The gastronome's notion

An under-appreciated cuisine...

2010-09-27T20:50:00.000-07:00

"Die Kochkunst ist wie die Musik dazu angetan, Freude zu bereiten und den Menschen über sorgenvolle Zeiten hinwegzuhelfen".
"The art of cooking, like music, is meant to give pleasure and to tide people over troublesome times."
Nika Standen Hazelton.

(Hungrily thinking and salivating on my keyboard).
Tackle a dish from another culture...which one? Not French or Italian. So many...I love my Scandinavian cooking, but thats too familiar. Irish? Delicious, but still to familiar, I want a challenge. Something I love, but don't cook to often...German! That's it!

German food, I think, is truly an under-appreciated cuisine. With such a robust history and landscape, German cuisine is both complex and elegant, with it's cuisine basically changing somewhat based on geographical location. From the cool northern style, taking cues from its Scandinavian neighbors. The Central style that is rich, filling, and doesn't hesitate to use good food as an excuse to drink (the traditional Westphalian peasant breakfast wouldn't be complete without schnaps...prost!). The southern style in the Rhineland, is much lighter and relatively simple and casual.

I wanted to recreate a classic German dish that may not be that well known in the States.
Hammel Koteletten mit Zwiebelsosse, or Lamb chops in onion sauce.

Preheat your oven to 350F. Dry the Lamb chops with a paper towel (I like three to four per person) season with salt and pepper. In a heavy skillet large enough to hold the chops (or work in batches), melt some lard or oil over high heat. Brown the chops, and transfer to a casserole dish large enough to hold them in one layer. Turn down the heat to medium Drain the fat in the pan and add some butter, when the butter stops making noise add one large finely chopped onion. Cook until soft and caramelized. Stir in a little flour and mix well. Then while stirring, slowly add a cup of heavy cream. Reduce a bit until the sauce is smooth and thick. Add some nutmeg and taste, re-seasoning if necessary. Strain out the onions and return the sauce to the pan.Add about 1/4 pound finely diced smoked ham to the sauce and stir to incorporate. Carefully pour the sauce over the chops and bake for about thirteen to fifteen minutes, or until you think your chops are done...don't overcook them it would be a travesty.
Serve this with whatever you like...as long as you serve it with potatoes and bier!
This was to be my Challenge #2 post for the Project food blog challenge... unfortunately my computer has been freaking out the past couple of days and I wasn't able to post this until too late...damn, thats life.
Good luck to all of you...this is the Gastronome signing out... ... ...

My last supper

2010-09-14T21:11:00.000-07:00

What makes a food blogger? What makes a foodie? One way I have used to find out more about new foodie friends is to ask them about there last supper.

Have you ever sat around the table with friends or family after a long drawn out meal and played "my last supper"? I have asked this question many of times to my professional Chef and Foodie friends alike. The answers are usually very interesting, and always make you hungry.Sometimes the answers are a little shocking, vegetarians talking about roast suckling pig or whole roasted joints of beef or lamb. People with food allergies going out with a bang, and having Thai Peanut satay that would usually put them in the hospital or worse...a last supper indeed!

My story has changed here and there depending on my current cravings, tastes, and the season. But those of you who know me, would know that there will always be and abundance of bacon and pork in general (seriously life without pork...would it be worth living?).I think if it really came down to it and I had my say, I would let gluttony kill me. Not a bad way to go I don't think. Doing what you love most and eating yourself to death. Of coarse I would hope to fall into a food coma before I exploded from the massive food consumption, or before the meat sweats set in. Either way it would be better than the guillotine.

I couldn't have just a last meal, I would need a whole day devoted to eating everything I've ever truly loved or haven't yet had the chance to indulge in; and for those of you who do not know me personally, I really do eat like a hobbit. I've been called a giant hobbit many of times, which I take as a complement... ... On to the feast!

