tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298664142024-03-14T01:55:26.884-05:00fickle foodiemonicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-26474383890346415232009-08-07T21:32:00.003-05:002009-08-07T21:37:44.216-05:00On Hiatus While I Sail the Eastern MediterraneanOkay, okay. I've been on 'hiatus' for quite a while. But for real, travel posts (and miscellany overdue updates) to follow.monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-24437403313808655102009-07-01T16:58:00.004-05:002010-01-02T22:39:44.244-05:00Maiko IISpider Bun - Crispy Soft Shell Crab, Smoked Tomato Remoulade, Avocado, LettuceMaiko Sliders - Avocado, White Miso Slaw, White Cheddar, Yam Fries (these used to be Kobe sliders. obviously they were better before the switch)monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-1529888318180121182009-06-30T17:00:00.002-05:002010-01-02T22:39:06.311-05:00Flag CakeFeeling Patrioticmonicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-16219514095762053112009-06-18T18:16:00.007-05:002009-06-19T20:51:55.653-05:00Lockhart, The Barbecue Capital of TexasBBQ Plate at Chisholm TrailI didn't think I'd ever been to Lockhart, but driving through, I get a mysterious sense of déjà-vu. Curious. Anyway, as I'm positive it's my first time eating barbecue in Lockhart, my first taste comes at Chisholm Trail. My mouth started watering even before we arrived at the restaurant. This air in this town just smells of smokehouse barbecue.I ordered the 3-meat combomonicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-16398892786844755452009-06-06T22:56:00.012-05:002009-06-22T18:28:15.099-05:00Four Seasons Austin - TRIO Happy HourCrab Fondue, Herb Bruschetta A not so impressive dish. Flat, overwhelmingly dairy. Yes, it is fondue, but you would think that the crab would be a prominent flavor. Nowhere to be found. L to R: Baked Gulf Oysters, Shrimp, Bacon, Shoestring Potato; Pork BellyI rather enjoyed the crunch of the potato on the oyster. My previous oyster experiences were very minimalist, highlighting the fresh oyster monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-32722089656507838132009-06-06T21:10:00.005-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.738-05:00Apparently Penguins Look Like Owls Penguin Graduation Cake: Chocolate/Vanilla Marble Cake, Caramel Buttercream, Candy Graduation CapBaker-for-hire: Kindergarten Graduation. School colors are blue and gold. Loves penguins.I tried to incorporate the school colors into the penguin's skin/fur and graduation cap. That Happy Feet penguin had a blue-ish tinge, right? I took some pictures to document (this was before the feet, mind you) monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-61548977431482900152009-05-25T20:42:00.000-05:002009-06-07T09:13:37.652-05:00Pink is the New OrangeI have recently become obsessed with Cara Cara Navel Oranges. Though admittedly, I do have numerous obsessions when it comes to food. And though it may be strange for a single gal to hoard as many of these sweet fruits as I do, one must be prepared for emergencies.Sadly, I no longer see them at the grocery. But I enjoyed their sweet, pink-hued flesh as long as I could.monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-10719345349720975552009-05-23T21:39:00.001-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.739-05:00How to Make a Mountain Cake, Part IV: My Co-workers Are Lucky and Other Final ThoughtsTa-da!Cake was devoured. I won the contest. Huzzah.Despite all the fondant issues, I would still like to try working with it. But next time, I'll practice more before attempting such a project.monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-19077644274876845272009-05-23T21:38:00.011-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.741-05:00How to Make a Mountain Cake, Part III: Decorate! L to R: Mountain Sheep/Goat ~ Employee; Atop MountainThe little goat was made earlier in the week. Dyed some fondant (I think gum paste or marzipan would be more traditional) and had fun with it - just like Play-doh!But... Nightmare! The day before Party-Day, I rolled out the fondant to cover the cake. Well, first I had to dye the fondant brown. Since dying the small amount I used for the goat monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-66710213133355622602009-05-23T21:37:00.005-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.742-05:00How to Make a Mountain Cake, Part II: Fill, Crumb Coat, and SculptChocolate Butter Cake, Cookies and Cream Filling, Vanilla Buttercreammonicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-10549410060333683602009-05-23T21:36:00.004-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.744-05:00How