Bakery
1719 Grant Avenue
Novato, CA 94945-2229
(415) 892-7655

His name was Collin

2011-03-04T08:12:00.001-08:00

This video gave me a badly needed kick start to my sense of humor.

An Apple a Day

2011-02-12T08:55:00.000-08:00

In a effort to inject more fruit into our diet, I have been purchasing pre-sliced apples at Trader Joe's. I know I could just cut up an apple, but in early morning it is more likely that I will pop some slices into the lunch box than be slicing. To date the apples have been a pleasant sweet-tart flavor. This batch was a more tart-tart flavor profile that drew a wrinkled brow from those who ate them. I hated to throw them away so I decided to make dessert. The cupboard was little bare, so I used what I had.

I peeled the skin and mixed about quarter cup of brown sugar, a teaspoon of cinnamon and a large pat of butter together in a baking dish and cooked for about an hour. The first half hour covered and finished uncovered. (These apples were very firm so the cooking time was long.) I would have added a little lemon and some apple cider if it was available. In this case, a splash of water kept the dish moist. I topped with a dollop of sour cream but french vanilla ice cream would have carried it over the top. Waste not, want not I say. Enjoy!

White Trash Chef - Sunny Catalina

2011-01-28T12:03:00.000-08:00

When I worked the service bar at 'hotel fancy,' it was wedged in the corner of the kitchen just beyond the dishwasher. Not a lonely corner, mind you, because everyone who needed wine or booze had to send me an electronic ticket. I would make the drink and they would collect it. In between, I would clean and hang out with the chefs.

One day a hotel guest requested thousand island dressing for their salad, not the house mandated vinaigrette. A whole bunch of young chefs who had paid lots of money for training stood around and scratched their heads. "No worries," I said. "I will make you some." I mixed mayonnaise, ketchup and pickle relish from the employees cafe and viola! I was christened the "white trash chef"- a title that I love.

Recently I was browsing the daily menu for Ad Hoc Restaurant in Yountville. Their menus read like a pedigreed but I love to look at them for inspiration. For the salad course, it listed Catalina Dressing. Certainly it was not the Kraft bottled version? I cruised the internet and decided to use this recipe. It is really nothing more than a vinaigrette. An emulsion of oil and vinegar with seasonings. Did I change the recipe? A little. I used organic ketchup and subbed a little olive oil. I guess I can't leave anything alone when it comes to recipes. The result was grand. Better than the bottled stuff. We have used it a salad dressing and a sweet and sour topper for roasted potato and vegetables. White trash chef strikes again!

Be Safe! Use Condiiments

2011-01-18T12:11:00.000-08:00

Homemade Mustard

I was watching Guy Fieri's Triple D program where a chef was whipping up mustard sauce. It looked incredibly easy so I did some Internet research and came up with a recipe for making mustard. It was a one of those moments that make you realize how much money you pay to purchase a prepared product when it is easy and cheap to make yourself. I learned this lesson years ago about salad dressings, tartar sauce and cocktail sauce. They are dead simple to make and homemade tastes even better than something you buy in a jar. The hardest part of the equation was sourcing the product. White mustard seeds are tamer than black and most of the recipes called for a larger quantity of black mustard seed for a spicier blend. I was able to locate bulk white mustard seed cheap at the local Whole Foods. The black mustard seed was in the spice isle but was expensive so my final recipe ended up being about ninety percent yellow to ten percent black. The result still had a nice kick and ended up costing about five dollars for over a pint of mustard.

The recipe is one cup of mustard seed soaked overnight in one cup of apple cider vinegar and a half cup water. Transfer soaked mustard to the blender. Add two tablespoons honey or sugar and two teaspoons salt. Blend to desired consistency. I left mine a little coarser. Enjoy on a ham sandwich.

Dolce Vita Lifestyle

2011-01-10T08:11:00.000-08:00

The Cooking Channel opened for business last year. That meant I had to throw more dollars to the cable company to feed my appetite for all things food. The channel was pitched to be the younger, hipper, "edgy" version of food programing. God knows I'm none of the above, but I like it. It was nice to see long time favorites Jaime Oliver and Bobby Flay in new formats. It was fun to meet the Canadian Chefs and it had to be a smaller investment to rebroadcast old shows to a new audience. It works and is, hopefully, profitable .

