April 2006 . Miosa Couture

Ten years. My, the time has gone by fast. It seems just like yesterday I met 9 wonderful ladies during my early years of college, whom I would later refer to as my core group of college friends. Once graduations began, we began peeling away from the pack, off to experience the world around us. We’ve maintained contact with each other through emails, random text messages, the occasional video chat, and individual visits, but we’ve never been able to get all ten of us together under one roof. Until yesterday.

April 2006 . Miosa Couture

Ten years. One weekend. Hundreds of new stories. *

• JA, soon-to-be Dr. JA, PhD. Mind-blowingly brilliant with words.
• TC, the lawyer, possibly Judge TC?
• JS, the social worker, who I hope will make her way out to the SF Bay Area.
• DM, fellow marketeer working the globe in pursuit of books.
• LK, scientific researcher and lover of Randall.
• CC, braved Honduras, now off to conquer the world of fashion/retail.
• LP, future lawyer and fiercely dedicated to family.
• SL, living the fabulous NYC life and jet-setting across the globe.
• JL (or JT?), the gorgeous bride. The reason for our convergence.

…and myself. It was wonderful to see everyone and create many new memories. Trading stories of where we’ve been, what we’re doing, and where we’re going is a treasure trove of happiness packaged into a wonderful memory that I cherish. Oh, that and the *ahem, more grown up,* antics that we seem to always experience. To sum up this amazing group is a wonderful little gem our friend used to describe us (and yes, he has a knack for words):

“Everyone looks the same. No one got fat.” –SCC

Which gets me thinking: do you have a core group of friends?

* Note: our history is just shy of ten years…it’s just a nice number to round up.

April 2010 . Industrial Sink

I’ve made some changes to the setup of this blog. Please be aware that I’ve removed the splash page and content can be viewed directly on the homepage, http://www.bakerydays.com. Though, if you should still prefer to visit http://blog.bakerydays.com, by all means, be my guest! =)

If you don’t know (or are just tuning in), I began blogging over 10 years ago. At that time, blogging was relatively new and I didn’t know what I wanted of myself or this blog. I’ve carved and re-carved out this little space numerous times. It began with numerous iterations of daily ramblings of little substance to personal works with little explanation. Over time, both this space and I have grown to encompass what I hope is my personal spirit, and while I may not blog as frequently as years past, I hope that the content has evolved and matured into something more substantial.

This is a labor of love. Thank you.

July 2010 . Basil Garden: Month 1

Living in a dense urban city has made me really appreciate the little things that small towns/suburbs have to offer. Some days I crave the peace and quiet or slower pace of life. Other days, I want to gaze out into my own beautiful garden. And though I love living in the city and have no plans to leave anytime soon, the inspiration from the beautiful blog by Rachel of My Balcony Garden and the nudging of some very dear friends has got me taking the first steps in having my own itty-bitty garden.

August 2010 . Basil Garden: Month 2

So I’ve begun chronicling the growth of my teeny-tiny plant. From seedling to sprouts, It’s part of the urban oasis that I’m cultivating in my own little home. This morning I woke up and could smell the faint wispy aroma of fresh basil. Even though the little bootie that it’s planted in is pint-sized, I’m hoping that the basil will grow up big enough so that I can add it into my weekly meals. Nothing like fresh basil in pasta or soup or salads to make a meal complete.

Not pictured here is the recent addition of two new pots–one an orange pot nursing a baby succulent–and another, my airplane seedlings. (The description comes from a friend who gave it to me who works in the aerospace industry.) As those develop, I plan to chronicle their growth as well!

January 2010 . Rolling Pin

How unfitting that in August, when I should be frolicking around under the warm summer sun, I’m bundled up indoors with the heater cranked up. Yup, it looks like this year summer decided to take a sabbatical. So in honor of this cold, drizzly summer weather, I’ve pulled from my photo collection a winter treat–cinnamon rolls!

January 2010 . Cinnamon Rolls

This is my mother’s signature recipe. I remember my younger years, when I would sit in the kitchen and watch her nimble hands knead and punch down the soft dough before rolling it out over the floured cutting board. She’d always let me help–I took pride mixing the filling–half-cup white sugar, half-cup brown sugar and a smattering of shredded coconut. Using a pastry brush, I’d paint the flattened dough with melted butter and then blanket the greased dough with my sugar concoction. Then I’d watch as my mother would roll the dough and expertly slice each piece before placing it on the baking sheet. I was always impatient by this time… 10 minutes of baking in the oven always felt like hours stretched into days. But when the timer chimed and the cinnamon rolls came out, they were always the perfect shade of golden brown and light and fluffy to touch.

January 2010 . Cinnamon Rolls

Now that I’m older, it’s my turn to kneed and punch down bread. I have yet to perfect my cinnamon rolls to a level that compares with hers, but I’m getting close!

July 2010 . Sweetness & Light: The Mysterious History of the Honeybee

“…eating is an intimate activity. The desire for knowledge is behind the success of farmers’ markets, where you can meet producers face-to-face, ask questions, and get a sense of who they are, in the process of discovering what is on your doorstep.”

Some of my favorite passages comes from this book, Sweetness and Light: The Mysterious History of the Honeybee by Hattie Ellis.