I would awake early in the morning just as the sun is rising, the warmth of the sun on my face and the smell of Coffee and freshly baked banana bread in the air. I would sit at my porch table lazily listening to the birds chirp and feeling the cool breeze against my neck as I wake up sipping my coffee and covering the bread with a good smear of homemade butter.As I'm eating my second breakfast will be cooking. A perfect breakfast of Duroc bacon, scrambled eggs with toast, and perhaps some gravad lox…along with one of my sourdough waffles and a pint of Guinness.
For Elevenses I will have a bowl of strawberries freshly picked from my garden and drizzled with lavender honey and washed down with a couple flutes of Champagne, Krug 1947 (if anyone has a bottle, let’s do lunch).For lunch, a single one inch thick bone-in Berkshire pork chop simply pan fried with salt and pepper (you shouldn't mess with perfection), and a raw Gravenstein apple sliced thinly. I would drink a goblet of Westvleteren 12 Trappist ale. Additionally I would love some fried pickled herring and Skåne aquavit.
For tea, I would have a cuppa from the joy of coffee in Dublin (don’t let the name fool you, some of the best teas I've had were found here, a must for lovers of the leaf), and a madaline or three.

On to dinner, or what shall hereby be know as…the feast of death!
With my guests gathered around the table we will start with caviar, sea urchin and vodka (to get the juices flowing), followed by Kumamoto oysters, fugu sashimi (being my last meal, now would be a good time to try it) with either a sauvignon blanc from Marlborough, or a dry German Riesling.
Next a braised pig cheek and boudin noir, aside a creamy potatoes gratin, with an arugula salad and a Russian river valley pinot noir.Lastly before desert, roasted bone marrow with fleur de gris, dandelion, parsley and sourdough with a Château d'Yquem sauternes. Now if I haven’t yet passed out from the consumption of food, and all the booze! I shall have a slice of apple pie à la mode and one last glass of the oldest Irish whiskey I can find.

Looking back I don’t think I will have over eaten, nor will I have over drunk. I will have had just enough to place myself contently in a box…now just one more cup of coffee before I go.

Another Porktastic day, Part two: crispity clouds of porkaliciousness.

2010-08-25T11:40:00.000-07:00

Snack Time!
Chicharrones, for a simple pork fix there is nothing better...except for maybe bacon. Nothing like some deep fried pork skin and an ale to sustain you until dinner, and nobody makes them better than 4505 Meat's Ryan Farr. These crispity clouds of porkaliciousness are a textural miracle, they are crunchy yet melt in your mouth like only chicharrones can. They are subtley spicy and sweet without taking away from the delicate porky flavor.
I paired the chicharrones with a Rogue's Somer orange honey Ale, which was a great idea! The unfiltered sweet wheat and malt character of this ale went wonderfuly with the pork and the orange peel and chamomile lent a refreshing herbal note to cleanse the palate.
Sláinte!
http://www.4505meats.com/

Another Porktastic day, Part one: The Fatted Calf.

2010-08-11T22:22:00.000-07:00

The glory that is The Fatted Calf, if you haven't been lucky enough to visit this temple of meat and all things cured and holy...its time to go!

The Fatted Calf offers a variety of Meaty goods, Sausages, Pâtés, Confits, Salumi, and weekly specials.

They are an artisan Charcuterie shop that does it right, using natural, organic and hormone free meats. Everything is done is small batches by hand. I know this because this is the first place I learned to break down a pig, working along the side of Taylor Boetticher, Charcuterie/ Butcher ninja master and great teacher.

For lunch I had the Pork Pastrami Sandwich. A tasty little thing with a fresh and crunchy cabbage slaw, a zingy grain mustard sauce and a well made rustic bread. A must try.

On a side note if you haven't had the Porchetta Sandwich, you gotta get one...or two of those!

Stay tuned next time for crispity clouds of porkaliciousness...

Fatted Calf
The Oxbow Public Market
644 C First Street
Napa, CA 94559

http://fattedcalf.com/

Risotto & homemade stock...