I've taken an interest in how the food media works. I came to the conclusion that it is not all about recipes. It is all about lifestyle. Have you ever noticed in magazines the pictures are not only of food but of happy, smiling, slender, perfectly coiffed people with wine in hand? No one spills food or wine on themselves. It is a very controlled situation, perfectly lit and styled. The same for the television. Case in point: David Rocco's Dolce Vita. I submit that this show has a strong base of wonderful recipes but sells itself as a lifestyle. Gorgeous husband and wife team cavort to picture perfect rustic locations in Italy. They hang out with an eclectic band of characters while drinking wine and espresso. They ride scooters, fast cars, sailboats and bicycles all while perfect music is playing. He is often shirtless and she, in a bikini. Looks like a grand lifestyle and they make a living at it. Never mind that they are followed by fleet of cameras, sound gear, stylists, editors and production people. I bet they work long hours to make all this appear so carefree. I believe the magic. As the perfect sum of my equation I looked up Scripps Networks, the corporate owners of the not only The Cooking Channel but also The Food Network, Travel, DIY, HGTV, and GAC. Their logo says "the leader in lifestyle media." I guess I'm late to the party.

Now I just have to figure out how to apply lifestyle to my blog. Might have to rent some perfect people and take their photos. Off with the shirts and on with the bikinis!

The recipe for insalata di fagioli e tonno is on David Rocco's web site. I made it without tuna this time. Believe the magic!

Warmer Times

2011-01-07T10:53:00.000-08:00

It has been cold and gray around here and I find myself wishing for warmer times. I sat down at the computer and shuffled through some old pictures. On our last cruise to Mexico we asked several crew members where they visited when in Mazatlan and one for one they said Central Market (Centro Mercado). So we made the decision to shun the arranged tours and intrepidly headed off to the market. We grabbed a cab and after a short exciting/crazy ride we arrived. I successfully pried my shorts from my buttocks where they had cowered in fear. The place was hot, bustling, loud and nothing like anything around San Fran. We try to blend in when we travel and observe local culture. I'm certain we failed here because the locals had to know that the pale skinned, sweaty, camera toting citizens were certainly fresh off the ship. The market is made up of individual stalls and the owners are like barkers trying to get you to purchase their goods. I purchased a leather wallet for a great price and ventured into the food section of the market. I felt right at home because it was reminiscent of our local farmer's market. The crew members purchase meat and produce here and go upstairs to one of the family run cafes where they prepare their selections. We climbed the rugged cement steps to check out the cafes but were disappointed because they were empty. While focusing my camera I missed a step down and almost flung myself over the railing to the ground floor. We decided to it might be a sign to head back to the ship. After another exhilarating cab ride we were back at the port releasing our fears over some really tasty, strong margaritas at the bar next to the ship. Warm day and cold drinks, a great day relived.
P.S. Donations for the Life's a Picnic cruise fund will be gratefully excepted!

Centro Mercado - Mazatlan Mexico

Plate of Holiday Love

2010-12-31T09:25:00.000-08:00

Time flies when you are having fun! I realized that I have not blogged in a while. I guess you could say it was a hiatus. I have wrestled with the idea that maybe this food blogging thing has jumped the shark and now was the time to look for other endeavors. On second thought it occurred to me that the reason I started to blog was to share my ideas and travels with my family and friends. Along the way I've added some new friends and had some great experiences. Often I look back on my blog and it helps me to remember those good times. On Christmas day I looked at the plate of food my son made and it inspired me to pick up my camera and shoot a photo. I like to call it a big plate of holiday love.

Looking forward to a happy blogging new year in 2011.
Good luck and good fortune to all!

Martini Time

2010-12-03T11:21:00.000-08:00

It is Friday night cocktail time again. I've chosen the classic martini as my muse. There is great controversy about the liquor used in a Martini. Many consider anything but gin to be blasphemy, but my personal preference is vodka. My choice may have something to do with the phrase "gin will make you sin!." If you look up this phrase there will likely be a photo of me with a big grin sans clothing. Not really, but gin does have a huge inhibition reduction effect on me and in order to keep the world a more attractive place vodka will do.

