Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon
10-Jul-2009
Last year I attended the first Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I’d been invited to judge and decided it would be interesting to check it out. Well, it turned out to be a really nice event with more chocolate than a person can realistically sample in an afternoon. This Sunday the event is back and I’m looking forward to judging once again. This time I’ll go with a better strategy of how to taste and a plan to pace myself.
If you are even a part-time chocolate fan this event will open your eyes. I discovered retailers from our local area with creative offerings; producers of premium bars that I absolutely love; and learned something about the whole cacao to chocolate process.
You can buy tickets in advance online for $20 or at the door for $25. Salon highlights include chocolate tasting, demonstrations, chef & author talks and ongoing interviews by TasteTV’s Chocolate Television program.
Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon
Bell Harbor Conference Center
2211 Alaskan Way, Pier 66
Seattle, WA 98121
Sunday, July 12
11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Paseo Ballard
04-Jul-2009
The bright pink building doesn’t look like much. It’s a bit ramshackle with an untended parking strip. There’s a large tagged commercial freight container sitting behind it and it’s surrounded by a parking lot that’s partially paved but mostly gravel and dirt. But the line stretching across the front of the building might make you look twice and think that there’s more to the story than meets the eye. And you’d be right.
Paseo, the beloved Fremont institution serving Cuban sandwiches and meals opened a second location in Ballard or, more specifically, on Seaview Avenue along Shilshole Bay a few months ago. This was my first trip to the new spot. Since it was a holiday weekend I thought I’d time my lunch visit after core hours and I’m glad I did! When I arrived about 2:00pm I joined the queue of more than a dozen people patiently waiting to place their order.
The menu is the same here as in Fremont and there are two large menu boards posted on the side of the building so you can make your decision while you wait. The line moved at a irregular pace. Sometimes stopping for a few minutes but mostly moving forward in fits and jags. When I got to the front of the line the reason for the pauses became apparent. The guy taking orders was also bagging and handing out the completed orders, as well as running back and forth to the stock room to grab napkins or utensils or whatever they were running short of at the moment. He actually did a good job of keeping all the balls in the air and keeping the line flowing.
There are a few stools along the front counter and a picnic table off to the side of the building but, as with the Fremont location, taking your food to go is the best option. After receiving my order I walked north and grabbed a bench in the marina. Sitting in the sun with my Roast Cuban sandwich, watching boat owners loading their boats for the weekend and sipping a warm diet coke (apparently not enough time to chill properly at the pace they were handing them out) was a satisfying way to spend a holiday afternoon.
My sandwich could hardly be eaten as a sandwich as stuffed as it was with chunks of slow-roasted, marinated pork, super-sweet caramelized onions, jalapenos, lettuce, cilantro and their special seasoned sauce. This is definitely not a first date place! I think these sandwiches define the word messy. But they are worth every napkin you’ll use while eating them. As with the Fremont location they occasionally run out of items. While I was placing my order I heard them trying to decide if they were going to run out of rolls for the sandwiches. In past visits to the Fremont location I’ve had that happen and had to "settle" for one of the really good meals they also serve. Don’t know if they made it through the day or not. I was just happy that they had enough to fill my order.
Paseo
6226 Seaview Ave NW
Ballard
Seattle
206.789.3100
Maximilien in the Market
29-Jun-2009
I’d lived in Seattle for years before I realized there was a little gem of a restaurant tucked in between the butcher and the tea shop in Pike Place Market. I don’t remember what finally prompted me to take a look – I think it was a benefit event – but once I found this little hidden spot it became a favorite.
Maximilien is a French café staffed by mainly French expats, it seems. I seem to spend most of my time there in the upstairs bar with the lovely view of the sound and on out to West Seattle. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that I’d never realized that they also have a rooftop deck that is perfect for summer weather happy hours. Between the time it took me to find them in the first place and our normal Seattle weather that keeps us indoors so many months of the year, I should have suspected there might be more to the story. But now I’ve learned and I’m so glad I have.
