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July 21, 2009
Apricot Jamming: Sterilizing Jars, Pt. 2
Preface: Apricot Jamming: Fruit Prep, Pt. 1 Once you have the apricots marinating in the sugar-lemon mixture (for at least two hours), this would be a good time to sterilize the jam jars. I couldn’t find the Ball mason jars anywhere- you know the ones with the lids and seals that come separately? I looked […]
July 20, 2009
Apricot Jamming: Fruit Prep, Pt. 1
When I saw Merriberry’s beautiful apricot tree budding with gorgeous blush-hued fruit, I knew just what I wanted to do: JAM IT! This would be my first time attempting such an arduous-sounding project, and arduous it would indeed end up being. All in all however, it was well worth all the spills, burns and bottling […]
July 19, 2009
Unagi Pizza
Went out to dinner the other night in Cupertino to a newish Japanese “fusion tapas” place called Gochi. The place is always ridiculously packed, and their menu is way too long. They had several “fusion pizzas” on the menu, and we got one topped with unagi, egg, cheese, shimeji and shiitake mushrooms and seaweed. We […]
July 14, 2009
The Umami Reader, vol. 064
– German chef blows off his hands after a home kitchen molecular gastronomy session with liquid nitrogen. Brings new weight to the term, “Don’t try this at home.” (Telegraph; via Ricky) – Founder of esteemed cattle ranch Bill Niman’s new venture BN Ranch, after being pushed out of the Niman Ranch enterprise. “I’m not willing […]
July 8, 2009
Happy Hour: The Daiquiri
It is difficult to think of a classic cocktail that has gone through as many unflattering permutations–to the point where nearly all resemblance to the original has vanished–as the Daiquiri. That the word Daiquiri instantly conjures images of umbrella-laden, too-sweet-for-consumption slushees served to retirees on cruise ships only punctuates this point, since this modern-day mutation […]
Lazyass Cookin’: 8 Ingredients to Gazpacho (Traditional)
I was inspired to make this when watching Jacques Pepin make it on his show the other day. He just made it look so easy- it’s a raw vegetable soup for god’s sake! No pots and pans- just your knife, peeler and food processor. It’s a lazyass cook’s call from heaven. I’m working at a […]
July 7, 2009
The Umami Reader, vol. 063
– Put your deposit down on a chicken or lamb from Awesome Farms in upstate NY! Delivered to the Brooklyn Kitchen once a month between now and October. Order online now. (Awesome Farms) – A list of 10 crazy-looking hotdogs. Check out the totally nasty spaghetti dogs! And props to my friend Tam Ngo for […]
July 6, 2009
Adventures in Chicken Liver Pate
Last week I had some fresh chicken livers in the fridge (from a rooster I killed with my own bare hands!!! More about that some other time). Chicken livers are so cheap, but this was my very first time cooking with them! My mama got this new Cuisinart mixer/food processor that I wanted to try […]
July 5, 2009
Hopfen Weisse: German-American Love Child
I received a rave review of this beer in my inbox a couple of weeks ago from my friend Lakshman. If someone emails you at length about how great a particular product is, chances are it’s worth trying. I finally got around to it, and this certainly is a lovely summertime beverage. At the very […]
July 3, 2009
Kitchen Follies: Can’t Caramelize Onions To Save My Life
I don’t get it- caramelizing onions looks like it would be so easy, right??? But somehow, I’m always fucking it up, every time. I watched this video online (the guy is kinda cute!) and thought alright, I can do this. WRONG!!! It was all going so well- I chopped the onions, added oil, butter and […]