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WWDB? Ben & Jerry's Late Night Snack

Ok one more WWDB post for today.

























This is one of my favorite Ben & Jerry's flavors. It isn't the best vanilla bean ice cream I've ever had. Personally, I could probably do without the vanilla bean ice cream. But that salted caramel swirl is to-die-for. I wish there was more of it throughout the ice cream! Or if the ice cream were entirely salted caramel flavor instead of vanilla bean, that would be THE best. Or at least this Dulce Delish ice cream base rather than vanilla bean.

I should get into the ice cream-making business.

Oh and my favorite part about this ice cream is the chocolate-covered potato chip clusters. Because I'm all about the sweet and salty mix. I love salted caramel for one, and the addition of these salty potato chip clusters really sets it over the top and satiates my salty-sweet craving. 

Now I just need to contact Ben & Jerry and either a.) plant the seed in their heads about making the whole ice cream a salted caramel flavor or their Dulce Delish flavor  OR  b.) convince them I need a job in the creative flavor-making committee.

Either way, eat this if you love ice cream and saltiness and caramel and potato chips. Because really, is there a good excuse to ever pass up those things? Didn't think so.


Peace, and bacon grease!

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WWDB? Berry Burst Ice Cream Oreos




















These are the best Oreos EVER

So much better than the regular Oreos. Even better than the double stuffed. 

That's saying alot. 

I made my Oreo Truffles using these and man were they scrum-diddly-umptious. Amped them up a bit with that extra berry burst flavor.

I don't think I'll ever go back to a regular Oreo again.

Oh, and I have seen them in stores for awhile now so I don't think it's a seasonal thing, and hopefully not a limited edition kinda thing. These must remain in my life for a long time to come.


Peace, and bacon grease!

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WWDB? Ben & Jerry's Dulce Delish Ice Cream

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaack. Man I never post anymore! It's that dang school that's holding me back, I tell ya! I've got to find a way to balance work, school, and this amazing hobby I love.

So here's a super quick post. 

If you love caramel like I do, go buy this.



















Caramel on caramel.

Nuff said.

Hope you all are doing great! I sure have missed you :)


Peace, and bacon grease!

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Learn, Forage, Taste

Did you know you can pick sage at a public park - for free? If you know where to find it and what it looks like, of course! But most of us think of foraging as a stone-age activity, except for the highly specialized art of wild mushroom foraging. I know of people who have foraged for nettles, but I never did nor knew how. Under the radar, the duo Urban Outdoor Skills and Transitional Gastronomy have taught small groups of people how and what to forage nearby and how to prepare not just edible, but gourmet dishes from the pickings.

The class meets at Hahamongna Park, just east of the 210 Freeway in La Cañada Flintridge. When you enter the park, keep driving until you see the restroom building. The class meets at a picnic bench next to that building. Pascal Baudar of Urban Outdoor Skills then takes the students around to forage while Mia Wasilevich of Transitional Gastronomy stays behind to prepare lunch.

Until our foraging class, I had never heard of chickweed. The edible chickweed looks similar to purge, which isn't. The difference is that chickweed has pointy leaves, lighter green color, and fine hair and buds that look like bells. Its flowers are white with what looks like 10 petals but actually 5 split unto 2. To make distinguishing them easier, if you snap the stem, purge will release sap.
chickweed
Chickweed is actually very nutritious and filled with vitamin c, calcium, and iron.

He showed us how to pick stinging nettles without getting pricked (thorn prick can cause skin irritation). They're edible after being blanched and can supposedly lower cholesterol. They make a nice sauce too, Rustic Canyon has a pasta dish with nettle pesto.

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Armchair Novel Review: Now You See Her by Joy Fielding

Now You See Her
 by Joy Fielding

Trade Paperback, 384 pages
Also available as an eBook and a hardcover 

Joy Fielding is a New York Times bestselling author and a master of suspense. In her newest book, Now You See Her, we meet a recently divorced middle-aged woman still grieving the drowning death of her daughter two years before.

Still reeling from being left so suddenly by her husband of over twenty-five years, Marcy impulsively decides to go on the vacation that they had been planning for their anniversary. By herself.

While in Cork County, Ireland, Marcy spots her daughter in a crowd. This triggers a fast-paced and pulse-racing journey through Ireland and through the layers of mystery surrounding her daughter's disappearance and presumed death.

Now You See Her deftly explores the inner layers of mystery in the human psyche while delivering a breathless joyride through the Irish countryside.