2010-07-30T23:00:00.000-07:00

First things first, all risottos made at home should be made with a homemade stock. There is no reason not to have some homemade stock on hand if your a truly serious cook. I'm not saying that bought stock is necessarily bad...its just not as good.

Homemade stock is the easiest thing in the world to make as long as your making something else that involves bones (unless your a vegetarian...then use veg). I made ribs the other night and decided to go with the age old culinary trick of boiling my ribs before throwing them on the grill. This was a thought out tactic, because when you through in pork and bones into water it yields a delicious stock; as long as you add a few extra ingredients that you should already have in your pantry and fridge.

Chop an onion, a couple of carrots and some celery, toss them into the water. Add a couple of Bay leaves and some spices of your choice and your golden. Let the stock simmer and reduce, then your left with a very simple and tasty stock, where before you just had water that you would have thrown out anyway.

(I hope I don't sound too snarky, I'm a bit tired and even the thought of throwing out water that could have been utilized makes me grumpy at the moment).

Cremini mushroom and Bacon risotto:

This is one of the best risottos I've had in a while; we all know how to make risotto so I'm not going to go into detail on how to make a proper risotto, I'm just going to give you the ingredients I used.

Carnaroli rice (feel free to use vialone nano or arborio, there just as good)

White wine (I used a Sauvignon blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand)

Cremini mushrooms

Local Bacon (Black Pig Meat Co.)

Shallots (sautéed in bacon fat...of coarse)

Butter

Parmagiano Sarvecchio (you can use Parmagiano Reggiano or other hard cheese)

Homemade stock...you will make some right?

http://blackpigmeatco.com/

Humboldt Fog & Turophilia

2010-07-24T09:19:00.000-07:00

The enigma that is Humboldt Fog. This hand crafted artisan goat cheese from Cypress grove Chevre, is both soft and slightly crumbly, ripened yet incredibly fresh tasting and looks like a slice of cake...but is of coarse cheese.
Humboldt Fog has a beautiful ribbon of vegetable ash that runs through the middle and along the edges. A delicate softness reminiscent of a cream cheese and flavors that are subtly nutty and delightfully tangy. This cheese is Cypress groves signature cheese and has won several awards, including first place in the American Cheese Societies prestigious competition.
Try serving Humboldt Fog with Apples, honey, cashews and thin crackers. Or in late Autumn after foraging from a mushroom harvest with sautéed wild mushrooms, crusty bread, cured meats and a tart fruit spread like Lingon berries or lemon curd.
Turophiliacs (lovers of cheese) check out there website for more information on this and other Cypress grove Chevre.
www.cypressgrovechevre.com

The Endless Journey

2010-07-13T12:51:00.000-07:00

Have you ever really tried to figure yourself out? It can get complicated, especially as most of us are continually evolving in many different ways. We are always learning, and therefore finding out new things about ourselves. I've been on what is inevitably an endless journey to find myself and figure out once and for all what I really want to do with my life.

One thing that always comes back to me, always, is food. Food sustains us and nourishes us. It is the centerpiece of all our social gatherings. The one thing that all humans have in common is we like to eat. Some of us love to eat more than others, and therefore find that we also love to cook... so we can eat more. We love to cook so much and want to share all we cook with everyone, so we get this crazy idea that we want to start writing about food too! I once wrote that food consumes my time as much as I consume food itself (which is a lot).

So we are continuously eating, cooking, writing and truly learning about ourselves in the process.

What I have learned about myself lately is that I really love writing and not just about food, but about anything and everything . I enjoy it so much that I have recently started writing a novel (I'm about three chapters in...and I love it!). Consequently giving my blogging a temporary spot on the back burner.

I have missed writing my blogs and am making an effort to balance my life out in all categories...with all this eating, has to come exercise.

So my endless journey continues...at least for now I know I'll be eating, writing and hopefully sharing some interesting notions with you.