Seattle is lacking, I think, in places with outdoor seating that take advantage of the gorgeous west view. In my head I know that an investment of that sort in a city that sees so few days suitable for outdoor dining is an extravagance, but my heart still hopes for them every time the skies are clear and the temperatures rise into the 60s. So it was with great surprise and pleasure I realized I’d been missing an opportunity.
A friend and I arrived at Happy Hour on Friday night. If you go, make sure you get there by 5:00 pm as the outdoor seating fills quickly.
Sunbrellas dot the deck in a jaunty asymmetrical pattern. Every table has a view but those just along the outer wall or one row back definitely have the advantage. The Happy Hour has eight items priced at $2.95 or you can get all eight for a flat $20 – now that’s a nice deal. Servings are small but still generous enough that a couple make a meal. We ordered three items between the two of us and didn’t finish everything. There are also specials on drinks. The best deals are the wine, I think. I ordered a couple of the French Martinis which are tasty but during Happy Hour seem to be a little short on the vodka.
In addition to Happy Hour the deck is open for lunch and dinner.
Maximilien
Pike Place Market
81A Pike Street
Seattle
206.682.7270
Strawberry Syrup
22-Jun-2009
After my brunch I found myself with quite a few remaining strawberries. Some had been sliced and sugared for drinks but many were still gorgeous whole berries. I knew, however, that I would not be able to eat them all before they started going bad. I thought about making jam but I still have quite a lot left from last year and I also have my heart set on making cherry jam this year so I didn’t need any more jam. I also thought about freezing them whole for future use but decided that didn’t really appeal to me at this time. And then it came to me – syrup – gorgeous strawberry syrup.
Making syrup is a lot like making jam but you don’t need to cook it down as much or use pectin, natural or packaged. I’ve made syrup in the past but couldn’t find my recipe and an Internet search turned up very few real options, surprisingly. So I just created my own. The one concern I have with this recipe is that I am not positive that the amount of sugar I used is enough to keep the syrup from growing lovely, little green mold at a future date. So I know this recipe is great for short term use but I’m not sure how long it will last, even if canned. Please keep that in mind if you follow this recipe.
In the short-term, though, this is a really fresh, berrilicisous syrup perfect on everything from waffles and pancakes to that evening bowl of ice-cream. This recipe makes about 8 cups, feel free to reduce the ingredients to make a smaller batch. And adjust the sugar to your taste but I wouldn’t reduce the amount only add to it.
Strawberry Syrup
About 8 hallacks (pints) of strawberries, stemmed and sliced
3 cups of sugar
7 Tbsp of orange juice
Vanilla Bean (optional), sliced in half
Blend or mash the berries until all pieces of berry are gone. Pour the liquid through a strainer to remove any larger seeds that are remaining. You should have seven cups of strawberry puree remaining.
Add the puree, sugar, orange juice and (if desired) the vanilla beans (scraped from the pod) and pod to a large pot. Heat over medium-high heat until the mixture comes to a boil and all the sugar has dissolved. If you want a thicker syrup you may boil it down a little. Just remember as it cools it will thicken. Also, the shorter amount of time that you boil the mixture the more you’ll retain the fresh berry flavor.
Remove from the heat and scrape any foam that has accumulated off the syrup. Dispose of the foam.
If you are going to try to can this recipe, ladle the hot syrup into hot jars and process as you would for jam. Or, let the syrup cool and pour into jars or bottles to be stored in the refrigerator.
I love how the cold berry syrup contrasts with hot, buttery pancakes or waffles! Little yin-yang bites of flavor….
Annual Summer Brunch
16-Jun-2009
For the last several years I’ve held a Summer/Spring brunch just for the ladies. Although Pacific Northwest weather is not known for reliably sunny days at this time of year I lucked out again this year. Actually it wasn’t sunny per se, but it was dry and warm enough to be outside.
My friends started arriving at 10:00. As they came in I sent them out to the deck where I’d set up tables with coffee, tea and an assortment of sparkling beverages including sparkling wine, sparkling lemonade, Pellegrino and, not sparkling but festive, rosé. Everyone gathered on the deck greeting those they knew and meeting those they did not.
About 10:30 a couple friends helped me get all the serving dishes on the table and then everyone took a seat. The next couple of hours were spent eating and chatting and laughing. It was a pretty prefect Sunday morning.
