2013 Eat Real Fest

There are so many events in the Bay Area on the weekends that it can be really overwhelming to decide what to do. It is definitely a good problem to have, but a dilemma nonetheless because no one can be everywhere at once (Even though most of the time I really really want to be).

When I stumbled on the website for Oakland's annual Eat Real Festival I pretty much knew without a sprinkle of doubt how I was going spending my day off. It didn't take long to get my man on board with the plan to eat food all day, and the next morning we gassed up the car, ate the smallest of small breakfasts, and drove down the road to ye old oak town.

Neither of us had really spent much time in Oakland, with the exception of a couple of shows at the Fox Theater and several A's games, so we weren't really sure what to expect. We were definitely surprised by Jack London Square and had the best time walking around trying all the different things people were offering at the event.

Eat Real Fest showcased so many talented artisans from the Bay Area and it was such a blast getting to try a bite from several places I had been wanting to try all in one go.

Chicken and waffles from Soul Groove, something I'd never really thought to try before but Jon insisted I take a bite, and it sure was delicious!

Carne empanada with the most perfect pastry and filling from Porteno SF.

Onigiri Nasu (eggplant rice ball) from Onigilly, which was HANDSDOWN my favorite thing of the day with all its delicious umami flavors.

Enjoying a peachy-minty-bourbony cocktail in an ultra hip - resusable - keepsake - mason jar.

A very large and impressive paella from Ñora Spanish Catering that we weren't sure we would like because we are very spoiled with Spanish Cuisine because Jon's mom is originally from there.

See all that black stuff? That's the crispy rice from the bottom of the pan, and it's the best part. The paella was actually really delicious and had big chunks of braised lamb shank, crispy pancetta, peas, garbanzo beans and all around yumness!

I hope you all took home some good memories over the weekend and indulged just a little, because I know I did!

Cheers! 

Siobhain

All the stuff I want right now.

The season is changing and I just noticed today that my wardrobe is seriously lacking cooler weather appropriate pieces. I can blame my lack of fall/winter preparedness on two things: 1. I live in California, where it's *almost* always 70 degrees year round, and 2. I'm a tank top addict. I buy sleeveless things without a second thought and when this time of year rolls around I'm always ripping apart my dresser to find a something with sleeves I can comfortably wear for more than 50% of the day.

Here is a list of things I would really like to incorporate into my wardrobe if I had a million dollars to spend on a new wardrobe. Or, I guess I don't really need a million dollars, but wouldn't it be nice?

1. This totally adorable ASOS PETITE Exclusive Stripe Maxi Dress ($50.63)
2. This rocker-esque Wilfred Free Mueller T-shirt ($50)
3. These little Mixx Shuz tan ankle booties, because duh! ($55)
4. A leopard print scarf to add a little pop to my normally monochromatic wardrobe. ($68)
5. Flannel. It's pretend we're all lumberjacks season. ($55)
6. Black leather gloves. Are gloves cool? I think they're neat, it's not ever really cold enough to wear gloves in the Bay Area, but they're still pretty awesome right? Right? ($33)
7. A new fragrance to add to my little collection. (Bergamont & Cucumber, $60)
8. Wilfred Free Daria faux leather leggings. Edgy with a dash of comfort. ($135)

What items are your fall wishlist?

Siobhain

Faux Benedict with Summer Squash

I love eggs. I love them when they're runny and poached and oh-so-delicate. I love them with toast. I love them for breakfast. I love them for lunch. I even love them for dinner.

I make so many egg things, I would call myself an egg-spert (har har). Poached eggs, are without question my favorite way to have eggs. It's so simple, but it's so complex. I remember I wasn't able to poach eggs until I was like 22 or something. Which means I've only been able to have them poached at home for two years.

I finally picked up a copy of Jacques Pepin's "Complete Techniques," and learned step by step the best way to poach an egg. It's harder than it looks you guys. It's not easy for anyone without egg-sperience (too much?) and if you put the egg in too soon, or too late it gets messy. Instead of perfect little ghosts floating in water you get weird white chunky clouds and broken yolks. It's not pretty. I've even tried to follow recipes online with great failure... I don't know why but Pepin's book explains things much more clearly for me. (And genuinely if you have questions about any recipe he'll show you the way to make almost anything! This book has your answers!)

This is an easy breakfast I like to make for myself in the summer (or I guess technically the fall too since it's September now) in lieu of a heart stopping eggs benedict. I rely on the creamy yolk to create a "sauce" for the onions and zucchini which is caught by the crispy english muffin. I can't get enough.

The stuff:
(Serves 1) 

1/4 cup distilled white vinegar

2 eggs 

1/2 tbsp olive oil

1 small zucchini sliced thinly (use either a mandolin or a peeler-- whatever you have on hand)
1/2 small onion sliced
1 english muffin

How:
First, in a medium saucepan on medium heat add olive oil until shimmering. Then add the onions and cook until lightly browned but not carmelized and add shaved zucchini and cook until lightly browned. (Add a pinch of salt to taste)

Toast english muffin to desired setting.