“For life is all one: as big as the world and as small as the honeybee.”

From traditional apiary on small farms to modern skeps on urban rooftops, Hattie Ellis did a wonderful job chronicling our love for honey. She details the daily order of bee life and the variety of fascination for honey found among different cultures so wonderfully, that it’s hard not to see why great bee intellects such as Lorenzo Langstroth were so taken with the honeybee and how they were able to study and invent new technologies that greatly impact modern day honey production.

June 2010 . Mint

Another farmers’ market treasure: fresh mint. Not only beautiful, bouquets of fragrant mint leaves dress-up my kitchen so delicately with it’s beautiful aroma–and I love that it’s scent can waft throughout my home so lovingly.

March 2010 . Mint Tea

Of course, after it’s filled my home with it’s scent, I boil it down in a pot of water into mint tea. Rather than buying tea bags or ready-made tea, I like being able to dictate my beverages’ sweetness. I’ve got a stash of glass milk bottles (I refuse to part with them–perhaps a story I’ll save for another day) that works so well for storing my home brews. Plus, it’s so simple and quick to make!

June 2010 . Pimentos de Padrón

One of my favorite stalls at the farmers’ market is East Palo Alto’s Happy Quail Farms. They have the best looking, best tasting peppers that my eyes and mouth have ever feasted on. During the winter months, they take a break from the farmers’ market circuit (at least at the Ferry Building, which makes me a bit sad), but they come back every summer with beautiful bright peppers. Normally, I buy a few sweet bell peppers to stuff, sauté or add to a salad, but last week I asked about these little pimientos de padrón and learned quite a bit!

June 2010 . Pimientos de Padrón

These peppers are a little sweet, a little spicy, but pack a whole lotta punch in flavor. They are great as tapas and are quick to whip up. All that you need to do is heat a frying pan with olive oil (enough to cover the bottom of the pan) and throw the peppers in whole. When white blisters appear on the pepper skins, then they are ready to eat.

Serve on a plate with coarse salt (I added ground black pepper–I do like my foods to have that extra kick) and enjoy with a side of cheese, a frosty beer, or a glass of red wine.

Normally something like this is great as an appetizer with friends, but I’m not going to lie–I ate all these peppers in one sitting! These little guys are now part of my ‘usual’ market list!

June 2010 . Farmer's Market Produce

My love for farmers’ markets knows no bounds. Anyone who knows me, knows that food has a special place in my heart. Fortunately, I live in a great city that offers a wealth of food outlets–restaurants, shops, markets, festivals, and organizations. I’ve been on a road to discovery lately–checking out various local farmers’ markets. Each holds unique treasures that the other doesn’t offer, but all are equally special. I love surrounding myself around so much fresh produce, artisan breads, cheeses, and yogurts. And the people. It’s their knowledge and genuine friendly spirit that adds to the overall ambiance and leaves me wishing that I could spend everyday at the market.

I have yet to visit all of the farmers’ markets in San Francisco, but some of my favorite include:

Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market
One Ferry Building
San Francisco, California 94111
Open year round: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com

Fort Mason Center Farmers’ Market
Fort Mason Center
San Francisco, CA 94123
Open June through October: Sundays, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
www.fortmason.org/farmersmarket

Crocker Galleria Farmers’ Market
Crocker Galleria
50 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94104
Open year round: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
www.cafarmersmkts.com

Alemany Farmers’ Market
100 Alemany Blvd
San Francisco, CA 94110
Open year round: Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
http://sfgsa.org/index.aspx?page=1058

June 2010 . Tartine Cookbook

Another day. Another month. Another year. It’s been full of unexpected surprises and changes. I recently received this lovely cookbook from a very dear friend of mine. The companion piece to the wonderfully delicious bakery, Tartine Bakery, located on the corner of 18th and Guerrero Street in the Mission, each recipe contains beautiful drool-worthy photos, stories and recipes.

June 2010 . Brioche Bread Pudding Recipe

Quite possibly the first recipe I’ll try out from the book, this treat is my all-time favorite. I can never visit the bakery without ordering a bowl. I only hope that I can achieve the goodness that they are able to dish out.

June 2010 . Croissants Recipe

Then quite possibly, I’d move on to croissants. I made them once last year based off a different recipe, but they didn’t turn out. Now I’ve got a new recipe and another chance.

June 2010 . Quiche Recipe

To round out the first batch of Tartine goodies, is a savory quiche recipe. I love a good quiche and this one looks absolutely tasty!

If you’re not inclined to do any baking and you’re in San Francisco, I highly recommend visiting the bakery for some coffee and treats. Most days, there’s a long line but the wait is completely worth it.

Tartine Bakery
600 Guerrero Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
www.tartinebakery.com

June 2010 . Zucchini

This weekend at the farmer’s market, I spied with my two little eyes, zucchini. With spring fruits here and the summer season just around the corner, I’ve got tons of sweets lined up to bake. Tarts and muffins and frozen treats galore! Today’s recipe is another experience in one-handed cookery—the thumb is still temporarily out of order, and like all things that life brings, I use them to make sweets.