Cheers!

Roaming in South Africa

2010-02-12T18:19:00.000-08:00

...Not me, the goats! Legend has it that a Yemeni goat herder let his flock roam free, and they discovered coffee beans. Well Charles Back (owner/vintner of the Goats do roam wine company) had a similar idea and let his goats pick the grapes for his Goats do roam red wine. True or not its a great story either way.

The 2006 Goats do Roam red wine is a fantabulous wine, especially for the value...I paid around 8 bucks for it! and it's truly one of the better "value" wines I've ever had.

A blend of Shiraz, Cinsault, Carignan, Mourvedre and Pinotage (a South African cross bred varital of Pinot Noir and Cinsault), this wine has great depth, and layers of flavor.

The first whiff caught me off guard, I wasn't expecting such a powerful aroma from such an inexpensive wine. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised.

As the wine opened up I found aromas of earth and smoke, with hints of the oak barrel like a campfire in fall, and soft red bramble berries, like sun warmed raspberries with a touch of violets.

At first sip you notice the flavors of this wine are just as complex as the aromas, full bodied with soft tannins, very drinkable. Big berry flavors... this time blackberries, with a thick chocolate truffle like flavor that coats your mouth, and a slight black pepper hint on the finish.

This wine is now in permanent rotation in my wine library. A great wine for everyday, or to have with company. It's so versatile, it goes well with everything from lasagna to chocolate cake. but don't take my word for it, go and buy yourself a bottle or two, at 8 bucks...why not.

www.goatsdoroam.com

Ancestry & taste...

2010-01-28T10:05:00.000-08:00

Growing up as a kid in the California wine country, I took all the vineyards and farms for granted. I thought that maybe it was like this everywhere. Now that I’m older I see that I live in a truly magical place (gastronomically speaking) of fine artisan foods, boutique wineries and breweries.
It’s relatively easy to be a locavore here with the huge seasonal produce and meat assortment we have been given by all the hard working farmers who give us such a bounty. I cant forget to mention the wild herb and mushroom foragers, the local fisherman, and all the artisans who care enough to make the delicious cheeses, breads, charcuterie, olive oil, ice cream, chocolate, teas…well the list can go on all day, but I think you get the point.

Along with all this food come fantastic restaurants and chefs that use the local harvest to create truly world class cuisine. I live about an hour north of San Francisco and only forty minutes from Yountville and Napa, in the town of Santa Rosa, located in the heart of the Sonoma County wine country.

Immersed here since I was born, food now consumes my mind, just as much as I consume food itself (which is a lot!). If I’m not eating or cooking, I’m often found nose deep in a cookbook or thinking of new and creative ways to use an ingredient. I’ve also unknowingly developed my palate since childhood, being blessed with a family of great cooks; I’ve always appreciated food and didn’t just eat it. I’ve been finding nuances in cheese, chocolate, olive oil, Heirloom tomatoes and mushrooms while other kids were unfortunately eating processed foods.

In my adult life I’ve been nearly swimming in award winning and “cult” wines and ales, being able to relax in my own “backyard” and hear stories, and learn from some of the top winemakers in the world is truly a magnificent and humbling experience.

p.s. to all my loyal readers...sorry I've been gone for so long, I've been on several small journeys and have been busy rediscovering and finding myself. I think I've finally figured it out.
Skol!

The end of the world.

2009-11-17T13:19:00.000-08:00

La fin du monde
PfffPOP…pop the cork on this Belgian style golden ale from Canada, and you’ll set loose bottled up aromas of tangerine, shortbread, almonds, tarragon and ginger. Gazing in at this nearly orange beer you’ll find it has little bubbles reminiscent of those found in champagne, and at 9% abv it goes down way to easy. La fin du monde has flavors of caramel green apples, and toasted-buttered banana bread. A great ale for the holiday season…if this is the End of the world sign me up, I’m ready!
www.unibroue.com/english.cfm
p.s.
To all my loyal readers, I've been really quite busy lately; I've been preparing for a move. I know it's only been two weeks since my last post but it has seemed like forever.
I promise many more frequent and lengthy posts in the near future.
Cheers!
The Gastronome.