The selection of brands is also a personal choice. I prefer Smirnoff Vodka and Noilly Prat Dry Vermouth. I start by putting my old school small martini glasses in the freezer for at least half an hour. The new larger size ones seem like overkill to me. I use a metal shaker filled with ice and add one and half ounces of vodka for each glass. To that I add four drops of vermouth. This makes for a very "dry" martini. Shake vigorously until the outside of shaker becomes frosty. I retrieve my glasses from the freezer and pour and serve immediately.

Normally I would serve some nice snacks but for that today I am going to refer you to some fellow bloggers. Each have posted some great ideas for bar food. Cookiecrumb has a recipe for nibblies that would be perfect with cocktails. Chilebrown cooked up some bacon wrapped chicken lollipops. For something more substantial I recommend Zoomie's ham filled burgers. Cheers!

The Day After

2010-11-28T12:13:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure which is better Thanksgiving dinner or leftovers the next day. This year we had the holiday turkey at my daughter's house and did not take any leftovers. My hard working wife recreated Thanksgiving Dinner all over again yesterday. We went to the market and found the same fresh turkey on sale for forty cents a pound cheaper than we paid before the holiday. I guess the concept of buying reduced price Christmas cards after the holiday applies to turkey as well. We purchased two, freezing one for Christmas dinner. This morning I had my day after sandwich. The original sando recipe was toasted bread with mayo, turkey, salt, pepper, stuffing and cranberry sauce. This year an accidental find of Trader Joe's cranberry orange relish took it from great to grand. You can find it in the refrigerator section. I believe it is a seasonal product so don't wait to check it out. Happy Holidays!

Hawaiian Comfort

2010-11-22T08:39:00.000-08:00

The phone rang at three fifteen in the morning. April's brother needed emergency surgery and the doctor called asking for medical history, so he could be treated properly. We headed to the East Bay later that morning to find that the surgery was successful and he was in recovery. Good news for sure. We decided to stay in a nearby hotel so we could visit for a couple of days and avoid a long, lousy drive back and forth. It was well past my dinner time when we headed to the hotel. There was a strip mall along the way with several fast food joints. Our choice was L&L Hawaiian Barbecue. I had the hamburger patties plate which came with two scoops of rice and a scoop of incredible macaroni salad all doused with brown gravy. Oh my freaking gosh! It was fantastic. Talk about comfort food, it was almost as good as Valium at easing anxiety. I realized later that adding a couple of fried eggs on top would turn my dish into a Loco Moco. This plate lunch idea is not crazy at all.
I did not have my camera at hand so I decided to recreate the dish at home. I assumed that it would be easy. I got the rice down and the burger too. I scanned the internet for Hawaiian macaroni salad recipes and they all called for massive amounts of mayo. I used a quarter cup of mayo to a pound of cooked macaroni and threw in a cup of shredded carrot. April made a wonderful onion gravy. It was a close and tasty rendition. Next time I will use much more mayo. It adds a creaminess to the whole lunch plate. What is the best thing about experimenting with food? You get to eat your mistakes!

Culinary Rock Star

2010-11-16T14:19:00.000-08:00

The Vietnamese Banh Mi Sandwich has become a culinary rock star of late. Locals Cookiecrumb and Renate have done blogs recently and LA's nom nom banh mi food truck was runner up in the Great Food Truck Race on Food Network. I've eaten many but have never made one at home. I thought it was about time I did.

My first experience with banh mi was in San Francisco in the early nineties. I was on the 30 Stockton Muni Bus when the driver suddenly stopped in the middle of Stockton St. and bolted out the front door. I thought it must be the call of nature but moments later he jumped back on board holding a bag of sandwiches. I inquired about them and he said they were great sandwiches and very inexpensive. The next day I stopped at Little Paris Coffee Shop (939 Stockton St. San Fran.) and was hooked. My recollection was they were under $2 at that time. It has been a bit since I was there so I expect the price has gone up.

