POTD: Photo of the Day

a box of christopher elbow artisanal chocolates
(07.01.2009)

POTD: Photo of the Day

delicious bourbon bread pudding

Ruth Chris' Steakhouse

San Franisco, CA

Dine About San Francisco Prix Fixe Menu

(01.22.2009)

POTD: Photo of the Day

my candied walnuts fresh from the oven

(04.11.2009)

Tasting Menu Teaser: James Randall Restaurant, Los Gatos, CA

attributed to the James Randall Restaurant website

June Wine Pairing Dinner
Tuesday June 30, 7pm

"We had to postpone our original plan for June with Her-Vineness Laura Ness and her in-depth dialogue about the Santa Cruz Mtns wines. We will have Laura over for dinner in August which will work out just fine since alot of SCM wineries will be releasing a new vintage in August.

We are planning another "Global Tour" wine pairing dinner for you.We decided to feature some of our new wines that have been introduced to you on our blog."

First Course
2007 Lois Gruner Veltliner, Austria
Risotto Cakes with Fresh PeasSeasonal Seafood

Second Course
2008 Belasco de Baqudano Rosa, Argentina
Green Bean and Salami Saladwith Yellow Squash and Almonds

Third Course
2004 Dom. Assmannshausen Spatburgunder Spatlese Troken, Assmannhauser Hollenberg
Chicken RouladeWith Dijon Pan Sauce

Fourth Course
2007 Dom. Terlato & Chapoutier Shiraz-Viognier, Australia
Pan Seared NY & Foie Graswith Potato Chive Pancakes

Dessert
2007 Essensia Orange Muscat
Peach Shortcakewith Orange Curd Cream

We offer a food and wine pairing dinner at 7pm on the last Tuesday of every month. $85pp, includes 5-6 courses and features wines from regions all over the world

POTD: Photo of the Day

Miss Lorien's amazing Cinnamon Buns
Theme: Breakfast

Gatherings @ the Azure Tower

Campbell, CA

(04.27.2009)

POTD: Photo of the Day

beer sampler

BJ's Brewhouse

Cupertino, CA

(04.25.2009)

Cooking in the Kitchen: Chocolate

Monday night is "Gatherings @ the Azure Tower" night and most of the cooking is usually done before the actual gathering - for most of us, we actually don't cook the day of...or if we do, it's a bit rushed due to the work day...so I spend part of my weekend doing my contribution for this week's theme of "Cocoa/Chocolate"

I actually started on Saturday, since I'm doing a layered dessert for my "showcase" and things needed to be cooled/chilled...

melted dark chocolate for the base
very, very messy chocolate piping for garnish

the base layer

melted semi-sweet chocolate

sugar & water for caramelization

starting to boil

nice caramel color

caramel + semi-sweet chocolate mixture

a very temperamental dark chocolate ganache

it was an extremely hot weekend

chocolate was very difficult to work with

my 4 layered "cocoa/chocolate" themed dessert setting

Ok, so I feel guilty for posting pictures of very messy work...but I can't share the final results until after Cocoa/Chocolate night :)

4 layer caramel chocolate mousse with mocha chocolate ice cream :)