Monday, November 13, 2006

Happy Monday!

Montezuma made it to the local newspaper today...
 
I am reading about residency...some helpful tips about life in Costa Rica  here....
 
Days are going much better and I could get a couple hours of sleep in the last two nights, thanks to my new neighbors. It makes such a difference when I am not alone in the big farm....
 
I didnt do anything noteworthy yesterday...Watched the hummingbirds in front of my door, slept on the hammock and played an impressive hour of Mario...I made breakfast, cut a papaya and had granola..Then headed down to the beach with Nadja and her good friend Benita. Benita just sold her restaurant and now enjoying the beaches with her cute son. She has been here for the last 13 years. It is great to meet people who have been here for a very long time. They know everything. I wonder if I will ever get to that point, especially spanish seems sooooo hard....I had serious headaches and Benita warned me about water....Apparently I wasnt drinking enough and I should at least have 3 liters a day...Ouch!!! I forget that I am in the tropics, though the bugs in the house and the constant heat are great reminders:)))
 
This week will be busy and I need to go to San Jose..meet with my unreliable lawyer, find a new lawyer, get my drivers license, buy a good pillow and cotton sheets...and maybe a mosquito net for my bed....
 
I went to the post office and found out that there is a waiting line to get a PO box. I am in a hot town...I am numero duo on the list...so, until I get my own, feel free to send letters and your junk to Nadja...The limit is 4 kilos...
 
Nadja Stambuk
For OZLEM
apartado 119
COBANO (Puntarenas)
COSTA RICA
 
The only thing that feels good right now is emails from friends asking for hotel advice and ticket information. I miss you!!!!!
 
 
 

Saturday, November 11, 2006

Saturday

Montezuma has an awesome organic farmers market and it is very expensive. I bought tofu C1,500, soymilk C3000, mint C400, parsley C400..She had lots of other herbs, vegetables (leeks, beets, yams, plantains, celery stalks)...cheese, almond butter, natural oils, 5 grain bread...I am planning to buy a week's supply of produce there and see how I will do.... I also want to sell my oatmeal cranberry cookies there....people were also going crazy over bread too...
 
After the market, I went down to my future Cafe and had breakfast. It was really good, papaya in aqua is my favorite drink...I have done it before at home and highly recommend it. Papayas are a great source of enzymes and good for the skin. Sarma even recommends to make a face mask with them...
 
Days are going really nice, I am getting used to the heat. Nadja is tremendous help, especially about day to day stuff..like freezing small water bottles to take to the beach, so I dont drink hot water....sunscreen is also very important here...i get burnt easily so I have it on me all the time.
 
Here is a list I made last night....Things that made me happy:
 
I discovered a lemon tree right behind my door. It took me 4 days to get to the back of the house. Lemon trees are special to me, growing up my great aunt had a small lemon tree and i loved to go to her house and smell the lemons. I will have lemonade at the cafe, hopefully there will enough lemons from the local trees:)
 
My landlady is amazing. She doesnt speak any english but we get along really well. She left a cut young coconut outside my door. I love the young coconut meat and there are tons of raw dessert recipes that I can make with it. I will have to find a way to get more of them..In the States, you can find them at Whole Foods...It is funny how everyone refers to US as States here....
 
Hearing my phone ring makes me the happiest these days. I am very much blessed with a great family and friends. Also thankful to Sera, since she set me up with this phone for a month. My mom and dad call every day, sometimes we talk a couple times. Talking to friends and hearing why I came here helps a lot because it is easy to think about how great life I had in San Francisco and what the hell I am doing here...Then I got an email from Idil today, asking me about tickets to Costa Rica. They want to come for my birthday and looking for tickets...Yay!!!
 
I enjoy reading your comments so please write!!! Also looking for spanish classes in Costa Rica....If you got any recommendations, send them over. Internet is so slow here, I can't do proper websearch...
 
 
 
 

Friday, November 10, 2006

hard night

Days are going really nice...I was at the beach most of the day yesterda, but nights are tough...Living in a one bedroom small place with no computer or an oven is tough...I listen to my ipod most of the time and read, but i do get scared when I hear noises outside, especially after 2 am...I know I will adjust, but it is just tough now...I am mostly hanging out with the cafe's current owner, Nadja and her friends and their kids. There are lots of kids here. They speak at least 4 languages. Spanish, Italian, English and German...Who knew my years of german studies would be helpful at this stage of my life....:)))))

I am doing some competitive research...Eating out as much as I can, copying menus and prices. I had a papaya smootie C700, coffee C350, no refills, eggs with black beans and rice C1200 with avocado C350....About USD 6....I will have free refills for sure....

The other thing is smoking...everyone smokes here, including tourists...Though all my tables are outside, Organico will be smoke free...

Heading out to the cafe...it started raining outside...it is so hot, rain is good...it means we will have water in April...No complains...

Pura Vida!

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Day by Day

I can see the ocean from my bed...there is a warm breeze and a nice turning thing on the ceiling...(no idea what it is called, but I am glad I have it, because it is hot)..

 

I arrived yesterday at 1pm, my 4 bags didn't make it to the small plane from San Jose to Tambor. Per Sansa, the regional airlines, it should be here in 40 minutes. They were supposed to be here by early morning, but everyone tells me I should forget about the time for a while...things here run by Tica time...

 

The guy who picked me from the airport yesterday is going to get them for me and bring it to my casa...People are nice and friendly here. Two minutes ago, I got my first call from a local friend, Maritzio...It is amazing how happy I felt when that phone rang. He just called to check on me and see if I heard from the luggages...He is the one who taught me how to surf when I was here in August. If my stuff arrives, we will go the beach tomorrow.

 

I didn't make any arrangements for a place to stay but lucked out on this really nice one bedroom. Apparently, most places are sold out for December and January already because of the holidays and the high season...(good for the business!)... The casa comes with a shower, bathroom, kitchen, a walk in closet (!!!) and a nice veranda with a great big wood table. When saw the hammock, I could not believe my eyes...I came here mostly for love, love of food, love of hammocks and love of papayas...I had my first papaya for lunch today...so I can't complain...

 

I have a lot of work to do. I am planning to take over by December 1st. I went there this morning and was really upset to see that she is taking her kitchenaid with her...It was listed in the inventory list, so i left mine with Ann, good thing I didn't sell it because they are really expensive and even more expensive here...If I knew I would have brought it with me...Sucks big time...I need the kitchenaid for cakes and cookies most of the time. Anyway, on the bright side, I did have a special bond with my kitchenaid and it would be great to see him again.

 

Oh, before I forget, whoever comes first, gets a special on the menu named after him or her, or a name that you like. For tickets from the US, call TACA. Their service have been extremely helpful and the seats are very comfortable. You will get to San Jose and then take SANSA (regional airlines) to Tambor.... That's it...directions to heaven....

 

Now, got to go and open a bank account...Wish me luck! Adios!

