July 25, 2010

babycakes


BabyCakes NYC is definitely on our list of bakeries to visit when we travel to New York.....one of these days.



Erin McKenna bakes up a beautiful banana bread loaf. Not just any banana bread, a recipe that is completely vegan & gluten-free. I prefer pouring the batter into muffin tins to create adorable babycakes. The miniature cakes are moist and sweet all the way through. I'm used to my hearty gluten-free muffins, these are light and almost springy. A delicious alternative to my Bittersweet Banana Cupcakes.

July 14, 2010

Summer Radishes & Cucumbers

Summer is the time of year we prefer chilled soups over steaming hot stews; crisp & cool salads over roasted veggies; and ice-cream, well for me over most things! This salad of cucumbers and radishes is one of my favorites to serve with fresh spring rolls, grilled salmon, seared scallops or spicy fried rice.

July 11, 2010

Earth & Sea


Umi Sake House's Moonraker Roll balances delicately between Earth and Sea.

Spicy yellowtail, cucumbers & cilantro topped with a smokey mixture of seared snow crab & black tobiko drizzled with a citrus jalapeno sauce & truffle oil.

Flavor profile: Salty...Sweet...Smokey...Spicy...Savory...Earthy & Fruity

Texture: Creamy & Crunchy

Now, I love truffles just as much as the next Italiana and I do think that it enhances many dishes, but it's competing with too many elements in Umi's Moonraker Roll; this roll would be better off without it! The truffle oil DOES add a certain element of earthiness however the smokiness could pull this off on its own.

What I love about Umi's Moonraker Roll is that it satiates completely with one bite! You get a bit of everything from clean crisp cucumbers to citrus sweetness, seawater to bonfire smoke & the fruity spice of the jalapeƱo to the woodsy taste of truffles.

Adopting the Japanese Izakaya style of informal eating and drinking, Umi was designed to reflect the layout of a Japanese country house, including both a front and back porch.

We are already planning our next visit as Umi Sake House is like dropping by an old friend's house on a summer afternoon.

July 5, 2010

Presidential Oatmeal Raisin Cookies


A good fit for any 4th of July feast. This oatmeal raisin cookie is a favorite of former president Clinton's.

A fine recipe, although I think next time around I'll add a touch more butter, why not make it easy and toss in the full 2 sticks (8 ounces)? Also, cut a bit of the sweetness by 1/8-1/4 cup. Serve as an ice-cream sandwich layered with cinnamon, ginger or vanilla bean gelato.