Sourdough, part two: Bread & following your instincts.

2009-11-03T16:11:00.000-08:00

Fresh warm sourdough bread and sweet creamy butter, a warm house and a cup of tea...life is good!

I finally found time to make my homemade sourdough the other day, it was well worth it. It came out pretty good for my first attempt; soft slightly chewy with a crispy crust. Although I did have to divert from the recipe a little, and in doing so used up all of poor Hugh (my starter, evidently you have to name them). You see the recipe I followed called for much too little liquid...but I trusted in it, and followed it anyway. Some times you have to follow your instinct and do what you feel is right, even in baking.
So I was trying to knead life into the dry dough as it was turning into sawdust before me, and decided that pursuit was futile.

I then proceeded to follow my instincts and made the dough again this time adding more liquid, and the rest of my first starter, Hugh. This is more like it I thought, a nice gluttonous pillow of dough formed before me, soft yet elastic. I kneaded it to life and after leting it rise for a couple of hours baked it into the beautiful loaf above. I may have to stop buying my bread and become somewhat of a baker.

Sourdough, part one: Starter

2009-10-27T13:23:00.000-07:00

As the days grow colder and the nights get longer, I can’t seem to consume enough baked goods. The warm comfortable smell of anything baking in the oven calms my soul. I’m eagerly anticipating the colder months ahead, because with cold weather comes the most comforting and familiar food.

I’ve got the baking bug…all that seems to go through my mind lately is bread and butter, so after a few breakfast breads or “quick breads”, I’m moving on to something a bit more well…bready. Sourdough.
The sourdough starter recipe I used was found in an old cookbook, simply titled baking.
All you will need is:

2 ½ cups warm water
1 ½ cups white flour (I added a bit more flour; the starter didn’t seem thick enough)
1 packet of dry active yeast

Using a medium sized glass bowl mix the yeast in the warm water and let dissolve for 15 minutes.
After the time has elapsed, slowly add the flour and mix to incorporate.
Cover with some cheesecloth- to let air in and keep nasties out- and wait about three days, mixing occasionally.
When it gets going, you should see some little bubbles.
After at least three days the starter can then be used to make bread…more on that next time.

My starter has been going for two days now, and looks splendid!
By the way…I’ve heard you have to name your starter for good luck; I’ve named mine Hugh after a personal hero.
I can’t wait to have some homemade sourdough!

Home brewed Beer

2009-10-23T08:49:00.000-07:00

Beer…the sparkling, frothy nectar of the gods has been around almost as long as mankind- beer has been traced back as far as 9000 BC- and has sustained us through the toughest and best of times in human history. Home brewed beer is made by farmers for sustenance, and brewed by connoisseurs for hobby. It’s really not too hard to make and if you feel so inclined, I suggest giving it a go... you might just surprise yourself.

My latest brew, a proper British style Pale Ale is as my ancestors brewed it malty with a good hop backbone, balanced and unfiltered; CAMRA would approve.

It pours a nice golden amber color and releases the aromas of stone fruits and wild flowers with a faint piney fragrance. The first sip has flavors of biscuits and toffee; it evolves into pears and peaches with only a ghostlike bitterness on the finish. It’s very refreshing with a surprising strength that will sneak up on you. I wish I could share some with you all.

Cheers!

