The Italian Feast-- October Cook the Book

It's October. It's time to cook the book Italian Style courtesy of Marcella Hazan's The Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking. The cookbooks were chosen earlier this year, but this one turned out to be very timely, as Ms. Hazan passed away on September 29.

It's hard to cook Italian food for a small group, so we decided that we needed a mob! We recruited a few friends to come and eat dinner with us. The six of us were so eager to eat we didn't even stop to take "before" pictures, so you all get to see a bit of the unconventional. Six plates, in various states, from full to half-eaten.

Angela had to get this cookbook from J.K., who thought ahead and reserved it from the library (Angela did too, but her copy just wasn't going to show up in time). It's another book with few pictures (and those are line drawings) so it was a real toss up as to what to make for dinner. However, it was easy as 1, 2, 3 once we found the menu planners in the back of the book! Since J.K. was really excited about the dessert, why not make the 'A Rustic Menu  II' to go with it?! Brilliant.

Piadina- Flat Griddle Bread, p 641 and Sauteed Mixed Greens
with Olive Oil and Garlic

Pork Sausages with  Smothered Onions and Tomatoes, p 429

Shredded Carrot Salad, p 549

Baked Red Beets, p 558

Ciambella–Grandmothers Pastry Ring p 592 (served with Limoncello)

Plus Auxillary Recipes

 Polenta, 274 (with butter and aged gouda)

 Orange and Cucumber Salad p 552

 Banana and Rum Gelato p 611

ONE

TWO- clockwise- cucumber salad, roasted beets, greens, carrot salad, sausage with polenta and sauce

THREE

FOUR-clockwise-Polenta, carrot salad, griddle bread, beets, cucumber salad, sausage w/ sauce and greens

FIVE

SIX

Our group had some great conversation, lots of laughter and delish Italian food. One guest said this was her most favorite Italian meal ever--because it featured a lot of vegetables and No pasta. Hey, Angela was a bit worried about the no pasta deal, but polenta was an awesome mix with the tomato-ey saucey goodness from the sausage (which was a fancy beef/pork splurge from the local FM). Additionally, Angela chose to change up the recipes for the Piadina (using wheat flour), plus she  subbed some of the 3 greens that went with the recipe. Raddichio, spinach and beet tops ended up in the pot and the greens turned out great, even though Angela felt she was pouring all the nutrients down the drain after boiling them.

Stephanie brought the Cucumber and Orange salad and it was just right, even though the weather outside was a bit chill. To combat the temperature we drank wine (mulled or straight) and a bit of limoncello brought by our dessert guru, J.K. Speaking of dessert, the pastry ring was a bit like a scone in texture and paired perfectly with the gelato. (Yes J.K. broke out the ice cream maker again, it's earning its keep after all these years.) Angela had something special tucked away as well, and this seemed the perfect time to break it out. No dessert is complete without chocolate, so we topped our treat with Chocolate Wine Sauce from the Coppola Winery collection. Delightful!

Pastry Ring with Banana Rum Gelato smothered in Chocolate Wine Sauce  PERFECTION

*Angela asked for this cookbook as a Christmas gift--the recipes are easy and give great taste! The salads are simple and full of flavor! Check it out!

Lunch with Beth–San Francisco Fish Company

The San Francisco Fish Company, in the Ferry Building Marketplace, has an extensive selection of seafood, both prepared and raw. The sandwich selection is equally extensive, and made to order. But somehow, we always opt for the soft-shell crab, which is available year-round. That means they're using frozen  crab, but that's actually an advantage. Crabs start growing their new shells immediately after shedding the old ones, so in-season "soft" crab can sometimes be a little tough. If they're frozen immediately after shedding, they retain their "velvet" texture.

There's plenty of seating in back of the building, with scenic views. It was very sunny at lunchtime, so we went upstairs to get some shade. This character immediately joined us on our bench and serenaded us, in hope of a handout. He appears to be a Hermit Thrush, but obviously he's a little unclear on the concept of being a hermit!

Feathered freeloader singing for his supper.

The sandwich is served on a soft, but not squishy, roll, with lettuce, remoulade sauce and a separate garnish of coleslaw. A few salads are also available as sides. 

We didn't encourage our visitor, but he was very bold, landing on us and snatching crumbs from my sandwich. He seems to have learned a lot from the seagulls. Fortunately, he isn't big enough to fly off with the whole sandwich.

Aggressive beggar about to steal a crumb

How do you feel about feathered beggars? Are you more likely to feed the cute ones?

Andersen Bread in the Embarcadero Center

Andersen Bakery just opened another FiDi location at Two Embarcadero Center. The walls are glass so the shop is light and airy.

 

 There's a complete selection of bakery items which are very hard to resist.

  Also a selection of chips and drinks to complement your salad, soup and/or sandwich.

Beth chose the BBQ Chicken on toasted Ciabatta. Chicken breast, cheddar cheese, smoked bacon, cabbage slaw, chipotle mayo and BBQ sauce. Chips on the side.

I went for a total bacon experience with the California BLT. Crisp bacon, lettuce, alfalfa sprouts, tomato, cucumber and sliced avocado. No mayo for me, but it's the default.

We're always interested in new places to have lunch. What's your favorite sandwich shop?

Beth Reports In On Ike's Place

There's a restored version of the Heathen (Lord Summerisle's term, not Pagan) horror flick "The Wicker Man" touring about, and Beth wanted to see it during its stop at the Castro Theater.  She took the Underground to Castro Station after work Friday, a beautiful evening with no fog feathering its way down over Twin Peaks. What to do for supper? Well, there was trying one of the pizzas or some such at Starbelly, but something more likely to be reliably faster might be in order.

