Food for thought

British photographer Carl Warner created a series, “foodscapes” using only edible ingredients. Each photo is taken on a table measuring 8ft by 4ft with a foreground of 2 ft except Cave, which gets it’s underwater depth with a 3×3 ft table. My favorites are Bread and Cheese, Cave and Salami Road.

bread mountains, broccoli trees, parmesan rocks, sliced bread wall

bread mountains, broccoli trees, parmesan rocks, sliced bread wall

bread caves, cauliflower coral, pea pod canoe, carrot icicles, lobster tail

bread caves, cauliflower coral, pea pod canoe, carrot icicles, lobster tail

salami paved road, bread stick basket, proscuitto trees and sky, pancetta fields

salami paved road, bread stick basket, proscuitto trees and sky, pancetta fields= heaven.

“Foodscapes” is a collection of seventy photographs creating landscapes with food. These photos are from Lenswall.com, where they are for sale. 

Dogs have taste buds too!

My little Chorizo prefers a buffalo entree with a side of sweet potatoes topped off with acai berries for dessert, rather than  ”chicken flavored food”, and I don’t blame her.  Before Grain (BG), is all about great flavors and healthy ingredients, which makes it very appealing to the loving parent.  Buffalo isn’t the only entree, they also make salmon and chicken in hard food with the addition of beef, tripe and turkey in wet food.  The first ingredient is REAL buffalo, and good quality too.  There is also chicken meal, alfalfa grass and salmon oil in each little bite.  

Churri, short for Chimichurri, licks her bowl clean every single day.  BG also has a line for cats with entrees of chicken, tuna and salmon.  Before Grain may be a few dollars more than your typical processed, probably recalled pet food, however, when ordering from Merrick’s, coupons, complimentary treats and fast delivery make it worth every penny.  Don’t worry if you have a picky pup, they conveniently offer a variety pack so they can decide on their preferred dinner of choice.  Our pets love good flavor, just like us!

Leonard’s Hawaii: Malasadas!

According to Leonard’s Hawaii, “Malasadas have their origins in Portuguese cuisine and are a sort of fried pastry dough.  Dough that has been fried until crispy and golden brown on the outside, while remaining fluffy and moist on the inside.”  This is a good description because they are sort of fried pastry dough, certainly no doughnut I’ve ever had.  

The original Malasadas are thrown into white sugar while still hot to hold as much as possible.  Cinnamon sugar is another option, both for .70 cents each!  If you want to go crazy, the puffs are filled with either custard, Dobash (chocolate), Huapia (coconut), or the flavor of the month, each for .90 cents.  We tried the FOTM which was banana, it was good, but the original was superb.  Almost addicting, we somehow found our way into  Leonard’s parking lot after a few too many meals in Oahu.  

These babies even have their own day!  Malasada Day is also known as Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, the celebration of the beginning of Lent.  It doesn’t stop there, Leonard’s started a craze throughout Hawaii, you can buy official  apparel and even beanie babies!  The obsession inspired the new locations, Leonard Jr.’s and the traveling, Malasadamobile.  

  

If you’re in Oahu, get a Malasada or ten.  It looks like Leonard’s is THE place for these suckers since 1952 and they are unfortunately M.I.A in the Bay.  After googling, it seems that people on Chow, Yahoo Answers, and Yelp are all in search of Leonard’s delectable dessert.

Special thanks to my culinary guide of Oahu, T.

Leonard’s Hawaii                                              Leonard Jr.’s

933 Kapahulu Avenue                                      Waimalu Shopping Center

808-737-5591                                                808-484-1545

See’s Chocolates

In San Francisco it’s easy to ignore some of the older, more established chocolate companies in favor of our many specialty chocolate boutiques. However sometimes it’s nice to visit your childhood roots, and See’s is just that type of chocolate company. Having operated out of South San Francisco for over 80 years, they maintain a steady presence all over the west coast via their little black and white storefronts. I tried a box of their assorted dark chocolates, and I’m going to focus on my favorites.

Dark Molasses Chips

Dark Molasses Chips

There have been tons of reviews and blog posts about the signature Dark Molasses Chips.  First off, the chocolate was tempered to perfection, being so smooth and holding a brilliant shine.  Inside was a honeycomb of molasses which was covered in deep dark chocolate.  Really nice change of pace, unlike anything else I’ve tried thus far.

Dark Bordeaux

Dark Bordeaux

The Dark Bordeaux was by far the highlight of these chocolates.  The minute I opened the box this one popped out.  Dark chocolate covered in dark chocolate sprinkles, hell yeah.  As soon as I bit in, the rich brown sugar buttercream mixed with the chocolate instantly created the most magical flavor my taste buds have ever experienced.  All I can say is WOW.  I had to slow down while I was chewing to savor every second these flavors were in my mouth, I’m not kidding.

Maple Walnut

Maple Walnut

Maple Walnut was exactly what is sounds like it would be.  I happened to love the combination, however my date passed not being a fan of walnuts.  The real sweet maple and the bitter toasted walnuts made this to die for.  The next few were great, all in their own way.  First, Dark Chocolate Butter, which tasted as good as it sounds.  It was so creamy, and smooth, and complete with the crunch of the chocolate shell.  The California Brittle was next.  Honestly, I was hesitant, but my date dove right in.  I told her I’d pass, until I saw her reaction after bitting into it.  The See’s signature California Brittle was so damn good.  The Scotchmallow was a pleasant surprise.  I figured this was going to be a s’more, again I was wrong, it had smooth caramel and the marshmallow was infused with honey!  A few of the others that stood out were the Dark Butter Chew, Dark Pattie Chocolate, and the Walnut Square.

If you’re wondering if See’s Chocolate uses fruit, they do.  They aren’t my favorite, but if I had to choose one to eat, the Blueberry Truffle wins.  Go to their website, there is a new Easter Candy line coming out, the decorated eggs look so good.  I was so pleasantly surprised by the quality and flavor of these chocolates.  Get to a See’s near YOU, seriously.

A Date With Flavor: Episode 1!

Humphry Slocombe: Foie Gras Ice Cream Sandwich

Yep, a foie gras ice cream sandwich with the most delicious gingerbread snaps.  The snaps actually tasted like fresh ginger, which was a nice change.  The foie gras was so subtle and just enough sweetness to make the ultimate gourmet treat.  It’s tiny, but it is definitely enough to satisfy your salty and sweet French craving.  

This wasn’t my first time at Humphry Slocombe.  I have come back on numerous occasions for their infamous “Secret Breakfast” flavor.  Each time I come back, I bring a new date to explore this new flavor combination of bourbon and sugar coated corn flakes.  Seriously, it is unbelievable.  I’m pretty sure they always have their staples, like the Secret Breakfast and McEvoy Olive Oil, but I got lucky a few times with Honey Thyme, Balsamic Caramel, and Guinness Gingerbread.  There is so much love behind the ice cream here, the great quality is so obvious. If you don’t believe me, check out the ice cream cone sleeves on the owner.  Today, they had a new special, Bacon Peanut Brittle.  Yep, again, mixing bacon with sugar, is proven to always be a good idea.  

The staff is so friendly, allowing you to try every flavor, without rolling his or her eyes at you (big plus).  It is no secret that this is going to be a new Mission favorite for a long long time.  

     

12-8pm.  Closed Mondays. Cash Only.

2790 Harrison St
between 23rd St & 24th St
San Francisco, CA 94110

415-550-6971