 

Day 3:

 

Each day gets better. Talking to friends on the phone and getting emails helps so much. I got my luggage yesterday and unpacked most of my stuff. It is so nice to see my old stuff...I thought I had no attachments to things, but scratch that...I love my life, I love San Francisco, I love my friends and family. Sera made a very good point that I am not here forever. She even said she never expected me to be here for a long time. I am here on a bootcamp...I love bootcamps. It feels much better and lighter to think this is an adventure, not   a permanent stop. As Lane said, the sooner I start doing things I like, the better I will feel...So true...I can't relax on vacations, I need to do things, like work or run around, just keep occupied...Sleeping under the sun is not my thing, but I do enjoy an afternoon nap on the hammock.

 

I got the bank account and they got me a debit card in one day...Now I am in Cobano, the big town and found high speed internet here...It is great....Will try to download some pictures....

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

I am in Montezuma

It was a good flight and I made it all the way to Montezuma...None of my bags came yet, hopefully today. I found a small place to live, there is a very cute dog who waits in front of my door. His name is Pasta..Pasta means cake in Turkish:)
 
Internet is really slow, it is so strange to wait to send an email...This is going to be an experience...
 
Update: Bags came, all is good...
 
more soon with pictures...I miss all of you terribly...

Sunday, November 05, 2006

I fucking love this city!

joy

"don't cry, it's only music,"
someone's voice is saying.
"no one you love is dying."

it's only music. and it was only spring,
the world's unreasoning body
run amok, like a saint's, with glory,
that overwhelmed a young girl
into unreasoning sadness.
"crazy," she told herself,
"i should be dancing with happiness."

but it happened again. it happens
when we make bottomless love--
there follows a bottomless sadness
which is not despair
but its nameless opposite.
it has nothing to do with the passing of time.
it's not about loss. it's about
two seemingly parallel lines
suddenly coming together
inside us, in some place
that is still wilderness.

joy, joy, the sopranos sing,
reaching for the shimmering notes
while our eyes fill with tears.
 
Found on the copier at work a couple years ago...no idea who wrote it....

 

48 hours...

Thank you for booking your flight at TACA.COM. This is to remind you that you have reservations to fly from San Francisco to San Jose, Costa Rica during the next 48 hours.
 
I am so excited and nervous and happy and sad....Life is pretty damn good!
 

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Organico Darling!



I got my business cards! Lane designed these for me and they are perfect. I am officially a baker and I love it. My family is not that happy with all the baked delights that are available 24/7 but I do enjoy feeding them with tofu, in the shape of chocolate mousse, vegan cakes and cookies.

It also helps that I have so many people from craigslist come over to take a look at my stuff, we don't have a left over problem! Seriously, I will be in Costa Rica in less than 2 weeks and the only thing that I know is I am going to take a week off and just surf and read! Moving sucks, saying goodby is even worse and i am tired...

Lemon-Mint Sorbet



I love using my ice-cream machine for healthy treats. This lemon sorbet recipe is a snap to prepare and is perfect in between meals (before real dessert:)

3/4 cup of sugar
1 cup of lemon juice
1 cup boiling water
zest of one lemon
bunch of fresh mint, chopped fine (optional)

Mix all the ingredients, chill for at least 2-3 hours, or overnight. Use an ice-cream machine according to directions.

Enjoy!

Sunday, October 22, 2006

the secret

from We Like it Raw:

The movie The Secret has been a huge underground hit. In the legacy of What the Bleep!?, The Secret entertains, educates and inspires viewers by showing them the true possibilities of the Universe. I watched the movie about 1 month ago by paying $4.95 and viewing it online. It was totally worth it! It was a great and inspirational film that doesn't necessarily teach you something new, but rather reminds you of what you inherently know. And just what is that? Well... you'll have to watch to find out!

Check this out!

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

on being human

Herman Melville - "We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men....

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

5 Things to eat before you die...

Melissa at The Traveler's Lunchbox started a project in August, asking fellow bloggers to name 5 things to eat before they die. Cenk just posted his list and I wanted to do mine, but it is hard to come up with only 5 things...So I cheated and created two lists, one for me and one for you...
 
Here is mine:
 
1) Breakfast, lunch or dinner or scraps at the French Laundry
2) Pierre Herme Macaroons Paris or Tokyo
3) Summer Rolls at Kai's Vegetarian Restaurant in Thailand
4) Dinner at Pure Food and Wine in NY
5) The 5 Elements shake at Organico
 
Here is yours (feel free to substitute from mine:)
 
1) Zen Dinner at Minako
2) Dinner at Playa des Artisans in Montezuma
3) Dhamma Bread (www.dhamma.org)
4) Bread from Freestone Bakery
5) Bread Pudding at Tartines (18th and Guerrero)
 
Runner Ups
5.b. Mochi ice-cream (green tea)
 
Here is yours if you go to Istanbul
1) Ciya Kadikoy Carsisi
2) Hala Manti Beyoglu
3) Imza Pastanesi Ciftehavular (Ekler, Acibadem Kurabiyesi, Balli Pasta ve Milfoy Pasta)
4) Rokoko, Divan
5) Kumpir, Ortakoy

 
 

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Organico Recipes: Julayne's Blueberry Muffins

Blueberry Muffins

Julayne started blogging about her experience in Cambodia. Her blog is really cool and I can't wait to see her pictures. I met her through Lane and she has been such an inspiration to me on this Costa Rica deal...Quoting wonderful Ann, cheers to the citizens of the world!

Julayne loves blueberry muffins and she is on the Organico menu, as long as she keeps her promise to come and taste the real thing:)

I used Mendocino Mornings cookbook for the base recipe and veganized it by replacing the egg with flax seed, milk with soy milk, butter with coconut oil and mashed bananas...I also used a mix of corn meal and wholewheat flour with regular flour...It is fun to be a fairy!

Also, special thanks to Phil for the latest and the greatest addition to my bakeware collection...The ultimate muffin pan- in red and silicon...It rocks!

And also special thanks to Mama Boothby for lending me the cookbook. Highly recommended!

Berry Cheesecake (Shhhhhh, it is raw!)


The raw cheesecake...Keep on reading, seriously, it is not a joke. Compared to my old favorite (8 packages of 8oz cream cheese, heavy cream, sugar, butter), this gem recipe only has raw ingredients that blends smooth like silk (Vita-Mix again) and it is just a pure pleasure to eat. Even in the shape of a skull...Come'on now, that is something!!

Step by step pictures from Matthew are here. All you need is almonds and date paste for the crust, fermented cashews, agave nectar, lemon juice, almond milk, vanilla for the cheesecake. You get the ingredients ready, I will post the recipe later tonight.

You are Dead to me NOW!
What's up with the skull? I changed my religion, I now worship the God of Pinwheels and the almighty has requested this cake on May 19th...


Credits on the handsome marzipan skull go to Fagerstorm. We first tried to do a free hand model but it was hard to get it smooth. So, we decided to roll it and pressed it right on to the model...That worked like magic!