I used the recipe from Viet World Kitchen, an outstanding blog on Vietnamese Food. I made mine on a soft baguette with a swipe of pate, mayo, ham, cucumber and cilantro. I topped it with pickled carrot and daikon radish called do chua. A splash of soy sauce sealed the deal. I tried to source the more traditional Maggi Seasoning but failed. Next time I'm at Ranch 99 I'll pick some up.

The results were wonderful. I have been feeding them to family for two days and they love them. The only deviation from recipe was substituting pickled jalapenos for fresh. I like the less painful mild version. Good food cheap!

As Gouda as it Gets

2010-10-29T13:40:00.001-07:00

I decided to expand my cheese horizons today. The rain is pounding down and my taste buds crave comfort food. What is more comfortable than a grilled ham and cheese sandwich? I have a habit of using medium Cheddar but today I thought I would put Dutch Gouda to the test. I grilled some Westphalia ham. The package said it was ninety nine percent fat free so I fried it in butter to compensate. With a small nod toward the healthy, I used whole wheat bread to complete the sandwich. The cheese melted to a nutty, soft mass of goodness. The ham provides a salty, caramelized component. My homemade bread and butter pickles add a touch of acid and sweetness. Looks like I'll be adding this sandwich to the menu.

Brunch Confession

2010-10-24T15:39:00.000-07:00

Serious food police click away now! I wanted to watch sports today and also do a brunch. I keep in my pantry and freezer some items that can be thrown together easily and cheaply. The foodist side of me is embarrassed that I did not mill the grain for the waffles and make my own sausage. But the social side of me was happy that I fed a group of people a great brunch and was still able to enjoy company.
The photo on the left represents the result of me using Trader Joe's pancake and waffle mix and Jimmy Dean precooked sausage links. That's it, I admit it! In the time it took to get the waffle iron hot, I warmed the links and breakfast was
done. I got compliments, too! Today it seems everyone has to have the most unique and esoteric ingredients just to make a darn meal. I can't find the video now but Chef Roy Choi of LA's Kogi Truck said in a interview "I don't need products picked by leprechauns in nun outfits." Me too! I'll save the milling and sausage making for another day. Today it is great tasting food and good company done the easy way.

Rodeo Chili Cook-off and Car Show

2010-10-16T15:59:00.000-07:00

I got an invite from Chilebrown of the Mad Meat Genius Blog. He said, "Come to Rodeo and eat some chili." We did and it was kickass! A great blend of spices and smoky meat. Not sure who won at this point but in my little world he did. I threw together a little Youtube slide show. Enjoy!

Making a $16 burger $8

2010-10-10T12:46:00.001-07:00

We plopped exhausted onto the hotel bar stools and ordered two glasses of a decent California Sauvignon Blanc at $11 each. I cringed knowing full well I could purchase the whole bottle for less at retail. As we sipped, starving after a long journey, we scanned the bar menu for something that would assuage our appetite but not blow the expense account. This was an expensive and beautiful four star hotel that we had procured for $64 on Hotwire.com. I tried not to look sticker shocked. I ask if the cheeseburger was big enough to share and the kindly bartender responded "oh yeah." She said she would have the chef split it and put it on separate plates. It arrived and was wonderful. More than enough food for two. We often split meals when traveling because we can't finish the large portions and have nowhere to store leftovers. Most nice hotel restaurants will accommodate this practice. On occasion they might charge a split fee or you will get a waiter who grumbles. I tip according to attitude.

I challenged myself to reproduce a similar burger at home. I used all high end ingredients and my cost was about $3.25. Guess what? We split this one too!

