“Thees is Francisco, I huv caught the rooster, I will be back for the hens.” In my Imaginarium, I hear these words as a cryptic incantation for an elaborate spy story’s segue. In the real world, it was a voicemail to a good friend of mine I call “Poodle.” Poodle lives in Golden Hill and…
The recipe here serves six. Unless you’re having guests over for Valentine’s Day, reduce the fish and radicchio portion of the recipe. The rice recipe is difficult to reduce with respect to the liquid volume, so plan on having left overs to turn into sticky rice, rice balls or whatever your bitter heart desires. The…
As arbitrary as the observance of Valentine’s Day is associated with Chaucer’s Parlement of Foules, so too is an amount of bitterness I have in participating for the sake of another’s liking. I should not allow something so silly to consume me, but with that said, in any relationship whether amorous or platonic, there must…
1 cup quinoa 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon minced garlic 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock Salt, to taste Rinse the quinoa thoroughly. In a deep large skillet or kitchen pan heat the olive oil over a medium heat until shimmering. Add in the minced garlic and sauté until just golden. Add in the…
Some cultures performed ritual cannibalism, believing that the consumption of the dead would bestow the vitality associated with the organs eaten. I do not suggest gnawing on your uncle’s brain to gain his keen stock market sense but suggest looking towards your food for the soul of the cook. I had just got off the…
A much underused vegetable available year round in San Diego is the artichoke. Initially, the prehistoric appearance is intimidating but once you finish this column, it will be as easy to prepare as a side dish of mashed potatoes. The two most common types of the globe artichoke found in our markets are baby…
Although my youth breakfasts were mostly fried or scrambled eggs, I now like to do something a bit fancier. The finished bubbling, browned frittata is enough to feed eight people a conservative portion or a more substantial breakfast/brunch (or even lunch) for six. When my lover was down for New Year’s, I served it with…
While shopping for a cast-iron skillet, I found myself looking for the thickest bottom with the lowest weight (seriously). I now use this as a joke with respect to boyfriend shopping and luckily have found both, a perfect skillet and a perfect man. What struck me to go buy a cast-iron skillet? Maybe I…
The time period just after the turn of the year always cracks me up. Every food magazine boasting healthy recipes for 20XX, new exercise regimes at every turn, a spike in new or renewed gym memberships and an increased attendance at AA meetings. Of all these things, the tag line “Eat Better in 2011” on…