to Make a Mountain Cake, Part I: Fondant (from scratch!)In my first attempt at working with fondant, I decide to make it from scratch! Why bother? The Mountain Cake, of course! Every year at work, we have a major Deadline-Completion Party this time of year. On the agenda? A cake contest dealing with this year's theme (something about climbing a mountain... yeah, I know)! Well, duh, of course I had to enter. So along with two birthdays to bake for, monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-12277280934783085822009-05-17T00:27:00.001-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.745-05:00These Might Just Be Cupcake PerfectionVanilla/Vanilla, Meyer Lemon Curd, Raspberrymonicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-87325625311467738512009-04-19T20:41:00.011-05:002009-06-06T20:46:51.188-05:00South Congress Café, A Butter ObsessionSavory Butter at DinnerBlackened Beef with Horseradish HashLollipop Porkchop, Blueberry and Habañero GastriqueSmoked Duck, Port-Cherry-Chipotle GlazeSweet-ish butter at BrunchCarrot Cake French ToastQuiche Eggs Benedict, Smoked Gouda Potato PancakeMigasCrawfish OmeletteI don't think I've eaten so much butter in two days. My sister was in town, so we decided to have dinner with Sister #3 at South monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-44030613786277278922009-04-19T20:40:00.009-05:002009-06-06T20:46:51.189-05:00Austin Restaurant Week - Jeffrey'sAmuse - fried soupSouthern Style Oysters - sesame and thyme breaded on bacon royal topped with house-dried tomato vinaigretteCrispy Bone Marrow -sauteed bone marrow, house-made pickles, fine herb salad, house mustard, country breadBurgundy Pastures Short Ribs -caramelized potato galette, persillade, grilled date saladHalibut Cheeks -sweet pea glacage, celery remoulade, pea-mushroom relishInvertedmonicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-91583961360818964112009-04-19T20:40:00.006-05:002009-06-06T20:46:51.189-05:00IzzozQuesoShrimp Tempura TacoGarlic Friesmonicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-14994459230916260872009-04-19T20:39:00.004-05:002009-06-06T20:59:11.788-05:00Pineapple, the Filipino WayLook, Ma! I can cut pineapple like they do in the Philippines!monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-53273380410766372672009-04-19T20:38:00.004-05:002009-06-06T20:46:51.189-05:00Uchi, 1Q 2009monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-32439043399561495222009-04-19T20:37:00.011-05:002009-06-06T20:46:51.190-05:00Sunflower Cafémonicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-82787982061019877782009-04-19T20:37:00.010-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.747-05:00Mocha Tart with Blackberriesmonicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-3591932363379690982009-04-19T20:36:00.007-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.748-05:00Spicy Gingerbread CookiesSo there might be some confusion. I made these cookies for a holiday party back in December... and I'm posting it in late-April. I'm so awesome at keeping up with this blog.monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-16108208340540969592009-04-19T20:34:00.003-05:002009-06-06T21:07:40.477-05:00Salt and Pepper SquidTo me, this is what Salt and Pepper Squid should be. Lightly battered, perfectly crisp, and wonderfully tender. None of that clumpy, doughy goo I find here in Austin.monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-2230845884617059232009-01-04T01:24:00.007-05:002009-06-06T20:51:36.370-05:00Again? Uchi, 4th Quarter 2008Amuse - Crispy Plantain, Avocado Lime Purée, Garlic, Ginger, Yellow Bell PepperHirame Usuzukuri - Thinly-sliced Flounder, Spanish Olive Oil, Smoked Sea Salt, Yuzu Zest, Daikon, Crispy QuinoaUmi Carubonara - Diver Scallops, Uni, Spaghetti Squash, Smoked Char Roe, Bonito, ShisoBara Mutsu - Seared Escolar, Tuscan Cantaloupe, San Bai Zu, Olive Oil, Thai Chili, Fried BasilOmaaru Ebi - Maine Lobster, monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-53498993264154556972009-01-04T01:24:00.001-05:002009-06-06T20:46:51.191-05:00Riverside Taco Standmonicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-72196241813265960552009-01-04T01:21:00.006-05:002009-06-06T20:46:51.191-05:00South Austin Trailer Park (Shuggy's), Sugar Mama's BakeshopShrimp Po-BoyIce Cream Battered Onion Rings(clockwise, from top) Banana Puddin', French Toast, Marilyn Monroe,Vegan Pumpkin Chocolate Chipmonicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-64136690899396354482009-01-04T01:18:00.004-05:002009-06-06T21:07:54.943-05:00Am I in South East Asia? I dare say, I am.PhilippinesHong Kongmonicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0