The cheesecake took 10 minutes to prep, and we used strawberries with some cherry pie filling for a more realistic blood look. And, it also helped that I cut my hand while opening the damn can! It turned out really ugly, I am so proud of it!


They are dead to me now...There were tears at the airport, but it is all good, quoting Rumi, death is our marriage to eternity (via John).

God of Pinwheels and Cupcake Laniest...

Monday, October 02, 2006

Adventurous Stranger

"Make your choice, adventurous stranger:
strike the bell and bide the danger
or wonder, till it drives you mad,
what would have happened if you had"

–the quote is from C.S. Lewis, author of
"The Chronicles of Narnia".

Daily Lit

Reading one of my favorite novels via Daily Lit...Highly recommended...(both the book and the service)
 
"Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. " Anna Karenina, p.1

Begin it now...

Sera just sent me this...I can't agree more....

Until one is committed,
there is hesitancy,
the chance to draw back,
always ineffectiveness.

Concerning all acts
of initiative and creation,
there is one elementary truth
the ignorance of which
kills countless ideas and splendid plans:
that the moment one definitely commits oneself,
then providence moves too.

All sorts of things occur
to help one that would never
otherwise have occurred.
A whole stream of events
issues from the decision,
raising in one's favor all manner
of unforeseen incidents,
meetings and material assistance
which no man could have dreamed
would have come his way.

Whatever you can do
or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius,
power and magic in it.
Begin it now.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Finally....



I am finally doing it...Moving to Costa Rica and opening my own place. Got my ticket for November 7th. There is a lot of work to do, but I am so ready, (and relieved!)

Bhavatu sabba mangalam.
"May all beings be happy."

Update: See my first post from Costa Rica...I can't believe I am doing this!

Friday, September 29, 2006

Happy Friday!

From Barney's Desk:
 
"You don't become a master by learning 4,000 things...you become a master by learning how to do a dozen of the right things 4,000 times"
 
Right on!
 
P.S.:
 
I recommend Krav Maga highly to everyone. Though, Sutter thinks that I should print this picture and ask for a refund:) Mac is also not convinced that they know what they are doing, since I did kick him bad on his face, while trying to show-off my skills...(it hurt though:)
 
It is really cool to throw a jab with a bunch of hunks and it is fun to practice Uma's moves from Kill Bill.
 
More on Krav Maga here...
 
 

Thursday, September 28, 2006

Mom's Most Requested Recipe (in love)



Mom doesn’t like to experiment with different recipes, but she does have specials that are very good! I remember her crème caramels, (we even had individual metal molds), her tiramisu is also very good and this sour cherry dessert is probably the most requested recipe from her.

When I saw this picture on Flickr, I emailed it to her immediately. Cenk has been asking for it for a long time, but the recipe had some problems so we couldn’t share. It is the damn sour cherry pudding! They took it off the shelves a couple years ago. (We were probably helped them clear the inventory in less time than they have forecasted. I remember dad running around every grocery store to find the last remains of this treasure. Of course, they didn’t last long.)

Until now…We are proud to bring this dessert back to life…with a homemade cherry pudding…I haven’t tested this recipe yet, but it looks very good on my sister’s blog…Mom is coming next week, so I will make sure to lock her in the kitchen…Crap…sour cherry juice…..is as hard to find as the pudding itself…Will figure out something…

1 pack of cookies (petit beurres work the best, LU brand is good)
1 pack of pudding (make according to directions)
1 envelope of gelatin
1.5 table spoon corn starch
1.5 tablespoon sugar
2.5 cups sour cherry juice

Line a 9 by 13 baking sheet with the cookies.
Pour the warm vanilla pudding on top. Let it cool for 10 minutes and add another layer of cookies.
Sprinkle the gelatin over 1 tablespoon of cherry juice and let it dissolve, appr. 10 minutes.
Cook the sour cherry pudding by mixing all the ingredients over medium heat.
Carefully pour the pudding over the cookies.

The jelly hearts are so adorable, but I don’t have a clue how to make them. Cutting heart shapes from strawberries sound extremely difficult...but I will try it soon:)

My sister used cherries instead, it looks nice but hearts are just so adorable...They also topped this with a spoon of vanilla ice cream….Needless to say, we don’t mess around when it comes to dessert!

Photo Credit: Varf
I can't post from Flickr...something wrong with the beta settings...Don't switch to Blogger beta...Be warned.

A happy day...

Blissful is passionlessness in the world,
The overcoming of sensual desires;
But the abolition of the conceit I am --
That is truly the supreme bliss.

Udana II, 1

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Request for better food!

This is so cool! I agree that an all organic, veggie cafe would do well in the Space:))) wink wink;)

P.S:Lane, lets change that hummingbird with Apollo-13:)

Featured Shake: "Phraxos Nights"




John requested a shake to be named after him back in Montezuma, but John Sullivan as a shake name, ummmm not that catchy??? Hence, Phraxos Nights, for him!

It is very easy to make and you don't even need a Vita-Mix! Here is the recipe:

1 small papaya
1 tablespoon of agave nectar
1 tablespoon of flaxseeds
1/2 cup coconut water (from young Coconuts)
Papaya seeds and mint for decoration
Blend all the ingredients and taste...add more agave if you like...Decorate with papaya seeds and mint...Hupurrrrt!
Why Phraxos?

Phraxos is for imagination...It is the Greek island of Spetses, where another John (Fowley) wrote the Magus and made up the name. We had this heated debate one night whether it really existed or not. John read the novel long time ago and remembered the name of the island, Costas he is from Greece and insisted it didn't exist. What are names after all? Aren't they all made up? I found the pictures of Phraxos, quite nice actually.... :)

Friday, September 22, 2006

Yummy Posts!

I have been posting from Flickr since last week but someone over at Blogger ate my posts.... This really sucks! I have been getting confirmations via email...Grrrrrrrrrr...oh the beauty of WordPress....soon! Stay tuned!

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Quote of the Day....

Samuel Smiles - "The shortest way to do many things is to do only one
thing at once." I am struggling with this one....

Saturday, September 09, 2006

You are an adult now!



Sutter is 30....I don't believe that...(see picture on the left!)

Still, happy birthday! He has requested this wonderful cake from me a while ago, but took of with Lane to party in the Midwest...So, no CAKE!

(Lane's photo)

Raw Chocolate Mousse and Happy Saturday!



I went to a raw dessert class with Sera and Chrisann a couple weeks ago and met Matthew, Cafe Gratitude's dessert chef. He is hot and super super friendly! We made several of Gratitude's desserts and my favorites were Chocolate Mousse and the Berry Cheesecake. Absolutely fantastic desserts! Pictures from the class are on Flickr!



So, last night Aaron and I made Matthew's killer mousse. It turned out almost as good as Matthew's and I had it for breakfast this morning. I am feeling a little sick now, it is hard to stop eating this thing.