Udonうどん

2009-10-16T12:37:00.000-07:00

It’s cold out today, and raining. I’ve been “under the whether” for a couple of days now and I could use something comforting. If it’s miserable outside or if you’re feeling miserable don’t despair I know a cure…
Nabeyaku Udon, a traditional Japanese soup and one of the most comforting foods imaginable. The Nabeyaku Udon is a classic one pot meal served in a traditional Nabe, a pot made out of clay or in this case cast iron. Udon noodles are thick wheat flour noodles that are quite long and have a nice slippery texture, only slightly resisting the tooth.
The rich flavor of the broth or dashi was the first food to be given the term Umami “the fifth flavor” which loosely translates to tasty. It is the word given to foods that are indescribably delicious. This broth was in the eastern Japanese style with dark soy sauce, kombu- a type of kelp, and katsuobushi- dried, fermented and smoked skipjack tuna, also known as bonito.
The aroma is of the earth and the sea, I don’t know if I want to run or swim…so I grab my chopsticks and go fishing. Deep in the bowl I find hidden treasures everywhere, moving aside green leaves of cabbage I find a shitake mushroom hiding inconspicuously, trying not to be noticed. I eat the gently poached egg only just cooked in the hot broth, floating on top the soup like a lone raft in a sea of noodles and find concealed a small school of tofu squares. Having way to much fun finding entombed food; I eat the delicately crisp tempura prawn, and try the amazingly textural kamaboko or fish cake, slightly rubbery in a good way, yet still soft with only a slight hint of its fishy past. I eat the lonely single scallion, slurp up some of the gratifying noodles and I find some more elusive morsels hiding in the dark broth, some tender little bites of chicken. Chicken and noodles…I have found a chicken noodle soup for the epicure…and its way too fun to eat.
Here’s to your health.

Banzai!

Gourmet Magazine 1941-2009

2009-10-08T12:08:00.000-07:00

January 1941- the end of the Great Depression, The beginning of the great food magazine. Gourmet was Americas first epicurian magazine. It inspired leagues of cooks and great eaters from New York to San Francisco, some of which are now our nations best Chefs.

Gourmet presented food as not only fuel, but as enjoyment and entertainment as well as a piece of our culture. It educated us on matters of moral and ethical dilemmas, such as the treatment of animals and farm workers. Its always been there to reference on matters of travel, to introduced us to new products and ingredients, and enlightening us on restaurants and rising star Chefs.

The numerous colums have always been full of useful information, proposed with wit and serene frivolousness. The savant writers, brilliant editors and genius Chefs and their recipes will always be treasured.
“The magazine of good living”, as it was known closed its doors after nearly 70 years on October 5, 2009. It will be missed, but never forgotten.

Simply chocolate chip.

2009-09-30T08:40:00.000-07:00

Simple, delicious, perfect, not too many foods can instantly transport you back to your childhood like a chocolate chip cookie can. You take that first soft, warm, decadent bite right out of the hot oven and your four years old again… your transported back to your childhood kitchen, the wonderful scent of cookies baking in the oven swirling in the air, with tiny hands grasping an enormous cookie nearly as big as your head, and all is right in the world.
There are endless recipes for this most basic of treats, yet all of them are delicious, ranging from the standard nine ingredient chocolate chip, to cookies with walnuts, macadamia nuts, white chocolate, caramel, oatmeal and peanut butter.
Yet no matter how many things you cram into a cookie, the simple chocolate chip will always remain my favorite; the soft chewy, sugary cookie with creamy melting chocolate pieces coating your mouth, just beckoning, demanding a cool glass of cold milk to wash it all down. Simply chocolate chip, always satisfying.

I could insert a recipe here but everyone already has there favorite. I hope you get to enjoy yours soon and are transported back to a simpler time.

Happy eating!

A Porktastic adventure, Part three: The conclusion of my beast feast.

2009-09-22T13:41:00.000-07:00

Cured meats…bacons, salumi, hams, lardo, Guanciale some of the tastiest foods on the planet are cured meats and cured pork cheeks or guanciale are among the best of them.

When cooked properly cheeks can fall apart and be even more tender than slow cooked shoulder, or when cured, diced and pan fried, make a great alternative to bacon, and when used for Spaghetti Carbonara nothing is better!
That’s exactly how I concluded my day with a very simple, delicious Spaghetti Carbonara with guanciale.