June 2010 . Zucchini Bread Ingredients

June 2010 . Shredded Zucchini

June 2010 . Chocolate Chips

June 2010 . Zucchini Bread Batter

June 2010 . Zucchini Bread

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bead
Makes 1 loaf

I had a little extra batter, so I decided to make a few muffins!

June 2010 . Zucchini Muffins

June 2010 . Onion

Today’s meal is filed under: duh

THUMB DOWN! I know better than to let my mind wander when cooking. Unfortunately, tonight I received a painful (and ugly) lesson in chopping when my thoughts trailed. So while I bandaged my thumb, I debated on scrapping my meal and ordering take-out, but then realized that this is a good chance to chronicle my adventures in one-handed cooking. Fortunately I’d planned to whip-up a very easy dinner…

June 2010 . Chard

I’d already chopped and washed the chard, which was great for me!

June 2010 . Pinenuts

With my left hand now out of commission, I set about toasting pinenuts. This was easy since this step only required flipping the pan to evenly toast the nuts.

June 2010 . Onion&Chard

Sautéing onions, garlic and chard were pretty easy as well thanks to my spatula.

June 2010 . Sautéed Chard with Toasted Pinenuts

Ta-da! A simple, one-handed dinner to write home about. Now about washing those dishes…

March 2008 . Koln Chocolate Factory

I love chocolate. It’s sensual. It’s comforting. It’s happiness–packaged into itty-bitty mouth-watering pieces. Chocolate is a cherished sweet that I can never get tired of. Growing up, my family never had a lot of candy in the home and when I managed to get my little fingers wrapped around a piece of melted goodness, my parents–and grandparents–would always lecture  me, telling me that my teeth would fall out if I ate too many. Welp, fast forward to today, and I’ve still got my full set of teeth, so that little scare tactic didn’t work much… I still love chocolate, probably more so today than when I was a child. During a recent trip to Europe, my eyes (and taste buds) discovered chocolate unlike any before. It was magnificent. It also happened to be the trip that provided me with a new found respect for the unknown labors in the cacao fields. During my trip, I read Carol Off’s Bitter Chocolate and discovered a lot about the history of cacao beans, the people who work the farms, and the business of profiting off the people and these little beans. What I wasn’t prepared for was what I would learn about myself and how my views of chocolate would change.

June 2010 . Bitter Chocolate by Carol Off

This is a powerful book that dives into the gritty heart of the chocolate industries around the world and the corruption and racism that towers over the laborers who toil the fields–the back-breaking sweat, blood and tears of the local workers who produce joy for others that they will never themselves be able to taste.

Would this book stop me from loving and eating chocolate? No. Would it change my understanding of the cacao industry and in turn my appreciation of the unknown people who work so hard to produce it? Yes. Is there something that I can do to help change the way chocolate is made? Hopefully–I’m very disgusted by the greed and corruption. I’ve been reseraching ways to help make a positive impact for these workers. Every single bite of smooth milk chocolate, rich dark chocolate, and sweet white chocolate has become more of a luxury, something that I am so blessed and fortunate to experience.

Moving from book to kitchen, I’ve squirreled away a couple pieces of chocolate. I had originally intended to save them for a special occasion. Special chocolate for a special time, but my will power isn’t so strong these days. Would it be wrong to call today–an ordinary Wednesday, hump day–special? Or perhaps I should continue to save it and whip up a red velvet cake? I’m pretty good at that too.

And with that, I present a few of my favorite chocolates from Europe.

March 2008 . French Chocolate Truffles

March 2008 . French Chocolate Truffles

March 2008 . Belgium Chocolate Truffles

June 2010 . Banana Bread

…and Tomorrow told me: “Go home. Visit friends and family, but don’t stay too long. There’s a lot more in store for you in San Francisco!”I decided to take a short trip home over the weekend. There’s nothing like the drive from San Francisco, over the Golden Gate Bridge and through Marin and Sonoma counties. The trip started with clouds smoging over the bay, but by the time I entered Sonoma, the sun had peaked through and the air warmed up. I’m so use to San Francisco weather, that I’d forgotten what seasons were like!

My sister came up with the great idea to bring ice cream to my grandfather. He’s a sucker for sweets, and given how hot the day was, it was the perfect treat. He was surprised to see us and immediately went get us a bowl of lotus soup (and a second bowl for ice cream). My sister choose strawberry flavor, which was is the combination of one of my favorite berries and frozen treats. The three of us sat and enjoyed the ice cream, making sure to eat as fast as we could to keep it from dripping all over the place. This reminds me–it’s now ice cream making season!

See ya later (I refuse to say good byes), I’m sure I’ll make many more brief trips here and there and everywhere.

Of course, I wouldn’t be very true to myself if I didn’t bake something this weekend.  This week’s baked goodie is banana bread from the extra bananas I’d bought last week. Crunchy crust on the outside, soft and spongy on the inside.

October 2009 . Chicken Pot Pie

This month marks a small but personal milestone. I’ve spent the past months writing elusive and circular blog posts, things that don’t offer much substance aside from the inviting pictures and occasional recipe. My reasons vary from my desire to maintain privacy to my inability to translate random musings into concrete stories to sheer laziness. So in an attempt to step out of my comfort zone, here goes…

I’ve been thinking about where I started, the path I’ve taken, and the future unknown and find that at this moment, of all the chapters in my book of life, nothing quite compares to my time in San Francisco. I never expected my life to transform into what it is now. When I moved here, I didn’t have anything or know anyone. I wasn’t sure I would make it living out here, but each passing day proves to be another magical moment. I’ve experienced hard life-changing moments–moments that made me think about packing my bags, calling it quits, and going home. Then I think about the remarkable times I’ve had and couple it with the amazing lessons I’ve learned.