I am pretty sure you would not be able even tell that this is a raw recipe, which means no processed sugar, eggs, dairy or tofu...Wanna bet?

Here is the recipe:
1 oz. Irish Moss (you can buy online @ purejoylivingfoods.com)
1/2 cup water
4 cups almond milk (better if you do your own, but we used store bought)
1/2 cup date paste (you can make your own by blending pitted dates)
3/4 cup agave
salt, vanilla
3/4 cup raw cacao powder
3 TB lecithin (you buy online or Whole Foods has it, note that 30% of our brain's dry weight is lecithin!!!)
1 cup coconut butter

Directions:


. Blend soaked Irish moss and water really well...One of the reasons why you need Vita-mix (see my note below)
. All all the other ingredients, except lecithin and butter.
. Keep blending until the mixture is smooth. Takes only 30 seconds or so...
. Add lecithin and butter and blend another 20 seconds.
. Pour the mousse into cups and decorate as you wish...I used organic roses, you can use cacao nibs as well...



Just a warning, you really need a Vita-Mix or any other high power blender for this recipe...or a good friend who has one ;)

With all his attachments cut,
with the heart's pining subdued,
calm and serene and happy is he,
for he has attained peace of mind.

Samyutta Nikaya I, 212

Friday, September 01, 2006

Gmail as recipe organizer

I have been doing this for a looooong time! Wohoooooooooo!
 
From Life Hacker!

Gmail to the rescue again! This time, as Ashley's recipe organizer:

I use the Internet to find almost all of my recipes [ Fridge Googling! -- Ed.] . Now, I email myself the recipes to my Gmail account and I have a quick easy way to organize them. I apply a 'Recipes' label to them to keep them from cluttering the Inbox and then I can use Google's handy Search Mail feature to find the recipe I need. The sponsored links section has even shown me some other nice sites to find recipes. Sharing recipes has never been easier too!

Organic Food Movement!

Alice Waters ROCKS! Go Organico!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
"It's no wonder our national attention span is so short: We get hammered with the message that everything in our lives should be fast, cheap and easy--especially food. So conditioned are we to believe that food should be almost free that even the rich, who pay a tinier fraction of their incomes for food than has ever been paid before in human history, grumble at the price of an organic peach--a peach grown for flavor and picked, perfectly ripe, by a local farmer who is taking care of the land and paying his workers a fair wage! And yet, as the writer and farmer David Mas Masumoto recently pointed out, pound for pound, peaches that good still cost less than Twinkies. When we claim that eating well is an elitist preoccupation, we create a smokescreen that obscures the fundamental role our food decisions have in shaping the world. The reason that eating well in this country costs more than eating poorly is that we have a set of agricultural policies that subsidize fast food and make fresh, wholesome foods, which receive no government support, seem expensive. Organic foods seem elitist only because industrial food is artificially cheap, with its real costs being charged to the public purse, the public health and the environment."

Thursday, August 31, 2006

Raw/live Food Revolution: The next generation in health food products

From We like it RAW blog....Very interesting!!!!!

The raw food movement has been producing a lot of green recently, and I'm not talking about kale and cucumbers.

As the term raw food has gone mainstream most of the major players in the industry, such as Nature's First Law and Larabar, have seen tremendous growth. So its no wonder that major food companies are starting to take notice.

Take a look at this $1440 report whipped together by Business Insights and In-Food Consultancy, (link courtesy of Sarma):

Raw/live Food Revolution: The next generation in health food products

Consumers have grown weary of diets like Atkins and South Beach and are beginning to see natural options like 'live food' and 'Ayurvedic' diets as sustainable, long-term choices for maintaining health and weight. The growing demand for both allergen-free and less processed foods is also driving consumers towards this new health regimen. Raw/live food revolution is a new management report published by Business Insights in association with In-Food that analyzes the fast growing raw and live food market. This report provides analysis of raw and living products found in health food stores and forward-thinking supermarkets in the US, Canada, Australia, France and the UK. It details the leading products and manufacturers in the market and the key issues and trends that will shape its future. The raw and live food market is yet to be dominated by major players and provides profit opportunities for all food and drink manufacturers and retailers. This new report will help you identify, understand and exploit the new product development potential of the raw and live food market. Full PDF Summary

It is clear that the growth of the raw food movement is going to attract its fair share of vultures and value-adders. Although there is the potential for a conglomerate to swoop in and try to mass-market and dilute the integrity of the raw food movement, I think anyone who tries to do that is in for a surprise.

The raw food community is one of the most educated and viral group of "consumers" in almost any industry. That's one of the main reasons that raw food has grown so quickly! We have opinions and aren't afraid to tell our friends because we've seen first hand the results that are possible.

So in this green movement know that you also play an important role. Keep both the established companies and the newcomers on their toes by constantly questioning and researching their standards. Push for transparency and reward the companies that do with your dollars.

p.s. $1440 is quite a bit for a report, but I'm sure worth it if you need to get raw strategic with your company. If anyone ends up buying it please do send us your review.

Just wanted to share...

Good are friends when need arises;
good is contentment with just what one has;
good is merit when life is at an end,
and good is the abandoning of all suffering.

Dhammapada 331
 
 

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Have a papaya and save your seeds!

I fell in love with papayas in Costa Rica. Though, I stayed at Hotel Mangos (highly recommended) surrounded by mangoes , papayas were so good in Montezuma, now I am hooked. I would have them for breakfast, along with watermelon, pineapples, bananas and oranges! Then, I dropped pineapples, bananas and oranges for more papayas...Nowadays, I eat half a day and save the seeds...I am also working on a shake recipe, similar to this....
 
I can't remember where I heard this but papaya seeds are good for you...Some information on papayas are here... and they taste peppery...You can crush them over salads or soups and even grind them like peppercorn...

P.S. Posting photos on blogger is not an easy job these days...I made a wrong decision to switch over to Blogger Beta and it doesn't support Flickr or Picassa yet. So, think twice before whining to your friends at Blogger:)

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Very Healthy Macaroons!





This is the easiest cookie recipe you will ever find on this blog. So mark it! It is from the Real Food Cookbook, from Pure Food and Wine in NY. I have never been to this restaurant but if you happen to be in NY, you must check it out. At least get a menu and mail it to me:)


Chocolate Macaroons:
1/2 cups shredded dried coconut-unsweetened
3/4 cup cocoa powder1/2 cup maple syrup, I used agave nectar
1 tablespoon coconut butter
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon Himalayan crystal salt

My trusted tasters (Lane and Sam) found the original version way too bitter for, so I would suggest to add a little more dried coconut or almonds (experiment with tablespoon increments). For the almond version, substitute ground almonds instead of cocoa. Mix everything together and form balls, one tablespoon each.If you have a dehydrator, dehydrate at 115 for 12-24 hours. I don't have one, so I heated the oven to 200 and kept the cookies there for 15 minutes....Then kept them outside overnight...

If you still think you won't be able to make these, you can buy them online...