While you are waiting for the onions to brown, fill a medium pot with water about 3/4 of the way. Over medium-high heat bring to a boil. Once water is boiling reduce to a simmer and crack eggs on a flat surface and open with both hands into simmering water as closely as possible (without touching your fingers to the water, obviously). Do this again with the second egg as quickly as possible to keep the cooking times relatively close together.

While the eggs finish cooking, butter your english muffin and cover each piece with onion and zucchini mixture.

Remove the eggs from the water one at a time with a slotted spoon, and place each one on top of each slice of muffin. Add salt and pepper to finish, and enjoy.

How do you prefer your eggs in the morning? 

Siobhain 

End of Summer Scones

Oh, scones. You are the food of my childhood tea party dreams. These are best right out of the oven, with a dollop of clotted cream, or a quick smear of softened butter alongside your favorite black tea.

Scones are ridiculously easy to make, and you can substitute this or that when you've run out of something (milk for cream, butter for shortening). I'd never tried layering my scones like this, which I thought was a pretty neat experiment, and they look so darn pretty this way. I had this lonely peach left over a few days after the famers market which was on its way to peach heaven and decided to slice it up and utilize it before it was inedible when I stumbled onto this recipe from joy the baker (everything on her site is just ahhmazing).

I don't know if I would layer the peaches again next time, but I certainly enjoyed the experiment, and they came out tasting oh-so-yummy with my cup of english breakfast when I made them that morning.

No - Nut Maple Granola

No one in my family has it worse than my baby brother Aidan. He is 10 years younger than me, and a twin to my sister Aoife. Unfortunately he suffers from more allergies than any other person I have ever met. Pets, Seasons, Food, you name it, he's allergic to it.

Which is why I decided to make this granola. The poor kid loves the idea of having granola for breakfast, but has to avoid every major brand because they almost always seem include nuts in the ingredient list. Granola is not hard to make, but finding a recipe you like can be a little more difficult.
The great thing about this recipe though is that you can add/omit whatever you like -- which is good if you aren't allergic to nuts.

the stuff: 

3 cups oats
1/3 cup unroasted pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds)
1/3 cup unroasted sunflower seeds
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. honey (or sugar if you really want)

directions: 

1. Preheat your oven to 300 degrees
2. Mix together all  dry ingredients, and in a separate bowl mix together the wet ingredients.
3. Combine wet and dry ingredients until fully mixed.
4. On a baking sheet use parchment (or a silpat if you have one) and spread the mixture evenly across the sheet.
5. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes or until lightly golden.
6. Once cooled the granola will be crispy, mix in 1/3 cup raisins or dried cranberries (if you'd like) and store in an air tight container (like a mason jar).
7. Serve with milk, yogurt, etc., and enjoy.

*recipe adapted from a house in the hills -- all pictures are my own* 

Who do you know that is allergy sensitive, and what do you make for them? 

Garlic Green Beans

There is almost no side dish I love more than garlic and green beans. It's sort of a classic side dish, and when I started dating my Spanish boyfriend it was on the table at least once a week.

The method for making these is super simple and you can genuinely adapt the recipe for probably any vegetable.

stuff: 
1 lb of green beans (or a prepackaged bag)
3 cloves of garlic
1 tbsp olive oil


directions: 

1. Peel the garlic and thinly all 3 slice cloves.

2. Add a small amount of cold water to a pot (just enough to cover the bottom), add green beans, cover and set to medium-low heat and steam for 10-15 minutes or until beans are just slightly soft.

3. Remove beans from pot and set aside.

4. In a nonstick skillet heat the olive oil until shimmering and add garlic, cooking until lightly browned but not burned, once the garlic is just barely browned toss in the green beans you set aside earlier and sauteé with the garlic and olive oil until the beans are slightly blistered.

5. Remove beans and garlic from a skillet, sprinkle lightly with salt and serve.

A Quick Trip & Labor Day Weekend

Sorry for the week long hiatus!

I just got back from a well deserved vacation to Las Vegas. Originally I had intended to take like a million outfit posts and attempt to dress really stylishly, but once I got to Sin City my original motivation disappeared and the idea of lugging around my DSLR in the high 90°s lost its appeal immediately.

Instead of capturing every moment to share with everyone I decided to sit back and kind of enjoy my vacation a little less connected.

The boyfriend and I lost more money that we would've liked gambling, but got to try some amazing new (to us) restaurants including Gordon Ramsay's Pub & Grill, The Wicked Spoon at the Cosmopolitan, Babystacks Cafe, and this awesome locals spot for burgers Bachi's.

Now that we're home it's back to more (ish) home cooked meals and a month of frugality to recover from the money we spent on vacation.

I hope everyone had an awesome Labor Day Weekend and enjoyed the sun and sales that were going on.