tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-298664142012-01-08T21:49:53.820-05:00monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.comBlogger741100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-26474383890346415232009-08-07T21:32:00.003-05:002009-08-07T21:37:44.216-05:00

Okay, 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-24437403313808655102009-07-01T16:58:00.004-05:002010-01-02T22:39:44.244-05:00

Spider 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-1529888318180121182009-06-30T17:00:00.002-05:002010-01-02T22:39:06.311-05:00

Feeling Patriotic

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-16219514095762053112009-06-18T18:16:00.007-05:002009-06-19T20:51:55.653-05:00

BBQ 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 combo

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-16398892786844755452009-06-06T22:56:00.012-05:002009-06-22T18:28:15.099-05:00

Crab 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-32722089656507838132009-06-06T21:10:00.005-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.738-05:00

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-61548977431482900152009-05-25T20:42:00.000-05:002009-06-07T09:13:37.652-05:00

I 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-10719345349720975552009-05-23T21:39:00.001-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.739-05:00

Ta-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-19077644274876845272009-05-23T21:38:00.011-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.741-05:00

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-66710213133355622602009-05-23T21:37:00.005-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.742-05:00

Chocolate Butter Cake, Cookies and Cream Filling, Vanilla Buttercream

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-10549410060333683602009-05-23T21:36:00.004-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.744-05:00

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-12277280934783085822009-05-17T00:27:00.001-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.745-05:00

Vanilla/Vanilla, Meyer Lemon Curd, Raspberry

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-87325625311467738512009-04-19T20:41:00.011-05:002009-06-06T20:46:51.188-05:00

Savory 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-44030613786277278922009-04-19T20:40:00.009-05:002009-06-06T20:46:51.189-05:00

Amuse - 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 relishInverted

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-91583961360818964112009-04-19T20:40:00.006-05:002009-06-06T20:46:51.189-05:00

QuesoShrimp Tempura TacoGarlic Fries

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-14994459230916260872009-04-19T20:39:00.004-05:002009-06-06T20:59:11.788-05:00

Look, 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-53273380410766372672009-04-19T20:38:00.004-05:002009-06-06T20:46:51.189-05:00

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-32439043399561495222009-04-19T20:37:00.011-05:002009-06-06T20:46:51.190-05:00

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-82787982061019877782009-04-19T20:37:00.010-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.747-05:00

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-3591932363379690982009-04-19T20:36:00.007-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.748-05:00

So 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-16108208340540969592009-04-19T20:34:00.003-05:002009-06-06T21:07:40.477-05:00

To 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-2230845884617059232009-01-04T01:24:00.007-05:002009-06-06T20:51:36.370-05:00

Amuse - 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-53498993264154556972009-01-04T01:24:00.001-05:002009-06-06T20:46:51.191-05:00

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-72196241813265960552009-01-04T01:21:00.006-05:002009-06-06T20:46:51.191-05:00

Shrimp Po-BoyIce Cream Battered Onion Rings(clockwise, from top) Banana Puddin', French Toast, Marilyn Monroe,Vegan Pumpkin Chocolate Chip

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-64136690899396354482009-01-04T01:18:00.004-05:002009-06-06T21:07:54.943-05:00

PhilippinesHong Kong

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-63799802693468150692009-01-04T01:15:00.004-05:002009-06-06T20:51:36.370-05:00

Kobe SlidersCalamariMac and Cheese

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-73251685944258325862009-01-04T01:08:00.003-05:002009-06-06T20:51:36.371-05:00

Amuse - Basil-lemongrass sorbetHamachi Cure - Maplewood-smoked baby yellowtail, yucca, asian pear, garlic brittlePitchfork Roll - wagyu beef and fresh avocado with tonburi land caviar and leek crispsShag Roll - tempura fried bond roll (avocado, sundried tomato, white soybean paper) with salmon, and squid ink sumiso sauceEndo Roll - sea bass and snow crab in rice paper with frozen red grapes and

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-20103047687300274712009-01-04T01:07:00.002-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.750-05:00

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-48172188472378889002009-01-04T01:07:00.001-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.751-05:00

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-60879971010049310852009-01-04T01:06:00.000-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.753-05:00

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-50799849082773401952009-01-04T01:05:00.000-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.754-05:00

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-89229622536310855042009-01-04T01:03:00.002-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.756-05:00

My attempt at recreating my favorite dish at the corner sushi joint back in New York. Edamame Potstickers. Wasabi Cream Sauce. Yum.

