Parmesan Shortbread With Fennel & Sea Salt

If you live in San Francisco or have ever visited, you know that Blue Bottle Coffee is sort of a San Franciscan institution. People may debate that Four Barrel, Ritual, Sight Glass or even Philz has better coffee (of which I have no opinion since I drink tea), but regardless of who is right I think most would agree that Blue Bottle is by far the most respectable and long lasting great cup of Joe in the city. 

But what many may not know, even if you do frequent Blue Bottle, is that they have some tasty baked goods behind the glass: Absinthe & Sesame Biscotti, Double-Chocolate Recchiuti Cookies, Homemade Granola and the cookie featured in this post: Parmesan Shortbread with Fennel & Sea Salt.

I will admit, I am sort of a sucker for recipes with interesting combinations of flavor, and this recipe is no exception. However, that affinity does not always do me right. Sometimes I try recipes where the creator is just trying to hard to make weird and trendy things taste good together and the final product ends up falling flat, but sometimes I strike flavor gold like I did with this shortbread cookie.

Most dessert recipes that are savory/sweet are mostly sweet with a little savory, however, the opposite is true with this cookie. The parmesan, fennel seed, black pepper and sea salt take the main flavor stage while the confectioners sugar plays a much lighter melody in the background that smooths out the others and makes the cookie very... how shall I say... very edible in the way you would call a good table wine very drinkable. In short it is a fantastic cookie you could serve alongside, after or between any meal. 

Let's just say like Blue Bottle in SF, this cookie will become institution in my kitchen.

Parmesan Shortbread With Fennel & Sea Salt

*adapted from Bon Appetit

*makes 18 cookies

Ingredients
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 teaspoons kosher salt
2 cups all-purpose flour plus more
1 cup finely micro-planed Parmesan (about 2 ounces) (micro-plane = zester)
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon Maldon sea salt or other coarse salt
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil


Directions
1. Using an electric mixer, beat butter in a medium bowl on low speed until smooth, 1–2 minutes. Add powdered sugar, pepper, and kosher salt. Reduce speed to medium and beat, occasionally scraping down sides of bowl, until light and fluffy, 4–5 minutes. Add flour and cheese. Reduce mixer speed to low and beat mixture just until dough comes together.


2. Wrap dough in plastic and flatten into a rectangle. Chill until firm, at least 2 hours. DO AHEAD: Dough can be made 5 days ahead. Keep chilled. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before continuing.


3. Place fennel seeds in a resealable plastic freezer bag. Coarsely crush with a rolling pin or the bottom of a skillet. Alternatively, pulse in a spice mill until coarsely crushed. Transfer to a small bowl; stir in sea salt. Set fennel salt aside.


4. Arrange a rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Remove plastic wrap from dough. Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to a 10x8-inch rectangle about 1/4-inch thick. Cut in thirds crosswise, then cut each third crosswise into 6 rectangles. Arrange cookies on prepared baking sheet, spacing 1 inch apart. Brush cookies generously with oil, then sprinkle with fennel salt.


5. Bake, rotating sheet halfway through, until cookies are golden brown (flecks of cheese will be slightly darker), 20–24 minutes. Let cool on sheets for at least 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room tem-perature. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.

I Can't Wait For Ice Cream Bar

Three words: Ice Cream Bar. Two More Words: Can't Wait.

Check out more on the new Cole Valley throwback to the soda jerk here.

The Best Croissants In Town: Fillmore Bakeshop

Fillmore Bakeshop. Have you heard of it? Maybe, maybe not. Chances are probably not though, huh? Well now that you have heard the name, never forget it, because they have the best croissants in town. Yes, even better than Tartine's.

It's an unassuming little bakery on Fillmore St. in Pac Heights filled with very assuming delicious treats inside. 

It's the kind of bakery that feels neighborhoody and quirky when you walk in. One where you feel like you might be remembered by name if you stopped by weekly for a pain au chocolat or slice of princess cake. One that hangs kitschy Halloween decorations like this without worrying about damaging its uber-hip image because frankly, it doesn't need one with the pastries it turns out.

It's run by a father daughter duo, read more about their story here, who serve up everything from french macarons...

to danishes, morning buns, beautiful cakes and of course, the subject of my post, croissants.

The flakiest and tastiest croissants the city has to offer.They are light yet rich, and buttery without being greasy. Simply put, the perfect croissant. 