My most recent lesson learned–and also most difficult to articulate–quite appropriately relates to food. I was so consumed with bandaging my predicaments with superficial happiness that I failed to realize that it was only temporary and that I was heading down a chaotic road. I’ve since made choices (both hard and scary) to rectify the situation and now have a better outlook and quality of life. Though some of my friends don’t quite understand (partly because it’s hard for me to find the right words), they support me and are my personal cheerleaders. As circumstances should happen, I opened my Google Reader this morning and found two articles that I was able to relate to. Even though my situation doesn’t compare, former food critic, Ed Murrieta and food blogger Leslie Kelly share such inspiring stories of eating on a budget. (and they’ve both managed to explain the things that I’ve found so difficult to say)

Without getting into the details of how and why I chose to cut back, I must admit that it’s been uplifting. I look forward to simple pleasures such as early morning strolls to the farmer’s market and home cooked meals (though I still love the SF food scene). I enjoy giving back to my community by volunteering at many local non-profits and hope that I’m able to make a positively impact at any level. My motivations are altruistic and for that I’m deeply satisfied and fulfilled.

I still have the occasional notion that I’m a small fish in the big sea, but I’m content knowing that each moment in San Francisco was–and is worth it. Will I ever leave this city? At one point, I contemplated a life far, far away. If so, where would I end up?

The answer: that’s for tomorrow to tell.

July 2009 . Brentwood Apricot Farm

I love the photos taken from my Retina.

I can’t wait to take time off to visit farms, and learn about peaches and apricots (and bake!). Even though I love living in such a beautiful city, there’s something about being in the fields surrounded by luscious fruits. Somedays I dream of leaving the city life for a quieter, simpler lifestyle. Lately, life has been full of unexpected surprises–I wouldn’t be shocked if it takes me down surprising roads or whisks me to faraway lands.

Editors note: I believe that my photo is of an apricot tree… oops!

July 2009 . Cherry Farm

Cherries are back! Over the weekend I learned a little about varieties. I love the farmer’s market–I can’t wait to make pies!

April 2010 . Choco-Raspberry Tart (Photo courtesy of French Farmer)

What a difference 30 days makes…

Good-byes, hello’s, friendly new faces, stacked boxes, movie-like experiences, scooter excursions, quite nights, sunny walks, Bug Day, pizza parties, and a no-bake tart. I’m content. <3

I thought I’d bake something for dessert, but realized mid-way that this was a no-bake recipe. Even though I made this two weeks ago, I still have vivid recollections of tart berries, subtle hint of almond, and rich smoothness of chocolate. It was the most delicious no-bake recipes I’ve ever done. Oh, and I also learned about currants!

And after a 2-week hiatus, I finally have Internet. brb–off to satisfy my techie cravings!

April 2010 . Onion & Leek

This week, I discovered that I went a little overboard with getting too early of a head start on boxes. Not to worry, it’s easy to unpack a camera cable and repack.

I am an avid subscriber of many many many food blogs. This is also true of email subscriptions. I’m constantly inundated with recipes, hot trends, and news around the globe (yet, I still thirst for more). Last week, while going through my inbox, I was delighted to find the recipe of the day was for a savory onion and leek tart. After reading the recipe, I decided that this would compliment my roast chicken perfectly. So off to the farmer’s market I went to gather my ingredients…

April 2010 . Leek, Finely Sliced

The original recipe was simple and straight forward. I couldn’t find crème fraîche, I decided to substitute it with heavy whipping cream and it turned out quite nice. The hot pastry dough was from a recipe in the Spice Bible (and has become my favorite pie pastry dough recipe).

Savory Onion and Leek Tart
Serves 8-10

April 2010 . Onion & Leek Tart Filling

April 2010 . Pastry Dough

April 2010 . Onion & Leek Tart

March 2008 . Paris, France

It’s moments like tonight that remind me of why I love France.

April 2010 . Parrot Leaves

Spring has arrived at Telegraph Hill!

March 2008 . Cake

Life constantly changes at warp-speed and as I take a breather from boxes, I begin to focus on a new request–one that could transport me to a place I want to be–sooner than expected. I’m both excited and nervous.

To cake or not to cake? That is the question.

October 2008 . Apartment Therapy

My apologies for the lack of bakery-related posts. I’m in a transition state–new spaces await and I’ll have another go at completing Apartment Therapy’s Eight-Step Home Cure. I received the book a couple years ago and started it, but somewhere around week two, things fell flat and I “dropped out.” Soon, I’ll have a fresh new canvas to create a warm inviting environment.

The past four years have been incredible. I’ve experienced and discovered so much about life and about myself. My mind has awaken to new possibilities and unexpected paths. I’ve experienced brief periods of hardship and grand moments of joy. I’ve met many incredible people and forged beautiful friendships along the way. As a result, my beliefs  and life goals have  transformed into something much more organic and fluid. I’m eager to see how the future unfolds.

