March 21, 2012 
When best friends get together, there's only one thing to do.
Catch up over fresh, gooey chocolate chip cookies dipped in lucious whole milk.
I've been on a bit of a dietary fat spree lately, but I'll say more about that in the next post. For now, click here for my favorite (and healthy!) chocolate chip cookie recipe... Using coconut oil, almond flour, and honey!
March 15, 2012 
San Francisco is spoiling me. I came home last Friday morning for spring break, only to head straight back up early on Tuesday out of withdrawal. What I love most about the city is that everything is within reach by foot, no vehicle necessary – rich, fragrant, buttery espresso; fresh bread; the best pastries; local produce; my favorite yogurts, cheeses, and meats. While I can get most of these things on the Peninsula, somehow I can't justify driving to five different locations (and paying double the price) for fleeting, rushed moments of pleasure. I've grown accustomed to my leisurely walks through quiet neighborhoods, hours spent lingering in the corner cafe, the hustle and bustle of the Saturday morning farmer's market, carrying bags of groceries a mile home for exercise. It's in the details, you see. It's not about convenience or speed.
I'm finding it hard to believe that it's almost been a full year since we moved into our tiny Nob Hill studio. The next few months are going to be exciting for both of us, but they're also filled with so much uncertainty. I'm already nostalgic for life in the city, and our lease isn't even up yet.
So for the next few months, I plan to feature more of my favorite SF spots as a sort of scrapbook of our time here. But for now, a few of this week's meals.
* The above picture is from a well-intentioned batch of roasted garlic & lemon hummus that... well... didn't turn out as planned. So I'll have to give you the recipe later.
* There's nothing quite like fresh, hot granola for breakfast. Lately, I've been making steel cut oats topped with whole-milk yogurt, berries, flaxseed, and a sprinkling of homemade granola. Secret recipe, sorry.
* Raw milk cheese: 'nough said. Also, Cowgirl Creamery's fromage blanc. I grate the former over braised greens with a runny egg. The latter is my usual dessert, mashed up with half a banana, maple syrup, and maybe some cocoa powder.
March 7, 2012 
A refreshing way to use some of the season's best produce. Along with julienned cabbage, sliced grapefruit, and chopped avocado, we tossed in some leftover odds and ends from the fridge and finished it with a drizzle of poppyseed dressing. Scrumptious.
March 1, 2012 
Turkey has a tendency to be a bit bland, so I like to pack it with as many other flavorful ingredients as possible. For these burgers, I added chopped sun-dried tomatoes, grated Asiago cheese, lots of dried herbs, and a generous dose of sea salt and freshly-ground pepper. Once they were grilled and resting, I toasted some Acme olive rolls and spread the top half with delicious fig butter from Trader Joe's. It may sound weird at first, but turkey and fruit is a classic combination – think cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving.
To bulk up the meal, I made a quick side salad of greens and marinated artichokes tossed in olive oil and sparkling wine vinegar.
February 26, 2012 
Arugula, romaine, grated asiago, grilled chicken breast, + toasted herb focaccia
For the dressing:
- 2 cloves garlic
- 4 anchovy fillets
- 2 teaspoons grainy Dijon mustard
- juice of 1 lemon
- red pepper flakes
- kosher salt + ground pepper
- olive oil
- splash of water
Thoroughly combine in a small blender or food processor until smooth and emulsified.
