To me it’s foodie heaven, 30 cooks under one roof in San Francisco frantically making dinner…together. Once all the food is prepared, everyone eats together and has a chance to taste and indulge in a really spectacular spread. Hosted each month by the founder, Marco Flavio,
Cook here and Now events promote seasonal, local produce amidst a fun, frenzied atmosphere.
The idea is brilliant: Marco provides a list of select items and those who sign up (or are lucky enough to get in the door) are on the hook for an entree, salad, main or dessert utilizing one or more of the listed ingredients. This past Sunday’s ingredients included all poultry (except chicken) lemons, kiwi, onions, chard and mushrooms. The dishes which were churned out were just plain amazing.
Pictured below are just some of the creations; there were really too many great things to capture. In addition to the great dishes, the camraderie of the cooks really make this event a winner. Next up from Marco: a pie social (but sadly it’s filled).
Swiss onion pie.
- This was one amazing lemon meringue pie.
- It’s hard to find words to express how amazing this appetizer was!
Simple but delicious cheese souffle.
This list is a little late since most of this information has been out for some time. And, while many trends are not surprising, lists vary depending on your source which is why I’ve compiled them into a larger “Yummly-ized” version for easy reading.
If you stop by Yummly in the near future you will see some of these trends appear as blog topics. As always we’d love to hear about any you’ve seen in your local area or neighborhood.
Finally, sorry to say I left off one trend (fried chicken) because although I love it, I feel like it’s been covered in the past. Happy to add it in if anyone disagrees!
Yummly’s interpretation of 2010 trends (dining and eating):
- Back to basics – think canning, pickling and basic techniques
- Beer – craft beers everywhere, also taps into the “new Austrian” trend
- Smaller portions (restaurant meals, desserts) – mini whoopie pies
- Burgers – chains will strive for better, premium burgers
- Children’s healthy food options – more for the home
- Cocktails – local liquor and culinary creations
- Casual dining – potlucks
- Eggs – the new bacon
- Asian + Latin – a dynamic duo (LA Kogi taco trucks)
- Farm branded meats – “Denver Steak”
- Lamb – the new pork
- Local, seasonal – check out the Cook Here and Now concept (Bay Area)
- Meatless meals and party foods – even for non-vegetarians
- Sustainable seafood, different varieties – Branzino, Arctic Char
- Superfruits – mangosteen, rambutan, goji berries, acai
- Sweeteners – stevia, turbinado, agave (and real sugar in sodas!)
Dungeness crab: seasonal and fresh.
To celebrate the new year AND tie into the list of trends, try the Celery Cup recipe below. It’s a refreshing, culinary delight.
Celery Cup #1
- 1 ½ oz. Square One Cucumber
- 1 – inch fresh English cucumber
- 2 – inch celery stalk
- Palm-full of cilantro
- 1 oz. fresh lemon juice
- ¾ oz. organic agave nectar or simple syrup
- 1 celery stalk (garnish)
In a mixing glass, muddle the cucumber, celery, cilantro and lemon juice into a pulp. Add remaining ingredients, cover in ice and shake hard for 10 seconds. Strain into a tall glass over fresh ice and garnish with a piece of celery.
Recipe courtesy of Elixir and Square One.
Happy new year (again)!
A delicious, sweet, treat - chocolate chip banana bread.
Sometimes you’ve got just a few too many bananas on hand and they are driving you…well…you know…bananas. Rather than leaving them to turn brown and lose their appeal it’s a good time to turn them into bread for a nice treat.
This recipe comes from a book – Sunset’s Easy Basics – my mom gave me years ago when I was just learning to cook (things other than macaroni and cheese). It’s a simple recipe and one that’s always a winner.
I like to use two smaller pans to make different variations. Consider these options:
- Chocolate chips (handful)
- Nuts (pecans, walnuts)
- Substitution of one banana for crushed pineapple (squeezed to remove much of the liquid). Note: this results in a moist bread that’s sweeter than the version below – but delicious!
- Coconut (tropical flavor)
- Frozen bananas (instead of fresh). You’ll need to thaw and drain the liquid, but results will be almost as good as fresh.
Banana Bread
- 3 large ripe bananas
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 4 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted and cooled
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon each salt and baking soda
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease a 9 by 5-inch loaf pan. Set aside.