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-48490832984386403122009-01-04T00:38:00.005-05:002009-06-06T20:51:36.371-05:00

Amuse - red beet gelee, julienned breakfast radish, pickled garbanzo beans, lemon vinaigretteHirame Usuzukuri - thinly-sliced flounder, Spanish olive oil, smoked sea salt, yuzu zest, daikon, crispy quinoaNairagi Toro - Hawaiian billfish belly, ugly ripe tomatoes, shaved yellow watermelon, shish to peppersAji Viche - Japanese Spanish jack, cherry tomato, spring onions, ichiban dashiHotate Tataki -

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-22342814250468029002009-01-04T00:35:00.001-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.757-05:00

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-80785780460605571672009-01-04T00:25:00.006-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.759-05:00

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-77614129700636775962008-04-22T21:10:00.004-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.761-05:00

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-90206301647916516062008-04-22T20:54:00.006-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.762-05:00

I am on a quest to create a version of Pierre Hermé’s Ispahan macaron. Though I have never personally sampled this treat, how could one refuse a rose-lychee-raspberry concoction? Deliciousness all around!NB1. There is no “Take 1.” That’s because my first attempt was such a disaster, I’m too embarrassed to post. Instead of that light, chewy goodness, I was faced with something resembling a crisp

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-20930544854471556322008-04-22T20:24:00.002-05:002009-06-06T20:51:36.372-05:00

Fun-filled day at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Barsana Dham, and Salt Lick!

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-72725343987550595772008-04-22T18:43:00.008-05:002009-06-06T20:51:36.372-05:00

An evening at South Congress Café, followed by cards and coffee at Mozart's.Pomegranate MargaritasQueso FlameadoSalsa SamplerBlue Corn, Tortilla, Corn, Taro ChipsCrab EnchiladasJalapeno Venison MeatloafSeared Tuna SaladCarrot Cake French ToastBanana Cheesecake

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-74264096480348594322008-04-22T18:38:00.002-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.764-05:00

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-87802651564157745402008-01-17T19:42:00.000-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.765-05:00

I realize I haven't posted since October (shame, shame), but since my last post, everything has been a blur. Between working at Christie's, job-hunting, reading for classes, traveling, there has been little time to breathe, let alone sit down and write!Anyhoo, shortly after that last post, my sister and I left for a long holiday. Down to Texas it was to spend time with the family.

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-82025232056799621742007-10-26T21:46:00.001-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.767-05:00

The Christie's Prints sale/viewing started today. And well, since my sister is an intern in that department... Et volià. We have cake. I wanted to do a bunch of roses/flowers on top. But noooo, my "manager" (manager = my sister = self-appointed title without consulting of the baker) insisted I recreate the Keith Haring on the catalog cover.Personally, I wasn't completely happy with the result.

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-58116026241768904372007-10-06T10:35:00.000-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.768-05:00

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-22866576811686876112007-10-06T10:16:00.000-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.770-05:00

I saw Liz's post on Wiener Schnitzel, and I knew I needed to make it straight away! I think this must have been the first meal I had the very first time I visited Germany. Definitely love at first taste - especially the spätzle. Every cuisine has its own version of this. Probably most popular here in the States being Chicken Parmesan. But I grew up with my mom's version: a simple panko-encrusted

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-63717373917930619322007-10-06T10:05:00.001-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.771-05:00

Used foodbeam's recipe for sa tarte au citron meringuée (adapted from Pierre Herme). I didn't whip the egg whites stiff enough for my tastes. Plus, I kept playing around with the top design, so it probably wasn't as neat as it could have been. But the lemon curd was absolutely fab! I even had a little extra leftover. If only I had some buttery scones and clotted cream on hand!

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-79514956904684286732007-09-12T21:33:00.000-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.773-05:00

I had some tofu in my fridge and decided to try something out. So I cut the block into fry-like shapes, season with salt, pepper, olive oil and baked them in the oven. I made a peanut/satay-style sauce to go with. But...Grievance 1: In my desire to achieve fry-like crispness, I baked the tofu at a high temperature for longer than I should have. Some of the thinner pieces came out too hard to

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-31738877047808724192007-09-02T00:39:00.000-05:002009-06-06T20:49:11.989-05:00

Apologies for being lax about updates. Much has happened in the past months - travels abound, the death of a beloved aunt, etc. There were many food-related items I wished to post. Sadly, I can only recall a few. [Note to self: this is why you must regularly keep tabs with your blog]. In my absence, it appears I have been blog-tagged by my friend Elizabeth (sorry, Liz… didn’t realize I was

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-54422296285651953822007-09-02T00:38:00.000-05:002009-06-06T21:10:38.103-05:00

I was reminiscing about pub grub and for some reason or other, my train of thought led me to the Two Fat Ladies. I miss watching those episodes on BBC… I wonder if they have DVDs.

