French Onion Soup

My sister gave me this recipe for French Onion Soup. She used sugar to caramelize the onions and I thought it made the soup too sweet. I omitted the sugar and I think it still caramelizes nicely.

Onion Soup Au Gratin

½ stick unsalted butter

4 large onions, halved and thinly sliced
Salt
½ tsp ground black pepper
6 cups beef stock
2 Tbs cognac
4 large thick slices French bread, toasted
1 cup grated Gruyere cheese

Melt the butter in a soup pot.  Add onions and wilt over medium-low heat, covered, for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Sprinkle with salt & pepper.

Add the stock and simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes.  Add the cognac.  Cook until the broth is rich in taste, another 30-40 minutes.

Preheat the broiler to 350 degrees.  Divide the soup among four oven-proof bowls.  Top each with a slice of toasted bread and sprinkle the cheese evenly on top.  Place under the broiler until the cheese melts.



2013 04 06

Roasted Mussels

I love roasted mussels and I found this great recipe from Martha Stewart. You can find her recipe here: http://www.marthastewart.com/316948/roasted-mussels

  

I first had roasted mussels at Zibbibo's in Palo Alto and I've loved them since. Roasted mussels are more flavorful than steamed mussels. If you've never had roasted mussels, try it once and you'll be hooked as well.

 

 

 

2013 04 06

Thursday Night Dinner

Here's this week's offerings at Flavor Bistro--all for $24.95.

Gamberoni Con Couscous--Grilled Jumbo Prawns, Black Olive-Arugula Couscous served with a Warm Shallot & Herb Salsa paired with 2011 Indaba Sauvignon Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa. This was very flavorful and my favorite for the evening. The couscous was well made, fluffy and the herb salsa gave it a nice flavor.

Risotto Con Prosciutto--Arborio Rice Cooked with Prosciutto Di Parma, Organic Escarole and a Trio of Cheeses paired with 2011 Artezin Zinfandel, Mendocino. A little on the salty side but still very good--creamy sauce with al dente rice.

Agnello Alla Griglia--Grilled Local Lamb Loin Chop Garnished with Peperonata and Pesto Potato Puree Topped with Citrus-Herb Gremolata paired with 2008 St. Francis Vineyards Merlot, Sonoma County

Crostata Di Mele--Organic Apple Galette Garnished with Chantilly Cream paired with 2011 Navarro Vineyards "Cluster Select" Late Harvest Riesling, Anderson Valley

2013 04 11

Turnip Cake

You can find packaged turnip cakes. Just slice, fry with a little oil and serve.

 

You can find this in any Asian grocery store. I found this at Lion's Market for $2.50.

Slice and fry with a little oil. You do want to fry it quickly so it doesn't become a big mushy mess.

I like to have mine with garlic soy sauce.





Hang Ah, Santa Rosa

Hang Ah is a dim sum place in Santa Rosa. I was surprised that it serves pretty good dim sum. It's located off Hwy 101 at 2130 Armory Rd.

Steamed BBQ Pork Bun--$2.50 for 2 buns. It doesn't look like the typical BBQ Pork Bun but the filling was very tasty.

Pan Fried Turnip Cake--$3.50.

Bee's Nest Taro Puff--$3.50. This was very good. Nice taro flavor and nice meat filling.

Sticky Rice in Lotus Leaf--$4.50. This was as good as it gets in dim sum places in the South Bay.

They also serve lunch specials from 11:30-3:00 pm everyday, including weekends. It comes with the soup of the day, which was hot & sour soup. This was very good. Just the right amount of hot and sour. 

Black Mushroom Beef--$7.50. One of the 17 options available, ranging from $7.00 to $8.95. It's served with chow mein, fried rice or steam rice and vegetables of the day. The beef was very tender and the sauce was very tasty.

 

 

 

2013 04 06

La Vera

La Vera is located at 629 4th Street in Santa Rosa.

 

 

The best thing about the restaurant is the La Vera Warm Rolls. These are essentially pizza dough with olive oil, sea salt and Italian herbs. They are served with entrees or can be ordered as an appetizer--12 for $5.50 or 6 for $2.75. These are delicious.

 

 

Entrees come with soup or salad. Tonight's soup was Butternut Squash. This was okay.

 

Chicken Parmigiana with Spaghetti. This was the special of the evening. Chicken was okay--not dry but nothing special and the sauce was also just okay. Luckily it was only $13.95 and included the rolls and soup.

 

2013 03 13

Fat Wong's Kitchen

I'm always searching for a place to eat near SFO when we get home after a long flight. Fat Wong's Kitchen fits the bill. It's located in San Bruno at 1780 El Camino Real. It's open until 11:30 pm but takes cash only.

 

Rice Noodle Roll with Fish Paste--$3.50. It's served only until 9 pm. This was tasty and the sauce was just the right salty with a hint of sweet.

 



Beef Chow Fun--$7.00. The beef was tender and the dish was not oily.

 

 

 

2012 11 19