 While every type or croissant they offer is divine, my favorites are the almond and the ham and cheese. Today, Josh and I were feeling savory, so we went with the ham and cheese.

It was the perfect start to a great Sunday. Which you can read more about here.

So get your butt down to Fillmore Bakeshop so it can grow a little bigger:) It's worth it.

Game Changer Indeed

Picture this, an Ice Cream Parlor by the masterminds who created Humphry Slocombe that serves not only the best ice cream in the city, but coffee, beer, wine and baked goods, plus a delicatessen from the people who brought us Flour + Water AND a bar called Trick Dog with the guys who created the cocktail menu at Tyler Florence's Wayfare Tavern, all inclosed in an all-season, all-weather courtyard. This is what I (and Eater SF) like to call a Foodie Game Changer. It's called the Central Kitchen Project and it's due to make its debut early 2012. Read more here.

Anything But Common

via thesunbreak

This Tuesday Josh and I went to Commonwealth for our anniversary dinner. Needless to say, I saw it as our anniversary dessert with a coincidental dinner. You'll understand why after I explain the dessert.


But first I will say the dinner was an absolute delight, especially since our usual date night consists of tripe tacos and a quesadilla (hey, I'm not complaining). It's just that I'd take sea urchin with ginger, kimchee mousse, tapioca and cauliflower on top of wild greens and seaweed brioche over El Farolito any day.


Ok, but you guys.... the dessert. I'll give you the name, but then I'll break down each wonderful component separately. We ordered the peanut butter semifreddo with chocolate ganache, frozen popcorn and caramel. Yum!!! Right??


Ok so the main semifreddo bar tasted like a million dollar kit-kat. The base was like the crunch part of a kit-kat, but chocolate flavored and way better than what you get for 99 cents. On top of it was this semi-frozen fluffy yet rich peanut-butter mousse. Fantabulous! But wait, it was all covered in a high quality chocolate shell.


I'm not even done yet! It was all sitting on top of a toasty flavored carmel sauce and scattered around the plate was frozen popcorn. Yeah, I said frozen popcorn. I am still not quite sure what it is exactly, but I can tell you it is not popcorn. It was like these nitrous frozen clouds with the subtle flavor of buttered popcorn that added such a wonderful dimension to the semifreddo and caramel. With all three elements in my mouth I wanted to cry.


Another thing that marks it as a great dessert is that after Josh and I finished it, we felt like we had indulged in something so decadent but didn't feel sick, like after you eat a mile-high cake at Outback. And what a good feeling that is. Happy Anniversary to me!

Pinkie's: Peanut Butter Sando

Next time you are in SOMA, do me a favor and stop by Pinkie's. Today I had the most amazing peanut butter sandwich cookie there, endearingly referred to as the "Peanut Butter Sando." The cookie is so soft and delectable and the cream cheese peanut butter filling is divine. Together they are cosmically good.

Oh, and if you are looking for breakfast/lunch/ dinner and dessert, start at Citizen's Band right next door. They share the same owner and, I would venture to say, the same excellences in culinary execution. 

Mr. & Mrs. Spontaneous At Mr. & Mrs. Miscellaneous

If you know Josh and I at all you know that every Thursday we have our date night, and that every Thursday we go to El Farolito and Humphry Slocombe and get pretty much the exact same thing. You may think that is horribly boring, but I actually kind of like it because I just adore tradition. 


But sometimes a girl needs a change, and sometimes she needs some spontaneous change, which is just what I got this past Sunday.

7am: Wake up in the morning, it's not raining like it said it was going to. Josh isn't up yet, and Bay to Breakers is today, which is going to make getting to church pretty difficult. 


8:30am: What! Josh wants to go to the flea market?!


9:30am: Arrive at the Alemaney Flea Market to do some treasure hunting for our bathroom decor. Didn't go to church, but just this once ;) Plus, we can catch Dave on podcast.


11:00am: Hunting through junk and gold has encouraged quite an appetite. Wait, didn't I hear about some amazing pizza place near here in the Dog Patch? Yes, it's called Piccino; let's go.

      Photo by: Khianni

11:30am: Eat amazing pizza and meatballs in a bright and sun drowned room. Mmmmm! Def. coming back!


12:00pm: Hold on, Mr. & Mrs. Miscellaneous is in the Dog Patch. I've been meaning to try that place out, let's check gps on my phone. Crap! It's a block away! Let's go Josh! What? He said yes? 