2009 Ladies’ Summer Brunch
Make your own Sparkling Beverage
Mini Lemon-Poppy Muffins
Sliced Fruit with Honey-Sweetened Crème Fraiche
Chicken-Mushroom Crepes
Ham-Asparagus Crepes
Grilled Chicken-Apple Sausage
Cheddar-Dill Scones
Haricots Verts with Bacon & Onions
Mixed Greens
Strawberry-Rosé Sorbet
Lavender or Thyme Shortbread
Fresh Strawberries
08-Jun-2009
It’s finally time. Fresh, local strawberries are arriving in abundance in local markets. How I love local, spring strawberries! You can use them in all the traditional ways and this recipe is a nice little twist. I picked it up several years ago when I attended a class taught by Greg Atkinson. It’s always a winner when I bring it to parties. The crust is really more of a shortbread cookie – I’ve often thought of eating it all on it’s own it’s so good. It’s topped with pastry cream and then you finish it with whatever fruit is in season or readily available.
Market Stall Fruit Tart
adapted from Entertaining in the Northwest Style
by Greg Atkinson
by Greg Atkinson
· Almond Pastry
· Vanilla Pastry Cream
· An assortment of fruit like raspberries, strawberries, kiwi, peaches, nectarine, champagne grapes, blueberries, etc
Prepare the Almond Pastry ahead of time and keep it at room temperature. Prepare the Vanilla Pastry Cream and keep it refrigerated.
No more than 2 hours before serving assemble the tart. Spread the pastry cream on the pastry. (It will be a little stiff so I always give it a good stir to loosen it a bit before spreading.) Arrange the fruit in rows (the long way) on the tart. Cut tart into 6-2” pieces and serve.
Almond Pastry
¼ cup butter, softened
½ package (3.5 oz) almond paste
2 Tbsp sugar
1 medium egg white
1 cup flour
¼ tsp salt
Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone mat.
Beat butter, almond paste and sugar on medium speed in a mixer or by hand until smooth and creamy. Add the egg white and beat until smooth. Reduce speed and add flour and salt, beating just until combined.
Turn the dough onto a floured work surface and form it into a log. Flatten the log into a rectangle and then roll out to 6”x12”.
Carefully transfer to the baking sheet. (I like to slide the parchment or silicone mat under it and then lift onto the sheet.) Prick all over with a fork.
Bake until the pastry is brown around the edges and slightly puffed, about 15 to 20 minutes. Cool completely on pan then carefully move to the serving tray.
Top with pastry cream and fruit.
Vanilla Pastry Cream
¾ cup sugar
¼ cup cornstarch
½ tsp salt
1 whole egg, plus 1 yolk
1 cup whole milk
½ vanilla bean, split and scraped
2 Tbsp butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
Put the sugar, cornstarch and salt in a heavy saucepan. Whisk in the egg and extra yolk. When the mixture is smooth, whisk in the milk and vanilla bean.
Cook the custard over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until mixture comes to a boil. Whisk rapidly to prevent lumps. When the custard is the consistency of sour cream (this happens pretty quickly) transfer it to a mixing bowl immediately. Remove the bean pod, and then stir in the butter and vanilla extract. Chill the custard completely before using it as a filling.
Here are a couple other photos of versions I’ve made in past years. The first photo is a double tart. I used extra pastry cream to hide the seam, where the candles are, and added a bit more fruit later to hold the candles up better.
Time for Rhubarb!
11-May-2009
I am especially excited about rhubarb season this year. I plant I’ve had for a few years has really come into it’s own and I’m going to get a nice batch this year. I picked a few stems this weekend – just enough to make either a small pie or two adorable rustic tarts. I use the same recipe for both, the only difference is that I roll the dough a little thinner for the pie. I like my rustic tarts to have a substantial crust on them. It makes it easier to pick up a piece and eat it with your hands if you are so inclined. Well, except it’s still a bit hard to keep the filling from falling out all over the place!
My mom was one of the best pie-makers around and she always used all Crisco in her pie dough recipe. Over the years I’ve switched to half butter and half Crisco. I like the flavor of the butter but appreciate the no-fail dough the Crisco creates.