Trained Obsevations

2010-10-04T09:34:00.000-07:00

I love trains and hate planes. When the opportunity to go to LA with April came about it was an obvious choice for me, the Amtrak Coast Starlight. The train originates in Seattle and we boarded in Emeryville exactly on time. It is about a twelve hour journey but the coach seats are comfy and easy to sleep in. We watched movies on April's computer when the view outside was boring. The train runs through Salinas Valley Farms where just outside workers toiled slumped over in the hot sun. I wondered to myself about the politics of food. If we close our borders, as some suggest, who will do this work? Enough politics for me. If I never have to watch another TV ad for a politician it would make me happy.
There is food service on board. A dining room that serves sit down meals and a snack bar that has microwave foods, snacks and drinks. We never tried the sit down place but the menus look good and fellow passengers seemed to enjoy. We brought some food and drinks with us but did indulge in microwave burger and half bottle of white wine, both were really good.

homemade cheese snack

After San Luis Obispo the train heads towards the Pacific. An invitation on public address lured me to the parlor car for a wine and cheese tasting. For $5 you get a small sampling of cheese and four central coast wines. A great view and wine, you know what I like!

After Santa Barbara the train runs along the beachfront. We witnessed a sunset wedding on the beach where a group dolphins magically surfaced in the background. Photography is difficult on a moving train but I did manage to get a shot of seabirds when the trained stopped briefly.

I was a little worried about our late arrival at LA's Union Station fearing a dangerous empty place. As it turns out the station is a dramatic old building that was busy, clean and well secured even at ten p.m.

Union Station Los Angeles shot in early morning
We cabbed to our hotel where I just had to photograph a piece of temporary art. There folded on the end of the toilet paper roll was a paper rose. We must be in LA.

The round trip for two was just a touch over two hundred dollars with AAA discount. On our return trip we observed that a private car had been added to our train. A little research located the website for California Zephyr Railcar Charters. It seems they attach these restored old cars to Amtrak trains for luxury travel. They have an upcoming cross country tour. I wonder if they need any help? I got skills!

Silver Solarium

Food as Art

2010-09-30T09:22:00.000-07:00

I tagged along with the wife on a short journey to the south hoping to find inspiration for my blog. I haven't blogged for a while, experiencing "writer's block." Some days the words flow like water cascading over Niagara Falls and at other times the well runs dry. Today a short blog will hopefully prime the pump.

I love a bagel and cream cheese for breakfast and when I ordered one in hotel dining room I was surprised by the elegant presentation. Smoked salmon as a rose, brilliant! This breakfast was a work of art.

Precious But Few

2010-09-08T09:49:00.000-07:00

We finally had a couple of hot days and the Sweet 100 tomato plant managed to ripen a few precious jewels of sweet goodness. It is foggy today so I'm going pick what looks ripe and enjoy the moment. Precious but few are the moments we two can share. No giveaways this year. Just me and wife enjoying our harvest. Yes I know, the song lyrics I've quoted will be bouncing around in my head for a few days.

Day Tripper

2010-08-30T10:10:00.000-07:00

The Travel Channel has been using the Beatles' song Day Tripper in their ads and I can't help but think it helped motivate us over the weekend. We love to travel and stay overnight but our current budget constrains us a bit. I've been checking out some Healdsburg Hotels online and since we were going past there to have lunch with family in Cloverdale, it all came together for a photo shoot visit. Hotels by nature are very hospitable and it is perfectly OK to visit and patronize their restaurants and bars without staying in the hotel. I know that statement sounds silly but when I worked at hotel fancy, a lot of visitors seemed timid about checking out the place. Go for it!

We started our photo shoot at the Saturday Healdsburg Farmers Market. There are always some fun activities going on there. On this visit Michele Anna Jordan local chef, author, teacher and media personality was taping her show, Mouthful, for KRCB Public Radio 91 FM. I was fortunate enough to take classes taught by Ms. Jordan at Santa Rosa Junior College. She is an expert on wine country food and wine happenings.

Her guests on the show were Scott Beattie (master mixologist, Spoonbar), Guy Davis (Davis Family Vineyards) and Lance Winters (St.George Spirits). The program already aired on Sunday but should show up in the archives soon and I will link to it. After a quick tour of the market, we headed over to Hotel Healdsburg and Dry Creek Kitchen.

Patio at Dry Creek Kitchen

What a beauty!

We then went over to check out the new kid in town the H2 Hotel and Spoonbar. Both hotels were designed by the same architect but have unique personalities. Which would I like better? That's like picking your favorite child.