12:15pm: Eating some delicioso Bananas Foster Ice Cream with a Peanut Brittle and Brown Sugar Cookie with my Josh. A perfect end to a date that never really had a defined beginning or any intention of happening. You might as well call us Mr. & Mrs. Spontaneous. 

Moral of the story: Switch stuff up, tradition is good but not everything, oh... and also go to Piccino and Mr. & Mrs. Miscellaneous, both are a fabulous change in routine.

Pancakes, Cheetahs and Eggs, Oh My!

I knew that title would catch your attention and I bet you didn't know those are a few of my favorite things. In fact, if I could wrap them up in brown paper packaging and tie them up with string, I totally would. But you try and wrap a cheetah and let me know how it goes.


Anyways, there is a method to my madness and it is such.... I have had two amazing pancakes since I've last posted, I have visited the Academy of Sciences and also have made lovely baked eggs for breakfast.


Let's start with the pancakes. So my parents came to visit my husband and I a couple weekends back, besides being a total blast it was also a great opportunity to try out Mission Beach Cafe for brunch, a spot that usually deters me by the size of its wait list, however when you are making a day of it with your parents the wait seems totally worth it.


Good news, this time was there was no line! On a Saturday, at like 10AM! The better news was how amazing the pancakes were. So light, yet substantial with delicious bourbon syrup and vanilla creme on top. Mmmmm, to die for! I highly recommend getting them. There are pancakes and then there are PANCAKES, these were PANCAKES. You know what I mean ;)

On to cheetahs. I love them. They are fast, strategic, vicious and beautiful (kind of like someone I know:)and no animal can beat them in an awesome contest. However, the one I saw at the Academy of Sciences was not fast because it was dead and stuffed. Still beautiful though, as was the rest of the Academy. My family and I had a great time messing around there for an hour or so and even got to eat Space Ice Cream! I had been craving that stuff ever since I had it in Washington D.C. in one of the museums on my fifth grade field trip. It was glorious. 


Back to pancakes again. You thought eggs would be next didn't you. Well maybe you should work on being less presumptuous. 


Like I said, back to pancakes. So I made some really amazing oatmeal currant orange pancakes the other weekend. You should try them. Basically you just add some orange zest, cinnamon and currants to your favorite oatmeal pancake recipe, and whallah! instant yumminess.

Now for some protein. Like I mentioned earlier, I love eggs. 

Especially runny yolk eggs. In fact, to loosely quote Portlandia, this is my motto for eating, "Put-an-*egg-on-it!" This egg in particuar is a good egg, unlike Veruca Salt, and fairly simple to make. In fact, the recipe is right here. The only things I changed were to sprinkle some thyme on top and reduce the cooking time to 18 or so minutes to maintain a runny yolk.

So there you go. A method to my madness but still a random post nonetheless. If you remember anything from it, remember this... do not try to wrap a cheetah.

Carless=Fraiche Yogurt

So Josh and I have been stuck without a car in the city for about 5 days. It's funny how much you miss your car when you're without it for a couple days. Don't get me wrong, I love the bus, it just makes everything a little harder and it takes a lot longer, like... getting to work, getting home from work, hanging out with people, grocery shopping, and yes... even going on dates. With a car I could totally do these things on my time with ease and comfortability, with the bus I am forced to abide by someone else's schedule and stand cramped between strangers armpits while carry groceries hand in hand.

But I guess I am kinda glad for it, it forces me to be less self focused, which I believe everyone needs a little more of. However, there was one major buzz kill in my week no amount of selflessness could fix, Josh and I couldn't go on our weekly date to Humphry Slocombe Ice Cream. I had to forfeit my Fudgesicle Sorbet with Marshmallow Fluff on top and I wasn't happy.

Notice how it's empty, b/c I didn't have any this week :(

My wonderful husband, knowing this, decided to adapt or date to ease the pain. So we ended up taking the bus into Pac Heights, a much straighter shot than taking it to the Mission, to check out Fraiche Yogurt.

Fraiche is a "homemade, organic fresh yogurt and frozen yogurt cafe." Both the fresh and frozen yogurts are made from local Clover organic milk and all the topping are super fancy local tucked into bed at night type goodies. So San Francisco right!

Honestly, I wanted to hate this place for 3 reasons...

1. It wasn't Humphry

2. I try to shy away from places that pride themselves on being organic and all that crap. Not that I am against organic, it's just I don't care with dessert; I just want it to taste good.

