Saturday, July 15, 2006
Dinner at Alexis' Sister's House, San Leandro, CA
Steak FajitasAfter a long day of wine tasting in Napa we retired to Alexis' sister's house and make fajitas in a truly group effort. Alexis' brother in law grilled some skirt steak and chicken. Alexis sauteed portobellos, onions and peppers. Alexis' sister made copious amounts of (quite amazing) guacamole. It was a thorougly satisfying meal. And to top it off we discovered these low carb tortillas that are very large and only have 5 net carbs per, while containing 14 grams of fiber.
Lunch in the car in Napa, CA
We were wine tasting in Napa and had a veritable smorgasbord of a meal in the car in between vinyards. Many kinds of salami, cheese, duck pate, fresh figs, strawberries and raspberries. It was quite a decadent makeshift meal.
Friday, July 14, 2006
Dinner at Home
Although the soup was pretty good, this was probably one of the worst meals Alexis has cooked lately, if ever.
Oven Roasted Asparagus
They got too dried out, but were flavorful.
Sole with Bell Pepper and Capers
This was a good combination of flavors in theory, but the execution was wrong. I should have pan fried the fish with a bit of lemon, in butter, then added the sauce at the end. Baking was the wrong way to go with such a delicate fish. I won't give the recipe since no one should do what I did to this fish.
Plum Tart
This was actually quite nice. Tarts are the easiest dessert to make and are always crowd pleasers. You can use whatever fruit is on hand and the whole thing only takes about an hour to prepare and bake.
Oven Roasted Asparagus
They got too dried out, but were flavorful.
Sole with Bell Pepper and Capers
This was a good combination of flavors in theory, but the execution was wrong. I should have pan fried the fish with a bit of lemon, in butter, then added the sauce at the end. Baking was the wrong way to go with such a delicate fish. I won't give the recipe since no one should do what I did to this fish.
Plum Tart
This was actually quite nice. Tarts are the easiest dessert to make and are always crowd pleasers. You can use whatever fruit is on hand and the whole thing only takes about an hour to prepare and bake.
-1 cup + 2 Tb flour
-1 sitck cold butter, cut in chunks
-6 plums, thickly sliced
Mix the butter into the flour with your fingers until it has the consistency of cornmeal. Then form into a ball. If unable to form into a ball, add one TB water at a time until you can form it into a ball. Press into a buttered pie pan and pre-bake for 10 minutes on 375. Add the sliced fruit and put back in the oven for another 1/2 hour or so, or until the fruit is bubbly and the crust is golden brown.
-1 sitck cold butter, cut in chunks
-6 plums, thickly sliced
Mix the butter into the flour with your fingers until it has the consistency of cornmeal. Then form into a ball. If unable to form into a ball, add one TB water at a time until you can form it into a ball. Press into a buttered pie pan and pre-bake for 10 minutes on 375. Add the sliced fruit and put back in the oven for another 1/2 hour or so, or until the fruit is bubbly and the crust is golden brown.
Lunch at Tu Lan, San Francisco, CA
We took Alexis' parents to Tu Lan, our favorite Vietnamese place in the city. It helps that it is also dirt cheap. The following meal, which left 4 people totally stuffed (and was delicious) cost a total of $35, including tax and tip.
Spring Rolls
The peanut sauce is spicy and tasty and the spring rolls are fresh, despite the fact that they are more noodles than shrimp.
Whole Fish in Ginger Sauce
This deep fried fish is hearty and moist. The ginger sauce is tart and very, very gingery. A great combination.
Crab Asparagus Soup
Possibly the best soup ever. Not too gelatinous and full of crab chuncks and white asparagus pieces. A subtle, delicious soup.
Shrimp Salad
This plump shrimp are served in a slightly sweet onion sauce over a bed of shredded cabbage. The tartness of the sauce and the crunchiness of the cabbage make this a great combo.
Squid with Vegetables
This was probably the least favorite of the dishes as the sauce was a bit too heavy and gelatinous. But we were already so full from the food that came before it didn't really matter.
Previous Post
Spring Rolls
The peanut sauce is spicy and tasty and the spring rolls are fresh, despite the fact that they are more noodles than shrimp.