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-68858184547316424082007-09-02T00:36:00.000-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.774-05:00

My sister has been wanting me to recreate these cheeseburger empanadas we had one night at Essex. I didn’t want to go grocery shopping, so I had to make use of what I had on hand. I ad-libbed a cheese sauce (butter, flour, garlic, beer, wine, cheddar) using mostly beer and white wine as liquids since I had no milk in the fridge. To get rid of the distinct beer taste, I boiled off as much as I

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-71973396611048842372007-09-02T00:35:00.000-05:002009-06-06T21:07:19.535-05:00

Heard about this new Astoria bakery. Went down to try it yesterday. (Inadvertently came across a filming shoot - they like to film Law and Order episodes near the apartment. Incidentally, that may not be such a good thing). Got to bakeway. Nice set up. But the sweet confections case looked best. Bought cupcakes to try - cherry, praline, dulce de leche. The presentation was cute, and the icing was

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-5167317017857114442007-09-02T00:26:00.000-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.775-05:00

Mango, grated ginger, and a touch of brown sugar (the mangoes were a little tart).

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-13459383583623096832007-09-02T00:24:00.000-05:002009-06-06T21:05:44.229-05:00

Went to Drop Off Service with my cousins after my aunt’s funeral. And yes, I know what you’re thinking… going to a bar after a funeral? But knowing my aunt, it’s what she would have wanted. She was always wanting us cousins to get to know each other better and hang out more. So we all (those of us under 30, anyway) headed out and had a splendid time (the humor of the evening coming at my expense)

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-70370955679842222542007-09-02T00:19:00.000-05:002009-06-06T21:07:19.535-05:00

Took a trip to Chi-town in mid-July. My mother was having her 30th college reunion and allowed my sister and I to tag along. I had been wanting to try out Vosges chocolates for a long time, but never really had the opportunity. As luck would have it, I was shopping with my sister when I happened upon a Vosges boutique. I opted for the truffles, three I selected on my own and one at the suggestion

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-57934438383033312272007-09-02T00:15:00.001-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.777-05:00

Such a comforting food. I can use the roasted chicken in salad, pastas, casseroles, enchiladas. Or devour it just on its own.

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-59961133471886806892007-09-02T00:00:00.001-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.778-05:00

So I was asked to do a cake and some decorated cookies for a birthday. My largest baking request to date. And it had fabulous results! Everyone loved the cake and cookies! Makes me want to tackle a tiered cake again, but who will be the taste testers? That’s a LOT of cake for just my roomie and I. I also need to start experimenting with low/no sugar recipes.

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-37403510065600279842007-09-01T23:58:00.000-05:002009-06-06T21:07:19.536-05:00

New-ish frozen yogurt hotspot, pinkberry. And no, not like TCBY frozen yogurt. Literally yogurt (as in bacterially fermented milk). Frozen. Comes in green tea and plain. Healthy choice of yummy fresh fruit toppings. Or not so healthy candy toppings. They also have shaved ice and smoothie options. I went with my cousin , her husband, and their son, Jakob. Jakob didn’t really enjoy the tartness of

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-72760499291079852242007-06-23T16:56:00.001-05:002009-06-06T20:55:16.443-05:00

Johnny's Reef Restaurant. City Island Ave, Bronx, NY. (Top to bottom: soft-shell crab, shrimp, crowd of customers).

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-39227424476729855292007-06-18T10:16:00.000-05:002009-06-06T20:55:16.443-05:00

Last weekend, I attended the Big Apple BBQ Block Party at Madison Square Park. Man oh man almighty! Boy did I miss barbecue! I sampled from NYC's Blue Smoke and Hill Country. Of course, I had to get some Texas barbecue, so I stopped at Southside Market & BBQ (Elgin, TX) and The Salt Lick (could NOT pass this up).Blue Smoke served up barbecued chicken. I had high expectations for this because I'm

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-42079291434122566722007-06-18T10:14:00.000-05:002007-06-18T15:52:51.499-05:00

Decided to move the "Moblog" posts to this blog. Much easier to keep up with a single blog.

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-30670681484906586032007-06-06T16:17:00.001-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.780-05:00

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-90538390701593992742007-06-06T15:44:00.001-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.782-05:00

This is the first recipe I made out of the Chocolate & Zucchini book. Okay, so I didn't follow the recipe exactly, but I used the basic components from the book and adapted it to my tastes. I added honey to my balsamic vinaigrette, opted for cashews instead of hazelnuts (because that is what I had on hand), and I used nectarines instead of the suggested peaches. I also added a shaving of Parmesan

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-48648694693323110192007-06-05T14:00:00.001-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.783-05:00

My sangria: red wine, rum, peach schnapps, orange juice, necatrines, peaches, oranges, and a splash of fizzy water (or lemon-lime soda). That is all I need to start the summer off right. Cheers!