Pie Dough
(makes 2 crusts)
⅓ cup shortening
⅓ cup butter, cold and cut into pieces
2 cups flour
½ cup cold water
½ tsp. salt
Mix salt, 1 cup flour, butter and shortening with a pastry blender until crumbly. Add the balance of the flour and all of the water, Mix with pastry cutter until the water is mixed in and the dough is coming together. Finish bringing it together with your hands trying not to warm it too much. The butter should still be visible in the dough.
Divide the dough into two equal portions, flatten into thick disks, wrap in plastic and refrigerate while you prepare the rhubarb.
Rhubarb Filling
5 generous cups of rhubarb cut into 1" pieces
1 cup sugar
⅓ cup flour
1 tsp cinnamon, if desired
Mix dry ingredients together and then sprinkle over the rhubarb. Toss the rhubarb with the sugar mixture and let sit for at least 15 minutes. The rhubarb will get a little juicier so toss the ingredients again. You’ll still have some of the dry mixture settling to the bottom of the bowl.
Assembling
For the pie:
Roll out both pieces of dough, making sure the dough is sized to fit your pie plate. Place one circle of dough in the pie plate, add the filling (including any "leftover" sugar mixture). Dot the rhubarb with small pieces of butter, if desired, then place the top piece of dough over the top. Trim and crimp the edges and cut a few steam vents in the top.
Bake at 400° for 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to 375° and bake an additional 45 minutes. The crust should be golden brown and the filling bubbling. Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 30 minutes to allow the rhubarb to thicken.
For the tarts:
Roll the dough out to two 9" (or so) circles. They should be about ¼" thick. You may need to roll out a little larger and then trim the circles down a bit. You can either place the shells into small pans, as I’ve done in the photo above, or just place them flat on a parchment lined baking sheet. Put half of the fruit in each shell, making sure you also evenly divide the remaining sugar mixture between the two shells. If using the flat shells keep the filling toward the center, leaving a 1" – 1½" border around the edge.
Once the filling is divided, bring the extra dough up and around crimping as you go, to create a stand-up border. If using the baking sheet, make sure you pinch the shell up to form a little rim as rhubarb gets really juicy when cooking.
Bake at 400° for 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to 375° and bake an additional 35 – 40 minutes. The crust should be golden brown and the filling bubbling. Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 30 minutes to allow the rhubarb to thicken.
Etta’s Seafood
04-May-2009
If you live in Seattle you may shy away from the tourist spots as many of us do. And that description includes many of the places around Pike Place Market. But there are lots of gems in the area. Some of the little hole-in-the-wall places have great ethnic foods and many of the larger places are true Seattle icons that attract tourists but for good reason.
Etta’s Seafood is one of the Tom Douglas restaurants and it’s located at the site where Tom started coming into prominence as a chef, the old Café Sport. Last Saturday M and I were looking for a breakfast spot and decided to go back to this market staple. Once settled into to a window table we ordered a couple pots of tea to start our breakfast. Then, I ordered Huevos Rancheros and she had the French Toast. Both dishes were fresh, flavorful and filled with the little extras that Douglas’ restaurants employ.
My beans were so good I could have made a meal of them on their own! But I also loved the cheese-filled tortilla, chipotle creme fraiche and perfectly cooked eggs that graced my plate. Her French toast was elevated by slightly sweet vanilla-laced creme fraiche and crispy, smoky bacon.
With our window seat we had the added pleasure of being entertained by passing tourists and locals. The only way the experience could have been improved would have been the addition of a full-on sunny day. But it was nice enough that after breakfast I took a little stroll through the market and made some great finds at the Cost Plus at the north end of the market. Pretty nice way to roll into the weekend.
Etta’s Seafood
2020 Western Ave
Pike Place Market
Seattle
206.443.6000
Seattle Cheese Fest Approaching!
