Feeling Saucy

A sauce can make a dish. It can change basic ingredients into a specific type of cuisine - Indian, Thai, Japanese, etc.

Peanut Sauce 
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes, or to taste
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon tomato paste*
3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
3 tablespoons soy sauce or Braggs
1/2 teaspoon sugar
3/4 cup water

A sauce defines the flavors and brings the different elements together. I have been trying to perfect a peanut sauce for quite some time.  Tonight I served the sauce with grilled tofu.

* I personally like the Harissa du Cap Bon brand "El Manara d Djerba"

Will You Be Mine?

I love Valentine's Day. Whether single or in a couple, I think that we all need love, affection and friendship in our lives. For this reason, every year I make and hand out Valentine's Day cards. Everyone seems to appreciate the sentiment. Here are a few of my designs for 2011.  Both cards have space for either a personal note or a place to attach a small piece of chocolate or candy (a proven favorite with co-workers). 

Salmon and Kale Dinner

I was playing around in the kitchen the other day and came up with an original  recipe for a glaze to use when barbecuing salmon, chicken or tofu (see below). On this particular evening, I made it with salmon.

For a side dish, I grilled red bell peppers that I had marinated in an olive oil, garlic, herbs de provence, lime, vinegar sauce. I cut up the peppers and added them to a dish of sauteed kale, which I cooked in the same sauce with onions and mushrooms.

Finally I made brown rice and added left over cooked squash, grated parmesan cheese and 2 tablespoons of tomato sauce.

Glazing Sauce
1/4 cup olive oil
3 table spoons soy sauce or braggs amino acid
2 tablespoons miso
1 tablespoon garlic
1 tablespoon ginger
juice from 1/2 a lime
coconut oil to taste

Field Trip to a Farm

When I can, I try to buy produce at a farmer's market - or if I am really lucky - directly from a farm. I frequent Green String Farm in Petaluma. I enjoy walking around and seeing the animals; the chickens and goats are incredibly cute.

Beyond my obvious interest in food and sustainability, my trips to this and other farms are part of a larger goal to explore new places.

You Scream, I Scream . . . Ice Cream!

Okay, I'll admit it, I have a very big sweet tooth and a particular weakness for quality ice cream made from local organic ingredients. Some of my favorite places in the Bay Area include Ici in Berkeley (started by former Chez Panisse pastry chef Mary Canales), Lush Gelato and Scream Sorbet, both in Oakland. For those of you who live in LA, I recommend Scoops.

If you want to explore flavors, creative ideas and products, my friend Bethany has an amazing ice cream blog called Scoopalicious.

While I am on the topic of healthyish deserts, let me tell you about making vegan chocolate mousse using tofu.

I also recently found this vegan ice cream recipe on the Nourishing Gourmet. I hope to try it soon.

Chocolate Coconut Milk Ice Cream 
3 cups of unsweetened coconut milk (about two cans)
2/3 cup of cocoa powder
6 tablespoons agave syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Whisk cocoa powder in a small amount of coconut milk, until smooth. Then add the rest of the ingredients and whisk until well combined. Or dump all ingredients together and blend with a stick blender. Make according to your machines instructions.

Identity, Branding, and Design (oh my!)

Sometimes I take on graphic design projects. Recently I have been working with John King, a piano performer and educator on his outreach materials. I am in the process of designing a website, logo, and business cards for his company, John King Piano Studio. I'd like to share my draft concepts. Please feel free to give me suggestions and recommendations for edits or additional content.  You can check out John's website: http://johnkingmusic.weebly.com/

Crochet!

I am teaching myself how to crochet scarves. I use an organic wool-nettles blend yarn. I have two different styles: single stitch and double stitch. I am taking requests if anyone wants a scarf to help stay warm this winter.  Available colors include orange, red, gray or green. The picture below shows a single-stitch orange scarf in process and a detail of a double stitch red scarf. My line is called Amanda Panda Productions.