3. I paid $6 for a junior yogurt with 3 toppings.

However, I would be lying if I said it wasn't truly refreshing and amazing. You really could taste the difference in the yogurt from a Golden Spoon or Yogurtland type yogurterie (just coined that word, boom). The quality was so silky smooth yet hardy; in fact, it tasted flat out wholesome. I got the chocolate and plain frozen yogurt and both were off the charts flavorful, as far as yogurt goes.

In addition, they house make there Mochi, and it is great! 

Of course, I got some on top of my yogurt along with some fresh raspberry preserves and some freshly shaved Callebaut chocolate, which is why mine was so pricey and why Josh didn't get any. But it was a phenomenal combo and dessert all-together.

Not to mention they have fresh yogurt available; yeah, like the stuff you buy at the store except way better. And they have amazing yogurt breakfast items that include steel cut oatmeal, homemade granola, maple syrup, etc. What a fun breakfast date with ,like, a girlfriend. Totally!

So all in all, would I recommend Fraiche Yogurt, yes. However, I would recommend it once every 2 months so you don't break the bank. And who knows, even when we get our car back I may stop by every now and again.

Trouble Coffee Company

I drink 1 latte a week, and that's simply becouse my body can not handle coffee. Don't get me wrong, I do love it! But alas, it doesn't love me :( But I figured, I can set aside one day a week to deal with consequences of drinking a luscious latte. Especially when that latte comes from Trouble Coffee Company. 

Located in the Outer Sunset, it has more of a Mission feel then anything. Not in the annoyingly uber-cool way, but in the way that one appreciates their attention to interior detail, theme and most of all good coffee and espresso! Granted, it is small, so don't show up with your laptop or large group of friends, but that is just part of it's charm.

Their lattes are fantastic! Great espresso, great soy milk, and an excellent head on the top. In fact, this may have become one of my favorite lattes in the city. I don't think it surpasses Four Barrel, but it is pretty darn close and also pretty darn close to my apartment. Plus, the rumor of the out-of-this-world cinnamon toast have me dying to go back. So keep posted with the Sass for more on this wonderful coffee shop.

Brown Sugar Fennel

Josh and I went on our weekly Humphry Slocombe date and were pleasantly surprised by this new flavor...Brown Sugar Fennel. It has the warmth and full sweetness of brown sugar with a slightly bitter off-setting element of fennel that works so well. Be on the look out! Also, since it is Beer Week here in SF, they have 4 flavors on tap that include some very good beers! And no, I don't mean Bud Light. 

Chinese Cocktail Buns

*not my photo b/c they came upon me unexpectedly 

Have you ever had a chinese cocktail bun? Well I have! In fact, I had my first one Super Bowl Sunday thanks to my friend Eva who opened up a whole new world to me of coconutty, buttery goodness. That's right, the name may suggest they are to be served alongside beef broccoli as bland regular dinner bun, but the name is deceiving and so is their appearance! Inside these humble little buns is a rich paste of butter and shredded coconut. That might not sound amazing, but it is! and so addicting! Trust me, I don't even like coconut and I find myself dreaming about these. So if you pass a chinese bakery or dim sum restaurant, go see if they sell cocktail buns.... and then buy 5!

My New Go To: Tal-y-Tara Tea and Polo Shop

So Josh and I just moved to San Francisco into a cute little studio in the Outer Richmond. I feel so blessed to live here. It's a short walk to Golden Gate Park and a short walk to beautiful Lands End Trail that leads you along the cliffs bordering the ocean with spectacular views of Golden Gate Bridge. Right? So blessed!


The only down side is the area is severely lacking in cute little coffee shops and cafes to read, get work done, etc. But today I found a little gem called Tal-y-Tara Tea and Polo Shop. 


If you don't already know, I am a tea drinker not a coffee addict. So this place is just perfect. It's walking distance from my house in a pretty un-busy part of the Richmond, which makes parking less of a headache. It so quaint, and eclectic without be uber-hip to the point where I feel uncool just walking in, plus they have a peaceful garden seating area out back. They have a great selection of tea, award winning scones, and if you want to go all out, little tea sandwiches and other english goodies.

Have I mentioned the price point and value gets an A+? Well it does! I got a huge pot of loose leaf tea, like large tea kettle size, for 5 dollars! And they come around and freshen up your hot water as often as you like! You could spend hours there. Compare this to Intelligentsia where you get maybe two little glass cups out of your miniature tea pot, and when I say little I mean like a 1/2 cup size. Their scones were a little pricer, probably wouldn't get one every time, but they were great! I had the almond one and it was made and served like a scone should be made and served; not too sweet alongside some devonshire cream and jam. 