As I sift through four years and debate whether certain things should follow me to my next chapter, I feel fortunate to have experienced all that I have, learned from those experiences and treasured the people who guided me down the roadmap of life.

So while taking a parting look back on what history has graciously offered, I eagerly anticipate the unknown future. I look forward to discovering more about myself and creating a mark in a new space. And most importantly of all–breaking in a new kitchen.

March 2008 . Doughnuts

In bakerydays-related news, I could really go for a doughnut…

March 2010 . Chicken Mole

Over the holidays, my sister gave me a lovely cookbook, The Spice Bible by Jane Lawson. Since receiving this wonderful book, I have cooked approximately 80% of my meals from these mouthwatering pages. Sectioned off by spice types, I’ve been able to cull through my collection, reinvent old dishes and experiment with never heard spices.

December 2009 . The Spice Bible

Today was a very odd day (*edit: this post was meant for yesterday, but my power adapter decided to put me on time-out). I left the house early this morning with the sun shining. About an hour later, it was raining (in some parts of the city, hailing), and by evening a most perfect rainbow starting from Alcatraz made an arch over my path home. The glorious evening didn’t last long because as soon as I settled in for the evening, I heard the tip-tappings of heavy raindrops on my windowpane.  The weather couldn’t seem to decide and was ping ponging between doom-n-gloom and a happy storybook ending.

This was the perfect time to cozy-up in front of a warm stove. I had gone to the farmer’s market over the weekend in anticipation of making chicken mole from The Spice Bible. When I opened the book and gathered my ingredients on the counter I realized that I had two things going against me:

1. I did a poor job writing up my market list. The list included only half of the items I needed for my chicken mole, and the other half consisted of produce for a dish I was planning to make next week. Sigh…
2. I was feeling pretty lazy. After re-reading the directions, I realized that this recipe required more effort than I cared to use.

Not one to admit defeat so easily, I decided to do what I do best: improvise. I decided that the spices that I lacked weren’t necessary since I had enough of the other seasonings and substitute to give my dish flavor and there were a few steps I could skip. After cooking and sitting down to eat, I realized two things:

1. The combination of peppers and chocolate created an amazing spicy and sweet flavor that danced on my tongue.
2. If this is my lazy attempt at cooking, imagine what I could do with full effort!

Below is my improvised, lazy-version chicken mole recipe. It was pretty quick to whip up–somewhere between one and two hours to cook. It was well worth it, and it’s enough to last the rest of the week.

March 2009 . Stewed Tomato Sauce

Chicken Mole
Serves 6

Editor’s note: the master recipe that this originates from, The Spice Bible, is sure to be more fantastic.

July 2009 . First Aid

“If you ‘do unto others as you would have others do unto you,’ then it shouldn’t make a difference whether you are on the giving or receiving end.”

K.C. Cole
Something Incredibly Wonderful Happens

March 2010 . homemade french macaroons

What started out as a cold, overcast Saturday morning to the farmer’s market turned out to be a lovely afternoon in the kitchen baking french macaroons. This was my first attempt and as I continue to refine this recipe, there will be many more to come. I believe I’ve found a new favorite cookie. <3

**edit: though lovely to look at, this first attempt at macaroons turned out tooth-aching too sweet. I’m planning to make some alterations to the recipe and as soon as I do, a recipe will follow.

March 2009 . Ice Cream: The Delicious History

Here’s to another wonderful weekend of good books. I tend to read rather heavy food books but Ice Cream: the Delicious History by Marilyn Powell surprised me — it was a quick, fun, and light-hearted recount of how ice cream made it’s mark in life (but it’s also not all that factual, so it’s best to treat it as a fictional story).

I’ve got stacks of books ranging from memoirs and biographies to the edible history of culture and once I’m back from my vacation away from gastronomy (currently reading Something Incredibly Wonderful Happens: Frank Oppenheimer and the world he made up by K.C. Cole), I’ll dive into my collection of edible history books with much zest.

But really, can I truly separate myself from food?!

October 2009 . Dry Farmed Apple

Make a tart!

It’s well into a new year, new decade, and I promised to dedicate more time on this blog. Life intervened and sadly, writing took a seat at the back of the bus. Fortunately, during this brief hiatus, I’ve been able to free myself and recharge my juices. The results look promising. Sudden bursts of inspiration have captivated my mind, leading me down new avenues and possibilities. (And yes, sometimes my posts tend to get published out of order.)

Over the weekend, I decided to do a little baking experimenting. Over Thanksgiving, I made a persimmon tart that received rave reviews and thought it would be great to try making an apple tart based off the that recipe. Once I’ve figured out a recipe, I tend to get into the habit of creating and substituting ingredients without much thought. Occasionally my brain and the impromptu recipe don’t mesh up, but fortunately I’ve been blessed with positive results. I always feel like I’m on a baking safari when creating goods without exact directions.

So how did the apple tart turn out?

February 2010 . Apple Tart

Let’s just say that the aroma of apples wafting softly through the kitchen provide the perfect end to the weekend. Through the process, I’ve made some interesting observations and plan to fine-tune this recipe.