Whole Fish in Ginger Sauce
This deep fried fish is hearty and moist. The ginger sauce is tart and very, very gingery. A great combination.
Crab Asparagus Soup
Possibly the best soup ever. Not too gelatinous and full of crab chuncks and white asparagus pieces. A subtle, delicious soup.
Shrimp Salad
This plump shrimp are served in a slightly sweet onion sauce over a bed of shredded cabbage. The tartness of the sauce and the crunchiness of the cabbage make this a great combo.
Squid with VegetablesThis was probably the least favorite of the dishes as the sauce was a bit too heavy and gelatinous. But we were already so full from the food that came before it didn't really matter.
Breakfast at Home
Scrambled Eggs with Salami
Sliced Black Plums
From Costco, but very fresh and juicy.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Dinner at Range, San Francisco, CA
Range had been on our list of restaurants to try for months, but it is hard to get a late notice reservation and we never seemed to remember to get a reservation when we were going to be in the area. Alexis' parents were in town, so we thought it was a good excuse to make a reservation in advance and give Range a try. We were not disappointed. In fact, this was one of the best meals we've had in a long time. Every dish was a standout. And for the quality of the food, it was not expensive at all.
Steamed Clams with Roasted Scallion Broth and Fresno Chili $11
The broth was so good that we broke our low carb diet just to soak up the sauce with the bread. The clams were fresh, plump and tasty.
Bavette (skirt) Steak with Horseradish Cream, Young Turnips, Brocollini and Hen of the Woods Mushrooms $20
The steak was cooked as rare as we ordered it and the cream, while subtle, had the distinct bite of horseradish. The veggies were tender and a perfect, woodsy, combo.
Bleu d'Auvergne Cow's Milk Cheese with Grilled Plumcots/Pluots $8
The cheese was great and the grilled pluots were such a nice, sweet addition to the cheese.
Bitter Truffles (gratuit)
Bitter and melt-in-you-mouth good.
Ratings:
Food: 2 (but would have been a 3 if the presentation were better, the food itself was incredible)
Decor: 1
Service: 2
Website
Health Code Violations
Raw Day Boat Scallops with Avocado Puree and Basil Oil $10
These scallops were perfect in texture and not fishy at all. The avocado was very smooth and an interesting justaposition to the scallop.
These scallops were perfect in texture and not fishy at all. The avocado was very smooth and an interesting justaposition to the scallop.
Steamed Clams with Roasted Scallion Broth and Fresno Chili $11
The broth was so good that we broke our low carb diet just to soak up the sauce with the bread. The clams were fresh, plump and tasty.
Bavette (skirt) Steak with Horseradish Cream, Young Turnips, Brocollini and Hen of the Woods Mushrooms $20
The steak was cooked as rare as we ordered it and the cream, while subtle, had the distinct bite of horseradish. The veggies were tender and a perfect, woodsy, combo.
Bleu d'Auvergne Cow's Milk Cheese with Grilled Plumcots/Pluots $8
The cheese was great and the grilled pluots were such a nice, sweet addition to the cheese.
Bitter Truffles (gratuit)
Bitter and melt-in-you-mouth good.
Ratings:
Food: 2 (but would have been a 3 if the presentation were better, the food itself was incredible)
Decor: 1
Service: 2
Website
Health Code Violations
Catered Party from You Are Being Served Catering, held at Arc Cafe, San Francisco, CA
Fruit and Cheese PlatterGood cheese and very, very fresh fruit.
Ratings:
Food: 1
Food: 1
No Website
Can't Find Health Code Violations
Can't Find Health Code Violations
Lunch at Taylor's Automatic Refresher, San Francisco, CA
Chicken Tenders $6
A bit too much batter, but super crunchy and good quality chicken. Fries came with it, but we didn't eat them.
Bacon Cheeseburger $8
Very tasty, if expensive. Lots of thick bacon, cheese that covers the entire patty and lots of veggies.
Double Bacon Cheeseburger with Blue Cheese $10
Same as above. Yum.
Ratings have changed a bit since the previous post. The food is now a solid 1.
Breakfast at Home
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Dinner at Home
Pan Fried T-bone Stead with Sauteed Brocolli
The steak is marinated in worcestershire sauce and steak seasoning. The steak was a bit overcooked, but was still pretty good.
