Bread, Bowls, Light

Bread, Bowls, Light
Originally uploaded by pixelish

Whenever you happen upon a dark, rustic space, with some nice northern light, pull out your camera and shoot shoot shoot!

 

Getting my antioxidants on! Did you know that star fruits (or carambolas) are chock full of antioxidants, vitamin C and even have some antimicrobial properties? And the entire fruit has just 30 calories. That's a heck of a lot of good stuff packed into one darned attractive package!

Artichokes, Castro Dei Volsci

Artichokes, Castro Dei Volsci
Originally uploaded by pixelish

It was artichoke season when I visited Casa Gregorio (http://www.italyculinaryholiday.com/) last month. Check out these multi-layered beauties from the Castro dei Volsci farmer's market. They definitely give our Half Moon Bay area artichokes a run for their money.

One of my favorite foods is artichoke soup. And one of my favorite places to eat it is Duartes Tavern in Pescadero. Saveur magazine has attempted to replicate the Duartes recipe here: http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Cream-of-Artichoke-Soup

Enjoy!

Imagine my surprise... I arrived in Seattle a few days ago to find my hotel right across the street, right across the freaking STREET from Tom Douglas' Dahlia Bakery! I had read about this warm, inviting alcove with the giant fig bars and frosting-y cakes and the hearty breads and the overall sweetie goodness. I have the scrumptious new Dahlia Bakery Cookbook for Pete's sake. Such happiness. Now pardon me while I just stare into the figgy center and swoon. Damn!

Eggs a la fresh

Last Sunday I had a wandering day in Paris. Well, actually I had a very specific plan for the day, but it all fell by the wayside as I came across these amazing markets and shops and sights. So I just kind of went with it... what the heck.

One of the things I came across was the flower and pet market on île de la Cité in Paris. I had walked by it many times before, but had never gone through it. Well the Sunday pet market is a noisy, amazing, exotic jumble of rabbits and chinchillas and birds, birds, birds. And it was there that I found possibly the freshest eggs in Paris. I thought they were so beautiful in their earthy simplicity.

Breakfast Deconstructed, Paris

 

How is it possible that a little flour and salt, butter and jam can just taste so damn good?

Orange Marmalade

Orange Marmalade
Originally uploaded by pixelish

Vincenzo's mama's homemade orange marmalade. From our picnic lunch at the olive farm in Arpino, Italy.