In a bowl, mash bananas; you should have 1 cup. Beat in sugar, then egg and butter. In another bowl, stir together flour, salt and baking soda; add to banana mixture and stir just until all flour is moistened. Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake for 55 to 60 minutes (insert toothpick, if it comes out clean, it’s done). Makes one loaf (or two small).
Lemon tarts in flaky pastry
Flaky Pastry
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup solid vegetable shortening, or ½ cup shortening and 8 tablespoons (one stick) cold unsalted butter
Add the flour, sugar and salt to food processor. Pulse a few times to mix. Cut the butter into small pieces (1 inch cubes) and add to the processor. Pulse the mixture until you have pea-sized pieces.
Drizzle 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon ice water over the flour and fat mixture. Pulse until the mixture looks evenly moistened and begins to form small balls. Gently press a few small pieces of the mixture together between your fingers. If the balls of dough stick together, you have added enough water. If not, drizzle 1-2 tablespoons additional ice water over the mixture. Note: the dough should look rough, not smooth, when done.
Divide the dough in half and press each piece into a thick, flat disk. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. The dough can be wrapped airtight and frozen for up to 6 months.
Baking the tart shells: Roll out the pasty and cut to fit the bottom of a small tart pan (or muffin cup). Press firmly and then bake at 350 degrees for about 15-20 minutes (watch to avoid burning!)
Cook’s note: baking the shells upside down will result in flakier pie crust – if pressed firmly to the pan.
Recipe courtesy of Joy of Cooking, All about Pies and Tarts, Irma S. Rombauer
For better results - turn the baking process upside down!
Lemon Curd
- 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/3 cups sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ¾ sticks unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon pieces
Whisk together the zest, lemon juice, sugar, eggs and a pinch of salt. Add butter all at once and cook over moderately low heat, whisking constantly, until curd is thick enough to hold marks of whisk and first bubbles appear on surface, about 10 minutes. Immediately pour curd through a fine sieve into a bowl, then chill, covered.
Recipe courtesy of Gourmet Magazine (Epicurious)
Top these tarts with simple Whipped cream.
- Lemon Tarts in Flaky Pastry
My tradition on the eve of the new year is a bevy of friends, champagne and a table of small bites. Small bites allow much of the work to be completed before guests arrive, leaving plenty of time for mingling and munching. Plus, you can eat the leftovers (if there ARE any leftovers) the following days and feel like you are re-living the festivities. Happy new year!
Tuna Poke in Wonton Cups
- 24 wonton wrappers
- 2 tablespoons Asian sesame oil, divided
- 12 ounces sashimi-quality ahi tuna, chilled
- 2 green onions
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
- ½ large, firm-ripe Haas avocado
- Black sesame seeds
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Lay the wonton wrappers on a work surface and, using about 1 tablespoon of the oil, brush 1 side of each. Tuck the wonton wrappers into mini-muffin tins, oiled sides down (work in batches if necessary). Snuggle the wrappers into the cups, pleating as necessary to fit. Bake until the wontons are starting to brown on the bottoms and tips, about 8 minutes. Remove the wontons and let cool in the tins. Let stand for up to 3 hours.
With a very sharp knife, cut the tuna into ¼ inch thick slices. Stack the slices and cut them lengthwise into ¼ inch thick widths. Cut those crosswise into dice (don’t worry if pieces aren’t perfectly symmetrical). Put the tuna in a small mixing bowl and add the remaining tablespoon oil, green onions, soy sauce, lime juice, and ginger. Fold gently to mix. Cut the avocado into fine dice and add it to the bowl with the tuna. Fold it in gently to mix. Spoon the poke into the wonton cups and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Serve immediately. Makes 24 portions (12 servings) Note: I usually make the filling ahead of time but don’t add the avocado until later. This way the flavors can meld and you won’t be scrambling too much before the party starts. Also, you can make the wonton cups ahead of time (about 3 hours.)
Recipe courtesy of Party Appetizers by Tori Ritchie.
Below are pictures of other NYE small bites.
Crab rangoons paired with spicy chile sauce - a nice sweet and salty combo.
- Deviled eggs are always the hit of the party.
- Smoked salmon atop creme fraiche