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

New Love: My Ice-Cream Machine!

I resisted to add another appliance to my beloved kitchen for a long time but finally gave in to this beautiful red Cuisinart.

From the Chicago Tribune:

"The need for ice cream makers baffles many: "Another appliance in my kitchen?" they wail. But skeptical frozen-treat lovers may want to reconsider. These machines offer an excellent way to put seasonal fruit to work in luscious and creative frozen desserts." and my love got 4 scoops!!!

I tried an amazing frozen yogurt recipe from Delicious Days and used agave syrup instead of honey (you can also use maple syrup) and it worked great. Adjust the sweetness as you like it. This was my second try though, I used non-fat yogurt on the first version, but it didn't work as well, lots of ice crystals. Lesson learned, you need some fat to turn the yogurt into creamy goodness...so go for the full fat and sign-up for a spinning class at Connect 18!

Pistachio-Yogurt Ice Cream
Serves 4, or if you are me, serves 1:)

3 cups (450 gr) yogurt (Greek yogurt from Trader's Joe rocks!)

1/2 cup chopped unsalted pistachios, (use ground pistachios if you like your ice cream green)

5 tbsp agave syrup (adjust as you like)

1 tablespoon vanilla

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl, except the chopped pistachios, put them into your ice-cream maker and watch it churn and churn and churn...at least 15 minutes...then add the pistachios and churn for 5 more minutes. Get your favorite ice-cream spoon and dig in!

I have this blueberry sorbet and watermelon sorbet next up on my list....

Have a cookie, sweat it and ask for the second one in SPANISH!

I am in desperate need of learning Spanish and Jason's gift vocabulary book for ages 3+  was my one and only tool, until Lane introduced me to Connect 18. The concept is very San Francisco, 2 birds with one stone, but has a solid hypothesis behind it:
 
It is a Spanish class with a twist...you are in a gym and sitting on bikes, yup you get the idea, it is a spinning class! Apparently, our ability to learn increases when our bodies are physically challenged. So, while spinning around Mexico, I was able to count to 10 and ask my fellow biker what her favorite food was in Spanish! Impressive huh??? No joking, from the Outside Magazine:
 
It's smart multitasking, sure, but according to Connect18 (the company says its name alludes to the number of inches between the heart and brain), the underlying premise that exercise improves mental acuity is also sound science: Research in the 2004 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, which studied adults over age 60, suggests moderate aerobic training yields a big mental boost. And a 2003 report by the University of Georgia's Phillip Tomporowski found improvements in reaction time, decision making, and cognition during and after aerobic activities...
 
They are also featured today at Daily Candy. You should check it out. They are in San Francisco now but coming to LA, NY and Chicago soon...The first class is FREE and I highly recommend it!
 
 

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Master Cleanser Lemonade Fast

DAY 6: One of the many new things I learned in Costa Rica, was the Master Cleanse fast. Dagmar recommended it and I wanted to give it a try-after vacation of course...You drink 10-12 glasses of lemonade made from 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of maple syrup and a pinch of cayenne pepper with 8 ounces of filtered water.  It is really delicious....
 
The first two days were hard but I knew they would be, given my addiction to sugar and food in general...But after Day 3, I was at Cafe Gratitude and imagining eating "I'm Cheerful" (their burger) and sipping "I'm Cool" (my favorite mint-chocolate shake) but didn't even want to touch any of it...Fasting is good for you...If you resist the idea, you can still enjoy
a MC-tini at Pure Food and Wine but only in New York!!!
 
Hermann Hesse writes in Siddhartha, there a few things that you should master in life...Fasting is one of them...(meditating and being patient are the other two). I came across a Rumi poem last night at Stacey's class and he was saying the same...
 
Here is a piece from Siddhartha...very very neat...If you haven't read this book, I would highly recommend it...
 
"And what's the use of that? For example, the fasting-- what is it
good for?"

"It is very good, sir. When a person has nothing to eat, fasting is the
smartest thing he could do. When, for example, Siddhartha hadn't
learned to fast, he would have to accept any kind of service before this
day is up, whether it may be with you or wherever, because hunger would
force him to do so. But like this, Siddhartha can wait calmly, he knows
no impatience, he knows no emergency, for a long time he can allow
hunger to besiege him and can laugh about it. This, sir, is what
fasting is good for."

"You're right, Samana. Wait for a moment."

 
 
Well, a baking fairy who doesn't eat? That is not going to go for a long time....I am taking dessert to a BBQ on Sunday, from my new raw cookbook, Real Food...Stay tuned!

Friday, August 11, 2006

Bill Buford gushes about Harold McGee over at NPR

I love Harold McGee and totally agree with Meg, this book is a must in your kitchen!

Bill Buford gushes about Harold McGee over at NPR: "Bill Buford gushes about Harold McGee over at NPR. If you don't have McGee's On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen in your kitchen, you are missing a critical component of your food library. Every time I open it, I'm lose myself and just want to read forever. It's perfect for melding of my geeky side and my food side."

Happy Quote from Evhead

Ev always hits me with his quotes!!! Showtime! wink;) wink;)

Happy Quote: "'Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who are alive.' –Harold Whitmanvia WorkHappy "

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Monkeys @ Bakery Cafe


Monkeys @ Bakery Cafe
Originally uploaded by Baking Fairy.
I just uploaded Costa Rica pictures and this is by far my favorite!

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Roasted Plums with Spices


Roasted Plums with Spices
Originally uploaded by Baking Fairy.
This was supposed to be posted before my trip but oh well...Better late than never...Enjoy!

This week's star at the Noe Valley Farmer's Market was plums and I made this dessert for Cindy and Rod's BBQ. Grilling fruits for dessert is a very new concept to me but its been so hot in San Francisco in the last couple of weeks, the idea of turning the oven can make you lose friends...(when Rod heard that I was going to bake, fumes were coming out of his head)
Since they have a fancy restaurant style grill, (those stainless steel, multiple layer grills with gas), we decided to give it a try and roast the plums on the grill. It took about 30 minutes, on medium heat and they were juice and the backyard smelled amazing with all the spices!

The recipe for this dessert is so easy...I got the basic idea from Keiko, and sprinkled all the spices I had at home; Juniper Berries, Cardamom Seeds, Star Anise and Cinnamon Sticks...I also added a few splashes of vanilla...Don't skip this step, the smell is out of this world...

Now, we are not done...You can serve this dessert over store-bought ice-cream or try a homemade frozen yogurt as an alternative. I got a new ice-cream maker this weekend and made my first ever frozen yogurt with pistachios...Recipe will follow soon:) The juices of the plums thickens as the fruit roasts and almost becomes like caramel, but a plummy caramel...Top the ice-cream with this sauce and dig in!

Monday, August 07, 2006

A sad goodbye...



I just came back from a great trip to Costa Rica and learned that Cici has passed away. She was sick for a while and I knew she wasn't doing well.

