Blackberry Cobbler

Ingredients

Topping:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup milk
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Filling:
4 pints blackberries
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1 tablespoon cornstarch

Ginger cream:
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons finely diced candied ginger

Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cobbler: Beat the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer using the paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer for two minutes. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt together. Mix milk, egg, and vanilla extract together in another bowl. Add a third of the dry mixture to the butter mixture, beating on low speed, then a third of the wet mixture. Continue alternating until all are combined.

Butter a 5 X 9 inch Pyrex dish, and sprinkle with sugar to coat. Toss the blackberries with the sugar, dark brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice and cornstarch to coat and transfer to the Pyrex dish. Spoon the topping over the berries. Bake for 45 to 45 minutes or until the top is golden.

Ginger cream: Whip the cream and the powdered sugar. Fold in the candied ginger. Serve the cobbler warm topped with ginger cream.

Potato Salad

Ingredients
4 1/2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4 inch pieces (substitute red potatoes if you like)
2 cups mayonnaise
1 cup chopped sweet onion
1 and 1/2 cups finely diced celery
1 teaspoon sugar (omit if you have diabetes)
1/4 cup red-wine vinegar
1/4 cup yellow mustard
1 tablespoon salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
9 hard boiled eggs, remove from shells and coarsely chop
3 teaspoons paprika (for garnish)
1 tablespoons diced chives (for garnish)

Instructions
Place the potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold salted water. Bring to a boil, and cook until tender, 10-15 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat, and allow the potatoes to cool for a few minutes in the cooking liquid. Drain the potatoes while they are still warm.

Combine the mayonnaise, onions, celery, sugar, vinegar, mustard and salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add the potatoes to the dressing while they are still warm. Gently fold in the chopped eggs, and garnish with paprika and chives.

Yield: Serves 4.

My new camera Casio Exilim!

I have been getting several E-mails about how I get such great photographs of food. My new camera Casio Exilim EX-S600 has a Food setting and it is a Macro setting that allows for wonderful food photography. I thought I would let everyone in on this tool for better food photos. The camera also has a setting for pets, candlelight, people, scenery, flowers, water etc. I love my Casio Digital Camera!
bk_keywords: Casio, Exilim, EX-S600, 6MP, Digital Camera, 3x Optical Zoom.

Maggiano's Little Italy!

Maggiano's Little Italy opened up in Bellevue, Wa late last year. We decided to go out for meatballs and this hit the spot. While we were there anyway, why not order the Fried Mozzarella. Dad of course wanted the Stuffed Mushrooms.



A white tablecloth and expensive restaurant might be left for special occasions rather than a hankering for meatballs.

Zephyr Bar & Grill

Zephyr Bar & Grill




A new restaurant opened in Kent, Wa at Kent Station a new outdoor lifestyle mall. It is called the Zephyr Bar & Grill, I was intrigued and decided to take my Dad and give it a try. The Zephyr also my Dog's name has been open only three weeks and the service showed that. Very slow. It took an hour and 45 minutes to eat there and we did not have dessert. I ordered the filet mignon and liked it quite well, it was nicely done with a demi glace and a bearnaise sauce. It was cooked as I ordered it, but my red potatoes merely sliced in half were raw. Apparently they need to work on the little things. For example, my Dad wanted Macaroni and Cheese as a side dish and they brought it as his appetizer. It's all about the timing. He really enjoyed the Macaroni & Cheese, but I prefer the baked type over the pour on cheese afterthought. The dish my Dad ordered was the southern spicy fried chicken and mashed potatoes was not what he had expected. It was over cooked and way past crispy. The mashed potatoes were overcooked and lacked flavor. The fried chicken had such an overkill of spices that it was difficult to even taste the chicken. The caesar salad was excellent, the greens were really fresh, and this is often overlooked at some restaurants. I liked the olive bread and three butters, I think it is creative to give a choice of butters. If you have enough time one night I would recommend going, but stay away from the Southern Fried Chicken. By the way there is another location in Livermore, California.

Sunday Brunch!

Lovely day for Sunday Brunch. Dad and I went to the Hunt Club in Seattle and enjoyed a nice Sunday Brunch. My Dad loves brunch and has passed this love onto me and my brother Jonathan. This was unique, because you order from a menu. When I was little I remember loving going to Sunday Brunch, because I could run around the tables and pick and choose what I wanted. I am a picky eater and sometimes there is something I really like and I will just eat that. Growing up in Southern California we went to a Sunday Brunch where they had a woman play the violin and the best blueberry blintzes ever.