Be a day tripper. If you got the money make it a runaway weekend.

Stop Your Vining

2010-08-26T08:53:00.001-07:00

It was time to man up and realize that my tomato plants probably won't produce much of a crop this year. Oh yeah, I've been whining about their demise by cool weather and ruthless deer. No more of that. I gave in to my annual urge for tomatoes and paid $3.99 a pound for some homely looking heirlooms. They were wonderful! Some times you have to pay to play. A little coarse salt, pepper, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and fresh mozzarella made a superb starter.

Pasta Pomodoro

2010-08-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

Today I'm going to blog about a restaurant that I frequent quite often but never wrote about, Pasta Pomodoro. We have been going there since the nineties when chef Andriano Paganini opened the first one on Chestnut Street in San Francisco. At the time, he had an fine dining restaurant and opened a casual affordable place around the corner. This concept sounds so much like what all the upscale chefs are doing now but this occurred in 1994, talk about being in front of the curve! Today it is a mini chain and a darn good place to get a meal. We stopped by for lunch this week and as I read the menu I noticed their pledge. The line that caught my attention was "we believe that fresh ingredients sourced from leading, local purveyors, doesn't have to mean expensive dishes." Now that's language I can connect with! Great food, wine and friendly competent service at a reasonable price equals four stars in my frugal book.

So what's for lunch? They bring a big slice of freshly made focaccia and an herb dipping sauce to the table to assuage your appetite while you make menu decisions.

April choose the healthy chicken pasta that came with a salad, her choice the Caesar ($8.95).

My choice was ravioli di magro and insalata mista ($9.95). That translates as spinach and ricotta ravioli and mixed salad.

We were at our local Novato branch but there are Pasta Pomodoro's throughout the Bay Area and beyond.

Dinosaur Bones

2010-08-10T11:47:00.000-07:00

We were at the local supermarket, cherry picking the weekly sale items, when we had a nostalgic moment. They had beef ribs on sale and April suggested I make "Dinosaur Bones". The first time I had heard them called that was just after we were first married. Merle Ellis, a local butcher had written a cookbook called Cutting-Up in the Kitchen. This book was one of the first cookbooks that we purchased in our new marriage and it encouraged our blossoming food enthusiasm. It described how to save money by cutting up your own meats. Ellis later on went on to star on TV, long before Food TV. It was sad to hear he had passed on earlier this year. His memory and his book lives on at our house. I found the book still available online and, to me, it should be required reading for any food person.

My recipe for Dinosaur Bones is started in the oven and finished on the barbecue.

Rack of beef rib bones (hopefully on sale)
Salt
Pepper
Garlic Powder

Place ribs in a backing sheet and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste. A nice light even coating is what I try for. Pour a cup of water in the bottom of the pan and cover with foil. Place in oven at @ 300 degrees. This process roasts/braises the ribs. Cook until internal temperature of the meaty part reaches 160 degrees. At this point, pull the ribs and let them cool. They can be refrigerated and grilled at a later time (or since we were ready to enjoy; right away we sliced into individual ribs and threw them onto the grill.) After the ribs begin to char, reduce heat and add your favorite barbecue sauce.

Dinosaur bones with buttered grilled corn and lime squeeze
Bones fit for a caveman!

Coffee Culture - Dr. Insomnia's

2010-07-31T08:51:00.000-07:00

I had forgotten how nice it is to hang out in a coffee house. Of late, my coffee culture has been confined to home. Wake up, make coffee, toast bagel and jump on the computer. On a little road trip last week we decided rather than pay the hotel fee for internet it would be nice to have breakfast and coffee at Starbucks with free access to the net. It was a block walking distance and it had good coffee, pastries, breakfast sandwiches and happy employees. There was some really great people watching too.

Once home we fell back into the routine, but this morning it struck me that it would be fun to check out some local coffee house. Yes, there are several Starbucks in our town but we wanted to try an independent. Our choice was Dr. Insomnia's on the corner of Reichert and Grant Avenues in Novato. The place has been around a long time. I was a regular, back in the nineties, when it first opened. It is still as nice as it was then with outdoor seating and funky artwork.