A great weekend read.

Visit www.joyfielding.com

or browse the book here:


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Italian Challah

This is an interesting challah, deemed Italian by virtue of its use of olive oil instead of butter or milk. It is leaner than other challahs but still has that lovely braided shape that we love so much. I tucked my ends under and baked it up in a loaf pan for sandwich making. You could also bake it as a braid on a sheetpan.

A simple but fun loaf that you could get the kids to help you with. ☺


January BOM: 
Italian Challah
recipe and notes from Anthony Cuttitta Jr., my changes in red.

INGREDIENTS
500g all-purpose, unbleached flour
215g warm water
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
15g white sugar
15g extra virgin olive oil
11g kosher salt
10g active dry yeast (instant, for easier blending)
1 large egg (for egg wash)
A 9"x5" bread pan (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS (alter this as need be for those old-school hand kneaders; I've done it, but I'm young enough to be lazy to ♥ my mixer more)

1. Scale out your flour, salt, yeast, olive oil, and sugar into the bowl.

2. Crack the eggs (separating the one) and add to bowl.

3. Scale out your water (separately in case you mess up), and then add it to the bowl.

4. Use the dough hook on your mixer and mix the dough on the lowest setting for 2-3 minutes until everything pulls together.

5. Depending on your mixer, put it up to the typical speed that you're comfortable mixing bread doughs at. Whatever that is, allow the dough hook to knead it for 15 minutes. (5 minutes was fine for me)

6. When done kneading, place it in a bowl and cover it with plastic wrap (sometimes I spray a bit of vegetable cooking spray on it just in case it proofs up and touches the plastic wrap). Allow it to proof until doubled.

7. Once doubled (dimple test it), remove the dough from the bowl for shaping.

8a. You could very easily just shape this as a regular pan loaf by rolling it out (whether with a rolling pin or just by hand) to about 1/2 inch in thickness. The width should be no wider than the bread pan you intend to use. Then, roll up the dough tightly and make sure it seals well at the end.

8b. If you want to do the traditional challah three-strand braid, here's a good video if you don't know how: http://www.ehow.com/video_2341031_baking-three_strand-challah-bread-loaf.html. Even half of her dough is larger than the dough my recipe makes, but you'll at least get an idea of how to braid it.

8c. This dough is AWESOME basis for cinnamon rolls...but that instruction will have to wait for another BOM. :)

9a. If you chose to use a pan, tuck the ends of the challah under if your braid was longer than your pan. Cover again with plastic wrap and allow to double again (should crest nicely above the rim of the pan).

9b. If you chose to have a free-form braid, just cover it with plastic wrap and allow it to double on the sheet pan.

10. While waiting, preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

11. Also, whisk the extra egg and add an two to three tablespoons of water to make an egg wash. I typically prefer a thin egg wash, but your mileage may vary. (I added about 1-2 tsp water only)

12. Once doubled, just before placing in the oven, brush on the egg wash. Be sure to get the sides and make sure it's got a nice even coat. (I baked mine in loaf pans, so only egg washed the top)

13. Toss a bit of water (or ice cubes) in the bottom of your oven, placing the loaf inside and bake for 20 minutes, turning half way through baking until it's a rich golden brown. (I don't use steam for enriched breads)

15. Depan it at the end of 20 minutes and see if the lower crust is browned enough. If it is not browned enough, put it back in on a sheet pan or pizza screen for another 5 minutes. (Mine took about 30-35 minutes in the pyrex loaf pans)

16. Allow to cool completely on a rack before slicing. Enjoy!

This bread has been YeastSpotted!

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Coco Cafe: Coconut Water and Coffee? Yes!

Two hyped-up beverages meet in this carton package: Coffee and Coconut water!
It's true, Coco Cafe is a combination of coconut water - believed to be a source of plenty electrolytes and subsequently good for hydration (and hangovers) - and cafe latte which, for its virtues and despite its vices most of us cannot live without. As their packaging says: "Hydrate. Caffeinate."

I first saw this at a gym in Venice and was intrigued but didn't make the jump. Then, coincidentally, they sent me a case to review. OK, on to the drink. As you can see, it looks pretty much like a Starbucks bottled frappuccino.
Does it taste weird, you ask? Actually, no! I found that it tastes predominantly like cafe latte (that's not too sweet). The taste of coconut water subtly comes out at the end. I liked the coconut water aftertaste, but if you're still worried about the combo, don't. It's just like a cafe latte, but it's better for you and it's made using fair trade coffee.

