RECIPES – Page 15 – Real Foodies

NOW I’M PISSED, but mostly sad.

When I wrote about my visit to the Sonoma Foie Gras farm, I had not yet gotten to know the Gonzalez family very well. They seemed nice enough, like many families who move to the US and do more than just make a living, but build a legacy of survival and entrepreneurship for their children. I won't lie to you and tell you that the Gonzalez sisters, Maria and Helena weren't the absolute sweetest people that I met at the first foie gras meeting at Incanto last year. They were delightful, charming and sincere, despite the fact that of everyone [...]

By claudia|2018-10-03T10:19:54-04:00June 18th, 2012|

ADOPT A HOLIDAY: Cinco de Mayo

You won't usually see me doing Cuervo shooters on Cinco de Mayo or drinking green beer on St. Patty's day, but as I grow a little more wise and get off my high horse, I realize that there is no harm in eating yummy food and drinking tasty cocktails in honor of any "holiday". Here are two ways that you can celebrate Cinco de Stinko and feel fabulous doing it. CINCUE DE MAYO COCKTAIL This is my Italian spin on a margarita. Bellissima! INGREDIENTS – 1 serving 1 Shot premium reposado agave tequila 1 Shot or more Italian Blood orange [...]

By claudia|2018-10-03T10:22:03-04:00May 3rd, 2012|

ONCE UPON A LITTLE SANDWICH

The first time I came across the little sandwich concept was in Madrid, Spain. They call them bocadillos or bocata because they are little mouthfuls. Boca isn't just short for Boca Raton, it means mouth in Spanish. Throughout cafes and bars in Spain, you can find little bocadillos filled simply with jamon serrano, lomo or tortilla de patata . They seldom contain more than one ingredient, although sometimes they contain olive oil or smushed ripe tomato. Spain is also home to my other favorite "finger" sandwich that can be found at Rodilla, but I will reserve that for another day [...]

By claudia|2018-10-03T10:22:50-04:00April 26th, 2012|

I’LL TAKE MY COFFEE WHITE

My favorite Lebanese restaurant that also holds the title of my favorite restaurant with two locations on one block is called Open Sesame, A.K.A., Open Says Me, in Long Beach, California. I could write several pages on every menu item because just the thought of it makes my my mouth water and my heart sink in longing, but today I am celebrating their white coffee. White Coffee is not coffee at all, but hot orange blossom water with fresh mint. The first time I had it, it seemed weird to order a hot minty beverage with my garlic potatoes, lentil [...]

By claudia|2018-10-03T10:25:15-04:00April 3rd, 2012|

MAC AND CHEESE RIGHT NOW AND PORK SHRINKY DINKS

TJ's mac and Cheese packages I don't have a freezer full of pre-packaged and processed foods, but I almost always have a little frozen tray of Trader Joe's mac and cheese or the reduced guilt mac and cheese for extra guilty days. Stop right there with your judgement. I find that when someone else does something better than I can, and in this case, provides me with some of the silkiest and most delicious mac and cheese that I can make in 3 minutes, my gastronomic self righteousness goes out the window. I had to take a little [...]

By claudia|2018-10-03T10:26:09-04:00March 21st, 2012|