February 2010 . Soy Lemon Ice Cream

Four years ago, during a time I like to refer to as Sacramento’s great summer heat wave, I decided to venture into the realm of homemade ice cream. Little did I know, my life would completely transform and I would never look at ice cream the same. The whirling machine hummed as it churned  the smooth creamy mixture. When I took my first lick, my taste buds were so delighted with the frozen creamy goodness that I stopped buying ice cream from the grocery store and never looked back. In general, I’m not a big ice cream eater, but when I do have some, I savor each and every moment.

The above image is of a new home recipe, soy lemon ice cream. I love cream-top milk and when possible, try to incorporate it into as many recipes as I can. There’s nothing quite like spooning that thick top layer out of the bottle and savoring its taste and texture. But on this particular Saturday, it was so blustery wet out that I didn’t have it in myself to don my coat, pull on my elephant rain boots and trudge to the market. I had to make do with what I had on hand.

Using a tried-and-true recipe that I’ve changed and altered over time, I decided that logically I could substitute milk with soy on a 1:1 ratio. It only occurred to me while I was pouring the custard into the ice cream maker that a 1:1 ration might not work. But that’s OK. I’m well on my way to becoming a mad scientist for all things sweet and in about 30-40 minutes I would get my answers.

Soy Lemon Ice Cream
Makes 1 Quart

Editor’s note: the original recipe for my first batch (vanilla bean ice cream) has long since become lost in the crevices of my mind—but when I do manage to locate it, I will definitely post (and credit). It’s a good basic ice cream and well worth it to try.

January 2010 . Saturday Morning

Things are brewing in the kitchen… stay tuned for some sweet and savory treats!

November 2009 . Persimmons

The sun was shining, the air crisp, and the flowers in bloom. It was the perfect day to bake. This Thanksgiving, I took my baking skills one step further by gathering three pounds of freshly picked persimmons, Julia’s wonderful peach tart recipes, and turned it into my own.

Persimmon Tart with Honey Glaze
Serves 6

November 2009 . Pie Crust

November 2009 . Sliced Persimmons

November 2009 . Persimmon Tart

November 2009 . Persimmon Tart

November 2009 . Sugar Pumpkin

This week’s trip to the farmer’s market is brought to you in part by the Sugar Pumpkin.

November 2009 . Quince

Quince is perhaps one of the most beautiful, fragrant pieces of fruit I have ever stumbled upon. My induction into the fan club came about when a farmer spoke of its pungently sweet aromas and flavors. Baked or blanched, he preceded tick off a variety of ways to prepare it, all the while rummaging through the pile for me to take home. I was intrigued—I had never seen anything of it’s kind and was eager to take it a taste test.

The quince was rock hard. I was a bit nervous coring it for fear that my beloved paring knife would break. I decided to switch to my trusty butcher knife, and it did the trick. Each precise chop revealed muted red meat cradled inside a bright yellow skin—the perfect color pallet for autumn cooking. Curiously, I decided to try it raw. I anticipated my first bite to be similar to an apple-crisp and crunchy. Boy, was I in for a treat. It was unlike anything I’d ever tasted. Subtle hints of sweet and tart flavors were overpowered with chock full of fibers. So much so, that it was impossible for me to continue chewing my initial bite. With that I decided to follow the farmer’s advice and simmered the remaining pieces in sugar and water. Patiently I waited 45 minutes while it became tender. The sweet fragrance wafted through the air and I often found my nose guiding me back to the kitchen to check—no drool over my simmering quince.

The result: not bad for a first timer. The quince passed the taste test and will now be privy to a variety of experiments to see just how it fares in other forms. (I hear that quince makes excellent jam.)

Check back later to follow my adventures with quince. (And recipes!)

March 2008 . Apple Tarts

“Always make extra pastry. You never know what suprises life is going to serve up.”

Ruth Reichel
Tender at the Bone

September 2009 . Early Mornings

Early mornings are some of my favorite things about Telegraph Hill. There’s nothing quite like this view paired with the sounds of parrots and sea lions while baking, to calm the soul.

October 2009 . Dry Farmed Apple

Autumn has arrived. The air is crisp and cool to the skin and the trees around transform into golden hues.

Early mornings are my favorite. I love to stroll through the city and watch the streets unfurl and wake up from the bustling night before. It’s a beautiful sight to see the sleepy storefronts rise from their slumber, preparing for another busy day. I took a stroll down to the Ferry Building to peruse the fresh local produce. Vendor upon vendor, isle after isle, each showcased vibrant and perfectly ripe fruits and vegetables just begging to go home with someone. Along one row, the scent of basil and rosemary filled the air. The other, free-range chicken roasting over a fire.

That day I took home more than the above picture-perfect apple. I also took home a newfound respect for the farmer’s market – It’s more than a place for affordable, quality food, it also holds a vast wealth of knowledge and has an amazing culture that beckons and welcomes all.

August 2009 . Telegraph Hill

Today was a lovely day. A beautiful stroll through my neighborhood turned up this hidden gem. This is a darling little spot – it’s places like this that let me forget that just a block away, the streets are filled with vibrant urban activity.

July 2009 . Civic Center Plaza

I love the way the sun kisses the sycamore trees.