Coco Cafe is now available at the SoCal Whole Foods markets and Vicente Foods, among others (and apparently certain gyms). You can also buy it online.
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Puris!

I have a confession to make - when I was little I did not like Indian food. I'm not sure why, but I assume it has something to do with the mixing up of foods. I, like other young people, liked my foods separate.

So on the occasions that I found myself accompanying adults to an Indian restaurant - I ordered bread.
Indian breads are vast and diverse and always addictive.

These cute little puris are fried into little puffs that can be used to mop up delicious curries or even stuffed with tasty fillings. And they are quick and easy too. Which is perfect, because I just might eat most of the first batch before anyone else has a chance to try them. ☺


Puris
adapted from Simply Indian
Sweet and Spicy Recipes from India, Pakistan and East Africa
by Tahera Rawji and Hamida Suleman
for Cookbook Sundays #8

1 cup flour
¼ tsp salt
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1/3 cup water

2 cups vegetable oil for frying (med/high)

Mix together the flour, salt and 1 Tbsp vegetable oil and rub together with your fingers to make a breadcrumb-like mixture.
Add in the water and knead to make a soft dough.
Divide into 10 equal pieces
Roll out each piece to about 1½ inches in diameter
Fry in the medium hot vegetable oil until browned on both sides - they will puff up and brown quickly, so keep a close eye on them. 3-4 should fit in the pan at a time.
Drain on racks for a minute before serving.


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Canadian Living: The One-Dish Collection

Canadian Living: 
The One-Dish Collection
All-in-one Dinners that Nourish Body and Soul
Written by Canadian Living Test Kitchen

Trade Paperback, 288 pages

Sure it's cold outside, but the kitchen is nice and warm and these all-in-one dinners will thaw you out in no time.

The Canadian Living Test Kitchen has put together a book of their most delicious one-dish meals that range from easy weeknight fare to slow-cooked special weekend delights.

Each dish combines essential protein, starch and veggies all together in one delicious pot. Or pan. Or casserole. You get the idea.

Every recipe comes with full nutritional data and many have tips for freezing as well as recipe variation ideas. And with over 80 full page colour photos - you are bound to be inspired!

Contents include:
Soups
Stews
Salads
Casseroles & Bakes
Skillets, Simmers & Stir-Fries
Pasta & Risotto

Check out some of these delicious one dish meals below to warm up your weekend!

Chalet Supper Soup
By The Canadian Living Test Kitchen author of Canadian Living: The One Dish Collection

This simple chowder combines everyday cold-weather ingredients to make a satisfying supper. You can use about 8 cups torn Swiss chard leaves instead of the spinach if you like. Serve with crusty country-style bread.

3 carrots
3 leeks (white and light green parts only)
1 thick slice ham (6 oz/170 g)
2 lb small red-skinned potatoes, scrubbed
2 tbsp butter
1 onion, chopped
1 tsp salt
3 cups milk
1½ cups wide egg noodles
1 pkg (10 oz/284 g) fresh spinach
1 cup finely shredded Gruyère cheese or extra-old Cheddar cheese
½ tsp pepper
Cut carrots into 1½-inch (4 cm) lengths. Cut leeks lengthwise almost but not all the way to root end; spreading leaves, flush out grit under running water. Cut crosswise into 1½-inch (4 cm) lengths. Cut ham into ¾-inch (2 cm) chunks. Halve or quarter potatoes; set aside.

In large Dutch oven, melt butter over medium-high heat; sauté carrots, leeks, ham and onion until leeks and onion are softened, about 8 minutes.

Add potatoes, 4 cups water and salt; bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are just tender, about 20 minutes.

Add milk; bring to simmer. Stir in noodles and spinach; simmer, uncovered, until noodles are tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in cheese and pepper.

Makes 6 to 8 servings. per each of 8 servings: about 303 cal, 16 g pro, 11 g total fat (6 g sat. fat), 37 g carb, 5 g fibre, 48 mg chol, 736 mg sodium. % RDI: 31% calcium, 23% iron, 108% vit A, 32% vit C, 38% folate.

Excerpted from Canadian Living: The One Dish Collection by The Canadian Living Test Kitchen Copyright © 2012 by The Canadian Living Test Kitchen. Excerpted by permission of  Transcontinental. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.