I am happy that had a full and a great life. Her influence on me is huge, she is the baker in our family, though she had a law degree and worked for the municipality. One of her signature cookies is the "world" famous "Un Kurabiyesi", like the Russian tea cookies but ours have almonds on top. I will make some and post the recipe soon.

By the way, the purple ring that I wear almost everyday, that some of you make fun of it since it really has a huge stone (!!!!) was hers...

I love you and miss you very very much. Have a safe journey and may you be in peace wherever you are. My family is having a service for her tomorrow and she will be burried next to her beloved husband, granddad Rahmi...

Saturday, August 05, 2006

Hola from Costa Rica!

This is by far the most entertaining, enlightening and heart opening trip I have ever taken. Montezuma is amazing. It is a very small village, 200 people at most live here and almost half are foreigners. It kinda reminds me of Southern Turkey, Kas or Kalkan maybe...

Canopy (zip lines over the rain forest) was damn scary but there was a dog with us, Luna and he was my hero the whole time.

I can now proudly say that I can SURF!!! Well, correction, I can surf a wave, can't paddle my way and pick a wave yet but it is sooooooooo much fun!

It takes 30 minutes to hike to the Playa Grande (no access through cars)...There are mango trees in the hotel I am staying and  mangos are falling down every 10 seconds BAM!!!! Squirrels are eating almonds like crazy, they don't even stop and breath. The green here is something else, you just have to come here.  My Spanish is improving, people are so nice, so far I have been randomly invited to several gatherings, did art work, had coffee, hanged out, all those fun things that you can do when you are travelling alone with open eyes! 

I have been doing yoga everyday, except for one morning, where I had to go and surf! When it is the right wave, you just can't wait!!! and I am much more comfortable with my headstands. Dagmar is such a gifted teacher. We connected really well and she is off to a Vipassana course in India in a couple months...Life is good!

Pictures will follow and I am sailing to Tortuga Island for snorkelling and beach volleyball.

Pura Vida!

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Do you know?

How many seeds are on a strawberry?
 
200!!!! Also, strawberry is the only fruit that has its seeds on the outside...From Martha Stewart! I love her!

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

At Sadaharu Aoki's


At Sadaharu Aoki's
Originally uploaded by La tartine gourmande.
One of the best blog entries I've ever read...Bea's pictures are amazing too...

Paris'te bir pastane....

Fotograftaki pastane Paris'teki Meshur Sadaku Aoki...Ayni bir sanat galerisi gibi, her pasta ayri bir degisik...Ilk once yesil cayli opera pastasini daha sonra da siyah susamli ekleri denemek istiyorum...Becerebilir miyim o ayri:)

Costa Rica Canopy!


Costa Rica zip line canopy
Originally uploaded by d2thek.
I will be up there zipping away in less than 5 days!!!

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Berry Crisp


Berry Crisp
Originally uploaded by Baking Fairy.
Crisps are so easy to make and perfect for entertaining...Everyone loves this recipe and I use whatever I get cheap at the farmer's market...When the fruits are in season, you don't have to add extra sugar and for some added coolness, just serve with ice-cream.

For the topping:
1 cup flour
1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup melted butter
1/3 cup raw sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup nuts (pistachios or almonds)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla


For the fruit base, mix any fruit you like. For a 9 inch pie pan, you will need 3 cups of fruit...Here are some ideas...Mix and match as you like...Experiment....Have fun!

Mangoes and Peaches
Peaches and Apricots
Blueberries and Peaches
Plums and Berries
Berries (Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries, Blackberries)
Apples and Grapes
Pineapple and Mangoes

Mix all the topping ingredients and sprinkle over the fruit. Bake for 35 to 40 minuted in 350 degrees or until the topping gets CRISP!

Turkish Coffee in San Francisco...


middle eastern coffee.
Originally uploaded by Cosmic Crusader.
is sold as middle eastern coffee...that is wrong!

San Francisco'da Turk Kahvesi...

Bir arkadasim cekmis bu fotografi...Turk kahvesini Orta Asya kahvesi diye satiyorlar....

Friday, July 21, 2006

Atari Catalog, pgs. 8-9


Atari Catalog, pgs. 8-9
Originally uploaded by Jason Santa Maria.
I miss Pac Man...

Do you know...

How many varieties of avocados there are?
 
There are more than 400 varieties of avocado, but Hass has become the most popular in the United States. Named after postal worker Rudolph Hass, who purchased the seedling in 1926 from a California farmer, the distinctive purplish-black fruit has a thicker skin and smaller body than other varieties. Farmers found the Hass easier to cultivate, and its higher oil content and good nutty flavor appealed to consumers.
 
There are great tips on selection and storage with some good recipes on NPR... There was also a great avocado soup (cold recipe) on a Turkish blog, Zeytindali..I can't wait to try...
 
Here is the translation...
 
2 ripe avocados
Juice of one lime, or lemon
2 cups of vegetable stock
salt and pepper to taste ( 1/4 teaspoon each)
cumin, cardamom or curry powder to taste
1 tablespoon of cilantro or parsley or both...greener the better...:)
2 tablespoons of greek yogurt or sour cream
 
Mix all the ingredients in a blender and chill for at least 2 hours. Let me know how you like it...

Are you a gourmet snob?

Tim Hayward is hillarious...I am guilty of  ordering "off menu". I love feta cheese, I don't like raw onions and I am vegetarian...So I swap quite a lot...The only place I dare not to make any requests is Minako...
 
On all the other signs, I think I am safe...except maybe I do need a good chef's knife...:))
 
 

Thursday, July 20, 2006

YE:12 Sutlu Tatlilar




Ye:12’nin konusu “Sutlu Tatlilar”i konularina gore siralamaya calistim. Tariflerin hepsi birbirinden guzel ve lezzetli. Katilan tum arkadaslara tesekkur ediyorum ve onumuzdeki ay Salatalarla bulusmak uzere diyorum!

Pudingler/Muhallebiler


Bereketliolsun: Muzlu Puding
Guliz : Krokanli Kayisili Muhallebi
Sihirli Mutfak: Karadutlu Vanilyali Puding
Bahar Cicegi: Iki Renkli Pudding
Hanimis: Su Muhallebisi
Cafe Fernando: Blueberry Mango Ahududulu Puding
Portakal Agaci: Cukulata Tabanli Karamelli Puding
Zeynep'in Mutfagi: Kayisili Muhallebi
Gelincik: Prenses Muhallebisi
Mutfak Guncesi: Cukulatali Hareli Puding
Zeytindali:Cay Aromali Krem Ole
Yemek Kokusu: Meyveli Kup

Kuplar


Hanimis: Neskup
Hanimis: Bogurtlenli Kup
Lezize: Cukulata ve Sade Kup
Acik Bufe: Visneli Tiramisu
Bahar Cicegi: Cilekli Tiramisu