March 2008 . Paris, France

Spring 2008. Paris, France

Taken atop the Notre Dam. Trust yourself and your senses. You may discover a lovely world waiting for you.

April 2009 . Lake Tahoe

Taken with a Retina in South Lake Tahoe, CA

Sometimes it’s good to get lost in the mountains – you may just find yourself… and your inner child. =)

January 2009 . Grandmother's Blanket

Take a moment to remember and cherish the love that fills your life. Keep the fond memories close to your heart; love will never fade or disappear.

December 2008 . Sugar Cookies

The holidays came and went faster than I realized. It was filled visiting and being visited by family and friends – in fact, this was my first year hosting the holidays for my family! At times, it was chaotic and crazy; running around town trying to get everything done in time left my head spinning. Never the less, I enjoyed myself throughly and would do it all over again.

When the New Year rolled around, I was exhausted. Looking back on the past year, I found 12 months of amazing growth. And while there were parts of 2008 that were extremely difficult, it only added to my wonderful new outlook on life.

Last year, I decided to dedicate one day month to volunteer at local organizations. I felt empowered and blessed to work with many different local nonprofit organizations. This simple act of kindness is now tradition and I look forward to carrying it on for many years to come.

As Chinese New Year approaches, I decided to to make my resolution sweet – yes, I’ve decided to host monthly bakery days! Over the holidays, I hosted two bakery nights, filled with good food, good wine, and of course delicious baked cookies. My friends were awesome bakers and baking with them propelled the idea of hosting a day of good friends, food and wine, and baking.

December 2008 . Gingerbread Cookies

Tonight was the first of many holiday bakery extravaganzas. A friend of mine stopped by to help put my beautiful kitchen to good use. I love my kitchen dearly and try to utilize it as much as I can by baking as many mouth-watering treats as possible. Tonight was extra special as I got to share the joys of my kitchen with another as we baked copious amounts of gingerbread cookies. I warned her that when I bake, I tend to get carried away… and 2 hours and four batches later, we were enjoying the cookie-goodness of gingerbread. It was the perfect gingerbread recipe. Not too sweet, not too spicy, not too chewy, and not to crunchy – it was just right!

Hopefully we’ll be doing a few more bakery extravaganza sessions soon. We also planned to make sugar cookies, but unfortunately we were unable to get to those. We’re just going to have to save those for next time.

My taste buds always appreciate the delicious cookies. Sometimes, my belly wishes it got a break ;p

October 2007 . Squash

The holiday season is officially here and I can already tell this year will be another whirl wind of festive treats.

Kicking off the festivities is my favorite holiday – Thanksgiving. I love Thanksgiving. It’s a time to enjoy family, friends and food. Of all the American holidays, this one is one of the simplest and least commercially driven holiday. A time to celebrate life.

This season will be filled with many delicious travels, bakery day extravaganzas and delicious recipes. I’ll have my camera with me to capture some mouth-watering treats!

Happy Thanksgiving!

October 2008 . Apartment Therapy

If you know me, you know I LOVE books. I am a self-proclaimed, proud-to-be bookworm. That being said, I’ve been following several favorite blogs for the past few years. While I absolutely love food blogs with a passion, I have to add to the top of my ranking, Apartment Therapy as a happy obsession. Just today, I received my winning copy of Apartment Therapy: the eight-step home cure. Never in my wildest imagination did I think that I would win a contest and receive a signed autographed copy of their eight-step home cure!!!

This means that my other books will have to wait patiently in queue, while I read my new treasure. I love decorating and redecorating, and this book will provide me with many new ideas and inspiring treats. I’m so excited to transform my house into something incredibly cozy and magical (not that my home isn’t cosy). =)

Fret not, my lovelies, I plan on finishing My Live in France and starting Bitter Chocolate very soon. What would a baker do if there weren’t abundant food books to educate and inspire? 

Thank you Apartment Therapy!!! You have made this pastry girl’s month!

October 2008 . Hand Mixer

This little hand mixer has a beautiful history. Though it’s not very fancy, I remember delicious days full of freshly baked sweet bread. Even though my mother claims that it took her many years to develop her skills, I only remember how she always managed to bake so well with very little effort. It still feels like yesterday, when I was sitting at the kitchen table, watching my mother pour mounds of flour and sugar into a bowl. The air was always filled with a buttery sweet taste that always made me want to dive in and lick the bowl. My mother would always tell me, “get your fingers outta there – it’ll be ready in a few hours.” Those were impatient and painful moments where I’d wistfully sit and watch the bread rise, eager for it to be ready to eat. Once all the kneading was finished, she would would set aside a few small pieces just for her little helper. I was so proud to be such a good helper. Those were beautiful moments that I remember fondly.

Fast forward to today, I reflect back on those days with my mother in the kitchen. Passed down a generation, I’m now using her hand mixer to blend strawberries for my very own ice cream recipe. As I mix the custard, I’m careful to make sure that all the pieces are blended smooth. I’ve got the custard in a heavy saucepan simmering over a low heat and I smile and think to myself, my mother did more than allow me to be a great little helper. She taught me that some of the best pastries come from the heart – not from a recipe book.

December 2007 . Pirate vs. Spicy Sushi

Yo ho ho, I couldn’t help but marvel these incredibly cute sushi pieces.

