A Press Democrat Blog

Kitchen Talk

Turn up the heat on home cooking

“Fat Chef” and the 5 unhealthiest cookbooks of 2011

Monday, at 5:39 by

It’s been a long, strange month for those of us fighting the battle of the post-holiday bulge while trying to get our exercise routines back on track.  By mid-month, we had witnessed a jaw-dropping array of  emaciated, X-ray actresses giving out Golden Globe awards. Forget the Caveman diet. These women must be on the Flavored Water diet. Then, just last week, the Queen of Southern Cuisine Paula Deen revealed that she has suffered from type 2 diabetes for years. Was… Read More »

A muffin makeover for new year

Monday, at 4:55 by

Folks trying to get healthy this month may be interested to learn that  studies have shown that low-fat diets are no better for your health than moderate- or high-fat diets. And for many, they may be worse. To combat this “low fat is best” myth, nutrition experts at the Harvard School of Public Health have developed five, new muffin recipes that incorporate healthy fats and whole grains but use a lighter hand on sugar and salt, in an effort to “make over” the… Read More »

Warm up with Brazilian coffee

Monday, at 4:33 by

    This time of year, I start dreaming of a vacation in the tropics, and especially of Brazil, where I once spent  three  months  living in the the Afro-Brazilian city of Salvador da Bahia. During that time, the historic city was warming up for the week-long bacchanalia known as Mardi Gras, and every weekend, there was another street party and parade offering an endless stream of food, drink and music.      If you’re  also hearing samba drums in your head, check out… Read More »

Sazon launching new food truck on Corby Avenue in Santa Rosa

Friday, at 11:59 by

      One of the bright spots in the Sonoma County restaurant scene last year was the influx of pan-Latin eateries, including the warm and inviting Sazon, a Peruvian restaurant at 1129 Sebastopol Road that showcases  authentic ceviches and  sopas,  antichuco appetizers and  entrees made with the country’s famous seafood, pepper sauces and potatoes.     The only downside of dining at Sazon is that it is tiny. Sazon’s father-son owners  Juan Luis Navarro and Juan Jose Navarro Calvo-Perez hope to remedy… Read More »

Weird, wild food stories from 2011

Wednesday, at 11:22 by

    There was not a lot to laugh about in 2011, but now that it’s almost over,  it’s kind of cathartic to look back  at some of the weird and wild food stories that  gave us pause and  provided a bit of comic relief.  Here are a few of my favorites, collected throughout the year by myself and a few of my colleagues  at the Press Democrat: -          Jan. 14, 2011: The director of the California Department of Public Health warned… Read More »

Perfect pair: Prime rib and Yorkshire Pudding

Tuesday, at 11:38 by

     In our house, the classic prime rib roast has become the Christmas dinner of choice. It’s a decadent, once-a-year treat, and the rare, red meat is delicious  served with a simple au jus sauce and some horseradish .     Last month, Josh Silvers of Jackson’s and Petite Syrah in Santa Rosa demonstrated how to cook a Holiday  Prime Rib Roast with Classic Yorkshire Pudding at G& G Market during his monthly Cooking in Sonoma Show on KSRO Radio.    … Read More »

Chiarello chopped from “Next Iron Chef”

Monday, at 5:11 by

                                                                                                                                                                                                               Fans of Bottega in Yountville will be disappointed to learn that  Michael Chiarello lost out to San Francisco pastry chef  Elizabeth Falkner of Citizen Cake  last night during the pre-finale battle of the Food Networks’ “The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs.”        Falkner and Chiarello went mano-a-mano with a “secret ingredient” elimination featuring appetizers made with Entwine wines and Townhouse crackers.  Falkner advanced by the skin of her teeth to face off with New York chef Geoffrey Zakarian… Read More »

LaSalette launches “Crab Stewsday” in Sonoma

Thursday, at 11:05 by

                                                                                                                                                                              Here’s a good deal for local Dungness crab lovers.  Chef/owner Manuel Azevedo of LaSalette Restaurant in Sonoma has launched a new Crab “Stewsday”  on Tuesday evenings through crab season,  showcasing his mother’s recipe for “ Caranguejo”  Portuguese spiced crab stew.    For $33.95, you can get a complete crab dinner with a hearts of romaine salad, garlic buttered penne pasta with Topo cheese , crab stew,  garlic bread and choice of house-made ice cream or sorbet.    The crab stew… Read More »

Winter season heats up with roasted crab

Wednesday, at 11:04 by

 I don’t know about you, but my life has improved immensely since the meaty Dungeness crabs arrived on our shores, ready to brighten the long winter days with their cheerful, red bodies and  tasty, sweet meat.     Normally, we  serve the cooked, cleaned crabs cold with a mayonnaise-lemon dip and a salad, but this weekend, I tried a roasted recipe from Josh Silvers of  Jackson’s in Santa Rosa, where the chef/owner  is serving  Dungeness  crab hot from the wood oven. To be honest… Read More »

Food gifts found through the Grapevine

Monday, at 3:23 by

      You heard it here first. The Grapevine Trading Co. will hold its annual holiday sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m . Sunday at the warehouse at 738 Wilson St. in Santa Rosa’s Railroad Square.     Bottled under the California Harvest label, the award-winning  food products include pasta and marinara sauce, tapenades and olives,  honey and spices, olive oils and vinegars, and lots more. (Go to grapevinetrading.com to see the complete… Read More »