Lunch at Work
Spinach with Miso Lemon Chicken Salad
Simple and yummy.
-meat from 1 rotisserie chicken
-1 orange bell pepper, diced
-1/2 an onion, diced
dressing:
-juice of 1 lemon
-1/2 cup mayo
-1 tb miso
-1 tsp rooster sauce
Mix all dressing ingredients thoroughly, then toss with other ingredients.
Leftover Lambchop, Sausage and Cheesy Cauliflour Puree
Breakfast at Home
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Dinner at Home
Shrimp Scampi with Brocollini
We used the broader noodles this time and it was not as good as the thinner, spaghetti like konnyaku noodles.
-4 packages konnyaku noodles
-1 lb shrimp, peeled
-1 package brocollini, cut in thirds
-1/2 cup parmasean
-1/4 cup pine nuts
-juice of 1 lemon
-1 can chicken broth
-1 onion, thinly sliced
-5 cloves garlic, minced
Sautee the onions and garlic in a bit of butter until browned. Add the chicken broth and the noodles and simmer until the liquid is reduced by two thirds. Add the shrimp and the brocolinni and cook until shrimp is just done. Add the pine nuts, lemon juice and broccolini, mix and serve.
-1 lb shrimp, peeled
-1 package brocollini, cut in thirds
-1/2 cup parmasean
-1/4 cup pine nuts
-juice of 1 lemon
-1 can chicken broth
-1 onion, thinly sliced
-5 cloves garlic, minced
Sautee the onions and garlic in a bit of butter until browned. Add the chicken broth and the noodles and simmer until the liquid is reduced by two thirds. Add the shrimp and the brocolinni and cook until shrimp is just done. Add the pine nuts, lemon juice and broccolini, mix and serve.
Lunch at Work
Spinach Salad with Rotisserie Chicken and Balsamic Vinagrette
Breakfast at Home
Monday, July 10, 2006
Dinner at Home
Cilantro Chicken Sausage with Cheesy Cauliflour Puree
These sausages were actually pretty good, grilled in the George Forman. The cauliflour puree is a tastier version of mashed potatos.
Cauliflour Puree
-1 head cauliflour
-1 cup grated cheddar
-1/4 cup grated parmasean
-1/4 cup whipping cream
-salt and pepper to taste
Boil the cauliflour till tender. Drain and return to saucepan. Puree. Add the remaining ingredients with the heat on low.
-1 head cauliflour
-1 cup grated cheddar
-1/4 cup grated parmasean
-1/4 cup whipping cream
-salt and pepper to taste
Boil the cauliflour till tender. Drain and return to saucepan. Puree. Add the remaining ingredients with the heat on low.
Lunch from ..., San Francisco, CA
Another lackluster and depressing catered in lunch from work. I don't remember where it was from, which may be a good thing.
Steak and Steamed Vegetables
Tough and not flavorful.
Ratings:
Food: 0
Service: NA
Decor: NA
Steak and Steamed Vegetables
Tough and not flavorful.
Ratings:
Food: 0
Service: NA
Decor: NA
Breakfast at Home
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Dinner at Home
Mixed Green Salad with Balsamic Vinagrette
Lamb Chops with Garlic-Herb Butter Sauce
I sautee these lamb chops, which are about 2 1/2 inches thick, on medium high in a mixture of butter and olive oil for 2 minutes on each side for a perfect crust and a rare inside. They are seasoned with salt, pepper and granulated garlic. The sauce is simply 10 cloves of minced garlic simmered in butter until golden, and a few handfuls of chopped basil and lemon-thyme thrown in at the last minute. Very yummy.
Pre-dinner Snack at Costco, San Francisco, CA
Lunch from Il Massimo Del Panino, San Francisco, CA
Alexis was at work on Sunday and someone went out for sandwiches, which she doesn't eat. So she ate some mediocre side salads and the meat out of the sandwich, but it didn't quite suffice.
Chicken from a sandwich and side salads.
Ratings:
Food: 0
Decor: NA
Service: NA
Website
Health Code Violations
Chicken from a sandwich and side salads.
Food: 0
Decor: NA
Service: NA
Website
Health Code Violations
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