Not to mention, they have coffee as well and you can get anything you want to go. And if you happen to be a polo player you can get your tea on and pick up a new pair of riding pants!


So, needless to say, this is my new go to. Can't wait to discover some more gems :)

Shanghai Dumpling King Sugar Puffs

These caught my eye as they made their way out of the kitchen at Shanghai Dumpling King. I called the waitress over to ask what they were and she just plopped them on our table. I didn't argue, would you?


They taste like a mix between a churro and funnel cake but way more airy. Simply put, can you go wrong with sweet fried airy dough?

Just Free Desserts

I've been known to dabble in Top Chef. In fact, once upon a time, I watched an entire season. However, it could never quite capture my interest enough to earn my committed attention. Why? Let me shed some light...


1. I don't like TV very much.
2. In order for me to sacrifice precious time, in which I could actually be DOING things, a show has to be extremely appealing and of outstanding quality.
3. I love food, but I don't love it sooo much.
4. Therefore, a show about food is great, but not great enough for me to watch it all the time.


But, alas! The herald has rung his bell and announced that there will be a Top Chef: Just Desserts. 

This solves all my problems! Well maybe not all of them, but it has solved the problem of my inability to watch Top Chef and the Gail Simmons withdraws that resulted from it (she's hosting!) Thank you Bravo!

Isn't she great?!

The judges will be Johnny Luzzini, named Pastry Chef of the Year by the James Beard Foundation in 2006, among many other accolades. 

Hubert Keller, a French cook renowned for his vegetarian menus and light cooking. (What the heck Bravo! He better not be a major buzz kill) 

And Dannielle Kyrillos, editor-at-large for DailyCandy, which by the way is not a candy magazine but an online mailer that informs it readers about what's what in their cities. Let's just hope dessert criticism is a universal art.

Regardless of the confusing cast of judges, I still think the show has potential. After all it is the sister of an Emmy winning show and, did I mention, Gail Simmons is hosting it! 

Isn't she great?!

Plus, in honor of the shows debut on Sept. 15, a myriad of restaurants in the Bay Area will be serving free dessert with the purchase of two entrees! If this doesn't leave a sweet taste in your mouth, I don't know what will. Check out the list of participating restaurant here and tune into Bravo September 15th at 8pm West Coast time and let me know what you think.

Count Mi (ette) In!

San Francisco's most charming pastry shop, Miette, is now offering decorating, baking and children's baking classes!

Can you imagine learning how to make your own beautiful Princess Cake. 

Or a cookie that looked half as good as this one?

Click here to check it out for yourself.

Hittin' the Bar Early

If I wasn't talking about the Coffee Bar in San Francisco then I would hope you would all be worried about me. But since I am, sit back and enjoy my little review.

Josh and I were fortunate enough to head up to San Francisco a couple weeks ago for a quick one day trip. When I say fortunate I mean that we were blessed to be in the city we love, to meet with friends we love and to have good coffee and great pastries, which I love. In no way do I include the insane 8 hours of driving we did in a two day period, which was actually quite unfortunate. 

Before we completed the latter half of our 8 hour driving excursion, we met up with our friends Chris and Christine at the Coffee Bar, a new coffee shop/cafe in the outer Mission. We met for breakfast, but the also serve lunch and on Thursday and Friday night's dinner thanks to Radio Africa & Kitchen.

Pirate Cat Radio

No that is not a clever title I made up for my new post (although I am quite good at them if I do say so myself), it is actually the name the place my friend Cheryl and I visited in San Francisco. I will explain more later why the name is so befitting of the institution and why us visiting it together is nothing out of the norm.

Cheryl is one of my best friends in the world, and probably the most absurd friend I have as well, which I appreciate because it allows me to be my absurd self around her. To give you an idea of what she is like, I will share this picture with you.

Here she is holding what seems to be a large grasshopper of some sort with a look that says, "Continue wise grasshopper, I hear all you say."

Anyways, Cheryl and I usually do stuff like pulling one another behind a bike on rollerblades or trying to attempt a 3 person shoulder sit or even watching movies in the graveyard. Most things also involve our friend Maddy, who due to distance was not able to make it.

You get the point. So when Cheryl invited me to a place called Pirate Cat Radio , it totally clicked once we arrived.