One would think that would leave out Ike's Place, since that sandwich place quickly got so popular that the neighbors wanted it shut down over the crowds that would gather. Well, Ike's had the good luck of dodging that bullet, and Beth had the good luck of arriving during a slow time and being able to sit on the bench in the window to eat.

   

Her choice? The Big Momma, which is halal chicken and provolone with Buffalo sauce and ranch dressing.  She had it on "Ike's famous Dutch crunch." Kettle chips from Louisiana come with the sandwich (she chose mesquite barbecue), and with a bottle of Ike's own pecan pie soda (made with real cane sugar), she had supper for about $12.75. With a caramel apple lollipop thrown in for dessert.

Ambrosial? Well, maybe not quite that. Solidly good and generous tasty sandwich? Yes, absolutely. The sodas, though ... aside from the usual Stewart's selections, Ike's peaches and cream, Ike's Shirley Temple ... hard to resist. The meat looks all halal, which means no tasty pig products. Cute bathroom, with names and names of food spelled out in psychedelic script.

 

Maybe it's the weekend lunch traffic that was driving people crazy. Beth was glad to be able to check out this cult sandwich joint, and to step out of the theater at quarter of nine to warm weather.

Eat Real Festival

Angela had such a good time volunteering at the San Francisco Street Food Festival that Tea Time volunteered for the Eat Real Festival in Oakland. Due to Angela's work schedule, we signed up for the pre-festival set-up shift, starting our stint by stuffing goodie bags and then performing other tasks as needed.

Angela then had to work on Friday, so I attended the Festival alone, because I wanted to avoid the weekend crowds. It's very easy to get there–take BART to 12th Street Oakland and walk down Broadway to the end of the street, then turn left. There's also a free (you can't miss it–it's green) shuttle bus along Broadway that runs every 15 minutes, but it's only a 15 minute walk.

If you can't find the Festival, head for Heinold's.
It's in the middle of the action.

SpongeBob's Car.
Answer a few questions and you're entered to win one.
Plus, you get a choice of trinkets.

It can get very hot in Oakland, and while there are vendors selling soft drinks and adult beverages, the Festival provides free water. Bring your own cup or bottle, though.

After checking out the booths on Palm Plaza (and acquiring some swag), it was time for lunch. My first stop was The Whole Beast, which offered a seasoned lamb rib with persimmon/pomegranate coleslaw. There was also lamb poutine, but Tea Time is very fond of ribs, coleslaw, persimmons and pomegranates, and there they were, all in one very tasty dish!

 The signage was as good as the food.

 This was the "lamb lounge." It was a very sunny day, which made photography difficult, and the sign didn't make it into the picture. 

On the way to discovering the lamb booth, Fat Face popsicles had caught my attention, so that was my next stop.

It wasn't an easy choice, but
I finally settled on Strawberry Lemonade.

Then I decided to check out the Market, and was delighted to find Bittersweet Cafe, which Tea Time used to frequent when they were on Fillmore Street in San Francisco. I bought a Brownie and ate it while walking around looking at the other booths.

That's my brownie on the right–even bigger than the sample!

Other treats!

Next I discovered Starter Bakery, which had a large selection of Kouign-Amann in many flavors. But it just wasn't a possibility after that brownie, so I bought two (original and double chocolate) to take home and share with Angela later.

Two views of the ones I brought home:

  

Peter Brydon at Barlovento Chocolates plied me with samples of his excellent chocolate, but it was just too hot to attempt to bring chocolate home. I hope to encounter him again in cooler weather.

I had really thought I was finished eating for the afternoon, but when I took one more walk around the Festival to see if there was any thing else I wanted to photograph, I noticed that there was no line at The Chairman's truck, and I couldn't resist the Pork Belly bao. This is the first time I have ever seen The Chairman without a line, and it probably won't ever happen again.

You can't miss The Chairman's truck.

While I was waiting for my bao, a large group of people appeared!

The pork belly is hidden under a generous serviing of turmeric pickled daikon.

 And then I spotted the Stroopie booth, but by then I really couldn't eat another bite!

I can't explain this.
Extreme flagpole climbing?

Swag! We were pleased to learn that the goodie bags were for all the volunteers, so we each got to take one home. Yes, another bag, courtesy of Whole Foods, which also donated the Kettle Corn. Other highlights of the bag were the official Eat Real apron and a wooden spoon from Anolon.

Festival swag was equally generous. Toyota gave a choice of SpongeBob trinkets (I chose the rear view mirror dice but there were also sunglasses and dual keyrings), another Festival apron, silk screened on the spot, and another choice of trinkets after rolling giant dice. I won hand sanitizer, but was able to trade it for yet another bag. There were also lunch bags and sunglasses. I also won a bag from Love with Food (please, let me know if you need a bag!), which had packets of pickle salt (for use on food, not pickling salt) and some candies inside. Also another scraper, this one from East Bay Municipal Utility District and Our Water Our World. Lip balm from Fans of Lamb. And organic string cheese from Organic Valley, who were also pouring glasses of milk.

The highest food price at the Festival is $5, but if you're having a whole meal, it can add up. Here's my breakdown for the afternoon. Well, not including BART fare.

Lamb rib:     $5.00

Popsicle:      $3.50

Brownie:      $4.00

Bao:             $4.00

Kouign-Amann (2):  $7.50