Keg Steakhouse

My Dad and I always enjoy going to the Keg Steakhouse. The food is consistently good. I just have the Baked Shrimp Appetizer, because it is my favorite item they have on the menu. Baked with garlic, cheddar and mozzarella cheese with shrimp it is to die for. My Dad loves their peppercorn steak and french onion soup. I recommend it if there is one near you.

New Restaurant

Went to a new restaurant tonight called Crave. I think the photographs speak for themselves.

Which John Cusack are You? Click Here and Find Out!

Which John Cusack Are You?

Bechamel Sauce

This sauce is perfect for use in the Vegetarian Lasagna. It is great as a basic white sauce over pasta. Add grated cheese and turn this base sauce into a lovely cheese sauce.

Ingredients
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup all- purpose flour
4 cups milk
1 whole peeled onion
4 whole cloves
1 bay leaf
salt and white pepper to taste
nutmeg, to taste

Procedure:
In medium saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat; stir in flour. Cook 4 to 5 minutes; do not allow it to color. Remove from heat. In medium saucepan heat milk, onion, cloves and bay leaf over medium heat. When milk comes to a boil remove onion, cloves and bay leaf. Slowly add hot milk to butter-flour mixture, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes or until smooth and thickened. Stirring with a wire whisk or wooden spoon. Strain sauce through fine mesh strainer. Season to taste with salt, white pepper and nutmeg.
Yield: 4 cups

Vegetarian Lasagna

Recipe courtesy Carnival Cruise Ship.

Ingredients:
12 lasagna noodles
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 cups chopped mushrooms
2 cups spinach leaves
3/4 cup chopped onion
grated nutmeg
3/4 cup ricotta cheese
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup bechamel sauce
6 slices fresh mozzarella cheese
1 1/2 cups tomato sauce
6 basil leaves

Procedure:
Cook lasagna according to the package directions; drain. Cool. Heat butter in large skillet; add garlic, cook until softened. Add mushrooms, spinach and onion. Cook until tender. Season with nutmeg, salt and pepper.
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease individual molds; line with lasagna. Add layers of spinach, ricotta and mozzarella cheese. Cover lightly with bechamel sauce; repeat. Cover tightly. Place molds in baking pan; pour 1 inch water into pan. Cover entire pan with foil. Bake 30 minutes. Remove molds from oven. Heat broiler. Add slices of fresh mozzarella cheese to each serving; broil until melted. Spoon tomato sauce onto serving plates; unmold lasagna. Garnish with basil.
6 servings

Clarified Butter

1 pound butter

Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat and skim the impurities on top. Using a ladle, remove the butterfat. Discard the water. Note: When you heat the butter, the water and most impurities will sink to the bottom, because they are heavier.

The Break Up

I went to see the movie The Break Up today. I think it will do well, it was quite crowded at the 2 PM showing. In the beginning of the movie it is so sweet to see all the photographs of them when they are happy. From there well it holds on to the title. I do not want to ruin it for you. I think it is worth seeing. I enjoyed it and it was funny, although sarcastic. If you like Vince Vaughn or Jennifer Aniston than you will like it.

Back Home!

Home from my vacation to Florida, Cayman Islands, Cozyumel, Belize and Costa Maya, Mexico. I had a great time on the cruise. I am home now and not feeling very well.

Costa Maya, Mexico

Yesterday, we were in Costa Maya, Mexico and it was beautiful, sunny and a lot of fun. We went to the shops and than were called back to the cruise ship due to the coming storm. Very windy the boat rocked back and forth for like a day. We are on our way back to Tampa and our cruise will end tommorow at 9:30 AM. Than we are back at my brother Bill's house for a little over a day, before heading back to Seattle. I can't wait to post photos from the cruise. Stay tuned. Has anyone else been on a cruise? Comments are always loved.

Yellow Submarine!

Yesterday my cousin Suzie, my Mom and I went on a Submarine trip 120 feet below sea level. We looked at Sea Turtles, Gigantic fish, Colorful fish, Coral, Lobsters, Reefs, Divers and a variety of Sea life. Quite beautiful actually. We left the cruise ship for Cozymel, Mexico, took a cab ride, followed by a boat ride until we reached the submarine. When we returned from the Submarine trip we went shopping and were overtaken by the extreme humidity and heat and decided to board the cruise ship. We then went to the Salon and had a Hot Stone Massage. I had never had one, but I highly recommend it if you get the chance. Today we are in Belize, but it is overcast and the weather is not sunny. I am hearing complaints from other passengers, but I think it will still be fun to see Belize. Good Day!

