Pistachio and dried cherry biscotti

Posted on 11th November 2011
in Bread & Sweets
by blackdogfoodblog

Sometimes, I go on a what I call ‘biscotti phase’. I obsessively make 3~4 batches of different kinds a week and give away….I love biscotties – I feel more like a grown up…haha! Something about dipping in coffee, mocha,dessert wine, milk(especially nutella biscotti which I will post soon – it’s my version of oreo and milk ) This one has pistachio, dried cherry, oat, lemon/orange zest…it’s super flavorful and delicious. Biscotti translate as ’twice baked’. It’s baked first as a log then you cut them into slices and goes back in the oven again till dried out and become crispy. Making [...]

Bee pollen honey panna cotta

Posted on 6th November 2011
in Bread & Sweets
by blackdogfoodblog

Panna cotta means ‘cooked cream’…not that I speak Italian…:) But I always liked the meaning of it because it’s, yes, that easy! You just cook cream, add a little gelatin and let it chill. That’s it! Once you realize how easy it is to make, you can make all kinds of variety of it. You can add buttermilk, lemon, green tea, your favorite Oolong tea, coffee, hazelnut, mint, sage, saffron, midori sour, kahlua, baileys….you name it. I came up with this recipe for my culinary school graduation menu and ever since that, it became one of my dessert cravings. (I [...]

‘Mean’ fish taco

Posted on 28th October 2011
in Main course
by blackdogfoodblog

Did I say I make ‘mean’ tacos? I mean MEEEAAAANNNN. I do love Lilly’s taco here in Santa Barbara but man.. mine is off the chart good. heehee …no really. I moved from San Diego so of course I like my tacos beer battered. Blue moon though. Blue moon! (Just kidding. It just happened to be my favorite beer.) And then there are my two secret sauces-white sauce and pasilla chile sauce…Not so secret anymore now~ Crack open your beer and turn on some reggae. Have a ‘mean’ taco night. And tell me this wasn’t the best fish taco you ever [...]

Roasted chicken with Farro and herb sauce

Posted on 20th October 2011
in Main course
by blackdogfoodblog

I am not a huge fan of chicken (except for fried chicken) but my husband loves chicken. He thinks chicken meat goes straight to his muscle-best muscle gain protein…. So I’ve got a few good chicken recipes up my sleeve. And this is by far my favorite chicken dish. Toasted farro give the whole dish nutty and robust flavor. I did spin and went to ’fit buddha‘ (my new favorite fitness class-spx fitness) today so I guess I will eat some chicken tonight. Please, chicken, go to my muscle. Ingredients Chicken (halves)-please buy a happy chicken. For marinade: 1 Tablespoon chives, [...]

Grilled Cheese 2.0

Posted on 19th October 2011
in Main course, Misc
by blackdogfoodblog

My friend, Emily and I used to go to this local restaurant where our friend is a chef, and have a glass of wine and this grilled cheese. Blue cheese, white truffle oil and honey! Ever since I had my first bite, it became my favorite grilled cheese ever. Can you smell this now? Mmmmm… it’s time to upgrade your grill cheese! Ingredients 2 slices of your favorite bread (french rustic, thick wholewheat…I don’t recommend sour dough…it competes with other yummy flavors…:)) Blue cheese 1 Tablespoon Honey 1/4 teaspoon White truffle oil (Don’t buy an imitation one. Buy real [...]

Chicken Pozole

Posted on 15th October 2011
in Main course, Soup
by blackdogfoodblog

My husband and I went to Puerto Vallarta in beginning of this year. It was a totally random & spontaneous trip and I did not expect a lot. But it turned out to be the best vacation I’ve ever had. So many good food (I fell in love with mexican food there) and met some great people along the way. It was not the most adventurous trip but it was simply pampering & luxurious…I felt like I was a queen for a few days. We stayed at Villa La Estancia—One word: amazing! Oh did I say we did ‘all inclusive’ [...]

Sweet & Salty Kale Chips

Posted on 13th October 2011
in Misc, Vegetarian
by blackdogfoodblog

Ok, his is the best kale chips ever. Trust me. Even my anti-kale husband loved it. Give me a bowl of this, couch, Keeping up with Kardashian and buggie on my lap, my ‘woman cave’ night is completed! Here is how I make it. Ingredients 1 bunch of kale (I prefer curly kind for this) 1 Tablespoon Olive oil 1 teaspoon Salt 2 Tablespoon Sugar 1 teaspoon Paprika Preparation 1. Rinse and thoroughly dry kale, remove thick stems. It will shrink as they bake so I usually cut them just in half. 2. Place kale in a bowl, drizzle olive oil over [...]