Dinner in Yountville (Napa Valley)

Hey! We were on vacation last week in California. And, no, no, we didn’t go to The French Laundry (although, I am starting a campaign to do so on our 5th wedding anniversary) but we did go to Ad Hoc, one of Thomas Keller‘s other restaurants. Mmm!

Menu from April 29, 2010:

* TFL Garden Carrot & Butter Lettuce Salad – sugar snap peas, blonde frisee, crisp chickpeas, white cabbage, chive oil, diced jicama, ginger dressing

* Angus Beef New York Strip Steak – grilled scallions, fingerling potatoes, cilantro, fried hen egg, fresno chilies, sauteed baby rainbow chard

* Fresh Leaf-Wrapped Goat Cheese with assorted pickles and olives, maldon flatbread

* Banana Spring Rolls – valhrona chocolate sauce, coconut ice cream

Yeah, it was quite good. See the pictures below. Plus a few assorted . . . → Read More: Dinner in Yountville (Napa Valley)

Halibut with Carrot-Shiitake-Miso Broth & Udon Noodles

Okay, this is where I try to reverse-engineer a meal from out at a restaurant. How did I do? Pretty well! This is from wonderful meal that we had at the Aquarius restaurant in Santa Cruz last month, with jwa’s parents.

That amazingly tasty dish: California white bass with udon noodles, lychee glaze and miso-truffle broth. So, yeah, mine was similiar, but a little different. Swapped bass for halibut, guava for lychee, no truffles in broth and added veggies! I basically used the flavorings for the broth that I’ve used before making a miso soup (ginger, garlic, soy sauce, mirin). It worked well here.

Oh, I loved this. I want to make it again. I’d say the glaze is probably optional, and when I make it again, I might just . . . → Read More: Halibut with Carrot-Shiitake-Miso Broth & Udon Noodles

California: The Week in Pictures

Mostly pictures of our vacation to California last week. Very good as I am way tired. Goodnight. *snore*

Places mentioned –

Benbow Inn
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Boathouse Vacation Rental
Sea Ranch
Trinks
Redwood Grill

Mussels with chorizo, tomato and tarragon at the Benbow Inn.

Benbow Bridge over the Elk River

More Elk River

Benbow Inn

View from our room

Approaching the Golden Gate Bridge from the North

On the bridge

Sea horses at the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Sea dragons at the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Deck at the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Assorted sea creatures at the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Near the aquarium

Willow Glen (San Jose) Starbucks at night

Deck of our vacation rental in Anchor Bay (The Boat House)

The front of the Boat House

More front

More deck (looking out over redwoods and the ocean)

Trinks Coffeehouse in Gualala, CA

Sea Ranch coast

More Sea Ranch

Stairs on the beach

Tide pool

Hanging out on Walk On Beach

Starfish

jwa . . . → Read More: California: The Week in Pictures

Curiosity + Black Beans + Waffle Iron = Tasty, Tasty Snacks

I came across a recipe by Michael Chiarello for white bean waffles a while ago and was very intrigued. So much so that I completely changed the recipe to be black bean waffles. Recently I had some time, a can of black beans and a waffle maker. Here’s what happened…

Black Bean Waffles
For the beans:
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup chicken stock
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 dash tabasco
1 handful fresh cilantro
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the waffles:
1 1/2 cups AP flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp kosher salt
2 eggs
1 cups milk
3 tbsp olive oil

Preheat your waffle device of choice. In a small pot combine the beans, chili powder, cumin, tabasco, and chicken stock. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer for about . . . → Read More: Curiosity + Black Beans + Waffle Iron = Tasty, Tasty Snacks