Miracle Cruise Ship!

Hi everyone! I am aboard the Carnival Miracle Cruise Ship! A little sea sick so far, but we will be in the Grand Cayman Islands by morning. I am attending my cousin's wedding in the chapel aboard the ship on Tuesday. Did a little gambling, watched a show and walked around the cruise ship last night. I have not been able to upload any photos yet, but I have taken some photographs. I met two people from flick onboard the cruise. We were contacts on flickr and now we met in person. That was really great. Having a good time. Post photos soon.

Bon Voyage Dinner before my Cruise!

I am going on a cruise. It sails off from Tampa, Florida to the Cayman Islands, Cozymel and Belize and back. I will post photographs soon. Here are the photographs from my Bon Voyage dinner before my cruise.

Cupcake Lovers: Click Here for A Cupcake Life!

Blue & Purple Swirl Vanilla Cupcakes!

Food, Food, Food!

My Brother Jonathan's 33rd Birthday Celebration at Ivars in Seattle, Washington.

Quote by Frida Kahlo

The Mexican Artist Frida Kahlo

I think that little by little I'll be able to solve my problems and survive.
Frida Kahlo, Letter to Nickolas Murary, 12-18-1939

I paint self-portraits because I am so often alone, because I am the person I know best.
Frida Kahlo (1907-1954)

How Stressed Are You Click Here to Find Out!

Your Stress Level is: 76%

You are prone to stress, and you're probably even pretty stressed right now. Life's problems seem to pile up on you, and this often makes you feel depressed and burned out. Learn to take time to relax and enjoy life, even if things are stressful. It's the only wa you'll get through the bad times.

How Stressed Are You?

Privacy? Never happen

We are willingly giving up freedom for safety, is that safe? Cameras are everywhere growing at an alarming rate, phone conversations are monitored, and personal information is gathered & linked to various data bases. "We're moving in the direction of having the government turn us into a society that's under constant surveillance"

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Went out for Brother's Birthday!

Just loading up the photographs from Ivar's Salmon House in Seattle where we dined for my Brother Jonathan's 33rd Birthday. I will post them shortly. I hope everyone is having a nice evening. Update on the Insomnia post my doctor prescribed Ambien today. So, hopefully it will work and I will get some sleep. Has anyone taken Ambien, I have heard weird things? At this point I need my sleep.

Insomnia

Does anyone else have insomnia? It is the worst not being able to sleep. I guess I just have too many thoughts going through my head to sleep at night.

What are you cooking this weekend?

I am going to cook meatloaf for my brother Jonathan who is visiting and my Dad. I will make creamed corn and mashed potatoes to go with it. For Dessert my brother's favorite Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting! We are celebrating his birthday early, because I will be on a cruise to Belize during his actual birthday. Wait until I post photographs of the food from the cruise I am sure it will be decadent. I hope there is an ice sculpture, but who knows this is my first cruise.

Cooking With Google

Choose a main ingredient and a cuisine, let Google do the rest. Unfortunately, no "I'm Feeling Lucky" button.

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Top Chef Reunion Episode!

Loud Irish Ken was back and so was his idea that sticking his finger in the sauce was right. Stephen said what would you rather eat sand or shit? Of course, sand not shit. A cut above the rest arrogant Stephen apologizes to Candace for yelling at her about the cookie cutter incident. I think he has seen himself on television and acts a bit differently now. Harold said Stephen has an alter ego which is probably right. Dave is called emotional, really he just has a big heart. His passion is obvious and I like when he talks to himself it is so funny. Dave hates Tiffani and guess what his line I am not your bitch, bitch was made into a t-shirt available on the bravo top chef shop. I want one! Miguel called Tiffani a snake, Brian wanted to have sex with all the girls in the house, especially Candace. Stephen was called Top Sommelier! Tiffani cried and was quite upset when accussed of messing with oven temperatures and burners. What a bitch! That happened to me in culinary school, I hate people like that. Harold's shyness was discussed and several of the viewers wanted to know if he was single? He declined to answer. He finally said he was not single. I wonder if him and Stephen are together? Dave's famous line makeout about Stephen and Harold could it be true? I think there was quite a bit of drinking in the house. The truth about Tiffani's lies came out and the fact that she threw Miguel under the bus was proven on tape. Who do you think will win Top Chef? Dave, Tiffani or Harold?
Technorati Tags: Top Chef reality Bravo TV tivo topchef

Top Chef renewed, finale expanded and reunion added!