Sutlaclar


Annemin Mutfak Kokusu: Flaman Sutlaci
Peynir Gemisi: Visneli Sakizli Firin Sutlac
Devletsah: Firin Sutlaci
Gelincikler: Sakizli Firinda Sutlac
Zeytindali:Kheer (Hindistan Usulu Sutlac)


Irmikli Tatlilar

Zeytin Tanesi: Meyveli Sutlu Irmik Tatlisi ve Etimek Tatlisi
Limon Cicegi: Meyveli Sutlu Irmik Tatlisi
Ozlem'in Mutfagi: Sutlu Irmik Tatlisi

Sutlu Borekler



Kuzine: Laz Boregi
Ebruli Lezzetler: Sut Boregi


Tatlilar



Pinar’in Kulubesi: Yalanci Profitefol
Miss Cilek: Kartopu Keyfi
Sweet Kitchen: Kar Toplari
Mekanimiz Mutfak: Visneli Vanilyali Tatli
Zeytin Tanesi: Etimek Tatlisi
Yemek Sepeti: Karamelli Karadut Tatlisi
Pesto-Pancetta: Creme Brule
Ozlem'in Mutfagi: Krem Karamel
Has Mutfak: Lokum
Baking Fairy: Lavantali Panna Cotta


Yoresel Tatlilar

Yemek Kokusu: Babaruva
Incik Boncuk: Osmanli Usulu Keskul
Aintab Sofrasi: Visneli Fistikli Haytalya (Kilis Tatlisi)
Aintab Sofrasi: Sutlu Nuriye
Mutfak Sohbetleri: Sutlu Nefise
Defne Nur'un Mutfagi: Esmer Sutlu
Derya'dan Lezzetler: Gonlu Ferah

Dondurmalar


Peruze: Dondurmali Sandvic
Zeytin Agaci: Sakizli Dondurma "Tatlilarin Kralicesi"
Hindistan: Parfe

Pastalar


Nane ve Limon: Sarlota
Yagmur Damlasi: Asure Pastasi

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Djalma's Vacation Cake


Bolo deck...
Originally uploaded by Djalma Reinaldo.
My good Flickr friend Djalma is a master in cake decorating...We have wild plans of decorating together one day...Maybe in Brazil, maybe in San Francisco....Dreaming....

Djalma'dan Tatil Pastasi....

Flickr arkadasim Djalma'nin pasta dekorasyonlari inanilmaz guzel...Mutlaka bakin....Birgun beraber calisma planlarimiz var, belki Brezilya'da belki San Francisco'da...Simdilik hayal tabii bu dusunceler!!!!

Monday, July 17, 2006

My Nano will tell me how far I ran....

Some people are just smart....Got a Nano and you like to run, now you can get a sensor that goes into your shoe (I am not sure if it will work with my beloved Asics but will try first before switching to Nike). There is a wireless piece that goes into your Nano and the sensor communicates with the Nano and measures all the cool stats that will make you WoW! "Good job Ozlem, you ran 100 miles today and burnt a gallon of ice-cream! Yay!
 
I think Ev wrote about this before, if you can't measure it, you can't improve it....So true!
 
Check out Nike Plus, for details...I am sold and will order my kit online...
 
 
Kosucular icin Nike and IPod Nano
 
Bugun amma cok is yaptim, farkindasinizdir. Ama bu haber gercekten cok faydali, hele siz de benim gibi hergun kosuyorsaniz ve kosarken Ipod Nano dinliyorsaniz...Nike'in en son urunu, ayakkabinizin icine giren bir sensor. Bu sensor Ipod Nano'ya takilan diger bir sensor ile siz kosarken konusuyor, ve ne kadar mesafe kostugunuzu, kac kalori yaktiginizi soyluyor. Boylece kac tane pasta/borek yiyebilecegimizi kolayca hesapliyoruz:) Detaylar Nike'in websitesinde.... 
 

Have you grilled peaches?

They are so easy to make and really fun...Just go to your farmer's market, pick your favorite peaches. If you live in San Francisco, Alemany Farmer's Market has the best peaches around $2 per pound..Such a deal...
 
Directions are a snap to follow...Cut the peaches in half, take off the pit and butter and sprinkle with brown sugar or raw cane sugar...Go easy on the butter but it helps to caramelization...
 
Place the peaches on a medium heat grill, 5 minutes on each side and voila! We topped it off with soy vanilla ice-cream...It was delicious! All the peaches were gone before I could take a picture but the original recipe from Epicurious had some nice pictures...
 
 
Mangalda Seftali
 
Ilk duydugumda biraz garip gelmisti, mangalda seftali de nerden cikti diye ama bu haftasonu arkadaslarimla denedik...Harika bir tat...Hem cok hafif, hem de cok pratik bir tatli...Mutlaka bu sicak yaz gunlerinde deneyin...
 
Tarifi cok basit, seftalileri guzelce yikayin, kabuklarini soymadan ikiye bolun. Cekirdegini cikarin. Bir yemek kasigi tereyag ile 1 tatli kasigi esmer sekeri eritin. Seftalilerin uzerine surun. Orta atesteki mangalin uzerine yerlestirin. 5'er dakika onunu ve arkasini pisirin. Sekerler karamelize olunca, tatliniz hazir demektir.
 
Ben seftalilerin uzerine vanilayali soyali dondurma koyarak ikram ettim; fistikli dondurma da cok yakisir eminim. Bizim seftaliler, fotograf cekmeme firsat kalmadan bitti, o yuzden size Epicurious'taki fotografla bas basa birakiyorum....
 
 

It is so hot out!

I just came from running 4 miles, what was I thinking??? It is 85 degrees in Menlo Park and it feels like 100...I need water and watermelon for lunch...
 

Mutfakta Randevu

Pembe Candaner'in bu haftaki yazisi harika. Acaba San Francisco'da boyle bir yer var mi, hemen arastiriyorum. Yoksa belki benim mutfakta bulusabiliriz....
 
A date in the kitchen...
 
This article is from a Turkish newspaper. Pembe Candener, is visiting in US and she meets with friends at a restaurant for lunch. Waiting to be seated, the host takes her to the kitchen, where she sees a bunch of well dress men, including her friend in aprons. They all cook together and eat lunch afterwards....What a neat idea....I wonder if there is something similar in San Francisco???
 
 
 

Bourdain in Beirut

CELEBRITY chef Anthony Bourdain was stranded in war-ravaged Beirut yesterday after Israeli forces bombed the city's international airport and blockaded all of Lebanon's ports. For more....

Inspiration for the Week....

In anything at all, perfection is finally attained not when there is no longer
anything to add, but when there is no longer anything to take away.
—Antoine de Saint-Exupery

I am looking for good coffee and just signed up for Blue Bottle
monthly delivery at www.bluebottle.net

Lavantali Panna Cotta


Lavender Infused Panna Cotta
Originally uploaded by Baking Fairy.
YE 12 icin Epicurious'dan Panna Cotta denedim. Panna Cotta, cok basit bir sutlu tatli. Alisik oldugumuz pudinglere benziyor ama icinde yumurta ve yag olmadigi icin oldukca hafif. Hepimizin evinde olan cay fincanlarinda sunumu da oldukta guzel oldugu icin, bu tarifi sizlerle paylasmak istedim....