All you really need for a great Carbonara is Spaghetti cooked al dente of course, Egg yokes buy free range organic, Salt & Pepper, some proper Guanciale (or bacon/panchetta if you can't find guanciale) and as much Parmigiano-Reggiano as you like...I perfer a good deal of Parmesan in my Carbonara.

Bring water to a Boil, toss in spaghetti,
as the spaghetti is cooking.
Cut the meat into cubes, fry until crisp 4-5min.
Drain off the fat.
Grate the Parmesan into a mixing bowl, beat 2 egg yokes in a seperate bowl, add the Salt & Pepper.
When the spaghetti is cooked to your liking, drain and put back in the pot.
Add the egg yokes to the parmesan and mix well, pour the mixture over the hot spaghetti and toss to coat the pasta.
Toss in the Guanciale, check the seasoning. and serve!

The eggs and cheese make a great creamy sauce and the sweet, salty, crispy pork contrast beautifully with the tender pasta, a little kick from the pepper and what else could you ask for...a cold beer perhaps? Perfect quick dinner, and exellent end to my Porktastic adventure.
Spaghetti Carbonara is a very simple, inexpensive and quick dish to make. Its a comforting dish when you need it, and faster that take-out. Give it a go!
Cheers!

A Porktastic adventure, Part two: Flying pigs & a big mouth.

2009-09-16T14:42:00.000-07:00

After indulging in a couple of donuts and curing my morning sweet tooth, I'm craving something meatier. I need look no further than San Francisco's own Boccalone, where they specialize in "Tasty salted pig parts".

This fine salumeria is solely devoted to the majestic pig, their heritage pigs are pasture raised, antibiotic and hormone free, sustainable, hand butchered and cured in small batches.

When you walk into Boccalone you smell the wonderful aroma of salumi and see an aging room with glass doors adorn with beautiful cured meats. There is a great assortment of fresh sausages, cured meats, and rare specialties like porchetta di testa, ciccioli, and sanguinaccio, the later which will soon become my lunch, but not before I sample the salumi cone as a quick snack.

Sanguinaccio, black pudding, blood sausage, boudin noir what ever you call it, what ever the origin, it is all delicious! This delectable treat has to be one of my top five favorite foods, and the sanguinaccio from Boccalone is among the best I've had. Its made up of pork blood, pork heart, buckwheat kernels, spices, a touch of chili and love...it's so good.

I gently cooked the sausages over a low heat in a skillet and served it with sauteed apples, both on top a crispy golden boxty...almost too good with a pint of cider.

Boccalone is co-owned by Chef Chris Cosentino and Mark Pastore of Incanto restaurant in San Francisco.

Boccalone salumeria

Ferry building marketplace

Shop 21

San Francisco, CA 94111

http://www.boccalone.com/

http://www.incanto.biz/

A Porktastic adventure, Part one: in the wee hours.

2009-09-15T09:15:00.000-07:00

Hello my name is the Gastronome, and I’m a porkaholic…
I woke up in the wee hours Saturday morning and had an insatiable craving for some pork. I decided to dedicate the day to my love of all things pig.
First stop Dynamo Donuts, San Francisco. Some of you might be thinking wait…this is supposed to be about pork…if you’ve been to Dynamo Donuts you know where this is headed, if you haven’t been there, its time to go!

Behold the maple glazed, bacon, apple donut! Oooh yeah… this is what dreams are made of (my dreams anyway). Hand made, cakey, light, soft, moist donuts with tart apples sauted in bacon fat mixed into the batter, a sweet maple glaze on top, sprinkled with salty, crunchy bacon…Mmmm, The perfect union of salty and sweet.
Order a couple, they go down easy.