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-21010109399303804512007-06-05T13:50:00.000-05:002007-06-18T15:49:36.993-05:00

Being at the Philippine Independence Festival this weekend so reminded me of my childhood. Pork barbecue, many kinds of pancit (noodles), longanisa (sausage), kare-kare (a meat stew containing green beans, eggplant, tripe in a peanutty sauce, eaten with bagoong, a salted and fermented fish or shrimp paste). I indulged in Halo-Halo, a particular favorite of mine from days of yore. Alas, there is a

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-29998653916028644512007-06-05T11:00:00.000-05:002009-06-06T20:55:16.444-05:00

Halo-Halo - a dessert of shaved ice, milk, sugar, sweet beans, assorted gelatins, flanBBQ and Lumpia Shanghai - grilled pork that has been marinated in a soy-citrus mixture and a Filipino egg rollFish Balls - Not in the literal sense, though I have a friend who enjoys rooster balls. Think of these as fish meatballs with a sweet/spicy sauce.

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-4377279194935051482007-06-02T10:09:00.001-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.785-05:00

"C" is for cookie... I used white chocolate chips here. But they were a little flatter than anticipated. Fairly certain this was due to the fact my leavening agent was not fresh. Surprisingly, the cookies retained the texture I desired - crispy round the edges and chewy in the middle.

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-72826469931021558012007-05-30T17:49:00.000-05:002007-06-18T15:48:08.999-05:00

I've been a bit indecisive when it comes to the graphics for this blog. However, I think I've finally settled. Apologies to those who tried to access the site during these changes. See... I am fickle (in many aspects of my life)!

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-91218223751171427642007-05-29T16:18:00.000-05:002009-06-06T21:00:44.390-05:00

Jo Malone is probably my favorite perfumer (along with France's Diptyque). Anyway I stopped by her boutique on Broadway the other day to pick up my favorite scent, Nectarine Blossom and Honey. To me, this just oozes summer. While I impatiently wait for my favorite summer fruits to appear, a splash of this is a nice reminder of what's to come.

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-12000467886038996272007-05-29T16:11:00.001-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.786-05:00

Adapted from Nigella Bites by Nigella Lawson. I believe this recipe is a British-English take on an Indian dish (I can’t quite recall, as I don’t have my copy of the book here in NYC). I love that it’s perfumed with those heady, smoky spices. And that wonderful yellow tinge the rice takes on as you coat it with the spices. The nutty aroma as you let the rice toast with the spices, as in the

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-78548319717622873292007-05-29T11:18:00.000-05:002009-06-06T21:09:17.806-05:00

My mum planted dahlias this year. I know it's nothing to do with food, but I wish I had a garden in New York.

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-69626804709385736702007-05-26T17:18:00.000-05:002009-06-06T21:00:02.849-05:00

Roxy Paine sculpture (Conjoined) at Madison Square Park. Sunbathers underneath. Planned on stopping by Shake Shack... until I saw the line.

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-28910954455976052282007-05-24T17:33:00.000-05:002009-06-06T21:00:59.343-05:00

Just had a piece of Eclipse Chocolat Blackberry Sage Bar – dark chocolate, sage, blackberry bits. Though the blackberry didn’t shine through as much as I’d like, I thoroughly enjoyed the dark chocolate and sage combination. I’ll have to think of another use for this combo. Many thanks to Gen for bringing this treat (and the yummy spa goodies) back from California.

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-21642692647366647052007-05-23T16:39:00.001-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.788-05:00

I decided to make some crêpes today. And I found it to be the perfect vehicle for rose petal jam, which Sandra so generously sent from Paris. But I still love the chocolatey goodness of a Nutella filling. Délicieux!

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-24305639686553961162007-05-23T16:38:00.002-05:002010-01-02T19:11:11.789-05:00

There’s something incredibly relaxing about kneading dough. The movement, feeling the dough spring to life in your hands. There is such a wonderful rhythm about it; it immediately puts me at ease. Make no mistake, I am not out to recreate the perfect French baguette, but a simple dough like this is worth the effort.This dough is particularly great because of its versatility. Often I’ll divide the

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29866414.post-80277383209794249752007-05-20T19:47:00.004-05:002009-06-07T18:12:55.231-05:00

This is an outlet for my (mostly) food-related musings – a virtual notebook of sorts documenting my cooking experiments, my discoveries, current fixations… etcetera. I started this blog while living in NYC, my “gallivanting-phase,” as it were. But I’ve since moved back to my old college stomping grounds, Austin, Texas. N.B. – As I ease back into that lazy Austin groove, I don’t update near as

monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00866413876873961865noreply@blogger.com0