They were just as tasty as they were cute.

June 2008 . Chocolate Chip Cookies

People often tell me that they prefer cooking to baking, because baking is an exact science. Everything has to be measured out in perfect quantities. I am fortunate to come from a long line of “true” bakers – no one has ever measured out things precisely. My grandmother and mother both choose to bake simply by sight, adding a little of this and a little of that. It’s difficult to get a recipe from them, since they do it completely from memory and choose to demonstrate how to bake rather than write it down on paper. I feel very fortunate to inherit that trait. Being able to bake without a written recipe and know by sight, texture and taste has saved me countless hours when batches could have been ruined. But I also must admit that I do cherish all of my cookbooks, as they have also taught me many valuable lessons.

Paying tribute to the ever delicious cookie… how fitting that I would follow up a personal milestone with a classic cookie recipe that I’ve slightly modified to my own liking. I’ve enjoyed rave reviews from those closest to me and I hope you will to. Enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Cookies
Makes 2 dozen

May 2008 . San Francisco Bay

An amazing view. An incredibly awe-inspiring life.

Happy 2nd anniversary. =)

February 2008 . Swensen's

One of my favorite local stomping grounds for ice cream. Nothing beats good old fashion ice cream from Swensen’s. It’s my goal to try all the flavors, but somehow I always manage to get suckered into ordering my usual toasted almond ice cream in a cone. =)

September 2008 . Chihuly

I’ve heard so many raving reviews about Chihuly at the de Young that I knew that I had to take a trip there to see his magnificent work. Due to a lot of other events and projects swirling around my life, I had to move this exhibit to the back of my mind. Thankfully, I remembered just in time that this weekend was the last weekend it would be on display and this time I didn’t hesitate to buy tickets. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday evening, strolling through such amazing glass sculptures.

September 2008 . Chihuly

In fact, these glass orbs remind me of candy. =) There are still opportunities to see his exhibit and I highly recommend it.

August 2008 . Slow Food Nation

There has been a lot of talk about the importance of healthy eating. Helpful articles can be found everywhere, ranging from local organic produce to sustainable tips and products. In an effort to better educate myself, I constantly scour the Internet for new Websites that promote healthy, sustainable living. Reading and educating myself on sustainable living has broadened my horizons and made me realize that there are a lot of environmental factors that can affect a person’s health. Everything from soil quality, water, and pesticides play a huge role in our physical well-being.

Far too often, huge companies focus on cutting as many corners as possible in order to boost profits with little regard for the individual consumer or Mother Earth. My grandparents don’t really eat a lot of food from big chains or restaurants. My grandmother proudly maintains a beautiful organic garden in her backyard (and front) that always has an array of succulent produce available to them year round. This is quite possibly why my awesome grandparents are still very active – even at the ripe old age of 92!

August 2008 . Slow Food Nation

Today, instead of focusing on the injustices that happen to our Earth, I’d like to share my experience celebrating a community’s efforts to educate and inform the benefits of eating locally and healthy.

Over Labor Day weekend, I trekked over to the Civic Center Plaza with some friends to explore Slow Food Nation’s Marketplace. In response to the growing sustainable food movement, Slow Food Nation aims to inspire thousands to engage and connect with our land by creating a food system that is sustainable, healthy and delicious.

It was refreshing to spend the day strolling through the Victory Garden while watching people actively participating in the sustainable lectures and sampling the local products. I particularly had two favorites from the Marketplace: Blue Bottle Coffee and Three Twins ice cream. It was an incredibly carefree day of hanging out under the sun, people watching, and eating local, organic ice cream. I highly recommend their Madagascar Vanilla – it’s FANTASTIC!

Take some time to slow down and savor food, I guarantee it’s a great experience!

September 2008 . Julia Child

Last Spring, I took the most wonderful trip to Europe. It was there that I fell in love. The cities were bustling with amazing art, culture, friendly people, and delicious food. I was surrounded by romantic buildings, each with its own special story. When it came time for me to bid farewell to these great cities, I felt myself yearning to stay. Perhaps one day I could live in Paris? I could write novels on my life in Europe, but perhaps I will save that for another day.

Not long after, I was introduced to Julia Child and Max Bugnard in My Life in France. As I started reading the book, I was whisked back to Paris. Julia’s words were crafted so vividly and beautifully that I felt we were once friends cooking and baking in Paris. In conjunction with her lessons from Max, Julia’s humor, determination, and success is such a great inspiration.

September 2008 . Mastering the Art of French Cooking

Flash forward five month later, I was browsing the SF Library’s book sale. To my great surprise and delight, I happened upon the above book. Dressed in a worn classic dust jacket, Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume 2 sat among the piles of books. With my love for all things French, I knew I had to add that book to my growing culinary library. I just love the way a beautifully bound book feels and smells. There’s just something warm and comforting about a good book. I can’t wait to try out her recipes!

Now… to get my hands on Volume 1…

September 2008 . Cupcake Monster

After a very long hiatus, I decided to return home. This time, I’m coming back with rejuvenated senses to inspire and embrace the delicious side of life.

This is a dedication to the art of pastries and the simple pleasures of the everyday life which it inspires.

My life in San Francisco. It’s delicious, and I intend to share it.