Once inside, you are greeted by a display counter stocked with beautiful bounty of pastries. April chose a bear claw (her favorite!) and I a scuffin. No, not a spelling error - it is a hybrid of a scone and muffin and it rocks!

We took up a spot in the back room with a lone motorcycle officer as company. Soon he was joined by three others and they held an impromptu meeting. I glanced over as the they were served burritos. Breakfast burritos, we must have one! I went to the counter and ordered one to split. If law enforcement eats them with all the choices they have in Marin - they had to be good. No surprise, it was wonderful! Next time I will go directly to the burrito as breakfast. I read my library book and April played on the computer. We left full, happy and well protected from speeding vehicles.

Breakfast Burrito!

Road Trip - Slice of Americana

2010-07-27T08:33:00.000-07:00

There we were on the road to Reno in our recently purchased used car. Not any car mind you, this is THE Ford Crown Victoria P71 Police Interceptor just like the ones the Highway Patrol Drives. It goes fast, handles like a race car and most importantly stops on a dime. The Crown Vic could be called an American Icon because it has been the commercial fleet go-to car for decades. Our car is a retired state of California undercover "escort vehicle," or so says the car salesman. These cars are being discontinued by Ford in 2011 to be replaced by a more fuel efficient model. Our car is no slouch in fuel consumption, we averaged close to 20 mpg on our return trip. We had four grownups and considerable luggage riding on board.

The reason for the road trip was to attend the wedding of our nephew Gavin to the most lovely Nellie.

The Kiss!

On the way into town I recommend a stop at Terrible's Gold Ranch Casino. It is the first casino past the California State Line. Normally by this point in the drive we are ready for a pit stop. The complex houses a gas station, Jack in the Box and a convenience store. Inside the casino there is a cafe that sells huge portions of delicious diner food, at prices that would probably not cover the cost of coffee in the Bay Area. The whole operation is overseen by a handsome gentleman who happens to be my brother.

If you go by now there is a real slice Americana inside the casino as well. The "Bonnie and Clyde Death Car" is on display with museum like memorabilia that documents the demise of the notorious robbers. It is chilling that so many bullet holes riddle the car. The coppers must have been angry. I have similar anger at some of the crazy drivers on the road but stop short of gunfire.

Bonnie and Clyde Death Car Video

I love road trips!

Cheap Dates / McNear's Beach Park

2010-07-21T08:54:00.000-07:00

Recent downturns in the economy have many of us searching for inexpensive ways to entertain ourselves. We had intended to do a weekend road trip last Saturday, but after an audit of our finances we decided to downsize our adventures. Years ago when our four children were little my wife became an expert on creating maximum entertainment from little dollars.We headed to one of her favorite destinations, McNear's Beach Park, this time sans kids.

McNear's Beach is a well maintained park with large areas of grass and rocky beach. There are lots of picnic tables and benches in the shade. Included in the admission price are nice amenities like tennis courts, restrooms, snack-bar, fishing pier and a small arcade. On weekends it costs $10 a day per car. If you go often a season pass is $75. Use of the pool is $5 extra. Groups can reserve large picnic areas.

Views from the fishing pier

Palm tree picnic site and pool

Since our destination was spontaneous we had not packed food. We stopped at Fresh Coffee and Sandwiches , a hole in the wall joint, in San Rafael. We tried the pork and chicken banh mi sandwiches. Not really authentic, but tasty nonetheless. In the future when we go I will bring chairs and a small barbecue like so many others did. People and food watching are fantastic here! The smell of our neighbors' barbecue was seductive. I would also encourage bringing sunscreen, hats and layers of clothes. The park is located on the Bay so weather can change rapidly.

Chicken and pork Banh Mi sandwiches

Goverment Subsidies?

2010-07-17T07:37:00.000-07:00

Warning the following video has nothing to do with food! Sometimes you see a youtube video that just makes your day. My daughter sent me this one. I can only translate some words. The interviewer is asking the Ibex about government subsidies. Hey Republican Senators see what will happen if the unemployment extension does not pass on Monday. Many will be angry like an Ibex!