Bravo calls Top Chef a hit. Tune in tonight for the reunion show of Top Chef on Bravo. The finale is extended to two hours and airs on May 17 and May 24 check your local listings or just Tivo it if you have it. I also found out that casting starts for the second season May 11 in Las Vegas. Who do you think the winner will be of Top Chef?

Top Chef Episode 9

They brought back the junk food for the quick fire challenge. Harold choose popcorn, Dave picked the nachos, Tiffani went with the corndogs and Leann went with the hotdogs. An hour to creatively make junk food into a culinary treat. Dave ran all over the kitchen and in his words, focused and crazy, it is entertaining to watch. I think he picked the easiest item to transform and make his own. Harold's ceviche popcorn looked elegant and did not even look like it contained popcorn. Tiffani's corndog looked like it would taste good, but I am partial to corndogs in general. I love food on a stick. I know you are thinking a chef likes food on a stick. Yes, we are just like everyone else. We eat at McDonald's when we want and than visit a five star restaurant without batting a culinary eyelash. Leann made a seafood hotdog it looked appealing, but I would not want to eat it. The least favorite was Dave, he was in too big of a hurry and Gayle Simmons from Food and Wine Magazine deemed it, a mess. Harold won the quick fire challenge and said he wanted to bring it and go to Las Vegas.
The Top Chef competitors gasp when they see the black truffles and very expensive wine. The black truffles cost, according To Chef Tom Collichio, a 1000 dollars a pound. At the market, the competitors gravitated towards the lamb. Big mistake! Dave decides not to do lamb and set himself apart. Tiffani starts cooking and she is bothered by a little noise from Leann and Dave grabbing a pot. I thought she had worked in a kitchen before? It's noisy its hot, if you cant stand it get out of the kitchen! Tiffani irritates me she is so cold and arrogant. For example, Tiffani said, Daves food is not very refined and no one finds him innovative. Well-slapped right in the face Tiffani guess who won the truffle and wine challenge Dave! Dave and Harold were safe and Tiffani and Leann sat at the judges table. Leanns cherry sauce I think was perfect to pair with the Lamb, wine and truffles. She used to many ingredients in her dishes and ended up detracting from the wine and truffles. Leann was my favorite to win the competition followed by Harold and than Dave. Unfortunately, Leann was told to pack her knives and go. Leann had pure intentions and Tiffani, obviously does not. What do you think?

Technorati Tags: Top Chef Bravo Television Reality TV topchef Food Cooking

The benefits of working at Microsoft

I was messing around yesterday and I came across the benefit page for working at Microsoft. I got to the bottom of the list and I found the "best" benefit of them all. Check it out. "Free Beverages:
Choose from a variety of free soft drinks while working at Microsoft."

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How to select meat.

The secrets the chefs look for when selecting a good piece of meat, useful for this BBQ season! EAT STEAK not carrots.

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Can't cook? Employ the Intelligent Spoon

No amount of hours spent in front of Iron Chef and Good Eats will a good chef make, friends, but perhaps one might consider the employment of one MIT Media Lab experiment by Connie Cheng and Leonardo Bonanni: the Intelligent Spoon.

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The World's Most Expensive

The McDonald sandwich - named after its creator Scott McDonald, the chef at London department store Selfridges - is said to be the world's most expensive.

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Photo Cupcakes: Have your face and eat it too!

An internet photo company gives a how to on an interesting evolution in the bakery. Just upload a picture and they will turn it into delicious iciing for you. Then feel free to put your face or anything else on your favorite baked goods.

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This Extreme Cuisine Reigns Supreme!

How many chefs use a laser, tanks of liquid nitrogen, and a vacuum chamber filled with carbon dioxide as important cooking tools? Or use helium, superconductors and a hand-held ion-particle gun to levitate food, making whole meals float before awestruck diners? Only one chef in the world does all of this, and more!

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Tonight we went out for Chinese Food!

Visit your local China town for the best Chinese food in your area. I love Chinese Food! Do you like Chinese Food? Comments Encouraged.