Beef Stew With Blue Cheese Biscuits
By The Canadian Living Test Kitchen author of Canadian Living: The One Dish Collection

Cooking the shallots until they're caramelized creates the flavour base, and their subtle sweetness naturally balances with the sharp blue cheese. If you’re not a fan of blue, try the same amount of shredded extra-old Cheddar instead.

2 lb (900 g) stewing beef cubes, trimmed
½ tsp each salt and pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
1 bag (8 oz/225 g) shallots, peeled and quartered
3 cups cremini mushrooms, quartered
2 carrots, chopped
1 turnip, cubed
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
6 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
½ cup red wine or white wine
¾ cup sodium-reduced beef broth
1 can (28 oz/796 mL) whole tomatoes, drained and coarsely chopped

Cheese Biscuits:
2¼ cups all-purpose flour
4 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
1 cup crumbled blue cheese (about 4 oz/115 g)
1 cup buttermilk (approx)

Sprinkle beef with salt and pepper. In Dutch oven, heat 2 tsp of the oil over medium-high heat; brown beef, in batches. Transfer to bowl. Add remaining oil to pan; cook shallots over medium heat, stirring, until caramelized, 8 minutes. Stir in mushrooms, carrots, turnip, garlic, thyme and bay leaves; cook for 2 minutes. Sprinkle with flour; cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add wine, scraping up brown bits. Add broth and tomatoes. Return beef to pan; bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 1¼ hours.

Uncover and cook until thickened and beef is tender, about 20 minutes. Discard thyme and bay leaves. Scrape into 13- x 9-inch (3 L) baking dish.

Cheese Biscuits: Meanwhile, in bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Using pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in butter until crumbly; stir in blue cheese. Drizzle with 1 cup buttermilk, stirring, just until soft sticky dough forms. Turn out onto lightly floured surface; knead 6 times or just until smooth. Roll out into 10- x 8-inch (25 x 20 cm) rectangle; cut into 12 biscuits. Arrange over stew; brush biscuits with 1 tbsp more buttermilk. Bake in 375°F (190°C) oven until filling is bubbly and biscuits are golden and no longer doughy underneath, about 35 minutes.

Makes 8 to 10 servings. per each of 10 servings: about 487 cal, 27 g pro, 27 g total fat (13 g sat. fat), 35 g carb, 3 g fibre, 90 mg chol, 705 mg sodium, 730 mg potassium. % RDI: 20% calcium, 31% iron, 40% vit A, 18% vit C, 39% folate.

TO FREEZE: Refrigerate thickened stew for 30 minutes; freeze in airtight container for up to 2 months. Freeze unbaked biscuits on lined baking sheet; transfer to airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw stew; scrape into baking dish and arrange frozen biscuits over top. Bake as directed, increasing baking time to 45 to 50 minutes and covering with foil if browning too quickly.

Excerpted from Canadian Living: The One Dish Collection by The Canadian Living Test Kitchen Copyright © 2012 by The Canadian Living Test Kitchen. Excerpted by permission of  Transcontinental. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

Apricot Almond Couscous With Chicken
By The Canadian Living Test Kitchen author of Canadian Living: The One Dish Collection

Having a selection of ingredients on hand can bring flavours from around the world to your table. For example, this salad features a Moroccan-inspired, pantry-friendly combination of dried fruit, nuts, couscous and spices, plus chicken from the freezer

¼  cup vegetable oil
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
½ tsp turmeric
 ½ tsp salt
¼ tsp each cinnamon and pepper
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 ½  cups couscous
⅔ cup dried apricots, cut in strips
1 tsp grated orange zest
¼  cup orange juice
⅓ cup slivered almonds, toasted
¼  cup chopped fresh parsley
4 each wedges lemon and orange

In bowl, combine 2 tbsp of the oil, cumin, coriander, turmeric, half of the salt, the cinnamon and pepper; set aside 1 tbsp for couscous. Add chicken to remainder; toss to coat.

Grill chicken, covered, on greased grill over medium-high heat, turning once, until no longer pink inside, about 12 minutes. (Make ahead: Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.)

Meanwhile, in large bowl, combine couscous and apricots; add 1½ cups boiling water. Let stand for 5 minutes; fluff with fork.

Whisk together orange zest and juice, remaining oil and reserved spice mixture. Using fork, mix into couscous along with almonds, parsley and remaining salt. (Make-ahead: Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.)