30-Apr-2009
It’s time to start planning your strategy for this year’s Seattle Cheese Festival! May 16 and 17 Pike Place Market will be filled with cheese samples and cheese events. At the main event, the tasting tables lining Pike Place, you’ll be able to sample more than 200 cheeses! Also, check out the seminars, demonstrations, wine tasting and the Cheese Fest Best Restaurants which offer special cheese plates the week or so leading up to the festival.
Of special interest this year local author Tami Parr will be leading one of the seminars. She has a wonderful blog and recently released a book, Artisan Cheese of the Pacific Northwest
, an in-depth guide to our local cheeses. She includes information about local artisinal cheesemakers and on how to make your own. In addition to her seminar at the festival, a couple days earlier on May 14, you’ll be able to meet her at The Cheese Cellar for a book signing. The Cheese Cellar is at 100 4th Ave N # 150 Seattle, WA 98109.
, an in-depth guide to our local cheeses. She includes information about local artisinal cheesemakers and on how to make your own. In addition to her seminar at the festival, a couple days earlier on May 14, you’ll be able to meet her at The Cheese Cellar for a book signing. The Cheese Cellar is at 100 4th Ave N # 150 Seattle, WA 98109. Scottsdale: Cowboy Ciao
29-Apr-2009
Whenever I travel I do a little prior research to find places I might like to check out. This goes for local restaurants and bars as well as sites. Sometimes I get so caught by all the new and shiny places that I overlook more established locations. Or sometimes it’s just that they are not leading the news as much as they once were and I don’t come across them in my adventures around the city. That’s mostly the case for Cowboy Ciao in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Cowboy Ciao still gets a fair amount of coverage but it doesn’t really jump out at you when you pass by. In fact, I’m sure I’ve walked by in in early morning strolls around the city but didn’t even realize it was a restaurant as it’s situated in the gallery area of downtown Scottsdale. But for my recent trip to the Phoenix area I put it on my "list" and made an effort to seek it out. That was a good call!
M and I arrived around 6:30 to find a packed house. We secured the final two seats at the bar. The bar is C-shaped and the seats were at the far end looking into the kitchen. The kitchen view was actually interesting but we felt a little removed from the hustle and bustle of the restaurant. That might have been nice if we’d been on a date but we felt a bit like we’d been placed in "time out". So, when the bartender took our order we asked her to let us know if anything else at the bar opened up.
In the meantime we settled into our spots with a fragrant Champagne cocktail and a house margarita made with the freshest of citrus juices. We were off to a good start! We’d barely taken a sip of our drinks when the bartender came rushing around the corner to alert us of two seats that had just opened. We moved around to the main area and were back into the energy of the place.
The menu is a nice combination of offerings with something for everyone. Sticking to our normal course of action, M and I opted for several small plates that we’d share so that we could try several things. We started with the Cowboy Chopped Salad which is a beautiful and tasty line-up of fresh vegetables with a little bacon and cheese thrown in for good measure. It is served in pristine lines of ingredients and then is tossed at your table (or bar top, in our case). The fresh corn was a special treat for Northwesterners craving a bit of spring or summer.
Next we ordered the small version of their Mushroom Pan Fry. Here is their menu description: "mucho mushrooms (including cremini, button, oyster, cepe, lobster, black trumpet, Shiitake, morel, yellow foot) in ancho cream over double-cooked polenta, topped with grilled portabellini, avocado, tomato and cotija cheese". Do I really need to say any more than that? Earthy and richly flavored this dish fills your soul. And we were glad we ordered a small as it’s filling!
Next we tried the Pork Belly – something that’s hard to resist when it shows up on a menu. It was grilled to perfection and topped with an Asian-influenced cucumber salad which was the perfect foil to the decadent meat. It was the perfect way to round out our meal.
I loved this locally loved, funky and friendly place. If I lived in Scottsdale I bet I’d be there often. They have a great wine menu and some interesting flights in addition to the deeply satisfying food. I’m sure we’ll make it back next year. Or perhaps we’ll try one of the sibling restaurants: Kazimierz World Wine Bar; Sea Saw (Japenese); or Digestif ("Cal-Ital food for the soul"). Whatever we choose I’m betting we’ll like it.
Cowboy Ciao
7133 E. Stetson Drive
Scottsdale
480.946.3111
Culinary Fool 