2760 24th Street

San Francisco, CA 94110

http://www.dynamodonut.com/

Enkidu and Humbaba

2009-09-10T13:36:00.000-07:00

Enkidu winery…what a fantastic place! I haven’t been this excited for a new winery for a long time, and we seem to have plenty around here. Enkidu is a small boutique winery in Sonoma Valley off of Hwy 12, in Santa Rosa. Ok the wine, every single wine I had was superb, from the crisp refreshing Kick Ranch Sauvignon Blanc, to the luscious E Cabernet Sauvignon, and all three Pinots I had in between; even the Rosé was delicious!
The wine we opened last night Humbaba was particularly interesting.
Humbaba is a Rhone style blend, made up of 70% Syrah and 30% Petite Syrah from four different local appellations.
From the Russian river and Rincon Valleys cool climates they get there Syrah, the Petite Syrah came from both the Southern Napa Valley and from Lake County in the Red hills appellation.

Aromas of raspberries, blackberries, white pepper, and a lot of people might say vanilla here, but it’s chewier than that…like marshmallow, herbs like mint and tarragon. Big flavors with loads of ripe fruit full bodied and jammy; like biting into a berry pie. Soft tannins very drinkable now but can definitely be cellared for a few years.
Humbaba runs $25.00 for a 750 ml bottle…well worth it!

Enkidu winery
8910 Sonoma Hwy, Kenwood
http://www.enkiduwines.com/

Garden Court Cafe & Bakery, Glen Ellen

2009-09-08T11:12:00.000-07:00

Breakfast, by far the most important meal of the day-not to undervalue any of the other six meals- I've always found that having the Valley of the Moon Benedict (Named after Sonoma Valley, Valley of the Moon, named by Author Jack London) is a great way to start the day. Freshly baked English muffins, sauteed Portobello mushrooms, deliciously tender and smokey ham, perfectly poached eggs and a nice creamy slightly tart and rich hollandaise. Paired with some of the best potatoes ever (really, they are) and you've got yourself a gorgeous breakfast! At the Garden court cafe & bakery they really put some country soul into their food, they care about the ingredients and they make all their breads, jams and sausages from scratch too. I've never been disappointed with the quality, quantity or price of the food and would recommend it to anyone.
A closing word to the wise...and hungry. You may have to wait a few minutes for a table (5-15), but the wait will be well worth it. While you wait they provide free coffee for the sleepy patron.
Cheers!

The Garden court cafe & bakery
13647 Arnold Dr., Glen Ellen, California
http://www.gardencourtcafe.com/

Fat & Happy

2009-09-03T14:27:00.000-07:00

This is my first blog. I hope it doesn't get to serious, for I am not usually too serious a fellow. It's been on my mind for a little while and I need to write it...so here we go.

What are some of your favorite memories? If your like me a lot of them are probably spent around the table with family and friends. It could be a holiday, or just a barbecue, but most of the time (unless your a vegetarian) the gathering was set around some type of meat. Who prepared that meat? Was it prepared with love and attention? Maybe you prepared the feast; what spices or herbs did you use? were they grown in your own garden? Lets say its Christmas, and your family is having a beautiful ham that you cooked yourself. Where did that ham come from? I don't mean what market. I mean where did that pig grow? was it cared for with the respect and attention you gave your Christmas dinner? If you know the answer and can say, "Yes, I bought this Gloucester old spot from the McCarthy's farm down the road"; then wonderful! If you can't and you really don't know where the meat came from, or if the pig had open pastures to roam and forage, living off the land on roots, grass, grains, acorns and occasionally fresh vegetables and whey from the loving farmer; Then wouldn't it be better to know? buying from local organic farms, means buying from farms that use the highest quality feeds to insure the best tasting hormone free meat. In caring for the meat you consume, your caring for yourself, your family and the animal, and maybe giving a rare breed a chance to thrive. We all know buying local organic produce is very important, (and good for us too!) lets all take the time to source good quality local free range meat products too. Lets all live Fat & Happy!