Tomato Powder

This is an extraordinarily versatile product. It's basically dehydrated tomatoes ground to a powder.

It will last a very long time (even though it might clump in moist weather.) Certainly, in the freezer, it will last indefinitely.

Versatile, did the CC mention versatile?

Mix with hot water to get an instant tomato paste. Sprinkle over a salad for a hint of tomato.

Best use ever - toss with popcorn!

Only one downside. It's seriously pricey - at least in New York. (Maybe some readers could chime in?)

Food in the Bay Area : Part 3

Christmas Dinner

At a friend's place.

The Bread Child

パン = pan = bread (from the Portuguese)
子 = ko = child

パン粉 = panko = child of bread = breadcrumbs

Quite Christmas-sy, isn't it?

The Pantry : Part 1

The CC is frequently asked how he manages to make all the stuff he does. Crucial to the entire scheme is a large pantry.

The CC has seen many people's pantries, and it's a very safe bet that the CC's is about 4-5X larger than most. Living in New York where space is at a premium!

How else is one to "effortlessly" whip up different kinds of salads night after night and/or other culinary wonders if one doesn't have the ingredients at hand?

This is definitely one of those "momentum" things. Having stocked it over time, it is one of the easiest things to just keep rolling.

There is shockingly little wastage too, and you don't need to grow your own food neither (Hello, Michael Pollan, daaaaaaah-ling!!!!!!!!)

These should be the staples of your pantry:

• oils
  
• vinegars
  
• nuts
  
• lentils
  
• rices (sic)
  
• wheat products
  
• dried products (mushroom, fish, flowers)
  
• flours
  
• canned food.

A Sampling of Oils

Food in the Bay Area : Part 2

Lunch at an izakaya place.

Sansai Soba

Whole Wheat Pasta with Caramelized Onions, Brussel Sprouts & Hazelnuts

Yeah, it's exactly as sex-on-a-plate™ as it sounds.

Three tricks:

Fry the onions first and and brussel sprouts after that, slowly and properly (probably take you 15+ mins.)

Toasted breadcrumbs are sprinkled on top right before serving.

The hazelnuts are toasted and crushed before sprinkling.

Food in the Bay Area : Part 1

Yep, the CC has a new toy! The pictures are better.


Seafood Paella

Salad with Chickpeas, Mushrooms, Green Beans & Radishes in a Mustard-Parmesan Vinaigrette

Mizuna Salad with Sauteed Scallops, Radishes, Carrots, Beluga Lentils in an Almond-Lemon Vinaigrette

Poetic Linguistics

Oyako don is a donburi (Japanese rice bowl dish) made with chicken, rice and a scrambled egg on top.

oya = parent
ko = child

oyako = parent and child

The chicken is the parent and the egg is the child.

Mutter Methi Malai