Umami Mart

Feeling stuffed post-Thanksgiving? After a few days of leftovers drenched in butter, I found myself reaching for fruits of all kinds at my grocery store. It is the height of persimmon season and I’ve been eating at least one a day this month. To demarcate the period between one gluttonous holiday (Thanksgiving) and another (Christmas), I […]

It’s yuzu season! When my sister starts giving me yuzu, I know it’s official: the holidays are here and yuzu is in abundance to help me cope. Berkeley is the queen of Meyer lemons, but I’m beginning to think it’s also one of the best places for someone to grow yuzu as friends and family are […]

The art of perfection is everywhere in Japan. In its laquerware, electronics and especially in its food. Dessert Le Comptoir in Fukasawa, Tokyo is an example of food perfection. A 10 minute bus-ride from Jiyugaoka, it’s a bit of a challenge to make it out here if you are not given specific directions, but when […]

I was so happy to have this recipe featured on a website I love, A Cup of Jo, as “The Best Peach Tart You’ll Ever Have”!. This peach tart (technically a galette) is simple, pretty and delicious! You’ll need: 1 (pre-made) crust, 2 to 3 peaches (no need to peel), 1 small tub ricotta, cinnamon, […]

A common dessert in Brazil called “Romeo and Juliet” comprised of goiabada (guava paste) and Minas cheese. The contrast of the sweet guava and the subtle and slightly savory Minas was a winning combination. Easily one of the best dessert finds during my trip; quintessentially Brazilian.

I was so happy to get nectarines, plums and apricots in the CSA box this week. This is a quick and easy summer dessert- it also works great on the grill if you’re BBQing. I was so happy to get nectarines, plums and apricots in the CSA box this week. This is a quick and easy […]

Hi, welcome to my new column, MOTOism. I’ll mostly be cooking here, as always, with the occasional restaurant rant, to keep everyone on their toes. It’s summer, it’s hot, and it’s time to make an easy dessert that doesn’t boil the kitchen. Over the weekend, I made batches of macarons, but I still haven’t figured […]

I know it’s been almost two months since I visited Bangkok, but I didn’t want to deprive y’all of the wonder that is Thai sweets and desserts. So here’s a quick run down of the sugary delights we sampled in Bangkok. Us folk who don’t live in Thailand are truly hard done by as it’s […]

Dish by Elements. Photo by Erin Gleeson.

So this weekend I was having a few people over for a potluck birthday party and I took it upon myself to make the dessert. A long time ago I remembered making a super delicious rye bread layer cake — crunchy, fresh and sweet with raspberry cream–but I couldn’t find the old recipe so I […]