Divide salad among plates. Cut chicken crosswise into thick slices; place on salad. Serve with lemon and orange wedges.

Makes 4 servings. per serving: about 669 cal, 44 g pro, 22 g total fat (2 g sat. fat), 73 g carb, 6 g fibre, 84 mg chol, 378 mg sodium. % RDI: 8% calcium, 29% iron, 18% vit A, 37% vit C, 27% folate.

Excerpted from Canadian Living: The One Dish Collection by The Canadian Living Test Kitchen Copyright © 2012 by The Canadian Living Test Kitchen. Excerpted by permission of  Transcontinental. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

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Cinnamon and Cardamom Rolls

I'm a big fan of tea. Not black tea or even the ever-popular green tea, but herbal teas which apparently are not even called tea but tisane. Hmm. I still call them tea. Peppermint, lemon zinger, raspberry zinger.. (okay, anything with the word zinger in it) that's what I like for my mid afternoon and after dinner sipping.

And a good tea deserves a good nibbly to go with it.

These cinnamon and cardamom rolls are perfect for tea time. They are Scandinavian in origin and are smaller and more biscuit-like than traditional North American cinnamon rolls.

The taste is subtle and delicious, and the diminutive size? Means you can eat more than one at a time. Like three, like me. ☺

Cinnamon and Cardamom Rolls
adapted from Tessa Kiros, Falling Cloudberries
for I♥CC, January Potluck

Dough
1 cup lukewarm milk (250 ml)
½ cup white sugar (125 ml)
2¼ tsp dry instant yeast
1 egg
¼ lb plus 1 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temp
2 tsp ground cardamom
4½-5 cups AP flour

Butter spread
2 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ cup sugar
6 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened

Top
1 egg, lightly beaten and 1 tsp water added
1-2 Tbsp turbinado sugar


  • Add all the dough ingredients, holding back a little of the flour, into the stand mixer. Mix for 3 minutes, until incorporated. Turn out onto lightly floured board and knead, adding in the remaining flour as needed to form a nice, soft yet firm dough. 
  • Place in a clean bowl and let rise about 2 hours or until doubled in size. 
  • Meanwhile - blend the butter spread ingredients together in a mini food processor or by hand. Set aside. 
  • Divide the risen dough into 4 parts. Roll one out to a 10"x12" rectangle and spread with ¼ of the butter mixture. Roll up from the wider side and cut on angles to make about 8 V-shaped little rolls. 
  • Place rolls on a silpat or parchment-lined half sheet pan. Repeat with the rest of the dough and cinnamon butter. 
  • Brush lightly with egg wash and sprinkle with turbinado sugar. 
  • Let rest ½ hour while you preheat the oven to 350°F
  • Bake for about 20 minutes or until nicely golden top and bottom. 
  • Let cool a bit and eat warm or room temperature. 
  • Store the remaining rolls in a cake dome or airtight container.
These rolls have been YeastSpotted!

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Tsujita LA: Artisan Noodles and Izakaya

This small, new restaurant on Sawtelle got a false start before finally making big waves in the LA food scene. While the sign clearly says "Tsujita LA: Artisan Noodles", they initially did not have noodles - they apparently were still working on perfecting that part. Now, they only serve their noodles (ramen and tsukemen) for lunch, and at dinner service it turns into an izakaya. Even so, almost immediately after, the twitterverse was filled with talks of the tsukemen.

At Tsujita, the tsukemen, which means "dipping noodles", is a bowl of slippery, chewy noodles and a bowl of thick, rich broth made by simmering bonito, sardines, pork bones, chicken bones, and vegetables for 12 hours. The fishy bonito flavors predominate and the richness can stick to your ribs - both of which make this tsukemen unforgettable.
Tsukemen
Pictured is the Ajitama Tsukemen which is served with a boiled egg and costs $10.95, or $13.95 with chashu.
IMG_6643

Originally the sign instructs you to eat 1/3 of the noodles with the broth, then mix in shichimi and eat another 1/3, and lastly to squeeze lime into it and mix it again (traditionally it is served with sudachi, but I guess you can't get that in LA). For some reason, they had taped off the 2nd instruction for the shichimi.

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Armchair Book Review: There Are Things I Want You To Know About Stieg Larsson and Me

"There Are Things I Want You to Know" About Stieg Larsson and Me
Written by Eva Gabrielsson
Contribution by Marie-Francoise Colombani

Translated by Linda Coverdale
Trade Paperback, 224 pages
also available as a hardcover and ebook

Millions of us were instant fans of the Millennium Trilogy, Stieg Larsson's three epic crime novels from Sweden; The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

Many of us also know that Stieg Larsson died soon after delivering his manuscripts to his publisher.