SIN MENU GASTRONOMICA

SIN
Princeton Terrace Club
Friday, 3 May 1991
MENU
First Course: CHOCOLATE
Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
Private Chocolate Noodle Kugels
Coco Steamed Crab Clusters with Coco Butter
Chocolate Canapes
Mole Chicken Wings
Proscuitto Melon & Zabalione in Chocolate Cups
Second Course: RAW FOOD
Carapaccio or Gravlax & Mascarpone Cheese
Spaghetti Squash with Radiccio, Watercress, & Balsamic Vinnaigrette
Spicey Smelts with Garlic Squid Sauce
Blood Oranges
Bread & Butter
VIN: "Free James" Hogue Cellars Fume Blanc
THIRD COURSE: BINGE FOODS
Fillet Mignon stuffed with Asparagus & Bleu Cheese lavishly finished with Sauce Bernaiase
Ultimate Lasagne
Private Taco Salads
Brocciflower, the "New" Vegetable, with Sage Derby Sauce
Deep Fried Camambert with Passion Fruit Sauce & Sea Toast Grantineed Potato Skins
Fruit Salad
Pringles, all flavors
les VINS: Tyrell's of Australia Long Flat Red & Long Flat White
FOURTH COURSE: SWEET SIN
Bambi at the Gates of Hell Cake (it erupts, it oozes...it's Alive!)
Berry Sinful Cake
Snickers Pies
Ultra Slimfast Frappes

Special Thanks to Eric Roegner for the Volcano Mechanism!
Gastronomica Magazine, Spring 2006, Page 18

Guacomole for Cinco de Mayo!

Recipe for Guacomole
Ingredients:
2 Avocados, halved, peeled, diced and pitted
2 teaspoons Freshly squeezed lime juice
2 teaspoons Jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely minced
1 Tablespoon Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
2 teaspoons Fresh oregano, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon or to taste Sea salt or fine kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup diced, seeded, ripe tomatoes
Procedure:
Coarsely mash avocado by placing the cut avocado in a medium side bowl and lightly mash with fork. Add the lime juice and toss. Fold in the remaining ingredients. Serve with tortilla chips, cucumbers or cut sweet bell peppers.
Yield: 1 heaping cup

Click Here for Cupcake Tami

Visit my new blog Cupcake Tami by clicking the link above!

Ever wonder why dessert is served after dinner?

Comments encouraged?

World Pastry Forum Dessert!

It is almost time for the next World Pastry Forum. This is a photograph that I took from the Oriental Desserts Class at the World Pastry Forum 2005. This signature dessert is called the Dragon Ball. The outside of the ball is made with pulled sugar and the inside is custard and cake. It was fascinating to see this made. I love the colors and the composititon of this photo and it is a flickr most interesting photograph.

Sneak in food. You own the theater.

Does anyone sneak movie into the theater when they go? Confessional is to follow now. I sneak in drinks, water, snacks etc. due to the high cost of snacks. I feel they are trying to make a buck, so I carry a large purse. Gotcha! Any thoughts?

Visit your local farmer's market and taste the difference.

Morels the mushroom of choice at the pricey restaurants. At the Farmer's market the great opportunity for you is the freshness and buying what is in season. They had a variety of mushrooms for all different prices.

Eggs Benedict Anyone?

My Dad and I went to Sunday Brunch a few days ago. We had fun taking photos and eating delicious food what a treat.

How could you go wrong?

Chocolate Covered Strawberries? It's Strawberry Season!

Holding Cocoa the Pug!

Holding Cocoa before putting the sleepy Cocoa to bed.

Click Here Flickr Explore Interestingness!

Photographs I took that made the Flickr Explore Interestingness Page!

Click here: A Blog Smorgasbord

An article in the Seattle Times, A Blog Smorgasbord, talks about the world of blogs growing at a rate of doubling in size every five months. Great article that talks about food blogs and some of the food blogs are in the Seattle area.

Two Cupcakes Cupcake Royale in Seattle!

Cupcake Royale Cupcakes! Yellow cake with lemon frosting. Vanilla cake with pink vanilla frosting.
Technorati Tags: cupcakes Baking Dessert vanilla lemon pink Weblog Blog Seattle

Mexican Food Fiesta! Cinco de Mayo loving it!

Mexican Food Fiesta continues with Shrimp and monterey jack cheese enchiladas with beans and rice and Rib Eye Steak with mashed potatoes and veggies!
Technorati Tags: Seattle Mexican food Food Restaurants Cuisine Cinco de Mayo enchiladas

Mexican Food Fiesta! Cinco de Mayo!

Tonight we went out for Mexican Food in honor of Cinco de Mayo this coming week! We started out with chips and salsa and than had a seared sea scallops appetizer garnished with tortilla chips, tomatoes,and chiles.
Technorati Tags: mexican food Mexican Food Restaurants Cuisine salsa blog