Iste tarif:

1/4 bardak soguk su
4 cay kasigi jelatin
4 bardak sut (isterseniz 2 bardak hindistan cevizi sutu ya da badem sutu, ya da soya sutu, ya da krema kullanabilirsiniz).
1 bardak seker
1 tatli kasigi bal
1/4 cay kasigi vanilya esansi
1 yemek kasigi lavanta

1) 1/4 bardak suyun icinde jelatini yumusatin (10 dakika)
2) Kisik ateste jelatin iyice eriyene kadar karistirin, yaklasik 1 dakika
3) Baska bir tencerede sut, seker, bal, lavanta ve vanilyayi karistirin, kisik ateste kaynatin ve atesin altini kapatin.
4) Jelatin karisimini sut karisimina ekleyin.
5) Karisimi elekten gecirin ve fincanlara dokun.

Uzerine lavanta cicekleri ile susleyin, bal ile ikram edin.

Afiyet olsun!

YE 12 icin katilim harika. 50 tane sutlu tatli posta kutumda okunmayi bekliyor. Haftasonuna kadar tarifleri organize edip, yazmayi planliyorum, simdiden sabriniz icin tesekkurler. Herkese iyi haftalar....

Lavender Infused Panna Cotta


Lavender Infused Panna Cotta
Originally uploaded by Baking Fairy.
This month I am hosting a Turkish Food Blogging event and our topic is Milky Desserts...I tried a Panna Cotta recipe with lavender from Epicurious. Panna Cotta is very easy to make but it is very tricky to get the right consistency. This is definitely something I need to work on....I used coconut milk on my first batch, then I used almond milk on a second batch...Both weren't smooth enough....If you have any recipes for a killer panna cotta, send it over...I would love to try it!

Here is the base recipe I used...

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/recipe_views/views/103466

I will be doing a round-up of the 50 entries I received for the event, so long nights are ahead....Then I am off to Costa Rica....! Yay!!!

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Gateau Basque with Strawberry Jam and Vanilla Ice Cream



The original of this recipe comes from southwestern France near Spain, where this tart/cake is usually eaten with jam on the side. This version combines the jam with the tart and makes it a very delicious picnic treat.

I used my mom's homemade strawberry jam and it was delicious. My new roommate and her boyfriend also loved it, so it is definitely a keeper. Next time I will try with less sugar and rock the pastry cream recipe with almond milk!

Thanks Scott for sharing the recipe!

PASTRY
4 ounces (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
Freshly grated zest of 1 lemon
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 extra-large egg
1 extra-large egg yolk
11/2cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder

FILLING
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 extra-large egg yolks
1 3/4 cups whole milk
1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and scraped
1 tablespoon light rum
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
3/4 cup black cherry preserves (I used strawberries)
1 egg, beaten, for egg wash

Makes 1 nine inch tart

1. To make the pastry: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter, sugar, lemon zest, and salt on low speed, until smooth. Add the egg and egg yolk and mix until blended. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix on low speed until a soft dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and divide it into two pieces. Wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes.

2. To make the filling, In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar and flour. Add the egg yolks and 1/4 cup of the milk and whisk until smooth. In a medium saucepan, heat the remaining 1/1/2 cups milk with the vanilla bean and its scrapings, until steaming. While whisking, pour 1/2 cup of the hot milk into the yolk mixture. Whisk the yolk mixture back into the hot milk and cook over medium heat, whisking, until boiling and thick, about 4 minutes. Strain the filling through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl. Discard the vanilla bean. Stir in the rum and almond extract. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the pastry cream to prevent a skin from forming and refrigerate until cool, at least 2 hours and up to 8 hours.

3. Preheat the oven to 325". Set a 9-inch-diameter flan ring with 10-inch sides on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spray the inside of the pan with vegetable oil spray. Working between two pieces of plastic wrap, roll out the larger disk of dough to an 11-inch round. Remove the plastic wrap and ease the dough into the flan ring, pressing it into the corners and leaving the overhang. Spread the preserves evenly over the bottom of the pastry shell. Add the pastry cream in dollops and then carefully spread it over the preserves. Working between two more pieces of plastic wrap, roll out the second disk of dough to a 10-inch round and lay it over the pastry cream. Press the edges of the top and bottom crust together and cut off the overhang using the back edge of a knife. Using the tines of a fork, lightly score the top crust in a crosshatch pattern. Brush the top of the tart with the remaining egg wash. With the tip of a knife, poke three holes in the top to allow steam to escape.

4. Bake in the center of the oven for g! minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Transfer the baking sheet to a wire rack and let the tart cool completely.

Serve at room temperature or chilled...Go a step further and scoop your favorite ice-cream on top. Have one slice per day only:)

Recipe from The American Boulangerie, more pictures on Flickr!

Do You Know...

What vitamin is found in rain?

"Vitamin B12. This nutrient, necessary for healthy blood, becomes
naturally airborne and is brought to earth by wind and rain." From
Martha Stewart...

We got soaked this year in San Francisco.Dad will be happy to hear
that I got fueled on B12:)

Monday, July 10, 2006

Amore Italia!


cookies
Originally uploaded by Baking Fairy.
I was cheering for Italy and so happy they won...Zidane's headbut was shocking and unfortunate for the French team. How does one lose control in front of one billion people? I have a great Gateau Basque recipe for the French fans that will you smile again. Will be posting that soon.

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Next Martha?

Must check this out!
BLOGHER: "It’s July, and that means Blogher in San Jose. Are you coming? If so, I’m moderating a panel on Saturday, July 29. It’s called “Is the Next Martha Stewart a Blogger?” and I’ll be talking to designer Andrea Scher of Superhero Designs, gardener and author Gayla Trail of You Grow Girl, foodie Pim Techamuanvivit of Chez Pim, and knitter Marnie MacLean of MarnieMacLean.com. If you’ll be there, come introduce yourself and join in the conversation. "

Monday, July 03, 2006

Jihva for Strawberries Part 3




Here are the last entries for the Strawberry Event that I hosted a month ago. Thank you everyone for joining and see you next month at Sauilu's.
1. Smorgasbord: Strawberries and Wine and Strawberry Yogurt
2. Luv2cook: Strawberry Spinach Salad
3. Out of the Garden: Old Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake
4. Anu-sachin East2West: Strawberry Tiramisu
5. En Ulagam: Strawberry Pachadi (Relish)
6. Happy Burp: Berry Easy Yoghurt Cake
7. Green Jack Fruit: Strawberry Buttermilk Ice
8. Food Newbie: Strawberry Pie
9. and finally from the Baking Fairy: Strawberry Spark Cake
You can read the previous entires here (Part 1) and here (Part 2)