Most of us don't know much more about him than that.

"There Are Things I Want You to Know" About Stieg Larsson and Me is written by his long-term companion and (in North American parlance) common-law wife, Eva Gabrielsson.

Devastated by her partner's sudden death, and delivered a second blow from the Swedish government by not qualifying as legal wife and therefore left penniless by his estate, Eva did what she does best. She fought back.

In this book Eva shares her early life with Stieg, a couple of revolutionaries who wanted to change the world, or at least make it a better place for the oppressed and depressed. They gave all of their time and energy to fighting battles for the marginalized, all over the world. They spent over thirty years together, side by side and relatively poor, but happy. Money was never a big subject as they never had a lot and shared what they did have with those who needed it more. Certainly they never expected to have fortune come their way, and they never prepared for it. Eva faced homelessness when Stieg died, just when his books were at their peak of popularity.

Eva shares her struggles, but she also shares an intimate look into Stieg's early years. She writes about the sources and inspirations for the books, people and places that Stieg had known in his life. A fascinating look at the seeds of the Millennium Trilogy.

At times angry, sentimental, hopeful, and despairing, "There Are Things I Want You to Know" About Stieg Larsson and Me is a raw and intimate look into the life and death of the man behind the books and the woman he left behind.


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Pane Siciliano

Where would you like to go?
I'd like to go to Italy. Sure, I might get dumped in the ocean, but I am willing to take that chance.
I like the thought of a floating hotel room, satisfies the hermit in me as well as the wanderlust.
A little place to scurry back to when it all gets to be too much.
Plus -water. I like water. This surprises my family as I am afraid of most things. Heights, depths, crowds, reality television...
But I find the water soothing, and I like being on a boat.
It's been awhile though, and it is likely to continue being awhile.
So for now I will continue to travel in my kitchen. With the pups.
To Sicily! For bread. What else?

Pane Siciliano
adapted from The Italian Baker, Carol Field

Ingredients
2¼ tsp dry instant yeast
1¼ cups lukewarm water
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp barley malt syrup
2½ cups fine semolina or durum flour
1 cup AP flour
1 Tbsp fine sea salt

1 egg, beaten
Handful of sesame seeds

This shaping is called Occhi di Santa Lucia - Santa Lucia was the patron saint of vision.
Everyone into the pool!
Combine all the ingredients in your stand mixer, with the dough hook, and mix for 5 minutes on low.
Empty the bowl out onto a board and knead until you have a smooth ball.
Place the dough into a clean bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled - about 1½ hours.

A fine, dense bread - great for canapés and snacking
Divide dough into two equal pieces.
One piece at a time - roll out into a snake, just like kindergarten, about 20-22 inches long and 1½ inches thick.
Roll up into a tight S on one side and turn around and repeat with the other.
Let rise on a silpat or lined baking sheet that has been sprinkled with a little cornmeal.
Cover and let rise until doubled in size - 1-1½ hours.
Preheat oven with baking stone in it to 400°F
Brush loaves with egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
When ready to bake - gently transfer loaves to baking stone and bake for about 30 minutes, or until golden and baked through. Internal temperature should be over 200°F.
Let cool on racks.

This bread has been YeastSpotted!

Bread Baking Day #46 (last day of submission February 1st)BYOB Badge
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No More Roxolana for Me (yet again!)

***UPDATE: The owner of Roxolana emailed to apologize and said that my photo was set to be used on Yelp by mistake, and that he had uploaded it before the first incident. ***

Some of you may be familiar with the incident where Ukrainian restaurant, Roxolana, in Pasadena used my photo without permission or credit for their Groupon deal a while back. I asked Groupon to take the photo down, and emailed the owner which resulted in a ridiculous email exchange (documented below).

Well, I thought that was that. But NO! This morning a fellow blogger told me that she saw my photo used by Roxolana yet again, this time for their Yelp deal! Here's a screen capture of the deal page:

This was my photo on flickr, uploaded in July 2011
Chicken Kiev cross section

The photo on Yelp was apparently uploaded by an "Alex R." who has no review and 3 uploaded photos, all of which are of Roxolana. I mean, seriously, once was annoying enough, but to do it AGAIN??

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